“Oxidative Stress Induced by Alcohol Consumption Alters the Functions of Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells and the Immune System,” will be presented by Geoffrey M. Thiele, Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center. Oxidative stress caused by alcohol consumption causes the production of many metabolites (aldehydes) of ethanol that can bind to and modify proteins. Studies in our laboratory have evaluated the role of these aldehyde modified proteins in the development and/or progression of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). More specifically, the original studies investigated the biological responses of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) to these modified proteins in the presence and absence of ethanol with respect to; receptor mediated endocytosis, cytokine secretion, and adhesion molecule expression. Since alcohol inhibited the clearance of these aldehyde modified proteins and initiated a pro-inflammatory environment by LSECs, studies were then expanded to determine whether the immune system is initiated and contributes to the pathogenesis of ALD. These studies have resulted in many publications and presentations, as well as, funding from both the NIH and VA.