Blockade of TRAIL pathway ameliorates HBV-induced hepatocyte apoptosis in an acute hepatitis model

• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.11.024
• Publication Date: 2006-11-16T02:28:15Z
• Authors: Yu-Gang Liu; Su-Xia Liu; Xiao-Hong Liang; Qiu Zhang; Li-Fen Gao; Li-Hui Han; Ying-Lin Cao; Nan Hou; Juan Du; Wen-Sheng Sun
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; Mice, Inbred BALB C; 0303 health sciences; Apoptosis; Hepatitis B; Recombinant Proteins; 3. Good health; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; Disease Models, Animal; Mice; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; 03 medical and health sciences; Treatment Outcome; Solubility; Acute Disease; Animals; Humans; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Signal Transduction

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) may play important roles during hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In this study, we used a recombinant human soluble death receptor 5 (sDR5) to explore its effect in a mouse model of HBV-induced acute hepatitis. By measuring blood transaminase activity and hepatocyte apoptosis, we found that sDR5 could alleviate liver damage by blocking TRAIL-induced apoptosis of HBV-transfected hepatocytes. sDR5 injection at 16 mg/kg 24h before HBV transfection was the most effective. Additionally, we showed that sDR5 was equally effective in protecting liver injury as the Stronger Neo-Minophagen C (SNMC), a commonly used drug for patients with liver diseases. Thus, sDR5 represents a potential novel therapeutic drug for patients with fulminant hepatitis.