51
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Bian EB, Xiong ZG, Li J. New advances of lncRNAs in liver fibrosis, with specific focus on lncRNA-miRNA interactions. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:2194-2203. [PMID: 30229908 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) were initially thought to be transcriptional byproducts. However, recent advances of ncRNAs research have increased our understanding of the importance of ncRNA in gene regulation and disease pathogenesis. Consistent with these developments, liver fibrosis research is also experiencing rapid growth in the investigation of links between ncRNAs and the pathology of this disease. The initial focus was on studying the function and regulation mechanisms of microRNAs (miRNAs). However, recently, elucidation of the mechanisms of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and lncRNA-mediated liver fibrosis has just commenced. In this review, we emphasize on abnormal expression of lncRNAs in liver fibrosis. Furthermore, we also discuss that the interaction of lncRNAs with miRNAs is involved in the regulation of the expression of protein-coding genes in liver fibrosis. Recent advances in understanding dysregulated lncRNAs expression and the lncRNAs-miRNAs interaction in liver fibrosis will help for developing new therapeutic targets and biomarkers of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Er-Bao Bian
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Xiong
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Neuropharmacology, Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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52
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Liver fibrosis: Pathophysiology, pathogenetic targets and clinical issues. Mol Aspects Med 2018; 65:37-55. [PMID: 30213667 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 587] [Impact Index Per Article: 97.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The progression of chronic liver diseases (CLD), irrespective of etiology, involves chronic parenchymal injury, persistent activation of inflammatory response as well as sustained activation of liver fibrogenesis and wound healing response. Liver fibrogenesis, is a dynamic, highly integrated molecular, cellular and tissue process responsible for driving the excess accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components (i.e., liver fibrosis) sustained by an eterogeneous population of hepatic myofibroblasts (MFs). The process of liver fibrogenesis recognizes a number of common and etiology-independent mechanisms and events but it is also significantly influenced by the specific etiology, as also reflected by peculiar morphological patterns of liver fibrosis development. In this review we will analyze the most relevant established and/or emerging pathophysiological issues underlying CLD progression with a focus on the role of critical hepatic cell populations, mechanisms and signaling pathways involved, as they represent potential therapeutic targets, to finally analyze selected and relevant clinical issues.
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53
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Evaluation of accuracy of elastography point quantification versus other noninvasive modalities in staging of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C virus patients. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 30:882-887. [PMID: 29727382 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000001151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elastography point quantification (ElastPQ) is a newly noninvasive method incorporated into a conventional ultrasound system for staging of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver diseases. AIM The aim was to evaluate ElastPQ reproducibility and its accuracy in staging of liver fibrosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients in comparison with transient elastography (TE) and fibrosis scores [FIB-4 and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI)] using liver biopsy as a reference standard and also to predict the sensitivity and specificity of ElastPQ as well as proposing a cut-off for advanced fibrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS A single-center, cross-sectional study enrolled 72 chronic HCV patients. Baseline demographic and laboratory data were recorded. ElastPQ and TE were performed. Fibrosis scores were calculated. The performance of ElastPQ was compared with that of TE and noninvasive methods (FIB-4, APRI) using liver biopsy as a reference standard using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS ElastPQ is a valuable diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of F≥1, F≥2, and F≥3, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.79, 0.74, and 0.83, respectively. The best cut-off values for ElastPQ were 4.9, 6.6, and 10.7 kPa for mild fibrosis, significant fibrosis, and advanced fibrosis, respectively. ElastPQ correlated positively with all other fibrosis indices (TE, APRI, and FIB-4) as well as liver biopsy. Area under the curve for the diagnosis of advanced fibrosis (F3/F4) using ElastPQ was 0.83 at a cut-off value of 10.7 kPa (P<0.01). CONCLUSION ElastPQ is a promising noninvasive US-based method for assessing liver fibrosis in HCV-related chronic liver disease patients with good diagnostic performance comparable to that of liver biopsy and TE.
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54
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Al-Humadi H, Alhumadi A, Al-Saigh R, Strilakou A, Lazaris AC, Gazouli M, Liapi C. "Extracellular matrix remodelling in the liver of rats subjected to dietary choline deprivation and/or thioacetamide administration". Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2018; 45:1245-1256. [PMID: 30019784 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Choline deprivation is a recognized experimental approach to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, while thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis resembles alcoholic liver fibrogenesis. In order to elucidate the effect of TAA on liver extracellular matrix composition under choline deprivation due to choline-deficient diet (CDD) administration, we evaluated the transcriptional and immunohistochemical (IHC) pattern of major hepatic matrix metalloproteinases (namely, MMP-2, -9) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1, -2) in adult male albino Wistar rats at 30, 60 and 90 days. In the CDD+TAA group, IHC showed an early progressive increase in MMP-2 expression, while MMP-9 initially exhibited a significant increase followed by a gradual decrease; TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 IHC expressions showed gradual increase throughout the experiment. The MMPs-TIMPs regulation at the transcriptional level was found to be increased in all groups throughout the experiment. The increased MMP-2/TIMP-2 and suppressed MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios in IHC and in real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) seemed to correlate with the degree of liver fibrosis. These results support the important role of MMPs and TIMPs in controlling the hepatic pathogenesis and shed more light on the recently described experimental approach to liver disease (steatohepatitis) under the impact of two insults (TAA and CDD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussam Al-Humadi
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
| | - Ahmed Alhumadi
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Rafal Al-Saigh
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Department of Clinical & Laboratory Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
| | - Athina Strilakou
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas C Lazaris
- 1st Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Gazouli
- Department of Basic Medical Science/Laboratory of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Charis Liapi
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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55
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Heidari R, Niknahad H, Sadeghi A, Mohammadi H, Ghanbarinejad V, Ommati MM, Hosseini A, Azarpira N, Khodaei F, Farshad O, Rashidi E, Siavashpour A, Najibi A, Ahmadi A, Jamshidzadeh A. Betaine treatment protects liver through regulating mitochondrial function and counteracting oxidative stress in acute and chronic animal models of hepatic injury. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 103:75-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
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56
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Shah I, Madgum N. Correlation of APRI Index with Metavir Index in Children with Neonatal Cholestasis Without Biliary Atresia. Ann Hepatol 2018; 17:592-595. [PMID: 29893700 DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0012.0924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIM Neonatal cholestasis constitutes for 19 to 33% of all chronic liver disease in India. Cholestasis leads to fibrosis of liver and ultimately cirrhosis. There are various methods of diagnosis of fibrosis of liver like fibroscan, APRI index, FIB-4, fibro index, forns index, heap score, magnetic elastography. Here we are comparing APRI index with METAVIR index in patients with neonatal cholestasis without biliary atresia and determining whether APRI index can be used as a tool to determine fibrosis in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients with neonatal cholestasis without biliary atresia were included in the study. This retrospective analysis was done between 2009 and 2015. All patients underwent a liver biopsy and METAVIR index was calculated. APRI at the time of liver biopsy was determined. RESULTS Forty-eight patients were included in this study with mean age of 3.5 ± 2.8 months with a male: female ratio of 35:13. Metavir Index F0 was seen in was 32 (66.67%) patients, F1 in 6(12.5%), F2 in 4(8.33%), F3 in 0 and F4 in 6(12.5%) patients respectively. Mean APRI for F0-F3 was 1.38 and for F4 was 3.74 respectively. With an APRI of 1.38, the sensitivity and specificity to detect fibrosis/cirrhosis was 100% and 21.43% respectively. CONCLUSION APRI is not an effective tool to measure fibrosis or cirrhosis in patients with non-BA neonatal cholestasis in Indian children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira Shah
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, B J Wadia Hospital for Children, Mumbai, India
| | - Nikita Madgum
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, B J Wadia Hospital for Children, Mumbai, India
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57
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Böttcher K, Rombouts K, Saffioti F, Roccarina D, Rosselli M, Hall A, Luong T, Tsochatzis EA, Thorburn D, Pinzani M. MAIT cells are chronically activated in patients with autoimmune liver disease and promote profibrogenic hepatic stellate cell activation. Hepatology 2018; 68:172-186. [PMID: 29328499 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) are chronic liver pathologies characterized by fibrosis and cirrhosis due to immune-mediated liver damage. In this study, we addressed the question whether mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, innate-like T cells, are functionally altered in patients with AILD and whether MAIT cells can promote liver fibrosis through activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). We analyzed the phenotype and function of MAIT cells from AILD patients and healthy controls by multicolor flow cytometry and investigated the interaction between human MAIT cells and primary human hepatic stellate cells (hHSCs). We show that MAIT cells are significantly decreased in peripheral blood and liver tissue of patients with AILD. Notably, MAIT cell frequency tended to decrease with increasing fibrosis stage. MAIT cells from AILD patients showed signs of exhaustion, such as impaired interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production and high ex vivo expression of the activation and exhaustion markers CD38, HLA-DR, and CTLA-4. Mechanistically, this exhausted state could be induced by repetitive stimulation of MAIT cells with the cytokines interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18, leading to decreased IFN-γ and increased exhaustion marker expression. Of note, repetitive stimulation with IL-12 further resulted in expression of the profibrogenic cytokine IL-17A by otherwise exhausted MAIT cells. Accordingly, MAIT cells from both healthy controls and AILD patients were able to induce an activated, proinflammatory and profibrogenic phenotype in hHSCs in vitro that was partly mediated by IL-17. CONCLUSION Our data provide evidence that MAIT cells in AILD patients have evolved towards an exhausted, profibrogenic phenotype and can contribute to the development of HSC-mediated liver fibrosis. These findings reveal a cellular and molecular pathway for fibrosis development in AILD that could be exploited for antifibrotic therapy. (Hepatology 2018;68:172-186).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Böttcher
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus London, United Kingdom.,Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Krista Rombouts
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Saffioti
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus London, United Kingdom.,Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Davide Roccarina
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus London, United Kingdom.,Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matteo Rosselli
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus London, United Kingdom.,Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Hall
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus London, United Kingdom
| | - TuVinh Luong
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus London, United Kingdom.,Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanuel A Tsochatzis
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus London, United Kingdom.,Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas Thorburn
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus London, United Kingdom.,Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Pinzani
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus London, United Kingdom.,Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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58
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Saad RA, EL-Bab MF, Shalaby AA. Attenuation of acute and chronic liver injury by melatonin in rats. JOURNAL OF TAIBAH UNIVERSITY FOR SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtusci.2013.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ramadan A. Saad
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Fath EL-Bab
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abir A. Shalaby
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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59
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Jamhiri I, Zahri S, Mehrabani D, Khodabandeh Z, Dianatpour M, Yaghobi R, Hosseini SY. Enhancing the apoptotic effect of IL-24/mda-7 on the human hepatic stellate cell through RGD peptide modification. Immunol Invest 2018; 47:335-350. [DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2018.1433202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Iman Jamhiri
- Department of Biology, Cell and Molecular Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Saber Zahri
- Department of Biology, Cell and Molecular Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Davood Mehrabani
- Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zahra Khodabandeh
- Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Dianatpour
- Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ramin Yaghobi
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed Younes Hosseini
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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60
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Heidari R, Ghanbarinejad V, Mohammadi H, Ahmadi A, Esfandiari A, Azarpira N, Niknahad H. Dithiothreitol supplementation mitigates hepatic and renal injury in bile duct ligated mice: Potential application in the treatment of cholestasis-associated complications. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 99:1022-1032. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
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61
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Feng R, Yuan X, Shao C, Ding H, Liebe R, Weng HL. Are we any closer to treating liver fibrosis (and if no, why not)? J Dig Dis 2018; 19:118-126. [PMID: 29389083 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.12584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This review provides a personal view on anti-fibrosis therapy in the liver. The worst clinical consequence of liver fibrosis is the development of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Etiology is a decisive factor which determines patterns of fibrous septa and subsequent vascular remodeling, which is essential for the development of portal hypertension. Removing or controlling the disease-causing agent, i.e. anti-viral treatment for hepatitis, is the essential first step for treating chronic liver diseases and can reverse fibrosis in some settings. However, removing etiology is not always sufficient to prevent fibrosis from progressing towards cirrhosis and portal hypertension. In liver diseases such as severe alcoholic hepatitis and massive parenchymal loss, the formation of vascular anastomoses between portal to central veins based on bridging fibrosis results in cirrhosis and portal hypertension. For these patients, anti-fibrotic treatment is crucial and urgent. Unfortunately, a lack of understanding how fibrosis contributes to vascular remodeling caused by and combined with a lack of suitable experimental models that recapitulate human liver diseases, has hampered the development of successful anti-fibrotic drugs for clinical use to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rilu Feng
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Xiaodong Yuan
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Chen Shao
- Department of Pathology, Beijing You'an Hospital, Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiguo Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing You'an Hospital, Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Roman Liebe
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Hong-Lei Weng
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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62
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Di (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate and Its Role in Developing Cholestasis: An In Vitro Study on Different Liver Cell Types. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2018; 66:e28-e35. [PMID: 29095348 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000001813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer used in many polyvinylchloride medical devices and is washed out easily. Thereby critically ill infants can become exposed to DEHP concentrations significantly exceeding the recommended threshold. We suspect DEHP to play an important role in the development of intestinal failure-associated liver disease. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the direct influence of DEHP on different liver cell types. METHODS HepG2, human upcyte hepatocytes, primary murine hepatocytes, LX-2, human upcyte hepatic stellate cells, and liver organoids were cultured with DEHP (0.5-500 μmol/L) and parameters including cytotoxicity, cell-cell interactions, and expression of metabolizing enzymes were investigated. RESULTS DEHP modulated the expression of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, reduced the formation of bile canaliculi and cell polarity, and inhibited Cyp-activity in hepatocytes. DEHP had a toxic effect on LX-2 and induced the fibrogenic activation of hepatic stellate cells. The mode of action of DEHP was different in monolayer cultures compared to 3D-liver organoids, which were more sensitive to DEHP. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that DEHP modulates expression and activity of drug-detoxifying liver enzymes in humans at a clinically relevant concentration. Furthermore, it may contribute to the development of cholestasis and fibrosis. These findings strongly support the opinion, that there is a significant potential for serious adverse effects of DEHP derived from medical devices on human health, especially in very young infants with immature livers.
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63
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McDyre BC, AbdulHameed MDM, Permenter MG, Dennis WE, Baer CE, Koontz JM, Boyle MH, Wallqvist A, Lewis JA, Ippolito DL. Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis after Oral Hepatotoxicant Administration in Sprague-Dawley Rats. Toxicol Pathol 2018; 46:202-223. [PMID: 29378501 DOI: 10.1177/0192623317747549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The past decade has seen an increase in the development and clinical use of biomarkers associated with histological features of liver disease. Here, we conduct a comparative histological and global proteomics analysis to identify coregulated modules of proteins in the progression of hepatic steatosis or fibrosis. We orally administered the reference chemicals bromobenzene (BB) or 4,4'-methylenedianiline (4,4'-MDA) to male Sprague-Dawley rats for either 1 single administration or 5 consecutive daily doses. Livers were preserved for histopathology and global proteomics assessment. Analysis of liver sections confirmed a dose- and time-dependent increase in frequency and severity of histopathological features indicative of lipid accumulation after BB or fibrosis after 4,4'-MDA. BB administration resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the frequency and severity of inflammation and vacuolation. 4,4'-MDA administration resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the frequency and severity of periportal collagen accumulation and inflammation. Pathway analysis identified a time-dependent enrichment of biological processes associated with steatogenic or fibrogenic initiating events, cellular functions, and toxicological states. Differentially expressed protein modules were consistent with the observed histology, placing physiologically linked protein networks into context of the disease process. This study demonstrates the potential for protein modules to provide mechanistic links between initiating events and histopathological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Claire McDyre
- 1 Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Mohamed Diwan M AbdulHameed
- 2 Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | | | - William E Dennis
- 4 U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research (USACEHR), Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Jason M Koontz
- 4 U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research (USACEHR), Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Anders Wallqvist
- 2 Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | - John A Lewis
- 4 U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research (USACEHR), Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | - Danielle L Ippolito
- 4 U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research (USACEHR), Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
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64
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Heidari R, Ghanbarinejad V, Mohammadi H, Ahmadi A, Ommati MM, Abdoli N, Aghaei F, Esfandiari A, Azarpira N, Niknahad H. Mitochondria protection as a mechanism underlying the hepatoprotective effects of glycine in cholestatic mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 97:1086-1095. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.10.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
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65
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Eulenberg VM, Lidbury JA. Hepatic Fibrosis in Dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2017; 32:26-41. [PMID: 29194760 PMCID: PMC5787209 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.14891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is commonly diagnosed in dogs, often as a sequela to chronic hepatitis (CH). The development of fibrosis is a crucial event in the progression of hepatic disease that is of prognostic value. The pathophysiology of hepatic fibrosis in human patients and rodent models has been studied extensively. Although less is known about this process in dogs, evidence suggests that fibrogenic mechanisms are similar between species and that activation of hepatic stellate cells is a key step. Diagnosis and staging of hepatic fibrosis in dogs requires histopathological examination of a liver biopsy specimen. However, performing a liver biopsy is invasive and assessment of fibrotic stage is complicated by the absence of a universally accepted staging scheme in veterinary medicine. Serum biomarkers that can discriminate among different fibrosis stages are used in human patients, but such markers must be more completely evaluated in dogs before clinical use. When successful treatment of its underlying cause is feasible, reversal of hepatic fibrosis has been shown to be possible in rodent models and human patients. Reversal of fibrosis has not been well documented in dogs, but successful treatment of CH is possible. In human medicine, better understanding of the pathomechanisms of hepatic fibrosis is leading to the development of novel treatment strategies. In time, these may be applied to dogs. This article comparatively reviews the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis, its diagnosis, and its treatment in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V M Eulenberg
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - J A Lidbury
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
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66
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Dropmann A, Dediulia T, Breitkopf-Heinlein K, Korhonen H, Janicot M, Weber SN, Thomas M, Piiper A, Bertran E, Fabregat I, Abshagen K, Hess J, Angel P, Coulouarn C, Dooley S, Meindl-Beinker NM. TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 abundance in liver diseases of mice and men. Oncotarget 2017; 7:19499-518. [PMID: 26799667 PMCID: PMC4991397 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
TGF-β1 is a major player in chronic liver diseases promoting fibrogenesis and tumorigenesis through various mechanisms. The expression and function of TGF-β2 have not been investigated thoroughly in liver disease to date. In this paper, we provide evidence that TGF-β2 expression correlates with fibrogenesis and liver cancer development. Using quantitative realtime PCR and ELISA, we show that TGF-β2 mRNA expression and secretion increased in murine HSCs and hepatocytes over time in culture and were found in the human-derived HSC cell line LX-2. TGF-β2 stimulation of the LX-2 cells led to upregulation of the TGF-β receptors 1, 2, and 3, whereas TGF-β1 treatment did not alter or decrease their expression. In liver regeneration and fibrosis upon CCl4 challenge, the transient increase of TGF-β2 expression was accompanied by TGF-β1 and collagen expression. In bile duct ligation-induced fibrosis, TGF-β2 upregulation correlated with fibrotic markers and was more prominent than TGF-β1 expression. Accordingly, MDR2-KO mice showed significant TGF-β2 upregulation within 3 to 15 months but minor TGF-β1 expression changes. In 5 of 8 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)/hepatoblastoma cell lines, relatively high TGF-β2 expression and secretion were observed, with some cell lines even secreting more TGF-β2 than TGF-β1. TGF-β2 was also upregulated in tumors of TGFα/cMyc and DEN-treated mice. The analysis of publically available microarray data of 13 human HCC collectives revealed considerable upregulation of TGF-β2 as compared to normal liver. Our study demonstrates upregulation of TGF-β2 in liver disease and suggests TGF-β2 as a promising therapeutic target for tackling fibrosis and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Dropmann
- Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tatjana Dediulia
- Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Breitkopf-Heinlein
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Susanne N Weber
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Maria Thomas
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany.,University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Albrecht Piiper
- Medizinische Klinik 1, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Esther Bertran
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and University of Barcelona L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Fabregat
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and University of Barcelona L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kerstin Abshagen
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Jochen Hess
- Research Group Molecular Mechanisms of Head and Neck Tumors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Angel
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cédric Coulouarn
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR991, University of Rennes, Pontchaillou University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Steven Dooley
- Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nadja M Meindl-Beinker
- Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Lee JE, Shin KS, Cho JS, You SK, Min JH, Kim KH, Song IS, Cheon KS. Non-invasive Assessment of Liver Fibrosis with ElastPQ: Comparison with Transient Elastography and Serologic Fibrosis Marker Tests, and Correlation with Liver Pathology Results. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2017; 43:2515-2521. [PMID: 28844464 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the feasibility of using ultrasound shear wave elastography point quantification (ElastPQ) for liver fibrosis staging and compared it with other non-invasive tools with respect to efficacy in liver stiffness measurement. A total of 106 patients who underwent liver stiffness measurements, using ElastPQ and biochemical investigations, before parenchymal liver biopsy or surgery were included. Among these, 51 also underwent transient elastography (TE). Correlations of ElastPQ, TE and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) with histopathological findings (as the reference standard) were determined using Spearman's correlation coefficient. The diagnostic performance of ElastPQ, TE and APRI was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. ElastPQ had good diagnostic accuracy in identifying each liver fibrosis stage, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.810 to 0.864. Stiffness values obtained using ElastPQ, TE and APRI were significantly positively correlated (r = 0.686, r = 0.732 and r = 0.454, respectively) with histologic fibrosis staging (p < 0.001). According to the AUC for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis (≥F2) and cirrhosis (=F4), ElastPQ had better diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.929 and 0.834, respectively) than APRI (AUC = 0.656 and 0.618, respectively) (p < 0.05), and was similar to TE (AUC = 0.915 and 0.879, respectively). ElastPQ is a promising ultrasound-based imaging technique for evaluation of liver fibrosis, with a diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of TE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Eun Lee
- Department of Radiology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Kyung Sook Shin
- Department of Radiology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
| | - June-Sik Cho
- Department of Radiology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sun Kyoung You
- Department of Radiology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Ji Hye Min
- Department of Radiology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Kyung-Hee Kim
- Department of Pathology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - In Sang Song
- Department of Surgery, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Kwang Sik Cheon
- Department of Surgery, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
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Pathophysiology of liver fibrosis and the methodological barriers to the development of anti-fibrogenic agents. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 121:3-8. [PMID: 28600202 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis resulting from long-standing liver damage represents a major health care burden worldwide. To date, there is no anti-fibrogenic agent available, making liver transplantation the only curative treatment for decompensated cirrhotic liver disease. Liver fibrosis can result from different underlying chronic liver disease, such as chronic viral infection, excessive alcohol consumption, fatty liver disease or autoimmune liver diseases. It is becoming increasingly recognised that as a result from different pathogenic mechanisms liver fibrosis must be considered as many different diseases for which individual treatment strategies need to be developed. Moreover, the pathogenic changes of both liver architecture and vascularisation in cirrhotic livers, as well as the lack of "true-to-life" in vitro models have impeded the development of an effective anti-fibrogenic drug. Thus, in order to identify an efficient anti-fibrogenic compound, novel in-vitro models mimicking the interplay between pro-fibrogenic cell populations, immune cells and, importantly, the extracellular matrix need to be developed.
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69
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Mazza G, Al-Akkad W, Rombouts K. Engineering in vitro models of hepatofibrogenesis. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 121:147-157. [PMID: 28578016 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chronic liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide marked by chronic inflammation and fibrosis/scarring, resulting in end-stage liver disease and its complications. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are a dominant contributor to liver fibrosis by producing excessive extracellular matrix (ECM), irrespective of the underlying disease aetiologies, and for many decades research has focused on the development of a number of anti-fibrotic strategies targeting this cell. Despite major improvements in two-dimensional systems (2D) by using a variety of cell culture models of different complexity, an efficient anti-fibrogenic therapy has yet to be developed. The development of well-defined three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models, which mimic ECM structures as found in vivo, have demonstrated the importance of cell-matrix bio-mechanics, the complex interactions between HSCs and hepatocytes and other non-parenchymal cells, and this to improve and promote liver cell-specific functions. Henceforth, refinement of these 3D in vitro models, which reproduce the liver microenvironment, will lead to new objectives and to a possible new era in the search for antifibrogenic compounds.
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70
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Karsdal MA, Nielsen SH, Leeming DJ, Langholm LL, Nielsen MJ, Manon-Jensen T, Siebuhr A, Gudmann NS, Rønnow S, Sand JM, Daniels SJ, Mortensen JH, Schuppan D. The good and the bad collagens of fibrosis - Their role in signaling and organ function. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 121:43-56. [PMID: 28736303 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 297] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Usually the dense extracellular structure in fibrotic tissues is described as extracellular matrix (ECM) or simply as collagen. However, fibrosis is not just fibrosis, which is already exemplified by the variant morphological characteristics of fibrosis due to viral versus cholestatic, autoimmune or toxic liver injury, with reticular, chicken wire and bridging fibrosis. Importantly, the overall composition of the ECM, especially the relative amounts of the many types of collagens, which represent the most abundant ECM molecules and which centrally modulate cellular functions and physiological processes, changes dramatically during fibrosis progression. We hypothesize that there are good and bad collagens in fibrosis and that a change of location alone may change the function from good to bad. Whereas basement membrane collagen type IV anchors epithelial and other cells in a polarized manner, the interstitial fibroblast collagens type I and III do not provide directional information. In addition, feedback loops from biologically active degradation products of some collagens are examples of the importance of having the right collagen at the right place and at the right time controlling cell function, proliferation, matrix production and fate. Examples are the interstitial collagen type VI and basement membrane collagen type XVIII. Their carboxyterminal propeptides serve as an adipose tissue hormone, endotrophin, and as a regulator of angiogenesis, endostatin, respectively. We provide an overview of the 28 known collagen types and propose that the molecular composition of the ECM in fibrosis needs careful attention to assess its impact on organ function and its potential to progress or reverse. Consequently, to adequately assess fibrosis and to design optimal antifibrotic therapies, we need to dissect the molecular entity of fibrosis for the molecular composition and spatial distribution of collagens and the associated ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Karsdal
- Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark.
| | - S H Nielsen
- Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - D J Leeming
- Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - L L Langholm
- Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - M J Nielsen
- Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - T Manon-Jensen
- Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - A Siebuhr
- Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - N S Gudmann
- Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - S Rønnow
- Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - J M Sand
- Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - S J Daniels
- Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - J H Mortensen
- Nordic Bioscience Biomarkers & Research A/S, Herlev, Denmark
| | - D Schuppan
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immune Therapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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71
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Emphasis on Repair, Not Just Avoidance of Injury, Facilitates Prudent Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy. Semin Radiat Oncol 2017; 27:378-392. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2017.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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72
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Sato-Matsubara M, Matsubara T, Daikoku A, Okina Y, Longato L, Rombouts K, Thuy LTT, Adachi J, Tomonaga T, Ikeda K, Yoshizato K, Pinzani M, Kawada N. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) regulates cytoglobin expression and activation of human hepatic stellate cells via JNK signaling. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:18961-18972. [PMID: 28916723 PMCID: PMC5706471 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.793794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytoglobin (CYGB) belongs to the mammalian globin family and is exclusively expressed in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in the liver. In addition to its gas-binding ability, CYGB is relevant to hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer because of its anti-oxidative properties; however, the regulation of CYGB gene expression remains unknown. Here, we sought to identify factors that induce CYGB expression in HSCs and to clarify the molecular mechanism involved. We used the human HSC cell line HHSteC and primary human HSCs isolated from intact human liver tissues. In HHSteC cells, treatment with a culture supplement solution that included fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) increased CYGB expression with concomitant and time-dependent α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) down-regulation. We found that FGF2 is a key factor in inducing the alteration in both CYGB and αSMA expression in HHSteCs and primary HSCs and that FGF2 triggered the rapid phosphorylation of both c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and c-JUN. Both the JNK inhibitor PS600125 and transfection of c-JUN-targeting siRNA abrogated FGF2-mediated CYGB induction, and conversely, c-JUN overexpression induced CYGB and reduced αSMA expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that upon FGF2 stimulation, phospho-c-JUN bound to its consensus motif (5'-TGA(C/G)TCA), located -218 to -222 bases from the transcription initiation site in the CYGB promoter. Of note, in bile duct-ligated mice, FGF2 administration ameliorated liver fibrosis and significantly reduced HSC activation. In conclusion, FGF2 triggers CYGB gene expression and deactivation of myofibroblastic human HSCs, indicating that FGF2 has therapeutic potential for managing liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tsutomu Matsubara
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
| | | | | | - Lisa Longato
- the Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom, and
| | - Krista Rombouts
- the Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom, and
| | | | - Jun Adachi
- the Laboratory of Proteome Research, Proteome Research Center, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Takeshi Tomonaga
- the Laboratory of Proteome Research, Proteome Research Center, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Kazuo Ikeda
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
| | | | - Massimo Pinzani
- the Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom, and
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Guo Y, Liang X, Meng M, Chen H, Wei X, Li M, Li J, Huang R, Wei J. Hepatoprotective effects of Yulangsan flavone against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2017; 33:28-35. [PMID: 28887917 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Yulangsan flavone (YLSF) was extracted from the root of Millettia pulchra Kurz var-laxior (Dunn) Z. Wei, which has been widely used for liver disease treatment in the Guangxi province of China. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE The study was conducted to demonstrate the hepatoprotective effects of YLSF against CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats, meanwhile revealing the potential mechanism. STUDY DESIGN Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats of both sexes were randomly divided into two groups: hepatic fibrosis group and normal control (NC) group. The rats in the hepatic fibrosis group were given 1 ml/kg 50% CCl4 (1:1 mixed with peanut oil), while those in the NC group were given 1 ml/kg normal saline (NS), both via intragastric administration. The established experimental rat model from the hepatic fibrosis group was confirmed by pathological inspection and randomly divided into five groups: three YLSF groups (20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg), a colchicine group (0.20 mg/kg) and a model group (10 ml/kg NS). All rats were treated with corresponding drugs or NS once a day for four consecutive weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, blood serum and hepatic tissue were collected. METHODS The activities of ALT and AST in the serum and the levels of SOD, MDA, GSH and GSH-Px in hepatic tissue were analysed, the indexes of liver, spleen and thymus were counted, the degree of hepatic injury was examined using HE and Masson staining, and the mRNA expression of Col-1, TIMP-1 and TGF-β1 in hepatic tissues was detected. RESULTS Compared with the model group, experimental results showed that YLSF and colchicine could reduce the levels of AST, ALT and MDA, increase the levels of SOD, GSH and GSH-Px, enhance rat survivability, decrease the liver, spleen and thymus index, significantly lessen collagen deposition and tissue damage and down-regulate the mRNA expression of Col-1, TIMP-1 and TGF-β1. CONCLUSIONS Our findings confirm that YLSF has a certain curative effect on rats with liver fibrosis induced by CCl4, and its mechanism may include attenuating free radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and accelerating extracellular matrix degradation by down-regulating expression of related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjia Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, 22, Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Xingmei Liang
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, 22, Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Mingyu Meng
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, 22, Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Hongxia Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, 22, Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojie Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, 22, Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Mingyan Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, 22, Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Juman Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, 22, Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Renbin Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, 22, Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P.R. China.
| | - Jinbin Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University, 22, Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P.R. China
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Mohammed A, Abd Al Haleem EN, El-Bakly WM, El-Demerdash E. Deferoxamine alleviates liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 in rats. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2017; 43:760-8. [PMID: 27168353 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Several chronic liver diseases can lead to the occurrence of hepatic fibrosis through the accumulation of iron, which causes induction of oxidative stress and consequently activation of fibrogenesis. The present study was designed to investigate the potential antifibrotic and anti-oxidant effects of deferoxamine (DFO), a well-known iron chelator in an experimental rat model of liver injury using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ). First, the potential effective dose of DFO was screened against CCl4 -induced acute hepatotoxicity. Then, rats were co-treated with DFO (300 mg/kg, i.p.) for 6 weeks starting from the third week of CCl4 induction of chronic hepatotoxicity. Liver function was assessed in addition to histopathological examination. Furthermore, oxidative stress and fibrosis markers were assessed. It was found that treatment of animals with DFO significantly counteracted the changes in liver function; histopathological lesions and hepatic iron deposition that were induced by CCl4 . DFO also significantly counteracted the CCl4 -induced lipid peroxidation increase and reduction in antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes. In addition, DFO ameliorated significantly liver fibrosis markers including hydroxyproline, collagen accumulation, and the expression of the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation marker; alpha smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). Together, these findings indicate that DFO possesses a potent antifibrotic effect due to its antioxidant properties that counteracted oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation and restored antioxidant enzymes activities as well as reducing HSCs activation and fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Mohammed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ekram N Abd Al Haleem
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Wesam M El-Bakly
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ebtehal El-Demerdash
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University, Cairo, Egypt
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75
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González-Fernández B, Sánchez DI, González-Gallego J, Tuñón MJ. Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Signaling as a Target in Hepatic Fibrosis Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:579. [PMID: 28890699 PMCID: PMC5574909 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is an excess production of extracellular matrix proteins as a result of chronic liver disease which leads to cell death and organ dysfunction. The key cells involved in fibrogenesis are resident hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) which are termed myofibroblasts after activation, acquiring contractile, proliferative, migratory and secretory capability. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid with well-established effects on angiogenesis, carcinogenesis and immunity. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that this metabolite is involved in the profibrotic inflammatory process through the regulation of pleiotropic cell responses, such as vascular permeability, leukocyte infiltration, cell survival, migration, proliferation and HSCs differentiation to myofibroblasts. S1P is synthesized by sphingosine kinases (SphKs) and many of its actions are mediated by S1P specific cell surface receptors (S1P1-5), although different intracellular targets of S1P have been identified. Modulation of SphKs/S1P/S1P receptors signaling is known to result in beneficial effects on various in vivo and in vitro models of liver fibrosis. Thus, a better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the modulation of the S1P pathway could help to improve liver fibrosis therapy. In this review, we analyze the effects of the S1P axis on the fibrogenic process, and the involvement of a range of inhibitors or approaches targeting enzymes related to S1P in the abrogation of pathological fibrogenesis. All in all, targeting this pathway offers therapeutic potential in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Javier González-Gallego
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of LeónLeón, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd)León, Spain
| | - María J Tuñón
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of LeónLeón, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd)León, Spain
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Horowitz JM, Venkatesh SK, Ehman RL, Jhaveri K, Kamath P, Ohliger MA, Samir AE, Silva AC, Taouli B, Torbenson MS, Wells ML, Yeh B, Miller FH. Evaluation of hepatic fibrosis: a review from the society of abdominal radiology disease focus panel. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2017. [PMID: 28624924 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-017-1211-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is potentially reversible; however early diagnosis is necessary for treatment in order to halt progression to cirrhosis and development of complications including portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma. Morphologic signs of cirrhosis on ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) alone are unreliable and are seen with more advanced disease. Newer imaging techniques to diagnose liver fibrosis are reliable and accurate, and include magnetic resonance elastography and US elastography (one-dimensional transient elastography and point shear wave elastography or acoustic radiation force impulse imaging). Research is ongoing with multiple other techniques for the noninvasive diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis, including MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging, hepatobiliary contrast enhancement, and perfusion; CT using perfusion, fractional extracellular space techniques, and dual-energy, contrast-enhanced US, texture analysis in multiple modalities, quantitative mapping, and direct molecular imaging probes. Efforts to advance the noninvasive imaging assessment of hepatic fibrosis will facilitate earlier diagnosis and improve patient monitoring with the goal of preventing the progression to cirrhosis and its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne M Horowitz
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 St. Clair St, Suite 800, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Sudhakar K Venkatesh
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Richard L Ehman
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Kartik Jhaveri
- Division of Abdominal Imaging, Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, Mt. Sinai Hospital & Women's College Hospital, University of Toronto, 610 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Patrick Kamath
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Michael A Ohliger
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF School of Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Anthony E Samir
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Alvin C Silva
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, 13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, USA
| | - Bachir Taouli
- Department of Radiology and Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Ave, Box 1234, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Michael S Torbenson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Michael L Wells
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Benjamin Yeh
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF School of Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Frank H Miller
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 St. Clair St, Suite 800, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
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77
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Li X, Wang L, Chen C. Effects of exogenous thymosin β4 on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury and fibrosis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5872. [PMID: 28724974 PMCID: PMC5517632 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06318-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of exogenous thymosin β4 (TB4) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury and fibrosis in rodent animals. Results showed that both in mice and rats CCl4 rendered significant increases in serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, hepatic malondialdehyde formation, decreases in antioxidants including superoxide dismutase and glutathione, and up-regulated expressions of transforming growth factor-β1, α-smooth muscle actin, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in the liver tissues. Hydroxyproline contents in the rat livers were increased by CCl4. Histopathological examinations indicated that CCl4 induced extensive necrosis in mice livers and pseudo-lobule formations, collagen deposition in rats livers. However, all these changes in mice and rats were significantly attenuated by exogenous TB4 treatment. Furthermore, up-regulations of nuclear factor-κB p65 protein expression by CCl4 treatment in mice and rats livers were also remarkably reduced by exogenous TB4 administration. Taken together, findings in this study suggested that exogenous TB4 might prevent CCl4-induced acute liver injury and subsequent fibrosis through alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiankui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cai Chen
- Teaching and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Xinyang Vocational and Technical College, Xinyang, China
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78
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Qin DM, Zhang Y, Li L. Progress in research of Chinese herbal medicines with anti-hepatic fibrosis activity. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2017; 25:958-965. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v25.i11.958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a common pathological process for various kinds of chronic liver diseases to progress to cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Currently, many natural medicines have been reported and demonstrated to be effective in preventing and curing hepatic fibrosis with few side effects. In China, these medicines are easily available because of the wide raw material source here. These medicines exert anti-fibrosis effects via multiple targets at multiple levels. Therefore, they have their own advantages in healing hepatic fibrosis. This paper summarizes the mechanism of hepatic fibrosis and the progress in research of natural medicines and their active ingredients that have anti-hepatic fibrosis activity, with an aim to provide some clues to preventing and curing hepatic fibrosis with Chinese herbal medicines.
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79
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Abstract
In patients with advanced liver disease with portal hypertension, portal-systemic collaterals contribute to circulatory disturbance, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension. Angiogenesis has a pivotal role in the formation of portal-systemic shunts. Recent research has defined many of the mediators and mechanisms involved in this angiogenic process, linking the central roles of hepatic stellate cells and endothelial cells. Studies of animal models have demonstrated the potential therapeutic impact of drugs to inhibit angiogenesis in cirrhosis. For example, inhibition of VEGF reduces portal pressure, hyperdynamic splanchnic circulation, portosystemic collateralization and liver fibrosis. An improved understanding of the role of other angiogenic factors provides hope for a novel targeted therapy for portal hypertension with a tolerable adverse effect profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Cristóbal Gana
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Division of Pediatrics, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Chile
| | - Carolina A Serrano
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Division of Pediatrics, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Chile
| | - Simon C Ling
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, and The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
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80
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Choi MJ, Zheng HM, Kim JM, Lee KW, Park YH, Lee DH. Protective effects of Centella asiatica leaf extract on dimethylnitrosamine‑induced liver injury in rats. Mol Med Rep 2016; 14:4521-4528. [PMID: 27748812 PMCID: PMC5101987 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress in liver injury is a major pathogenetic factor in the progression of liver damage. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, known in the United States as Gotu kola, is widely used as a traditional herbal medicine in Chinese or Indian Pennywort. The efficacy of Centella asiatica is comprehensive and is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, for memory improvement, for its antitumor activity and for treatment of gastric ulcers. The present study investigated the protective effects of Centella asiatica on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver injury in rats. The rats in the treatment groups were treated with Centella asiatica at either 100 or 200 mg/kg in distilled water (D.W) or with silymarin (200 mg/kg in D.W) by oral administration for 5 days daily following intraperitoneal injections of 30 mg/kg DMN. Centella asiatica significantly decreased the relative liver weights in the DMN-induced liver injury group, compared with the control. The assessment of liver histology showed that Centella asiatica significantly alleviated mass periportal ± bridging necrosis, intralobular degeneration and focal necrosis, with fibrosis of liver tissues. Additionally, Centella asiatica significantly decreased the level of malondialdehyde, significantly increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, and may have provided protection against the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species. In addition, Centella asiatica significantly decreased inflammatory mediators, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor. These results suggested that Centella asiatica had hepatoprotective effects through increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes and reducing the levels of inflammatory mediators in rats with DMN-induced liver injury. Therefore, Centella asiatica may be useful in preventing liver damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myung-Joo Choi
- Department of New Drug Development, College of Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Incheon 400‑712, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong-Mei Zheng
- Department of New Drug Development, College of Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Incheon 400‑712, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Min Kim
- National Center of Efficacy Evaluation for the Development of Health Products Targeting Digestive Disorders, Inha University Hospital, Incheon 400‑712, Republic of Korea
| | - Kye Wan Lee
- Dongkook Pharmaceutical R&D Center, Gangnam‑gu, Seoul 135‑502, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Hwa Park
- Dongkook Pharmaceutical R&D Center, Gangnam‑gu, Seoul 135‑502, Republic of Korea
| | - Don Haeng Lee
- Department of New Drug Development, College of Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Incheon 400‑712, Republic of Korea
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81
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Guerra S, Mamede AC, Carvalho MJ, Laranjo M, Tralhão JG, Abrantes AM, Maia CJ, Botelho MF. Liver diseases: what is known so far about the therapy with human amniotic membrane? Cell Tissue Bank 2016; 17:653-663. [PMID: 27550013 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-016-9579-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Liver, the largest intern organ of the human body, is responsible for several vital tasks such as digestive and excretory functions, as well as for nutrients storage and metabolic functions, synthesis of new molecules and purification of toxic chemicals. Cirrhosis, fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are the most prevalent liver diseases. Despite all the studies performed so far, treatment options for these diseases are very limited. For this reason, it is urgent to find effective therapies for these pathologies. Several studies have been performed during the last decade about the possible application of human amniotic membrane in hepatic diseases therapy. Promising results about human amniotic membrane or its derived cells, in vitro and in vivo, applications in fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were already published. Since it is an attractive study area, it is becoming a dynamic scientific subject. However, the action mechanisms of human amniotic membrane and its derived cells in hepatic diseases therapy must be precisely known in order that this promising therapy could be clinically used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Guerra
- Biophysics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba - Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Catarina Mamede
- Biophysics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba - Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal. .,CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal. .,CIMAGO, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Maria João Carvalho
- Biophysics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba - Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIMAGO, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Obstetrics Service, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Mafalda Laranjo
- Biophysics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba - Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIMAGO, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Guilherme Tralhão
- Biophysics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba - Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIMAGO, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Surgical Department A, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Margarida Abrantes
- Biophysics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba - Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIMAGO, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cláudio Jorge Maia
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Maria Filomena Botelho
- Biophysics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba - Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIMAGO, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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82
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Abd-Elgawad H, Abu-Elsaad N, El-Karef A, Ibrahim T. Piceatannol increases the expression of hepatocyte growth factor and IL-10 thereby protecting hepatocytes in thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2016; 94:779-87. [DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2016-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Piceatannol is a polyphenolic analog of resveratrol that selectively inhibits the non-receptor tyrosine kinase-Syk. This study investigates the potential ability of piceatannol to attenuate liver fibrosis and protect hepatocytes from injury. Thioacetamide was injected in adult male mice (100 mg/kg, i.p., 3 times/week) for 8 weeks. Piceatannol (1 or 5 mg/kg per day) was administered by oral gavage during the last 4 weeks. Liver function biomarkers, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), cytokeratin-18 (CK18), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured. Necroinflammation, fibrosis, expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) were scored by histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry. Obtained results showed ability of piceatannol (1 mg/kg) to restore liver function and reduce inflammation. It significantly (p < 0.001) reduced MDA, CK18, TGF-β1, and α-SMA expression, and increased HGF and IL-10. It can be concluded that piceatannol at low dose can inhibit TGF-β1 induced hepatocytes apoptosis and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect attenuating fibrosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem Abd-Elgawad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Nashwa Abu-Elsaad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Amr El-Karef
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Tarek Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
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83
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Kim Y, Lee EJ, Jang HK, Kim CH, Kim DG, Han JH, Park SM. Statin pretreatment inhibits the lipopolysaccharide-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the downregulation of toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor-κB in human biliary epithelial cells. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016; 31:1220-8. [PMID: 26574150 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.13230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of biliary epithelial cells (BECs) plays an important role in biliary fibrosis. This study investigated the effects of simvastatin on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced EMT and related signal pathways in BECs. METHODS Biliary epithelial cells were exposed to LPS (2 µg/mL) or transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) (5 ng/mL) for 5 days. The EMT was assessed by a gain of mesenchymal cell markers (vimentin, N-cadherin, slug, and Twist-1) and a loss of epithelial cell markers (E-cadherin). The effects of simvastatin on the EMT induced by LPS or TGF-β1 were determined by the changes in the levels of EMT markers and TLR4 and in the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. RESULTS Compared with the BECs treated with LPS alone, co-treatment with simvastatin and LPS induced an increase in the expression of E-cadherin and decreases in the expression levels of mesenchymal cell markers. The LPS-induced TLR4 expression level was slightly decreased by co-treatment with simvastatin. LPS-induced BEC growth was markedly inhibited by co-treatment with simvastatin. Furthermore, pretreatment with simvastatin inhibited the LPS-induced EMT in BECs by downregulating NF-κB and JNK phosphorylation. The suppressive effects of simvastatin pretreatment on the induction of the EMT by TGF-β1 were also demonstrated in H69 cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that LPS or TGF-β1 promote the EMT in BECs that that pretreatment with simvastatin inhibited the induced EMT by downregulating toll-like receptor 4 and NF-κB phosphorylation. This finding suggests that simvastatin can be considered a new agent for preventing biliary fibrosis associated with the EMT of BECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangmi Kim
- Departments of Physiology, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Chungbuk, Korea
| | - Eun Jeoung Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Chungbuk, Korea
| | - Hee Kyung Jang
- Departments of Physiology, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Chungbuk, Korea
| | - Chan Hyung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Chungbuk, Korea
| | - Dae-Ghon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Joung-Ho Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Chungbuk, Korea
| | - Seon Mee Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Chungbuk, Korea
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84
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Abstract
Liver fibrosis, a major characteristic of chronic liver disease, is inappropriate tissue remodeling caused by prolonged parenchymal cell injury and inflammation. During liver injury, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) undergo transdifferentiation from quiescent HSCs into activated HSCs, which promote the deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, leading to liver fibrosis. Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), a major actin-sequestering protein, is the most abundant member of the highly conserved β-thymosin family and controls cell morphogenesis and motility by regulating the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton. Tβ4 is known to be involved in various cellular responses, including antiinflammation, wound healing, angiogenesis, and cancer progression. Emerging evidence suggests that Tβ4 is expressed in the liver; however, its biological roles are poorly understood. Herein, we introduce liver fibrogenesis and recent findings regarding the function of Tβ4 in various tissues and discuss the potential role of Tβ4 in liver fibrosis with a special focus on the effects of exogenous and endogenous Tβ4. Recent studies have revealed that activated HSCs express Tβ4 in vivo and in vitro. Treatment with the exogenous Tβ4 peptide inhibits the proliferation and migration of activated HSCs and reduces liver fibrosis, indicating it has an antifibrotic action. Meanwhile, the endogenously expressed Tβ4 in activated HSCs is shown to promote HSCs activation. Although the role of Tβ4 has not been elucidated, it is apparent that Tβ4 is associated with HSC activation. Therefore, understanding the potential roles and regulatory mechanisms of Tβ4 in liver fibrosis may provide a novel treatment for patients.
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85
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Shrestha N, Chand L, Han MK, Lee SO, Kim CY, Jeong YJ. Glutamine inhibits CCl4 induced liver fibrosis in mice and TGF-β1 mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in mouse hepatocytes. Food Chem Toxicol 2016; 93:129-37. [PMID: 27137983 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2016.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Glutamine, traditionally a non-essential amino acid, now has been considered as essential in serious illness and injury. It is a major precursor for glutathione synthesis. However, the anti-fibrotic effect of glutamine and its molecular mechanism in experimental liver fibrosis have not been explored. In the present study we aimed to examine the potential role of glutamine in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis and TGF-β1 mediated epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and apoptosis in mouse hepatocytes. Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 three times a week for 10 weeks. Glutamine treatment effectively attenuated liver injury and oxidative stress. Collagen content was significantly decreased in liver sections of glutamine treated mice compared to CCl4 model mice. Furthermore, glutamine decreased expression level of α-SMA and TGF-β in liver tissue. Our in vitro study showed that TGF-β1 treatment in hepatocytes resulted in loss of E-cadherin and increased expression of mesenchymal markers and EMT related transcription factor. In addition, TGF-β1 increased the expression of apoptotic markers. However, glutamine interestingly suppressed TGF-β1 mediated EMT and apoptosis. In conclusion, our results suggest that glutamine ameliorates CCl4 induced liver fibrosis and suppresses TGF-β1 induced EMT progression and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirajan Shrestha
- Laboratory of Liver Regeneration, Biomedical Research Institute, Chonbuk National University Hospital, 561-712, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Lokendra Chand
- Laboratory of Liver Regeneration, Biomedical Research Institute, Chonbuk National University Hospital, 561-712, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Myung Kwan Han
- Department of Microbiology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, 561-712, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Seung Ok Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, 561-712, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Chan Young Kim
- Department of Surgery, Chonbuk National University Medical School, 561-712, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Yeon Jun Jeong
- Laboratory of Liver Regeneration, Biomedical Research Institute, Chonbuk National University Hospital, 561-712, Jeonju, South Korea; Department of Surgery, Chonbuk National University Medical School, 561-712, Jeonju, South Korea.
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86
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Jalan R, De Chiara F, Balasubramaniyan V, Andreola F, Khetan V, Malago M, Pinzani M, Mookerjee RP, Rombouts K. Ammonia produces pathological changes in human hepatic stellate cells and is a target for therapy of portal hypertension. J Hepatol 2016; 64:823-33. [PMID: 26654994 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are vital to hepatocellular function and the liver response to injury. They share a phenotypic homology with astrocytes that are central in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy, a condition in which hyperammonemia plays a pathogenic role. This study tested the hypothesis that ammonia modulates human HSC activation in vitro and in vivo, and evaluated whether ammonia lowering, by using l-ornithine phenylacetate (OP), modifies HSC activation in vivo and reduces portal pressure in a bile duct ligation (BDL) model. METHODS Primary human HSCs were isolated and cultured. Proliferation (BrdU), metabolic activity (MTS), morphology (transmission electron, light and immunofluorescence microscopy), HSC activation markers, ability to contract, changes in oxidative status (ROS) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) were evaluated to identify effects of ammonia challenge (50 μM, 100 μM, 300 μM) over 24-72 h. Changes in plasma ammonia levels, markers of HSC activation, portal pressure and hepatic eNOS activity were quantified in hyperammonemic BDL animals, and after OP treatment. RESULTS Pathophysiological ammonia concentrations caused significant and reversible changes in cell proliferation, metabolic activity and activation markers of hHSC in vitro. Ammonia also induced significant alterations in cellular morphology, characterised by cytoplasmic vacuolisation, ER enlargement, ROS production, hHSC contraction and changes in pro-inflammatory gene expression together with HSC-related activation markers such as α-SMA, myosin IIa, IIb, and PDGF-Rβ. Treatment with OP significantly reduced plasma ammonia (BDL 199.1 μmol/L±43.65 vs. BDL+OP 149.27 μmol/L±51.1, p<0.05) and portal pressure (BDL 14±0.6 vs. BDL+OP 11±0.3 mmHg, p<0.01), which was associated with increased eNOS activity and abrogation of HSC activation markers. CONCLUSIONS The results show for the first time that ammonia produces deleterious morphological and functional effects on HSCs in vitro. Targeting ammonia with the ammonia lowering drug OP reduces portal pressure and deactivates hHSC in vivo, highlighting the opportunity for evaluating ammonia lowering as a potential therapy in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver & Digestive Health, University College of London, Royal Free, London, UK
| | - Francesco De Chiara
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver & Digestive Health, University College of London, Royal Free, London, UK
| | - Vairappan Balasubramaniyan
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver & Digestive Health, University College of London, Royal Free, London, UK
| | - Fausto Andreola
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver & Digestive Health, University College of London, Royal Free, London, UK
| | - Varun Khetan
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver & Digestive Health, University College of London, Royal Free, London, UK
| | - Massimo Malago
- Division of Surgery, University College London, Royal Free, London, UK
| | - Massimo Pinzani
- Regenerative Medicine & Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver & Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free, London, UK
| | - Rajeshwar P Mookerjee
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver & Digestive Health, University College of London, Royal Free, London, UK.
| | - Krista Rombouts
- Regenerative Medicine & Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver & Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free, London, UK.
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87
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Abstract
Ultrasound elastography, also termed sonoelastography, is being used increasingly in clinical practice to aid the diagnosis and management of diffuse liver disease. Elastography has been shown to be capable of differentiating advanced and early-stage liver fibrosis, and consequently a major application in clinical liver care includes progression to cirrhosis risk stratification through (1) assessment of liver fibrosis stage in HCV and HBV patients, (2) distinguishing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis from simple steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients, and (3) prognostic evaluation of liver disease is autoimmune liver disease. In addition, elastographic characterization of focal liver lesions and evaluation of clinically significant portal hypertension have the potential to be clinically useful and are areas of active clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Dhyani
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA,
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88
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Ahn J, Son MK, Jung KH, Kim K, Kim GJ, Lee SH, Hong SS, Park SG. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase interacting multi-functional protein 1 attenuates liver fibrosis by inhibiting TGFβ signaling. Int J Oncol 2015; 48:747-55. [PMID: 26692190 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.3303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase interacting multi-functional protein 1 (AIMP1) participates in a variety of cellular processes, including translation, cell proliferation, inflammation and wound healing. Previously, we showed that the N-terminal peptide of AIMP1 (6-46 aa) induced ERK phosphorylation. Liver fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, which is induced by TGFβ signaling, and activated ERK is known to induce the phosphorylation of SMAD, thereby inhibiting TGFβ signaling. We assessed whether the AIMP1 peptide can inhibit collagen synthesis in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) by activating ERK. The AIMP1 peptide induced phosphorylation of SMAD2 via ERK activation, and inhibited the nuclear translocation of SMAD, resulting in a reduction of the synthesis of type I collagen. The AIMP1 peptide attenuated liver fibrosis induced by CCl4, in a dose-dependent manner. Masson-Trichrome staining showed that the AIMP1 peptide reduced collagen deposition. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the levels of α-SMA, TGFβ and type I collagen were all reduced by the AIMP1 peptide. Liver toxicity analysis showed that the AIMP1 peptide improved the levels of relevant biological parameters in the blood. These results suggest that AIMP1 peptide may have potential for development as a therapeutic agent to treat liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongchan Ahn
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Gyunggido, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Kwon Son
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hee Jung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangil Kim
- Department of Pathology, Bundang CHA General Hospital, CHA University, Gyunggido, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi Jin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Gyunggido, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Hong Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Gyunggido, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Sun Hong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Gyu Park
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Ajou University, Suwon, Gyunggido, Republic of Korea
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89
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Ippolito DL, AbdulHameed MDM, Tawa GJ, Baer CE, Permenter MG, McDyre BC, Dennis WE, Boyle MH, Hobbs CA, Streicker MA, Snowden BS, Lewis JA, Wallqvist A, Stallings JD. Gene Expression Patterns Associated With Histopathology in Toxic Liver Fibrosis. Toxicol Sci 2015; 149:67-88. [DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfv214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
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90
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Wang Y, Zhang X, Yang Y, Yang X, Ye B. Study on the Antifibrotic Effects of Recombinant Shark Hepatical Stimulator Analogue (r-sHSA) in Vitro and in Vivo. Mar Drugs 2015; 13:5201-18. [PMID: 26295240 PMCID: PMC4557020 DOI: 10.3390/md13085201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is an effusive wound healing process, characterized by an excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), as the consequence of chronic liver injury of any etiology. Current therapeutic repertoire for hepatic fibrosis is limited to withdrawal of the noxious agent, which is not always feasible. Hence, in this article, the antifibrotic effects and possible mechanisms of r-sHSA, a recombinant protein with hepatoprotection potential, were investigated. Using NIH/3T3 (mouse embro-fibroblast cell line), skin fibroblasts (human skin fibroblasts, SFBs) and HSC-T6 (rat hepatic stellate cell line), the in vitro effect of r-sHSA was evaluated by measuring the expression levels of alpha-1 Type I collagen (Col1A1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). It turned out those fibrosis indicators were typically inhibited by r-sHSA, suggesting its capacity in HSCs inactivation. The antifibrotic activity of r-sHSA was further investigated in vivo on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis, in view of significant improvement of the biochemical and histological indicators. More specifically, CCl4-intoxication induced a significant increase in serological biomarkers, e.g., transaminase (AST, ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as disturbed hepatic antioxidative status; most of the parameters were spontaneously ameliorated to a large extent by withdrawal of CCl4, although the fibrotic lesion was observed histologically. In contrast, r-sHSA treatment markedly eliminated fibrous deposits and restored architecture of the liver in a dose dependent manner, concomitantly with the phenomena of inflammation relief and HSCs deactivation. To sum up, these findings suggest a therapeutic potential for r-sHSA in hepatic fibrosis, though further studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Xiaoyuan Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Xiaohong Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Boping Ye
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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91
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Abstract
Progressive accumulation of fibrillar extracellular matrix (ECM) in the liver is the consequence of reiterated liver tissue damage due to infective (mostly hepatitis B and C viruses), toxic/drug-induced, metabolic and autoimmune causes, and the relative chronic activation of the wound-healing reaction. The process may result in clinically evident liver cirrhosis and hepatic failure. Although cirrhosis is the common result of progressive fibrogenesis, there are distinct patterns of fibrotic development related to the underlying disorders causing the fibrosis. These different patterns of fibrogenic evolution are related to different factors and particularly: (1) the topographic localization of tissue damage, (2) the relative concentration of profibrogenic factors and (3) the prevalent profibrogenic mechanism(s). The mechanisms responsible for the fibrogenic evolution of chronic liver diseases can be summarized in three main groups: chronic activation of the wound-healing reaction, oxidative stress-related molecular mechanisms, and the derangement of the so-called 'epithelial-mesenchymal' interaction leading to the generation of reactive cholangiocytes and peribiliary fibrosis. Most of the knowledge on the cell and molecular biology of hepatic fibrosis derives from in vitro studies employing culture of activated hepatic stellate cells isolated from rat, mouse or human liver. It is now evident that other ECM-producing cells, i.e. fibroblasts and myofibroblasts of the portal tract and circulating 'fibrocytes', are likely to contribute to liver fibrosis. More recently, the attention is progressively shifting to the profibrotic microenvironment of the liver with increasing interest for the role of immune cells and specific subsets of macrophages regulating the progression or the regression of fibrosis, the role of intestinal microbiota and the influence of tissue stiffness. Other major areas of development include the role of tissue hypoxia and the establishment of an anaerobic proinflammatory environment and the influence of epigenetic modification in conditioning the progression of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Pinzani
- UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
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92
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Karsdal MA, Manon-Jensen T, Genovese F, Kristensen JH, Nielsen MJ, Sand JMB, Hansen NUB, Bay-Jensen AC, Bager CL, Krag A, Blanchard A, Krarup H, Leeming DJ, Schuppan D. Novel insights into the function and dynamics of extracellular matrix in liver fibrosis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2015; 308:G807-30. [PMID: 25767261 PMCID: PMC4437019 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00447.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that altered components and posttranslational modifications of proteins in the extracellular matrix (ECM) may both initiate and drive disease progression. The ECM is a complex grid consisting of multiple proteins, most of which play a vital role in containing the essential information needed for maintenance of a sophisticated structure anchoring the cells and sustaining normal function of tissues. Therefore, the matrix itself may be considered as a paracrine/endocrine entity, with more complex functions than previously appreciated. The aims of this review are to 1) explore key structural and functional components of the ECM as exemplified by monogenetic disorders leading to severe pathologies, 2) discuss selected pathological posttranslational modifications of ECM proteins resulting in altered functional (signaling) properties from the original structural proteins, and 3) discuss how these findings support the novel concept that an increasing number of components of the ECM harbor signaling functions that can modulate fibrotic liver disease. The ECM entails functions in addition to anchoring cells and modulating their migratory behavior. Key ECM components and their posttranslational modifications often harbor multiple domains with different signaling potential, in particular when modified during inflammation or wound healing. This signaling by the ECM should be considered a paracrine/endocrine function, as it affects cell phenotype, function, fate, and finally tissue homeostasis. These properties should be exploited to establish novel biochemical markers and antifibrotic treatment strategies for liver fibrosis as well as other fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten A. Karsdal
- 1Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev Hovedgade, Herlev, Denmark; ,2University of Southern Denmark, SDU, Odense, Denmark;
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Aleksander Krag
- 3Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark;
| | - Andy Blanchard
- 4GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom;
| | - Henrik Krarup
- 5Section of Molecular Biology, Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark;
| | | | - Detlef Schuppan
- 6Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immunotherapy, University of Mainz Medical Center, Mainz, Germany; ,7Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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93
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Potential role of thymosin Beta 4 in liver fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:10624-35. [PMID: 26006229 PMCID: PMC4463665 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160510624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Revised: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, the main characteristic of chronic liver diseases, is strongly associated with the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are responsible for extracellular matrix production. As such, investigating the effective regulators controlling HSC activation provides important clues for developing therapeutics to inhibit liver fibrosis. Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), a major actin-sequestering protein, is known to be involved in various cellular responses. A growing body of evidence suggests that Tβ4 has a potential role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and that it is especially associated with the activation of HSCs. However, it remains unclear whether Tβ4 promotes or suppresses the activation of HSCs. Herein, we review the potential role of Tβ4 in liver fibrosis by describing the effects of exogenous and endogenous Tβ4, and we discuss the possible signaling pathway regulated by Tβ4. Exogenous Tβ4 reduces liver fibrosis by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of HSCs. Tβ4 is expressed endogenously in the activated HSCs, but this endogenous Tβ4 displays opposite effects in HSC activation, either as an activator or an inhibitor. Although the role of Tβ4 has not been established, it is apparent that Tβ4 influences HSC activation, suggesting that Tβ4 is a potential therapeutic target for treating liver diseases.
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94
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Chen PJ, Chiu CH, Tseng JK, Yang KT, Chen YC. Ameliorative effects of D-glucuronolactone on oxidative stress and inflammatory/fibrogenic responses in livers of thioacetamide-treated rats. J Funct Foods 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2015.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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95
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Freise C, Heldwein S, Erben U, Hoyer J, Köhler R, Jöhrens K, Patsenker E, Ruehl M, Seehofer D, Stickel F, Somasundaram R. K⁺-channel inhibition reduces portal perfusion pressure in fibrotic rats and fibrosis associated characteristics of hepatic stellate cells. Liver Int 2015; 35:1244-52. [PMID: 25212242 DOI: 10.1111/liv.12681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS In liver fibrosis, activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) secrete excess extracellular matrix, thus, represent key targets for antifibrotic treatment strategies. Intermediate-conductance Ca(2) (+) -activated K(+) -channels (KCa3.1) are expressed in non-excitable tissues affecting proliferation, migration and vascular resistance rendering KCa3.1 potential targets in liver fibrosis. So far, no information about KCa3.1 expression and their role in HSC exists. Aim was to quantify the KCa3.1 expression in HSC depending on HSC activation and investigation of antifibrotic properties of the specific KCa3.1 inhibitor TRAM-34 in vitro and in vivo. METHODS KCa3.1 expression and functionality were studied in TGF-β1-activated HSC by quantitative real time PCR, western-blot and patch-clamp analysis respectively. Effects of TRAM-34 on HSC proliferation, cell cycle and fibrosis-related gene expression were assessed by [(3) H]-thymidine incorporation, FACS-analysis and RT-PCR respectively. In vivo, vascular resistance and KCa3.1 gene and protein expression were determined in bile duct ligated rats by in situ liver perfusion, Taqman PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively. RESULTS Fibrotic tissues and TGF-β1-activated HSC exhibited higher KCa3.1-expressions than normal tissue and untreated cells. KCa3.1 inhibition with TRAM-34 reduced HSC proliferation by induction of cell cycle arrest and reduced TGF-β1-induced gene expression of collagen I, alpha-smooth muscle actin and TGF-β1 itself. Furthermore, TRAM-34 blocked TGF-β1-induced activation of TGF-β signalling in HSC. In vivo, TRAM-34 reduced the thromboxane agonist-induced portal perfusion pressure. CONCLUSION Inhibition of KCa3.1 with TRAM-34 downregulates fibrosis-associated gene expression in vitro, and reduces portal perfusion pressure in vivo. Thus, KCa3.1 may represent novel targets for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Freise
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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96
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Elpek G&O. Angiogenesis and liver fibrosis. World J Hepatol 2015; 7:377-391. [PMID: 25848465 PMCID: PMC4381164 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i3.377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Revised: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent data indicate that hepatic angiogenesis, regardless of the etiology, takes place in chronic liver diseases (CLDs) that are characterized by inflammation and progressive fibrosis. Because anti-angiogenic therapy has been found to be efficient in the prevention of fibrosis in experimental models of CLDs, it is suggested that blocking angiogenesis could be a promising therapeutic option in patients with advanced fibrosis. Consequently, efforts are being directed to revealing the mechanisms involved in angiogenesis during the progression of liver fibrosis. Literature evidences indicate that hepatic angiogenesis and fibrosis are closely related in both clinical and experimental conditions. Hypoxia is a major inducer of angiogenesis together with inflammation and hepatic stellate cells. These profibrogenic cells stand at the intersection between inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrosis and play also a pivotal role in angiogenesis. This review mainly focuses to give a clear view on the relevant features that communicate angiogenesis with progression of fibrosis in CLDs towards the-end point of cirrhosis that may be translated into future therapies. The pathogenesis of hepatic angiogenesis associated with portal hypertension, viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease are also discussed to emphasize the various mechanisms involved in angiogenesis during liver fibrogenesis.
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97
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Li Y, Wang W, Jia X, Zhai S, Wang X, Wang Y, Dang S. A Targeted Multiple Antigenic Peptide Vaccine Augments the Immune Response to Self TGF-β1 and Suppresses Ongoing Hepatic Fibrosis. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2015; 63:305-15. [PMID: 25740471 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-015-0333-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 expression is induced upon liver injury, and plays a critical role in hepatic fibrosis. Antibodies against TGF-β1 represent a novel approach in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis. However, TGF-β1 is not a suitable antigen due to immunological tolerance. In the current study, we synthesized a multiple antigenic peptide (MAP) vaccine against the dominant B-cell epitope of TGF-β1. The immunogenicity and potential therapeutic effects of this vaccine were examined using a rat model of hepatic fibrosis. Dominant B-cell epitopes of TGF-β1 were identified using bioinformatic program. An MAP vaccine corresponding to the 90-98 amino acid domain of TGF-β1 and containing four dendritic arms was synthesized using a 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl solid phase method. Hepatic fibrosis which was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats received a high-fat diet and ethanol (1.8 g/kg). Starting from the third week, rats were exposed to 40 % carbon tetrachloride (CCl4; 150 μl/100 g body weight twice weekly, initially 200 μl/100 g) treatment for a duration of 8 weeks. Rats received the MAP vaccine (100 μg) or Freund's adjuvant at weeks 1, 3, 5. A group of rats receiving the fibrosis-inducing regimen alone and a group of healthy rats (receiving an olive oil vehicle alone) were included as controls. At the conclusion of the experiment, serum titre of TGF-β1 antibody was measured using ELISA and a standard liver functional test panel was examined. The extent of hepatic fibrosis was determined by measuring hydroxyproline content in the liver as well as hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and van Gieson (VG) staining. The expression of TGF-β1 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was examined using immunohistochemistry, and presented as positive staining cells. The MAP purity was >90 % upon reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography, with apparent molecular weight at 4.77 kDa. Serum TGF-β1 antibody titre was 1:256. The fibrosis-inducing treatment produced significant liver damage, as reflected by increases in liver functional test, HE and VG staining. The MAP vaccine attenuated such damage, as reflected by decreased alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and hepatic hydroxyproline (116.78 ± 23.76 vs. 282.71 ± 136.94 IU/L; 319.78 ± 82.48 vs. 495.29 ± 137.13 IU/L; 2.02 ± 0.27 vs. 4.01 ± 0.52 μmol/L; 263.67 ± 41.18 vs. 439.14 ± 43.29 μg/g vs. in model rats, respectively; p < 0.01), as well as fibrosis extent by HE and VG staining. The MAP vaccine reduced TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression in rats (0.325 ± 0.059 vs. 0.507 ± 0.044 IOD/area; 0.318 ± 0.058 vs. 0.489 ± 0.029 IOD/area vs. model rats, respectively; p < 0.05). The TGF-β1 MAP vaccine could generate sufficient antibody that suppresses the development of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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98
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Fausther M, Dranoff JA. Beyond scar formation: portal myofibroblast-mediated angiogenesis in the fibrotic liver. Hepatology 2015; 61:766-8. [PMID: 25502320 PMCID: PMC5115210 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michel Fausther
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR
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99
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Zhang Z, Zhang F, Lu Y, Zheng S. Update on implications and mechanisms of angiogenesis in liver fibrosis. Hepatol Res 2015; 45:162-78. [PMID: 25196587 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Revised: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/31/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis occurs as a compensatory response to the process of tissue repair in a wide range of chronic liver injures. It is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in liver tissues. As the pathogenesis progresses without effective management, it will lead to formation of liver fiber nodules and disruption of normal liver structure and function, finally culminating in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. A new discovery shows that liver angiogenesis is strictly associated with, and may even favor fibrogenic progression of chronic liver diseases. Recent basic and clinical investigations also demonstrate that liver fibrogenesis is accompanied by pathological angiogenesis and sinusoidal remodeling, which critically determine the pathogenesis and prognosis of liver fibrosis. Inhibition of pathological angiogenesis is considered to be a new strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis. This review summarizes current knowledge on the process of angiogenesis, the relationships between angiogenesis and liver fibrosis, and on the molecular mechanisms of liver angiogenesis. On the other hand, it also presents the different strategies that have been used in experimental models to counteract excessive angiogenesis and the role of angiogenesis in the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zili Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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100
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Martín-Vílchez S, Rodríguez-Muñoz Y, López-Rodríguez R, Hernández-Bartolomé Á, Borque-Iñurrita MJ, Molina-Jiménez F, García-Buey L, Moreno-Otero R, Sanz-Cameno P. Inhibition of tyrosine kinase receptor Tie2 reverts HCV-induced hepatic stellate cell activation. PLoS One 2014; 9:e106958. [PMID: 25302785 PMCID: PMC4193738 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease (CLD) and is frequently linked to intrahepatic microvascular disorders. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) is a central event in liver damage, due to their contribution to hepatic renewal and to the development of fibrosis and hepatocarcinoma. During the progression of CLDs, HSC attempt to restore injured tissue by stimulating repair processes, such as fibrosis and angiogenesis. Because HSC express the key vascular receptor Tie2, among other angiogenic receptors and mediators, we analyzed its involvement in the development of CLD. Methods Tie2 expression was monitored in HSC cultures that were exposed to media from HCV-expressing cells (replicons). The effects of Tie2 blockade on HSC activation by either neutralizing antibody or specific signaling inhibitors were also examined. Results Media from HCV-replicons enhanced HSC activation and invasion and upregulated Tie2 expression. Notably, the blockade of Tie2 receptor (by a specific neutralizing antibody) or signaling (by selective AKT and MAPK inhibitors) significantly reduced alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and the invasive potential of HCV-conditioned HSC. Conclusions These findings ascribe a novel profibrogenic function to Tie2 receptor in the progression of chronic hepatitis C, highlighting the significance of its dysregulation in the evolution of CLDs and its potential as a novel therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Martín-Vílchez
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Yolanda Rodríguez-Muñoz
- Unidad de Hepatología, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBER-ehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosario López-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Hepatología, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBER-ehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Hernández-Bartolomé
- Unidad de Hepatología, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Jesús Borque-Iñurrita
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisca Molina-Jiménez
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luisa García-Buey
- Unidad de Hepatología, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBER-ehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Moreno-Otero
- Unidad de Hepatología, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBER-ehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Sanz-Cameno
- Unidad de Hepatología, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBER-ehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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