Neuroimmunomodulation in the normal and inflamed human liver

Recent studies have demonstrated a pronounced influence by the autonomic nervous system on immune-mediated experimental hepatitis. These functions are most likely based on close anatomical relationships between nerve fibres and various immune cells in the liver. Therefore our aim was to investigate the precise localization and density of the nerve fibers and immune cell and their contacts in normal and inflamed human liver. Methods: somatostatin (SOM), calcitonin gene-related peptide CGRP), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), galanin immunoreactive (IR) nerve elements…