VX-765 inhibits pyroptosis and reduces inflammation to prevent acute liver failure by upregulating PPARα expression.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: As a fatal clinical syndrome, acute liver failure (ALF) is characterized by overwhelming liver inflammation and hepatic cell death. Finding new therapeutic methods has been a challenge in ALF research. VX-765 is a known pyroptosis inhibitor and has been reported to prevent damage in a variety of diseases by reducing inflammation. However, the role of VX-765 in ALF is still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ALF model mice were treated with D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LO2 cells were stimulated with LPS. Thirty subjects were enrolled in clinical experiments. The levels of inflammatory cytokines, pyroptosis-associated proteins and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) were detected using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT‒PCR), western blotting and immunohistochemistry. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to determine the serum aminotransferase enzyme levels. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological features of the liver. RESULTS: With the progression of ALF, the expression levels of interleukin (IL) -1ß, IL-18, caspase-1, and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were increased. VX-765 could reduce the mortality rate of ALF mice, relieve liver pathological damage, and reduce inflammatory responses to protect against ALF. Further experiments showed that VX-765 could protect against ALF through PPARα, and this protective effect against ALF was reduced in the context of PPARα inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: As ALF progresses, inflammatory responses and pyroptosis deteriorate gradually. VX-765 can inhibit pyroptosis and reduce inflammatory responses to protect against ALF by upregulating PPARα expression, thus providing a possible therapeutic strategy for ALF.

NKG2D modulates aggravation of liver inflammation by activating NK cells in HBV infection.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is thought to be an immune-mediated liver disease. The mechanisms underlying natural killer (NK) cell group 2D receptor (NKG2D) that activates NK cells and participates in anti-HBV immunity and immunopathology has not been thoroughly elucidated. Peripheral NKG2D+ and IFN-γ+ NK cells frequencies and intrahepatic NKG2D and IFN-γ mRNA and protein expressions were determined in HBV-infected patients. Levels of NKG2D and IFN-γ mRNA and protein in NK cells, co-cultured with HBV-replicating HepG2 cells with or without NKG2D blockade, were analyzed. Serum and supernatant IFN-γ, TNF-α, perforin and granzyme B were measured. In results, peripheral NKG2D+ and IFN-γ+ NK cells frequencies, intrahepatic NKG2D and IFN-γ mRNA and protein levels, and serum IFN-γ, TNF-α, perforin and granzyme B levels were all highest in HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure group, followed by chronic hepatitis B and chronic HBV carrier groups. In vitro, NKG2D and IFN-γ mRNA and protein levels were higher in NK cells with IFN-α stimulation than without stimulation. Supernatant IFN-γ, TNF-α, perforin and granzyme B levels were increased under co-culture or IFN-α stimulating conditions, but were partially blocked by NKG2DmAb. In conclusion, NKG2D regulates immune inflammation and anti-viral response partly through activation of NK cells during HBV infection.

Primary hepatic amyloidosis: a mini literature review and five cases report.

Primary hepatic amyloidosis (PHA) is characterized by abnormal deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains (AL) in the liver. This rare condition is frequently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and can be associated with poor prognosis. At present, the precise pathogenesis is not fully understood. Despite that hepatomegaly and elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are present in most patients with PHA, no specific clinical markers have been identified. Staining of hepatic tissues with Congo Red is often regarded as the "gold standard". Pharmacological therapy should aim to rapidly reduce the supply of misfolded amyloidogenic AL. High-dose intravenous melphalan (HDM) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) appear to be the most appropriate therapy but controversies still exist.