Background: Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress play fundamental roles in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Previously, we reported that myeloperoxidase (MPO), an aggressive oxidant-generating neutrophil enzyme, is associated with NASH severity in man. We now investigated the hypothesis that MPO contributes to the development and progression of NASH.
Methodology: Low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice with an MPO-deficient hematopoietic system (LDLR(-/-/)MPO(-/-tp) mice) were generated and compared with LDLR(-/-/)MPO(+/+tp) mice after induction of NASH by high-fat feeding.
Results: High-fat feeding caused a ~4-fold induction of liver MPO in LDLR(-/-/)MPO(+/+) mice which was associated with hepatic sequestration of MPO-positive neutrophils and high levels of nitrotyrosine, a marker of MPO activity. Importantly, LDLR(-/-/)MPO(-/-tp) mice displayed markedly reduced hepatic neutrophil and T-lymphocyte infiltration (p<0.05), and strong down regulation of pro-inflammatory genes such as TNF-α and IL-6 (p<0.05, p<0.01) in comparison with LDLR(-/-/)MPO(+/+tp) mice. Next to the generalized reduction of inflammation, liver cholesterol accumulation was significantly diminished in LDLR(-/-/)MPO(-/-tp) mice (p = 0.01). Moreover, MPO deficiency appeared to attenuate the development of hepatic fibrosis as evident from reduced hydroxyproline levels (p<0.01). Interestingly, visceral adipose tissue inflammation was markedly reduced in LDLR(-/-/)MPO(-/-tp) mice, with a complete lack of macrophage crown-like structures. In conclusion, MPO deficiency attenuates the development of NASH and diminishes adipose tissue inflammation in response to a high fat diet, supporting an important role for neutrophils in the pathogenesis of metabolic disease.