HLA-B*35:01-mediated activation of emodin-specific T cells contributes to Polygonum multiflorum thunb. -induced liver injury in mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: HLA-B*35:01 has been identified as a risk allele for Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.-induced liver injury (PMLI). However, the immune mechanism underlying HLA-B*35:01-mediated PMLI remains unknown.
Aim of the Study: To characterize the immune mechanism of HLA-B*35:01-mediated PMLI.
Materials and Methods: Components of P. multiflorum (PM) bound to the HLA-B*35:01 molecule was screened by immunoaffinity chromatography. Both wild-type mice and HLA-B*35:01 transgenic (TG) mice were treated with emodin. The levels of transaminases, histological changes and T-cell response were assessed. Splenocytes from emodin-treated mice were isolated and cultured in vitro. Phenotypes and functions of T cells were characterized upon drug restimulation using flow cytometry or ELISA. Emodin-pulsed antigen-presenting cells (APCs) or glutaraldehyde-fixed APCs were co-cultured with splenocytes from emodin-treated transgenic mice to detect their effect on T-cell activation.
Results: Emodin, the main component of PM, could non-covalently bind to the HLA-B*35:01-peptide complexes. TG mice were more sensitive to emodin-induced immune hepatic injury, as manifested by elevated aminotransferase levels, infiltration of inflammatory cells, increased percentage of CD8+T cells and release of effector molecules in the liver. However, these effects were not observed in wild-type mice. An increase in percentage of T cells and the levels of interferon-γ, granzyme B, and perforin was detected in emodin-restimulated splenocytes from TG mice. Anti-HLA-I antibodies inhibited the secretion of these effector molecules induced by emodin. Mechanistically, emodin-pulsed APCs failed to stimulate T cells, while fixed APCs in the presence of emodin could elicit the secretion of T cell effector molecules.
Conclusion: The HLA-B*35:01-mediated CD8 ⁺ T cell reaction to emodin through the P-I mechanism may contribute to P. multiflorum-induced liver injury.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.
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