1
|
Narmada BC, Khakpoor A, Shirgaonkar N, Narayanan S, Aw PPK, Singh M, Ong KH, Owino CO, Ng JWT, Yew HC, Binte Mohamed Nasir NS, Au VB, Sng R, Kaliaperumal N, Khine HHTW, di Tocco FC, Masayuki O, Naikar S, Ng HX, Chia SL, Seah CXY, Alnawaz MH, Wai CLY, Tay AYL, Mangat KS, Chew V, Yu W, Connolly JE, Periyasamy G, Plissonnier ML, Levrero M, Lim SG, DasGupta R. Single-cell landscape of functionally cured chronic hepatitis B patients reveals activation of innate and altered CD4-CTL-driven adaptive immunity. J Hepatol 2024; 81:42-61. [PMID: 38423478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss or functional cure (FC) is considered the optimal therapeutic outcome for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, the immune-pathological biomarkers and underlying mechanisms of FC remain unclear. In this study we comprehensively interrogate disease-associated cell states identified within intrahepatic tissue and matched PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) from patients with CHB or after FC, at the resolution of single cells, to provide novel insights into putative mechanisms underlying FC. METHODS We combined single-cell transcriptomics (single-cell RNA sequencing) with multiparametric flow cytometry-based immune phenotyping, and multiplexed immunofluorescence to elucidate the immunopathological cell states associated with CHB vs. FC. RESULTS We found that the intrahepatic environment in CHB and FC displays specific cell identities and molecular signatures that are distinct from those found in matched PBMCs. FC is associated with the emergence of an altered adaptive immune response marked by CD4 cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and an activated innate response represented by liver-resident natural killer cells, specific Kupffer cell subtypes and marginated neutrophils. Surprisingly, we found MHC class II-expressing hepatocytes in patients achieving FC, as well as low but persistent levels of covalently closed circular DNA and pregenomic RNA, which may play an important role in FC. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides conceptually novel insights into the immuno-pathological control of HBV cure, and opens exciting new avenues for clinical management, biomarker discovery and therapeutic development. We believe that the discoveries from this study, as it relates to the activation of an innate and altered immune response that may facilitate sustained, low-grade inflammation, may have broader implications in the resolution of chronic viral hepatitis. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS This study dissects the immuno-pathological cell states associated with functionally cured chronic hepatitis B (defined by the loss of HBV surface antigen or HBsAg). We identified the sustained presence of very low viral load, accessory antigen-presenting hepatocytes, adaptive-memory-like natural killer cells, and the emergence of helper CD4 T cells with cytotoxic or effector-like signatures associated with functional cure, suggesting previously unsuspected alterations in the adaptive immune response, as well as a key role for the innate immune response in achieving or maintaining functional cure. Overall, the insights generated from this study may provide new avenues for the development of alternative therapies as well as patient surveillance for better clinical management of chronic hepatitis B.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Balakrishnan Chakrapani Narmada
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 60 Biopolis St., #02-01 Genome, Singapore 138672; Experimental Drug Development Centre, A∗STAR, 10 Biopolis Way, Chromos, Singapore 138670, Singapore
| | - Atefeh Khakpoor
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Niranjan Shirgaonkar
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 60 Biopolis St., #02-01 Genome, Singapore 138672
| | - Sriram Narayanan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Pauline Poh Kim Aw
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 60 Biopolis St., #02-01 Genome, Singapore 138672
| | - Malay Singh
- Bioinformatics Institute, A∗STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Kok Haur Ong
- Bioinformatics Institute, A∗STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Collins Oduor Owino
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 60 Biopolis St., #02-01 Genome, Singapore 138672; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jane Wei Ting Ng
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hui Chuing Yew
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Veonice Bijin Au
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Reina Sng
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Nivashini Kaliaperumal
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Htet Htet Toe Wai Khine
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Otsuka Masayuki
- Translational Immunology Institute (TII), SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Shamita Naikar
- Translational Immunology Institute (TII), SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Hui Xin Ng
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Su Li Chia
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Myra Hj Alnawaz
- Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Chris Lee Yoon Wai
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amy Yuh Ling Tay
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kamarjit Singh Mangat
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Valerie Chew
- Translational Immunology Institute (TII), SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Weimiao Yu
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore; Bioinformatics Institute, A∗STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - John Edward Connolly
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Giridharan Periyasamy
- Experimental Drug Development Centre, A∗STAR, 10 Biopolis Way, Chromos, Singapore 138670, Singapore
| | | | - Massimo Levrero
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Lyon, France; Department of Hepatology, Hôpital Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; University of Lyon Claude Bernard 1 (UCLB1), Lyon, France; Department of Medicine SCIAC and the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) Center for Life Nanosciences (CLNS), University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Seng Gee Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore; Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore.
| | - Ramanuj DasGupta
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 60 Biopolis St., #02-01 Genome, Singapore 138672.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gao P, Luo Y, Chen L, Yang Z, He Q, Li J. The effect of hepatitis B virus on T lymphocyte and its subsets in chronic hepatitis B patients in different ALT stages: A new concept ALT in HBV infection. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 101:108182. [PMID: 34601330 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of hepatitis B virus on T lymphocyte and its subsets in different ALT states, and elucidate the immunological mechanism of ALT basing antiviral therapy for hepatitis B. 363 chronic hepatitis B patients were selected as the study subjects. According to ALT abnormalities, the patients were divided into three study groups. ALT normal group 131 cases, normal≦ ALT < 2 times of upper limit group 110 cases, ALT ≥ 2 times of upper limit group 122 cases. Entecavir was given to the ALT ≥ 2 times of upper limit group patients and followed up for 24 weeks. The hepatitis B antigen antibody parameters were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer, the liver function parameters were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer, the hepatitis B virus load were measured by quantitative PCR analyzer, T lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry, the level of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Detecting the influence of different hepatitis B viru loads in different groups on immunological indexes, and the virological and immunological indexes changes in before and after antiviral therapy patients. In the ALT normal group, different virus load hepatitis B virus had minor effect on T lymphocytes and their subsets (P > 0.05). In the ALT ≥ double upper limit of normal group. with the virus load increased, The total number of T lymphocytes, CD3+ CD4 + T lymphocytes decreased, (P < 0.05)CD3+ CD8 + T lymphocytes increased(P < 0.05). With the virus load increased the cytokines IL-2, IFN-γ which reflect the Th1 lymphocytes increased(P < 0.05), the cytokines IL-4、IL-10 which reflect the Th2 lymphocytes decreased(P < 0.05). Before and after 24 weeks of entecavir treatment, the patient's HBV-DNA decreased significantly(P < 0.05) and the body's immune function improved significantly. (P < 0.05)The influence of hepatitis B virus on immune function is different in different ALT states. Therefore, the scientific significance of ALT grouping in the hepatitis B treatment can be clarified from the immunological point.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Gao
- The Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China.
| | - Yanping Luo
- Department of Immunology, Medicine College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Zhongxia Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Qiang He
- The Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Junfeng Li
- The Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jaber FL, Sharma Y, Mui BG, Kapoor S, Gupta S. Tumor Necrosis Factor Directs Allograft-Related Innate Responses and Its Neutralization Improves Hepatocyte Engraftment in Rats. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:79-89. [PMID: 33127336 PMCID: PMC7768347 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The innate immune system plays a critical role in allograft rejection. Alloresponses involve numerous cytokines, chemokines, and receptors that cause tissue injury during rejection. To dissect these inflammatory mechanisms, we developed cell transplantation models in dipeptidylpeptidase-deficient F344 rats using mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus for partial lymphocyte-directed immunosuppression. Syngeneic hepatocytes engrafted in liver, whereas allogeneic hepatocytes were rejected but engrafted after immunosuppression. These transplants induced mRNAs for >40 to 50 cytokines, chemokines, and receptors. In allografts, innate cell type-related regulatory networks extended to granulocytes, monocytes, and macrophages. Activation of Tnfa and its receptors or major chemokine receptor-ligand subsets persisted in the long term. An examination of the contribution of Tnfa in allograft response revealed that it was prospectively antagonized by etanercept or thalidomide, which resolved cytokine, chemokine, and receptor cascades. In bioinformatics analysis of upstream regulator networks, the Cxcl8 pathway exhibited dominance despite immunosuppression. Significantly, Tnfa antagonism silenced the Cxcl8 pathway and decreased neutrophil and Kupffer cell recruitment, resulting in multifold greater engraftment of allogeneic hepatocytes and substantially increased liver repopulation in retrorsine/partial hepatectomy model. We conclude that Tnfa is a major driver for persistent innate immune responses after allogeneic cells. Neutralizing Tnfa should help in avoiding rejection and associated tissue injury in the allograft setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Luc Jaber
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Yogeshwar Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Brandon G Mui
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Sorabh Kapoor
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Sanjeev Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Diabetes Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Irwin S. and Sylvia Chanin Institute for Cancer Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jiang Y, Que W, Zhu P, Li XK. The Role of Diverse Liver Cells in Liver Transplantation Tolerance. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1203. [PMID: 32595648 PMCID: PMC7304488 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation is the ideal treatment approach for a variety of end-stage liver diseases. However, life-long, systemic immunosuppressive treatment after transplantation is required to prevent rejection and graft loss, which is associated with severe side effects, although liver allograft is considered more tolerogenic. Therefore, understanding the mechanism underlying the unique immunologically privileged liver organ is valuable for transplantation management and autoimmune disease treatment. The unique hepatic acinus anatomy and a complex cellular network constitute the immunosuppressive hepatic microenvironment, which are responsible for the tolerogenic properties of the liver. The hepatic microenvironment contains a variety of hepatic-resident immobile non-professional antigen-presenting cells, including hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, and hepatic stellate cells, that are insufficient to optimally prime T cells locally and lead to the removal of alloreactive T cells due to the low expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory molecules and proinflammatory cytokines but a rather high expression of coinhibitory molecules and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Hepatic dendritic cells (DCs) are generally immature and less immunogenic than splenic DCs and are also ineffective in priming naïve allogeneic T cells via the direct recognition pathway in recipient secondary lymphoid organs. Although natural killer cells and natural killer T cells are reportedly associated with liver tolerance, their roles in liver transplantation are multifaceted and need to be further clarified. Under these circumstances, T cells are prone to clonal deletion, clonal anergy and exhaustion, eventually leading to tolerance. Other proposed liver tolerance mechanisms, such as soluble donor MHC class I molecules, passenger leukocytes theory and a high-load antigen effect, have also been addressed. We herein comprehensively review the current evidence implicating the tolerogenic properties of diverse liver cells in liver transplantation tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhi Jiang
- Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.,Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weitao Que
- Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ping Zhu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Kang Li
- Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Oldhafer F, Wittauer EM, Falk CS, DeTemple DE, Beetz O, Timrott K, Kleine M, Vondran FWR. Alloresponses of Mixed Lymphocyte Hepatocyte Culture to Immunosuppressive Drugs as an In-Vitro Model of Hepatocyte Transplantation. Ann Transplant 2019; 24:472-480. [PMID: 31406101 PMCID: PMC6705178 DOI: 10.12659/aot.915982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocyte transplantation (HCTx) has the potential for the treatment of end-stage liver disease. However, failure of engraftment and the long-term acceptance of cellular allografts remain significant challenges for its clinical application. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the immunosuppressive agents, Cyclosporine, Everolimus, and Belatacept to suppress the alloresponse of primary human hepatocytes in a mixed lymphocyte-hepatocyte culture (MLHC) and their potential hepatotoxicity in vitro. Material/Methods Primary human hepatocytes were co-cultured with allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in an MLHC. Proliferative alloresponses were determined by flow cytometry, and cytokine secretion was measured using Luminex-based multiplex technology. Using an MLHC, the alloresponses of primary human hepatocytes were compared in the presence and absence of Cyclosporine, Everolimus, and Belatacept. Cultured primary human hepatocytes were assessed for the production of albumin, urea, aspartate transaminase (AST) and DNA content. Metabolic activity was determined with the MTT assay. Results Immune responses induced by primary human hepatocytes were effectively suppressed by Cyclosporine, Everolimus, and Belatacept. Everolimus significantly reduced the metabolic activity of primary human hepatocytes in vitro, suggesting impairment of cell viability. However, further functional analysis showed no significant differences between treated and untreated controls. Conclusions Cyclosporine, Everolimus, and Belatacept suppressed the alloresponse of primary human hepatocytes in an MLHC without significant cytotoxicity or functional cell impairment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felix Oldhafer
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Wittauer
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine S Falk
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Transplant Immunology, Integrated Research and Treatment Centre Transplantation (IFB-Tx), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Daphne E DeTemple
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Oliver Beetz
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kai Timrott
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Moritz Kleine
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Florian W R Vondran
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Figueiredo C, Oldhafer F, Wittauer EM, Carvalho-Oliveira M, Akhdar A, Beetz O, Chen-Wacker C, Yuzefovych Y, Falk CS, Blasczyk R, Vondran FWR. Silencing of HLA class I on primary human hepatocytes as a novel strategy for reduction in alloreactivity. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:5705-5714. [PMID: 31180181 PMCID: PMC6653539 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to the whole liver, primary hepatocytes are highly immunogenic. Thus, alternative strategies of immunomodulation after hepatocyte transplantation are of special interest. Silencing of HLA class I expression is expected to reduce the strength of allogeneic immune responses and to improve graft survival. In this study, primary human hepatocytes (PHH) were isolated using a two-step-collagenase perfusion-technique and co-cultured with allogeneic lymphocytes in terms of a mixed lymphocyte hepatocyte culture. Expression of HLA class I on PHH was silenced using lentiviral vectors encoding for β2-microglobulin-specific short hairpin RNA (shβ2m) or non-specific shRNA (shNS) as control. The delivery of shβ2m into PHH caused a decrease by up to 96% in β2m transcript levels and a down-regulation of HLA class I cell surface expression on PHH by up to 57%. Proliferative T cell alloresponses against HLA-silenced PHH were significantly lower than those observed form fully HLA-expressing PHH. In addition, significantly lower secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines was observed. Levels of albumin, urea and aspartate-aminotransferase did not differ in supernatants of cultured PHH. In conclusion, silencing HLA class I expression on PHH might represent a promising approach for immunomodulation in the transplant setting without compromising metabolic function of silenced hepatocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Constança Figueiredo
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Excellence Cluster REBIRTH - From Regenerative Biology to Reconstructive Therapy, Hannover, Germany
| | - Felix Oldhafer
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Wittauer
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marco Carvalho-Oliveira
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Excellence Cluster REBIRTH - From Regenerative Biology to Reconstructive Therapy, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ali Akhdar
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Oliver Beetz
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Chen Chen-Wacker
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Excellence Cluster REBIRTH - From Regenerative Biology to Reconstructive Therapy, Hannover, Germany
| | - Yuliia Yuzefovych
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine S Falk
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rainer Blasczyk
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Florian W R Vondran
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|