Natural Killer Cells and Type 1 Innate Lymphoid Cells Are New Actors in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Investigation of the Hepatitis-B Vaccine's Immune Response in a Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Mouse Model

This study aimed to investigate the immunogenicity of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine by applying a normal and high-dose hepatitis B virus vaccination program in the mice modeling of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD was induced in mouse livers via diet. At the 10-week mark, both groups were divided into 3 subgroups. While the standard dose vaccination program was applied on days 0, 7, and 21, two high-dose programs were applied: one was applied on days 0 and 7, and the other was applied on days 0, 7, and 21. All mice were euthanized. Blood samples from anti-HB titers; T follicular helper, T follicular regulatory, CD27+, and CD38+ cells; and the liver, spleen, and thymus were taken for histopathologic evaluation. NAFLD subgroups receiving high doses showed higher hepatocyte ballooning scores than normal-dose subgroup. There were differences in CD27+ and CD27+CD38+ cells in animals fed on different diets, without any differences or interactions in terms of vaccine protocols. In the NAFLD group, a negative correlation was observed between anti-HB titers and T helper and CD27+ cells, while a positive correlation was observed with CD38+ cells. NAFLD induced changes in immune parameters in mice, but there was no difference in vaccine efficacy among the applied vaccine protocols. Based on this study's results, high-dose vaccination protocols are not recommended in cases of NAFLD, as they do not enhance efficacy and may lead to increased liver damage.

Clinical and basic science aspects of innate lymphoid cells as novel immunotherapeutic targets in cancer treatment

Immunotherapy has revolutionised cancer treatment over the past decade, demonstrating remarkable efficacy across a broad range of cancer types. However, not all patients or cancer types respond to contemporary clinically-utilised immunotherapeutic strategies, which largely focus on harnessing adaptive immune T cells for cancer treatment. Accordingly, it is increasingly recognised that upstream innate immune pathways, which govern and orchestrate the downstream adaptive immune response, may prove critical in overcoming cancer immunotherapeutic resistance. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are the most recently discovered major innate immune cell population. They have overarching roles in homeostasis and orchestrating protective immunity against pathogens. As innate immune counterparts of adaptive immune T cells, ILCs exert effector functions through the secretion of cytokines and direct cell-to-cell contact, with broad influence on the overall immune response. Importantly, dysregulation of ILC subsets have been associated with a range of diseases, including immunodeficiency disorders, allergy, autoimmunity, and more recently, cancer. ILCs may either promote or inhibit cancer initiation and progression depending on the cancer type and the specific ILC subsets involved. Critically, therapeutic targeting of ILCs and their associated cytokines shows promise against a wide range of cancer types in both preclinical models and early phase oncology clinical trials. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of ILC subsets and the associated cytokines they produce in cancer pathogenesis, with specific focus on how these innate pathways are, or can be targeted, therapeutically to overcome therapeutic resistance and ultimately improve patient care.

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in teleosts against data on ILCs in humans

It is assumed that cells corresponding to innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in humans, in addition to lymphoid tissue inducer cells (LTi), are also found in teleosts. In this systematic group of organisms, however, they are a poorly understood cell population. In contrast to the data on ILCs in humans, which also remain incomplete despite advanced research, in teleosts, these cells require much more attention. ILCs in teleosts have been presented as cells that may be evolutionary precursors of NK cells or ILCs identified in mammals, including humans. It is a highly heterogeneous group of cells in both humans and fish and their properties, as revealed by studies in humans, are most likely to remain strictly dependent on the location of these cells and the physiological state of the individual from which they originate. They form a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. The premise of this paper is to review the current knowledge of ILCs in teleosts, taking into account data on similar cells in humans. A review of the knowledge concerning these particular cells, elements of innate immunity mechanisms as equivalent to, or perhaps dominant over, adaptive immunity mechanisms in teleosts, as presented, may inspire the need for further research.

Roles of innate lymphoid cells in metabolic and alcohol-associated liver diseases

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have been identified as potent regulators of inflammation, cell death and wound healing, which are the main biological processes involved in the progression of chronic liver disease. Obesity and chronic alcohol consumption are the leading contributors to chronic liver diseases in developed countries, due to inappropriate lifestyles. In particular, inflammation is a key factor in these liver abnormalities and promotes the development of more severe lesions such as fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Opposite roles of ILC subsets have been described in the development of chronic liver disease, depending on the stage and aetiology of the disease. The heterogeneous family of ILCs encompasses cytotoxic natural killer cells, the cytokine-producing type 1, 2 and 3 ILCs and lymphoid tissue inducer cells. Dysfunction of these immune cells provokes uncontrolled inflammation and tissue damage, which are the basis for tumour development. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent and putative roles of ILC subsets in obesity and alcohol-associated liver diseases, which are currently the major contributors to end-stage liver complications such as fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Bone marrow monocytes sustain NK cell-poiesis during non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Natural killer (NK) cells are the predominant lymphocyte population in the liver. At the onset of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an accumulation of activated NK cells is observed in the liver in parallel with inflammatory monocyte recruitment and an increased systemic inflammation. Using in vivo and in vitro experiments, we unveil a specific stimulation of NK cell-poiesis during NASH by medullary monocytes that trans-present interleukin-15 (IL-15) and secrete osteopontin, a biomarker for patients with NASH. This cellular dialogue leads to increased survival and maturation of NK precursors that are recruited to the liver, where they dampen the inflammatory monocyte infiltration. The increase in the production of both osteopontin and the IL-15/IL-15Rα complex by bone marrow monocytes is induced by endotoxemia. We propose a tripartite gut-liver-bone marrow axis regulating the immune population dynamics and effector functions during liver inflammation.

The bidirectional immune crosstalk in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an unabated risk factor for end-stage liver diseases with no available therapies. Dysregulated immune responses are critical culprits of MASLD pathogenesis. Independent contributions from either the innate or adaptive arms of the immune system or their unidirectional interplay are commonly studied in MASLD. However, the bidirectional communication between innate and adaptive immune systems and its impact on MASLD remain insufficiently understood. Given that both innate and adaptive immune cells are indispensable for the development and progression of inflammation in MASLD, elucidating pathogenic contributions stemming from the bidirectional interplay between these two arms holds potential for development of novel therapeutics for MASLD. Here, we review the immune cell types and bidirectional pathways that influence the pathogenesis of MASLD and highlight potential pharmacologic approaches to combat MASLD based on current knowledge of this bidirectional crosstalk.

Glucosamine Improves Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Induced by High-Fat and High-Sugar Diet through Regulating Intestinal Barrier Function, Liver Inflammation, and Lipid Metabolism

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a liver disease syndrome. The prevalence of NAFLD has continued to increase globally, and NAFLD has become a worldwide public health problem. Glucosamine (GLC) is an amino monosaccharide derivative of glucose. GLC has been proven to not only be effective in anti-inflammation applications, but also to modulate the gut microbiota effectively. Therefore, in this study, the therapeutic effect of GLC in the NAFLD context and the mechanisms underlying these effects were explored. Specifically, an NAFLD model was established by feeding mice a high-fat and high-sugar diet (HFHSD), and the HFHSD-fed NAFLD mice were treated with GLC. First, we investigated the effect of treating NAFLD mice with GLC by analyzing serum- and liver-related indicator levels. We found that GLC attenuated insulin resistance and inflammation, increased antioxidant function, and attenuated serum and liver lipid metabolism in the mice. Then, we investigated the mechanism underlying liver lipid metabolism, inflammation, and intestinal barrier function in these mice. We found that GLC can improve liver lipid metabolism and relieve insulin resistance and oxidative stress levels. In addition, GLC treatment increased intestinal barrier function, reduced LPS translocation, and reduced liver inflammation by inhibiting the activation of the LPS/TLR4/NF-κB pathway, thereby effectively ameliorating liver lesions in NAFLD mice.

NK cells vs. obesity: A tale of dysfunction & redemption

Natural killer (NK) cells are critical in protecting the body against infection and cancer. NK cells can rapidly respond to these threats by directly targeting the infected or transformed cell using their cytotoxic machinery or by initiating and amplifying the immune response via their production of cytokines. Additionally, NK cells are resident across many tissues including adipose, were their role extends from host protection to tissue homeostasis. Adipose resident NK cells can control macrophage polarization via cytokine production, whilst also regulating stressed adipocyte fate using their cytotoxic machinery. Obesity is strongly associated with increased rates of cancer and a heightened susceptibility to severe infections. This is in part due to significant obesity-related immune dysregulation, including defects in both peripheral and adipose tissue NK cells. In this review, we detail the literature to date on NK cells in the setting of obesity - outlining the consequences, mechanisms and therapeutic interventions.

Metabolic outcomes and changes in innate immunity induced by diesel exhaust particles airway exposure and high-fat high-sucrose diet

AIMS

Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP) is associated with metabolic diseases. We used mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) caused by a high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFHSD), which mimics a Western diet, to investigate the mechanism of NAFLD exacerbation via changes in innate immunity in the lungs by airway exposure to DEP.

MAIN METHODS

Six-week-old C57BL6/J male mice were fed HFHSD, and DEP was administered endotracheally once a week for eight weeks. The histology, gene expression, innate immunity cells in the lung and liver, and the serum inflammatory cytokine levels, were investigated.

KEY FINDINGS

Under the HFHSD, DEP increased blood glucose levels, serum lipid levels, and NAFLD activity scores, and also the expression of genes associated with inflammation in the lungs and liver. DEP caused an increase in ILC1s, ILC2s, ILC3s, and M1 macrophages in the lungs and a marked increase in ILC1s, ILC3s, M1 macrophages, and natural killer cells in the liver, while ILC2 levels were not changed. Furthermore, DEP caused high levels of inflammatory cytokines in the serum.

SIGNIFICANCE

Chronic exposure to DEP in HFHSD-fed mice increased inflammatory cells involved in innate immunity in the lungs and raised local inflammatory cytokine levels. This inflammation spread throughout the body, suggesting the association with the progression of NAFLD via increased inflammatory cells involved in innate immunity and inflammatory cytokine levels in the liver. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of innate immunity in air pollution-related systemic diseases, especially metabolic diseases.

T2-Low Asthma: A Discussed but Still Orphan Disease

Asthma affects 10% of the worldwide population; about 5% of cases are severe with the need for target therapies such as biologics. All the biologics approved for asthma hit the T2 pathway of inflammation. T2-high asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic, whereas T2-low asthma can be further defined as paucigranulocytic asthma, Type 1 and Type-17 inflammation and the neutrophilic form that accounts for 20-30% of all patients with asthma. Neutrophilic asthma's prevalence is even higher in patients with severe or refractory asthma. We searched Medline and PubMed archives from the past ten years for articles with the subsequent titles: "neutrophilic asthma", "non-type 2 asthma" and "paucigranulocytic asthma". We identified 177 articles; 49 were considered relevant by the title and 33 by the reading of the abstract. Most of these articles are reviews (n = 19); only 6 are clinical trials. No study identified an effective treatment. We used the literature reported by these articles to search for further biologic treatments that target pathways different from T2. We identified 177 articles, 93 of which were considered relevant for the review and included in the present article. In conclusion, T2-low asthma remains poorly investigated in terms of biomarkers, especially as a therapeutic orphan disease.

Immune cells and their derived microRNA-enriched extracellular vesicles in nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases: Novel therapeutic targets

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Despite extensive research and multiple clinical trials, there are still no FDA-approved therapies to treat the most severe forms of NAFLD. This is largely due to its complicated etiology and pathogenesis, which involves visceral obesity, insulin resistance, gut dysbiosis, etc. Although inflammation is generally believed to be one of the critical factors that drive the progression of simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the exact type of inflammation and how it contributes to NASH pathogenesis remain largely unknown. Liver inflammation is accompanied by the elevation of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and chemokines and consequently intrahepatic infiltration of multiple types of immune cells. Recent studies revealed that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from inflammatory cells and hepatocytes play an important role in controlling liver inflammation during NASH. In this review, we highlight the roles of innate and adaptive immune cells and their microRNA-enriched EVs during NAFLD development and discuss potential drugs that target inflammatory pathways for the treatment of NAFLD.

Single-cell transcriptomics of hepatic stellate cells uncover crucial pathways and key regulators involved in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Background

Fibrosis is an important pathological process in the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and the activation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) is a central event in liver fibrosis. However, the transcriptomic change of activated HSCs (aHSCs) and resting HSCs (rHSCs) in NASH patients has not been assessed. This study aimed to identify transcriptomic signature of HSCs during the development of NASH and the underlying key functional pathways.

Methods

NASH-associated transcriptomic change of HSCs was defined by single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis, and those top upregulated genes were identified as NASH-associated transcriptomic signatures. Those functional pathways involved in the NASH-associated transcriptomic change of aHSCs were explored by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and functional enrichment analyses. Key regulators were explored by upstream regulator analysis and transcription factor enrichment analysis.

Results

scRNA-seq analysis identified numerous differentially expressed genes in both rHSCs and aHSCs between NASH patients and healthy controls. Both scRNA-seq analysis and in-vivo experiments showed the existence of rHSCs (mainly expressing a-SMA) in the normal liver and the increased aHSCs (mainly expressing collagen 1) in the fibrosis liver tissues. NASH-associated transcriptomic signature of rHSC (NASHrHSCsignature) and NASH-associated transcriptomic signature of aHSC (NASHaHSCsignature) were identified. WGCNA revealed the main pathways correlated with the transcriptomic change of aHSCs. Several key upstream regulators and transcription factors for determining the functional change of aHSCs in NASH were identified.

Conclusion

This study developed a useful transcriptomic signature with the potential in assessing fibrosis severity in the development of NASH. This study also identified the main pathways in the activation of HSCs during the development of NASH.

Immune-metabolic interactions in homeostasis and the progression to NASH

The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased significantly over the past two decades. NAFLD ranges from simple steatosis (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and predisposes to fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The importance of the immune system in hepatic physiology and in the progression of NAFLD is increasingly recognized. At homeostasis, the liver participates in immune defense against pathogens and in tolerance of gut-derived microbial compounds. Hepatic immune cells also respond to metabolic stimuli and have a role in NAFLD progression to NASH. In this review, we discuss how metabolic perturbations affect immune cell phenotype and function in NAFL and NASH, and then focus on the role of immune cells in liver homeostasis and in the development of NASH.

Recruited and Tissue-Resident Natural Killer Cells in the Lung During Infection and Cancer

Natural killer (NK) cells are an important component of the innate immune system, and have a key role in host defense against infection and in tumor surveillance. Tumors and viruses employ remarkably similar strategies to avoid recognition and killing by NK cells and so much can be learnt by comparing NK cells in these disparate diseases. The lung is a unique tissue environment and immune cells in this organ, including NK cells, exist in a hypofunctional state to prevent activation against innocuous stimuli. Upon infection, rapid NK cell infiltration into the lung occurs, the amplitude of which is determined by the extent of inflammation and damage. Activated NK cells kill infected cells and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines to recruit cells of the adaptive immune system. More recent evidence has shown that NK cells also play an additional role in resolution of inflammation. In lung cancer however, NK cell recruitment is impaired and those that are present have reduced functionality. The majority of lung NK cells are circulatory, however recently a small population of tissue-resident lung NK cells has been described. The specific role of this subset is yet to be determined, but they show similarity to resident memory T cell subsets. Whether resident or recruited, NK cells are important in the control of pulmonary infections, but equally, can drive excessive inflammation if not regulated. In this review we discuss how NK cells are recruited, controlled and retained in the specific environment of the lung in health and disease. Understanding these mechanisms in the context of infection may provide opportunities to promote NK cell recruitment and function in the lung tumor setting.

Type 1 Innate Lymphoid Cells Are Proinflammatory Effector Cells in Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of Steatotic Livers

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), the most recently described family of lymphoid cells, play fundamental roles in tissue homeostasis through the production of key cytokine. Group 1 ILCs, comprised of conventional natural killer cells (cNKs) and type 1 ILCs (ILC1s), have been implicated in regulating immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. However, the role of ILC1s in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is unclear. Here, we investigated the role of ILC1 and cNK cells in a high-fat diet (HFD) murine model of partial warm IRI. We demonstrated that hepatic steatosis results in more severe IRI compared to non-steatotic livers. We further elicited that HFD-IRI mice show a significant increase in the ILC1 population, whereas the cNK population was unchanged. Since ILC1 and cNK are major sources of IFN-γ and TNF-α, we measured the level of ex vivo cytokine expression in normal diet (ND)-IRI and HFD-IRI conditions. We found that ILC1s in HFD-IRI mice produce significantly more IFN-γ and TNF-α when compared to ND-IRI. To further assess whether ILC1s are key proinflammatory effector cells in hepatic IRI of fatty livers, we studied both Rag1−/− mice, which possess cNK cells, and a substantial population of ILC1s versus the newly generated Rag1−/−Tbx21−/− double knockout (Rag1-Tbet DKO) mice, which lack type 1 ILCs, under HFD IRI conditions. Importantly, HFD Rag1-Tbet DKO mice showed significant protection from hepatic injury upon IRI when compared to Rag1−/− mice, suggesting that T-bet-expressing ILC1s play a role, at least in part, as proinflammatory effector cells in hepatic IRI under steatotic conditions.

Crosstalk Between Autophagy and Innate Immunity: A Pivotal Role in Hepatic Fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is a repair process of chronic liver injuries induced by toxic substances, pathogens, and inflammation, which exhibits a feature such as deposition of the extracellular matrix. The initiation and progression of liver fibrosis heavily relies on excessive activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The activated HSCs express different kinds of chemokine receptors to further promote matrix remodulation. The long-term progression of liver fibrosis will contribute to dysfunction of the liver and ultimately cause hepatocellular carcinoma. The liver also has abundant innate immune cells, including DCs, NK cells, NKT cells, neutrophils, and Kupffer cells, which conduct complicated functions to activation and expansion of HSCs and liver fibrosis. Autophagy is one specific type of cell death, by which the aberrantly expressed protein and damaged organelles are transferred to lysosomes for further degradation, playing a crucial role in cellular homeostasis. Autophagy is also important to innate immune cells in various aspects. The previous studies have shown that dysfunction of autophagy in hepatic immune cells can result in the initiation and progression of inflammation in the liver, directly or indirectly causing activation of HSCs, which ultimately accelerate liver fibrosis. Given the crosstalk between innate immune cells, autophagy, and fibrosis progression is complicated, and the therapeutic options for liver fibrosis are quite limited, the exploration is essential. Herein, we review the previous studies about the influence of autophagy and innate immunity on liver fibrosis and the molecular mechanism to provide novel insight into the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.

Regulatory Roles of Caspase-11 Non-Canonical Inflammasome in Inflammatory Liver Diseases

An inflammatory response consists of two consecutive steps: priming and triggering, to prepare and activate inflammatory responses, respectively. The cardinal feature of the triggering step is the activation of intracellular protein complexes called inflammasomes, which provide a platform for the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways. Despite many studies demonstrating the regulatory roles of canonical inflammasomes in inflammatory liver diseases, the roles of newly discovered non-canonical inflammasomes in inflammatory liver diseases are still largely unknown. Recent studies have reported the regulatory roles of the caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome in inflammatory liver diseases, providing strong evidence that the caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome may play key roles in the pathogenesis of inflammatory liver diseases. This review comprehensively discusses the emerging roles of the caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome in the pathogenesis of inflammatory liver diseases, focusing on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and inflammatory liver injuries and its underlying mechanisms. This review highlights the current knowledge on the regulatory roles of the caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome in inflammatory liver diseases, providing new insights into the development of potential therapeutics to prevent and treat inflammatory liver diseases by targeting the caspase-11 non-canonical inflammasome.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and intestinal immune status: a narrative review

Background and objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) interacts with the gut immunity. However, the mechanisms underlying alternations of intestinal immune system in NAFLD remains unclear. To date, no effective medical interventions exist that completely reverse the disease. In this review, we mainly elaborates on the impact of NAFLD on intestinal immune cells and briefly summarize the new treatment methods for NAFLD targeting at intestinal immune cells.Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science for English-language sources. The preferred citations were meta-analyses and systematic or narrative reviews. Citation tracking was completed for all identified studies included in the refined library, using Google Scholar. No restriction was placed on the year of publication for the included reports.Results: The intestinal immune imbalance promotes liver inflammation and fibrosis in the process of NAFLD, and meanwhile, NAFLD influences disorders of immune cells in the liver and intestinal tract. Biological agents targeting at intestinal immunity has been shown in preclinical studies to be an effective method for systemic immune modulation and alleviates immune-mediated injury.Conclusions: Intestinal immune disorder plays an important role in triggering and amplifying hepatic inflammation in NAFLD. Advances in knowledge of the gut-liver axis are driving the development of diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic tools based on intestine immunity for the management of NAFLD.

Role of Innate lymphoid Cells in Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Obesity, a growing chronic metabolic disease, greatly increases the risk of metabolic syndrome which includes type 2 diabetes, fatty liver and cardiovascular diseases. Obesity-associated metabolic diseases significantly contribute to mortality and reduce life expectancy. Recently, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have emerged as crucial regulators of metabolic homeostasis and tissue inflammation. This review focuses on the roles of ILCs in different metabolic tissues, including adipose tissue, liver, pancreas, and intestine. We briefly outline the relationship between obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance. We then discuss how ILCs in distinct metabolic organs may function to maintain metabolic homeostasis and contribute to obesity and its associated metabolic diseases. The potential of ILCs as the therapeutic target for obesity and insulin resistance is also addressed.

The Effects of Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns on Peripheral Blood Monocytes in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

BACKGROUND

Innate immune responses to gut-derived pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Whether NAFLD patients have increased sensitivity to PAMP exposure has yet to be reported.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)/monocytes were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Pam3CSK4, or BSA conjugated palmitate in vitro. Changes in toll-like receptors (TLR), cytokines, and chemokine receptors (CR) expressions were documented by flow cytometry and/or enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays (ELISAs).

RESULTS

TLR2 and TLR4 expression were similar at baseline and increased to a similar extent (TLR2) or remained unchanged (TLR4) following PAMP exposure in NAFLD and healthy control (HC) monocytes. Proinflammatory IL-1β and IL-6 levels were similar at baseline but increased in a concentration-dependent manner to a greater extent in NAFLD PBMCs. CCR1 and CCR2 expressions at baseline were similar and decreased to a similar extent in NAFLD and HC monocytes. The extent of PAMP-induced proinflammatory cytokine release correlated with evidence of hepatocyte injury (CK18M30 levels).

DISCUSSION

NAFLD patients have increased proinflammatory cytokine responses following exposure to PAMPs relative to HC subjects. This response is concentration-dependent and correlates with the extent of hepatic injury.

Peripheral immune cells in NAFLD patients: A spyhole to disease progression

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a worldwide leading cause of chronic liver disease, but we still lack ideal non-invasive tools for diagnosis and evaluation of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and related liver fibrosis in NAFLD population. Systemic immune dysregulations such as metabolic inflammation are believed to play central role in the development of NAFLD, signifying the hope of utilizing quantitative and phenotypic changes in peripheral immune cells among NAFLD patients as a diagnostic tool of NASH and fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the known changes in peripheral immune cells from NAFLD/NASH patients and their potential relationship with NAFLD and NASH progression. Potential challenges and possible solutions for further clinical translation are also discussed.

Epigenetics and tissue immunity-Translating environmental cues into functional adaptations

There is an increasing appreciation that many innate and adaptive immune cell subsets permanently reside within non-lymphoid organs, playing a critical role in tissue homeostasis and defense. The best characterized are macrophages and tissue-resident T lymphocytes that work in concert with organ structural cells to generate appropriate immune responses and are functionally shaped by organ-specific environmental cues. The interaction of tissue epithelial, endothelial and stromal cells is also required to attract, differentiate, polarize and maintain organ immune cells in their tissue niche. All of these processes require dynamic regulation of cellular transcriptional programmes, with epigenetic mechanisms playing a critical role, including DNA methylation and post-translational histone modifications. A failure to appropriately regulate immune cell transcription inevitably results in inadequate or inappropriate immune responses and organ pathology. Here, with a focus on the mammalian kidney, an organ which generates differing regional environmental cues (including hypersalinity and hypoxia) due to its physiological functions, we will review the basic concepts of tissue immunity, discuss the technologies available to profile epigenetic modifications in tissue immune cells, including those that enable single-cell profiling, and consider how these mechanisms influence the development, phenotype, activation and function of different tissue immune cell subsets, as well as the immunological function of structural cells.

Innate lymphoid cells and gastrointestinal disease

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a group of innate immune cells, which constitute the first line of defense in the immune system, together with skin and mucous membrane. ILCs also play an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the body, particularly in the complex and diverse environment of the intestine. ILCs respond to different microenvironments, maintaining homeostasis directly or indirectly through cytokines. As a result, ILCs, with complex and pleiotropic characteristics, are associated with many gastrointestinal diseases. Their ability of transition among those subgroups makes them function as both promoting and inhibiting cells, thus affecting homeostasis and disease progressing to either alleviation or deterioration. With these special characteristics, ILCs theoretically can be used in the new generation of immunotherapy as an alternative and supplement to current tumor therapy. Our review summarizes the characteristics of ILCs with respect to category, function, and the relationship with intestinal homeostasis and gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, potential tumor immunotherapies involving ILCs are also discussed to shed light on the perspectives of immunotherapy.

Crosstalk between Metabolic Disorders and Immune Cells

Metabolic syndrome results from multiple risk factors that arise from insulin resistance induced by abnormal fat deposition. Chronic inflammation owing to obesity primarily results from the recruitment of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages into the adipose tissue stroma, as the adipocytes within become hypertrophied. During obesity-induced inflammation in adipose tissue, pro-inflammatory cytokines are produced by macrophages and recruit further pro-inflammatory immune cells into the adipose tissue to boost the immune response. Here, we provide an overview of the biology of macrophages in adipose tissue and the relationship between other immune cells, such as CD4+ T cells, natural killer cells, and innate lymphoid cells, and obesity and type 2 diabetes. Finally, we discuss the link between the human pathology and immune response and metabolism and further highlight potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of metabolic disorders.

Dihydromyricetin ameliorates liver fibrosis via inhibition of hepatic stellate cells by inducing autophagy and natural killer cell-mediated killing effect

Background

This study investigated the mechanisms underlying the preventive effect of dihydromyricetin (DHM) against liver fibrosis involving hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and hepatic natural killer (NK) cells.

Methods

A carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver fibrosis model was established in C57BL/6 mice to study the antifibrotic effect of DHM based on serum biochemical parameters, histological and immunofluorescence stainings, and the expression of several fibrosis-related markers. Based on the immunoregulatory role of DHM, the effect of DHM on NK cell activation ex vivo was evaluated by flow cytometry. Then, we investigated whether DHM-induced autophagy was involved in HSCs inactivation using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, transmission electron microscopy, and western blot analysis. Thereafter, the role of DHM in NK cell-mediated killing was studied by in vitro coculture of NK cells and HSCs, with subsequent analysis by flow cytometry. Finally, the mechanism by which DHM regulates NK cells was studied by western blot analysis.

Results

DHM ameliorated liver fibrosis in C57BL/6 mice, as characterized by decreased serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels, decreased expressions of collagen I alpha 1 (CoL-1α1), collagen I alpha 2 (CoL-1α2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and desmin, as well as increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1). Interestingly, HSCs activation was significantly inhibited by DHM in vivo and in vitro. As expected, DHM also upregulated autophagy-related indicators in liver from CCl₄-treated mice. DHM also prevented TGF-β1-induced activation of HSCs in vitro by initiating autophagic flux. In contrast, the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine markedly abolished the antifibrotic effect of DHM. Surprisingly, the frequency of activated intrahepatic NK cells was significantly elevated by DHM ex vivo. Furthermore, DHM enhanced NK cell-mediated killing of HSCs by increasing IFN-γ expression, which was abolished by an anti-IFN-γ neutralizing antibody. Mechanistically, DHM-induced IFN-γ expression was through AhR-NF-κB/STAT3 pathway in NK cells.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated that DHM can ameliorate the progression of liver fibrosis and inhibition of HSCs activation by inducing autophagy and enhancing NK cell-mediated killing through the AhR-NF-κB/STAT3-IFN-γ signaling pathway, providing new insights into the preventive role of DHM in liver fibrosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12986-021-00589-6.

Effect of different types of sugar on gut physiology and microbiota in overfed goose

To explored the difference of goose fatty liver formation induced-by different types of sugar from the intestinal physiology and the gut microflora, an integrated analysis of intestinal physiology and gut microbiota metagenomes was performed using samples collected from the geese including the normal-feeding geese and the overfed geese which were overfed with maize flour or overfeeding dietary supplementation with 10% sugar (glucose, fructose or sucrose, respectively), respectively. The results showed that the foie gras weight of the fructose group and the sucrose group was heavier (P < 0.05) than other groups. Compared with the control group, the ileum weight was significantly higher (P < 0.01), and the cecum weight was significantly lower in the sugar treatment groups (P < 0.001). Compared with the control group, the ratio of villi height to crypt depth in the fructose group was the highest in jejunum (P < 0.05); the trypsin activity of the ileum was higher in the fructose group and the sucrose group (P < 0.05). At the phylum level, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the main intestinal flora of geese; and the abundance of Firmicutes in the jejunum was higher in the sugar treatment groups than that of the maize flour group. At the genus level, the abundance of Lactobacillus in the jejunum was higher (P < 0.05) in the sugar treatment groups than that of the maize flour group. In conclusion, forced-feeding diet supplementation with sugar induced stronger digestion and absorption capacity, increased the abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and the abundance of Lactobacillus (especially fructose and sucrose) in the gut. So, the fructose and sucrose had higher induction on hepatic steatosis in goose fatty liver formation.

Leveraging Single-Cell RNA-seq Data to Uncover the Association Between Cell Type and Chronic Liver Diseases

Background

Components of liver microenvironment is complex, which makes it difficult to clarify pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases (CLD). Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have greatly revealed the role of host genetic background in CLD pathogenesis and prognosis, while single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables interrogation of the cellular diversity and function of liver tissue at unprecedented resolution. Here, we made integrative analysis on the GWAS and scRNA-seq data of CLD to uncover CLD-related cell types and provide clues for understanding on the pathogenesis.

Methods

We downloaded three GWAS summary data and three scRNA-seq data on CLD. After defining the cell types for each scRNA-seq data, we used RolyPoly and LDSC-cts to integrate the GWAS and scRNA-seq. In addition, we analyzed one scRNA-seq data without association to CLD to validate the specificity of our findings.

Results

After processing the scRNA-seq data, we obtain about 19,002–32,200 cells and identified 10–17 cell types. For the HCC analysis, we identified the association between B cell and HCC in two datasets. RolyPoly also identified the association, when we integrated the two scRNA-seq datasets. In addition, we also identified natural killer (NK) cell as HCC-associated cell type in one dataset. In specificity analysis, we identified no significant cell type associated with HCC. As for the cirrhosis analysis, we obtained no significant related cell type.

Conclusion

In this integrative analysis, we identified B cell and NK cell as HCC-related cell type. More attention and verification should be paid to them in future research.

Association between serum interleukin (IL)-12 level and severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

What is new? Serum IL-12 level is associated with NAFLD severity. Elevation in serum IL-12 level is in line with more severe NAFLD based on BARD score and NAFLD fibrosis score. Positive correlation is observed between serum IL-12 level and BARD score.Introduction. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases worldwide. Lipid accumulation in the liver triggers inflammation and leads to NAFLD. Prolonged inflammation will worsen the disease progression. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-12, plays a role in the inflammatory process. This study aimed to determine the association between IL-12 and NAFLD severity.Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and July 2019 in Haji Adam Malik Hospital Medan, Indonesia. Subjects were patients aged 18 years or older diagnosed with NAFLD based on ultrasound. Exclusion criteria were excessive alcohol consumption, other primary liver diseases, malignancies, and cardio-metabolic disturbances. Serum IL-12 level was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The severity of NAFLD was assessed using the BARD score and NAFLD fibrosis score.Results. A total of 100 subjects were enrolled with male predominant. The mean age of subjects was 54.97 ± 8.85 years, and the most frequent comorbidity was obesity. Most subjects had mild to moderate disease progression. Serum IL-12 level was higher in more severe NAFLD based on ultrasound grading (P < 0.001), BARD score (P = 0.003), and NAFLD fibrosis score (P = 0.005). A positive correlation was observed between serum IL-12 level and BARD score (P < 0.001) with sufficient accuracy (AUC = 0.691, P = 0.014).Conclusion. Serum IL-12 level was associated with the severity of NAFLD. Higher serum IL-12 level was observed in more severe NAFLD progression.

Natural Killer Cells: Friend or Foe in Metabolic Diseases?

The worldwide epidemic of metabolic diseases, especially obesity and other diseases caused by it, has shown a dramatic increase in incidence. A great deal of attention has been focused on the underlying mechanisms of these pathological processes and potential strategies to solve these problems. Chronic inflammation initiated by abdominal adipose tissues and immune cell activation in obesity is the major cause of the consequent development of complications. In addition to adipocytes, macrophages and monocytes, natural killer (NK) cells have been verified to be vital components involved in shaping the inflammatory microenvironment, thereby leading to various obesity-related metabolic diseases. Here, we provide an overview of the roles of NK cells and the interactions of these cells with other immune and nonimmune cells in the pathological processes of metabolic diseases. Finally, we also discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting NK cells to treat metabolic diseases.

Role of Neutrophils in the Pathogenesis of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a spectrum of liver disorders, from fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Compared with fatty liver, NASH is characterized by increased liver injury and inflammation, in which liver-infiltrating immune cells, with neutrophil infiltration as a hallmark of NASH, play a critical role in promoting the progression of fatty liver to NASH. Neutrophils are the first responders to injury and infection in various tissues, establishing the first line of defense through multiple mechanisms such as phagocytosis, cytokine secretion, reactive oxygen species production, and neutrophil extracellular trap formation; however, their roles in the pathogenesis of NASH remain obscure. The current review summarizes the roles of neutrophils that facilitate the progression of fatty liver to NASH and their involvement in inflammation resolution during NASH pathogenesis. The notion that neutrophils are potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of NASH is also discussed.

Comparison of overfeeding effects on gut physiology and microbiota in two goose breeds

To have a better understanding of how the “gut–liver axis” mediates the lipid deposition in the liver, a comparison of overfeeding influence on intestine physiology and microbiota between Gang Goose and Tianfu Meat Goose was performed in this study. After force-feeding, compared with Gang Goose, Tianfu Meat Goose had better fat storage capacity in liver (397.94 vs. 166.54 for foie gras weight (g), P < 0.05; 6.37 vs. 2.92% for the ratio of liver to body, P < 0.05; 60.01 vs. 46.64% for fat content, P < 0.05) and the less subcutaneous adipose tissue weight (1240.96 g vs. 1440.46 g, P < 0.05). After force-feeding, the digestion–absorption capacity of Tianfu Meat Goose was higher than that of Gang Goose (5.56 vs. 3.64 and 4.63 vs. 3.68 for the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in duodenum and ileum, respectively, P < 0.05; 1394.96 vs. 782.59 and 1314.76 vs. 766.17 for the invertase activity (U/mg-prot), in duodenum and ileum, respectively, P < 0.05; 6038.36 vs. 3088.29 and 4645.29 vs. 3927.61 for the activity of maltase (U/mg-prot), in duodenum and ileum, respectively, P < 0.05). Force-feeding decreased the gene expression of Escherichia coli in the ileum of Tianfu Meat Goose; force-feeding increased the number of gut microbiota Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus-Polymerase Chain Reaction band in Tianfu Meat Goose and decreased the number in Gang Goose. In conclusion, compared with Gang Goose, the lipid deposition in the liver and the intestine digestion–absorption capacity and stability were higher in Tianfu Meat Goose. Thereby, Tianfu Meat Goose is the better breed for foie gras production for prolonged force-feeding; Gang Goose possesses better fat storage capacity in subcutaneous adipose tissue. However, Gang Goose has lower gut stability responding to force-feeding, so Gang Goose is suited to force-feeding in a short time to gain the body weight and subcutaneous fat as an overfed duck for roast duck.

Innate lymphocytes: pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of liver diseases and cancer

The liver is a lymphoid organ with unique immunological properties, particularly, its predominant innate immune system. The balance between immune tolerance and immune activity is critical to liver physiological functions and is responsible for the sensitivity of this organ to numerous diseases, including hepatotropic virus infection, alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune liver disease, and liver cancer, which are major health problems globally. In the past decade, with the discovery of liver-resident natural killer cells, the importance of innate lymphocytes with tissue residency has gradually become the focus of research. In this review, we address the current knowledge regarding hepatic innate lymphocytes with unique characteristics, including NK cells, ILC1/2/3s, NKT cells, γδ T cells, and MAIT cells, and their potential roles in liver homeostasis maintenance and the progression of liver diseases and cancer. A better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of hepatic innate lymphocytes will be helpful for proposing effective treatments for liver diseases and cancer.

Maintaining intestinal structural integrity is a potential protective mechanism against inflammation in goose fatty liver

Overfeeding causes severe steatosis but not inflammation in goose liver, suggesting existence of protective components. Previous studies have shown that some intestinal microbes and their metabolites damage intestinal structural integrity and function, thus causing inflammation in the development of human and mouse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Therefore, this study hypothesizes that intestinal structural integrity of goose is maintained during overfeeding, which may provide goose fatty liver a protective mechanism against inflammation. To test this hypothesis, 48 seventy-day-old healthy Landes male geese were overfed (as overfeeding group) or normally fed (as control group). Blood and intestine (jejunum, ileum, and cecum) samples were harvested on the 12^th and 24^th d of overfeeding. Data showed that goose fatty liver was successfully induced by 24 d of overfeeding. Hematoxylin-eosin staining analysis indicated that the arrangement of villi and crypts in the intestine was orderly, and the intestinal structure was intact with no pathological symptoms in the 2 groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative PCR analysis indicated no significant differences in the expression of tight junction and inflammation-related genes as well as plasma lipopolysaccharide concentration between the groups. Ileal hypertrophy and cecal atrophy were observed in the overfed vs. control geese, probably because of change of sphingolipid metabolism. Activation of apoptotic pathway may help cecum avoid necrosis-induced inflammation. In conclusion, healthy and intact intestine provides a layer of protection for goose fatty liver against inflammation. Sphingolipid metabolism may be involved in the adaptation of ileum and cecum to overfeeding. The hypertrophy of ileum makes it an important contributor to the development of goose fatty liver. The atrophy and decline in the function of cecum may be caused by apoptosis induced by overfeeding.

Establishment of a Risk Prediction Model for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Type 2 Diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming more prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and can contribute to serious liver damage in this patient population. The aim of this study was to develop a risk nomogram for NAFLD in a Chinese population with T2DM.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey, physical examination and biochemical indicator testing were performed on 874 patients with T2DM, and the collected data were used to evaluate the risk to develop NAFLD in T2DM patients. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis method was used to optimize variable selection by running cyclic coordinate descent with k-fold (tenfold in this case) cross-validation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to build a predictive model by introducing the predictors selected from the LASSO regression analysis. The nomogram was developed based on the selected variables visually. A calibration plot, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to validate the model, with further assessment by external validation.

RESULTS

A total of nine predictors, namely sex, age, total cholesterol (TC), body mass index (BMI), waistline, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), serum uric acid (SUA), course of disease and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), were identified by LASSO regression analysis from a total of 24 variables studied. The model constructed using these nine predictors displayed medium prediction ability, with an area under the ROC of 0.848 in the training set and 0.809 in the validation set. The DCA curve showed that the nomogram could be applied clinically if the risk threshold was between 48 and 91%, which was found to be between 44 and 82% in the external validation.

CONCLUSION

Introducing sex, age, TC, BMI, waistline, DBP, SUA, course of disease and HDL-C into the risk nomogram increased its usefulness for predicting NAFLD risk in patients with T2DM.

Single-cell technologies in hepatology: new insights into liver biology and disease pathogenesis

Liver disease is a major global health-care problem, affecting an estimated 844 million people worldwide. Despite this substantial burden, therapeutic options for liver disease remain limited, in part owing to a paucity of detailed analyses defining the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive these conditions in humans. Single-cell transcriptomic technologies are transforming our understanding of cellular diversity and function in health and disease. In this Review, we discuss how these technologies have been applied in hepatology, advancing our understanding of cellular heterogeneity and providing novel insights into fundamental liver biology such as the metabolic zonation of hepatocytes, endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells, and the cellular mechanisms underpinning liver regeneration. Application of these methodologies is also uncovering critical pathophysiological changes driving disease states such as hepatic fibrosis, where distinct populations of macrophages, endothelial cells and mesenchymal cells reside within a spatially distinct fibrotic niche and interact to promote scar formation. In addition, single-cell approaches are starting to dissect key cellular and molecular functions in liver cancer. In the near future, new techniques such as spatial transcriptomics and multiomic approaches will further deepen our understanding of disease pathogenesis, enabling the identification of novel therapeutic targets for patients across the spectrum of liver diseases.

The Role of Natural Killer Cells in the Immune Response in Kidney Transplantation

Natural killer cells (NK) represent a population of lymphocytes involved in innate immune response. In addition to their role in anti-viral and anti-tumor defense, they also regulate several aspects of the allo-immune response in kidney transplant recipients. Growing evidence suggests a key role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated graft damage in kidney transplantation. Specific NK cell subsets are associated with operational tolerance in kidney transplant patients. On the other side, allo-reactive NK cells are associated with chronic antibody-mediated rejection and graft loss. Moreover, NK cells can prime the adaptive immune system and promote the migration of other immune cells, such as dendritic cells, into the graft leading to an increased allo-immune response and, eventually, to chronic graft rejection. Finally, activated NK cells can infiltrate the transplanted kidney and cause a direct graft damage. Interestingly, immunosuppression can influence NK cell numbers and function, thus causing an increased risk of post-transplant neoplasia or infection. In this review, we will describe how these cells can influence the innate and the adaptive immune response in kidney transplantation and how immunosuppression can modulate NK behavior.

Roles of Hepatic Innate and Innate-Like Lymphocytes in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is accompanied by steatosis, hepatocyte injury and liver inflammation, which has been a health problem in the world as one of the major high risk factors of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Complex immune responses involving T cells, B cells, Kupffer cells, monocytes, neutrophils, DCs and other innate lymphocytes account for the pathogenesis of NASH; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated in detail. In the liver, innate and innate-like lymphocytes account for more than two-thirds of total lymphocytes and play an important role in maintaining the immune homeostasis. Therefore, their roles in the progression of NASH deserves investigation. In this review, we summarized murine NASH models for immunological studies, including the diet-induced NASH, chemical-induced NASH and genetic-induced NASH. The role of innate and innate-like lymphocytes including NK cells, ILCs, NKT, γδT and MAIT cells in the progression of NASH were elucidated. Further, the metabolic regulation of the innate immune response was addressed in consideration to explain the molecular mechanisms. Based on the findings of the reviewed studies, strategies of immune intervention are proposed to control the progression of NASH.

Adaptive immunity: an emerging player in the progression of NAFLD

In the past decade, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a leading cause of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, as well as an important risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NAFLD encompasses a spectrum of liver lesions, including simple steatosis, steatohepatitis and fibrosis. Although steatosis is often harmless, the lobular inflammation that characterizes nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is considered a driving force in the progression of NAFLD. The current view is that innate immune mechanisms represent a key element in supporting hepatic inflammation in NASH. However, increasing evidence points to the role of adaptive immunity as an additional factor promoting liver inflammation. This Review discusses data regarding the role of B cells and T cells in sustaining the progression of NASH to fibrosis and HCC, along with the findings that antigens originating from oxidative stress act as a trigger for immune responses. We also highlight the mechanisms affecting liver immune tolerance in the setting of steatohepatitis that favour lymphocyte activation. Finally, we analyse emerging evidence concerning the possible application of immune modulating treatments in NASH therapy.

Obesity-Induced Upregulation of ZBTB7A Promotes Lipid Accumulation through SREBP1

Objective

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is among the most common chronic liver diseases. However, the pathogenesis of NAFLD is not still unclear. This study aims at evaluating the role of zinc finger and BTB domain-containing 7A (ZBTB7A) in NAFLD.

Methods

Western blotting, real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry were submitted to evaluate the level of ZBTB7A in the high fatty diet- (HFD-) induced NAFLD mouse model. In vitro, the expression of ZBTB7A was assessed in oleic acid- (OA-) induced HepG2 cells with western blotting and RT-PCR. The luciferase reporter assay was used to estimate the effect of ZBTB7A on the SREBP1 and NF-κB, and the ChIP assay was subjected to evaluate the direct binding to the SREBP1 promoter. Oil Red staining was used to detect lipid accumulation, and the ELISA was used to verify the levels of TG, T-CHO, and MDA. ZBTB7A was knocked down with siRNA, and RT-PCR was performed to analyze the lipogenesis-, fatty acid transporter-, and oxidation metabolism-related genes expression. The levels of ZBTB7A in primary hepatocyte, Kupffer, and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were tested by RT-PCR.

Results

The upregulation of ZBTB7A expression was assessed in NAFLD mice, and ZBTB7A expression was positively correlated with TNFα, IL-6, TG, T-CHO, and MDA. ZBTB7A was highly expressed in the hepatocytes. In vitro, OA-induced ZBTB7A expression and ZBTB7A expression were closely associated with SREBP1c. ZBTB7A could activate the promoter activity of SREBP1 and activate NF-κB activity. Interestingly, the direct binding of ZBTB7A in the SREBP1 promoter was acquired in HepG2 cells. Inhibition of ZBTB7A expression could attenuate OA-induced lipid accumulation, inhibit the expression of the lipogenesis-related genes and fatty acid transporter genes, and promote the expression of oxidation metabolism-related genes.

Conclusion

ZBTB7A plays a significant role in the development process of NAFLD, and obesity-induced upregulation of ZBTB7A promotes lipid accumulation through activation of SREBP1 and NF-κB. ZBTB7A may be a potential novel target for the therapy of NAFLD.

Chronic Inflammation in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies

Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive form of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), the main cause of chronic liver complications. The development of NASH is the consequence of aberrant activation of hepatic conventional immune, parenchymal, and endothelial cells in response to inflammatory mediators from the liver, adipose tissue, and gut. Hepatocytes, Kupffer cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells contribute to the significant accumulation of bone-marrow derived-macrophages and neutrophils in the liver, a hallmark of NASH. The aberrant activation of these immune cells elicits harmful inflammation and liver injury, leading to NASH progression. In this review, we highlight the processes triggering the recruitment and/or activation of hepatic innate immune cells, with a focus on macrophages, neutrophils, and innate lymphoid cells as well as the contribution of hepatocytes and endothelial cells in driving liver inflammation/fibrosis. On-going studies and preliminary results from global and specific therapeutic strategies to manage this NASH-related inflammation will also be discussed.

Shaping of Innate Immune Response by Fatty Acid Metabolite Palmitate

Innate immune cells monitor invading pathogens and pose the first-line inflammatory response to coordinate with adaptive immunity for infection removal. Innate immunity also plays pivotal roles in injury-induced tissue remodeling and the maintenance of tissue homeostasis in physiological and pathological conditions. Lipid metabolites are emerging as the key players in the regulation of innate immune responses, and recent work has highlighted the importance of the lipid metabolite palmitate as an essential component in this regulation. Palmitate modulates innate immunity not only by regulating the activation of pattern recognition receptors in local innate immune cells, but also via coordinating immunological activity in inflammatory tissues. Moreover, protein palmitoylation controls various cellular physiological processes. Herein, we review the updated evidence that palmitate catabolism contributes to innate immune cell-mediated inflammatory processes that result in immunometabolic disorders.

The Obese Liver Environment Mediates Conversion of NK Cells to a Less Cytotoxic ILC1-Like Phenotype

The liver contains both NK cells and their less cytotoxic relatives, ILC1. Here, we investigate the role of NK cells and ILC1 in the obesity-associated condition, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In the livers of mice suffering from NAFLD, NK cells are less able to degranulate, express lower levels of perforin and are less able to kill cancerous target cells than those from healthy animals. This is associated with a decreased ability to kill cancer cells in vivo. On the other hand, we find that perforin-deficient mice suffer from less severe NAFLD, suggesting that this reduction in NK cell cytotoxicity may be protective in the obese liver, albeit at the cost of increased susceptibility to cancer. The decrease in cytotoxicity is associated with a shift toward a transcriptional profile characteristic of ILC1, increased expression of the ILC1-associated proteins CD200R1 and CD49a, and an altered metabolic profile mimicking that of ILC1. We show that the conversion of NK cells to this less cytotoxic phenotype is at least partially mediated by TGFβ, which is expressed at high levels in the obese liver. Finally, we show that reduced cytotoxicity is also a feature of NK cells in the livers of human NAFLD patients.