β7-Integrin and MAdCAM-1 play opposing roles during the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Background & Aims Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease in Western countries. It is unclear how infiltrating leukocytes affect NASH-development. Our study aims to investigate the role of the homing/receptor, pair mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1)/β 7 -Integrin, on immune cell recruitment and disease progression in a steatohepatitis model. Methods Constitutive β 7 -Integrin deficient ( β 7 −/− ) and MAdCAM-1 deficient ( MAdCAM-1 −/− ) mice were fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 26weeks or methionine-choline-deficient-diet (MCD) for 4weeks. Results β 7 −/− mice displayed earlier and more progressive steatohepatitis during HFD- and MCD-treatment, while MAdCAM-1 −/− mice showed less histomorphological changes. The anti-oxidative stress response was significantly weaker in β 7 −/− mice as reflected by a significant downregulation of the transcription factors nuclear-factor(erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and heme-oxigenase-1 (HO-1). Additionally, stronger dihydroethidium-staining revealed an increased oxidative stress response in β 7 −/− animals. In contrast, MAdCAM-1 −/− mice showed an upregulation of the anti-oxidative stress response. β 7 −/− animals exhibited stronger hepatic infiltration of inflammatory cells, especially neutrophils, reflecting earlier steatohepatitis initiation. Expression of regulatory T cell (T Reg ) markers as well as numbers of anti-inflammatory macrophages was significantly enhanced in MAdCAM-1 −/− mice. Those changes finally resulted in earlier and stronger collagen accumulation in β 7 −/− mice, whereas MAdCAM-1 −/− mice were protected from fibrosis initiation. Conclusions Adhesion molecule mediated effector cell migration contributes to the outcome of steatohepatitis in the HFD- and the MCD model. While MAdCAM-1 promotes steatohepatitis, β 7 -Integrin unexpectedly exerts protective effects. β 7 −/− mice show earlier steatohepatitis initiation and significantly stronger fibrosis progression. Accordingly, the interaction of β 7 -Integrins and their receptor MAdCAM-1 provide novel targets for therapeutic interventions in steatohepatitis. Lay summary The mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM-1) is expressed in livers upon diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Loss of MAdCAM-1 has beneficial effects regarding the development of NASH - manifested by reduced hepatic oxidative stress and decreased inflammation. In contrast, β 7 -Integrin-deficiency results in increased steatohepatitis.