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Shin SK, Oh S, Chun SK, Ahn MJ, Lee SM, Kim K, Kang H, Lee J, Shin SP, Lee J, Jung YK. Immune signature and therapeutic approach of natural killer cell in chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024. [PMID: 38800890 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the key members of innate immunity that predominantly reside in the liver, potentiating immune responses against viral infections or malignant tumors. It has been reported that changes in cell numbers and function of NK cells are associated with the development and progression of chronic liver diseases (CLDs) including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, and chronic viral hepatitis. Also, it is known that the crosstalk between NK cells and hepatic stellate cells plays an important role in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. In particular, the impaired functions of NK cells observed in CLDs consequently contribute to occurrence and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Chronic infections by hepatitis B or C viruses counteract the anti-tumor immunity of the host by producing the sheddases. Soluble major histocompatibility complex class I polypeptide-related sequence A (sMICA), released from the cell surfaces by sheddases, disrupts the interaction and affects the function of NK cells. Recently, the MICA/B-NK stimulatory receptor NK group 2 member D (NKG2D) axis has been extensively studied in HCC. HCC patients with low membrane-bound MICA or high sMICA concentration have been associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, reversing the sMICA-mediated downregulation of NKG2D has been proposed as an attractive strategy to enhance both innate and adaptive immune responses against HCC. This review aims to summarize recent studies on NK cell immune signatures and its roles in CLD and hepatocellular carcinogenesis and discusses the therapeutic approaches of MICA/B-NKG2D-based or NK cell-based immunotherapy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Kak Shin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Sooyeon Oh
- Chaum Life Center, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Su-Kyung Chun
- Chaum Life Center, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Min-Ji Ahn
- Center for Research and Development, CHA Advanced Research Institute, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung-Min Lee
- Center for Research and Development, CHA Advanced Research Institute, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kayun Kim
- School of Medicine, CHA University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hogyeong Kang
- School of Medicine, CHA University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jeongwoo Lee
- School of Medicine, CHA University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Suk Pyo Shin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Jooho Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Young Kul Jung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, South Korea
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2
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Arai J, Okumura A, Kato N, Ito K. Natural killer group 2D-major histocompatibility complex class I polypeptide-related sequence A activation enhances natural killer cell-mediated immunity against hepatocellular carcinoma: A review. Hepatol Res 2024; 54:420-428. [PMID: 38536662 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.14038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The recent clinical introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors has improved therapeutic outcomes in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. However, these therapies targeting CD8+ T lymphocytes have a response rate of approximately 30%. In addition to CD8+ T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells represent promising therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma, because they comprise 30%-50% of all lymphocytes in the liver and contribute to antitumor immunity. A recent meta-analysis revealed that the percentage of infiltrating NK cells in hepatocellular carcinoma correlates with a better patient outcome. Similarly, our previous genome-wide association study on chronic viral hepatitis showed that a single-nucleotide polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MICA), a ligand to the NK activating receptor, plays a critical role in hepatocarcinogenesis. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying the regulation of MICA and NK group 2D expression in chronic hepatitis. Furthermore, we describe recent reports on MICA single-nucleotide polymorphism-driven hepatocarcinogenesis. The suppression of MICA shedding could represent a promising approach for immunosurveillance, as increased expression of membrane-bound MICA achieved through the use of a MICA shedding inhibitor also enhances NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Arai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
| | - Akinori Okumura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
| | - Naoya Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kiyoaki Ito
- Department of Gastroenterology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
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3
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Meyer M, Schwärzler J, Jukic A, Tilg H. Innate Immunity and MASLD. Biomolecules 2024; 14:476. [PMID: 38672492 PMCID: PMC11048298 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has emerged as the most common liver disease worldwide in recent years. MASLD commonly presents as simple hepatic steatosis, but ~25% of patients develop liver inflammation, progressive fibrosis, liver cirrhosis and related hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver inflammation and the degree of fibrosis are key determinants of the prognosis. The pathophysiology of liver inflammation is incompletely understood and involves diverse factors and specifically innate and adaptive immune responses. More specifically, diverse mediators of innate immunity such as proinflammatory cytokines, adipokines, inflammasomes and various cell types like mononuclear cells, macrophages and natural killer cells are involved in directing the inflammatory process in MASLD. The activation of innate immunity is driven by various factors including excess lipids and lipotoxicity, insulin resistance and molecular patterns derived from gut commensals. Targeting pathways of innate immunity might therefore appear as an attractive therapeutic strategy in the future management of MASLD and possibly its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Herbert Tilg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.M.); (A.J.)
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Mladenić K, Lenartić M, Marinović S, Polić B, Wensveen FM. The "Domino effect" in MASLD: The inflammatory cascade of steatohepatitis. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2149641. [PMID: 38314819 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149641] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an increasingly common complication of obesity, affecting over a quarter of the global adult population. A key event in the pathophysiology of MASLD is the development of metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which greatly increases the chances of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The underlying cause of MASH is multifactorial, but accumulating evidence indicates that the inflammatory process in the hepatic microenvironment typically follows a pattern that can be roughly divided into three stages: (1) Detection of hepatocyte stress by tissue-resident immune cells including γδ T cells and CD4-CD8- double-negative T cells, followed by their secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators, most notably IL-17A. (2) Recruitment of pro-inflammatory cells, mostly of the myeloid lineage, and initiation of inflammation through secretion of effector-type cytokines such as TNF, TGF-β, and IL-1β. (3) Escalation of the inflammatory response by recruitment of lymphocytes including Th17, CD8 T, and B cells leading to chronic inflammation, hepatic stellate cell activation, and fibrosis. Here we will discuss these three stages and how they are consecutively linked like falling domino tiles to the pathophysiology of MASH. Moreover, we will highlight the clinical potential of inflammation as a biomarker and therapeutic target for the treatment of MASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlo Mladenić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Maja Lenartić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Sonja Marinović
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory for Personalized Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Bojan Polić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Felix M Wensveen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
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Sun YD, Zhang H, Li YM, Han JJ. Abnormal metabolism in hepatic stellate cells: Pandora's box of MAFLD related hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189086. [PMID: 38342420 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189086] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a significant risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), as key mediators in liver injury response, are believed to play a crucial role in the repair process of liver injury. However, in MAFLD patients, the normal metabolic and immunoregulatory mechanisms of HSCs become disrupted, leading to disturbances in the local microenvironment. Abnormally activated HSCs are heavily involved in the initiation and progression of HCC. The metabolic disorders and abnormal activation of HSCs not only initiate liver fibrosis but also contribute to carcinogenesis. In this review, we provide an overview of recent research progress on the relationship between the abnormal metabolism of HSCs and the local immune system in the liver, elucidating the mechanisms of immune imbalance caused by abnormally activated HSCs in MAFLD patients. Based on this understanding, we discuss the potential and challenges of metabolic-based and immunology-based mechanisms in the treatment of MAFLD-related HCC, with a specific focus on the role of HSCs in HCC progression and their potential as targets for anti-cancer therapy. This review aims to enhance researchers' understanding of the importance of HSCs in maintaining normal liver function and highlights the significance of HSCs in the progression of MAFLD-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Dong Sun
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Yuan-Min Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China
| | - Jian-Jun Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China.
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Sawada K, Chung H, Softic S, Moreno-Fernandez ME, Divanovic S. The bidirectional immune crosstalk in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Cell Metab 2023; 35:1852-1871. [PMID: 37939656 PMCID: PMC10680147 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an unabated risk factor for end-stage liver diseases with no available therapies. Dysregulated immune responses are critical culprits of MASLD pathogenesis. Independent contributions from either the innate or adaptive arms of the immune system or their unidirectional interplay are commonly studied in MASLD. However, the bidirectional communication between innate and adaptive immune systems and its impact on MASLD remain insufficiently understood. Given that both innate and adaptive immune cells are indispensable for the development and progression of inflammation in MASLD, elucidating pathogenic contributions stemming from the bidirectional interplay between these two arms holds potential for development of novel therapeutics for MASLD. Here, we review the immune cell types and bidirectional pathways that influence the pathogenesis of MASLD and highlight potential pharmacologic approaches to combat MASLD based on current knowledge of this bidirectional crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Sawada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
| | - Hak Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Samir Softic
- Department of Pediatrics and Gastroenterology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Maria E Moreno-Fernandez
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| | - Senad Divanovic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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7
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Sato K, Ohira M, Imaoka Y, Imaoka K, Bekki T, Doskali M, Nakano R, Yano T, Tanaka Y, Ohdan H. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor maintains antitumor activity of liver resident natural killer cells after partial hepatectomy in C57BL/6J mice. Cancer Med 2023; 12:19821-19837. [PMID: 37747052 PMCID: PMC10587932 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6554] [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: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver-resident natural killer (lr-NK) cells are distinct from conventional NK cells and exhibit higher cytotoxicity against hepatoma via tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). However, the mechanism by which partial hepatectomy (PH) significantly suppresses TRAIL expression in lr-NK cells remains unclear. METHODS This study aimed to investigate the PH influence on the function and characteristics of liver-resident NK (lr-NK) cells using a PH mouse model. RESULTS Here, we report that PH alters the differentiation pattern of NK cells in the liver, and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) molecule is involved in these changes. Treatment with the AhR agonist 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ) inhibited the maturation of NK cells. FICZ increased the immature subtype proportion of NK cells with high TRAIL activity and decreased the mature subtype of NK cells with low TRAIL activity. Consequently, FICZ increased the expression of TRAIL and cytotoxic activity of NK cells in the liver, and this effect was confirmed even after hepatectomy. The participation of AhR promoted FoxO1 expression in the mTOR signaling pathway involved in the maturation of NK cells, resulting in TRAIL expression. CONCLUSION Our findings provide direct in-vivo evidence that partial hepatectomy affects lrNK cell activity through NK cell differentiation in the liver. Perioperative therapies using an AhR agonist to improve NK cell function may reduce the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koki Sato
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Masahiro Ohira
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
- Medical Center for Translational and Clinical Research Hiroshima University HospitalHiroshimaJapan
| | - Yuki Imaoka
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Kouki Imaoka
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Tomoaki Bekki
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Marlen Doskali
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Ryosuke Nakano
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Takuya Yano
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Yuka Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Hideki Ohdan
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
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8
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Brown ZJ, Ruff SM, Pawlik TM. The effect of liver disease on hepatic microenvironment and implications for immune therapy. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1225821. [PMID: 37608898 PMCID: PMC10441240 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1225821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. HCC often occurs in the setting of chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. Recent evidence has highlighted the importance of the immune microenvironment in the development and progression of HCC, as well as its role in the potential response to therapy. Liver disease such as viral hepatitis, alcohol induced liver disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a major risk factor for the development of HCC and has been demonstrated to alter the immune microenvironment. Alterations in the immune microenvironment may markedly influence the response to different therapeutic strategies. As such, research has focused on understanding the complex relationship among tumor cells, immune cells, and the surrounding liver parenchyma to treat HCC more effectively. We herein review the immune microenvironment, as well as the relative effect of liver disease on the immune microenvironment. In addition, we review how changes in the immune microenvironment can lead to therapeutic resistance, as well as highlight future strategies aimed at developing the next-generation of therapies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J. Brown
- Department of Surgery, New York University Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY, United States
| | - Samantha M. Ruff
- James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Timothy M. Pawlik
- James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
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9
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Martinez-Castillo M, Altamirano-Mendoza I, Sánchez-Valle S, García-Islas L, Sánchez-Barragán M, Hernández-Santillán M, Hernández-Barragán A, Pérez-Hernández J, Higuera-de la Tijera F, Gutierrez-Reyes G. Immune dysregulation and pathophysiology of alcohol consumption and alcoholic liver disease. REVISTA DE GASTROENTEROLOGÍA DE MÉXICO (ENGLISH EDITION) 2023; 88:136-154. [PMID: 36973122 DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmxen.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a clinical-pathologic entity caused by the chronic excessive consumption of alcohol. The disease includes a broad spectrum of anomalies at the cellular and tissual level that can cause acute-on-chronic (alcoholic hepatitis) or chronic (fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular cancer) injury, having a great impact on morbidity and mortality worldwide. Alcohol is metabolized mainly in the liver. During alcohol metabolism, toxic metabolites, such as acetaldehyde and oxygen reactive species, are produced. At the intestinal level, alcohol consumption can cause dysbiosis and alter intestinal permeability, promoting the translocation of bacterial products and causing the production of inflammatory cytokines in the liver, perpetuating local inflammation during the progression of ALD. Different study groups have reported systemic inflammatory response disturbances, but reports containing a compendium of the cytokines and cells involved in the pathophysiology of the disease, from the early stages, are difficult to find. In the present review article, the role of the inflammatory mediators involved in ALD progression are described, from risky patterns of alcohol consumption to advanced stages of the disease, with the aim of understanding the involvement of immune dysregulation in the pathophysiology of ALD.
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10
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Yang L, Hao Y, Boeckmans J, Rodrigues RM, He Y. Immune cells and their derived microRNA-enriched extracellular vesicles in nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases: Novel therapeutic targets. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 243:108353. [PMID: 36738973 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108353] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Despite extensive research and multiple clinical trials, there are still no FDA-approved therapies to treat the most severe forms of NAFLD. This is largely due to its complicated etiology and pathogenesis, which involves visceral obesity, insulin resistance, gut dysbiosis, etc. Although inflammation is generally believed to be one of the critical factors that drive the progression of simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the exact type of inflammation and how it contributes to NASH pathogenesis remain largely unknown. Liver inflammation is accompanied by the elevation of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and chemokines and consequently intrahepatic infiltration of multiple types of immune cells. Recent studies revealed that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from inflammatory cells and hepatocytes play an important role in controlling liver inflammation during NASH. In this review, we highlight the roles of innate and adaptive immune cells and their microRNA-enriched EVs during NAFLD development and discuss potential drugs that target inflammatory pathways for the treatment of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yawen Hao
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Joost Boeckmans
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robim M Rodrigues
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Yong He
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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11
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Wang X, He Q, Zhou C, Xu Y, Liu D, Fujiwara N, Kubota N, Click A, Henderson P, Vancil J, Marquez CA, Gunasekaran G, Schwartz ME, Tabrizian P, Sarpel U, Fiel MI, Diao Y, Sun B, Hoshida Y, Liang S, Zhong Z. Prolonged hypernutrition impairs TREM2-dependent efferocytosis to license chronic liver inflammation and NASH development. Immunity 2023; 56:58-77.e11. [PMID: 36521495 PMCID: PMC9839616 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2022.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Obesity-induced chronic liver inflammation is a hallmark of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-an aggressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, it remains unclear how such a low-grade, yet persistent, inflammation is sustained in the liver. Here, we show that the macrophage phagocytic receptor TREM2, induced by hepatocyte-derived sphingosine-1-phosphate, was required for efferocytosis of lipid-laden apoptotic hepatocytes and thereby maintained liver immune homeostasis. However, prolonged hypernutrition led to the production of proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-1β in the liver to induce TREM2 shedding through ADAM17-dependent proteolytic cleavage. Loss of TREM2 resulted in aberrant accumulation of dying hepatocytes, thereby further augmenting proinflammatory cytokine production. This ultimately precipitated a vicious cycle that licensed chronic inflammation to drive simple steatosis transition to NASH. Therefore, impaired macrophage efferocytosis is a previously unrecognized key pathogenic event that enables chronic liver inflammation in obesity. Blocking TREM2 cleavage to restore efferocytosis may represent an effective strategy to treat NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Wang
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Qifeng He
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, The Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chuanli Zhou
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yueyuan Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Duke Regeneration Center, Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Danhui Liu
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Naoto Fujiwara
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Naoto Kubota
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Arielle Click
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Polly Henderson
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Janiece Vancil
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Cesia Ammi Marquez
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ganesh Gunasekaran
- Department of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Myron E Schwartz
- Department of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Parissa Tabrizian
- Department of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Umut Sarpel
- Department of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Maria Isabel Fiel
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yarui Diao
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Duke Regeneration Center, Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Beicheng Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Shuang Liang
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Zhenyu Zhong
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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12
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Wei Y, Bingyu W, Lei Y, Xingxing Y. The antifibrotic role of natural killer cells in liver fibrosis. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2022; 247:1235-1243. [PMID: 35475367 PMCID: PMC9379607 DOI: 10.1177/15353702221092672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the common pathological change of chronic liver diseases characterized by increased deposition of extracellular matrix and reduced matrix degradation. In response to liver injury caused by a variety of pathogenic agents, such as virus and alcohol, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are differentiated into myofibroblast-like cells and produce excessive collagens, thus resulting in fibrogenesis. Natural killer (NK) cells are the essential innate immune cells in the liver and generally control fibrosis by killing activated HSCs. This review briefly describes the fibrogenesis process and the phenotypic features of hepatic NK cells. Besides, it focuses on the antifibrotic mechanisms of NK cells and explores the potential of activating NK cells as a therapeutic strategy for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wei
- Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Wang Bingyu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Heilongjiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yang Lei
- Department of Gastroenterology, Heilongjiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yuan Xingxing
- Department of Gastroenterology, Heilongjiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150001, China,Yuan Xingxing.
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13
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Moayedfard Z, Sani F, Alizadeh A, Bagheri Lankarani K, Zarei M, Azarpira N. The role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and potential therapeutic impacts of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:242. [PMID: 35672797 PMCID: PMC9175371 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02929-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is characterized by intra-hepatocyte triglyceride accumulation and concomitant involvement of the immune system with subsequent histological changes, tissue damage, and clinical findings. There are various molecular pathways involved in the progression of NAFLD including lipotoxicity, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and the immune response. Both innate and adaptive immune systems are involved in the NAFLD pathogenesis, and crosstalk between the immune cells and liver cells participates in its initiation and progression. Among the various treatments for this disease, new cell based therapies have been proposed. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) (MSC-EVs) are new cell-free vehicles with low immunogenicity, which can suppress detrimental immune responses in inflamed tissues. This review aimed to express the immune system's molecular pathways associated with the initiation and progression of NAFLD. Then, the possible role of MSC-EVs in the treatment of this entity through immune response modulation was discussed. Finally, engineered EVs enhanced by specific therapeutic miRNA were suggested for alleviating the pathological cellular events in liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Moayedfard
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farnaz Sani
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aliakbar Alizadeh
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Zarei
- Renal Division, Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Negar Azarpira
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Khalili Street, P.O. Box: 7193711351, Shiraz, Iran.
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14
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Arelaki S, Koletsa T, Sinakos E, Papadopoulos V, Arvanitakis K, Skendros P, Akriviadis E, Ritis K, Germanidis G, Hytiroglou P. Neutrophil extracellular traps enriched with IL-1β and IL-17A participate in the hepatic inflammatory process of patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Virchows Arch 2022; 481:455-465. [PMID: 35503185 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-022-03330-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of various non-infectious inflammatory and thrombotic diseases. We investigated the presence and possible associations of NETs with various histopathologic parameters in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We retrospectively assessed 20 liver biopsy specimens from patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including 17 specimens with NASH, and 14 control specimens. NETs were identified with confocal microscopy as extracellular structures with co-localization of neutrophil elastase (NE) and citrullinated histone-3. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-17A were assessed with the same methodology. Histologic features of NAFLD were semi-quantitatively evaluated, and correlated with presence of NETs, neutrophil density, and platelet density/aggregates (assessed by immunohistochemistry for NE and CD42b, respectively). NETs were identified in 94.1% (16/17) of the NASH biopsy specimens; they were absent from all other NAFLD and control specimens. The presence of NETs was strongly correlated with steatosis (p = 0.003), ballooning degeneration (p < 0.001), lobular inflammation (p < 0.001), portal inflammation (p < 0.001), NAS score (p = 0.001), stage (p = 0.001), and diagnosis of NASH (p < 0.001). NETs were decorated with IL-1β and IL-17A. Platelet aggregates were much larger in NASH specimens, as compared to controls. In conclusion, NETs are implicated in the pathogenesis of NASH. Their associations with inflammation, ballooning degeneration (a hallmark of NASH), and stage emphasize their role in the disease process. In this setting, NETs provide a vehicle for IL-1β and IL-17A. In addition, platelet aggregation in hepatic sinusoids implies a role for thromboinflammation in NASH, and may explain the low peripheral blood platelet counts reported in patients with NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Arelaki
- Department of Pathology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, 54006, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.,National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Triantafyllia Koletsa
- Department of Pathology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, 54006, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Emmanuil Sinakos
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University School of Medicine, "Hippokration" General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Konstantinos Arvanitakis
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University School of Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, 54636, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Basic and Translational Research Unit, Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education (SUBRE), School of Medicine, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Skendros
- Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.,First Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Evangelos Akriviadis
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University School of Medicine, "Hippokration" General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Ritis
- Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.,First Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Georgios Germanidis
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University School of Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, 54636, Thessaloniki, Greece. .,Basic and Translational Research Unit, Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education (SUBRE), School of Medicine, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Prodromos Hytiroglou
- Department of Pathology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, 54006, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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15
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Chung KW, Cho YE, Kim SJ, Hwang S. Immune-related pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Arch Pharm Res 2022; 45:229-244. [PMID: 35391713 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-022-01379-1] [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: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome and has become prevalent in the adult population worldwide, given the ongoing obesity pandemic. NAFLD comprises several hepatic disorders, ranging from fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and carcinoma. Excessive fat accumulation in the liver can induce the development of fatty liver, whereas the progression of fatty liver to NASH involves various complex factors. The crucial difference between fatty liver and NASH is the presence of inflammation and fibrosis, the emergence of which is closely associated with the action of immune cells and immunological factors, such as chemokines and cytokines. Thus, expanding our understanding of immunological mechanisms contributing to NASH pathogenesis will lead to the identification of therapeutic targets and the development of viable therapeutics against NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Wung Chung
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Eun Cho
- Department of Manufacturing Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Jin Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon Institute of Inclusive Technology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea.,Global/Gangwon Innovative Biologics-Regional Leading Research Center (GIB-RLRC), Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Seonghwan Hwang
- Department of Manufacturing Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Murphy JM, Ngai L, Mortha A, Crome SQ. Tissue-Dependent Adaptations and Functions of Innate Lymphoid Cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:836999. [PMID: 35359972 PMCID: PMC8960279 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.836999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue-resident immune cells reside in distinct niches across organs, where they contribute to tissue homeostasis and rapidly respond to perturbations in the local microenvironment. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a family of innate immune cells that regulate immune and tissue homeostasis. Across anatomical locations throughout the body, ILCs adopt tissue-specific fates, differing from circulating ILC populations. Adaptations of ILCs to microenvironmental changes have been documented in several inflammatory contexts, including obesity, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease. While our understanding of ILC functions within tissues have predominantly been based on mouse studies, development of advanced single cell platforms to study tissue-resident ILCs in humans and emerging patient-based data is providing new insights into this lymphocyte family. Within this review, we discuss current concepts of ILC fate and function, exploring tissue-specific functions of ILCs and their contribution to health and disease across organ systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Murphy
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Louis Ngai
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Arthur Mortha
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah Q Crome
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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17
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Torre P, Motta BM, Sciorio R, Masarone M, Persico M. Inflammation and Fibrogenesis in MAFLD: Role of the Hepatic Immune System. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:781567. [PMID: 34957156 PMCID: PMC8695879 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.781567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the definition recently proposed to better circumscribe the spectrum of conditions long known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that range from simple steatosis without inflammation to more advanced liver diseases. The progression of MAFLD, as well as other chronic liver diseases, toward cirrhosis, is driven by hepatic inflammation and fibrogenesis. The latter, result of a “chronic wound healing reaction,” is a dynamic process, and the understanding of its underlying pathophysiological events has increased in recent years. Fibrosis progresses in a microenvironment where it takes part an interplay between fibrogenic cells and many other elements, including some cells of the immune system with an underexplored or still unclear role in liver diseases. Some therapeutic approaches, also acting on the immune system, have been probed over time to evaluate their ability to improve inflammation and fibrosis in NAFLD, but to date no drug has been approved to treat this condition. In this review, we will focus on the contribution of the liver immune system in the progression of NAFLD, and on therapies under study that aim to counter the immune substrate of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Torre
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Benedetta Maria Motta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Roberta Sciorio
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Mario Masarone
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Marcello Persico
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
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18
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Santos-Laso A, Gutiérrez-Larrañaga M, Alonso-Peña M, Medina JM, Iruzubieta P, Arias-Loste MT, López-Hoyos M, Crespo J. Pathophysiological Mechanisms in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: From Drivers to Targets. Biomedicines 2021; 10:biomedicines10010046. [PMID: 35052726 PMCID: PMC8773141 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by the excessive and detrimental accumulation of liver fat as a result of high-caloric intake and/or cellular and molecular abnormalities. The prevalence of this pathological event is increasing worldwide, and is intimately associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, among other comorbidities. To date, only therapeutic strategies based on lifestyle changes have exhibited a beneficial impact on patients with NAFLD, but unfortunately this approach is often difficult to implement, and shows poor long-term adherence. For this reason, great efforts are being made to elucidate and integrate the underlying pathological molecular mechanism, and to identify novel and promising druggable targets for therapy. In this regard, a large number of clinical trials testing different potential compounds have been performed, albeit with no conclusive results yet. Importantly, many other clinical trials are currently underway with results expected in the near future. Here, we summarize the key aspects of NAFLD pathogenesis and therapeutic targets in this frequent disorder, highlighting the most recent advances in the field and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Santos-Laso
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL), 39008 Santander, Spain; (M.A.-P.); (J.M.M.); (P.I.); (M.T.A.-L.)
- Correspondence: (A.S.-L.); (J.C.)
| | - María Gutiérrez-Larrañaga
- Department of Immunology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL), 39008 Santander, Spain; (M.G.-L.); (M.L.-H.)
| | - Marta Alonso-Peña
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL), 39008 Santander, Spain; (M.A.-P.); (J.M.M.); (P.I.); (M.T.A.-L.)
| | - Juan M. Medina
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL), 39008 Santander, Spain; (M.A.-P.); (J.M.M.); (P.I.); (M.T.A.-L.)
| | - Paula Iruzubieta
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL), 39008 Santander, Spain; (M.A.-P.); (J.M.M.); (P.I.); (M.T.A.-L.)
- National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Teresa Arias-Loste
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL), 39008 Santander, Spain; (M.A.-P.); (J.M.M.); (P.I.); (M.T.A.-L.)
- National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcos López-Hoyos
- Department of Immunology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL), 39008 Santander, Spain; (M.G.-L.); (M.L.-H.)
| | - Javier Crespo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL), 39008 Santander, Spain; (M.A.-P.); (J.M.M.); (P.I.); (M.T.A.-L.)
- National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.S.-L.); (J.C.)
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19
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T Cell Subsets and Natural Killer Cells in the Pathogenesis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212190. [PMID: 34830072 PMCID: PMC8623596 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition characterized by hepatic accumulation of excess lipids. T cells are commonly classified into various subsets based on their surface markers including T cell receptors, type of antigen presentation and pathophysiological functions. Several studies have implicated various T cell subsets and natural killer (NK) cells in the progression of NAFLD. While NK cells are mainly components of the innate hepatic immune system, the majority of T cell subsets can be part of both the adaptive and innate systems. Several studies have reported that various stages of NAFLD are accompanied by the accumulation of distinct T cell subsets and NK cells with different functions and phenotypes observed usually resulting in proinflammatory effects. More importantly, the overall stimulation of the intrahepatic T cell subsets is directly influenced by the homeostasis of the gut microbiota. Similarly, NK cells have been found to accumulate in the liver in response to pathogens and tumors. In this review, we discussed the nature and pathophysiological roles of T cell subsets including γδ T cells, NKT cells, Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells as well as NK cells in NAFLD.
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20
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Leven AS, Gieseler RK, Schlattjan M, Schreiter T, Niedergethmann M, Baars T, Baba HA, Özçürümez MK, Sowa JP, Canbay A. Association of cell death mechanisms and fibrosis in visceral white adipose tissue with pathological alterations in the liver of morbidly obese patients with NAFLD. Adipocyte 2021; 10:558-573. [PMID: 34743657 PMCID: PMC8583086 DOI: 10.1080/21623945.2021.1982164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of visceral white adipose tissue (vWAT) in the progression of non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) with its sub entities non-alcoholic fatty liver and steatohepatitis (NAFL; NASH) is underinvestigated. We thus explored mechanisms of fibrosis and regulated cell death in vWAT and liver tissue. In NAFLD, women displayed significantly more fibrosis in vWAT than men, and collagen 1α mRNA expression was significantly upregulated. The degrees of fibrosis in vWAT and liver tissue correlated significantly. The size of vWAT-resident adipocytes in NAFLD correlated negatively with the local degree of fibrosis. The extent of apoptosis, as measured by circulating M30, positively correlated with the degree of fibrosis in vWAT; necrosis-associated HMGB1 mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in vWAT and liver tissue; (iii) necroptosis-related RIPK-3 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in vWAT; and autophagy-related LC3 mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in vWAT, while upregulated in the liver. Thus, the different cell death mechanisms in the vWAT in NAFLD are regulated independently while not ruling out their interaction. Fibrosis in vWAT may be associated with reduced adipocyte size and thus partially protective against NAFLD progression. Abbreviations: ATG5: autophagy related 5; BAS: bariatric surgery; BMI: body mass index; ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; EtOH: ethanol; FFAs: free fatty acids; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; HMGB1: high-mobility group box 1 protein; IHC: immunohistochemistry; IL: interleukin; LC3: microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B; M30: neoepitope K18Asp396-NE displayed on the caspase-cleaved keratin 18 fragment; M65: epitope present on both caspase-cleaved and intact keratin 18; NAFL: non-alcoholic fatty liver; NAFLD: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; NAS: NAFLD activity score; NASH: non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; NLRP3: nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain containing 3; qRT-PCR: quantitative real-time polymerase-chain reaction; r: Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r); rs: Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient; RIPK3: receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3; T2DM: type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); TUNEL: terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling; vWAT: visceral WAT; WAT: white adipose tissue
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Sophia Leven
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,General and Visceral Surgery, Alfried Krupp Hospital Ruettenscheid, Essen, Germany
| | - Robert K Gieseler
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Laboratory of Immunology & Molecular Biology, University Hospital, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Schlattjan
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schreiter
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Laboratory of Immunology & Molecular Biology, University Hospital, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Marco Niedergethmann
- General and Visceral Surgery, Alfried Krupp Hospital Ruettenscheid, Essen, Germany
| | - Theodor Baars
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Section of Metabolic and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Hideo A Baba
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mustafa K Özçürümez
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Sowa
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Laboratory of Immunology & Molecular Biology, University Hospital, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ali Canbay
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Section of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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21
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Resch T, Hackl H, Esser H, Günther J, Schwelberger H, Ritschl PV, Ebner S, Maglione M, Mellitzer V, Biebl M, Öllinger R, Zoller H, Schneeberger S, Kotsch K. Expression of MICA in Zero Hour Biopsies Predicts Graft Survival After Liver Transplantation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:606146. [PMID: 34354697 PMCID: PMC8329650 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.606146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In search for novel biomarkers to assess graft quality, we investigated whether defined candidate genes are predictive for outcome after liver transplantation (LT). Zero-hour liver biopsies were obtained from 88 livers. Gene expression of selected candidate markers was analyzed and correlated with clinical parameters as well as short and long-term outcomes post LT. Whereas both, the calculated Eurotransplant Donor-Risk-Index and the donor body mass index, had either a poor or no predictive value concerning serum levels indicative for liver function (ALT, AST, GGT, bilirubin) after 6 months, chronological donor age was weakly predictive for serum bilirubin (AUC=0.67). In contrast, the major histcompatibility complex class I related chain A (MICA) mRNA expression demonstrated a high predictive value for serum liver function parameters revealing an inverse correlation (e.g. for ALT: 3 months p=0.0332; 6 months p=0.007, 12 months 0.0256, 24 months p=0.0098, 36 months, p=0.0153) and proved significant also in a multivariate regression model. Importantly, high expression of MICA mRNA revealed to be associated with prolonged graft survival (p=0.024; log rank test) after 10 years of observation, whereas low expression was associated with the occurrence of death in patients with transplant related mortality (p=0.031). Given the observed correlation with short and long-term graft function, we suggest MICA as a biomarker for pre-transplant graft evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Resch
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubert Hackl
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hannah Esser
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Julia Günther
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubert Schwelberger
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Susanne Ebner
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Manuel Maglione
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Vanessa Mellitzer
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Matthias Biebl
- Department of Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Öllinger
- Department of Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heinz Zoller
- Department of Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Stefan Schneeberger
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Katja Kotsch
- Department of General- and Visceral Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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22
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Highton AJ, Schuster IS, Degli-Esposti MA, Altfeld M. The role of natural killer cells in liver inflammation. Semin Immunopathol 2021; 43:519-533. [PMID: 34230995 PMCID: PMC8260327 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-021-00877-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The liver is an important immunological site that can promote immune tolerance or activation. Natural killer (NK) cells are a major immune subset within the liver, and therefore understanding their role in liver homeostasis and inflammation is crucial. Due to their cytotoxic function, NK cells are important in the immune response against hepatotropic viral infections but are also involved in the inflammatory processes of autoimmune liver diseases and fatty liver disease. Whether NK cells primarily promote pro-inflammatory or tolerogenic responses is not known for many liver diseases. Understanding the involvement of NK cells in liver inflammation will be crucial in effective treatment and future immunotherapeutic targeting of NK cells in these disease settings. Here, we explore the role that NK cells play in inflammation of the liver in the context of viral infection, autoimmunity and fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Highton
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - I S Schuster
- Experimental and Viral Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Experimental Immunology, Lions Eye Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - M A Degli-Esposti
- Experimental and Viral Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Experimental Immunology, Lions Eye Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - M Altfeld
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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23
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Zuo W, Zhao X. Natural killer cells play an important role in virus infection control: Antiviral mechanism, subset expansion and clinical application. Clin Immunol 2021; 227:108727. [PMID: 33887436 PMCID: PMC8055501 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2021.108727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
With the global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the important role of natural killer (NK) cells in the control of various viral infections attracted more interest, via non-specific activation, such as antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and activating receptors, as well as specific activation, such as memory-like NK generation. In response to different viral infections, NK cells fight viruses in different ways, and different NK subsets proliferate. For instance, cytomegalovirus (CMV) induces NKG2C + CD57 + KIR+ NK cells to expand 3-6 months after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) induces KIR3DS1+/KIR3DL1 NK cells to expand in the acute phase of infection. However, the similarities and differences among these processes and their molecular mechanisms have not been fully discussed. In this article, we provide a summary and comparison of antiviral mechanisms, unique subset expansion and time periods in peripheral blood and tissues under different conditions of CMV, HIV, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), COVID-19 and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. Accordingly, we also discuss current clinical NK-associated antiviral applications, including cell therapy and NK-related biological agents, and we state the progress and future prospects of NK cell antiviral treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zuo
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhao
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China.
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24
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Li Y, Wang F, Imani S, Tao L, Deng Y, Cai Y. Natural Killer Cells: Friend or Foe in Metabolic Diseases? Front Immunol 2021; 12:614429. [PMID: 33717101 PMCID: PMC7943437 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.614429] [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: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide epidemic of metabolic diseases, especially obesity and other diseases caused by it, has shown a dramatic increase in incidence. A great deal of attention has been focused on the underlying mechanisms of these pathological processes and potential strategies to solve these problems. Chronic inflammation initiated by abdominal adipose tissues and immune cell activation in obesity is the major cause of the consequent development of complications. In addition to adipocytes, macrophages and monocytes, natural killer (NK) cells have been verified to be vital components involved in shaping the inflammatory microenvironment, thereby leading to various obesity-related metabolic diseases. Here, we provide an overview of the roles of NK cells and the interactions of these cells with other immune and nonimmune cells in the pathological processes of metabolic diseases. Finally, we also discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting NK cells to treat metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Student Brigade, Preclinical School of Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fangjie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Wound Infection and Drug, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Saber Imani
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Ling Tao
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Youcai Deng
- Institute of Materia Medica, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yue Cai
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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25
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Martínez-Chantar ML, Delgado TC, Beraza N. Revisiting the Role of Natural Killer Cells in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Front Immunol 2021; 12:640869. [PMID: 33679803 PMCID: PMC7930075 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.640869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease. The histological spectrum of NAFLD ranges from simple steatosis to chronic inflammation and liver fibrosis during Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). The current view is that innate immune mechanisms represent a key element in supporting hepatic inflammation in NASH. Natural Killer (NK) cells are lymphoid cells and a component of the innate immune system known to be involved in NASH progression. Increasing evidence has shed light on the differential function of circulating and tissue-resident NK cells, as well as on the relevance of metabolism and the microenvironment in regulating their activity. Here, we revisit the complex role of NK cells as regulators of NASH progression as well as potential therapeutic approaches based on their modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Luz Martínez-Chantar
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance, Derio, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Spain
| | - Teresa C Delgado
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance, Derio, Spain
| | - Naiara Beraza
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Food Innovation and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
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26
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Cicuéndez B, Ruiz-Garrido I, Mora A, Sabio G. Stress kinases in the development of liver steatosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Metab 2021; 50:101190. [PMID: 33588102 PMCID: PMC8324677 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important component of metabolic syndrome and one of the most prevalent liver diseases worldwide. This disorder is closely linked to hepatic insulin resistance, lipotoxicity, and inflammation. Although the mechanisms that cause steatosis and chronic liver injury in NAFLD remain unclear, a key component of this process is the activation of stress-activated kinases (SAPKs), including p38 and JNK in the liver and immune system. This review summarizes findings which indicate that the dysregulation of stress kinases plays a fundamental role in the development of steatosis and are important players in inducing liver fibrosis. To avoid the development of steatohepatitis and liver cancer, SAPK activity must be tightly regulated not only in the hepatocytes but also in other tissues, including cells of the immune system. Possible cellular mechanisms of SAPK actions are discussed. Hepatic JNK triggers steatosis and insulin resistance, decreasing lipid oxidation and ketogenesis in HFD-fed mice. Decreased liver expression of p38α/β in HFD increases lipogenesis. Hepatic p38γ/δ drive insulin resistance and inhibit autophagy, which may lead to steatosis. Macrophage p38α/β promote cytokine production and M1 polarization, leading to lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Myeloid p38γ/δ contribute to cytokine production and neutrophil migration, protecting against steatosis, diabetes and NAFLD. JNK1 and p38γ induce HCC while p38α blocks it. However, deletion of hepatic JNK1/2 induces cholangiocarcinoma. SAPK are potential therapeutic target for metabolic disorders, steatohepatitis and liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Cicuéndez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Ruiz-Garrido
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Mora
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Guadalupe Sabio
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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27
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Gerges SH, Wahdan SA, Elsherbiny DA, El-Demerdash E. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: An overview of risk factors, pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic interventions. Life Sci 2021; 271:119220. [PMID: 33592199 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disorder of excessive fat accumulation in the liver, known as steatosis, without alcohol overconsumption. NAFLD can either manifest as simple steatosis or steatohepatitis, known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is accompanied by inflammation and possibly fibrosis. Furthermore, NASH might progress to hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD and NASH prevalence is in a continuous state of growth, and by 2018, NAFLD became a devastating metabolic disease with a global pandemic prevalence. The pathophysiology of NAFLD and NASH is not fully elucidated, but is known to involve the complex interplay between different metabolic, environmental, and genetic factors. In addition, unhealthy dietary habits and pre-existing metabolic disturbances together with other risk factors predispose NAFLD development and progression from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, and eventually to fibrosis. Despite their growing worldwide prevalence, to date, there is no FDA-approved treatment for NAFLD and NASH. Several off-label medications are used to target disease risk factors such as obesity and insulin resistance, and some medications are used for their hepatoprotective effects. Unfortunately, currently used medications are not sufficiently effective, and research is ongoing to investigate the beneficial effects of different drugs and phytochemicals in NASH. In this review article, we outline the different risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms involved in NAFLD, diagnostic procedures, and currently used management techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar H Gerges
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Organization of African Unity Street, Abbasia, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Sara A Wahdan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Organization of African Unity Street, Abbasia, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Doaa A Elsherbiny
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Organization of African Unity Street, Abbasia, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Ebtehal El-Demerdash
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Organization of African Unity Street, Abbasia, Cairo 11566, Egypt.
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28
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Peiseler M, Tacke F. Inflammatory Mechanisms Underlying Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and the Transition to Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:730. [PMID: 33578800 PMCID: PMC7916589 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a rising chronic liver disease and comprises a spectrum from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to end-stage cirrhosis and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathogenesis of NAFLD is multifactorial, but inflammation is considered the key element of disease progression. The liver harbors an abundance of resident immune cells, that in concert with recruited immune cells, orchestrate steatohepatitis. While inflammatory processes drive fibrosis and disease progression in NASH, fueling the ground for HCC development, immunity also exerts antitumor activities. Furthermore, immunotherapy is a promising new treatment of HCC, warranting a more detailed understanding of inflammatory mechanisms underlying the progression of NASH and transition to HCC. Novel methodologies such as single-cell sequencing, genetic fate mapping, and intravital microscopy have unraveled complex mechanisms behind immune-mediated liver injury. In this review, we highlight some of the emerging paradigms, including macrophage heterogeneity, contributions of nonclassical immune cells, the role of the adaptive immune system, interorgan crosstalk with adipose tissue and gut microbiota. Furthermore, we summarize recent advances in preclinical and clinical studies aimed at modulating the inflammatory cascade and discuss how these novel therapeutic avenues may help in preventing or combating NAFLD-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Peiseler
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
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29
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Karrar A, Rajput B, Hariharan S, Abdelatif D, Houry M, Moosvi A, Ali I, Tan D, Noor S, Esmaeili D, Felix S, Alaparthi L, Otgonsuren M, Lam B, Goodman ZD, Younossi ZM. Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I-Related Chain A Alleles and Histology of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Hepatol Commun 2021; 5:63-73. [PMID: 33437901 PMCID: PMC7789833 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (MICA) is a highly polymorphic gene that modulates immune surveillance by binding to its receptor on natural killer cells, and its genetic polymorphisms have been associated with chronic immune-mediated diseases. The progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is characterized by accumulation of fat and inflammatory cells in the hepatic parenchyma, potentially leading to liver cell injury and fibrosis. To date, there are no data describing the potential role of MICA in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Therefore, our aim was to assess the association between MICA polymorphism and NASH and its histologic features. A total of 134 subjects were included. DNA from patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific oligonucleotide for MICA alleles. Liver biopsies were assessed for histologic diagnosis of NASH and specific pathologic features, including stage of fibrosis and grade of inflammation. Multivariate analysis was performed to draw associations between MICA alleles and the different variables; P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Univariate analysis showed that MICA*011 (odds ratio [OR], 7.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-41.0; P = 0.04) was associated with a higher risk for histologic NASH. Multivariate analysis showed that MICA*002 was independently associated with a lower risk for focal hepatocyte necrosis (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.08-0.74; P = 0.013) and advanced fibrosis (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02-0.70; P = 0.019). MICA*017 was independently associated with a higher risk for lymphocyte-mediated inflammation (OR, 5.12; 95% CI, 1.12-23.5; P = 0.035). Conclusion: MICA alleles may be associated with NASH and its histologic features of inflammation and fibrosis. Additional research is required to investigate the potential role of MICA in increased risk or protection against NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza Karrar
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated ResearchInova Fairfax Medical CampusFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Bijal Rajput
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated ResearchInova Fairfax Medical CampusFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Siddharth Hariharan
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated ResearchInova Fairfax Medical CampusFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Dinan Abdelatif
- Center for Liver DiseasesDepartment of MedicineInova Fairfax HospitalFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Mohamad Houry
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated ResearchInova Fairfax Medical CampusFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Ali Moosvi
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated ResearchInova Fairfax Medical CampusFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Irfan Ali
- Center for Liver DiseasesDepartment of MedicineInova Fairfax HospitalFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Daisong Tan
- Center for Liver DiseasesDepartment of MedicineInova Fairfax HospitalFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Sohailla Noor
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated ResearchInova Fairfax Medical CampusFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Donna Esmaeili
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated ResearchInova Fairfax Medical CampusFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Sean Felix
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated ResearchInova Fairfax Medical CampusFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Lakshmi Alaparthi
- Center for Liver DiseasesDepartment of MedicineInova Fairfax HospitalFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Munkhzul Otgonsuren
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated ResearchInova Fairfax Medical CampusFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Brian Lam
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated ResearchInova Fairfax Medical CampusFalls ChurchVAUSA.,Center for Liver DiseasesDepartment of MedicineInova Fairfax HospitalFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Zachary D Goodman
- Center for Liver DiseasesDepartment of MedicineInova Fairfax HospitalFalls ChurchVAUSA
| | - Zobair M Younossi
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated ResearchInova Fairfax Medical CampusFalls ChurchVAUSA.,Center for Liver DiseasesDepartment of MedicineInova Fairfax HospitalFalls ChurchVAUSA
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30
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Immunological distinctions between nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Exp Mol Med 2020; 52:1209-1219. [PMID: 32770081 PMCID: PMC8080649 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-020-0480-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common cause of chronic liver disease, ranges from simple hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is a more aggressive form characterized by hepatocyte injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Increasing evidence suggests that NASH is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer-related death. Recent studies support a strong mechanistic link between the NASH microenvironment and HCC development. The liver has a large capacity to remove circulating pathogens and gut-derived microbial compounds. Thus, the liver is a central player in immunoregulation. Altered immune responses are tightly associated with the development of NASH and HCC. The objective of this study was to differentiate the roles of specific immune cell subsets in NASH and HCC pathogenesis. Clarifying the role of specific cells in the immune system in the transition from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to liver cancer will help to understand disease progression and may open avenues towards new preventive and therapeutic strategies. NAFLD is the most common chronic liver disease. Growing evidence suggests that its most aggressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), can promote the development of liver cancer, the second most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Chang-Woo Lee and colleagues at Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea review the immunological distinction between NASH and liver cancer, focusing on the levels and activities of six key types of immune system cells. Chronic inflammation mediated by the immune system can create conditions for NAFLD, NASH and liver cancer to develop and worsen.
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31
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Chen Y, Tian Z. Roles of Hepatic Innate and Innate-Like Lymphocytes in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1500. [PMID: 32765518 PMCID: PMC7378363 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is accompanied by steatosis, hepatocyte injury and liver inflammation, which has been a health problem in the world as one of the major high risk factors of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Complex immune responses involving T cells, B cells, Kupffer cells, monocytes, neutrophils, DCs and other innate lymphocytes account for the pathogenesis of NASH; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated in detail. In the liver, innate and innate-like lymphocytes account for more than two-thirds of total lymphocytes and play an important role in maintaining the immune homeostasis. Therefore, their roles in the progression of NASH deserves investigation. In this review, we summarized murine NASH models for immunological studies, including the diet-induced NASH, chemical-induced NASH and genetic-induced NASH. The role of innate and innate-like lymphocytes including NK cells, ILCs, NKT, γδT and MAIT cells in the progression of NASH were elucidated. Further, the metabolic regulation of the innate immune response was addressed in consideration to explain the molecular mechanisms. Based on the findings of the reviewed studies, strategies of immune intervention are proposed to control the progression of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyan Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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32
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Pinato DJ, Guerra N, Fessas P, Murphy R, Mineo T, Mauri FA, Mukherjee SK, Thursz M, Wong CN, Sharma R, Rimassa L. Immune-based therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncogene 2020; 39:3620-3637. [PMID: 32157213 PMCID: PMC7190571 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1249-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most frequent cause of cancer-related death. The immune-rich contexture of the HCC microenvironment makes this tumour an appealing target for immune-based therapies. Here, we discuss how the functional characteristics of the liver microenvironment can potentially be harnessed for the treatment of HCC. We will review the evidence supporting a therapeutic role for vaccines, cell-based therapies and immune-checkpoint inhibitors and discuss the potential for patient stratification in an attempt to overcome the series of failures that has characterised drug development in this disease area.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Pinato
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W120HS, UK.
| | - Nadia Guerra
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Petros Fessas
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W120HS, UK
| | - Ravindhi Murphy
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W120HS, UK
| | | | - Francesco A Mauri
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W120HS, UK
| | - Sujit K Mukherjee
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion & Reproduction, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London, UK
| | - Mark Thursz
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion & Reproduction, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London, UK
| | - Ching Ngar Wong
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W120HS, UK
| | - Rohini Sharma
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W120HS, UK
| | - Lorenza Rimassa
- Medical Oncology and Haematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini, 20090, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
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33
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Fan Y, Zhang W, Wei H, Sun R, Tian Z, Chen Y. Hepatic NK cells attenuate fibrosis progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in dependent of CXCL10-mediated recruitment. Liver Int 2020; 40:598-608. [PMID: 31758647 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a major cause of chronic liver disease. The precise role of NK cells in the progression of NASH has yet to be elucidated. METHODS Using methionine- and choline-deficient diets (MCD)-induced NASH model, the role of NK cells was identified in WT mice compared with conventional NK cell-deficient Nfil3-/- mice. RESULTS After 8 weeks of MCD treatment, NASH was induced as shown by the significant macrovesicular steatosis, necro-inflammation and fibrosis in the liver of WT B6 mice. In MCD-treated WT B6 mice, the number of NK cells was markedly increased in the liver, but decreased in the spleen. Intrahepatic NK cells exhibited high levels of activation, as evidenced by the expression of CD107a and cytokine production of IFN-γ, TGF-β and IL-10. Lower expression levels of Ki67 indicated a reduction in the proliferation of intrahepatic NK cells after MCD treatment. Increased expression of CXCL10 in the liver early after MCD treatment led to the increased recruitment of CXCR3+ NK cells into the liver. The MCD-treated Nfil3-/- mice showed similar levels of TG and macrovesicular steatosis, thus more inflammatory infiltration and increased collagen deposition in the liver. Furthermore, the depletion of NK cells during MCD-induced NASH caused a significant increase in the infiltration of monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) particularly Ly6Clo subsets towards M2. CONCLUSIONS Intrahepatic NK cells, recruited through CXCL10-CXCR3 interaction, play a protective role against the fibrosis progression in NASH, which provide us with a better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Fan
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Wendi Zhang
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yongyan Chen
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Critical role of interleukin (IL)-17 in inflammatory and immune disorders: An updated review of the evidence focusing in controversies. Autoimmun Rev 2020; 19:102429. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2019.102429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Cuff AO, Sillito F, Dertschnig S, Hall A, Luong TV, Chakraverty R, Male V. The Obese Liver Environment Mediates Conversion of NK Cells to a Less Cytotoxic ILC1-Like Phenotype. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2180. [PMID: 31572388 PMCID: PMC6749082 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver contains both NK cells and their less cytotoxic relatives, ILC1. Here, we investigate the role of NK cells and ILC1 in the obesity-associated condition, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In the livers of mice suffering from NAFLD, NK cells are less able to degranulate, express lower levels of perforin and are less able to kill cancerous target cells than those from healthy animals. This is associated with a decreased ability to kill cancer cells in vivo. On the other hand, we find that perforin-deficient mice suffer from less severe NAFLD, suggesting that this reduction in NK cell cytotoxicity may be protective in the obese liver, albeit at the cost of increased susceptibility to cancer. The decrease in cytotoxicity is associated with a shift toward a transcriptional profile characteristic of ILC1, increased expression of the ILC1-associated proteins CD200R1 and CD49a, and an altered metabolic profile mimicking that of ILC1. We show that the conversion of NK cells to this less cytotoxic phenotype is at least partially mediated by TGFβ, which is expressed at high levels in the obese liver. Finally, we show that reduced cytotoxicity is also a feature of NK cells in the livers of human NAFLD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia O. Cuff
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Sillito
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simone Dertschnig
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Hall
- Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital and University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tu Vinh Luong
- Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital and University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ronjon Chakraverty
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Male
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Zhu M, Li M, Zhou W, Yang Y, Li F, Zhang L, Ji G. Qianggan extract improved nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by modulating lncRNA/circRNA immune ceRNA networks. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2019; 19:156. [PMID: 31269941 PMCID: PMC6609373 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2577-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Background The traditional Chinese medicine prescription, Qianggan formula have been confirmed to be effective on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain obscure. Methods Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: normal chow diet group; methionine-and-choline-deficient diet (MCD) group, and Qianggan extract (QG) intervention group (0.4 g/kg daily) that fed with MCD. The efficacy of QG was biochemically and histologically evaluated. The expression profiles of messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) were examined using microarray and verified by RT-qPCR. Results QG significantly improved the phenotypic characteristics of NASH, as serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and liver inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased. By the cutoff of a 1.5-fold change and P < 0.05, 6193 mRNAs, 5692 lncRNAs and 4843 circRNAs were identified as differentially expressed between the MCD and normal groups, and 514 mRNAs, 1182 lncRNAs and 443 circRNAs were identified as differentially expressed between the QG and MCD groups. The intersections (244 mRNAs, 259 lncRNAs and 98 circRNAs) among the three groups were chosen for analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment revealed that most overlapping mRNAs were related to immune functions such as natural-killer-cell-mediated cytotoxicity, intestinal immune network for IgA production, and T cell receptor signaling pathway. Pathway interactions, protein-protein interactions and molecular complex detection (MCODE) analysis identified numerous immune-related hub genes e.g. natural cytotoxicity triggering receptor 1(Ncr1), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (Cxcl9), Klra1, and Cd28. Finally, two lncRNAs (Sngh1 and Slc36a3os) and four circRNAs (circ_0009029, circ_0004572, circ_0009212 and circ_0009453) in competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks were constructed by Cytoscape, and immune-related mRNAs (e.g., Cd28, Cd8a, Il15, and Klrk1) were involved in the ceRNA networks. Conclusions LncRNA and circRNA-associated immune ceRNA networks might be the targets of QG in alleviating NASH, and our work may provide valuable clues for exploring the mechanisms underlying the effect of QG. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-019-2577-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Stiglund N, Strand K, Cornillet M, Stål P, Thorell A, Zimmer CL, Näslund E, Karlgren S, Nilsson H, Mellgren G, Fernø J, Hagström H, Björkström NK. Retained NK Cell Phenotype and Functionality in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1255. [PMID: 31214196 PMCID: PMC6558016 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the progressive stage non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is the predominant cause of chronic liver disease globally. As part of the complex pathogenesis, natural killer (NK) cells have been implicated in the development of liver inflammation in experimental murine models of NASH. However, there is a lack of knowledge on how NK cells are affected in humans with this disease. Here, we explored the presence of disease-specific changes within circulating and tissue-resident NK cell populations, as well as within other major immune cell subsets, in patients with liver biopsy-confirmed NAFLD. Using 18-color-flow cytometry, substantial changes were observed in certain myeloid populations in patients as compared to controls. NK cell numbers, on the other hand, were not altered. Furthermore, only minor differences in expression of activating and inhibitory NK cell receptors were noted, with the exception of an increased expression of NKG2D on NK cells from patients with NASH. NK cell differentiation remained constant, and NK cells from these patients retain their ability to respond adequately upon stimulation. Instead, considerable alterations were observed between liver, adipose tissue, and peripheral blood NK cells, independently of disease status. Taken together, these results increase our understanding of the importance of the local microenvironment in shaping the NK cell compartment and stress the need for further studies exploring how NASH affects intrahepatic NK cells in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Stiglund
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristina Strand
- Hormone Laboratory, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Mohn Nutrition Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Martin Cornillet
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Stål
- Department of Upper GI, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Thorell
- Department of Surgery, Ersta Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Christine L Zimmer
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erik Näslund
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Silja Karlgren
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Henrik Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Mellgren
- Hormone Laboratory, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Mohn Nutrition Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Johan Fernø
- Hormone Laboratory, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Mohn Nutrition Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Hannes Hagström
- Department of Upper GI, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Nikolova-Karakashian M. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Focus on ceramide. Adv Biol Regul 2018; 70:40-50. [PMID: 30455063 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipids are class of metabolically distinct lipids that play structural and signaling functions in all organisms. Sphingolipid metabolism is deregulated during various diseases such as cancer, neurological and immune disorders, and metabolic syndrome. With the advancement of sphingo-lipidomics and sphingo-genomics, an understanding of the specific roles of ceramide, the quintessential bioactive sphingolipid, in fatty liver disease has taken shape. Two major pathways for ceramide generation, the de novo pathway and the sphingomyelinase pathway are activated in the course of both, the non-alcoholic and the alcoholic, forms of fatty liver disease. The mechanisms of activation of these two pathways are distinct and reflect the different disease etiology in each case; at the same time, common processes impacted by the resulting ceramide overproduction involve lipotoxocity, ER/mitochondrial stress, inflammation, and de-regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism. Studies in human patients and animal models have delineated specific enzymes and ceramide species that are involved at the different stages of the disease, and represent novel pharmaceutical targets for successful management of fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Nikolova-Karakashian
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 800 Rose Str., MS 508, Lexington, KY, 40536, United States.
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39
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NK cells in liver homeostasis and viral hepatitis. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2018; 61:1477-1485. [PMID: 30421296 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-018-9407-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As an important member of the innate immune system, natural killer (NK) cells are well known for their rapid and efficient immune responses against infectious agents and tumors. NK cells are widely distributed throughout the body and are particularly enriched within the liver, where they display unique phenotypic and functional properties, playing important roles in various liver diseases. Herein, we present an overview of liver NK cell properties with regard to phenotype, function, and subset composition at steady state, and we also summarize the complex reciprocal interactions between liver NK cells and other cell types within the local environment of the liver. We also provide an overview of recent advances demonstrating the roles of NK cells in viral hepatitis, including a discussion of NK cell altered states and their beneficial versus harmful effects during hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection.
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40
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Natural Killer Cells in Liver Disease and Hepatocellular Carcinoma and the NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy. J Immunol Res 2018; 2018:1206737. [PMID: 30255103 PMCID: PMC6142725 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1206737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nature killer (NK) cells play a critical role in host innate and adaptive immune defense against viral infections and tumors. NK cells are enriched in liver hematopoietic cells with unique NK repertories and functions to safeguard liver cells against hepatitis virus infection or malignancy transformation. However, accumulating evidences were found that the NK cells were modulated by liver diseases and liver cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and showed impaired functions failing to activate the elimination of the viral-infected cells or tumor cells and were further involved in the pathogenesis of liver injury and inflammation. The full characterization of circulation and intrahepatic NK cell phenotype and function in liver disease and liver cancer has not only provided new insight into the disease pathogenesis but has also discovered new targets for developing new NK cell-based therapeutic strategies. This review will discuss and summarize the NK cell phenotypic and functional changes in liver disease and HCC, and the NK cell-based immunotherapy approaches and progresses for cancers including HCC will also be reviewed.
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41
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Sheppard S, Ferry A, Guedes J, Guerra N. The Paradoxical Role of NKG2D in Cancer Immunity. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1808. [PMID: 30150983 PMCID: PMC6099450 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The activating receptor NKG2D and its ligands are recognized as a potent immune axis that controls tumor growth and microbial infections. With regards to cancer surveillance, various studies have demonstrated the antitumor function mediated by NKG2D on natural killer cells and on conventional and unconventional T cells. The use of NKG2D-deficient mice established the importance of NKG2D in delaying tumor development in transgenic mouse models of cancer. However, we recently demonstrated an unexpected, flip side to this coin, the ability for NKG2D to contribute to tumor growth in a model of inflammation-driven liver cancer. With a focus on the liver, here, we review current knowledge of NKG2D-mediated tumor surveillance and discuss evidence supporting a dual role for NKG2D in cancer immunity. We postulate that in certain advanced cancers, expression of ligands for NKG2D can drive cancer progression rather than rejection. We propose that the nature of the microenvironment within and surrounding tumors impacts the outcome of NKG2D activation. In a form of autoimmune attack, NKG2D promotes tissue damage, mostly in the inflamed tissue adjacent to the tumor, facilitating tumor progression while being ineffective at rejecting transformed cells in the tumor bed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Sheppard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Zuckerman Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Amir Ferry
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joana Guedes
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nadia Guerra
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Kanda T, Matsuoka S, Yamazaki M, Shibata T, Nirei K, Takahashi H, Kaneko T, Fujisawa M, Higuchi T, Nakamura H, Matsumoto N, Yamagami H, Ogawa M, Imazu H, Kuroda K, Moriyama M. Apoptosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:2661-2672. [PMID: 29991872 PMCID: PMC6034146 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i25.2661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), has been increasing. NASH causes cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is one of the most serious health problems in the world. The mechanism through which NASH progresses is still largely unknown. Activation of caspases, Bcl-2 family proteins, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase-induced hepatocyte apoptosis plays a role in the activation of NAFLD/NASH. Apoptotic hepatocytes stimulate immune cells and hepatic stellate cells toward the progression of fibrosis in the liver through the production of inflammasomes and cytokines. Abnormalities in glucose and lipid metabolism as well as microbiota accelerate these processes. The production of reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress is also involved. Cell death, including apoptosis, seems very important in the progression of NAFLD and NASH. Recently, inhibitors of apoptosis have been developed as drugs for the treatment of NASH and may prevent cirrhosis and HCC. Increased hepatocyte apoptosis may distinguish NASH from NAFLD, and the improvement of apoptosis could play a role in controlling the development of NASH. In this review, the association between apoptosis and NAFLD/NASH are discussed. This review could provide their knowledge, which plays a role in seeing the patients with NAFLD/NASH in daily clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuo Kanda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Shunichi Matsuoka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Motomi Yamazaki
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Toshikatsu Shibata
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Kazushige Nirei
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takahashi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Kaneko
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Mariko Fujisawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Teruhisa Higuchi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Hitomi Nakamura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Naoki Matsumoto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Yamagami
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ogawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Hiroo Imazu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Kazumichi Kuroda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiko Moriyama
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
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Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a group of liver disorders encompassing simple hepatic steatosis and its more aggressive forms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. It is a rapidly growing health concern and the major cause for the increasing incidence of primary liver tumors. Unequivocal evidence shows that sphingolipid metabolism is altered in the course of the disease and these changes might contribute to NAFLD progression. Recent data provide solid support to the notion that deregulated ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate metabolism are present at all stages of NAFLD, i.e., steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, advanced fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Insulin sensitivity, de novo lipogenesis, and the resulting lipotoxicity, fibrosis, and angiogenesis are all seemingly regulated in a manner that involves either ceramide and/or sphingosine-1-phosphate. Sphingolipids might also participate in the onset of hepatocellular senescence. The latter has been shown to contribute to the advancement of cirrhosis to HCC in the classical cases of end-stage liver disease, i.e., viral- or alcohol-induced; however, emerging evidence suggests that senescence is also involved in the pathogenicity of NAFLD possibly via changes in ceramide metabolism.
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45
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Ibrahim SH, Hirsova P, Gores GJ. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis pathogenesis: sublethal hepatocyte injury as a driver of liver inflammation. Gut 2018; 67:963-972. [PMID: 29367207 PMCID: PMC5889737 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-315691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A subset of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease develop an inflammatory condition, termed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is characterised by hepatocellular injury, innate immune cell-mediated inflammation and progressive liver fibrosis. The mechanisms whereby hepatic inflammation occurs in NASH remain incompletely understood, but appear to be linked to the proinflammatory microenvironment created by toxic lipid-induced hepatocyte injury, termed lipotoxicity. In this review, we discuss the signalling pathways induced by sublethal hepatocyte lipid overload that contribute to the pathogenesis of NASH. Furthermore, we will review the role of proinflammatory, proangiogenic and profibrotic hepatocyte-derived extracellular vesicles as disease biomarkers and pathogenic mediators during lipotoxicity. We also review the potential therapeutic strategies to block the feed-forward loop between sublethal hepatocyte injury and liver inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar H Ibrahim
- Division of Pediatrics Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Petra Hirsova
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Gregory J Gores
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Kim MY. [The Progression of Liver Fibrosis in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease]. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 2018. [PMID: 28637102 DOI: 10.4166/kjg.2017.69.6.341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its fibrosis progression is still evolving. Nonetheless, current evidence suggests that mechanisms involved are very complex parallel processes with multiple metabolic factors. Lipotoxicity related with excess saturated free fatty acids, obesity, and insulin resistance acts as the central driver of cellular injury via oxidative stress. Hepatocyte apoptosis and/or senescence are also contribute to the activation of inflammasome via various intra- and inter-cellular signaling mechanisms that lead to fibrosis. Current evidence suggests that periportal components, including ductular reaction and expansion of the hepatic progenitor cell compartment, may be involved and that the T-helper 17 cell response may mediate disease progression. This review aims to provide a brief overview of the pathogenesis of NASH and fibrosis progression from inflammation to fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon Young Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
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Wahid B, Ali A, Rafique S, Saleem K, Waqar M, Wasim M, Idrees M. Role of altered immune cells in liver diseases: a review. GASTROENTEROLOGIA Y HEPATOLOGIA 2018; 41:377-388. [PMID: 29605453 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2018.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Immune cells play an important role in controlling liver tumorigenesis, viral hepatitis, liver fibrosis and contribute to pathogenesis of liver inflammation and injury. Accumulating evidence suggests the effectiveness of natural killer (NK) cells and Kupffer cells (KCs) against viral hepatitis, hepatocellular damage, liver fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. Activation of natural killer cells provides a novel therapeutic strategy to cure liver related diseases. This review discusses the emerging roles of immune cells in liver disorders and it will provide baseline data to scientists to design better therapies for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braira Wahid
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), 87-West Canal Bank Road Thokar Niaz Baig, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; Genome Centre for Molecular Based Diagnostics and Research, Al-Sudais Plaza Abdalian Cooperative Society, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Amjad Ali
- Genome Centre for Molecular Based Diagnostics and Research, Al-Sudais Plaza Abdalian Cooperative Society, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shazia Rafique
- Genome Centre for Molecular Based Diagnostics and Research, Al-Sudais Plaza Abdalian Cooperative Society, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Komal Saleem
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), 87-West Canal Bank Road Thokar Niaz Baig, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; Genome Centre for Molecular Based Diagnostics and Research, Al-Sudais Plaza Abdalian Cooperative Society, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Waqar
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), 87-West Canal Bank Road Thokar Niaz Baig, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; Genome Centre for Molecular Based Diagnostics and Research, Al-Sudais Plaza Abdalian Cooperative Society, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Wasim
- Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar KPK, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Idrees
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), 87-West Canal Bank Road Thokar Niaz Baig, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; Genome Centre for Molecular Based Diagnostics and Research, Al-Sudais Plaza Abdalian Cooperative Society, Lahore, Pakistan; Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar KPK, Pakistan; Division of Molecular Virology and Diagnostics Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), 87-West Canal Bank Road Thokar Niaz Baig, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; Vice Chancellor Hazara University Mansehra, Pakistan.
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48
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Ringelhan M, Pfister D, O'Connor T, Pikarsky E, Heikenwalder M. The immunology of hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Immunol 2018; 19:222-232. [PMID: 29379119 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-018-0044-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 749] [Impact Index Per Article: 124.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In contrast to most other malignancies, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which accounts for approximately 90% of primary liver cancers, arises almost exclusively in the setting of chronic inflammation. Irrespective of etiology, a typical sequence of chronic necroinflammation, compensatory liver regeneration, induction of liver fibrosis and subsequent cirrhosis often precedes hepatocarcinogenesis. The liver is a central immunomodulator that ensures organ and systemic protection while maintaining immunotolerance. Deregulation of this tightly controlled liver immunological network is a hallmark of chronic liver disease and HCC. Notably, immunotherapies have raised hope for the successful treatment of advanced HCC. Here we summarize the roles of specific immune cell subsets in chronic liver disease, with a focus on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and HCC. We review new advances in immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of HCC and discuss the challenges posed by the immunotolerant hepatic environment and the dual roles of adaptive and innate immune cells in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Ringelhan
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Dominik Pfister
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tracy O'Connor
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eli Pikarsky
- The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada and Department of Pathology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
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Gong Z, Tas E, Yakar S, Muzumdar R. Hepatic lipid metabolism and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in aging. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 455:115-130. [PMID: 28017785 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Aging is associated with dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Various factors that contribute to the dysregulation include both modifiable (e.g. obesity, insulin resistance) and non-modifiable risk factors (age-associated physiologic changes). Although there is no linear relationship between aging and prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, current data strongly suggests that advanced age leads to more severe histological changes and poorer clinical outcomes. Hepatic lipid accumulation could lead to significant hepatic and systemic consequences including steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, impairment of systemic glucose metabolism and metabolic syndrome, thereby contributing to age-related diseases. Insulin, leptin and adiponectin are key regulators of the various physiologic processes that regulate hepatic lipid metabolism. Recent advances have expanded our understanding in this field, highlighting the role of novel mediators such as FGF 21, and mitochondria derived peptides. In this review, we will summarize the mediators of hepatic lipid metabolism and how they are altered in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenwei Gong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, One Children's Hospital Drive, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA; Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, One Children's Hospital Drive, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Emir Tas
- Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, One Children's Hospital Drive, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Shoshana Yakar
- David B. Kriser Dental Center, Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Radhika Muzumdar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, One Children's Hospital Drive, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA; Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, One Children's Hospital Drive, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3500 Terrace Street, 5362 Biomedical Sciences Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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50
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Özlü F, Akçalı M, Yıldız ŞM, Yapıcıoğlu Yıldızdaş H, Gözet Y, Atay A. New biomarkers for antenatal infection: MICA and MICB gene expression in preterm babies. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2017; 32:579-583. [DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2017.1387528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ferda Özlü
- Department of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Akçalı
- Department of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey
| | | | | | | | - Asena Atay
- Department of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey
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