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Zhang LP, Wang HF, Zhai XR, Zhou CB, Yuan JH, Ma YN, Yao ZT, Huang S, Li WZ, Jiao YM, Wang FS, Zou ZS, Zhang JY, Zeng QL. Pyroptotic MAITs link microbial translocation with severity of alcohol-associated liver disease. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0159. [PMID: 37204414 PMCID: PMC10538909 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAITs) are markedly reduced in patients with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD); however, the potential mechanism underlying MAITs' loss remains elusive. Hence, we aimed to explore what induced MAITs' loss and its clinical significance. METHODS The characteristics of pyroptotic MAITs were evaluated in a cohort of patients with ALD, including 41 patients with alcohol-associated liver cirrhosis (ALC) and 21 patients with ALC complicated with severe alcoholic hepatitis (ALC + SAH). RESULTS In patients with ALD, blood MAITs were significantly decreased, hyperactivated, and displayed enhanced cell death through pyroptosis. The frequencies of pyroptotic MAITs increased with disease severity in patients with ALC and patients with ALC + SAH. These frequencies were negatively associated with the frequencies of MAITs and positively correlated with the levels of MAITs' activation, plasma levels of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (a marker of intestinal enterocyte damage), soluble CD14, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, and peptidoglycan recognition proteins (surrogate markers of microbial translocation). Pyroptotic MAITs were also found in the liver of patients with ALD. Interestingly, MAITs underwent further activation and pyroptosis in vitro under stimulation by Escherichia coli or direct bilirubin. Notably, blocking IL-18 signaling reduced the activation and frequencies of pyroptotic MAITs. CONCLUSIONS The loss of MAITs in patients with ALD is, at least in part, due to cell death from pyroptosis and is associated with the severity of ALD. Such increased pyroptosis may be affected by dysregulated inflammatory responses to intestinal microbial translocation or direct bilirubin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China
| | - Hui-Fang Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China
| | - Xing-Ran Zhai
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Bao Zhou
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Hong Yuan
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Ye-Nv Ma
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Zeng-Tao Yao
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Shuo Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China
| | - Wei-Zhe Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China
| | - Yan-Mei Jiao
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng-Sheng Zou
- Department of Liver Disease, Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ji-Yuan Zhang
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Qing-Lei Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China
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2
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Hackstein CP, Klenerman P. Emerging features of MAIT cells and other unconventional T cell populations in human viral disease and vaccination. Semin Immunol 2022; 61-64:101661. [PMID: 36374780 PMCID: PMC10933818 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2022.101661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
MAIT cells are one representative of a group of related unconventional or pre-set T cells, and are particularly abundant in humans. While these unconventional T cell types, which also include populations of Vδ2 cells and iNKT cells, recognise quite distinct ligands, they share functional features including the ability to sense "danger" by integration of cytokine signals. Since such signals are common to many human pathologies, activation of MAIT cells in particular has been widely observed. In this review we will discuss recent trends in these data, for example the findings from patients with Covid-19 and responses to novel vaccines. Covid-19 is an example where MAIT cell activation has been correlated with disease severity by several groups, and the pathways leading to activation are being clarified, but the overall role of the cells in vivo requires further exploration. Given the potential wide functional responsiveness of these cells, which ranges from tissue repair to cytotoxicity, and likely impacts on the activity of many other cell populations, defining the role of these cells - not only as sensitive biomarkers but also as mediators - across human disease remains an important task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl-Philipp Hackstein
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Dept of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK; Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Nuffield Dept of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Dept of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK; Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Nuffield Dept of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
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3
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Bono V, Tincati C, Van Den Bogaart L, Cannizzo ES, Rovito R, Augello M, De Bona A, D’Arminio Monforte A, Milazzo L, Marchetti G. Gamma-Delta T-Cell Phenotype and Function in DAA-Treated HIV-HCV Co-Infected and HCV-Mono-Infected Subjects. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081594. [PMID: 35893661 PMCID: PMC9329743 DOI: 10.3390/v14081594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-HCV co-infected subjects are at risk of liver fibrosis which may be linked to immune imbalances. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) represent the mainstay of HCV treatment in co-infected individuals, yet their effects on immune cell populations playing a role in fibrogenesis is unknown. We assessed γδ T-cell phenotype and function, Treg and Th17 frequencies, as well as γ-globulins and B-cell activation in 47 HIV-HCV co-infected and 35 HCV mono-infected individuals prior to and following DAA treatment (SVR12). Γδ T-cell activation decreased in both groups yet persisted at higher levels in the HIV-HCV co-infected subjects. No differences were registered in terms of γδT-cell function. Of note, the Vδ2/Th17 ratio, inversely linked to liver damage, increased significantly in the two groups upon treatment, yet a negative correlation between the Vδ2/Th17 ratio and liver function enzymes was found in the co-infected subjects alone. B-cell activation and γ-globulin levels decreased in both settings, yet B-cell activation remained higher in the HIV-HCV co-infected individuals. In HIV-HCV co-infected and HCV mono-infected participants, the effect of DAA was limited to γδ T- and B-cell activation as well as γ-globulin concentrations and the Vδ2/Th17 ratio, with no changes in γδ T-cell function and Treg frequencies. Importantly, γδ T- and B-cell activation remained at higher levels in the co-infected individuals than in those with HCV mono-infection alone. The persistence of such alterations within these cell subsets may be associated with the risk of hepatic and extrahepatic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Bono
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Via A. di Rudinì, 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; (V.B.); (E.S.C.); (R.R.); (M.A.); (A.D.B.); (A.D.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Camilla Tincati
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Via A. di Rudinì, 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; (V.B.); (E.S.C.); (R.R.); (M.A.); (A.D.B.); (A.D.M.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +39-02-8184-3064
| | - Lorena Van Den Bogaart
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, Luigi Sacco Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Milan, Via G. B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy; (L.V.D.B.); (L.M.)
| | - Elvira Stefania Cannizzo
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Via A. di Rudinì, 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; (V.B.); (E.S.C.); (R.R.); (M.A.); (A.D.B.); (A.D.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Roberta Rovito
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Via A. di Rudinì, 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; (V.B.); (E.S.C.); (R.R.); (M.A.); (A.D.B.); (A.D.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Matteo Augello
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Via A. di Rudinì, 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; (V.B.); (E.S.C.); (R.R.); (M.A.); (A.D.B.); (A.D.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Anna De Bona
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Via A. di Rudinì, 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; (V.B.); (E.S.C.); (R.R.); (M.A.); (A.D.B.); (A.D.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Antonella D’Arminio Monforte
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Via A. di Rudinì, 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; (V.B.); (E.S.C.); (R.R.); (M.A.); (A.D.B.); (A.D.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Laura Milazzo
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, Luigi Sacco Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Milan, Via G. B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy; (L.V.D.B.); (L.M.)
| | - Giulia Marchetti
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Via A. di Rudinì, 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; (V.B.); (E.S.C.); (R.R.); (M.A.); (A.D.B.); (A.D.M.); (G.M.)
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4
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Du Y, Khera T, Strunz B, Deterding K, Todt D, Woller N, Engelskircher SA, Hardtke S, Port K, Ponzetta A, Steinmann E, Cornberg M, Hengst J, Björkström NK, Wedemeyer H. Imprint of unconventional T-cell response in acute hepatitis C persists despite successful early antiviral treatment. Eur J Immunol 2021; 52:472-483. [PMID: 34843107 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Unconventional T cells (UTCs) are a heterogeneous group of T cells that typically exhibit rapid responses toward specific antigens from pathogens. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes dysfunction of several subsets of UTCs. This altered phenotype and function of UTCs can persist over time even after direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-mediated clearance of chronic HCV. However, it is less clear if and how UTCs respond in acute, symptomatic HCV infection, a rare clinical condition, and if rapid DAA treatment of such patients reverses the caused perturbations within UTCs. Here, we comprehensively analyzed the phenotype and reinvigoration capacity of three major UTC populations, mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, γδ T cells, and CD4 and CD8 double-negative αβ T cells (DNT cells) before, during, and after DAA-mediated clearance of acute symptomatic HCV infection. Furthermore, MAIT cell functionality was systematically studied. We observed a reduced frequency of MAIT cells. However, remaining cells presented with a near-to-normal phenotype in acute infection, which contrasted with a significant dysfunction upon stimulation that was not restored after viral clearance. Notably, DNT and γδ T cells displayed a strong activation ex-vivo in acute HCV infection, which subsequently normalized during the treatment. In addition, DNT cell activation was specifically associated with liver inflammation and inflammatory cytokines. Altogether, these data provide evidence that UTCs respond in a cell type-specific manner during symptomatic HCV infection. However, even if early treatment is initiated, long-lasting imprints within UTCs remain over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqin Du
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tanvi Khera
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Benedikt Strunz
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katja Deterding
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), Jena, Germany
| | - Norman Woller
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sophie Anna Engelskircher
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Svenja Hardtke
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Port
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andrea Ponzetta
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Individualized Infection Medicine (CIIM), Hannover, Germany.,Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence Resolving Infection Susceptibility (RESIST: EXC), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Julia Hengst
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House, Hannover, Germany
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- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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5
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Sung PS, Shin EC. Immunological Mechanisms for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk after Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection. J Clin Med 2021; 10:E221. [PMID: 33435135 PMCID: PMC7827927 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10020221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) that allow for rapid clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) may evoke immunological changes. Some cases of rapid de novo hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development or early recurrence of HCC after DAA treatment have been reported. During chronic HCV infection, natural killer (NK) cells exhibited a deviant functional phenotype with decreased production of antiviral cytokines and increased cytotoxicity; however, DAA treatment rapidly decreased their cytotoxic function. Effective DAA therapy also suppressed the intrahepatic activation of macrophages/monocytes. This was followed by a decrease in mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cell cytotoxicity without normalization of cytokine production. Rapid changes in the phenotypes of NK and MAIT cells after DAA treatment may attenuate the cytotoxicity of these cells against cancer cells. Moreover, DAA treatment did not normalize the increased frequencies of regulatory T cells even after clearance of HCV infection. Thus, the persistently increased frequency of regulatory T cells may contribute to a local immunosuppressive milieu and hamper the clearance of cancer cells. This review will focus on recent studies describing the changes in innate and adaptive immune responses after DAA treatment in patients with chronic HCV infection in the context of de novo occurrence or recurrence of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pil Soo Sung
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
- The Catholic Liver Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - Eui-Cheol Shin
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
- The Center for Epidemic Preparedness, KAIST Institute, Daejeon 34141, Korea
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6
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Polyak SJ, Crispe IN, Baumert TF. Liver Abnormalities after Elimination of HCV Infection: Persistent Epigenetic and Immunological Perturbations Post-Cure. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10010044. [PMID: 33430338 PMCID: PMC7825776 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. While directly acting antiviral (DAA) drugs are now able to cure virtually all hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, even in subjects with advanced liver disease, what happens to the liver and progression of the disease after DAA-induced cure of viremia is only beginning to emerge. Several large-scale clinical studies in different patient populations have shown that patients with advanced liver disease maintain a risk for developing HCC even when the original instigator, the virus, is eliminated by DAAs. Here we review emerging studies derived from multiple, complementary experimental systems involving patient liver tissues, human liver cell cultures, human liver slice cultures, and animal models, showing that HCV infection induces epigenetic, signaling, and gene expression changes in the liver associated with altered hepatic innate immunity and liver cancer risk. Of critical importance is the fact that these virus-induced abnormalities persist after DAA cure of HCV. These nascent findings portend the discovery of pathways involved in post-HCV immunopathogenesis, which may be clinically actionable targets for more comprehensive care of DAA-cured individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. Polyak
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Correspondence: (S.J.P.); (I.N.C.); (T.F.B.)
| | - I. Nicholas Crispe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Correspondence: (S.J.P.); (I.N.C.); (T.F.B.)
| | - Thomas F. Baumert
- Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg, Inserm U1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Pole Hépato-digestif, IHU, Hopitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Correspondence: (S.J.P.); (I.N.C.); (T.F.B.)
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7
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Khlaiphuengsin A, Chuaypen N, Sodsai P, Reantragoon R, Han WM, Avihingsanon A, Tangkijvanich P. Successful direct-acting antiviral therapy improves circulating mucosal-associated invariant T cells in patients with chronic HCV infection. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244112. [PMID: 33382729 PMCID: PMC7775079 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells have been shown to contribute in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases, including chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study was aimed at investigating the frequency, phenotype, and function of circulating MAIT cells, as well as their alterations after successful direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in HCV-infected patients with or without HIV infection. METHODS A total 85 patients (51 HCV-monoinfection and 34 HCV/HIV-coinfection), who received elbasvir/grazoprevir from a clinical trial and 20 healthy controls were included. MAIT cells in blood were characterized using flow cytometry at baseline and 24 weeks post-treatment. RESULTS HCV-monoinfected and HCV/HIV-coinfected patients achieved similar sustained virological response rates (SVR24, 94.1% vs. 97.1%). Circulating MAIT cells in the monoinfection and coinfection groups were presented at low frequencies in comparison with healthy controls (median, 1.1% vs. 1.1% vs. 2.4%, P<0.001) and exhibited features of chronic activation and impaired functional capacity. A negative correlation between circulating MAIT cell frequency and liver stiffness assessed by magnetic resonance elastography was observed. Compared with baseline, increased in circulating MAIT cells after successful DAA therapy was mainly detected in HCV-monoinfected patients compared with HCV/HIV-coinfected individuals. Moreover, MAIT cell restoration was predominantly observed among patients with significant fibrosis to cirrhosis (F2-F4). CONCLUSIONS These data indicated that dysregulation of MAIT cells might play a role in the progression of chronic HCV infection. Partial restoration of MAIT cell frequency and function was observed after successful DAA therapy, particularly in HCV-monoinfected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apichaya Khlaiphuengsin
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Natthaya Chuaypen
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pimpayao Sodsai
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rangsima Reantragoon
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Win Min Han
- HIV Netherlands Australia Thailand Research Collaboration (HIV-NAT), The Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Center, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anchalee Avihingsanon
- HIV Netherlands Australia Thailand Research Collaboration (HIV-NAT), The Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Center, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pisit Tangkijvanich
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- * E-mail:
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8
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Lymphocyte Landscape after Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Cure: The New Normal. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207473. [PMID: 33050486 PMCID: PMC7589490 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic HCV (CHC) infection is the only chronic viral infection for which curative treatments have been discovered. These direct acting antiviral (DAA) agents target specific steps in the viral replication cycle with remarkable efficacy and result in sustained virologic response (SVR) or cure in high (>95%) proportions of patients. These treatments became available 6–7 years ago and it is estimated that their real impact on HCV related morbidity, including outcomes such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), will not be known for the next decade or so. The immune system of a chronically infected patient is severely dysregulated and questions remain regarding the immune system’s capacity in limiting liver pathology in a cured individual. Another important consequence of impaired immunity in patients cleared of HCV with DAA will be the inability to generate protective immunity against possible re-infection, necessitating retreatments or developing a prophylactic vaccine. Thus, the impact of viral clearance on restoring immune homeostasis is being investigated by many groups. Among the important questions that need to be answered are how much the immune system normalizes with cure, how long after viral clearance this recalibration occurs, what are the consequences of persisting immune defects for protection from re-infection in vulnerable populations, and does viral clearance reduce liver pathology and the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma in individuals cured with these agents. Here, we review the recent literature that describes the defects present in various lymphocyte populations in a CHC patient and their status after viral clearance using DAA treatments.
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9
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Wedemeyer H, Khera T, Strunz B, Björkström NK. Reversal of Immunity After Clearance of Chronic HCV Infection-All Reset? Front Immunol 2020; 11:571166. [PMID: 33133084 PMCID: PMC7578424 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.571166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic viral infections cause deterioration of our immune system. However, since persistent infections rarely can be eliminated, the reinvigoration capacity of an exhausted immune system has remained largely elusive. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can since some years be effectively cured with novel direct acting antiviral agents. Thus, it is now possible to study reversal of immunity in patients that are cured from a long-lasting chronic infection. We here highlight recent developments in the analysis of various immune cell populations during and after clearance of HCV infection. Surprisingly, whereas reinvigoration of certain immune traits clearly can be seen, many features of immune exhaustion persist over time after viral elimination. Thus, a long-term chronic insult might result in irreversible damage to our immune system. This will be important to consider in therapeutic vaccination efforts against chronic infection and in the development of immunotherapy based strategies against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Tanvi Khera
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Strunz
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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10
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Dash S, Aydin Y, Widmer KE, Nayak L. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mechanisms Associated with Chronic HCV Infection and the Impact of Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2020; 7:45-76. [PMID: 32346535 PMCID: PMC7167284 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s221187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the major risk factor for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The mechanisms of HCC initiation, growth, and metastasis appear to be highly complex due to the decade-long interactions between the virus, immune system, and overlapping bystander effects of host metabolic liver disease. The lack of a readily accessible animal model system for HCV is a significant obstacle to understand the mechanisms of viral carcinogenesis. Traditionally, the primary prevention strategy of HCC has been to eliminate infection by antiviral therapy. The success of virus elimination by antiviral treatment is determined by the SVR when the HCV is no longer detectable in serum. Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) and its analogs, pegylated IFN-α (PEG-IFN-α) alone with ribavirin (RBV), have been the primary antiviral treatment of HCV for many years with a low cure rate. The cloning and sequencing of HCV have allowed the development of cell culture models, which accelerated antiviral drug discovery. It resulted in the selection of highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-based combination therapy that now offers incredible success in curing HCV infection in more than 95% of all patients, including those with cirrhosis. However, several emerging recent publications claim that patients who have liver cirrhosis at the time of DAAs treatment face the risk of HCC occurrence and recurrence after viral cure. This remains a substantial challenge while addressing the long-term benefit of antiviral medicine. The host-related mechanisms that drive the risk of HCC in the absence of the virus are unknown. This review describes the multifaceted mechanisms that create a tumorigenic environment during chronic HCV infection. In addition to the potential oncogenic programming that drives HCC after viral clearance by DAAs, the current status of a biomarker development for early prediction of cirrhosis regression and HCC detection post viral treatment is discussed. Since DAAs treatment does not provide full protection against reinfection or viral transmission to other individuals, the recent studies for a vaccine development are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanta Dash
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.,Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Yucel Aydin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Kyle E Widmer
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA
| | - Leela Nayak
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA
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11
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Abstract
Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a newly described subset of T cells that are found in the blood and are enriched in many tissues, particularly in the liver. MAIT cells express a semi-invariant T cell receptor restricted by the MHC class I-related (MR1) molecule. MAIT cells are activated in a MR1-dependent manner in response to microbial-derived riboflavin metabolites which leads to rapid effector functions, but they can also be activated in a MR1-independent manner by cytokines and viruses. The use of mice models and MR1 tetramers, among other recent methodological advances, have provided more insight into the development, mode of activation, characterization in different diseases and tissues of MAIT cells. In this chapter, we provide an overview of MAIT cells and yet remaining questions about their potential therapeutic role.
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12
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Godfrey DI, Koay HF, McCluskey J, Gherardin NA. The biology and functional importance of MAIT cells. Nat Immunol 2019; 20:1110-1128. [PMID: 31406380 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-019-0444-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 296] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, a population of unconventional T cells called 'mucosal-associated invariant T cells' (MAIT cells) has captured the attention of immunologists and clinicians due to their abundance in humans, their involvement in a broad range of infectious and non-infectious diseases and their unusual specificity for microbial riboflavin-derivative antigens presented by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-like protein MR1. MAIT cells use a limited T cell antigen receptor (TCR) repertoire with public antigen specificities that are conserved across species. They can be activated by TCR-dependent and TCR-independent mechanisms and exhibit rapid, innate-like effector responses. Here we review evidence showing that MAIT cells are a key component of the immune system and discuss their basic biology, development, role in disease and immunotherapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale I Godfrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Hui-Fern Koay
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - James McCluskey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Gherardin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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