Can Understanding the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Hepatitis Lead to Rational Therapy?

Abstract

The pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis is still poorly understood and therefore, the therapy administered to treat this condition is broadly targeted immunosuppression. However, the aim of therapy in the future should be more specific; it should be a therapy that interrupts the pathogenetic cascade at defined checkpoints. Even though these checkpoints are not yet defined, possible targets of immunotherapy are emerging. These are specifically enhancing the regulatory T-cell activity, anti-cytokine interventions, in particular targeting the tumor necrosis factor, and hopefully in the foreseeable future, defining the key T-cell receptors used and developing new therapies directed against these.