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Ahmadi AR, Song G, Gao T, Ma J, Han X, Hu MW, Cameron AM, Wesson RN, Philosophe B, Ottmann S, King E, Gurakar A, Qi L, Peiffer B, Burdick J, Anders R, Zhou Z, Lu H, Feng D, Chen CS, Qian J, Gao B, Zhu H, Sun Z. Discovery and characterization of cross-reactive intrahepatic antibodies in severe alcoholic hepatitis. eLife 2023; 12:RP86678. [PMID: 38055614 PMCID: PMC10699809 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of antibodies in severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) remains unknown. We analyzed immunoglobulins (Ig) in explanted livers from SAH patients (n=45) undergoing liver transplantation and tissues from corresponding healthy donors (HD, n=10) and found massive deposition of IgG and IgA isotype antibodies associated with complement fragment C3d and C4d staining in ballooned hepatocytes in SAH livers. Ig extracted from SAH livers, but not patient serum exhibited hepatocyte killing efficacy. Employing human and Escherichia coli K12 proteome arrays, we profiled the antibodies extracted from explanted SAH, livers with other diseases, and HD livers. Compared with their counterparts extracted from livers with other diseases and HD, antibodies of IgG and IgA isotypes were highly accumulated in SAH and recognized a unique set of human proteins and E. coli antigens. Further, both Ig- and E. coli-captured Ig from SAH livers recognized common autoantigens enriched in several cellular components including cytosol and cytoplasm (IgG and IgA), nucleus, mitochondrion, and focal adhesion (IgG). Except IgM from primary biliary cholangitis livers, no common autoantigen was recognized by Ig- and E. coli-captured Ig from livers with other diseases. These findings demonstrate the presence of cross-reacting anti-bacterial IgG and IgA autoantibodies in SAH livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Reza Ahmadi
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Guang Song
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Tianshun Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jing Ma
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH)BaltimoreUnited States
| | - Xiaomei Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Ming-Wen Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Andrew M Cameron
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Russell N Wesson
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Benjamin Philosophe
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Shane Ottmann
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Elizabeth King
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Ahmet Gurakar
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Le Qi
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Brandon Peiffer
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - James Burdick
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Robert Anders
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Zhanxiang Zhou
- Center for Translational Biomedical Research and Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina Research CampusKannapolisUnited States
| | - Hongkun Lu
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH)BaltimoreUnited States
| | - Dechun Feng
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH)BaltimoreUnited States
| | - Chien-Sheng Chen
- Department of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, National Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Jiang Qian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Bin Gao
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH)BaltimoreUnited States
| | - Heng Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Zhaoli Sun
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
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Ahmadi AR, Song G, Gao T, Ma J, Han X, Hu M, Cameron AM, Wesson R, Philosophe B, Ottmann S, King EA, Gurakar A, Qi L, Peiffer B, Burdick J, Anders RA, Zhou Z, Feng D, Lu H, Chen CS, Qian J, Gao B, Zhu H, Sun Z. Discovery and characterization of cross-reactive intrahepatic antibodies in severe alcoholic hepatitis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.23.529702. [PMID: 36865259 PMCID: PMC9980094 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.23.529702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of antibodies in severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) remains unknown. We sought to determine if there was antibody deposition in SAH livers and whether antibodies extracted from SAH livers were cross-reactive against both bacterial antigens and human proteins. We analyzed immunoglobulins (Ig) in explanted livers from SAH patients (n=45) undergoing liver transplantation and tissue from corresponding healthy donors (HD, n=10) and found massive deposition of IgG and IgA isotype antibodies associated with complement fragment C3d and C4d staining in ballooned hepatocytes in SAH livers. Ig extracted from SAH livers, but not patient serum exhibited hepatocyte killing efficacy in an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay. Employing human proteome arrays, we profiled the antibodies extracted from explanted SAH, alcoholic cirrhosis (AC), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HD livers and found that antibodies of IgG and IgA isotypes were highly accumulated in SAH and recognized a unique set of human proteins as autoantigens. The use of an E. coli K12 proteome array revealed the presence of unique anti- E. coli antibodies in SAH, AC or PBC livers. Further, both Ig and E. coli captured Ig from SAH livers recognized common autoantigens enriched in several cellular components including cytosol and cytoplasm (IgG and IgA), nucleus, mitochondrion and focal adhesion (IgG). Except IgM from PBC livers, no common autoantigen was recognized by Ig and E. coli captured Ig from AC, HBV, HCV, NASH or AIH suggesting no cross-reacting anti- E. coli autoantibodies. The presence of cross-reacting anti-bacterial IgG and IgA autoantibodies in the liver may participate in the pathogenesis of SAH.
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Zhang T, Liu Q, Li Z, Tang S, An Q, Fan D, Xiang Y, Wu X, Jin Z, Ding J, Hu Y, Du Q, Xu J, Xie R. The role of ion channels in immune-related diseases. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 177:129-140. [PMID: 36417963 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Ion channel is an integral membrane protein that allows the permeation of charge ions across hydrophobic phospholipid membranes, including plasma membranes and organelle membranes (such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and vacuoles), which are widely distributed in various cells and tissues, such as cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, and nerve cells. Ion channels establish membrane potential by regulating ion concentration and membrane potential. Membrane potential plays an important role in cells. Studies have shown that ion channels play a role in a number of immune-related diseases caused by functional defects in ion channels on immune or non-immune cells in major human organs, usually affecting specific organs or multiple organs. The present review discusses the relationship between ion channels and immune diseases in major organs of the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Zhuo Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Siqi Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Qimin An
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Dongdong Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Yiwei Xiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Xianli Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Zhe Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jianhong Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Yanxia Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Qian Du
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jingyu Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
| | - Rui Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
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Laursen TL, Bossen L, Pihl R, Troldborg A, Sandahl TD, Hansen AG, Folserass T, Vesterhus M, Grønbæk H, Thiel S. Highly Increased Levels of Inter-α-inhibitor Heavy Chain 4 (ITIH4) in Autoimmune Cholestatic Liver Diseases. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2022; 10:796-802. [PMID: 36304505 PMCID: PMC9547247 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2021.00515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is an unmet need for new biomarkers to improve diagnostics and prognostics in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Inter-α-inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) is an abundant, liver-produced protein, and its synthesis may be altered in liver diseases. We investigated whether ITIH4 plasma concentrations were affected in PBC and PSC patients. METHODS We developed an immunoassay specific for ITIH4 and determined ITIH4 plasma concentrations in 66 PBC, 126 PSC, 92 autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), 67 chronic hepatitis C (CHC), 33 alcoholic hepatitis (AH) patients and 138 healthy controls (HCs). Hepatic ITIH4 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry in PBC. RESULTS The mean plasma concentration of ITIH4 was almost doubled in PBC [409 µg/mL (95% CI: 388-431)] and 35% higher in PSC [308 µg/mL, (95% CI: 296-319)] compared with HCs [226 µg/mL (95% CI: 221-231); p<0.001]. In PBC patients, ITIH4 correlated with IgM (rho=0.49, p<0.001). Responders to ursodeoxycholic acid treatment (UDCA) had lower levels of ITIH4 than incomplete responders [395 µg/mL (95% CI: 364-425)] vs. 460 µg/mL (95% CI: 421-498); p=0.02]. Four weeks of UDCA treatment had no effect (p=0.19). Increased ITIH4 immunohistochemical staining was seen in a liver biopsy from a PBC patient. ITIH4 levels in AIH [224 µg/mL (95% CI: 208-241)] and HCs were similar (p=0.8). ITIH4 levels were lower in AH [199 µg/mL (95% CI: 175-223)] and CHC [202 µg/mL (192-212)] patients than in HCs (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The plasma concentration of ITIH4 was highly elevated in patients with PBC and PSC, suggesting that ITIH4 should be further investigated as a biomarker in cholestatic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Lund Laursen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Correspondence to: Tea Lund Laursen, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, 99 Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2494-0526. Tel: +45-23715703, Fax: +45-78462860, E-mail: ,
| | - Lars Bossen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Pihl
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne Troldborg
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | - Trine Folserass
- Norwegian PSC Research Center, Department of Transplantation Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Diseases and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mette Vesterhus
- Norwegian PSC Research Center, Department of Transplantation Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Diseases and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Henning Grønbæk
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Steffen Thiel
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli B, Mieli-Vergani G, Vergani D. HLA, gut microbiome and hepatic autoimmunity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:980768. [PMID: 36059527 PMCID: PMC9433828 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.980768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic susceptibility to autoimmune liver diseases is conferred mainly by polymorphisms of genes encoding for the human leukocyte antigens (HLA). The strongest predisposition to autoimmune hepatitis type 1 (AIH-1) is linked to the allele DRB1*03:01, possession of which is associated with earlier disease onset and more severe course. In populations where this allele is very rare, such as in Asia, and in DRB1*03-negative patients, risk of AIH-1 is conferred by DRB1*04, which is associated with later disease onset and milder phenotype. AIH type 2 (AIH-2) is associated with DRB1*07. The pediatric condition referred to as autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC), is associated with the DRB1*13 in populations of Northern European ancestry. DRB1*1501 is protective from AIH-1, AIH-2 and ASC in Northern European populations. Possession of the DRB1*08 allele is associated with an increased risk of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) across different populations. DRB1*03:01 and B*08:01 confer susceptibility to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), as well as DRB1*13 and DRB1*15 in Europe. The hepatic blood supply is largely derived from the splanchnic circulation, suggesting a pathophysiological role of the gut microbiome. AIH appears to be associated with dysbiosis, increased gut permeability, and translocation of intestinal microbial products into the circulation; molecular mimicry between microbial and host antigens may trigger an autoaggressive response in genetically-predisposed individuals. In PBC an altered enteric microbiome may affect intestinal motility, immunological function and bile secretion. Patients with PSC have a gut microbial profile different from health as well as from patients with inflammatory bowel disease without PSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Epatocentro Ticino and Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
- MowatLabs, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Benedetta Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli,
| | - Giorgina Mieli-Vergani
- MowatLabs, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Diego Vergani
- MowatLabs, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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You H, Ma X, Efe C, Wang G, Jeong SH, Abe K, Duan W, Chen S, Kong Y, Zhang D, Wei L, Wang FS, Lin HC, Yang JM, Tanwandee T, Gani RA, Payawal DA, Sharma BC, Hou J, Yokosuka O, Dokmeci AK, Crawford D, Kao JH, Piratvisuth T, Suh DJ, Lesmana LA, Sollano J, Lau G, Sarin SK, Omata M, Tanaka A, Jia J. APASL clinical practice guidance: the diagnosis and management of patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Hepatol Int 2022; 16:1-23. [PMID: 35119627 PMCID: PMC8843914 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-021-10276-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Beijing, Mainland, China
| | - Xiong Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, Mainland, China
| | - Cumali Efe
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gazi Yaşargil Education and Research Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey
| | - Guiqiang Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Center for Liver Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, Mainland, China
| | - Sook-Hyang Jeong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kazumichi Abe
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Weijia Duan
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Beijing, Mainland, China
| | - Sha Chen
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Beijing, Mainland, China
| | - Yuanyuan Kong
- Clinical Epidemiology and EBM Unit, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, Mainland, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Experimental and Translational Research Center, Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, Mainland, China
| | - Lai Wei
- Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Center, Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, Mainland, China
| | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Treatment and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospial, Beijing, Mainland, China
| | - Han-Chieh Lin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jin Mo Yang
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Tawesak Tanwandee
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rino A Gani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Diana A Payawal
- Department of Medicine, Fatima University Medical Center, Manila, Philippines
| | - Barjesh C Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology, GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Jinlin Hou
- Department of Infectious Disease and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Mainland, China
| | - Osamu Yokosuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - A Kadir Dokmeci
- Department of Medicine, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Darrell Crawford
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Teerha Piratvisuth
- NKC Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Thailand
| | - Dong Jin Suh
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Jose Sollano
- Department of Medicine, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
| | - George Lau
- Humanity and Health Clinical Trial Center, Humanity and Health Medical Group, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shiv K Sarin
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, India
| | - Masao Omata
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yamanashi Central Hospital, Yamanashi, Japan. .,University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Jidong Jia
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Beijing, Mainland, China.
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7
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Patel AM, Liu YS, Davies SP, Brown RM, Kelly DA, Scheel-Toellner D, Reynolds GM, Stamataki Z. The Role of B Cells in Adult and Paediatric Liver Injury. Front Immunol 2021; 12:729143. [PMID: 34630404 PMCID: PMC8495195 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.729143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
B lymphocytes are multitasking cells that direct the immune response by producing pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines, by presenting processed antigen for T cell activation and co-stimulation, and by turning into antibody-secreting cells. These functions are important to control infection in the liver but can also exacerbate tissue damage and fibrosis as part of persistent inflammation that can lead to end stage disease requiring a transplant. In transplantation, immunosuppression increases the incidence of lymphoma and often this is of B cell origin. In this review we bring together information on liver B cell biology from different liver diseases, including alcohol-related and metabolic fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary and primary sclerosing cholangitis, viral hepatitis and, in infants, biliary atresia. We also discuss the impact of B cell depletion therapy in the liver setting. Taken together, our analysis shows that B cells are important in the pathogenesis of liver diseases and that further research is necessary to fully characterise the human liver B cell compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arzoo M. Patel
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Yuxin S. Liu
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Scott P. Davies
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel M. Brown
- Department of Histopathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Deirdre A. Kelly
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital and the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Dagmar Scheel-Toellner
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Gary M. Reynolds
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital and the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Zania Stamataki
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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8
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Mulinacci G, Palermo A, Invernizzi P, Carbone M. Old and novel prognostic biomarkers in primary biliary cholangitis. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2021.1927700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G Mulinacci
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - A Palermo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Marco Carbone
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
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9
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Single-cell mass cytometry on peripheral blood identifies immune cell subsets associated with primary biliary cholangitis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12584. [PMID: 32724082 PMCID: PMC7387528 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69358-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a chronic cholestatic autoimmune liver disease, and the peripheral immune system remains to be fully understood. Herein, we performed the first mass cytometry (CyTOF)-based, immunophenotyping analysis of the peripheral immune system in PBC at single-cell resolution. CyTOF was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from PBC patients (n = 33) and age-/sex-matched healthy controls (n = 33) to obtain immune cell abundance and marker expression profiles. Hierarchical clustering methods were applied to identify immune cell types and subsets significantly associated with PBC. Subsets of gamma-delta T cells (CD3+TCRgd+), CD8+ T cells (CD3+CD8+CD161+PD1+), and memory B cells (CD3−CD19+CD20+CD24+CD27+) were found to have lower abundance in PBC than in control. In contrast, higher abundance of subsets of monocytes and naïve B cells were observed in PBC compared to control. Furthermore, several naïve B cell (CD3−CD19+CD20+CD24−CD27−) subsets were significantly higher in PBC patients with cirrhosis (indicative of late-stage disease) than in those without cirrhosis. Alternatively, subsets of memory B cells were lower in abundance in cirrhotic relative to non-cirrhotic PBC patients. Future immunophenotyping investigations could lead to better understanding of PBC pathogenesis and progression, and also to the discovery of novel biomarkers and treatment strategies.
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10
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Takano K, Saeki C, Oikawa T, Hidaka A, Mizuno Y, Ishida J, Takakura K, Nakano M, Torisu Y, Amano K, Ishikawa T, Zeniya M, Tsubota A, Saruta M. IgM response is a prognostic biomarker of primary biliary cholangitis treated with ursodeoxycholic acid and bezafibrate. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 35:663-672. [PMID: 31677185 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.14900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients who are refractory to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) are at risk for progression to cirrhosis and liver failure. Bezafibrate could be an alternative second-line therapeutic option in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome(s) of combined UDCA and bezafibrate therapy in UDCA-refractory PBC patients and identify prognostic factors. METHODS Among 445 patients treated with UDCA, 150 patients inadequately responded to UDCA monotherapy and received long-term UDCA plus bezafibrate (median, 15 years). Data from these patients were used for this retrospective analysis. RESULTS Combination therapy resulted in significant improvements in serum biochemistry and liver transplantation risk estimated using the UK-PBC-risk and the GLOBE scores. The cumulative normalization rates of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were significantly higher in patients without cirrhosis-related symptoms or liver-related events than in those with them. Overall, IgM constantly emerged as a significant factor associated with cirrhosis-related symptoms and liver-related events at all time points. Cumulative survival rates were significantly lower in patients with IgM ≥ 240 mg/dL than in patients with IgM < 240 mg/dL. Thus, normalization of IgM levels was a good surrogate predictor of long-term prognosis. None of the patients discontinued combination therapy due to any adverse events during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS Our findings point to the beneficial effects of long-term UDCA plus bezafibrate combination therapy for UDCA-refractory PBC patients, and IgM response can be a useful predictive biomarker of long-term clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Takano
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chisato Saeki
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsunekazu Oikawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihisa Hidaka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Mizuno
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jinya Ishida
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuki Takakura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masanori Nakano
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Torisu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsushi Amano
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Ishikawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mikio Zeniya
- Gastroenterology, Sanno Medical Center, International University of Health and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihito Tsubota
- Core Research Facilities, Research Center for Medical Science, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Saruta
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli B, Mieli-Vergani G, Vergani D, Vierling JM, Adams D, Alpini G, Banales JM, Beuers U, Björnsson E, Bowlus C, Carbone M, Chazouillères O, Dalekos G, De Gottardi A, Harada K, Hirschfield G, Invernizzi P, Jones D, Krawitt E, Lanzavecchia A, Lian ZX, Ma X, Manns M, Mavilio D, Quigley EM, Sallusto F, Shimoda S, Strazzabosco M, Swain M, Tanaka A, Trauner M, Tsuneyama K, Zigmond E, Gershwin ME. The challenges of primary biliary cholangitis: What is new and what needs to be done. J Autoimmun 2019; 105:102328. [PMID: 31548157 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.102328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is an uncommon, chronic, cholangiopathy of autoimmune origin and unknown etiology characterized by positive anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies (AMA), female preponderance and progression to cirrhosis if left untreated. The diagnosis is based on AMA- or PBC-specific anti-nuclear antibody (ANA)-positivity in the presence of a cholestatic biochemical profile, histologic confirmation being mandatory only in seronegative cases. First-line treatment is ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), which is effective in preventing disease progression in about two thirds of the patients. The only approved second-line treatment is obeticholic acid. This article summarizes the most relevant conclusions of a meeting held in Lugano, Switzerland, from September 23rd-25th 2018, gathering basic and clinical scientists with various background from around the world to discuss the latest advances in PBC research. The meeting was dedicated to Ian Mackay, pioneer in the field of autoimmune liver diseases. The role of liver histology needs to be reconsidered: liver pathology consistent with PBC in AMA-positive individuals without biochemical cholestasis is increasingly reported, raising the question as to whether biochemical cholestasis is a reliable disease marker for both clinical practice and trials. The urgent need for new biomarkers, including more accurate markers of cholestasis, was also widely discussed during the meeting. Moreover, new insights in interactions of bile acids with biliary epithelia in PBC provide solid evidence of a role for impaired epithelial protection against potentially toxic hydrophobic bile acids, raising the fundamental question as to whether this bile acid-induced epithelial damage is the cause or the consequence of the autoimmune attack to the biliary epithelium. Strategies are needed to identify difficult-to-treat patients at an early disease stage, when new therapeutic approaches targeting immunologic pathways, in addition to bile acid-based therapies, may be effective. In conclusion, using interdisciplinary approaches, groundbreaking advances can be expected before long in respect to our understanding of the etiopathogenesis of PBC, with the ultimate aim of improving its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli
- Epatocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland; Institute of Liver Studies, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, London, UK; European Reference Network ERN RARE-LIVER.
| | - Giorgina Mieli-Vergani
- Paediatric Liver, GI and Nutrition Centre, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Diego Vergani
- Institute of Liver Studies, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - John M Vierling
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation and Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David Adams
- Birmingham NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Indiana Center for Liver Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center and Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jesus M Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), CIBERehd, Ikerbasque, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Ulrich Beuers
- European Reference Network ERN RARE-LIVER; Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Einar Björnsson
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Landspitali the National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Christopher Bowlus
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Marco Carbone
- Division Gastroenterology and Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, University of Milan-Bicocca School of Medicine, Monza, Italy
| | - Olivier Chazouillères
- European Reference Network ERN RARE-LIVER; Service d'Hépatologie, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - George Dalekos
- Institute of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Research, Laboratory of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Andrea De Gottardi
- European Reference Network ERN RARE-LIVER; Epatocentro Ticino & Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale and Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Kenichi Harada
- Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Gideon Hirschfield
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- European Reference Network ERN RARE-LIVER; Division Gastroenterology and Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, University of Milan-Bicocca School of Medicine, Monza, Italy
| | - David Jones
- Institute of Cellular Medicine and NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Edward Krawitt
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | | | - Zhe-Xiong Lian
- Institutes for Life Sciences, South China University of Technology, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiong Ma
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Michael Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), University of Milan, Italy
| | - Eamon Mm Quigley
- Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Disorders, Houston Methodist Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Federica Sallusto
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Shinji Shimoda
- Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mark Swain
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Ehud Zigmond
- Research Center for Digestive Tract and Liver Diseases, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California, USA.
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12
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Bowlus CL, Yang GX, Liu CH, Johnson CR, Dhaliwal SS, Frank D, Levy C, Peters MG, Vierling JM, Gershwin ME. Therapeutic trials of biologics in primary biliary cholangitis: An open label study of abatacept and review of the literature. J Autoimmun 2019; 101:26-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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13
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Chang C, Tanaka A, Gershwin ME. Unmet needs in autoimmune liver diseases. J Dig Dis 2019; 20:327-330. [PMID: 31232533 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.12785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Chang
- Division of Pediatric Immunology and Allergy, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Hollywood, Florida, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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14
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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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15
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Rodrigues PM, Perugorria MJ, Santos-Laso A, Bujanda L, Beuers U, Banales JM. Primary biliary cholangitis: A tale of epigenetically-induced secretory failure? J Hepatol 2018; 69:1371-1383. [PMID: 30193962 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease associated with autoimmune-related destruction of small to medium size intrahepatic bile ducts. The aetiology of PBC is unknown and its pathogenesis remains obscure. Both genetic variants and environmental factors have been linked to increased PBC susceptibility, with other alterations known to cooperate in disease pathobiology. Increasing evidence indicates the presence of epigenetic abnormalities in PBC, particularly alterations of cholangiocellular microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs). This review highlights and discusses the most relevant epigenetic alterations found in patients with PBC, focusing on the role of miR-506 in the promotion of cholestasis and immune activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M Rodrigues
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute - Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Maria J Perugorria
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute - Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain; National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, "Instituto de Salud Carlos III"), Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Alvaro Santos-Laso
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute - Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Luis Bujanda
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute - Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain; National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, "Instituto de Salud Carlos III"), Spain
| | - Ulrich Beuers
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research and Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jesus M Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute - Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain; National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, "Instituto de Salud Carlos III"), Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.
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16
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Czaja AJ. Under-Evaluated or Unassessed Pathogenic Pathways in Autoimmune Hepatitis and Implications for Future Management. Dig Dis Sci 2018; 63:1706-1725. [PMID: 29671161 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-018-5072-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis is a consequence of perturbations in homeostatic mechanisms that maintain self-tolerance but are incompletely understood. The goals of this review are to describe key pathogenic pathways that have been under-evaluated or unassessed in autoimmune hepatitis, describe insights that may shape future therapies, and encourage investigational efforts. The T cell immunoglobulin mucin proteins constitute a family that modulates immune tolerance by limiting the survival of immune effector cells, clearing apoptotic bodies, and expanding the population of granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Galectins influence immune cell migration, activation, proliferation, and survival, and T cell exhaustion can be induced and exploited as a possible management strategy. The programmed cell death-1 protein and its ligands comprise an antigen-independent inhibitory axis that can limit the performance of activated T cells by altering their metabolism, and epigenetic changes can silence pro-inflammatory genes or de-repress anti-inflammatory genes that affect disease severity. Changes in the intestinal microbiota and permeability of the intestinal mucosal barrier can be causative or consequential events that affect the occurrence and phenotype of immune-mediated disease, and they may help explain the female propensity for autoimmune hepatitis. Perturbations within these homeostatic mechanisms have been implicated in experimental models and limited clinical experiences, and they have been favorably manipulated by monoclonal antibodies, recombinant molecules, pharmacological agents or dietary supplements. In conclusion, pathogenic mechanisms that have been implicated in other systemic immune-mediated and liver diseases but under-evaluated or unassessed in autoimmune hepatitis warrant consideration and rigorous evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Czaja
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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17
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Wu JL, Zou JY, Hu ED, Chen DZ, Chen L, Lu FB, Xu LM, Zheng MH, Li H, Huang Y, Jin XY, Gong YW, Lin Z, Wang XD, Zhao MF, Chen YP. Sodium butyrate ameliorates S100/FCA-induced autoimmune hepatitis through regulation of intestinal tight junction and toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway. Immunol Lett 2017; 190:169-176. [PMID: 28811235 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2017.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Recent investigation revealed that dysbiosis in the gut flora and disruption of permeability of intestinal barrier are possible causes for the development of autoimmune hepatitis. Supplementation of sodium butyrate has been suggested to protect liver injury from disrupted permeability of small intestine. In current study, we employed S100/Freund's complete adjuvant induced autoimmune hepatitis to investigate therapeutic efficacy of sodium butyrate and its mechanism in the liver and upper small intestine. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were employed and divided into three groups - control group (n=8), autoimmune hepatitis group (n=12) and autoimmune hepatitis with treatment of sodium butyrate group (n=12). Histological staining and western blot analyses were employed to evaluate liver and upper small intestine morphology and gene expression respectively. RESULTS The findings revealed that S100/Freund's complete adjuvant caused liver injury and disruption of upper small intestine villi. Sodium butyrate attenuated the injuries and prevented migration of Escherichia coli into the liver. Moreover, the effect of sodium butyrate on protection of injuries of the liver and upper small intestine could be due to inhibition of toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway, as well as its down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines - interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a. CONCLUSIONS Sodium butyrate can prevent liver injury by maintaining the integrity of small intestine and inhibiting inflammatory response in S100/Freund's complete adjuvant induced autoimmune hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Lu Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hepatology Institute of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatology, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jia-Yun Zou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - En-De Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hepatology Institute of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatology, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Da-Zhi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Medicine School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hepatology Institute of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatology, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feng-Bin Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hepatology Institute of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatology, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lan-Man Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hepatology Institute of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatology, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ming-Hua Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hepatology Institute of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatology, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hepatology Institute of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatology, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hepatology Institute of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatology, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao-Ya Jin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hepatology Institute of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatology, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yue-Wen Gong
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Canada
| | - Zhuo Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hepatology Institute of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatology, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hepatology Institute of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatology, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ming-Fang Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
| | - Yong-Ping Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hepatology Institute of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatology, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China.
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18
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Tsuneyama K, Baba H, Morimoto Y, Tsunematsu T, Ogawa H. Primary Biliary Cholangitis: Its Pathological Characteristics and Immunopathological Mechanisms. THE JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INVESTIGATION 2017; 64:7-13. [DOI: 10.2152/jmi.64.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School
| | - Hayato Baba
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School
| | - Yuki Morimoto
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School
| | - Takaaki Tsunematsu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School
| | - Hirohisa Ogawa
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School
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Kiziltas S. Toll-like receptors in pathophysiology of liver diseases. World J Hepatol 2016; 8:1354-1369. [PMID: 27917262 PMCID: PMC5114472 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v8.i32.1354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Revised: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors that participate in host defense by recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns alongside inflammatory processes by recognizing damage associated molecular patterns. Given constant exposure to pathogens from gut, strict control of TLR-associated signaling pathways is essential in the liver, which otherwise may lead to inappropriate production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and interferons and may generate a predisposition to several autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. The liver is considered to be a site of tolerance induction rather than immunity induction, with specificity in hepatic cell functions and distribution of TLR. Recent data emphasize significant contribution of TLR signaling in chronic liver diseases via complex immune responses mediating hepatocyte (i.e., hepatocellular injury and regeneration) or hepatic stellate cell (i.e., fibrosis and cirrhosis) inflammatory or immune pathologies. Herein, we review the available data on TLR signaling, hepatic expression of TLRs and associated ligands, as well as the contribution of TLRs to the pathophysiology of hepatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safak Kiziltas
- Safak Kiziltas, Department of Gastroenterology, Baskent University Istanbul Hospital, 34662 Istanbul, Turkey
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20
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Czaja AJ. Factoring the intestinal microbiome into the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:9257-9278. [PMID: 27895415 PMCID: PMC5107691 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i42.9257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal microbiome is a reservoir of microbial antigens and activated immune cells. The aims of this review were to describe the role of the intestinal microbiome in generating innate and adaptive immune responses, indicate how these responses contribute to the development of systemic immune-mediated diseases, and encourage investigations that improve the understanding and management of autoimmune hepatitis. Alterations in the composition of the intestinal microflora (dysbiosis) can disrupt intestinal and systemic immune tolerances for commensal bacteria. Toll-like receptors within the intestine can recognize microbe-associated molecular patterns and shape subsets of T helper lymphocytes that may cross-react with host antigens (molecular mimicry). Activated gut-derived lymphocytes can migrate to lymph nodes, and gut-derived microbial antigens can translocate to extra-intestinal sites. Inflammasomes can form within hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells, and they can drive the pro-inflammatory, immune-mediated, and fibrotic responses. Diet, designer probiotics, vitamin supplements, re-colonization methods, antibiotics, drugs that decrease intestinal permeability, and molecular interventions that block signaling pathways may emerge as adjunctive regimens that complement conventional immunosuppressive management. In conclusion, investigations of the intestinal microbiome are warranted in autoimmune hepatitis and promise to clarify pathogenic mechanisms and suggest alternative management strategies.
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Ali AH, Carey EJ, Lindor KD. Targets and investigative treatments for primary biliary cholangitis. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2016.1227240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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22
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Tan YG, Wang YQ, Zhang M, Han YX, Huang CY, Zhang HP, Li ZM, Wu XL, Wang XF, Dong Y, Zhu HM, Zhu SD, Li HM, Li N, Yan HP, Gao ZH. Clonal Characteristics of Circulating B Lymphocyte Repertoire in Primary Biliary Cholangitis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 197:1609-20. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1600096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Lin S, Sun Q, Mao W, Chen Y. Serum Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Level Is a Potential Biomarker Indicating Cirrhosis during Chronic Hepatitis B Infection. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2016; 2016:2495073. [PMID: 27123003 PMCID: PMC4829706 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2495073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Revised: 02/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Serum immunoglobulins (Igs) are frequently elevated in patients with chronic liver disease, but currently there is a lack of sufficient data on serum Igs in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection. This study aimed to evaluate serum IgA, IgG, and IgM levels in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis and to analyze, if altered, immunoglobulin levels that were associated with cirrhosis progress. Methods. A cohort of 174 CHB patients including 104 with cirrhosis (32 decompensated and 72 compensated) and 70 without cirrhosis and 55 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum immunoglobulin levels and biochemical and virological parameters were determined in the enrollment blood samples. Results. Serum IgA levels were significantly increased in cirrhosis group compared with noncirrhosis group and healthy controls (all P < 0.001). Furthermore, serum IgA concentrations in decompensated cirrhosis patients were significantly higher than that of compensated patients (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis suggested that serum IgA, platelets, and albumin were independent predictors for cirrhosis (all P < 0.001). Conclusions. Elevated IgA levels may function as an independent factor indicating cirrhosis, and there appears to be a strong association between increasing serum IgA level and disease progressing in patients with chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - QinQin Sun
- Department of Urology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang 830001, China
| | - WeiLin Mao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang 310003, China
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Shimoda S, Tanaka A. It is time to change primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC): New nomenclature from "cirrhosis" to "cholangitis", and upcoming treatment based on unveiling pathology. Hepatol Res 2016; 46:407-15. [PMID: 26518139 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic, organ-specific, autoimmune liver disease characterized by progressive cholestasis, eventually leading to cirrhosis. Several lines of evidence have revealed a crucial role of adaptive as well as innate immune responses in the etiopathogenesis of PBC, and more recently, the biology of bile duct cells and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) demonstrated several key molecules and pathways in this enigmatic disease. Although ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been the only approved drug for PBC with clinical evidences for improvement of long-term outcomes, a substantial population have suboptimal responses to UDCA, resulting in unfavorable outcomes. In this regard, second-line treatment for patients refractory to UDCA is strongly awaited. In Japan, bezafibrate (BF) has been frequently used for this purpose, yet recent clinical trials failed to clearly demonstrate clinical efficacy of BF. Novel pharmacotherapies targeted to key molecules and pathways in PBC are upcoming. Finally, we sincerely call on all members of the Japan Society of Hepatology to use from this moment on the name "primary biliary cholangitis" for the disease known by its abbreviation PBC, in keeping with a very recent global agreement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Shimoda
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Ohira H. Spleen and Liver. THE LIVER IN SYSTEMIC DISEASES 2016. [PMCID: PMC7122130 DOI: 10.1007/978-4-431-55790-6_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In liver cirrhosis, the spleen is a source of nitric oxide which affects a hyperdynamic state typical of portal hypertension. It is generally accepted that pancytopenia results predominantly from the increased phagocytosis and destruction of hemocytes in splenic macrophages. In addition, liver fibrosis is amplified by migrated Th2 lymphocytes and transforming growth factor beta from the spleen. There is a possibility that increase of the spleen stiffness is the primary factor of idiopathic portal hypertension. Spleen stiffness is caused by bleeding, fibrosis, and calcareous deposits after increase in red pulp pressure due to venous congestion. In nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, macrophage activity in the spleen is upregulated. In addition, high levels of inflammatory cytokines are produced and T cell shows increased proliferation in the spleen. In autoimmune hepatitis model, CD4+ T cells are differentiated into follicular helper T cells (TFH) in the spleen. TFH cells promoted hypergammaglobulinemia and antinuclear antibodies production. TFH cells migrate from the spleen to the liver, triggering induction of autoimmune hepatitis in this model. IgM-positive B cells localize in the CD21-positive lymph follicle in the spleen of primary biliary cholangitis. These findings prove that the spleen influences on the pathogenesis and severity of several kinds of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromasa Ohira
- Dept. Gastroenterology & Rheumatogy, Fukushima Med. Univ. School of Med., Fukushima, Fukushima Japan
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26
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Shimoda S, Hisamoto S, Harada K, Iwasaka S, Chong Y, Nakamura M, Bekki Y, Yoshizumi T, Shirabe K, Ikegami T, Maehara Y, He XS, Gershwin ME, Akashi K. Natural killer cells regulate T cell immune responses in primary biliary cirrhosis. Hepatology 2015; 62:1817-27. [PMID: 26264889 PMCID: PMC4681684 DOI: 10.1002/hep.28122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The hallmark of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is the presence of autoreactive T- and B-cell responses that target biliary epithelial cells (BECs). Biliary cell cytotoxicity is dependent upon initiation of innate immune responses followed by chronic adaptive, as well as bystander, mechanisms. Critical to these mechanisms are interactions between natural killer (NK) cells and BECs. We have taken advantage of the ability to isolate relatively pure viable preparations of liver-derived NK cells, BECs, and endothelial cells, and studied interactions between NK cells and BECs and focused on the mechanisms that activate autoreactive T cells, their dependence on interferon (IFN)-γ, and expression of BEC major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules. Here we show that at a high NK/BEC ratio, NK cells are cytotoxic for autologous BECs, but are not dependent on autoantigen, yet still activate autoreactive CD4(+) T cells in the presence of antigen presenting cells. In contrast, at a low NK/BEC ratio, BECs are not lysed, but IFN-γ production is induced, which facilitates expression of MHC class I and II molecules on BEC and protects them from lysis upon subsequent exposure to autoreactive NK cells. Furthermore, IFN-γ secreted from NK cells after exposure to autologous BECs is essential for this protective function and enables autoreactive CD4(+) T cells to become cytopathic. CONCLUSIONS NK cell-mediated innate immune responses are likely critical at the initial stage of PBC, but also facilitate and maintain the chronic cytopathic effect of autoantigen-specific T cells, essential for progression of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Shimoda
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Satomi Hisamoto
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kenichi Harada
- Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Sho Iwasaka
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yong Chong
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Minoru Nakamura
- Clinical Research Center in National Hospital Organization (NHO) Nagasaki Medical Center and Department of Hepatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Omura, Japan
| | - Yuki Bekki
- Department of Surgery and Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Yoshizumi
- Department of Surgery and Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ken Shirabe
- Department of Surgery and Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Toru Ikegami
- Department of Surgery and Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Maehara
- Department of Surgery and Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Xiao-Song He
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Koichi Akashi
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
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Abstract
Cholangiocytes are the epithelial cells that line the bile ducts. Along the biliary tree, two different kinds of cholangiocytes exist; small and large cholangiocytes. Each type has important differences in their biological role in physiological and pathological conditions. In response to injury, cholangiocytes become reactive and acquire a neuroendocrine-like phenotype with the secretion of a number of peptides. These molecules act in an autocrine/paracrine fashion to modulate cholangiocyte biology and determine the evolution of biliary damage. The failure of such mechanisms is believed to influence the progression of cholangiopathies, a group of diseases that selectively target biliary cells. Therefore, the understanding of mechanisms regulating cholangiocyte response to injury is expected to foster the development of new therapeutic options to treat biliary diseases. In the present review, we will discuss the most recent findings in the mechanisms driving cholangiocyte adaptation to damage, with particular emphasis on molecular pathways that are susceptible of therapeutic intervention. Morphogenic pathways (Hippo, Notch, Hedgehog), which have been recently shown to regulate biliary ontogenesis and response to injury, will also be reviewed. In addition, the results of ongoing clinical trials evaluating new drugs for the treatment of cholangiopathies will be discussed.
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Li Y, Wang W, Tang L, He X, Yan X, Zhang X, Zhu Y, Sun J, Shi Y, Ma X, Mackay IR, Gershwin ME, Han Y, Hou J. Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 13 promotes intrahepatic chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 5+ lymphocyte homing and aberrant B-cell immune responses in primary biliary cirrhosis. Hepatology 2015; 61:1998-2007. [PMID: 25627620 PMCID: PMC4441570 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The serological hallmark of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is the presence of high titer and specific antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs). Although there is no global immune defect in patients with PBC, there is widespread dysregulated B-cell function, including increased sera levels of immunoglobulin M and enhanced B-cell responses to cytosine-phosphate-guanine stimulation. The mechanisms involved in this B-cell dysfunction have remained unknown. To address this issue, we focused on identifying the frequencies of B-cell subsets in patients with PBC and the mechanisms that lead to B-cell dysregulation, including the relationships with chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 5 (CXCR5)(+) CD4(+) T cells. Herein, we report that elevations of both serum and intrahepatic interleukin-21 (IL-21) were found in patients with PBC and, in particular, promoted B-cell proliferation, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 phosphorylation and AMA production in vitro. More important, upon stimulation with recombinant E2 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, CXCR5(+) CD4(+) T cells in PBC produced higher levels of IL-21 than healthy controls. Additionally, sorted CXCR5(+) CD4(+) T cells increased production of AMAs by autologous CD19(+) B cells. Indeed, elevated expression of intrahepatic chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 13 (CXCL13), a key chemokine of CXCR5(+) cells, was uniquely found within the portal tracts in PBC, accompanied by infiltrates of CD4(+) , CXCR5(+) , CD19(+) , and CD38(+) cells. CONCLUSION CXCL13 promotes aggregation of CD19(+) B cells and CXCR5(+) CD4(+) T cells, which directs the aberrant AMA response by IL-21. These data have implications for potential immunotherapy and also reflect the unique lymphoid biology in liver of PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China
| | - Weibin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China
| | - Libo Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China
| | - Xuanqiu He
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China
| | - Xin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China
| | - Xiaoyong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China
| | - Youfu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China
| | - Jian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China
| | - Yongquan Shi
- Division of Hepatology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, China
| | - Xiong Ma
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Ian R. Mackay
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - M. Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Ying Han
- Division of Hepatology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, China
| | - Jinlin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, China
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Tanaka A, Tazuma S, Okazaki K, Tsubouchi H, Inui K, Takikawa H. Clinical profiles of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis in the elderly. JOURNAL OF HEPATO-BILIARY-PANCREATIC SCIENCES 2014; 22:230-6. [DOI: 10.1002/jhbp.194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine; Teikyo University School of Medicine; 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku Tokyo 173-8605 Japan
| | - Susumu Tazuma
- Department of General Medicine; Hiroshima University, Graduate School of Medical Science, Programs of Applied Medicine, Clinical Pharmacotherapy; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Kazuichi Okazaki
- Third Department of Internal Medicine; Kansai Medical University; Hirakata Japan
| | - Hirohito Tsubouchi
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases; Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences; Kagoshima University; Kagoshima Japan
| | - Kazuo Inui
- Department of Internal Medicine; Second Teaching Hospital; Fujita Health University; Nagoya Japan
| | - Hajime Takikawa
- Department of Medicine; Teikyo University School of Medicine; 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku Tokyo 173-8605 Japan
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Ma HD, Wang YH, Chang C, Gershwin ME, Lian ZX. The intestinal microbiota and microenvironment in liver. Autoimmun Rev 2014; 14:183-91. [PMID: 25315744 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2014.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The intestinal microbiome plays a significant role in the development of autoimmune diseases, in particular, inflammatory bowel diseases. But the interplay between the intestinal tract and the liver may explain the increased association with autoimmune liver diseases and inflammatory bowel diseases. The gut-liver axis involves multiple inflammatory cell types and cytokines, chemokines and other molecules which lead to the destruction of normal liver architecture. Triggers for the initiation of these events are unclear, but appear to include multiple environmental factors, including pathogenic or even commensal microbial agents. The variation in the gut microbiome has been cited as a major factor in the pathogenesis of autoimmune liver disease and even other autoimmune diseases. The unique positioning of the liver at the juncture of the peripheral circulation and the portal circulation augments the interaction between naïve T cells and other hepatic cells and leads to the disruption in the development of tolerance to commensal bacteria and other environmental agents. Finally, the innate immune system and in particular toll-like receptors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Di Ma
- Liver Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Yin-Hu Wang
- Liver Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Christopher Chang
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Zhe-Xiong Lian
- Liver Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China; Innovation Center for Cell Biology, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
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31
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Kikuchi K, Tsuneyama K, Yamada H, Kajiyama Y, Matsumoto K, Tsunashima H, Yamashita R, Takai A, Negishi M, Hara M, Moritoki Y, Miyakawa H. Splenic lymph follicles generate immunoglobulin M-producing B cells in primary biliary cirrhosis. Hepatol Res 2014; 44:E253-E256. [PMID: 24033874 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2013] [Revised: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
AIM To reveal the site of immunoglobulin (Ig)M production in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) we performed immunohistochemical analysis on spleens collected from patients with PBC. METHODS Splenic tissue samples were collected at the time of the autopsy from patients with hepatic failure. Immunostaining for IgM, CD21 and CXCL13 were performed using the splenic tissue samples. RESULTS The samples from five out of eight cases with PBC but not in eight cases of chronic hepatitis C virus infection showed accumulation of IgM positive cells in CD21 positive lymph follicles. The CXCL13 positive cells also accumulated in the center of the lymph follicles where the IgM positive cells accumulated. CONCLUSION The present results suggest that excess IgM is produced from the spleen of PBC. Furthermore, it was suggested that CXCL13 positive follicular dendritic cells possibly contribute to this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Kikuchi
- The Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University Mizonokuchi Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
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The utility of IgG, IgM, and CD138 immunohistochemistry in the evaluation of autoimmune liver diseases. Med Mol Morphol 2014; 47:162-8. [PMID: 24969678 DOI: 10.1007/s00795-014-0082-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) present with distinct clinical features. The term "PBC-AIH overlap syndrome (OS)" has been adopted to describe the condition characterized by occurrence of both PBC and AIH, although this clinical entity is difficult to define. This study aimed to assess the utility of IgG, IgM, and CD138 immunohistochemistry in the evaluation of AIH, PBC, and OS. Immunohistochemistry was performed with anti-human IgG, IgM, and CD138 to detect specific plasma cells in the liver. Predominant IgG staining was observed in AIH (85.7 %), while equivocal (46.1 %) or predominant (38.5 %) IgM staining was observed in PBC. In OS, equivocal (20 %) or predominant (80 %) IgG staining was observed. The IgM/IgG ratio was significantly higher in PBC than in AIH or OS (P < 0.005). Histological findings revealed significantly higher IgM expression in PBC at cholangitis activity grades 2-3 compared to those at cholangitis activity grades 0-1. In contrast, a significantly higher IgG expression was observed in PBC at hepatitis activity and fibrosis grades 2-3 compared to those at hepatitis activity and fibrosis grades 0-1. Taken together, periportal plasmacytic infiltrates with variable immunohistochemistry patterns of IgG and IgM expression characterized different autoimmune liver diseases.
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Ohira H, Watanabe H. Pathophysiology and recent findings of primary biliary cirrhosis complicated by systemic sclerosis. Hepatol Res 2014; 44:377-83. [PMID: 24308674 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2013] [Revised: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) can be complicated by systemic sclerosis (SSc) and, more specifically, limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc), which was previously called CREST syndrome. Moreover, combined PBC and SSc has been described in many case reports. Although neither the etiology of PBC nor that of SSc has been elucidated, some genetic and immunological factors are known to be shared. Both disorders are autoimmune fibrotic diseases characterized by increased levels of profibrotic cytokines transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and interleukin-6, which have recently been suggested to influence T-helper 17 cells and regulatory T cells involved in acquired immunity. lcSSc is accompanied by CREST symptoms, although complete CREST cases are rare, with relatively high prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon, sclerodactyly and telangiectasia, and lower prevalence of calcinosis and esophageal dysmotility. Because patients with anticentromere antibody positive PBC-SSc are at a high risk of developing portal hypertension, particular attention should be paid to the management of gastroesophageal varices. In addition, the management of SSc-related non-hepatic disorders, such as pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, heart disorder, infection and malignancy, is also important for improved outcomes. Because PBC is often complicated by rheumatic disease, hepatologists should keep the possibility of systemic disorder in mind when examining PBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromasa Ohira
- Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
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34
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Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors that play an important role in host defence by recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP). Recent studies indicate that TLR signalling plays an important role in progression of chronic liver diseases. Ongoing clinical trials suggest that therapeutic manipulation of TLR pathways may offer novel means of reversing chronic liver diseases. Upon activation by their respective ligands, TLRs initiate an intracellular pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory signalling cascade via recruitment of various adaptor proteins. TLR associated signalling pathways are tightly regulated to keep a check on inappropriate production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and interferons thereby preventing various autoimmune and inflammatory processes. Herein, we review the current state of knowledge of hepatic distribution, signalling pathways and therapeutic modulation of TLRs in chronic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Kesar
- Department of Medicine, Recanati/Miller Transplant Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY, USA
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Katsushima F, Takahashi A, Suzuki T, Ejiri Y, Abe K, Ohira H. A case of overlap syndrome of primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis with marked elevation of IgM. Fukushima J Med Sci 2014; 59:63-7. [PMID: 23842517 DOI: 10.5387/fms.59.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A 60-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of anorexia and vomiting. Hematology revealed elevated levels of hepatobiliary enzymes and positive results for antinuclear antibody (ANA) and antimitochondrial (AMA) M2 antibody. Immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM levels were extremely elevated, 3,379 mg/dl and 4,250 mg/dl, respectively. A diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis (PBC-AIH) overlap syndrome was made. However, IgM levels as high as the level of 4,250 mg/dl in this case has not been reported previously. This case may be of value in studying elevated IgM levels with PBC-AIH overlap syndrome and relationships to the mechanism of onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiko Katsushima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1-Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
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Guidelines for the management of primary biliary cirrhosis: The Intractable Hepatobiliary Disease Study Group supported by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. Hepatol Res 2014; 44 Suppl S1:71-90. [PMID: 24397841 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Myers RP, Swain MG, Lee SS, Shaheen AAM, Burak KW. B-cell depletion with rituximab in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis refractory to ursodeoxycholic acid. Am J Gastroenterol 2013; 108:933-41. [PMID: 23649186 DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2013.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that selectively depletes B cells, has shown promise in autoantibody-associated, immune-mediated disorders. As ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is not successful in all patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), additional treatment options are necessary. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of rituximab in patients with PBC refractory to UDCA. METHODS Fourteen PBC patients refractory to UDCA received two rituximab infusions (1,000 mg) 2 weeks apart. The primary efficacy outcome was normalization and/or 25% improvement in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentration at 6 months. RESULTS The median age was 53 years, and 92% were female and antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) positive. The median UDCA dosage was 15.3 mg/kg/day (interquartile range 14.5-17.8). Although rituximab was well tolerated, one patient withdrew due to an asthma exacerbation during the first infusion. Effective B-cell depletion was observed in the remaining 13 patients, including three that developed human anti-chimeric antibodies. ALP normalization and/or ≥ 25% improvement was observed in three patients (23%) at 6, 12, and 18 months. Significant reductions in median ALP (from 259 U/l at baseline to 213 U/l at 6 months; median decrease 16%), and serum IgM and AMA levels were observed at 6 months. Although fatigue was stable, pruritus improved in 60% of patients at 12 months (vs. 8% with worsening pruritus). CONCLUSIONS Selective B-cell depletion with rituximab was safe and associated with a significant decrease in autoantibody production, but had limited biochemical efficacy in PBC patients with an incomplete response to UDCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Myers
- Liver Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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A rare association of rheumatoid arthritis and primary biliary cirrhosis treated with rituximab: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2013; 7:99. [PMID: 23570499 PMCID: PMC3668294 DOI: 10.1186/1752-1947-7-99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 03/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune disease that tends to progress to fibrosis and cirrhosis with hepatic failure. Primary biliary cirrhosis is often associated with other non- hepatic autoimmune diseases. An association with rheumatoid arthritis has been suggested to coexist in 1.8% to 5.6% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, but data supporting this association are scarce. The etiologic and pathogenetic mechanisms are not yet fully understood and several factors have been implicated. The therapeutic management must consider the two pathologies. Case presentation We describe the case of a 60-year-old Moroccan woman with severe erosive rheumatoid arthritis and primary biliary cirrhosis treated with rituximab. During treatment, we observed a good clinical and biological response of her rheumatoid arthritis but persistent abnormal liver function tests. Conclusion B cells seem to play a major role in the pathogenesis of both rheumatoid arthritis and primary biliary cirrhosis. Additional studies are necessary to better determine the therapeutic role of rituximab in both diseases.
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Hirschfield GM, Gershwin ME. The immunobiology and pathophysiology of primary biliary cirrhosis. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2013; 8:303-30. [PMID: 23347352 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-020712-164014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease characterized by clinical homogeneity among patients, an overwhelming female predominance, production of a multilineage immune response to mitochondrial autoantigens, inflammation of small bile ducts, and in some patients the development of fibrosis and cirrhosis. The targets in this disease are small bile ducts, and the prototypic serologic response includes antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs). Several key observations have greatly advanced our understanding of PBC. First, the multilineage immune response, including AMAs, is directed at the E2 component of the 2-oxo-dehydrogenase pathway, particularly PDC-E2. Second, such autoantibodies may be identified years before the clinical diagnosis of disease. Third, the autoreactive T cell precursor frequency for both CD4 and CD8 cells is significantly higher in liver and regional lymph node than in blood, so the multilineage antimitochondrial response may be required for the development of this disease. Fourth, the apotope of biliary cells contains intact PDC-E2; this apotope, in a setting that includes granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor-stimulated macrophages and AMAs, produces an intense proinflammatory response. Fifth, several mouse models of PBC highlight the importance of loss of tolerance to PDC-E2 as well as a critical role for the interleukin (IL)-12 signaling pathway. Finally, genome-wide association studies suggest an important role for the IL-12 pathway in disease susceptibility. Taken together, these findings have resulted in a better understanding of the mechanism for selective biliary cell destruction and have also suggested unique pathways for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gideon M Hirschfield
- Centre for Liver Research, NIHR Biomedical Research Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Liang S, Webb T, Li Z. Role of gut microbiota in liver diseases. Hepatol Res 2013; 43:139-46. [PMID: 22970713 PMCID: PMC3894231 DOI: 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2012.01088.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Revised: 07/24/2012] [Accepted: 08/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The liver constantly encounters food-derived antigens and bacterial components such as lipopolysaccharide translocated from the gut into the portal vein. Bacterial components stimulate Toll-like receptors (TLR), which are expressed on Kupffer cells, biliary epithelial cells, hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, endothelial cells and dendritic cells and recognize specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns. The signaling of TLR to its main ligand triggers inflammation. Usually, in order to protect against hyperactivation of the immune system and to prevent organ failure by persistent inflammation, TLR tolerance to repeated stimuli is induced. In chronic liver diseases, a breakdown in TLR tolerance occurs. Furthermore, Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells and natural killer T cells are key components of innate immunity. Decreased numbers and impaired ability of these cells lead to failures in immune tolerance, resulting in persistent inflammation. Recently, the activation of inflammasome was revealed to control the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β in response to bacterial pathogens. Innate immunity seems to be an important contributor to the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease and autoimmune liver disease. Recently, probiotics were reported to affect various liver diseases via shifts in gut microbiota and the stability of intestinal permeability. However, many unresolved questions remain. Further analysis will be needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the association of innate immunity with the pathogenesis of various liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwen Liang
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Tonya Webb
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Zhiping Li
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205
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Smyk DS, Rigopoulou EI, Bogdanos DP. Potential Roles for Infectious Agents in the Pathophysiology of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: What's New? Curr Infect Dis Rep 2013. [PMID: 23188623 DOI: 10.1007/s11908-012-0304-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a progressive cholestatic liver disease serologically characterized by the presence of high-titer antimitochondrial antibodies and, histologically by chronic nonsuppurative cholangitis and granulomata. The aetiology of the disease remains elusive, although genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and infectious factors have been considered important for the induction of the disease in genetically prone individuals. The disease shows a striking female predominance and becomes clinically overt at the fourth to sixth decade. These characteristics have prompted investigators to consider infections that predominate in women at these ages as the likely candidates for triggering the disease. Recurrent urinary tract infections due to Escherichia coli were the first infections to be considered pathogenetically relevant. Over the years, several other microorganisms have been linked to the pathogenesis of PBC owing to epidemiological, immunological, microbiological, or experimental findings in animal models. Recent studies have provided data supporting the pathogenic role of Novosphingobium aromaticivorans and betaretroviruses. Several reports have linked other organisms to the induction of the disease and/or the maintenance of the auto-aggressive responses that are perpetuated over the course of the disease. This review highlights the findings of the most recent studies investigating the link between infections and PBC. We also discuss the close interplay of the infectious agents with other environmental and genetic factors, which may explain the multifaceted nature of this puzzling disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Smyk
- Institute of Liver Studies, Division of Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill Campus, London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom,
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Shi TY, Zhang FC. Role of autoimmunity in primary biliary cirrhosis. World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18:7141-8. [PMID: 23326118 PMCID: PMC3544015 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i48.7141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2012] [Revised: 07/16/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease characterized by the presence of serum autoantibodies and chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis. The pathogenesis of PBC involves environmental factors, genetic predisposition and loss of immune tolerance. In recent years, it has become univocally accepted that an inappropriately activated immune response is one of the most important factors in PBC. In this study, the role of autoimmunity in PBC is summarized and a feasible research orientation is recommended.
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You Z, Wang Q, Bian Z, Liu Y, Han X, Peng Y, Shen L, Chen X, Qiu D, Selmi CF, Gershwin ME, Ma X. The immunopathology of liver granulomas in primary biliary cirrhosis. J Autoimmun 2012; 39:216-21. [PMID: 22727562 PMCID: PMC3558985 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2012.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Revised: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver granulomas and elevated serum IgM are commonly observed in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) but their pathogenetic significance remains largely unknown. To address this issue we performed an extensive immunostaining and colocalization study of markers associated with dendritic cells and IgM in a large cohort of tissue samples from PBC and control livers as well as from non-hepatic granulomatous diseases. First, the classical dendritic cell CD11c marker is highly expressed and more sensitive than classical hematoxylin-eosin staining in detecting granulomas associated with PBC and other conditions. Second, PBC cases with CD11c-positive granulomas have significantly higher serum IgM levels and earlier disease stages. Third, granulomas from PBC and other diseases demonstrate markers of dendritic cell immaturity, i.e. CD11b, reduced MHC II, IL-23, CCR7 and CD83 expression, and elevated C1q expression. Lastly, B cells and IgM-positive plasma cells are largely represented around PBC granulomas along with macrophages. In conclusion, our comprehensive immunohistochemical study suggests that dendritic cells are key to the pathogenesis of granulomas, regardless of their origin. More specifically, PBC liver granulomas may result from the interaction between immature dendritic cells and IgM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengrui You
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Qixia Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaolian Bian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaofeng Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanshen Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Dekai Qiu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Carlo F. Selmi
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - M. Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Xiong Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
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Kawata K, Illarionov P, Yang GX, Kenny TP, Zhang W, Tsuda M, Ando Y, Leung PSC, Ansari AA, Gershwin ME. Mincle and human B cell function. J Autoimmun 2012; 39:315-22. [PMID: 22698596 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2012.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2012] [Revised: 04/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
C-type lectin receptors are pattern recognition receptors that are critical for autoimmunity and the immune response. Mincle is a C-type lectin receptor expressed by a variety of antigen presenting cells including macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells and B cells; a variety of stimuli including stress are known to induce the expression of Mincle. Mincle is an FcRγ-associated activation receptor that senses damaged cells and upon ligation induces activated macrophages to produce inflammatory cytokines. Recently, while several studies have reported that Mincle plays an important role in macrophage responses to fungal infection its function on B cells remains to be defined. In efforts to elucidate the function of Mincle expressed by B cells, we studied the expression of Mincle on subsets of B cells and analyzed cytokines and synthesized immunoglobulin upon ligation of Mincle. The expression of Mincle on CD27-CD19(+) naïve B cells is significantly higher than CD27 + CD19(+) memory B cells. The stimulation of TLR9 ligand induced Mincle expression on B cells. Furthermore, co-stimulation of TLR9 and Mincle ligand reduced IgG and IgA production from B cells without a significant change in the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10. Our data identifies Mincle as a potentially critical player in human B cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhito Kawata
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Davis, 95616 CA, USA
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Yang L, Seki E. Toll-like receptors in liver fibrosis: cellular crosstalk and mechanisms. Front Physiol 2012; 3:138. [PMID: 22661952 PMCID: PMC3357552 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2012.00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2012] [Accepted: 04/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors that distinguish conserved microbial products, also known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), from host molecules. Liver is the first filter organ between the gastrointestinal tracts and the rest of the body through portal circulation. Thus, the liver is a major organ that must deal with PAMPs and microorganisms translocated from the intestine and to respond to the damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) released from injured organs. These PAMPs and DAMPs preferentially activate TLR signaling on various cell types in the liver inducing the production of inflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines that initiate and prolong liver inflammation, thereby leading to fibrosis. We summarize recent findings on the role of TLRs, ligands, and intracellular signaling in the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis due to different etiology, as well as to highlight the potential role of TLR signaling in liver fibrosis associated with hepatitis C infection, non-alcoholic and alcoholic steatoheoatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine La Jolla, CA, USA
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47
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Akamatsu N, Sugawara Y. Primary biliary cirrhosis and liver transplantation. Intractable Rare Dis Res 2012; 1:66-80. [PMID: 25343075 PMCID: PMC4204562 DOI: 10.5582/irdr.2012.v1.2.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2012] [Revised: 04/28/2012] [Accepted: 05/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an immune-mediated chronic progressive inflammatory liver disease, predominantly affecting middle-aged women, characterized by the presence of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs), which can lead to liver failure. Genetic contributions, environmental factors including chemical and infectious xenobiotics, autoimmunity and loss of tolerance have been aggressively investigated in the pathogenesis of PBC, however, the actual impact of these factors is still controversial. Survival of PBC patients has been largely improved with the widespread use of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), however, one third of patients still do not respond to the treatment and proceed to liver cirrhosis, requiring liver transplantation as a last resort for cure. The outcome of liver transplantation is excellent with 5- and 10-year survival rates around 80% and 70%, respectively, while along with long survival, the recurrence of the disease has become an important outcome after liver transplantation. Prevalence rates of recurrent PBC rage widely between 1% and 35%, and seem to increase with longer follow-up. Center-specific issues, especially the use of protocol biopsy, affect the variety of incidence, yet, recurrence itself does not affect patient and graft survival at present, and retransplantation due to recurrent disease is extremely rare. With a longer follow-up, recurrent disease could have an impact on patient and graft survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhisa Akamatsu
- Department of Hepato-biliary-pancreatic Surgery, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Sugawara
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Address correspondence to: Dr. Yasuhiko Sugawara, Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan. E-mail:
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48
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Abstract
Substantial advancements in the field of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) research have broadened our understanding of this enigmatic disease. Genome-wide studies have identified several new candidate genes involved in the immunoregulatory process, particularly those responsible for antigen presentation and lymphocyte signaling. Examples include the HLA class-II region and genes implicated in IL12-JAK/STAT signaling, and the NF-κB and TNF signaling pathways. Environmental triggers appear to disrupt the pre-existing, unstable immune tolerance in genetically susceptible individuals, and molecular mimics of the PBC-specific autoantigen (PDC) may be derived from microbes or xenobiotic compounds, which modify native proteins, making them immunogenic. Although the vast majority of patients with PBC are AMA-positive, a variety of disease-specific antinuclear antibodies have been recognized in conferring a worse clinical outcome. There has also been a revived interest in the role of antibody-secreting B cells in murine models suggesting that depletion of these cells paradoxically exacerbates cholangiopathy. Biliary specificity in PBC is most likely driven by the uniqueness of cholangiocyte apoptosis in which the PDC-E2 autoantigen undergoes differential glutathiolation. Cholangiocytes also possess the ability to phagocytose neighboring apoptotic cells, present intact immunoreactive antigen, and undergo attack from autoantibodies, the innate immune system, and autoreactive lymphocytes. Cellular senescence and a lack of functioning T-regulatory cells are proposed mechanisms by which this multi-lineage process is thought to be enhanced. This review summarizes these key advances as the true complexities of the disease process begin to be unraveled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palak J Trivedi
- Centre for Liver Research and NIHR Liver Biomedical Research Unit, University of Birmingham, 5th Floor, Institute for Biomedical Research, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Sue Cullen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wycombe General Hospital, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK
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Tsuda M, Moritoki Y, Lian ZX, Zhang W, Yoshida K, Wakabayashi K, Yang GX, Nakatani T, Vierling J, Lindor K, Gershwin ME, Bowlus CL. Biochemical and immunologic effects of rituximab in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and an incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid. Hepatology 2012; 55:512-21. [PMID: 22006563 DOI: 10.1002/hep.24748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to determine the safety and potential efficacy of B-cell depletion with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and an incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). This open-label study enrolled six patients with PBC and incomplete responses to UDCA to be treated with 2 doses of 1000 mg rituximab separated by 2 weeks and followed for 52 weeks. The primary endpoints were safety and changes in B-cell function. Two patients received only 1 dose of rituximab, one due to activation of latent varicella and the other due to a viral upper respiratory infection. Serum levels of total IgG, IgM, and IgA as well as anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies (AMAs) IgA and IgM decreased significantly from baseline by 16 weeks and returned to baseline levels by 36 weeks. Stimulation of B cells with CpG produced significantly less IgM at 52 weeks after treatment compared with B cells at baseline. In addition, transient decreases in memory B-cell and T-cell frequencies and an increase in CD25(high) CD4(+) T cells were observed after treatment. These changes were associated with significant increases in mRNA levels of FoxP3 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and a decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in CD4(+) T cells. Notably, serum alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly reduced up to 36 weeks following rituximab treatment. CONCLUSION These data suggest that depletion of B cells influences the induction, maintenance, and activation of both B and T cells and provides a potential mechanism for treatment of patients with PBC with an incomplete response to UDCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanobu Tsuda
- Divisions of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA 95817, USA
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Ishibashi H, Nakanuma Y, Ueno Y, Egawa H, Koike K, Komori A, Sakisaka S, Shimoda S, Shirabe K, Zeniya M, Soejima Y, Takeyama Y, Tanaka A, Nakamuta M, Nakamura M, Harada K, Fukushima N, Maehara Y, Morizane T, Tsubouchi H. Clinical Guideline of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis 2012 The Intractable Hepato-Biliary Disease Study Group supported by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.2957/kanzo.53.633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hiromi Ishibashi
- International University of Health and Welfare/Fukuoka Sanno Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
- Chairman of the Working Group
| | - Yasuni Nakanuma
- Department of Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
- Chairman of the Subcommittee Meeting of PBC
| | - Yoshiyuki Ueno
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Hiroto Egawa
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Koike
- Gastroenterology, Jikei University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsumasa Komori
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Shotaro Sakisaka
- Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fukuoka University Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shinji Shimoda
- Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ken Shirabe
- Department of Surgery and Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mikio Zeniya
- Gastroenterology, Jikei University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuji Soejima
- Department of Surgery and Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Takeyama
- Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fukuoka University Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Nakamuta
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Minoru Nakamura
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
- Department of Hepatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kenichi Harada
- Department of Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Fukushima
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Maehara
- Department of Surgery and Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Hirohito Tsubouchi
- Digestive Disease and Life-style Related Disease, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
- Chairman of the Intractable Hepato-Biliary Disease Study Group
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