CRACC-CRACC interaction between Kupffer and NK cells contributes to poly I:C/D-GalN induced hepatitis

PLoS One. 2013 Sep 30;8(9):e76681. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076681. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

CD2-like receptor activating cytotoxic cells (CRACC) is known as a critical activating receptor of natural killer (NK) cells. We have previously reported that NK cells contribute to Poly I:C/D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced fulminant hepatitis. Since natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) is considered critical but not the only activating receptor for NK cells, we investigated the role of CRACC in this model. We found that CRACC was abundant on hepatic NK cells but with low expression levels on Kupffer cells under normal conditions. Expression of CRACC on NK cells and Kupffer cells was remarkably upregulated after poly I:C injection. Hepatic CRACC mRNA levels were also upregulated in Poly I:C/D-GalN-treated mice, and correlated positively with the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. CRACC expression on Kupffer cells was specifically silenced by nano-particle encapsulated siRNA in vivo, which significantly reduced Poly I:C/D-GalN-induced liver injury. In co-culture experiments, it was further verified that silencing CRACC expression or blockade of CRACC activation by mAb reduced the production of interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Collectively, our findings suggest that CRACC-CRACC interaction between NK cells and resident Kupffer cells contributes to Poly I:C/D-GalN-induced fulminant hepatitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Galactosamine / adverse effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Hepatitis / etiology
  • Hepatitis / metabolism*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism*
  • Kupffer Cells / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Poly I-C / adverse effects
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • SLAMF7 protein, human
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family
  • Galactosamine
  • Poly I-C

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science & Technology of China (973 Basic Science Project 2013CB530506, 2010CB911901), Natural Science Foundation of China (91029303, 31021061, 30911120480). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.