Sherlyn Bailey*
CRIg (complement receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily) is expressed on liver macrophages and mediates phagocytosis by directly binding complement component C3b or Gram-positive bacteria. CRIg is involved in a number of immune-mediated disorders, but it's unclear how its pathogen identification and phagocytic actions keep the body in balance and avoid sickness. The presence of cytolysin-positive Enterococcus faecalis has previously been linked to the severity of alcohol-related liver damage. CRIg is reduced in liver tissues from patients with alcohol-related liver damage, as seen below. CRIg-deficient animals experienced more severe ethanol-induced liver damage than wild-type mice; deletion of toll-like receptor 2 reduced the severity of the disease.