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CXCL10 promotes liver fibrosis by prevention of NK cell mediated hepatic stellate cell inactivation

Hintermann, Edith and Bayer, Monika and Pfeilschifter, Josef M. and Luster, Andrew D. and Christen, Urs. (2010) CXCL10 promotes liver fibrosis by prevention of NK cell mediated hepatic stellate cell inactivation. Journal of autoimmunity, Vol. 35, H. 4. pp. 424-435.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A6003617

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Abstract

Chemokines, such as CXCL10, promote hepatic inflammation in chronic or acute liver injury through recruitment of leukocytes to the liver parenchyma. The CXCL10 receptor CXCR3, which is expressed on a subset of leukocytes, plays an important part in Th1-dependent inflammatory responses. Here, we investigated the role of CXCL10 in chemically induced liver fibrosis. We used carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) to trigger chronic liver damage in wildtype C57BL/6 and CXCL10-deficient mice. Fibrosis severity was assessed by Sirius Red staining and intrahepatic leukocyte subsets were investigated by immunohistochemistry. We have further analyzed hepatic stellate cell (HSC) distribution and activation and investigated the effect of CXCL10 on HSC motility and proliferation. In order to demonstrate a possible therapeutic intervention strategy, we have examined the anti-fibrotic potential of a neutralizing anti-CXCL10 antibody. Upon CCl(4) administration, CXCL10-deficient mice showed massively reduced liver fibrosis, when compared to wildtype mice. CXCL10-deficient mice had less B- and T lymphocyte and dendritic cell infiltrations within the liver and the number and activity of HSCs was reduced. In contrast, natural killer (NK) cells were more abundant in CXCL10-deficient mice and granzyme B expression was increased in areas with high numbers of NK cells. Further detailed analysis revealed that HSCs express CXCR3, respond to CXCL10 and secrete CXCL10 when stimulated with IFN . Blockade of CXCL10 with a neutralizing antibody exhibited a significant anti-fibrotic effect. Our data suggest that CXCL10 is a pro-fibrotic factor, which participates in a crosstalk between hepatocytes, HSCs and immune cells. NK cells seem to play an important role in controlling HSC activity and fibrosis. CXCL10 blockade may constitute a possible therapeutic intervention for hepatic fibrosis.
Faculties and Departments:03 Faculty of Medicine > Bereich Operative Fächer (Klinik) > Bewegungsapparat und Integument
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Klinische Forschung > Bereich Operative Fächer (Klinik) > Bewegungsapparat und Integument
UniBasel Contributors:Hintermann, Beat
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Academic Press
ISSN:0896-8411
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
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Last Modified:24 May 2013 09:22
Deposited On:24 May 2013 09:05

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