Abstract

Background Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose can cause severe liver injury and APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) is one of the leading causes of acute liver failure (ALF). Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a key tyrosine kinase in immune responses, which plays an important role in many inflammatory diseases. However, its effect on AILI is still not clear. Here, we aimed to assess the effect of BTK on AILI and explore its underlying mechanism. Methods In our study, western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of BTK in AILI. The C57BL/6 mice were used to check the protective effect of BTK inhibition on AILI and the activation of BTK was confirmed in mice macrophages treated with APAP. Immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, oxygen consumption rate (OCR) detection, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), flow cytometry and western blot were used to determine the role of BTK in mitochondrial dynamics and function of macrophages and the underlying mechanisms in AILI. Results Our results showed that BTK upregulated in AILI. BTK inhibition protected mice from AILI and BTK was activated in mice macrophages in response to APAP. Mechanically, BTK inhibition promoted mitochondrial fusion and restored mitochondrial function through phospholipase C gamma 2 (PLCγ2)-reactive oxygen species (ROS)-Optic Atrophy 1(OPA1) pathway in macrophages and finally suppressed the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusions In conclusion, we found that BTK inhibition protected mice from AILI by restoring the mitochondrial function of macrophages through the improvement of the mitochondrial dynamic imbalance via PLCγ2-ROS-OPA1 signaling pathway, which indicated that BTK might be a potential therapeutic target of AILI.