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Wang Y, Shi K, Tu J, Ke C, Chen N, Wang B, Liu Y, Zhou Z. Atractylenolide III Ameliorates Bile Duct Ligation-Induced Liver Fibrosis by Inhibiting the PI3K/AKT Pathway and Regulating Glutamine Metabolism. Molecules 2023; 28:5504. [PMID: 37513376 PMCID: PMC10383814 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28145504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is one of the leading causes of hepatic sclerosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. However, the complex pathophysiological mechanisms of liver fibrosis are unknown, and no specific drugs are available to treat liver fibrosis. Atractylenolide III (ATL III) is a natural compound isolated from the plant Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. that possesses antioxidant properties and the ability to inhibit inflammatory responses. In this study, cholestatic hepatic fibrosis was induced in mice using a bile duct ligation (BDL) model and treated with 10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg of ATL III via gavage for 14 days. ATL III significantly reduced the liver index, lowered serum ALT and AST levels, and reduced liver injury in bile-duct-ligated mice. In addition, ATL III significantly attenuated histopathological changes and reduced collagen deposition. ATL III reduced the expression of fibrosis-related genes α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Collagen I (col1a1), Collagen IV (col4a2), and fibrosis-related proteins α-SMA and col1a1 in liver tissue. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to screen molecular targets and pathways, ATL III was found to affect the PI3K/AKT singling pathway by inhibiting the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT, thereby ameliorating BDL-induced liver fibrosis. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to evaluate the effect of ATL III on liver metabolites in BDL mice. ATL III further affected glutamine metabolism by down-regulating the activity of glutamine (GLS1) and glutamine metabolism. ATL III further affected glutamine metabolism by down-regulating the activity of glutaminase (GLS1), as well as glutamine metabolism. Therefore, we conclude that ATL III attenuates liver fibrosis by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway and glutamine metabolism, suggesting that ATL III is a potential drug candidate for treating liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Kun Shi
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Jiyuan Tu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
- Center for Hubei TCM Processing Technology Engineering, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Chang Ke
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Niping Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Hubei Institute for Drug Control, NMPA Key Laboratory of Quality Control of Chinese Medicine, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Drug Quality Control, Wuhan 430075, China
| | - Yanju Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
- Center for Hubei TCM Processing Technology Engineering, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Zhongshi Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
- Center for Hubei TCM Processing Technology Engineering, Wuhan 430065, China
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Yin X, Peng J, Gu L, Liu Y, Li X, Wu J, Xu B, Zhuge Y, Zhang F. Targeting glutamine metabolism in hepatic stellate cells alleviates liver fibrosis. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:955. [PMID: 36376267 PMCID: PMC9663710 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05409-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Glutamine metabolism plays an essential role in cell growth, and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) is a key enzyme. GDH promotes the metabolism of glutamate and glutamine to generate ATP, which is profoundly increased in multiple human cancers. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, we verified that the small-molecule GDH inhibitor EGCG slowed the progression of fibrosis by inhibiting GDH enzyme activity and glutamine metabolism. SIRT4 is a mitochondrial enzyme with NAD that promotes ADP ribosylation and downregulates GDH activity. The role of SIRT4 in liver fibrosis and the related mechanisms are unknown. In this study, we measured the expression of SIRT4 and found that it was downregulated in liver fibrosis. Modest overexpression of SIRT4 protected the liver from fibrosis by inhibiting the transformation of glutamate to 2-ketoglutaric acid (α-KG) in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), thereby reducing the proliferative activity of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Collectively, our study reveals that SIRT4 controls GDH enzyme activity and expression, targeting glutamine metabolism in HSCs and alleviating liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochun Yin
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu China
| | - Jin Peng
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XHepatobiliary and Pancreatic Center & Liver Transplantation Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lihong Gu
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu China
| | - Yan Liu
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu China
| | - Xihan Li
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu China
| | - Jinhui Wu
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XState Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China ,grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XJiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Bing Xu
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu China
| | - Yuzheng Zhuge
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu China
| | - Feng Zhang
- grid.412676.00000 0004 1799 0784Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu China
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Chen Y, Gao WK, Shu YY, Ye J. Mechanisms of ductular reaction in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:2088-2099. [PMID: 35664038 PMCID: PMC9134136 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i19.2088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disease spectrum caused in part by insulin resistance and genetic predisposition. This disease is primarily characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes in the absence of alcohol abuse and other causes of liver damage. Histologically, NAFLD is divided into several periods: simple steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. With the increasing prevalence of obesity and hyperlipidemia, NAFLD has become the main cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. As a result, the pathogenesis of this disease is drawing increasing attention. Ductular reaction (DR) is a reactive bile duct hyperplasia caused by liver injury that involves hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and hepatic progenitor cells. Recently, DR is shown to play a pivotal role in simple steatosis progression to NASH or liver fibrosis, providing new research and treatment options. This study reviews several DR signaling pathways, including Notch, Hippo/YAP-TAZ, Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog, HGF/c-Met, and TWEAK/Fn14, and their role in the occurrence and development of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wen-Kang Gao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yan-Yun Shu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jin Ye
- Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
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TWEAKing the Hippocampus: The Effects of TWEAK on the Genomic Fabric of the Hippocampus in a Neuropsychiatric Lupus Mouse Model. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081172. [PMID: 34440346 PMCID: PMC8392718 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), specifically cognitive dysfunction and mood disorders, are widely prevalent in SLE patients, and yet poorly understood. TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) has previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE), and we have recently shown its effects on the transcriptome of the cortex of the lupus-prone mice model MRL/lpr. As the hippocampus is thought to be an important focus of NPSLE processes, we explored the TWEAK-induced transcriptional changes that occur in the hippocampus, and isolated several genes (Dnajc28, Syne2, transthyretin) and pathways (PI3K-AKT, as well as chemokine-signaling and neurotransmission pathways) that are most differentially affected by TWEAK activation. While the functional roles of these genes and pathways within NPSLE need to be further investigated, an interesting link between neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration appears to emerge, which may prove to be a promising novel direction in NPSLE research.
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Herrero A, Benedicto A, Romayor I, Olaso E, Arteta B. Inhibition of COX-2 Impairs Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis through Reduced Stromal Cell Reaction. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2021; 29:342-351. [PMID: 33455946 PMCID: PMC8094073 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2020.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver colonization is initiated through the interplay between tumor cells and adhesion molecules present in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). This crosstalk stimulates tumor COX-2 upregulation and PGE2 secretion. To elucidate the role of the LSEC intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the prometastatic response exerted by tumor and stromal COX-2, we utilized celecoxib (CLX) as a COX-2 inhibitory agent. We analyzed the in vitro proliferative and secretory responses of murine C26 colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1), cultured alone or with LSECs, and their effect on LSEC and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) migration and in vivo liver metastasis. CLX reduced sICAM-1-stimulated COX-2 activation and PGE2 secretion in C26 cells cultured alone or cocultured with LSECs. Moreover, CLX abrogated sICAM-1-induced C26 cell proliferation and C26 secretion of promigratory factors for LSECs and HSCs. Interestingly, CLX reduced the protumoral response of HSC, reducing their migratory potential when stimulated with C26 secretomes and impairing their secretion of chemotactic factors for LSECs and C26 cells and proliferative factors for C26 cells. In vivo, CLX abrogated the prometastatic ability of sICAM-1-activated C26 cells while reducing liver metastasis. COX-2 inhibition blocked the creation of a favorable tumor microenvironment (TME) by hindering the intratumoral recruitment of activated HSCs and macrophages in addition to the accumulation of fibrillar collagen. These results point to COX-2 being a key modulator of processes initiated by host ICAM-1 during tumor cell/LSEC/HSC crosstalk, leading to the creation of a prometastatic TME in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Herrero
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country, School of Medicine and Nursing, Leioa 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Aitor Benedicto
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country, School of Medicine and Nursing, Leioa 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Irene Romayor
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country, School of Medicine and Nursing, Leioa 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Elvira Olaso
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country, School of Medicine and Nursing, Leioa 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Arteta
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country, School of Medicine and Nursing, Leioa 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
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Iacobas D, Wen J, Iacobas S, Schwartz N, Putterman C. Remodeling of Neurotransmission, Chemokine, and PI3K-AKT Signaling Genomic Fabrics in Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:251. [PMID: 33578738 PMCID: PMC7916450 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction and mood changes are prevalent and especially taxing issues for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its cognate receptor Fn14 have been shown to play an important role in neurocognitive dysfunction in murine lupus. We profiled and compared gene expression in the cortices of MRL/+, MRL/lpr (that manifest lupus-like phenotype) and MRL/lpr-Fn14 knockout (Fn14ko) adult female mice to determine the transcriptomic impact of TWEAK/Fn14 on cortical gene expression in lupus. We found that the TWEAK/Fn14 pathway strongly affects the expression level, variability and coordination of the genomic fabrics responsible for neurotransmission and chemokine signaling. Dysregulation of the Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway in the MRL/lpr lupus strain compared with the MRL/+ control and Fn14ko mice was particularly prominent and, therefore, promising as a potential therapeutic target, although the complexity of the transcriptomic fabric highlights important considerations in in vivo experimental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dumitru Iacobas
- Center for Computational Systems Biology, Personalized Genomics Laboratory, Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A & M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA;
- DP Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jing Wen
- Department of Medicine (Rheumatology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (J.W.); (N.S.)
| | - Sanda Iacobas
- Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA;
| | - Noa Schwartz
- Department of Medicine (Rheumatology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (J.W.); (N.S.)
| | - Chaim Putterman
- Department of Medicine (Rheumatology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (J.W.); (N.S.)
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Zefat 52100, Israel
- Galilee Medical Center, Research Institute, Nahariya 22100, Israel
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Comprehensive analysis of LDHAP5 pseudogene expression and potential pathogenesis in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:229. [PMID: 32536817 PMCID: PMC7288418 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01324-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We aimed to identify differentially expressed pseudogenes and explore their potential functions in four types of common gynecological malignancies (e.g., cervical squamous cell carcinoma, ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma, and uterine carcinosarcoma) using bioinformatics technology. Materials and methods We identified up-regulated and down-regulated pseudogenes and built a pseudogene-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network through public datasets to explore their potential functions in carcinogenesis and cancer prognosis. Results Among the 63 up-regulated pseudogenes identified, LDHAP5 demonstrated the greatest potential as a candidate pseudogene due to its significant association with poor overall survival in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that LDHAP5 showed significant enrichment in MicroRNAs in cancer, Pathway in cancer and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Further analysis revealed that EGFR was the potential target mRNA of LDHAP5, which may play an important role in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. Conclusions LDHAP5 was associated with the occurrence and prognosis of ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, and thus shows potential as a novel therapeutic target against such cancer.
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