The Critical and Diverse Roles of CD4–CD8– Double Negative T Cells in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Changying Li, Xiaonan Du, Zongshan Shen, Yunxiong Wei, Yaning Wang, Xiaotong Han, Hua Jin, Chunpan Zhang, Mengyi Li, Zhongtao Zhang, Songlin Wang, Dong Zhang, Guangyong Sun
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatic inflammation is a hallmark of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Double negative T (DNT) cells are a unique subset of T lymphocytes that do not express CD4, CD8, or natural killer cell markers, and studies have suggested that DNT cells play critical and diverse roles in the immune system. However, the role of intrahepatic DNT cells in NAFLD is largely unknown. METHODS: The proportions and RNA transcription profiling of intrahepatic DNT cells were compared between C57BL/6 mice fed with control diet or methionine-choline-deficient diet for 5 weeks. The functions of DNT cells were tested in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: DNT cells in humans. CONCLUSIONS: DNT regulation would be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.