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Zachou K, Arvaniti P, Lyberopoulou A, Dalekos GN. Impact of genetic and environmental factors on autoimmune hepatitis. J Transl Autoimmun 2021; 4:100125. [PMID: 34622188 PMCID: PMC8479787 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2021.100125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic non-resolving liver disease characterized by diffuse hypergammaglobulinemia, the presence of autoantibodies and characteristic histological findings. The disease can have catastrophic outcome with the development of end-stage liver disease if misdiagnosed/undiagnosed and left untreated. AIH pathogenesis remains obscure and the main hypothesis supports its development in genetically predisposed individuals after being exposed to certain environmental triggers. Genetic predisposition is linked to the presence of certain HLA alleles, mainly HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR4. However, a wide number of non-HLA epitopes have also been associated with the disease although data vary significantly among different ethnic groups. Therefore, it is likely that epigenetic alterations may also play a crucial role in disease's pathogenesis, although not yet extensively studied. The aim of this review was to summarize the genetic and environmental factors that have been associated with AIH, but also to open new insights towards the role of epigenetic modifications in the etiology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Zachou
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, National Expertise Center in Autoimmune Liver Diseases, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Pinelopi Arvaniti
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, National Expertise Center in Autoimmune Liver Diseases, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Aggeliki Lyberopoulou
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, National Expertise Center in Autoimmune Liver Diseases, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - George N Dalekos
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, National Expertise Center in Autoimmune Liver Diseases, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
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Juanola O, Martínez-López S, Francés R, Gómez-Hurtado I. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Metabolic, Genetic, Epigenetic and Environmental Risk Factors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105227. [PMID: 34069012 PMCID: PMC8155932 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most frequent causes of chronic liver disease in the Western world, probably due to the growing prevalence of obesity, metabolic diseases, and exposure to some environmental agents. In certain patients, simple hepatic steatosis can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can sometimes lead to liver cirrhosis and its complications including hepatocellular carcinoma. Understanding the mechanisms that cause the progression of NAFLD to NASH is crucial to be able to control the advancement of the disease. The main hypothesis considers that it is due to multiple factors that act together on genetically predisposed subjects to suffer from NAFLD including insulin resistance, nutritional factors, gut microbiota, and genetic and epigenetic factors. In this article, we will discuss the epidemiology of NAFLD, and we overview several topics that influence the development of the disease from simple steatosis to liver cirrhosis and its possible complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriol Juanola
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Translational Research Laboratory, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Sebastián Martínez-López
- Clinical Medicine Department, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Rubén Francés
- Clinical Medicine Department, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Center for Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Gómez-Hurtado
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Center for Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Ray JL, Kopec AK, Joshi N, Cline-Fedewa H, Lash LH, Williams KJ, Leung PS, Gershwin ME, Luyendyk JP. Trichloroethylene Exposure Reduces Liver Injury in a Mouse Model of Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Toxicol Sci 2018; 156:428-437. [PMID: 28115651 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfw264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a persistent environmental contaminant proposed to contribute to autoimmune disease. Experimental studies in lupus-prone MRL+/+ mice have suggested that TCE exposure can trigger autoimmune hepatitis. The vast majority of studies examining the connection between TCE and autoimmunity utilize this model, and the impact of TCE exposure in other established models of autoimmune liver disease is not known. We tested the hypothesis that TCE exposure exacerbates experimental hepatic autoimmunity in dominant negative transforming growth factor beta receptor type II (dnTGFBRII) mice, which develop serological and histological features resembling human primary biliary cholangitis. Female 8-week-old wild-type and dnTGFBRII mice were exposed to TCE (0.5 mg/ml) or vehicle (1% ethoxylated castor oil) in the drinking water for 12 or 22 weeks. Liver histopathology in 20- and 30-week-old wild-type mice was unremarkable irrespective of treatment. Mild portal inflammation was observed in vehicle-exposed 20-week-old dnTGFBRII mice and was not exacerbated by TCE exposure. Vehicle-exposed 30-week-old dnTGFBRII mice developed anti-mitochondrial antibodies, marked hepatic inflammation with necrosis, and hepatic accumulation of both B and T lymphocytes. To our surprise, TCE exposure dramatically reduced hepatic parenchymal inflammation and injury in 30-week-old dnTGFBRII mice, reflected by changes in hepatic proinflammatory gene expression, serum chemistry, and histopathology. Interestingly, TCE did not affect hepatic B cell accumulation or induction of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10. These data indicate that TCE exposure reduces autoimmune liver injury in female dnTGFBRII mice and suggests that the precise effect of environmental chemicals in autoimmunity depends on the experimental model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Ray
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation
| | - Anna K Kopec
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation.,Institute for Integrative Toxicology
| | - Nikita Joshi
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation.,Institute for Integrative Toxicology.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | | | - Lawrence H Lash
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | | | - Patrick S Leung
- Department of Internal Medicine Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Department of Internal Medicine Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California
| | - James P Luyendyk
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation.,Institute for Integrative Toxicology.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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An ursolic acid-enriched extract of Cynomorium songaricum protects against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity and gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats possibly through a mitochondrial pathway: A comparison with ursolic acid. J Funct Foods 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2014.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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Fullerton AM, Roth RA, Ganey PE. Pretreatment with TCDD exacerbates liver injury from Concanavalin A: critical role for NK cells. Toxicol Sci 2013; 136:72-85. [PMID: 23970800 PMCID: PMC3829569 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kft174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 08/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For many liver diseases, including viral and autoimmune hepatitis, immune cells play an important role in the development and progression of liver injury. Concanavalin A (Con A) administration to rodents has been used as a model of immune-mediated liver injury resembling human autoimmune hepatitis. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has been demonstrated to alter the development of immune-mediated diseases. Mice pretreated with TCDD developed exacerbated liver injury in response to administration of a mild dose (6 mg/kg) of Con A. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that TCDD pretreatment exacerbates Con A-induced liver injury by enhancing the activation and recruitment of accessory cell types including neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells. Mice were treated with 0, 0.3, 3, or 30 μg/kg TCDD and 4 days later with Con A or saline. TCDD pretreatment with doses of 3 and 30 μg/kg significantly increased liver injury from Con A administration. The plasma concentrations of neutrophil chemokines were significantly increased in TCDD-pretreated mice after Con A administration. NKT cell-deficient (CD1d KO) mice were used to examine whether NKT cells were required for TCDD/Con A-induced liver injury. CD1d KO mice were completely protected from liver injury induced by treatment with Con A alone, whereas the injury from TCDD/Con A treatment was reduced but not eliminated. However, T-cell deficient (RAG1 KO) mice were protected from liver injury induced by Con A irrespective of pretreatment with TCDD. TCDD/Con A treatment increased the percentage of NK cells expressing the activation marker CD69. Depletion of NK cells prior to treatment resulted in significant reductions in plasma interferon-γ and liver injury from TCDD/Con A treatment. In summary, exposure to TCDD exacerbated the immune-mediated liver injury induced by Con A, and our findings suggest that NK cells play a critical role in this response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M. Fullerton
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Robert A. Roth
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Patricia E. Ganey
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
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Zhang Y, Shan L, Hua Y, Wang D, Zeng H, Liu R, Zhang W, Hu Z. Baicalein selectively induces apoptosis in activated lymphocytes and ameliorates concanavalin a-induced hepatitis in mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69592. [PMID: 23894507 PMCID: PMC3718678 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Insufficient apoptosis in activated lymphocytes contributes to the development of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Baicalein (BE), a flavonoid originally isolated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, possesses anti-inflammatory properties. However, whether BE can selectively induce apoptosis in activated lymphocytes and exert therapeutic effect on AIH has not been studied. Methodology/Principal Findings The pro-apoptotic properties of BE were evaluated in vitro on different types of immune cells, and in vivo effects of BE were examined in a murine model of Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis. In vitro treatment with BE resulted in a higher increase in the level of apoptosis in Con A-stimulated murine splenocytes, Con A-stimulated CD3+ splenocytes, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated CD19+ splenocytes, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/ionomycin-stimulated Jurkat T cells, compared with that in unstimulated naïve ones. Murine bone marrow-derived dentritic cells, peritoneal macrophages, and RAW264.7 cells, either stimulated with LPS or unstimulated, were all insensitive to the BE-induced apoptosis. BE treatment also led to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase of cytochrome c release from mitochondria to the cytosol, a decrease in the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, and activation of caspase-9,-3 in Con A-stimulated CD3+ splenocytes and LPS-stimulated CD19+ splenocytes, while showing no impact on Fas/FasL expressions and caspase-8 activation. In vivo administration of BE alleviated Con A-induced liver injury, suppressed serum level of TNF-α and IFN-γ, and reduced liver infiltration of mononuclear cells (MNCs). Furthermore, BE treatment increased the incidences of apoptosis in liver-infiltrating MNCs and splenocytes, as well as in CD3+ and CD19+ splenocytes. When liver MNCs and splenocytes from BE-treated mice were cultured in vitro for 24 h, they exhibited marked increase in apoptosis compared to vehicle-treated control. Conclusions/Significance The present study demonstrates the ability of BE to promote apoptosis in activated lymphocytes through mitochondrial pathway and its potential use in the treatment of AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Shan
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaping Hua
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huawu Zeng
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Runhui Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weidong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (WZ); (ZH)
| | - Zhenlin Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (WZ); (ZH)
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Tarantino G, Capone D, Finelli C. Exposure to ambient air particulate matter and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. World J Gastroenterol 2013; 19:3951-3956. [PMID: 23840139 PMCID: PMC3703181 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i25.3951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study was designed to alert the public opinion and policy makers on the supposed enhancing effects of exposure to ambient air particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters < 2.5 mm (PM2.5) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common chronic liver disease in Western countries. For far too long literature data have been fixated on pulmonary diseases and/or cardiovascular disease, as consequence of particulate exposure, ignoring the link between the explosion of obesity with related syndromes such as NAFLD and air pollution, the worst characteristics of nowadays civilization. In order to delineate a clear picture of this major health problem, further studies should investigate whether and at what extent cigarette smoking and exposure to ambient air PM2.5 impact the natural history of patients with obesity-related NAFLD, i.e., development of non alcoholic steatohepatitis, disease characterized by a worse prognosis due its progression towards fibrosis and hepatocarcinoma.
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