The role of hepatocyte mitochondrial DNA in liver injury.

Hepatocytes, the predominant cellular constituents of the liver, exhibit the highest mitochondrial density within the human body. Remarkably, experimental insights from the latter part of the previous century involving extracellular injection of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) elucidated its potential to incite autoimmune disorders. Consequently, in instances of liver injury, the substantial release of mtDNA has the potential to trigger the activation of the innate immune response, thereby inducing sustained pathogenic consequences within the organism. This article provides a comprehensive retrospective analysis of recent literature pertaining to the impact of mtDNA release on various hepatic cell populations, elucidating its role and potential mechanisms in liver injury. The findings underscore the central role of mtDNA in modulating the immune system, primarily through the orchestration of a cytokine storm, further exacerbating the occurrence of liver injury.
Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest We declare that there is no conflict of interest to influence the work of this review.
(Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)