Thymic NF-κB-inducing kinase regulates CD4⁺ T cell-elicited liver injury and fibrosis in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

The liver is an immunologically-privileged organ. Breakdown of liver immune privilege has been reported in chronic liver disease; however, the role of adaptive immunity in liver injury is poorly defined. Nuclear factor-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) is known to regulate immune tissue development, but its role in maintaining liver homeostasis remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the role of NIK, particularly thymic NIK, in regulating liver adaptive immunity.

Methods

NIK was deleted systemically or conditionally using the Cre/loxp system. Cluster of differentiation [CD]4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cells were depleted using anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 antibody. Donor bone marrows or thymi were transferred into recipient mice. Immune cells were assessed by immu

SUBMITTER: Shen H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5476485 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature