1
|
Varma S, Stéphenne X, Komuta M, Bouzin C, Ambroise J, Smets F, Reding R, Sokal EM. The histological quantification of alpha-smooth muscle actin predicts future graft fibrosis in pediatric liver transplant recipients. Pediatr Transplant 2017; 21. [PMID: 27774712 DOI: 10.1111/petr.12834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Activated hepatic stellate cells express cytoplasmic ASMA prior to secreting collagen and consequent liver fibrosis. We hypothesized that quantifying ASMA could predict severity of future fibrosis after LT. For this, 32 pairs of protocol biopsies, that is, "baseline" and "follow-up" biopsies taken at 1- to 2-year intervals from 18 stable pediatric LT recipients, transplanted between 2006 and 2012 were selected. Morphometric quantification of "ASMA-positive area percentage" was performed on the baseline biopsy. Histological and fibrosis assessment using Metavir and LAFSc was performed on all biopsies. The difference of fibrosis severity between the "baseline" and "follow-up" was termed "prospective change in fibrosis." Significant association was seen between extent of ASMA positivity on baseline biopsy and "prospective change in fibrosis" using Metavir (P=.02), cumulative LAFSc (P=.02), and portal LAFSc (P=.01) values. ASMA-positive area percentage >1.05 predicted increased fibrosis on next biopsy with 90.0% specificity. Additionally, an association was observed between extent of ASMA positivity and concomitant ductular reaction (P=.06), but not with histological inflammation in the portal tract or lobular area. Hence, ASMA quantification can predict the future course of fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharat Varma
- Service de Gastroentérologie et Hépatologie Pédiatrique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium.,Pediatric Research Unit, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Xavier Stéphenne
- Service de Gastroentérologie et Hépatologie Pédiatrique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium.,Pediatric Research Unit, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mina Komuta
- Service de Anatomopathologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Caroline Bouzin
- Imaging Platform (2IP), Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jerome Ambroise
- Centre for Applied Molecular Technologies (CTMA), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Françoise Smets
- Service de Gastroentérologie et Hépatologie Pédiatrique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium.,Pediatric Research Unit, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Raymond Reding
- Unités de Chirurgie Pédiatrique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Etienne M Sokal
- Service de Gastroentérologie et Hépatologie Pédiatrique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium.,Pediatric Research Unit, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dunham RM, Thapa M, Velazquez VM, Elrod EJ, Denning TL, Pulendran B, Grakoui A. Hepatic stellate cells preferentially induce Foxp3+ regulatory T cells by production of retinoic acid. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2013. [PMID: 23359509 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201937.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The liver has long been described as immunosuppressive, although the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are incompletely understood. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), a population of liver nonparenchymal cells, are potent producers of the regulatory T cell (Treg)-polarizing molecules TGF-β1 and all-trans retinoic acid, particularly during states of inflammation. HSCs are activated during hepatitis C virus infection and may therefore play a role in the enrichment of Tregs during infection. We hypothesized that Ag presentation in the context of HSC activation will induce naive T cells to differentiate into Foxp3(+) Tregs. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the molecular interactions between murine HSCs, dendritic cells, and naive CD4(+) T cells. We found that HSCs alone do not present Ag to naive CD4(+) T cells, but in the presence of dendritic cells and TGF-β1, preferentially induce functional Tregs. This Treg induction was associated with retinoid metabolism by HSCs and was dependent on all-trans retinoic acid. Thus, we conclude that HSCs preferentially generate Foxp3(+) Tregs and, therefore, may play a role in the tolerogenic nature of the liver.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Dunham
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dunham RM, Thapa M, Velazquez VM, Elrod EJ, Denning TL, Pulendran B, Grakoui A. Hepatic stellate cells preferentially induce Foxp3+ regulatory T cells by production of retinoic acid. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 190:2009-16. [PMID: 23359509 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The liver has long been described as immunosuppressive, although the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are incompletely understood. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), a population of liver nonparenchymal cells, are potent producers of the regulatory T cell (Treg)-polarizing molecules TGF-β1 and all-trans retinoic acid, particularly during states of inflammation. HSCs are activated during hepatitis C virus infection and may therefore play a role in the enrichment of Tregs during infection. We hypothesized that Ag presentation in the context of HSC activation will induce naive T cells to differentiate into Foxp3(+) Tregs. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the molecular interactions between murine HSCs, dendritic cells, and naive CD4(+) T cells. We found that HSCs alone do not present Ag to naive CD4(+) T cells, but in the presence of dendritic cells and TGF-β1, preferentially induce functional Tregs. This Treg induction was associated with retinoid metabolism by HSCs and was dependent on all-trans retinoic acid. Thus, we conclude that HSCs preferentially generate Foxp3(+) Tregs and, therefore, may play a role in the tolerogenic nature of the liver.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Dunham
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|