Alpha-galactosylceramide-induced liver injury in mice is mediated by TNF-alpha but independent of Kupffer cells

NKT cells expressing phenotypic markers of both T and NK cells seem to be pivotal in murine models of immune-mediated liver injury, e.g., in Con A-induced hepatitis. Also alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer), a specific ligand for invariant Valpha14 NKT cells, induces hepatic injury. To improve the comprehension of NKT-cell mediated liver injury, we investigated concomitants and prerequisites of alpha-GalCer-induced hepatitis in mice. Liver injury induced by alpha-GalCer injection into C57BL/6 mice was accompanied by intrahepatic caspase-3 activity but appeared independent thereof. alpha-GalCer injection also induces pronounced cytokine responses, including TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6. We provide a detailed time course for the expression of these cytokines, both in liver and plasma. Cytokine neutralization revealed that, unlike Con A-induced hepatitis, IFN-gamma is not only dispensable for alpha-GalCer-induced hepatotoxicity but even appears to exert protective effects. In contrast, TNF-alpha was clearly identified as an important mediator for hepatic injury in this model that increased Fas ligand expression on NKT cells. Whereas intrahepatic Kupffer cells are known as a pivotal source for TNF-alpha in Con A-induced hepatitis, they were nonessential for alpha-GalCer-mediated hepatotoxicity. In alpha-GalCer-treated mice, TNF-alpha was produced by intrahepatic lymphocytes, in particular NKT cells. BALB/c mice were significantly less susceptible to alpha-GalCer-induced liver injury than C57BL/6 mice, in particular upon pretreatment with d-galactosamine, a hepatocyte-specific sensitizer to TNF-alpha-mediated injury. Finally, we demonstrate resemblance of murine alpha-GalCer-induced hepatitis to human autoimmune-like liver disorders. The particular features of this model compared with other immune-mediated hepatitis models may enhance comprehension of basic mechanisms in the etiopathogenesis of NKT cell-comprising liver disorders.     

Crucial role of IL-4/STAT6 in T cell-mediated hepatitis: up-regulating eotaxins and IL-5 and recruiting leukocytes

T cell-mediated immune responses are implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of liver disorders; however, the underlying mechanism remains obscure. Con A injection is a widely accepted mouse model to study T cell-mediated liver injury, in which STAT6 is rapidly activated. Disruption of the IL-4 and STAT6 gene by way of genetic knockout abolishes Con A-mediated liver injury without affecting IFN-gamma/STAT1, IL-6/STAT3, or TNF-alpha/NF-kappaB signaling or affecting NKT cell activation. Infiltration of neutrophils and eosinophils in Con A-induced hepatitis is markedly suppressed in IL-4 (-/-) and STAT6(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice. IL-4 treatment induces expression of eotaxins in hepatocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells isolated from wild-type mice but not from STAT6(-/-) mice. Con A injection induces expression of eotaxins in the liver and elevates serum levels of IL-5 and eotaxins; such induction is markedly attenuated in IL-4(-/-) and STAT6(-/-) mice. Finally, eotaxin blockade attenuates Con A-induced liver injury and leukocyte infiltration. Taken together, these findings suggest that IL-4/STAT6 plays a critical role in Con A-induced hepatitis, via enhancing expression of eotaxins in hepatocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells, and induces IL-5 expression, thereby facilitating recruitment of eosinophils and neutrophils into the liver and resulting in hepatitis.     

Vγ4 γδ T cell-derived IL-17A negatively regulates NKT cell function in Con A-induced fulminant hepatitis

Con A-induced fulminant hepatitis is a well-known animal model for acute liver failure. However, the role of γδ T cells in this model is undefined. In this report, using TCR δ(-/-) mice, we demonstrated a protective role of γδ T cells in Con A-induced hepatitis model. TCR δ(-/-) mice showed significantly decreased levels of IL-17A and IL-17F in the Con A-treated liver tissue, and reconstitution of TCR δ(-/-) mice with wild-type (Wt), but not IL-17A(-/-), γδ T cells significantly reduced hepatitis, strongly suggesting a critical role of IL-17A in mediating the protective effect of γδ T cells. Interestingly, only Vγ4, but not Vγ1, γδ T cells exerted such a protective effect. Furthermore, depletion of NKT cells in TCR δ(-/-) mice completely abolished hepatitis, and NKT cells from Con A-challenged liver tissues of TCR δ(-/-) mice expressed significantly higher amounts of proinflammatory cytokine IFN-γ than those from Wt mice, indicating that γδ T cells protected hepatitis through targeting NKT cells. Finally, abnormal capacity of IFN-γ production by NKT cells of TCR δ(-/-) mice could only be downregulated by transferring Wt, but not IL-17(-/-), Vγ4 γδ T cells, confirming an essential role of Vγ4-derived IL-17A in regulating the function of NKT cells. In summary, our report thus demonstrated a novel function of Vγ4 γδ T cells in mediating a protective effect against Con A-induced fulminant hepatitis through negatively regulating function of NKT cells in an IL-17A-dependent manner, and transferring Vγ4 γδ T cells may provide a novel therapeutic approach for this devastating liver disease.     

IL-6 prevents T cell-mediated hepatitis via inhibition of NKT cells in CD4+ T cell- and STAT3-dependent manners

The hepatoprotective effect of IL-6 on various forms of liver injury including T cell-mediated hepatitis has been well documented, and it is believed that induction of antiapoptotic proteins is an important mechanism. In this study, we provide evidence suggesting an additional mechanism involved in the protective role of IL-6 in T cell-mediated hepatitis. In NKT cell-depleted mice, Con A-induced liver injury is diminished; this can be restored by the adoptive transfer of liver mononuclear cells or NKT cells from wild-type mice, but not from IL-6-treated mice. In vitro IL-6 treatment inhibits the ability of mononuclear cells to restore Con A-induced liver injury in NKT-depleted mice, whereas the same treatment does not inhibit purified NKT cells from restoring the injury. The addition of CD3(+) T cells or CD4(+) T cells can restore the inhibitory effect of IL-6 on purified NKT cells, whereas the addition of CD3(+) T cells from CD4-deficient mice fails to restore this inhibitory effect. The expression of IL-6R was detected in 52.6% of hepatic CD3(+) T cells and 32.7% of hepatic CD4(+) T cells, but only in 3.9% of hepatic NK and 1.5% of hepatic NKT cells. Finally, treatment with IL-6 induces STAT3 activation in hepatic lymphocytes and hepatic T cells, and blocking such activation abolishes the inhibitory effect of IL-6 on hepatic lymphocytes to restore liver injury. Taken together, these findings suggest that in addition to its antiapoptotic abilities, as previously well documented, IL-6/STAT3 inhibits NKT cells via targeting CD4(+) T cells and consequently prevents T cell-mediated hepatitis.     

Critical role of interleukin-17/interleukin-17 receptor axis in mediating Con A-induced hepatitis

Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis is thought to be a T-cell-mediated disease with active destruction of liver cells. Interleukin (IL)-17 is a cytokine produced principally by CD4(+) T cells. However, whether IL-17/IL-17 receptor (IL-17/IL-17R)-mediated responses are involved in T-cell-mediated Con A-induced liver injury remains unclear. In this study, we found that IL-17 expression was highly elevated in liver tissues during Con A-induced hepatitis. The increased levels of IL-17 were paralleled with the severity of liver injury reflected by Alanine aminotransaminase and histological assay as well as the secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6. Blockage of IL-17 significantly ameliorated Con A-induced hepatitis, while overexpression of IL-17 systemically resulted in massive hepatocyte necrosis in mice. Furthermore, overexpression of an IL-17R immunoglobulin G1 fusion protein significantly attenuated liver inflammation after acute Con A treatment. High expression of IL-17R on Kupffer cells was also observed along with the production of cytokines including TNF-α and IL-6. Inhibition of Kupffer cells by gadolinium chloride completely prevented Con A-induced liver injury and cytokine release. Finally, IL-17-expressing CD4(+) T and natural killer T cells were greatly increased in Con A-injected mice compared with that in controls. Overall, our results indicate that IL-17R signaling is critically involved in the pathogenesis in Con A-induced hepatitis, and blockade of IL-17/IL-17R signaling pathway may represent a novel therapeutic intervention in human autoimmune-related hepatitis.     

Effects of Kupffer cell-depletion on Concanavalin A-induced hepatitis

TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, and MIP-2 are known to be involved in Con A-induced hepatitis. Although Kupffer cells are reportedly involved in TNF-α production, it is largely unknown whether or not Kupffer cells also play a role in the production of other cytokines, such as IFN-γ, IL-4, and MIP-2. In this study we examined the liver injury and the levels of plasma cytokines, including above four cytokines, KC, and IL-10 in Kupffer cell-depleted mice obtained through administration of liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene bisphosphonate. The liver injury was significantly suppressed in Kupffer cell-depleted mice, as assessed as to the plasma ALT level and histochemistry. The cytokine levels were also significantly suppressed in such mice except for those of IFN-γ, which was slightly suppressed at 12 h, and IL-10, which was not significantly suppressed at any time. Apoptosis was also significantly suppressed in such mice, as found immunohistochemically with anti-ssDNA Ab. Taken together, these results suggest that Kupffer cells are involved in the production of MIP-2, KC, IL-4, and TNF-α in Con A-induced hepatitis, thereby contributing to the liver injury either directly or indirectly.     

A novel accessory role of neutrophils in concanavalin A-induced hepatitis

Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis has been investigated as a model of T cell-mediated liver injury, in which IFN-gamma plays an essential role by inducing apoptosis of liver cells. Since a large number of neutrophils infiltrate into the liver in the model, the role of neutrophils was investigated in this study. Con A hardly caused liver injury in neutrophil-depleted mice, as assessed as to the plasma alanine aminotransferase level as well as histochemistry. Neutrophil-depleted mice also failed to produce IFN-gamma. Intracellular IFN-gamma staining revealed that, among liver leukocytes, T and NK cells but not neutrophils are the main producers of IFN-gamma. Nylon wool-purified "T cells", however, failed to produce IFN-gamma in response to Con A in vitro, while the production was restored by the addition of neutrophils. Overall, this study suggests that neutrophils play a novel accessory role in IFN-gamma production in Con A-induced hepatitis.     

Cytokine-induced inflammatory liver injuries

IL-18 is a pleiotropic cytokine and is produced by various types of cells including activated macrophages, particularly Kupffer cells. IL-18 has potential to activate inflammatory responses through induction of IFN-gamma production in collaboration with IL-12. Somewhat paradoxically, IL-18 also has the capacity to induce allergic responses via induction of IL-4 production by T helper cells and to activate mast cells and basophils to release atopic effector molecules such as histamine. Indeed, IL-18 is involved in inflammatory tissue injuries, such as Crohn's disease and atherosclerosis, and also in hyper IgE and atopic dermatitis. IL-18 is particularly important for induction of experimental liver diseases. Endotoxin-induced liver injury or Fas ligand-induced hepatitis is caused by endogenous IL-18 in mice. Moreover, patients with liver diseases such as fulminant hepatitis, liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis virus infection and primary biliary cirrhosis show elevation of serum levels of IL-18, that correlates with the corresponding disease severity. Therefore, endogenous IL-18 plays a major role in induction of some types of liver injuries in mice and human. NKT cells that express both T cell receptor and NK cell marker are abundant in the liver of mice and human. Recent studies have revealed that NKT cells participate in some types of liver injuries, such as concanavalin A-induced T cell-mediated hepatitis and malaria hepatitis. In this review article, we focus on IL-18-involving liver damages and NKT-cell-mediated liver injuries.     

C-C chemokine ligand 2/monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 directly inhibits NKT cell IL-4 production and is hepatoprotective in T cell-mediated hepatitis in the mouse

T cell-mediated liver diseases are associated with elevated serum levels of C-C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2)/monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). However, the extent to which the actions of CCL2/MCP-1 contribute to the pathogenesis of T cell-mediated hepatitis remains incompletely understood. Con A-induced hepatitis is a liver-specific inflammation mediated by activated T cells and is driven by an up-regulation of the hepatic expression of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-4. The present study examined the role of CCL2/MCP-1 in the pathogenesis of T cell-mediated hepatitis induced by Con A administration in the mouse. We demonstrate a novel hepatoprotective role for CCL2/MCP-1 during Con A-induced hepatitis, because CCL2/MCP-1 neutralization strikingly enhanced hepatic injury, both biochemically and histologically, after Con A administration. Furthermore, CCL2/MCP-1 neutralization was associated with a significant reduction in the hepatic levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, but with a significant increase in hepatic IL-4 levels. Moreover, IL-4 production and CCR2 expression by Con A-stimulated CD3(+)NK1.1(+) T cells was significantly reduced by rMCP-1 treatment in vitro. In summary, we propose that CCL2/MCP-1 fulfills a novel anti-inflammatory role in T cell-mediated hepatitis by inhibiting CD3(+)NK1.1(+) T cell-derived IL-4 production through direct stimulation of its specific receptor CCR2. These findings may have direct clinical relevance to T cell-mediated hepatitis.     

CD44-deficient mice exhibit enhanced hepatitis after concanavalin A injection: evidence for involvement of CD44 in activation-induced cell death

Administration of Con A induces severe injury to hepatocytes in mice and is considered to be a model for human hepatitis. In the current study, we investigated the role of CD44 in Con A-induced hepatitis. Intravenous administration of Con A (20 mg/kg) caused 100% mortality in C57BL/6 CD44-knockout (KO) mice, although it was not lethal in C57BL/6 CD44 wild-type (WT) mice. Administration of lower doses of Con A (12 mg/kg body weight) into CD44 WT mice induced hepatitis as evident from increased plasma aspartate aminotransferase levels accompanied by active infiltration of mononuclear cells and neutrophils, and significant induction of apoptosis in the liver. Interestingly, CD44 KO mice injected with similar doses of Con A exhibited more severe acute suppurative hepatitis. Transfer of spleen cells from Con A-injected CD44 KO mice into CD44 WT mice induced higher levels of hepatitis when compared with transfer of similar cells from CD44 WT mice into CD44 WT mice. The increased hepatitis seen in CD44 KO mice was accompanied by increased production of cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-2 and IFN-gamma, but not Fas or Fas ligand. The increased susceptibility of CD44 KO mice to hepatitis correlated with the observation that T cells from CD44 KO mice were more resistant to activation-induced cell death when compared with the CD44 WT mice. Together, these data demonstrate that activated T cells use CD44 to undergo apoptosis, and dysregulation in this pathway could lead to increased pathogenesis in a number of diseases, including hepatitis.     

Over-expression of Roquin aggravates T cell mediated hepatitis in transgenic mice using T cell specific promoter

Chronic hepatitis is a major cause of liver cancer, so earlier treatment of hepatitis might be reducing liver cancer incidence. Hepatitis can be induced in mice by treatment with Concanavalin A (Con A); the resulting liver injury causes significant CD4⁺ T cell activation and infiltration. In these T cells, Roquin, a ring-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, is activated. To investigate the role of Roquin, we examined Con A-induced liver injury and T cell infiltration in transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing Roquin specifically in T cells. In Roquin Tg mice, Con A treatment caused greater increases in both the levels of liver injury enzymes and liver tissue apoptosis, as revealed by TUNEL and H&E staining, than wild type (WT) mice. Further, Roquin Tg mice respond to Con A treatment with greater increases in the T cell population, particularly Th17 cells, though Treg cell counts are lower. Roquin overexpression also enhances increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-6, upon liver injury. Furthermore, Roquin regulates the immune response and apoptosis in Con A induced hepatitis via STATs, Bax and Bcl2. These findings suggest that over-expression of Roquin exacerbates T-cell mediated hepatitis.     

Increase in hepatic NKT cells in leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2-deficient mice contributes to severe concanavalin A-induced hepatitis

Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) was originally identified for its possible chemotactic activity against human neutrophils in vitro. It is a 16-kDa protein that is preferentially expressed in the liver. Its homologues have been widely identified in many vertebrates. Current evidence suggests that LECT2 may be a multifunctional protein like cytokines. However, the function of LECT2 in vivo remains unclear. To elucidate the role of this protein in vivo, we have generated LECT2-deficient (LECT2(-/-)) mice. We found that the proportion of NKT cells in the liver increased significantly in LECT2(-/-) mice, although those of conventional T cells, NK cells, and other cell types were comparable with those in wild-type mice. Consistent with increased hepatic NKT cell number, the production of IL-4 and IFN-gamma was augmented in LECT2(-/-) mice upon stimulation with alpha-galactosylceramide, which specifically activates Valpha14 NKT cells. In addition, NKT cell-mediated cytotoxic activity against syngeneic thymocytes increased in hepatic mononuclear cells obtained from LECT2(-/-) mice in vitro. Interestingly, the hepatic injury was exacerbated in LECT2(-/-) mice upon treatment with Con A, possibly because of the significantly higher expression of IL-4 and Fas ligand. These results suggest that LECT2 might regulate the homeostasis of NKT cells in the liver and might be involved in the pathogenesis of hepatitis.     

Lack of chemokine receptor CCR5 promotes murine fulminant liver failure by preventing the apoptosis of activated CD1d-restricted NKT cells

Fulminant liver failure (FLF) consists of a cascade of events beginning with a presumed uncontrolled systemic activation of the immune system. The etiology of FLF remains undefined. In this study, we demonstrate that CCR5 deficiency promotes the development of acute FLF in mice following Con A administration by preventing activated hepatic CD1d-restricted NKT cells (but not conventional T cells) from dying from activation-induced apoptosis. The resistance of CCR5-deficient NKT cells from activation-induced apoptosis following Con A administration is not due to a defective Fas-driven death pathway. Moreover, FLF in CCR5-deficient mice also correlated with hepatic CCR5-deficient NKT cells, producing more IL-4, but not IFN-gamma, relative to wild-type NKT cells. Furthermore, FLF in these mice was abolished by IL-4 mAb or NK1.1 mAb treatment. We propose that CCR5 deficiency may predispose individuals to the development of FLF by preventing hepatic NKT cell apoptosis and by regulating NKT cell function, establishing a novel role for CCR5 in the development of this catastrophic liver disease that is independent of leukocyte recruitment.     

WSX-1: a key role in induction of chronic intestinal nematode infection

Chronic infection by the gastrointestinal nematode Trichuris muris in susceptible AKR mice, which mount a Th1 response, is associated with IL-27p28 expression in the cecum. In contrast to wild-type mice, mice that lack the WSX-1/IL-27R gene fail to harbor a chronic infection, having significantly lower Th1 responses. The lower level of Ag-specific IFN-gamma-positive cells in WSX-1 knockout (KO) mice was found to be CD4(+) T cell specific, and the KO mice also had increased levels of IL-4-positive CD4(+) T cells. Polyclonal activation of mesenteric lymph node cells from naive WSX-1 KO or wild-type mice demonstrated that there was no inherent defect in the production of IFN-gamma by CD4(+) T cells, suggesting the decrease in these cells seen in infected WSX-1 KO mice is an in vivo Ag-driven effect. IL-12 treatment of WSX-1 KO mice failed to rescue the type 1 response, resulting in unaltered type-2-driven resistance. Infection of WSX-1 KO mice was also associated with a reduction of IL-27/WSX-1 downstream signaling gene expression within the cecum. These studies demonstrate an important role for WSX-1 signaling in the promotion of type 1 responses and chronic gastrointestinal nematode infection.     

Activating immunity in the liver. II. IFN-beta attenuates NK cell-dependent liver injury triggered by liver NKT cell activation

Dendritic cell (DC)-dependent activation of liver NKT cells triggered by a single i.v. injection of a low dose (10-100 ng/mouse) of alpha-galactosyl ceramide (alphaGalCer) into mice induces liver injury. This response is particularly evident in HBs-tg B6 mice that express a transgene-encoded hepatitis B surface Ag in the liver. Liver injury following alphaGalCer injection is suppressed in mice depleted of NK cells, indicating that NK cells play a role in NK T cell-initiated liver injury. In vitro, liver NKT cells provide a CD80/86-dependent signal to alphaGalCer-pulsed liver DC to release IL-12 p70 that stimulates the IFN-gamma response of NKT and NK cells. Adoptive transfer of NKT cell-activated liver DC into the liver of nontreated, normal (immunocompetent), or immunodeficient (RAG(-/-) or HBs-tg/RAG(-/-)) hosts via the portal vein elicited IFN-gamma responses of liver NK cells in situ. IFN-beta down-regulates the pathogenic IL-12/IFN-gamma cytokine cascade triggered by NKT cell/DC/NK cell interactions in the liver. Pretreating liver DC in vitro with IFN-beta suppressed their IL-12 (but not IL-10) release in response to CD40 ligation or specific (alphaGalCer-dependent) interaction with liver NKT cells and down-regulated the IFN-gamma response of the specifically activated liver NKT cells. In vivo, IFN-beta attenuated the NKT cell-triggered induction of liver immunopathology. This study identifies interacting subsets of the hepatic innate immune system (and cytokines that up- and down-regulate these interactions) activated early in immune-mediated liver pathology.     

Apolipoprotein A-II suppressed concanavalin A-induced hepatitis via the inhibition of CD4 T cell function

Con A-induced hepatitis has been used as a model of human autoimmune or viral hepatitis. During the process of identifying immunologically bioactive proteins in human plasma, we found that apolipoprotein A-II (ApoA-II), the second major apolipoprotein of high-density lipoprotein, inhibited the production of IFN-γ by Con A-stimulated mouse and human CD4 T cells. Con A-induced hepatitis was attenuated by the administration of ApoA-II. The beneficial effect of ApoA-II was associated with reduced leukocyte infiltration and decreased production of T cell-related cytokines and chemokines in the liver. ApoA-II inhibited the Con A-induced activation of ERK-MAPK and nuclear translocation of NFAT in CD4 T cells. Interestingly, exacerbated hepatitis was observed in ApoA-II-deficient mice, indicating that ApoA-II plays a suppressive role in Con A-induced hepatitis under physiological conditions. Moreover, the administration of ApoA-II after the onset of Con A-induced hepatitis was sufficient to suppress disease. Thus, the therapeutic effect of ApoA-II could be useful for patients with CD4 T cell-related autoimmune and viral hepatitis.     

Exacerbation of experimental allergic asthma by augmented Th2 responses in WSX-1-deficient mice

WSX-1 (IL-27R) is a class I cytokine receptor with homology to gp130 and IL-12 receptors and is typically expressed on CD4+ T lymphocytes. Although previous reports have clarified that IL-27/WSX-1 signaling plays critical roles in both Th1 differentiation and attenuation of cell activation and proinflammatory cytokine production during some bacterial or protozoan infections, little is known about the importance of WSX-1 in cytokine-mediated diseases of allergic origin. To this aim, we took advantage of WSX-1-deficient (WSX-1(-/-)) mice and induced experimental asthma, in which Th2 cytokines are central modulators of the pathology. OVA-challenged WSX-1(-/-) mice showed marked enhancement of airway responsiveness with goblet cell hyperplasia, pulmonary eosinophil infiltration, and increased serum IgE levels compared with wild-type mice. Production of Th2 cytokines, which are largely responsible for the pathogenesis of asthma, was augmented in the lung or in the culture supernatants of peribronchial lymph node CD4+ T cells from WSX-1(-/-) mice compared with those from wild-type mice. Surprisingly, IFN-gamma production was also enhanced in WSX-1(-/-) mice, albeit at a low concentration. The cytokine overproduction, thus, seems independent from the Th1-promoting property of WSX-1. These results demonstrated that IL-27/WSX-1 also plays an important role in the down-regulation of airway hyper-reactivity and lung inflammation during the development of allergic asthma through its suppressive effect on cytokine production.     

Deletion of gp130 in myeloid cells modulates IL-6-release and is associated with more severe liver injury of Con A hepatitis

IL-6/gp130 dependent signaling plays an important role in modulating inflammation in acute and chronic diseases. The course of Concanavalin A- (Con A) induced hepatitis can be modulated by different immune-mediated mechanisms. IL-6/gp130-dependent signaling has been shown to be protective in hepatocytes. However, the role of this pathway in myeloid cells has not yet been studied. In our present study we used macrophage/neutrophil-specific gp130 knockout (gp130(ΔLys), KO) animals and analyzed its relevance in modulating Con A-induced hepatitis. Additionally, we performed in vitro studies with gp130(ΔLys)-macrophages. We demonstrate that gp130(ΔLys) animals are more susceptible to Con A-induced hepatitis. This is reflected by higher transaminases, higher lethality and more severe liver injury as shown by histological staining. Using flow cytometry analysis we further could show that increased liver injury of gp130(ΔLys) animals is associated with a stronger infiltration of CD11b/F4/80 double-positive cells compared to wild-type (gp130(flox/flox), WT) controls. To further characterize our observations we studied thioglycolate-elicited peritoneal macrophages from gp130(ΔLys) animals. Interestingly, the LPS-dependent IL-6 release in gp130(ΔLys) macrophages is significantly reduced (p<0.05) compared to WT macrophages. Additionally, IL-6 blood levels in vivo after Con A injection were significantly lower in gp130(ΔLys) animals compared to WT animals (p<0.05). In summary, our results suggest that gp130-deletion in macrophages and granulocytes leads to diminished IL-6 release from these cells, which is associated with more severe Con A-induced hepatitis.     

IL-37 overexpression enhances the therapeutic effect of endometrial regenerative cells in concanavalin A-induced hepatitis

Background aimsMesenchymal stromal cells and immunosuppressive factor IL-37 can both suppress concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis in mice. Endometrial regenerative cells (ERCs), novel types of mesenchymal-like stromal cells, possess powerful immunomodulatory effects and are effective in treating various diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of ERCs in suppressing Con A-induced hepatitis and determine whether IL-37 overexpression could enhance the therapeutic effect of ERCs in this process.MethodsERCs were extracted from the menstrual blood of healthy female volunteer donors. The IL-37 gene was transferred into ERCs, and the expression of IL-37 in cells was detected by western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hepatitis was induced by Con A in C57BL/6 mice that were randomly divided into groups treated with phosphate-buffered saline, ERCs, IL-37 or ERCs transfected with the IL-37 gene (IL-37-ERCs). Cell tracking, liver function, histopathological and immunohistological changes, immune cell proportions and levels of cytokines were measured 24 h after Con A administration.ResultsCompared with ERC or IL-37 treatment, IL-37-ERCs further reduced levels of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and improved histopathological changes in the liver. In addition, IL-37-ERC treatment further reduced the proportions of M1 macrophages and CD4⁺ T cells and increased the proportion of regulatory T cells. Moreover, IL-37-ERC treatment resulted in lower levels of IL-12 and interferon gamma, and higher level of transforming growth factor beta.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that ERCs can effectively alleviate Con A-induced hepatitis. Furthermore, IL-37 overexpression can significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy of ERCs by augmenting the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of ERCs. This study may provide a promising strategy for treatment of T-cell-dependent hepatitis.     

CXCR3 deficiency exacerbates liver disease and abrogates tolerance in a mouse model of immune-mediated hepatitis

The chemokine receptor CXCR3 is preferentially expressed by Th1 cells and critically involved in their recruitment to inflamed tissue. In a mouse model of immune-mediated liver injury inducible by Con A, we investigated the role of CXCR3 in acute IFN-γ-mediated hepatitis as well as in tolerance induction, which has been shown to depend on IL-10-producing CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs). Induction of Con A hepatitis resulted in increased intrahepatic expression of the CXCR3 ligands CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11. CXCR3(-/-) mice developed a more severe liver injury with higher plasma transaminase activities and a more pronounced Th1/Th17 response compared with wild-type (wt) animals upon Con A injection. Moreover, CXCR3(-/-) mice did not establish tolerance upon Con A restimulation, although Tregs from CXCR3(-/-) mice were still suppressive in an in vitro suppression assay. Instead, Tregs failed to accumulate in livers of CXCR3(-/-) mice upon Con A restimulation in contrast to those from wt animals. Con A-tolerant wt mice harbored significantly increased numbers of intrahepatic CXCR3(+)T-bet(+) Tregs that produced IL-10 compared with nontolerant animals. IFN-γ deficiency or anti-IFN-γ Ab treatment demonstrated that conversion to CXCR3(+)T-bet(+) Tregs depended on a Th1 response. Accordingly, in an immunotherapeutic approach, CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs from Con A-pretreated CXCR3-deficient mice failed to protect against Con A-induced hepatitis, whereas Tregs from Con A-tolerant wt mice allowed CXCR3-deficient mice to recover from Con A hepatitis. In summary, CXCR3(+)T-bet(+)IL-10(+) Tregs are generated in the liver in dependence of IFN-γ, then disseminated into the organism and specifically migrate into the liver, where they limit immune-mediated liver damage.