| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2540578 | International Immunopharmacology | 2015 | 9 Pages |
•Th1 but not CD8+T cells aggravate APAP-induced liver injury.•Treg cells protect against APAP-induced liver injury.•IL-10 and TGF-β can attenuate APAP-induced liver injury.•CXCL10 can recruit Treg cells into liver and alleviate APAP-induced liver injury.
The contribution of innate immune cells to acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury has been extensively investigated. However, the roles of T cell populations among adaptive immune cells in APAP-induced liver injury remain to be elucidated. Herein, we found that distinct CD4+ T cell subsets but not CD8+ T cells modulated APAP-induced liver injury in mice. After APAP challenge, more CD62LlowCD44hiCD4+ T cells appeared in the liver, accompanied by increased IFN-γ. The removal of CD4+ T cells by either antibody depletion or genetic deficiency markedly compromised pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and ameliorated liver injury. Meanwhile, we also found that the frequency and absolute number of Treg cells also increased. Treg cell depletion increased hepatic CD62LlowCD44hiCD4+ T cells, augmented pro-inflammatory cytokines, and exacerbated liver injury, while adoptive transfer of Treg cells ameliorated APAP-induced liver injury. Furthermore, the recruitment of Treg cells into the liver through specific expression of CXCL10 in the liver could ameliorate APAP-induced liver injury. Our investigation suggests that Th1 and Treg subsets are involved in regulating APAP-induced liver injury. Thus, modulating the Th1/Treg balance may be an effective strategy to prevent and/or treat APAP-induced liver injury.
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