Project description:Immune dysregulation and inflammation by hepatic-resident leukocytes is considered a key step in disease progression of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) toward cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here we provide a robust protocol for isolation and characterization of liver-resident immune cells from fine needle biopsies of rodent model and human. Various downstream applications can then be applied to gain an appreciation of the functional activity of liver-resident leukocyte populations.
Project description:Alcoholic liver diseases (ALDs) encompass a broad spectrum of clinical features of alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis, and increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. While the toxic effects of alcohol likely result from complex interactions between genes and the environment, the molecular mechanisms of alcohol-induced liver damage remains undefined. Thus, a better understanding of the mechanisms regulating hepatic cell injury may lead to more effective therapeutic approaches for ALD. Here we compared the miRNA expression profile from tissues from control mice and mice receiving intragastric ethanol feeding. Four microarray hybridization studies were performed on three different pairs of liver-derived RNA from intragastric ethanol feeding and normal mice. The miRNAs differentially overexpressed in livers from ethanol fed mice.
Project description:Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disorder characterized by excessive hepatic fat accumulation, and potentially resulting in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver cirrhosis (LC) and end-stage liver disease We used Rat Genome 230 2.0 microarray to further highlight the rat liver tissues after high-fat emulsion feeding.
Project description:The aim of this study is to compare post-hepatitis C virus (HCV) and post-alcoholism cirrhosis gene expression profiling. By transcriptome analysis with a cDNA array virtually covering every transcript in liver, we compared transcript levels in alcoholic- , HCV-cirrhosis and control liver. A stringent selection identified a list of 70 transcripts which completely separated the 3 groups of patients (7 HCV-cirrhosis, 7 alcoholic cirrhosis and 8 control livers). In contrast, in an hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) context, comparison of 10 HCV-cirrhosis, 10 alcoholic cirrhosis and the 8 control livers failed to identify such transcripts. We report that dysregulations at the transcriptional level do exist in HCC-free cirrhosis, are transiently observed prior to detectable HCC. Keywords: etiology-dependent and HCC-dependent analysis
Project description:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common complication of obesity, where insulin resistance and hepatocyte fat deposition may progress to steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis/ cirrhosis. NASH has no approved treatment. Consequent upon hepatic fat deposition, NF-κB activation in hepatic myeloid cells mediates inflammation and NASH progression. We delivered micro-doses of liposome-encapsulated lipophilic NF-κB inhibitors, curcumin or 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (calcitriol), to the pro-fibrogenic inflammatory liver macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) in diet-induced NASH. After i.v. administration, liver was the primary organ targeted. MHC class-II+ hepatic DCs taking up liposomes in mice and human were F4/80+ and CD14+ respectively, were lipid-laden and expressed pro-inflammatory genes. Curcumin or calcitriol liposomes suppressed hepatic inflammation, fibrosis and fat accumulation, and reduced insulin resistance associated with suppression of immune activation, cell cycle and collagen deposition pathways in vivo. Thus, hepatic inflammatory DCs passively targeted with liposomes encapsulating lipophilic NF-κB inhibitors are beneficial in NASH.
Project description:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common complication of obesity, where insulin resistance and hepatocyte fat deposition may progress to steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis/ cirrhosis. NASH has no approved treatment. Consequent upon hepatic fat deposition, NF-κB activation in hepatic myeloid cells mediates inflammation and NASH progression. We delivered micro-doses of liposome-encapsulated lipophilic NF-κB inhibitors, curcumin or 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (calcitriol), to the pro-fibrogenic inflammatory liver macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) in diet-induced NASH. After i.v. administration, liver was the primary organ targeted. MHC class-II+ hepatic DCs taking up liposomes in mice and human were F4/80+ and CD14+ respectively, were lipid-laden and expressed pro-inflammatory genes. Curcumin or calcitriol liposomes suppressed hepatic inflammation, fibrosis and fat accumulation, and reduced insulin resistance associated with suppression of immune activation, cell cycle and collagen deposition pathways in vivo. Thus, hepatic inflammatory DCs passively targeted with liposomes encapsulating lipophilic NF-κB inhibitors are beneficial in NASH.
Project description:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are prevalent liver conditions, which underlie the development of life-threatening cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. Chronic necro-inflammation is a critical factor in development of NASH, yet the cellular and molecular mechanisms of immune dysregulation in this disease are poorly understood. Here, using single cell transcriptomic analysis, we comprehensively profiled the immune composition of the mouse liver during NASH. We identified a significant pathology-associated increase in hepatic conventional dendritic cells (cDC), and further defined their source as NASH-induced boost in cycling of cDC progenitors in the bone marrow. Analysis of blood and liver from patients on the NALFD/NASH spectrum showed that cDC type 1 (cDC1) were more abundant and activated in disease. Genomic analysis of cDC-T pairs in liver draining lymph nodes revealed that cDCs in NASH promote inflammatory T cell reprogramming, previously associated with NASH worsening. Finally, depletion of cDC1 in XCR1DTA mice or using anti-XCL1 blocking antibody attenuated liver pathology in NASH mouse models. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive characterization of cDC biology in NASH, and identifies XCR1+ cDC1 as an important driver of liver pathology.
Project description:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are prevalent liver conditions, which underlie the development of life-threatening cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. Chronic necro-inflammation is a critical factor in development of NASH, yet the cellular and molecular mechanisms of immune dysregulation in this disease are poorly understood. Here, using single cell transcriptomic analysis, we comprehensively profiled the immune composition of the mouse liver during NASH. We identified a significant pathology-associated increase in hepatic conventional dendritic cells (cDC), and further defined their source as NASH-induced boost in cycling of cDC progenitors in the bone marrow. Analysis of blood and liver from patients on the NALFD/NASH spectrum showed that cDC type 1 (cDC1) were more abundant and activated in disease. Genomic analysis of cDC-T pairs in liver draining lymph nodes revealed that cDCs in NASH promote inflammatory T cell reprogramming, previously associated with NASH worsening. Finally, depletion of cDC1 in XCR1DTA mice or using anti-XCL1 blocking antibody attenuated liver pathology in NASH mouse models. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive characterization of cDC biology in NASH, and identifies XCR1+ cDC1 as an important driver of liver pathology.
Project description:Background and Aim: Liver cirrhosis is associated with decreased hepatic cytochrome P4503A (CYP3A) activity but the pathogenesis of this phenomenon is not well elucidated. In this study, we examined if certain microRNAs (miRNA) are associated with decreased hepatic CYP3A activity in cirrhosis. Hepatic CYP3A activity and miRNA microarray expression profiles were measured in cirrhotic (n=22) and normal (n=12) liver tissue. Hepatic CYP3A activity was measured via midazolam hydroxylation in human liver microsomes. Additionally, hepatic CYP3A4 protein concentration and the expression of CYP3A4 mRNA were measured. Analyses were conducted to identify miRNAs which were differentially expressed between two groups but also were significantly associated with lower hepatic CYP3A activity. Liver tissue was collected from individuals with established cirrhosis who were awaiting liver transplantation (n=22) at the time of their liver transplantation procedure in the operating room. Normal liver tissue (n=12) was obtained from patients undergoing liver resection for metastatic/benign liver lesions with no underlying chronic liver disease
Project description:Background and Aim: Liver cirrhosis is associated with decreased hepatic cytochrome P4503A (CYP3A) activity but the pathogenesis of this phenomenon is not well elucidated. In this study, we examined if certain microRNAs (miRNA) are associated with decreased hepatic CYP3A activity in cirrhosis. Hepatic CYP3A activity and miRNA microarray expression profiles were measured in cirrhotic (n=22) and normal (n=12) liver tissue. Hepatic CYP3A activity was measured via midazolam hydroxylation in human liver microsomes. Additionally, hepatic CYP3A4 protein concentration and the expression of CYP3A4 mRNA were measured. Analyses were conducted to identify miRNAs which were differentially expressed between two groups but also were significantly associated with lower hepatic CYP3A activity.