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  • Original Article
  • OPEN ACCESS

Noncanonical NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Liver Diseases

  • Qianhui Chen1,
  • Xinyu Lu1 and
  • Xiaoyong Zhang*,1,2 
 Author information
Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology 2021;9(1):81-89

DOI: 10.14218/JCTH.2020.00063

Abstract

The noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway is an important branch of NF-κB signaling. It is involved in regulating multiple important biological processes, including inflammation and host immune response. A central adaptor protein of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway is NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK), which activates the downstream kinase IKKα to process p100 to p52, thereby forming the RelB/p52 heterodimer to initiate the expression of target genes. Currently, many specific inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies targeting or triggering this pathway are being developed and tested for various diseases, including cancers, autoimmune diseases, and virus infection. Given that aberrant activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway is frequently observed in various liver diseases, targeting this pathway may be a promising therapeutic strategy to alleviate liver inflammation. Moreover, activation of this pathway may contribute to the antiviral immune response and promote the clearance of persistent hepatotropic virus infection. Here, we review the role of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway in the occurrence and development of different liver diseases, and discuss the potency and application of modulating the noncanonical NF-κB pathway for treatment of these liver diseases.

Keywords

Noncanonical NF-κB pathway, NF-κB-inducing kinase, Liver inflammation, Immune responses, Liver diseases

Introduction

The NF-κB family of transcription factors, including NF-κB1 p50, NF-κB2 p52, RELA (p65), c-Rel and RelB,1 are involved in diverse biological processes, such as inflammation, apoptosis, proliferation, and development.2,3 These NF-κB subunits form various homodimers or heterodimers that bind to κB enhancers of target genes and regulate their transcription.3 In resting cells, the NF-κB dimer is inactive and is sequestered in the cytoplasm by binding to members of the κB inhibitory factor (IκB) family. In activating cells, NF-κB signaling is activated through a series of signaling cascades, following the ligation of various cell surface receptors with paired ligands.3

NF-κB signaling transduction can be divided into canonical or noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathways (Fig. 1). The canonical pathway has been well studied, and is known to rely on the degradation of IκBα.4 This pathway is also known to be rapid and transient. In contrast, activation of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway has been shown to rely on the processing of p100. This process is characteristically slow and persistent, and is regulated in a strict and complex manner through the activity of a variety of proteins.5,6 NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) is a central and specific signal component in the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway,6,7 while inducible p100 processing is a central step in noncanonical NF-κB signaling transduction.5

Canonical and noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathways in resting <italic>vs.</italic> receptor-stimulated cells.
Fig. 1  Canonical and noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathways in resting vs. receptor-stimulated cells.

(A) Canonical NF-κB signaling pathways. In resting cells, the binding of members of the IκB family, such as the prototypical IκB member IκBα, to classical NF-κB complexes, particularly NF-κB1 p50-RelA and NF-κB1 p50-c-Rel dimers, inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB complexes. The canonical pathway is activated by signals from various immune-related receptors. In various proinflammatory cytokine-stimulated cells, ligand-receptor interactions initially activate TAK1. Subsequently, TAK1 activates the IKK complex and mediates IκBα phosphorylation and ubiquitin (Ub)-dependent proteasomal degradation, leading to the rapid and transient nuclear translocation of the classical NF-κB dimers. (B) Noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathways. In resting cells, the cIAP1/2-TRAF2-TRAF3 multisubunit ubiquitin ligase complex is composed of TRAF2, TRAF3, and cIAP1/2, in which TRAF2 acts as the adaptor protein, linking TRAF3 and cIAP1/2. The binding of NIK to TRAF3 leads to the constitutive degradation of NIK in a Ub- and proteasome-dependent manner. Following ligand (such as LTβ, CD40L or BAFF) stimulation, the cIAP1/2-TRAF2-TRAF3 complex is recruited to the receptors. The focus of cIAP1/2 mediated k48 ubiquitination and proteasome-dependent protein degradation shifts from NIK to TRAF3, which induces TRAF3 degradation and NIK stabilization. Subsequently, phosphorylated NIK phosphorylates IKKα, which, in turn, phosphorylates NF-κB2 p100, resulting in the processing of p100 into p52 and the nuclear translocation of RelB-p52 heterodimers. In addition, stabilized NIK is regulated via a negative feedback loop, involving IKKα-mediated phosphorylation.

Recent studies have suggested that the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway is involved in regulating multiple important biological processes, such as immune inflammation, development of lymphoid organs, and B and T cell survival and maturation.4 In addition, the well-characterized functions of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway are also found to be dysregulated in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases, including metabolic liver disease, autoimmune liver disease, and viral hepatitis. Here, we review the expression and function of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling molecules in various liver diseases. In particular, we also discuss the therapeutic potency of modulating noncanonical NF-κB signaling for treatment of liver diseases.

Signaling molecules of noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway

Important signaling molecules of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway include receptors and adaptor proteins. The best known noncanonical NF-κB receptors belong to the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily and include lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTBR),8 B-cell-activating factor belonging to TNF family receptor (BAFFR),9,10 CD40,9,10 receptor activator for nuclear factor κB (RANK),11 fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14),12 and OX40 (also called CD134).13 A common feature of these receptors is the presence of a TNFR-associated factor (TRAF)-binding motif, which recruits different TRAF molecules, particularly TRAF2 and TRAF3, to the receptor complex during ligand binding. This is a critical step, leading to degradation of TRAF molecules and activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway by downstream signals.14,15 Several non-TNFR receptors can also mediate noncanonical NF-κB pathway activation, such as macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (MCSFR), a growth factor receptor that regulates macrophage differentiation and proliferation.14,15

The essential adaptor proteins belong to TRAF2, TRAF3, NIK (also known as MAP3K14), IκB kinase α (IKKα) complex, precursor p100, RelB, and the p100 processed product, p52. In resting cells, TRAF2 acts as an adaptor protein connecting TRAF3 with cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein (cIAP)1/2 to form a TRAF3-TRAF2-cIAP1/2 multisubunit ubiquitin ligase complex.16 TRAF3 is not only an NIK binding protein but also a key adaptor protein that regulates the level of NIK.17 Although TRAF3 cannot catalyze the formation of K48-linked ubiquitin chains, it acts as a bridge between cIAP1/2 and NIK, thereby allowing cIAP1/2 to mediate K48 ubiquitylation and proteasome-dependent NIK degradation, which maintains NIK at a low level.5,18 When the receptor is stimulated, the target of cIAP1/2-mediated K48 ubiquitination and proteosome-dependent protein degradation changes from NIK to TRAF3 through raising the TRAF3-TRAF2-cIAP1/2 complex to receptors, which results in TRAF3 degradation and stabilizes NIK expression.5,16 However, some stimulatory signals can also stabilize NIK expression by inducing the degradation of TRAF2 or cIAP.19–21 The accumulation of NIK induces phosphorylation and polyubiquitination of p100, leading to the release of p52. Subsequently, the RelB/p52 heterodimer translocates into the nucleus and initiates the expression of target genes19–21 (Fig. 1). The targets regulated by this pathway include several cytokine and chemokine coding genes, such as CCL19 (also called ELC), CCL21 (also known as SLC), CXCL13 (also named BLC), VCAM1, ICAM1, and MADCAM1.19–21 Inducible p100 processing by activating NIK is the centerpiece in the activation of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway and involves the strict regulation of multiple processes, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and ubiquitin-like modification.5 Notably, although IKKα is thought to be a key regulator of p100 phosphorylation, activating IKKα alone is not enough to activate the noncanonical NF-κB pathway, which additionally requires the activity of NIK.6,22

The noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway is regulated at multiple levels. NIK, as the first central regulatory component of this pathway, is itself regulated by various factors. TRAF2, TRAF3, and cIAP are negative regulators of NIK19–21 and are essential for maintaining a low NIK level in resting cells. NIK is also regulated through a feedback mechanism involving its downstream kinase, IKKα.23 In mouse B cells and fibroblasts, TRAF3 degradation following receptor activation does not lead to a sustained increase in NIK levels but instead maintains NIK at a steady level. Furthermore, compared with wild-type cells, IKKα-deficient cells express higher basal levels of NIK.23 However, the negative feedback regulation of NIK by IKKα cannot replace the function of the TRAF3-TRAF2-cIAP1/2 complex, which controls the basal level of NIK.

Several additional factors have recently been implicated in the regulation of NIK. In BAFFR- and CD40-activated B cells, TANK binding kinase 1 (TBK1) phosphorylates NIK and initiates NIK degradation.24 Monarch-1 (also known as NLRP12) interacts with NIK to induce NIK ubiquitination and subsequent proteasome-dependent degradation in myeloid cells. Moreover, monarch-1 may indirectly regulate the level of NIK by stabilizing the TRAF3 level.25,26 Another potential negative regulator of NIK is TRAF- and NIK-associated protein (TNAP). In TNAP-transfected cells, the kinase activity of NIK is suppressed, which inhibits p100 processing.27 Notably, most studies investigating the role of these factors in NIK regulation have used specific cell lines, and whether their function has tissue-cell specificity merits further investigation. IKKα is also regulated by several factors. A recent study identified microRNA (miR)-223, miR-15a, and miR-16 as specific negative regulators of IKKα that regulate the activation of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway during macrophage differentiation.28

Role of noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathways in different liver diseases

The liver is an important metabolic organ of the body, and is involved in biosynthesis, biotransformation, and detoxification. In vivo, the liver is associated with the metabolism of glucose, lipids, and proteins, as well as that of alcohol, drugs, and poisons. Consequently, the liver is often affected by a wide variety of pathogenic factors. Liver damage is always closely associated with the occurrence of intrahepatic inflammation and an impaired immune response. The noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway plays significant roles in the development and regulation of the immune system, and also has a role in multiple immune inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated that dysregulation of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway is related to the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with several liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), autoimmune liver disease, and viral hepatitis (Table 130–59). Furthermore, aberrant activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway in different cell types (such as hepatocytes and thymic epithelial cells) can elicit different effects on the pathogenesis of liver diseases.29–31

Table 1

Expression and function of signaling molecules of the noncanonical signaling pathway in liver diseases

Liver diseasesSignaling moleculesExpression and functionRef
NAFLD/NASH/ALDBAFFR and BAFFSevere obesity and insulin resistance are found in BAFFR–/– mice fed a high-fat diet; BAFF down-regulates the expression of steatogenesis-related genes32
RANKDecreased RANK plasma level and peripheral blood mononuclear cell mRNA level in NAFLD patients33
OX40Plasma OX40 level is positively correlated with disease severity in NASH patients; OX40 deficiency decreases liver fat accumulation, lobular inflammation, and focal necrosis in mice with NASH by regulating both innate and adaptive immunity34
Fn14Fn14 mRNA expression is correlated with acute mortality in ALD39
NIKLiver-specific inhibition of NIK expression shows resistance to hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance in obese mice; NIK deletion in hepatocytes or immune cells suppress liver inflammation and lipogenic programs in mice on high-fat diet; Hepatocyte-specific NIK deletion protects mice from alcoholic steatosis by sustaining hepatic fatty acid oxidation31,35–37,40
Drug-induced liver diseaseOX40OX40 exacerbates paracetamol-induced liver injury by promoting the function of proinflammatory macrophage and CD4+ T cells41
NIKInhibiting NIK signaling ameliorates inflammation, oxidative stress and damage in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury38,42
Autoimmune liver diseaseLTβIncreased level of LTβ in the bile duct cells of PSC patients43
BAFFIncreased level of BAFF in peripheral blood of PBC patients; BAFF promotes Treg apoptosis and inhibits cytokine production by activating B cells in PBC patients44
NIKNIK–/– mice or mice null for Nik in the thymus develop autoimmune hepatitis, liver injury, and liver fibrosis spontaneously44
IKKαSpecific ablation of IKKα in mTECs results in severe T cell-mediated autoimmune hepatitis, liver injury, and liver fibrosis30
RelBDeletion of RELB from liver parenchymal cells protects mice from 5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine-induced cholestatic liver fibrosis43
Viral hepatitisLTBRLTBR activation induces APOBEC3B expression, which can degrade covalently closed circular DNA (the template of HBV replication) in hepatocytes48
BAFFIncreased plasma level of BAFF in patients with chronic HBV infection46
OX40 and OX40LTregs may suppress natural killer cell-mediated hepatocytotoxicity directly through the interaction between OX40 and OX40L, which may be one of the mechanisms underlying the chronic hepatitis B-associated liver disease; Treatment with OX40 agonists improves HBV antigen clearance in young mice45,46
NIKOverexpression of NIK stimulating by interferon-α inhibits HCV replication in infected hepatocytes; Activation of NF-κB in hepatocytes is occasioned by the up-regulation of NIK during the initial stage of HBV infection; NIK deletion can cause increased resistance to HCV infection in hepatocytes47,49,50
IKKαIKKα deletion can lead to an increase in resistance to HCV infection in hepatocytes50
Virus-associated HCCLTBR and LTβIncreased levels of LTαβ and LTBR in HBV- or HCV-induced hepatitis and HCC patients; Liver-specific LTαβ expression in mice induces liver inflammation and HCC51
BAFFRDecreased BAFFR expression in B cells is associated with tumor size and clinical stage52
NIKIncreased activation of NIK-dependent NF-κB signal promote growth and resistance to the chemotherapeutic drug 5-FU in HBV-related HCC53–55
Liver regenerationLTBRMice deficient for LTBR display liver injury, low survival rates, and reduction in hepatocyte proliferative capacity after PHx56
BAFFThe increased level of BAFF in the liver of C57/B6 mice after PHx; Mice treated with anti-BAFF neutralizing antibodies show impaired liver regeneration within 72 h of 70% PHx57
Fn14 and TWEAKFn14 and TWEAK KO mice, as well as wild-type mice treated with anti-TWEAK antibodies, show reduction in hepatocyte and cholangiocyte proliferation after PHx58
NIKHepatocyte-specific NIK KO mice display the greater ability of hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration after the PHx59
IKKαHepatocyte-specific IKKα KO mice display the greater ability of hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration after the PHx59

NAFLD/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis/ALD

NAFLD is an acquired, metabolic stress-induced liver injury, and is closely related to insulin resistance and genetic susceptibility. The most significant pathological feature of NAFLD is the existence of vesicular steatosis in the liver in the absence of alcohol and other well-defined liver injury-related factors. NAFLD is divided into two categories: non-alcoholic fatty liver and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); importantly, NASH patients are prone to progression to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. NAFLD/NASH is associated with multiple metabolic characteristics including obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. It has also been shown that B-cell-activating factor belonging to TNF family (BAFF) is linked to the histological severity of NASH.60 Mechanistically, the BAFF/BAFFR signal was also found to exert a protective role in hepatic steatosis via the down-regulation of the expression of steatogenesis-related genes in hepatocytes.32 RANK plasma levels and peripheral blood mononuclear cell mRNA levels were also found to be decreased in NAFLD patients.33 Similarly, the plasma OX40 level was also positively correlated with disease severity in NASH patients. OX40, a key regulator of innate and adaptive immunity in the liver, promoted NASH initiation and development by increasing the functions of proinflammatory monocytes, macrophages, and T cells.33 This suggests that the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway may have a role in the formation and development of NAFLD/NASH.

The activity of NIK and the expression of P52 (the activated form of NF-κB2) are increased in the liver, while NIK has been shown to promote glucagon responses in obese mice. Obese mice with liver-specific inhibition of NIK expression exhibited reduced glucagon responses and hepatic glucose production as well as resistance to hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance.35 In line with that study, NIK deletion in hepatocyte or immune cells suppressed liver inflammation and lipogenic programs, thereby protecting against high fat diet-induced liver steatosis.36 Conversely, NIK overexpression in mouse hepatocytes triggered liver injury, extensive liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and liver fibrosis, leading to weight loss and premature death. However, these effects were independent of noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway activation. Instead, the mechanism was related to the overexpression of NIK in hepatocytes, which induced activated bone marrow-derived macrophages to secret proapoptotic molecules, which stimulated hepatocyte apoptosis.31 Other studies have demonstrated that liver-specific expression of the carboxyl terminus of HSC70-interacting protein inhibited the activation of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway and reversed the liver injury caused by hepatocyte-specific overexpression of NIK through the promotion of NIK degradation.37 Moreover, B022, a small-molecule NIK inhibitor, also suppressed NIK-induced liver inflammation and liver injury.38 The results of those studies suggest that NIK-mediated activation of noncanonical NF-κB signaling in the liver or immune cells may be a potential pathogenic factor for the occurrence of NAFLD and related metabolic disorders; however, the underlying mechanisms require further investigation.

ALD includes four pathological stages: alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic liver fibrosis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. The mRNA level of Fn14 was associated with acute mortality in alcoholic steatohepatitis.39 One study found that mice after alcohol intervention and ALD patients both showed abnormally high levels of NIK mRNA and p52 protein in the liver.40 Hepatocyte-specific NIK deletion was shown to protect mice from alcoholic steatosis by sustaining hepatic fatty acid oxidation, whereas NIK overexpression contributed to hepatic lipid accumulation with disrupted fatty acid oxidation, which promoted the occurrence of ALD.40 This indicates that the hepatocyte-specific activation of NIK is associated with ALD. Although the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway is activated in the liver of ALD patients, whether it is necessary for ALD development remains to be verified.

Drug-induced liver disease

Drug metabolism and clearance are mainly accomplished in the liver through biotransformation and the bile secretion pathway. However, drugs can be transformed into toxic metabolites through the action of cytochrome p450 in the liver. These metabolites can induce lipid peroxidation, dyslipidemia, and ion pump inactivation, resulting in liver injury, liver failure, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Innate and adaptive immunity both play important roles in drug-induced liver injury. A recent study demonstrated that the plasma level of OX40 was significantly increased in mice treated with paracetamol or carbon tetrachloride as well as in patients presenting with drug-induced liver injury.41 Furthermore, OX40 played a key role in promoting the function of proinflammatory macrophages and CD4+ T cells, thereby exacerbating paracetamol-induced liver injury.41 These observations indicate that OX40/OX40L-mediated activation of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway may be involved in the progression of drug-induced liver injury. Moreover, the hepatic levels of NIK mRNA and p52 protein were significantly increased in mice with carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury.31,38 The small-molecule NIK inhibitor, B022, can inhibit NIK signaling, including noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway activation and expression of CCL2, CCL5, CXCL5, TNF-α, IL-6, and other inflammation-related genes, thereby reducing acute liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride.38 Similarly, apigenin, a flavonoid found in many plants, can mitigate liver injury by ameliorating inflammation and oxidative stress through suppressing the noncanonical NF-κB pathway.42 These results suggest that activation of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway may promote the development and progression of drug-induced liver diseases. At the same time, selective small-molecule NIK inhibitor 46 (XT2) or B022 are effective at inhibiting drug-induced liver injury and liver inflammation, which shows that NIK is an attractive drug target in drug-induced liver diseases.38,61

Autoimmune liver disease

Autoimmune hepatitis is a type of liver inflammatory injury disease resulting from autoimmune abnormalities. Genetically susceptible individuals develop autoimmune hepatitis mostly due to environmental factors. Autoimmune hepatitis is characterized by the accumulation of immune cells that can recognize autoantigens and self-attack in the liver. Elevated serum transaminase and immunoglobulin G levels, positive serum autoantibodies, and moderate-to-severe interfacial hepatitis are also commonly observed in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. The noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway, an indispensable immunoregulatory factor, plays important roles in the development and regulation of B cell and T cell-mediated immune responses.5 Abnormal T cell development is an important risk factor for autoimmune diseases. NIK and its downstream signal, IKKα, are central components of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway. Studies have reported that Nik knockout (KO) mice developed autoimmune hepatitis, liver damage, and liver fibrosis, and displayed growth retardation and premature death (most KO mice died before 13 weeks of age).29 Other studies have demonstrated that mice null for Nik in the thymus, but not in the liver or bone marrow, developed fatal autoimmune liver disease, intrahepatic inflammation, and liver fibrosis mediated by CD4+ T cells.29 Similarly, specific ablation of either NIK or IKKα in mouse thymic medullary epithelial cells (mTECs) resulted in severe T cell-mediated autoimmune hepatitis, injury, and fibrosis in the liver, leading to premature death.30 The reason for this phenomenon may be related to the dysregulation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway mediated by NIK/IKKα in mTECs, which abrogates mTEC development and leads to the breakdown of central T cell immune tolerance. These observations indicate that dysregulation of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway in the thymus has a role in autoimmune liver disease development, and even causes death in some severe cases, which may be related to the failure of central T cell immune tolerance.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), an autoimmune disease of the liver, is a chronic cholestasis syndrome characterized by extensive inflammation and fibrosis in the intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary tract systems. The levels of LTβ and RelB are up-regulated in the bile duct cells of patients with various chronic liver diseases, including PSC.43 Moreover, results in mice showed that RelB activation (noncanonical NF-κB subunit) induced ductular reaction, oval cell activation and the progression of biliary fibrosis. Additionally, the transformation of the secretory and proliferative phenotype in cholangiocytes was shown to be dependent on lymphotoxin β and RelB,43 suggesting that activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway in cholangiocarcinoma cells may promote PSC progression. The etiology of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is also related to autoimmunity. The concentration of BAFF was increased in peripheral blood of PBC patients. In addition, BAFF-activated B cells could induce Treg cell apoptosis and reduce the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β, resulting in the loss of self-tolerance.44 Therefore, BAFF-mediated noncanonical NF-κB pathway activation in B cells may be involved in the occurrence of PBC.

Viral hepatitis

In chronic viral hepatitis, continuous viral replication and dysregulated host immune function are the main causes of the progressive development of the disease. The noncanonical NF-κB pathway is closely related to the differentiation, proliferation, and maturation of various immune cells. Hence, abnormal immune function in patients with chronic viral hepatitis may be associated with dysregulation of intracellular noncanonical NF-κB pathway activation.

OX40 is one of the receptors that can activate the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathways, maintaining T cell excitation, promoting the proliferation of effector T cells and memory T cells, inducing T cell phenotype transformation, and inhibiting regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation and activity. Interestingly, effector T cell depletion and Treg accumulation have been observed in chronic virus-related hepatitis. Therefore, OX40/OX40L-induced noncanonical NF-κB pathway activation may be related to the development of chronic viral hepatitis. One study reported that an increased number of hepatic Tregs accumulated along with the recovery of liver injury in natural killer cell-mediated hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mice with the oversensitive liver injury phenotype, triggered by a low dose of concanavalin A.45 Further findings indicated that Tregs may directly suppress natural killer cell-mediated hepatocytotoxicity through OX40/OX40L interaction in a cell-cell contact-dependent manner,45 which may be one of the mechanisms underlying the chronic hepatitis B-associated liver disease. Publicover et al.46 also showed that the expression of OX40L in liver innate immune cells is essential in HBV immunization. Treatment with OX40 agonists led to improved HBV antigen clearance in young mice, and also enhanced the strength of T cell responses in both young mice and adult mice that had been exposed to HBV when they were young and had subsequently developed a chronic HBV infection serological profile.46 However, additional studies are needed to determine whether OX40/OX40L interaction is involved in the activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway in these processes. BAFF is necessary for the activation of B lymphocytes. Although one study demonstrated that the serum BAFF level was higher in patients with chronic HBV infection than in the normal population,62 the role of BAFF in the disease remains unclear.

Surprisingly, during the initial stage of HBV infection, cDNA microarray and western blot analysis showed that the mRNA and protein levels of TRAF2 and NIK were up-regulated in primary normal human hepatocytes.47 In addition, LTBR, a member of the TNFR superfamily, can activate NIK-mediated noncanonical NF-κB signaling. The activation of LTBR induced APOBEC3B expression, which can degrade covalently closed circular DNA (the template of HBV replication) in hepatocytes.48 These findings suggest that the activation of NIK exerts antiviral effects in hepatocytes. Although NIK is an indispensable component of noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway, NIK activity is not specific to this pathway. Thus, it is not clear whether elevated intrahepatic NIK expression exerts antiviral effects by activating the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway or through another as yet unidentified mechanism. Notably, HBV polymerase (pol) can inhibit the activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway by suppressing the nuclear translocation of NF-κB subunits in hepatoma cells, thereby antagonizing host innate immune responses.63 The above results indicate that noncanonical NF-κB pathway activation is inhibited in the liver of patients with chronic HBV infection. Recently, it was found that the Smac mimetic Birinapant, which might activate the noncanonical NF-κB pathway by targeting cIAP1and cIAP2, was able to promote the apoptosis of virus-infected hepatocytes to clear persistent HBV infection.64,65

Previous studies have shown that hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication can be inhibited in infected hepatocytes following interferon-α-stimulated overexpression of NIK.49 However, NIK and IKKα deletion can lead to an increase in resistance to HCV infection in hepatocytes.50 HCV infection promoted the expression of NIK in hepatocytes at the post-transcriptional level, and then NIK directly activated IKKα to promote HCV replication, lipogenesis and lipid droplet formation.50 These results suggest that activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway is closely related to hepatocyte susceptibility to HCV. These results suggest that excessive intrahepatic NIK expression not only plays an antiviral role but also increases susceptibility to hepatitis virus infection, thereby promoting disease progression. A possible explanation for this phenomenon may be that the NIK-mediated functions of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway may differ according to the disease stage. Alternatively, NIK and IKKα may induce additional signaling molecular pathways that counteract the noncanonical NF-κB pathway, thereby leading to different effects.

Viral associated hepatocellular carcinoma

The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a variety of etiologies, including chronic HBV and HCV infections. The development of HCC is inseparable from the immunosuppressive microenvironment. The noncanonical NF-κB pathway plays important roles in the development and regulation of the immune system and may be involved in HCC pathogenesis. One study found that the expression of LTBR and that of its ligands (LTα and LTβ) was up-regulated in HBV- or HCV-associated HCC, while the liver-specific expression of LTα/β can induce liver inflammation and tumor formation in mice.51 The expression of BAFFR, which is closely related to B cell survival and maturation, was decreased in B cells in the peripheral blood of HCC patients with chronic HBV infection, and this decreased BAFFR expression was significantly correlated with tumor size and clinical stage.52 All the above-mentioned receptors and corresponding ligands can activate the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway, which suggests that the activation of this signaling pathway may play an important role in the initiation and development of HCC.

In addition, the overexpression of miR-98-5p markedly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasive ability of tumor cells and promoted cell apoptosis in HBV-related HCC via decreasing the protein expression of NIK. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-98-5p also significantly inhibited tumor growth and decreased the expression of NIK in a mouse xenograft tumor model.53 HBV infection promoted an increase in NIK-dependent activation of NF-κB, which not only promoted the occurrence of HBV-related HCC but was also correlated with HCC resistance to the chemotherapeutic drug fluorouracil (commonly known as 5-FU).54,55 Small interfering RNA-mediated inhibition of the NIK-dependent activation of NF-κB reduced resistance to 5-FU in HBV-related HCC.55 This suggests that HBV may promote the development of HCC and its drug resistance through noncanonical pathways mediated by NIK.

Role of noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathways in liver regeneration

The liver has a powerful regenerative capacity. Following 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx), rodents can regain normal liver mass within a week via reparative hepatocyte replication. However, when impaired, this process can exacerbate the pathogenesis of acute or chronic liver diseases. LTBR is one of the receptors that can activate the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway. Mice deficient for LTBR signaling displayed clear liver injury, low survival rates, and reduced hepatocyte proliferative capacity after PHx. Similar phenomena were also observed in mice deficient for the LTBR ligand LTα after PHx, suggesting that the LTβR/LTα signaling pathway enhances hepatocyte regeneration.56 The expression of BAFF was up-regulated in the liver of C57/B6 mice after PHx. Conversely, within 72 h of undergoing 70% PHx, mice treated with anti-BAFF neutralizing antibodies died, showing reduced microvascular density in their remaining liver tissue as well as impaired liver regeneration, suggesting that BAFF-mediated signaling improved hepatocyte regeneration.57 Moreover, compared with control mice, both Fn14 and TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) KO mice showed reduced hepatocyte and cholangiocyte proliferation after PHx. A similar phenomenon was also observed in wild-type mice treated with anti-TWEAK antibodies,58 which indicated that the TWEAK/Fn14 signal is essential for mouse liver regeneration after PHx. All of the above-mentioned receptor-ligand interactions can activate the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway. Consequently, these results imply that activation of the non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathway may be associated with liver regeneration; however, the underlying mechanism needs to be further determined.

Compared with NIKflox/flox mice, hepatocyte-specific NIK KO and hepatocyte-specific IKKα KO mice displayed a greater ability for hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration after the PHx due to the stable deletion of NIK or IKKα in hepatocytes.59 Hepatotoxin treatment or high-fat diet feeding inhibited PHx-stimulated hepatocyte replication in mice. Under the same condition, inactivation of hepatic NIK markedly enhanced hepatocyte proliferation.59 The above findings suggest that activation of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway plays important roles in hepatocyte regeneration. Mechanistically, to some extent, activated hepatic NIK/IKKα inhibited liver regeneration by suppressing the cell mitotic pathway-JAK2/STAT3 pathway.59 Therefore, targeting the NIK may also accelerate liver regeneration, which would also be of concern in acute liver failure.

Therapeutic targeting of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway in liver diseases

Given that aberrant activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway is observed in various liver diseases, targeting this pathway may be a promising therapeutic option. For example, the anti-BAFF monoclonal antibody belimumab has been approved to be clinically administered to systemic lupus erythematosus patients.66 Increased level of BAFF in peripheral blood can also be observed in patients with autoimmune liver disease, and a study has found that BAFF promotes Treg cell apoptosis and inhibits cytokine production by activating B cells in PBC patients.44 Therefore, BAFF antagonists might be applicable to the autoimmune liver diseases. In addition, the results showing that selective small-molecule NIK inhibitor 46 (XT2) or B022 are effective at inhibiting drug-induced liver injury and liver inflammation indicate that NIK is an attractive target in drug-induced liver diseases.38,61 It will be interesting to test these NIK inhibitors with different scaffolds for treatment in clinical trials. Furthermore, IKKα deletion can lead to increased resistance to HCV infection and ability for hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration.50,59 Teglarinad chloride, one of the IKKα/ IKKβ inhibitors which has passed phase 1 clinical trials for malignant melanoma, lymphoma and solid tumors,67 may be used in treatment of HCV infection and acute liver failure. Although some specific inhibitors and/or monoclonal antibodies are currently being applied to a broad range of diseases in which aberrant activation of noncanonical NF-κB signaling occurs, further studies are needed to determine whether they can be used in the treatment of liver diseases.

Conclusions

Extensive investigation has led to a deeper understanding of the signal transduction mechanisms and biological functions associated with the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway. Its functions are indispensable, especially for the production of a normal immune response and in inflammatory diseases. Numerous studies have also shown that abnormalities in noncanonical NF-κB signaling are closely related to the occurrence of various liver diseases, which provides a theoretical basis for the discovery of drugs targeting the noncanonical NF-κB pathway.

Despite these advances, several questions remain to be addressed. First, most studies that have investigated the noncanonical NF-κB pathway have focused on the cytoplasmic regulation of upstream kinases, such as NIK, IKKα, and NF-κB heterodimers, while little attention has been paid to the nuclear regulation of NF-κB, especially that related to RelB-p52 heterodimers. Second, although receptor binding to specific ligands can activate the noncanonical NF-κB pathway, the target genes that are regulated by different receptor-activated signaling pathways in specific cell types remains unclear. Third, although activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway is completely dependent on NIK, this is not the only function of this protein. Therefore, it remains to be determined whether NIK mediates the activation of additional signaling pathways that may interact with the noncanonical NF-κB pathway. Fourth, although several studies have shown that NIK-induced noncanonical NF-κB signaling is closely related to various liver diseases, it is unclear how this pathway regulates the expression of target genes involved in the development of these diseases. Moreover, although the canonical and noncanonical NF-κB pathways are known to interact, whether this interaction is associated with the promotion of liver disease, and how the two pathways regulate each other, requires further investigation. Solving these problems will contribute to exploring more specific and effective methods for treating liver diseases based on the noncanonical NF-κB pathway.

Abbreviations

IκB: 

κB inhibitory factor

NIK: 

NF-κB-inducing kinase

TNFR: 

tumor necrosis factor receptor

LTBR: 

lymphotoxin beta receptor

BAFFR: 

B-cell-activating factor belonging to TNF family receptor

RANK: 

receptor activator for nuclear factor κB

Fn14: 

fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14

TRAF: 

tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor

MCSFR: 

macrophage colony stimulating factor receptor

IKK: 

IκB kinase

cIAP: 

cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein

TBK1: 

TANK binding kinase 1

TNAP: 

TRAF- and NIK-associated protein

miRNA: 

microRNA

NAFLD: 

nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

ALD: 

alcoholic liver disease

NASH: 

nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

BAFF: 

B-cell-activating factor belonging to TNF family

KO: 

knockout

mTECs: 

mouse thymic medullary epithelial cells

PSC: 

primary sclerosing cholangitis

PBC: 

primary biliary cirrhosis

Treg: 

regulatory T cell

HBV: 

hepatitis B virus

HCV: 

hepatitis C virus

HCC: 

hepatocellular carcinoma

PHx: 

partial hepatectomy

TWEAK: 

TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis

Declarations

Funding

This review was partly supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81871664) and the National Science and Technology Major Project (No. 2018ZX10301202-003).

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interests related to this publication.

Authors’ contributions

Collected the data and drafted the manuscript (XZ, CQ, LX), made critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content (XZ).

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