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Jacobs I, Deleu S, Cremer J, De Hertogh G, Vermeire S, Breynaert C, Vanuytsel T, Verstockt B. Eosinophil Depletion as a Potential Therapeutic Strategy in Acute and Chronic Intestinal Inflammation Based on a Dextran Sulfate Sodium Colitis Model. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2024:izae168. [PMID: 39107256 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izae168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A role for eosinophils in intestinal inflammation and fibrosis in the context of inflammatory bowel disease has been suggested, yet the precise nature, whether causal or secondary remains debated. Hence, it remains unclear whether targeting eosinophils should be further explored as a treatment option in inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS Acute and chronic dextran sulfate sodium colitis was induced in wild-type C57BL/6 mice. Eosinophils were depleted by anti-CCR3 injections before colitis induction in a chronic model and after colitis onset in an acute model in order to investigate the impact of eosinophil depletion on pre-existing colitis. Inflammation was assessed using the disease activity index, macroscopic damage, and histological disease activity score. In the chronic model, fibrosis was assessed by examining colon weight/length ratio, collagen deposition through Martius Scarlet Blue staining, hydroxyproline assay, and COL1A1 expression. Protein and gene expression were assessed using the Meso Scale Discovery platform and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS In the acute and chronic colitis model, eosinophil depletion resulted in reduced disease activity and faster recovery, as observed via the total area under the curve of the disease activity index (P = .004 and P = .02, respectively), macroscopic damage score (P = .009 and P = .08, respectively), and histological disease activity score (P = .09 and P = .002, respectively). In the acute model, the accelerated recovery was accompanied by an increase in interleukin (IL)-10 (P = .03) and a decrease in IL-4 (P = .03) and IL-6 (P = .009). Colon weight/length ratio and collagen deposition were not affected by eosinophil depletion. CONCLUSIONS Eosinophil depletion prevents and decreases intestinal inflammation in a preclinical dextran sulfate sodium model without affecting fibrosis. These results pave the way for exploring eosinophil depletion as a novel treatment modality in addressing intestinal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Jacobs
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara Deleu
- Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Cremer
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gert De Hertogh
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Séverine Vermeire
- Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christine Breynaert
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of General Internal Medicine, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim Vanuytsel
- Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Verstockt
- Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Jacobs I, Ceulemans M, Wauters L, Breynaert C, Vermeire S, Verstockt B, Vanuytsel T. Role of Eosinophils in Intestinal Inflammation and Fibrosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Overlooked Villain? Front Immunol 2021; 12:754413. [PMID: 34737752 PMCID: PMC8560962 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.754413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Eosinophils are leukocytes which reside in the gastrointestinal tract under homeostatic conditions, except for the esophagus which is normally devoid of eosinophils. Research on eosinophils has primarily focused on anti-helminth responses and type 2 immune disorders. In contrast, the search for a role of eosinophils in chronic intestinal inflammation and fibrosis has been limited. With a shift in research focus from adaptive to innate immunity and the fact that the eosinophilic granules are filled with inflammatory mediators, eosinophils are becoming a point of interest in inflammatory bowel diseases. In the current review we summarize eosinophil characteristics and recruitment as well as the current knowledge on presence, inflammatory and pro-fibrotic functions of eosinophils in inflammatory bowel disease and other chronic inflammatory conditions, and we identify research gaps which should be covered in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Jacobs
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthias Ceulemans
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lucas Wauters
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christine Breynaert
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Séverine Vermeire
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Verstockt
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim Vanuytsel
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Immunological abnormalities in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Clin Sci (Lond) 2019; 133:741-760. [DOI: 10.1042/cs20181123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), an autoimmune liver disease occurring predominantly in women, is characterized by high titers of serum anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) and progressive intrahepatic cholestasis. The immune system plays a critical role in PBC pathogenesis and a variety of immune cell subsets have been shown to infiltrate the portal tract areas of patients with PBC. Amongst the participating immune cells, CD4 T cells are important cytokine-producing cells that foster an inflammatory microenvironment. Specifically, these cells orchestrate activation of other immune cells, including autoreactive effector CD8 T cells that cause biliary epithelial cell (BEC) injury and B cells that produce large quantities of AMAs. Meanwhile, other immune cells, including dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer (NK) cells, NKT cells, monocytes, and macrophages are also important in PBC pathogenesis. Activation of these cells initiates and perpetuates bile duct damage in PBC patients, leading to intrahepatic cholestasis, hepatic damage, liver fibrosis, and eventually cirrhosis or even liver failure. Taken together, the body of accumulated clinical and experimental evidence has enhanced our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of PBC and suggests that immunotherapy may be a promising treatment option. Herein, we summarize current knowledge regarding immunological abnormalities of PBC patients, with emphasis on underlying pathogenic mechanisms. The differential immune response which occurs over decades of disease activity suggests that different therapies may be needed at different stages of disease.
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Reiman RM, Thompson RW, Feng CG, Hari D, Knight R, Cheever AW, Rosenberg HF, Wynn TA. Interleukin-5 (IL-5) augments the progression of liver fibrosis by regulating IL-13 activity. Infect Immun 2006; 74:1471-9. [PMID: 16495517 PMCID: PMC1418671 DOI: 10.1128/iai.74.3.1471-1479.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Eosinophils are frequently found in increased numbers in a variety of chronic fibrotic diseases; however, their role in the development of hepatic fibrosis has not been dissected in vivo. Here, we used interleukin-5 (IL-5) knockout (KO) mice to determine whether eosinophils contribute to the progressive liver fibrosis that develops in response to chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection. Although infection intensities were similar in C57BL/6 and IL-5 KO mice, the average size of granulomas was significantly smaller in both acutely and chronically infected IL-5 KO mice. Their granulomas were also completely devoid of eosinophils. In addition, the knockout mice displayed over a 40% reduction in hepatic fibrosis by week 16 postinfection. The reduced fibrosis was associated with increased production of the antifibrotic cytokine gamma interferon. Moreover, although IL-13 production did not decrease consistently in the absence of IL-5, IL-13-triggered responses were substantially reduced in the granulomatous tissues. This was confirmed by analyzing the expression of several genes associated with alternative macrophage activation, including arginase 1, Fizz-1, and YM-1. Importantly, all of these IL-13-regulated genes have been linked with the mechanisms of wound healing and fibrosis. In addition to IL-5 polarizing the antigen-specific CD4+ Th2 cell response, we found that granuloma eosinophils were themselves a significant source of IL-13. Thus, by producing profibrotic mediators and polarizing the Th2 response, these findings illustrate both direct and indirect roles for eosinophils and IL-5 in the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis. Thus, inhibiting the activity of IL-5 or eosinophils may prove effective for a variety of chronic fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael M Reiman
- Immunopathogenesis, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-8003, USA
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Zachou K, Rigopoulou E, Liaskos C, Patsiaoura K, Makri E, Stathakis N, Dalekos GN. Primary biliary cirrhosis presented as peripheral eosinophilia in asymptomatic women with or without elevated alkaline phosphatase. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2004; 16:425-8. [PMID: 15028978 DOI: 10.1097/00042737-200404000-00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by the destruction of biliary epithelial cells, presumably by autoimmune mechanism(s). Although lymphocytes play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of PBC, the possible involvement of eosinophils has also been suggested. Recent studies have shown that eosinophilia possibly occurs in the peripheral blood of PBC patients. We present four cases of asymptomatic middle-aged women with moderate-to-high eosinophilia observed during random investigation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was increased in two of them. As a result of clinical and laboratory evaluations the early stages of PBC were diagnosed in all the patients, as attested by the detection of high titres of anti-mitochondrial antibodies and the characteristic lesions on liver biopsies. Liver function tests and eosinophils returned within normal limits after 2 months of treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid, suggesting that its potential immunomodulatory actions may extend to eosinophils. Our report further supports the possibility that eosinophilia may occur in PBC, especially in its early stages. From the clinical point of view, we believe that PBC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilia with an otherwise unknown origin. In particular, PBC should be suspected in a patient when other causes of eosinophilia have been excluded, irrespective of the presence or absence of symptoms, or the presence or absence of elevated ALP. In such cases further evaluation for anti-mitochondrial antibodies should be done. These observations might assist the development of future therapeutic concepts in the management of PBC, at least for patients in early stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Zachou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Liver Unit, University of Thessaly, Medical School, Larissa, Greece
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Abstract
The answers to these questions are key to understanding the pathogenesis of PBC. Although the study of PBC is significantly retarded by the lack of an adequate animal model, the molecular technology to address these issues is advancing rapidly. In addition, the ability to isolate and culture human biliary epithelial cells greatly facilitates in vitro studies. With the advent of these tools, investigators are well poised to address the important issues of PBC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlyn J Mayo
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Room F.4.120, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Xu B, Broome U, Uzunel M, Nava S, Ge X, Kumagai-Braesch M, Hultenby K, Christensson B, Ericzon BG, Holgersson J, Sumitran-Holgersson S. Capillarization of hepatic sinusoid by liver endothelial cell-reactive autoantibodies in patients with cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2003; 163:1275-89. [PMID: 14507637 PMCID: PMC1868294 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)63487-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The special features of liver sinusoidal endothelium (LSE) are crucial for normal liver physiology. Cirrhotic livers, especially in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), are characterized by transformation of the LSE into a continuous, vascular type. The transformation is important for disease progression and explains some of the pathological hallmarks of the cirrhotic liver. Here, we investigated the presence of liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC)-reactive autoantibodies (Abs) in the sera of patients with autoimmune liver diseases, and assessed the ability of these Abs to transform LSE into vascular endothelium. Compared to healthy individuals (9%), significantly higher numbers of patients with PBC (59%; P < 0.001) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (32%; P < 0.05) had Abs against LSECs. Incubation of primary LSEC cultures with F(ab')(2) fragments of anti-LSEC Abs isolated from sera of patients with PBC and AIH, induced 1) cell surface expression of vascular endothelium-associated markers, CD31, and factor VIII-related antigen; 2) significant production of fibronectin, laminin and collagen type IV; 3) loss of fenestrae, formation of tight junctions and Weibel-Palade bodies. Deposition of immunoglobulins on LSECs were found in liver biopsies of AIH and PBC patients. Thus, anti-LSEC autoAbs transform LSE into a vascular type and may therefore play an important role in the development of hepatocellular failure and portal hypertension in PBC and AIH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Xu
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Gastroenterology, Transplantation Surgery, and Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Fallon PG, Smith P, Richardson EJ, Jones FJ, Faulkner HC, Van Snick J, Renauld JC, Grencis RK, Dunne DW. Expression of interleukin-9 leads to Th2 cytokine-dominated responses and fatal enteropathy in mice with chronic Schistosoma mansoni infections. Infect Immun 2000; 68:6005-11. [PMID: 10992513 PMCID: PMC101565 DOI: 10.1128/iai.68.10.6005-6011.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni develop Th2 cytokine-mediated granulomatous pathology that is focused on the liver and intestines. In this study, transgenic mice constitutively expressing IL-9 were infected with S. mansoni and the outcome of infection was determined. Eight weeks after infection, transgenic mice with acute infections had a moderate increase in Th2 cytokine production but were overtly normal with respect to parasite infection and pathological responses. Transgenic mice with chronic infections died 10 weeks after infection, with 86% of transgenic mice dead by week 12 of infection, compared to 7% mortality in infected wild-type mice. Stimulation of mesenteric lymph node cells from infected transgenic mice with parasite antigen elicited elevated interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-5 production and reduced gamma interferon and tumor necrosis factor alpha production compared to the responses in wild-type mice. Morbid transgenic mice had substantial enlargement of the ileum, which was associated with muscular hypertrophy, mastocytosis, eosinophilia, goblet cell hyperplasia, and increased mucin expression. We also observed that uninfected transgenic mice exhibited alterations in their intestines. Although there was hepatic mastocytosis and eosinophilia in infected transgenic mice, there was no hepatocyte damage. Death of transgenic mice expressing IL-9 during schistosome infection was primarily associated with enteropathy. This study highlights the pleiotropic in vivo activity of IL-9 and demonstrates that an elevated Th2 cytokine phenotype leads to death during murine schistosome infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G Fallon
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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Trauner M, Boyer JL. Cholestatic syndromes. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2000; 16:239-50. [PMID: 17023881 DOI: 10.1097/00001574-200005000-00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Continued advances in the field of liver cell biology and molecular biology have provided further insights into the normal physiology of bile secretion and the pathogenesis and therapy for cholestatic syndromes. Important new data have also been published about pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, drug-induced cholestasis, and cholestatic syndromes caused by viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Karl Franzens University School of Medicine, Graz, Austria
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