Chronic stress disrupts hepatic kynurenine pathway to subvert hepatic CD8+ T cell immunity and promote liver cancer
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ABSTRACT: Chronic psychological stress is associated with liver disease mortality, yet the reasons are unclear. Here we describe a stress-responsive brain-liver regulatory circuit that impairs CD8+T cell immunity and promotes the progression of liver cancer. Specifically, psychological stress-mediated dysregulation of catecholamine/β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) signaling leads to reduced number and effector functions of liver CD8+ T cells by suppressing the expression of quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase (QPRT) in hepatocytes and shifting hepatic Kyn metabolism from de novo nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) synthesis to kynurenic acid (KA) production. Notably, ADRB2/QPRT expression in human hepatocytes correlates with NAD+ and KA levels, as well as CD8+T cells frequency and function in human liver tissues.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE305657 | GEO | 2025/11/04
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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