The liver is a key, frontline immune tissue. Ideally positioned to detect pathogens entering
the body via the gut, the liver appears designed to detect, capture, and clear bacteria,
viruses, and macromolecules. Containing the largest collection of phagocytic cells in the
body, this organ is an important barrier between us and the outside world. Importantly, as
portal blood also transports a large number of foreign but harmless molecules (eg, food
antigens), the liver's default immune status is anti-inflammatory or immunotolerant; however …