title: TLR-dependent cross talk between human Kupffer cells and NK cells.
abstract: The liver protects the host from gut-derived pathogens yet is tolerant of antigenic challenge from food and commensal sources. Innate responses involving liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) and effector liver natural killer (NK) cells form the first line in this defense. We address the impact of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling on the cross talk between these two cells, and reveal how the liver displays a down-regulated inflammatory response to constitutive bacterial elements through the secretion of interleukin (IL) 10 yet retains a vigorous response to viral challenge. The data support the model that (a) human liver Kupffer cells respond to TLR ligands and indirectly activate NK cells; (b) the activation depends on cell-cell contact; (c) the Kupffer cells synthesize NK cell activating signals, among which IL-18 is critical, and NK cell inhibitory factors, including IL-10; (d) ligands that signal via myeloid differentiation factor 88 induce IL-10, giving a blunted response in the NK cells; and (e) ligands that signal via the Toll-IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon (IFN) beta-IFN regulatory factor 3 pathway induce less IL-10, and also directly potentiate the stimulatory effect of IL-18 on NK cells, resulting in enhanced activation. Subversion of cellular mechanisms of innate immune response against viruses may be important for hepatotropic viruses (e.g., hepatitis B and C) to develop persistence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Solid Organ Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
authors.forename: Zhengkun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bozorgzadeh
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kurtis
authors.forename: I Nicholas
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Crispe
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Orloff
mesh_terms: D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008024:Ligands; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019002:CD56 Antigen; D020382:Interleukin-18; D008024:Ligands; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D016753:Interleukin-10