Increased susceptibility to liver injury in hepatitis B virus transgenic mice involves NKG2D-ligand interaction and natural killer cells

The innate immunopathogenesis responsible for the susceptibility to hepatocyte injury in chronic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers is not well defined. In this study, hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mice (named HBs-Tg) were oversensitive to liver injury after immunologic [polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid or concanavalin A (ConA)] or chemical (CCl4) triggering. It was then found that the nonhepatotoxic low dose of ConA for wild-type mice induced severe liver injury in HBs-Tg mice, which was dependent on the accumulated intraheptic natural killer (NK) cells. Expressions of NKG2D ligands (Rae-1 and Mult-1) in hepatocytes were markedly enhanced upon ConA stimulation in HBs-Tg mice, which greatly activated hepatic NK cells via NKG2D/Rae-1 or Mult-1 recognition. Interestingly, the presence of NK T cells was necessary for NK cell activation and worked as positive helper cell possibly by producing interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 in this process. CONCLUSION: Our findings for the first time suggested the critical role of NKG2D recognition of hepatocytes by NK cells in oversensitive liver injury during chronic HBV infection.     

Absence of invariant natural killer T cells deteriorates liver inflammation and fibrosis in mice fed high-fat diet

Background

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells have been suggested to play critical roles in a wide range of immune responses by acting in a proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory manner. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic liver disease progressing to advanced cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite the abundance of iNKT cells in the liver, their role in the pathogenesis of NASH remains obscure. Here, we investigated their role in the development of diet-induced steatosis/steatohepatitis.

Methods

We used BALB/c wild-type mice and Jα18-deficient (KO) mice lacking iNKT cells fed either a normal diet or a high-fat diet (HFD). The liver and blood were collected from these mice to examine liver inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis at the indicated time points.

Results

KO mice fed the HFD, compared with control mice fed the HFD, exhibited a clearly higher serum alanine aminotransferase level and a greater number of hepatic inflammatory foci, although there was no significant difference in hepatic lipid retention between these groups of mice. The HFD enhanced hepatic messenger RNA expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in KO but not in control mice. The HFD also increased the proportion of hepatic CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells that composed hepatic inflammatory foci in KO mice, but not in the controls. Prolonged feeding with the HFD augmented liver fibrosis in KO but not in control mice.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that iNKT cells play a protective role against liver inflammation progressing to fibrosis, but not against steatosis, enhanced by dietary excess fat, suggesting a key role of these cells in NASH pathogenesis.     

The dynamic changes of circulating invariant natural killer T cells during chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Aim

The protective role of invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs) against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains controversial. We sought to clarify the role of peripheral iNKT cells during chronic HBV infection.

Methods

Sixty patients with chronic HBV infection were categorized into an immune tolerance phase (HBV-IT) (n = 16), an immune clearance phase (HBV-IC) (n = 19) and an inactive carrier phase (HBV-IA) (n = 25). Twenty healthy individuals were enrolled as healthy controls. Another 21 HBeAg-positive patients were administrated with entecavir (0.5 mg/day) for 6 months. The percentages of circulating iNKT cells and their IFN-γ and IL-4 expression levels were examined by flow cytometry. The relationships between serum HBV DNA, ALT levels, the percentages of iNKT cells, and their IFN-γ and IL-4 levels were analyzed.

Results

Compared to healthy controls, the percentage of iNKT cells decreased in HBV-IT, but increased in HBV-IC and HBV-IA. Circulating IFN-γ-producing iNKT cells gradually increased, whereas IL-4-producing iNKT cells gradually decreased from HBV-IT stage to HBV-IC and HBV-IA stages. The frequency of iNKT cells and their IFN-γ levels were reversely correlated with viral load. The levels of IL-4 expressed by iNKT cells were positively correlated to viral load and the serum ALT levels. After anti-virus therapy, the percentage of IFN-γ-producing iNKT cells increased while the percentage of IL-4-producing iNKT cells decreased.

Conclusions

During chronic HBV infection, the percentages of peripheral iNKT cells and its cytokines expressions of IFN-γ and IL-4 showed dynamic changes. The expression levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were correlated with the clearance of HBV and liver injury.

     

Alterations in natural killer cells and natural killer T cells during acute viral hepatitis E

The mechanism of liver damage in acute hepatitis E is poorly understood. In this study, we assessed the frequency and activation status of natural killer (NK) and natural killer T (NKT) cells and cytotoxic activity of NK cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from patients with hepatitis E (n = 41) and healthy controls (n = 61). Flow cytometry was used to assess NK (CD3(-)/CD56(+)) and NKT cell (CD3(+)/CD56(+)) fractions (% of PBMCs) and activation status (CD69(+); % of NK, NKT cells). NK cell cytotoxicity was assessed using major histocompatibilities complex-deficient K562 cells as target cells. In 14 patients, the studies were repeated during the convalescence period. Patients had fewer median (range) NK cells [8.9% (2.4-47.0) vs 11.2% (2.6-35.4)] and NKT cells [8.7% (2.8-34.1) vs 13.6% (2.3-36.9)] than controls (P < 0.05 each). Activation markers were present on large proportion of NK cells [43.5% (11.2-58.6) vs 15.5% (3.0-55.8)] and NKT cells [41.5% (17.4-71.1) vs 12.8% (3.3-63.2); P < 0.05 each] from patients. NK cell cytotoxicity was similar in patients and controls. During convalescence, all the parameters normalized. In conclusion, reversible alterations in NK and NKT cell number and activation status during acute hepatitis E suggest a role of these cells in the pathogenesis of this disease.     

高表达乙型肝炎病毒转基因小鼠的制备

目的 制备高表达乙型肝炎病毒（ＨＢＶ）转基因小鼠,为乙型肝炎研究提供较理想动物模型。方法 构建、筛选高表达ＨＢＶ质粒载体。用显微注射法导入昆明鼠受精卵雄性原核,用ＰＣＲ、Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ杂交、放射免疫、免疫组织化学等方法分析ＨＢＶ基因在小鼠体内的整合、表达情况。结果 显微注射１４５６枚卵,产仔１１８只,整合阳性２５只,１１只血清ＨＢＶ ＤＮＡ、ＨＢｓＡｇ阳性,其中２只血清中ＨＢｓＡｇ含量高于１０００ｎｇ／ｍｌ,且子代鼠中达到９００ｎｇ／ｍｌ。肝组织免疫组化分析发现有ＨＢｓＡｇ、ＨＢｃＡｇ表达,未见明显病理学改变。结论 已初步获得高表达ＨＢＶ转基因小鼠。     

CD+4自然杀伤T细胞在慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染中的作用

目的 了解ＣＤ４＾＋、ＣＤ８＾＋自然杀伤（ＮＫ）Ｔ细胞在慢性ＨＢＶ感染外周轿中的分布情况,并对其细胞毒性进行分析,阐明其在慢性ＨＢＶ感染中的作用。方法 常规分离外周上核细胞（ＰＢＭＣＳ）,用重组人白细胞介素－１２／２诱导１４ｄ,以鼠抗人ＣＤ４单克隆抗体或抗人ＣｍＡｂ与抗人ＣＤ５６ｍＡｂ分别标记细胞样品,流式细胞术（ＦＣＭ）分析,ＣＤ４＋ＣＤ５６＾＋同时阳性的细胞,即为ＣＤ４＾＋－ＮＫ－Ｔ细胞;Ｃ     

Bone marrow-derived stem cells and hepatocarcinogenesis in hepatitis B virus transgenic mice

BackgroundSeveral studies have demonstrated that cancer can develop with the contribution of bone marrow-derived cancer stem cells. We evaluated the possible involvement of bone marrow-derived stem cells in hepatocarcinogenesis in a hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mouse model.MethodsBone marrow cells from wild type male mice were transplanted into sublethally irradiated, female, HBV transgenic mice with hepatocarcinoma nodules. Four months later, liver tissue was examined to localize neoplastic nodules/foci and characterize cells by evaluating the Y-chromosome and the hepatocyte lineage marker hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 (HNF1), as well as the HBsAg encoding gene (HBs-Eg) and HBsAg protein (HBs-Pr) (present only in cells of female origin).ResultsHepatocytes were HBs-Eg/HBs-Pr-positive in “normal” tissue, while resulted only HBs-Eg-positive in regenerative areas. Neoplastic foci/nodules were both HBs-Eg/HBs-Pr-negative. In the liver, 19 ± 5% of cells were Y-chromosome-positive and about one fifth were HNF1-positive. Y-chromosome and HBs-Eg colocalized in HNF1-positive cells. Y-chromosome-positive cells never localized in neoplastic foci/nodules (HBs-Pr/HBs-Eg-negative).ConclusionsBone marrow-derived stem cells participate in the hepatic regenerative process but not in neoplastic growth. Simultaneous detection of both Y-chromosome and HBs-Eg in the nucleus of an HNF1-positive cell (hepatocyte) demonstrates a phenomenon of cell fusion.     

CD4+ T cells and natural killer cells: Biomarkers for hepatic fibrosis in human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients

AIM To characterize peripheral blood natural killer(NK) cells phenotypes by flow cytometry as potential biomarker of liver fibrosis in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)/hepatitis C virus(HCV) coinfected patients.METHODS Peripheral mononuclear cells from 24 HIV/HCV(HBVnegative) coinfected and 5 HIV/HCV/HBV seronegative individuals were evaluated. HIV/HCV coinfected patients were divided in to groups: G1, patients with METAVIR F0-F2 and G2, patients with METAVIR F3-F4. NK surface cell staining was performed with: AntiCD3(APC/Cy7), anti-CD56(PE/Cy5), anti-CD57(APC), anti-CD25(PE), anti-CD69(FITC), anti-NKp30(PE), antiNKp46(PE/Cy7), anti-NKG2D(APC), anti-DNAM(FITC); anti-CD62L(PE/Cy7), anti-CCR7(PE), anti-TRAIL(PE), anti-Fas L(PE), anti CD94(FITC). Flow cytometry data acquisition was performed on BD FACSCanto, analyzed using Flow Jo software. Frequency of fluorescence was analyzed for all single markers. Clinical records were reviewed, and epidemiological and clinical data were obtained.RESULTS Samples from 11 patients were included in G1 and from 13 in G2. All patients were on ARV, with undetectable HIV viral load. Liver fibrosis was evaluated by transient elastography in 90% of the patients and with biopsy in 10% of the patients. Mean HCV viral load was(6.18 ± 0.7 log10). Even though, no major significant differences were observed between G1 and G2 regarding NK surface markers, it was found that patients with higher liver fibrosis presented statistically lower percentage of NK cells than individual with low to mild fibrosis and healthy controls(G2: 5.4% ± 2.3%, G1: 12.6% ± 8.2%, P = 0.002 and healthy controls 12.2% ± 2.7%, P = 0.008). It was also found that individuals with higher liver fibrosis presented lower CD4 LT count than those from G1(G2: 521 ± 312 cells/μL, G1: 770 ± 205 cells/μL; P = 0.035).CONCLUSION Higher levels of liver fibrosis were associated with lower percentage of NK cells and LTCD4+ count; and they may serve as noninvasive biomarkers of liver damage.     

慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血NK细胞和T淋巴细胞计数变化及其临床意义

目的观察慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血NK细胞和T淋巴细胞数量的变化。方法在56例乙型肝炎肝衰竭、49例HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎和41例乙型肝炎病毒携带者使用流式细胞仪检测外周血CD3+T细胞、CD3+CD4+T细胞、CD3+CD8+T细胞和NK(CD3-CD16+CD56+)细胞占淋巴细胞的比率(%)。结果肝衰竭患者CD3+T细胞和CD3-CD16+CD56+NK细胞计数比慢性乙型肝炎患者和乙型肝炎病毒携带者显著性降低(P0.05);慢性乙型肝炎患者CD3-CD16+CD56+NK细胞计数比乙型肝炎病毒携带者显著性升高(P0.05)。结论乙型肝炎肝衰竭患者外周血T细胞和NK细胞数量减少,而HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血T细胞数量增多。     

NKT细胞在肝脏疾病中的作用

自然杀伤T细胞(natllral killer T cells.NKT细胞)是一种同时具有NK细胞和T细胞部分表型及功能的细胞亚群.他能将先天性免疫应答和获得性免疫应答连接起来,限制性识别CDld-糖脂抗原、活化后迅速分泌大量细胞因子从而调节机体的免疫应答.人体的肝脏内富含NKT细胞,因此,NKT细胞在肝脏中的作用引起了人们的广泛兴趣.     

Critical contribution of liver natural killer T cells to a murine model of hepatitis

Natural killer T (NKT) cells constitute a distinct subpopulation of T cells with a unique antigen specificity, prompt effector functions, and an unusual tissue distribution. NKT cells are especially abundant in the liver, but their physiological function in this organ remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the possible contribution of NKT cells to a murine model of hepatitis induced by i.v. injection of Con A. CD1-deficient mice lacking NKT cells were highly resistant to Con A-induced hepatitis. Adoptive transfer of hepatic NKT cells isolated from wild-type mice, but not from FasL-deficient gld mice, sensitized CD1-deficient mice to Con A-induced hepatitis. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of hepatic mononuclear cells from wild-type mice, but not from CD1-deficient mice, sensitized gld mice to Con A-induced hepatitis. Upon Con A administration, hepatic NKT cells rapidly up-regulated cell surface FasL expression and FasL-mediated cytotoxicity. At the same time, NKT cells underwent apoptosis leading to their rapid disappearance in the liver. These results implicated FasL expression on liver NKT cells in the pathogenesis of Con A-induced hepatitis, suggesting a similar pathogenic role in human liver diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis.     

Role of CD44 in CTL-induced acute liver injury in hepatitis B virus transgenic mice

Background  There are many uncertain points regarding leukocyte movement in the liver, especially interaction between liver sinus endothelial cells (LSECs) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). We examined the role of CD44 in these interactions using the hepatitis model. Methods  CTLs were administered to hepatitis B virus transgenic mice (HBVTg) mice and HBVTg × CD44 knockout (KO) mice, and alanine aminotransferase activity (ALT), number of intrahepatic leukocytes, cytokines, and chemokine mRNA level were examined. To determine the number and distribution of CTLs in the liver, 5,6-carboxyfluoroscein succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-labeled CTLs was administered to HBVTg mice with or without CD44. Results  Serum ALT activity increased after 12 h, although it had declined to 4 h in the CD44KO × HBVTg mice after CTL injection. Similarly, the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 mRNAs were reduced in 4 h, although the levels were increased after 12 h in the CD44KO × HBVTg mice. The number of apoptotic hepatocytes increased intentionally at 24 h in the CD44KO × HBVTg livers, and this was thought to result from the lower activity of initial nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Although the number of CTLs was lower at 4 h in the CD44KO × HBVTg livers, the difference of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and CD86 expression on LSECs was not detected. Conclusions  CD44 exerts and important effect on LSECs for CTL migration into the hepatocytes. However, because the CD44-deficient state exacerbated hepatic injury, attention is necessary for hepatitis treatment as CD44 target therapy.     

Expression of hepatitis B virus X protein in transgenic mice

AIM: To establish a mice model harboring hepatitis B virus x gene (adr subtype) for studying the function of hepatitis B virus X protein, a transactivator of viral and cellular promoter/enhancer elements. METHODS: Expression vector pcDNA3-HBx, containing CMV promoter and hepatitis B virus x gene open reading fragment, was constructed by recombination DNA technique. Hela cells were cultured in DMEM and transfected with pcDNA3-HBx or control pcDNA3 plasmids using FuGENE6 Transfection Reagent. Expression of pcDNA3-HBx vectors in the transfected Hela cells was confirmed by Western blotting. After restriction endonuclease digestion, the coding elements were microinjected into male pronuclei of mice zygotes. The pups were evaluated by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at genomic DNA level. The x gene transgenic mice founders were confirmed at protein level by Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunogold transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Expression vector pcDNA3-HBx was constructed by recombination DNA technique and identified right by restriction endonuclease digestion and DNA direct sequencing. With Western blotting, hepatitis X protein was detected in Hela cells transfected with pcDNA3-HBx plasmids, suggesting pcDNA3-HBx plasmids could express in eukaryotic cells. Following microinjection of coding sequence of pcDNA3-HBx, the embryos were transferred to oviducts of pseudopregnant females. Four pups were born and survived. Two of them were verified to have the HBx gene integrated in their genomic DNA by multiplex PCR assay, and named C57-TgN(HBx)SMMU1 and C57-TgN(HBx)SMMU3 respectively. They expressed 17KD X protein in liver tissue by Western blotting assay. With the immunohistochemistry, X protein was detected mainly in hepatocytes cytoplasm of transgenic mice, which was furthermore confirmed by immunogold transmission electon microscopy. CONCLUSION: We have constructed the expression vector pcDNA3-HBx that can be used to study the function of HBx gene in eukaryotic cells in vitro. We also established HBx gene (adr subtype) transgenic mice named C57-TgN (HBx)SMMU harboring HBx gene in their genome and express X protein in hepatocytes, Which might be a valuable animal system for studying the roles of HBx gene in hepatitis B virus life cycle and development of hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo.     

肝脏自然杀伤细胞在小鼠急性肝衰竭中的作用

目的 探讨肝脏自然杀伤(NK)细胞在3型鼠肝炎病毒(MHV-3)诱导的小鼠急性肝衰竭中的作用.方法 取6～8周龄雌性Balb/cJ小鼠,腹腔注射100 pfu MHV-3,采用流式细胞术检测感染MHV-3 0、24、48、70 h后的Balb/cJ小鼠肝脏、脾脏、外周血和骨髓中NK细胞的百分率及肝脏NK细胞表面活化分子CD69表达的百分率.细胞内细胞因子染色法检测肝脏NK细胞分泌干扰素γ的水平.非放射性细胞毒试验检测肝脏NK细胞的杀伤活性. 结果Balb/cJ小鼠感染MHV-3后,肝脏NK细胞的比例显著升高,在感染48 h后达到峰值(43.9%±2.3%),约为感染前的4倍,随后仍维持在较高水平至小鼠死亡;外周血NK细胞比例同样明显升高,在感染48 h后达到峰值(18.0%±5.4%),但随后显著同落,至70 h仅为1.3%±0.6%,脾脏和骨髓NK细胞比例均先明显减少后又有所上升.肝脏NK细胞在MHV-3感染48 h后其表面活化分子CD69表达明显上调,杀伤活性显著增强,同时分泌干扰素Y的水平也显著增加. 结论 Balb/cJ小鼠感染MHV-3后,来自骨髓和脾脏的NK细胞在肝脏迅速大量募集和活化,且杀伤活性显著增强,分泌干扰素Y水平也显著增加,表明肝脏NK细胞在MHV-3导致的急性肝衰竭中可能发挥着关键作用.     

Hypercytolytic activity of hepatic natural killer cells correlates with liver injury in chronic hepatitis B patients

Natural killer (NK) cells are abundant in the liver and serve as a major innate immune component against microbial infection. Although NK cells have been implicated in inducing hepatocellular damage in patients with chronic hepatitis virus infections, the roles that hepatic NK cells play in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections remain obscure. In this study, we comprehensively characterized intrahepatic and peripheral NK cells and investigated their impact on liver pathology in a cohort of HBV-infected individuals; this cohort included 51 immune-activated (IA) patients, 27 immune-tolerant (IT) carriers, and 26 healthy subjects. We found that NK cells expressing NK receptors (activation receptors) preferentially accumulated in the livers of IA patients, in which they were activated and skewed toward cytolytic activity but without a concomitant increase in interferon-γ production, in comparison with those of IT carriers and healthy subjects. Further analysis showed that the livers of IA patients, in comparison with those of IT and healthy subjects, expressed higher levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-15, and IL-18 in situ and lower levels of IL-10, which in vitro can induce the activation and degranulation of NK cells from healthy individuals. Finally, hepatic NK cells displayed more cytolytic activity than peripheral NK cells, and this was found to be positively correlated with the liver histological activity index and serum alanine aminotransferase levels in these IA patients. CONCLUSION: In IA patients, hepatic NK cells are activated and preferentially skew toward cytolytic activity, which depends on an imbalanced cytokine milieu and correlates with liver injury during chronic HBV infection.