Stat4 and Stat6 signaling in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice: HO-1 dependence of Stat4 disruption-mediated cytoprotection

Xiu Da Shen, Bibo Ke, Yuan Zhai, Feng Gao, Dean Anselmo, Charles R. Lassman, Ronald W. Busuttil, Jerzy W. Kupiec-Weglinski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

100 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains an important problem in clinical organ transplantation. There is growing evidence that T lymphocytes, and activated CD4+ T cells in particular, play a key role in hepatic I/R injury. This study analyzes the role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (Stat4) and Stat6 signaling in liver I/R injury. Using a partial lobar warm ischemia model, groups of wild-type (WT), T cell-deficient, Stat4-/Stat6-deficient knock-out (KO) mice were assessed for the extent/severity of I/R injury. Ninety minutes of warm ischemia followed by 6 hours of reperfusion induced a fulminant liver failure in WT and Stat6 KO mice, as assessed by hepatocellular damage (serum alanine aminotransferase [sALT] levels), neutrophil accumulation (myeloperoxidase [MPO] activity) and histology (Suzuki scores). In contrast, T cell deficiency (nu/nu mice) or disruption of Stat4 signaling (Stat4 KO mice) reduced I/R insult. Unlike adoptive transfer of WT or Stat6-deficient T cells, infusion of Stat4-deficient T cells failed to restore hepatic I/R injury and prevented tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production in nu/nu mice. Diminished TNF-α/Th1-type cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA)/protein elaborations patterns, along with overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)-accompanied hepatic cytoprotection in Stat4 KO recipients. In contrast, HO-1 depression restored hepatic injury in otherwise I/R resistant Stat4 KOs. In conclusion, Stat4 signaling is required for, whereas Stat4 disruption protects against, warm hepatic I/R injury in mice. The cytoprotection rendered by Stat4 disruption remains HO-1-dependent.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)296-303
Number of pages8
JournalHepatology
Volume37
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hepatology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Stat4 and Stat6 signaling in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice: HO-1 dependence of Stat4 disruption-mediated cytoprotection'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this