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Braczkowski MJ, Kufel KM, Kulińska J, Czyż DŁ, Dittmann A, Wiertelak M, Młodzik MS, Braczkowski R, Soszyński D. Pleiotropic Action of TGF-Beta in Physiological and Pathological Liver Conditions. Biomedicines 2024; 12:925. [PMID: 38672279 PMCID: PMC11048627 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to review and analyze the pleiotropic effects of TGF-β in physiological and pathological conditions of the liver, with particular emphasis on its role in immune suppression, wound healing, regulation of cell growth and differentiation, and liver cell apoptosis. A literature review was conducted, including 52 studies, comprising review articles, in vitro and in vivo studies, and meta-analyses. Only studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals were included in the analysis. TGF-β is a pleiotropic growth factor that is crucial for the liver, both in physiology and pathophysiology. Although its functions are complex and diverse, TGF-β plays a constant role in immune suppression, wound healing, and the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. In concentrations exceeding the norm, it can induce the apoptosis of liver cells. Increased TGF-β levels are observed in many liver diseases, such as fibrosis, inflammation, and steatosis. TGF-β has been shown to play a key role in many physiological and pathological processes of the liver, and its concentration may be a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker in liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Jakub Braczkowski
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland;
| | - Klaudia Maria Kufel
- Student Scientific Society of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland; (K.M.K.); (J.K.); (A.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Julia Kulińska
- Student Scientific Society of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland; (K.M.K.); (J.K.); (A.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Daniel Łukasz Czyż
- Student Scientific Society of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland; (K.M.K.); (J.K.); (A.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Aleksander Dittmann
- Student Scientific Society of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland; (K.M.K.); (J.K.); (A.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Michał Wiertelak
- Student Scientific Society of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland; (K.M.K.); (J.K.); (A.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Marcin Sławomir Młodzik
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland;
| | | | - Dariusz Soszyński
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland;
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87100 Torun, Poland
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2
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Pabst O, Hornef MW, Schaap FG, Cerovic V, Clavel T, Bruns T. Gut-liver axis: barriers and functional circuits. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023:10.1038/s41575-023-00771-6. [PMID: 37085614 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00771-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
The gut and the liver are characterized by mutual interactions between both organs, the microbiome, diet and other environmental factors. The sum of these interactions is conceptualized as the gut-liver axis. In this Review we discuss the gut-liver axis, concentrating on the barriers formed by the enterohepatic tissues to restrict gut-derived microorganisms, microbial stimuli and dietary constituents. In addition, we discuss the establishment of barriers in the gut and liver during development and their cooperative function in the adult host. We detail the interplay between microbial and dietary metabolites, the intestinal epithelium, vascular endothelium, the immune system and the various host soluble factors, and how this interplay establishes a homeostatic balance in the healthy gut and liver. Finally, we highlight how this balance is disrupted in diseases of the gut and liver, outline the existing therapeutics and describe the cutting-edge discoveries that could lead to the development of novel treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Pabst
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Mathias W Hornef
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Frank G Schaap
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Surgery, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Vuk Cerovic
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Clavel
- Functional Microbiome Research Group, Institute of Medical Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tony Bruns
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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3
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Malko D, Elmzzahi T, Beyer M. Implications of regulatory T cells in non-lymphoid tissue physiology and pathophysiology. Front Immunol 2022; 13:954798. [PMID: 35936011 PMCID: PMC9354719 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.954798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Treg cells have been initially described as gatekeepers for the control of autoimmunity, as they can actively suppress the activity of other immune cells. However, their role goes beyond this as Treg cells further control immune responses during infections and tumor development. Furthermore, Treg cells can acquire additional properties for e.g., the control of tissue homeostasis. This is instructed by a specific differentiation program and the acquisition of effector properties unique to Treg cells in non-lymphoid tissues. These tissue Treg cells can further adapt to their tissue environment and acquire distinct functional properties through specific transcription factors activated by a combination of tissue derived factors, including tissue-specific antigens and cytokines. In this review, we will focus on recent findings extending our current understanding of the role and differentiation of these tissue Treg cells. As such we will highlight the importance of tissue Treg cells for tissue maintenance, regeneration, and repair in adipose tissue, muscle, CNS, liver, kidney, reproductive organs, and the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darya Malko
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Immunogenomics and Neurodegeneration, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Tarek Elmzzahi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Immunogenomics and Neurodegeneration, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc Beyer
- Immunogenomics and Neurodegeneration, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- Platform foR SinglE Cell GenomIcS and Epigenomics (PRECISE), Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) and University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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4
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Fulford TS, Grumont R, Wirasinha RC, Ellis D, Barugahare A, Turner SJ, Naeem H, Powell D, Lyons PA, Smith KGC, Scheer S, Zaph C, Klein U, Daley SR, Gerondakis S. c-Rel employs multiple mechanisms to promote the thymic development and peripheral function of regulatory T cells in mice. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:2006-2026. [PMID: 33960413 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The NF-κB transcription factor c-Rel is a critical regulator of Treg ontogeny, controlling multiple points of the stepwise developmental pathway. Here, we found that the thymic Treg defect in c-Rel-deficient (cRel-/- ) mice is quantitative, not qualitative, based on analyses of TCR repertoire and TCR signaling strength. However, these parameters are altered in the thymic Treg-precursor population, which is also markedly diminished in cRel-/- mice. Moreover, c-Rel governs the transcriptional programme of both thymic and peripheral Tregs, controlling a core of genes involved with immune signaling, and separately in the periphery, cell cycle progression. Last, the immune suppressive function of peripheral cRel-/- tTregs is diminished in a lymphopenic model of T cell proliferation and is associated with decreased stability of Foxp3 expression. Collectively, we show that c-Rel is a transcriptional regulator that controls multiple aspects of Treg development, differentiation, and function via distinct mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S Fulford
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Raelene Grumont
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rushika C Wirasinha
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Darcy Ellis
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Adele Barugahare
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Monash Bioinformatics Platform, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen J Turner
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Haroon Naeem
- Monash Bioinformatics Platform, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David Powell
- Monash Bioinformatics Platform, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul A Lyons
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England, UK.,Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, England, UK
| | - Kenneth G C Smith
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England, UK.,Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, England, UK
| | - Sebastian Scheer
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Colby Zaph
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ulf Klein
- Division of Haematology & Immunology, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 7TF
| | - Stephen R Daley
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Steve Gerondakis
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Pacella I, Piconese S. Immunometabolic Checkpoints of Treg Dynamics: Adaptation to Microenvironmental Opportunities and Challenges. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1889. [PMID: 31507585 PMCID: PMC6718556 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decades, immunologists have started to consider intracellular metabolism in relation with the dynamics and functions of immune cells, especially when it became clear that microenvironmental alterations were associated with immune dysfunctions. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are equipped with a variety of immunological and metabolic sensors, and encompass circulating as well as tissue-resident cells, being therefore particularly susceptible to microenvironmental cues. Moreover, Tregs undergo metabolic reprogramming over the course of an immune response, allowing the use of alternate substrates and engaging different metabolic pathways for energetic demands. The study of metabolic mechanisms supporting Treg dynamics has led to puzzling results, due to several limitations, including the heterogeneity of population in the same tissues and between different tissues, the difficulty in considering all the interconnected metabolic pathways during a cellular process, and the differences between in vitro and in vivo conditions. Therefore, Treg reliance on different metabolic routes (oxidation rather than glycolysis) has been a matter of controversy in recent years. Metabolic reprogramming and altered bioenergetics are now identified as hallmarks in cancer, and are employed by cancer cells to determine the availability of metabolites and molecules, thus affecting the fate of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. In particular, the tumor microenvironment forces a metabolic restriction and a plethora of synergistic intrinsic and extrinsic stresses, leading to an impaired anti-tumor immunity and favoring Treg generation, expansion, and suppressive function. This leads to the understanding that Tregs and conventional T cells have different capability to adapt to metabolic hurdles. Considering the role of Tregs in dictating the outcome of tumor-specific responses, it would be important to understand the specific Treg metabolic profile that provides an advantage at the tumor site, to finally identify new targets for therapy. In this review, we will report and discuss the major recent findings about the metabolic pathways required for Treg development, expansion, migration and functions, in relation to tissue-derived signals. We will focus on the adipose tissue and the liver, where Tregs are exposed to a variety of metabolites, and on the tumor microenvironment as the context where Tregs develop the ability to adapt to perturbations in nutrient accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenia Pacella
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Piconese
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
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A wave of Foxp3 + regulatory T cell accumulation in the neonatal liver plays unique roles in maintaining self-tolerance. Cell Mol Immunol 2019; 17:507-518. [PMID: 31171863 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-019-0246-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Newborn animals require tightly regulated local and systemic immune environments to govern the development and maturation of multiple organs/tissues even though the immune system itself is far from mature during the neonatal period. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for maintaining immune tolerance/homeostasis and modulating inflammatory responses. The features of Tregs in the neonatal liver under steady-state conditions are not well understood. The present study aimed to investigate the phenotype, functions, and significance of neonatal Tregs in the liver. We found a wave of thymus-derived Treg influx into the liver during 1-2 weeks of age. Depletion of these Tregs between days 7 and 11 after birth rapidly resulted in Th1-type liver inflammation and metabolic disorder. More Tregs in the neonatal liver than in the spleen underwent MHC II-dependent activation and proliferation, and the liver Tregs acquired stronger suppressive functions. The transcriptomic profile of these neonatal liver Tregs showed elevated expression of PPARγ and T-bet and features of Tregs that utilize lipid metabolic machinery and are capable of regulating Th1 responses. The accumulation of Tregs with unique features in the neonatal liver is critical to ensure self-tolerance and liver maturation.
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7
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Viral hepatitis, inflammation, and cancer: A lesson for autoimmunity. J Autoimmun 2018; 95:58-68. [PMID: 30509387 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In the present review, we analyzed the various overlapping and non-mutually exclusive mechanisms that intersect and form complex and highly flexible immunological networks allowing the defense against liver infections and tumors. Liver immunity results from the combination of the skills of systemic and local immune system(s) to sense and recognize pathogen or tumor antigens, to sensitize a wide range of innate and adaptive immune cells, and to clear the "invaders", through the establishment of a transient liver immunopathology state undergoing resolution/control of infections or tumors, and memory development. Then, a special emphasis is placed on discussing about the capacity of the immune system(s) to develop a state of chronic low-level immunopathology adapting through the intervention of simultaneous immunoregulatory mechanisms, when the liver is infected by highly mutable viruses (e.g., hepatitis B or C viruses [HBV or HCV]) capable to escape from the immune recognition. The establishment of chronic inflammation represents an advantage for the species survival, because it guarantees the long-term survival of human hosts despite the virus persistence. However, chronic inflammation, in the long run, can evolve towards severe consequences (decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma) in some individuals, finding requiring the impelling need of discovering new therapeutic anti-viral and immunostimulatory agents addressed, in combination, to fight especially HBV that, in contrast to HCV, lacks antivirals capable to eradicate the virus. Finally, we discussed the concept proposing that the divergent immunoregulatory mechanisms that develop in persisting infections or tumors, on the one hand, and autoimmunity, on the other hand, are the mirror image of each other, whose understanding is also relevant for preparing novel immunotherapeutic approaches in autoimmune diseases.
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8
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Feedback regulation of IFN-α/β signaling by Axl receptor tyrosine kinase modulates HBV immunity. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:1696-705. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201445239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2014] [Revised: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Hoeppli RE, Wu D, Cook L, Levings MK. The environment of regulatory T cell biology: cytokines, metabolites, and the microbiome. Front Immunol 2015; 6:61. [PMID: 25741338 PMCID: PMC4332351 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are suppressive T cells that have an essential role in maintaining the balance between immune activation and tolerance. Their development, either in the thymus, periphery, or experimentally in vitro, and stability and function all depend on the right mix of environmental stimuli. This review focuses on the effects of cytokines, metabolites, and the microbiome on both human and mouse Treg biology. The role of cytokines secreted by innate and adaptive immune cells in directing Treg development and shaping their function is well established. New and emerging data suggest that metabolites, such as retinoic acid, and microbial products, such as short-chain fatty acids, also have a critical role in guiding the functional specialization of Tregs. Overall, the complex interaction between distinct environmental stimuli results in unique, and in some cases tissue-specific, tolerogenic environments. Understanding the conditions that favor Treg induction, accumulation, and function is critical to defining the pathophysiology of many immune-mediated diseases and to developing new therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romy E Hoeppli
- Department of Surgery, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, BC , Canada
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Surgery, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, BC , Canada
| | - Laura Cook
- Department of Surgery, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, BC , Canada
| | - Megan K Levings
- Department of Surgery, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, BC , Canada
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