[Abstract unavailable

Hepatic injury is associated with a defective intestinal barrier and increased hepatic exposure to bacterial products. Here we report that the intestinal bacterial microflora and a functional Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), but not TLR2, are required for hepatic fibrogenesis. Using Tlr4-chimeric mice and in vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge, we demonstrate that quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the main precursors for myofibroblasts in the liver, are the predominant target through which TLR4 ligands promote fibrogenesis. In quiescent HSCs, TLR4 activation not only upregulates chemokine secretion and induces chemotaxis of Kupffer cells, but also downregulates the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta pseudoreceptor Bambi to sensitize HSCs to TGF-beta-induced signals and allow for unrestricted activation by Kupffer cells. LPS-induced Bambi downregulation and sensitization to TGF-beta is mediated by a MyD88-NF-kappaB-dependent pathway. Accordingly, Myd88-deficient mice have decreased hepatic fibrosis. Thus, modulation of TGF-beta signaling by a TLR4-MyD88-NF-kappaB axis provides a novel link between proinflammatory and profibrogenic signals.

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Summary NF-κB, a key activator of inflammation primes the NLRP3-inflammasome for activation by inducing pro-IL-1β and NLRP3 expression. NF-κB, however, also prevents excessive inflammation and restrains NLRP3-inflammasome activation through a poorly defined mechanism. We now show that NF-κB exerts its anti-inflammatory activity by inducing delayed accumulation of the autophagy receptor p62/SQSTM1. External NLRP3-activating stimuli trigger a form of mitochondrial (mt) damage that is caspase-1- and NLRP3-independent and causes release of direct NLRP3-inflammasome activators, including mtDNA and mtROS. Damaged mitochondria undergo Parkin-dependent ubiquitin conjugation and are specifically recognized by p62, which induces their mitophagic clearance. Macrophage-specific p62 ablation causes pronounced accumulation of damaged mitochondria and excessive IL-1β-dependent inflammation, enhancing macrophage death. Therefore, the “NF-κB-p62-mitophagy” pathway is a macrophage-intrinsic regulatory loop through which NF-κB restrains its own inflammation-promoting activity and orchestrates a self-limiting host response that maintains homeostasis and favors tissue repair.

Inflammation is one of the most characteristic features of chronic liver disease of viral, alcoholic, fatty and autoimmune origin. Inflammation is typically present in all disease stages, and associated with the development of fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In the past decade, numerous studies have contributed to improved understanding of the links between hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Here, we review mechanisms that link inflammation with the development of liver fibrosis, focusing on the role of inflammatory mediators in hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and HSC survival during fibrogenesis and fibrosis regression. We will summarize the contributions of different inflammatory cells, including hepatic macrophages, T- and B-lymphocytes, NK cells and platelets, as well as key effectors such as cytokines, chemokines, and damage-associated molecular patterns. Furthermore, we will discuss the relevance of inflammatory signaling pathways for clinical liver disease and for the development of anti-fibrogenic strategies.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) involves the innate immune system and is mediated by Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is a pattern recognition receptor that recognizes bacteria-derived cytosine phosphate guanine (CpG)–containing DNA and activates innate immunity. We investigated the role of TLR9 signaling and the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and insulin resistance. METHODS Wild-type (WT), TLR9−/−, IL-1 receptor (IL-1R)−/−, and MyD88−/− mice were fed a choline-deficient amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet for 22 weeks and then assessed for steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and insulin resistance. Lipid accumulation and cell death were assessed in isolated hepatocytes. Kupffer cells and HSCs were isolated to assess inflammatory and fibrogenic responses, respectively. RESULTS The CDAA diet induced NASH in WT mice, characterized by steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and insulin resistance. TLR9−/− mice showed less steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis than WT mice. Among inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β production was suppressed in TLR9−/− mice. Kupffer cells produced IL-1β in response to CpG oligodeoxynucleotide. IL-1β but not CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides, increased lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Lipid accumulation in hepatocytes led to nuclear factor-κB inactivation, resulting in cell death in response to IL-1β. IL-1β induced fibrogenic responses in HSCs, including secretion of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1. IL-1R−/− mice had reduced steatohepatitis and fibrosis, compared with WT mice. Mice deficient in MyD88, an adaptor molecule for TLR9 and IL-1R signaling, also had reduced steatohepatitis and fibrosis. TLR9−/−, IL-1R−/−, and MyD88−/− mice had less insulin resistance than WT mice on the CDAA diet. CONCLUSIONS In a mouse model of NASH, TLR9 signaling induces production of IL-1β by Kupffer cells, leading to steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis.

Dysregulated NLRP3 inflammasome activity results in uncontrolled inflammation, which underlies many chronic diseases. Although mitochondrial damage is needed for the assembly and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, it is unclear how macrophages are able to respond to structurally diverse inflammasome-activating stimuli. Here we show that the synthesis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), induced after the engagement of Toll-like receptors, is crucial for NLRP3 signalling. Toll-like receptors signal via the MyD88 and TRIF adaptors to trigger IRF1-dependent transcription of CMPK2, a rate-limiting enzyme that supplies deoxyribonucleotides for mtDNA synthesis. CMPK2-dependent mtDNA synthesis is necessary for the production of oxidized mtDNA fragments after exposure to NLRP3 activators. Cytosolic oxidized mtDNA associates with the NLRP3 inflammasome complex and is required for its activation. The dependence on CMPK2 catalytic activity provides opportunities for more effective control of NLRP3 inflammasome-associated diseases.

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