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Yuming Z, Ruqi T, Gershwin ME, Xiong M. Autoimmune Hepatitis: Pathophysiology. Clin Liver Dis 2024; 28:15-35. [PMID: 37945156 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide association analyses suggest that HLA genes including HLA-DRB*0301, HLA-DRB*0401, and HLA-B*3501 as well as non-HLA genes including CD28/CTLA4/ICOS and SYNPR increased AIH susceptibility. The destruction of hepatocytes is the result of the imbalance between proinflammatory cells and immunosuppressive cells, especially the imbalance between Tregs and Th17 cells. The microbiome in patients with AIH is decreased in diversity with a specific decline in Bifidobacterium and enrichment in Veillonella and Faecalibacterium. Recent evidence has demonstrated the pathogenic role of E. gallinarum and L.reuteri in inducing autoimmunity in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Yuming
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Tang Ruqi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Merrill Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Ma Xiong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai, China; Institute of Aging & Tissue Regeneration, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Chang X, Jiao K, Wang D, Zhou Y, Zhao Z, Xing Y, Zhangbao J, Lu C, Wang J, Quan C. The immune imbalance between follicular regulatory and helper T cells in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein IgG-associated disease. Clin Immunol 2023; 255:109734. [PMID: 37572951 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a newly defined inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Currently, no immuno-modulatory treatment has been approved for MOGAD. We explored the function of follicular regularoty T (Tfr) and follicular helper T (Tfh) cells in patients with MOGAD. The number of circulating Tfr and Tfh cells and their expression of functional markers were accessed by flow cytometry. Circulating Tfr, Tfh, and B cells were further sorted and co-cultured in vitro to examine the influence of Tfr on Tfh-mediated B cell differentiation. In patients with MOGAD, the percentage of circulating PD-1hi Tfh cells elevated while the frequency of circulating activated Tfr cells decreased significantly. The Tfh/Tfr ratios positively correlated with the percentage of plasmblasts. In vitro, Tfh cells from patients with MOGAD exhibited a stronger capacity to promote the differentiation of plasmablasts through producing interleukin (IL)-21 than non-Tfh cells from patients, whereas Tfr cells suppressed this Tfh-mediated plasmablasts expansion, to a similar extent of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). In conclusion, we revealed an immune imbalance of Tfr and Tfh cells in MOGAD. Tfr and IL-1Ra could be potential therapeutic targets in MOGAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechun Chang
- Department of Neurology, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road (Mid), Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Kexin Jiao
- Department of Neurology, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road (Mid), Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Danjie Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yufan Zhou
- Department of Neurology, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road (Mid), Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Zhao Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road (Mid), Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Ying Xing
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road (Mid), Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jingzi Zhangbao
- Department of Neurology, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road (Mid), Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Chuanzhen Lu
- Department of Neurology, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road (Mid), Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Chao Quan
- Department of Neurology, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road (Mid), Shanghai 200040, China.
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Ma L, Song J, Chen X, Dai D, Chen J, Zhang L. Fecal microbiota transplantation regulates TFH/TFR cell imbalance via TLR/MyD88 pathway in experimental autoimmune hepatitis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20591. [PMID: 37860535 PMCID: PMC10582310 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory liver disease. Intestinal flora disturbance in AIH is closely related to TFH/TFR cell imbalances. As a new method of microbial therapy, the role of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in AIH remains elusive. Here, we attempted to verify the functional role and molecular mechanism of FMT in AIH. Methods An experimental autoimmune hepatitis (EAH) mouse model was established to mimic the characteristics of AIH. H&E staining was used to detect histological features in mouse liver tissues. Serological tests were employed to identify several liver function biomarkers. Flow cytometry was utilized to examine the status of TFH/TFR cell subsets. Western blotting was used to evaluate TLR pathway-associated protein abundance. RT‒qPCR was applied to evaluate Treg cell markers and inflammation marker levels in mouse liver tissues. Results There was significant liver inflammation and dysregulated TFR/TFH cells with elevated levels of liver inflammation-associated biomarkers in EAH mice. Interestingly, transferring therapeutic FMT into EAH mice dramatically reduced liver injury and improved the imbalance between splenic TFR and TFH cells. FMT treatment also reduced elevated contents of serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TBIL) in EAH mice. Furthermore, therapeutic FMT reversed the increased levels of IL-21 while promoting IL-10 and TGF-β cytokines. Mechanistically, FMT regulated TFH cell response in EAH mice in a TLR4/11/MyD88 pathway-dependent manner. Conclusion Our findings demonstrated that liver injury and dysregulation between TFR and TFH cells in EAH might be reversed by therapeutic FMT via the TLR4/11-MyD88 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The People's Hospital of Wuqia, Xin Jiang, China
| | - Jianguo Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The People's Hospital of Wuqia, Xin Jiang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Xin Jiang, China
| | - Xueping Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The People's Hospital of Wuqia, Xin Jiang, China
| | - Duan Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianping Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liwen Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second People's Hospital of Changzhou, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Zhu J, Chen H, Cui J, Zhang X, Liu G. Oroxylin A inhibited autoimmune hepatitis-induced liver injury and shifted Treg/Th17 balance to Treg differentiation. Exp Anim 2023; 72:367-378. [PMID: 36927981 PMCID: PMC10435359 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.22-0171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a kind of autoimmune disease mediated by T cells, and its incidence is gradually increasing in the world. Oroxylin A (OA) is one of the major bioactive flavonoids that has been reported to inhibit inflammatory. Here, an AIH model of mouse was induced by Concanavalin A (Con A). It found that serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were decreased in mice with the treatment of OA. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the liver injury was attenuated by OA, and TUNEL staining indicated that the cells apoptosis of liver was weakened in mice with OA treatment. ELISA analysis of cytokines and chemokines suggested that OA reduced the expression of IL-6, IL-17A, chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) and CXCL10, but promoted the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β in mice. The mRNA levels of Il-17a in liver and spleen tissues were also significantly decreased, on the contrary, the mRNA levels of Il-10 in liver and spleen tissues were increased. The proportion of Treg/Th17 detected by flow cytometry revealed that OA promoted the differentiation of Treg and inhibited the differentiation of Th17 both in the liver and spleen. The results of this study demonstrated the inhibitory effects of OA on AIH-induced liver injury and the inflammatory response of AIH, and revealed that OA affected the balance of Treg/Th17 and shifted the balance toward Treg differentiation. It provided new potential drugs for the prevention of AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxia Zhu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 156 Jinshui East Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, P.R. China
| | - Hongxiu Chen
- The First Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 156 Jinshui East Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, P.R. China
| | - Jianjiao Cui
- Spleen, Stomach and Hepatobiliary Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, No. 19, Renmin Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, P.R. China
| | - Xiaorui Zhang
- Spleen, Stomach and Hepatobiliary Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, No. 19, Renmin Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, P.R. China
| | - Guangwei Liu
- Spleen, Stomach and Hepatobiliary Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, No. 19, Renmin Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, P.R. China
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5
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Wei X, Niu X. T follicular helper cells in autoimmune diseases. J Autoimmun 2023; 134:102976. [PMID: 36525939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2022.102976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
T follicular helper (Tfh) cells with the phenotype of mainly expressing surface molecules C-X-C motif chemokine receptor type 5 (CXCR5), inducible co-stimulator (ICOS), secreting cytokine interleukin-21 (IL-21) and requiring the transcription factor B cell lymphoma 6 (BCL-6) have been recently defined as a new subset of CD4+ T cells. They exist in germinal centers (GCs) of lymphoid organs and in peripheral blood. With the ability to promote B cell development, GC formation and antibody production, Tfh cells play critical roles in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), etc. The aberrant proliferation and function of Tfh cells will cause the pathological process like autoantibody production and tissue injury. In this paper, we review the recent advances in Tfh cell biology and their roles in autoimmune diseases, with a mention of their use as therapeutic targets, which will shed more light on the pathogenesis and treatment of certain autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xindi Wei
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai, 200025, China; Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Implantology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Xiaoyin Niu
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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Tan D, Yin W, Guan F, Zeng W, Lee P, Candotti F, James LK, Saraiva Camara NO, Haeryfar SM, Chen Y, Benlagha K, Shi LZ, Lei J, Gong Q, Liu Z, Liu C. B cell-T cell interplay in immune regulation: A focus on follicular regulatory T and regulatory B cell functions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:991840. [PMID: 36211467 PMCID: PMC9537379 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.991840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
B cells are the core components of humoral immunity. A mature B cell can serve in multiple capacities, including antibody production, antigen presentation, and regulatory functions. Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)-expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key players in sustaining immune tolerance and keeping inflammation in check. Mounting evidence suggests complex communications between B cells and Tregs. In this review, we summarize the yin-yang regulatory relationships between B cells and Tregs mainly from the perspectives of T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells and regulatory B cells (Bregs). We discuss the regulatory effects of Tfr cells on B cell proliferation and the germinal center response. Additionally, we review the indispensable role of B cells in ensuring homeostatic Treg survival and describe the function of Bregs in promoting Treg responses. Finally, we introduce a new subset of Tregs, termed Treg-of-B cells, which are induced by B cells, lake the expression of FoxP3 but still own immunomodulatory effects. In this article, we also enumerate a sequence of research from clinical patients and experimental models to clarify the role of Tfr cells in germinal centers and the role of convention B cells and Bregs to Tregs in the context of different diseases. This review offers an updated overview of immunoregulatory networks and unveils potential targets for therapeutic interventions against cancer, autoimmune diseases and allograft rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diaoyi Tan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Yin
- Wuhan Children’s Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei Guan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wanjiang Zeng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Pamela Lee
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Fabio Candotti
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Louisa K James
- Centre for Immunobiology, Bizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Niels Olsen Saraiva Camara
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Yan Chen
- The Second Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Kamel Benlagha
- Université de Paris, Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, EMiLy, Paris, France
| | - Lewis Zhichang Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine (UAB-SOM) UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jinzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Lei
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Quan Gong
- Clinical Molecular Immunology Center, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jinzhou, China
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Zheng Liu, ; Chaohong Liu,
| | - Chaohong Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Zheng Liu, ; Chaohong Liu,
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Cheng Z, Yang L, Chu H. The Gut Microbiota: A Novel Player in Autoimmune Hepatitis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:947382. [PMID: 35899041 PMCID: PMC9310656 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.947382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic immune-mediated liver disease distributed globally in all ethnicities with increasing prevalence. If left untreated, the disease will lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or death. The intestinal microbiota is a complex ecosystem located in the human intestine, which extensively affects the human physiological and pathological processes. With more and more in-depth understandings of intestinal microbiota, a substantial body of studies have verified that the intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in a variety of digestive system diseases, including alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, only a few studies have paid attention to evaluate the relationship between AIH and the intestinal microbiota. While AIH pathogenesis is not fully elucidated yet, some studies have indicated that intestinal microbiota putatively made significant contributions to the occurrence and the development of AIH by triggering several specific signaling pathways, altering the metabolism of intestinal microbiota, as well as modulating the immune response in the intestine and liver. By collecting the latest related literatures, this review summarized the increasing trend of the aerobic bacteria abundance in both AIH patients and AIH mice models. Moreover, the combination of specific bacteria species was found distinct to AIH patients, which could be a promising tool for diagnosing AIH. In addition, there were alterations of luminal metabolites and immune responses, including decreased short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), increased pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), imbalanced regulatory T (Treg)/Th17 cells, follicular regulatory T (TFR)/follicular helper T (TFH) cells, and activated natural killer T (NKT) cells. These alterations participate in the onset and the progression of AIH via multiple mechanisms. Therefore, some therapeutic methods based on restoration of intestinal microbiota composition, including probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), as well as targeted intestinal microbiota-associated signaling pathways, confer novel insights into the treatment for AIH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ling Yang
- *Correspondence: Huikuan Chu, ; Ling Yang, ;
| | - Huikuan Chu
- *Correspondence: Huikuan Chu, ; Ling Yang, ;
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Ma L, Zhang L, Zhuang Y, Ding Y, Chen J. Lactobacillus improves the effects of prednisone on autoimmune hepatitis via gut microbiota-mediated follicular helper T cells. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:83. [PMID: 35658901 PMCID: PMC9166466 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00819-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, immune-mediated liver dysfunction. The gut microbiota and T follicular helper (Tfh) cells play critical roles in the immunopathogenesis and progression of AIH. We aimed to investigate the effect of gut microbiota combined with prednisone therapy on Tfh cell response in AIH. Methods Samples from AIH patients and mouse model of experimental autoimmune hepatitis (EAH) were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, flow cytometry, and hematoxylin–eosin staining to determine the role of gut microbiota on AIH. Results Lactobacillus significantly increased the levels of Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium, Clostridium leptum, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus and significantly enhanced the suppressive effects of prednisone on the levels of AIH clinical indexes in AIH patients. Lactobacillus exerts the same prptective effects as prednisone in EAH mice and enhanced the effects of prednisone. Lactobacillus also reinforced the inhibitory effects of prednisone on the levels of serum IL-21 and the proportions of Tfh cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Mechanistically, prednisone and Lactobacillus regulated Tfh cell response in EAH mice in an MyD88/NF-κB pathway-dependent manner. Conclusion Our results suggested a therapeutic potential of Lactobacillus in the prednisone-combined treatment of AIH.Video Abstract Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-021-00819-7.
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Gupta S, Demirdag Y, Gupta AA. Members of the Regulatory Lymphocyte Club in Common Variable Immunodeficiency. Front Immunol 2022; 13:864307. [PMID: 35669770 PMCID: PMC9164302 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.864307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of CD4 T regulatory cells is well established in peripheral tolerance and the pathogenesis of the murine model and human autoimmune diseases. CD4 T regulatory cells (CD4 Tregs) have been investigated in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Recently, additional members have been added to the club of regulatory lymphocytes. These include CD8 T regulatory (CD8 Tregs), B regulatory (Bregs), and T follicular helper regulatory (TFR) cells. There are accumulating data to suggest their roles in both human and experimental models of autoimmune disease. Their phenotypic characterization and mechanisms of immunoregulation are evolving. Patients with CVID may present or are associated with an increased frequency of autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases. In this review, we have primarily focused on the characteristics of CD4 Tregs and new players of the regulatory club and their changes in patients with CVID in relation to autoimmunity and emphasized the complexity of interplay among various regulatory lymphocytes. We suggest future careful investigations of phenotypic and functional regulatory lymphocytes in a large cohort of phenotypic and genotypically defined CVID patients to define their role in the pathogenesis of CVID and autoimmunity associated with CVID.
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Jiang R, Tang J, Zhang X, He Y, Yu Z, Chen S, Xia J, Lin J, Ou Q. CCN1 Promotes Inflammation by Inducing IL-6 Production via α6β1/PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Pathway in Autoimmune Hepatitis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:810671. [PMID: 35547732 PMCID: PMC9084230 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.810671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease with unknown etiology. CCN1, an extracellular matrix-associated protein, is associated with carcinoma, inflammation, liver fibrosis, and even autoimmune diseases. However, the role that CCN1 plays in AIH has remained undetermined. In this study, expression of CCN1 in liver was detected by real-time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC). CCN1 level in serum was detected by ELISA. Diagnostic value of CCN1 was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. CCN1 conditional knockout (CCN1fl/flCre+) mice were generated by mating CCN1fl/fl C57BL/6J and CAG-Cre-ERT C57BL/6J mice. Autoimmune hepatitis mice model was induced by concanavalin A (ConA). IKKα/β, IκBα, NF-κB p65 and Akt phosphorylation were determined by western blot. NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation was examined by immunofluorescence. Here, we found that CCN1 was over-expressed in hepatocytes of AIH patients. CCN1 level also increased in serum of AIH patients compared to healthy controls (HC). ROC curve analysis results showed that serum CCN1 was able to distinguish AIH patients from HD. In ConA induced hepatitis mice model, CCN1 conditional knockout (CCN1fl/flCre+) attenuated inflammation by reducing ALT/AST level and IL-6 expression. In vitro, CCN1 treatment dramatically induced IL-6 production in LO2 cells. Moreover, the production of IL-6 was attenuated by CCN1 knockdown. Furthermore, we showed that CCN1 could activate IL-6 production via the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway by binding to α6β1 receptor. In summary, our results reveal a novel role of CCN1 in promoting inflammation by upregulation of IL-6 production in AIH. Our study also suggests that targeting of CCN1 may represent a novel strategy in AIH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renquan Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jifeng Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xuehao Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yujue He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ziqing Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shuhui Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jinfang Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jinpiao Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qishui Ou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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Zeng X, Bahabayi A, Tuerhanbayi B, Zheng M, Liu T, Xu L, Long Y, Xia C, Lu S, Song Y, Liu C. The altered HLA-DQ expression in peripheral blood T cells of chronic hepatitis B patients characterizes the function of T cells. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:340-351. [PMID: 35274405 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to clarify the expression of HLA-DQ and granulysin in peripheral blood T-cell subsets in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) and to evaluate their significance in assisting CHB diagnosis and immune status assessment. METHODS Peripheral blood from 34 CHB patients, 36 inactive HBsAg carriers and 33 healthy controls were collected, and HLA-DQ and granulysin in a series of T-cell subsets were analysed by flow cytometry. The ability to secrete IL-10 and IFN-γ and the functional T-cell subsets were measured in Treg and CD4 cells expressing HLA-DQ or not. Correlation analyses were further conducted between HLA-DQ/granulysin-related subsets and clinical indicators of HBV infection, and ROC curves were built to evaluate diagnosis efficiency of HLA-DQ-related subsets. RESULTS HLA-DQ+ percentages in circulating CD4 T cells were downregulated in CHB patients. The proportions of HLA-DQ + Tfh in CHB were upregulated while HLA-DQ+ percentages in Treg were decreased. In terms of function, the IFN-γ secretion ability of CD4 + T cells and IL-10 secretion in Tregs were stronger in HLA-DQ+ than HLA-DQ- subsets. HLA-DQ + CD4 + T cells and HLA-DQ + Treg were negatively correlated with HBV-DNA, while HLA-DQ + Tfh and Tfc cells were positively correlated with HBV-DNA and ALT. HLA-DQ + Treg/Tfh/Tfc could help to distinguish CHB from inactive HBsAg carriers. CONCLUSION HLA-DQ on T cells can characterize the function of T-cell subsets and analysis of HLA-DQ can help to evaluate immune status and assist in diagnosis of CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyue Zeng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ayibaota Bahabayi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Mohan Zheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Tianci Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lijuan Xu
- Department of Immunology,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Long
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Changsheng Xia
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Songsong Lu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Song
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
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12
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Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli B, Mieli-Vergani G, Vergani D. Autoimmmune hepatitis. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:158-176. [PMID: 34580437 PMCID: PMC8475398 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00768-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a T-cell mediated, inflammatory liver disease affecting all ages and characterized by female preponderance, elevated serum transaminase and immunoglobulin G levels, positive circulating autoantibodies, and presence of interface hepatitis at liver histology. AIH type 1, affecting both adults and children, is defined by positive anti-nuclear and/or anti-smooth muscle antibodies, while type 2 AIH, affecting mostly children, is defined by positive anti-liver-kidney microsomal type 1 and/or anti-liver cytosol type 1 antibody. While the autoantigens of type 2 AIH are well defined, being the cytochrome P4502D6 (CYP2D6) and the formiminotransferase cyclodeaminase (FTCD), in type 1 AIH they remain to be identified. AIH-1 predisposition is conferred by possession of the MHC class II HLA DRB1*03 at all ages, while DRB1*04 predisposes to late onset disease; AIH-2 is associated with possession of DRB1*07 and DRB1*03. The majority of patients responds well to standard immunosuppressive treatment, based on steroid and azathioprine; second- and third-line drugs should be considered in case of intolerance or insufficient response. This review offers a comprehensive overview of pathophysiological and clinical aspects of AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli
- Epatocentro Ticino & Facoltà di Scienze Biomediche, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland.
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
- King's College London Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King's College Hospital, London, UK.
| | - Giorgina Mieli-Vergani
- King's College London Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King's College Hospital, London, UK
- Paediatric Liver, GI and Nutrition Centre, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Diego Vergani
- King's College London Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King's College Hospital, London, UK
- Institute of Liver Studies, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, London, UK
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13
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Liang M, Liwen Z, Jianguo S, Juan D, Fei D, Yin Z, Changping W, Jianping C. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Controls Progression of Experimental Autoimmune Hepatitis in Mice by Modulating the TFR/TFH Immune Imbalance and Intestinal Microbiota Composition. Front Immunol 2021; 12:728723. [PMID: 34912328 PMCID: PMC8667314 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.728723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal microbiota (IM) dysbiosis contributes to the development of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in a murine model of experimental AIH (EAH), a condition more similar to that of AIH patients. Changes in the enteric microbiome were determined in AIH patients and EAH mice. Moreover, we established an experimental model of secondary EAH mice harboring dysbiosis (ABx) to analyze the effects of therapeutic FMT administration on follicular regulatory T (TFR) and helper T (TFH) cell imbalances and IM composition in vivo. Alterations of the IM composition and bacterial translocation occurred in AIH patients compared to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients and healthy controls (HCs). Therapeutic FMT significantly attenuated liver injury and bacterial translocation and improved the imbalance between splenic TFR cells and TFH cells in ABx EAH mice. Furthermore, therapeutic FMT also partially reversed the increasing trend in serum liver enzymes (ALT and AST) of CXCR5-/-EAH mice on the 28th day. Finally, therapeutic FMT could effectively restore antibiotic-induced IM dysbiosis in EAH mice. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that FMT was capable of controlling hepatitis progression in EAH mice, and the associated mechanism might be involved in the regulation of the TFR/TFH immune imbalance and the restoration of IM composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ma Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, The People's Hospital of Wuqia, Xinjiang, China
| | - Zhang Liwen
- Department of Pediatrics, the Second People's Hospital of Changzhou, Affiliate Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Song Jianguo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The People's Hospital of Wuqia, Xinjiang, China
| | - Dai Juan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Ding Fei
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Zhang Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Wu Changping
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Chen Jianping
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
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14
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Sirbe C, Simu G, Szabo I, Grama A, Pop TL. Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Hepatitis-Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13578. [PMID: 34948375 PMCID: PMC8703580 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric autoimmune liver disorders include autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC), and de novo AIH after liver transplantation. AIH is an idiopathic disease characterized by immune-mediated hepatocyte injury associated with the destruction of liver cells, causing inflammation, liver failure, and fibrosis, typically associated with autoantibodies. The etiology of AIH is not entirely unraveled, but evidence supports an intricate interaction among genetic variants, environmental factors, and epigenetic modifications. The pathogenesis of AIH comprises the interaction between specific genetic traits and molecular mimicry for disease development, impaired immunoregulatory mechanisms, including CD4+ T cell population and Treg cells, alongside other contributory roles played by CD8+ cytotoxicity and autoantibody production by B cells. These findings delineate an intricate pathway that includes gene to gene and gene to environment interactions with various drugs, viral infections, and the complex microbiome. Epigenetics emphasizes gene expression through hereditary and reversible modifications of the chromatin architecture without interfering with the DNA sequence. These alterations comprise DNA methylation, histone transformations, and non-coding small (miRNA) and long (lncRNA) RNA transcriptions. The current first-line therapy comprises prednisolone plus azathioprine to induce clinical and biochemical remission. Further understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms encountered in AIH may depict their impact on clinical aspects, detect biomarkers, and guide toward novel, effective, and better-targeted therapies with fewer side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Sirbe
- 2nd Pediatric Discipline, Department of Mother and Child, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (C.S.); (T.L.P.)
- 2nd Pediatric Clinic, Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, 400177 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gelu Simu
- Cardiology Department, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Cardiology Department, Rehabilitation Hospital, 400066 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Iulia Szabo
- Department of Rheumatology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Alina Grama
- 2nd Pediatric Discipline, Department of Mother and Child, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (C.S.); (T.L.P.)
- 2nd Pediatric Clinic, Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, 400177 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Tudor Lucian Pop
- 2nd Pediatric Discipline, Department of Mother and Child, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (C.S.); (T.L.P.)
- 2nd Pediatric Clinic, Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, 400177 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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15
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Jin J, Zhong Y, Long J, Wu T, Jiang Q, Wang H, Ge W, Zhao H, Liu D. Ginsenoside Rg1 relieves experimental colitis by regulating balanced differentiation of Tfh/Treg cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 100:108133. [PMID: 34543978 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is typically characterized by the dysregulation of Tfh cell differentiation. we sought to explore the potential mechanism of Ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1) treated IBD by observing the level of the Tfh/Treg cells and the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the colitis mice. In the present study, G-Rg1 significantly inhibited the inflammatory response to mice colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), as evidenced by increased body weight and colon length, decreased colon weight, reduced colon weight index and histopathological scores, lower levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, and increased IL-10 levels. Significantly, G-Rg1 effectively decreased the amounts of CD4+CXCR5+IL-9+(Tfh9), CD4+ CXCR5+IL-17+(Tfh17), and increased CD4+CXCR5+Foxp3+(Tfr) and CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+(Treg) cells. Furthermore, G-Rg1 markedly down-regulated PI3K and p-Akt level, and upregulated PTEN expression. These results indicated that G-Rg1 could effectively regulate the balance of Tfh/Treg cells to relieve experimental colitis, which could be potentially related to PI3K/Akt signaling pathway inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Jin
- Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Youbao Zhong
- Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Jian Long
- Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Tiantian Wu
- Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Qingqing Jiang
- Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Party and School Office, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Wei Ge
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Haimei Zhao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, Jiangxi Province, China.
| | - Duanyong Liu
- Science and Technology College, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, Jiangxi Province, China.
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16
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Hao H, Nakayamada S, Tanaka Y. Differentiation, functions, and roles of T follicular regulatory cells in autoimmune diseases. Inflamm Regen 2021; 41:14. [PMID: 33934711 PMCID: PMC8088831 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-021-00164-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
T follicular helper cells participate in stimulating germinal center (GC) formation and supporting B cell differentiation and autoantibody production. However, T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells suppress B cell activation. Since changes in the number and functions of Tfr cells lead to dysregulated GC reaction and autoantibody response, targeting Tfr cells may benefit the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Differentiation of Tfr cells is a multistage and multifactorial process with various positive and negative regulators. Therefore, understanding the signals regulating Tfr cell generation is crucial for the development of targeted therapies. In this review, we discuss recent studies that have elucidated the roles of Tfr cells in autoimmune diseases and investigated the modulators of Tfr cell differentiation. Additionally, potential immunotherapies targeting Tfr cells are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Hao
- First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahata-nishi, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan.,Department of Immuno-oncology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shingo Nakayamada
- First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahata-nishi, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Tanaka
- First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahata-nishi, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic disease characterized by a lymphocyte infiltrate in the liver. For decades, nonspecific immunosuppression has been used to limit chronic liver inflammation. The high risk of relapse, the treatments side effects, and the significant number of refractory patients are the main clinical issues that require efforts to understand AIH immune mechanisms. RECENT FINDINGS The balance between regulatory CD4 T cells, known to control autoimmunity, and effector CD4 T cells, that recognize liver self-antigens and mediate the liver inflammation, appears central in AIH immune mechanisms. Recent advances in the identification of pathogenic auto-reactive CD4 T cells, and of new mechanisms of immune regulatory defects in AIH patients, give new insights into the pathophysiology of this disease. SUMMARY In this review, we propose an overview of the central role of CD4 T cells (both regulatory and pathogenic) in mechanisms of AIH, with a focus on recent advances regarding defective regulatory mechanisms and immune profile of auto-reactive CD4 T cells. These findings may have implication for the orientation of new therapeutic strategies to treat AIH, such as regulatory T-cell infusion or targeting B cells and cytokines released by pathogenic CD4 T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Cardon
- Université de Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
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18
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Wu Y, Luo J, Garden OA. Immunoregulatory Cells in Myasthenia Gravis. Front Neurol 2020; 11:593431. [PMID: 33384654 PMCID: PMC7769807 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.593431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a T cell-dependent, B-cell mediated autoimmune disease caused by antibodies against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor or other components of the post-synaptic muscle endplate at the neuromuscular junction. These specific antibodies serve as excellent biomarkers for diagnosis, but do not adequately substitute for clinical evaluations to predict disease severity or treatment response. Several immunoregulatory cell populations are implicated in the pathogenesis of MG. The immunophenotype of these populations has been well-characterized in human peripheral blood. CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are functionally defective in MG, but there is a lack of consensus on whether they show numerical perturbations. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have also been explored in the context of MG. Adoptive transfer of CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs or MDSCs suppresses ongoing experimental autoimmune MG (EAMG), a rodent model of MG, suggesting a protective role of both populations in this disease. An imbalance between follicular Tregs and follicular T helper cells is found in untreated MG patients, correlating with disease manifestations. There is an inverse correlation between the frequency of circulating IL-10–producing B cells and clinical status in MG patients. Taken together, both functional and numerical defects in various populations of immunoregulatory cells in EAMG and human MG have been demonstrated, but how they relate to pathogenesis and whether these cells can serve as biomarkers of disease activity in humans deserve further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wu
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Oliver A Garden
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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19
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Renand A, Cervera-Marzal I, Gil L, Dong C, Garcia A, Kervagoret E, Aublé H, Habes S, Chevalier C, Vavasseur F, Clémenceau B, Cardon A, Judor JP, Mosnier JF, Tanné F, Laplaud DA, Brouard S, Gournay J, Milpied P, Conchon S. Integrative molecular profiling of autoreactive CD4 T cells in autoimmune hepatitis. J Hepatol 2020; 73:1379-1390. [PMID: 32649971 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.05.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS In most autoimmune disorders, crosstalk of B cells and CD4 T cells results in the accumulation of autoantibodies. In autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), the presence of anti-soluble liver antigen (SLA) autoantibodies is associated with reduced overall survival, but the associated autoreactive CD4 T cells have not yet been characterised. Herein, we isolated and deeply characterised SLA-specific CD4 T cells in patients with AIH. METHODS We used brief ex vivo restimulation with overlapping SLA peptides to isolate and phenotype circulating SLA-specific CD4 T cells, and integrative single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) to characterise their transcriptome and T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. Autoreactive TCRs were cloned and used to identify dominant SLA-derived epitopes. SLA-specific CD4 T cells were tracked in peripheral blood through TCR sequencing to identify their phenotypic niche. We further characterised disease-associated peripheral blood T cells by high-content flow cytometry in 42 patients with AIH and 17 controls with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. RESULTS Autoreactive SLA-specific CD4 T cells were only detected in patients with anti-SLA autoantibodies and had a memory PD-1+CXCR5-CCR6-CD27+ phenotype. ScRNA-seq revealed their pro-inflammatory/B-helper profile. SLA81-100 and SLA177-204 contain dominant T-cell epitopes. Autoreactive TCR clonotypes were predominantly found in the memory PD-1+CXCR5-CD4 T cells, which were significantly increased in the blood of patients with AIH and supported B-cell differentiation through IL-21. Finally, we identified specific T-cell phenotypes linked to disease activity and IgG level during AIH. CONCLUSIONS We provide a deep characterisation of rare circulating autoreactive CD4 T cells and identify their peripheral reservoir in AIH. We also propose a specific phenotype of autoreactive T cells related to AIH disease activity, which will be essential to track, delineate, and potentially target these pathogenic cells. LAY SUMMARY One principal characteristic of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), like for many other autoimmune diseases, is the accumulation of autoantibodies produced by B lymphocytes following their interaction with autoreactive CD4 T lymphocytes. In this study, we identified and characterised with high resolution these CD4 T cells. This will be essential to track, delineate, and potentially target them during AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amédée Renand
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Iñaki Cervera-Marzal
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Inserm, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, CIML, Marseille, France
| | - Laurine Gil
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Inserm, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, CIML, Marseille, France
| | - Chuang Dong
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Inserm, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, CIML, Marseille, France
| | - Alexandra Garcia
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Erwan Kervagoret
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Hélène Aublé
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique gastro-nutrition, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Sarah Habes
- Service Hepato-gastro-entérologie et Assistance Nutritionnelle, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Caroline Chevalier
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique gastro-nutrition, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Fabienne Vavasseur
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique gastro-nutrition, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | | | - Anaïs Cardon
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Jean-Paul Judor
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Jean-François Mosnier
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France; Service Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Florence Tanné
- Service d'hépato gastroentérologie, CHU Cavale Blanche, Brest, France
| | - David-Axel Laplaud
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France; Service de Neurologie et CIC 1413, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Sophie Brouard
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Jérôme Gournay
- Service Hepato-gastro-entérologie et Assistance Nutritionnelle, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France; Institut des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, IMAD, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Pierre Milpied
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Inserm, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, CIML, Marseille, France
| | - Sophie Conchon
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France.
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20
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Li L, Xu P, Zhou Q, Xu J. The Function of T Follicular Helper Cells in the Autoimmune Liver Diseases. J Immunol Res 2020; 2020:5679254. [PMID: 33294464 PMCID: PMC7691009 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5679254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
T follicular helper (TFH) cells are recognized as a subtype of T cells that are involved in the germinal center formation and B cell development. When dysregulated, TFH cells may represent an important mechanism that contributes to a heightened humoral response and autoantibody production in autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs). TFH cells participate in the immune response associated with AILDs by expressing surface receptors such as programmed cell death protein-1, C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 5, and inducible T cell costimulators, as well as cytokines such as interleukin-21. TFH cells also downregulate chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 7 and promote the dysregulation of the T follicular regulatory/TFH axis. This review highlights the importance of TFH cells in AILDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Panyang Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jiancheng Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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21
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Sage PT, Sharpe AH. The multifaceted functions of follicular regulatory T cells. Curr Opin Immunol 2020; 67:68-74. [PMID: 33176227 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2020.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The immune system is capable of generating robust antibody responses to foreign antigens during infection and vaccination, while simultaneously limiting antibodies to self-antigens. T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells are a subset of follicular T cell with specialized roles in regulating humoral immunity. Although Tfr cells have been studied for the past 10 years, their roles have remained elusive. In this review we discuss the current understanding of Tfr cell functions in autoimmunity and how Tfr cells simultaneously control foreign and autoantigen specific antibody responses. We highlight new tools that enable in-depth study of Tfr cells in vivo and recent data suggesting an important role for Tfr cells in limiting participation of autoreactive B cells in germinal centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter T Sage
- Transplantation Research Center, Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
| | - Arlene H Sharpe
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
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22
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Wang H, Feng X, Yan W, Tian D. Regulatory T Cells in Autoimmune Hepatitis: Unveiling Their Roles in Mouse Models and Patients. Front Immunol 2020; 11:575572. [PMID: 33117375 PMCID: PMC7575771 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.575572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a severe and chronic liver disease, and its incidence has increased worldwide in recent years. Research into the pathogenesis of AIH remains limited largely owing to the lack of suitable mouse models. The concanavalin A (ConA) mouse model is a typical and well-established model used to investigate T cell-dependent liver injury. However, ConA-induced hepatitis is acute and usually disappears after 48 h; thus, it does not mimic the pathogenesis of AIH in the human body. Several studies have explored various AIH mouse models, but as yet there is no widely accepted and valid mouse model for AIH. Immunosuppression is the standard clinical therapy for AIH, but patient side effects and recurrence limit its use. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play critical roles in the maintenance of immune homeostasis and in the prevention of autoimmune diseases, which may provide a potential therapeutic target for AIH therapy. However, the role of Tregs in AIH has not yet been clarified, partly because of difficulties in diagnosing AIH and in collecting patient samples. In this review, we discuss the studies related to Treg in various AIH mouse models and patients with AIH and provide some novel insights for this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinxia Feng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dean Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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23
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Liang M, Liwen Z, Juan D, Yun Z, Yanbo D, Jianping C. Dysregulated TFR and TFH cells correlate with B-cell differentiation and antibody production in autoimmune hepatitis. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:3948-3957. [PMID: 32142205 PMCID: PMC7171413 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicular helper T (TFH) cell provides germinal centre (GC) B cell with critical signals for autoantibody production in the immunopathogenesis and progression of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). However, the immunoregulatory functions of follicular regulatory T (TFR) cell in AIH are still unclear. The numbers of circulating TFR/TFH cells were measured in AIH patients. Moreover, we established experimental autoimmune hepatitis (EAH) model to examine the function of TFR cells on B‐cell differentiation and autoantibody production in vivo and vitro. AIH patients had significantly increased numbers of TFH cells and decreased numbers of TFR cells as well as imbalanced TFR/TFH‐type cytokines (IL‐10, TGF‐β1 and IL‐21) compared with healthy controls (HCs). In addition, TFR cell numbers negatively correlated with TFH cell numbers. Also, serum hypergammaglobulinaemia (IgG and IgM) concentration negatively correlated the levels of serum IL‐21, but positively correlated with the levels of serum IL‐10 in AIH patients. Furthermore, in comparison with control group, significantly higher frequencies of spleen TFR cells but lower frequencies of spleen TFH cells were detected in the EAH group. Further analysis found that TFR cells simultaneously express the phenotypic characteristics of Treg and TFH cells, but exercise as negative regulators of autoantibody production in vitro culture. Our findings demonstrated that dysregulated between TFR and TFH cells might cause excessive production of autoantibodies and destruction of the immune homeostasis, leading to the immunopathological process in AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ma Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Zhang Liwen
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second People's Hospital of Changzhou, Affiliate Hospital of NanJing medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Dai Juan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Zhuang Yun
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Ding Yanbo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Chen Jianping
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
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