Ifit1 protects against lipopolysaccharide and D-galactosamine-induced fatal hepatitis by inhibiting activation of the JNK pathway

Abstract

Treatment of mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the liver-specific transcriptional inhibitor D-(+)-galactosamine (GalN) induces fatal hepatitis, which is mediated by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and characterized by massive hepatic apoptosis. Previous studies suggest that GalN increases the sensitivity to LPS/TNF-α, probably by blocking the transcription of protective factors, but the identity of most of these factors is still unclear. Here, we report that Ifit1 protects against LPS/GalN-induced fatal hepatitis. Forced expression of Ifit1 in hepatocytes significantly diminished TNF-α-mediated apoptosis. Moreover, targeted expression of Ifit1 in the liver by recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 8 protected mice from LPS/GalN-induced lethal hepatitis, which was associated with the inhibition of TNF-α-mediated activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-Bim cascade. Furthermore, Ifit1 bound to a scaffolding protein Axin and inhibited its function to mediate JNK activation. Together, our data demonstrate that Ifit1 is a novel protective factor that inhibits LPS/GalN-induced (TNF-α-mediated) fatal hepatitis, suggesting that Ifit1 is a potential therapeutic target for treatment of inflammatory liver diseases.