Hepatocytes reprogram liver macrophages involving control of TGF-β activation, influencing liver regeneration and injury

ABSTRACT: We aimed at elucidating the molecular and cellular crosstalk how inflammation controls proper liver regeneration. Therefore populations of liver macrophages were studied in genetically different mouse models after PHx using flow cytometry and single cell sequencing. Intercellular communication was examined in vitro, combining proteomics and transcriptomics. We observed marked changes in the composition of macrophage populations in the liver during the regeneration process. A F4/80+/CD11bhigh/CD14high macrophage population that is recruited in a CCR2 dependent manner increased rapidly after PHx. The polarization of the recruited macrophages differs from that under homeostatic conditions , but reappears during the late phase of the process. Proteomics, secretomics, and transcriptomics show that hepatocyte derived signals reduce the availability of active TGFb and thereby affect macrophage polarization and function towards the aforementioned phenotype. Depleting the TGFb type II receptor in myeloid cells phenocopies the hepatocyte-mediated macrophage polarization in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, disrupting TGFb signal transduction in macrophages is associated with increased expression of regeneration-relevant cytokines such as IL-6, reduced resection-induced liver damage and prolongated proliferation phase of hepatocytes in mice. Conclusion: Upon liver injury, hepatocytes have a major influence on the activation state of recruited liver macrophages by regulating the availability of active TGFb and TGFb induces a macrophage phenotype that aggravates injury. Ultimately, this mechanism influences the extent of intervention-induced liver injury as well as the proliferation phase during liver regeneration. In this data set, we investigated the influence of hepatocytes on co-cultured macrophages and vice versa.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE201467 | GEO | 2023/07/06

REPOSITORIES: GEO