Figure 8.

The crosstalk between γδT cells and cNK cells as well as lrNK cells. (A) Liver mononuclear cells were isolated from WT mice with or without CCl₄ continuous administration, respectively. (Left) The expression of CD137 ligand (CD137L) on hepatic γδT cells was determined by FACS. (Right) Statistical analysis is shown, n = 6. (B) (Left) The expression CD137 on hepatic cNK and lrNK cells was determined by FACS, respectively. (Right) Statistical analysis is shown, n = 6. (C, D) The culture-activated HSCs were co-cultured with isolated hepatic lrNK cells or cNK cells with/without γδT cells at an effector:target ratio of 2:1 in the present or absence of CD137L-specific blocking antibody (anti-CD137L) for 12 h, respectively. The cytotoxicity against activated HSCs was determined using LDH assay. (E) Schematic model for the anti-fibrotic functions of hepatic γδT cells in CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis, through directly killing against activated HSCs dependent on NKp46-mediated cytotoxicity, and increasing NK cells-mediated cytotoxicity against activated HSCs through CD137-CD137L interaction in CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis. ^**P < 0.05.