Death receptors in liver biology and pathobiology

There has been a recent explosion of information on the mechanisms by which death receptors trigger apoptosis. Moreover, as molecular techniques evolve and receptor knockout animals become available, the importance of these receptors in a variety of liver diseases will become increasingly important. Our understanding of the intracellular signaling mechanisms should translate into improved theta, peutic strategies for the treatment of human liver diseases. For example, inhibitors of proximal caspases, such as caspase 2, 8, or 10, may prove useful for inhibiting liver cell apoptosis. Moreover, an understanding of how NF-κB leads to inhibition of apoptosis may also lead to therapeutic options to block liver cell death. We hope this review will stimulate further research into the role of these death receptors in the pathobiology of the different liver cell subtypes.