Mesenteric lymph node CD4⁺ T lymphocytes migrate to liver and contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by altered intestinal microbiota and intestinal immune disorder. Here we investigated the role of mesenteric lymph node (MLN) CD4⁺ T lymphocytes in NAFLD. In high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, the percentage ratios of Th1 to Th2 cells and Th17 to Treg cells were imbalanced in MLNs. Co-culture assays showed MLN CD4⁺ T lymphocytes from HFD-fed mice tended to migrate to the liver and promoted hepatic inflammation. Adoptive transfer of MLN CD4⁺ T lymphocytes from NAFLD mice to HFD-fed mice resulted in higher transaminase, worse hepatic inflammation and lipid accumulation. Antibiotics and probiotics were administrated to regulate intestinal microbiota, and the restoration of MLN Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells in alleviated NAFLD were found. In summary, MLNs CD4⁺ T subtype cells may involve in NAFLD, and the restoration of MLN CD4⁺ T subtype cells ratio by regulating intestinal bacteria could be the new strategies.