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Shin K, Rodriguez-Parks A, Kim C, Silaban IM, Xia Y, Sun J, Dong C, Keles S, Wang J, Cao J, Kang J. Harnessing the regenerative potential of interleukin11 to enhance heart repair. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.29.577788. [PMID: 38352555 PMCID: PMC10862709 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.29.577788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Balancing between regenerative processes and fibrosis is crucial for heart repair, yet strategies regulating this balance remain a barrier to developing therapies. While Interleukin11 (IL11) is known as a fibrotic factor, its contribution to heart regeneration is poorly understood. We uncovered that il11a, an Il11 homolog in zebrafish, can trigger robust regenerative programs in zebrafish hearts, including cardiomyocytes proliferation and coronary expansion, even in the absence of injury. However, prolonged il11a induction in uninjured hearts causes persistent fibroblast emergence, resulting in fibrosis. While deciphering the regenerative and fibrotic effects of il11a, we found that il11-dependent fibrosis, but not regeneration, is mediated through ERK activity, suggesting to potentially uncouple il11a dual effects on regeneration and fibrosis. To harness the il11a's regenerative ability, we devised a combinatorial treatment through il11a induction with ERK inhibition. This approach enhances cardiomyocyte proliferation with mitigated fibrosis, achieving a balance between regenerative processes and fibrosis. Thus, we unveil the mechanistic insights into regenerative il11 roles, offering therapeutic avenues to foster cardiac repair without exacerbating fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwangdeok Shin
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Anjelica Rodriguez-Parks
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Chanul Kim
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Isabella M Silaban
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Yu Xia
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jisheng Sun
- Cardiology Division, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Chenyang Dong
- Departments of Statistics and of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Sunduz Keles
- Departments of Statistics and of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Jinhu Wang
- Cardiology Division, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jingli Cao
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Junsu Kang
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
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Zheng J, Wu J, Xie L, Huang Y, Hong J, Chen C. Paclitaxel Aggravating Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis Is Associated with the Down-Regulation of the Negative Regulatory Function of Spry2. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 389:197-207. [PMID: 37918858 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Paclitaxel (PTX) is capable of aggravating radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF), but the mechanism is unknown. Spry2 is a negative regulator of receptor tyrosine kinase-related Ras/Raf/extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. This experiment was aimed at exploring whether the aggravation of RIPF by PTX is related to Spry2. The RIPF model was established with C57BL/6 mice by thoracic irradiation, and PTX was administered concurrently. Western blot was used to detect the expression level of ERK signaling molecules and the distribution of Spry2 in the plasma membrane/cytoplasm. Co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and immunofluorescence were used to observe the colocalization of Spry2 with the plasma membrane and tubulin. The results showed that PTX-concurrent radiotherapy could aggravate fibrotic lesions in RIPF, downregulate the content of membrane Spry2, and upregulate the levels of p-c-Raf and p-ERK in lung tissue. It was found that knockdown of Spry2 in fibroblast abolished the upregulation of p-c-Raf and p-ERK by PTX. Both co-IP results and immunofluorescence staining showed that PTX increased the binding of Spry2 to tubulin, and microtubule depolymerizing agents could abolish PTX's inhibition of Spry2 membrane distribution and inhibit PTX's upregulation of Raf/ERK signaling. Both nintedanib and ERK inhibitor were effective in relieving PTX-exacerbated RIPF. Taken together, the mechanism of PTX's aggravating RIPF was related to its ability to enhance Spry2's binding to tubulin, thus attenuating Spry2's negative regulation on Raf/ERK pathway. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study revealed that paclitaxel (PTX) concurrent radiation therapy exacerbates radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis during the treatment of thoracic tumors, which is associated with PTX restraining Spry2 and upregulating the Raf/extracellular signal regulated kinase signaling pathway, and provided drug targets for mitigating this complication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxing Zheng
- Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China (J.Z.); Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China (J.W., J.H.); School of Pharmacy (L.X., Y.H., C.C.) and Fujian Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology (C.C.), Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; and Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian higher education institutions, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China (J.H.)
| | - Jiandong Wu
- Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China (J.Z.); Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China (J.W., J.H.); School of Pharmacy (L.X., Y.H., C.C.) and Fujian Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology (C.C.), Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; and Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian higher education institutions, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China (J.H.)
| | - Lingfeng Xie
- Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China (J.Z.); Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China (J.W., J.H.); School of Pharmacy (L.X., Y.H., C.C.) and Fujian Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology (C.C.), Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; and Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian higher education institutions, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China (J.H.)
| | - Yihao Huang
- Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China (J.Z.); Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China (J.W., J.H.); School of Pharmacy (L.X., Y.H., C.C.) and Fujian Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology (C.C.), Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; and Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian higher education institutions, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China (J.H.)
| | - Jinsheng Hong
- Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China (J.Z.); Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China (J.W., J.H.); School of Pharmacy (L.X., Y.H., C.C.) and Fujian Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology (C.C.), Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; and Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian higher education institutions, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China (J.H.)
| | - Chun Chen
- Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China (J.Z.); Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China (J.W., J.H.); School of Pharmacy (L.X., Y.H., C.C.) and Fujian Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology (C.C.), Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; and Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian higher education institutions, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China (J.H.)
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3
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Dai X, Du Z, Jin C, Tang B, Chen X, Jing X, Shen Y, He F, Wang S, Li J, Ding K, Zang Y. Inulin-like polysaccharide ABWW may impede CCl 4 induced hepatic stellate cell activation through mediating the FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in vitro & in vivo. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 326:121637. [PMID: 38142102 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121637] [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: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Studies have shown that terrestrial acidic polysaccharides containing carboxyl groups and seaweed sulfated polysaccharides have strong potential in anti-liver fibrosis. However, there is no investigation on the anti-liver fibrosis of fructan, a ubiquitous natural polysaccharide. The present study aimed to understand the effect of fructan in ameliorating carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. Here, an inulin-like fructan ABWW from Achyranthes bidentata Bl. was characterized by fructose enzymatic hydrolysis, methylation analysis, ESI-MS, and NMR. It was composed of →2)-β-d-Fruf-(1→ and →2)-β-d-Fruf-(1, 6→, terminated with →1)-α-d-Glcp and →2)-β-d-Fruf residues. The biological studies showed that ABWW could improve liver damage and liver fibrosis induced by CCl4in vivo and inhibit hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and migration in vitro. We further demonstrated that ABWW inhibited LX2 activation via suppressing the FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Hence, ABWW might be a potential novel active compound for anti-fibrosis new drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhenyun Du
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Can Jin
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 563003, China
| | - Bixi Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xia Chen
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaoqi Jing
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yumei Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fei He
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shunchun Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Jia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China; ZhongShan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan Tsuihang New District, Guangdong 528400, China.
| | - Kan Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; ZhongShan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan Tsuihang New District, Guangdong 528400, China.
| | - Yi Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China.
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4
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Pejšková L, Rønning SB, Kent MP, Solberg NT, Høst V, Thu-Hien T, Wold JP, Lunde M, Mosleth E, Pisconti A, Kolset SO, Carlson CR, Pedersen ME. Characterization of wooden breast myopathy: a focus on syndecans and ECM remodeling. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1301804. [PMID: 38130476 PMCID: PMC10737271 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1301804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The skeletal muscle deformity of commercial chickens (Gallus gallus), known as the wooden breast (WB), is associated with fibrotic myopathy of unknown etiology. For future breeding strategies and genetic improvements, it is essential to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the phenotype. The pathophysiological hallmarks of WB include severe skeletal muscle fibrosis, inflammation, myofiber necrosis, and multifocal degeneration of muscle tissue. The transmembrane proteoglycans syndecans have a wide spectrum of biological functions and are master regulators of tissue homeostasis. They are upregulated and shed (cleaved) as a regulatory mechanism during tissue repair and regeneration. During the last decades, it has become clear that the syndecan family also has critical functions in skeletal muscle growth, however, their potential involvement in WB pathogenesis is unknown. Methods: In this study, we have categorized four groups of WB myopathy in broiler chickens and performed a comprehensive characterization of the molecular and histological profiles of two of them, with a special focus on the role of the syndecans and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Results and discussion: Our findings reveal differential expression and shedding of the four syndecan family members and increased matrix metalloproteinase activity. Additionally, we identified alterations in key signaling pathways such as MAPK, AKT, and Wnt. Our work provides novel insights into a deeper understanding of WB pathogenesis and suggests potential therapeutic targets for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew Peter Kent
- Center for Integrative Genetics, Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | | | - Vibeke Høst
- Raw Materials and Optimization, Nofima AS, Ås, Norway
| | - To Thu-Hien
- Center for Integrative Genetics, Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | | | - Marianne Lunde
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ellen Mosleth
- Raw Materials and Optimization, Nofima AS, Ås, Norway
| | | | - Svein Olav Kolset
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Science, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cathrine Rein Carlson
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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5
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Jia X, Song E, Liu Y, Chen J, Wan P, Hu Y, Ye D, Chakrabarti S, Mahajan H, George J, Yan S, Yu Y, Zhang G, Wang Y, Yang W, Wu L, Hua S, Lee CH, Li H, Jiang X, Lam KSL, Wang C, Xu A. Identification and multicentric validation of soluble CDCP1 as a robust serological biomarker for risk stratification of NASH in obese Chinese. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101257. [PMID: 37918406 PMCID: PMC10694619 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101257] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
The definitive diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) currently relies on invasive and labor-intensive liver biopsy. Here, we identified soluble CUB domain-containing protein 1 (sCDCP1) as a top-ranked non-invasive biomarker for NASH using Olink-based proteomics in 238 obese individuals with liver biopsies. Both the circulating concentration and hepatic mRNA abundance of sCDCP1 were significantly elevated in patients with NASH and correlated closely with each histological feature of NASH. In the pooled multicenter validation cohort, sCDCP1 as a standalone biomarker achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of 0.838 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.789-0.887) for diagnosing NASH, which is better than those achieved with cytokeratin-18 and other non-invasive tests. Furthermore, the C-DAG model established by the combination of sCDCP1 with diabetes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gender accurately rules in and rules out both NASH and fibrotic NASH (gray zones <20%). Thus, sCDCP1-based non-invasive tests can be potentially implemented for screening and early diagnosis of NASH and for ruling out low-risk individuals to avoid unnecessary liver biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Erfei Song
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiarui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pei Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yue Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Dewei Ye
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Metabolic Phenotyping in Model Animals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Subrata Chakrabarti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada
| | - Hema Mahajan
- Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Pathology West, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jacob George
- Storr Liver Centre, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sen Yan
- Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, Fredericton, NB, Canada
| | - Yongtao Yu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Guanghui Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhengzhou Second Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wah Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lihong Wu
- Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuang Hua
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chi Ho Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Huixin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xue Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Karen S L Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Cunchuan Wang
- Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Aimin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China; Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Ito C, Haraguchi R, Ogawa K, Iwata M, Kitazawa R, Takada Y, Kitazawa S. Demethylation in promoter region of severely damaged hepatocytes enhances chemokine receptor CXCR4 gene expression. Histochem Cell Biol 2023; 160:407-418. [PMID: 37532885 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-023-02229-x] [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] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The liver is known to possess remarkable regenerative potential, but persistent inflammation or severe acute injury can lead to liver fibrosis and incomplete regeneration, ultimately resulting in liver failure. Recent studies have shown that the axis of two types of CXCL12 receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR7, plays a crucial role in liver fibrosis and regeneration. The present study aimed to investigate the regulatory factors involved in CXCR4 expression in injured liver. Immunohistochemical screening of liver tissue samples collected during liver transplantation revealed a reciprocal expression pattern between CXCR4 and MeCP2. An in vitro system involving cultured cell lines and H2O2 treatment was established to study the impact of oxidative stress on signaling pathways and epigenetic alterations that affect CXCR4 mRNA expression. Operating through distinct signaling pathways, H2O2 treatment induced a dose-dependent increase in CXCR4 expression in both hepatocyte- and intrahepatic cholangiocyte-derived cells. Treatment of the cells with trichostatin and azacytidine modulated CXCR4 expression in hepatocytes by modifying the methylation status of CpG dinucleotides located in a pair of TA repeats adjacent to the TATA box of the CXCR4 gene promoter. Only MeCP2 bound to oligonucleotides representing the TATA box region when the cytosine residues within the sequence were methylated, as revealed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Methylation-specific PCR analysis of microdissected samples revealed a correlation between the loss of CpG methylation and the upregulation of CXCR4 in injured hepatocytes, replicating the findings from the in vitro study. Besides the conventional MEK/ERK and NF-κB signaling pathways that activate CXCR4 in intrahepatic cholangiocytes, the unique epigenetic modifications observed in hepatocytes might also contribute to a shift in the CXCR4-CXCR7 balance towards CXCR4, leading to irreversible liver injury and fibrosis. This study highlights the importance of epigenetic modifications in regulating CXCR4 expression in liver injury and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Ito
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa 454, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic and Breast Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa 454, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Ryuma Haraguchi
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa 454, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Kohei Ogawa
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic and Breast Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa 454, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Miku Iwata
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa 454, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic and Breast Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa 454, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Riko Kitazawa
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Ehime University Hospital, Shitsukawa 454, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Yasutsugu Takada
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic and Breast Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa 454, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Sohei Kitazawa
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa 454, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan.
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7
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Sabir U, Gu HM, Zhang DW. Extracellular matrix turnover: phytochemicals target and modulate the dual role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in liver fibrosis. Phytother Res 2023; 37:4932-4962. [PMID: 37461256 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7959] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) resolution by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is a well-documented mechanism. MMPs play a dual and complex role in modulating ECM degradation at different stages of liver fibrosis, depending on the timing and levels of their expression. Increased MMP-1 combats disease progression by cleaving the fibrillar ECM. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) increase expression of MMP-2, -9, and -13 in different chemicals-induced animal models, which may alleviate or worsen disease progression based on animal models and the stage of liver fibrosis. In the early stage, elevated expression of certain MMPs may damage surrounding tissue and activate HSCs, promoting fibrosis progression. At the later stage, downregulation of MMPs can facilitate ECM accumulation and disease progression. A number of phytochemicals modulate MMP activity and ECM turnover, alleviating disease progression. However, the effects of phytochemicals on the expression of different MMPs are variable and may depend on the disease models and stage, and the dosage, timing and duration of phytochemicals used in each study. Here, we review the most recent advances in the role of MMPs in the effects of phytochemicals on liver fibrogenesis, which indicates that further studies are warranted to confirm and define the potential clinical efficacy of these phytochemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Sabir
- Department of Pediatrics and Group on the Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hong-Mei Gu
- Department of Pediatrics and Group on the Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Da-Wei Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics and Group on the Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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8
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Chen L, Liang B, Xia S, Wang F, Li Z, Shao J, Zhang Z, Chen A, Zheng S, Zhang F. Emodin promotes hepatic stellate cell senescence and alleviates liver fibrosis via a nuclear receptor (Nur77)-mediated epigenetic regulation of glutaminase 1. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:2577-2598. [PMID: 37263753 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Senescence in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) limits liver fibrosis. Glutaminolysis promotes HSC activation. Here, we investigated how emodin affected HSC senescence involving glutaminolysis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Senescence, glutaminolysis metabolites, Nur77 nuclear translocation, glutaminase 1 (GLS1) promoter methylation and related signalling pathways were examined in human HSC-LX2 cells using multiple cellular and molecular approaches. Fibrotic mice with shRNA-mediated knockdown of Nur77 were treated with emodin-vitamin A liposome for investigating the mechanisms in vivo. Human fibrotic liver samples were examined to verify the clinical relevance. KEY RESULTS Emodin upregulated several key markers of senescence and inhibited glutaminolysis cascade in HSCs. Emodin promoted Nur77 nuclear translocation, and knockdown of Nur77 abolished emodin blockade of glutaminolysis and induction of HSC senescence. Mechanistically, emodin facilitated Nur77/DNMT3b interaction and increased GLS1 promoter methylation, leading to inhibited GLS1 expression and blockade of glutaminolysis. Moreover, the glutaminolysis intermediate α-ketoglutarate promoted extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, which in turn phosphorylated Nur77 and reduced its interaction with DNMT3b. This led to decreased GLS1 promoter methylation and increased GLS1 expression, forming an ERK/Nur77/glutaminolysis positive feedback loop. However, emodin repressed ERK phosphorylation and interrupted the feedback cascade, stimulating senescence in HSCs. Studies in mice showed that emodin-vitamin A liposome inhibited glutaminolysis and induced senescence in HSCs, and consequently alleviated liver fibrosis; but knockdown of Nur77 abrogated these beneficial effects. Similar alterations were validated in human fibrotic liver tissues. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Emodin stimulated HSC senescence through interruption of glutaminolysis. HSC-targeted delivery of emodin represented a therapeutic option for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Baoyu Liang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Siwei Xia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Feixia Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhanghao Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zili Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Anping Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Hijazi N, Shi Z, Rockey DC. Paxillin regulates liver fibrosis via actin polymerization and ERK activation in hepatic stellate cells. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs261122. [PMID: 37667902 PMCID: PMC10560551 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261122] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver injury leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis. The primary mechanism underlying the fibrogenic response is the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are 'quiescent' in normal liver but become 'activated' after injury by transdifferentiating into extracellular matrix (ECM)-secreting myofibroblasts. Given that integrins are important in HSC activation and fibrogenesis, we hypothesized that paxillin, a key downstream effector in integrin signaling, might be critical in the fibrosis pathway. Using a cell-culture-based model of HSC activation and in vivo models of liver injury, we found that paxillin is upregulated in activated HSCs and fibrotic livers. Overexpression of paxillin (both in vitro and in vivo) led to increased ECM protein expression, and depletion of paxillin in a novel conditional mouse injury model reduced fibrosis. The mechanism by which paxillin mediated this effect appeared to be through the actin cytoskeleton, which signals to the ERK pathway and induces ECM protein production. These data highlight a novel role for paxillin in HSC biology and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Hijazi
- Digestive Disease Research Center Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Zengdun Shi
- Digestive Disease Research Center Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Don C. Rockey
- Digestive Disease Research Center Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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De Masi A, Li X, Lee D, Jeon J, Wang Q, Baek S, Park O, Mottis A, Strotjohann K, Rapin A, Jung HY, Auwerx J. Cyclo(His-Pro): A further step in the management of steatohepatitis. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100815. [PMID: 37600955 PMCID: PMC10432811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and steatohepatitis (NASH) have become the world's most common liver diseases, placing a growing strain on healthcare systems worldwide. Nonetheless, no effective pharmacological treatment has been approved. The naturally occurring compound cyclo histidine-proline (His-Pro) (CHP) is an interesting candidate for NAFLD management, given its safety profile and anti-inflammatory effects. Methods Two different mouse models of liver disease were used to evaluate protective effects of CHP on disease progression towards fibrosis: a model of dietary NAFLD/NASH, achieved by thermoneutral housing (TN) in combination with feeding a western diet (WD), and liver fibrosis caused by repeated injections with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Results Treatment with CHP limited overall lipid accumulation, lowered systemic inflammation, and prevented hyperglycaemia. Histopathology and liver transcriptomics highlighted reduced steatosis and demonstrated remarkable protection from the development of inflammation and fibrosis, features which herald the progression of NAFLD. We identified the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway as an early mediator of the cellular response to CHP. Conclusions CHP was active in both the preventive and therapeutic setting, reducing liver steatosis, fibrosis, and inflammation and improving several markers of liver disease. Impact and implications Considering the incidence and the lack of approved treatments, it is urgent to identify new strategies that prevent and manage NAFLD. CHP was effective in attenuating NAFLD progression in two animal models of the disease. Overall, our work points to CHP as a novel and effective strategy for the management of NAFLD, fuelling optimism for potential clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia De Masi
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Xiaoxu Li
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dohyun Lee
- R&D Center, NovMetaPharma Co., Ltd., Pohang, South Korea
| | - Jongsu Jeon
- R&D Center, NovMetaPharma Co., Ltd., Pohang, South Korea
| | - Qi Wang
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Seoyeong Baek
- R&D Center, NovMetaPharma Co., Ltd., Pohang, South Korea
| | - Onyu Park
- R&D Center, NovMetaPharma Co., Ltd., Pohang, South Korea
| | - Adrienne Mottis
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Keno Strotjohann
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexis Rapin
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hoe-Yune Jung
- R&D Center, NovMetaPharma Co., Ltd., Pohang, South Korea
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea
| | - Johan Auwerx
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Angelini A, Trial J, Saltzman AB, Malovannaya A, Cieslik KA. A defective mechanosensing pathway affects fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition in the old male mouse heart. iScience 2023; 26:107283. [PMID: 37520701 PMCID: PMC10372839 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The cardiac fibroblast interacts with an extracellular matrix (ECM), enabling myofibroblast maturation via a process called mechanosensing. Although in the aging male heart, ECM is stiffer than in the young mouse, myofibroblast development is impaired, as demonstrated in 2-D and 3-D experiments. In old male cardiac fibroblasts, we found a decrease in actin polymerization, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Kindlin-2 expressions, the latter an effector of the mechanosensing. When Kindlin-2 levels were manipulated via siRNA interference, young fibroblasts developed an old-like fibroblast phenotype, whereas Kindlin-2 overexpression in old fibroblasts reversed the defective phenotype. Finally, inhibition of overactivated extracellular regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in the old male fibroblasts rescued actin polymerization and α-SMA expression. Pathological ERK1/2 overactivation was also attenuated by Kindlin-2 overexpression. In contrast, old female cardiac fibroblasts retained an operant mechanosensing pathway. In conclusion, we identified defective components of the Kindlin/ERK/actin/α-SMA mechanosensing axis in aged male fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Angelini
- Section of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - JoAnn Trial
- Section of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander B. Saltzman
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anna Malovannaya
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katarzyna A. Cieslik
- Section of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Deng J, Qin L, Zhou Z. Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Reveal the Mechanism of Isodon ternifolius (D. Don) Kudo Against Liver Fibrosis. Drug Des Devel Ther 2023; 17:2335-2351. [PMID: 37576085 PMCID: PMC10416792 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s412818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim Many studies have demonstrated the hepatoprotective or anti-fibrotic effects of Isodon ternifolius, but its pharmacological basis and mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we used in vitro models to validate the predicted results and revealed the potential mechanism of action and active ingredients through network pharmacology methods and molecular docking. Methods The chemical components of Isodon ternifolius were identified by literatures. Potential targets of Isodon ternifolius were predicted by Swiss Target Prediction. The disease targets were collected through the databases of Gene Card. Common targets of Isodon ternifolius and liver fibrosis were obtained by online tool Venny 2.1. PPI protein interaction network was obtained using String database, and target protein interaction network was drawn using Cytoscape software. Signaling pathway enrichment analysis was performed on drug-disease targets with of DAVID database. Results Twenty-one potential active ingredients and 298 potential targets were predicted by Swiss Target Prediction platform. Ninety pathways related to liver fibrosis were obtained by KEGG enrichment. The TLR4, MAPK and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways are mostly associated with liver fibrosis. Molecular docking techniques were used to validate the core target proteins TNF, Akt1, MAPK1, EGFR and TLR4 binding to the ingredients of Isodon ternifolius, which showed that a multitude of ingredients of Isodon ternifolius were able to bind to the above target proteins, especially 2α-hydroxy oleanolic acid and (-)-Lambertic acid. Our experimental validation results showed that Isodon ternifolius inhibited the activation of PI3K-Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Conclusion Through a network pharmacology approach and in vitro cell assay, we predicted and validated the active compounds of Isodon ternifolius and its potential targets for LF treatment. The results suggest that the mechanism of Isodon ternifolius treating LF by inhibiting angiogenesis may be related to the ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiasheng Deng
- School of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Le Qin
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhipin Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Liuzhou People’s Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
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Han Q, Zhu J, Zhang P. Mechanisms of main components in Curcuma longa L. on hepatic fibrosis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking: A review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e34353. [PMID: 37478207 PMCID: PMC10662913 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000034353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic fibrosis is a great concern in public health. While effective drugs for its treatment are lacking, Curcuma longa L. (CL) has been reported as a promising therapeutic. We aimed to uncover the core components and mechanisms of CL against hepatic fibrosis via a network pharmacology approach. METHODS The main components of CL were obtained and screened. While targets of components and disease were respectively collected using SwissTargetPrediction and online databases, common targets were assessed. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and core targets were identified. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed, and molecular docking was conducted to validate the binding of core components in CL on predicted core targets. RESULTS Nine main components from CL based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and 63 anti-fibrosis targets were identified, and a PPI network and a component target-disease target network were constructed. Apigenin, quercetin, demethoxycurcumin, and curcumin are likely to become key phenolic-based components and curcuminoids for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis, respectively. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the HIF-1 signaling pathway (hsa04066) was most significantly enriched. Considering core targets of the PPI network and a network of the common targets and pathways enriched, AKT1, MAPK1, EGFR, MTOR, and SRC may be the core potential targets of CL against hepatic fibrosis. Molecular docking was carried out to verify the binding of above core components to core targets. CONCLUSIONS The therapeutic effect of CL on hepatic fibrosis may be attributed to multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Han
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Health Service Center of Beiyuan Community, Beijing, China
| | - Jiahui Zhu
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong Province, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Dongfang Hospital, Beijing, China
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Qi J, Ping D, Sun X, Huang K, Peng Y, Liu C. A herbal product inhibits carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis by suppressing the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 311:116419. [PMID: 37003405 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Fuzheng Huayu formula (FZHY), composed of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Cordyceps sinensis, the seed of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, the pollen of Pinus massoniana Lamb, Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino and the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill, is a Chinese herbal compound with demonstrated clinical benefits in liver fibrosis (LF). However, its potential mechanism and molecular targets remain to be elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was designed to evaluate the anti-fibrotic role of FZHY in hepatic fibrosis and to elucidate the potential mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Network pharmacology was assayed to identify the interrelationships among compounds of FZHY, potential targets and putative pathways on anti-LF. Then the core pharmaceutical target for FZHY against LF was verified by serum proteomic analysis. Further in vivo and in vitro assays were performed to verify the prediction of the pharmaceutical network. RESULTS The network pharmacology analysis revealed that a total of 175 FZHY-LF crossover proteins were filtered into a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network complex and designated as the potential targets of FZHY against LF, and the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway was further explored according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Then analytical studies were validated by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced model in vivo. We found FZHY could attenuate CCl4-induced LF, especially decrease p-EGFR expression in α-Smooth Muscle Actin (α-SMA)-positive hepatic stellate cell (HSC) and inhibit the downstream of the EGFR signaling pathway, especially Extracellular Regulated Protein Kinases (ERK) signaling pathway in liver tissue. We further demonstrate that FZHY could inhibit Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)-induced HSC activation, as well as the expression of p-EGFR and the key protein of the ERK signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS FZHY has a good effect against CCl4-induced LF. The action mechanism was associated with the down-regulation of the EGFR signaling pathway in activated HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingshu Qi
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Dabing Ping
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xin Sun
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Kai Huang
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yuan Peng
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Chenghai Liu
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China; Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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15
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Zhang JZ, Shi NR, Wu JS, Wang X, Illes P, Tang Y. UDP-glucose sensing P2Y 14R: A novel target for inflammation. Neuropharmacology 2023; 238:109655. [PMID: 37423482 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Uridine 5'-diphosphoglucose (UDP-G) as a preferential agonist, but also other UDP-sugars, such as UDP galactose, function as extracellular signaling molecules under conditions of cell injury and apoptosis. Consequently, UDP-G is regarded to function as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), regulating immune responses. UDP-G promotes neutrophil recruitment, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory chemokines. As a potent endogenous agonist with the highest affinity for the P2Y14 receptor (R), it accomplishes an exclusive relationship between P2Y14Rs in regulating inflammation via cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) pathways. In this review, we initially present a brief introduction into the expression and function of P2Y14Rs in combination with UDP-G. Subsequently, we summarize emerging roles of UDP-G/P2Y14R signaling pathways that modulate inflammatory responses in diverse systems, and discuss the underlying mechanisms of P2Y14R activation in inflammation-related diseases. Moreover, we also refer to the applications as well as effects of novel agonists/antagonists of P2Y14Rs in inflammatory conditions. In conclusion, due to the role of the P2Y14R in the immune system and inflammatory pathways, it may represent a novel target for anti-inflammatory therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Zhou Zhang
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina/Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Nan-Rui Shi
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina/Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Jia-Si Wu
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina/Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Xin Wang
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina/Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Peter Illes
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina/Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Rudolf Boehm Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, 04107, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Yong Tang
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina/Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Acupuncture and Chronobiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610075, China.
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16
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Zhang C, Fei Y, Wang H, Hu S, Liu C, Hu R, Du Q. CAFs orchestrates tumor immune microenvironment—A new target in cancer therapy? Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1113378. [PMID: 37007004 PMCID: PMC10064291 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1113378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has opened a new landscape in cancer treatment, however, the poor specificity and resistance of most targeted therapeutics have limited their therapeutic efficacy. In recent years, the role of CAFs in immune regulation has been increasingly noted as more evidence has been uncovered regarding the link between cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and the evolutionary process of tumor progression. CAFs interact with immune cells to shape the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) that favors malignant tumor progression, a crosstalk process that leads to the failure of cancer immunotherapies. In this review, we outline recent advances in the immunosuppressive function of CAFs, highlight the mechanisms of CAFs-immune cell interactions, and discuss current CAF-targeted therapeutic strategies for future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxiang Fei
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sheng Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Qianming Du, ; Rong Hu, ; Chao Liu,
| | - Rong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Physiology, China Pharmaceutical University, Jiangsu Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Qianming Du, ; Rong Hu, ; Chao Liu,
| | - Qianming Du
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Qianming Du, ; Rong Hu, ; Chao Liu,
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Wang R, Liu F, Chen P, Li S, Gu Y, Wang L, Chen C, Yuan Y. Gomisin D alleviates liver fibrosis through targeting PDGFRβ in hepatic stellate cells. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 235:123639. [PMID: 36822287 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) plays an important role in hepatic fibrosis and is closely associated with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation. Previously, by modeling PDGFRβ affinity chromatography, we found that gomisin D can target PDGFRβ. However, whether gomisin D has anti-fibrosis effects through targeting PDGFRβ remained unclear. In this study, the effect of gomisin D on hepatic fibrosis was evaluated in vivo and vitro. HSC cell lines and primary HSC were cultured and functionally we found that gomisin D promotes HSC apoptosis, inhibits HSCs activation and proliferation. A male BALB/c mouse liver fibrosis model was established to comfirm gomisin D (especially in 50 mg/kg) could improve liver fibrosis by inhibiting HSCs activation. In addition, gomisin D had a good binding ability with PDGFRβ (KD = 3.3e-5 M). Mechanically, gomisin D regulated PDGF-BB/PDGFRβ signaling pathway by targeting PDGFRβ, further more inhibited HSC activation, subsequently inhibited inflammatory factors, ultimately improved CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Overall, gomisin D could inhibit HSC proliferation and activation, promote HSC apoptosis, and alleviate CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis by targeting PDGFRβ and regulating PDGF-BB/PDGFRβ signaling pathway. This study provides a new drug for anti-liver firbosis therapy, and elucidates the deeper mechanism of gomisin D against HSCs activation by targeting PDGFRβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Fangbin Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Panpan Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Shengnan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Yanqiu Gu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Chun Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Yongfang Yuan
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China.
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Hepatoprotective Effect of Kaempferol: A Review of the Dietary Sources, Bioavailability, Mechanisms of Action, and Safety. Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci 2023; 2023:1387665. [PMID: 36891541 PMCID: PMC9988374 DOI: 10.1155/2023/1387665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is the body's most critical organ that performs vital functions. Hepatic disorders can affect the physiological and biochemical functions of the body. Hepatic disorder is a condition that describes the damage to cells, tissues, structures, and functions of the liver, which can cause fibrosis and ultimately result in cirrhosis. These diseases include hepatitis, ALD, NAFLD, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, hepatic failure, and HCC. Hepatic diseases are caused by cell membrane rupture, immune response, altered drug metabolism, accumulation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and cell death. Despite the breakthrough in modern medicine, there is no drug that is effective in stimulating the liver function, offering complete protection, and aiding liver cell regeneration. Furthermore, some drugs can create adverse side effects, and natural medicines are carefully selected as new therapeutic strategies for managing liver disease. Kaempferol is a polyphenol contained in many vegetables, fruits, and herbal remedies. We use it to manage various diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and cancers. Kaempferol is a potent antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory effects, which therefore possesses hepatoprotective properties. The previous research has studied the hepatoprotective effect of kaempferol in various hepatotoxicity protocols, including acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity, ALD, NAFLD, CCl4, HCC, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver injury. Therefore, this report aims to provide a recent brief overview of the literature concerning the hepatoprotective effect of kaempferol and its possible molecular mechanism of action. It also provides the most recent literature on kaempferol's chemical structure, natural source, bioavailability, and safety.
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Zhen Q, Liang Q, Wang H, Zheng Y, Lu Z, Bian C, Zhao X, Guo X. Theabrownin ameliorates liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis in MCD diet-fed C57BL/6J mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1118925. [PMID: 36742397 PMCID: PMC9889550 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1118925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), also known as metabolic steatohepatitis, is a clinical syndrome with pathological changes like alcoholic hepatitis but without a history of excessive alcohol consumption. NASH is closely related to metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. Its main characteristics are hepatocyte steatosis with hepatocyte injury and inflammation. In severe cases, it can develop into liver cirrhosis. At present, there is no special treatment for NASH. Theabrownin (TB) is the main pigment substance in fermented tea. Theabrownin has beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and intestinal flora. However, the effect of theabrownin on NASH has not been studied. METHODS This study was aimed at exploring the effects of theabrownin from Fuzhuan brick tea on NASH. 8-week-old mice were randomly assigned to three groups and fed with chow diet (CD), methionine and choline sufficient (MCS) diet (MCS Ctrl), which is a Methionine/choline deficient (MCD) control diet, and MCD diet. After 5 weeks of feeding, the MCD group mice were randomly divided into two groups and were gavaged with double distilled water (MCD Ctrl) or theabrownin (MCD TB) (200mg/kg body weight, dissolved in double distilled water) every day for another 4 weeks respectively, while continuing MCD diet feeding. RESULTS We found that theabrownin treatment could not improve liver mass loss and steatosis. However, theabrownin ameliorated liver injury and decreased liver inflammatory response. Theabrownin also alleviated liver oxidative stress and fibrosis. Furthermore, our results showed that theabrownin increased hepatic level of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and reduced the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 in MCD diet-fed mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingcai Zhen
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qijian Liang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hongchun Wang
- Shandong Engineering Research Center of Biomarker and Artificial Intelligence Application, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhongting Lu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chunyong Bian
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiulan Zhao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- *Correspondence: Xiulan Zhao, ; Xin Guo,
| | - Xin Guo
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Xiulan Zhao, ; Xin Guo,
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20
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Burek M, Kaupp V, Blecharz-Lang K, Dilling C, Meybohm P. Protocadherin gamma C3: a new player in regulating vascular barrier function. Neural Regen Res 2023. [PMID: 35799511 PMCID: PMC9241426 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.343896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Defects in the endothelial cell barrier accompany diverse malfunctions of the central nervous system such as neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and systemic diseases such as sepsis, viral and bacterial infections, and cancer. Compromised endothelial sealing leads to leaking blood vessels, followed by vasogenic edema. Brain edema as the most common complication caused by stroke and traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death. Brain microvascular endothelial cells, together with astrocytes, pericytes, microglia, and neurons form a selective barrier, the so-called blood-brain barrier, which regulates the movement of molecules inside and outside of the brain. Mechanisms that regulate blood-brain barrier permeability in health and disease are complex and not fully understood. Several newly discovered molecules that are involved in the regulation of cellular processes in brain microvascular endothelial cells have been described in the literature in recent years. One of these molecules that are highly expressed in brain microvascular endothelial cells is protocadherin gamma C3. In this review, we discuss recent evidence that protocadherin gamma C3 is a newly identified key player involved in the regulation of vascular barrier function.
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21
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Hung WC, Tang WH, Yu TH, Wu CC, Wang CP, Lu YC, Wei CT, Chung FM, Lee YJ, Hsu CC. Low plasma growth/differentiation factor 1 levels are associated with liver fibrosis in patients with stable angina. J Clin Lab Anal 2022; 36:e24745. [PMID: 36268984 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24745] [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: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growth differentiation factor 1 (GDF1) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily and a protective mediator against the development of post-infarction cardiac remodeling by negatively regulating MEK-ERK1/2 and Smad signaling pathways in the heart. The TGF-β/SMAD pathway has been shown to play a key role in the development of hepatic fibrosis. In addition, fatty liver disease has been associated with reduced MEK/ERK1/2 signaling. However, no previous study has investigated the association between GDF1 and liver fibrosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between plasma GDF1 and liver fibrosis in patients with stable angina. METHODS We included 327 consecutive patients with stable angina. ELISA was used to measure circulating levels of GDF1, and the fibrosis-4 index was used to assess liver fibrosis. RESULTS The advanced liver fibrosis group had lower median plasma GDF1 levels than those with minimal liver fibrosis. There was a significant negative association between GDF1 plasma level and fibrosis-4 index (r = -0.135, p = 0.019). A lower concentration of GDF1 was significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of liver fibrosis when concentration was analyzed as a continuous variable and by tertile. In addition, fibrosis-4 index, aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index, and AST/alanine aminotransferase ratio were significantly associated with GDF1 concentration. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated an association between low plasma GDF1 and liver fibrosis in the enrolled patients. Further investigations into the role of plasma GDF1 in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chin Hung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hua Tang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Yuli Branch, Hualien, Taiwan.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Teng-Hung Yu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ching Wu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Ping Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chuan Lu
- School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ting Wei
- School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Electrical Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Mei Chung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | | | - Chia-Chang Hsu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Health Examination Center, E-Da Dachang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,The School of Chinese Medicine for Post Baccalaureate, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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22
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Kasowanjete P, Houreld NN, Abrahamse H. The effect of photomodulation on fibroblast growth factor and the Ras/MAPK signalling pathway: a review. J Wound Care 2022; 31:832-845. [DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2022.31.10.832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Current therapies and technologies used to treat hard-to-heal diabetic wounds are limited to a 50% healing rate. The rise in the percentage of lower limb non-traumatic amputations in patients with diabetes has caused an increased demand for alternative, effective and safe treatment modalities. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) utilises light to induce physiological changes and provide therapeutic benefits and has been shown to increase the healing of hard-to-heal wounds through the release of growth factors. The aim of this narrative review is to investigate the effect of photobiomodulation (PBM) on fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and the role of the Ras/MAPK signalling pathway in diabetic wound healing. Method: Relevant journal articles were obtained through PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: Experimental and clinical findings from the review show that PBM can stimulate the release of growth factors, including FGF, an essential cytokine in wound healing, and one which is present at lower concentrations in diabetic wounds. There is also activation of the Ras/MAPK signalling pathway. Conclusion: One mechanism through which healing may be stimulated by PBM is via the FGF-Ras/MAPK signalling pathway, although strong evidence under hyperglycaemic conditions is lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolette N Houreld
- Laser Research Centre, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Heidi Abrahamse
- Laser Research Centre, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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23
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Widjaja AA, Viswanathan S, Wei Ting JG, Tan J, Shekeran SG, Carling D, Lim WW, Cook SA. IL11 stimulates ERK/P90RSK to inhibit LKB1/AMPK and activate mTOR initiating a mesenchymal program in stromal, epithelial, and cancer cells. iScience 2022; 25:104806. [PMID: 35992082 PMCID: PMC9386112 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
IL11 initiates fibroblast activation but also causes epithelial cell dysfunction. The mechanisms underlying these processes are not known. We report that IL11-stimulated ERK/P90RSK activity causes the phosphorylation of LKB1 at S325 and S428, leading to its inactivation. This inhibits AMPK and activates mTOR across cell types. In stromal cells, IL11-stimulated ERK activity inhibits LKB1/AMPK which is associated with mTOR activation, ⍺SMA expression, and myofibroblast transformation. In hepatocytes and epithelial cells, IL11/ERK activity inhibits LKB1/AMPK leading to mTOR activation, SNAI1 expression, and cell dysfunction. Across cells, IL11-induced phenotypes were inhibited by metformin stimulated AMPK activation. In mice, genetic or pharmacologic manipulation of IL11 activity revealed a critical role of IL11/ERK signaling for LKB1/AMPK inhibition and mTOR activation in fatty liver disease. These data identify the IL11/mTOR axis as a signaling commonality in stromal, epithelial, and cancer cells and reveal a shared IL11-driven mesenchymal program across cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anissa A Widjaja
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Sivakumar Viswanathan
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Joyce Goh Wei Ting
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Jessie Tan
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore
| | - Shamini G Shekeran
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - David Carling
- MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Wei-Wen Lim
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore
| | - Stuart A Cook
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore.,MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
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24
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Garbuzenko DV. Pathophysiological mechanisms of hepatic stellate cells activation in liver fibrosis. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:3662-3676. [PMID: 35647163 PMCID: PMC9100727 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i12.3662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a complex pathological process controlled by a variety of cells, mediators and signaling pathways. Hepatic stellate cells play a central role in the development of liver fibrosis. In chronic liver disease, hepatic stellate cells undergo dramatic phenotypic activation and acquire fibrogenic properties. This review focuses on the pathophysiological mechanisms of hepatic stellate cells activation in liver fibrosis. They enter the cell cycle under the influence of various triggers. The “Initiation” phase of hepatic stellate cells activation overlaps and continues with the “Perpetuation” phase, which is characterized by a pronounced inflammatory and fibrogenic reaction. This is followed by a resolution phase if the injury subsides. Knowledge of these pathophysiological mechanisms paved the way for drugs aimed at preventing the development and progression of liver fibrosis. In this respect, impairments in intracellular signaling, epigenetic changes and cellular stress response can be the targets of therapy where the goal is to deactivate hepatic stellate cells. Potential antifibrotic therapy may focus on inducing hepatic stellate cells to return to an inactive state through cellular aging, apoptosis, and/or clearance by immune cells, and serve as potential antifibrotic therapy. It is especially important to prevent the formation of liver cirrhosis since the only radical approach to its treatment is liver transplantation which can be performed in only a limited number of countries.
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25
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Peschl V, Seitz T, Sommer J, Thasler W, Bosserhoff A, Hellerbrand C. Bone morphogenetic protein 13 in hepatic stellate cells and hepatic fibrosis. J Cell Biochem 2022; 123:1544-1552. [PMID: 35442524 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30248] [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: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis can be considered as a deregulated wound healing process in response to chronic liver injury. Bone morphogenetic protein 13 (BMP13) has been described to promote bone and tendon repair. In this study, we aimed to analyze the expression and function of BMP13 in hepatic fibrosis. We found increased BMP13 expression during the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which is known as the key event of hepatic fibrosis. Fitting to this, BMP13 was elevated in murine models of hepatic fibrosis, and immunofluorescence staining showed colocalization of BMP13 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker for activated HSC, in cirrhotic human liver tissue. BMP13 depletion in activated human HSC reduced the phosphorylation of smad1/5/9 and the expression of the transcription factor inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1), a known BMP target gene and profibrogenic factor. Furthermore, BMP13-depletion led to reduced proliferation and downregulation of collagen I α1 (COL1A1) and α-SMA, and, interestingly, also reduced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK). Conversely, stimulation with recombinant BMP13 induced the phosphorylation of smad1/5/9 and ERK, as well as the proliferation and the expression of ID1, COL1A1, and α-SMA in HSCs. These stimulatory effects were inhibited by dorsomorphin 1, a small-molecule inhibitor of the BMP-type I receptors activin receptor-like kinase-2 and -3, which are both expressed by HSC. In summary, these data indicate increased BMP13 expression in hepatic fibrosis as a profibrogenic factor. Thus, this soluble growth factor might have the potential as a new fibrosis marker and antifibrogenic therapeutic target in patients with chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Peschl
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tatjana Seitz
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Judith Sommer
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Anja Bosserhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Claus Hellerbrand
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
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26
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Ferdek PE, Krzysztofik D, Stopa KB, Kusiak AA, Paw M, Wnuk D, Jakubowska MA. When healing turns into killing ‐ the pathophysiology of pancreatic and hepatic fibrosis. J Physiol 2022; 600:2579-2612. [DOI: 10.1113/jp281135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pawel E. Ferdek
- Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Biochemistry Biophysics and Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Daria Krzysztofik
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Kinga B. Stopa
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Agnieszka A. Kusiak
- Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Biochemistry Biophysics and Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Milena Paw
- Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Biochemistry Biophysics and Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Dawid Wnuk
- Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Biochemistry Biophysics and Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
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27
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Mederacke I, Filliol A, Affo S, Nair A, Hernandez C, Sun Q, Hamberger F, Brundu F, Chen Y, Ravichandra A, Huebener P, Anke H, Shi H, de la Torre RAMG, Smith JR, Henderson NC, Vondran FWR, Rothlin CV, Baehre H, Tabas I, Sancho-Bru P, Schwabe RF. The purinergic P2Y14 receptor links hepatocyte death to hepatic stellate cell activation and fibrogenesis in the liver. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabe5795. [PMID: 35385339 PMCID: PMC9436006 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abe5795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis contributes to ~45% of deaths in western countries. In chronic liver disease, fibrosis is a major factor determining outcomes, but efficient antifibrotic therapies are lacking. Although platelet-derived growth factor and transforming growth factor-β constitute key fibrogenic mediators, they do not account for the well-established link between cell death and fibrosis in the liver. Here, we hypothesized that damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) may link epithelial cell death to fibrogenesis in the injured liver. DAMP receptor screening identified purinergic receptor P2Y14 among several candidates as highly enriched in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the main fibrogenic cell type of the liver. Conversely, P2Y14 ligands uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP)-glucose and UDP-galactose were enriched in hepatocytes and were released upon different modes of cell death. Accordingly, ligand-receptor interaction analysis that combined proteomic and single-cell RNA sequencing data revealed P2Y14 ligands and P2Y14 receptor as a link between dying cells and HSCs, respectively. Treatment with P2Y14 ligands or coculture with dying hepatocytes promoted HSC activation in a P2Y14-dependent manner. P2Y14 ligands activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling in HSCs, resulting in ERK-dependent HSC activation. Global and HSC-selective P2Y14 deficiency attenuated liver fibrosis in multiple mouse models of liver injury. Functional expression of P2Y14 was confirmed in healthy and diseased human liver and human HSCs. In conclusion, P2Y14 ligands and their receptor constitute a profibrogenic DAMP pathway that directly links cell death to fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingmar Mederacke
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Aveline Filliol
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Silvia Affo
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ajay Nair
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Celine Hernandez
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Current affiliation: Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK
| | - Qiuyan Sun
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Florian Hamberger
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Francesco Brundu
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Aashreya Ravichandra
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Current affiliation: Klinikum Rechts der Isar, TUM, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Huebener
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Current affiliation: First Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Helena Anke
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Current affiliation: Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, 30625 Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hongxue Shi
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Raquel A. Martínez García de la Torre
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - James R. Smith
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Neil C. Henderson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Florian W. R. Vondran
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Carla V. Rothlin
- Department of Immunobiology and Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Heike Baehre
- Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Institute of Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ira Tabas
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Physiology; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Institute of Human Nutrition, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Pau Sancho-Bru
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Robert F. Schwabe
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Institute of Human Nutrition, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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28
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Li J, Feng W, Dai R, Li B. Rational design, synthesis and activities of phenanthrene derivatives against hepatic fibrosis. Fitoterapia 2022; 159:105176. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2022.105176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Nalluri SM, Sankhe CS, O'Connor JW, Blanchard PL, Khouri JN, Phan SH, Virgi G, Gomez EW. Crosstalk between ERK and MRTF‐A signaling regulates TGFβ1‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:2503-2515. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep M. Nalluri
- Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA
| | - Chinmay S. Sankhe
- Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA
| | - Joseph W. O'Connor
- Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA
| | - Paul L. Blanchard
- Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA
| | - Joelle N. Khouri
- Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA
| | - Steven H. Phan
- Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA
| | - Gage Virgi
- Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA
| | - Esther W. Gomez
- Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA
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Qin R, Zhao Q, Han B, Zhu HP, Peng C, Zhan G, Huang W. Indole-Based Small Molecules as Potential Therapeutic Agents for the Treatment of Fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:845892. [PMID: 35250597 PMCID: PMC8888875 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.845892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Indole alkaloids are widely distributed in nature and have been particularly studied because of their diverse biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant activities. Many kinds of indole alkaloids have been applied to clinical practice, proving that indole alkaloids are beneficial scaffolds and occupy a crucial position in the development of novel agents. Fibrosis is an end-stage pathological condition of most chronic inflammatory diseases and is characterized by excessive deposition of fibrous connective tissue components, ultimately resulting in organ dysfunction and even failure with significant morbidity and mortality. Indole alkaloids and indole derivatives can alleviate pulmonary, myocardial, renal, liver, and islet fibrosis through the suppression of inflammatory response, oxidative stress, TGF-β/Smad pathway, and other signaling pathways. Natural indole alkaloids, such as isorhynchophylline, evodiamine, conophylline, indirubin, rutaecarpine, yohimbine, and vincristine, are reportedly effective in organ fibrosis treatment. In brief, indole alkaloids with a wide range of pharmacological bioactivities are important candidate drugs for organ fibrosis treatment. The present review discusses the potential of natural indole alkaloids, semi-synthetic indole alkaloids, synthetic indole derivatives, and indole-contained metabolites in organ fibrosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Han
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong-Ping Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Antibiotics Research and Re-Evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Gu Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Huang, ; Gu Zhan,
| | - Wei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Huang, ; Gu Zhan,
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Yang S, Wang X, Xiao W, Xu Z, Ye H, Sha X, Yang H. Dihydroartemisinin Exerts Antifibrotic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Graves' Ophthalmopathy by Targeting Orbital Fibroblasts. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:891922. [PMID: 35663306 PMCID: PMC9157422 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.891922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is a common orbital disease that threatens visual function and appearance. Orbital fibroblasts (OFs) are considered key target and effector cells in GO. In addition, hyaluronan (HA) production, inflammation, and orbital fibrosis are intimately linked to the pathogenesis of GO. In this study, we explored the therapeutic effects of dihydroartemisinin (DHA), an antimalarial drug, on GO-derived, primary OFs. CCK8 and EdU assays were applied to evaluate the antiproliferative effect of DHA on OFs. Wound healing assays were conducted to assess OF migration capacity, while qRT-PCR, western blotting, ELISA, and immunofluorescence were used to determine the expression of fibrosis-related and pro-inflammatory markers in these cells. Moreover, RNA sequencing was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in DHA-treated OFs, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs was performed to explore potential mechanisms mediating the antifibrotic effect of DHA on GO-derived OFs. Results showed that DHA dose-dependently inhibited OF proliferation and downregulated, at the mRNA and protein levels, TGF-β1-induced expression of fibrosis markers, including alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Furthermore, DHA inhibited TGF-β1 induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which suggested that DHA exerted antifibrotic effects via suppression of the ERK and STAT3 signaling pathways. In addition, DHA suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including IL-6, IL-8, CXCL-1, MCP-1, and ICAM-1, and attenuated HA production induced by IL-1β in GO-derived OFs. In conclusion, our study provides first-time evidence that DHA may significantly alleviate pathogenic manifestations of GO by inhibiting proliferation, fibrosis- and inflammation-related gene expression, and HA production in OFs. These data suggest that DHA may be a promising candidate drug for treatment of GO.
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Rajak S, Gupta P, Anjum B, Raza S, Tewari A, Ghosh S, Tripathi M, Singh BK, Sinha RA. Role of AKR1B10 and AKR1B8 in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mouse. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1868:166319. [PMID: 34954342 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a clinically important spectrum of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in humans. NASH is a stage of NAFLD progression wherein liver steatosis accompanies inflammation and pro-fibrotic events. Presently, there are no approved drugs for NASH, which has become a leading cause of liver transplant worldwide. To discover novel drug targets for NASH, we analyzed a human transcriptomic NASH dataset and found Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) as a significantly upregulated gene in livers of human NASH patients. Similarly murine Akr1b10 and Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B8 (Akr1b8) gene, which is a murine ortholog of human AKR1B10, were also found to be upregulated in a mouse model of diet-induced NASH. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibitors of AKR1B10 significantly reduced the pathological features of NASH such as steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis in mouse. In addition, genetic silencing of both mouse Akr1b10 and Akr1b8 significantly reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines from hepatocytes. These results thus underscore the involvement of murine AKR1B10 and AKR1B8 in the pathogenesis of murine NASH and raise an intriguing possibility of a similar role of AKR1B10 in human NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangam Rajak
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Pratima Gupta
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Baby Anjum
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Sana Raza
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Archana Tewari
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Sujoy Ghosh
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorder Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Madhulika Tripathi
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorder Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Brijesh K Singh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorder Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Rohit A Sinha
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India.
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Baghaei K, Mazhari S, Tokhanbigli S, Parsamanesh G, Alavifard H, Schaafsma D, Ghavami S. Therapeutic potential of targeting regulatory mechanisms of hepatic stellate cell activation in liver fibrosis. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:1044-1061. [PMID: 34952225 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a manifestation of different etiologies of liver disease with the involvement of multiple mediators in complex network interactions. Activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) are the central driver of hepatic fibrosis, given their potential to induce connective tissue formation and extracellular matrix (ECM) protein accumulation. Therefore, identifying the cellular and molecular pathways involved in the activation of HSCs is crucial in gaining mechanistic and therapeutic perspectives to more effectively target the disease. In addition to a comprehensive summary of our current understanding of the role of HSCs in liver fibrosis, we also discuss here the proposed therapeutic strategies based on targeting HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaveh Baghaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran; Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
| | - Sogol Mazhari
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
| | - Samaneh Tokhanbigli
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
| | - Gilda Parsamanesh
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
| | - Helia Alavifard
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
| | | | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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Chen X, Wang Z, Han S, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Li X, Xia N, Yu W, Jia C, Ni Y, Pu L. Targeting SYK of monocyte-derived macrophages regulates liver fibrosis via crosstalking with Erk/Hif1α and remodeling liver inflammatory environment. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:1123. [PMID: 34853322 PMCID: PMC8636632 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04403-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a danger signal indicating a huge risk of liver cancer occurrence, but there is still no effective clinical means to regulate the progress of liver fibrosis. Although a variety of drugs targeting SYK have been developed for tumors and autoimmune diseases, the mechanism and specific efficacy of SYK's role in liver fibrosis are not yet clear. Our studies based on chronic CCL4, bile duct ligation, and subacute TAA mouse models show that SYK in monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) is fully dependent on phosphorylation of Erk to up-regulate the expression of Hif1α, thereby forming the crosstalk with SYK to drive liver fibrosis progress. We have evaluated the ability of the small molecule SYK inhibitor GS9973 in a variety of models. Contrary to previous impressions, high-frequency administration of GS9973 will aggravate CCL4-induced liver fibrosis, which is especially unsuitable for patients with cholestasis whose clinical features are bile duct obstruction. In addition, we found that inhibition of MoMFs SYK impairs the expression of CXCL1, on one hand, it reduces the recruitment of CD11bhiLy6Chi inflammatory cells, and on the other hand, it promotes the phenotype cross-dress process of pro-resolution MoMFs, thereby remodeling the chronic inflammatory environment of the fibrotic liver. Our further findings indicate that on the basis of the administration of CCR2/CCR5 dual inhibitor Cenicriviroc, further inhibiting MoMFs SYK may give patients with fibrosis additional benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Chen
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Sheng Han
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zeng Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiangdong Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Nan Xia
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wenjie Yu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chenyang Jia
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Ni
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Liyong Pu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a reversible wound healing process following liver injury. Although this process is necessary for maintaining liver integrity, severe excessive extracellular matrix accumulation (ECM) could lead to permanent scar formation and destroy the liver structure. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key event in hepatic fibrosis. Previous studies show that most antifibrotic therapies focus on the apoptosis of HSCs and the prevention of HSC activation. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a substantial role in HSC activation and are likely to be biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis. This review summarizes and discusses the previously reported ncRNAs, including the microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs, highlighting their regulatory roles and interactions in the signaling pathways that regulate HSC activation in hepatic fibrosis.
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Exploring the Gamut of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases for Their Promise in the Management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9121776. [PMID: 34944593 PMCID: PMC8698495 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a predominant health concern affecting approximately a quarter of the world’s population. NAFLD is a spectrum of liver ailments arising from nascent lipid accumulation and leading to inflammation, fibrosis or even carcinogenesis. Despite its prevalence and severity, no targeted pharmacological intervention is approved to date. Thus, it is imperative to identify suitable drug targets critical to the development and progression of NAFLD. In this quest, a ray of hope is nestled within a group of proteins, receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), as targets to contain or even reverse NAFLD. RTKs control numerous vital biological processes and their selective expression and activity in specific diseases have rendered them useful as drug targets. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in characterizing the role of RTKs in NAFLD progression and qualify their suitability as pharmacological targets. Available data suggests inhibition of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, AXL, Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor, and activation of cellular mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor and Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 could pave the way for novel NAFLD therapeutics. Thus, it is important to characterize these RTKs for target validation and proof-of-concept through clinical trials.
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Ball LE, Agana B, Comte-Walters S, Rockey DC, Masur H, Kottilil S, Meissner EG. Hepatitis C virus treatment with direct-acting antivirals induces rapid changes in the hepatic proteome. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:1614-1623. [PMID: 34379872 PMCID: PMC8530867 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus with direct-acting antivirals usually eradicates infection, but liver fibrosis does not resolve concurrently. In patients who develop cirrhosis prior to hepatitis C virus treatment, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma can still occur after viral elimination due to residual fibrosis. We hypothesized the liver proteome would exhibit meaningful changes in inflammatory and fibrinogenic pathways change upon hepatitis C virus eradication, which could impact subsequent fibrosis regression. We analysed the liver proteome and phosphoproteome of paired liver biopsies obtained from 8 hepatitis C virus-infected patients before or immediately after treatment with direct-acting antivirals. Proteins in interferon signalling and antiviral pathways decreased concurrent with hepatitis C virus treatment, consistent with prior transcriptomic analyses. Expression of extracellular matrix proteins associated with liver fibrosis did not change with treatment, but the phosphorylation pattern of proteins present within signalling pathways implicated in hepatic fibrinogenesis, including the ERK1/2 pathway, was altered concurrent with hepatitis C virus treatment. Hepatitis C virus treatment leads to reduced expression of hepatic proteins involved in interferon and antiviral signalling. Additionally, changes in fibrosis signalling pathways are detectable before alteration in extracellular matrix proteins, identifying a putative chronology for the dynamic processes involved in fibrosis reversal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E. Ball
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Bernice Agana
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Susana Comte-Walters
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Don C. Rockey
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Henry Masur
- Critical Care Medicine Department, NIH Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shyam Kottilil
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric G. Meissner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Meng F, Khoso MH, Kang K, He Q, Cao Y, Jiang X, Xiao W, Li D. FGF21 ameliorates hepatic fibrosis by multiple mechanisms. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:7153-7163. [PMID: 34536190 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06707-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous study reports that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) could ameliorate hepatic fibrosis, but its mechanisms have not been fully investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS In this study, three models were used to investigate the mechanism by which FGF21 alleviates liver fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis animal models were respectively induced by CCL4 and dimethylnitrosamine. Our results demonstrated that liver index and liver function were deteriorated in both models. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's staining showed that the damaged tissue architectonics were observed in the mice of both models. Treatment with FGF21 significantly ameliorated these changes. ELISA analysis showed that the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly elevated in both models. However, administration of FGF21 significantly reduced these inflammatory cytokines. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis showed that treatment with FGF21 significantly decreased mRNA and protein expressions of collagenI, α-SMA and TGF-β. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) stimulant was used to establish the experimental cell model in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis demonstrated that the expression of collagenI and α-SMA were significantly upregulated by this stimulant in model group. Interestingly, our results showed that mRNA and protein expressions of leptin were also significantly induced in PDGF-BB treated HSCs. Administration of FGF21 significantly reduced leptin expression in a dose dependent manner and these effects were reversed in siRNA (against β-klotho) transfected HSCs. Furthermore, the leptin signaling pathways related protein p-ERK/t-ERK, p-STAT3/STAT3 and TGF-β were significantly downregulated by FGF21 treatment in a dose dependent manner. The expressions of SOCS3 and Nrf-2 were enhanced by treatment with FGF21. The underlying mechanism may be that FGF21 regulates leptin-STAT3 axis via Nrf-2 and SOCS3 pathway in activated HSCs. CONCLUSIONS FGF21 ameliorates hepatic fibrosis by multiple mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanrui Meng
- Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Mir Hassan Khoso
- Department of Biochemistry, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana, Pakistan
| | - Kai Kang
- Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Qi He
- Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Yukai Cao
- Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | | | - Wei Xiao
- Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical CO. LTD, Jiangsu, Lianyungang, State Key Laboratory of New-Tech for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process, Jiangsu, 220000, China.
| | - Deshan Li
- Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
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Liang B, Gao L, Wang F, Li Z, Li Y, Tan S, Chen A, Shao J, Zhang Z, Sun L, Zhang F, Zheng S. The mechanism research on the anti-liver fibrosis of emodin based on network pharmacology. IUBMB Life 2021; 73:1166-1179. [PMID: 34173707 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study was designated to illustrate the underlying mechanisms of emodin anti-liver fibrosis via network pharmacology and experiment. METHODS The TSMCP and Genecards database were applied to screen the relevant targets of emodin or liver fibrosis. The essential target was selected by using Cytoscape to analyze the topological network of potential targets. Furthermore, we constructed a preliminary molecule docking study to explore the binding site by Surflex-Dock suite SYBYL X 2.0. The DAVID database was selected for gene functional annotations and KEGG enrichment analysis. Moreover, we demonstrated the ameliorating effect of emodin on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced liver injury in mice. We also verified the network predictions in vitro via various techniques. RESULTS The collected results showed that 35 targets were related to emodin, and 6,198 targets were associated with liver fibrosis. The Venn analysis revealed that 17 intersection targets were correlated with emodin anti-liver fibrosis. The topological network analysis suggested that the p53 was the remarkable crucial target. Besides, the molecule docking results showed that emodin could directly interact with p53 by binding the active site residues ASN345, GLN331, and TYR347. Finally, KEGG pathway enrichment results indicated that essential genes were mainly enriched in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Moreover, our study confirmed that emodin alleviated CCl4 -induced liver injury in mice, inducing hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) apoptosis via regulating the p53/ERK/p38 axis. CONCLUSIONS This study partially verified the network pharmacological prediction of emodin inducing HSCs cell apoptosis through the p53/ERK/p38 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Liang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Liyuan Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Feixia Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhanghao Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yujia Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shanzhong Tan
- Department of Integrated TCM and Western Medicine, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to the Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Anping Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zili Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lixia Sun
- Department of National Education and Development Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Du K, Oh SH, Dutta RK, Sun T, Yang WH, Chi JTA, Diehl AM. Inhibiting xCT/SLC7A11 induces ferroptosis of myofibroblastic hepatic stellate cells but exacerbates chronic liver injury. Liver Int 2021; 41:2214-2227. [PMID: 33991158 PMCID: PMC8594404 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The outcome of liver injury is dictated by factors that control the accumulation of myofibroblastic (activated) hepatic stellate cells (MF-HSCs) but therapies that specifically block this process have not been discovered. We evaluated the hypothesis that MF-HSCs and liver fibrosis could be safely reduced by inhibiting the cysteine/glutamate antiporter xCT. METHODS xCT activity was disrupted in both HSC lines and primary mouse HSCs to determine its effect on HSC biology. For comparison, xCT expression and function were also determined in primary mouse hepatocytes. Finally, the roles of xCT were assessed in mouse models of liver fibrosis. RESULTS We found that xCT mRNA levels were almost a log-fold higher in primary mouse HSCs than in primary mouse hepatocytes. Further, primary mouse HSCs dramatically induced xCT as they became MF, and inhibiting xCT blocked GSH synthesis, reduced growth and fibrogenic gene expression and triggered HSC ferroptosis. Doses of xCT inhibitors that induced massive ferroptosis in HSCs had no effect on hepatocyte viability in vitro, and xCT inhibitors reduced liver fibrosis without worsening liver injury in mice with acute liver injury. However, TGFβ treatment up-regulated xCT and triggered ferroptosis in cultured primary mouse hepatocytes. During chronic liver injury, xCT inhibitors exacerbated injury, impaired regeneration and failed to improve fibrosis, confirming that HSCs and hepatocytes deploy similar mechanisms to survive chronic oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS Inhibiting xCT can suppress myofibroblastic activity and induce ferroptosis of MF-HSCs. However, targeting xCT inhibition to MF-HSCs will be necessary to exploit ferroptosis as an anti-fibrotic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo Du
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Seh Hoon Oh
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Tianai Sun
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Wen-Hsuan Yang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anna Mae Diehl
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA,Corresponding Author:Anna Mae Diehl, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University, Snyderman Building – Suite 1073, Durham, NC 27710, 919-684-2366,
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Perilipin 5 Ameliorates Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation via SMAD2/3 and SNAIL Signaling Pathways and Suppresses STAT3 Activation. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092184. [PMID: 34571833 PMCID: PMC8467115 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Comprehending the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatic fibrogenesis is essential to the development of treatment. The hallmark of hepatic fibrosis is the development and deposition of excess fibrous connective tissue forcing tissue remodeling. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) play a major role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Their activation via the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) as a key mediator is considered the crucial event in the pathophysiology of hepatic fibrogenesis. It has been shown that Perilipin 5 (PLIN5), known as a lipid droplet structural protein that is highly expressed in oxidative tissue, can inhibit such activation through various mechanisms associated with lipid metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the possible influence of PLIN5 on TGF-β1 signaling. Our findings confirm the importance of PLIN5 in maintaining HSC quiescence in vivo and in vitro. PLIN5 overexpression suppresses the TGF-β1-SMAD2/3 and SNAIL signaling pathways as well as the activation of the signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3). These findings derived from experiments in hepatic cell lines LX-2 and Col-GFP, in which overexpression of PLIN5 was able to downregulate the signaling pathways SMAD2/3 and SNAIL activated previously by TGF-β1 treatment. Furthermore, TGF-β1-mediatedinduction of extracellular matrix proteins, such as collagen type I (COL1), Fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), was suppressed by PLIN5. Moreover, STAT3, which is interrelated with TGF-β1 was already basally activated in the cell lines and inhibited by PLIN5 overexpression, leading to a further reduction in HSC activity shown by lowered α-SMA expression. This extension of the intervening mechanisms presents PLIN5 as a potent and pleiotropic target in HSC activation.
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Qian L, Wang Q, Wei C, Wang L, Yang Y, Deng X, Liu J, Qi F. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B regulates fibroblasts proliferation, motility and extracellular matrix synthesis via the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway in keloid. Exp Dermatol 2021; 31:202-213. [PMID: 34370343 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Keloid is a fibroproliferative disorder resulting from trauma, characterized by abnormal activation of keloid fibroblasts and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). It affects life quality of patients and lacks of effective therapeutic targets. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) belongs to the protein tyrosine phosphatases and participates in many cellular processes such as metabolism, proliferation and motility. It has been reported that PTP1B negatively regulated diabetic wound healing and tumor progression. However, its effects in keloid remain unclear. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of PTP1B on keloid fibroblasts which play essential roles in keloids pathogenesis. Our results revealed that PTP1B expression was decreased both in keloid tissues and in keloid fibroblasts compared to healthy controls. Keloid fibroblasts (KFs) showed higher cell proliferation, motility, ECM production and ERK activity than normal fibroblasts (NFs). Overexpression of PTP1B in KFs and NFs inhibited cell proliferation, motility, ECM synthesis and the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway while knockdown of PTP1B showed converse effects. The rescue experiments with ERK inhibitor further verified that MAPK/ERK signalling pathway involved in PTP1B regulatory network. Taken together, our findings indicated that overexpression of PTP1B suppressed keloid fibroblasts bio-behaviours and promoted their phenotype switch to normal cells via inhibiting the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway, suggesting it may be a potential anti-keloid therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leqi Qian
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuanyuan Wei
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanwen Yang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyi Deng
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Artificial Intelligence Center for Plastic Surgery and Cutaneous Soft Tissue Cancers, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fazhi Qi
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Lam DTUH, Dan YY, Chan YS, Ng HH. Emerging liver organoid platforms and technologies. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2021; 10:27. [PMID: 34341842 PMCID: PMC8329140 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-021-00089-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Building human organs in a dish has been a long term goal of researchers in pursue of physiologically relevant models of human disease and for replacement of worn out and diseased organs. The liver has been an organ of interest for its central role in regulating body homeostasis as well as drug metabolism. An accurate liver replica should contain the multiple cell types found in the organ and these cells should be spatially organized to resemble tissue structures. More importantly, the in vitro model should recapitulate cellular and tissue level functions. Progress in cell culture techniques and bioengineering approaches have greatly accelerated the development of advance 3-dimensional (3D) cellular models commonly referred to as liver organoids. These 3D models described range from single to multiple cell type containing cultures with diverse applications from establishing patient-specific liver cells to modeling of chronic liver diseases and regenerative therapy. Each organoid platform is advantageous for specific applications and presents its own limitations. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of major liver organoid platforms and technologies developed for diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do Thuy Uyen Ha Lam
- Laboratory of precision disease therapeutics, Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Dr, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Yock Young Dan
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Dr, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Yun-Shen Chan
- Laboratory of precision disease therapeutics, Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore, 138672, Singapore.
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, 510005, China.
| | - Huck-Hui Ng
- Laboratory of precision disease therapeutics, Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore, 138672, Singapore.
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117559, Singapore.
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117456, Singapore.
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
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Guo G, Watterson S, Zhang SD, Bjourson A, McGilligan V, Peace A, Rai TS. The role of senescence in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation: A target process for health improvement and drug development. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 69:101363. [PMID: 34023420 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a state of growth arrest that occurs after cells encounter various stresses. Senescence contributes to tumour suppression, embryonic development, and wound healing. It impacts on the pathology of various diseases by secreting inflammatory chemokines, immune modulators and other bioactive factors. These secretory biosignatures ultimately cause inflammation, tissue fibrosis, immunosenescence and many ageing-related diseases such as atrial fibrillation (AF). Because the molecular mechanisms underpinning AF development remain unclear, current treatments are suboptimal and have serious side effects. In this review, we summarize recent results describing the role of senescence in AF. We propose that senescence factors induce AF and have a causative role. Hence, targeting senescence and its secretory phenotype may attenuate AF.
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Sun J, Zhou X, Wu J, Xiao R, Chen Y, Lu Y, Lang H. Ligustilide enhances hippocampal neural stem cells activation to restore cognitive function in the context of postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:5000-5015. [PMID: 34192824 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Ligustilide exerts potential neuroprotective effects against various cerebral ischaemic insults and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the function and mechanisms of LIG-mediated hippocampal neural stem cells (H-NSCs) activation as well as cognitive recovery in the context of post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) remain elusive and need to be explored. Mice were subjected to transient global cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion (tGCI/R) injury and treated with LIG (80 mg/kg) or vehicle for 1 month. Morris water maze test and western blot were employed to assess cognitive function. Nissl staining and immunofluorescence (IF) staining were used to detect H-NSCs proliferation and neurogenesis in hippocampus. Subsequently, primary H-NSCs were treated with LIG, and the level of H-NSCs proliferation and neuronal-differentiation was examined by IF staining for Edu and β-Tubulin III. The protein levels of ERK1/2, β-catenin, NICD, TLR4, Akt and FoxO1 were examined using western blotting. Finally, pretreatment with the ERK agonist SCH772984 was performed to observe the change in ERK expression. LIG treatment promoted H-NSCs proliferation and neurogenesis, increased the number of neurons in the hippocampal subfields, and ultimately reversed cognitive impairment in tGCI/R injury. Furthermore, LIG also promoted primary H-NSCs proliferation and neuronal-differentiation, as well as ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Pretreatment with SCH772984 effectively reversed the ability of LIG to induce ERK1/2 phosphorylation and promote H-NSCs proliferation and neuronal-differentiation. LIG can promote cognitive recovery after tGCI/R injury by activating ERK1/2 in H-NSCs to promote their proliferation and neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Therefore, LIG has potential for use in the prevention and/or treatment of POCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jusheng Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji, China
| | - Renjie Xiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yimei Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Haili Lang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Yang Y, Sun M, Li W, Liu C, Jiang Z, Gu P, Li J, Wang W, You R, Ba Q, Li X, Wang H. Rebalancing TGF-β/Smad7 signaling via Compound kushen injection in hepatic stellate cells protects against liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e410. [PMID: 34323416 PMCID: PMC8255064 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis and fibrosis-related hepatocarcinogenesis are a rising cause for morbidity and death worldwide. Although transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a critical mediator of chronic liver fibrosis, targeting TGF-β isoforms and receptors lead to unacceptable side effect. This study was designed to explore the antifibrotic effect of Compound kushen injection (CKI), an approved traditional Chinese medicine formula, via a therapeutic strategy of rebalancing TGF-β/Smad7 signaling. METHODS A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate CKI intervention on viral hepatitis-induced fibrosis or cirrhosis in clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Mice were given carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) injection or methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet to induce liver fibrosis, followed by CKI treatment. We examined the expression of TGF-β/Smad signaling and typical fibrosis-related genes in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and fibrotic liver tissues by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, RNA-seq, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Based on meta-analysis results, CKI improved the liver function and relieved liver fibrosis among patients. In our preclinical studies by using two mouse models, CKI treatment demonstrated promising antifibrotic effects and postponed hepatocarcinogenesis with improved liver function and histopathologic features. Mechanistically, we found that CKI inhibited HSCs activation by stabilizing the interaction of Smad7/TGF-βR1 to rebalance Smad2/Smad3 signaling, and subsequently decreased the extracellular matrix formation. Importantly, Smad7 depletion abolished the antifibrotic effect of CKI in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, matrine, oxymatrine, sophocarpine, and oxysophocarpine were identified as material basis responsible for the antifibrosis effect of CKI. CONCLUSIONS Our results unveil the approach of CKI in rebalancing TGF-β/Smad7 signaling in HSCs to protect against hepatic fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis in both preclinical and clinical studies. Our study suggests that CKI can be a candidate for treatment of hepatic fibrosis and related oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single‐Cell Omics, School of Public HealthShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food SafetyShanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Mayu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single‐Cell Omics, School of Public HealthShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food SafetyShanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Weida Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single‐Cell Omics, School of Public HealthShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Chaobao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single‐Cell Omics, School of Public HealthShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Zheshun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single‐Cell Omics, School of Public HealthShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Pengfei Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single‐Cell Omics, School of Public HealthShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Jingquan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single‐Cell Omics, School of Public HealthShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Wei Wang
- Beijing Zhendong Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co., Ltd.BeijingChina
| | - Rongli You
- Beijing Zhendong Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co., Ltd.BeijingChina
| | - Qian Ba
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single‐Cell Omics, School of Public HealthShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xiaoguang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single‐Cell Omics, School of Public HealthShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single‐Cell Omics, School of Public HealthShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food SafetyShanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
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A20 Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation Through MAPK/ERK/JNK Pathway in LX-2 Cells. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2021. [DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.114050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Background: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are liver-specific pericytes that transform into myofibroblasts, which are involved in pathological vascularization in liver fibrosis. We previously suggested that A20 overexpression suppresses lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in HSC. We aimed to determine the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory role of A20 in LX-2 cells. Methods: LX-2 cells were transfected with A20-siRNA or control-siRNA and control adenovirus or A20-carrying adenovirus. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis was employed to quantify mRNA levels of α-SMA, col-I, col-III, IL-6, TGF-β, and PDGF in A20-siRNA LX-2 cells stimulated with LPS. Multiple molecular indices of MAPK/ERK/JNK signal pathway were performed by using Western blotting. Results: Relative to control, the fibrosis-related mRNA levels of α-SMA, col-I, and col-III were increased in A20-siRNA LX-2 cells. Meanwhile, A20-siRNA cells significantly increased IL-6, TGF-β, and PDGF mRNA levels. Relative to controls, stimulating A20 overexpressing LX-2 cells with LPS for 5 and 30 minutes significantly reduced the levels of phosphorylated ERK and JNK, respectively. A20 knockdown in LX-2 cells promotes phosphorylated ERK and JNK levels with LPS for 30 minutes. Conclusions: Our data indicate that A20 could be functional in HSCs through the MAPK/ERK/JNK signaling pathway, highlighting a potential novel therapeutic strategy against liver fibrosis.
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Li Y, Xu J, Li D, Ma H, Mu Y, Zheng D, Huang X, Li L. Chemical Characterization and Hepatoprotective Effects of a Standardized Triterpenoid-Enriched Guava Leaf Extract. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:3626-3637. [PMID: 33733770 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c07125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nutraceutical/pharmaceutical agents capable of maintaining redox and inflammation homeostasis are considered as candidates for the prevention and/or treatment of liver diseases. Psidium guajava (commonly known as guava) leaf is a commercially available functional food that has been reported to possess hepatoprotective property. However, the hepatoprotective constituents in guava leaf are not known. In the current study, a standardized triterpenoid-enriched extract of guava leaves (TGL) was developed. A new ursolic acid derivative, namely 2α,3β,6β,23,30-pentahydroxyurs-11,13(18)-dien-28,20β-olide (1), and 23 known triterpenoids were isolated and identified from TGL. The hepatoprotective effects of TGL were evaluated through a model using acetaminophen (APAP)-exposed C57BL/6 male mice. Pretreatment of TGL (75 and 150 mg/kg) restored the mice hepatic architecture, improved the serum ALT and AST levels, and reduced the hepatic ROS and MDA contents. Further molecular mechanistic study revealed that TGL modulated Nrf2 and MAPK signaling pathways to alleviate APAP-induced oxidative and inflammatory stress in liver. In addition, the new compound 1 from TGL showed protective effects against APAP-induced cytotoxicity via activation of the Nrf2 pathway in HepG2 cells. Overall, this is the first report on the hepatoprotective effects of a standardized triterpenoid-enriched extract of guava leaves, which supports its potential nutraceutical application in liver disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Li
- Institute of Microbial Pharmaceuticals, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, P. R. China
| | - Jialin Xu
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, P. R. China
| | - Dongli Li
- School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, P. R. China
| | - Hang Ma
- School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, P. R. China
- Bioactive Botanical Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, United States
| | - Yu Mu
- Institute of Microbial Pharmaceuticals, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, P. R. China
| | - Dan Zheng
- Institute of Microbial Pharmaceuticals, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, P. R. China
| | - Xueshi Huang
- Institute of Microbial Pharmaceuticals, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, P. R. China
| | - Liya Li
- Institute of Microbial Pharmaceuticals, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, P. R. China
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Ruan L, Yao X, Li W, Zhang L, Yang H, Sun J, Li A. Effect of galectin-3 in the pathogenesis of arteriovenous fistula stenosis formation. Ren Fail 2021; 43:566-576. [PMID: 33757402 PMCID: PMC7993384 DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2021.1902822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study sought to investigate the effect of local expression of galectin-3 in the development of stenotic arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Methods We collected stenotic venous tissues, adjacent nonstenotic venous tissues, and blood samples from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with AVF stenosis, while normal venous tissues and blood samples were collected from ESRD patients before AVF creation as controls. Also blood samples were collected from ESRD patients with nonstenosis functional AVF. Galectin-3, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and α-SMA expression in the venous tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry, and the ERK1/2 pathway activity in the intima was accessed by western blot. Serum galectin-3 level was measured by ELISA. Thereafter, human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) were cultured in vitro, and the interaction between Galectin-3 and ERK1/2 pathway in HPASMCs was estimated by western blot. Results ESRD patients with stenotic AVF had a significant higher serum galectin-3 level than normal controls, and patients with non-stenotic functional AVF. The expression levels of galectin-3, phosphorylated ERK1/2, PCNA, MMP-9, and α-SMA in the stenotic venous tissues were higher than that in the normal venous tissues or the adjacent nonstenotic AVF venous tissues. Correlation analysis showed that the expression of galectin-3 of the neointima was positively correlated with PCNA and α-SMA in the stenotic AVF venous tissues. In HPASMCs, galectin-3 can increase the activity of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and promote the expression of α-SMA. Conclusion In the stenotic AVF of ESRD patients, expression of the galectin-3 was significantly increased, showing a positive relation with neointima development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ruan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.,Hebei key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Research on Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.,Nephrology Department, Hebei Medical University First Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaoguang Yao
- Surgery Department, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang
| | - Wen Li
- Nephrology Department, Hebei Medical University First Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Lihong Zhang
- Nephrology Department, Hebei Medical University First Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Hongxia Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.,Hebei key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Research on Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jiahuan Sun
- Hebei key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Research on Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Aiying Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.,Hebei key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Research on Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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Yan Q, Pan L, Qi S, Liu F, Wang Z, Qian C, Chen L, Du J. RNF2 Mediates Hepatic Stellate Cells Activation by Regulating ERK/p38 Signaling Pathway in LX-2 Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:634902. [PMID: 33816485 PMCID: PMC8015948 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.634902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic approach of liver fibrosis is still an unsolved clinical problem worldwide. Notably, the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the liver is mediated by the production of cytokines and growth factors, such as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Ring finger protein 2 (RNF2) was identified as the catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), mediating the monoubiquitination of histone H2A. In recent years, a growing amount of evidence suggests that RNF2 may play an important role in multiple pathological processes involved in cancer. Here, we explored the role of RNF2 in liver fibrogenesis and its potential mechanisms. The results showed that RNF2 was up-regulated in human fibrotic liver tissue. Knockdown of RNF2 led to a decreasing expression of collagen1 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in LX-2 cells, which was upregulated by RNF2 overexpression. Moreover, RNF2 overexpression significantly promoted TGF-β1-induced LX-2 cell proliferation but decreased apoptosis. Furthermore, knockdown of RNF2 inhibited the activation of ERK/p38 signaling pathways induced by TGF-β1. These data suggested that RNF2 is an effective pro-fibrogenic factor for HSC activation via ERK/p38 signaling pathway. RNF2 inhibition might be a promising therapeutic target for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Linxin Pan
- The School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shunli Qi
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Cheng Qian
- Center for Scientific Research, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lijian Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jian Du
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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