Exercise changes the intrahepatic immune cell profile and inhibits the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in a mouse model.

BACKGROUND: NASH is an increasingly common cause of chronic liver disease and can progress to cirrhosis and HCC. Although exercise suppresses inflammation during acute hepatitis, its impact on the progression of chronic liver disease remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of exercise on disease progression and intrahepatic immune cell composition in a mouse model of NASH. METHOD: Mice were assigned to 4 groups: 2 control groups (normal diet) and 2 NASH groups (western diet and low-dose carbon tetrachloride injection). One of each group remained sedentary and one was exercised on a treadmill for 12 weeks (60 min/d, 5 times/wk). All mice were then analyzed for liver histomorphology, steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis; liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle expression of genes related to metabolism and inflammation; and intrahepatic immune cell composition. RESULT: Compared with the normal diet mice, NASH mice exhibited enhanced liver steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis; upregulated expression of liver lipogenesis-related and inflammation-related genes; and increased frequencies of intrahepatic F4/80 int CD11b hi bone marrow-derived macrophages and programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) + CD8 + T cells. Expression of inflammatory cytokines and the frequencies of bone marrow-derived macrophages and PD-1 + CD8 + T cells correlated positively with liver steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Exercise was shown to reduce NASH-induced hepatic steatosis, liver inflammation, and fibrosis; induce alterations in metabolism-related genes and inflammatory cytokines in the liver; and suppress accumulation of liver bone marrow-derived macrophages and PD-1 + CD8 + T cells. In addition, we showed that exercise induced increased expression of IL-15 in muscle and its deficiency exacerbated the pathology of NASH. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise alters the intrahepatic immune cell profile and protects against disease progression in a mouse model of NASH.

Molecular insights of a CBP/ß-catenin-signaling inhibitor on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-induced liver fibrosis and disorder.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive fibrotic disease associated with an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma; at present, no efficient therapeutic strategy has been established. Herein, we examined the efficacy of PRI-724, a potent inhibitor of CBP/ß-catenin signaling, for treating NASH-related liver fibrosis and disorder and characterized its mechanism. Choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD)-fed mice exhibited NASH-induced liver fibrosis that is characterized by steatosis, lobular inflammation, hepatocellular injury and collagen fibrils. To examine the therapeutic effect, CDAHFD-fed mice were administered PRI-724. Serum levels of ALT and pro-fibrotic molecule, i.e. Mac-2 bp, alpha smooth muscle actin, type I and type III collagens, decreased significantly. mRNA levels of the matrix metalloproteinases Mmp8 and Mmp9 in the liver were significantly increased, and increases in the abundance of MMP9-producing neutrophils and macrophages were observed. Marco+Mmp9+Cd68+ Kupffer cells were only observed in the livers of mice treated with PRI-724, and Mmp9 expression in Marco+Cd68+ Kupffer cells increased 4.3-fold. Moreover, hepatic expression of the lipid metabolism regulator, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 and liver lipid droplets also decreased significantly. PRI-724-treated NASH mice not only recovered from NASH-related liver fibrosis through the effect of PRI-724 down-regulating the expression of pro-fibrotic genes and up-regulating the expression of anti-fibrotic genes, but they also recovered from NASH-induced liver disorder. PRI-724, a selective CBP/ß-catenin inhibitor, thus shows a potent therapeutic effect for NASH-related liver fibrosis and for decreasing adipose tissue in the liver.

Anti-acid treatment for ulcerated early gastric cancer may be a treatment option avoiding unnecessary gastrectomy: a cohort study.

Diagnosing the invasion depth of ulcerated early gastric cancer is usually inaccurate, especially for endoscopists in primary care clinics who are often not experts in this area. In reality, many patients with open ulcers who can be treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are referred for surgery. Materials and methods: Twelve patients with ulcerated early gastric cancer who were treated with proton pump inhibitors, including vonoprazan, and underwent ESD were included in the study. Conventional endoscopic and narrow-band images were evaluated by five board-certified endoscopists (two physicians: A, B, and three gastrointestinal surgeons: C, D, and E). They assessed the invasion depth, and the results were compared with the pathologic diagnosis. Results: The accuracy of the invasion depth diagnosis was 38.3%. According to the pretreatment diagnosis of invasion depth, gastrectomy was recommended for 41.7% (5/12) of the cases. However, histological examination revealed that additional gastrectomy was required in only one case (8.3%). Thus, in four out of five patients unnecessary gastrectomy could be avoided. Post-ESD mild melena occurred in only one case, and there was no case of perforation. Conclusion: Antiacid treatment contributed to avoid unnecessary gastrectomy in four out of five patients for whom gastrectomy was indicated based on an inaccurate pretreatment diagnosis of the invasion depth.

Non-traumatic False Cyst of the Spleen: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

False cysts have no cellular lining and usually originate from past abdominal trauma. We herein report a 23-year-old woman with an asymptomatic splenic false cyst. She had no history of abdominal trauma. Abdominal computed tomography showed a cystic lesion without internal structure. In contrast, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography revealed an inhomogeneous internal structure without fluid/debris level. Although the images were not typical of a splenic false cyst, the surgically excised mass histologically showed a splenic false cyst (no epithelial element). Non-traumatic splenic false cysts are rare and show nonspecific clinical findings and symptoms. The recommended treatment is splenectomy.

Toll-like receptor 7 agonist, GS-986, is an immune-stimulant inducing follicular helper T cells and expanding HBs antigen-specific B cells in vitro.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists have been developed as adjuvants to efficiently induce antiviral immune responses. Specificity and potency of these compounds are essential requirements for clinical trial applications. In patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, sustained loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a therapeutic goal, which may be achievable by the sequential activation of follicular helper T cells (Tfh) and antibody-secreting B cells. We aimed to elucidate whether novel TLR7 agonist, GS-986, could activate immune responses involved in HBV elimination. METHODS: To clarify the impact of GS-986 on pDCs, we quantified the expression levels of surface markers and evaluated for Tfh induction in a culture model consisting of human pDCs with allogeneic naïve CD4+ T cells. In addition, we examined whether GS-986 could enhance HBs antibody production capacity using PBMC from CHB patients. RESULTS: pDCs from CHB patients had lower OX40L expression and as well as impaired capacity for Tfh induction compared with those from healthy donors. However, GS-986-stimulated pDCs from CHB patients expressed OX40L and produced IL-6 and IL-12, resulting in the induction of IL-21-producing Tfh cells (CXCR5+ PD-1+ CD4+ ) from naïve CD4+ T cells. The Tfh-inducing capacity of GS-986 was reduced in the presence of an anti-OX40L blocking antibody. Furthermore, GS-986 promoted HBsAg-specific antibody production in PBMCs from CHB patients. CONCLUSIONS: GS-986 is an adjuvant that stimulates pDCs to induce Tfh differentiation and antigen-specific B-cell production. This immune profile may be beneficial for therapeutic application as an immune modulator in CHB patients.

Malignant melanoma in the stomach treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection: a case report.

The initial appearance of malignant melanoma localized in the stomach has never been reported previously. We encountered a patient with gastric melanoma in the stomach, which was histologically confirmed to be confined to the mucosa. Case Presentation: The patient, when in her 40s, had undergone surgery for malignant melanoma of the left heel. However, there were no detailed records of pathological findings. The patient had a 4-mm black elevated lesion in her stomach observed on esophagogastroduodenoscopy after the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. A year later, esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed that the lesion had increased to 8 mm. A biopsy was performed, but no malignancy was found; the patient continued to be followed up. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed at the 2-year follow-up revealed that the melanotic lesion had increased to 15 mm, and biopsy was performed and revealed a malignant melanoma. Clinical Discussion: Endoscopic submucosal dissection was performed for gastric malignant melanoma. The margin of the resected malignant melanoma was negative; vascular and lymphatic invasions were not observed, and the lesion was confined to the mucosa. Conclusion: We suggest that even if the first biopsy of a melanotic lesion shows no evidence of malignancy, the lesion should be closely monitored. This is the first reported case of endoscopic submucosal dissection of localized gastric malignant melanoma confined to the mucosa.

Peripheral-dominant liver fibrosis and tumor distribution in a mouse model of congestive hepatopathy.

AIM: Congestive hepatopathy often leads to liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Imaging modalities provided clinical evidence that elevation of liver stiffness and tumor occurrence are mainly induced in the periphery of the liver in patients with congestive hepatopathy. However, clinical relevance of liver stiffness and liver fibrosis is unclear because liver congestion itself increases liver stiffness in congestive hepatopathy. It also unclear which factors configure such regional disparity of tumor development in patients with congestive hepatopathy. To answer these questions, we evaluated the macroscopic spatial distribution of liver fibrosis and tumors in the murine model of congestive hepatopathy. METHODS: Chronic liver congestion was induced by partial ligation of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava. Distribution of liver congestion, fibrosis, and tumors in partial ligation of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava mice were assessed by histological findings, laser microdissection (LMD)-based qPCR and enhanced computed tomography. LMD-based RNA-sequencing was performed to identify causal factors that promote tumor development in congestive hepatopathy. RESULTS: Liver fibrosis was mainly induced in the periphery of the liver and co-localized with distribution of liver congestion. Liver tumors were also induced in the periphery of the liver where liver congestion and fibrosis occurred. LMD-based RNA-sequencing revealed the upregulation of extracellular matrix/collagen fibril-, wound healing-, angiogenesis-, morphogenesis-, and cell motility-related signaling pathways in periphery of liver compared with liver center. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed the experimental relevance of liver congestion, fibrosis, and tumor development in congestive hepatopathy, and may provide important locational information. Macroscopic regional disparity observed in this murine model should be considered to manage patients with congestive hepatopathy.

Cases of Rapid Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Reduction after COVID-19 Vaccination.

Objective One of the therapeutic goals for chronic infection with hepatitis B virus is the clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from the blood, as a high load of HBsAg has been proposed to induce antigen-specific immunotolerance. To achieve HBsAg reduction, Pegylated interferon and nucleos (t) ide analogs are used to treat chronic hepatitis B. Following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has rapidly spread worldwide, and vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines has been conducted since 2021 in Japan. We experienced three clinical cases in which HBsAg levels rapidly decreased after injection of the COVID-19 vaccine without any incentive. Method To examine whether the vaccine administration was involved in the HBsAg reduction, the number of patients with chronic hepatitis B showing a change in the HBsAg levels during the period before the commencement of the COVID-19 vaccination program in Japan (i.e. until the end of 2020; pre-vaccination-program period) was compared to the number of those who showed a change in HBsAg levels after the initiation of the program (i.e. 2021 onwards; post-vaccination-program period). Results The number of patients whose HBsAg levels was reduced by >50% per year was prominent after the initiation of the vaccination program. Although the involvement of vaccination in HBsAg reduction was not statistically proven (p=0.0532), the result suggests that the administration of COVID-19 vaccines may have been involved in HBsAg reduction in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Conclusion COVID-19 vaccines may be involved in HBsAg reduction.

Gel immersion endoscopic mucosal resection in early gastric cancer with bleeding: A case report.

Gel immersion endoscopy was developed by Yano for the treatment of bleeding. In this case, we performed gel immersion endoscopic mucosal resection to treat a bleeding gastric cancer. An 80-year-old man, with chronic renal failure and on aspirin treatment for ischemic heart disease, underwent endoscopic treatment for multiple early gastric cancers on the anterior and posterior walls of the pyloric ring. An endoscopic submucosal dissection was performed for gastric cancer on the anterior wall; however, the removal of the cancer on the posterior wall was complicated by tumor prolapse and bleeding. Gel formulation (VISCOCLEAR® Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc., Tokushima, Japan) was used to immerse the bleeding tumor and subsequently facilitate the endoscopic mucosal resection. Various factors, such as the use of antithrombotic medication and underlying renal disease, can increase the risk of bleeding during endoscopic gastric cancer resection. If bleeding persists, the resection margin becomes obscured. Gel formulations, such as VISCOCLEAR®, can be applied to control bleeding and improve visibility. In this case, gel immersion was useful for endoscopic mucosal resection of the bleeding tumor. The use of gel immersion endoscopic resection should be considered for the treatment of early gastric cancer, however further cases should be evaluated.

Inhibition of CBP/ß-catenin signaling ameliorated fibrosis in cholestatic liver disease.

Chronic cholestatic liver diseases are characterized by injury of the bile ducts and hepatocytes caused by accumulated bile acids (BAs) and inflammation. Wnt/ß-catenin signaling is implicated in organ fibrosis; however, its role in cholestatic liver fibrosis remains unclear. Therefore, we explored the effect of a selective cAMP response element-binding protein-binding protein (CBP)/ß-catenin inhibitor, PRI-724, on murine cholestatic liver fibrosis. PRI-724 suppressed liver fibrosis induced by multidrug resistance protein 2 knockout (KO), bile duct ligation, or a 3.5-diethoxycarbonyl-1.4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet; it also suppressed BA synthesis and macrophage infiltration. The expression of early growth response-1 (Egr-1), which plays a key role in BA synthesis, was increased in the hepatocytes of patients with cholestatic liver disease. PRI-724 inhibited Egr-1 expression induced by cholestasis, and adenoviral shEgr-1-mediated Egr-1 knockdown suppressed BA synthesis and fibrosis in DDC diet-fed mice, suggesting that PRI-724 exerts its effects, at least in part, by suppressing Egr-1 expression in hepatocytes. Hepatocyte-specific CBP KO in mice suppressed BA synthesis, liver injury, and fibrosis, whereas hepatocyte-specific KO of P300, a CBP homolog, exacerbated DDC-induced fibrosis. Intrahepatic Egr-1 expression was also decreased in hepatocyte-specific CBP-KO mice and increased in P300-KO mice, indicating that Egr-1 is located downstream of CBP/ß-catenin signaling. Conclusion: PRI-724 inhibits cholestatic liver injury and fibrosis by inhibiting BA synthesis in hepatocytes. These results highlight the therapeutic effect of CBP/ß-catenin inhibition in cholestatic liver diseases.

Iron chelator deferasirox inhibits NF-κB activity in hepatoma cells and changes sorafenib-induced programmed cell deaths.

OBJECTIVE: The improvements of antitumor effects and tolerability on chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are warranted. Here, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism of the combining effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib (SOR) and iron chelator deferasirox (DFX) in human hepatoma cell lines, HepG2 and Huh-7. METHODS: The types of programmed cell deaths (PCDs); necrosis/necroptosis and apoptosis, were evaluated by flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy. Human cleaved caspase-3 was analyzed by ELISA for apoptosis. GSH assay was used for ferroptosis. PCDs inhibition was analyzed by adding apoptosis inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK, ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1, necroptosis inhibitor necrosulfonamide, respectively. The expression of NF-κB was quantified by Western blotting. RESULTS: In SOR monotherapy, cleaved caspase-3 expression was increased in all concentrations, confirming the result that SOR induces apoptosis. In SOR monotherapy, GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased on concentration-dependent, showing that SOR also induced ferroptosis. Lipid Peroxidation caused by SOR, corresponding to ferroptosis, was suppressed by DFX. In fluorescence microscopy of SOR monotherapy, apoptosis was observed at a constant rate on all concentrations, while necroptosis and ferroptosis were increased on high concentration. In sorafenib and deferasirox combinations, sub G1 phase increased additively. In SOR and DFX combinations, the cytotoxic effects were not suppressed by ferrostatin-1, but suppressed by Z-VAD-FMK and necrosulfonamide. In each monotherapy, and SOR + DFX combinations, the expression of NF-κB in nucleus was suppressed. Regarding PCD by SOR and DFX combination, ferroptosis was suppressed and both apoptosis and necroptosis became dominant. CONCLUSION: Suppression of NF-κB is possibly involved in the effect of DFX. As a result, SOR and DFX combination showed additive antitumor effects for HCC through the mechanism of programed cell deaths and NF-kB signal modification.

Extraction and Evaluation of Discriminative Indexes of the Wearing Condition for High-Precision Blood Pressure Pulse Wave Measurement.

In this paper, we report a new discriminant index for evaluating the wearing condition of a blood pressure pulse wave measurement device with small variability. The prototype device consists of MEMS 3-axis force sensors, a 3-axis push-in adjustment mechanism, a fixed jig, and a signal processing board. The arterial tonometry method is used by this device to measure blood pressure pulse waves. However, to accurately measure the blood pressure pulse wave, the device must be appropriately worn. The evaluation of the wearing condition using the amplitude of the blood pressure pulse wave was complicated by the wearing process due to the large variability. Therefore, we propose the ratio of the blood pressure pulse wave component to the noise component as an index that can evaluate the wear condition of the device. The correlation coefficient between the discriminant index and the amplitude of the blood pressure pulse wave had a correlation coefficient of 0.879. Furthermore, the discriminant index reduced the coefficient of variation by 12.8%. Therefore, it was suggested that the discriminant index is an index that can evaluate the pressing amount, one of the wearing conditions of the blood pressure pulse wave measurement device with a small influence of variation.

Localizing spontaneously hemostatic colonic diverticular bleeding using VISCOCLEAR gel: A case report.

Colonic diverticular bleeding is the most common type of gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a case of an 82-year-old man with a chief complaint of melena. Enhanced computed tomography showed multiple diverticula, and water-assisted colonoscopy could not help identify the diverticulum responsible for bleeding. We injected VISCOCLEAR, a novel gel formulation, into the digestive tract endoscopically and successfully localized the bleeding point. Moreover, the use of VISCOCLEAR secured a clear visual field with reduced glare, as seen in the digital endoscopic image. Subsequently, we performed hemostatic clipping. The course after the endoscopic treatment was unremarkable. In this case, we could identify the exposed bleeding vessels in the diverticulum using VISCOCLEAR and perform hemostatic clipping. We intend to evaluate the effectiveness of VISCOCLEAR further by analyzing a series of cases.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate promotes tumor development and liver fibrosis in mouse model of congestive hepatopathy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic liver congestion reflecting right-sided heart failure (RHF), Budd-Chiari syndrome, or Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) is involved in liver fibrosis and HCC. However, molecular mechanisms of fibrosis and HCC in chronic liver congestion remain poorly understood. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Here, we first demonstrated that chronic liver congestion promoted HCC and metastatic liver tumor growth using murine model of chronic liver congestion by partial inferior vena cava ligation (pIVCL). As the initial step triggering HCC promotion and fibrosis, gut-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) appeared to induce LSECs capillarization in mice and in vitro. LSEC capillarization was also confirmed in patients with FALD. Mitogenic factor, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), was increased in congestive liver and expression of sphingosine kinase 1, a major synthetase of S1P, was increased in capillarized LSECs after pIVCL. Inhibition of S1P receptor (S1PR) 1 (Ex26) and S1PR2 (JTE013) mitigated HCC development and liver fibrosis, respectively. Antimicrobial treatment lowered portal blood LPS concentration, LSEC capillarization, and liver S1P concentration accompanied by reduction of HCC development and fibrosis in the congestive liver. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, chronic liver congestion promotes HCC development and liver fibrosis by S1P production from LPS-induced capillarized LSECs. Careful treatment of both RHF and liver cancer might be necessary for patients with RHF with primary or metastatic liver cancer.

Cluster of Differentiation 44 Promotes Liver Fibrosis and Serves as a Biomarker in Congestive Hepatopathy.

Congestive hepatopathy (CH) with chronic passive congestion is characterized by the progression of liver fibrosis without prominent inflammation and hepatocellular damage. Currently, the lack of reliable biomarkers for liver fibrosis in CH often precludes the clinical management of patients with CH. To explore fibrosis biomarkers, we performed proteome analysis on serum exosomes isolated from patients with CH after the Fontan procedure. Exosomal cluster of differentiation (CD)44 levels were increased in patients with CH compared to healthy volunteers and was accompanied by increases in serum levels of soluble CD44 and CD44 expression in the liver. To address the roles of CD44 in CH, we established a mouse model of chronic liver congestion by partial inferior vena cava ligation (pIVCL) that mimics CH by fibrosis progression with less inflammation and cellular damage. In the pIVCL mice, enhanced CD44 expression in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and deposition of its ligand hyaluronan were observed in the liver. Blood levels of soluble CD44 were correlated with liver fibrosis. The blockade of CD44 with specific antibody inhibited liver fibrosis in pIVCL mice and was accompanied by a reduction in S100 calcium-binding protein A4 expression following activation of HSCs. Conclusion: Chronic liver congestion promotes fibrosis through CD44. This identifies CD44 as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target of liver fibrosis in patients with CH.

Myostatin as a fibroblast-activating factor impacts on postoperative outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: In patients with liver cirrhosis, high levels of serum myostatin are associated with poor prognosis. We aimed to clarify the influence of myostatin on the prognosis of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-hepatocellular carcinoma (NAFLD-HCC) without cirrhosis and on the progression of liver fibrosis. METHODS: Serum myostatin levels were evaluated in 234 patients who underwent primary surgical resection for single HCC. To clarify the impact of myostatin on liver fibrosis, we established human primary liver fibroblasts from resected livers, and cultured them in the presence of myostatin. RESULTS: The median age was 67.4 years, the median L3 skeletal muscle mass index was 44.4 cm2 /m2 , and the median body mass index was 23.4 kg/m2 . Eighty-two (35.0%) patients had sarcopenia (L3 skeletal muscle mass index: men <42, women <38 cm2 /m2 ). The etiologies of liver disease were hepatitis B virus (n = 61), hepatitis C virus (n = 86), and non-B non-C hepatitis (n = 87) including NAFLD (n = 74). High preoperative serum myostatin and vascular invasion were independent predictors of poor overall survival (OS). High serum myostatin was associated with poor OS in patients with no sarcopenia (n = 152). In patients without advanced liver fibrosis (Fibrosis stage, 0-2; n = 58), high levels of serum myostatin were also associated with poor OS, regardless of sarcopenia. Serum myostatin levels were increased with the progression of liver fibrosis. Liver fibroblasts were activated and produced collagen following stimulation with myostatin. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with NAFLD-HCC without advanced liver fibrosis, high levels of serum myostatin were associated with poor OS. Myostatin activated primary fibroblasts and stimulated collagen production.

Increased Frequency of Dysfunctional Siglec-7-CD57+PD-1+ Natural Killer Cells in Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a progressive disorder that can develop into liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Natural killer (NK) cells have been shown to protect against liver fibrosis and tumorigenesis, suggesting that they may also play a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) are a family of inhibitory and activating receptors expressed by many cell types, including NK cells. Here, we investigated the phenotypic profiles of peripheral blood and intrahepatic NK cells, including expression of Siglecs and immune checkpoint molecules, and their association with NK cell function in patients with NAFLD. Immune cells in the peripheral blood of 42 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 13 healthy volunteers (HVs) were identified by mass cytometry. The function of various NK cell subpopulations was assessed by flow cytometric detection of intracellular IFN-γ and CD107a/LAMP-1, a degranulation marker, after in vitro stimulation. We found that peripheral blood from NAFLD patients, regardless of fibrosis stage, contained significantly fewer total CD56+ NK cell and CD56dim NK cell populations compared with HVs, and the CD56dim cells from NAFLD patients were functionally impaired. Among the Siglecs examined, NK cells predominantly expressed Siglec-7 and Siglec-9, and both the expression levels of Siglec-7 and Siglec-9 on NK cells and the frequencies of Siglec-7+CD56dim NK cells were reduced in NAFLD patients. Notably, Siglec-7 levels on CD56dim NK cells were inversely correlated with PD-1, CD57, and ILT2 levels and positively correlated with NKp30 and NKp46 levels. Further subtyping of NK cells identified a highly dysfunctional Siglec-7-CD57+PD-1+CD56dim NK cell subset that was increased in patients with NAFLD, even those with mild liver fibrosis. Intrahepatic NK cells from NAFLD patients expressed elevated levels of NKG2D and CD69, suggesting a more activated phenotype than normal liver NK cells. These data identify a close association between NK cell function and expression of Siglec-7, CD57, and PD-1 that could potentially be therapeutically targeted in NAFLD.

Blood angiopoietin-2 predicts liver angiogenesis and fibrosis in hepatitis C patients.

BACKGROUND: Pathological angiogenesis is involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. In patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), the level of angiogenic factor angiopoietin (ANGP)-2 is reported to be increased in the blood, correlating with fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to clarify whether blood ANGP-2 is useful as a biomarker for liver angiogenesis and fibrosis in CHC patients and to further reveal the relationship between such pathology in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated liver fibrosis mouse model. METHODS: Plasma levels of ANGP-2, expression of a liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) marker (CD31), collagen deposition (Sirius Red staining) in the liver, clinical fibrosis markers (Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer, virtual touch quantification, and liver stiffness measurement), and liver function (albumin bilirubin score) were examined in CHC patients. To determine the effects of an anti-angiogenic agent on liver fibrosis in vivo, sorafenib was administered to the CCl4-treated mice (BALB/c male). RESULTS: The plasma levels of ANGP-2 were increased in CHC patients compared to healthy volunteers and decreased by the eradication of hepatitis C with direct-acting antivirals. In addition, plasma ANGP-2 levels were correlated with CD31 expression, collagen deposition, clinical fibrosis markers, and liver function. Sorafenib inhibited liver angiogenesis and fibrosis in the CCl4-treated mice and was accompanied by decreased ANGP-2 expression in LSECs. CONCLUSIONS: ANGP-2 may serve as a useful biomarker for liver angiogenesis and fibrosis in CHC patients. In addition, angiogenesis and fibrosis may be closely related.

Impact of Immune Reconstitution-Induced Hepatic Flare on Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Loss in Hepatitis B Virus/Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Coinfected Patients.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is an ideal goal for chronic hepatitis B patients. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) in hepatitis B virus/human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HBV/HIV-1)-coinfected patients can lead to hepatic flare (HF) caused by immune reconstitution-induced inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). Here, we investigated the impact of IRIS-HF on HBsAg loss. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 58 HBV/HIV-1-coinfected subjects HBsAg-positive for ≥6 months before ART initiation and followed for ≥1 year (median 9.9 years) after ART initiation. We examined humoral factors in sera from healthy volunteers, HIV-monoinfected patients, and HBV/HIV-1-coinfected patients with IRIS-HF or acute hepatitis B infection. RESULTS: During ART, HBsAg loss was observed in 20 of 58 HBV/HIV-1-coinfected patients (34.5%). Of the 58 patients, 15 (25.9%) developed IRIS-HF within 12 months of ART initiation. HBsAg loss was more frequent among patients who developed IRIS-HF (11/15, 73.3%) than those who did not (9/43, 20.9%). Multivariate analysis showed IRIS-HF was an independent predictor of subsequent HBsAg loss. Younger age and higher baseline HBV DNA titer were associated with IRIS-HF. Elevation of sCD163, not CXCL9, CXC10, CXCXL11, or CXCL13, was observed at IRIS-HF. CONCLUSIONS: IRIS-HF was associated with HBsAg loss in HBV/HIV-1-coinfected patients.

Comparison of Features by Simultaneous Measurement of Blood Pressure Pulse Wave and Electrocardiogram.

In this study, we report features related between an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a blood pressure pulse wave measured by the fabricated wearable device. The device consists of MEMS 3-axis force sensors, an electrocardiograph, a signal processing board and a fixed band. This device measures blood pressure using force sensors that are placed on the surface of the skin over a blood vessel. During experimentation, blood pressure was varied by breath holding while simultaneously measuring the blood pressure pulse wave and the ECG. Furthermore, features derived from the blood pressure pulse wave, its differential waveforms, such as the acceleration pulse wave, and the ECG were compared. The correlation coefficient between the pulse pressure of the blood pressure pulse wave and the P wave amplitude of the ECG associated with hypertension was 0.976. Moreover, the correlation coefficient between the augmentation index of the blood pressure pulse wave and the ST segment elevation of the ECG, which is used for diagnosis of myocardial infarction, was 0.915.