Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 inhibits development of atherosclerosis in mice

Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2), a multifunctional hepatokine, is involved in many pathological conditi ons. However, its role in atherosclerosis remains undefined. In this study, we admimistered vehicle or LECT2 to male Apoe^-/- mice fed a Western diet for 15 weeks. Atherosclerotic lesions were visualized and quantified with Oil-red O and hematoxylin staining. The mRNA expression levels of MCP-1, MMP-1, IL-8 IL-1β, and TNF-a were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-8, MCP-1, and MMP-1 concentrations were measured by en zyme-li nked immuno sorbent assay. CD68, CD31, and a-SMA, markers of macrophages, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, respectively, were detected by immuno staining. Results showed that LECT2 reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein concentrations in serum and inhibited the development of atherosclerotic lesions, accompanied by reductions in inflammatory cytokines and lower MCP-1, MMP-1, TNF-a, IL-8, and IL-1β mRNA abundanee. Furthermore, LECT2 decreased CD68, but in creased cr SMA in atherosclerotic lesi ons, suggesting an in crease in smooth muscle cells and reduction in macrophages. In summary, LECT2 inhibited the development of atherosclerosis in mice, accompanied by reduced serum total cholesterol concentration and lower inflammatory responses.

Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin-2 and fibroblast growth factor 21 in alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND The importance of early diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease underscores the need to seek better and especially non-invasive diagnostic procedures.Leukocyte cellderived chemotaxin-2(LECT2)has been widely studied to determine its usefulness in monitoring the course of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease but not for alcoholic liver cirrhosis(ALC).AIM To determine the concentration of LECT2 in the blood serum of patients in relation to progressive stages of ALC,its relation to fibroblast growth factor 1(FGF-1)and FGF-21,and to examine the possible wider use of LECT2 in diagnosing ALC.METHODS A retrospective case-control study was conducted with 69 ALC cases and 17 controls with no ALC.Subjects were recruited from the region of Lublin(eastern Poland).Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed based on clinical features,history of heavy alcohol consumption,laboratory tests,and abdominal ultrasonography.The degree of ALC was evaluated according to Pugh-Child criteria(the Pugh-Child score).Blood was drawn and,after centrifugation,serum was collected for analysis.LECT2,FGF-1,and FGF-21 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.RESULTS The LECT2 Levels in the control group were 18.99±5.36 ng/mL.In the study groups,they declined with the progression of cirrhosis to 11.06±6.47 ng/mL in one group and to 8.06±5.74 ng/mL in the other(P<0.0001).Multiple comparison tests confirmed the statistically significant differences in LECT2 Levels between the control group and both test groups(P=0.006 and P<0.0001).FGF-21 Levels were 44.27±64.19 pg/mL in the first test group,45.4±51.69 pg/mL in the second(P=0.008),and 13.52±7.51 pg/mL in the control group.The difference between the control group and the second test group was statistically significant(P=0.007).CONCLUSION We suggest that LECT2 may be a non-invasive diagnostic factor for alcoholinduced liver cirrhosis.The usefulness of LECT2 for non-invasive monitoring of alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis was indirectly confirmed by the multiple regression model developed on the basis of our statistical analysis.

Liver infiltration of multiple immune cells during the process of acute liver injury and repair

BACKGROUND Immune cells,including neutrophils,natural killer(NK)cells,T cells,NKT cells and macrophages,participate in the progression of acute liver injury and hepatic recovery.To date,there has been no systematic study on the quantitative changes in these different immune cells from initial injury to subsequent recovery.AIM To investigate the infiltration changes of various immune cells in acute liver injury models over time,and to study the relationship between the changes in leukocyte cellderived chemotaxin 2(LECT2)and the infiltration of several immune cells.METHODS Carbon tetrachloride-and concanavalin A-induced acute liver injury models were employed to mimic toxin-induced and autoimmune-mediated liver injury respectively.The quantitative changes in various immune cells were monitored at different time points.Serum samples were collected,and liver tissues were harvested.Ly6G,CD161,CD4,CD8 and F4/80 staining were used to indicate neutrophils,NK/NKT cells,CD4^(+)T cells,CD8^(+)T cells and macrophages,respectively.Lect2-KO mice were used to detect the function of LECT2.RESULTS During the injury and repair process,different types of immune cells began to increase,reached their peaks and fell into decline at different time points.Furthermore,when the serum alanine transaminase(ALT)and aspartate transaminase(AST)indices reverted to normal levels 7 d after the injury,the infiltration of immune cells still existed even 14 d after the injury,showing an obvious lag effect.We found that the expression of LECT2 was upregulated in acute liver injury mouse models,and the liver injuries of Lect2-KO mice were less severe than those of wild-type mice.Compared with wild-type mice,Lect2-KO mice had different immune cell infiltration.CONCLUSION The recovery time of immune cells was far behind that of serum ALT and AST during the process of liver repair.LECT2 could regulate monocyte/macrophage chemotaxis and might be used as a therapeutic target for acute liver injury.