Emphasis is given to the contribution from hepatocytes and macrophages (Kupffer cells and likely infiltrating monocytes) in inducing proinflammatory mediators required for attracting immune cells (neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes) to the liver. Solid lines indicate data with strong evidences and dotted lines indicate data still needs confirmation, including adaptive immune cells. Contributions from stellate cells and endothelial cells to inflammation are not discussed. Terms and items in bright blue indicate immediate inducers for inflammatory response. Abbreviations: ACH, acetaldehyde; AC, acetate; DAMPs, damage associated molecular pattern molecules; HPA, Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal; Hif–1α, hypoxia–inducible factor 1 alpha; ROS, reactive oxygen species; C3/C5, complement factors 3a and 5a; SFA, free saturated fatty acid; UFA, unsaturated free fatty acids.