Autoimmune hepatitis in children: what is different from adult AIH?

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is characterized by inflammatory liver histology, circulating non-organ-specific autoantibodies, and increased levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G in the absence of a known etiology. Two types of childhood AIH are recognized according to seropositivity: smooth muscle antibody (SMA) and/or antinuclear antibody (ANA), which is AIH type 1; and antibodies to liver-kidney microsome type 1 (anti-LKM1), which is AIH type 2. There is a female predominance in both. Autoimmune hepatitis type 2 presents more acutely, at a younger age, and commonly with IgA deficiency; however, duration of symptoms before diagnosis, clinical signs, family history of autoimmunity, presence of associated autoimmune disorders, response to treatment, and long-term prognosis are similar in the two groups. Immunosuppressive treatment with steroids and azathioprine, which should be instituted promptly to avoid progression to cirrhosis, induces remission in 80% of cases. Relapses are common, often due to nonadherence. Drugs effective in refractory cases include cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil. Long-term treatment is usually required, with only some 20% of AIH type 1 patients able to discontinue therapy successfully. In childhood, sclerosing cholangitis with strong autoimmune features, including interface hepatitis and serological features identical to AIH type 1, is as prevalent as AIH, but it affects boys and girls equally. The differential diagnosis relies on cholangiographic studies. In autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis, liver parenchymal damage responds satisfactorily to immunosuppressive treatment, whereas bile duct disease tends to progress.

Autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is characterized by inflammatory liver histology, circulating nonorgan-specific autoantibodies, and increased levels of immunoglobulin G, in the absence of a known etiology. Two types of juvenile autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are recognized according to seropositivity for smooth muscle and/or anti-nuclear antibody (AIH type 1) or liver kidney microsomal antibody (AIH type 2). There is a female predominance in both. AIH type 2 presents more acutely, at a younger age and commonly with immunoglobulin A deficiency, whereas duration of symptoms before diagnosis, clinical signs, family history of autoimmunity, presence of associated autoimmune disorders, response to treatment, and long-term prognosis are similar in the 2 groups. Immunosuppressive treatment with steroids and azathioprine, which should be instituted promptly to avoid progression to cirrhosis, induces remission in 80% of cases. Relapses are common, often due to nonadherence. Drugs effective in refractory cases include cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil. Long-term treatment is usually required, with only some 20% of AIH type 1 patients able to discontinue therapy successfully. In childhood, sclerosing cholangitis with strong autoimmune features, including interface hepatitis and serological features identical to AIH type 1, is as prevalent as AIH, but it affects boys and girls equally. Differential diagnosis relies on cholangiographic studies. In autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis liver parenchymal damage responds satisfactorily to immunosuppressive treatment, whereas bile duct disease tends to progress. In this article we review the state of the art of diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment for children with AIH.

Vigorous activation of monocytes in juvenile autoimmune liver disease escapes the control of regulatory T-cells

Interface hepatitis, the histological lesion typical of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), is composed of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes and of innate immunity cells, particularly monocytes. Studies in AIH have focused on autoreactive CD4 and CD8 T cells and impairment of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (T-regs), whereas little is known about the role of monocytes and their relationship with T-regs. We have investigated 51 patients with autoimmune liver disease (AILD) and 27 healthy subjects, finding that monocytes were higher in number (P = 0.044), had a more vigorous spontaneous migration (P < 0.0005 in patients with inactive disease [ID], and P < 0.001 in those with active disease [AD]), displayed a higher tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) over interleukin (IL)-10 production (P = 0.07 in ID and P = 0.0005 in AD), and expressed higher levels of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 (P = 0.048 in ID and P = 0.03 in AD). Addition of conventional T-regs (cT-regs) in AILD enhanced monocyte migration (P = 0.05 in ID and P = 0.08 in AD), magnified TNF-alpha over IL-10 production (P = 0.0005 in ID and P = 0.006 in AD), and markedly increased TLR4 expression levels (P = 0.01 in ID and P = 0.004 in AD), whereas in normal subjects it either restrained or left unchanged monocyte function. Because a CD127-negative subpopulation within CD4+CD25+ T cells exerts the strongest regulatory activity, we performed additional experiments using purified CD4+CD25+CD127- T cells (true T-regs [tT-regs]). Addition of tT-regs to monocytes decreased monocyte migration (P = 0.03) and promoted IL-10 production (P = 0.009), leaving unchanged TLR4 expression in healthy subjects, whereas in patients with AILD it induced only a marginal increase in IL-10 production (P = 0.045 in ID and P = 0.13 in AD).

CONCLUSION

Monocyte overactivation and inability of cT-regs and tT-regs to restrain it may contribute to the loss of immune tolerance and perpetuation of the autoimmune attack in AILD.

Biliary atresia

Biliary atresia (BA) is a condition unique to infancy. It results from inflammatory destruction of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. It is the most frequent surgically correctable liver disorder in infancy and the most frequent indication for liver transplantation in paediatric age. Clinical presentation is in the first few weeks of life with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia (dark urine and pale stools); other manifestations of liver disease, such as failure to thrive, splenomegaly and ascites, appear only later, when surgery is unlikely to be successful. Hence, all infants with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia must be urgently referred to specialised centres for appropriate treatment. Success of surgery depends on the age at which it is performed. With corrective surgery, followed, when necessary, by liver transplantation, the overall survival rate is approximately 90%. The cause of BA is unknown, but there is evidence for the involvement of infectious, genetic and immunologic mechanisms, which will be discussed in this review.

Autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an inflammatory liver disease affecting mainly females and characterised histologically by interface hepatitis, biochemically by elevated transaminase levels and serologically by the presence of autoantibodies and increased levels of immunoglobulin G. AIH responds to immunosuppressive treatment, which should be instituted as soon as diagnosis is made. Seropositivity for smooth muscle and/or anti-nuclear antibody defines type 1 AIH, while positivity for liver kidney microsomal type 1 antibody defines type 2 AIH. The aetiology of AIH is unknown, though both genetic and environmental factors are involved in its expression. Immune reactions against host liver antigens are believed to be the major mechanism of liver damage.

Missense mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms in ABCB11 impair bile salt export pump processing and function or disrupt pre-messenger RNA splicing

The gene encoding the human bile salt export pump (BSEP), ABCB11, is mutated in several forms of intrahepatic cholestasis. Here we classified the majority (63) of known ABCB11 missense mutations and 21 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to determine whether they caused abnormal ABCB11 pre-messenger RNA splicing, abnormal processing of BSEP protein, or alterations in BSEP protein function. Using an in vitro minigene system to analyze splicing events, we found reduced wild-type splicing for 20 mutations/SNPs, with normal mRNA levels reduced to 5% or less in eight cases. The common ABCB11 missense mutation encoding D482G enhanced aberrant splicing, whereas the common SNP A1028A promoted exon skipping. Addition of exogenous splicing factors modulated several splicing defects. Of the mutants expressed in vitro in CHO-K1 cells, most appeared to be retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and degraded. A minority had BSEP levels similar to wild-type. The SNP variant A444 had reduced levels of protein compared with V444. Treatment with glycerol and incubation at reduced temperature overcame processing defects for several mutants, including E297G. Taurocholate transport by two assessed mutants, N490D and A570T, was reduced compared with wild-type.

CONCLUSION

This work is a comprehensive analysis of 80% of ABCB11 missense mutations and single-nucleotide polymorphisms at pre-mRNA splicing and protein processing/functional levels. We show that aberrant pre-mRNA splicing occurs in a considerable number of cases, leading to reduced levels of normal mRNA. Thus, primary defects at either the protein or the mRNA level (or both) contribute significantly to BSEP deficiency. These results will help to develop mutation-specific therapies for children and adults suffering from intrahepatic cholestasis due to BSEP deficiency.

Auxiliary transplantation for acute liver failure: Histopathological study of native liver regeneration

Auxiliary liver transplantation (ALT) permits the serial assessment of regeneration in livers of patients with acute liver failure (ALF). Forty-nine ALF patients [32 adults (median age, 23 years; range, 16-40 years) and 17 children (median age, 12 years; range, 1-15 years)] underwent ALT between 1994 and 2004 at King's College Hospital. Twenty-four patients had seronegative liver failure, 15 had acetaminophen toxicity, 4 had hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, 3 had drug-induced liver failure, 2 had autoimmune hepatitis, and 1 had mushroom poisoning. Nine patients without post-ALT native liver histology were excluded from review. All acetaminophen-induced, HBV, and drug-related patients had diffuse injury. Twelve seronegative patients and the autoimmune hepatitis patient had a map-like injury. On follow-up, 9 acetaminophen-induced patients, 9 seronegative patients, 2 drug-induced ALF patients, 3 HBV patients, and the autoimmune patient recovered to a near-normal native liver with inconsequential scarring. The hepatocyte proliferative rate in diffuse necrosis was 27.4% (range, 3.1%-69.4%) at hepatectomy and sharply decreased after 8 days post-ALT, being minimal months and years after ALT. In conclusion, in patients undergoing ALT for ALF with a diffuse pattern of liver injury-mainly acetaminophen toxicity-hepatocyte proliferation occurs in the native liver within a few days of transplantation. If the injury is map-like (most cases of seronegative ALF), regeneration seems to involve variable hepatocellular proliferation and potential ductular hepatopoiesis, but sequential assessment is difficult because of sampling variation. The likelihood of histological recovery appears to be minimal in livers with total hepatocyte loss at the time of ALT.

Long-term outcome of mycophenolate mofetil rescue therapy for resistant acute allograft rejection in pediatric liver transplant recipients

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has been used to rescue liver allografts with steroid-resistant rejection (SRR). However, the long-term outcome of these patients is not known. This study evaluates the long-term outcome of MMF rescue therapy for SRR in pediatric liver allograft recipients. Twenty-six children (who received 28 liver transplants), including 16 girls, were given MMF for SRR. The median age at transplant was 1.7 (range 0.4-13.6) years. Primary immunosuppression was cyclosporine-based in 22 and tacrolimus-based in 6. All patients except one had been converted to tacrolimus prior to MMF, having already received a median of 2 (1-5) courses of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone. The median time to MMF rescue therapy was 1.8 (0.4-35.8) months. Twenty-one of 28 episodes of SRR responded to MMF therapy. The median follow-up was 8.8 (7.7-11.5) years. In responders, there was 1 death from posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease, and no grafts were lost to chronic rejection. In the 7 nonresponders, 3 grafts were lost to chronic rejection with 2 patient deaths. Surviving children are clinically well with good liver function, and 17 remain on MMF. Three children have glomerular filtration < 80 mL/minute/1.73 m(2). Side effects of MMF were seen in 12 patients; diarrhea (n = 5) and leukopenia (n = 5) being the most common. MMF was found to be effective in treating SRR in pediatric allograft recipients, with good long-term graft function and an acceptable side-effect profile.

Evaluation of risk factors in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in autoimmune hepatitis: Implications for follow-up and screening

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has traditionally been considered a rare complication of cirrhosis secondary to autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), yet the true incidence remains unknown due to a lack of published data. Consequently, some professional guidelines do not mandate routine surveillance for HCC in this condition. Our aims were to evaluate the rate at which HCC develops among a large, prospectively obtained cohort of patients with AIH at a single center. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory indices associated with the development of HCC were also identified. HCC was discovered in 15 of 243 patients with AIH, all of whom had type 1 AIH equating to 1090 cases per 100,000 patient follow-up years. HCC occurred in the same proportion of females as males, 6.1% versus 6.4%, P = 0.95. HCC occurred more frequently in patients who had cirrhosis at presentation, 9.3% versus 3.4%, P = 0.048, or who had a variceal bleed as the index presentation of AIH, 20% versus 5.3%, P = 0.003. The median duration from time of confirmed cirrhosis to a diagnosis of HCC was 102.5 months, range 12-195 months. Median survival in patients whose HCC was diagnosed on surveillance was 19 months (range 6-36 months) compared with 2 months (range 0-14 months) for patients presenting symptomatically (P = 0.042).

CONCLUSION

Cirrhosis in AIH is the sine qua non for HCC development, which subsequently occurs at a rate of 1.1% per year and affects men and women in equal proportions.

C-terminal deletions in the ALAS2 gene lead to gain of function and cause X-linked dominant protoporphyria without anemia or iron overload

All reported mutations in ALAS2, which encodes the rate-regulating enzyme of erythroid heme biosynthesis, cause X-linked sideroblastic anemia. We describe eight families with ALAS2 deletions, either c.1706-1709 delAGTG (p.E569GfsX24) or c.1699-1700 delAT (p.M567EfsX2), resulting in frameshifts that lead to replacement or deletion of the 19-20 C-terminal residues of the enzyme. Prokaryotic expression studies show that both mutations markedly increase ALAS2 activity. These gain-of-function mutations cause a previously unrecognized form of porphyria, X-linked dominant protoporphyria, characterized biochemically by a high proportion of zinc-protoporphyrin in erythrocytes, in which a mismatch between protoporphyrin production and the heme requirement of differentiating erythroid cells leads to overproduction of protoporphyrin in amounts sufficient to cause photosensitivity and liver disease.

Aetiopathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis

The histological hallmark of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a dense portal mononuclear cell infiltrate that invades the surrounding parenchyma and comprises T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and plasma cells. An unknown but powerful stimulus must be promoting the formation of this massive inflammatory cellular reaction that is likely to initiate and perpetuate liver damage. An autoimmune attack can follow different pathways to inflict damage on hepatocytes. Liver damage is likely to be orchestrated by CD4⁺ T lymphocytes recognizing an autoantigenic liver peptide. To trigger an autoimmune response, the peptide must be embraced by an HLA class II molecule and presented to naïve CD4⁺ T helper (Th0) cells by professional antigen presenting cells, with the co-stimulation of ligand-ligand fostering interaction between the two cells. Th0 cells become activated, differentiate into functional phenotypes according to the cytokines prevailing in the microenvironment and the nature of the antigen, and initiate a cascade of immune reactions determined by the cytokines produced by the activated T cells. Th1 cells, arising in the presence of the macrophage-derived interleukin (IL) -12, secrete mainly IL-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which activate macrophages, enhance expression of HLA classI(increasing liver cell vulnerability to a CD8⁺ T cell cytotoxic attack), and induce expression of HLA class II molecules on hepatocytes. Th2 cells, which differentiate from Th0 if the microenvironment is rich in IL-4, produce mainly IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 which favour autoantibody production by B lymphocytes. Physiologically, Th1 and Th2 antagonize each other. Th17 cells, a recently described population, arise in the presence of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and IL-6 and appear to have an important effector role in inflammation and autoimmunity. The process of autoantigen recognition is strictly controlled by regulatory mechanisms, such as those exerted by CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells, which derive from Th0 in the presence of TGF-β, but in the absence of IL-6. If regulatory mechanisms fail, the autoimmune attack is perpetuated. Over the past three decades different aspects of the above pathogenic scenario have been investigated. In particular, a defect in immunoregulation affecting CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells (T-regs) has been demonstrated in AIH, particularly at diagnosis or during relapse. Advances in the study of autoreactive T cells have occurred mostly in AIH type 2, since the knowledge that CYP2D6 is the main autoantigen has enabled the characterization of both CD4 and CD8 T cells targeting this cytochrome. CD4 T cells from patients with type 2 AIH positive for the predisposing HLA allele DRB1*0701 recognize seven regions of CYP2D6, five of which are also recognized by CD8 T cells. High numbers of IFN-γ producing CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells are associated with biochemical evidence of liver damage, suggesting a combined cellular immune attack.

Autoimmune paediatric liver disease

Liver disorders with a likely autoimmune pathogenesis in childhood include autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC), and de novo AIH after liver transplantation. AIH is divided into two subtypes according to seropositivity for smooth muscle and/or antinuclear antibody (SMA/ANA, type 1) or liver kidney microsomal antibody (LKM1, type 2). There is a female predominance in both. LKM1 positive patients tend to present more acutely, at a younger age, and commonly have partial IgA deficiency, while duration of symptoms before diagnosis, clinical signs, family history of autoimmunity, presence of associated autoimmune disorders, response to treatment, and long-term prognosis are similar in both groups. The most common type of paediatric sclerosing cholangitis is ASC. The clinical, biochemical, immunological, and histological presentation of ASC is often indistinguishable from that of AIH type 1. In both, there are high IgG, non-organ specific autoantibodies, and interface hepatitis. Diagnosis is made by cholangiography. Children with ASC respond to immunosuppression satisfactorily and similarly to AIH in respect to remission and relapse rates, times to normalization of biochemical parameters, and decreased inflammatory activity on follow up liver biopsies. However, the cholangiopathy can progress. There may be evolution from AIH to ASC over the years, despite treatment. De novo AIH after liver transplantation affects patients not transplanted for autoimmune disorders and is strikingly reminiscent of classical AIH, including elevated titres of serum antibodies, hypergammaglobulinaemia, and histological findings of interface hepatitis, bridging fibrosis, and collapse. Like classical AIH, it responds to treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine. De novo AIH post liver transplantation may derive from interference by calcineurin inhibitors with the intrathymic physiological mechanisms of T-cell maturation and selection. Whether this condition is a distinct entity or a form of atypical rejection in individuals susceptible to the development of autoimmune phenomena is unclear. Whatever its etiology, the recognition of this potentially life-threatening syndrome is important since its management differs from that of standard anti-rejection therapy.

Living related liver transplantation in children

Background

Living related liver transplantation (LRLT) has become established for treating children with end-stage liver disease. The aim of this study was to review a single-centre experience of left lateral segment liver transplants from living donors in children.

Methods

Fifty left lateral segment LRLT procedures have been performed since 1993. There were 17 girls and 33 boys, of median age 1·5 years (range 0·5 to 13 years), with a median weight of 10 (range 0·7–44) kg. Donors included 23 mothers, 26 fathers and one uncle, with a median age of 33 (range 19–46) years.

Results

At a median follow-up of 86 months, there was no donor mortality and low morbidity. Patient and graft survival rates were 98, 96 and 96 per cent, and 98, 96 and 93 per cent at 1, 3 and 5 years respectively. Three children had a second transplant at a median of 9 years after the first. The incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis, portal vein thrombosis and biliary complications was 6, 4 and 14 per cent respectively.

Conclusion

Living related liver transplantation has good long-term results in children.

A novel treatment of congenital hepatoportal arteriovenous fistula

Congenital hepatoportal arteriovenous fistula is a rare cause of portal hypertension in young children. Unlike the acquired form, which is usually isolated and can be cured by hepatic artery (HA) embolization, recurrence of portal hypertension often occurs with congenital hepatoportal arteriovenous fistula after embolization and/or HA ligation because of early, rapid collateralization and the presence of multiple arterioportal fistula. Although long-term outcome after embolization is not known, liver transplantation has been proposed as the only option for this condition. However, portal vein and hepatic arterial anastomoses are made difficult because of the presence of portal vein arterialization and previous HA ligation, with a significantly increased risk of vascular complications. We report a case where resolution of portal hypertension has been achieved by an end-to-side portocaval shunt, to preserve the portal vein and HA for future liver transplantation, should it be required.

Severe bile salt export pump deficiency: 82 different ABCB11 mutations in 109 families

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Patients with severe bile salt export pump (BSEP) deficiency present as infants with progressive cholestatic liver disease. We characterized mutations of ABCB11 (encoding BSEP) in such patients and correlated genotypes with residual protein detection and risk of malignancy.

METHODS

Patients with intrahepatic cholestasis suggestive of BSEP deficiency were investigated by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and sequencing of ABCB11. Genotypes sorted by likely phenotypic severity were correlated with data on BSEP immunohistochemistry and clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Eighty-two different mutations (52 novel) were identified in 109 families (9 nonsense mutations, 10 small insertions and deletions, 15 splice-site changes, 3 whole-gene deletions, 45 missense changes). In 7 families, only a single heterozygous mutation was identified despite complete sequence analysis. Thirty-two percent of mutations occurred in >1 family, with E297G and/or D482G present in 58% of European families (52/89). On immunohistochemical analysis (88 patients), 93% had abnormal or absent BSEP staining. Expression varied most for E297G and D482G, with some BSEP detected in 45% of patients (19/42) with these mutations. Hepatocellular carcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma developed in 15% of patients (19/128). Two protein-truncating mutations conferred particular risk; 38% (8/21) of such patients developed malignancy versus 10% (11/107) with potentially less severe genotypes (relative risk, 3.7 [confidence limits, 1.7-8.1; P = .003]).

CONCLUSIONS

With this study, >100 ABCB11 mutations are now identified. Immunohistochemically detectable BSEP is typically absent, or much reduced, in severe disease. BSEP deficiency confers risk of hepatobiliary malignancy. Close surveillance of BSEP-deficient patients retaining their native liver, particularly those carrying 2 null mutations, is essential.

A novel treatment of congenital hepatoportal arteriovenous fistula

Congenital hepatoportal arteriovenous fistula is a rare cause of portal hypertension in young children. Unlike the acquired form, which is usually isolated and can be cured by hepatic artery (HA) embolization, recurrence of portal hypertension often occurs with congenital hepatoportal arteriovenous fistula after embolization and/or HA ligation because of early, rapid collateralization and the presence of multiple arterioportal fistula. Although long-term outcome after embolization is not known, liver transplantation has been proposed as the only option for this condition. However, portal vein and hepatic arterial anastomoses are made difficult because of the presence of portal vein arterialization and previous HA ligation, with a significantly increased risk of vascular complications. We report a case where resolution of portal hypertension has been achieved by an end-to-side portocaval shunt, to preserve the portal vein and HA for future liver transplantation, should it be required.

Autoimmune Hepatitis and PSC Connection

This article describes the connection between autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The two conditions have chronicity, liver inflammation, and a positive autoimmune serology in common; they differ in terms of gender distribution and bile duct damage. There is evidence suggesting that AIH and PSC are immune-mediated diseases. PSC and AIH could lie within the spectrum of the same disease process. Future studies should determine how frequently AIH evolves to PSC.

Expansion and de novo generation of potentially therapeutic regulatory T cells in patients with autoimmune hepatitis

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (T-regs) are central to the maintenance of immune tolerance and represent an immune intervention candidate in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), a condition characterized by impaired T-reg number and function. We investigated whether T-regs can be expanded from the existing CD4+CD25+ T cell pool and generated de novo from CD4+CD25- T cells in AIH patients and healthy controls. Purified CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25- T cells from 24 patients with type 1 AIH and 22 healthy controls were cultured for up to 5 weeks with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 T cell expander and high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2). Cell phenotypes, suppressor ability, forkhead winged/helix transcription factor box P3 (FOXP3) gene, and protein expression were assessed weekly by cytofluorimetry, proliferation assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunoblot. During culture, the number of CD4+CD25+ T cells derived from the existing T-reg pool (expanded T-regs) and generated de novo from CD4+CD25- T cells (newly generated T-regs) increased constantly up to week 4 in both healthy controls and, to a lesser extent, in AIH patients. Expanded T-regs retained conventional T-reg phenotype and, compared with baseline, demonstrated more vigorous suppressive function and increased FOXP3 gene and protein expression. Newly generated T-regs not only acquired T-reg phenotype but underwent greater growth and were more resistant to apoptosis than expanded T-regs. Their suppressive function augmented throughout culture, reaching a peak at week 4, preceded by a peak FOXP3 gene and protein expression at week 2. Suppressor function and FOXP3 expression of both expanded and newly generated T-regs were higher in normal controls than in AIH patients.

CONCLUSION

Functionally enhanced T-regs can be expanded and generated de novo in patients with AIH. This finding may assist in reconstituting impaired immune regulation and restoring peripheral tolerance through T-reg infusion in this condition.

Hepatocyte transplantation followed by auxiliary liver transplantation--a novel treatment for ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency

We report the first successful use of hepatocyte transplantation as a bridge to subsequent auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) in a child antenatally diagnosed with severe ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency. A total of 1.74 x 10(9) fresh and cryopreserved hepatocytes were administered intraportally into the liver over a period of 6 months. Immunosuppression was with tacrolimus and prednisolone. A sustained decrease in ammonia levels and a gradual increase in serum urea were observed except during episodes of sepsis in the first 6 months of life. The patient was able to tolerate a normal protein intake and presented a normal growth and neurological development. APOLT was successfully performed at 7 months of age. We conclude that hepatocyte transplantation can be used in conjunction with APOLT as an effective treatment for severe OTC-deficient patients, improving neurodevelopmental outcomes.

HCV infection: pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and therapy

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide public health problem with a global prevalence of 2-3%. It is believed that about 170 million people are currently infected (about 3% of the world's population), and a further 3-4 million are infected each year. HCV is the main reason for liver transplantation in the developed world, and the main cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality in a number of countries, including Italy. It is not only a frequent cause of chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, but is also involved in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune and rheumatic disorders (arthritis, vasculitis, sicca syndrome, porphyria cutanea tarda, lichen planus, nephropathies, thyroid diseases, and lung fibrosis), as well as in the development of B-cell lymphoproliferative diseases. Furthermore, patients suffering from C hepatitis tend to produce rheumatoid factor, cryoglobulins and a large series of autoantibodies (ANA, anti-SSA/SSB, SAM, ATG, aCL). The use of glucocorticoids or immuno-suppressant agents in HCV infected individuals, which are needed to treat autoimmune and rheumatic disorders, leads to a risk of worsening the clinical outcome of HCV. Under these conditions, the viral infection often needs to be treated with antiviral agents, mainly pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin. However, cyclosporine A seems to be safe and effective in patients with autoimmune disease (AD) and concomitant chronic HCV infection as is documented by the reduction in viremia and transaminases, particularly in patients with high baseline levels. Finally, HCV is the main trigger of mixed cryoglobulinemia. An attempt at viral eradication is therefore indicated in most patients, and is particularly effective in the case of mild or moderate manifestations. In severe cases, rituximab is an apparently safe and effective alternative to conventional immunosuppression and, specifically, it controls B-cell proliferation.

Evolution in the management of acute liver failure-associated aplastic anaemia in children: a single centre experience

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Bone marrow failure (BMF) is a potentially life-threatening complication of acute liver failure (ALF).

METHODS

To investigate prevalence and evolving management of BMF associated with ALF, we reviewed all cases seen in our centre over 17 years. BMF was classified as: (a) bone marrow hypoplasia, (b) severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) and (c) very severe aplastic anaemia (VSAA), using standard criteria. We compared outcomes in children receiving: (1) medical treatment only with or without immunomodulation (anti-lymphocyte globulin, calcineurin inhibitors, G-CSF); (2) medical treatment with or without immunomodulation plus liver transplantation (LT); (3) haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

RESULTS

Of 213 patients with ALF, 20 [(9.4%); 14 (70%) boys] developed BMF after a median of 1 month (range, 0.5 to 7). Seven had VSAA, 7 SAA and 6 bone marrow hypoplasia. Five children were treated medically, including 3 by immunomodulation; 10 (50%) received LT, with immunomodulation in 6; 5 (25%) received HSCT, in one after LT. Four (20%) children died, only one as consequence of AA. There was no difference in recovery, complication rates or outcome among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Aggressive management of ALF-associated AA, including immunomodulation, HSCT and LT, is successful in most cases. HSCT has the advantage of removing the risk of late clonal disorders.

Safety and efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in children with non-acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure

Acute liver failure (ALF) carries a high mortality in children. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant agent that replenishes mitochondrial and cytosolic glutathione stores, has been used in the treatment of late acetaminophen-induced ALF and non-acetaminophen-induced ALF. In our unit, NAC was introduced as additional treatment for non-acetaminophen-induced ALF in 1995. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NAC in children with ALF not caused by acetaminophen poisoning. A retrospective review of medical records of 170 children presenting with nonacetaminophen-induced ALF between 1989 and 2004 was undertaken. ALF was defined as either international normalized ratio of prothrombin time (INR) > 2 and abnormal liver function or INR >1.5 with encephalopathy and abnormal liver function. Children were divided into the following groups: Group 1 (1989-1994), standard care (n = 59; 34 [58%] male; median age 2.03 yr, range 0.003-15.8 yr); and Group 2 (1995-2004), standard care and NAC administration (n = 111; 57 [51%] male; median age 3.51 yr, range 0.005-17.4 yr). NAC was administered as a continuous infusion (100 mg/kg/24 hours) until INR < 1.4, death, or liver transplantation (LT). The median duration of NAC administration in Group 2 was 5 (range, 1-77) days. Complications were noted in 8 (10.8%) children: rash in 3, arrhythmia in 3, and dizziness and peripheral edema in 1. One child had an allergic reaction (bronchospasm) and NAC was stopped. A total of 41 (71%) children in Group 1 vs. 85 (77%) in Group 2 required admission to intensive care, P = not significant (ns). The length of intensive care stay was 6 (range, 1-58) days in Group 1 vs. 5 (range, 1-68) days in Group 2, P = ns and length of hospital stay was 25 (range, 1-264) days vs. 19 (range, 1-201) days, P = 0.05. The 10-yr actuarial survival was 50% in Group 1 compared to 75% in Group 2, P = 0.009. Survival with native liver occurred in 13 (22%) in Group 1 vs. 48 (43%) in Group 2, P = 0.005; 15 (25%) in Group 1 died without transplant vs. 21 (19%) in Group 2, P = ns; and LT was performed in 32 (54%) vs. 42 (38%), P = ns. Death after transplantation occurred in 15 (39%) in Group 1 vs. 8 (16%) in Group 2, P = 0.02. In conclusion, NAC is safe in non-acetaminophen-induced ALF. In this retrospective study NAC was associated with a shorter length of hospital stay, higher incidence of native liver recovery without transplantation, and better survival after transplantation.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of corticosteroids after Kasai portoenterostomy for biliary atresia

The objective of this study was to evaluate adjuvant corticosteroids after Kasai portoenterostomy for biliary atresia. The study consisted of a prospective, 2-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of post-Kasai portoenterostomy corticosteroids (oral prednisolone: 2 mg/kg/day from day 7 to day 21 and 1 mg/kg/day from day 22 to day 28). The data were compared with chi2 or Mann-Whitney tests, as appropriate. Seventy-one postoperative infants with type 3 biliary atresia were randomized to receive either oral prednisolone (n = 36) or a placebo (n = 37). At 1 month, the median bilirubin level was lower in the steroid group (66 versus 92 micromol/L, P = 0.06), but no difference was evident at 6 (P = 0.56) or 12 (P = 0.3) months. The proportion of infants with a normal bilirubin level (<20 micromol/L) at 6 (47% versus 49%, P = 0.89) and 12 months (50% versus 40%, P = 0.35) was not significantly different. The need for transplantation by 6 (12% versus 13%, P = 0.99) and 12 months (26% versus 35%, P = 0.47) was not significantly different. The steroid effect was more pronounced in younger infants (less than 70 days at Kasai portoenterostomy, n = 51), with a reduced bilirubin level at 1 month (64 versus 117 micromol/L, P = 0.01) and with a greater proportion with a normal bilirubin level at 12 months (54% versus 37%, P = 0.22).

CONCLUSION

There was a beneficial effect on the rate of reduction of bilirubin in the early postoperative period (specifically in infants less than 70 days old at surgery), but this steroid regimen did not reduce the need for liver transplantation.