CpG ODN pretreatment attenuates concanavalin A-induced hepatitis in mice

T cell-mediated hepatic damage plays a key role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases Such as autoimmune hepatitis, viral hepatitis and acute liver failure CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN), a ligand for toll-like receptor (TLR) 9. is widely used as ail immunological adjuvant In the present study. we investigated the effect of CpG ODN on T cell-mediated liver injury in a murine model of concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis We found that the aminotransferase level was significantly decreased in CpG ODN pretreated mice and the Survival of the mice was markedly prolonged. CpG ODN pretreatment inhibited NF-kappa B DNA binding activity As a result, the systemic/liver levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were significantly suppressed Furthermore. the activation of inflammatory cells was diminished by CpG ODN pretreatment These results Suggest that CpG ODN pretreatment protects the mice from Con A-induced liver injury via inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis, inflammation and activation of lymphocytes (C) 2009 Elsevier B V All rights reserved