Significance of correlation between interferon-γ and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and interleukin-17 in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis

A gene expression profile-based approach to screen the occurrence and predisposed host characteristics of drug-induced liver injury: a case study of Psoralea corylifolia Linn

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the most common causes of a drug being withdrawn, and identifying the culprit drugs and the host factors at risk of causing DILI has become a current challenge. Recent studies have found that immune status plays a considerable role in the development of DILI. In this study, DILI-related differentially expressed genes mediated by immunoinflammatory cytokines were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to predict the occurrence of DILI (named the DILI predictive gene set, DILI_PGS), and the predictability of the DILI_PGS was verified using the Connectivity Map (CMap) and LiverTox platforms. The results obtained DILI_PGS from the GEO database could predict 81.25% of liver injury drugs. In addition, the Coexpedia platform was used to predict the DILI_PGS-related characteristics of common host diseases and found that the DILI_PGS mainly involved immune-related diseases and tumor-related diseases. Then, animal models of immune stress (IS) and immunosuppressive (IP) were selected to simulate the immune status of the above diseases. Meanwhile, psoralen, a main component derived from Psoralea corylifolia Linn. with definite hepatotoxicity, was selected as an experimental drug with highly similar molecular fingerprints to three idiosyncratic hepatotoxic drugs (nefazodone, trovafloxacin, and nimesulide) from the same DILI_PGS dataset. The animal experiment results found a single administration of psoralen could significantly induce liver injury in IS mice, while there was no obvious liver function change in IP mice by repeatedly administering the same dose of psoralen, and the potential mechanism of psoralen-induced liver injury in IS mice may be related to regulating the expression of the TNF-related pathway. In conclusion, this study constructed the DILI_PGS with high accuracy to predict the occurrence of DILI and preliminarily identified the characteristics of host factors inducing DILI.

IL-17 and IL-21 polymorphisms in relation to HBV related hepatocellular carcinoma in Chinese Han population

OBJECTIVE

Inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms may influence the hepatic and extrahepatic HBV-related disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of IL-17, IL-21 gene and HBV related hepatocellular carcinoma in Chinese Han population.

METHODS

We performed a multi-center study comprised 866 HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and 1086 unrelated patients with a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) as control to evaluate the effects of IL-17 (rs4711998), IL-21 SNPs (rs12508721, rs13143866 and rs2221903) and the susceptibility of HCC. MassARRAY technology was utilized to genotype. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum IL-17 and IL-21 level. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the serum viral loads.

RESULTS

In logistic regression analysis, our results showed the frequency of rs4711998 allele G in CHB group was significantly higher than that in HCC group (P = 0.042, 0.859(0.743-0.994)), and it is present only among females. Compared to HCC group, rs13143866 A allele was more likely to appear in HCC group (P = 0.015, 1.268 (1.049-1.532)). The frequency of AA also showed different between HCC group and CHB groups (P = 0.011, 3.135 (1.292-7.603)), which showed strong sex-specific relationships. ELISA showed a higher serum IL-17 and IL-21 expression in HCC patients compared to CHB patients (P all <0.05). Haplotype rs12508721C/rs13143866A/rs2221903T in male HCC group was statistically higher than in male CHB group(P = 0.013) but not in females (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We suggested rs4711998 allele A as risk factors for women to develop HBV related-HCC in Chinese Han population. rs13143866 allele A as risk factors to develop HBV related-HCC in Chinese male population. Male patients with haplotype rs12508721C/rs13143866A/rs2221903T may with 1.3-fold risk for HBV-related HCC.

Repression of let-7a cluster prevents adhesion of colorectal cancer cells by enforcing a mesenchymal phenotype in presence of liver inflammation

The liver is the most common site of metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer, and colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) is associated with poor rates of survival. However, CRLM occurs infrequently in livers exhibiting signs of hepatitis or cirrhosis, suggesting a role for inflammation in attenuating CRLM. The molecular mechanisms driving this phenomenon remain unclear. The aim of this study was to confirm the mechanism by which liver inflammation inhibits CRLM. We used BALB/c animal models of inflammatory liver diseases to confirm that liver inflammation inhibits CRLM, and then elucidated the molecular mechanisms governing that process. Out data showed that liver inflammation induces IFN-γ expression, which then downregulates expression of the let-7a cluster through IRF-1 in colorectal cancer cells. Finally, we showed that modulation of let-7a expression regulated the epithelial–mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer cell lines, and inhibited their capacity to metastasize in vivo. Cumulatively, we clarified the critical role played by the IFN-γ/IRF-1/let-7a cluster/EMT pathway in regulating the spread of circulating colorectal cancer cells to the liver, and highlighted the critical role that the hepatitis microenvironment plays in modulating that process.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis in British Columbia First Nations: Clinical features and discovery of novel genetic susceptibility loci

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease characterized by destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts, portal inflammation and cirrhosis. Although rare in most populations, it is prevalent and often familial in British Columbia First Nations. We hypothesized that major genetic factors increased the risk in First Nations.

METHODS

In all, 44 individuals with Primary Biliary Cholangitis and 61 unaffected relatives from 32 First Nations families participated. Family history and co-morbidities were documented. Medical records were reviewed and available biopsies were re-reviewed by our team pathologist. Genotyping was performed on DNA from 36 affected persons and 27 unaffected relatives using the Affymetrix Human Mapping 500K Array Set. MERLIN software was used to carry out multipoint parametric and nonparametric linkage analysis. Candidate genes were identified and entered into InnateDB and KEGG software to identify potential pathways affecting pathogenesis.

RESULTS

In all, 34% of families were multiplex. Fifty per cent of cases and 33% of unaffected relatives reported other autoimmune disease. Three genomic regions (9q21, 17p13 and 19p13) produced LOD scores of 2.3 or greater suggestive of linkage, but no single linkage peak reached statistical significance. Candidate genes identified in the three regions suggested involvement of IL17, NFκB, IL6, JAK-STAT, IFNγ and TGFβ immune signalling pathways. Specifically, four genes-ACT1, PIN1, DNMT1 and NTN1-emerged as having roles in these pathways that may influence Primary Biliary Cholangitis pathogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our whole genome linkage study results reflect the multifactorial nature of Primary Biliary Cholangitis, support previous studies suggesting signalling pathway involvement and identify new candidate genes for consideration.

The role of T helper 17 cells in the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis (Review)

In chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients, T helper 17 (Th17) cells are significantly elevated. Th17 cells initiate immune-mediated pathogenesis and have a critical role in the process of HBV-related liver cirrhosis (HBV-LC). The mechanisms underlying this process are attributed to Th17-secreted cytokines, which include interleukin (IL)-17, IL-21 and IL-22; however, a systemic analysis regarding these mechanisms has yet to be conducted. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the role of Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of HBV-LC. All randomized clinical trials, case series, case reports and meta-analyses that contained the aforementioned keywords were included in the review process. In addition, unpublished information from the Food and Drug Administration was included. The findings indicated that Th17-secreted cytokines, including IL-17, IL-21 and IL-22, function by activating or silencing hepatic stellate cells, modulating proinflammatory and pro- or antifibrogenic effectors, regulating extracellular matrix formation, upregulating chemokine expression, and inducing hepatocellular damage or hepatoprotection during the HBV-LC process. In addition, Th17 cells and Th17-secreted cytokines may be considered a potential tool in the diagnosis or treatment of HBV-LC. The present review summarized the role of Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of HBV-LC in order to deepen the clinical understanding of the role of Th17 cells and also to support the development of effective therapies for patients with HBV-LC.

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a对慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血单个核细胞表面IFNGR1的影响

目的

研究聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a(polyethylene glycol interferon α-2a, PEG-IFNα-2a)对慢性乙型肝炎(chronic hepatitis B, CHB)患者外周血中干扰素-γ(interferon-gamma, IFN-γ)及γ干扰素受体1(interferon gamma receptor 1, IFNGR1)水平的影响.

方法

应用PEG-IFNα-2a治疗的不同时间点抽取CHB患者及健康对照组静脉血, 酶联免疫吸附法检测其血清IFN-γ浓度, 实时荧光定量RT-PCR技术检测其外周血单个核细胞(peripheral blood mononuelear cells, PBMCs)表面IFNGR1的表达情况.

结果

CHB组患者IFN-γ及IFNGR1均高于健康对照组(P<0.05). 在使用聚乙二醇干扰素抗病毒治疗过程中, CHB患者IFN-γ及IFNGR1在12 wk时达到高峰, 此后开始下降, 至48 wk时低于治疗前水平, 但仍高于健康对照组(P<0.05). 抗病毒治疗12 wk时, 乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus，HBV)DNA阴转组IFNGR1的表达水平高于HBV DNA未阴转组(2.22±0.65 vs 1.35±0.71), 两者差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).

结论

IFN-γ参与了CHB的发病, 治疗12 wk时患者PBMCs表面IFNGR1的表达水平可能作为干扰素抗HBV治疗早期预测干扰素疗效的因子.

Association of IL-17A and IL-17F gene polymorphisms with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis in a Chinese population: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Interleukin (IL)-17 has been shown to play an important role in tissue inflammation and in the pathogenesis of immune-related liver damage. Genetic variations in IL-17 gene may be associated with the development of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, literature is scanty regarding their association.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study including 433 subjects (171 healthy controls, 130 patients with chronic hepatitis B [CHB]; and 132 patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis [HBV-LC] to assess the association between IL-17A rs4711998, IL-17A rs2275913 and IL-17F rs763780 polymorphisms and risk of CHB and HBV-LC. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing.

RESULTS

Our results revealed a statistically significant association between IL-17A rs4711998 G allele and increased risk of HBV-LC risk (OR=1.541, 95% CI 1.057-2.246, P=0.025). Subjects carrying the IL-17A rs4711998 AG genotype were 1.75 times more likely to develop HBV-LC (OR=1.757, 95% CI 1.096-2.817, P=0.026). Stratification analysis indicated that IL-17A rs4711998 G allele and AG genotype enhanced the risk of HBV-LC development among men and older age (≥50years) subject groups. In addition, we found that GCT haplotype also might be a risk factor for HBV-LC (OR=2.448, 95% CI 1.137-5.271, P=0.019). Furthermore, no significant association between IL-17A rs2275913 and IL-17F rs763780 polymorphisms and CHB, HBV-LC risk was observed (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our data provide the first evidence that the IL-17A rs4711998 genetic variant may contribute to HBV-LC susceptibility in a Chinese population.

Progress in research of IL-10 and IL-17 in chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis and cirrhosis with abdominal infection

Hepatitis B is a global contagious disease, posing a serious threat to human health. However, its pathogenic mechanisms and how it ultimately leads to the formation of cirrhosis are not fully understood. Elucidating the progression of hepatitis B and the mechanism responsible for liver cirrhosis formation can help develop novel antiviral treatment and anti-fibrosis therapy. In recent years, great progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis and their treatment. Cytokines have become a research hotspot in this field. Emerging evidence suggests that a variety of cytokines in the liver have a quite significant role in the progressive process of HBV. Cytokines mainly mediate cell-cell interactions in paracrine, feedback or other manners to participate in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis and cirrhosis with infection. In recent years, many studies suggest that serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-17 levels are correlated with the development and prognosis of chronic hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis and cirrhosis with infection. In this paper, we review the progress in research of IL-10 and IL-17 in chronic hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis and cirrhosis with infection.