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Chemokine receptor CCR6-dependent accumulation of γδ T cells in injured liver restricts hepatic inflammation and fibrosis

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Olivier GovaereORCiD

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Abstract

Chronic liver injury promotes hepatic inflammation, representing a prerequisite for organ fibrosis. We hypothesized a contribution of chemokine receptor CCR6 and its ligand, CCL20, which may regulate migration of T-helper (Th)17, regulatory, and gamma-delta (γδ) T cells. CCR6 and CCL20 expression was intrahepatically up-regulated in patients with chronic liver diseases (n = 50), compared to control liver (n = 5). Immunohistochemistry revealed the periportal accumulation of CCR6+ mononuclear cells and CCL20 induction by hepatic parenchymal cells in liver disease patients. Similarly, in murine livers, CCR6 was expressed by macrophages, CD4 and γδ T-cells, and up-regulated in fibrosis, whereas primary hepatocytes induced CCL20 upon experimental injury. In two murine models of chronic liver injury (CCl4 and methionine-choline-deficient diet), Ccr6-/- mice developed more severe fibrosis with strongly enhanced hepatic immune cell infiltration, compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Although CCR6 did not affect hepatic Th-cell subtype composition, CCR6 was explicitly required by the subset of interleukin (IL)-17- and IL-22-expressing γδ T cells for accumulation in injured liver. The adoptive transfer of WT γδ, but not CD4 T cells, into Ccr6-/- mice reduced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in chronic injury to WT level. The anti-inflammatory function of hepatic γδ T cells was independent of IL-17, as evidenced by transfer of Il-17-/- cells. Instead, hepatic γδ T cells colocalized with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vivo and promoted apoptosis of primary murine HSCs in a cell-cell contact-dependent manner, involving Fas-ligand (CD95L). Consistent with γδ T-cell-induced HSC apoptosis, activated myofibroblasts were more frequent in fibrotic livers of Ccr6-/- than in WT mice. Conclusion: γδ T cells are recruited to the liver by CCR6 upon chronic injury and protect the liver from excessive inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting HSCs. © 2013 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Hammerich L, Bangen JM, Govaere O, Zimmermann HW, Gassler N, Huss S, Liedtke C, Prinz I, Lira SA, Luedde T, Roskams T, Trautwein C, Heymann F, Tacke F

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Hepatology

Year: 2014

Volume: 59

Issue: 2

Pages: 630-642

Print publication date: 29/01/2014

Online publication date: 19/08/2013

Acceptance date: 14/08/2013

ISSN (print): 0270-9139

ISSN (electronic): 1527-3350

Publisher: Wiley

URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.26697

DOI: 10.1002/hep.26697

PubMed id: 23959575

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