A deregulated cytokine balance is involved in triggering the sequence from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, ultimately leading to liver fibrosis and cancer. To better define the role of proinflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6)-type cytokines in hepatocytes we investigated the role of IL-6 and its shared receptor, glycoprotein 130 (gp130), in a mouse model of steatohepatitis. IL-6 ؊/؊ mice were fed a choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented (CDE) diet. Conditional gp130 knockout and knockin mice were used to achieve hepatocytespecific deletion of gp130 (gp130 ⌬hepa ), gp130-dependent rat sarcoma (Ras)-(gp130 ⌬hepaRas ), and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)-(gp130 ⌬hepaSTAT ) activation. CDE-treated IL-6 ؊/؊ mice showed a significant hepatic steatosis at 2 weeks after feeding. The mice rapidly developed elevated fasting blood glucose, insulin serum levels, and transaminases. To better define IL-6-dependent intracellular pathways, specifically in hepatocytes, we next treated gp130 ⌬hepa mice with a CDE diet. These animals also developed a marked steatosis with hyperglycemia and displayed elevated insulin serum levels. Additionally, gp130 ⌬hepa animals showed an imbalanced inflammatory response with increased hepatic tumor necrosis factor-alpha and decreased adiponectin messenger RNA levels. Dissecting the hepatocyte-specific gp130-dependent pathways revealed a similar disease phenotype in gp130 ⌬hepaSTAT mice, whereas gp130 ⌬hepaRas animals were protected. In CDEtreated mice lack of gp130-STAT3 signaling was associated with immune-cell-infiltration, jun kinase-activation, a blunted acute-phase-response, and elevated transaminases. Furthermore, gp130 ⌬hepa and gp130 ⌬hepaSTAT mice showed beginning signs of liver fibrosis compared to gp130 ⌬hepaRas mice and controls. Conclusion: During CDE treatment mice lacking IL-6 and gp130-STAT signaling in hepatocytes are prone to hepatic metabolic changes and inflammation. This ultimately leads to progressive steatohepatitis with signs of liver remodeling. Thus, the presented model allows one to further dissect the role of IL-6/gp130-type signaling in hepatocytes during fatty liver degeneration to define new therapeutic targets in metabolic liver diseases. (HEPATOLOGY 2010;51:463-473.)

No abstract

IntroductionFormyl peptide-receptor 1 and 2 (FPR1 and FPR2) in mice were identified as receptors with contrary affinity for the PAMP fMLF. Formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine is either part of the bacterial membrane and is secreted by the mitochondria of eukaryotic ceslls during apoptosis. Furthermore FPR1 and 2 are described as highly relevant factors for the chemotaxis of immune cells. Their role during the acute liver injury has not been investigated yet.Materials and MethodsConstitutive knockout mice for FPR1 (mFPR1-/-), FPR2 (mFPR2-/-) and wild type (WT) mice were challenged with LPS i.p. for 3 h and 6 h. Liver and serum were sampled for further analysis.ResultsLiver transaminases were elevated in all mice 3 h and 6 h post LPS stimulation. Gene expression analysis displayed a reduced expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and CXCL1 after 3 h in the mFPR1-/- compared to wild type and mFPR2-/- mice. After 6 h, IL-6, TNF-α and CXCL1 were significantly higher in mice lacking mFPR1 or 2. Consistent to these findings the numbers of CD11b+ and Ly6G+ immune cells were altered in the livers. The analysis of TLR2 and TLR4 revealed time and genotype specific changes in theirs gene expression. Additionally, the liver in mFPR1- and mFPR2-deficient mice seem to be more susceptible to apoptosis by showing a significant higher number of TUNEL+-cells in the liver than WT-mice and displayed less Ki67-positive nuclei in the liver.ConclusionThe results suggest a prominent role of FPRs in the regulation of the hepatic inflammatory response after LPS induced liver injury. Deletion of mFPR1 or mFPR2 leads to deregulation of the inflammatory response compared to WT mice, associated with more severe liver injury represented by higher levels of transaminases, apoptotic cells and a reduced regenerative capacity.

HGF/c-Met plays a crucial role in host and donor cells of the liver for the cursiv selection of transplanted hepatocytes. Modulating HGF-dependent signalling seems a promising therapeutic option to favour expansion of transplanted hepatocytes.

No abstract