During the course of experimental acute hepatitis, activation of TLR3 by poly(I:C) led to an enhanced expression of LIGHT in the early phase of hepatitis, and blockade of LIGHT/HVEM pathways with recombinant HVEM-Fc protein significantly reduced serum ALT levels and inhibited liver necrosis and apoptosis in poly(I:C)-induced acute hepatitis. The gene discussed is TNFRSF14; the disease is hepatitis A virus infection.