Programmed cell death in alcohol-associated liver disease

Abstract

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), which ranges from mild disease to alcohol-associated hepatitis and cirrhosis, is the most prevalent type of chronic liver disease and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Accumulating evidence reveals that programmed cell death (PCD) plays a crucial role in progression of ALD involving crosstalk between hepatocytes and immune cells. Multiple pathways of PCD, including apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis and ferroptosis, are reported in ALD. Interestingly, PCD pathways are intimately linked and interdependent, making it difficult to therapeutically target a single pathway. This review clarifies the multiple types of PCD occurring in liver and focuses on crosstalk between hepatocytes and innate immune cells in ALD.