51
|
Yin KL, Li M, Song PP, Duan YX, Ye WT, Tang W, Kokudo N, Gao Q, Liao R. Unraveling the Emerging Niche Role of Hepatic Stellate Cell-derived Exosomes in Liver Diseases. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:441-451. [PMID: 36643031 PMCID: PMC9817040 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2022.00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play an essential role in various liver diseases, and exosomes are critical mediators of intercellular communication in local and distant microenvironments. Cellular crosstalk between HSCs and surrounding multiple tissue-resident cells promotes or inhibits the activation of HSCs. Substantial evidence has revealed that HSC-derived exosomes are involved in the occurrence and development of liver diseases through the regulation of retinoid metabolism, lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, protein metabolism, and mitochondrial metabolism. HSC-derived exosomes are underpinned by vehicle molecules, such as mRNAs and microRNAs, that function in, and significantly affect, the processes of various liver diseases, such as acute liver injury, alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, fibrosis, and cancer. As such, numerous exosomes derived from HSCs or HSC-associated exosomes have attracted attention because of their biological roles and translational applications as potential targets for therapeutic targets. Herein, we review the pathophysiological and metabolic processes associated with HSC-derived exosomes, their roles in various liver diseases and their potential clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Li Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pei-Pei Song
- National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yu-Xin Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wen-Tao Ye
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Tang
- National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norihiro Kokudo
- National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Qiang Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Correspondence to: Qiang Gao, Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6695-9906. ; Rui Liao, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing 400016, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0057-2792. E-mail:
| | - Rui Liao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Correspondence to: Qiang Gao, Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6695-9906. ; Rui Liao, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing 400016, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0057-2792. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Gole L, Liu F, Ong KH, Li L, Han H, Young D, Marini GPL, Wee A, Zhao J, Rao H, Yu W, Wei L. Quantitative image-based collagen structural features predict the reversibility of hepatitis C virus-induced liver fibrosis post antiviral therapies. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6384. [PMID: 37076590 PMCID: PMC10115775 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33567-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The novel targeted therapeutics for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in last decade solved most of the clinical needs for this disease. However, despite antiviral therapies resulting in sustained virologic response (SVR), a challenge remains where the stage of liver fibrosis in some patients remains unchanged or even worsens, with a higher risk of cirrhosis, known as the irreversible group. In this study, we provided novel tissue level collagen structural insight into early prediction of irreversible cases via image based computational analysis with a paired data cohort (of pre- and post-SVR) following direct-acting-antiviral (DAA)-based treatment. Two Photon Excitation and Second Harmonic Generation microscopy was used to image paired biopsies from 57 HCV patients and a fully automated digital collagen profiling platform was developed. In total, 41 digital image-based features were profiled where four key features were discovered to be strongly associated with fibrosis reversibility. The data was validated for prognostic value by prototyping predictive models based on two selected features: Collagen Area Ratio and Collagen Fiber Straightness. We concluded that collagen aggregation pattern and collagen thickness are strong indicators of liver fibrosis reversibility. These findings provide the potential implications of collagen structural features from DAA-based treatment and paves the way for a more comprehensive early prediction of reversibility using pre-SVR biopsy samples to enhance timely medical interventions and therapeutic strategies. Our findings on DAA-based treatment further contribute to the understanding of underline governing mechanism and knowledge base of structural morphology in which the future non-invasive prediction solution can be built upon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Gole
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos Building, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Feng Liu
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, No. 11, Xi Zhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China
| | - Kok Haur Ong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos Building, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Longjie Li
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos Building, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hao Han
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos Building, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - David Young
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos Building, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Gabriel Pik Liang Marini
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos Building, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Aileen Wee
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jingmin Zhao
- Department of Pathology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Huiying Rao
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, No. 11, Xi Zhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China.
| | - Weimiao Yu
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos Building, Singapore, 138673, Singapore.
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Lai Wei
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, No. 11, Xi Zhimen South Street, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102218, China.
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Ma J, Xie Y, Xu Y, Gu P, Zhang Y, Fan L, Zhou Y, Wang H, Zhou T, He J, Wang D, Chen W. Neutralization of interleukin-11 attenuates silica particles-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in vivo. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 126:772-783. [PMID: 36503802 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Environmental exposure to crystalline silica particles can lead to silicosis, which is one of the most serious pulmonary interstitial fibrosis around the world. Unfortunately, the exact mechanism on silicosis is unclear, and the effective treatments are lacking to date. In this study, we aim to explore the molecular mechanism by which interleukin-11 (IL-11) affects silica particles-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis. We observed that IL-11 expressions in mouse lungs were significantly increased after silica exposure, and maintained at high levels across both inflammation and fibrosis phase. Immunofluorescent dual staining further revealed that the overexpression of IL-11 mainly located in mouse lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Using neutralizing anti-IL-11 antibody could effectively alleviate the overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) and fibrotic proteins (i.e., collagen type I and matrix metalloproteinase-2) induced by silica particles. Most importantly, the expressions of IL-11 receptor subunit α (IL-11Rα), Glycoprotein 130 (GP130), and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) were significantly increased in response to silica, whereas blocking of IL-11 markedly reduced their levels. All findings suggested that the overexpression of IL-11 was involved in the pathological of silicosis, while neutralizing IL-11 antibody could effectively alleviate the silica-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting the IL-11Rα/GP130/ERK signaling pathway. IL-11 might be a promising therapeutic target for lung inflammation and fibrosis caused by silica particles exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jixuan Ma
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yujia Xie
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yiju Xu
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Pei Gu
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yingdie Zhang
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Lieyang Fan
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Haijiao Wang
- National Center of Occupational Safety and Health, National Health Commission, Beijing 102300, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Jintong He
- Zhuhai Center for Chronic Disease Control, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Dongming Wang
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Weihong Chen
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Rajak S, Tewari A, Raza S, Gupta P, Chakravarti B, Anjum B, Tripathi M, Singh BK, Yen PM, Goel A, Ghosh S, Sinha RA. Pharmacological inhibition of CFTR attenuates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progression in mice. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166662. [PMID: 36754244 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is considered a pivotal stage in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression and increases the risk of end-stage liver diseases such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The etiology of NASH is multifactorial and identifying reliable molecular players has proven difficult. Presently, there are no approved drugs for NASH treatment, which has become a leading cause of liver transplants worldwide. Here, using public human transcriptomic NAFLD dataset, we uncover Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance receptor (CFTR) as a differentially expressed gene in the livers of human NASH patients. Similarly, murine Cftr expression was also found to be upregulated in two mouse models of diet-induced NASH. Furthermore, the pharmacological inhibition of CFTR significantly reduced NASH progression in mice and its overexpression aggravated lipotoxicity in human hepatic cells. These results, thus, underscore the involvement of murine Cftr in the pathogenesis of NASH and raise the intriguing possibility of its pharmacological inhibition in human NASH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sangam Rajak
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Archana Tewari
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Sana Raza
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Pratima Gupta
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Bandana Chakravarti
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Baby Anjum
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Madhulika Tripathi
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Brijesh K Singh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Paul M Yen
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore; Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Dept of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Amit Goel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Sujoy Ghosh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Rohit A Sinha
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India.
| |
Collapse
|
55
|
Xiao R, Gu L, Li AM, Gan YL, He CY, Liao JX, Li YS, Xu L, Guo SL. IL-11 drives the phenotypic transformation of tracheal epithelial cells and fibroblasts to enhance abnormal repair after tracheal injury. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119438. [PMID: 36758859 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Tracheal stenosis (TS) is a multifactorial and heterogeneous disease that can easily lead to respiratory failure and even death. Interleukin-11 (IL-11) has recently received increased attention as a fibrogenic factor, but its function in TS is uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the role of IL-11 in TS regulation based on clinical samples from patients with TS and a rat model of TS produced by nylon brush scraping. Using lentiviral vectors expressing shRNA (lentivirus-shRNA) targeting the IL-11 receptor (IL-11Rα), we lowered IL-11Rα levels in the rat trachea. Histological and immunostaining methods were used to evaluate the effects of IL-11Rα knockdown on tracheal injury, molecular phenotype, and fibrosis in TS rats. We show that IL-11 was significantly elevated in circulating serum and granulation tissue in patients with TS. In vitro, TGFβ1 dose-dependently stimulated IL-11 secretion from human tracheal epithelial cells (Beas-2b) and primary rat tracheal fibroblasts (PRTF). IL-11 transformed the epithelial cell phenotype to the mesenchymal cell phenotype by activating the β-catenin pathway. Furthermore, IL-11 activated the atypical ERK signaling pathway, stimulated fibroblasts proliferation, and transformed fibroblasts into alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) positive myofibroblasts. IL-11-neutralizing antibodies (IL-11NAb) or ERK inhibitors (U0126) inhibited IL-11 activity and downregulated fibrotic responses involving TGFβ/SMAD signaling. In vivo, IL-11Rα knockdown rats showed unobstructed tracheal lumen, relatively intact epithelial structure, and significantly reduced granulation tissue proliferation and collagen fiber deposition. Our findings confirm that IL-11 may be a target for future drug prevention and treatment of tracheal stenosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xiao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Lei Gu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - An-Mao Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yi-Ling Gan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Chun-Yan He
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Jia-Xin Liao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yi-Shi Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
| | - Shu-Liang Guo
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Li S, Zhou B, Xue M, Zhu J, Tong G, Fan J, Zhu K, Hu Z, Chen R, Dong Y, Chen Y, Lee KY, Li X, Jin L, Cong W. Macrophage-specific FGF12 promotes liver fibrosis progression in mice. Hepatology 2023; 77:816-833. [PMID: 35753047 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Chronic liver diseases are associated with the development of liver fibrosis. Without treatment, liver fibrosis commonly leads to cirrhosis and HCC. FGF12 is an intracrine factor belonging to the FGF superfamily, but its role in liver homeostasis is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of FGF12 in the regulation of liver fibrosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS FGF12 was up-regulated in bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced and CCL 4 -induced liver fibrosis mouse models. Expression of FGF12 was specifically up-regulated in nonparenchymal liver cells, especially in hepatic macrophages. By constructing myeloid-specific FGF12 knockout mice, we found that deletion of FGF12 in macrophages protected against BDL-induced and CCL 4 -induced liver fibrosis. Further results revealed that FGF12 deletion dramatically decreased the population of lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus C high macrophages in mouse fibrotic liver tissue and reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Meanwhile, loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches revealed that FGF12 promoted the proinflammatory activation of macrophages, thus inducing HSC activation mainly through the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 axis. Further experiments indicated that the regulation of macrophage activation by FGF12 was mainly mediated through the Janus kinase-signal transducer of activators of transcription pathway. Finally, the results revealed that FGF12 expression correlates with the severity of fibrosis across the spectrum of fibrogenesis in human liver samples. CONCLUSIONS FGF12 promotes liver fibrosis progression. Therapeutic approaches to inhibit macrophage FGF12 may be used to combat liver fibrosis in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santie Li
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) , School of Pharmaceutical Science , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China.,College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Drug Development , Chonnam National University , Gwangju , Republic of Korea
| | - Bin Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery , The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Mei Xue
- Central Laboratory , The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Junjie Zhu
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) , School of Pharmaceutical Science , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Gaozan Tong
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) , School of Pharmaceutical Science , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Junfu Fan
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) , School of Pharmaceutical Science , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Kunxuan Zhu
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) , School of Pharmaceutical Science , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Zijing Hu
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) , School of Pharmaceutical Science , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Chen
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) , School of Pharmaceutical Science , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Yonggan Dong
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) , School of Pharmaceutical Science , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Yiming Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery , The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Kwang Youl Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Drug Development , Chonnam National University , Gwangju , Republic of Korea
| | - Xiaokun Li
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) , School of Pharmaceutical Science , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China.,Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem , School of Pharmaceutical Science , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Litai Jin
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) , School of Pharmaceutical Science , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Weitao Cong
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) , School of Pharmaceutical Science , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China.,Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem , School of Pharmaceutical Science , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Sasaki K, Komamura S, Matsuda K. Extracellular stimulation of lung fibroblasts with arachidonic acid increases interleukin 11 expression through p38 and ERK signaling. Biol Chem 2023; 404:59-69. [PMID: 36268909 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2022-0218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates proliferation and motility of cancer cells. Fibroblasts reside in the cancer microenvironment and are the primary source of IL-11. Activated fibroblasts, including cancer-associated fibroblasts that produce IL-11, contribute to the development and progression of cancer, and induce fibrosis associated with cancer. Changes in fatty acid composition or its metabolites, and an increase in free fatty acids have been observed in cancer. The effect of deregulated fatty acids on the development and progression of cancer is not fully understood yet. In the present study, we investigated the effects of fatty acids on mRNA expression and secretion of IL-11 in lung fibroblasts. Among the eight fatty acids added exogenously, arachidonic acid (AA) increased mRNA expression and secretion of IL-11 in lung fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. AA-induced upregulation of IL-11 was dependent on the activation of the p38 or ERK MAPK signaling pathways. Furthermore, prostaglandin E2, associated with elevated cyclooxygenase-2 expression, participated in the upregulation of IL-11 via its specific receptor in an autocrine/paracrine manner. These results suggest that AA may mediate IL-11 upregulation in lung fibroblasts in the cancer microenvironment, accompanied by unbalanced fatty acid composition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Sasaki
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Shinshu University, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Nagano, Japan
| | - Shotaro Komamura
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Shinshu University, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Nagano, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Matsuda
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Shinshu University, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Nagano, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
58
|
Akl MG, Widenmaier SB. Immunometabolic factors contributing to obesity-linked hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1089124. [PMID: 36712976 PMCID: PMC9877434 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1089124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major public health concern that is promoted by obesity and associated liver complications. Onset and progression of HCC in obesity is a multifactorial process involving complex interactions between the metabolic and immune system, in which chronic liver damage resulting from metabolic and inflammatory insults trigger carcinogenesis-promoting gene mutations and tumor metabolism. Moreover, cell growth and proliferation of the cancerous cell, after initiation, requires interactions between various immunological and metabolic pathways that provide stress defense of the cancer cell as well as strategic cell death escape mechanisms. The heterogenic nature of HCC in addition to the various metabolic risk factors underlying HCC development have led researchers to focus on examining metabolic pathways that may contribute to HCC development. In obesity-linked HCC, oncogene-induced modifications and metabolic pathways have been identified to support anabolic demands of the growing HCC cells and combat the concomitant cell stress, coinciding with altered utilization of signaling pathways and metabolic fuels involved in glucose metabolism, macromolecule synthesis, stress defense, and redox homeostasis. In this review, we discuss metabolic insults that can underlie the transition from steatosis to steatohepatitis and from steatohepatitis to HCC as well as aberrantly regulated immunometabolic pathways that enable cancer cells to survive and proliferate in the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss therapeutic modalities targeted at HCC prevention and regression. A full understanding of HCC-associated immunometabolic changes in obesity may contribute to clinical treatments that effectively target cancer metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- May G. Akl
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada,Department of Physiology, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Scott B. Widenmaier
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada,*Correspondence: Scott B. Widenmaier,
| |
Collapse
|
59
|
Wang GY, Zhang XY, Wang CJ, Guan YF. Emerging novel targets for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease treatment: Evidence from recent basic studies. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:75-95. [PMID: 36683713 PMCID: PMC9850950 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i1.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a leading chronic disease worldwide, affects approximately a quarter of the global population. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an advanced form of NAFLD and is more likely to progress to liver fibrosis than simple steatosis. NASH is also identified as the most rapidly growing cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although in the past decade, several phase II/III clinical trials have shown promising results in the use of novel drugs targeting lipid synthase, farnesoid X receptor signaling, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling, hepatocellular injury, and inflammatory signaling, proven pharmaceutical agents to treat NASH are still lacking. Thus, continuous exploration of the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of NAFLD and the identification of novel therapeutic targets remain urgent tasks in the field. In the current review, we summarize studies reported in recent years that not only provide new insights into the mechanisms of NAFLD development but also explore the possibility of treating NAFLD by targeting newly identified signaling pathways. We also discuss evidence focusing on the intrahepatic targets involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD as well as extrahepatic targets affecting liver metabolism and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Yan Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin 300070, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development, Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital and Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Zhang
- Health Science Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Chun-Jiong Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin 300070, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development, Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital and Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - You-Fei Guan
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning Province, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning Province, China
- Dalian Key Laboratory for Nuclear Receptors in Major Metabolic Diseases, Dalian 116044, Liaoning Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
60
|
Cong X, Tian B, Zhu X, Zhang X, Gu W, Zhao H, Hao S, Ning Z. Interleukin-11 Is Elevated in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation, Correlates with Serum Fibrosis Markers, and Represents a Therapeutic Target for Atrial Fibrosis. Cerebrovasc Dis 2023; 52:575-586. [PMID: 36599329 DOI: 10.1159/000527740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inflammatory cytokines are closely associated with developing cardiac fibrosis. This research aimed to explore the significant role of IL-11 in atrial fibrosis progression and potential therapeutic targets. METHODS 207 AF patients and 160 healthy subjects were included in the case-control study. Blood samples were analyzed for the level of IL-11 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Angiotensin II (Ang II)-treated fibrosis mouse models were generated, and expression of IL-11 mRNA and protein was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. IL-11 antagonist was used to evaluating atrial fibrosis-related markers. RESULTS The persistent atrial fibrillation patients (n = 76) had significantly larger left atrial size, higher serum levels of hypertrophic protein BNP, proinflammatory cytokine high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) compared to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients (n = 131), and healthy subjects (all p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlation between serum IL-11 and cardiac fibrosis markers BNP (r = 0.394, p < 0.001), CTX-I (r = 0.418, p < 0.001), PICP (r = 0.306, p < 0.001), PIIINP (r = 0.335, p < 0.001), and TGF-β1 (r = 0.273, p < 0.001). In the fibrosis mouse model, Ang II infusion significantly upregulated IL-11 mRNA and protein expression in the left atrium of mice (p < 0.05), as well as staining intensity of Masson trichrome, the intensity of α-SMA, and it increased mRNA expression of collagen I and III in atrial tissue. IL-11 antagonist treatment significantly attenuated Masson trichrome, number of α-SMA-positive myofibroblasts in atrial tissue. Also, it significantly reduced the p-ERK1/2 in atrial tissue of mice infused with Ang II (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS IL-11 is upregulated in the serum of AF patients, and IL-11 inhibitor significantly inhibited Ang II-induced atrial fibrosis, a key pathological feature of AF. Therefore, IL-11 could be a potential therapeutic target for AF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinpeng Cong
- Department of Cardiology, Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Health Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Bei Tian
- Department of Cardiology, Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Health Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Health Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaogang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Health Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Gu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Health Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanjun Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Health Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuwen Hao
- Department of Cardiology, Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Health Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongping Ning
- Department of Cardiology, Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Health Medical College, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
61
|
Kim HJ, Baek EB, Hwang JH, Lim M, Jung WH, Bae MA, Son HY, Cho JW. Application of convolutional neural network for analyzing hepatic fibrosis in mice. J Toxicol Pathol 2023; 36:21-30. [PMID: 36683726 PMCID: PMC9837472 DOI: 10.1293/tox.2022-0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, with the development of computer vision using artificial intelligence (AI), clinical research on diagnosis and prediction using medical image data has increased. In this study, we applied AI methods to analyze hepatic fibrosis in mice to determine whether an AI algorithm can be used to analyze lesions. Whole slide image (WSI) Sirius Red staining was used to examine hepatic fibrosis. The Xception network, an AI algorithm, was used to train normal and fibrotic lesion identification. We compared the results from two analyses, that is, pathologists' grades and researchers' annotations, to observe whether the automated algorithm can support toxicological pathologists efficiently as a new apparatus. The accuracies of the trained model computed from the training and validation datasets were greater than 99%, and that obtained by testing the model was 100%. In the comparison between analyses, all analyses showed significant differences in the results for each group. Furthermore, both normalized fibrosis grades inferred from the trained model annotated the fibrosis area, and the grades assigned by the pathologists showed significant correlations. Notably, the deep learning algorithm derived the highest correlation with the pathologists' average grade. Owing to the correlation outcomes, we conclude that the trained model might produce results comparable to those of the pathologists' grading of the Sirius Red-stained WSI fibrosis. This study illustrates that the deep learning algorithm can potentially be used for analyzing fibrotic lesions in combination with Sirius Red-stained WSIs as a second opinion tool in non-clinical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Ji Kim
- Toxicological Pathology Research Group, Department of
Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu,
Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea,College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National
University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea,†These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Eun Bok Baek
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National
University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hee Hwang
- Toxicological Pathology Research Group, Department of
Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu,
Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Minyoung Lim
- Toxicological Pathology Research Group, Department of
Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu,
Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Hoon Jung
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research
Institute of Chemical Technology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, Republic of
Korea
| | - Myung Ae Bae
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research
Institute of Chemical Technology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, Republic of
Korea
| | - Hwa-Young Son
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National
University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea,*Corresponding authors: JW Cho (e-mail: ); HY Son (e-mail: )
| | - Jae-Woo Cho
- Toxicological Pathology Research Group, Department of
Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu,
Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea,*Corresponding authors: JW Cho (e-mail: ); HY Son (e-mail: )
| |
Collapse
|
62
|
Effenberger M, Widjaja AA, Grabherr F, Schaefer B, Grander C, Mayr L, Schwaerzler J, Enrich B, Moser P, Fink J, Pedrini A, Jaschke N, Kirchmair A, Pfister A, Hausmann B, Bale R, Putzer D, Zoller H, Schafer S, Pjevac P, Trajanoski Z, Oberhuber G, Adolph T, Cook S, Tilg H. Interleukin-11 drives human and mouse alcohol-related liver disease. Gut 2023; 72:168-179. [PMID: 35365572 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-326076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) reflects acute exacerbation of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and is a growing healthcare burden worldwide. Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a profibrotic, proinflammatory cytokine with increasingly recognised toxicities in parenchymal and epithelial cells. We explored IL-11 serum levels and their prognostic value in patients suffering from AH and cirrhosis of various aetiology and experimental ALD. DESIGN IL-11 serum concentration and tissue expression was determined in a cohort comprising 50 patients with AH, 110 patients with cirrhosis and 19 healthy volunteers. Findings were replicated in an independent patient cohort (n=186). Primary human hepatocytes exposed to ethanol were studied in vitro. Ethanol-fed wildtype mice were treated with a neutralising murine IL-11 receptor-antibody (anti-IL11RA) and examined for severity signs and markers of ALD. RESULTS IL-11 serum concentration and hepatic expression increased with severity of liver disease, mostly pronounced in AH. In a multivariate Cox-regression, a serum level above 6.4 pg/mL was a model of end-stage liver disease independent risk factor for transplant-free survival in patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. In mice, severity of alcohol-induced liver inflammation correlated with enhanced hepatic IL-11 and IL11RA expression. In vitro and in vivo, anti-IL11RA reduced pathogenic signalling pathways (extracellular signal-regulated kinases, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, NADPH oxidase 4) and protected hepatocytes and murine livers from ethanol-induced inflammation and injury. CONCLUSION Pathogenic IL-11 signalling in hepatocytes plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of ALD and could serve as an independent prognostic factor for transplant-free survival. Blocking IL-11 signalling might be a therapeutic option in human ALD, particularly AH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Effenberger
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anissa A Widjaja
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
| | - Felix Grabherr
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Benedikt Schaefer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Grander
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lisa Mayr
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Julian Schwaerzler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Barbara Enrich
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Patrizia Moser
- INNPATH, Innsbruck Medical University Hospital, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Julia Fink
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alisa Pedrini
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nikolai Jaschke
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexander Kirchmair
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexandra Pfister
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bela Hausmann
- Joint Microbiome Facility of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Reto Bale
- Department of Radiology, Section of Interventional Oncology-Microinvasive Therapy (SIP), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniel Putzer
- Department of Radiology, Section of Interventional Oncology-Microinvasive Therapy (SIP), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Heinz Zoller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sebastian Schafer
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Petra Pjevac
- Joint Microbiome Facility of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zlatko Trajanoski
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Georg Oberhuber
- INNPATH, Innsbruck Medical University Hospital, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Timon Adolph
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Stuart Cook
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
- MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Herbert Tilg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
63
|
Widjaja AA, Viswanathan S, Shekeran SG, Adami E, Lim WW, Chothani S, Tan J, Goh JWT, Chen HM, Lim SY, Boustany-Kari CM, Hawkins J, Petretto E, Hübner N, Schafer S, Coffman TM, Cook SA. Targeting endogenous kidney regeneration using anti-IL11 therapy in acute and chronic models of kidney disease. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7497. [PMID: 36470928 PMCID: PMC9723120 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35306-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The kidney has large regenerative capacity, but this is compromised when kidney damage is excessive and renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) undergo SNAI1-driven growth arrest. Here we investigate the role of IL11 in TECs, kidney injury and renal repair. IL11 stimulation of TECs induces ERK- and p90RSK-mediated GSK3β inactivation, SNAI1 upregulation and pro-inflammatory gene expression. Mice with acute kidney injury upregulate IL11 in TECs leading to SNAI1 expression and kidney dysfunction, which is not seen in Il11 deleted mice or in mice administered a neutralizing IL11 antibody in either preemptive or treatment modes. In acute kidney injury, anti-TGFβ reduces renal fibrosis but exacerbates inflammation and tubule damage whereas anti-IL11 reduces all pathologies. Mice with TEC-specific deletion of Il11ra1 have reduced pathogenic signaling and are protected from renal injury-induced inflammation, fibrosis, and failure. In a model of chronic kidney disease, anti-IL11 therapy promotes TEC proliferation and parenchymal regeneration, reverses fibroinflammation and restores renal mass and function. These data highlight IL11-induced mesenchymal transition of injured TECs as an important renal pathology and suggest IL11 as a therapeutic target for restoring stalled endogenous regeneration in the diseased kidney.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anissa A Widjaja
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Sivakumar Viswanathan
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shamini G Shekeran
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eleonora Adami
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wei-Wen Lim
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sonia Chothani
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jessie Tan
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joyce Wei Ting Goh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hui Mei Chen
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sze Yun Lim
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Julie Hawkins
- Boehringer Ingelheim, CardioMetabolic Disease Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Enrico Petretto
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Norbert Hübner
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, 13347, Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Schafer
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thomas M Coffman
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stuart A Cook
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore. .,National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
64
|
Johnston RA, Atkins CL, Siddiqui SR, Jackson WT, Mitchell NC, Spencer CY, Pilkington AW, Kashon ML, Haque IU. Interleukin-11 receptor subunit α-1 is required for maximal airway responsiveness to methacholine after acute exposure to ozone. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2022; 323:R921-R934. [PMID: 36283092 PMCID: PMC9722265 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00213.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-11, a multifunctional cytokine, contributes to numerous biological processes, including adipogenesis, hematopoiesis, and inflammation. Asthma, a respiratory disease, is notably characterized by reversible airway obstruction, persistent lung inflammation, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Nasal insufflation of IL-11 causes AHR in wild-type mice while lung inflammation induced by antigen sensitization and challenge, which mimics features of atopic asthma in humans, is attenuated in mice genetically deficient in IL-11 receptor subunit α-1 (IL-11Rα1-deficient mice), a transmembrane receptor that is required conjointly with glycoprotein 130 to transduce IL-11 signaling. Nevertheless, the contribution of IL-11Rα1 to characteristics of nonatopic asthma is unknown. Thus, based on the aforementioned observations, we hypothesized that genetic deficiency of IL-11Rα1 attenuates lung inflammation and increases airway responsiveness after acute inhalation exposure to ozone (O3), a criteria pollutant and nonatopic asthma stimulus. Accordingly, 4 and/or 24 h after cessation of exposure to filtered room air or O3, we assessed lung inflammation and airway responsiveness in wild-type and IL-11Rα1-deficient mice. With the exception of bronchoalveolar lavage macrophages and adiponectin, which were significantly increased and decreased, respectively, in O3-exposed IL-11Rα1-deficient as compared with O3-exposed wild-type mice, no other genotype-related differences in lung inflammation indices that we quantified were observed in O3-exposed mice. However, airway responsiveness to acetyl-β-methylcholine chloride (methacholine) was significantly diminished in IL-11Rα1-deficient as compared with wild-type mice after O3 exposure. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that IL-11Rα1 minimally contributes to lung inflammation but is required for maximal airway responsiveness to methacholine in a mouse model of nonatopic asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Johnston
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Constance L Atkins
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Saad R Siddiqui
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - William T Jackson
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Nicholas C Mitchell
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Chantal Y Spencer
- Section of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Albert W Pilkington
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Michael L Kashon
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Ikram U Haque
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
65
|
Han HT, Jin WL, Li X. Mesenchymal stem cells-based therapy in liver diseases. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:23. [PMID: 35895169 PMCID: PMC9326420 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00088-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple immune cells and their products in the liver together form a complex and unique immune microenvironment, and preclinical models have demonstrated the importance of imbalances in the hepatic immune microenvironment in liver inflammatory diseases and immunocompromised liver diseases. Various immunotherapies have been attempted to modulate the hepatic immune microenvironment for the purpose of treating liver diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a comprehensive and plastic immunomodulatory capacity. On the one hand, they have been tried for the treatment of inflammatory liver diseases because of their excellent immunosuppressive capacity; On the other hand, MSCs have immune-enhancing properties in immunocompromised settings and can be modified into cellular carriers for targeted transport of immune enhancers by genetic modification, physical and chemical loading, and thus they are also used in the treatment of immunocompromised liver diseases such as chronic viral infections and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we discuss the immunological basis and recent strategies of MSCs for the treatment of the aforementioned liver diseases. Specifically, we update the immune microenvironment of the liver and summarize the distinct mechanisms of immune microenvironment imbalance in inflammatory diseases and immunocompromised liver diseases, and how MSCs can fully exploit their immunotherapeutic role in liver diseases with both immune imbalance patterns.
Collapse
|
66
|
Tripathi M, Singh BK, Zhou J, Tikno K, Widjaja A, Sandireddy R, Arul K, Abdul Ghani SAB, Bee GGB, Wong KA, Pei HJ, Shekeran SG, Sinha RA, Singh MK, Cook SA, Suzuki A, Lim TR, Cheah CC, Wang J, Xiao RP, Zhang X, Chow PKH, Yen PM. Vitamin B 12 and folate decrease inflammation and fibrosis in NASH by preventing syntaxin 17 homocysteinylation. J Hepatol 2022; 77:1246-1255. [PMID: 35820507 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Several recent clinical studies have shown that serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels are positively correlated, while vitamin B12 (B12) and folate levels are negative correlated, with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) severity. However, it is not known whether hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) plays a pathogenic role in NASH. METHODS We examined the effects of HHcy on NASH progression, metabolism, and autophagy in dietary and genetic mouse models, patients, and primates. We employed vitamin B12 (B12) and folate (Fol) to reverse NASH features in mice and cell culture. RESULTS Serum Hcy correlated with hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in NASH. Elevated hepatic Hcy induced and exacerbated NASH. Gene expression of hepatic Hcy-metabolizing enzymes was downregulated in NASH. Surprisingly, we found increased homocysteinylation (Hcy-lation) and ubiquitination of multiple hepatic proteins in NASH including the key autophagosome/lysosome fusion protein, Syntaxin 17 (Stx17). This protein was Hcy-lated and ubiquitinated, and its degradation led to a block in autophagy. Genetic manipulation of Stx17 revealed its critical role in regulating autophagy, inflammation and fibrosis during HHcy. Remarkably, dietary B12/Fol, which promotes enzymatic conversion of Hcy to methionine, decreased HHcy and hepatic Hcy-lated protein levels, restored Stx17 expression and autophagy, stimulated β -oxidation of fatty acids, and improved hepatic histology in mice with pre-established NASH. CONCLUSIONS HHcy plays a key role in the pathogenesis of NASH via Stx17 homocysteinylation. B12/folate also may represent a novel first-line therapy for NASH. LAY SUMMARY The incidence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, for which there are no approved pharmacological therapies, is increasing, posing a significant healthcare challenge. Herein, based on studies in mice, primates and humans, we found that dietary supplementation with vitamin B12 and folate could have therapeutic potential for the prevention or treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madhulika Tripathi
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857.
| | - Brijesh Kumar Singh
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | - Jin Zhou
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | - Keziah Tikno
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | - Anissa Widjaja
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | - Reddemma Sandireddy
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | - Kabilesh Arul
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | - Siti Aishah Binte Abdul Ghani
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | - George Goh Boon Bee
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608
| | - Kiraely Adam Wong
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | - Ho Jia Pei
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | | | - Rohit Anthony Sinha
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Uttar Pradesh 226014, Lucknow, India
| | - Manvendra K Singh
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | - Stuart Alexander Cook
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857; Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Uttar Pradesh 226014, Lucknow, India
| | - Ayako Suzuki
- Duke Gastroenterology Clinic, 40 Duke Medicine Circle, Suite 03107, DUMC 3913 Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Teegan Reina Lim
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608
| | - Chang-Chuen Cheah
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608
| | - Jue Wang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, China 100871
| | - Rui-Ping Xiao
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, China 100871
| | - Xiuqing Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, China 100871
| | - Pierce Kah Hoe Chow
- Department of Surgery, Singapore General Hospital and Dept. of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169608
| | - Paul Michael Yen
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857; Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, 300 N Duke St, Durham, NC 27701, USA; Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, 30 Duke Medicine Circle Clinic 1A, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
67
|
Network Pharmacology-Based Exploration on the Intervention of Qinghao Biejia Decoction on the Inflammation-Carcinoma Transformation Process of Chronic Liver Disease via MAPK and PI3k/AKT Pathway. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:9202128. [PMID: 36277879 PMCID: PMC9586778 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9202128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Chronic liver disease(CLD) is a slow-developing and long-term disease that can cause serious damage to the liver. Thus far, it has been associated with viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease(ALD), hepatic fibrosis(HF), liver cirrhosis (LC), and liver cancer. Qinghao Biejia Decoction (QBD) is a classic ancient Chinese herbal prescription with strong immune-enhancing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. In this study, we used a network pharmacology approach to investigate the molecular mechanisms of QBD in the inflammation-carcinoma transformation process of chronic liver disease. Two key drug targets, MAPK1 and PIK3CA, were screened using network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques, revealing dihydroartemisinin, artesunate, 12-O-Nicotinoylisolineolone, caffeic acid, and diincarvilone A as active ingredients involved in QBD mechanisms. The main signaling pathways involved were the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. In summary, our results indicated that QBD affects the inflammatory transformation of chronic liver disease through MAPK1 and PIK3CA and signaling pathways MAPK and PI3K/AKT. These data provide research direction for investigating the mechanisms underlying the inflammation-carcinoma transformation process in QBD for chronic liver disease.
Collapse
|
68
|
Dreyfuss AD, Velalopoulou A, Avgousti H, Bell BI, Verginadis II. Preclinical models of radiation-induced cardiac toxicity: Potential mechanisms and biomarkers. Front Oncol 2022; 12:920867. [PMID: 36313656 PMCID: PMC9596809 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.920867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) is an important modality in cancer treatment with >50% of cancer patients undergoing RT for curative or palliative intent. In patients with breast, lung, and esophageal cancer, as well as mediastinal malignancies, incidental RT dose to heart or vascular structures has been linked to the development of Radiation-Induced Heart Disease (RIHD) which manifests as ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, cardiac dysfunction, and heart failure. Despite the remarkable progress in the delivery of radiotherapy treatment, off-target cardiac toxicities are unavoidable. One of the best-studied pathological consequences of incidental exposure of the heart to RT is collagen deposition and fibrosis, leading to the development of radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis (RIMF). However, the pathogenesis of RIMF is still largely unknown. Moreover, there are no available clinical approaches to reverse RIMF once it occurs and it continues to impair the quality of life of long-term cancer survivors. Hence, there is an increasing need for more clinically relevant preclinical models to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the development of RIMF. This review offers an insight into the existing preclinical models to study RIHD and the suggested mechanisms of RIMF, as well as available multi-modality treatments and outcomes. Moreover, we summarize the valuable detection methods of RIHD/RIMF, and the clinical use of sensitive radiographic and circulating biomarkers.
Collapse
|
69
|
Hepatocyte phosphatase DUSP22 mitigates NASH-HCC progression by targeting FAK. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5945. [PMID: 36209205 PMCID: PMC9547917 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33493-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a common clinical disease, is becoming a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Dual specificity phosphatase 22 (DUSP22, also known as JKAP or JSP-1) expressed in numerous tissues plays essential biological functions in immune responses and tumor growth. However, the effects of DUSP22 on NASH still remain unknown. Here, we find a significant decrease of DUSP22 expression in human and murine fatty liver, which is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Hepatic-specific DUSP22 deletion particularly exacerbates lipid deposition, inflammatory response and fibrosis in liver, facilitating NASH and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-associated HCC progression. In contrast, transgenic over-expression, lentivirus or adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated DUSP22 gene therapy substantially inhibit NASH-related phenotypes and HCC development in mice. We provide mechanistic evidence that DUSP22 directly interacts with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and restrains its phosphorylation at Tyr397 (Y397) and Y576 + Y577 residues, subsequently prohibiting downstream activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) cascades. The binding of DUSP22 to FAK and the dephosphorylation of FAK are indispensable for DUSP22-meliorated NASH progression. Collectively, our findings identify DUSP22 as a key suppressor of NASH-HCC, and underscore the DUSP22-FAK axis as a promising therapeutic target for treatment of the disease.
Collapse
|
70
|
Spermidine-mediated hypusination of translation factor EIF5A improves mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and prevents non-alcoholic steatohepatitis progression. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5202. [PMID: 36057633 PMCID: PMC9440896 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32788-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermidine is a natural polyamine that has health benefits and extends life span in several species. Deoxyhypusine synthase (DHPS) and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH) are key enzymes that utilize spermidine to catalyze the post-translational hypusination of the translation factor EIF5A (EIF5AH). Here, we have found that hepatic DOHH mRNA expression is decreased in patients and mice with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and hepatic cells treated with fatty acids. The mouse and cell culture models of NASH have concomitant decreases in Eif5aH and mitochondrial protein synthesis which leads to lower mitochondrial activity and fatty acid β-oxidation. Spermidine treatment restores EIF5AH, partially restores protein synthesis and mitochondrial function in NASH, and prevents NASH progression in vivo. Thus, the disrupted DHPS-DOHH-EIF5AH pathway during NASH represents a therapeutic target to increase hepatic protein synthesis and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and prevent NASH progression.
Collapse
|
71
|
Widjaja AA, Viswanathan S, Wei Ting JG, Tan J, Shekeran SG, Carling D, Lim WW, Cook SA. IL11 stimulates ERK/P90RSK to inhibit LKB1/AMPK and activate mTOR initiating a mesenchymal program in stromal, epithelial, and cancer cells. iScience 2022; 25:104806. [PMID: 35992082 PMCID: PMC9386112 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
IL11 initiates fibroblast activation but also causes epithelial cell dysfunction. The mechanisms underlying these processes are not known. We report that IL11-stimulated ERK/P90RSK activity causes the phosphorylation of LKB1 at S325 and S428, leading to its inactivation. This inhibits AMPK and activates mTOR across cell types. In stromal cells, IL11-stimulated ERK activity inhibits LKB1/AMPK which is associated with mTOR activation, ⍺SMA expression, and myofibroblast transformation. In hepatocytes and epithelial cells, IL11/ERK activity inhibits LKB1/AMPK leading to mTOR activation, SNAI1 expression, and cell dysfunction. Across cells, IL11-induced phenotypes were inhibited by metformin stimulated AMPK activation. In mice, genetic or pharmacologic manipulation of IL11 activity revealed a critical role of IL11/ERK signaling for LKB1/AMPK inhibition and mTOR activation in fatty liver disease. These data identify the IL11/mTOR axis as a signaling commonality in stromal, epithelial, and cancer cells and reveal a shared IL11-driven mesenchymal program across cell types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anissa A Widjaja
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Sivakumar Viswanathan
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Joyce Goh Wei Ting
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Jessie Tan
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore
| | - Shamini G Shekeran
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - David Carling
- MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Wei-Wen Lim
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore
| | - Stuart A Cook
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore.,MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
72
|
Xu X, Poulsen KL, Wu L, Liu S, Miyata T, Song Q, Wei Q, Zhao C, Lin C, Yang J. Targeted therapeutics and novel signaling pathways in non-alcohol-associated fatty liver/steatohepatitis (NAFL/NASH). Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:287. [PMID: 35963848 PMCID: PMC9376100 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01119-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcohol-associated fatty liver/steatohepatitis (NAFL/NASH) has become the leading cause of liver disease worldwide. NASH, an advanced form of NAFL, can be progressive and more susceptible to developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, lifestyle interventions are the most essential and effective strategies for preventing and controlling NAFL without the development of fibrosis. While there are still limited appropriate drugs specifically to treat NAFL/NASH, growing progress is being seen in elucidating the pathogenesis and identifying therapeutic targets. In this review, we discussed recent developments in etiology and prospective therapeutic targets, as well as pharmacological candidates in pre/clinical trials and patents, with a focus on diabetes, hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. Importantly, growing evidence elucidates that the disruption of the gut-liver axis and microbe-derived metabolites drive the pathogenesis of NAFL/NASH. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) act as a signaling mediator, resulting in lipid accumulation, macrophage and hepatic stellate cell activation, further promoting inflammation and liver fibrosis progression during the development of NAFL/NASH. Targeting gut microbiota or EVs may serve as new strategies for the treatment of NAFL/NASH. Finally, other mechanisms, such as cell therapy and genetic approaches, also have enormous therapeutic potential. Incorporating drugs with different mechanisms and personalized medicine may improve the efficacy to better benefit patients with NAFL/NASH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Xu
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Kyle L Poulsen
- Department of Anesthesiology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lijuan Wu
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Innovation Center of Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Innovation Center of Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Tatsunori Miyata
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Qiaoling Song
- Innovation Center of Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Qingda Wei
- School of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chenyang Zhao
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Innovation Center of Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Chunhua Lin
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
| | - Jinbo Yang
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
- Innovation Center of Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.
| |
Collapse
|
73
|
Widjaja AA, Chothani S, Viswanathan S, Goh JWT, Lim WW, Cook SA. IL11 Stimulates IL33 Expression and Proinflammatory Fibroblast Activation across Tissues. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168900. [PMID: 36012165 PMCID: PMC9408968 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin 11 (IL11) is upregulated in inflammatory conditions, where it is mostly believed to have anti-inflammatory activity. However, recent studies suggest instead that IL11 promotes inflammation by activating fibroblasts. Here, we assessed whether IL11 is pro- or anti-inflammatory in fibroblasts. Primary cultures of human kidney, lung or skin fibroblasts were stimulated with IL11 that resulted in the transient phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and the sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK). RNA sequencing over a time course of IL11 stimulation revealed a robust but short-lived transcriptional response that was enriched for gene set hallmarks of inflammation and characterized by the upregulation of SERPINB2, TNFRSF18, Interleukin 33 (IL33), CCL20, IL1RL1, CXCL3/5/8, ICAM1 and IL11 itself. IL33 was the most upregulated signaling factor (38-fold, p = 9.8 × 10-5), and IL1RL1, its cognate receptor, was similarly increased (18-fold, p = 1.1 × 10-34). In proteomic studies, IL11 triggered a proinflammatory secretome with the notable upregulation of IL8, IL6, MCP1, CCL20 and CXCL1/5/6, which are important chemotaxins for neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes. IL11 induced IL33 expression across fibroblast types, and the inhibition of STAT3 but not of MEK/ERK prevented this. These data establish IL11 as pro-inflammatory with specific importance for priming the IL33 alarmin response in inflammatory fibroblasts across tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anissa A. Widjaja
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Correspondence: (A.A.W.); (S.A.C.)
| | - Sonia Chothani
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Sivakumar Viswanathan
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Joyce Wei Ting Goh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Wei-Wen Lim
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore
| | - Stuart A. Cook
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore
- MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Correspondence: (A.A.W.); (S.A.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
74
|
Luteolin Pretreatment Attenuates Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Mice by Inhibiting Inflammation, Autophagy, and Apoptosis via the ERK/PPARα Pathway. PPAR Res 2022; 2022:8161946. [PMID: 35966821 PMCID: PMC9366205 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8161946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a clinically significant process that frequently occurs in liver transplantation, partial hepatectomy, and hemorrhagic shock. The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of luteolin in hepatic IR injury and the underlying mechanism. BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups, including normal controls (NC), luteolin (50 mg/kg), sham procedure, IR+25 mg/kg luteolin, and IR+50 mg/kg luteolin group. Serum and tissue samples were collected at 6 and 24 h after reperfusion to assay liver enzymes, inflammatory factors, expression of proteins associated with apoptosis and autophagy, and factors associated with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (ERK/PPARα) pathway. Luteolin preconditioning decreased hepatocyte injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion, downregulated inflammatory factors, and inhibited apoptosis and autophagy. Luteolin also inhibited ERK phosphorylation and activated PPARα.
Collapse
|
75
|
Kawasaki Disease-like Vasculitis Facilitates Atherosclerosis, and Statin Shows a Significant Antiatherosclerosis and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in a Kawasaki Disease Model Mouse. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081794. [PMID: 35892695 PMCID: PMC9330289 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute form of systemic vasculitis that may promote atherosclerosis in adulthood. This study examined the relationships between KD, atherosclerosis, and the long-term effects of HMG-CoA inhibitors (statins). Candida albicans water-soluble fraction (CAWS) was injected intraperitoneally into 5-week-old male apolipoprotein-E-deficient (Apo E-/-) mice to create KD-like vasculitis. Mice were divided into 4 groups: the control, CAWS, CAWS+statin, and late-statin groups. They were sacrificed at 6 or 10 weeks after injection. Statin was started after CAWS injection in all groups except the late-statin group, which was administered statin internally 6 weeks after injection. Lipid plaque lesions on the aorta were evaluated with Oil Red O. The aortic root and abdominal aorta were evaluated with hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunostaining. CAWS vasculitis significantly enhanced aortic atherosclerosis and inflammatory cell invasion into the aortic root and abdominal aorta. Statins significantly inhibited atherosclerosis and inflammatory cell invasion, including macrophages. CAWS vasculitis, a KD-like vasculitis, promoted atherosclerosis in Apo E-/- mice. The long-term oral administration of statin significantly suppressed not only atherosclerosis but also inflammatory cell infiltration. Therefore, statin treatment may be used for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events during the chronic phase of KD.
Collapse
|
76
|
Fu S, Lu Z, Ye W. TGF- β1 Induces Interlukin-11 Expression and Pro-Fibrotic Effect by DNA Demethylation in Subconjunctival Fibroblasts. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2022; 2022:7729827. [PMID: 35865343 PMCID: PMC9296281 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7729827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective To assess Interlukin-11 (IL11) expression in the tears of patients after filtration surgery and to find out its pro-transdifferentiational and pro-fibrotic functions and mechanisms on subconjunctival human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTFs) induced by transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1). Methods Tears were collected from glaucoma patients with or without filtration surgery. The expression of IL11 in tears was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Primary HTFs were prepared as an expansion culture of human Tenon's explants from patients undergoing cataract surgery. TGF-β1 and IL11 were used to stimulate the cultured HTFs. Quantitative RT-PCR and western blot analyzed the roles of TGF-β1 in IL11 and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) expression and the effects of IL11 on collagen-1A1 and α-smooth muscle actin expression. The effects of IL11 on human HTFs' migration were tested via the scratch-wound assay. MassARRAY platform of Sequenom was applied for analyzing the quantitative methylation of the IL11 promoter region. Result Our data presented significantly high levels of IL11 in the tears of patients who underwent filtration surgery with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) compared with those who underwent filtration surgery with controlled IOP. The up-regulation of IL11 was related to TGF-β1. We also found that TGF-β induced IL11 up-regulation in the HTFs, which activates the HTFs and enhanced the translation of the pro-fibrotic protein expression. This is correlated with inhibiting the activity and expression of DNMTs and demethylating the IL11 promoter. Therefore, IL11 may be an ideal target to be regulated to control the filtering pathway scar formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuhao Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Zhaozeng Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Wen Ye
- Department of Ophthalmology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| |
Collapse
|
77
|
Yao K, Tarabra E, Sia D, Morotti R, Fawaz R, Valentino P, Santoro N, Caprio S, Liu S, Yimlamai D. Transcriptomic profiling of a multiethnic pediatric NAFLD cohort reveals genes and pathways associated with disease. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:1598-1610. [PMID: 35312185 PMCID: PMC9234638 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common type of chronic liver disease in children. The mechanisms that drive NAFLD disease progression in this specific patient population remain poorly defined. In this study, we obtained liver biopsy samples from a multiethnic cohort of pediatric patients with NAFLD (n = 52, mean age = 13.6 years) and healthy liver controls (n = 5). We analyzed transcriptomic changes associated with NAFLD stages using high-throughput RNA sequencing. Unsupervised clustering as well as pairwise transcriptome comparison distinguished NAFLD from healthy livers. We identified perturbations in pathways including calcium and insulin/glucose signaling occurring early in NAFLD disease, before the presence of histopathologic evidence of advanced disease. Transcriptomic comparisons identified a 25-gene signature associated with the degree of liver fibrosis. We also identified expression of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) gene family (1/2/3/7) as correlating with disease stages, and it has the potential to be used as a peripheral biomarker in NAFLD. Comparing our data set with publicly available adult and adolescent transcriptomic data, we identified similarities and differences in pathway enrichment and gene-expression profiles between adult and pediatric patients with NAFLD. Regulation of genes including interleukin-32, IGFBP1, IGFBP2, and IGFBP7 was consistently found in both NAFLD populations, whereas IGFBP3 was specific to pediatric NAFLD. Conclusion: This paper expands our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying pediatric NAFLD. It identifies potential biomarkers and directs us toward new therapies in this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kangning Yao
- Department of PediatricsYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Elena Tarabra
- Department of PediatricsYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Daniela Sia
- Division of Liver DiseasesDepartment of MedicineTisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Rima Fawaz
- Department of PediatricsYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | | | - Nicola Santoro
- Department of PediatricsYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences“V. Tiberio,” University of MoliseCampobassoItaly
| | - Sonia Caprio
- Department of PediatricsYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Silvia Liu
- Department of PathologySchool of MedicinePittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical CenterPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Dean Yimlamai
- Department of PediatricsYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| |
Collapse
|
78
|
Long Q, Liu Z, Shao Q, Shi H, Huang S, Jiang C, Qian B, Zhong Y, He X, Xiang X, Yang Y, Li B, Yan X, Zhao Q, Wei X, Santos HA, Ye X. Autologous Skin Fibroblast-Based PLGA Nanoparticles for Treating Multiorgan Fibrosis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2200856. [PMID: 35603964 PMCID: PMC9313479 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202200856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases remain a substantial health burden with few therapeutic approaches. A hallmark of fibrosis is the aberrant activation and accumulation of myofibroblasts, which is caused by excessive profibrotic cytokines. Conventional anticytokine therapies fail to undergo clinical trials, as simply blocking a single or several antifibrotic cytokines cannot abrogate the profibrotic microenvironment. Here, biomimetic nanoparticles based on autologous skin fibroblasts are customized as decoys to neutralize multiple fibroblast-targeted cytokines. By fusing the skin fibroblast membrane onto poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid cores, these nanoparticles, termed fibroblast membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles (FNPs), are shown to effectively scavenge various profibrotic cytokines, including transforming growth factor-β, interleukin (IL)-11, IL-13, and IL-17, thereby modulating the profibrotic microenvironment. FNPs are sequentially prepared into multiple formulations for different administration routines. As a proof-of-concept, in three independent animal models with various organ fibrosis (lung fibrosis, liver fibrosis, and heart fibrosis), FNPs effectively reduce the accumulation of myofibroblasts, and the formation of fibrotic tissue, concomitantly restoring organ function and indicating that FNPs are a potential broad-spectrum therapy for fibrosis management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Long
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025China
| | - Zehua Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials ScienceUniversity Medical Center Groningen/University of GroningenAnt. Deusinglaan 1Groningen9713 AVThe Netherlands
- Drug Research ProgramDivision of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and TechnologyFaculty of PharmacyUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFI‐00014Finland
| | - Qianwen Shao
- Department of PharmacologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Hongpeng Shi
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025China
| | - Shixing Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025China
| | - Chenyu Jiang
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025China
| | - Bei Qian
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025China
| | - Yiming Zhong
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025China
| | - Xiaojun He
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025China
| | - Xiaogang Xiang
- Department of Infectious DiseasesRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryShanghai Pulmonary HospitalSchool of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghai200000China
| | - Bing Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care MedicineShanghai Pulmonary HospitalSchool of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghai200000China
| | - Xiaoxiang Yan
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025China
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- Department of PharmacologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Hélder A. Santos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials ScienceUniversity Medical Center Groningen/University of GroningenAnt. Deusinglaan 1Groningen9713 AVThe Netherlands
- Drug Research ProgramDivision of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and TechnologyFaculty of PharmacyUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFI‐00014Finland
| | - Xiaofeng Ye
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025China
| |
Collapse
|
79
|
Dong J, Lim WW, Shekeran SG, Tan J, Lim SY, Goh JWT, George BL, Schafer S, Cook SA, Widjaja AA. Hepatocyte Specific gp130 Signalling Underlies APAP Induced Liver Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137089. [PMID: 35806094 PMCID: PMC9266364 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP)-induced liver damage is associated with upregulation of Interleukin-11 (IL11), which is thought to stimulate IL6ST (gp130)-mediated STAT3 activity in hepatocytes, as a compensatory response. However, recent studies have found IL11/IL11RA/gp130 signaling to be hepatotoxic. To investigate further the role of IL11 and gp130 in APAP liver injury, we generated two new mouse strains with conditional knockout (CKO) of either Il11 (CKOIl11) or gp130 (CKOgp130) in adult hepatocytes. Following APAP, as compared to controls, CKOgp130 mice had lesser liver damage with lower serum Alanine Transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), greatly reduced serum IL11 levels (90% lower), and lesser centrilobular necrosis. Livers from APAP-injured CKOgp130 mice had lesser ERK, JNK, NOX4 activation and increased markers of regeneration (PCNA, Cyclin D1, Ki67). Experiments were repeated in CKOIl11 mice that, as compared to wild-type mice, had lower APAP-induced ALT/AST, reduced centrilobular necrosis and undetectable IL11 in serum. As seen with CKOgp130 mice, APAP-treated CKOIl11 mice had lesser ERK/JNK/NOX4 activation and greater features of regeneration. Both CKOgp130 and CKOIl11 mice had normal APAP metabolism. After APAP, CKOgp130 and CKOIl11 mice had reduced Il6, Ccl2, Ccl5, Il1β, and Tnfα expression. These studies exclude IL11 upregulation as compensatory and establish autocrine, self-amplifying, gp130-dependent IL11 secretion from damaged hepatocytes as toxic and anti-regenerative.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinrui Dong
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.D.); (W.-W.L.); (S.G.S.); (S.Y.L.); (J.W.T.G.); (B.L.G.); (S.S.)
| | - Wei-Wen Lim
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.D.); (W.-W.L.); (S.G.S.); (S.Y.L.); (J.W.T.G.); (B.L.G.); (S.S.)
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169857, Singapore;
| | - Shamini G. Shekeran
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.D.); (W.-W.L.); (S.G.S.); (S.Y.L.); (J.W.T.G.); (B.L.G.); (S.S.)
| | - Jessie Tan
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169857, Singapore;
| | - Sze Yun Lim
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.D.); (W.-W.L.); (S.G.S.); (S.Y.L.); (J.W.T.G.); (B.L.G.); (S.S.)
| | - Joyce Wei Ting Goh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.D.); (W.-W.L.); (S.G.S.); (S.Y.L.); (J.W.T.G.); (B.L.G.); (S.S.)
| | - Benjamin L. George
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.D.); (W.-W.L.); (S.G.S.); (S.Y.L.); (J.W.T.G.); (B.L.G.); (S.S.)
| | - Sebastian Schafer
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.D.); (W.-W.L.); (S.G.S.); (S.Y.L.); (J.W.T.G.); (B.L.G.); (S.S.)
| | - Stuart A. Cook
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.D.); (W.-W.L.); (S.G.S.); (S.Y.L.); (J.W.T.G.); (B.L.G.); (S.S.)
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169857, Singapore;
- MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
- Correspondence: (S.A.C.); (A.A.W.)
| | - Anissa A. Widjaja
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.D.); (W.-W.L.); (S.G.S.); (S.Y.L.); (J.W.T.G.); (B.L.G.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence: (S.A.C.); (A.A.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
80
|
Zhou J, Tripathi M, Ho JP, Widjaja AA, Shekeran SG, Camat MD, James A, Wu Y, Ching J, Kovalik JP, Lim KH, Cook SA, Bay BH, Singh BK, Yen PM. Thyroid Hormone Decreases Hepatic Steatosis, Inflammation, and Fibrosis in a Dietary Mouse Model of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Thyroid 2022; 32:725-738. [PMID: 35317606 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2021.0621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by hepatic steatosis, lobular inflammation, and fibrosis. Thyroid hormone (TH) reduces steatosis; however, the therapeutic effect of TH on NASH-associated inflammation and fibrosis is not known. This study examined the therapeutic effect of TH on hepatic inflammation and fibrosis during NASH and investigated THs molecular actions on autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis. Methods: HepG2-TRβ cells were treated with bovine serum albumin-conjugated palmitic acid (PA) to mimic lipotoxic conditions in vitro. Mice with NASH were established by feeding C57BL/6J mice Western diet with 15% fructose in drinking water for 16 weeks. These mice were administered triiodothyronine (T3)/thyroxine (T4) supplemented in drinking water for the next eight weeks. Results: In cultured HepG2-TRβ cells, TH treatment increased mitochondrial respiration and fatty acid oxidation under basal and PA-treated conditions, as well as decreased lipopolysaccharides and PA-stimulated inflammatory and fibrotic responses. In a dietary mouse model of NASH, TH administration decreased hepatic triglyceride content (3.19 ± 0.68 vs. 8.04 ± 0.42 mM/g liver) and hydroxyproline (1.44 ± 0.07 vs. 2.58 ± 0.30 mg/g liver) when compared with mice with untreated NASH. Metabolomics profiling of lipid metabolites showed that mice with NASH had increased triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, monoacylglycerol, and hepatic cholesterol esters species, and these lipid species were decreased by TH treatment. Mice with NASH also showed decreased autophagic degradation as evidenced by decreased transcription Factor EB and lysosomal protease expression, and accumulation of LC3B-II and p62. TH treatment restored the level of lysosomal proteins and resolved the accumulation of LC3B-II and p62. Impaired mitochondrial biogenesis was also restored by TH. The simultaneous restoration of autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis by TH increased β-oxidation of fatty acids. Additionally, the elevated oxidative stress and inflammasome activation in NASH liver were also decreased by TH. Conclusions: In a mouse model of NASH, TH restored autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis to increase β-oxidation of fatty acids and to reduce lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, hepatic inflammation, and fibrosis. Activating thyroid hormone receptor in the liver may represent an effective strategy for NASH treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhou
- Program of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Madhulika Tripathi
- Program of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jia Pei Ho
- Program of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Anissa Anindya Widjaja
- Program of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shamini Guna Shekeran
- Program of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Anne James
- Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yajun Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jianhong Ching
- Program of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jean-Paul Kovalik
- Program of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kiat-Hon Lim
- Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stuart Alexander Cook
- Program of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Medical Research Council, London Institute for Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Boon-Huat Bay
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Brijesh Kumar Singh
- Program of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Paul Michael Yen
- Program of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Division, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
81
|
Cao Y, Mai W, Li R, Deng S, Li L, Zhou Y, Qin Q, Zhang Y, Zhou X, Han M, Liang P, Yan Y, Hao Y, Xie W, Yan J, Zhu L. Macrophages evoke autophagy of hepatic stellate cells to promote liver fibrosis in NAFLD mice via the PGE2/EP4 pathway. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:303. [PMID: 35588334 PMCID: PMC11071853 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04319-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear and the effective treatments have not been explored yet. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is considered as the most critical factor in the progression of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Autophagy has recently been identified as a new mechanism to regulate HSC activation. Here, we found that liver macrophages were polarized toward type 2 (M2) during the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver fibrosis in both patients and NAFLD mice. Using the methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet NAFLD murine model and the in vitro cell culture system, we identified that the M2 macrophages promoted HSC autophagy by secreting prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and binding its receptor EP4 on the surface of HSCs, which consequently enhanced HSC activation, extracellular matrix deposition, and liver fibrosis. Mechanistically, PGE2/EP4 signals enhanced HSC autophagy through the Erk pathway. A specific PGE2/EP4 antagonist E7046 significantly inhibited M2 macrophage-mediated HSC autophagy and improved liver fibrosis and histopathology in NAFLD mice. Our study provides novel mechanistic insights into the regulation of HSC activation and liver fibrosis. Our findings suggest that the PGE2/EP4 pathway is a promising therapeutic target to prevent NASH progression into cirrhosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cao
- Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Weili Mai
- Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of the Southern Theater of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Rui Li
- Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, 100015, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Shuwei Deng
- Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, 100015, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Lan Li
- Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, 100015, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Yanxi Zhou
- Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, 100015, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Qiushi Qin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, 100015, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Xingang Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Ming Han
- Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, 100015, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Pu Liang
- Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, 100015, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Yonghong Yan
- Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, 100015, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Yu Hao
- Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, 100015, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Wen Xie
- Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China.
| | - Jie Yan
- Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China.
| | - Liuluan Zhu
- Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, 100015, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China.
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China.
| |
Collapse
|
82
|
Bachmann JC, Baumgart SJ, Uryga AK, Bosteen MH, Borghetti G, Nyberg M, Herum KM. Fibrotic Signaling in Cardiac Fibroblasts and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: The Dual Roles of Fibrosis in HFpEF and CAD. Cells 2022; 11:1657. [PMID: 35626694 PMCID: PMC9139546 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and atherosclerosis-driven coronary artery disease (CAD) will have ongoing fibrotic remodeling both in the myocardium and in atherosclerotic plaques. However, the functional consequences of fibrosis differ for each location. Thus, cardiac fibrosis leads to myocardial stiffening, thereby compromising cardiac function, while fibrotic remodeling stabilizes the atherosclerotic plaque, thereby reducing the risk of plaque rupture. Although there are currently no drugs targeting cardiac fibrosis, it is a field under intense investigation, and future drugs must take these considerations into account. To explore similarities and differences of fibrotic remodeling at these two locations of the heart, we review the signaling pathways that are activated in the main extracellular matrix (ECM)-producing cells, namely human cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Although these signaling pathways are highly overlapping and context-dependent, effects on ECM remodeling mainly act through two core signaling cascades: TGF-β and Angiotensin II. We complete this by summarizing the knowledge gained from clinical trials targeting these two central fibrotic pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kate M. Herum
- Research and Early Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park, 2760 Maaloev, Denmark; (J.C.B.); (S.J.B.); (A.K.U.); (M.H.B.); (G.B.); (M.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
83
|
Ng B, Viswanathan S, Widjaja AA, Lim WW, Shekeran SG, Goh JWT, Tan J, Kuthubudeen F, Lim SY, Xie C, Schafer S, Adami E, Cook SA. IL11 Activates Pancreatic Stellate Cells and Causes Pancreatic Inflammation, Fibrosis and Atrophy in a Mouse Model of Pancreatitis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073549. [PMID: 35408908 PMCID: PMC8999048 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-11 (IL11) is important for fibrosis and inflammation, but its role in the pancreas is unclear. In pancreatitis, fibrosis, inflammation and organ dysfunction are associated with pancreatic stellate cell (PSC)-to-myofibroblast transformation. Here, we show that IL11 stimulation of PSCs, which specifically express IL11RA in the pancreas, results in transient STAT3 phosphorylation, sustained ERK activation and PSC activation. In contrast, IL6 stimulation of PSCs caused sustained STAT3 phosphorylation but did not result in ERK activation or PSC transformation. Pancreatitis factors, including TGFβ, CTGF and PDGF, induced IL11 secretion from PSCs and a neutralising IL11RA antibody prevented PSC activation by these stimuli. This revealed an important ERK-dependent role for autocrine IL11 activity in PSCs. In mice, IL11 was increased in the pancreas after pancreatic duct ligation, and in humans, IL11 and IL11RA levels were elevated in chronic pancreatitis. Following pancreatic duct ligation, administration of anti-IL11RA to mice reduced pathologic (ERK, STAT, NF-κB) signalling, pancreatic atrophy, fibrosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNFα, IL6 and IL1β) levels. This is the first description of IL11-mediated activation of PSCs, and the data suggest IL11 as a stromal therapeutic target in pancreatitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Ng
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore; (W.-W.L.); (J.T.); (C.X.); (S.A.C.)
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence: (B.N.); (E.A.)
| | - Sivakumar Viswanathan
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Anissa A. Widjaja
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Wei-Wen Lim
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore; (W.-W.L.); (J.T.); (C.X.); (S.A.C.)
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Shamini G. Shekeran
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Joyce Wei Ting Goh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Jessie Tan
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore; (W.-W.L.); (J.T.); (C.X.); (S.A.C.)
| | - Fathima Kuthubudeen
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Sze Yun Lim
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Chen Xie
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore; (W.-W.L.); (J.T.); (C.X.); (S.A.C.)
| | - Sebastian Schafer
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Eleonora Adami
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: (B.N.); (E.A.)
| | - Stuart A. Cook
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore; (W.-W.L.); (J.T.); (C.X.); (S.A.C.)
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
- MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
84
|
Lim WW, Dong J, Ng B, Widjaja AA, Xie C, Su L, Kwek XY, Tee NGZ, Jian Pua C, Schafer S, Viswanathan S, Cook SA. Inhibition of IL11 Signaling Reduces Aortic Pathology in Murine Marfan Syndrome. Circ Res 2022; 130:728-740. [PMID: 35135328 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.121.320381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marfan syndrome (MFS) is associated with TGF (transforming growth factor) β-stimulated ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) activity in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which adopt a mixed synthetic/contractile phenotype. In VSMCs, TGFβ induces IL (interleukin) 11) that stimulates ERK-dependent secretion of collagens and MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases). Here, we examined the role of IL11 in the MFS aorta. METHODS We used echocardiography, histology, immunostaining, and biochemical methods to study aortic anatomy, physiology, and molecular endophenotypes in Fbn1C1041G/+ mice, an established murine model of MFS (mMFS). mMFS mice were crossed to an IL11-tagged EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein; Il11EGFP/+) reporter strain or to a strain deleted for the IL11 receptor (Il11ra1-/-). In therapeutic studies, mMFS were administered an X209 (neutralizing antibody against IL11RA [IL11 receptor subunit alpha]) or IgG for 20 weeks and imaged longitudinally. RESULTS IL11 mRNA and protein were elevated in the aortas of mMFS mice, as compared to controls. mMFS mice crossed to Il11EGFP/+ mice had increased IL11 expression in VSMCs, notably in the aortic root and ascending aorta. As compared to the mMFS parental strain, double mutant mMFS:Il11ra1-/- mice had reduced aortic dilatation and exhibited lesser fibrosis, inflammation, elastin breaks, and VSMC loss, which was associated with reduced aortic COL1A1 (collagen type I alpha 1 chain), IL11, MMP2/9, and phospho-ERK expression. To explore therapeutic targeting of IL11 signaling in MFS, we administered either a neutralizing antibody against IL11RA (X209) or an IgG control. After 20 weeks of antibody administration, as compared to IgG, mMFS mice receiving X209 had reduced thoracic and abdominal aortic dilation as well as lesser fibrosis, inflammation, elastin breaks, and VSMC loss. By immunoblotting, X209 was shown to reduce aortic COL1A1, IL11, MMP2/9, and phospho-ERK expression. CONCLUSIONS In MFS, IL11 is upregulated in aortic VSMCs to cause ERK-related thoracic aortic dilatation, inflammation, and fibrosis. Therapeutic inhibition of IL11, imminent in clinical trials, might be considered as a new approach in MFS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Wen Lim
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore (W.-W.L., B.N., C.X., L.S., X.-Y.K., N.G.Z.T., C.J.P., S.S., S.A.C.).,Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School (W.-W.L., J.D., B.N., A.A.W., S.S., S.V., S.A.C.)
| | - Jinrui Dong
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School (W.-W.L., J.D., B.N., A.A.W., S.S., S.V., S.A.C.)
| | - Benjamin Ng
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore (W.-W.L., B.N., C.X., L.S., X.-Y.K., N.G.Z.T., C.J.P., S.S., S.A.C.).,Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School (W.-W.L., J.D., B.N., A.A.W., S.S., S.V., S.A.C.)
| | - Anissa A Widjaja
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School (W.-W.L., J.D., B.N., A.A.W., S.S., S.V., S.A.C.)
| | - Chen Xie
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore (W.-W.L., B.N., C.X., L.S., X.-Y.K., N.G.Z.T., C.J.P., S.S., S.A.C.)
| | - Liping Su
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore (W.-W.L., B.N., C.X., L.S., X.-Y.K., N.G.Z.T., C.J.P., S.S., S.A.C.)
| | - Xiu-Yi Kwek
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore (W.-W.L., B.N., C.X., L.S., X.-Y.K., N.G.Z.T., C.J.P., S.S., S.A.C.)
| | - Nicole G Z Tee
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore (W.-W.L., B.N., C.X., L.S., X.-Y.K., N.G.Z.T., C.J.P., S.S., S.A.C.)
| | - Chee Jian Pua
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore (W.-W.L., B.N., C.X., L.S., X.-Y.K., N.G.Z.T., C.J.P., S.S., S.A.C.)
| | - Sebastian Schafer
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore (W.-W.L., B.N., C.X., L.S., X.-Y.K., N.G.Z.T., C.J.P., S.S., S.A.C.).,Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School (W.-W.L., J.D., B.N., A.A.W., S.S., S.V., S.A.C.)
| | - Sivakumar Viswanathan
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School (W.-W.L., J.D., B.N., A.A.W., S.S., S.V., S.A.C.)
| | - Stuart A Cook
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore (W.-W.L., B.N., C.X., L.S., X.-Y.K., N.G.Z.T., C.J.P., S.S., S.A.C.).,Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School (W.-W.L., J.D., B.N., A.A.W., S.S., S.V., S.A.C.).,MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, United Kingdom (S.A.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
85
|
Widjaja A, Shekeran S, Adami E, Goh J, Tan J, Viswanathan S, Lim SY, Tan PH, Hubner N, Coffman T, Cook S. A Neutralizing IL-11 Antibody Improves Renal Function and Increases Lifespan in a Mouse Model of Alport Syndrome. J Am Soc Nephrol 2022; 33:718-730. [PMID: 35140116 PMCID: PMC8970448 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2021040577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alport syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by a defective glomerular basement membrane, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, inflammation, and progressive renal failure. IL-11 was recently implicated in fibrotic kidney disease but its role in Alport syndrome is unknown Methods: We determined IL-11 expression by molecular analyses and in an Alport syndrome mouse model. We assessed the effects of a neutralizing IL-11 antibody (X203) versus an IgG control in Col4a3-/- mice (lacking the gene encoding a type IV collagen component) on renal tubule damage, function, fibrosis, and inflammation. Effects on lifespan of X203, the IgG control, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ramipril), or ramipril+X203 were also studied. RESULTS In Col4a3 mice, as kidney failure advanced, renal IL-11 levels increased and IL-11 expression localized to tubular epithelial cells. The IL-11 receptor IL11RA is expressed in tubular epithelial cells and podocytes and is upregulated in tubular epithelial cells of Col4a3 mice. Administration of X203 reduced albuminuria, improved renal function, and preserved podocyte numbers and levels of key podocyte proteins that are reduced in Col4a3 mice; these effects were accompanied by reduced fibrosis and inflammation, attenuation of epithelial-tomesenchymal transition, and increased expression of regenerative markers. X203 attenuated pathogenic ERK and STAT3 pathways, which were activated in Col4a3 mice. Median lifespan of Col4a3 mice was prolonged 22% by ramapril, 44% with X203, and 99% with amipril+X203. CONCLUSIONS In an Alport syndrome mouse model, renal IL-11 is upregulated, and neutralization of IL-11 reduces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, fibrosis, and inflammation, while improving renal function. Anti-IL-11 combined with ACE inhibition synergistically extends lifespan. This suggests that a therapeutic approach targeting IL-11 holds promise for progressive kidney disease in Alport syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anissa Widjaja
- A Widjaja, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shamini Shekeran
- S Shekeran, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eleonora Adami
- E Adami, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joyce Goh
- J Goh, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jessie Tan
- J Tan, National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sivakumar Viswanathan
- S Viswanathan, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sze Yun Lim
- S Lim, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Puay Hoon Tan
- P Tan, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Norbert Hubner
- N Hubner, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Max Delbruck Centre for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Coffman
- T Coffman, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stuart Cook
- S Cook, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
86
|
Prikhodko VA, Bezborodkina NN, Okovityi SV. Pharmacotherapy for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Emerging Targets and Drug Candidates. Biomedicines 2022; 10:274. [PMID: 35203484 PMCID: PMC8869100 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), is characterized by high global incidence and prevalence, a tight association with common metabolic comorbidities, and a substantial risk of progression and associated mortality. Despite the increasingly high medical and socioeconomic burden of NAFLD, the lack of approved pharmacotherapy regimens remains an unsolved issue. In this paper, we aimed to provide an update on the rapidly changing therapeutic landscape and highlight the major novel approaches to the treatment of this disease. In addition to describing the biomolecules and pathways identified as upcoming pharmacological targets for NAFLD, we reviewed the current status of drug discovery and development pipeline with a special focus on recent evidence from clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronika A. Prikhodko
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Saint Petersburg State Chemical and Pharmaceutical University, 14A Prof. Popov Str., 197022 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Natalia N. Bezborodkina
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 1 Universitetskaya emb., 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Sergey V. Okovityi
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Saint Petersburg State Chemical and Pharmaceutical University, 14A Prof. Popov Str., 197022 St. Petersburg, Russia;
- Scientific, Clinical and Educational Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Saint Petersburg State University, 7/9 Universitetskaya emb., 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
87
|
Myzithras M, Lin S, Radden L, Hess Kenny C, Cai Z, MacDonald A, Binetti R, Marlow M, Fracasso P, Gibson G, Bartlett C, Hawkins J, Hansel S. Development of novel ultra-sensitive IL-11 target engagement assays to support mechanistic PK/PD modeling for an anti-IL-11 antibody therapeutic. MAbs 2022; 14:2104153. [PMID: 35916739 PMCID: PMC9348130 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2022.2104153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An in-house antibody generation campaign identified a diverse, high affinity set of anti-interleukin-11 (IL-11) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to enable successful development of novel, custom ultra-sensitive target engagement assays for detection of “free” (unbound to the dosed anti-IL-11 therapeutic mAb) and “total” (free and mAb-IL-11 complexed form) IL-11 in preclinical species and human. Antibody hits from distinct epitope communities were screened on various platforms, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Meso Scale Discovery, Simoa HD-1 and Simoa Planar Array (SP-X), and used for assay development and sensitivity optimization. The ultra-sensitive SP-X format achieved a lower limit of quantitation of 0.006 pg/mL, enabling the first reported baseline levels of IL-11 in healthy control plasma determined by custom bioanalytical assays. These newly established baseline levels supported mechanistic pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling in mouse, cynomolgus monkey, and human for a greater understanding of preclinical study design and in vivo dynamic interaction of soluble IL-11 with an anti-IL-11 antibody therapeutic candidate. Modeling and simulation also helped refine the utility of assays with respect to their potential use as target engagement biomarkers in the clinic. Abbreviations IL-11: Interleukin-11, TE: Target engagement, PK/PD: Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic, mAb: Monoclonal antibody, NHP: Non-human primate, IgG: Immunoglobulin G, Cyno: Cynomolgulus monkey, GFR: Glomerular filtration rate, BQL: Below quantitation levels, DRM: Disease relevant model, kDa: kilodaltons, SPR: Surface plasmon resonance, pSTAT3: phosphorylated STAT3, IL-11R: Interleukin-11 receptor, TPP: Target product protein, LLOQ: Lower limit of quantitation, RLU: Relative light units
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Siqi Lin
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Research, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Zheng Cai
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Research, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | | | - Ralph Binetti
- Immunology & Respiratory, Research, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Michael Marlow
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Research, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Paul Fracasso
- Cardiometabolic Diseases, Research, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Glenn Gibson
- Cardiometabolic Diseases, Research, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | | | - Julie Hawkins
- Cardiometabolic Diseases, Research, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Steven Hansel
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Research, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
88
|
Jasso GJ, Jaiswal A, Varma M, Laszewski T, Grauel A, Omar A, Silva N, Dranoff G, Porter JA, Mansfield K, Cremasco V, Regev A, Xavier RJ, Graham DB. Colon stroma mediates an inflammation-driven fibroblastic response controlling matrix remodeling and healing. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001532. [PMID: 35085231 PMCID: PMC8824371 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is often associated with the development of tissue fibrosis, but how mesenchymal cell responses dictate pathological fibrosis versus resolution and healing remains unclear. Defining stromal heterogeneity and identifying molecular circuits driving extracellular matrix deposition and remodeling stands to illuminate the relationship between inflammation, fibrosis, and healing. We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing of colon-derived stromal cells and identified distinct classes of fibroblasts with gene signatures that are differentially regulated by chronic inflammation, including IL-11-producing inflammatory fibroblasts. We further identify a transcriptional program associated with trans-differentiation of mucosa-associated fibroblasts and define a functional gene signature associated with matrix deposition and remodeling in the inflamed colon. Our analysis supports a critical role for the metalloprotease Adamdec1 at the interface between tissue remodeling and healing during colitis, demonstrating its requirement for colon epithelial integrity. These findings provide mechanistic insight into how inflammation perturbs stromal cell behaviors to drive fibroblastic responses controlling mucosal matrix remodeling and healing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe J. Jasso
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alok Jaiswal
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mukund Varma
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tyler Laszewski
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Angelo Grauel
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Abdifatah Omar
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nilsa Silva
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Glenn Dranoff
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey A. Porter
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Keith Mansfield
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Viviana Cremasco
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Aviv Regev
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ramnik J. Xavier
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RJX); (DBG)
| | - Daniel B. Graham
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RJX); (DBG)
| |
Collapse
|
89
|
Wu P, Lin B, Huang S, Meng J, Zhang F, Zhou M, Hei X, Ke Y, Yang H, Huang D. IL-11 Is Elevated and Drives the Profibrotic Phenotype Transition of Orbital Fibroblasts in Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:846106. [PMID: 35273577 PMCID: PMC8902078 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.846106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Orbital fibrosis is a hallmark of tissue remodeling in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Previous studies have shown that interleukin (IL)-11 plays a pivotal profibrotic role in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, the expression pattern of IL-11 in patients with TAO and whether IL-11 is mechanistically linked with pathological fibrosis remains unknown. In this study, we investigated IL-11 levels in the serum and orbital connective tissue of patients with TAO, and evaluated the correlation of these levels with the patient's clinical activity score. We also evaluated the expression pattern of IL-11Rα in orbital connective tissue. Furthermore, we elucidated the regulatory factors, profibrotic function, and downstream signaling pathways for IL-11 in TAO using in vitro studies. IL-11 levels in serum and orbital connective tissues were increased in patients with TAO, as compared with healthy controls. In addition, both levels were positively correlated with disease activity. Single-cell RNA sequencing of orbital connective tissue indicated that IL-11Rα was dominantly expressed in orbital fibroblasts (OFs). RNA sequencing of paired unstimulated and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-stimulated samples demonstrated that upregulation of IL-11 expression defined the dominant transcriptional response. IL-11 signaling was also confirmed to be downstream of TGF-β1 and IL-1β. Therefore, we deduced that IL-11 protein is secreted in an autocrine loop in TAO. We also indicated that IL-11 mediated the profibrotic phenotype switch by inducing the expression of myofibroblast differentiation markers, including α-smooth muscle actin and collagen type I α1, which could be abrogated by an anti-IL-11 neutralizing antibody. Furthermore, we revealed that extracellular regulated protein kinase may be a crucial factor in the pro-fibrotic, translationally specific signaling activity of IL-11. These data demonstrate that IL-11 plays a crucial role in orbital fibroblast phenotype switching and may be a potential therapeutic target candidate for the treatment of TAO.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengsen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bingying Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siyu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangqing Hei
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huasheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
90
|
Rajak S, Gupta P, Anjum B, Raza S, Tewari A, Ghosh S, Tripathi M, Singh BK, Sinha RA. Role of AKR1B10 and AKR1B8 in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mouse. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1868:166319. [PMID: 34954342 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a clinically important spectrum of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in humans. NASH is a stage of NAFLD progression wherein liver steatosis accompanies inflammation and pro-fibrotic events. Presently, there are no approved drugs for NASH, which has become a leading cause of liver transplant worldwide. To discover novel drug targets for NASH, we analyzed a human transcriptomic NASH dataset and found Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) as a significantly upregulated gene in livers of human NASH patients. Similarly murine Akr1b10 and Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B8 (Akr1b8) gene, which is a murine ortholog of human AKR1B10, were also found to be upregulated in a mouse model of diet-induced NASH. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibitors of AKR1B10 significantly reduced the pathological features of NASH such as steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis in mouse. In addition, genetic silencing of both mouse Akr1b10 and Akr1b8 significantly reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines from hepatocytes. These results thus underscore the involvement of murine AKR1B10 and AKR1B8 in the pathogenesis of murine NASH and raise an intriguing possibility of a similar role of AKR1B10 in human NASH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sangam Rajak
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Pratima Gupta
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Baby Anjum
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Sana Raza
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Archana Tewari
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Sujoy Ghosh
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorder Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Madhulika Tripathi
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorder Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Brijesh K Singh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorder Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Rohit A Sinha
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India.
| |
Collapse
|
91
|
Zhang Z, Ji Z, He J, Lu Y, Tian W, Zheng C, Chen H, Zhang Q, Yang F, Zhang M, Yin Y, Jiang R, Chu WM, Zhang W, Sun B. Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein G(i) Subunit Alpha 2 Exacerbates NASH Progression by Regulating Peroxiredoxin 1-Related Inflammation and Lipophagy. Hepatology 2021; 74:3110-3126. [PMID: 34322898 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS NASH is an advanced stage of liver disease accompanied by lipid accumulation, inflammation, and liver fibrosis. Guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(i) subunit alpha-2 (GNAI2) is a member of the "inhibitory" class of α-subunits, and recent studies showed that Gnai2 deficiency is known to cause reduced weight in mice. However, the role of GNAI2 in hepatocytes, particularly in the context of liver inflammation and lipid metabolism, remains to be elucidated. Herein, we aim to ascertain the function of GNAI2 in hepatocytes and its impact on the development of NASH. APPROACH AND RESULTS Human liver tissues were obtained from NASH patients and healthy persons to evaluate the expression and clinical relevance of GNAI2. In addition, hepatocyte-specific Gnai2-deficient mice (Gnai2hep-/- ) were fed either a Western diet supplemented with fructose in drinking water (WDF) for 16 weeks or a methionine/choline-deficient diet (MCD) for 6 weeks to investigate the regulatory role and underlying mechanism of Gnai2 in NASH. GNAI2 was significantly up-regulated in liver tissues of patients with NASH. Following feeding with WDF or MCD diets, livers from Gnai2hep-/- mice had reduced steatohepatitis with suppression of markers of inflammation and an increase in lipophagy compared to Gnai2flox/flox mice. Toll-like receptor 4 signals through nuclear factor kappa B to trigger p65-dependent transcription of Gnai2. Intriguingly, immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and mass spectrometry identified peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) as a binding partner of GNAI2. Moreover, the function of PRDX1 in the suppression of TNF receptor-associated factor 6 ubiquitin-ligase activity and glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase domain-containing 5-related phosphatidylcholine metabolism was inhibited by GNAI2. Suppression of GNAI2 combined with overexpression of PRDX1 reversed the development of steatosis and fibrosis in vivo. CONCLUSIONS GNAI2 is a major regulator that leads to the development of NASH. Thus, inhibition of GNAI2 could be an effective therapeutic target for the treatment of NASH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zechuan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zetao Ji
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianbo He
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yijun Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenfang Tian
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Chang Zheng
- Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huihui Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Quan Zhang
- Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Minglu Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yin Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Runqiu Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wen-Ming Chu
- Manoa Institute for Life Science and Cancer, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Beicheng Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
92
|
Chen X, Wang Z, Han S, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Li X, Xia N, Yu W, Jia C, Ni Y, Pu L. Targeting SYK of monocyte-derived macrophages regulates liver fibrosis via crosstalking with Erk/Hif1α and remodeling liver inflammatory environment. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:1123. [PMID: 34853322 PMCID: PMC8636632 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04403-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a danger signal indicating a huge risk of liver cancer occurrence, but there is still no effective clinical means to regulate the progress of liver fibrosis. Although a variety of drugs targeting SYK have been developed for tumors and autoimmune diseases, the mechanism and specific efficacy of SYK's role in liver fibrosis are not yet clear. Our studies based on chronic CCL4, bile duct ligation, and subacute TAA mouse models show that SYK in monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) is fully dependent on phosphorylation of Erk to up-regulate the expression of Hif1α, thereby forming the crosstalk with SYK to drive liver fibrosis progress. We have evaluated the ability of the small molecule SYK inhibitor GS9973 in a variety of models. Contrary to previous impressions, high-frequency administration of GS9973 will aggravate CCL4-induced liver fibrosis, which is especially unsuitable for patients with cholestasis whose clinical features are bile duct obstruction. In addition, we found that inhibition of MoMFs SYK impairs the expression of CXCL1, on one hand, it reduces the recruitment of CD11bhiLy6Chi inflammatory cells, and on the other hand, it promotes the phenotype cross-dress process of pro-resolution MoMFs, thereby remodeling the chronic inflammatory environment of the fibrotic liver. Our further findings indicate that on the basis of the administration of CCR2/CCR5 dual inhibitor Cenicriviroc, further inhibiting MoMFs SYK may give patients with fibrosis additional benefits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Chen
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Sheng Han
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zeng Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiangdong Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Nan Xia
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wenjie Yu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chenyang Jia
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Ni
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Liyong Pu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
93
|
Tilg H, Adolph TE, Dudek M, Knolle P. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: the interplay between metabolism, microbes and immunity. Nat Metab 2021; 3:1596-1607. [PMID: 34931080 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-021-00501-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged pandemically across the globe and particularly affects patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes. NAFLD is a complex systemic disease that is characterised by hepatic lipid accumulation, lipotoxicity, insulin resistance, gut dysbiosis and inflammation. In this review, we discuss how metabolic dysregulation, the gut microbiome, innate and adaptive immunity and their interplay contribute to NAFLD pathology. Lipotoxicity has been shown to instigate liver injury, inflammation and insulin resistance. Synchronous metabolic dysfunction, obesity and related nutritional perturbation may alter the gut microbiome, in turn fuelling hepatic and systemic inflammation by direct activation of innate and adaptive immune responses. We review evidence suggesting that, collectively, these unresolved exogenous and endogenous cues drive liver injury, culminating in liver fibrosis and advanced sequelae of this disorder such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Understanding NAFLD as a complex interplay between metabolism, gut microbiota and the immune response will challenge the clinical perception of NAFLD and open new therapeutic avenues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Herbert Tilg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Timon E Adolph
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Dudek
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Percy Knolle
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
94
|
Panahipour L, Moghaddam DM, Nasirzade J, Kargarpour Z, Gruber R. RNAseq of TGF-β receptor type I kinase-dependent genes in oral fibroblast exposed to milk. BMC Oral Health 2021; 21:581. [PMID: 34789212 PMCID: PMC8597240 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-021-01913-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Milk is a rich source of natural growth factors that may support oral tissue homeostasis and wound healing. We had shown earlier that blocking TGF-β receptor type I kinase with the inhibitor SB431542 abolished the expression of IL11 and other genes in human gingival fibroblasts exposed to the aqueous fraction of milk. Our aim was to identify the entire signature of TGF-β receptor type I kinase-dependent genes regulated by the aqueous fraction of human milk. Result RNAseq revealed 99 genes being strongly regulated by milk requiring activation of the SB431542-dependent TGF-β receptor type I kinase. Among the SB431542-dependent genes is IL11 but also cadherins, claudins, collagens, potassium channels, keratins, solute carrier family proteins, transcription factors, transmembrane proteins, tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily members, and tetraspanin family members. When focusing on our candidate gene, we could identify D609 to suppress IL11 expression, independent of phospholipase C, sphinosine-1 phosphate synthesis, and Smad-3 phosphorylation and its nuclear translocation. In contrast, genistein and blocking phosphoinositide 3-kinases by wortmannin and LY294002 increased the milk-induced IL11 expression in gingival fibroblasts. Conclusion Taken together, our data revealed TGF-β receptor type I kinase signaling to cause major changes of the genetic signature of gingival fibroblasts exposed to aqueous fraction of human milk. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-021-01913-5.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Layla Panahipour
- Department of Oral Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Sensengasse 2a, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jila Nasirzade
- Department of Oral Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Sensengasse 2a, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zahra Kargarpour
- Department of Oral Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Sensengasse 2a, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Reinhard Gruber
- Department of Oral Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Sensengasse 2a, 1090, Vienna, Austria. .,Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 7, 3010, Bern, Switzerland. .,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Donaueschingenstraße 13, 1200, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
95
|
New insights into IL-6 family cytokines in metabolism, hepatology and gastroenterology. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 18:787-803. [PMID: 34211157 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-021-00473-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
IL-6 family cytokines are defined by the common use of the signal-transducing receptor chain glycoprotein 130 (gp130). Increasing evidence indicates that these cytokines are essential in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis as well as in the pathophysiology of multiple gastrointestinal and liver disorders, thus making them attractive therapeutic targets. Over the past few years, therapies modulating gp130 signalling have grown exponentially in several clinical settings including obesity, cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. A newly engineered gp130 cytokine, IC7Fc, has shown promising preclinical results for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, obesity and liver steatosis. Moreover, drugs that modulate gp130 signalling have shown promise in refractory inflammatory bowel disease in clinical trials. A deeper understanding of the main roles of the IL-6 family of cytokines during homeostatic and pathological conditions, their signalling pathways, sources of production and target cells will be crucial to the development of improved treatments. Here, we review the current state of the role of these cytokines in hepatology and gastroenterology and discuss the progress achieved in translating therapeutics targeting gp130 signalling into clinical practice.
Collapse
|
96
|
Fung KY, Louis C, Metcalfe RD, Kosasih CC, Wicks IP, Griffin MDW, Putoczki TL. Emerging roles for IL-11 in inflammatory diseases. Cytokine 2021; 149:155750. [PMID: 34689057 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2021.155750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a cytokine that has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases and solid malignancies. Elevated IL-11 expression is also associated with several non-malignant inflammatory diseases where its function remains less well-characterized. Here, we summarize current literature surrounding the contribution of IL-11 to the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and systemic sclerosis, as well as other chronic inflammatory conditions such as periodontitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, psoriasis and colitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ka Yee Fung
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3053, Australia.
| | - Cynthia Louis
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3053, Australia; Inflammation Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Riley D Metcalfe
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Technology Institute, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Clara C Kosasih
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Technology Institute, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Ian P Wicks
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3053, Australia; Inflammation Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Victoria 3052, Australia; Rheumatology Unit, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - Michael D W Griffin
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Technology Institute, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Tracy L Putoczki
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3053, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
97
|
Schumacher D, Liehn EA, Nilcham P, Mayan DC, Rattanasopa C, Anand K, Crespo-Avilan GE, Hernandez-Resendiz S, Singaraja RR, Cook SA, Hausenloy DJ. A neutralizing IL-11 antibody reduces vessel hyperplasia in a mouse carotid artery wire injury model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20674. [PMID: 34667238 PMCID: PMC8526715 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99880-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular restenosis remains a major problem in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Neointimal hyperplasia, defined by post-procedure proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a key underlying pathology. Here we investigated the role of Interleukin 11 (IL-11) in a mouse model of injury-related plaque development. Apoe-/- mice were fed a hyperlipidaemic diet and subjected to carotid wire injury of the right carotid. Mice were injected with an anti-IL11 antibody (X203), IgG control antibody or buffer. We performed ultrasound analysis to assess vessel wall thickness and blood velocity. Using histology and immunofluorescence approaches, we determined the effects of IL-11 inhibition on VSMC and macrophages phenotypes and fibrosis. Treatment of mice with carotid wire injury using X203 significantly reduced post-endothelial injury vessel wall thickness, and injury-related plaque, when compared to control. Immunofluorescence staining of the injury-related plaque showed that X203 treatment did not reduce macrophage numbers, but reduced the number of VSMCs and lowered matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) levels and collagen content in comparison to control. X203 treatment was associated with a significant increase in smooth muscle protein 22α (SM22α) positive cells in injury-related plaque compared to control, suggesting preservation of the contractile VSMC phenotype. Interestingly, X203 also reduced the collagen content of uninjured carotid arteries as compared to IgG, showing an additional effect on hyperlipidemia-induced arterial remodeling in the absence of mechanical injury. Therapeutic inhibition of IL-11 reduced vessel wall thickness, attenuated neointimal hyperplasia, and has favorable effects on vascular remodeling following wire-induced endothelial injury. This suggests IL-11 inhibition as a potential novel therapeutic approach to reduce arterial stenosis following revascularization in CAD and PAD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Schumacher
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Elisa A Liehn
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Medicine, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.,Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Intensive Care and Intermediate Care, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre, Singapore, 169609, Singapore
| | - Pakhwan Nilcham
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - David Castaño Mayan
- Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Research and Technology, Singapore, 138648, Singapore.,Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Singapore, 119228, Singapore
| | - Chutima Rattanasopa
- Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Research and Technology, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Kaviya Anand
- Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Research and Technology, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Gustavo E Crespo-Avilan
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre, Singapore, 169609, Singapore.,Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Justus Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sauri Hernandez-Resendiz
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre, Singapore, 169609, Singapore.,Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Roshni R Singaraja
- Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Research and Technology, Singapore, 138648, Singapore.,Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Singapore, 119228, Singapore
| | - Stuart A Cook
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre, Singapore, 169609, Singapore.,Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,MRC LMS, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Derek J Hausenloy
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre, Singapore, 169609, Singapore. .,Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, 169857, Singapore. .,Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore. .,The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. .,Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
98
|
Widjaja AA, Viswanathan S, Jinrui D, Singh BK, Tan J, Wei Ting JG, Lamb D, Shekeran SG, George BL, Schafer S, Carling D, Adami E, Cook SA. Molecular Dissection of Pro-Fibrotic IL11 Signaling in Cardiac and Pulmonary Fibroblasts. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:740650. [PMID: 34651016 PMCID: PMC8505966 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.740650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In fibroblasts, TGFβ1 stimulates IL11 upregulation that leads to an autocrine loop of IL11-dependent pro-fibrotic protein translation. The signaling pathways downstream of IL11, which acts via IL6ST, are contentious with both STAT3 and ERK implicated. Here we dissect IL11 signaling in fibroblasts and study IL11-dependent protein synthesis pathways in the context of approved anti-fibrotic drug mechanisms of action. We show that IL11-induced ERK activation drives fibrogenesis and while STAT3 phosphorylation (pSTAT3) is also seen, this appears unrelated to fibroblast activation. Ironically, recombinant human IL11, which has been used extensively in mouse experiments to infer STAT3 activity downstream of IL11, increases pSTAT3 in Il11ra1 null mouse fibroblasts. Unexpectedly, inhibition of STAT3 was found to induce severe proteotoxic ER stress, generalized fibroblast dysfunction and cell death. In contrast, inhibition of ERK prevented fibroblast activation in the absence of ER stress. IL11 stimulated an axis of ERK/mTOR/P70RSK protein translation and its selectivity for Collagen 1 synthesis was ascribed to an EPRS-regulated, ribosome stalling mechanism. Surprisingly, the anti-fibrotic drug nintedanib caused dose-dependent ER stress and lesser pSTAT3 expression. Pirfenidone had no effect on ER stress whereas anti-IL11 specifically inhibited the ERK/mTOR axis while reducing ER stress. These studies define the translation-specific signaling pathways downstream of IL11, intersect immune and metabolic signaling and reveal unappreciated effects of nintedanib.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anissa A Widjaja
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sivakumar Viswanathan
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dong Jinrui
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Brijesh K Singh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jessie Tan
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joyce Goh Wei Ting
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - David Lamb
- Boehringer Ingelheim, Immunology and Respiratory, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Shamini G Shekeran
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Benjamin L George
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sebastian Schafer
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - David Carling
- MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eleonora Adami
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stuart A Cook
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
99
|
Liu B, Xiang L, Ji J, Liu W, Chen Y, Xia M, Liu Y, Liu W, Zhu P, Jin Y, Han Y, Lu J, Li X, Zheng M, Lu Y. Sparcl1 promotes nonalcoholic steatohepatitis progression in mice through upregulation of CCL2. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:144801. [PMID: 34651580 DOI: 10.1172/jci144801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a spectrum of chronic liver disease ranging from simple steatosis (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the molecular mechanisms of NASH progression remain incompletely understood. White adipose tissue (WAT) has emerged as an important endocrine organ and contributes not only to the initial stage of NAFLD, but also to its severity. In the current study, through transcriptomic analysis we identified increased expression of Sparcl1, a secreted glycoprotein, in the WAT from NASH mice. Plasma Sparcl1 levels were similarly elevated and positively correlated with hepatic pathological features in NASH patients. Functional studies showed that both chronic injection of recombinant Sparcl1 protein and overexpression of Sparcl1 exaggerated hepatic inflammation and liver injury in mice. In contrast, genetic ablation of Sparcl1, knockdown of Sparcl1 in WAT, and treatment with a Sparcl1-neutralizing antibody dramatically alleviated diet-induced NASH pathogenesis. Mechanistically, Sparcl1 promoted the expression of C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in hepatocytes through binding to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and activation of the NF-κB/p65 signaling pathway. Genetically or pharmacologically blocking the CCL2/CCR2 pathway attenuated the hepatic inflammatory response evoked by Sparcl1. Thus, our results demonstrated an important role for Sparcl1 in NASH progression, suggesting a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fudan Institute for Metabolic Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Liping Xiang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fudan Institute for Metabolic Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fudan Institute for Metabolic Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingfeng Xia
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fudan Institute for Metabolic Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuejun Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fudan Institute for Metabolic Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | | | - Yu Han
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jieli Lu
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoying Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fudan Institute for Metabolic Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minghua Zheng
- MAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for The Development of Chronic Liver Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fudan Institute for Metabolic Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
100
|
Lokau J, Kespohl B, Kirschke S, Garbers C. The role of proteolysis in interleukin-11 signaling. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1869:119135. [PMID: 34624437 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although interleukin-11 (IL-11) was discovered more than 30 years ago, it remains an understudied member of the IL-6 family of cytokines. While it was originally discovered as a secreted factor that could foster megakaryocyte maturation and was therefore used as a recombinant protein to increase platelet production in patients with thrombocytopenia, recent research has established important roles for IL-11 in inflammation, fibrosis and cancer. In order to initiate signal transduction, IL-11 binds first to a non-signaling membrane-bound IL-11 receptor (IL-11R, classic signaling), which subsequently induces the formation of a heterodimer of the signal-transducing receptor gp130 that is shared with the other family members. Complex formation initiates several intracellular signaling cascades, most notably the Janus kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (Jak/STAT) pathway. We have recently identified a trans-signaling mechanism, in which IL-11 binds to soluble forms of the IL-11R (sIL-11R) and the agonistic IL-11/sIL-11R complex can activate cells that do not express the IL-11R and would usually not respond to IL-11. The generation of sIL-11R and thus the initiation of IL-11 trans-signaling is mediated by proteolytic cleavage. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge regarding IL-11R cleavage, highlight recent developments in IL-11 biology and discuss therapeutic opportunities and challenges in the light of IL-11 classic and trans-signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Lokau
- Department of Pathology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Birte Kespohl
- Department of Pathology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sophia Kirschke
- Department of Pathology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Garbers
- Department of Pathology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, Magdeburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|