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Lockhart SM, Muso M, Zvetkova I, Lam BYH, Ferrari A, Schoenmakers E, Duckett K, Leslie J, Collins A, Romartínez-Alonso B, Tadross JA, Jia R, Gardner EJ, Kentistou K, Zhao Y, Day F, Mörseburg A, Rainbow K, Rimmington D, Mastantuoni M, Harrison J, Nus M, Guma'a K, Sherratt-Mayhew S, Jiang X, Smith KR, Paul DS, Jenkins B, Koulman A, Pietzner M, Langenberg C, Wareham N, Yeo GS, Chatterjee K, Schwabe J, Oakley F, Mann DA, Tontonoz P, Coll AP, Ong K, Perry JRB, O'Rahilly S. Damaging mutations in liver X receptor-α are hepatotoxic and implicate cholesterol sensing in liver health. Nat Metab 2024:10.1038/s42255-024-01126-4. [PMID: 39322746 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-01126-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Liver X receptor-α (LXRα) regulates cellular cholesterol abundance and potently activates hepatic lipogenesis. Here we show that at least 1 in 450 people in the UK Biobank carry functionally impaired mutations in LXRα, which is associated with biochemical evidence of hepatic dysfunction. On a western diet, male and female mice homozygous for a dominant negative mutation in LXRα have elevated liver cholesterol, diffuse cholesterol crystal accumulation and develop severe hepatitis and fibrosis, despite reduced liver triglyceride and no steatosis. This phenotype does not occur on low-cholesterol diets and can be prevented by hepatocyte-specific overexpression of LXRα. LXRα knockout mice exhibit a milder phenotype with regional variation in cholesterol crystal deposition and inflammation inversely correlating with steatosis. In summary, LXRα is necessary for the maintenance of hepatocyte health, likely due to regulation of cellular cholesterol content. The inverse association between steatosis and both inflammation and cholesterol crystallization may represent a protective action of hepatic lipogenesis in the context of excess hepatic cholesterol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam M Lockhart
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Milan Muso
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Ilona Zvetkova
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Brian Y H Lam
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alessandra Ferrari
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Erik Schoenmakers
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katie Duckett
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jack Leslie
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Bioscience Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Amy Collins
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Bioscience Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Beatriz Romartínez-Alonso
- Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - John A Tadross
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Histopathology and Cambridge Genomics Laboratory, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Raina Jia
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eugene J Gardner
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katherine Kentistou
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Yajie Zhao
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Felix Day
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alexander Mörseburg
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kara Rainbow
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Debra Rimmington
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Matteo Mastantuoni
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - James Harrison
- VPD Heart and Lung Research Institute, Dept. Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Meritxell Nus
- VPD Heart and Lung Research Institute, Dept. Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Khalid Guma'a
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sam Sherratt-Mayhew
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Xiao Jiang
- Centre for Genomics Research, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katherine R Smith
- Centre for Genomics Research, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dirk S Paul
- Centre for Genomics Research, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Benjamin Jenkins
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR BRC Core Metabolomics and Lipidomics Laboratory, Metabolic Research Laboratories, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Albert Koulman
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR BRC Core Metabolomics and Lipidomics Laboratory, Metabolic Research Laboratories, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maik Pietzner
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Computational Medicine, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Precision Healthcare University Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Claudia Langenberg
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Computational Medicine, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Precision Healthcare University Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Nicholas Wareham
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Giles S Yeo
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Krishna Chatterjee
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - John Schwabe
- Department of Histopathology and Cambridge Genomics Laboratory, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fiona Oakley
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Bioscience Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Derek A Mann
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Bioscience Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Peter Tontonoz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anthony P Coll
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ken Ong
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - John R B Perry
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephen O'Rahilly
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK.
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2
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Gancheva S, Roden M, Castera L. Diabetes as a risk factor for MASH progression. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2024; 217:111846. [PMID: 39245423 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2024.111846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic (now: metabolic) steatohepatitis (MASH) is the progressive inflammatory form of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which often coexists and mutually interacts with type 2 diabetes (T2D), resulting in worse hepatic and cardiovascular outcomes. Understanding the intricate mechanisms of diabetes-related MASH progression is crucial for effective therapeutic strategies. This review delineates the multifaceted pathways involved in this interplay and explores potential therapeutic implications. The synergy between adipose tissue, gut microbiota, and hepatic alterations plays a pivotal role in disease progression. Adipose tissue dysfunction, particularly in the visceral depot, coupled with dysbiosis in the gut microbiota, exacerbates hepatic injury and insulin resistance. Hepatic lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress further potentiate inflammation and fibrosis, contributing to disease severity. Dietary modification with weight reduction and exercise prove crucial in managing T2D-related MASH. Additionally, various well-known but also novel anti-hyperglycemic medications exhibit potential in reducing liver lipid content and, in some cases, improving MASH histology. Therapies targeting incretin receptors show promise in managing T2D-related MASH, while thyroid hormone receptor-β agonism has proven effective as a treatment of MASH and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofiya Gancheva
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Partner Düsseldorf, München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Roden
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Partner Düsseldorf, München-Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Laurent Castera
- Department of Hepatology, Hôpital Beaujon, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Clichy, France; Université Paris-Cité, INSERM UMR 1149, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation Paris, Montmartre, Paris, France.
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3
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Xiao MY, Pei WJ, Li S, Li FF, Xie P, Luo HT, Hyun Yoo H, Piao XL. Gypenoside L inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting the SREBP2-HMGCS1 axis and enhancing immune response. Bioorg Chem 2024; 150:107539. [PMID: 38861912 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor that occurs in the liver, with a high degree of malignancy and relatively poor prognosis. Gypenoside L has inhibitory effects on liver cancer cells. However, its mechanism of action is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effects of gypenoside L on HCC in vitro and in vivo, and explore its potential mechanisms. The results showed that gypenoside L reduced the cholesterol and triglyceride content in HepG2 and Huh-7 cells, inhibited cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, arrested cell cycle at G0/G1 phase, promoted cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, it targeted the transcription factor SREPB2 to inhibit the expression of HMGCS1 protein and inhibited the downstream proteins HMGCR and MVK, thereby regulating the mevalonate (MVA) pathway. Overexpression HMGCS1 led to significant alterations in the cholesterol metabolism pathway of HCC, which mediated HCC cell proliferation and conferred resistance to the therapeutic effect of gypenoside L. In vivo, gypenoside L effectively suppressed HCC growth in tumor-bearing mice by reducing cholesterol production, exhibiting favorable safety profiles and minimal toxic side effects. Gypenoside L modulated cholesterol homeostasis, enhanced expression of inflammatory factors by regulating MHC I pathway-related proteins to augment anticancer immune responses. Clinical samples from HCC patients also exhibited high expression levels of MVA pathway-related genes in tumor tissues. These findings highlight gypenoside L as a promising agent for targeting cholesterol metabolism in HCC while emphasizing the effectiveness of regulating the SREBP2-HMGCS1 axis as a therapeutic strategy.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Gynostemma/chemistry
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2/metabolism
- Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Animals
- Mice
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Molecular Structure
- Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Plant Extracts
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Yu Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wen-Jing Pei
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Si Li
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Fang-Fang Li
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Peng Xie
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hao-Tian Luo
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hye Hyun Yoo
- Pharmacomicrobiomics Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do 15588, Republic of Korea.
| | - Xiang-Lan Piao
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China.
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4
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Feng S, Roll GR, Rouhani FJ, Sanchez Fueyo A. The future of liver transplantation. Hepatology 2024; 80:674-697. [PMID: 38537154 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Over the last 50 years, liver transplantation has evolved into a procedure routinely performed in many countries worldwide. Those able to access this therapy frequently experience a miraculous risk-benefit ratio, particularly if they face the imminently life-threatening disease. Over the decades, the success of liver transplantation, with dramatic improvements in early posttransplant survival, has aggressively driven demand. However, despite the emergence of living donors to augment deceased donors as a source of organs, supply has lagged far behind demand. As a result, rationing has been an unfortunate focus in recent decades. Recent shifts in the epidemiology of liver disease combined with transformative innovations in liver preservation suggest that the underlying premise of organ shortage may erode in the foreseeable future. The focus will sharpen on improving equitable access while mitigating constraints related to workforce training, infrastructure for organ recovery and rehabilitation, and their associated costs. Research efforts in liver preservation will undoubtedly blossom with the aim of optimizing both the timing and conditions of transplantation. Coupled with advances in genetic engineering, regenerative biology, and cellular therapies, the portfolio of innovation, both broad and deep, offers the promise that, in the future, liver transplantation will not only be broadly available to those in need but also represent a highly durable life-saving therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Feng
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Garrett R Roll
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Foad J Rouhani
- Tissue Regeneration and Clonal Evolution Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London, King's College Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Alberto Sanchez Fueyo
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London, King's College Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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5
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Li X, Li M. Unlocking Cholesterol Metabolism in Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: Molecular Targets and Natural Product Interventions. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:1073. [PMID: 39204178 PMCID: PMC11358954 DOI: 10.3390/ph17081073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, represents a growing global health concern. The intricate pathogenesis of MASLD, driven by genetic, metabolic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, leads to considerable clinical variability. Dysregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism, particularly cholesterol homeostasis, is a critical factor in the progression of MASLD and its more severe form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This review elucidates the multifaceted roles of cholesterol metabolism in MASLD, focusing on its absorption, transportation, biosynthesis, efflux, and conversion. We highlight recent advancements in understanding these processes and explore the therapeutic potential of natural products such as curcumin, berberine, and resveratrol in modulating cholesterol metabolism. By targeting key molecular pathways, these natural products offer promising strategies for MASLD management. Finally, this review also covers the clinical studies of natural products in MASLD, providing new insights for future research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meng Li
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China;
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Bairos JA, Njoku U, Zafar M, Akl MG, Li L, Parlakgul G, Arruda AP, Widenmaier SB. Sterol O-acyltransferase (SOAT/ACAT) activity is required to form cholesterol crystals in hepatocyte lipid droplets. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2024; 1869:159512. [PMID: 38761895 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2024.159512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Excess cholesterol storage can induce the formation of cholesterol crystals in hepatocyte lipid droplets. Such crystals distinguish metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH) from simple steatosis and may underlie its pathogenesis by causing cell damage that triggers liver inflammation. The mechanism linking cholesterol excess to its crystallization in lipid droplets is unclear. As cholesteryl esters localize to and accumulate in lipid droplets more readily than unesterified free cholesterol, we investigated whether cholesterol esterification by sterol O-acyltransferase (SOAT), also known as acyl co-A cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), is required for hepatocyte lipid droplet crystal formation. METHOD Cholesterol crystals were measured in cholesterol loaded Hep3B hepatocytes, RAW264.7 macrophages, and mouse liver using polarizing light microscopy. We examined the effect of blocking SOAT activity on crystal formation and compared these results to features of cholesterol metabolism and the progression to intracellular crystal deposits. RESULTS Cholesterol loading of Hep3B cells caused robust levels of lipid droplet localized crystal formation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Co-treatment with SOAT inhibitors and genetic ablation of SOAT1 blocked crystal formation. SOAT inhibitor also blocked crystal formation in low density lipoprotein (LDL) treated Hep3B cells, acetylated LDL treated RAW 264.7 macrophages, and in the liver of mice genetically predisposed to hepatic cholesterol overload and in mice with cholesterol enriched diet-induced MASH. CONCLUSION SOAT1-mediated esterification may underlie cholesterol crystals associated with MASH by concentrating it in lipid droplets. These findings imply that inhibiting hepatocyte SOAT1 may be able to alleviate cholesterol associated MASH. Moreover, that either a lipid droplet localized cholesteryl ester hydrolase is required for cholesterol crystal formation, or the crystals are composed of cholesteryl ester.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan A Bairos
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Uche Njoku
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Maria Zafar
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - May G Akl
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Gunes Parlakgul
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ana Paula Arruda
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Scott B Widenmaier
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
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Ota T, Soga K, Hayakawa F, Yamaguchi M, Tamano M. Utility of pemafibrate in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model mice induced by a choline-deficient, high-fat diet and dextran sulfate sodium. Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 38:101724. [PMID: 38737727 PMCID: PMC11088230 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2024.101724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of pemafibrate in a murine model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods Forty-two, 19-week-old, male, C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups: a Control group (n = 14), a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) group (n = 14), and a DSS + PEM group (n = 14). All mice were given a standard rodent diet for the first week, followed by a choline-deficient, high-fat diet (CDHF) for the next 12 weeks. The 22nd day after the animals arrived was taken as Day 1 of the experiment. The Control group continued the CDHF diet and MilliQ water. The DSS group continued the CDHF diet, but starting on Day 1, the group received 0.8 % DSS to drink for 7 consecutive days, followed by MilliQ water for 10 days; this was taken as one course, and it was repeated on the same schedule until autopsy. The DSS + PEM group received the CDHF diet with PEM 0.1 mg/kg/day. Their drinking water was the same as that of the DSS group. On Seven animals from each group were autopsied on each of Day 50 and Day 120, and histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations, as well as quantitative RNA and cytokine measurements, of autopsied mice were performed. Results Pemafibrate improved hepatic steatosis (decreased steatosis area), improved liver inflammation enhanced by DSS (decreased aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase), improved hepatic fibrosis promoted by DSS (decreased fibrotic areas and a marker of fibrosis), inhibited tumorigenesis, and decreased intestinal inflammation in the NASH model mice. Conclusions In a murine model of NASH, mixing PEM 0.1 mg/kg/day into the diet inhibited disease progression and tumor formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Ota
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
| | - Koichi Soga
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
| | - Fuki Hayakawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
| | - Mayumi Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
| | - Masaya Tamano
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
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8
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Mahmoudi A, Jalili A, Butler AE, Aghaee-Bakhtiari SH, Jamialahmadi T, Sahebkar A. Exploration of the Key Genes Involved in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Possible MicroRNA Therapeutic Targets. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2024; 14:101365. [PMID: 38433957 PMCID: PMC10904918 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2024.101365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are promising therapeutic agents for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to identify key genes/proteins involved in NAFLD pathogenesis and progression and to evaluate miRNAs influencing their expression. Methods Gene expression profiles from datasets GSE151158, GSE163211, GSE135251, GSE167523, GSE46300, and online databases were analyzed to identify significant NAFLD-related genes. Then, protein-protein interaction networks and module analysis identified hub genes/proteins, which were validated using real-time PCR in oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells. Functional enrichment analysis evaluated signaling pathways and biological processes. Gene-miRNA interaction networks identified miRNAs targeting critical NAFLD genes. Results The most critical overexpressed hub genes/proteins included: TNF, VEGFA, TLR4, CYP2E1, ACE, SCD, FASN, SREBF2, and TGFB1 based on PPI network analysis, of which TNF, TLR4, SCD, FASN, SREBF2, and TGFB1 were up-regulated in oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells. Functional enrichment analysis for biological processes highlighted programmed necrotic cell death, lipid metabolic process response to reactive oxygen species, and inflammation. In the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, the highest adjusted P-value signaling pathways encompassed AGE-RAGE in diabetic complications, TNF, and HIF-1 signaling pathways. In gene-miRNA network analysis, miR-16 and miR-124 were highlighted as the miRNAs exerting the most influence on important NAFLD-related genes. Conclusion In silico analyses identified NAFLD therapeutic targets and miRNA candidates to guide further experimental investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Mahmoudi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Amin Jalili
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | | | - Seyed H. Aghaee-Bakhtiari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran
- Bioinformatics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Tannaz Jamialahmadi
- Medical Toxicology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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9
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Xiong Y, Luo J, Hong ZY, Zhu WZ, Hu A, Song BL. Hyperactivation of SREBP induces pannexin-1-dependent lytic cell death. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100579. [PMID: 38880128 PMCID: PMC11284708 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Sterol-regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) are a conserved transcription factor family governing lipid metabolism. When cellular cholesterol level is low, SREBP2 is transported from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus where it undergoes proteolytic activation to generate a soluble N-terminal fragment, which drives the expression of lipid biosynthetic genes. Malfunctional SREBP activation is associated with various metabolic abnormalities. In this study, we find that overexpression of the active nuclear form SREBP2 (nSREBP2) causes caspase-dependent lytic cell death in various types of cells. These cells display typical pyroptotic and necrotic signatures, including plasma membrane ballooning and release of cellular contents. However, this phenotype is independent of the gasdermin family proteins or mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL). Transcriptomic analysis identifies that nSREBP2 induces expression of p73, which further activates caspases. Through whole-genome CRISPR-Cas9 screening, we find that Pannexin-1 (PANX1) acts downstream of caspases to promote membrane rupture. Caspase-3 or 7 cleaves PANX1 at the C-terminal tail and increases permeability. Inhibition of the pore-forming activity of PANX1 alleviates lytic cell death. PANX1 can mediate gasdermins and MLKL-independent cell lysis during TNF-induced or chemotherapeutic reagents (doxorubicin or cisplatin)-induced cell death. Together, this study uncovers a noncanonical function of SREBPs as a potentiator of programmed cell death and suggests that PANX1 can directly promote lytic cell death independent of gasdermins and MLKL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanni Xiong
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Taikang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Taikang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zi-Yun Hong
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Taikang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wen-Zhuo Zhu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Taikang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ao Hu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Taikang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bao-Liang Song
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Taikang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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10
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Demirel-Yalciner T, Cetinkaya B, Sozen E, Ozer NK. Impact of Seipin in cholesterol mediated lipid droplet maturation; status of endoplasmic reticulum stress and lipophagy. Mech Ageing Dev 2024; 219:111933. [PMID: 38588730 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2024.111933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The global prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) defined by the increased number of lipid droplets (LDs) in hepatocytes, have risen continuously in parallel with the obesity. LDs and related proteins are known to affect cellular metabolism and signaling. Seipin, one of the most important LD-related proteins, plays a critical role in LD biogenesis. Although the role of adipose tissue-specific Seipin silencing is known, hepatocyte-specific silencing upon cholesterol-mediated lipid accumulation has not been investigated. In our study, we investigated the effect of Seipin on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and lipophagy in cholesterol accumulated mouse hepatocyte cells. In this direction, cholesterol accumulation was induced by cholesterol-containing liposome, while Seipin mRNA and protein levels were reduced by siRNA. Our findings show that cholesterol containing liposome administration in hepatocytes increases both Seipin protein and number of large LDs. However Seipin silencing reduced the increase of cholesterol mediated large LDs and Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) mRNA. Additionally, lysosome-LD colocalization increased only in cells treated with cholesterol containing liposome, while the siRNA against Seipin did not lead any significant difference. According to our findings, we hypothesize that Seipin silencing in hepatocytes reduced cholesterol mediated LD maturation as well as GRP78 levels, but not lipophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tugce Demirel-Yalciner
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Uskudar University, Istanbul 34662, Turkey; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Maltepe, Istanbul 34854, Turkey; Metabolic and Inflammatory Diseases Research Center (METIFLAM), Uskudar University, Istanbul 34662, Turkey
| | - Bengu Cetinkaya
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Maltepe, Istanbul 34854, Turkey
| | - Erdi Sozen
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Maltepe, Istanbul 34854, Turkey; Genetic and Metabolic Diseases Research Center (GEMHAM), Marmara University, Maltepe, Istanbul 34854, Turkey
| | - Nesrin Kartal Ozer
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Uskudar University, Istanbul 34662, Turkey; Metabolic and Inflammatory Diseases Research Center (METIFLAM), Uskudar University, Istanbul 34662, Turkey.
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11
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Meroni M, Longo M, Dongiovanni P. Cardiometabolic risk factors in MASLD patients with HCC: the other side of the coin. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1411706. [PMID: 38846491 PMCID: PMC11153718 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1411706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) constitutes the commonest cause of chronic liver disorder worldwide, whereby affecting around one third of the global population. This clinical condition may evolve into Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in a predisposed subgroup of patients. The complex pathogenesis of MASLD is severely entangled with obesity, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes (T2D), so far so nutritional and lifestyle recommendations may be crucial in influencing the risk of HCC and modifying its prognosis. However, the causative association between HCC onset and the presence of metabolic comorbidities is not completely clarified. Therefore, the present review aimed to summarize the main literature findings that correlate the presence of inherited or acquired hyperlipidemia and metabolic risk factors with the increased predisposition towards liver cancer in MASLD patients. Here, we gathered the evidence underlining the relationship between circulating/hepatic lipids, cardiovascular events, metabolic comorbidities and hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition, we reported previous studies supporting the impact of triglyceride and/or cholesterol accumulation in generating aberrancies in the intracellular membranes of organelles, oxidative stress, ATP depletion and hepatocyte degeneration, influencing the risk of HCC and its response to therapeutic approaches. Finally, our pursuit was to emphasize the link between HCC and the presence of cardiometabolic abnormalities in our large cohort of histologically-characterized patients affected by MASLD (n=1538), of whom 86 had MASLD-HCC by including unpublished data.
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12
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Clark AT, Russo-Savage L, Ashton LA, Haghshenas N, Schulman IG. A Novel Mutation in LXRα Uncovers a Role for Cholesterol Sensing in Limiting Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH). BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.13.593869. [PMID: 38798597 PMCID: PMC11118525 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.13.593869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Liver x receptor alpha (LXRα, Nr1h3) functions as an important intracellular cholesterol sensor that regulates fat and cholesterol metabolism at the transcriptional level in response to the direct binding of cholesterol derivatives. We have generated mice with a mutation in LXRα that reduces activity in response to endogenous cholesterol derived LXR ligands while still allowing transcriptional activation by synthetic agonists. The mutant LXRα functions as a dominant negative that shuts down cholesterol sensing. When fed a high fat, high cholesterol diet LXRα mutant mice rapidly develop pathologies associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) including ballooning hepatocytes, liver inflammation, and fibrosis. Strikingly LXRα mutant mice have decreased liver triglycerides but increased liver cholesterol. Therefore, MASH-like phenotypes can arise in the absence of large increases in triglycerides. Reengaging LXR signaling by treatment with synthetic agonist reverses MASH suggesting that LXRα normally functions to impede the development of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis T. Clark
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
- These authors contributed equally to the work
| | - Lillian Russo-Savage
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
- These authors contributed equally to the work
- Current address: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Luke A. Ashton
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Niki Haghshenas
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Ira G. Schulman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
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13
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Wu S, Ren W, Hong J, Yang Y, Lu Y. Ablation of histone methyltransferase Suv39h2 in hepatocytes attenuates NASH in mice. Life Sci 2024; 343:122524. [PMID: 38401627 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by aberrant lipid metabolism in hepatocytes. We investigated the involvement of a histone H3K9 methyltransferase Suv39h2 in the pathogenesis of NASH. METHODS AND MATERIALS NASH is induced by feeding the mice with a high-fat high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet or a high-fat choline-deficient amino acid defined (HFD-CDAA) diet. The Suv39h2f/f mice were crossbred with the Alb-Cre mice to specifically delete Suv39h2 in hepatocytes. KEY FINDINGS Ablation of Suv39h2 in hepatocytes improved insulin sensitivity of the mice fed either the HFHC diet or the CDAA-HFD diet. Importantly, Suv39h2 deletion significantly ameliorated NAFLD as evidenced by reduced lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver. RNA-seq uncovered Vanin-1 (Vnn1) as a novel transcriptional target for Suv39h2. Mechanistically, Suv39h2 repressed Vnn1 transcription in hepatocytes exposed to free fatty acids. Consistently, Vanin-1 knockdown normalized lipid accumulation in Suv39h2-null hepatocytes. Importantly, a significant correlation between Suv39h2, Vanin-1, and hepatic triglyceride levels was identified in NASH patients. SIGNIFICANCE Our study uncovers a novel mechanism whereby Suv39h2 may contribute to NASH pathogenesis and suggests that targeting the Suv39h2-Vanin-1 axis may yield novel therapeutic solutions against NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqiang Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjing Ren
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiameng Hong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuyu Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yunjie Lu
- Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China; Africa Hepatopancreatobiliary Cancer Consortium, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, USA.
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14
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Syed-Abdul MM. Lipid Metabolism in Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). Metabolites 2023; 14:12. [PMID: 38248815 PMCID: PMC10818604 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a cluster of pathological conditions primarily developed due to the accumulation of ectopic fat in the hepatocytes. During the severe form of the disease, i.e., metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), accumulated lipids promote lipotoxicity, resulting in cellular inflammation, oxidative stress, and hepatocellular ballooning. If left untreated, the advanced form of the disease progresses to fibrosis of the tissue, resulting in irreversible hepatic cirrhosis or the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although numerous mechanisms have been identified as significant contributors to the development and advancement of MASLD, altered lipid metabolism continues to stand out as a major factor contributing to the disease. This paper briefly discusses the dysregulation in lipid metabolism during various stages of MASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Mufaqam Syed-Abdul
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
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15
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Hayakawa F, Soga K, Fujino J, Ota T, Yamaguchi M, Tamano M. Utility of ultrasonography in a mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis induced by a choline-deficient, high-fat diet and dextran sulfate sodium. Biochem Biophys Rep 2023; 36:101575. [PMID: 38115886 PMCID: PMC10728711 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic progressive liver disease that can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The prevalence of NASH is increasing year by year. However, the etiology and progression of NASH, along with the processes leading to carcinogenesis, remain poorly understood. A range of animal models are used in research, but investigators have been unable to establish a model that results in tumorigenesis from a stable disease state. The present study aimed to create a stable, low-mortality model of NASH using abdominal ultrasonography (US) to assess NASH stage and diagnose liver tumors. Methods Thirty-four 19-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a choline-deficient, high-fat (CDHF) diet. Twenty animals were given seven courses of 0.8 % dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 7 days followed by 10 days of MilliQ water (CDHF+DSS group). The remaining 14 animals drank only MilliQ water (CDHF group). All animals were weighed weekly and US was performed on Days 35 and 120. After necropsy, samples were taken for biochemical analysis and histopathological evaluation. Results The CDHF+DSS group had significantly lower body weight on Days 35 and 120, and significantly higher liver/body weight (%) on Day 35 compared to the CDHF group. US on Days 35 and 120 revealed significantly shorter long intestine and higher colonic histological score in the CDHF+DSS group compared to the CDHF group. IL-1β and IL-6 levels in the large intestinal tissue were significantly higher in the CDHF+DSS group. Conclusions A stable, low-mortality model of NASH was created with a CDHF diet and intermittent 0.8 % DSS. Abdominal US can assess the degree of fatty degeneration and evaluate liver tumorigenesis without necropsy. This assessment procedure will reduce the number of mice killed unnecessarily during experiments, thereby contributing to animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuki Hayakawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
| | - Koichi Soga
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
| | - Junko Fujino
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Iwate Medical University, 1-1-3 Idaidori, Yahaba-cho, Shiwa-gun, Iwate, 028-3694, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ota
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
| | - Mayumi Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
| | - Masaya Tamano
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, 343-8555, Japan
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16
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Kholodenko IV, Yarygin KN. Hepatic Macrophages as Targets for the MSC-Based Cell Therapy in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3056. [PMID: 38002056 PMCID: PMC10669188 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11113056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a serious public health issue associated with the obesity pandemic. Obesity is the main risk factor for the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which progresses to NASH and then to end-stage liver disease. Currently, there are no specific pharmacotherapies of NAFLD/NASH approved by the FDA or other national regulatory bodies and the treatment includes lifestyle adjustment and medicines for improving lipid metabolism, enhancing sensitivity to insulin, balancing oxidation, and counteracting fibrosis. Accordingly, further basic research and development of new therapeutic approaches are greatly needed. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles prevent induced hepatocyte death in vitro and attenuate NASH symptoms in animal models of the disease. They interact with hepatocytes directly, but also target other liver cells, including Kupffer cells and macrophages recruited from the blood flow. This review provides an update on the pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH and the key role of macrophages in the development of the disease. We examine in detail the mechanisms of the cross-talk between the MSCs and the macrophages, which are likely to be among the key targets of MSCs and their derivatives in the course of NAFLD/NASH cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina V. Kholodenko
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Orekhovich Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, 119121 Moscow, Russia;
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17
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Itoh M, Tamura A, Kanai S, Tanaka M, Kanamori Y, Shirakawa I, Ito A, Oka Y, Hidaka I, Takami T, Honda Y, Maeda M, Saito Y, Murata Y, Matozaki T, Nakajima A, Kataoka Y, Ogi T, Ogawa Y, Suganami T. Lysosomal cholesterol overload in macrophages promotes liver fibrosis in a mouse model of NASH. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20220681. [PMID: 37725372 PMCID: PMC10506914 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20220681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of lipotoxic lipids, such as free cholesterol, induces hepatocyte death and subsequent inflammation and fibrosis in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We have previously reported that hepatocyte death locally induces phenotypic changes in the macrophages surrounding the corpse and remnant lipids, thereby promoting liver fibrosis in a murine model of NASH. Here, we demonstrated that lysosomal cholesterol overload triggers lysosomal dysfunction and profibrotic activation of macrophages during the development of NASH. β-cyclodextrin polyrotaxane (βCD-PRX), a unique supramolecule, is designed to elicit free cholesterol from lysosomes. Treatment with βCD-PRX ameliorated cholesterol accumulation and profibrotic activation of macrophages surrounding dead hepatocytes with cholesterol crystals, thereby suppressing liver fibrosis in a NASH model, without affecting the hepatic cholesterol levels. In vitro experiments revealed that cholesterol-induced lysosomal stress triggered profibrotic activation in macrophages predisposed to the steatotic microenvironment. This study provides evidence that dysregulated cholesterol metabolism in macrophages would be a novel mechanism of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiko Itoh
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Bioelectronics, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
- Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Kawasaki, Japan
- Department of Metabolic Syndrome and Nutritional Science, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tamura
- Department of Organic Biomaterials, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sayaka Kanai
- Department of Bioelectronics, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
- Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Miyako Tanaka
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Immunometabolism, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute of Nano-Life-Systems, Institutes of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yohei Kanamori
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ibuki Shirakawa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ayaka Ito
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Immunometabolism, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuyoshi Oka
- Department of Genetics, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Isao Hidaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Taro Takami
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Yasushi Honda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Mitsuyo Maeda
- Multi-Modal Microstructure Analysis Unit, RIKEN-JEOL Collaboration Center, Kobe, Japan
- Laboratory for Cellular Function Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Saito
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yoji Murata
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takashi Matozaki
- Division of Biosignal Regulation, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakajima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yosky Kataoka
- Multi-Modal Microstructure Analysis Unit, RIKEN-JEOL Collaboration Center, Kobe, Japan
- Laboratory for Cellular Function Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
| | - Tomoo Ogi
- Department of Genetics, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ogawa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Suganami
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Immunometabolism, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute of Nano-Life-Systems, Institutes of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research, Gifu University Institute for Advanced Study, Gifu, Japan
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18
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Vitulo M, Gnodi E, Rosini G, Meneveri R, Giovannoni R, Barisani D. Current Therapeutical Approaches Targeting Lipid Metabolism in NAFLD. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12748. [PMID: 37628929 PMCID: PMC10454602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD, including nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)) is a high-prevalence disorder, affecting about 1 billion people, which can evolve to more severe conditions like cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD is often concomitant with conditions of the metabolic syndrome, such as central obesity and insulin-resistance, but a specific drug able to revert NAFL and prevent its evolution towards NASH is still lacking. With the liver being a key organ in metabolic processes, the potential therapeutic strategies are many, and range from directly targeting the lipid metabolism to the prevention of tissue inflammation. However, side effects have been reported for the drugs tested up to now. In this review, different approaches to the treatment of NAFLD are presented, including newer therapies and ongoing clinical trials. Particular focus is placed on the reverse cholesterol transport system and on the agonists for nuclear factors like PPAR and FXR, but also drugs initially developed for other conditions such as incretins and thyromimetics along with validated natural compounds that have anti-inflammatory potential. This work provides an overview of the different therapeutic strategies currently being tested for NAFLD, other than, or along with, the recommendation of weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Vitulo
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (E.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Elisa Gnodi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (E.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Giulia Rosini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56021 Pisa, Italy; (G.R.); (R.G.)
| | - Raffaella Meneveri
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (E.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Roberto Giovannoni
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56021 Pisa, Italy; (G.R.); (R.G.)
| | - Donatella Barisani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (E.G.); (R.M.)
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19
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Miyagawa S, Horie T, Nishino T, Koyama S, Watanabe T, Baba O, Yamasaki T, Sowa N, Otani C, Matsushita K, Kojima H, Kimura M, Nakashima Y, Obika S, Kasahara Y, Kotera J, Oka K, Fujita R, Sasaki T, Takemiya A, Hasegawa K, Kimura T, Ono K. Inhibition of microRNA-33b in humanized mice ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202301902. [PMID: 37263777 PMCID: PMC10235800 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202301902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in their advanced stages; however, there are currently no approved therapies. Here, we show that microRNA (miR)-33b in hepatocytes is critical for the development of NASH. miR-33b is located in the intron of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 and is abundantly expressed in humans, but absent in rodents. miR-33b knock-in (KI) mice, which have a miR-33b sequence in the same intron of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 as humans and express miR-33b similar to humans, exhibit NASH under high-fat diet feeding. This condition is ameliorated by hepatocyte-specific miR-33b deficiency but unaffected by macrophage-specific miR-33b deficiency. Anti-miR-33b oligonucleotide improves the phenotype of NASH in miR-33b KI mice fed a Gubra Amylin NASH diet, which induces miR-33b and worsens NASH more than a high-fat diet. Anti-miR-33b treatment reduces hepatic free cholesterol and triglyceride accumulation through up-regulation of the lipid metabolism-related target genes. Furthermore, it decreases the expression of fibrosis marker genes in cultured hepatic stellate cells. Thus, inhibition of miR-33b using nucleic acid medicine is a promising treatment for NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawa Miyagawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiro Horie
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Nishino
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi Koyama
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshimitsu Watanabe
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Osamu Baba
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Yamasaki
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naoya Sowa
- Division of Translational Research, National Hospital Organization, Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chiharu Otani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuki Matsushita
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hidenori Kojima
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kimura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Nakashima
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi Obika
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuuya Kasahara
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jun Kotera
- Sohyaku. Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Shonan Health Innovation Park, Fujisawa-shi, Japan
| | - Kozo Oka
- Sohyaku. Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Shonan Health Innovation Park, Fujisawa-shi, Japan
| | - Ryo Fujita
- Sohyaku. Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Shonan Health Innovation Park, Fujisawa-shi, Japan
| | - Takashi Sasaki
- Sohyaku. Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Shonan Health Innovation Park, Fujisawa-shi, Japan
| | - Akihiro Takemiya
- Sohyaku. Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Shonan Health Innovation Park, Fujisawa-shi, Japan
| | - Koji Hasegawa
- Division of Translational Research, National Hospital Organization, Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kimura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Koh Ono
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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20
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Basha A, May SC, Anderson RM, Samala N, Mirmira RG. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Translating Disease Mechanisms into Therapeutics Using Animal Models. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9996. [PMID: 37373143 PMCID: PMC10298283 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a range of pathologies arising from fat accumulation in the liver in the absence of excess alcohol use or other causes of liver disease. Its complications include cirrhosis and liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and eventual death. NAFLD is the most common cause of liver disease globally and is estimated to affect nearly one-third of individuals in the United States. Despite knowledge that the incidence and prevalence of NAFLD are increasing, the pathophysiology of the disease and its progression to cirrhosis remain insufficiently understood. The molecular pathogenesis of NAFLD involves insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Better insight into these molecular pathways would allow for therapies that target specific stages of NAFLD. Preclinical animal models have aided in defining these mechanisms and have served as platforms for screening and testing of potential therapeutic approaches. In this review, we will discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms thought to contribute to NAFLD, with a focus on the role of animal models in elucidating these mechanisms and in developing therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Basha
- Kovler Diabetes Center, Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Sarah C. May
- Kovler Diabetes Center, Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ryan M. Anderson
- Kovler Diabetes Center, Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Niharika Samala
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Raghavendra G. Mirmira
- Kovler Diabetes Center, Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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21
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Kakiyama G, Rodriguez-Agudo D, Pandak WM. Mitochondrial Cholesterol Metabolites in a Bile Acid Synthetic Pathway Drive Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Revised "Two-Hit" Hypothesis. Cells 2023; 12:1434. [PMID: 37408268 PMCID: PMC10217489 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The rising prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related cirrhosis highlights the need for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for driving the transition of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver; NAFL) to steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis/cirrhosis. Obesity-related insulin resistance (IR) is a well-known hallmark of early NAFLD progression, yet the mechanism linking aberrant insulin signaling to hepatocyte inflammation has remained unclear. Recently, as a function of more distinctly defining the regulation of mechanistic pathways, hepatocyte toxicity as mediated by hepatic free cholesterol and its metabolites has emerged as fundamental to the subsequent necroinflammation/fibrosis characteristics of NASH. More specifically, aberrant hepatocyte insulin signaling, as found with IR, leads to dysregulation in bile acid biosynthetic pathways with the subsequent intracellular accumulation of mitochondrial CYP27A1-derived cholesterol metabolites, (25R)26-hydroxycholesterol and 3β-Hydroxy-5-cholesten-(25R)26-oic acid, which appear to be responsible for driving hepatocyte toxicity. These findings bring forth a "two-hit" interpretation as to how NAFL progresses to NAFLD: abnormal hepatocyte insulin signaling, as occurs with IR, develops as a "first hit" that sequentially drives the accumulation of toxic CYP27A1-driven cholesterol metabolites as the "second hit". In the following review, we examine the mechanistic pathway by which mitochondria-derived cholesterol metabolites drive the development of NASH. Insights into mechanistic approaches for effective NASH intervention are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genta Kakiyama
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (D.R.-A.); (W.M.P.)
- Research Services, Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Richmond, VA 23249, USA
| | - Daniel Rodriguez-Agudo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (D.R.-A.); (W.M.P.)
- Research Services, Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Richmond, VA 23249, USA
| | - William M. Pandak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (D.R.-A.); (W.M.P.)
- Research Services, Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Richmond, VA 23249, USA
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22
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Goicoechea L, Conde de la Rosa L, Torres S, García-Ruiz C, Fernández-Checa JC. Mitochondrial cholesterol: Metabolism and impact on redox biology and disease. Redox Biol 2023; 61:102643. [PMID: 36857930 PMCID: PMC9989693 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol is a crucial component of membrane bilayers by regulating their structural and functional properties. Cholesterol traffics to different cellular compartments including mitochondria, whose cholesterol content is low compared to other cell membranes. Despite the limited availability of cholesterol in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM), the metabolism of cholesterol in the IMM plays important physiological roles, acting as the precursor for the synthesis of steroid hormones and neurosteroids in steroidogenic tissues and specific neurons, respectively, or the synthesis of bile acids through an alternative pathway in the liver. Accumulation of cholesterol in mitochondria above physiological levels has a negative impact on mitochondrial function through several mechanisms, including the limitation of crucial antioxidant defenses, such as the glutathione redox cycle, increased generation of reactive oxygen species and consequent oxidative modification of cardiolipin, and defective assembly of respiratory supercomplexes. These adverse consequences of increased mitochondrial cholesterol trafficking trigger the onset of oxidative stress and cell death, and, ultimately, contribute to the development of diverse diseases, including metabolic liver diseases (i.e. fatty liver disease and liver cancer), as well as lysosomal disorders (i.e. Niemann-Pick type C disease) and neurodegenerative diseases (i.e. Alzheimer's disease). In this review, we summarize the metabolism and regulation of mitochondrial cholesterol and its potential impact on liver and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leire Goicoechea
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic i Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Conde de la Rosa
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic i Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandra Torres
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic i Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen García-Ruiz
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic i Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain; Research Center for ALPD, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| | - José C Fernández-Checa
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic i Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain; Research Center for ALPD, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
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23
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Moore MP, Wang X, Shi H, Meroni M, Cherubini A, Ronzoni L, Parks EJ, Ibdah JA, Rector RS, Valenti L, Dongiovanni P, Tabas I. Circulating indian hedgehog is a marker of the hepatocyte-TAZ pathway in experimental NASH and is elevated in humans with NASH. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100716. [PMID: 37035456 PMCID: PMC10074197 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-induced liver fibrosis is emerging as the most common cause of liver disease. For evaluation of therapies, there is a pressing need to identify non-invasive, mechanism-based biomarkers. A pro-fibrotic process relevant to human NASH involves a pathway in which a transcriptional regulator called TAZ (WWTR1) in hepatocytes induces the secretion of pro-fibrotic Indian hedgehog (IHH). We therefore reasoned that circulating IHH may be a useful mechanism-based marker to assess changes in NASH fibrosis. Methods Circulating IHH was assessed in wild-type and hepatocyte-TAZ-silenced NASH mice and in three separate cohorts of patients with mild-moderate NASH. Results Circulating IHH was elevated in mice with diet-induced NASH compared with chow-fed mice or with NASH mice in which hepatocyte TAZ was silenced, which is an effective means to decrease NASH fibrosis. In patients with fatty liver disease with or without NASH, NASH fibrosis was associated with increased concentrations of circulating IHH. Conclusions The results of these analyses support further investigation to determine whether circulating IHH may be useful as a mechanism-based indicator of target engagement in anticipated future clinical trials testing NASH fibrosis therapies that block the IHH pathway. Impact and implications Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-induced liver fibrosis is a common cause of liver disease. Circulating biomarkers that reflect liver fibrosis in NASH would be very useful to evaluate therapies. One mechanism of NASH fibrosis with potential as a therapeutic target involves a liver-secreted protein called Indian hedgehog (IHH). We report that circulating levels of IHH in experimental and human NASH associates with NASH and NASH-associated liver fibrosis, providing the premise for further investigation into using circulating IHH to evaluate anticipated future NASH therapies that block the IHH pathway in liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Patricia Moore
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hongxue Shi
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marica Meroni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cherubini
- Precision Medicine Lab, Biological Resource Center, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Ronzoni
- Precision Medicine Lab, Biological Resource Center, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elizabeth J Parks
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Jamal A Ibdah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Research Service, Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Medical Center, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - R Scott Rector
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Research Service, Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Medical Center, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Luca Valenti
- Precision Medicine Lab, Biological Resource Center, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Universitádegli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Dongiovanni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Ira Tabas
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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24
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Inia JA, Stokman G, Pieterman EJ, Morrison MC, Menke AL, Verschuren L, Caspers MPM, Giera M, Jukema JW, van den Hoek AM, Princen HMG. Atorvastatin Attenuates Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in APOE*3-Leiden Mice by Reducing Hepatic Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097818. [PMID: 37175538 PMCID: PMC10178767 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with metabolic syndrome are often prescribed statins to prevent the development of cardiovascular disease. Conversely, data on their effects on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are lacking. We evaluated these effects by feeding APOE*3-Leiden mice a Western-type diet (WTD) with or without atorvastatin to induce NASH and hepatic fibrosis. Besides the well-known plasma cholesterol lowering (-30%) and anti-atherogenic effects (severe lesion size -48%), atorvastatin significantly reduced hepatic steatosis (-22%), the number of aggregated inflammatory cells in the liver (-80%) and hepatic fibrosis (-92%) compared to WTD-fed mice. Furthermore, atorvastatin-treated mice showed less immunohistochemically stained areas of inflammation markers. Atorvastatin prevented accumulation of free cholesterol in the form of cholesterol crystals (-78%). Cholesterol crystals are potent inducers of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and atorvastatin prevented its activation, which resulted in reduced expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β (-61%) and IL-18 (-26%). Transcriptome analysis confirmed strong reducing effects of atorvastatin on inflammatory mediators, including NLRP3, NFκB and TLR4. The present study demonstrates that atorvastatin reduces hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis and prevents cholesterol crystal formation, thereby precluding NLRP3 inflammasome activation. This may render atorvastatin treatment as an attractive approach to reduce NAFLD and prevent progression into NASH in dyslipidemic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Inia
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Geurt Stokman
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Elsbet J Pieterman
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martine C Morrison
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aswin L Menke
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lars Verschuren
- Department of Microbiology and Systems Biology, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martien P M Caspers
- Department of Microbiology and Systems Biology, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Giera
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J Wouter Jukema
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Heart Institute, 3511 EP Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anita M van den Hoek
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans M G Princen
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
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25
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Akl MG, Li L, Baccetto R, Phanse S, Zhang Q, Trites MJ, McDonald S, Aoki H, Babu M, Widenmaier SB. Complementary gene regulation by NRF1 and NRF2 protects against hepatic cholesterol overload. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112399. [PMID: 37060561 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic cholesterol overload promotes steatohepatitis. Insufficient understanding of liver stress defense impedes therapy development. Here, we elucidate the role of stress defense transcription factors, nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor-1 (NRF1) and -2 (NRF2), in counteracting cholesterol-linked liver stress. Using a diet that increases liver cholesterol storage, expression profiles and phenotypes of liver from mice with hepatocyte deficiency of NRF1, NRF2, or both are compared with controls, and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing is undertaken to identify target genes. Results show NRF1 and NRF2 co-regulate genes that eliminate cholesterol and mitigate inflammation and oxidative damage. Combined deficiency, but not deficiency of either alone, results in severe steatohepatitis, hepatic cholesterol overload and crystallization, altered bile acid metabolism, and decreased biliary cholesterol. Moreover, therapeutic effects of NRF2-activating drug bardoxolone require NRF1 and are supplemented by NRF1 overexpression. Thus, we discover complementary gene programming by NRF1 and NRF2 that counteract cholesterol-associated fatty liver disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- May G Akl
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Raquel Baccetto
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Sadhna Phanse
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Qingzhou Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Michael J Trites
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Sherin McDonald
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Hiroyuki Aoki
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Mohan Babu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Scott B Widenmaier
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
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26
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Amorim R, Magalhães CC, Borges F, Oliveira PJ, Teixeira J. From Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver to Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Story of (Mal)Adapted Mitochondria. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040595. [PMID: 37106795 PMCID: PMC10135755 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global pandemic affecting 25% of the world's population and is a serious health and economic concern worldwide. NAFLD is mainly the result of unhealthy dietary habits combined with sedentary lifestyle, although some genetic contributions to NAFLD have been documented. NAFLD is characterized by the excessive accumulation of triglycerides (TGs) in hepatocytes and encompasses a spectrum of chronic liver abnormalities, ranging from simple steatosis (NAFL) to steatohepatitis (NASH), significant liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the molecular mechanisms that cause the progression of steatosis to severe liver damage are not fully understood, metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease is strong evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a significant role in the development and progression of NAFLD. Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that undergo functional and structural adaptations to meet the metabolic requirements of the cell. Alterations in nutrient availability or cellular energy needs can modify mitochondria formation through biogenesis or the opposite processes of fission and fusion and fragmentation. In NAFL, simple steatosis can be seen as an adaptive response to storing lipotoxic free fatty acids (FFAs) as inert TGs due to chronic perturbation in lipid metabolism and lipotoxic insults. However, when liver hepatocytes' adaptive mechanisms are overburdened, lipotoxicity occurs, contributing to reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Impaired mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, reduction in mitochondrial quality, and disrupted mitochondrial function are associated with a decrease in the energy levels and impaired redox balance and negatively affect mitochondria hepatocyte tolerance towards damaging hits. However, the sequence of events underlying mitochondrial failure from steatosis to hepatocarcinoma is still yet to be fully clarified. This review provides an overview of our understanding of mitochondrial adaptation in initial NAFLD stages and highlights how hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction and heterogeneity contribute to disease pathophysiology progression, from steatosis to hepatocellular carcinoma. Improving our understanding of different aspects of hepatocytes' mitochondrial physiology in the context of disease development and progression is crucial to improving diagnosis, management, and therapy of NAFLD/NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Amorim
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIQUP-IMS/Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carina C Magalhães
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Borges
- CIQUP-IMS/Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo J Oliveira
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Teixeira
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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Xie J, Chen Q, Zhao Y, Luo M, Zeng X, Qin L, Tan D, He Y. Transcriptome Sequencing Reveals Autophagy Networks in Rat Livers during the Development of NAFLD and Identifies Autophagy Hub Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076437. [PMID: 37047411 PMCID: PMC10094595 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Autophagy is an important biological process in cells and is closely associated with the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, this study aims to investigate the biological function of the autophagy hub genes, which could be used as a potential therapeutic target and diagnostic markers for NAFLD. (2) Male C57BL/6J mice were sacrificed after 16 and 38 weeks of a high-fat diet, serum biochemical indexes were detected, and liver lobules were collected for pathological observation and transcriptome sequencing. The R software was used to identify differentially expressed autophagy genes (DEGs) from the transcriptome sequencing data of mice fed with a normal diet for 38 weeks (ND38) and a high-fat diet for 38 weeks (HFD38). Gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed on the DEGs, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the DEGs was established using the STRING data website, and the results were visualized through Cytoscape. (3) After 16 weeks and 38 weeks of a high-fat diet, there was a significant increase in body weight, serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) in mice, along with lipid accumulation in the liver, which was more severe at 38 weeks than at 16 weeks. The transcriptome data showed significant changes in the expression profile of autophagy genes in the livers of NAFLD mice following a long-term high-fat diet. Among the 31 differentially expressed autophagy-related genes, 13 were upregulated and 18 were downregulated. GO and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that these DEGs were primarily involved in autophagy, cholesterol transport, triglyceride metabolism, apoptosis, the FoxO signaling pathway, the p53 signaling pathway and the IL-17 signaling pathway. Four hub genes were identified by the PPI network analysis, of which Irs2, Pnpla2 and Plin2 were significantly downregulated, while Srebf2 was significantly upregulated by the 38-week high-fat diet. (4) The hub genes Irs2, Pnpla2, Srebf2 and Plin2 may serve as key therapeutic targets and early diagnostic markers in the progression of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Xie
- Guizhou Engineering Research Center of Industrial Key-Technology for Dendrobium Nobile, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- 2011 Cooperative Inovational Center for Guizhou Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Department of Medical Genetics, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Qiuyi Chen
- Guizhou Engineering Research Center of Industrial Key-Technology for Dendrobium Nobile, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- 2011 Cooperative Inovational Center for Guizhou Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Yongxia Zhao
- Guizhou Engineering Research Center of Industrial Key-Technology for Dendrobium Nobile, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- 2011 Cooperative Inovational Center for Guizhou Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Mingxia Luo
- Guizhou Engineering Research Center of Industrial Key-Technology for Dendrobium Nobile, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- 2011 Cooperative Inovational Center for Guizhou Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Xin Zeng
- Department of Medical Genetics, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Lin Qin
- Guizhou Engineering Research Center of Industrial Key-Technology for Dendrobium Nobile, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- 2011 Cooperative Inovational Center for Guizhou Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Daopeng Tan
- Guizhou Engineering Research Center of Industrial Key-Technology for Dendrobium Nobile, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- 2011 Cooperative Inovational Center for Guizhou Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Yuqi He
- Guizhou Engineering Research Center of Industrial Key-Technology for Dendrobium Nobile, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- 2011 Cooperative Inovational Center for Guizhou Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
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Risk Factors of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in the Iranian Adult Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2023. [DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon-131523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Context: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is progressing considerably worldwide. Identifying the risk factors of NAFLD is a critical step in preventing its progression. Methods: In November 2022, two independent researchers studied seven databases, including PubMed, ISI/WoS, ProQuest, Scopus, SID, Magiran, and Google Scholar, and reference list of relevant articles, searching studies that assessed NAFLD risk factors in the Iranian adult population. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed by Cochran’s test and its composition using I2 statistics. A random-effects model was used when heterogeneity was observed; otherwise, a fixed-effects model was applied. Egger’s regression test and Trim-and-Fill analysis were used to assess publication bias. Comprehensive Meta-analysis software (version 3) was used for the analyses of the present study. Results: The results of this study showed significant associations between NAFLD with age [n = 15, odds ratio (OR) = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.79 - 2.51], body mass index (n = 46, OR = 5.00, 95% CI: 3.34 - 7.49), waist circumference (n = 20, OR = 6.37, 95% CI: 3.25 - 12.48), waist-to-hip ratio (n = 17, OR = 4.72, 95% CI: 3.93 - 5.66), total cholesterol (n = 39, OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.52 - 2.13), high-density lipoprotein (n = 37, OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.44 - 0.65), low-density lipoprotein (n = 31, OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.38 - 2.05), triglyceride (n = 31, OR = 3.21, 95% CI: 2.67 - 3.87), alanine aminotransferase (n = 26, OR = 4.06, 95% CI: 2.94 - 5.62), aspartate aminotransferase (n = 27, OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.50 - 3.12), hypertension (n = 13, OR = 2.53, 95% CI: 2.32 - 2.77), systolic blood pressure (n = 13, OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.53 - 2.18), diastolic blood pressure (n = 14, OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.48 - 2.20), fasting blood sugar (n = 31,OR = 2.91, 95% CI: 2.11- 4.01), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (n = 5, OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.48 - 2.59), diabetes mellitus (n = 15, OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 2.46 - 3.75), metabolic syndrome (n = 10, OR = 3.56, 95% CI: 2.79 - 4.55), and physical activity (n = 11, OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.24 - 0.43) (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, several factors are significantly associated with NAFLD. However, anthropometric indices had the strongest relationship with NAFLD in the Iranian adult population.
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Wiering L, Subramanian P, Hammerich L. Hepatic Stellate Cells: Dictating Outcome in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 15:1277-1292. [PMID: 36828280 PMCID: PMC10148161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a fast growing, chronic liver disease affecting ∼25% of the global population. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity ranges from the less severe simple hepatic steatosis to the more advanced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The presence of NASH predisposes individuals to liver fibrosis, which can further progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This makes hepatic fibrosis an important indicator of clinical outcomes in patients with NASH. Hepatic stellate cell activation dictates fibrosis development during NASH. Here, we discuss recent advances in the analysis of the profibrogenic pathways and mediators of hepatic stellate cell activation and inactivation, which ultimately determine the course of disease in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leke Wiering
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, BIH Charité Junior Clinician Scientist Program, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pallavi Subramanian
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Linda Hammerich
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
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30
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Gillard J, Leclercq IA. Biological tuners to reshape the bile acid pool for therapeutic purposes in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Clin Sci (Lond) 2023; 137:65-85. [PMID: 36601783 PMCID: PMC9816373 DOI: 10.1042/cs20220697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Bile acids synthesized within the hepatocytes are transformed by gut microorganisms and reabsorbed into the portal circulation. During their enterohepatic cycling, bile acids act as signaling molecules by interacting with receptors to regulate pathways involved in many physiological processes. The bile acid pool, composed of a variety of bile acid species, has been shown to be altered in diseases, hence contributing to disease pathogenesis. Thus, understanding the changes in bile acid pool size and composition in pathological processes will help to elaborate effective pharmacological treatments. Five crucial steps along the enterohepatic cycle shape the bile acid pool size and composition, offering five possible targets for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we provide an insight on the strategies to modulate the bile acid pool, and then we discuss the potential benefits in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Gillard
- Laboratory of Hepato‐Gastroenterology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle A. Leclercq
- Laboratory of Hepato‐Gastroenterology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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31
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Akl MG, Widenmaier SB. Immunometabolic factors contributing to obesity-linked hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1089124. [PMID: 36712976 PMCID: PMC9877434 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1089124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major public health concern that is promoted by obesity and associated liver complications. Onset and progression of HCC in obesity is a multifactorial process involving complex interactions between the metabolic and immune system, in which chronic liver damage resulting from metabolic and inflammatory insults trigger carcinogenesis-promoting gene mutations and tumor metabolism. Moreover, cell growth and proliferation of the cancerous cell, after initiation, requires interactions between various immunological and metabolic pathways that provide stress defense of the cancer cell as well as strategic cell death escape mechanisms. The heterogenic nature of HCC in addition to the various metabolic risk factors underlying HCC development have led researchers to focus on examining metabolic pathways that may contribute to HCC development. In obesity-linked HCC, oncogene-induced modifications and metabolic pathways have been identified to support anabolic demands of the growing HCC cells and combat the concomitant cell stress, coinciding with altered utilization of signaling pathways and metabolic fuels involved in glucose metabolism, macromolecule synthesis, stress defense, and redox homeostasis. In this review, we discuss metabolic insults that can underlie the transition from steatosis to steatohepatitis and from steatohepatitis to HCC as well as aberrantly regulated immunometabolic pathways that enable cancer cells to survive and proliferate in the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss therapeutic modalities targeted at HCC prevention and regression. A full understanding of HCC-associated immunometabolic changes in obesity may contribute to clinical treatments that effectively target cancer metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- May G. Akl
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Scott B. Widenmaier
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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32
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Hepatic Transporters Alternations Associated with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Systematic Review. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2023; 48:1-10. [PMID: 36319903 DOI: 10.1007/s13318-022-00802-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a progressive liver disorder and is usually accompanied by obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus. NAFLD progression can lead to impaired functions of hepatocytes such as alternations in expression and function of hepatic transporters. The present study aimed to summarize and discuss the results of clinical and preclinical human studies that investigate the effect of NAFLD on hepatic transporters. METHODS The databases of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were searched systematically up to 1 March 2022. The risk of bias was assessed for cross-sectional studies through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score. RESULTS Our review included ten cross-sectional studies consisting of 485 participants. Substantial alternations in hepatic transporters were seen during NAFLD progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in comparison with control groups. A significant reduction in expression and function of several hepatic uptake transporters, upregulation of many efflux transporters, downregulation of cholesterol efflux transporters, and mislocalization of canalicular transporter ABCC2 are associated with NAFLD progression. CONCLUSION Since extensive changes in hepatic transporters could alter the pharmacokinetics of the drugs and potentially affect the safety and efficacy of drugs, close monitoring of drug administration is highly suggested in patients with NASH.
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Finney AC, Das S, Kumar D, McKinney MP, Cai B, Yurdagul A, Rom O. The interplay between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1116861. [PMID: 37200978 PMCID: PMC10185914 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1116861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic approaches that lower circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol significantly reduced the burden of cardiovascular disease over the last decades. However, the persistent rise in the obesity epidemic is beginning to reverse this decline. Alongside obesity, the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has substantially increased in the last three decades. Currently, approximately one third of world population is affected by NAFLD. Notably, the presence of NAFLD and particularly its more severe form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), serves as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), thus, raising interest in the relationship between these two diseases. Importantly, ASCVD is the major cause of death in patients with NASH independent of traditional risk factors. Nevertheless, the pathophysiology linking NAFLD/NASH with ASCVD remains poorly understood. While dyslipidemia is a common risk factor underlying both diseases, therapies that lower circulating LDL-cholesterol are largely ineffective against NASH. While there are no approved pharmacological therapies for NASH, some of the most advanced drug candidates exacerbate atherogenic dyslipidemia, raising concerns regarding their adverse cardiovascular consequences. In this review, we address current gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms linking NAFLD/NASH and ASCVD, explore strategies to simultaneously model these diseases, evaluate emerging biomarkers that may be useful to diagnose the presence of both diseases, and discuss investigational approaches and ongoing clinical trials that potentially target both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C. Finney
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Sandeep Das
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Dhananjay Kumar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - M. Peyton McKinney
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Bishuang Cai
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, United States
| | - Arif Yurdagul
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Correspondence: Arif Yurdagul Oren Rom
| | - Oren Rom
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Correspondence: Arif Yurdagul Oren Rom
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Gerardo-Ramírez M, German-Ramirez N, Escobedo-Calvario A, Chávez-Rodríguez L, Bucio-Ortiz L, Souza-Arroyo V, Miranda-Labra RU, Gutiérrez-Ruiz MC, Gomez-Quiroz LE. The hepatic effects of GDF11 on health and disease. Biochimie 2022; 208:129-140. [PMID: 36584866 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11), a member of the superfamily of the transforming growth factor β, has gained relevance in the last few years due to its remarkable effects in cellular biology, particularly in the nervous system, skeletal muscle, the heart, and many epithelial tissues. Some controversies have been raised about this growth factor. Many of them have been related to technical factors but also the nature of the cellular target. In liver biology and pathobiology, the GDF11 has shown to be related in many molecular aspects, with a significant impact on the physiology and the initiation and progression of the natural history of liver diseases. GDF11 has been involved as a critical regulator in lipid homeostasis, which, as it is well known, is the first step in the progression of liver disease. However, also it has been reported that the GDF11 is involved in fibrosis, senescence, and cancer. Although there are some controversies, much of the literature indicates that GDF11 displays effects tending to solve or mitigate pathological states of the liver, with reasonable evidence of correlation with other organs or systems. To a large extent, the controversy, as mentioned, is due to technical problems, such as the specificity of GDF11 antibodies, confusion with its closer family member, myostatin, and the state of differentiation in the tissues. In the present work, we reviewed the specific effects of GDF11 in the biology and pathobiology of the liver as a potential and promising factor for therapeutic intervention shortly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monserrat Gerardo-Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental y Carcinogénesis, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico; First Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Natanael German-Ramirez
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental y Carcinogénesis, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Biología Experimental, DCBS, Universidad Autónoma Metrolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Escobedo-Calvario
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental y Carcinogénesis, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Biología Experimental, DCBS, Universidad Autónoma Metrolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lisette Chávez-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental y Carcinogénesis, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Biología Experimental, DCBS, Universidad Autónoma Metrolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Leticia Bucio-Ortiz
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental y Carcinogénesis, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico; Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental, Unidad de Medicina Traslacional IIB/UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Verónica Souza-Arroyo
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental y Carcinogénesis, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico; Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental, Unidad de Medicina Traslacional IIB/UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Roxana U Miranda-Labra
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental y Carcinogénesis, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico; Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental, Unidad de Medicina Traslacional IIB/UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - María Concepción Gutiérrez-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental y Carcinogénesis, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico; Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental, Unidad de Medicina Traslacional IIB/UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis E Gomez-Quiroz
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental y Carcinogénesis, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico; Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental, Unidad de Medicina Traslacional IIB/UNAM, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico.
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35
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Jiang SY, Yang X, Yang Z, Li JW, Xu MQ, Qu YX, Tang JJ, Li YF, Wang L, Shao YW, Meng XY, Hu H, Song BL, Rao Y, Qi W. Discovery of an insulin-induced gene binding compound that ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by inhibiting sterol regulatory element-binding protein-mediated lipogenesis. Hepatology 2022; 76:1466-1481. [PMID: 35102596 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS NASH is associated with high levels of cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) in the liver; however, there is still no approved pharmacological therapy. Synthesis of cholesterol and TG is controlled by sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP), which is found to be abnormally activated in NASH patients. We aim to discover small molecules for treating NASH by inhibiting the SREBP pathway. APPROACH AND RESULTS Here, we identify a potent SREBP inhibitor, 25-hydroxylanosterol (25-HL). 25-HL binds to insulin-induced gene (INSIG) proteins, stimulates the interaction between INSIG and SCAP, and retains them in the endoplasmic reticulum, thereby suppressing SREBP activation and inhibiting lipogenesis. In NASH mouse models, 25-HL lowers levels of cholesterol and TG in serum and the liver, enhances energy expenditure to prevent obesity, and improves insulin sensitivity. 25-HL dramatically ameliorates hepatic steatosis, inflammation, ballooning, and fibrosis through down-regulating the expression of lipogenic genes. Furthermore, 25-HL exhibits both prophylactic and therapeutic efficacies of alleviating NASH and atherosclerosis in amylin liver NASH model diet-treated Ldlr-/- mice, and reduces the formation of cholesterol crystals and associated crown-like structures of Kupffer cells. Notably, 25-HL lowers lipid contents in serum and the liver to a greater extent than lovastatin or obeticholic acid. 25-HL shows a good safety and pharmacokinetics profile. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the proof of concept that inhibiting SREBP activation by targeting INSIG to lower lipids could be a promising strategy for treating NASH. It suggests the translational potential of 25-HL in human NASH and demonstrates the critical role of SREBP-controlled lipogenesis in the progression of NASH by pharmacological inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-You Jiang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinglin Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zimo Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jue-Wan Li
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng-Qiang Xu
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Xiu Qu
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing-Jie Tang
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun-Feng Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Liguo Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Wen Shao
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Shandong University Cheeloo Medical College, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, China.,The Research Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Shandong University Cheeloo Medical College, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Meng
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Shandong University Cheeloo Medical College, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, China.,The Research Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Shandong University Cheeloo Medical College, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Huili Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Shandong University Cheeloo Medical College, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, China.,The Research Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Shandong University Cheeloo Medical College, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Bao-Liang Song
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Rao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Qi
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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36
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Kakiyama G, Minowa K, Rodriguez-Agudo D, Martin R, Takei H, Mitamura K, Ikegawa S, Suzuki M, Nittono H, Fuchs M, Heuman DM, Zhou H, Pandak WM. Coffee modulates insulin-hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α-Cyp7b1 pathway and reduces oxysterol-driven liver toxicity in a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease mouse model. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2022; 323:G488-G500. [PMID: 36193897 PMCID: PMC9639758 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00179.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7B1) controls the levels of intracellular regulatory oxysterols generated by the "acidic pathway" of cholesterol metabolism. Previously, we demonstrated that an inability to upregulate CYP7B1 in the setting of insulin resistance leads to the accumulation of cholesterol metabolites such as (25R)26-hydroxycholesterol (26HC) that initiate and promote hepatocyte injury; followed by an inflammatory response. The current study demonstrates that dietary coffee improves insulin resistance and restores Cyp7b1 levels in a well-characterized Western diet (WD)-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) mouse model. Ingestion of a WD containing caffeinated (regular) coffee or decaffeinated coffee markedly reduced the serum ALT level and improved insulin resistance. Cyp7b1 mRNA and protein levels were preserved at normal levels in mice fed the coffee containing WD. Additionally, coffee led to upregulated steroid sulfotransferase 2b1 (Sult2b1) mRNA expression. In accordance with the response in these oxysterol metabolic genes, hepatocellular 26HC levels were maintained at physiologically low levels. Moreover, the current study provided evidence that hepatic Cyp7b1 and Sult2b1 responses to insulin signaling can be mediated through a transcriptional factor, hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-4α. We conclude coffee achieves its beneficial effects through the modulation of insulin resistance. Both decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee had beneficial effects, demonstrating caffeine is not fundamental to this effect. The effects of coffee feeding on the insulin-HNF4α-Cyp7b1 signaling pathway, whose dysregulation initiates and contributes to the onset and progression of NASH as triggered by insulin resistance, offer mechanistic insight into approaches for the treatment of NAFLD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrated dietary coffee prevented the accumulation of hepatic oxysterols by maintaining Cyp7b1/Sult2b1 expression in a diet-induced NAFLD mice model. Lowering liver oxysterols markedly reduced inflammation in the coffee-ingested mice. Caffeine is not fundamental to this effect. In addition, this study showed Cyp7b1/Sult2b1 responses to insulin signaling can be mediated through a transcriptional factor, HNF4α. The insulin-HNF4α-Cyp7b1/Sult2b1 signaling pathway, which directly correlates to the onset of NASH triggered by insulin resistance, offers insight into approaches for NAFLD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genta Kakiyama
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
- Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Kei Minowa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
- Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daniel Rodriguez-Agudo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
- Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Rebecca Martin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Hajime Takei
- Junshin Clinic Bile Acid Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Mitsuyoshi Suzuki
- Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Michael Fuchs
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
- Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Douglas M Heuman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Huiping Zhou
- Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Richmond, Virginia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - William M Pandak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
- Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Richmond, Virginia
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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37
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Sozen E, Demirel-Yalciner T, Sari D, Ozer NK. Cholesterol accumulation in hepatocytes mediates IRE1/p38 branch of endoplasmic reticulum stress to promote nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 191:1-7. [PMID: 35995397 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), based on the elevating obesity incidence, is one of the major health issue worldwide. Transition from NAFLD to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is driven by increased apoptosis and is relevant to higher morbidity rates. In regard to limited understanding on cholesterol mediated hepatocyte alterations in NALFD/NASH transition, we investigated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and related apoptosis. Our findings suggest that cholesterol upregulates ER stress and enhances C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) either in hypercholesterolemic rabbits or in hepatocytes treated with liposome-cholesterol complex. Mechanistically, cholesterol accumulation in hepatocytes activates IRE1/p38 branch of ER stress, stimulating CHOP levels. In liver tissues of cholesterol fed rabbits, α-tocopherol supplementation decreased IRE1/p38/CHOP activation and prevented NASH development. Thus, our study provides a critical role of hepatocyte cholesterol in inducing IRE1/p38/CHOP pathway and suggests novel candidates for therapeutic targets against NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erdi Sozen
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Maltepe, Istanbul, 34854, Turkey; Genetic and Metabolic Diseases Research and Investigation Center (GEMHAM), Marmara University, Maltepe, Istanbul, 34854, Turkey
| | - Tugce Demirel-Yalciner
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Maltepe, Istanbul, 34854, Turkey
| | - Dyana Sari
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Maltepe, Istanbul, 34854, Turkey
| | - Nesrin Kartal Ozer
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Maltepe, Istanbul, 34854, Turkey.
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38
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Wei X, Yin F, Wu M, Xie Q, Zhao X, Zhu C, Xie R, Chen C, Liu M, Wang X, Ren R, Kang G, Zhu C, Cong J, Wang H, Wang X. G protein-coupled receptor 35 attenuates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by reprogramming cholesterol homeostasis in hepatocytes. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 13:1128-1144. [PMID: 36970193 PMCID: PMC10031266 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Fat accumulation "sensitizes" the liver to insult and leads to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). G protein-coupled receptor 35 (GPR35) is involved in metabolic stresses, but its role in NAFLD is unknown. We report that hepatocyte GPR35 mitigates NASH by regulating hepatic cholesterol homeostasis. Specifically, we found that GPR35 overexpression in hepatocytes protected against high-fat/cholesterol/fructose (HFCF) diet-induced steatohepatitis, whereas loss of GPR35 had the opposite effect. Administration of the GPR35 agonist kynurenic acid (Kyna) suppressed HFCF diet-induced steatohepatitis in mice. Kyna/GPR35 induced expression of StAR-related lipid transfer protein 4 (STARD4) through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, ultimately resulting in hepatic cholesterol esterification and bile acid synthesis (BAS). The overexpression of STARD4 increased the expression of the BAS rate-limiting enzymes cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1 (CYP7A1) and CYP8B1, promoting the conversion of cholesterol to bile acid. The protective effect induced by GPR35 overexpression in hepatocytes disappeared in hepatocyte STARD4-knockdown mice. STARD4 overexpression in hepatocytes reversed the aggravation of HFCF diet-induced steatohepatitis caused by the loss of GPR35 expression in hepatocytes in mice. Our findings indicate that the GPR35-STARD4 axis is a promising therapeutic target for NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Wei
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Fan Yin
- Department of Pharmacy, Huainan First People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Miaomiao Wu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230036, China
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Qianqian Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xueqin Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Ruiqian Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chongqing Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Menghua Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xueying Wang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Ruixue Ren
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Guijie Kang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chenwen Zhu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Jingjing Cong
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230036, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Xuefu Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Corresponding authors.
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Probiotics suppress nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and carcinogenesis progression in hepatocyte-specific PTEN knockout mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16206. [PMID: 36171333 PMCID: PMC9519992 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20296-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a hepatic characteristic of metabolic syndrome, received significant attention in clinical settings. The multiple-hit theory is one of the proposed mechanisms of NAFLD, and gut dysbiosis is considered a hit. Thus, controlling gut microbiota is a potential target in the management of NAFLD, and probiotics can be used as a treatment agent for NAFLD. The current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of probiotics against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in a hepatocyte-specific PTEN knockout mouse model that mimics the characteristics of human NAFLD. Probiotics were administered to male knockout mice for 8 or 40 weeks. Next, we assessed hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, carcinogenesis, and oxidative stress. Probiotics were found to reduce serum transaminase levels, NAFLD activity score, and the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, they decreased liver fibrosis grade, which was examined via Sirius red staining, gene expression of fibrotic markers, and hydroxyproline. Furthermore, probiotics suppressed the number of liver tumors, particular in HCC. Probiotics reduced oxidative stresses, including glutathione levels, and anti-oxidative stress marker, which may be an underlying mechanism for their beneficial effects. In conclusion, probiotics treatment had beneficial effects against NAFLD and carcinogenesis in hepatocyte-specific PTEN knockout mice.
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40
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Duan Y, Gong K, Xu S, Zhang F, Meng X, Han J. Regulation of cholesterol homeostasis in health and diseases: from mechanisms to targeted therapeutics. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:265. [PMID: 35918332 PMCID: PMC9344793 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01125-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disturbed cholesterol homeostasis plays critical roles in the development of multiple diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), neurodegenerative diseases and cancers, particularly the CVD in which the accumulation of lipids (mainly the cholesteryl esters) within macrophage/foam cells underneath the endothelial layer drives the formation of atherosclerotic lesions eventually. More and more studies have shown that lowering cholesterol level, especially low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, protects cardiovascular system and prevents cardiovascular events effectively. Maintaining cholesterol homeostasis is determined by cholesterol biosynthesis, uptake, efflux, transport, storage, utilization, and/or excretion. All the processes should be precisely controlled by the multiple regulatory pathways. Based on the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis, many interventions have been developed to lower cholesterol by inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake or enhancing cholesterol utilization and excretion. Herein, we summarize the historical review and research events, the current understandings of the molecular pathways playing key roles in regulating cholesterol homeostasis, and the cholesterol-lowering interventions in clinics or in preclinical studies as well as new cholesterol-lowering targets and their clinical advances. More importantly, we review and discuss the benefits of those interventions for the treatment of multiple diseases including atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, osteoporosis and virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Duan
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Ke Gong
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Suowen Xu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Xianshe Meng
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Jihong Han
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China. .,College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
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41
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Carvalho-Gontijo R, Han C, Zhang L, Zhang V, Hosseini M, Mekeel K, Schnabl B, Loomba R, Karin M, Brenner DA, Kisseleva T. Metabolic Injury of Hepatocytes Promotes Progression of NAFLD and AALD. Semin Liver Dis 2022; 42:233-249. [PMID: 36001995 PMCID: PMC9662188 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1755316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic liver disease is a component of metabolic syndrome associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia. Excessive alcohol consumption may accelerate the progression of steatosis, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis. While simple steatosis is considered a benign condition, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with inflammation and fibrosis may progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular cancer. Studies in rodent experimental models and primary cell cultures have demonstrated several common cellular and molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis and regression of liver fibrosis. Chronic injury and death of hepatocytes cause the recruitment of myeloid cells, secretion of inflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines, and activation of myofibroblasts, resulting in liver fibrosis. In this review, we discuss the role of metabolically injured hepatocytes in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and alcohol-associated liver disease. Specifically, the role of chemokine production and de novo lipogenesis in the development of steatotic hepatocytes and the pathways of steatosis regulation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Carvalho-Gontijo
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla,Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Cuijuan Han
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla,Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla,Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Vivian Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla,Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Mojgan Hosseini
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Kristin Mekeel
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Bernd Schnabl
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Rohit Loomba
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Michael Karin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - David A. Brenner
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla,Corresponding author: Tatiana Kisseleva, 9500 Gilman Drive, #0063, La Jolla, California 92093, USA. Phone: 858.822.5339,
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42
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Chen D, Zhang H, Zhang X, Sun X, Qin Q, Hou Y, Jia M, Chen Y. Roles of Yes-associated protein and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif in non-neoplastic liver diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113166. [PMID: 35609372 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of liver disease has been increasing worldwide. Moreover, the burden of end-stage liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer, is high because of high mortality and suboptimal treatment. The pathological process of liver disease includes steatosis, hepatocyte death, and fibrosis, which ultimately lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Clinical and preclinical evidence indicates that non-neoplastic liver diseases, particularly cirrhosis, are major risk factors for liver cancer, although the mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are transcriptional activators that regulate organ size and cancer development. YAP and TAZ play important roles in liver development, regeneration, and homeostasis. Abnormal YAP and TAZ levels have also been implicated in non-neoplastic liver diseases (e.g., non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, liver injury, and liver fibrosis). Here, we review recent findings on the roles of YAP and TAZ in non-neoplastic liver diseases and discuss directions for future research. This review provides a basis for the study of non-neoplastic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Chen
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China; School of Basic and Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Xia Sun
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China; School of Basic and Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Qiaohong Qin
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Ying Hou
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Min Jia
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Yulong Chen
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China.
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43
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Kang H, You HJ, Lee G, Lee SH, Yoo T, Choi M, Joo SK, Park JH, Chang MS, Lee DH, Kim W, Ko G. Interaction effect between NAFLD severity and high carbohydrate diet on gut microbiome alteration and hepatic de novo lipogenesis. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2078612. [PMID: 35634707 PMCID: PMC9154801 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2078612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with high carbohydrate (HC) intake. We investigated whether the relationship between carbohydrate intake and NAFLD is mediated by interactions between gut microbial modulation, impaired insulin response, and hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL). Stool samples were collected from 204 Korean subjects with biopsy-proven NAFLD (n = 129) and without NAFLD (n = 75). The gut microbiome profiles were analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Study subjects were grouped by the NAFLD activity score (NAS) and percentage energy intake from dietary carbohydrate. Hepatic DNL-related transcripts were also analyzed (n = 90). Data from the Korean healthy twin cohort (n = 682), a large sample of individuals without NAFLD, were used for comparison and validation. A HC diet rather than a low carbohydrate diet was associated with the altered gut microbiome diversity according to the NAS. Unlike individuals from the twin cohort without NAFLD, the abundances of Enterobacteriaceae and Ruminococcaceae were significantly different among the NAS subgroups in NAFLD subjects who consumed an HC diet. The addition of these two microbial families, along with Veillonellaceae, significantly improved the diagnostic performance of the predictive model, which was based on the body mass index, age, and sex to predict nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in the HC group. In the HC group, two crucial regulators of DNL (SIRT1 and SREBF2) were differentially expressed among the NAS subgroups. In particular, kernel causality analysis revealed a causal effect of the abundance of Enterobacteriaceae on SREBF2 upregulation and of the surrogate markers of insulin resistance on NAFLD activity in the HC group. Consuming an HC diet is associated with alteration in the gut microbiome, impaired glucose homeostasis, and upregulation of hepatic DNL genes, altogether contributing to NAFLD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyena Kang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ju You
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea,Center for Human and Environmental Microbiome, Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea,Bio-MAX/N-Bio, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Giljae Lee
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hyun Lee
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
| | - Taekyung Yoo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Murim Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sae Kyung Joo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hwan Park
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mee Soo Chang
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Hyeon Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea,CONTACT Won Kim Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center, Seoul07061, Republic of Korea
| | - GwangPyo Ko
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea,Center for Human and Environmental Microbiome, Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea,Bio-MAX/N-Bio, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea,KoBioLabs Inc, Seoul, Republic of Korea,GwangPyo Ko Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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Liu HY, Hu P, Li Y, Sun MA, Qu H, Zong Q, Gu H, Chen X, Bao W, Cai D. Targeted inhibition of PPARα ameliorates CLA-induced hypercholesterolemia via hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis reprogramming. Liver Int 2022; 42:1449-1466. [PMID: 35184357 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Disruption of lipid metabolism is largely linked to metabolic disorders, such as hypercholesterolemia (HCL) and liver steatosis. While cholesterol metabolic re-programmers can serve as targets for relevant interventions. Here we explored the dietary conjugated linoleic acids (CLA)-induced HCL in mice and the molecular regulation behind it. METHODS A high dose of CLA supplementation in the diet was used to induce HCL in mice and was found to cause a hyper-activated cholesterol biosynthesis programme in the liver, leading to cholesterol metabolism dysregulation. The effects of a small-molecule drug targeting PPARα, i.e., GW6471 were studied in vivo in mice fed diets with CLA supplementation for 28 days, and in primary hepatocytes derived from HCL-mice in vitro. RESULTS We demonstrate that CLA induced HCL and liver steatosis through multiple pathways. Among which was the PPARα-mediated cholesterogenesis. It was found to cooperate with SREBP2 via binding to Hmgcr and Dhcr7 (genes encoding key enzymes of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway) and recruits the histone marks H3K27ac and H3K4me1 and cofactors. PPARα inhibition disrupts its physical association with SREBP2 by blocking cobinding of PPARα and SREBP2 to the genomic DNA response element. We showed that NR RORγ functions as an essential mediator that facilitates the interaction of PPARα and SREBP2 to modulate the cholesterol biosynthesis genes expression. CONCLUSIONS Our study unravels that the small-molecule compound GW6471 exerts an attractive therapeutic effect for CLA-induced HCL, involving multiple pathways with the "PPARα-RORγ-SREBP2" being a potential complex player in this hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yu Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ping Hu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yanwei Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ming-An Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Huan Qu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Qiufang Zong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Haotian Gu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xiaobo Chen
- Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK
| | - Wenbin Bao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Demin Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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Navik U, Sheth VG, Sharma N, Tikoo K. L-Methionine supplementation attenuates high-fat fructose diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by modulating lipid metabolism, fibrosis, and inflammation in rats. Food Funct 2022; 13:4941-4953. [PMID: 35437549 DOI: 10.1039/d1fo03403k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the protective effects of a methionine-rich diet on hepatic oxidative stress and fibrosis have been suggested but not adequately studied. We, therefore, hypothesized that L-methionine supplementation would ameliorate the progression of hepatic injury in a diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model and aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism. NASH was developed in male Sprague Dawley rats by feeding them with a high-fat-fructose diet (HFFrD) for 10 weeks. The results demonstrated that L-methionine supplementation to NASH rats for 16 weeks improved the glycemic, lipid, and liver function profiles in NASH rats. Histological analysis of liver tissue revealed a remarkable improvement in the three classical lesions of NASH: steatosis, inflammation, and ballooning. Besides, L-methionine supplementation ameliorated the HFFrD-induced enhanced lipogenesis and lipid peroxidation. An anti-inflammatory effect of L-methionine was also observed through the inhibition of the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, the hepatic SIRT1/AMPK signaling pathway was associated with the beneficial effects of L-methionine. This study demonstrates that L-methionine supplementation in HFFrD-fed rats improves their liver pathology via regulation of lipogenesis, inflammation, and the SIRT1/AMPK pathway, thus encouraging its clinical evaluation for the treatment of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umashanker Navik
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector-67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab-160062, India. .,Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab-151401, India
| | - Vaibhav G Sheth
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector-67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab-160062, India.
| | - Nisha Sharma
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector-67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab-160062, India.
| | - Kulbhushan Tikoo
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector-67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab-160062, India.
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Lin C, Yu B, Chen L, Zhang Z, Ye W, Zhong H, Bai W, Yang Y, Nie B. Obeticholic Acid Induces Hepatoxicity Via FXR in the NAFLD Mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:880508. [PMID: 35614939 PMCID: PMC9124937 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.880508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Obeticholic acid (OCA), a potent farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, is a promising drug for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, it can cause liver injury, especially at high doses. Here, we investigated the role of FXR in the high-dose OCA-induced hepatoxicity in the condition of the NAFLD mouse model. Methods: Wild-type (WT) mice and FXR−/− mice were administered with over-dose OCA (0.40%) and high-dose OCA (0.16%), in a high-fat diet. RNA-seq on liver samples of mice fed with high-dose OCA was performed to dig out the prominent biological events contributing to hepatic fibrosis. Results: Over-dose OCA induced liver injury and shortened survival in WT mice, but not FXR−/− mice. High-dose OCA caused hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis in the presence of FXR. Furthermore, high-dose OCA induced cholesterol accumulation in livers via the upregulation of genes involved in cholesterol acquisition and downregulation of genes regulating cholesterol degradation in liver, leading to the production of interleukin -1β and an FXR-mediated inflammatory response. Conclusion: The high-dose OCA induced FXR-dependent hepatic injury via cholesterol accumulation and interleukin -1β pathway in the NAFLD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuangzhen Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bingqing Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lixin Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaohui Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weixiang Ye
- Department of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of Dongpu Branch, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenke Bai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuping Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Biao Nie
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Biao Nie,
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Torres S, Segalés P, García-Ruiz C, Fernández-Checa JC. Mitochondria and the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Alcoholic and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Cells 2022; 11:1475. [PMID: 35563780 PMCID: PMC9105698 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic (ASH) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are advanced stages of fatty liver disease and two of the most prevalent forms of chronic liver disease. ASH and NASH are associated with significant risk of further progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, and a major cause of cancer-related mortality. Despite extensive research and progress in the last decades to elucidate the mechanisms of the development of ASH and NASH, the pathogenesis of both diseases is still poorly understood. Mitochondrial damage and activation of inflammasome complexes have a role in inducing and sustaining liver damage. Mitochondrial dysfunction produces inflammatory factors that activate the inflammasome complexes. NLRP3 inflammasome (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3) is a multiprotein complex that activates caspase 1 and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18), and contributes to inflammatory pyroptotic cell death. The present review, which is part of the issue "Mitochondria in Liver Pathobiology", provides an overview of the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and NLRP3 activation in ASH and NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Torres
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (S.T.); (P.S.)
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Segalés
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (S.T.); (P.S.)
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen García-Ruiz
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (S.T.); (P.S.)
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - José C. Fernández-Checa
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (S.T.); (P.S.)
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Li XZ, Jiang SY, Li GQ, Jiang QR, Li JW, Li CC, Han YQ, Song BL, Ma XR, Qi W, Qiu WW. Synthesis of heterocyclic ring-fused analogs of HMG499 as novel degraders of HMG-CoA reductase that lower cholesterol. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 236:114323. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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49
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Puengel T, Liu H, Guillot A, Heymann F, Tacke F, Peiseler M. Nuclear Receptors Linking Metabolism, Inflammation, and Fibrosis in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052668. [PMID: 35269812 PMCID: PMC8910763 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progressive form nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) comprise a spectrum of chronic liver diseases in the global population that can lead to end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NAFLD is closely linked to the metabolic syndrome, and comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and insulin resistance aggravate liver disease, while NAFLD promotes cardiovascular risk in affected patients. The pathomechanisms of NAFLD are multifaceted, combining hepatic factors including lipotoxicity, mechanisms of cell death and liver inflammation with extrahepatic factors including metabolic disturbance and dysbiosis. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a family of ligand-controlled transcription factors that regulate glucose, fat and cholesterol homeostasis and modulate innate immune cell functions, including liver macrophages. In parallel with metabolic derangement in NAFLD, altered NR signaling is frequently observed and might be involved in the pathogenesis. Therapeutically, clinical data indicate that single drug targets thus far have been insufficient for reaching patient-relevant endpoints. Therefore, combinatorial treatment strategies with multiple drug targets or drugs with multiple mechanisms of actions could possibly bring advantages, by providing a more holistic therapeutic approach. In this context, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and other NRs are of great interest as they are involved in wide-ranging and multi-organ activities associated with NASH progression or regression. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis of NAFLD, focusing on mechanisms of cell death, immunometabolism and the role of NRs. We outline novel therapeutic strategies and discuss remaining challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Puengel
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (T.P.); (H.L.); (A.G.); (F.H.)
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), 10178 Berlin, Germany
| | - Hanyang Liu
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (T.P.); (H.L.); (A.G.); (F.H.)
| | - Adrien Guillot
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (T.P.); (H.L.); (A.G.); (F.H.)
| | - Felix Heymann
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (T.P.); (H.L.); (A.G.); (F.H.)
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (T.P.); (H.L.); (A.G.); (F.H.)
- Correspondence: (F.T.); (M.P.)
| | - Moritz Peiseler
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (T.P.); (H.L.); (A.G.); (F.H.)
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), 10178 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: (F.T.); (M.P.)
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50
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Xu L, Liu W, Bai F, Xu Y, Liang X, Ma C, Gao L. Hepatic Macrophage as a Key Player in Fatty Liver Disease. Front Immunol 2021; 12:708978. [PMID: 34956171 PMCID: PMC8696173 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.708978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty liver disease, characterized by excessive inflammation and lipid deposition, is becoming one of the most prevalent liver metabolic diseases worldwide owing to the increasing global incidence of obesity. However, the underlying mechanisms of fatty liver disease are poorly understood. Accumulating evidence suggests that hepatic macrophages, specifically Kupffer cells (KCs), act as key players in the progression of fatty liver disease. Thus, it is essential to examine the current evidence of the roles of hepatic macrophages (both KCs and monocyte-derived macrophages). In this review, we primarily address the heterogeneities and multiple patterns of hepatic macrophages participating in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), NLRP3 inflammasome, lipotoxicity, glucotoxicity, metabolic reprogramming, interaction with surrounding cells in the liver, and iron poisoning. A better understanding of the diverse roles of hepatic macrophages in the development of fatty liver disease may provide a more specific and promising macrophage-targeting therapeutic strategy for inflammatory liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyun Xu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhoushan Hospital, Zhoushan, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Fuxiang Bai
- Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regeneration, School of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Laboratory, Yueyang Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Yueyang, China
| | - Xiaohong Liang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chunhong Ma
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lifen Gao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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