AIM: It is unclear whether the spleen affects the progression of liver cirrhosis (LC) through "liver-spleen cross-talk". Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is reported to be the most potent cytokine of liver fibrosis, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important factor of liver regeneration. In this study, we investigated the expression of cytokines in the spleens of LC patients in order to attempt to prove the existence of liver-spleen cross-talk. METHODS: The study enrolled 22 patients who underwent splenectomy at our institute between 2004 and 2010. TGF-β1 expression in the resected spleen was measured using immunohistochemical staining. Two-color immunofluorescent staining for CD68 and TGF-β1 in the spleen was performed to detect sources of TGF-β1. IL-6 expression in the spleen was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: TGF-β1 expression was significantly higher in the spleens of LC patients than in those of patients with normal livers (P < 0.05). Coexpression of CD68 and TGF-β1 was confirmed. The expression of IL-6 in the spleens of LC patients was significantly lower than that in patients with normal livers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TGF-β1 produced by macrophages and cytokines such as IL-6 could affect the progression of liver fibrosis and regeneration in patients with LC via liver-spleen cross-talk.
AIM: It is unclear whether the spleen affects the progression of liver cirrhosis (LC) through "liver-spleen cross-talk". Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is reported to be the most potent cytokine of liver fibrosis, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important factor of liver regeneration. In this study, we investigated the expression of cytokines in the spleens of LC patients in order to attempt to prove the existence of liver-spleen cross-talk. METHODS: The study enrolled 22 patients who underwent splenectomy at our institute between 2004 and 2010. TGF-β1 expression in the resected spleen was measured using immunohistochemical staining. Two-color immunofluorescent staining for CD68 and TGF-β1 in the spleen was performed to detect sources of TGF-β1. IL-6 expression in the spleen was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: TGF-β1 expression was significantly higher in the spleens of LC patients than in those of patients with normal livers (P < 0.05). Coexpression of CD68 and TGF-β1 was confirmed. The expression of IL-6 in the spleens of LC patients was significantly lower than that in patients with normal livers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TGF-β1 produced by macrophages and cytokines such as IL-6 could affect the progression of liver fibrosis and regeneration in patients with LC via liver-spleen cross-talk.
Authors: Yin Jikai; Wang Dong; Zhang Li; Dong Rui; Yang Tao; Huang Bo; Sun Yibo; Lei Shixiong; Bai Qiangshan; Lu Jianguo Journal: Front Surg Date: 2022-08-10
Authors: Andrey V Elchaninov; Timur Kh Fatkhudinov; Polina A Vishnyakova; Maria P Nikitina; Anastasiya V Lokhonina; Andrey V Makarov; Irina V Arutyunyan; Evgeniya Y Kananykhina; Anastasiya S Poltavets; Kirill R Butov; Igor I Baranov; Dmitry V Goldshtein; Galina B Bolshakova; Valeria V Glinkina; Gennady T Sukhikh Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-06-12 Impact factor: 3.240