The impact of sterile inflammation in acute liver injury

Background: The liver has a number of functions in innate immunity. These functions predispose the liver to innate immune-mediated liver injury when inflammation goes unchecked. Significant progress has been made in the last 25 years on sterile inflammatory liver injury in a number of models; however, a great deal of controversy and many questions about the nature of sterile inflammation still exist. Aim: The goal of this article is to review sterile inflammatory liver injury using both a basic approach to what constitutes the inflammatory injury, and through examination of current models of liver injury and inflammation. This information will be tied to human patient conditions when appropriate. Relevance for patients: Inflammation is one of the most critical factors for managing in-patient liver disease in a number of scenarios. More information is needed for both scientists and clinicians to develop rational treatments.