Recipient T cell TIM-3 and hepatocyte galectin-9 signalling protects mouse liver transplants against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

By binding to T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (TIM-3) on activated Th1 cells, galectin-9 (Gal-9) negatively regulates Th1-type alloimmunity. Although T cells contribute to hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), it is unknown whether negative T cell-dependent TIM-3 co-stimulation may rescue IR-stressed orthotopic liver transplants from innate immunity-driven inflammation.

Methods

We used wild type (WT) and TIM-3 transgenic (Tg) mice (C57BL/6) as liver donors and recipients in a clinically-relevant model of hepatic cold storage (20 h at 4°C in UW solution) and syngeneic orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Results

Orthotopic liver transplants in WT or TIM-3Tg→TIM-3Tg groups were resistant against IR-stress, evidenced by preserved hepatocellular fu

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4336640 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature