Physical Function as Assessed by the Liver Frailty Index Remains Stable Over Time in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated With Locoregional Therapies.

Introduction: It is unknown how frailty evolves over time in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who are treated with locoregional therapies (LRTs).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of LRT-treated hepatocellular carcinoma patients with Liver Frailty Index (LFI) assessments. Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to assess the impact of time (modeled linearly per month) and other variables on LFI.

γδ Intraepithelial Lymphocytes Facilitate Pathological Epithelial Cell Shedding Via CD103-Mediated Granzyme Release.

Background & Aims: Excessive shedding of apoptotic enterocytes into the intestinal lumen is observed in inflammatory bowel disease and is correlated with disease relapse. Based on their cytolytic capacity and surveillance behavior, we investigated whether intraepithelial lymphocytes expressing the γδ T cell receptor (γδ IELs) are actively involved in the shedding of enterocytes into the lumen.

Methods: Intravital microscopy was performed on GFP γδ T cell reporter mice treated with intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (10 mg/kg) for 90 minutes to induce tumor necrosis factor-mediated apoptosis.

Policing the intestinal epithelial barrier: Innate immune functions of intraepithelial lymphocytes.

Purpose Of Review: This review will explore the contribution of IELs to mucosal innate immunity and highlight the similarities in IEL functional responses to bacteria, viruses and protozoan parasite invasion.

Recent Findings: IELs rapidly respond to microbial invasion by activating host defense responses, including the production of mucus and antimicrobial peptides to prevent microbes from reaching the epithelial surface. During active infection, IELs promote epithelial cytolysis, cytokine and chemokine production to limit pathogen invasion, replication and dissemination.

Sentinels at the frontline: the role of intraepithelial lymphocytes in inflammatory bowel disease.

Purpose Of Review: Intestinal mucosal immunity is tightly regulated to ensure effective host defense against invasive microorganisms while limiting the potential for aberrant damage. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an imbalance between effector and regulatory T cell populations results in an uncontrolled inflammatory response to commensal bacteria. Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) are perfectly positioned within the intestinal epithelium to provide the first line of mucosal defense against luminal microbes or rapidly respond to epithelial injury.