IL-4 Receptor Alpha Signaling through Macrophages Differentially Regulates Liver Fibrosis Progression and Reversal.

ABSTRACT: Chronic hepatitis leads to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a major cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. Macrophages play a key role in fibrosis progression and reversal. However, the signals that determine fibrogenic vs fibrolytic macrophage function remain ill defined. We studied the role of interleukin-4 receptor α (IL-4Rα), a potential central switch of macrophage polarization, in liver fibrosis progression and reversal. We demonstrate that inflammatory monocyte infiltration and liver fibrogenesis were suppressed in general IL-4Rα^-/- as well as in macrophage-specific IL-4Rα^-/- (IL-4Rα^ΔLysM) mice. However, with deletion of IL-4Rα^ΔLysM spontaneous fibrosis reversal was retarded. Results were replicated by pharmacological interv

SUBMITTER: Weng SY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5925448 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature