CXCL16 participates in pathogenesis of immunological liver injury by regulating T lymphocyte infiltration in liver tissue

AIM: To investigate the role of CXCL16 in the pathogenesis of immunological liver injury and to explore the possible mechanism of T lymphocyte infiltration regulated by CXCL16. METHODS: Immunological liver injury in murine model was induced by Bacille Calmette-Guerin and lipopolysaccharide. Expression pattern and distribution of CXCL16 were examined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis. Anti-CXCL16 antibody was administrated in vivo to investigate its effect on T-cell recruitment and acute hepatic necrosis. The survival of murine model was also evaluated. RESULTS: The murine immunological liver injury model was successfully established. CXCL16 expression increased and predominantly distributed in periportal areas and vascular endothelia in injured liver tissues. Administration of anti-CXCL16 Ab protected the mice from death and acute liver damage. Approximately 70% of the mice survived for 72 h in the anti-CXCL16 Ab treatment group, whereas 80% died within 72 h in control Ab group. The number of liver-infiltrating T lymphocytes was significantly reduced from 1.01x10(7) to 3.52x10(6)/liver, compared with control Ab treatment. CONCLUSION: CXCL16 is involved in immunological liver injury by regulating T lymphocyte infiltration in liver tissue. (C) 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.