[Role of inflammatory macrophages and CCR9/CCL25 chemokine axis in the pathogenesis of liver injury as a therapeutic target]

Nihon Rinsho Meneki Gakkai Kaishi. 2016;39(5):460-467. doi: 10.2177/jsci.39.460.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

It is widely known that a variety of immune cells in the liver contribute to the pathogenesis of liver diseases. Recently, roles of chemokines/chemokines receptors axes regarding the migration of immune competent cells to the inflamed liver have been reported as possible therapeutic targets. We here showed that CCR9+ CD11b+ macrophages play an important role during the course of Concanavalin A-induced murine acute liver injury as well as human acute hepatitis via the production of inflammatory cytokines and the Th1 induction. Further analysis using liver-shielded radiation and bone marrow (BM) transplantation model mice revealed that these CCR9+ CD11b+ macrophages are originated from BM-derived monocytes, but not liver resident macrophages (Kupffer cells). Furthermore, these CD11b+ inflammatory macrophages in contact with hepatic stellate cells contribute to the pathogenesis of murine experimental liver fibrosis via CCR9/CCL25 axis. Collectively, these results with further verification in human samples clarify the pathogenic role of CCR9/CCL25 axis as therapeutic target of a variety of liver diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD11b Antigen / physiology
  • Chemokines, CC / physiology*
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Liver Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Liver Diseases / etiology*
  • Macrophages* / physiology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Receptors, CCR / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • CC chemokine receptor 9
  • CCL25 protein, human
  • CD11b Antigen
  • Chemokines, CC
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Receptors, CCR
  • Transcription Factors
  • negative elongation factor