IL-33 signalling in liver immune cells enhances drug-induced liver injury and inflammation

Objective and design The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of IL-33/ST2 axis in the onset and progression of acute liver injury using a mice model of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Material and treatments DILI was induced by overdose administration of acetaminophen (APAP) by oral gavage in wild-type BALB/c, ST2-deficient mice and in different bone marrow chimeras. Neutrophils were depleted by anti-Ly6G and macrophages with clodronate liposomes (CLL). Methods Blood and liver were collected for biochemical, immunologic and genetic analyses. Mice were imaged by confocal intravital microscopy and liver non-parenchymal cells and hepatocytes were isolated for flow cytometry, genetic and immunofluorescence studies. Results Acetaminophen overdose caused a massive necrosis and accumulation of immune cells within the liver, concomitantly with IL-33 and chemokine release. Liver non-parenchymal cells were the major sensors for IL-33, and amongst them, neutrophils were the major players in amplification of the inflammatory response triggered by IL-33/ST2 signalling pathway. Conclusion Blockage of IL-33/ST2 axis reduces APAP-mediated organ injury by dampening liver chemokine release and activation of resident and infiltrating liver non-parenchymal cells.