Gastrointestinal B-cells license metabolic T-cell activation in NASH microbiota/antigen-independently and contribute to fibrosis by IgA-FcR? signaling

Purpose: Aim of the study was to identify transcriptional changes in the intestinal B cells of NASH-affected mice versus healthy mice. Results: RNA-Seq analysis in both sorted CD19+/CD20+ and sorted B220+ cells, revealed increased expression levels in genes involved in lipid metabolism, and in antigen presentation, BCR signaling, B cells activation and proliferation. Conclusion: Mice bearing NASH (both WT and µMT choline-deficient high-fat diet (CD-HFD) fed mice) display altered B cells in the gastrointestinal tract towards an activated phenotype and increased proliferation induced by the CD-HFD. Overall design: RNAseq analysis of sorted CD19+/CD20+ and of B220+ cells from small intestines of WT normal diet (ND), WT CD-HFD, and µMT CD-HFD fed mice for 6-months.