Tarantino G, Savastano S, Capone D, Colao A. Spleen: A new role for an old player?
World J Gastroenterol 2011;
17:3776-84. [PMID:
21987619 PMCID:
PMC3181438 DOI:
10.3748/wjg.v17.i33.3776]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2010] [Revised: 12/13/2010] [Accepted: 12/20/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The spleen could be considered a neglected organ. To date, it has been deemed an ancillary organ in portal hypertension or an organ localization in lymphoproliferative diseases, even though it has had significant attention in infectious diseases for some time. Now, it is thought to be central in regulating the immune system, a metabolic asset and involved in endocrine function with regard to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The main mechanisms involved in this complex network will be critically discussed in this article.
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