Immune Response in the Liver under Conditions of Infection, Malignancy, and Transplantation

The liver is the largest solid organ in the body and commands a large blood supply that is rich in bacterial products, environment toxins, and food antigens, which are repeatedly scanned by cells within the liver. In addition, the regenerative capability of liver tissue makes it unique in comparison to other internal organs. In contrast to these unlike properties, the liver is one of the most common sites for metastatic diseases; it supports chronic viral infections caused by hepatitis B and C and can also promote tolerance against external antigens in animal models. Furthermore, liver transplantation often requires less immunosuppression compared to kidney and other solid organ transplantations. Despite these properties, the study of liver immunology remains in its infancy, and many questions remain unanswered. In that special issue, authors try to find answers in various subjects about immune response in liver under the approach of infection, malignancy, and transplantation.