Fig. 2

The balance of cytokines determines the outcome of the liver. Summarizing the results elaborated in the article, it was found that the green part is anti-inflammatory cytokines and the red part is pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the cytokines located in the middle have dual functions in AILI. Pro-inflammatory cytokines accelerate liver injury by promoting hepatocyte death, neutrophil infiltration, and inflammatory response. Thus, administration of receptor antagonists and chemical inhibitors reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines or in vitro injection and chemical intervention elevating the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines may promote hepatic recovery. IL interleukin, CCR2 C–C motif chemokine receptor 2, CXCL C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand, G-CSF granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, EGF endothelial growth factor, VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor, IFN-γ interferon-γ, TGF-β transforming growth factor-β, TNF-α tumor necrosis factor-α