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Tsigalou C, Tsolou A, Stavropoulou E, Konstantinidis T, Zafiriou E, Dardiotis E, Tsirogianni A, Bogdanos D. Unraveling the intricate dance of the Mediterranean diet and gut microbiota in autoimmune resilience. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1383040. [PMID: 38818135 PMCID: PMC11137302 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1383040] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The nutritional habits regulate the gut microbiota and increase risk of an autoimmune disease. Western diet is rich in sugars, meat, and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, which lead to dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota, disruption of gut epithelial barrier and chronic mucosal inflammation. In contrast, the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is abundant in ω3 fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables, possessing anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to the restoration of gut eubiosis. Numerous studies have extensively examined the impact of MedDiet and its components on both health and various disease states. Additionally, specific investigations have explored the correlation between MedDiet, microbiota, and the risk of autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, the MedDiet has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, playing a pivotal role in lowering mortality rates among individuals with autoimmune diseases and comorbidities. The aim of the present review is to specifically highlight current knowledge regarding possible interactions of MedDiet with the patterns of intestinal microbiota focusing on autoimmunity and a blueprint through dietary modulations for the prevention and management of disease's activity and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Tsigalou
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Avgi Tsolou
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Cell Cycle and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Elisavet Stavropoulou
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Theocharis Konstantinidis
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Efterpi Zafiriou
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Efthymios Dardiotis
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Alexandra Tsirogianni
- Department of Immunology-Histocompatibility, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Bogdanos
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
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2
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Czaja AJ. Incorporating the Molecular Mimicry of Environmental Antigens into the Causality of Autoimmune Hepatitis. Dig Dis Sci 2023:10.1007/s10620-023-07967-5. [PMID: 37160542 PMCID: PMC10169207 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-023-07967-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Molecular mimicry between foreign and self-antigens has been implicated as a cause of autoimmune hepatitis in experimental models and cross-reacting antibodies in patients. This review describes the experimental and clinical evidence for molecular mimicry as a cause of autoimmune hepatitis, indicates the limitations and uncertainties of this premise, and encourages investigations that assess diverse environmental antigens as sources of disease-relevant molecular mimics. Pertinent articles were identified in PubMed using multiple search phrases. Several pathogens have linear or conformational epitopes that mimic the self-antigens of autoimmune hepatitis. The occurrence of an acute immune-mediated hepatitis after vaccination for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has suggested that vaccine-induced peptides may mimic disease-relevant tissue antigens. The intestinal microbiome is an under-evaluated source of gut-derived antigens that could also engage in molecular mimicry. Chaperone molecules may enhance the pathogenicity of molecular mimics, and they warrant investigation. Molecular mimics of immune dominant epitopes within cytochrome P450 IID6, the autoantigen most closely associated with autoimmune hepatitis, should be sought in diverse environmental antigens and assessed for pathogenicity. Avoidance strategies, dietary adjustments, vaccine improvement, and targeted manipulation of the intestinal microbiota may emerge as therapeutic possibilities. In conclusion, molecular mimicry may be a missing causality of autoimmune hepatitis. Molecular mimics of key immune dominant epitopes of disease-specific antigens must be sought in diverse environmental antigens. The ubiquity of molecular mimicry compels rigorous assessments of peptide mimics for immunogenicity and pathogenicity in experimental models. Molecular mimicry may complement epigenetic modifications as causative mechanisms of autoimmune hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Czaja
- Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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3
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Shin E, Schwarz KB, Jones-Brando LV, Florea LD, Sabunciyan S, Wood LD, Yolken RH. Expression of HLA and Autoimmune Pathway Genes in Liver Biopsies of Young Subjects With Autoimmune Hepatitis Type 1. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2022; 75:269-275. [PMID: 35759748 PMCID: PMC9365252 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000003538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To test the hypothesis that autoimmune hepatitis (AIH type I) in young subjects is due to genetic differences in proinflammatory genes responding to viral triggers in patients and controls. METHODS Intrahepatic gene expression was compared between AIH type I (n = 24, age 9-30 years) patients (hereafter referred to as the AIH group) and controls (n = 21, age 4-25 years). RNA sequencing was performed on complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries made from total RNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) liver biopsy samples. Gene expression levels were quantified, and differentially expressed genes were functionally analyzed. Pathway analysis was performed using the databases Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and PANTHER. The remaining sequences were mapped to the RefSeq complete set of viral genomes. RESULTS Differential gene analysis identified 181 genes that were significantly differentially expressed (136 upregulated in the AIH group). Autoimmune pathway genes such as CD19 and CD20 which are important in B cell regulation and maturation as well as, CD8 and LY9 , which are T-cell related, were upregulated in our AIH group. Genes implicated in AIH pathogenesis including CXCL10 , which is thought to be associated with AIH severity and progression, complement genes ( C1QA, C1QB , and C1QC ), and human leucocyte antigen ( HLA ) genes ( HLA-DRB1, HLA-DRA, HLA-B , and HLA-C ) were upregulated in samples from the AIH group. Specific viral etiologies were not found. CONCLUSIONS Unbiased next-generation sequencing and differential gene expression analysis of the AIH group has not only added support for the role of B cells in the pathogenesis and treatment of AIH but also has introduced potential new therapeutic targets: CXCL10 (anti- CXCL10 ) and several complement system-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Shin
- From the Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
| | | | | | - Liliana D. Florea
- the Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
| | - Sarven Sabunciyan
- From the Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Robert H. Yolken
- From the Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
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4
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Gender and Autoimmune Liver Diseases: Relevant Aspects in Clinical Practice. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12060925. [PMID: 35743710 PMCID: PMC9225254 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12060925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) include autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. The etiologies of AILD are not well understood but appear to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. AILDs commonly affect young individuals and are characterized by a highly variable clinical course. These diseases significantly influence quality of life and can progress toward liver decompensation or the onset of hepatocellular or cholangiocarcinoma; a significant number of patients eventually progress to end-stage liver disease, requiring liver transplantation. In this review, we focus on the sex characteristics and peculiarities of AILD patients and highlight the relevance of a sex-specific analysis in future studies. Understanding the sex differences underlying AILD immune dysregulation may be critical for developing more effective treatments.
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5
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The intestinal and biliary microbiome in autoimmune liver disease-current evidence and concepts. Semin Immunopathol 2022; 44:485-507. [PMID: 35536431 PMCID: PMC9088151 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-022-00936-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune liver diseases are a group of immune-mediated liver diseases with three distinct entities, including autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. The interplay of genetic and environmental factors leads to the breakdown of self-tolerance, resulting in hyper-responsiveness, and auto-aggressive immune activation. Emerging evidence links autoimmune liver diseases with alterations of the commensal microbiome configuration and aberrant immune system activation by microbial signals, mainly via the gut-liver axis. Thus, the microbiome is a new frontier to deepen the pathogenetic understanding, uncover biomarkers, and inspire innovative treatments. Herein, we review the current evidence on the role of the microbiome in autoimmune liver diseases from both clinical and basic research. We highlight recent achievements and also bottlenecks and limitations. Moreover, we give an outlook on future developments and potential for clinical applications.
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Fasano R, Malerba E, Prete M, Solimando AG, Buonavoglia A, Silvestris N, Leone P, Racanelli V. Impact of Antigen Presentation Mechanisms on Immune Response in Autoimmune Hepatitis. Front Immunol 2022; 12:814155. [PMID: 35116039 PMCID: PMC8804214 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.814155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is a very tolerogenic organ. It is continually exposed to a multitude of antigens and is able to promote an effective immune response against pathogens and simultaneously immune tolerance against self-antigens. In spite of strong peripheral and central tolerogenic mechanisms, loss of tolerance can occur in autoimmune liver diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) through a combination of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and an imbalance in immunological regulatory mechanisms. The liver hosts several types of conventional resident antigen presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells, B cells and macrophages (Kupffer cells), and unconventional APCs including liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, hepatic stellate cells and hepatocytes. By standard (direct presentation and cross-presentation) and alternative mechanisms (cross-dressing and MHC class II-dressing), liver APCs presents self-antigen to naive T cells in the presence of costimulation leading to an altered immune response that results in liver injury and inflammation. Additionally, the transport of antigens and antigen:MHC complexes by trogocytosis and extracellular vesicles between different cells in the liver contributes to enhance antigen presentation and amplify autoimmune response. Here, we focus on the impact of antigen presentation on the immune response in the liver and on the functional role of the immune cells in the induction of liver inflammation. A better understanding of these key pathogenic aspects could facilitate the establishment of novel therapeutic strategies in AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Fasano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
- Medical Oncology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Malerba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Marcella Prete
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
- Medical Oncology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessio Buonavoglia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
- Medical Oncology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Leone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
- *Correspondence: Vito Racanelli,
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7
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Herrera-Bravo J, Farías JG, Contreras FP, Herrera-Belén L, Norambuena JA, Beltrán JF. VirVACPRED: A Web Server for Prediction of Protective Viral Antigens. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021; 28:35. [PMID: 34934411 PMCID: PMC8679566 DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10345-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Viral antigens are key in the development of vaccines that prevent or eradicate infections caused by these pathogens. Bioinformatics tools are modern alternatives that facilitate the discovery of viral antigens, reducing the costs of experimental assays. We developed a bioinformatics tool called VirVACPRED, which is highly efficient in predicting viral antigens. In this study, we obtained a model based on the gradient boosting classifier, which showed high performance during the training, leave-one-out cross-validation (accuracy = 0.7402, sensitivity = 0.7319, precision = 0.7503, F1 = 0.7251, kappa = 0.4774, Matthews correlation coefficient = 0.4981) and testing (accuracy = 0.8889, sensitivity = 1.0, precision = 0.8276, F1 = 0.9057, kappa = 0.7734, Matthews correlation coefficient = 0.7941). VirVACPRED is a robust tool that can be of great help in the search and proposal of new viral antigens, which can be considered in the development of future vaccines against infections caused by viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Herrera-Bravo
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomas, Santiago, Chile
- Center of Molecular Biology and Pharmacogenetics, Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Jorge G. Farías
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile
| | - Fernanda Parraguez Contreras
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile
| | - Lisandra Herrera-Belén
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile
| | - Juan-Alejandro Norambuena
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile
- Program on Natural Resources Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Avenida Francisco Salazar, 01145, P.O. Box 54-D, 4780000 Temuco, Chile
| | - Jorge F. Beltrán
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile
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8
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Gkoutzourelas A, Barmakoudi M, Bogdanos DP. A Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Novel Pathogens as Molecular Mimicry Triggers of Systemic Sclerosis. Mediterr J Rheumatol 2020; 31:50-70. [PMID: 32411933 PMCID: PMC7219639 DOI: 10.31138/mjr.31.1.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent bioinformatic analysis revealing dominant B cell epitopes of systemic sclerosis-specific autoantibodies, including anti-centromere B, anti-topoisomerase I and anti-fibrillarin, has demonstrated the existence of several in silico antigenic mimics of pathogens that could act as triggers of the respective dominant autoepitopes. Based on those findings, the aim of the present study was to use a more comprehensive bioinformatic analysis. We demonstrated the presence of a plethora of novel microbial mimics, unnoticed by the studies so far conducted, which share remarkable amino acid similarities with the respective autoantigenic epitopes. This bioinformatic approach coupled by in vitro testing of the homologous self/non-self-mimics in serum samples from patients with systemic sclerosis may provide novel evidence of immunological cross-reactivity, implicating currently ignored or overlooked pathogens, which may indeed play a role in the induction of SSc-specific autoantibodies and assist efforts to understand the pathogenesis of this enigmatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Gkoutzourelas
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Maria Barmakoudi
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Dimitrios P Bogdanos
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
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9
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Thioacetamide-induced liver damage and thrombocytopenia is associated with induction of antiplatelet autoantibody in mice. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17497. [PMID: 31767905 PMCID: PMC6877565 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53977-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Thrombocytopenia is usually associated with liver injury, elevated plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, and high antiplatelet immunoglobulin (Ig) titers, although the mechanism behind these effects remains elusive. Deciphering the mechanism behind acute liver disease–associated thrombocytopenia may help solve difficulties in routine patient care, such as liver biopsy, antiviral therapy, and surgery. To determine whether liver damage is sufficient per se to elicit thrombocytopenia, thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatitis rodent models were employed. The analysis results indicated that TAA treatment transiently induced an elevation of antiplatelet antibody titer in both rats and mice. B-cell-deficient (BCD) mice, which have loss of antibody expression, exhibited markedly less thrombocytopenia and liver damage than wild-type controls. Because TAA still induces liver damage in BCD mice, this suggests that antiplatelet Ig is one of the pathogenic factors, which play exacerbating role in the acute phase of TAA-induced hepatitis. TNF-α was differentially regulated in wild-type versus BCD mice during TAA treatment, and anti-TNF treatment drastically ameliorated antiplatelet Ig induction, thrombocytopenia, and liver injury, suggesting that the TNF pathway plays a critical role in the disease progression.
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10
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De novo autoimmune hepatitis –is this different in adults compared to children? J Autoimmun 2018; 95:26-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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11
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Rojas M, Restrepo-Jiménez P, Monsalve DM, Pacheco Y, Acosta-Ampudia Y, Ramírez-Santana C, Leung PS, Ansari AA, Gershwin ME, Anaya JM. Molecular mimicry and autoimmunity. J Autoimmun 2018; 95:100-123. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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12
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Kerkar N, Chan A. Autoimmune Hepatitis, Sclerosing Cholangitis, and Autoimmune Sclerosing Cholangitis or Overlap Syndrome. Clin Liver Dis 2018; 22:689-702. [PMID: 30266157 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is characterized by elevated serum aminotransferases, immunoglobulin G, autoantibodies, and interface hepatitis, in the absence of a known diagnosis. Presentation is varied. Therapy is with immunosuppression. There is inflammation of the intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic bile ducts in Sclerosing cholangitis (SC) and when associated with inflammatory bowel disease, it is known as primary SC, with Ursodeoxycholic acid used for therapy. The overlap of clinical, biochemical and histological features of AIH and PSC is known as autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC) or overlap syndrome. Liver transplantation is performed when medical treatment fails and both AIH and PSC may recur post-transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanda Kerkar
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Golisano Children's Hospital, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 667, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
| | - Albert Chan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Golisano Children's Hospital, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 667, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Florida, PO Box 100296, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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13
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Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli B, Ripellino P, Gobbi C, Cerny A, Baserga A, Di Bartolomeo C, Bihl F, Deleonardi G, Melidona L, Grondona AG, Mieli-Vergani G, Vergani D, Muratori L. Autoimmune liver disease serology in acute hepatitis E virus infection. J Autoimmun 2018; 94:1-6. [PMID: 30336842 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The etiology of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is unknown, though hepatotropic viruses may be potential triggers. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection, an increasingly recognized cause of acute hepatitis, has been misdiagnosed as AIH due to the occurrence of autoantibodies during its acute phase. It has also been suggested that HEV infection may lead to or unmask AIH. The HEV seroprevalence has been ascertained in patients with AIH, but the prevalence of AIH-related autoantibodies in patients with HEV infection has not been systematically tested. We aimed to investigate whether acute HEV infection is associated with the presence of AIH-relevant autoantibodies, following the liver autoimmune serology guidelines of the International AIH Group. We tested 48 patients with acute HEV infection. Half of them had at least one autoantibody, 17% two autoantibodies. Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) were detected in 16 (33%), anti-smooth muscle antibody (SMA) in 10 (21%), and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) in 7 (14.6%). Of note, two patients showed SMA with VG or VGT patterns and five had ANA with homogeneous appearance, both being typical of AIH type 1. Other AIH-specific autoantibodies were negative. Atypical anti-mitochondrial antibody, without evidence of primary biliary cholangitis, was positive in one patient, disappearing at follow-up. Follow-up (median 12 months) serum was available from seven autoantibody positive patients: two became negative, while five remained positive, although no patient developed AIH to date. In conclusion, autoantibodies are frequently present during acute HEV infection, indicating that HEV should always be excluded before diagnosing AIH. Importantly, a minority of patients with acute hepatitis E develops AIH-specific autoantibodies, and, though they did not progress to autoimmune liver disease in the short-term, they warrant long-term monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paolo Ripellino
- Neurocentro della Svizzera Italiana, Ospedale regionale di Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Claudio Gobbi
- Neurocentro della Svizzera Italiana, Ospedale regionale di Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Florian Bihl
- Servizio di Epatologia EOC, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Giorgina Mieli-Vergani
- Paediatric Liver, GI and Nutrition Centre, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Diego Vergani
- Institute of Liver Studies, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, London, UK
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14
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Czaja AJ. Under-Evaluated or Unassessed Pathogenic Pathways in Autoimmune Hepatitis and Implications for Future Management. Dig Dis Sci 2018; 63:1706-1725. [PMID: 29671161 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-018-5072-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis is a consequence of perturbations in homeostatic mechanisms that maintain self-tolerance but are incompletely understood. The goals of this review are to describe key pathogenic pathways that have been under-evaluated or unassessed in autoimmune hepatitis, describe insights that may shape future therapies, and encourage investigational efforts. The T cell immunoglobulin mucin proteins constitute a family that modulates immune tolerance by limiting the survival of immune effector cells, clearing apoptotic bodies, and expanding the population of granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Galectins influence immune cell migration, activation, proliferation, and survival, and T cell exhaustion can be induced and exploited as a possible management strategy. The programmed cell death-1 protein and its ligands comprise an antigen-independent inhibitory axis that can limit the performance of activated T cells by altering their metabolism, and epigenetic changes can silence pro-inflammatory genes or de-repress anti-inflammatory genes that affect disease severity. Changes in the intestinal microbiota and permeability of the intestinal mucosal barrier can be causative or consequential events that affect the occurrence and phenotype of immune-mediated disease, and they may help explain the female propensity for autoimmune hepatitis. Perturbations within these homeostatic mechanisms have been implicated in experimental models and limited clinical experiences, and they have been favorably manipulated by monoclonal antibodies, recombinant molecules, pharmacological agents or dietary supplements. In conclusion, pathogenic mechanisms that have been implicated in other systemic immune-mediated and liver diseases but under-evaluated or unassessed in autoimmune hepatitis warrant consideration and rigorous evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Czaja
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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15
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Pahari S, Chatterjee D, Negi S, Kaur J, Singh B, Agrewala JN. Morbid Sequences Suggest Molecular Mimicry between Microbial Peptides and Self-Antigens: A Possibility of Inciting Autoimmunity. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1938. [PMID: 29062305 PMCID: PMC5640720 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding etiology of autoimmune diseases has been a great challenge for designing drugs and vaccines. The pathophysiology of many autoimmune diseases may be attributed to molecular mimicry provoked by microbes. Molecular mimicry hypothesizes that a sequence homology between foreign and self-peptides leads to cross-activation of autoreactive T cells. Different microbial proteins are implicated in various autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, human type 1 diabetes, primary biliary cirrhosis and rheumatoid arthritis. It may be imperative to identify the microbial epitopes that initiate the activation of autoreactive T cells. Consequently, in the present study, we employed immunoinformatics tools to delineate homologous antigenic regions between microbes and human proteins at not only the sequence level but at the structural level too. Interestingly, many cross-reactive MHC class II binding epitopes were detected from an array of microbes. Further, these peptides possess a potential to skew immune response toward Th1-like patterns. The present study divulges many microbial target proteins, their putative MHC-binding epitopes, and predicted structures to establish the fact that both sequence and structure are two important aspects for understanding the relationship between molecular mimicry and autoimmune diseases. Such findings may enable us in designing potential immunotherapies to tolerize autoreactive T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanta Pahari
- Immunology Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Deepyan Chatterjee
- Immunology Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Shikha Negi
- Immunology Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Jagdeep Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Balvinder Singh
- Immunology Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Javed N Agrewala
- Immunology Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
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Abstract
Recurrent autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and de novo AIH are 2 important causes of late graft failure after liver transplantation (LT). Recurrent AIH occurs in patients who undergo LT for AIH. De novo AIH occurs in patients who are transplanted for etiologies other than AIH. Although typically treated with standard treatment for AIH, including corticosteroids and azathioprine, both recurrent and de novo AIH may progress to end-stage liver disease requiring retransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza W Beal
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Sylvester M Black
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Anthony Michaels
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Suite 200, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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17
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Liver immunology: How to reconcile tolerance with autoimmunity. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2017; 41:6-16. [PMID: 27526967 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
There are several examples of liver tolerance: the relative ease by which liver allografts are accepted and the exploitation of the hepatic microenvironment by the malarial parasite and hepatotrophic viruses are notable examples. The vasculature of the liver supports a unique population of antigen presenting cells specialised to maintain immunological tolerance despite continuous exposure to gut-derived antigens. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells appear to be key to the maintenance of immune tolerance, by promoting T cell anergy or deletion and the generation of regulatory cell subsets. Despite this, there are three liver diseases with likely autoimmune involvement: primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis. How can we reconcile this with the inherent tolerogenicity of the liver? Genetic studies have uncovered several associations with genes involved in the activation of the innate and adaptive immune systems. There is also evidence pointing to pathogenic and xenobiotic triggers of autoimmune liver disease. Coupled to this, impaired immunoregulatory mechanisms potentially play a permissive role, allowing the autoimmune response to proceed.
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Czaja AJ. Factoring the intestinal microbiome into the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:9257-9278. [PMID: 27895415 PMCID: PMC5107691 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i42.9257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal microbiome is a reservoir of microbial antigens and activated immune cells. The aims of this review were to describe the role of the intestinal microbiome in generating innate and adaptive immune responses, indicate how these responses contribute to the development of systemic immune-mediated diseases, and encourage investigations that improve the understanding and management of autoimmune hepatitis. Alterations in the composition of the intestinal microflora (dysbiosis) can disrupt intestinal and systemic immune tolerances for commensal bacteria. Toll-like receptors within the intestine can recognize microbe-associated molecular patterns and shape subsets of T helper lymphocytes that may cross-react with host antigens (molecular mimicry). Activated gut-derived lymphocytes can migrate to lymph nodes, and gut-derived microbial antigens can translocate to extra-intestinal sites. Inflammasomes can form within hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells, and they can drive the pro-inflammatory, immune-mediated, and fibrotic responses. Diet, designer probiotics, vitamin supplements, re-colonization methods, antibiotics, drugs that decrease intestinal permeability, and molecular interventions that block signaling pathways may emerge as adjunctive regimens that complement conventional immunosuppressive management. In conclusion, investigations of the intestinal microbiome are warranted in autoimmune hepatitis and promise to clarify pathogenic mechanisms and suggest alternative management strategies.
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19
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Liberal R, Grant CR. Cirrhosis and autoimmune liver disease: Current understanding. World J Hepatol 2016; 8:1157-1168. [PMID: 27729952 PMCID: PMC5055585 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v8.i28.1157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 05/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) constitute the classic autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs). While AIH target the hepatocytes, in PBC and PSC the targets of the autoimmune attack are the biliary epithelial cells. Persistent liver injury, associated with chronic AILD, leads to un-resolving inflammation, cell proliferation and the deposition of extracellular matrix proteins by hepatic stellate cells and portal myofibroblasts. Liver cirrhosis, and the resultant loss of normal liver function, inevitably ensues. Patients with cirrhosis have higher risks or morbidity and mortality, and that in the decompensated phase, complications of portal hypertension and/or liver dysfunction lead to rapid deterioration. Accurate diagnosis and monitoring of cirrhosis is, therefore of upmost importance. Liver biopsy is currently the gold standard technique, but highly promising non-invasive methodology is under development. Liver transplantation (LT) is an effective therapeutic option for the management of end-stage liver disease secondary to AIH, PBC and PSC. LT is indicated for AILD patients who have progressed to end-stage chronic liver disease or developed intractable symptoms or hepatic malignancy; in addition, LT may also be indicated for patients presenting with acute liver disease due to AIH who do not respond to steroids.
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20
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Liberal R, Krawitt EL, Vierling JM, Manns MP, Mieli-Vergani G, Vergani D. Cutting edge issues in autoimmune hepatitis. J Autoimmun 2016; 75:6-19. [PMID: 27502148 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a severe liver disease affecting all age groups worldwide. Novel basic and clinical aspects of AIH, addressed at a Monothematic Conference in London in September 2015, are highlighted in this review. The diagnosis of AIH relies upon detection of characteristic autoantibodies, hypergammaglobulinemia, and interface hepatitis on liver histology. The International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) has devised diagnostic scoring systems to help in comparative studies and clinical practice. AIH arises in a genetically predisposed host, when yet unknown triggers - such an encounter with a pathogen - lead to a T cell-mediated immune response targeting liver autoantigens. This immune response is inadequately controlled because regulatory mechanisms are impaired. The mainstay of treatment for AIH is immunosuppression, which should be instituted as soon as the diagnosis is made. Standard treatment regimens include relatively high doses of predniso(lo)ne, which are tapered gradually as azathioprine is introduced. Recent guidelines have described newer treatment regimens and have tightened the goal of therapy to complete normalization of biochemical, serological and histological parameters. Mycophenolate mofetil, calcineurin inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors and biological agents are potential salvage therapies, but should be reserved for selected non-responsive patients and administered only in experienced centers. Liver transplantation is a life-saving option for those patients who progress to end-stage liver disease. Further dissection of cellular and molecular pathways involved in AIH pathogenesis is likely to lead to the discovery of novel, tailored and better tolerated therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Liberal
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Edward L Krawitt
- Department of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - John M Vierling
- Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor-St Luke's Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Giorgina Mieli-Vergani
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK; Paediatric Liver, GI & Nutrition Centre, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Diego Vergani
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gautam Das
- Prince Charles Hospital, Cwm Taf University Health Board; Merthyr Tydfil UK
| | - Hemanth Bolusani
- University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; Cardiff UK
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22
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Kerkar N, Yanni G. ‘De novo’ and ‘recurrent’ autoimmune hepatitis after liver transplantation: A comprehensive review. J Autoimmun 2016; 66:17-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2015.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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23
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Czaja AJ. Transitioning from Idiopathic to Explainable Autoimmune Hepatitis. Dig Dis Sci 2015; 60:2881-900. [PMID: 25999246 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-015-3708-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis lacks an identifiable cause, and its diagnosis requires the exclusion of etiologically defined diseases that resemble it. Insights into its pathogenesis are moving autoimmune hepatitis from an idiopathic to explainable disease, and the goal of this review is to describe the insights that are hastening this transition. Two types of autoimmune hepatitis are justified by serological markers, but they also have distinctive genetic associations (DRB1 and DQB1 genes) and autoantigens. DRB1 alleles are the principal susceptibility factors in white adults, and a six amino acid sequence encoded in the antigen-binding groove of class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex can influence the selection of autoantigens. Polymorphisms, including variants of SH2B3 and CARD10 genes, may affect immune reactivity and disease severity. The cytochrome mono-oxygenase, CYP2D6, is the autoantigen associated with type 2 autoimmune hepatitis, and it shares homologies with multiple viruses that might promote self-intolerance by molecular mimicry. Chemokines, especially CXCL9 and CXCL10, orchestrate the migration of effector cells to sites of injury and are associated with disease severity. Cells of the innate and adaptive immune responses promote tissue damage, and possible deficiencies in the number and function of regulatory T cells may facilitate the injurious process. Receptor-mediated apoptosis is the principal mechanism of hepatocyte loss, and cell-mediated and antibody-dependent mechanisms of cytotoxicity also contribute. Insights that explain autoimmune hepatitis will allow triggering exogenous antigens to be characterized, risk management to be improved, prognostic indices to be refined, and site-specific therapeutic interventions to emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Czaja
- Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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24
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Sener AG. Autoantibodies in autoimmune liver diseases. APMIS 2015; 123:915-9. [DOI: 10.1111/apm.12442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Asli Gamze Sener
- Medical Microbiology Department; Izmir Katip Celebi University; Ataturk Training and Research Hospital; Izmir Turkey
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25
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Himoto T, Tanaka N, Saito A, Muro Y, Sugiura K, Tani J, Miyoshi H, Morishita A, Yoneyama H, Haba R, Masaki T. Diversity of humoral responses to the centromere proteins among HCV-related chronic liver disease, PBC and AIH patients. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2015; 39:222-9. [PMID: 25220385 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2014.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anticentromere antibodies (ACAs) have been observed in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related chronic liver disease (CLD-C) as well as those with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). However, little is known about the differences in immune responses to the centromere proteins among these liver diseases. OBJECTIVE By synthesizing recombinant proteins consisting of the N- and C-termini of major centromere proteins, we investigated the humoral responses against them in each disease. RESULTS Eight of the 754 (1%) patients with CLD-C, 14 of the 57 (25%) patients with PBC and six of the 38 (16%) patients with AIH were seropositive for ACAs. There were no significant differences in ACA titers determined by an indirect immunofluorescent method among the groups of patients with CLD-C, PBC and AIH. However, the analysis of immunoreactivities against each recombinant protein revealed that the titers of IgG-subclass autoantibodies against the C-terminus of centromere protein (CENP)-B were significantly higher in the CLD-C patients than in the AIH patients. Likewise, the titers of IgM-subclass autoantibodies against the N-terminus of CENP-A were significantly higher in the PBC group than in the CLD-C group. The ACA-positive patients who developed liver cirrhosis had significantly higher titers of the IgA-subclass autoantibodies against the C-terminus of CENP-C than those who did not. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that immunoreactivities against the fragments of centromere proteins show distinct patterns among CLD-C, PBC and AIH and that the determination of immunoreactivities against the centromere proteins may be useful for the prediction of disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Himoto
- Department of Medical Technology, Kagawa Prefectural University of Health Sciences, 281-1, Hara, Mure-Cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 761-0123, Japan.
| | - Noriyo Tanaka
- Department of Dermatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akiko Saito
- Department of Dermatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshinao Muro
- Department of Dermatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazumitsu Sugiura
- Department of Dermatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Joji Tani
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Hisaaki Miyoshi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Asahiro Morishita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Hirohito Yoneyama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Reiji Haba
- Department of Diagnosis Pathology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Masaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
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Cacoub P, Gragnani L, Comarmond C, Zignego AL. Extrahepatic manifestations of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Dig Liver Dis 2014; 46 Suppl 5:S165-73. [PMID: 25458776 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2014.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients are known to be at risk of developing liver complications i.e. cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, the risks of morbidity and mortality are underestimated because they do not take into account non-liver consequences of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Numerous extrahepatic manifestations have been reported in up to 74% of patients, from perceived to disabling conditions. The majority of data concern hepatitis C virus-related autoimmune and/or lymphoproliferative disorders, from mixed cryoglobulinaemia vasculitis to frank lymphomas. More recently, other hepatitis C virus-associated disorders have been reported including cardiovascular, renal, metabolic, and central nervous system diseases. This review aims to outline most of the extrahepatic manifestations that are currently being investigated, including some of autoimmune and/or lymphoproliferative nature, and others in which the role of immune mechanisms appears less clear. Beyond the liver, hepatitis C virus chronic infection should be analyzed as a multifaceted systemic disease leading to heavy direct and indirect costs. The accurate consideration of extrahepatic consequences of such a systemic infection significantly increases the weight of its pathological burden. The need for effective viral eradication measures is underlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrice Cacoub
- Sorbonne University, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR 7211, and Inflammation-Immunopathology-Biotherapy Department (DHU i2B), Paris, France; INSERM, UMR_S 959, Paris, France; CNRS, FRE3632, Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Paris, France.
| | - Laura Gragnani
- Interdepartmental Center for Systemic Manifestations of Hepatitis Viruses (MaSVE), Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Cloe Comarmond
- Sorbonne University, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR 7211, and Inflammation-Immunopathology-Biotherapy Department (DHU i2B), Paris, France; INSERM, UMR_S 959, Paris, France; CNRS, FRE3632, Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Paris, France
| | - Anna Linda Zignego
- Interdepartmental Center for Systemic Manifestations of Hepatitis Viruses (MaSVE), Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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27
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Novembrino C, Aghemo A, Ferraris Fusarini C, Maiavacca R, Matinato C, Lunghi G, Torresani E, Ronchi M, Garlaschi MC, Ramondetta M, Colombo M. Interferon-ribavirin therapy induces serum antibodies determining 'rods and rings' pattern in hepatitis C patients. J Viral Hepat 2014; 21:944-9. [PMID: 25040504 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A cytoplasmic antigen associated to inosine-5'-monophosphatedehydrogenase 2 eliciting specific antibodies (antirods and rings, RR) has been identified in patients with chronic hepatitis C who were exposed to pegylated interferon (PI) and ribavirin (RBV). The significance of anti-RR in these patients merits to be investigated. Sera from 88 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients undergoing PI-RBV therapy were analysed for the presence of RR pattern by indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 substrate (Inova Diagnostics, San Diego, CA, USA). Anti-RR antibodies developed de novo in 32 patients independently of any demographic and virological feature, but with a significant association with cumulative exposure to PI-RBV (P = 0.0089; chi-square test). RR pattern was significantly more frequent in relapsers than in patients achieving sustained virological response (56% vs 30%; P = 0.0282, chi-square test). Anti-RR titre ranged from 1:80 to 1:1280, but significantly declined following treatment cessation. Anti-RR develop de novo in a substantial proportion of patients exposed to PI-RBV in relation to the duration of treatment exposure. Further investigations are necessary to unravel the mechanisms leading to the formation of these autoantibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Novembrino
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
AIH is characterized by chronic inflammation of the liver, interface hepatitis, hypergammaglobulinemia, and production of autoantibodies. Based on the nature of the serum autoantibodies, two types of AIH are recognized: type 1 (AIH-1), positive for ANA and/or anti-smooth muscle antibody, and type 2 (AIH-2), defined by the positivity for anti-liver kidney microsomal type 1 antibody or for anti-liver cytosol type 1 antibody. AIH demonstrates a female preponderance with the female-to-male ratio of 4:1 in AIH-1 and 10:1 in AIH-2. Several genes confer susceptibility to AIH and influence clinical manifestation, response to treatment, and overall prognosis. Most are located within the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region, which is involved in the presentation of antigenic peptides to T cells and thus in the initiation of adaptive immune responses. The strongest associations are found within the HLA-DRB1 locus. In patients with increased genetic susceptibility to AIH, immune responses to liver autoantigens could be triggered by molecular mimicry. Because of molecular mimicry, different environmental agents, drugs, and viruses might produce AIH. In AIH, T cells are numerically and functionally impaired, permitting the perpetuation of effector immune responses with ensuing persistent liver destruction. AIH is rare but highly treatable inflammatory condition of the liver. Subclinical and asymptomatic disease is common. AIH therefore needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of all patients with elevated liver enzymes. Clinical response to immunosuppressive therapy is characteristic and supports the diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libia Moy
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Jeremiah Levine
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.
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29
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Soria-Guerra RE, Nieto-Gomez R, Govea-Alonso DO, Rosales-Mendoza S. An overview of bioinformatics tools for epitope prediction: implications on vaccine development. J Biomed Inform 2014; 53:405-14. [PMID: 25464113 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbi.2014.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Exploitation of recombinant DNA and sequencing technologies has led to a new concept in vaccination in which isolated epitopes, capable of stimulating a specific immune response, have been identified and used to achieve advanced vaccine formulations; replacing those constituted by whole pathogen-formulations. In this context, bioinformatics approaches play a critical role on analyzing multiple genomes to select the protective epitopes in silico. It is conceived that cocktails of defined epitopes or chimeric protein arrangements, including the target epitopes, may provide a rationale design capable to elicit convenient humoral or cellular immune responses. This review presents a comprehensive compilation of the most advantageous online immunological software and searchable, in order to facilitate the design and development of vaccines. An outlook on how these tools are supporting vaccine development is presented. HIV and influenza have been taken as examples of promising developments on vaccination against hypervariable viruses. Perspectives in this field are also envisioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth E Soria-Guerra
- Laboratorio de Ingeniería de Biorreactores, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, SLP 78210, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Nieto-Gomez
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, SLP 78210, Mexico
| | - Dania O Govea-Alonso
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, SLP 78210, Mexico
| | - Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, SLP 78210, Mexico.
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30
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Antonelli A, Ferrari SM, Giuggioli D, Di Domenicantonio A, Ruffilli I, Corrado A, Fabiani S, Marchi S, Ferri C, Ferrannini E, Fallahi P. Hepatitis C virus infection and type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. World J Diabetes 2014; 5:586-600. [PMID: 25317237 PMCID: PMC4138583 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i5.586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Revised: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/12/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and diabetes mellitus are two major public health problems that cause devastating health and financial burdens worldwide. Diabetes can be classified into two major types: type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and T2DM. T2DM is a common endocrine disorder that encompasses multifactorial mechanisms, and T1DM is an immunologically mediated disease. Many epidemiological studies have shown an association between T2DM and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection. The processes through which CHC is associated with T2DM seem to involve direct viral effects, insulin resistance, proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and other immune-mediated mechanisms. Few data have been reported on the association of CHC and T1DM and reports on the potential association between T1DM and acute HCV infection are even rarer. A small number of studies indicate that interferon-α therapy can stimulate pancreatic autoimmunity and in certain cases lead to the development of T1DM. Diabetes and CHC have important interactions. Diabetic CHC patients have an increased risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma compared with non-diabetic CHC subjects. However, clinical trials on HCV-positive patients have reported improvements in glucose metabolism after antiviral treatment. Further studies are needed to improve prevention policies and to foster adequate and cost-effective programmes for the surveillance and treatment of diabetic CHC patients.
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31
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Maggiore G, Nastasio S, Sciveres M. Juvenile autoimmune hepatitis: Spectrum of the disease. World J Hepatol 2014; 6:464-476. [PMID: 25067998 PMCID: PMC4110538 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v6.i7.464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Revised: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Juvenile autoimmune hepatitis (JAIH) is a progressive inflammatory liver disease, affecting mainly young girls, from infancy to late adolescence, characterized by active liver damage, as shown by high serum activity of aminotransferases, by elevated immunoglobulin G levels, high titers of serum non organ-specific and organ-specific autoantibodies, and by interface hepatitis on liver biopsy. It is a multifactorial disease of unknown etiology in which environmental factors act as a trigger in genetically predisposed individuals. Two types of JAIH are identified according to the autoantibody panel detected at diagnosis: AIH-1, characterized by the presence of anti-smooth muscle antibody and/or antinuclear antibody and AIH-2, by anti-liver-kidney microsomal antibody type 1 and/or by the presence of anti-liver cytosol type 1 antibody. Epidemiological distribution, genetic markers, clinical presentation and pattern of serum cytokines differentiate the two types of AIH suggesting possible pathogenetic mechanisms. The most effective therapy for AIH is pharmacological suppression of the immune response. Treatment should be started as soon as the diagnosis is made to avoid severe liver damage and progression of fibrosis. The aim of this review is to outline the most significant and peculiar features of JAIH, based largely on our own personal database and on a review of current literature.
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Czaja AJ. Review article: permanent drug withdrawal is desirable and achievable for autoimmune hepatitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2014; 39:1043-58. [PMID: 24628539 DOI: 10.1111/apt.12701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 02/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune hepatitis can be rendered treatment-free, but the difficulty, frequency and risks associated with the pursuit of this outcome are unclear. AIM To describe the frequency that autoimmune hepatitis can be rendered treatment-free, identify the features that characterise these patients, examine the pathogenic pathways that may sustain or terminate the disease and indicate management protocols that can obtain this result. METHODS Studies cited in Pub Med from 1972-2014 for autoimmune hepatitis, treatment, relapse, remission and outcome were selected. RESULTS The frequency of a treatment-free state varies from 19% to 40% in patients observed for ≥3 years after drug withdrawal. Complete laboratory resolution and reversion to normal liver tissue prior to drug withdrawal favours this response. The development of cirrhosis during therapy may increase treatment-dependence. Persistent liver damage and the generation of neo-antigens during the apoptosis of hepatocytes may perpetuate the disease. Genetic and age-related effects on the vigour of the immune response may also contribute. Reversion to normal liver tissue is achieved in only 22% of patients during conventional corticosteroid therapy, and the emerging pharmacological and biological interventions may improve this frequency. A management strategy designed to achieve a treatment-free state accommodates all candidates for this outcome, and it can be modified to a long-term maintenance strategy as warranted by the clinical response. CONCLUSIONS Permanent drug withdrawal is a treatment outcome that is desirable and achievable in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Normalisation of liver tests and liver tissue during treatment enhances this occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Czaja
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
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Abstract
We recently introduced the concept of the infectome as a means of studying all infectious factors which contribute to the development of autoimmune disease. It forms the infectious part of the exposome, which collates all environmental factors contributing to the development of disease and studies the sum total of burden which leads to the loss of adaptive mechanisms in the body. These studies complement genome-wide association studies, which establish the genetic predisposition to disease. The infectome is a component which spans the whole life and may begin at the earliest stages right up to the time when the first symptoms manifest, and may thus contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmunity at the prodromal/asymptomatic stages. We provide practical examples and research tools as to how we can investigate disease-specific infectomes, using laboratory approaches employed from projects studying the “immunome” and “microbiome”. It is envisioned that an understanding of the infectome and the environmental factors that affect it will allow for earlier patient-specific intervention by clinicians, through the possible treatment of infectious agents as well as other compounding factors, and hence slowing or preventing disease development.
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Abstract
Autoimmune liver disorders in childhood include autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and AIH/sclerosing cholangitis overlap syndrome (henceforth referred to as autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis, ASC). These inflammatory liver disorders are characterised histologically by interface hepatitis, biochemically by elevated transaminase levels, and serologically by autoantibodies and increased levels of immunoglobulin G. AIH is particularly aggressive in children and progresses rapidly unless immunosuppressive treatment is started promptly. With appropriate treatment, 80% of patients achieve remission and long-term survival. For non-responders and difficult-to-treat patients, novel and more effective therapeutic approaches are sought. ASC responds to the same treatment used for AIH in regards to parenchymal inflammation, but bile duct disease progresses in about 50% of cases, leading to a worse prognosis and a higher liver transplantation requirement; moreover, it has a high recurrence rate after transplant. Progression of liver disease and recurrence after transplant are more common in patients with associated poorly controlled inflammatory bowel disease. Though the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of liver autoimmunity are not fully understood, genetic and environmental factors are likely to be involved. A deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of these conditions will contribute to the development of novel treatments, aimed ultimately at the restoration of tolerance to liver-derived antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgina Mieli-Vergani
- Paediatric Liver, GI and Nutrition Centre, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, , London, UK
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Abstract
The liver is the largest organ in the body and is generally regarded by nonimmunologists as having little or no lymphoid function. However, such is far from accurate. This review highlights the importance of the liver as a lymphoid organ. Firstly, we discuss experimental data surrounding the role of liver as a lymphoid organ. The liver facilitates tolerance rather than immunoreactivity, which protects the host from antigenic overload of dietary components and drugs derived from the gut and it is instrumental to fetal immune tolerance. Loss of liver tolerance leads to autoaggressive phenomena, which if not controlled by regulatory lymphoid populations, may lead to the induction of autoimmune liver diseases. Liver-related lymphoid subpopulations also act as critical antigen-presenting cells. The study of the immunological properties of liver and delineation of the microenvironment of the intrahepatic milieu in normal and diseased livers provides a platform to understand the hierarchy of a series of detrimental events that lead to immune-mediated destruction of the liver and the rejection of liver allografts. The majority of emphasis within this review will be on the normal mononuclear cell composition of the liver. However, within this context, we will discuss selected, but not all, immune-mediated liver disease and attempt to place these data in the context of human autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios P Bogdanos
- Institute of Liver Studies, Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, London, UK
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Liberal R, Zen Y, Mieli-Vergani G, Vergani D. Liver transplantation and autoimmune liver diseases. Liver Transpl 2013; 19:1065-77. [PMID: 23873751 DOI: 10.1002/lt.23704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2013] [Accepted: 06/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) is an effective treatment for patients with end-stage autoimmune liver diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and autoimmune hepatitis. Indications for LT for these diseases do not differ substantially from those used for other acute or chronic liver diseases. Despite the good outcomes reported, the recurrence of autoimmune liver disease is relatively common in the allograft. In addition, it has become apparent that autoimmunity and autoimmune liver disease can arise de novo after transplantation for nonautoimmune liver disorders. An awareness of the existence of recurrent autoimmune liver diseases and de novo autoimmune hepatitis after LT has important clinical implications because their management differs from the standard antirejection treatment and is similar to the management of classic autoimmune liver diseases in the native liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Liberal
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Liberal R, Mieli-Vergani G, Vergani D. Clinical significance of autoantibodies in autoimmune hepatitis. J Autoimmun 2013; 46:17-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2013.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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38
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Liberal R, Grant CR, Mieli-Vergani G, Vergani D. Autoimmune hepatitis: A comprehensive review. J Autoimmun 2013; 41:126-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2012.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2012] [Accepted: 11/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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39
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Himoto T, Nishioka M. Autoantibodies in liver disease: important clues for the diagnosis, disease activity and prognosis. AUTOIMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS 2013; 4:39-53. [PMID: 26000142 PMCID: PMC4389052 DOI: 10.1007/s13317-013-0046-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
It has been well established that numerous kinds of autoantibodies have been detected in liver disease. Some kinds of autoantibodies may be helpful in the diagnosis of autoimmune liver diseases including autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis or primary sclerosing cholangitis. However, these autoantibodies are present even in sera of patients with viral hepatitis, drug-induced hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocelluar carcinoma as well as in sera of patients with autoimmune liver diseases. Other kinds of autoantibodies are recognized as predictive hallmarks for disease activity or prognosis in liver diseases. On the other hand, treatment with interferon initiates the production of several types of autoantibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Some of autoantibodies induced by interferon may postulate the treatment outcome in those patients. Recent studies also revealed the close correlation between oxidative stress and the production of autoantibodies in liver diseases. This article primarily reviews the recent advances of autoantibodies in the liver diseases and discusses the clinical significance of these autoantibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Himoto
- Department of Integrated Medicine, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, 761-0793 Japan ; Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, 761-0793 Japan
| | - Mikio Nishioka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, 761-0793 Japan
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40
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Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis has two major variant phenotypes in which the features of classical disease are co-mingled with those of primary biliary cirrhosis or primary sclerosing cholangitis. These overlap syndromes lack codified diagnostic criteria, established pathogenic mechanisms, and confident management strategies. Their clinical importance relates mainly to the identification of patients who respond poorly to conventional corticosteroid treatment. Scoring systems that lack discriminative power have been used in their definition, and a clinical phenotype based on pre-defined laboratory and histological findings has not been promulgated. The frequency of overlap with primary biliary cirrhosis is 7-13 %, and the frequency of overlap with primary sclerosing cholangitis is 8-17 %. Patients with autoimmune hepatitis and features of cholestatic disease must be distinguished from patients with cholestatic disease and features of autoimmune hepatitis. Variants of the overlap syndromes include patients with small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis, antimitochondrial antibody-negative primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis, and immunoglobulin G4-associated disease. Conventional corticosteroid therapy alone or in conjunction with ursodeoxycholic acid (13-15 mg/kg daily) has been variably effective, and cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and budesonide have been beneficial in selected patients. The key cholestatic features that influence the prognosis of autoimmune hepatitis must be defined and incorporated into the definition of the syndrome rather than rely on designations that imply the co-mingling of different diseases with manifestations of variable clinical relevance. The overlap syndromes in autoimmune hepatitis are imprecise, heterogeneous, and unfounded, but they constitute a clinical reality that must be accepted, diagnosed, refined, treated, and studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Czaja
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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41
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Bogdanos DP, Smyk DS, Invernizzi P, Rigopoulou EI, Blank M, Pouria S, Shoenfeld Y. Infectome: a platform to trace infectious triggers of autoimmunity. Autoimmun Rev 2012; 12:726-40. [PMID: 23266520 PMCID: PMC7105216 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2012.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2012] [Accepted: 12/12/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The "exposome" is a term recently used to describe all environmental factors, both exogenous and endogenous, which we are exposed to in a lifetime. It represents an important tool in the study of autoimmunity, complementing classical immunological research tools and cutting-edge genome wide association studies (GWAS). Recently, environmental wide association studies (EWAS) investigated the effect of environment in the development of diseases. Environmental triggers are largely subdivided into infectious and non-infectious agents. In this review, we introduce the concept of the "infectome", which is the part of the exposome referring to the collection of an individual's exposures to infectious agents. The infectome directly relates to geoepidemiological, serological and molecular evidence of the co-occurrence of several infectious agents associated with autoimmune diseases that may provide hints for the triggering factors responsible for the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. We discuss the implications that the investigation of the infectome may have for the understanding of microbial/host interactions in autoimmune diseases with long, pre-clinical phases. It may also contribute to the concept of the human body as a superorganism where the microbiome is part of the whole organism, as can be seen with mitochondria which existed as microbes prior to becoming organelles in eukaryotic cells of multicellular organisms over time. A similar argument can now be made in regard to normal intestinal flora, living in symbiosis within the host. We also provide practical examples as to how we can characterise and measure the totality of a disease-specific infectome, based on the experimental approaches employed from the "immunome" and "microbiome" projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios P Bogdanos
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill Campus, London, UK.
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42
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The immunopathogenetic role of autoantibodies in canine autoimmune hepatitis: lessons to learn from human autoimmune hepatitis. AUTOIMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS 2012; 3:87-93. [PMID: 26000131 PMCID: PMC4389077 DOI: 10.1007/s13317-012-0036-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is not a disease entity restricted to man, but it can be found in other animals including canines. An increasing number of studies have focused on the immunopathogenesis of human autoimmune hepatitis (hAIH), but little is known of what triggers canine autoimmune hepatitis (cAIH). Several drugs, toxins, microbial and viral agents are able to induce autoantibodies and indeed immune-mediated chronic canine hepatitis with immunological and serological features similar of those seen in the human disease. We discuss the features of cAIH paying attention to the autoantibody profile of the disease in comparison to that seen in hAIH. We also discuss the immunomodulatory role of specific molecular signaling pathways such as those mediated by tumor growth factor and p38 mitogen-activated kinase in the induction of AIH, and the potential of these molecules to act as targets of specialized immunotherapeutic interventions. Review of the literature indicates that we have more to learn for the delineation of autoantibody profile and the antigen-specific immunoregulatory mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of cAIH from the human disease, rather than the other way around.
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Mavropoulos A, Orfanidou T, Liaskos C, Smyk DS, Billinis C, Blank M, Rigopoulou EI, Bogdanos DP. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)-mediated autoimmunity: lessons to learn from ANCA vasculitis and pemphigus vulgaris. Autoimmun Rev 2012. [PMID: 23207287 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2012.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Evidence is beginning to accumulate that p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway plays an important role in the regulation of cellular and humoral autoimmune responses. The exact mechanisms and the degree by which the p38 MAPK pathway participates in the immune-mediated induction of diseases have started to emerge. This review discusses the recent advances in the molecular dissection of the p38 MAPK pathway and the findings generated by reports investigating its role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and autoimmune hepatitis. Application of newly-developed protocols based on sensitive flow cytometric detection has proven to be a useful tool in the investigation of the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK within different peripheral blood mononuclear cell populations and may help us to better understand the enigmatic role of this signaling cascade in the induction of autoimmunity as well as its role in immunosuppressive-induced remission. Special attention is paid to reported data proposing a specific role for autoantibody-induced activation of p38 MAPK-mediated immunopathology in the pathogenesis of autoimmune blistering diseases and anti-neutrophilic antibody-mediated vasculitides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Mavropoulos
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill Campus, London SE5 9RS, UK
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Koutsoumpas AL, Kriese S, Rigopoulou EI. Popular and unpopular infectious agents linked to primary biliary cirrhosis. AUTOIMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS 2012; 3:95-104. [PMID: 26000132 PMCID: PMC4389080 DOI: 10.1007/s13317-012-0039-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a progressive cholestatic liver disease characterized by the autoimmune destruction of the biliary epithelial cells of the small and medium-size bile ducts. The disease affects middle aged women and usually affects more than one member within a family. The pathognomonic serological hallmark of the disease is the presence of circulating anti-mitochondrial antibodies, and disease-specific anti-nuclear antibodies. Susceptibility genes and environmental risk factors such as infections and smoking have been reported as important for the development of the disease. Among the environmental agents, infectious triggers are the best studied. Most of the work published so far has investigated the role of infections caused by Novosphingobium aromaticivorans and Escherichia coli. This review will discuss the popular and unpopular infectious agents causatively linked to PBC. It will also examine reports investigating the epidemiological aspects of the disease and their direct or indirect implications to bacterial-induced PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eirini I Rigopoulou
- Department of Medicine, University of Thessaly Medical School, Viopolis, Mezourlo, 41110 Larissa, Greece
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45
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Milkiewicz M, Caballería L, Smyk DS, Milkiewicz P. Predicting and preventing autoimmunity: the case of anti-mitochondrial antibodies. AUTOIMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS 2012; 3:105-12. [PMID: 26000133 PMCID: PMC4389078 DOI: 10.1007/s13317-012-0038-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
To be able to predict who will develop autoimmune disease would allow for early treatment which may dramatically alter the course of the disease. In some cases, it may also lead to prevention of the disease development. The prediction of disease development is based on the analysis of risk factors which have been associated with the disease in question. These factors include genetic susceptibility, as well as immunological and environmental factors. One autoimmune disease that may serve as a model for disease prediction is primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), an autoimmune liver disease affecting the small- and medium-sized bile ducts. PBC could be an ideal model due to recent advances in elucidating its genetic associations. As well, a variety of immunological and environmental risk factors have been well established. Indeed, the presence of PBC-specific antimitochondrial antibodies and/or antinuclear antibodies has been shown to be predictor of disease development and possibly prognosis. This review will examine the current evidence which suggests that we may potentially be able to predict the development of PBC in some individuals. These concepts may also be applied to autoimmune diseases in general.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel S Smyk
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Piotr Milkiewicz
- Liver Unit, Pomeranian Medical University, Al. Powstancow Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
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46
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Extrahepatic manifestations and autoantibodies in patients with hepatitis C virus infection. Clin Dev Immunol 2012. [PMID: 22988469 DOI: 10.1155/2012/871401]] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection frequently have many extrahepatic manifestations, as persistent HCV infection often triggers lymphoproliferative disorders and metabolic abnormalities. These manifestations primarily include autoimmune disorders such as cryoglobulinemia, Sjögren's syndrome, and autoimmune thyroid disorders. It has been well established that chronic HCV infection plays important roles in the production of non-organ-specific autoantibodies, including antinuclear antibodies and smooth muscle antibodies, and organ-specific autoantibodies such as thyroid autoantibodies. However, the clinical significance of autoantibodies associated with the extrahepatic manifestations caused by HCV infection has not been fully recognized. In this paper, we mainly focus on the relationship between extrahepatic manifestations and the emergence of autoantibodies in patients with HCV infection and discuss the clinical relevance of the autoantibodies in the extrahepatic disorders.
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47
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Vergani D, Mieli-Vergani G. Cutting edge issues in autoimmune hepatitis. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2012; 42:309-21. [PMID: 21207191 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-010-8236-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis is an inflammatory liver disease affecting mainly females and characterised histologically by interface hepatitis, biochemically by elevated transaminase levels and serologically by circulating autoantibodies and increased levels of immunoglobulin G. Autoimmune hepatitis responds to immunosuppressive treatment, which should be instituted as soon as diagnosis is made. Seropositivity for smooth muscle and/or antinuclear antibody defines type 1 autoimmune hepatitis, while positivity for liver kidney microsomal type 1 antibody defines type 2 autoimmune hepatitis. The aetiology of autoimmune hepatitis is unknown, though both genetic and environmental factors are involved in its expression. The major mechanism of liver damage involves immune reactions against host liver antigens that are not adequately controlled by defective regulatory T cells. Current research aiming at potentiating regulatory T cell function in vitro to reconstitute tolerance in vivo has given promising results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Vergani
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK.
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48
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Himoto T, Masaki T. Extrahepatic manifestations and autoantibodies in patients with hepatitis C virus infection. Clin Dev Immunol 2012; 2012:871401. [PMID: 22988469 PMCID: PMC3440923 DOI: 10.1155/2012/871401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2012] [Revised: 06/13/2012] [Accepted: 06/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection frequently have many extrahepatic manifestations, as persistent HCV infection often triggers lymphoproliferative disorders and metabolic abnormalities. These manifestations primarily include autoimmune disorders such as cryoglobulinemia, Sjögren's syndrome, and autoimmune thyroid disorders. It has been well established that chronic HCV infection plays important roles in the production of non-organ-specific autoantibodies, including antinuclear antibodies and smooth muscle antibodies, and organ-specific autoantibodies such as thyroid autoantibodies. However, the clinical significance of autoantibodies associated with the extrahepatic manifestations caused by HCV infection has not been fully recognized. In this paper, we mainly focus on the relationship between extrahepatic manifestations and the emergence of autoantibodies in patients with HCV infection and discuss the clinical relevance of the autoantibodies in the extrahepatic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Himoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan.
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49
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Extrahepatic manifestations and autoantibodies in patients with hepatitis C virus infection. Clin Dev Immunol 2012. [PMID: 22988469 DOI: 10.1155/2012/871401].] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection frequently have many extrahepatic manifestations, as persistent HCV infection often triggers lymphoproliferative disorders and metabolic abnormalities. These manifestations primarily include autoimmune disorders such as cryoglobulinemia, Sjögren's syndrome, and autoimmune thyroid disorders. It has been well established that chronic HCV infection plays important roles in the production of non-organ-specific autoantibodies, including antinuclear antibodies and smooth muscle antibodies, and organ-specific autoantibodies such as thyroid autoantibodies. However, the clinical significance of autoantibodies associated with the extrahepatic manifestations caused by HCV infection has not been fully recognized. In this paper, we mainly focus on the relationship between extrahepatic manifestations and the emergence of autoantibodies in patients with HCV infection and discuss the clinical relevance of the autoantibodies in the extrahepatic disorders.
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50
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Czaja AJ. Diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment of autoimmune hepatitis after liver transplantation. Dig Dis Sci 2012; 57:2248-66. [PMID: 22562533 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-012-2179-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis can recur or appear de novo after liver transplantation, and it can result in hepatic fibrosis, graft loss, and re-transplantation. The goals of this review are to describe the prevalence, manifestations, putative pathogenic mechanisms, outcomes, and management of these occurrences. Autoimmune hepatitis recurs in 8-12 % of transplanted patients at 1 year and 36-68 % at 5 years. Recurrence may be asymptomatic and detected only by surveillance liver test abnormalities or protocol liver tissue examination. Autoantibodies that characterized the original disease, hypergammaglobulinemia, increased serum immunoglobulin G level, and histological findings of interface hepatitis, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, perivenular hepatocyte necrosis, pseudo-rosetting, and acidophil bodies typify recurrence. Premature corticosteroid withdrawal and pre-transplant severity of the original disease are possible risk factors. De novo autoimmune hepatitis occurs in 1-7 % of patients 0.1-9 years after transplantation, especially in children. The appearance of autoantibodies may herald its emergence, and antibodies to glutathione-S-transferase T1 have been predictive of the disease. Recurrent disease may reflect recruitment of residual memory T lymphocytes and host-specific genetic predispositions, whereas de novo disease may reflect an allo-antigenic immune response and molecular mimicries that override self-tolerance. Treatment should be appropriate for autoimmune hepatitis and not based on anti-rejection drugs. Corticosteroid therapy alone or combined with azathioprine is the essential treatment. The substitution of mycophenolate mofetil for azathioprine and switch of the calcineurin inhibitor or its replacement with rapamycin have also been used for refractory disease. Re-transplantation has been necessary in 8-23 %.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Czaja
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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