title: Cytokine expression in spleen affects progression of liver cirrhosis through liver-spleen cross-talk.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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: Department of Surgery, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan.
authors: Michihito
authors: M
authors: Asanoma
authors: Tetsuya
authors: T
authors: Ikemoto
authors: Hiroki
authors: H
authors: Mori
authors: Tohru
authors: T
authors: Utsunomiya
authors: Satoru
authors: S
authors: Imura
authors: Yuji
authors: Y
authors: Morine
authors: Shuichi
authors: S
authors: Iwahashi
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Saito
authors: Shinichiro
authors: S
authors: Yamada
authors: Mitsuo
authors: M
authors: Shimada
keywords: interleukin-6; liver cirrhosis; liver-spleen cross-talk; spleen; transforming growth factor-β1