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Provera A, Ramavath NN, Gadipudi LL, Gigliotti CL, Boggio E, Vecchio C, Stoppa I, Rolla R, Boldorini R, Pirisi M, Smirne C, Albano E, Dianzani U, Sutti S. Role of the co-stimulatory molecule inducible T-cell co-stimulator ligand (ICOSL) in the progression of experimental metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1290391. [PMID: 38077334 PMCID: PMC10702974 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1290391] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Inducible T-cell Co-Stimulator (ICOS) present on T-lymphocytes and its ligand ICOSL expressed by myeloid cells play multiple roles in regulating T-cell functions. However, recent evidence indicates that reverse signalling involving ICOSL is also important in directing the differentiation of monocyte-derived cells. In this study, we investigated the involvement of ICOS/ICOSL dyad in modulating macrophage functions during the evolution of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Results In animal models of MASH, ICOS was selectively up-regulated on CD8+ T-cells in parallel with an expansion of ICOSL-expressing macrophages. An increase in circulating soluble ICOSL was also evident in patients with MASH as compared to healthy individuals. ICOSL knockout (ICOSL-/-) mice receiving choline/methionine deficient (MCD) diet for 6 weeks had milder steatohepatitis than wild type mice. MASH improvement was confirmed in mice fed with cholesterol-enriched Western diet for 24 weeks in which ICOSL deficiency greatly reduced liver fibrosis along with the formation of crown-like macrophage aggregates producing the pro-fibrogenic mediators osteopontin (OPN) and galectin-3 (Gal-3). These effects associated with a selective shewing of F4-80+/CD11bhigh monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) expressing the Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) to CD11blow/F4-80+ cells positive for the Kupffer cell marker C-type lectin-like type 2 receptor (CLEC-2), thus indicating an increased MoMF maturation toward monocyte-derived Kupffer cells. Conclusions These results suggest that CD8+ T-cells interaction with monocyte-derived macrophages through ICOS/ICOSL critically supports a specific subset of TREM2+-expressing cells contributing to the evolution of steatohepatitis. The data also point ICOS/ICOSL dyad as a possible target for therapeutic interventions in MASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Provera
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Naresh Naik Ramavath
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | | | | | - Elena Boggio
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Cristina Vecchio
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Ian Stoppa
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Roberta Rolla
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Renzo Boldorini
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Mario Pirisi
- Translational Medicine and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Carlo Smirne
- Translational Medicine and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Emanuele Albano
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Umberto Dianzani
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sutti
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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Singh AK, Chaube B, Citrin KM, Fowler JW, Lee S, Catarino J, Knight J, Lowery S, Shree S, Boutagy N, Ruz-Maldonado I, Harry K, Shanabrough M, Ross TT, Malaker S, Suárez Y, Fernández-Hernando C, Grabinska K, Sessa WC. Loss of cis-PTase function in the liver promotes a highly penetrant form of fatty liver disease that rapidly transitions to hepatocellular carcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.13.566870. [PMID: 38014178 PMCID: PMC10680637 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.13.566870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Obesity-linked fatty liver is a significant risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)1,2; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the transition from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to HCC remains unclear. The present study explores the role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated protein NgBR, an essential component of the cis-prenyltransferases (cis-PTase) enzyme3, in chronic liver disease. Here we show that genetic depletion of NgBR in hepatocytes of mice (N-LKO) intensifies triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation, inflammatory responses, ER/oxidative stress, and liver fibrosis, ultimately resulting in HCC development with 100% penetrance after four months on a high-fat diet. Comprehensive genomic and single cell transcriptomic atlas from affected livers provides a detailed molecular analysis of the transition from liver pathophysiology to HCC development. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 (DGAT2), a key enzyme in hepatic TAG synthesis, abrogates diet-induced liver damage and HCC burden in N-LKO mice. Overall, our findings establish NgBR/cis-PTase as a critical suppressor of NAFLD-HCC conversion and suggests that DGAT2 inhibition may serve as a promising therapeutic approach to delay HCC formation in patients with advanced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek K. Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, and Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - Balkrishna Chaube
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale Center for Molecular and Systems Metabolism and Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kathryn M Citrin
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale Center for Molecular and Systems Metabolism and Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joseph Wayne Fowler
- Department of Pharmacology, and Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - Sungwoon Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, and Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - Jonatas Catarino
- Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism Program, Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - James Knight
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sarah Lowery
- Chemistry Research Building, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sonal Shree
- Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nabil Boutagy
- Department of Pharmacology, and Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - Inmaculada Ruz-Maldonado
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale Center for Molecular and Systems Metabolism and Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kathy Harry
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Marya Shanabrough
- Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism Program, Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Stacy Malaker
- Chemistry Research Building, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yajaira Suárez
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale Center for Molecular and Systems Metabolism and Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Carlos Fernández-Hernando
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale Center for Molecular and Systems Metabolism and Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kariona Grabinska
- Department of Pharmacology, and Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
| | - William C. Sessa
- Department of Pharmacology, and Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, USA
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Barrow F, Wang H, Fredrickson G, Florczak K, Ciske E, Khanal S, Parthiban P, Nguyen H, Rios E, Kostallari E, Revelo XS. Pyruvate Oxidation Sustains B Cell Antigen-Specific Activation to Exacerbate MASH. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.13.566832. [PMID: 38014163 PMCID: PMC10680643 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.13.566832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
B cells play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a severe form of steatotic liver disease that if persistent can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and cancer. Chronic inflammation and fibrosis are key features of MASH that determine disease progression and outcomes. Recent advances have revealed that pathogenic B cell-derived cytokines and antibodies promote the development of MASH. However, the mechanisms through which B cells promote fibrosis and the metabolic adaptations underlying their pathogenic responses remain unclear. Here, we report that a subset of mature B cells with heightened cytokine responses accumulate in the liver and promote inflammation in MASH. To meet the increased energetic demand of effector responses, B cells increase their ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) fueled by pyruvate oxidation in a B cell receptor (BCR)-specific manner. Blocking pyruvate oxidation completely abrogated the inflammatory capacity of MASH B cells. Accordingly, the restriction of the BCR led to MASH attenuation, including reductions in steatosis, hepatic inflammation, and fibrosis. Mechanistically, BCR restriction decreased B cell maturation, activation, and effector responses in the liver, accompanied by decreased T cell- and macrophage-mediated inflammation. Notably, attenuated liver fibrosis in BCR-restricted mice was associated with lower IgG production and decreased expression of Fc-gamma receptors on hepatic stellate cells. Together, these findings indicate a key role for B cell antigen-specific responses in promoting steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis during MASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanta Barrow
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis MN 55455, USA
| | - Haiguang Wang
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis MN 55455, USA
| | - Gavin Fredrickson
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis MN 55455, USA
| | - Kira Florczak
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis MN 55455, USA
| | - Erin Ciske
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis MN 55455, USA
| | - Shalil Khanal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Preethy Parthiban
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis MN 55455, USA
| | - Huy Nguyen
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis MN 55455, USA
| | - Enrique Rios
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis MN 55455, USA
| | - Enis Kostallari
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Xavier S. Revelo
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis MN 55455, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN 55455, USA
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Cuño-Gómiz C, de Gregorio E, Tutusaus A, Rider P, Andrés-Sánchez N, Colell A, Morales A, Marí M. Sex-based differences in natural killer T cell-mediated protection against diet-induced steatohepatitis in Balb/c mice. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:85. [PMID: 37964320 PMCID: PMC10644614 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00569-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is prevalent in Western countries, evolving into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with a sexual dimorphism. Fertile women exhibit lower MASLD risk than men, which diminishes post-menopause. While NKT-cell involvement in steatohepatitis is debated, discrepancies may stem from varied mouse strains used, predominantly C57BL6/J with Th1-dominant responses. Exploration of steatohepatitis, encompassing both genders, using Balb/c background, with Th2-dominant immune response, and CD1d-deficient mice in the Balb/c background (lacking Type I and Type II NKT cells) can clarify gender disparities and NKT-cell influence on MASH progression. METHODS A high fat and choline-deficient (HFCD) diet was used in male and female mice, Balb/c mice or CD1d-/- mice in the Balb/c background that exhibit a Th2-dominant immune response. Liver fibrosis and inflammatory gene expression were measured by qPCR, and histology assessment. NKT cells, T cells, macrophages and neutrophils were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Female mice displayed milder steatohepatitis after 6 weeks of HFCD, showing reduced liver damage, inflammation, and fibrosis compared to males. Male Balb/c mice exhibited NKT-cell protection against steatohepatitis whereas CD1d-/- males on HFCD presented decreased hepatoprotection, increased liver fibrosis, inflammation, neutrophilic infiltration, and inflammatory macrophages. In contrast, the NKT-cell role was negligible in early steatohepatitis development in both female mice, as fibrosis and inflammation were similar despite augmented liver damage in CD1d-/- females. Relevant, hepatic type I NKT levels in female Balb/c mice were significantly lower than in male. CONCLUSIONS NKT cells exert a protective role against experimental steatohepatitis as HFCD-treated CD1d-/- males had more severe fibrosis and inflammation than male Balb/c mice. In females, the HFCD-induced hepatocellular damage and the immune response are less affected by NKT cells on early steatohepatitis progression, underscoring sex-specific NKT-cell influence in MASH development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cuño-Gómiz
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB, CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Estefanía de Gregorio
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB, CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Tutusaus
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB, CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Rider
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB, CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Andrés-Sánchez
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of Montpellier (IGMM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34293, Montpellier, France
| | - Anna Colell
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB, CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Morales
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB, CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Montserrat Marí
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB, CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
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Sawada K, Chung H, Softic S, Moreno-Fernandez ME, Divanovic S. The bidirectional immune crosstalk in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Cell Metab 2023; 35:1852-1871. [PMID: 37939656 PMCID: PMC10680147 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an unabated risk factor for end-stage liver diseases with no available therapies. Dysregulated immune responses are critical culprits of MASLD pathogenesis. Independent contributions from either the innate or adaptive arms of the immune system or their unidirectional interplay are commonly studied in MASLD. However, the bidirectional communication between innate and adaptive immune systems and its impact on MASLD remain insufficiently understood. Given that both innate and adaptive immune cells are indispensable for the development and progression of inflammation in MASLD, elucidating pathogenic contributions stemming from the bidirectional interplay between these two arms holds potential for development of novel therapeutics for MASLD. Here, we review the immune cell types and bidirectional pathways that influence the pathogenesis of MASLD and highlight potential pharmacologic approaches to combat MASLD based on current knowledge of this bidirectional crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Sawada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
| | - Hak Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Samir Softic
- Department of Pediatrics and Gastroenterology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Maria E Moreno-Fernandez
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| | - Senad Divanovic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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56
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Singuru G, Pulipaka S, Shaikh A, Balaji Andugulapati S, Thennati R, Kotamraju S. Therapeutic efficacy of mitochondria-targeted esculetin in the improvement of NAFLD-NASH via modulating AMPK-SIRT1 axis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:111070. [PMID: 37862737 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction due to deregulated production of mitochondria-derived ROS is implicated in the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Recently, we synthesized a novel mitochondria-targeted esculetin (Mito-Esc) and investigated its dose-response therapeutic efficacy in mitigating high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD and NASH in Apoe-/- mice. Mito-Esc administration, compared to simvastatin and pioglitazone, dose-dependently caused a significant reduction in body weight, improved lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, and pro-inflammatory cytokines level. Mito-Esc administration reduced adipose tissue hypertrophy and lipid accumulation presumably by regulating the levels of CD36, PPAR-γ, EBP-α, and their target genes. Mechanistically, Mito-Esc-induced activation of the AMPK1α-SIRT1 axis inhibited pre-adipocyte differentiation. Conversely, Mito-Esc failed to regulate pre-adipocyte differentiation under AMPK/SIRT1 depleted conditions. In parallel, Mito-Esc administration ameliorated HFD-induced steatosis, fibrosis of the liver, and NAFLD-associated atheromatous plaque formation in the aorta. Importantly, Mito-Esc administration inhibited HFD-induced infiltration of macrophages, a marker of steatohepatitis, in the adipose and liver tissues. The results of the in vitro studies showed that Mito-Esc treatment significantly inhibits TGF-β-induced hepatic stellate cell differentiation as well as the fibrotic markers. Consistent with the above observations, Mito-Esc treatment by activating the AMPK-SIRT1 pathway markedly reversed palmitate-induced mitochondrial superoxide production, depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, and lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Together, the therapeutic efficacy of Mito-Esc in the mitigation of HFD-induced lipotoxicity, and the associated NASH is in part, mediated by potentiating the AMPK-SIRT1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gajalakshmi Singuru
- Department of Applied Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Sriravali Pulipaka
- Department of Applied Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Altab Shaikh
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, India; Department of Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Sai Balaji Andugulapati
- Department of Applied Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Rajamannar Thennati
- High Impact Innovations-Sustainable Health Solutions (HISHS), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Vadodara 390012, India
| | - Srigiridhar Kotamraju
- Department of Applied Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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López-Pérez A, Remeseiro S, Hörnblad A. Diet-induced rewiring of the Wnt gene regulatory network connects aberrant splicing to fatty liver and liver cancer in DIAMOND mice. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18666. [PMID: 37907668 PMCID: PMC10618177 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45614-1] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Several preclinical models have been recently developed for metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but comprehensive analysis of the regulatory and transcriptional landscapes underlying disease in these models are still missing. We investigated the regulatory and transcriptional landscape in fatty livers and liver tumours from DIAMOND mice that faithfully mimic human HCC development in the context of MAFLD. RNA-sequencing and ChIP-sequencing revealed rewiring of the Wnt/β-catenin regulatory network in DIAMOND tumours, as manifested by chromatin remodelling and associated switching in the expression of the canonical TCF/LEF downstream effectors. We identified splicing as a major mechanism leading to constitutive oncogenic activation of β-catenin in a large subset of DIAMOND tumours, a mechanism that is independent on somatic mutations in the locus and that has not been previously shown. Similar splicing events were found in a fraction of human HCC and hepatoblastoma samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana López-Pérez
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine (UCMM), Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Silvia Remeseiro
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine (UCMM), Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Andreas Hörnblad
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine (UCMM), Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Sweden.
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Wu K, Zhu J, Ma Y, Zhou Y, Lin Q, Tu T, Liu Q. Exploring immune related gene signatures and mechanisms linking non alcoholic fatty liver disease to atrial fibrillation through transcriptome data analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17548. [PMID: 37845390 PMCID: PMC10579333 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44884-z] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) and related cardiovascular complications pose a heavy burden to patients and society. Mounting evidence suggests a close association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and AF. NAFLD and AF transcriptomic datasets were obtained from GEO database and analyzed using several bioinformatics approaches. We established a NAFLD-AF associated gene diagnostic signature (NAGDS) using protein-protein interaction analysis and machine learning, which was further quantified through RT-qPCR. Potential miRNA targeting NAGDS were predicted. Gene modules highly correlated with NAFLD liver pathology or AF occurrence were identified by WGCNA. Enrichment analysis of the overlapped genes from key module revealed that T-cell activation plays essential roles in NAFLD and AF, which was further confirmed by immune infiltration. Furthermore, an integrated SVM-RFE and LASSO algorithm was used to identify CCL4, CD48, ITGB2, and RNASE6 as NAGDS, all of which were found to be upregulated in NAFLD and AF mouse tissues. Patients with higher NAGDS showed augmented T cell and macrophage immunity, more advanced liver pathological characteristics, and prolonged AF duration. Additionally, hsa-miR-26a-5p played a central role in the regulation of NAGDS. Our findings highlight the central role of T-cell immune response in linking NAFLD to AF, and established an accurate NAGDS diagnostic model, which could serve as potential targets for immunoregulatory therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keke Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Research Institute of Blood Lipid and Atherosclerosis, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Modern Cardiovascular Disease Clinical Technology Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Cardiovascular Disease Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayi Zhu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Research Institute of Blood Lipid and Atherosclerosis, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Modern Cardiovascular Disease Clinical Technology Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Cardiovascular Disease Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingxu Ma
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Research Institute of Blood Lipid and Atherosclerosis, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Modern Cardiovascular Disease Clinical Technology Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Cardiovascular Disease Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Research Institute of Blood Lipid and Atherosclerosis, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Modern Cardiovascular Disease Clinical Technology Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Cardiovascular Disease Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuzhen Lin
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Research Institute of Blood Lipid and Atherosclerosis, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Modern Cardiovascular Disease Clinical Technology Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Cardiovascular Disease Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Tu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Research Institute of Blood Lipid and Atherosclerosis, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- Modern Cardiovascular Disease Clinical Technology Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- Cardiovascular Disease Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiming Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Research Institute of Blood Lipid and Atherosclerosis, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- Modern Cardiovascular Disease Clinical Technology Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- Cardiovascular Disease Research Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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59
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Zheng C, Snow BE, Elia AJ, Nechanitzky R, Dominguez-Brauer C, Liu S, Tong Y, Cox MA, Focaccia E, Wakeham AC, Haight J, Tobin C, Hodgson K, Gill KT, Ma W, Berger T, Heikenwälder M, Saunders ME, Fortin J, Leung SY, Mak TW. Tumor-specific cholinergic CD4 + T lymphocytes guide immunosurveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:1437-1454. [PMID: 37640929 PMCID: PMC10597839 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00624-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Cholinergic nerves are involved in tumor progression and dissemination. In contrast to other visceral tissues, cholinergic innervation in the hepatic parenchyma is poorly detected. It remains unclear whether there is any form of cholinergic regulation of liver cancer. Here, we show that cholinergic T cells curtail the development of liver cancer by supporting antitumor immune responses. In a mouse multihit model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we observed activation of the adaptive immune response and induction of two populations of CD4+ T cells expressing choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), including regulatory T cells and dysfunctional PD-1+ T cells. Tumor antigens drove the clonal expansion of these cholinergic T cells in HCC. Genetic ablation of Chat in T cells led to an increased prevalence of preneoplastic cells and exacerbated liver cancer due to compromised antitumor immunity. Mechanistically, the cholinergic activity intrinsic in T cells constrained Ca2+-NFAT signaling induced by T cell antigen receptor engagement. Without this cholinergic modulation, hyperactivated CD25+ T regulatory cells and dysregulated PD-1+ T cells impaired HCC immunosurveillance. Our results unveil a previously unappreciated role for cholinergic T cells in liver cancer immunobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxing Zheng
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bryan E Snow
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew J Elia
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert Nechanitzky
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Shaofeng Liu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yin Tong
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Maureen A Cox
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Enrico Focaccia
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrew C Wakeham
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jillian Haight
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chantal Tobin
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kelsey Hodgson
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kyle T Gill
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wei Ma
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thorsten Berger
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mathias Heikenwälder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- The M3 Research Center, Medical Faculty Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mary E Saunders
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jerome Fortin
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suet Yi Leung
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tak W Mak
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Departments of Immunology and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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60
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Cadar R, Lupascu Ursulescu C, Vasilescu AM, Trofin AM, Zabara M, Rusu-Andriesi D, Ciuntu B, Muzica C, Lupascu CD. Challenges and Solutions in the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1987. [PMID: 37895369 PMCID: PMC10608140 DOI: 10.3390/life13101987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has gained attention in the last few years due to its increasing prevalence worldwide becoming a global epidemic. The increasing incidence of NAFLD and the concurrent increase in the number of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases at a global level is a matter of concern. HCC has several risk factors, of which NAFLD and its associated metabolic disturbances-type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and dyslipidemia-are of great interest due to their accelerating rise in incidence worldwide. There is a high amount of data derived from basic and clinical studies that reveal the molecular pathways that drive NAFLD-associated HCC. Based on these findings, new prevention, surveillance, and treatment strategies are emerging. However, current data on treatment modalities in NAFLD-associated HCC are still scarce, though the results from non-NAFLD HCC studies are promising and could provide a basis for a future research agenda to address NAFLD/NASH patients. Clinicians should carefully assess all the clinical and radiological parameters and establish a prognosis based on the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification and discuss in a multidisciplinary team the treatment strategy. The specific factors associated with NAFLD-associated HCC which can have a negative impact on survival even in patients with early HCC, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, should be taken into consideration. This review aims to discuss the latest recommendations regarding the diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD-associated HCC and the remaining challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Cadar
- Department of Surgery, Gr. T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.C.); (A.M.T.); (M.Z.); (B.C.); (C.D.L.)
- General Surgery and Liver Transplant Clinic, St. Spiridon University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Corina Lupascu Ursulescu
- Department of Radiology, Gr. T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Radiology Clinic, St. Spiridon University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alin Mihai Vasilescu
- Department of Surgery, Gr. T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.C.); (A.M.T.); (M.Z.); (B.C.); (C.D.L.)
- General Surgery and Liver Transplant Clinic, St. Spiridon University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Trofin
- Department of Surgery, Gr. T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.C.); (A.M.T.); (M.Z.); (B.C.); (C.D.L.)
- General Surgery and Liver Transplant Clinic, St. Spiridon University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Mihai Zabara
- Department of Surgery, Gr. T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.C.); (A.M.T.); (M.Z.); (B.C.); (C.D.L.)
- General Surgery and Liver Transplant Clinic, St. Spiridon University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Delia Rusu-Andriesi
- Department of Surgery, Gr. T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.C.); (A.M.T.); (M.Z.); (B.C.); (C.D.L.)
- General Surgery and Liver Transplant Clinic, St. Spiridon University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bogdan Ciuntu
- Department of Surgery, Gr. T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.C.); (A.M.T.); (M.Z.); (B.C.); (C.D.L.)
- General Surgery and Liver Transplant Clinic, St. Spiridon University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Cristina Muzica
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gr. T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St. Spiridon University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Cristian Dumitru Lupascu
- Department of Surgery, Gr. T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.C.); (A.M.T.); (M.Z.); (B.C.); (C.D.L.)
- General Surgery and Liver Transplant Clinic, St. Spiridon University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
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Marinović S, Lenartić M, Mladenić K, Šestan M, Kavazović I, Benić A, Krapić M, Rindlisbacher L, Brdovčak MC, Sparano C, Litscher G, Wensveen TT, Mikolašević I, Čupić DF, Bilić-Zulle L, Steinle A, Waisman A, Hayday A, Tugues S, Becher B, Polić B, Wensveen FM. NKG2D-mediated detection of metabolically stressed hepatocytes by innate-like T cells is essential for initiation of NASH and fibrosis. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eadd1599. [PMID: 37774007 PMCID: PMC7615627 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.add1599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from benign steatosis to cirrhosis. A key event in the pathophysiology of MAFLD is the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can potentially lead to fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, but the triggers of MAFLD-associated inflammation are not well understood. We have observed that lipid accumulation in hepatocytes induces expression of ligands specific to the activating immune receptor NKG2D. Tissue-resident innate-like T cells, most notably γδ T cells, are activated through NKG2D and secrete IL-17A. IL-17A licenses hepatocytes to produce chemokines that recruit proinflammatory cells into the liver, which causes NASH and fibrosis. NKG2D-deficient mice did not develop fibrosis in dietary models of NASH and had a decreased incidence of hepatic tumors. The frequency of IL-17A+ γδ T cells in the blood of patients with MAFLD correlated directly with liver pathology. Our findings identify a key molecular mechanism through which stressed hepatocytes trigger inflammation in the context of MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Marinović
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Maja Lenartić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Karlo Mladenić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Marko Šestan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Inga Kavazović
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Ante Benić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Mia Krapić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Lukas Rindlisbacher
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Colin Sparano
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gioana Litscher
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Turk Wensveen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka, Croatia
- Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Cardiometabolism, Thallassotherapia, Opatija
| | - Ivana Mikolašević
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Dora Fučkar Čupić
- Dept. of General Pathology and Pathological Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Univ. of Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Lidija Bilić-Zulle
- Clinical Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Aleksander Steinle
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ari Waisman
- Institute for Molecular Biology, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Adrian Hayday
- Department of Immunobiology, King’s College London, UK
| | - Sonia Tugues
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Burkhard Becher
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bojan Polić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Felix M. Wensveen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka, Croatia
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62
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Kumar V, Hertz M, Agro A, Byrne AJ. Type 1 invariant natural killer T cells in chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1260503. [PMID: 37818376 PMCID: PMC10561218 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1260503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic tissue inflammation often results in fibrosis characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix components remodeling normal tissue architecture and function. Recent studies have suggested common immune mechanisms despite the complexity of the interactions between tissue-specific fibroblasts, macrophages, and distinct immune cell populations that mediate fibrosis in various tissues. Natural killer T (NKT) cells recognizing lipid antigens bound to CD1d molecules have been shown to play an important role in chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Here we review recent data in both experimental models and in humans that suggest a key role of type 1 invariant NKT (iNKT) cell activation in the progression of inflammatory cascades leading to recruitment of neutrophils and activation of the inflammasome, macrophages, fibroblasts, and, ultimately, fibrosis. Emerging evidence suggests that iNKT-associated mechanisms contribute to type 1, type 2 and type 3 immune pathways mediating tissue fibrosis, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Thus, targeting a pathway upstream of these immune mechanisms, such as the inhibition of iNKT activation, may be important in modulating various fibrotic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin Kumar
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- GRI Bio, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Adam J. Byrne
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine and Conway Institute for Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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63
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Allard B, Jacoberger-Foissac C, Cousineau I, Bareche Y, Buisseret L, Chrobak P, Allard D, Pommey S, Ah-Pine F, Duquenne S, Picard F, Stagg J. Adenosine A2A receptor is a tumor suppressor of NASH-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101188. [PMID: 37729873 PMCID: PMC10518627 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101188] [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: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) is a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy currently evaluated in several clinical trials. We here report that anti-obesogenic and anti-inflammatory functions of A2AR, however, significantly restrain hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Adora2a deletion in mice triggers obesity, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and systemic inflammation, leading to spontaneous HCC and promoting dimethylbenzyl-anthracene (DMBA)- or diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC. Conditional Adora2a deletion reveals critical roles of myeloid and hepatocyte-derived A2AR signaling in restraining HCC by limiting hepatic inflammation and steatosis. Remarkably, the impact of A2AR pharmacological blockade on HCC development is dependent on pre-existing NASH. In support of our animal studies, low ADORA2A gene expression in human HCC is associated with cirrhosis, hepatic inflammation, and poor survival. Together, our study uncovers a previously unappreciated tumor-suppressive function for A2AR in the liver and suggests caution in the use of A2AR antagonists in patients with NASH and NASH-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertrand Allard
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Célia Jacoberger-Foissac
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Isabelle Cousineau
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yacine Bareche
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Pavel Chrobak
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David Allard
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sandra Pommey
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Franck Ah-Pine
- Department of Pathology, CHU Sud Réunion, Saint-Pierre, France
| | | | - Fabien Picard
- Montréal Heart Institute, Cardiology Department, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Hopital Cochin, Cardiology Department, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - John Stagg
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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64
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Zheng HC, Xue H, Yun WJ. An overview of mouse models of hepatocellular carcinoma. Infect Agent Cancer 2023; 18:49. [PMID: 37670307 PMCID: PMC10481604 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-023-00524-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become a severe burden on global health due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. However, effective treatments for HCC are limited. The lack of suitable preclinical models may contribute to a major failure of drug development for HCC. Here, we overview several well-established mouse models of HCC, including genetically engineered mice, chemically-induced models, implantation models, and humanized mice. Immunotherapy studies of HCC have been a hot topic. Therefore, we will introduce the application of mouse models of HCC in immunotherapy. This is followed by a discussion of some other models of HCC-related liver diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatitis B and C virus infection, and liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Together these provide researchers with a current overview of the mouse models of HCC and assist in the application of appropriate models for their research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Chuan Zheng
- Department of Oncology and Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, China.
| | - Hang Xue
- Department of Oncology and Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, China
| | - Wen-Jing Yun
- Department of Oncology and Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, China
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Zhong X, Lv M, Ma M, Huang Q, Hu R, Li J, Yi J, Sun J, Zhou X. State of CD8 + T cells in progression from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma: From pathogenesis to immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115131. [PMID: 37429231 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115131] [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: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
With the obesity epidemic, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is emerging as the fastest growing potential cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH has been demonstrated to establish a tumor-prone liver microenvironment where both innate and adaptive immune systems are involved. As the most typical anti-tumor effector, the cell function of CD8+ T cells is remodeled by chronic inflammation, metabolic alteration, lipid toxicity and oxidative stress in the liver microenvironment along the NASH to HCC transition. Unexpectedly, NASH may blunt the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy against HCC due to the dysregulated CD8+ T cells. Growing evidence has supported that NASH is likely to facilitate the state transition of CD8+ T cells with changes in cell motility, effector function, metabolic reprogramming and gene transcription according to single-cell sequencing. However, the mechanistic insight of CD8+ T cell states in the NASH-driven HCC is not comprehensive. Herein, we focus on the characterization of state phenotypes of CD8+ T cells with both functional and metabolic signatures in NASH-driven fibrosis and HCC. The NASH-specific CD8+ T cells are speculated to mainly have a dualist effect, where its aberrant activated phenotype sustains chronic inflammation in NASH but subsequently triggers its exhaustion in HCC. As the exploration of CD8+ T cells on the distribution and phenotypic shifts will provide a new direction for the intervention strategies against HCC, we also discuss the implications for targeting different phenotypes of CD8+ T cells, shedding light on the personalized immunotherapy for NASH-driven HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhong
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Minling Lv
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - MengQing Ma
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Rui Hu
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinyu Yi
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jialing Sun
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaozhou Zhou
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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66
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Petagine L, Zariwala MG, Patel VB. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Immunological mechanisms and current treatments. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:4831-4850. [PMID: 37701135 PMCID: PMC10494768 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i32.4831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) causes significant global disease burden and is a leading cause of mortality. NAFLD induces a myriad of aberrant changes in hepatocytes at both the cellular and molecular level. Although the disease spectrum of NAFLD is widely recognised, the precise triggers for disease progression are still to be fully elucidated. Furthermore, the propagation to cirrhosis is poorly understood. Whilst some progress in terms of treatment options have been explored, an incomplete understanding of the hepatic cellular and molecular alterations limits their clinical utility. We have therefore reviewed some of the key pathways responsible for the pathogenesis of NAFLD such as innate and adaptative immunity, lipotoxicity and fibrogenesis, and highlighted current trials and treatment options for NAFLD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Petagine
- Centre for Nutraceuticals, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W6UW, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammed Gulrez Zariwala
- Centre for Nutraceuticals, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W6UW, United Kingdom
| | - Vinood B Patel
- Centre for Nutraceuticals, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W6UW, United Kingdom
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67
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Brown ZJ, Ruff SM, Pawlik TM. The effect of liver disease on hepatic microenvironment and implications for immune therapy. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1225821. [PMID: 37608898 PMCID: PMC10441240 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1225821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. HCC often occurs in the setting of chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. Recent evidence has highlighted the importance of the immune microenvironment in the development and progression of HCC, as well as its role in the potential response to therapy. Liver disease such as viral hepatitis, alcohol induced liver disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a major risk factor for the development of HCC and has been demonstrated to alter the immune microenvironment. Alterations in the immune microenvironment may markedly influence the response to different therapeutic strategies. As such, research has focused on understanding the complex relationship among tumor cells, immune cells, and the surrounding liver parenchyma to treat HCC more effectively. We herein review the immune microenvironment, as well as the relative effect of liver disease on the immune microenvironment. In addition, we review how changes in the immune microenvironment can lead to therapeutic resistance, as well as highlight future strategies aimed at developing the next-generation of therapies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J. Brown
- Department of Surgery, New York University Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY, United States
| | - Samantha M. Ruff
- James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Timothy M. Pawlik
- James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
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Zhu H, Lin Y, Lu D, Wang S, Liu Y, Dong L, Meng Q, Gao J, Wang Y, Song N, Suo Y, Ding L, Wang P, Zhang B, Gao D, Fan J, Gao Q, Zhou H. Proteomics of adjacent-to-tumor samples uncovers clinically relevant biological events in hepatocellular carcinoma. Natl Sci Rev 2023; 10:nwad167. [PMID: 37575948 PMCID: PMC10416816 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal adjacent tissues (NATs) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) differ from healthy liver tissues and their heterogeneity may contain biological information associated with disease occurrence and clinical outcome that has yet to be fully evaluated at the proteomic level. This study provides a detailed description of the heterogeneity of NATs and the differences between NATs and healthy livers and revealed that molecular features of tumor subgroups in HCC were partially reflected in their respective NATs. Proteomic data classified HCC NATs into two subtypes (Subtypes 1 and 2), and Subtype 2 was associated with poor prognosis and high-risk recurrence. The pathway and immune features of these two subtypes were characterized. Proteomic differences between the two NAT subtypes and healthy liver tissues were further investigated using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry, revealing the early molecular alterations associated with the progression from healthy livers to NATs. This study provides a high-quality resource for HCC researchers and clinicians and may significantly expand the knowledge of tumor NATs to eventually benefit clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwen Zhu
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Youpei Lin
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Dayun Lu
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shisheng Wang
- Institutes for Systems Genetics and NHC Key Lab of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, Sichuan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Pathology in Clinical Application, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yuejia Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Liangqing Dong
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qian Meng
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yuqiu Wang
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Nixue Song
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yuying Suo
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Medicine, McDonnell Genome Institute, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University, St. Louis, MI 63108, USA
| | - Pei Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NewYork, NY 10029, USA
| | - Bing Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Daming Gao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Kotsiliti E, Leone V, Schuehle S, Govaere O, Li H, Wolf MJ, Horvatic H, Bierwirth S, Hundertmark J, Inverso D, Zizmare L, Sarusi-Portuguez A, Gupta R, O'Connor T, Giannou AD, Shiri AM, Schlesinger Y, Beccaria MG, Rennert C, Pfister D, Öllinger R, Gadjalova I, Ramadori P, Rahbari M, Rahbari N, Healy ME, Fernández-Vaquero M, Yahoo N, Janzen J, Singh I, Fan C, Liu X, Rau M, Feuchtenberger M, Schwaneck E, Wallace SJ, Cockell S, Wilson-Kanamori J, Ramachandran P, Kho C, Kendall TJ, Leblond AL, Keppler SJ, Bielecki P, Steiger K, Hofmann M, Rippe K, Zitzelsberger H, Weber A, Malek N, Luedde T, Vucur M, Augustin HG, Flavell R, Parnas O, Rad R, Pabst O, Henderson NC, Huber S, Macpherson A, Knolle P, Claassen M, Geier A, Trautwein C, Unger K, Elinav E, Waisman A, Abdullah Z, Haller D, Tacke F, Anstee QM, Heikenwalder M. Intestinal B cells license metabolic T-cell activation in NASH microbiota/antigen-independently and contribute to fibrosis by IgA-FcR signalling. J Hepatol 2023; 79:296-313. [PMID: 37224925 PMCID: PMC10360918 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is aggravated by auto-aggressive T cells. The gut-liver axis contributes to NASH, but the mechanisms involved and the consequences for NASH-induced fibrosis and liver cancer remain unknown. We investigated the role of gastrointestinal B cells in the development of NASH, fibrosis and NASH-induced HCC. METHODS C57BL/6J wild-type (WT), B cell-deficient and different immunoglobulin-deficient or transgenic mice were fed distinct NASH-inducing diets or standard chow for 6 or 12 months, whereafter NASH, fibrosis, and NASH-induced HCC were assessed and analysed. Specific pathogen-free/germ-free WT and μMT mice (containing B cells only in the gastrointestinal tract) were fed a choline-deficient high-fat diet, and treated with an anti-CD20 antibody, whereafter NASH and fibrosis were assessed. Tissue biopsy samples from patients with simple steatosis, NASH and cirrhosis were analysed to correlate the secretion of immunoglobulins to clinicopathological features. Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis were performed in liver and gastrointestinal tissue to characterise immune cells in mice and humans. RESULTS Activated intestinal B cells were increased in mouse and human NASH samples and licensed metabolic T-cell activation to induce NASH independently of antigen specificity and gut microbiota. Genetic or therapeutic depletion of systemic or gastrointestinal B cells prevented or reverted NASH and liver fibrosis. IgA secretion was necessary for fibrosis induction by activating CD11b+CCR2+F4/80+CD11c-FCGR1+ hepatic myeloid cells through an IgA-FcR signalling axis. Similarly, patients with NASH had increased numbers of activated intestinal B cells; additionally, we observed a positive correlation between IgA levels and activated FcRg+ hepatic myeloid cells, as well the extent of liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Intestinal B cells and the IgA-FcR signalling axis represent potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of NASH. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS There is currently no effective treatment for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is associated with a substantial healthcare burden and is a growing risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We have previously shown that NASH is an auto-aggressive condition aggravated, amongst others, by T cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that B cells might have a role in disease induction and progression. Our present work highlights that B cells have a dual role in NASH pathogenesis, being implicated in the activation of auto-aggressive T cells and the development of fibrosis via activation of monocyte-derived macrophages by secreted immunoglobulins (e.g., IgA). Furthermore, we show that the absence of B cells prevented HCC development. B cell-intrinsic signalling pathways, secreted immunoglobulins, and interactions of B cells with other immune cells are potential targets for combinatorial NASH therapies against inflammation and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Kotsiliti
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Valentina Leone
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Research Unit of Radiation Cytogenetics (ZYTO), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Clinic and Polyclinic for Internal Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany; Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Clinic and Polyclinic for Internal Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Svenja Schuehle
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olivier Govaere
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Hai Li
- Maurice Müller Laboratories (DBMR), University Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Monika J Wolf
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Helena Horvatic
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, University Hospital, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sandra Bierwirth
- Nutrition and Immunology, Technical University of Munich, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; ZIEL - Institute for Food and Health, Technical University of Munich, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Jana Hundertmark
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Donato Inverso
- Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany; European Center of Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Laimdota Zizmare
- Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Werner Siemens Imaging Center (WSIC), Tübingen University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Avital Sarusi-Portuguez
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories at the Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Revant Gupta
- Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Tübingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tracy O'Connor
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; North Park University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Anastasios D Giannou
- Section of Molecular Immunology und Gastroenterology, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg - Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ahmad Mustafa Shiri
- Section of Molecular Immunology und Gastroenterology, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yehuda Schlesinger
- The Concern Foundation Laboratories at the Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Maria Garcia Beccaria
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Rennert
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg - Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Pfister
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rupert Öllinger
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Clinic and Polyclinic for Internal Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Iana Gadjalova
- Center for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Pierluigi Ramadori
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mohammad Rahbari
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nuh Rahbari
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc E Healy
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mirian Fernández-Vaquero
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Neda Yahoo
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jakob Janzen
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Indrabahadur Singh
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Emmy Noether Research Group Epigenetic Machineries and Cancer, Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Chaofan Fan
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xinyuan Liu
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center at the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Monika Rau
- Division of Hepatology, University-Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Feuchtenberger
- Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, Kreiskliniken Altötting-Burghausen, Burghausen, Germany
| | - Eva Schwaneck
- Rheumatology, Medical Clinic II, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian J Wallace
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon Cockell
- School of Biomedical, Nutrition and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - John Wilson-Kanamori
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Prakash Ramachandran
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Celia Kho
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, University Hospital, Bonn, Germany
| | - Timothy J Kendall
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Anne-Laure Leblond
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Selina J Keppler
- Center for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Piotr Bielecki
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Katja Steiger
- Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany; Comparative Experimental Pathology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Maike Hofmann
- Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Tübingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Karsten Rippe
- Division of Chromatin Networks, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Bioquant, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Horst Zitzelsberger
- Research Unit of Radiation Cytogenetics (ZYTO), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Achim Weber
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nisar Malek
- Department Internal Medicine I, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tom Luedde
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Mihael Vucur
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Hellmut G Augustin
- Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany; European Center of Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Richard Flavell
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Oren Parnas
- European Center of Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Roland Rad
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Clinic and Polyclinic for Internal Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany; Center for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Olivier Pabst
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Neil C Henderson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Samuel Huber
- Section of Molecular Immunology und Gastroenterology, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrew Macpherson
- Maurice Müller Laboratories (DBMR), University Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Percy Knolle
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Manfred Claassen
- Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Tübingen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department Internal Medicine I, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Geier
- Division of Hepatology, University-Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Trautwein
- Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Werner Siemens Imaging Center (WSIC), Tübingen University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kristian Unger
- Research Unit of Radiation Cytogenetics (ZYTO), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Eran Elinav
- Immunology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel; Cancer-Microbiome Research Division, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ari Waisman
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center at the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Zeinab Abdullah
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, University Hospital, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dirk Haller
- Nutrition and Immunology, Technical University of Munich, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; ZIEL - Institute for Food and Health, Technical University of Munich, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Quentin M Anstee
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK; Newcastle NIHR Biomedical Research Center, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; M3 Research Institute, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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Fang J, Celton-Morizur S, Desdouets C. NAFLD-Related HCC: Focus on the Latest Relevant Preclinical Models. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3723. [PMID: 37509384 PMCID: PMC10377912 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Despite extensive research, the biological mechanisms underlying HCC's development and progression remain only partially understood. Chronic overeating and/or sedentary-lifestyle-associated obesity, which promote Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), have recently emerged as worrying risk factors for HCC. NAFLD is characterized by excessive hepatocellular lipid accumulation (steatosis) and affects one quarter of the world's population. Steatosis progresses in the more severe inflammatory form, Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), potentially leading to HCC. The incidence of NASH is expected to increase by up to 56% over the next 10 years. Better diagnoses and the establishment of effective treatments for NAFLD and HCC will require improvements in our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of the disease's development. This review describes the pathogenesis of NAFLD and the mechanisms underlying the transition from NAFL/NASH to HCC. We also discuss a selection of appropriate preclinical models of NAFLD for research, from cellular models such as liver-on-a-chip models to in vivo models, focusing particularly on mouse models of dietary NAFLD-HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Fang
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France
- Genomic Instability, Metabolism, Immunity and Liver Tumorigenesis Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Séverine Celton-Morizur
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France
- Genomic Instability, Metabolism, Immunity and Liver Tumorigenesis Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Chantal Desdouets
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France
- Genomic Instability, Metabolism, Immunity and Liver Tumorigenesis Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 75005 Paris, France
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Jiang W, Xu Y, Chen JC, Lee YH, Hu Y, Liu CH, Chen E, Tang H, Zhang H, Wu D. Role of extracellular vesicles in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1196831. [PMID: 37534206 PMCID: PMC10392952 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1196831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease that affects approximately one-quarter of the global population and is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. The lack of current noninvasive tools and efficient treatment is recognized as a significant barrier to the clinical management of these conditions. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale vesicles released by various cells and deliver bioactive molecules to target cells, thereby mediating various processes, including the development of NAFLD. Scope of review There is still a long way to actualize the application of EVs in NAFLD diagnosis and treatment. Herein, we summarize the roles of EVs in NAFLD and highlight their prospects for clinical application as a novel noninvasive diagnostic tool as well as a promising therapy for NAFLD, owing to their unique physiochemical characteristics. We summarize the literatures on the mechanisms by which EVs act as mediators of intercellular communication by regulating metabolism, insulin resistance, inflammation, immune response, intestinal microecology, and fibrosis in NAFLD. We also discuss future challenges that must be resolved to improve the therapeutic potential of EVs. Major conclusions The levels and contents of EVs change dynamically at different stages of diseases and this phenomenon may be exploited for establishing sensitive stage-specific markers. EVs also have high application potential as drug delivery systems with low immunogenicity and high biocompatibility and can be easily engineered. Research on the mechanisms and clinical applications of EVs in NAFLD is in its initial phase and the applicability of EVs in NAFLD diagnosis and treatment is expected to grow with technological progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jiang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Youhui Xu
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jou-Chen Chen
- West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi-Hung Lee
- West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yushin Hu
- West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chang-Hai Liu
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Enqiang Chen
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Tang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Birth Defects Clinical Research Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dongbo Wu
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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He W, Huang Y, Shi X, Wang Q, Wu M, Li H, Liu Q, Zhang X, Huang C, Li X. Identifying a distinct fibrosis subset of NAFLD via molecular profiling and the involvement of profibrotic macrophages. J Transl Med 2023; 21:448. [PMID: 37415134 PMCID: PMC10326954 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04300-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are emerging studies suggesting that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a heterogeneous disease with multiple etiologies and molecular phenotypes. Fibrosis is the key process in NAFLD progression. In this study, we aimed to explore molecular phenotypes of NAFLD with a particular focus on the fibrosis phenotype and also aimed to explore the changes of macrophage subsets in the fibrosis subset of NAFLD. METHODS To assess the transcriptomic alterations of key factors in NAFLD and fibrosis progression, we included 14 different transcriptomic datasets of liver tissues. In addition, two single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets were included to construct transcriptomic signatures that could represent specific cells. To explore the molecular subsets of fibrosis in NAFLD based on the transcriptomic features, we used a high-quality RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) dataset of liver tissues from patients with NAFLD. Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) was used to analyze the molecular subsets of NAFLD based on the gene set variation analysis (GSVA) enrichment scores of key molecule features in liver tissues. RESULTS The key transcriptomic signatures on NAFLD including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) signature, fibrosis signature, non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) signature, liver aging signature and TGF-β signature were constructed by liver transcriptome datasets. We analyzed two liver scRNA-seq datasets and constructed cell type-specific transcriptomic signatures based on the genes that were highly expressed in each cell subset. We analyzed the molecular subsets of NAFLD by NMF and categorized four main subsets of NAFLD. Cluster 4 subset is mainly characterized by liver fibrosis. Patients with Cluster 4 subset have more advanced liver fibrosis than patients with other subsets, or may have a high risk of liver fibrosis progression. Furthermore, we identified two key monocyte-macrophage subsets which were both significantly correlated with the progression of liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients. CONCLUSION Our study revealed the molecular subtypes of NAFLD by integrating key information from transcriptomic expression profiling and liver microenvironment, and identified a novel and distinct fibrosis subset of NAFLD. The fibrosis subset is significantly correlated with the profibrotic macrophages and M2 macrophage subset. These two liver macrophage subsets may be important players in the progression of liver fibrosis of NAFLD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei He
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xaimen, China
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Yinxiang Huang
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiulin Shi
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xaimen, China
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Qingxuan Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xaimen, China
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Menghua Wu
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xaimen, China
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Han Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xaimen, China
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Qiuhong Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xaimen, China
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiaofang Zhang
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Caoxin Huang
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China.
| | - Xuejun Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xaimen, China.
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China.
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Wang H, Shen H, Seo W, Hwang S. Experimental models of fatty liver diseases: Status and appraisal. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e00200. [PMID: 37378635 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fatty liver diseases, including alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affect a large number of people worldwide and become one of the major causes of end-stage liver disease, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, there are currently no approved pharmacological treatments for ALD or NAFLD. This situation highlights the urgent need to explore new intervention targets and discover effective therapeutics for ALD and NAFLD. The lack of properly validated preclinical disease models is a major obstacle to the development of clinical therapies. ALD and NAFLD models have been in the development for decades, but there are still no models that recapitulate the full spectrum of ALD and NAFLD. Throughout this review, we summarize the current in vitro and in vivo models used for research on fatty liver diseases and discuss the advantages and limitations of these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Haiyuan Shen
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wonhyo Seo
- Laboratory of Hepatotoxicity, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seonghwan Hwang
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
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Lee TY, Hsu YC, Ho HJ, Lin JT, Chen YJ, Wu CY. Daily aspirin associated with a reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a population-based cohort study. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 61:102065. [PMID: 37434747 PMCID: PMC10331813 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Emerging laboratory and animal studies suggest that aspirin may prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however clinical evidence remains lacking. Methods Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we screened 145,212 NAFLD patients from 1997 through 2011. After excluding any confounding conditions, 33,484 patients who continuously received a daily dose of aspirin for 90 days or more (treated group), along with 55,543 patients who had not received antiplatelet therapy (untreated group), were respectively recruited. Inverse probability of treatment weighting using the propensity score was applied to balance the baseline characteristics. Cumulative incidence of, and hazard ratio (HR) for HCC occurrence were analyzed after adjusting competing events. The high-risk patients, who were defined as age ≥ 55 years & elevated serum alanine aminotransferase, were further analyzed. Findings The 10-year cumulative incidence of HCC in the treated group was significantly lower than that in the untreated group (0.25% [95% CI, 0.19-0.32%] vs. 0.67% [95% CI, 0.54-0.81%]; P < 0.001). Aspirin therapy was significantly associated with a reduced HCC risk (adjusted HR [aHR] 0.48 [95% CI, 0.37-0.63]; P < 0.001). In the high-risk patients, the 10-year cumulative incidence of HCC in the treated group was significantly lower than that in the untreated group (3.59% [95% CI, 2.99-4.19%] vs. 6.54% [95% CI, 5.65-7.42%]; P < 0.001). Aspirin therapy remained associated with a reduced HCC risk (aHR 0.63 [95% CI, 0.53-0.76]; P < 0.001). Subgroup sensitivity analyses verified this significant association in nearly all subgroups. In the time-varying model amongst aspirin users, HCC risk was significantly lower through the use of aspirin for ≥ 3 years (aHR 0.64 [95% CI, 0.44-0.91]; P = 0.013), when compared with short-term use (< 1 year). Interpretation Daily aspirin therapy is significantly associated with a reduced HCC risk in NAFLD patients. Funding Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng-Yu Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Chun Hsu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fu-Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Health Innovation Center, and Microbiota Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu J. Ho
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Health Innovation Center, and Microbiota Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jaw-Town Lin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ju Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Health Innovation Center, and Microbiota Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Post Baccalaureate Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ying Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Health Innovation Center, and Microbiota Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Translational Medicine, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- National Institute of Cancer Research and Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
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Li M, Sun J, Shi G. Application of CRISPR screen in mechanistic studies of tumor development, tumor drug resistance, and tumor immunotherapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1220376. [PMID: 37427373 PMCID: PMC10326906 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1220376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor is one of the biggest threats to human health. Though tumor therapy has been dramatically advanced by the progress of technology and research in recent decades, it is still far from expectations. Thus, it is of great significance to explore the mechanisms of tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance. Screen based on Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) 9 gene editing technology are powerful tools for exploring the abovementioned facets. This review summarizes the recent screen performed in cancer cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. The screens in cancer cells mainly focus on exploring the mechanisms underlying cancer cells' growth, metastasis, and how cancer cells escape from the FDA approved drugs or immunotherapy. And the studies in tumor-associated immune cells are primarily aimed at identifying signaling pathways that can enhance the anti-tumor function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), CAR-T cells, and macrophages. Moreover, we discuss the limitations, merits of the CRISPR screen, and further its future application in tumor studies. Importantly, recent advances in high throughput tumor related CRISPR screen have deeply contributed to new concepts and mechanisms underlying tumor development, tumor drug resistance, and tumor immune therapy, all of which will eventually potentiate the clinical therapy for tumor patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Li
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Guohai Shi
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
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76
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Chen Y, Wang W, Morgan MP, Robson T, Annett S. Obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma: current status and therapeutic targets. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1148934. [PMID: 37361533 PMCID: PMC10286797 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1148934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a global epidemic and overwhelming evidence indicates that it is a risk factor for numerous cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Obesity-associated hepatic tumorigenesis develops from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), progressing to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and ultimately to HCC. The rising incidence of obesity is resulting in an increased prevalence of NAFLD and NASH, and subsequently HCC. Obesity represents an increasingly important underlying etiology of HCC, in particular as the other leading causes of HCC such as hepatitis infection, are declining due to effective treatments and vaccines. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms and cellular signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated HCC. We summarize the preclinical experimental animal models available to study the features of NAFLD/NASH/HCC, and the non-invasive methods to diagnose NAFLD, NASH and early-stage HCC. Finally, since HCC is an aggressive tumor with a 5-year survival of less than 20%, we will also discuss novel therapeutic targets for obesity-associated HCC and ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinshuang Chen
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Weipeng Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Maria P. Morgan
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tracy Robson
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephanie Annett
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
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Abstract
The understanding of the mechanisms of liver fibrosis has been dominated by models in which chronic hepatocellular injury is the initiating step as is seen with viral infections. The increased prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, and the increases in liver fibrosis due to metabolic syndrome driven non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), has made it a priority to understand how this type of liver fibrosis is similar to, and different from, pure hepatocellular injury driven liver fibrosis. Both types of liver fibrosis have the transformation of the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) into a myofibroblast as a key step. In metabolic syndrome, there is little evidence that metabolite changes such as high levels of glucose and free fatty acids are directly inducing HSC transdifferentiation, however, metabolite changes may lead to reductions in immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective molecules such as lipoxins, resolvins and Interleukin (IL)-22. Cells of the innate immune system are known to be important intermediaries between hepatocellular damage and HSC transdifferentiation, primarily by producing cytokines such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF). Resident and infiltrating macrophages are the dominant innate immune cells, but others (dendritic cells, neutrophils, natural killer T cells and mucosal-associated invariant T cells) also have important roles in inducing and resolving liver fibrosis. CD8+ and CD4+ T cells of the adaptive immune system have been identified to have greater profibrotic roles than previously realised by inducing hepatocyte death (auto-aggressive CD8+T) cells and cytokines producing (TH17 producing CD4+T) cells. Finally, the cellular networks present in NASH fibrosis are being identified and suggest that once fibrosis has developed cell-to-cell communication is dominated by myofibroblasts autocrine signalling followed by communication with cholangiocytes and endothelial cells, with myofibroblast-hepatocyte, and myofibroblast-macrophage signalling having minor roles. Such information is essential to the development of antifibrotic strategies for different stages of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wajahat Mehal
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Lee YS, Seki E. In Vivo and In Vitro Models to Study Liver Fibrosis: Mechanisms and Limitations. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 16:355-367. [PMID: 37270060 PMCID: PMC10444957 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a common result of liver injury owing to various kinds of chronic liver diseases. A deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis and identifying potential therapeutic targets of liver fibrosis is important because liver fibrosis may progress to advanced liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite numerous studies, the underlying mechanisms of liver fibrosis remain unclear. Mechanisms of the development and progression of liver fibrosis differ according to etiologies. Therefore, appropriate liver fibrosis models should be selected according to the purpose of the study and the type of underlying disease. Many in vivo animal and in vitro models have been developed to study liver fibrosis. However, there are no perfect preclinical models for liver fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the current in vivo and in vitro models for studying liver fibrosis and highlight emerging in vitro models, including organoids and liver-on-a-chip models. In addition, we discuss the mechanisms and limitations of each model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Sun Lee
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ekihiro Seki
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
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Li X, Lu Y, Liang X, Zhou X, Li D, Zhang Z, Niu Y, Liu S, Ye L, Zhang R. A new NASH model in aged mice with rapid progression of steatohepatitis and fibrosis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286257. [PMID: 37228085 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a high prevalence worldwide, with a significant proportion of patients progressing into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and further into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most of the current animal models of NASH have limitations, such as incompatibility with human pathogenesis characteristics or long induction periods, which severely limit the development of new drugs and preclinical studies for NASH. We investigated the progression of NASH and fibrosis, as well as metabolic indicators, at different time points in aged mice induced by the Gubra Amylin NASH (GAN) diet, a high-fat, high-sugar, high-cholesterol diet, and attempted to establish a rapid and useful mouse model of NASH. Young and aged C57BL/6 mice were induced on a normal chow or GAN diet for 12 and 21 weeks, respectively. After 12 weeks of induction, aged mice developed NASH, including hepatic steatosis, lobular inflammation and hepatic ballooning, and the phenotype was more severe compared with young mice. After 21 weeks of induction, aged mice developed hepatic fibrosis, which greatly shortened the induction time compared with young mice. Furthermore, analysis of immune cell infiltration in the liver by flow cytometry elucidated the changes of multiple immune cells during the pathogenesis of NASH. These findings suggest that aged mice may develop NASH and fibrosis more rapidly under GAN diet induction, which may significantly shorten the period for preclinical studies of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuecheng Li
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Liang
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Xiaofei Zhou
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Dirui Li
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Zan Zhang
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Yunchao Niu
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Shuaishuai Liu
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Ling Ye
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Rufeng Zhang
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
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Tacke F, Puengel T, Loomba R, Friedman SL. An integrated view of anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic targets for the treatment of NASH. J Hepatol 2023:S0168-8278(23)00218-0. [PMID: 37061196 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Successful development of treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been challenging. Because NASH and fibrosis lead to NAFLD progression towards cirrhosis and to clinical outcomes, approaches have either sought to attenuate metabolic dysregulation and cell injury, or directly target the inflammation and fibrosis that ensue. Targets for reducing the activation of inflammatory cascades include nuclear receptor agonists (thyroid hormone receptor-beta, e.g. resmetirom, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor [PPAR], e.g. lanifibranor, farnesoid X receptor [FXR], e.g. obeticholic acid), modulators of lipotoxicity (e.g. aramchol, acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors) or modification of genetic variants (e.g. PNPLA3 gene silencing). Extrahepatic inflammatory signals from circulation, adipose tissue or gut are targets of hormonal agonists (e.g. glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1] like semaglutide, fibroblast growth factor [FGF]-19 or FGF21), microbiota or lifestyle (weight loss, diet, exercise) interventions. Stress signals and hepatocyte death activate immune responses engaging innate (macrophages, lymphocytes) and adaptive (auto-aggressive T-cells) mechanisms. Therapies seek to blunt immune cell activation, recruitment (chemokine receptor inhibitors) and responses (e.g. galectin 3 inhibition, anti-platelet drugs). The disease-driving pathways of NASH converge to elicit fibrosis, which is reversible. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) into matrix-producing myofibroblasts can be inhibited by antagonizing soluble factors (e.g. integrins, cytokines), cellular crosstalk (e.g. with macrophages), and agonizing nuclear receptor signaling (e.g. FXR or PPAR agonists). In advanced fibrosis, cell therapy with restorative macrophages or reprogrammed T-cells (e.g., CAR T) may accelerate repair through HSC deactivation or killing, or by enhancing matrix degradation. Heterogeneity of disease - either due to genetics or divergent disease drivers - is an obstacle to defining effective drugs for all patients with NASH that will be incrementally overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Tobias Puengel
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rohit Loomba
- NAFLD Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States.
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
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Heymann F, Mossanen JC, Peiseler M, Niemietz PM, Araujo David B, Krenkel O, Liepelt A, Batista Carneiro M, Kohlhepp MS, Kubes P, Tacke F. Hepatic C-X-C chemokine receptor type 6-expressing innate lymphocytes limit detrimental myeloid hyperactivation in acute liver injury. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0102. [PMID: 36972392 PMCID: PMC10503691 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute liver failure (ALF) is characterized by rapid clinical deterioration and high mortality. Acetaminophen (APAP or paracetamol) overdose is a leading cause of ALF, resulting in hepatocellular necrosis with subsequent inflammation, inflicting further liver damage. Infiltrating myeloid cells are early drivers of liver inflammation. However, the role of the abundant population of liver-resident innate lymphocytes, which commonly express the chemokine receptor CXCR6, is incompletely understood in ALF. METHODS We investigated the role of CXCR6-expressing innate lymphocytes using the model of acute APAP toxicity in mice deficient in CXCR6 (Cxcr6gfp/gfp). RESULTS APAP-induced liver injury was strongly aggravated in Cxcr6gfp/gfp mice compared with wild-type counterparts. Immunophenotyping using flow cytometry revealed a reduction in liver CD4+T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and most prominently, NKT cells, whereas CXCR6 was dispensable for CD8+ T-cell accumulation. CXCR6-deficient mice exhibited excessive neutrophil and inflammatory macrophage infiltration. Intravital microscopy revealed dense cellular clusters of neutrophils in necrotic liver tissue, with higher numbers of clustering neutrophils in Cxcr6gfp/gfp mice. Gene expression analysis linked hyperinflammation in CXCR6 deficiency to increased IL-17 signaling. Although reduced in overall numbers, CXCR6-deficient mice had a shift in NKT cell subsets with increased RORγt-expressing NKT17 cells as a likely source of IL-17. In patients with ALF, we found a prominent accumulation of IL-17-expressing cells. Accordingly, CXCR6-deficient mice lacking IL-17 (Cxcr6gfp/gfpx Il17-/-) had ameliorated liver damage and reduced inflammatory myeloid infiltrates. CONCLUSIONS Our study identifies a crucial role of CXCR6-expressing liver innate lymphocytes as orchestrators in acute liver injury containing IL-17-mediated myeloid cell infiltration. Hence, strengthening the CXCR6-axis or downstream inhibition of IL-17 could yield novel therapeutics in ALF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Heymann
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jana C. Mossanen
- Department of Intensive and Intermediate Care, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Moritz Peiseler
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Bruna Araujo David
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Oliver Krenkel
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anke Liepelt
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Matheus Batista Carneiro
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Marlene S. Kohlhepp
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Kubes
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
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82
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Chaudhary S, Rai R, Pal PB, Tedesco D, Singhi AD, Monga SP, Grakoui A, Iyer SS, Raeman R. Western diet dampens T regulatory cell function to fuel hepatic inflammation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.23.533977. [PMID: 36993495 PMCID: PMC10055333 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.23.533977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Background and aims The immunosuppressive T regulatory cells (Tregs) regulate immune responses and maintain immune homeostasis, yet their functions in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis remains controversial. Methods Mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or a western diet (WD) for 16 weeks to induce NAFLD. Diphtheria toxin injection to deplete Tregs in Foxp3 DTR mice or Treg induction therapy in WT mice to augment Treg numbers was initiated at twelve and eight weeks, respectively. Liver tissues from mice and NASH human subjects were analyzed by histology, confocal imaging, and qRT-PCR. Results WD triggered accumulation of adaptive immune cells, including Tregs and effector T cells, within the liver parenchyma. This pattern was also observed in NASH patients, where an increase in intrahepatic Tregs was noted. In the absence of adaptive immune cells in Rag1 KO mice, WD promoted accumulation of intrahepatic neutrophils and macrophages and exacerbated hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Similarly, targeted Treg depletion exacerbated WD-induced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. In Treg-depleted mice, hepatic injury was associated with increased accumulation of neutrophils, macrophages, and activated T cells within the liver. Conversely, induction of Tregs using recombinant IL2/αIL2 mAb cocktail reduced hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in WD-fed mice. Analysis of intrahepatic Tregs from WD-fed mice revealed a phenotypic signature of impaired Treg function in NAFLD. Ex vivo functional studies showed that glucose and palmitate, but not fructose, impaired the immunosuppressive ability of Treg cells. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the liver microenvironment in NAFLD impairs ability of Tregs to suppress effector immune cell activation, thus perpetuating chronic inflammation and driving NAFLD progression. These data suggest that targeted approaches aimed at restoring Treg function may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for treating NAFLD. Lay summary In this study, we elucidate the mechanisms contributing to the perpetuation of chronic hepatic inflammation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We show that dietary sugar and fatty acids promote chronic hepatic inflammation in NAFLD by impairing immunosuppressive function of regulatory T cells. Finally, our preclinical data suggest that targeted approaches aimed at restoring T regulatory cell function have the potential to treat NAFLD.
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83
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Chen H, Tan H, Wan J, Zeng Y, Wang J, Wang H, Lu X. PPAR-γ signaling in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Pathogenesis and therapeutic targets. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 245:108391. [PMID: 36963510 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), currently the leading cause of global chronic liver disease, has emerged as a major public health problem, more efficient therapeutics of which are thus urgently needed. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ), ligand-activated transcription factors of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, is considered a crucial metabolic regulator of hepatic lipid metabolism and inflammation. The role of PPAR-γ in the pathogenesis of NAFLD is gradually being recognized. Here, we outline the involvement of PPAR-γ in the pathogenesis of NAFLD through adipogenesis, insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and fibrosis. In addition, the evidence for PPAR-γ- targeted therapy for NAFLD are summarized. Altogether, PPAR-γ is a promising therapeutic target for NAFLD, and the development of drugs that can balance the beneficial and undesirable effects of PPAR-γ will bring new light to NAFLD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Department of Liver Surgery and Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Huabing Tan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Liver Disease Laboratory, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Juan Wan
- West China Center of Excellence for Pancreatitis, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine / West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Zeng
- Department of Liver Surgery and Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jincheng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haichuan Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Xiaojie Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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84
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Aguilar EC, Fernandes-Braga W, Leocádio PCL, Campos GP, Lemos VS, de Oliveira RP, Caetano de Faria AM, Dos Santos Aggum Capettini L, Alvarez-Leite JI. Dietary gluten worsens hepatic steatosis by increasing inflammation and oxidative stress in ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat diet. Food Funct 2023; 14:3332-3347. [PMID: 36940107 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo00149k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disorder in the world. We have seen that gluten intake exacerbated obesity and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice. In this study, we investigated the effect of gluten consumption on inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver of mice with NAFLD. Male ApoE-/- mice were fed a gluten-free (GF-HFD) or gluten-containing (G-HFD) high-fat diet for 10 weeks. Blood, liver, and spleen were collected to perform the analyses. The animals of the gluten group had increased hepatic steatosis, followed by increased serum AST and ALT. Gluten intake increased hepatic infiltration of neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils, as well as the levels of chemotaxis-related factors CCL2, Cxcl2, and Cxcr3. The production of the TNF, IL-1β, IFNγ, and IL-4 cytokines in the liver was also increased by gluten intake. Furthermore, gluten exacerbated the hepatic lipid peroxidation and nitrotyrosine deposition, which were associated with increased production of ROS and nitric oxide. These effects were related to increased expression of NADPH oxidase and iNOS, as well as decreased activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes. There was an increased hepatic expression of the NF-κB and AP1 transcription factors, corroborating the worsening effect of gluten on inflammation and oxidative stress. Finally, we found an increased frequency of CD4+FOXP3+ lymphocytes in the spleen and increased gene expression of Foxp3 in the livers of the G-HFD group. In conclusion, dietary gluten aggravates NAFLD, exacerbating hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress in obese ApoE-deficient mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edenil Costa Aguilar
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais/UFMG, Caixa Postal 486, 30161-970 Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Weslley Fernandes-Braga
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais/UFMG, Caixa Postal 486, 30161-970 Belo Horizonte, Brazil. .,Precision Immunology Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Paola Caroline Lacerda Leocádio
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais/UFMG, Caixa Postal 486, 30161-970 Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Gianne Paul Campos
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Virginia Soares Lemos
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | | | - Ana Maria Caetano de Faria
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais/UFMG, Caixa Postal 486, 30161-970 Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | | | - Jacqueline I Alvarez-Leite
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais/UFMG, Caixa Postal 486, 30161-970 Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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85
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Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinoma: pathogenesis and treatment. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023:10.1038/s41575-023-00754-7. [PMID: 36932227 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00754-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including its more severe manifestation, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), has a global prevalence of 20-25% and is a major public health problem. Its incidence is increasing in parallel to the rise in obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Progression from NASH to NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (~2% of cases per year) is influenced by many factors, including the tissue and immune microenvironment, germline mutations in PNPLA3, and the microbiome. NASH-HCC has unique molecular and immune traits compared with other aetiologies of HCC and is equally prevalent in men and women. Comorbidities associated with NASH, such as obesity and diabetes mellitus, can prevent the implementation of potentially curative therapies in certain patients; nonetheless, outcomes are similar in patients who receive treatment. NASH-HCC at the early to intermediate stages is managed with surgery and locoregional therapies, whereas advanced HCC is treated with systemic therapies, including anti-angiogenic therapies and immune-checkpoint inhibitors. In this Review, we present the latest knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms and clinical management of NASH-HCC. We discuss data highlighting the controversy over varying responses to immune-checkpoint inhibitors according to underlying aetiology and suggest that the future of NASH-HCC management lies in improved surveillance, targeted combination therapies to overcome immune evasion, and identifying biomarkers to recognize treatment responders.
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86
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Papanastasatou M, Verykokakis M. Innate-like T lymphocytes in chronic liver disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1114605. [PMID: 37006304 PMCID: PMC10050337 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1114605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to its metabolic activities, it is now clear that the liver hosts a number of diverse immune cell types that control tissue homeostasis. Foremost among these are innate-like T lymphocytes, including natural killer T (NKT) and mucosal-associated innate T (MAIT) cells, which are a population of specialized T cells with innate characteristics that express semi-invariant T cell receptors with non-peptide antigen specificity. As primary liver residents, innate-like T cells have been associated with immune tolerance in the liver, but also with a number of hepatic diseases. Here, we focus on the biology of NKT and MAIT cells and how they operate during the course of chronic inflammatory diseases that eventually lead to hepatocellular carcinoma.
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87
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Yahoo N, Dudek M, Knolle P, Heikenwälder M. Role of immune responses for development of NAFLD-associated liver cancer and prospects for therapeutic modulation. J Hepatol 2023:S0168-8278(23)00165-4. [PMID: 36893854 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
The liver is the central metabolic organ of the body regulating energy and lipid metabolism and at the same time has potent immunological functions. Overwhelming the metabolic capacity of the liver by obesity and sedentary lifestyle leads to hepatic lipid accumulation, chronic necro-inflammation, enhanced mitochondrial/ER-stress and development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with its pathologic form nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Based on knowledge on pathophysiological mechanisms, specifically targeting metabolic diseases to prevent or slow down progression of NAFLD to liver cancer will become possible. Genetic/environmental factors contribute to development of NASH and liver cancer progression. The complex pathophysiology of NAFLD-NASH is reflected by environmental factors, particularly the gut microbiome and its metabolic products. NAFLD-associated HCC occurs in most of the cases in the context of a chronically inflamed liver and cirrhosis. Recognition of environmental alarmins or metabolites derived from the gut microbiota and the metabolically injured liver create a strong inflammatory milieu supported by innate and adaptive immunity. Several recent studies indicate that the chronic hepatic microenvironment of steatosis induces auto-aggressive CD8+CXCR6+PD1+ T cells secreting TNF and upregulating FasL to eliminate parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells in an antigen independent manner. This promotes chronic liver damage and a pro-tumorigenic environment. CD8+CXCR6+PD1+ T cells possess an exhausted, hyperactivated, resident phenotype and trigger NASH to HCC transition, and might be responsible for a less efficient treatment response to immune-check-point inhibitors - in particular atezolizumab/bevacizumab. Here, we provide an overview of NASH-related inflammation/pathogenesis focusing on new discoveries on the role of T cells in NASH-immunopathology and therapy response. This review discusses preventive measures to halt disease progression to liver cancer and therapeutic strategies to manage NASH-HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Yahoo
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Dudek
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Percy Knolle
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany.
| | - Mathias Heikenwälder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; The M3 Research Institute, Karl Eberhards Universitaet Tübingen, Medizinische Fakultät, Otfried-Müller-Straße 37, 72076 Tübingen.
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88
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Loosen SH, Kostev K, Luedde T, Roderburg C. Infectious mononucleosis is associated with an increased incidence of NAFLD. Eur J Clin Invest 2023; 53:e13911. [PMID: 36409277 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Although various genetic and lifestyle-related risk factors have been identified, its pathophysiology has not yet been fully unravelled. While acute EBV infection in the setting of infectious mononucleosis can lead to acute hepatitis, the long-term hepatic sequelae of infectious mononucleosis are still poorly understood. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 13,859 patients with and 13,859 matched individuals without infectious mononucleosis from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA). Multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between infectious mononucleosis and NAFLD. RESULTS Within 10 years of the index date, 2.64% of patients with infectious mononucleosis and 1.78% of individuals without infectious mononucleosis had been diagnosed with NAFLD (p < .001). The incidence of NAFLD was 263.9 cases per 100,000 person-years among individuals with infectious mononucleosis and 164.5 cases per 100,000 person-years among those without. Multivariable regression analyses indicated that infectious mononucleosis was significantly associated with the incidence of NAFLD (HR: 1.73) both among women (HR: 1.73) and among men (HR: 1.70). In age-stratified analyses, the association between infectious mononucleosis and NAFLD was most pronounced for the groups aged between 41 and 50 years (HR: 2.94) and >50 years (HR: 2.68). CONCLUSION Infectious mononucleosis is significantly associated with the incidence of NAFLD in a large cohort from Germany. These findings suggest a pathophysiological involvement of EBV in the development of NAFLD and could stimulate research efforts to better understand the pathophysiology of this emerging global medical burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven H Loosen
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Tom Luedde
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph Roderburg
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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89
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Yang L, Hao Y, Boeckmans J, Rodrigues RM, He Y. Immune cells and their derived microRNA-enriched extracellular vesicles in nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases: Novel therapeutic targets. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 243:108353. [PMID: 36738973 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Despite extensive research and multiple clinical trials, there are still no FDA-approved therapies to treat the most severe forms of NAFLD. This is largely due to its complicated etiology and pathogenesis, which involves visceral obesity, insulin resistance, gut dysbiosis, etc. Although inflammation is generally believed to be one of the critical factors that drive the progression of simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the exact type of inflammation and how it contributes to NASH pathogenesis remain largely unknown. Liver inflammation is accompanied by the elevation of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and chemokines and consequently intrahepatic infiltration of multiple types of immune cells. Recent studies revealed that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from inflammatory cells and hepatocytes play an important role in controlling liver inflammation during NASH. In this review, we highlight the roles of innate and adaptive immune cells and their microRNA-enriched EVs during NAFLD development and discuss potential drugs that target inflammatory pathways for the treatment of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yawen Hao
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Joost Boeckmans
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robim M Rodrigues
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Yong He
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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90
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Subramanian P, Gargani S, Kontoyiannis DL, Chavakis T. Reply. Hepatology 2023; 77:E60-E61. [PMID: 36104065 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Subramanian
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine , Technische Universität Dresden , Dresden , Germany
| | - Sofia Gargani
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research , Biomedical Sciences Research Centre "Alexander Fleming" , Vari , Greece
| | - Dimitris L Kontoyiannis
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research , Biomedical Sciences Research Centre "Alexander Fleming" , Vari , Greece.,Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - Triantafyllos Chavakis
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine , Technische Universität Dresden , Dresden , Germany
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91
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Gao Y, Zhu R, Dong J, Li Z. Pathogenesis of NAFLD-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Up-to-Date Review. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023. [DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s400231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
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92
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Wiering L, Subramanian P, Hammerich L. Hepatic Stellate Cells: Dictating Outcome in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 15:1277-1292. [PMID: 36828280 PMCID: PMC10148161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a fast growing, chronic liver disease affecting ∼25% of the global population. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity ranges from the less severe simple hepatic steatosis to the more advanced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The presence of NASH predisposes individuals to liver fibrosis, which can further progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This makes hepatic fibrosis an important indicator of clinical outcomes in patients with NASH. Hepatic stellate cell activation dictates fibrosis development during NASH. Here, we discuss recent advances in the analysis of the profibrogenic pathways and mediators of hepatic stellate cell activation and inactivation, which ultimately determine the course of disease in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leke Wiering
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, BIH Charité Junior Clinician Scientist Program, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pallavi Subramanian
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Linda Hammerich
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
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93
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van Son KC, Verschuren L, Hanemaaijer R, Reeves H, Takkenberg RB, Drenth JPH, Tushuizen ME, Holleboom AG. Non-Parenchymal Cells and the Extracellular Matrix in Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1308. [PMID: 36831649 PMCID: PMC9954729 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041308] [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: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the setting of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related cirrhosis and even in the pre-cirrhotic state is increasing in incidence. NAFLD-related HCC has a poor clinical outcome as it is often advanced at diagnosis due to late diagnosis and systemic treatment response is poor due to reduced immune surveillance. Much of the focus of molecular research has been on the pathological changes in hepatocytes; however, immune cells, hepatic stellate cells, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and the extracellular matrix may play important roles in the pathogenesis of NAFLD-related HCC as well. Here, we review the role of non-parenchymal cells in the liver in the pathogenesis of HCC in the context of NAFLD-NASH, with a particular focus on the innate and the adaptive immune system, fibrogenesis and angiogenesis. We review the key roles of macrophages, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, NKT cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and the role of the extracellular matrix in hepatocarcinogenesis within the steatotic milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen C. van Son
- Department of Vascular and Internal Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lars Verschuren
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Roeland Hanemaaijer
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Helen Reeves
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - R. Bart Takkenberg
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost P. H. Drenth
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten E. Tushuizen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Adriaan G. Holleboom
- Department of Vascular and Internal Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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94
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Kohlhepp MS, Liu H, Tacke F, Guillot A. The contradictory roles of macrophages in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and primary liver cancer-Challenges and opportunities. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1129831. [PMID: 36845555 PMCID: PMC9950415 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1129831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases from varying etiologies generally lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Among them, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects roughly one-quarter of the world population, thus representing a major and increasing public health burden. Chronic hepatocyte injury, inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, NASH) and liver fibrosis are recognized soils for primary liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), being the third most common cause for cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite recent advances in liver disease understanding, therapeutic options on pre-malignant and malignant stages remain limited. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify targetable liver disease-driving mechanisms for the development of novel therapeutics. Monocytes and macrophages comprise a central, yet versatile component of the inflammatory response, fueling chronic liver disease initiation and progression. Recent proteomic and transcriptomic studies performed at singular cell levels revealed a previously overlooked diversity of macrophage subpopulations and functions. Indeed, liver macrophages that encompass liver resident macrophages (also named Kupffer cells) and monocyte-derived macrophages, can acquire a variety of phenotypes depending on microenvironmental cues, and thus exert manifold and sometimes contradictory functions. Those functions range from modulating and exacerbating tissue inflammation to promoting and exaggerating tissue repair mechanisms (i.e., parenchymal regeneration, cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, fibrosis). Due to these central functions, liver macrophages represent an attractive target for the treatment of liver diseases. In this review, we discuss the multifaceted and contrary roles of macrophages in chronic liver diseases, with a particular focus on NAFLD/NASH and HCC. Moreover, we discuss potential therapeutic approaches targeting liver macrophages.
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95
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Zhan X, Fletcher L, Huyben D, Cai H, Dingle S, Qi N, Huber LA, Wang B, Li J. Choline supplementation regulates gut microbiome diversity, gut epithelial activity, and the cytokine gene expression in gilts. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1101519. [PMID: 36819695 PMCID: PMC9931747 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1101519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Choline is an essential nutrient that is necessary for both fetal development and maintenance of neural function, while its effect on female ovarian development is largely unexplored. Our previous study demonstrated that choline supplementation promotes ovarian follicular development and ovulation, although its underlying mechanism was unclear. To uncover the potential regulation pathway, eighteen female Yorkshire × Landrace gilts were fed with either standard commercial diet (Control group, n = 9) or choline supplemented diet (Choline group, additional 500 mg/kg of control diet, n = 9) from day 90 of age to day 186. At day 186, feces samples were analyzed for effects on the gut microbiome using 16S ribosomal RNA gene V3-V4 region sequencing with Illumina MiSeq, serum samples were analyzed for trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) using HILIC method, and jejunum tissues were analyzed for immune related gene expression using qRT-PCR. Our results show that choline supplementation did not alter the circulating level of TMA and TMAO (P > 0.05), but rather increased gut microbiome alpha diversity (P < 0.05). Beta diversity analysis results showed that the choline diet mainly increased the abundance of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, but decreased the abundance of Bacteroidetes, Spirochaetes, and Euryarchaeota at the phyla level. Meta-genomic analysis revealed that choline supplementation activated pathways in the gut microbiota associated with steroid hormone biosynthesis and degradation of infertility-causing environmental pollutants (bisphenol, xylene, and dioxins). To further verify the effect of choline on intestinal activity, a porcine intestine cell line (IPEC-J2) was treated with serial concentrations of choline chloride in vitro. Our data demonstrated that choline promoted the proliferation of IPEC-J2 while inhibiting the apoptotic activity. qRT-PCR results showed that choline significantly increased the expression level of Bcl2 in both IPEC-J2 cells and jejunum tissues. The expression of IL-22, a cytokine that has been shown to impact ovarian function, was increased by choline treatment in vitro. Our findings reveal the beneficial effect of choline supplementation on enhancing the gut microbiome composition and intestinal epithelial activity, and offer insights into how these changes may have contributed to the ovarian development-promoting effect we reported in our previous study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshu Zhan
- Department of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China,Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Lauren Fletcher
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - David Huyben
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Haiming Cai
- Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Serena Dingle
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Nanshan Qi
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada,Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lee-Anne Huber
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Bingyun Wang
- Department of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China,*Correspondence: Bingyun Wang,
| | - Julang Li
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada,Julang Li,
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96
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Identification of a Five Immune Term Signature for Prognosis and Therapy Options (Immunotherapy versus Targeted Therapy) for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2023; 2023:8958962. [PMID: 36785674 PMCID: PMC9918845 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8958962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Immune microenvironment implicated in liver cancer development. Nevertheless, previous studies have not fully investigated the immune microenvironment in liver cancer. Methods The open-access data used for analysis were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA-LIHC) and the International Cancer Genome Consortium databases (ICGC-JP and ICGC-FR). R program was employed to analyze all the data statistically. Results First, the TCGA-LIHC, ICGC-FR, and ICGC-JP cohorts were selected for our analysis, which were merged into a combined cohort. Then, we quantified 53 immune terms in this combined cohort with large populations using the ssGSEA algorithm. Next, a prognostic approach was established based on five immune principles (CORE.SERUM.RESPONSE.UP, angiogenesis, CD8.T.cells, Th2.cells, and B.cells) was established, which showed great prognostic prediction efficiency. Clinical correlation analysis demonstrated that high-risk patients could reveal higher progressive clinical features. Next, to examine the inherent biological variations in high- and low-risk patients, pathway enrichment tests were conducted. DNA repair, E2F targets, G2M checkpoints, HEDGEHOG signaling, mTORC1 signaling, and MYC target were positively correlated with the risk score. Examination of genomic instability revealed that high-risk patients may exhibit a higher tumor mutation burden score. Meanwhile, the risk score showed a strong positive correlation with the tumor stemness index. In addition, the Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion outcome indicated that high-risk patients could be higher responsive to immunotherapy, whereas low-risk patients may be higher responsive to Erlotinib. Finally, six characteristic genes DEPDC1, DEPDC1B, NGFR, CALCRL, PRR11, and TRIP13 were identified for risk group prediction. Conclusions In summary, our study identified a signature as a useful tool to indicate prognosis and therapy options for liver cancer patients.
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97
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Liu J, Ding M, Bai J, Luo R, Liu R, Qu J, Li X. Decoding the role of immune T cells: A new territory for improvement of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. IMETA 2023; 2:e76. [PMID: 38868343 PMCID: PMC10989916 DOI: 10.1002/imt2.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a new emerging concept and is associated with metabolic dysfunction, generally replacing the name of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to heterogeneous liver condition and inaccuracies in definition. The prevalence of MAFLD is rising by year due to dietary changes, metabolic disorders, and no approved therapy, affecting a quarter of the global population and representing a major economic problem that burdens healthcare systems. Currently, in addition to the common causative factors like insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and lipotoxicity, the role of immune cells, especially T cells, played in MAFLD is increasingly being emphasized by global scholars. Based on the diverse classification and pathophysiological effects of immune T cells, we comprehensively analyzed their bidirectional regulatory effects on the hepatic inflammatory microenvironment and MAFLD progression. This interaction between MAFLD and T cells was also associated with hepatic-intestinal immune crosstalk and gut microbiota homeostasis. Moreover, we pointed out several T-cell-based therapeutic approaches including but not limited to adoptive transfer of T cells, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy, especially for natural products and Chinese herbal prescriptions. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the important role of T cells played in MAFLD progression and corresponding therapeutic options and provides a potential reference for further drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Liu
- School of Life SciencesBeijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Mingning Ding
- School of Life SciencesBeijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Jinzhao Bai
- School of Chinese Materia MedicaBeijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Ranyi Luo
- School of Life SciencesBeijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Runping Liu
- School of Chinese Materia MedicaBeijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Jiaorong Qu
- School of Life SciencesBeijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life SciencesBeijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijingChina
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98
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Cannito S, Dianzani U, Parola M, Albano E, Sutti S. Inflammatory processes involved in NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20221271. [PMID: 36691794 PMCID: PMC9874450 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20221271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In the recent years nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a growing cause of HCCs and the incidence of NAFLD-related HCCs is expected to further dramatically increase by the next decade. Chronic inflammation is regarded as the driving force of NAFLD progression and a key factor in hepatic carcinogenesis. Hepatic inflammation in NAFLD results from the persistent stimulation of innate immunity in response to hepatocellular injury and gut dysbiosis as well as by the activation of adaptive immunity. However, the relative roles of innate and adaptive immunity in the processes leading to HCC are still incompletely characterized. This is due to the complex interplay between different liver cell populations, which is also strongly influenced by gut-derived bacterial products, metabolic/nutritional signals. Furthermore, carcinogenic mechanisms in NAFLD/NASH appear to involve the activation of signals mediated by hypoxia inducible factors. This review discusses recent data regarding the contribution of different inflammatory cells to NAFLD-related HCC and their possible impact on patient response to current treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Cannito
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Umberto Dianzani
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, University of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Maurizio Parola
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Emanuele Albano
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, University of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sutti
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, University of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
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99
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Screening of Biomarkers in Liver Tissue after Bariatric Surgery Based on WGCNA and SVM-RFE Algorithms. DISEASE MARKERS 2023; 2023:2970429. [PMID: 36755803 PMCID: PMC9902125 DOI: 10.1155/2023/2970429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
As the most common chronic liver disease around the world, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a close connection with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Bariatric surgery (BS) is considered to be the most effective treatment for NAFLD. However, the regulatory mechanism of hepatic lipid metabolism after BS remains poorly elucidated. By analyzing two transcriptome datasets regarding liver tissues after BS, namely, GSE83452 and GSE106737, we acquired 110 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). By further analysis of DEGs in terms of the weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) algorithms, we identified four crucial genes participating in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism: SRGN, THEMIS2, SGK1, and FPR3. In addition, the results of gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that BS can activate immune-related regulatory pathways and change immune cell infiltration levels. Finally, through cellular level studies, we found that the silencing of SRGN affects the expression of SREBP-1, SIRT1, and FAS during adipogenesis in the liver and the formation of lipid droplets in the liver. In summary, the immune system in the liver is activated after BS, and SRGN participates in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism.
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100
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Fernández-Tussy P, Sun J, Cardelo MP, Price NL, Goedeke L, Xirouchaki CE, Yang X, Pastor-Rojo O, Bennett AM, Tiganis T, Suárez Y, Fernández-Hernando C. Hepatocyte-specific miR-33 deletion attenuates NAFLD-NASH-HCC progression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.18.523503. [PMID: 36711578 PMCID: PMC9882318 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.18.523503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The complexity of the multiple mechanisms underlying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression remains a significant challenge for the development of effective therapeutics. miRNAs have shown great promise as regulators of biological processes and as therapeutic targets for complex diseases. Here, we study the role of hepatic miR-33, an important regulator of lipid metabolism, during the progression of NAFLD. We report that miR-33 is overexpressed in hepatocytes isolated from mice with NAFLD and demonstrate that its specific suppression in hepatocytes (miR-33 HKO ) improves multiple aspects of the disease, including insulin resistance, steatosis, and inflammation and limits the progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Mechanistically, we find that hepatic miR-33 deficiency reduces lipid biosynthesis and promotes mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation to reduce lipid burden in hepatocytes. Additionally, miR-33 deficiency improves mitochondrial function, reducing oxidative stress. In miR-33 deficient hepatocytes, we found an increase in AMPKα activation, which regulates several pathways resulting in the attenuation of liver disease. The reduction in lipid accumulation and liver injury resulted in decreased transcriptional activity of the YAP/TAZ pathway, which may be involved in the reduced progression to HCC in the HKO livers. Together, these results suggest suppressing hepatic miR-33 may be an effective therapeutic approach at different stages of NAFLD/NASH/HCC disease progression.
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