Neutrophil-dependent hepatic platelet accumulation and liver injury revealed by acetaminophen dose-response studies

Background: Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is a leading cause of drug-induced acute liver failure (ALF). Neutrophil activation has been associated with poor outcomes in patients with ALF and is proposed to amplify coagulation in this context. However, the precise role of neutrophils in APAP-induced liver injury is not known.

Methods: We used a dual antibody-mediated neutrophil depletion strategy to determine the role of neutrophils in mice challenged with different doses of APAP (300 or 600 mg/kg) that produce hepatotoxicity and ALF-like pathology.

Results: Flow cytometry confirmed depletion of neutrophils in whole blood prior to APAP challenge. Mice given isotype control and challenged with 300 mg/kg APAP developed marked hepatocellular necrosis and showed an increase in biomarkers of coagulation cascade activation. Neutrophil depletion (anti-Ly6G) did not affect either liver injury or coagulation activation in mice challenged with 300 mg/kg APAP. Mice given isotype control and challenged with 600 mg/kg APAP developed hepatic necrosis alongside marked hemorrhage and congestion indicative of vascular injury. Interestingly, hepatic neutrophil and platelet accumulation were increased in mice given 600 mg/kg APAP compared with those given the lower APAP dose. Neutrophil depletion significantly reduced the severity of liver necrosis in mice challenged with 600 mg/kg APAP, without significantly impacting biomarkers of coagulation activity. Notably, neutrophil depletion significantly reduced hepatic platelet accumulation in mice challenged with 600 mg/kg APAP.

Conclusion: The results indicate a role of neutrophils in APAP-induced liver injury that is dependent on the APAP dose and suggest involvement of neutrophil-platelet interactions in promoting hepatic injury in experimental APAP-induced ALF.