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Ji W, Wang W, Li P, Liu Y, Zhang B, Qi F. sFgl2 gene-modified MSCs regulate the differentiation of CD4 + T cells in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:316. [PMID: 37924141 PMCID: PMC10625288 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03550-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune liver disease that can lead to liver injury and has a poor long-term prognosis. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have immunosuppressive effects and can treat AIH. CD4+ T cells express the unique inhibitory Fcγ receptor (FcγRIIB), which is the only receptor for the immunosuppressive factor soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 (sFgl2). This study aimed to examine the therapeutic effect of sFgl2 gene-modified MSCs (sFgl2-MSCs) on AIH. METHODS MSCs were obtained from the inguinal fat of mice and cocultured with CD4+ T cells sorted from mouse spleens. FcγRIIB expression on CD4+ T cells was determined by flow cytometry. sFgl2 expression in MSCs transfected with lentiviral vectors carrying the Fgl2 gene and a green fluorescent protein-encoding sequence was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The percentages of Th1 cells Th17 cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) were determined by flow cytometry And the levels of p-SHP2 and p-SMAD2/3 were detected by Western blotting after the cells were cocultured with MSCs for 72 h. After locating MSCs by in vivo imaging Con A-induced experimental AIH mice were randomly divided into 4 groups and administered different treatments. After 24 h histopathological scores liver function and cytokine levels were examined and the proportions of CD4+ T cells CD8+ T cells Tregs Th17 cells and Th1 cells in the spleen and liver were determined by flow cytometry. In addition immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the liver infiltration of T-bet-, Foxp3- and RORγ-positive cells. RESULTS FcγRIIB expression on CD4+ T cells was upregulated after coculture with MSCs. After coculture with sFgl2-MSCs, the proportion of Tregs among CD4+ T cells increased, the proportion of Th17 and Th1 cells decreased, and the levels of p-SHP2 and p-SMAD2/3 increased. In vivo, sFgl2-MSCs significantly improved liver function, decreased liver necrosis area, decreased tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 expression, increased IL-10 expression, reduced liver infiltration of CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells, increased the proportion of Tregs and reduced the proportions of Th17 and Th1 cells in mice. CONCLUSION By promoting Tregs differentiation and inhibiting Th17 and Th1 cell differentiation, sFgl2 gene-modified MSCs have a more powerful therapeutic effect on Con A-induced experimental AIH and may represent a strategy for the clinical treatment of AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Ji
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Baodi Clinical College, Guangchuan Road, Baodi, Tianjin, 301800, China
| | - Peiyuan Li
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Yanhong Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of General Surgery in Construction, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121, China
| | - Baotong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Feng Qi
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.
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El-Mokhtar SA, Afifi NA, Abdel-Malek MO, Hassan WA, Hetta H, El-Badawy O. Aberrant cytokine and VCAM-1 expression in patients with viral and non-viral related liver cirrhosis. Cytokine 2023; 171:156385. [PMID: 37788510 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156385] [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: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
The study aim was to compare the alterations in the expression levels of proinflammatory and chemotactic cytokines as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-8, the down regulatory cytokine IL-10, in addition to the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) gene in different groups of patients with cirrhosis due to various etiologies. This case-control study included 84 patients suffering from cirrhosis of viral and non-viral etiologies and 20 sex and age-matched healthy controls. All patients were subjected to detailed history taking, clinical examination, and liver function assessment. The expression levels of TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-8, IL-10, and VCAM-1 were assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by real-time PCR. Patients with cirrhosis showed marked changes in the tested gene expression levels relative to the control group. Higher expression levels of all genes except IL-10 were seen in patients of the viral than in the non-viral groups. Most of the significant correlations of liver function parameters were observed with TNF-α in both the viral and non-viral groups, followed by IL-17A. Increased TNF-α and IL-17A presented potential risk factors for disease progression to cirrhosis of Child class C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara A El-Mokhtar
- Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Noha A Afifi
- Medical Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed O Abdel-Malek
- Tropical Medicine & Gastroenterology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Waleed A Hassan
- Tropical Medicine & Gastroenterology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Helal Hetta
- Medical Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Omnia El-Badawy
- Medical Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
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Chen H, Han Z, Fan Y, Chen L, Peng F, Cheng X, Wang Y, Su J, Li D. CD4+ T-cell subsets in autoimmune hepatitis: A review. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0269. [PMID: 37695088 PMCID: PMC10497257 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease that can lead to hepatocyte destruction, inflammation, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. The diagnosis of AIH requires the identification of lymphoblast cell interface hepatitis and serum biochemical abnormalities, as well as the exclusion of related diseases. According to different specific autoantibodies, AIH can be divided into AIH-1 and AIH-2. The first-line treatment for AIH is a corticosteroid and azathioprine regimen, and patients with liver failure require liver transplantation. However, the long-term use of corticosteroids has obvious side effects, and patients are prone to relapse after drug withdrawal. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by an imbalance in immune tolerance of self-antigens, activation of autoreactive T cells, overactivity of B cells, and increased production of autoantibodies. CD4+ T cells are key players in adaptive immunity and can secrete cytokines, activate B cells to produce antibodies, and influence the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells. According to their characteristics, CD4+ T cells can be divided into different subsets. In this review, we discuss the changes in T helper (Th)1, Th2, Th17, Th9, Th22, regulatory T cell, T follicular helper, and T peripheral helper cells and their related factors in AIH and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting CD4+ T-cell subsets in AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhongyu Han
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiyue Fan
- Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Liuyan Chen
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fang Peng
- Chengdu Xinhua Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | | | - Yi Wang
- Chengdu Xinhua Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Junyan Su
- The First People’s Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu, China
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Harrington C, Krishnan S, Mack CL, Cravedi P, Assis DN, Levitsky J. Noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and management of autoimmune hepatitis. Hepatology 2022; 76:1862-1879. [PMID: 35611859 PMCID: PMC9796683 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare disease of unclear etiology characterized by loss of self-tolerance that can lead to liver injury, cirrhosis, and acute liver failure. First-line treatment consists of systemic corticosteroids, or budesonide, and azathioprine, to which most patients are initially responsive, although predictors of response are lacking. Relapses are very common, correlate with histological activity despite normal serum transaminases, and increase hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, current regimens lead to adverse effects and reduced quality of life, whereas medication titration is imprecise. Biomarkers that can predict the clinical course of disease, identify patients at elevated risk for relapse, and improve monitoring and medication dosing beyond current practice would have high clinical value. Herein, we review novel candidate biomarkers in adult and pediatric AIH based on prespecified criteria, including gene expression profiles, proteins, metabolites, and immune cell phenotypes in different stages of AIH. We also discuss biomarkers relevant to AIH from other immune diseases. We conclude with proposed future directions in which biomarker implementation into clinical practice could lead to advances in personalized therapeutic management of AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Harrington
- Division of Gastroenterology & HepatologyNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Swathi Krishnan
- Medicine DepartmentYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Cara L. Mack
- Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Children's Hospital ColoradoUniversity of Colorado School of MedicineAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Paolo Cravedi
- Division of NephrologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - David N. Assis
- Section of Digestive DiseasesYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Josh Levitsky
- Division of Gastroenterology & HepatologyNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
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Interplay between Mast Cells and Regulatory T Cells in Immune-Mediated Cholangiopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23115872. [PMID: 35682552 PMCID: PMC9180565 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune-mediated cholangiopathies are characterised by the destruction of small and large bile ducts causing bile acid stasis, which leads to subsequent inflammation, fibrosis, and eventual cirrhosis of the liver tissue. A breakdown of peripheral hepatic immune tolerance is a key feature of these diseases. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a major anti-inflammatory immune cell subset, and their quantities and functional capacity are impaired in autoimmune liver diseases. Tregs can undergo phenotypic reprogramming towards pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 profiles. The inflamed hepatic microenvironment influences and can impede normal Treg suppressive functions. Mast cell (MC) infiltration increases during liver inflammation, and active MCs have been shown to be an important source of pro-inflammatory mediators, thus driving pathogenesis. By influencing the microenvironment, MCs can indirectly manipulate Treg functions and inhibit their suppressive and proliferative activity. In addition, direct cell-to-cell interactions have been identified between MCs and Tregs. It is critical to consider the effects of MCs on the inflammatory milieu of the liver and their influence on Treg functions. This review will focus on the roles and crosstalk of Tregs and MCs during autoimmune cholangiopathy pathogenesis progression.
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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: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [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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Liu Q, Tian H, Kang Y, Tian Y, Li L, Kang X, Yang H, Wang Y, Tian J, Zhang F, Tong M, Cai H, Fan W. Probiotics alleviate autoimmune hepatitis in mice through modulation of gut microbiota and intestinal permeability. J Nutr Biochem 2021; 98:108863. [PMID: 34517094 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an immune-mediated type of chronic liver inflammation accompanied by intestinal flora imbalance. Probiotics have been reported to ameliorate imbalances in the intestinal flora. This study aimed to investigate the effects of compound probiotic in the AIH mouse model. AIH mice were gavaged with compound probiotic and injected intraperitoneally with dexamethasone (dex) for 42 days. The results showed that these treatments suppressed hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration, serum transaminase, and Th1 and Th17 cells. However, Treg cells were increased only in the probiotics group, which indicates an immunomodulatory role of the compound probiotic. The compound probiotic maintained intestinal barrier integrity, blocked lipopolysaccharide (LPS) translocation, and inhibited the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and the production of inflammatory factors in the liver and ileum. Moreover, the compound probiotic treatment increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria and reduced the abundance of potentially harmful bacteria in gut. Compound probiotic may improve ileal barrier function while increasing the diversity of the intestinal flora, blocking the translocation of gut-derived LPS to the liver and therefore preventing activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. The resulting inhibition of pro-inflammatory factor production facilitates AIH remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Haixia Tian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Yongbo Kang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Yan Tian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Xing Kang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Hao Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Yanhong Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Jihua Tian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Mingwei Tong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Hongyan Cai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Weiping Fan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, China.
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Muscate F, Woestemeier A, Gagliani N. Functional heterogeneity of CD4 + T cells in liver inflammation. Semin Immunopathol 2021; 43:549-561. [PMID: 34463867 PMCID: PMC8443520 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-021-00881-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
CD4+ T cells play an essential role in orchestrating adequate immunity, but their overactivity has been associated with the development of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including liver inflammatory diseases. These cells can be subclassified according to their maturation stage, cytokine profile, and pro or anti-inflammatory functions, i.e., functional heterogeneity. In this review, we summarize what has been discovered so far regarding the role of the different CD4+ T cell polarization states in the progression of two prominent and still different liver inflammatory diseases: non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Finally, the potential of CD4+ T cells as a therapeutic target in both NASH and AIH is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Muscate
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Woestemeier
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicola Gagliani
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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