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Kim JW, Kim YJ. The evidence-based multifaceted roles of hepatic stellate cells in liver diseases: A concise review. Life Sci 2024; 344:122547. [PMID: 38460810 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play central roles in liver disease pathogenesis, spanning steatosis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. These cells, located in the liver's sinusoidal space of Disse, transition from a quiescent, vitamin A-rich state to an activated, myofibroblast-like phenotype in response to liver injury. This activation results from a complex interplay of cytokines, growth factors, and oxidative stress, leading to excessive collagen deposition and liver fibrosis, a hallmark of chronic liver diseases. Recently, HSCs have gained recognition for their dynamic, multifaceted roles in liver health and disease. Attention has shifted toward their involvement in various liver conditions, including acute liver injury, alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and liver regeneration. This review aims to explore diverse functions of HSCs in these acute or chronic liver pathologies, with a focus on their roles beyond fibrogenesis. HSCs exhibit a wide range of actions, including lipid storage, immunomodulation, and interactions with other hepatic and extrahepatic cells, making them pivotal in the hepatic microenvironment. Understanding HSC involvement in the progression of liver diseases can offer novel insights into pathogenic mechanisms and guide targeted therapeutic strategies for various liver conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Won Kim
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Yu Ji Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Jeonbuk National University, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University - Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, South Korea.
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2
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Chen L, Ye X, Yang L, Zhao J, You J, Feng Y. Linking fatty liver diseases to hepatocellular carcinoma by hepatic stellate cells. JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER CENTER 2024; 4:25-35. [PMID: 39036388 PMCID: PMC11256631 DOI: 10.1016/j.jncc.2024.01.002] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), a distinct category of non-parenchymal cells in the liver, are critical for liver homeostasis. In healthy livers, HSCs remain non-proliferative and quiescent. However, under conditions of acute or chronic liver damage, HSCs are activated and participate in the progression and regulation of liver diseases such as liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Fatty liver diseases (FLD), including nonalcoholic (NAFLD) and alcohol-related (ALD), are common chronic inflammatory conditions of the liver. These diseases, often resulting from multiple metabolic disorders, can progress through a sequence of inflammation, fibrosis, and ultimately, cancer. In this review, we focused on the activation and regulatory mechanism of HSCs in the context of FLD. We summarized the molecular pathways of activated HSCs (aHSCs) in mediating FLD and their role in promoting liver tumor development from the perspectives of cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, and chemo-resistance. We aimed to offer an in-depth discussion on the reciprocal regulatory interactions between FLD and HSC activation, providing new insights for researchers in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang'en Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangshi Ye
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lixian Yang
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiangsha Zhao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia You
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuxiong Feng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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3
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Abbas N, You K, Getachew A, Wu F, Hussain M, Huang X, Chen Y, Pan T, Li Y. Kupffer cells abrogate homing and repopulation of allogeneic hepatic progenitors in injured liver site. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:48. [PMID: 38378583 PMCID: PMC10877762 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03656-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allogeneic hepatocyte transplantation is an emerging approach to treat acute liver defects. However, durable engraftment of the transplanted cells remains a daunting task, as they are actively cleared by the recipient's immune system. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the innate or adaptive immune cells-derived responses against allogeneic transplanted hepatic cells is the key to rationalize cell-based therapies. METHODS Here, we induced an acute inflammatory regenerative niche (3-96 h) on the surface of the liver by the application of cryo-injury (CI) to systematically evaluate the innate immune response against transplanted allogeneic hepatic progenitors in a sustained micro-inflammatory environment. RESULTS The resulting data highlighted that the injured site was significantly repopulated by alternating numbers of innate immune cells, including neutrophils, monocytes and Kupffer cells (KCs), from 3 to 96 h. The transplanted allo-HPs, engrafted 6 h post-injury, were collectively eliminated by the innate immune response within 24 h of transplantation. Selective depletion of the KCs demonstrated a delayed recruitment of monocytes from day 2 to day 6. In addition, the intrasplenic engraftment of the hepatic progenitors 54 h post-transplantation was dismantled by KCs, while a time-dependent better survival and translocation of the transplanted cells into the injured site could be observed in samples devoid of KCs. CONCLUSION Overall, this study provides evidence that KCs ablation enables a better survival and integration of allo-HPs in a sustained liver inflammatory environment, having implications for rationalizing the cell-based therapeutic interventions against liver defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasir Abbas
- Center for Health Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health (CRMH), Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kai You
- Center for Health Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Anteneh Getachew
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Feima Wu
- Center for Health Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Muzammal Hussain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Xinping Huang
- Center for Health Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Center for Health Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Tingcai Pan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yinxiong Li
- Center for Health Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
- China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
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Jaber FL, Sharma Y, Gupta S. Hepatocyte Transplantation Rebalances Cytokines for Hepatic Regeneration in Rats with Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Pathway-Related Acute Liver Failure. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:27-38. [PMID: 36309105 PMCID: PMC9768683 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Inadequate DNA damage response related to ataxia telangiectasia mutated gene restricts hepatic regeneration in acute liver failure. Resolving mechanistic gaps in liver damage and repair requires additional animal models that are unconstrained by ultrarapid and unpredictable mortalities or substantial divergences from human pathology. This study used Fischer 344 rats primed with the antitubercular drug, rifampicin, plus phenobarbitone, and monocrotaline, a DNA adduct-forming alkaloid. Rifampicin and monocrotaline can cause liver failure in people. This regimen resulted in hepatic oxidative stress, necrosis, DNA double-strand breaks, liver test abnormalities, altered serum cytokine expression, and mortality. Healthy donor hepatocytes were transplanted ectopically in the peritoneal cavity to study whether they could supply metabolic support and rebalance inflammatory or protective cytokines affecting liver regeneration events. Hepatocyte transplantation increased candidate cytokine levels (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon-γ, IL-10, and IL-12), leading to Atm, Stat3, and Akt signaling in hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells, lowering of inflammation, and improvements in intermediary metabolism, DNA repair, and hepatocyte proliferation. Such control of DNA damage and inflammation, along with stimulation of hepatic growth, offers paradigms for cell signaling to restore hepatic homeostasis and regeneration in acute liver failure. Further studies of molecular pathways of high pathobiological impact will advance the knowledge of liver regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi-Luc Jaber
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Yogeshwar Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Sanjeev Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Diabetes Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Irwin S. and Sylvia Chanin Institute for Cancer Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
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5
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Beyzaei Z, Shojazadeh A, Geramizadeh B. The role of regulatory T cells in liver transplantation. Transpl Immunol 2021; 70:101512. [PMID: 34871717 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2021.101512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The liver is considered a tolerogenic organ that can induce peripheral tolerance. The exact mechanisms of tolerance in the liver remain undefined. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been demonstrated to be involved in inducing and maintaining peripheral tolerance. They play an important role in the prevention of immune responses and autoimmunity. The main focus of this review is the role of Tregs and their subpopulation in liver transplantation. More specifically, this manuscript will highlight the recent findings about using Treg cells as a biomarker in liver transplantation. There are some reports and animal models about the role of Tregs in the process of rejection of liver transplantation. Previous reports and studies have suggested that by increasing the number of Tregs better liver transplant outcomes will be accomplished by enhancing tolerance. It has been shown that the levels of CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3+ Treg cells correlate with the inhibition of acute allograft rejection in liver transplantation; however, further studies must be done to address the potential role of Treg cells in chronic rejection. Indeed, in the future, Treg cells may have potential use as a beneficial biomarker to screen long-term graft function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Beyzaei
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Alireza Shojazadeh
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bita Geramizadeh
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Pathology, Medical School of Shiraz University, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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6
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Peng WC, Kraaier LJ, Kluiver TA. Hepatocyte organoids and cell transplantation: What the future holds. Exp Mol Med 2021; 53:1512-1528. [PMID: 34663941 PMCID: PMC8568948 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-021-00579-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, primary hepatocytes have been difficult to expand or maintain in vitro. In this review, we will focus on recent advances in establishing hepatocyte organoids and their potential applications in regenerative medicine. First, we provide a background on the renewal of hepatocytes in the homeostatic as well as the injured liver. Next, we describe strategies for establishing primary hepatocyte organoids derived from either adult or fetal liver based on insights from signaling pathways regulating hepatocyte renewal in vivo. The characteristics of these organoids will be described herein. Notably, hepatocyte organoids can adopt either a proliferative or a metabolic state, depending on the culture conditions. Furthermore, the metabolic gene expression profile can be modulated based on the principles that govern liver zonation. Finally, we discuss the suitability of cell replacement therapy to treat different types of liver diseases and the current state of cell transplantation of in vitro-expanded hepatocytes in mouse models. In addition, we provide insights into how the regenerative microenvironment in the injured host liver may facilitate donor hepatocyte repopulation. In summary, transplantation of in vitro-expanded hepatocytes holds great potential for large-scale clinical application to treat liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weng Chuan Peng
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Lianne J Kraaier
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas A Kluiver
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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7
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Jaber FL, Sharma Y, Mui BG, Kapoor S, Gupta S. Tumor Necrosis Factor Directs Allograft-Related Innate Responses and Its Neutralization Improves Hepatocyte Engraftment in Rats. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:79-89. [PMID: 33127336 PMCID: PMC7768347 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The innate immune system plays a critical role in allograft rejection. Alloresponses involve numerous cytokines, chemokines, and receptors that cause tissue injury during rejection. To dissect these inflammatory mechanisms, we developed cell transplantation models in dipeptidylpeptidase-deficient F344 rats using mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus for partial lymphocyte-directed immunosuppression. Syngeneic hepatocytes engrafted in liver, whereas allogeneic hepatocytes were rejected but engrafted after immunosuppression. These transplants induced mRNAs for >40 to 50 cytokines, chemokines, and receptors. In allografts, innate cell type-related regulatory networks extended to granulocytes, monocytes, and macrophages. Activation of Tnfa and its receptors or major chemokine receptor-ligand subsets persisted in the long term. An examination of the contribution of Tnfa in allograft response revealed that it was prospectively antagonized by etanercept or thalidomide, which resolved cytokine, chemokine, and receptor cascades. In bioinformatics analysis of upstream regulator networks, the Cxcl8 pathway exhibited dominance despite immunosuppression. Significantly, Tnfa antagonism silenced the Cxcl8 pathway and decreased neutrophil and Kupffer cell recruitment, resulting in multifold greater engraftment of allogeneic hepatocytes and substantially increased liver repopulation in retrorsine/partial hepatectomy model. We conclude that Tnfa is a major driver for persistent innate immune responses after allogeneic cells. Neutralizing Tnfa should help in avoiding rejection and associated tissue injury in the allograft setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Luc Jaber
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Yogeshwar Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Brandon G Mui
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Sorabh Kapoor
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Sanjeev Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Diabetes Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Irwin S. and Sylvia Chanin Institute for Cancer Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
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8
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Tricot T, De Boeck J, Verfaillie C. Alternative Cell Sources for Liver Parenchyma Repopulation: Where Do We Stand? Cells 2020; 9:E566. [PMID: 32121068 PMCID: PMC7140465 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute and chronic liver failure is a highly prevalent medical condition with high morbidity and mortality. Currently, the therapy is orthotopic liver transplantation. However, in some instances, chiefly in the setting of metabolic diseases, transplantation of individual cells, specifically functional hepatocytes, can be an acceptable alternative. The gold standard for this therapy is the use of primary human hepatocytes, isolated from livers that are not suitable for whole organ transplantations. Unfortunately, primary human hepatocytes are scarcely available, which has led to the evaluation of alternative sources of functional hepatocytes. In this review, we will compare the ability of most of these candidate alternative cell sources to engraft and repopulate the liver of preclinical animal models with the repopulation ability found with primary human hepatocytes. We will discuss the current shortcomings of the different cell types, and some of the next steps that we believe need to be taken to create alternative hepatocyte progeny capable of regenerating the failing liver.
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9
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Sharma Y, Liu J, Kristian KE, Follenzi A, Gupta S. In Atp7b-/- Mice Modeling Wilson's Disease Liver Repopulation With Bone Marrow-Derived Myofibroblasts or Inflammatory Cells and Not Hepatocytes Is Deleterious. Gene Expr 2018; 19:15-24. [PMID: 30029699 PMCID: PMC6290324 DOI: 10.3727/105221618x15320123457380] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In Wilson's disease, Atp7b mutations impair copper excretion with liver or brain damage. Healthy transplanted hepatocytes repopulate the liver, excrete copper, and reverse hepatic damage in animal models of Wilson's disease. In Fah-/- mice with tyrosinemia and α-1 antitrypsin mutant mice, liver disease is resolved by expansions of healthy hepatocytes derived from transplanted healthy bone marrow stem cells. This potential of stem cells has not been defined for Wilson's disease. In diseased Atp7b-/- mice, we reconstituted bone marrow with donor cells expressing green fluorescent protein reporter from healthy transgenic mice. Mature hepatocytes originating from donor bone marrow were identified by immunostaining for green fluorescence protein and bile canalicular marker, dipeptidylpeptidase-4. Mesenchymal and inflammatory cell markers were used for other cells from donor bone marrow cells. Gene expression, liver tests, and tissues were analyzed for outcomes in Atp7b-/- mice. After bone marrow transplantation in Atp7b-/- mice, donor-derived hepatocytes containing bile canaliculi appeared within weeks. Despite this maturity, donor-derived hepatocytes neither divided nor expanded. The liver of Atp7b-/- mice was not repopulated by donor-derived hepatocytes: Atp7b mRNA remained undetectable; liver tests, copper content, and fibrosis actually worsened. Restriction of proliferation in hepatocytes accompanied oxidative DNA damage. By contrast, donor-derived mesenchymal and inflammatory cells extensively proliferated. These contributed to fibrogenesis through greater expression of inflammatory cytokines. In Wilson's disease, donor bone marrow-derived cells underwent different fates: hepatocytes failed to proliferate; inflammatory cells proliferated to worsen disease outcomes. This will help guide stem cell therapies for conditions with proinflammatory or profibrogenic microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogeshwar Sharma
- *Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jinghua Liu
- †Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | | | - Antonia Follenzi
- §Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- ¶Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, Novara, Italy
| | - Sanjeev Gupta
- *Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- §Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- #Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Diabetes Center, Cancer Center, and Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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10
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Benten D, Kluwe J, Wirth JW, Thiele ND, Follenzi A, Bhargava KK, Palestro CJ, Koepke M, Tjandra R, Volz T, Lutgehetmann M, Gupta S. A humanized mouse model of liver fibrosis following expansion of transplanted hepatic stellate cells. J Transl Med 2018; 98:525-536. [PMID: 29352225 PMCID: PMC6526950 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-017-0010-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are major contributors to liver fibrosis, as hepatic injuries may cause their transdifferentiation into myofibroblast-like cells capable of producing excessive extracellular matrix proteins. Also, HSCs can modulate engraftment of transplanted hepatocytes and contribute to liver regeneration. Therefore, understanding the biology of human HSCs (hHSCs) is important, but effective methods have not been available to address their fate in vivo. To investigate whether HSCs could engraft and repopulate the liver, we transplanted GFP-transduced immortalized hHSCs into immunodeficient NOD/SCID mice. Biodistribution analysis with radiolabeled hHSCs showed that after intrasplenic injection, the majority of transplanted cells rapidly translocated to the liver. GFP-immunohistochemistry demonstrated that transplanted hHSCs engrafted alongside hepatic sinusoids. Prior permeabilization of the sinusoidal endothelial layer with monocrotaline enhanced engraftment of hHSCs. Transplanted hHSCs remained engrafted without relevant proliferation in the healthy liver. However, after CCl4 or bile duct ligation-induced liver damage, transplanted hHSCs expanded and contributed to extracellular matrix production, formation of bridging cell-septae and cirrhosis-like hepatic pseudolobules. CCl4-induced injury recruited hHSCs mainly to zone 3, whereas after bile duct ligation, hHSCs were mainly in zone 1 of the liver lobule. Transplanted hHSCs neither transdifferentiated into other cell types nor formed tumors in these settings. In conclusion, a humanized mouse model was generated by transplanting hHSCs, which proliferated during hepatic injury and inflammation, and contributed to liver fibrosis. The ability to repopulate the liver with transplanted hHSCs will be particularly significant for mechanistic studies of cell-cell interactions and fibrogenesis within the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Benten
- Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Diabetes Center, Cancer Center, Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. .,Department of Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. .,Helios Klinikum Duisburg, Duisburg, Germany.
| | - Johannes Kluwe
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan W. Wirth
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nina D. Thiele
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Antonia Follenzi
- Department of HealthSciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, Novara, Italy
| | - Kuldeep K. Bhargava
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Long Island Jewish Health Center, NorthWell Health, New Hyde Park, NY, USA
| | - Christopher J. Palestro
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Long Island Jewish Health Center, NorthWell Health, New Hyde Park, NY, USA
| | - Michael Koepke
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Reni Tjandra
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tassilo Volz
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marc Lutgehetmann
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sanjeev Gupta
- Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Diabetes Center, Cancer Center, Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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11
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Cordero-Espinoza L, Huch M. The balancing act of the liver: tissue regeneration versus fibrosis. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:85-96. [PMID: 29293095 DOI: 10.1172/jci93562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cell loss alters a tissue's optimal function and awakens evolutionarily adapted healing mechanisms to reestablish homeostasis. Although adult mammalian organs have a limited regeneration potential, the liver stands out as one remarkable exception. Following injury, the liver mounts a dynamic multicellular response wherein stromal cells are activated in situ and/or recruited from the bloodstream, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is remodeled, and epithelial cells expand to replenish their lost numbers. Chronic damage makes this response persistent instead of transient, tipping the system into an abnormal steady state known as fibrosis, in which ECM accumulates excessively and tissue function degenerates. Here we explore the cellular and molecular switches that balance hepatic regeneration and fibrosis, with a focus on uncovering avenues of disease modeling and therapeutic intervention.
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12
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Clavien PA, Muller X, de Oliveira ML, Dutkowski P, Sanchez-Fueyo A. Can immunosuppression be stopped after liver transplantation? Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 2:531-537. [PMID: 28606879 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(16)30208-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Liver transplantation has improved dramatically over the past three decades, mainly as a result of advances in surgical techniques and management of post-transplant complications. The focus has now turned towards rescuing additional organs in the face of scarce organ supply, or prevention of long-term toxicity associated with immunosuppression. The liver appears to be privileged in terms of immune tolerance, with a low incidence of antibody-mediated rejection, which is in sharp contrast to other solid organ transplants, such as kidney, lung, and heart transplants. However, tolerogenic processes remain poorly understood, and strategies for complete drug withdrawal should be selected carefully to avoid graft rejection. In this Review, we summarise the current understanding of liver-specific immune responses and provide an outlook on future approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Alain Clavien
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Xavier Muller
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michelle L de Oliveira
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Dutkowski
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alberto Sanchez-Fueyo
- Institute of Liver Studies, MRC Centre for Transplantation, King's College London, London, UK
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Abstract
Co-transplantation of hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells has been shown to increase the engraftment of transplanted hepatocytes in the liver. Here, we describe a method for the simultaneous isolation of human primary hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells from the same donor for co-transplantation or for use in in vitro cell culture models.
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Abstract
Cellular crosstalk is a process through which a message is transmitted within an individual cell (intracellular crosstalk) or between different cells (intercellular crosstalk). Intercellular crosstalk within the liver microenvironment is critical for the maintenance of normal hepatic functions and for cells survival. Hepatic cells are closely connected to each other, work in synergy, and produce molecules that modulate their differentiation and activity. This review summarises the current knowledge regarding paracrine communication networks in parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells in liver fibrosis due to chronic injury, and regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
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Betz VM, Betz OB, Rosin T, Keller A, Thirion C, Salomon M, Manthey S, Augat P, Jansson V, Müller PE, Rammelt S, Zwipp H. An expedited approach for sustained delivery of bone morphogenetic protein-7 to bone defects using gene activated fragments of subcutaneous fat. J Gene Med 2016; 18:199-207. [DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Volker M. Betz
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Center for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research; University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden; Dresden Germany
| | - Oliver B. Betz
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich; Munich Germany
| | - Tom Rosin
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Center for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research; University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden; Dresden Germany
| | - Alexander Keller
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich; Munich Germany
| | | | | | - Suzanne Manthey
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Center for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research; University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden; Dresden Germany
| | - Peter Augat
- Institute of Biomechanics; Trauma Center Murnau; Murnau Germany
- Paracelsus Medical University; Salzburg Austria
| | - Volkmar Jansson
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich; Munich Germany
| | - Peter E. Müller
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich; Munich Germany
| | - Stefan Rammelt
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Center for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research; University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden; Dresden Germany
| | - Hans Zwipp
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Center for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research; University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden; Dresden Germany
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Li Y, Lu L, Qian S, Fung JJ, Lin F. Hepatic Stellate Cells Directly Inhibit B Cells via Programmed Death-Ligand 1. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 196:1617-25. [PMID: 26755818 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1501737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 12/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrated previously that mouse hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) suppress T cells via programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), but it remains unknown whether they exert any effects on B cells, the other component of the adaptive immune system. In this study, we found that mouse HSCs directly inhibited B cells and that PD-L1 was also integrally involved. We found that HSCs inhibited the upregulation of activation markers on activated B cells, as well as the proliferation of activated B cells and their cytokine/Ig production in vitro, and that pharmaceutically or genetically blocking the interaction of PD-L1 with programmed cell death protein 1 impaired the ability of HSCs to inhibit B cells. To test the newly discovered B cell-inhibitory activity of HSCs in vivo, we developed a protocol of intrasplenic artery injection to directly deliver HSCs into the spleen. We found that local delivery of wild-type HSCs into the spleens of mice that had been immunized with 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylacetyl-Ficoll, a T cell-independent Ag, significantly suppressed Ag-specific IgM and IgG production in vivo, whereas splenic artery delivery of PD-L1-deficient HSCs failed to do so. In conclusion, in addition to inhibiting T cells, mouse HSCs concurrently inhibit B cells via PD-L1. This direct B cell-inhibitory activity of HSCs should contribute to the mechanism by which HSCs maintain the liver's immune homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Immunology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195; and
| | - Lina Lu
- Department of Immunology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195; and Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195
| | - Shiguang Qian
- Department of Immunology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195; and Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195
| | - John J Fung
- Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Immunology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195; and
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18
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Betz VM, Betz OB, Rosin T, Keller A, Thirion C, Salomon M, Manthey S, Augat P, Jansson V, Müller PE, Rammelt S, Zwipp H. The effect of BMP-7 gene activated muscle tissue implants on the repair of large segmental bone defects. Injury 2015; 46:2351-8. [PMID: 26454628 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2015.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Revised: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 (BMP-7) transduced muscle cells on bone formation and to further develop an innovative abbreviated ex vivo gene therapy for bone repair. As conventional ex vivo gene therapy methods require an elaborative and time-consuming extraction and expansion of cells we evaluated an expedited approach. Fragments of muscle tissue were directly activated by BMP-7 cDNA and implanted into bone defects. METHODS 25 male, syngeneic Fischer 344 rats were used in the present study. Muscle tissue was harvested from two donor rats and either transduced with an adenovirus carrying the BMP-7 cDNA or remained unmodified. 5mm osseous defects in the right femora of 23 rats were treated with either unmodified muscle tissue (control group) or BMP-7 activated muscle tissue (treatment group). Six weeks after surgery, rat femora were evaluated by radiographs, micro-computed tomography (μCT) and histology. RESULTS Implantation of BMP-7 activated muscle grafts led to bony bridging in 5 out of 12 defects (41.7%) and to bone formation without bridging in 2 out of 12 defects. In 2 femoral defects of this group radiographs, μCT-imaging and histology did not reveal significant mineralization. Three animals of the BMP-7 treatment group had to be euthanized due to serious wound infection. The bone volume of the treatment group was significantly (p=0.007) higher compared to the control group. CONCLUSION This study shows that BMP-7 gene activated muscle fragments have the potential to regenerate critical-size segmental bone defects in rats. However, further development of this promising expedited treatment modality is required to improve the healing rate and to investigate if the high infection rate is related to treatment with BMP-7 activated muscle grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker M Betz
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Center for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Oliver B Betz
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tom Rosin
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Center for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander Keller
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Suzanne Manthey
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Center for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter Augat
- Institute of Biomechanics, Trauma Center Murnau, Murnau, Germany; Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Volkmar Jansson
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter E Müller
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Rammelt
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Center for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Hans Zwipp
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Center for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Forbes SJ, Gupta S, Dhawan A. Cell therapy for liver disease: From liver transplantation to cell factory. J Hepatol 2015; 62:S157-69. [PMID: 25920085 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Work over several decades has laid solid foundations for the advancement of liver cell therapy. To date liver cell therapy in people has taken the form of hepatocyte transplantation for metabolic disorders with a hepatic basis, and for acute or chronic liver failure. Although clinical trials using various types of autologous cells have been implemented to promote liver regeneration or reduce liver fibrosis, clear evidence of therapeutic benefits have so far been lacking. Cell types that have shown efficacy in preclinical models include hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and macrophages. However, positive results in animal models have not always translated through to successful clinical therapies and more realistic preclinical models need to be developed. Studies defining the optimal repopulation by transplanted cells, including routes of cell transplantation, superior engraftment and proliferation of transplanted cells, as well as optimal immunosuppression regimens are required. Tissue engineering approaches to transplant cells in extrahepatic locations have also been proposed. The derivation of hepatocytes from pluripotent or reprogrammed cells raises hope that donor organ and cell shortages could be overcome in the future. Critical hurdles to be overcome include the production of hepatocytes from pluripotent cells with equal functional capacity to primary hepatocytes and long-term phenotypic stability in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart J Forbes
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, United Kingdom.
| | - Sanjeev Gupta
- Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Ullmann Building, Room 625, Bronx, NY 10461, United States
| | - Anil Dhawan
- Paediatric Liver GI and Nutrition Center and NIHR/Wellcome Cell Therapy Unit, King's College Hospital at King's College, London SE59RS, United Kingdom
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20
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Dusabineza AC, Najimi M, van Hul N, Legry V, Khuu DN, van Grunsven LA, Sokal E, Leclercq IA. Hepatic Stellate Cells Improve Engraftment of Human Primary Hepatocytes: A Preclinical Transplantation Study in an Animal Model. Cell Transplant 2015; 24:2557-71. [PMID: 25706818 DOI: 10.3727/096368915x686788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human hepatocytes are used for liver cell therapy, but the small number of engrafting cells limits the benefit of cell transplantation. We tested whether cotransplantation of hepatocytes with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) could improve hepatocyte engraftment in vivo. Human primary hepatocytes were transplanted into SCID mice either alone or in a mixture with HSCs (quiescent or after culture activation) or LX-2 cells (ratio 20:1). Four weeks after transplantation into mouse livers, human albumin-positive (huAlb(+)) hepatocytes were found scattered. When cotransplanted in a mixture with HSCs or LX-2 cells, huAlb(+) hepatocytes formed clusters and were more numerous occupying 2- to 5.9-fold more surface on the tissue section than in livers transplanted with hepatocytes alone. Increased huAlb mRNA expression in livers transplanted with the cell mixtures confirmed those results. The presence of HSCs increased the number of hepatocytes entrapped in the host liver at an early time point posttransplantation but not their proliferation in situ as assessed by cumulative incorporation of BrdU. Importantly, 4 weeks posttransplantation, we found no accumulation of αSMA(+)-activated HSCs or collagen deposition. To follow the fate of transplanted HSCs, HSCs derived from GFP(+) mice were injected into GFP(-) littermates: 17 h posttransplant, GFP(+) HSCs were found in the sinusoids, without proliferating or actively producing ECM; they were undetectable at later time points. Coculture with HSCs improved the number of adherent hepatocytes, with best attachment obtained when hepatocytes were seeded in contact with activated HSCs. In vivo, cotransplantation of hepatocytes with HSCs into a healthy liver recipient does not generate fibrosis, but significantly improves the engraftment of hepatocytes, probably by ameliorating cell homing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ange-Clarisse Dusabineza
- Laboratory of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Université catholique de Louvain, UCL, Brussels, Belgium
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21
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Modulating CD4+ T cell migration in the postischemic liver: hepatic stellate cells as new therapeutic target? Transplantation 2015; 99:41-7. [PMID: 25360872 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000000461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD4+ T cells play a critical role during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury although the mechanisms of their migration in the postischemic liver remain unclear. We answered the questions of whether hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) interact with CD4+ T cells during I/R of the liver and whether modulation of HSC activity affects T cell-dependent I/R injury. METHODS In mice, migration of CD4+ T cells was analyzed in vivo using conventional intravital microscopy and two-photon microscopy. CD4+ T cell-HSC interactions were visualized after infusion of fluorescence-labeled CD4+ T cells into Cx3CR1 mice (mice exhibiting GFP-labeled HSCs) after I/R. Because the activation of HSC is controlled by endocannabinoid receptors, CB-1 and CB-2, the mice received treatment before I/R with the CB-2 agonist JWH-133 to reach HSC depletion or the CB-1 agonist arachidonylcyclopropylamide to activate HSCs. Sinusoidal perfusion and liver transaminases were used as markers of I/R injury. RESULTS Hepatic I/R induced CD4+ T cell recruitment in sinusoids. More than 25% of adherent CD4+ T cells were colocalized with HSCs during reperfusion, suggesting a direct cell-cell interaction. The HSC deactivation with JWH-133 significantly attenuated the CD4+ T cell recruitment in the postischemic liver and reduced I/R injury as compared to the vehicle-treated group. The HSC hyperactivation by CB-1, however, did not affect T-cell migration and even increased perfusion failure. CONCLUSION Our in vivo data suggest that CD4+ T cells interact with HSCs on their migration into the hepatic parenchyma, and a depletion or deactivation of HSCs protects the liver from T cell-dependent I/R injury.
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22
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Viswanathan P, Kapoor S, Kumaran V, Joseph B, Gupta S. Etanercept blocks inflammatory responses orchestrated by TNF-α to promote transplanted cell engraftment and proliferation in rat liver. Hepatology 2014; 60:1378-88. [PMID: 24844924 PMCID: PMC4176524 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Engraftment of transplanted cells is critical for liver-directed cell therapy, but most transplanted cells are rapidly cleared from liver sinusoids by proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines/receptors after activation of neutrophils or Kupffer cells (KCs). To define whether tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) served roles in cell-transplantation-induced hepatic inflammation, we used the TNF-α antagonist, etanercept (ETN), for studies in syngeneic rat hepatocyte transplantation systems. After cell transplantation, multiple cytokines/chemokines/receptors were overexpressed, whereas ETN before cell transplantation essentially normalized these responses. Moreover, ETN down-regulated cell-transplantation-induced intrahepatic release of secretory cytokines, such as high-mobility group box 1. These effects of ETN decreased cell-transplantation-induced activation of neutrophils, but not of KCs. Transplanted cell engraftment improved by several-fold in ETN-treated animals. These gains in cell engraftment were repeatedly realized after pretreatment of animals with ETN before multiple cell transplantation sessions. Transplanted cell numbers did not change over time, indicating absence of cell proliferation after ETN alone. By contrast, in animals preconditioned with retrorsine and partial hepatectomy, cell transplantation after ETN pretreatment significantly accelerated liver repopulation, compared to control rats. CONCLUSION TNF-α plays a major role in orchestrating cell-transplantation-induced inflammation through regulation of multiple cytokines/chemokines/receptor expression. Because TNF-α antagonism by ETN decreased transplanted cell clearance, improved cell engraftment, and accelerated liver repopulation, this pharmacological approach to control hepatic inflammation will help optimize clinical strategies for liver cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Viswanathan
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Sorabh Kapoor
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Vinay Kumaran
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Brigid Joseph
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Sanjeev Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY,Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Diabetes Center, Cancer Center, Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY,Correspondence: Sanjeev Gupta, MD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Ullmann Building, Room 625, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461; Tel: 718 430 3309; Fax: 718 430 8975;
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Abstract
The liver is the largest organ in the body and is generally regarded by nonimmunologists as having little or no lymphoid function. However, such is far from accurate. This review highlights the importance of the liver as a lymphoid organ. Firstly, we discuss experimental data surrounding the role of liver as a lymphoid organ. The liver facilitates tolerance rather than immunoreactivity, which protects the host from antigenic overload of dietary components and drugs derived from the gut and it is instrumental to fetal immune tolerance. Loss of liver tolerance leads to autoaggressive phenomena, which if not controlled by regulatory lymphoid populations, may lead to the induction of autoimmune liver diseases. Liver-related lymphoid subpopulations also act as critical antigen-presenting cells. The study of the immunological properties of liver and delineation of the microenvironment of the intrahepatic milieu in normal and diseased livers provides a platform to understand the hierarchy of a series of detrimental events that lead to immune-mediated destruction of the liver and the rejection of liver allografts. The majority of emphasis within this review will be on the normal mononuclear cell composition of the liver. However, within this context, we will discuss selected, but not all, immune-mediated liver disease and attempt to place these data in the context of human autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios P Bogdanos
- Institute of Liver Studies, Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, London, UK
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Bahde R, Kapoor S, Gupta S. Nonselective inhibition of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthases by naproxen ameliorates acute or chronic liver injury in animals. Exp Mol Pathol 2013; 96:27-35. [PMID: 24220607 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2013.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The rising prevalence of hepatic injury due to toxins, metabolites, viruses, etc., necessitates development of further mechanisms for protecting the liver and for treating acute or chronic liver diseases. To examine whether inhibition of inflammation is directed by cyclo-oxygenase pathways, we performed animal studies with naproxen, which inhibits prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthases 1 and 2 and is in extensive clinical use. We administered carbon tetrachloride to induce acute liver injury and ligated the common bile duct to induce chronic liver injury in adult rats. These experimental manipulations produced abnormalities in liver tests, tissue necrosis, compensatory hepatocyte or biliary proliferation, and onset of fibrosis, particularly after bile duct ligation. After carbon tetrachloride-induced acute injury, naproxen decreased liver test abnormalities, tissue necrosis and compensatory hepatocellular proliferation. After bile duct ligation-induced chronic injury, naproxen decreased liver test abnormalities, tissue injury and compensatory biliary hyperplasia. Moreover, after bile duct ligation, naproxen-treated rats showed more periductular oval liver cells, which have been classified as hepatic progenitor cells. In naproxen-treated rats, we found greater expression in hepatic stellate cells and mononuclear cells of cytoprotective factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor. The ability of naproxen to induce expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was verified in cell culture studies with CFSC-8B clone of rat hepatic stellate cells. Whereas assays for carbon tetrachloride toxicity using cultured primary hepatocytes established that naproxen was not directly cytoprotective, we found conditioned medium containing vascular endothelial growth factor from naproxen-treated CFSC-8B cells protected hepatocytes from carbon tetrachloride toxicity. Therefore, naproxen was capable of ameliorating toxic liver injury, which involved naproxen-induced release of physiological cytoprotective factors in nonparenchymal liver cells. Such drug-induced release of endogenous cytoprotectants will advance therapeutic development for hepatic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Bahde
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Surgical Research, Department of General and Visceral Surgery, University Hospital, Muenster, Germany
| | - Sorabh Kapoor
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Sanjeev Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Pathology, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Diabetes Center, Cancer Center, Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, and Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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25
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Abstract
Because of their high proliferative capacity, resistance to cryopreservation, and ability to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells, stem and progenitor cells have recently emerged as attractive cell sources for liver cell therapy, a technique used as an alternative to orthotopic liver transplantation in the treatment of various hepatic ailments ranging from metabolic disorders to end-stage liver disease. Although stem and progenitor cells have been isolated from various tissues, obtaining them from the liver could be an advantage for the treatment of hepatic disorders. However, the techniques available to isolate these stem/progenitor cells are numerous and give rise to cell populations with different morphological and functional characteristics. In addition, there is currently no established consensus on the tests that need to be performed to ensure the quality and safety of these cells when used clinically. The purpose of this review is to describe the different types of liver stem/progenitor cells currently reported in the literature, discuss their suitability and limitations in terms of clinical applications, and examine how the culture and transplantation techniques can potentially be improved to achieve a better clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A. Lombard
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Pediatric Hepatology and Cell Therapy, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Julie Prigent
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Pediatric Hepatology and Cell Therapy, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Etienne M. Sokal
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Pediatric Hepatology and Cell Therapy, Brussels, Belgium
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26
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Betz OB, Betz VM, Schröder C, Penzkofer R, Göttlinger M, Mayer-Wagner S, Augat P, Jansson V, Müller PE. Repair of large segmental bone defects: BMP-2 gene activated muscle grafts vs. autologous bone grafting. BMC Biotechnol 2013; 13:65. [PMID: 23927083 PMCID: PMC3750585 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-13-65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Common cell based strategies for the treatment of osseous defects require the isolation and expansion of autologous cells. Since this makes such approaches time-consuming and expensive, we developed a novel expedited technology creating gene activated muscle grafts. We have previously shown that large segmental bone defects in rats can be regenerated by implantation of muscle tissue fragments activated by BMP-2 gene transfer. Results In the present study, we compared the bone healing capacities of such gene activated muscle grafts with bone isografts, mimicking autologous bone grafting, the clinical gold standard for treatment of bone defects in patients. Two of 14 male, syngeneic Fischer 344 rats used for this experiment served as donors for muscle and bone. Muscle tissue was harvested from both hind limbs and incubated with an adenoviral vector carrying the cDNA encoding BMP-2. Bone was harvested from the iliac crest and long bone epiphyses. Bone defects (5 mm) were created in the right femora of 12 rats and were filled with either BMP-2 activated muscle tissue or bone grafts. After eight weeks, femora were evaluated by radiographs, micro-computed tomography (μCT), and biomechanical testing. In the group receiving BMP-2 activated muscle grafts as well as in the bone-grafting group, 100% of the bone defects were healed, as documented by radiographs and μCT-imaging. Bone volume was similar in both groups and biomechanical stability of the two groups was statistically indistinguishable. Conclusions This study demonstrates that treatment of large bone defects by implantation of BMP-2 gene activated muscle tissue leads to similar bone volume and stability as bone isografts, mimicking autologous bone grafting.
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Nejak-Bowen KN, Orr AV, Bowen Jr WC, Michalopoulos GK. Gliotoxin-induced changes in rat liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Liver Int 2013; 33:1044-55. [PMID: 23552057 PMCID: PMC3706483 DOI: 10.1111/liv.12164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic non-parenchymal cells (NPCs), encompassing hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), macrophages and endothelial cells, synthesize new hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) during liver regeneration (LR), and also play an important function in matrix production at the end of regeneration. AIMS The aim of this study was to determine whether ablating NPCs either during hepatocyte proliferation or during matrix resynthesis will have any effect on LR. METHODS Rats were injected with either gliotoxin (which induces NPC apoptosis) or vehicle control at various stages during partial hepatectomy (PH). NPCs and hepatocytes were also treated in vitro with gliotoxin. RESULTS Proliferating cells were abundant in control livers 24 h after PH, while in gliotoxin-treated rats, mitosis was absent, apoptotic NPCs were apparent and HGF was decreased. In vitro studies demonstrated a > 50% decrease in cell viability in NPC cultures, while hepatocyte viability and proliferation were unaffected. Chronic elimination of NPCs over a period of 5 days after PH led to increased desmin-positive HSCs and fewer alpha smooth muscle actin-expressing HSCs. Finally, there was continued proliferation of hepatocytes and decreased collagen I and TGF-β when HSCs, the matrix-producing NPCs, were ablated during later stages of LR. CONCLUSIONS Ablation of NPCs at early time points after PH interferes with liver regeneration, while their ablation at late stages causes impairment in the termination of LR, demonstrating a time-dependent regulatory role of NPCs in the regenerative process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne V. Orr
- Department of Pathology; University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh PA USA
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Larrubia JR, Lokhande MU, García-Garzón S, Miquel J, Subirá D, Sanz-de-Villalobos E. Role of T cell death in maintaining immune tolerance during persistent viral hepatitis. World J Gastroenterol 2013; 19:1877-1889. [PMID: 23569333 PMCID: PMC3613103 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i12.1877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2012] [Revised: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/27/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-specific T cells play an important role in the resolution of hepatic infection. However, during chronic hepatitis infection these cells lack their effector functions and fail to control the virus. Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus have developed several mechanisms to generate immune tolerance. One of these strategies is the depletion of virus-specific T cells by apoptosis. The immunotolerogenic liver has unique property to retain and activate naïve T cell to avoid the over reactivation of immune response against antigens which is exploited by hepatotropic viruses to persist. The deletion of the virus-specific T cells occurs by intrinsic (passive) apoptotic mechanism. The pro-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2 interacting mediator (Bim) has attracted increasing attention as a pivotal involvement in apoptosis, as a regulator of tissue homeostasis and an enhancer for the viral persistence. Here, we reviewed our current knowledge on the evidence showing critical role of Bim in viral-specific T cell death by apoptotic pathways and helps in the immune tolerance.
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Wan Z, Zhang XG, Liu ZW, Lv Y. Therapeutic liver repopulation for metabolic liver diseases: Advances from bench to bedside. Hepatol Res 2013; 43:122-30. [PMID: 22971121 DOI: 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2012.01081.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2012] [Revised: 07/20/2012] [Accepted: 07/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic liver diseases are characterized by inherited defects in hepatic enzymes or other proteins with metabolic functions. Therapeutic liver repopulation (TLR), an approach of massive liver replacement by transplanted normal hepatocytes, could be used to provide the missing metabolic function elegantly. However, partial and transient correction of the underlying metabolic defects due to very few integrated donor cell mass remains the major obstacle for the effective and widespread use of this approach. Little engraftment and proliferation insufficiency lead to the poor outcome. This article reviews the advances in the mechanisms of initial engraftment and selective proliferation and suggests some effective treatment strategies, from pharmacological preconditioning to stem cell transplantation, to optimize liver repopulation with liver cell transplantation. Enhancing cell viability and plating efficiency, increasing sinusoidal spaces, regulation of sinusoidal endothelial cell barrier and controlling inflammatory reaction may promote initial cell engraftment. Liver-directed irradiation, reversible portal vein embolization and fetal liver stem/progenitor cell transplantation induce preferential proliferation of donor cells substantially without severe side-effects. Furthermore, it seems better to use combined approaches to achieve a high level of liver repopulation for the management of metabolic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wan
- Hepatobiliary Surgery; Institute of Advanced Surgical Techniques and Tissue Engineering Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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Bahde R, Kapoor S, Bandi S, Bhargava KK, Palestro CJ, Gupta S. Directly acting drugs prostacyclin or nitroglycerine and endothelin receptor blocker bosentan improve cell engraftment in rodent liver. Hepatology 2013; 57:320-30. [PMID: 22899584 PMCID: PMC3524382 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 07/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED To optimize strategies for liver-directed cell therapy, prevention of initial transplanted cell losses is particularly important for subsequent liver repopulation. After cell transplantation in hepatic sinusoids, perturbations in hepatic microcirculation along with changes in various liver cell types are among the earliest changes. Therefore, for advancing further concepts in cell engraftment we studied vascular and related events in the liver after transplanting syngeneic hepatocytes into dipeptidyl peptidase IV-deficient rats. We treated rats with vascular drugs to define whether deleterious cell transplantation-induced events could be controlled followed by improvements in transplanted cell engraftment and proliferation. We found cell transplantation altered liver gene expression related to vessel tone, inflammation, cell adhesion, thrombosis, or tissue damage/remodeling. This was due to hepatic ischemia, endothelial injury, and activation of neutrophils, Kupffer cells, and hepatic stellate cells. Treatment of rats before cell transplantation with the angiotensin converting enzyme blocker, lisinopril, or angiotensin II receptor blocker, losartan, did not improve cell engraftment. By contrast, direct-acting nitroglycerine or prostacyclin improved cell engraftment and also kinetics of liver repopulation. These drugs lowered hepatic ischemia and inflammation, whereas pretreatment of rats with the dual endothelin-1 receptor blocker, bosentan, improved cell engraftment independently of hepatic ischemia or inflammation, without improving liver repopulation. However, incubation of hepatocytes with bosentan protected cells from cytokine toxicity in vitro and produced superior cell engraftment and proliferation in vivo. CONCLUSION Cell transplantation-induced changes in hepatic microcirculation contributed to transplanted cell clearances from liver. Vascular drugs, such as nitroglycerine, prostacyclin, and bosentan, offer opportunities for improving cell therapy results through superior cell engraftment and liver repopulation. Ongoing clinical use of these drugs will permit rapid translation of the findings in people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Bahde
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY,Department of Visceral and General Surgery, University Hospital of Muenster
| | - Sorabh Kapoor
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Sriram Bandi
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Kuldeep K. Bhargava
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, North Shore-LIJ Health System, New Hyde Park, NY
| | - Christopher J. Palestro
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, North Shore-LIJ Health System, New Hyde Park, NY
| | - Sanjeev Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY,Department of Pathology, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Diabetes Center, Cancer Center, Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, and Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY,Author Correspondence: Sanjeev Gupta, MD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Ullmann Bldg., Rm 625, Bronx, NY 10461; Tel: 718 430 3309; Fax: 718 430 8975; ,
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Fraedrich K, Schrader J, Ittrich H, Keller G, Gontarewicz A, Matzat V, Kromminga A, Pace A, Moll J, Bläker M, Lohse AW, Hörsch D, Brümmendorf TH, Benten D. Targeting aurora kinases with danusertib (PHA-739358) inhibits growth of liver metastases from gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in an orthotopic xenograft model. Clin Cancer Res 2012; 18:4621-32. [PMID: 22753592 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-2968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Aurora kinases play a crucial role in cell-cycle control. Uncontrolled expression of aurora kinases causes aneuploidy and tumor growth. As conservative treatment options for advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) are disappointing, aurora kinases may be an interesting target for novel therapeutic strategies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Human GEP-NETs were tested for aurora kinase expression. The efficacy of the new aurora kinase inhibitor danusertib was evaluated in two human GEP-NET cell lines (BON1 and QGP) in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS The majority of ten insulinomas and all 33 nonfunctional pancreatic or midgut GEP-NETs expressed aurora A despite a mostly high degree of cell differentiation. Both human GEP-NET cell lines expressed aurora kinase A and B, and high Ser10 phosphorylation of histone H3 revealed increased aurora B activity. Remarkably, danusertib led to cell-cycle arrest and completely inhibited cell proliferation of the GEP-NET cells in vitro. Decreased phosphorylation of histone H3 indicated effective aurora B inhibition. In a subcutaneous murine xenograft model, danusertib significantly reduced tumor growth in vivo compared with controls or mice treated with streptozotocine/5-fluorouracil. As a consequence, decreased levels of tumor marker chromogranin A were found in mouse serum samples. In a newly developed orthotopic model for GEP-NET liver metastases by intrasplenic tumor cell transplantation, dynamic MRI proved significant growth inhibition of BON1- and QGP-derived liver metastases. CONCLUSIONS These results show that danusertib may impose a new therapeutic strategy for aurora kinase expressing metastasized GEP-NETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Fraedrich
- I. Medizinische Klinik, Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, II. Medizinische Klinik, Onkologisches Zentrum, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf; Labor Lademannbogen, Hamburg, Germany
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32
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Bahde R, Kapoor S, Bhargava KK, Schilsky ML, Palestro CJ, Gupta S. PET with 64Cu-histidine for noninvasive diagnosis of biliary copper excretion in Long-Evans cinnamon rat model of Wilson disease. J Nucl Med 2012; 53:961-8. [PMID: 22577234 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.111.092361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Excretion of copper into bile requires the copper transporter Atp7b, which is deficient in Wilson disease. We hypothesized that a radiocopper-histidine complex would be effective for diagnosing Wilson disease by molecular imaging and tested this hypothesis in the Long-Evans cinnamon (LEC) rat model with Atp7b deficiency. METHODS We complexed (64)Cu to l-histidine and analyzed clearance from blood, uptake in tissues, and excretion in bile of healthy Long-Evans agouti (LEA) rats versus LEC rats modeling Wilson disease. Sixty-minute dynamic PET recordings were obtained in LEA and LEC rats. Possible effects of acute and chronic liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride were studied in LEA rats. Atp7b deficiency in LEC rats was reconstituted by transplantation of healthy cells to establish the specificity of findings. RESULTS Examination of blood, tissue, and bile showed that in healthy rats, radiocopper was incorporated in the liver, followed by rapid excretion in bile. Corresponding blood, tissue, and bile studies in LEC rats showed incorporation of radiocopper in the liver but without copper excretion in bile, leading to hepatic retention of the radiotracer. PET showed onset of copper clearance in the liver of LEA rats, whereas liver copper content progressively increased in LEC rats during the 1-h period. Hepatic radiocopper excretion was not altered by either acute or chronic liver injury. In LEC rats with liver repopulation by transplanted healthy hepatocytes, excretion of radiocopper confirmed that Atp7b was responsible for this effect. CONCLUSION Imaging with the radiocopper-histidine complex successfully identified Atp7b-dependent biliary copper excretion. This principle will advance molecular imaging for Wilson disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Bahde
- Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Department of Medicine and Pathology, Ruth L and David S Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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Kamimura R, Ishii T, Sasaki N, Kajiwara M, Machimoto T, Saito M, Kohno K, Suemori H, Nakatsuji N, Ikai I, Yasuchika K, Uemoto S. Comparative study of transplantation of hepatocytes at various differentiation stages into mice with lethal liver damage. Cell Transplant 2012; 21:2351-62. [PMID: 22472047 DOI: 10.3727/096368912x636957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte transplantation utilizing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or embryonic stem cells (ESCs) has been expected to provide an alternative to liver transplantation. However, it remains uncertain precisely which cell type is the best suited for cell transplantation. In particular, it is unclear whether mature hepatocytes, which have sufficient liver function, or immature hepatic progenitor cells, which have a higher proliferative capacity, will provide a better outcome. The main objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the transplantation of hepatocytes at various differentiation stages. We utilized transgenic mice that expressed diphtheria toxin (DT) receptors under the control of an albumin enhancer/promoter. ESC-derived endodermal cells, fetal hepatocytes, and adult hepatocytes were transplanted into these mice with experimentally induced lethal acute liver injury caused by DT administration. The transplanted cells were marked by enhanced green fluorescent protein. We evaluated their effects on survival. At 35 days after transplantation, the survival rate of the adult hepatocyte-transplanted group (8/20, 40%) was significantly improved in comparison to that of the sham-operated group (2/25, 8%), the fetal hepatocyte-transplanted group (1/20, 5%), and the ESC-derived endodermal cell-transplanted group (0/21, 0%). The adult hepatocytes proliferated in the recipient livers and replaced a large part of their parenchyma. The transplantation of adult hepatocytes for acute liver failure significantly improved the survival rate in comparison to that of transplantation of immature cells, thus suggesting that ESCs and iPSCs should be differentiated into mature hepatocytes before cell transplantation for acute liver failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Kamimura
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
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Enami Y, Joseph B, Bandi S, Lin J, Gupta S. Molecular perturbations restrict potential for liver repopulation of hepatocytes isolated from non-heart-beating donor rats. Hepatology 2012; 55:1182-92. [PMID: 21993967 PMCID: PMC3272103 DOI: 10.1002/hep.24735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Organs from non-heart-beating donors are attractive for use in cell therapy. Understanding the nature of molecular perturbations following reperfusion/reoxygenation will be highly significant for non-heart-beating donor cells. We studied non-heart-beating donor rats for global gene expression with Affymetrix microarrays, hepatic tissue integrity, viability of isolated hepatocytes, and engraftment and proliferation of transplanted cells in dipeptidyl peptidase IV-deficient rats. In non-heart-beating donors, liver tissue was morphologically intact for >24 hours with differential expression of 1, 95, or 372 genes, 4, 16, or 34 hours after death, respectively, compared with heart-beating donors. These differentially expressed genes constituted prominent groupings in ontological pathways of oxidative phosphorylation, adherence junctions, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and other discrete pathways. We successfully isolated viable hepatocytes from non-heart-beating donors, especially up to 4 hours after death, although the hepatocyte yield and viability were inferior to those of hepatocytes from heart-beating donors (P < 0.05). Similarly, although hepatocytes from non-heart-beating donors engrafted and proliferated after transplantation in recipient animals, this was inferior to hepatocytes from heart-beating donors (P < 0.05). Gene expression profiling in hepatocytes isolated from non-heart-beating donors showed far greater perturbations compared with corresponding liver tissue, including representation of pathways in focal adhesion, actin cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix-receptor interactions, multiple ligand-receptor interactions, and signaling in insulin, calcium, wnt, Jak-Stat, or other cascades. CONCLUSION Liver tissue remained intact over prolonged periods after death in non-heart-beating donors, but extensive molecular perturbations following reperfusion/reoxygenation impaired the viability of isolated hepatocytes from these donors. Insights into molecular changes in hepatocytes from non-heart-beating donors offer opportunities for improving donor cell viability, which will advance the utility of non-heart-beating donor organs for cell therapy or other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Enami
- Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York,Department of Surgery, Division of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, School of Medicine, Showa University, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Brigid Joseph
- Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Sriram Bandi
- Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Juan Lin
- Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Sanjeev Gupta
- Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York,Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York,Cancer Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York,Diabetes Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York,Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York,Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
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Dangi A, Sumpter TL, Kimura S, Stolz DB, Murase N, Raimondi G, Vodovotz Y, Huang C, Thomson AW, Gandhi CR. Selective expansion of allogeneic regulatory T cells by hepatic stellate cells: role of endotoxin and implications for allograft tolerance. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 188:3667-77. [PMID: 22427640 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1102460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) may play an important role in hepatic immune regulation by producing numerous cytokines/chemokines and expressing Ag-presenting and T cell coregulatory molecules. Due to disruption of the endothelial barrier during cold-ischemic storage and reperfusion of liver grafts, HSCs can interact directly with cells of the immune system. Endotoxin (LPS), levels of which increase in liver diseases and transplantation, stimulates the synthesis of many mediators by HSCs. We hypothesized that LPS-stimulated HSCs might promote hepatic tolerogenicity by influencing naturally occurring immunosuppressive CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs). Following their portal venous infusion, allogeneic CD4(+) T cells, including Tregs, were found closely associated with HSCs, and this association increased in LPS-treated livers. In vitro, both unstimulated and LPS-stimulated HSCs upregulated Fas (CD95) expression on conventional CD4(+) T cells and induced their apoptosis in a Fas/Fas ligand-dependent manner. By contrast, HSCs induced Treg proliferation, which required cell-cell contact and was MHC class II-dependent. This effect was augmented when HSCs were pretreated with LPS. LPS increased the expression of MHC class II, CD80, and CD86 and stimulated the production of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α by HSCs. Interestingly, production of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α was strongly inhibited, but that of IL-10 enhanced in LPS-pretreated HSC/Treg cocultures. Adoptively transferred allogeneic HSCs migrated to the secondary lymphoid tissues and induced Treg expansion in lymph nodes. These data implicate endotoxin-stimulated HSCs as important immune regulators in liver transplantation by inducing selective expansion of tolerance-promoting Tregs and reducing inflammation and alloimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Dangi
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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36
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Bhatt S, Fung JJ, Lu L, Qian S. Tolerance-inducing strategies in islet transplantation. Int J Endocrinol 2012; 2012:396524. [PMID: 22675353 PMCID: PMC3366204 DOI: 10.1155/2012/396524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic islet transplantation is a promising approach for restoring normoglycemia in type 1 diabetic patients. Current use of immunosuppressive therapies for management of islet transplant recipients can be counterintuitive to islet function and can lead to complications in the long term. The induction of donor-specific tolerance eliminates the dependency on immunosuppression and allows recipients to retain responses to foreign antigens. The mechanisms by which tolerance is achieved involve the deletion of donor-reactive T cells, induction of T-cell anergy, immune deviation, and generation of regulatory T cells. This review will outline the various methods used for inducing donor-specific tolerance in islet transplantation and will highlight the previously unforeseen potential of tissue stromal cells in promoting islet engraftment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumantha Bhatt
- Department of Immunology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - John J. Fung
- Department of General Surgery, Transplant Center, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Lina Lu
- Department of Immunology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Department of General Surgery, Transplant Center, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Shiguang Qian
- Department of Immunology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Department of General Surgery, Transplant Center, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- *Shiguang Qian:
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Bahde R, Kebschull L, Stöppeler S, Zibert A, Siaj R, Hölzen JP, Minin E, Schmidt HHJ, Spiegel HU, Palmes D. Role of angiotensin-1 receptor blockade in cirrhotic liver resection. Liver Int 2011; 31:642-55. [PMID: 21457437 DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02493.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The regeneration capacity of cirrhotic livers might be affected by angiotensin-1 (AT1) receptors located on hepatic stellate cells (HSC). The effect of AT1 receptor blockade on microcirculation, fibrosis and liver regeneration was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 112 Lewis rats, cirrhosis was induced by repetitive intraperitoneal injections of CCl(4) . Six hours, 3, 7 and 14 days after partial hepatectomy or sham operation, rats were sacrificed for analysis. Animals were treated with either vehicle or 5 mg/kg body weight losartan pre-operatively and once daily after surgery by gavage. Microcirculation and portal vein flow were investigated at 6 h. The degree of cirrhosis was assessed by Azan Heidenhein staining, activation of HSC by desmin staining, apoptosis by ssDNA detection and liver regeneration by Ki-67 staining. Changes in expression of various genes important for liver regeneration and fibrosis were analysed at 6 h and 3 days. Haemodynamic parameters and liver enzymes were monitored. RESULTS Losartan treatment increased sinusoidal diameter, sinusoidal blood flow and portal vein flow after partial hepatectomy (P<0.05), but not after sham operation. AT1 receptor blockade resulted in increased apoptosis early after resection. HSC activation was reduced and after 7 days, a significantly lower degree of cirrhosis in resected animals was observed. Losartan increased the proliferation of hepatocytes at late time-points and of non-parenchymal cells early after partial hepatectomy (P<0.05). Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α was significantly upregulated at 6 h and stem cell growth factor (SCF) was downregulated at 3 days (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Losartan increased hepatic blood flow, reduced HSC activation and liver fibrosis, but interfered with hepatocyte proliferation after partial hepatectomy in cirrhotic livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Bahde
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Division of Surgical Research, Muenster University Hospital, Muenster, Germany
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Zhou P, Lessa N, Estrada DC, Severrson EB, Lingala S, Zern MA, Nolta JA, Wu J. Decellularized liver matrix as a carrier for the transplantation of human fetal and primary hepatocytes in mice. Liver Transpl 2011; 17:418-27. [PMID: 21445925 PMCID: PMC3079538 DOI: 10.1002/lt.22270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The transplantation of primary hepatocytes has been shown to augment the function of damaged livers and to bridge patients to liver transplantation. However, primary hepatocytes often have low levels of engraftment and survive for only a short time after transplantation. To explore the potential benefits of using decellularized liver matrix (DLM) as a carrier for hepatocyte transplantation, DLM from whole mouse livers was generated. Human fetal hepatocytes immortalized by telomerase reconstitution (FH-hTERTs) or primary human hepatocytes were infused into the DLM, which was then implanted into the omenta of immunodeficient nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient/interleukin-2 receptor γ-deficient mice or nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient/mucopolysaccharidosis type VII mice. The removal of endogenous cellular components and the preservation of the extracellular matrix proteins and vasculature were demonstrated in the resulting DLM. Bioluminescent imaging revealed that FH-hTERTs transduced with a lentiviral vector expressing firefly luciferase survived in the DLM for 8 weeks after peritoneal implantation, whereas the luciferase signal from FH-hTERTs rapidly declined in control mice 3 to 4 weeks after transplantation via splenic injection or omental implantation after Matrigel encapsulation. Furthermore, primary human hepatocytes that were reconstituted in the DLM not only survived 6 weeks after transplantation but also maintained their function, as demonstrated by messenger RNA levels of albumin and cytochrome P450 (CYP) subtypes (CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and CYP1A1) similar to the levels in freshly isolated human primary hepatocytes (hPHs). In contrast, when hPHs were transplanted into mice via splenic injection, they failed to express CYP3A4, although they expressed albumin. In conclusion, DLM provides an excellent environment for long-term survival and maintenance of the hepatocyte phenotype after transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhou
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817
| | - Nataly Lessa
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817
| | - Daniel C. Estrada
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817
| | - Ella B. Severrson
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817
| | - Shilpa Lingala
- Transplant Research Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817
| | - Mark A. Zern
- Transplant Research Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817
| | - Jan A. Nolta
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817
| | - Jian Wu
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, Transplant Research Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817
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Shen K, Chang W, Gao X, Wang H, Niu W, Song L, Qin X. Depletion of activated hepatic stellate cell correlates with severe liver damage and abnormal liver regeneration in acetaminophen-induced liver injury. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2011; 43:307-15. [PMID: 21335335 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmr005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are important part of the local 'stem cell niche' for hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) and hepatocytes. However, it is unclear as to whether the products of activated HSCs are required to attenuate hepatocyte injury, enhance liver regeneration, or both. In this study, we performed 'loss of function' studies by depleting activated HSCs with gliotoxin. It was demonstrated that a significantly severe liver damage and declined survival rate were correlated with depletion of activated HSCs. Furthermore, diminishing HSC activation resulted in a 3-fold increase in hepatocyte apoptosis and a 66% decrease in the number of proliferating hepatocytes. This was accompanied by a dramatic decrease in the expression levels of five genes known to be up-regulated during hepatocyte replication. In particular, it was found that depletion of activated HSCs inhibited oval cell reaction that was confirmed by decreased numbers of Pank-positive cells around the portal tracts and lowered gene expression level of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) in gliotoxin-treated liver. These data provide clear evidence that the activated HSCs are involved in both hepatocyte death and proliferation of hepatocytes and HPCs in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuntang Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, China
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Ren H, Zhao Q, Cheng T, Lu S, Chen Z, Meng L, Zhu X, Yang S, Xing W, Xiao Y, Ren Q, Chi Y, Gu D, Yang R, Han ZC. No contribution of umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells to capillarization and venularization of hepatic sinusoids accompanied by hepatic differentiation in carbon tetrachloride-induced mouse liver fibrosis. Cytotherapy 2010; 12:371-83. [PMID: 20184502 DOI: 10.3109/14653241003596661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS The acceleration of capillarization and venularization of hepatic sinusoids after cell therapy would not be beneficial to restoration after liver disease. The goal was to observe the effects of umbilical cord (UC)-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) on liver microcirculation and their therapeutic potential in liver fibrosis. METHODS Human UC MSC labeled with or without CM-DIL were transplanted into NOD/SCID mice with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced chronic liver fibrosis models. Because of the high autofluorescence on the injured liver sections, we used immunohistochemistry, Western blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), but not immunofluorescence, in order to avoid false images under a confocal fluorescence microscope. RESULTS Human-specific alpha-fetoprotein and albumin mRNA and proteins were detected in CCl4-treated mouse livers receiving human UC MSC transplants. We only observed the gene expression of human-specific endothelial-like cells markers CD31 and KDR by RT-PCR, but not protein expression by immunohistochemistry, in UC MSC-transplanted mouse livers. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in injured livers 4 weeks after UC MSC transplantation was higher than in normal livers. However, UC MSC injection did not increase significantly the vascular density labeled by CD31 and (vWF) in the injured livers of UC MSC-transplanted mice compared with non-transplanted mice after CCl4 treatment. In addition, liver function was partly improved after UC MSC transplantation. CONCLUSIONS Human UC MSC can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells but do not accelerate the capillarization and venularization of hepatic sinusoids, finally leading to the partial improvement of liver function in mice with CCl4-mediated chronic liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongying Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Disease Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union of Medical College, Tianjin, China
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Carraro A, Flaibani M, Cillo U, Michelotto L, Magrofuoco E, Buggio M, Abatangelo G, Cortivo R, Herrera MB, Tetta C, Elvassore N, Zavan B. A combining method to enhance the in vitro differentiation of hepatic precursor cells. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2010; 16:1543-51. [PMID: 20504066 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2009.0795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The ideal bioartificial liver should be designed to reproduce as nearly as possible in vitro the habitat that hepatic cells find in vivo. In the present work, we investigated the in vitro perfusion condition with a view to improving the hepatic differentiation of pluripotent human liver stem cells (HLSCs) from adult liver. Tissue engineering strategies based on the cocultivation of HLSCs with hepatic stellate cells (ITO) and with several combinations of medium were applied to improve viability and differentiation. A mathematical model estimated the best flow rate for perfused cultures lasting up to 7 days. Morphological and functional assays were performed. Morphological analyses confirmed that a flow of perfusion medium (assured by the bioreactor system) enabled the in vitro organization of the cells into liver clusters even in the deeper levels of the sponge. Our results showed that, when cocultured with ITO using stem cell medium, HLSCs synthesized a large amount of albumin and the MTT test confirmed an improvement in cell proliferation. In conclusion, this study shows that our in vitro cell conditions promote the formation of clusters of HLSCs and enhance the functional differentiation into a mature hepatic population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Carraro
- Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Unit, Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Betz OB, Betz VM, Abdulazim A, Penzkofer R, Schmitt B, Schröder C, Augat P, Jansson V, Müller PE. Healing of large segmental bone defects induced by expedited bone morphogenetic protein-2 gene-activated, syngeneic muscle grafts. Hum Gene Ther 2010; 20:1589-96. [PMID: 19572783 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2009.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous preclinical studies have shown that osseous defects can be repaired by implanting bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2-transduced muscle cells. However, the drawback of this treatment modality is that it requires the isolation and long-term (approximately 3 weeks) culture of transduced autologous cells, which makes this approach cumbersome, time-consuming, and expensive. Therefore, we transferred BMP-2 cDNA directly to muscle tissue fragments that were held in culture for only 24 hr before implantation. We evaluated the ability of such gene-activated muscle grafts to induce bone repair. Two of 35 male, syngeneic Fischer 344 rats used in this study served as donors for muscle tissue. The muscle fragments remained unmodified or were incubated with an adenoviral vector carrying the cDNA encoding either green fluorescent protein (GFP) or BMP-2. Critical-size defects were created in the right femora of 33 rats and remained untreated or were filled (press fitted) with either unmodified muscle tissue or GFP-transduced muscle tissue or with BMP-2-activated muscle tissue. After 6 weeks, femora were evaluated by radiography, microcomputed tomography (muCT), histology, and biomechanical testing. Six weeks after implantation of BMP-2-activated muscle grafts, 100% of the bone defects were bridged, as documented by radiographs and muCT imaging, and showed formation of a neocortex, as evaluated by histology. Bone volumes of the femora repaired by BMP-2-transduced muscle were significantly (p = 0.006) higher compared with those of intact femora and the biomechanical stability was statistically indistinguishable. In contrast, control defects receiving no treatment, unmodified muscle, or GFP-transduced muscle did not heal. BMP-2 gene-activated muscle grafts are osteoregenerative composites that provide an expedited means of treating and subsequently healing large segmental bone defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver B Betz
- Laboratory for Biomechanics and Experimental Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany.
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Tschaharganeh DF, Kaldenbach M, Erschfeld S, Tischendorf JJW, Trautwein C, Streetz KL. Glycoprotein 130-dependent pathways in host hepatocytes are important for liver repopulation in mice. Liver Transpl 2010; 16:23-32. [PMID: 20035522 DOI: 10.1002/lt.21962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocyte transplantation (HT) is still restricted by the limited amount of transplantable cells. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in cellular engraftment, proliferation, and in vivo selection is important. Here we aimed to evaluate the role of the interleukin 6 (IL-6)/glycoprotein 130 (gp130) system for liver repopulation. Mice carrying a conditional hepatocyte-specific deletion of the common IL-6 signal transducer gp130 (gp130(Deltahepa)) were used for HT. First, we compared bone marrow transplantation (BMT), partial hepatectomy (PH), and retrorsine treatment of recipient mice to optimize the in vivo selection of transplanted hepatocytes. BMT combined with PH was sufficient to induce a 30-fold increase in the number of transplanted donor hepatocytes, whereas additional retrorsine pretreatment led to an up to 40-fold increase. Next, the influence of gp130 signaling in hepatocytes on cell selection was evaluated. Wild-type (WT) hepatocytes repopulated WT recipients at the same rate as gp130(Deltahepa) cells. In contrast, liver repopulation by transplanted cells was enhanced in gp130(Deltahepa) recipient mice. This was associated with higher proliferation of donor hepatocytes and enhanced apoptosis in gp130(Deltahepa) recipient livers. Additionally, the acute phase response was strongly induced after HT in WT recipients but blunted in gp130(Deltahepa) recipients. As a result, significantly more liver remodeling, evidenced by stronger hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen accumulation, was found in gp130(Deltahepa) mice after HT. In conclusion, the HT model established here can be efficiently applied to investigate cell-specific mechanisms in liver repopulation. Moreover, we have shown that gp130-dependent pathways in host hepatocytes are important for controlling liver repopulation.
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Lohwasser C, Neureiter D, Popov Y, Bauer M, Schuppan D. Role of the receptor for advanced glycation end products in hepatic fibrosis. World J Gastroenterol 2009; 15:5789-98. [PMID: 19998499 PMCID: PMC2791271 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.15.5789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To study the role of advanced glycation end products (AGE) and their specific receptor (RAGE) in the pathogenesis of liver fibrogenesis.
METHODS: In vitro RAGE expression and extracellular matrix-related gene expression in both rat and human hepatic stellate cells (HSC) were measured after stimulation with the two RAGE ligands, advanced glycation end product-bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA) and Nε-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML)-BSA, or with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In vivo RAGE expression was examined in models of hepatic fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation or thioacetamide. The effects of AGE-BSA and CML-BSA on HSC proliferation, signal transduction and profibrogenic gene expression were studied in vitro.
RESULTS: In hepatic fibrosis, RAGE expression was enhanced in activated HSC, and also in endothelial cells, inflammatory cells and activated bile duct epithelia. HSC expressed RAGE which was upregulated after stimulation with AGE-BSA, CML-BSA, and TNF-α. RAGE stimulation with AGE-BSA and CML-BSA did not alter HSC proliferation, apoptosis, fibrogenic signal transduction and fibrosis- or fibrolysis-related gene expression, except for marginal upregulation of procollagen α1(I) mRNA by AGE-BSA.
CONCLUSION: Despite upregulation of RAGE in activated HSC, RAGE stimulation by AGE does not alter their fibrogenic activation. Therefore, RAGE does not contribute directly to hepatic fibrogenesis.
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Abstract
Hepatocyte transplantation is making its transition from bench to bedside for liver-based metabolic disorders and acute liver failure. Over eighty patients have now been transplanted world wide and the safety of the procedure together with medium-term success has been established. A major limiting factor in the field is the availability of good quality cells as hepatocytes are derived from grafts that are deemed unsuitable for transplantation. Alternative sources of cell, including stem cells may provide a sustainable equivalent to primary hepatocytes. There is also a need to develop techniques that will improve the engraftment, survival and function of transplanted hepatocytes. Such developments may allow hepatocyte transplantation to become an accepted and practical alternative to liver transplantation in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Fitzpatrick
- Paediatric Liver Centre, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, UK
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Immune tolerance: what is unique about the liver. J Autoimmun 2009; 34:1-6. [PMID: 19717280 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2009.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 275] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2009] [Accepted: 08/13/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The 'liver tolerance effect' mediates local and systemic tolerance to self and foreign antigens and has been attributed to specialized resident cells expressing anti-inflammatory mediators and inhibitory cell surface ligands for T cell activation. Non-parenchymal liver cells responsible for the tolerogenic properties of the liver are the resident dendritic cells (DCs), which comprise myeloid as well as plasmacytoid DCs, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), Kupffer cells (KCs) as well as hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), also known as Ito cells. These cells mediate immunosuppression by production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and TGFbeta as well as by expression of the negative co-stimulator for T cell activation programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1). An interesting observation in this context is that knockout of IL-10 or PD-L1 (or the receptor PD-1) does not necessarily result in inflammatory liver damage whereas transgenic inhibition of TGFbeta signaling induces liver disease in mice resembling chronic cholangitis. However, depending on the mouse model and on the type of injury, e.g. autoimmune disease, allograft rejection or viral infection, IL-10 or TGFbeta and/or PD-1 as well as cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) contribute to the immunosuppressive mechanisms of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs), which seem to be converted in the liver from infiltrating conventional naïve CD4(+) T cells and/or effector CD4(+) T cells to control the disease. Finally, hepatocytes also contribute to the 'liver tolerance effect' by expression of MHC class II molecules, probably low levels of co-stimulatory molecules and high levels of the co-inhibitory molecule PD-L1.
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Delgado JP, Vanneaux V, Branger J, Touboul T, Sentilhes L, Mainot S, Lainas P, Leclerc P, Uzan G, Mahieu-Caputo D, Weber A. The role of HGF on invasive properties and repopulation potential of human fetal hepatic progenitor cells. Exp Cell Res 2009; 315:3396-405. [PMID: 19615360 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2009.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2009] [Revised: 07/07/2009] [Accepted: 07/08/2009] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The success of hepatocyte transplantation has been limited by the low efficiency of transplanted cell integration into liver parenchyma. Human fetal hepatic progenitor cells (hepatoblasts) engraft more effectively than adult hepatocytes in mouse livers. However, the signals required for their integration are not yet fully understood. We investigated the role of HGF on the migration and invasive ability of human hepatic progenitors in vitro and in vivo. Hepatoblasts were isolated from the livers of human fetuses between 10 and 12 weeks of gestation. Their invasive ability was assessed in the presence or absence of HGF. These cells were also transplanted into immunodeficient mice and analyzed by immunohistochemistry. In contrast to TNF-alpha, HGF increased the motogenesis and invasiveness of hepatoblasts, but not of human adult hepatocytes, via phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. The invasive ability of human hepatoblasts correlated with the expression and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Hepatoblasts stimulated with HGF prior transplantation into newborn mice migrated from the portal area into the hepatic parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to adult hepatocytes, hepatoblasts display invasive ability that can be modulated by HGF in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul Delgado
- Inserm U972, University Paris-Sud, IFR 69, Hôpital du Kremlin-Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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Yu CH, Chen HL, Chen YH, Chang MF, Chien CS, Chang MH. Impaired hepatocyte regeneration in acute severe hepatic injury enhances effective repopulation by transplanted hepatocytes. Cell Transplant 2009; 18:1081-92. [PMID: 19650970 DOI: 10.3727/096368909x12483162196647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Efficient repopulation by transplanted hepatocytes in the severely injured liver is essential for their clinical application in the treatment of acute hepatic failure. We studied here whether and how the transplanted hepatocytes are able to efficiently repopulate the toxin-induced acute injured liver. Male dipeptidyl peptidase IV-deficient F344 rats were randomized to receive retrorsine plus D-galactosamine (R+D-gal) treatment or D-galactosamine-alone (D-gal) to induce acute hepatic injury, and retrorsine-alone. In these models, retrorsine was used to inhibit the proliferation of endogenous hepatocytes while D-galactosamine induced acute hepatocyte damage. Wild-type hepatocytes (1 x 10(7)/ml) were transplanted intraportally 24 h after D-galactosamine or saline injection. The kinetics of proliferation and repopulation of transplanted cells and the kinetics of cytokine response, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP2) expression were analyzed. We observed that early entry of transplanted hepatocytes into the hepatic plates and massive repopulation of the liver by transplanted hepatocytes occurred in acute hepatic injury induced by R+D-gal treatment but not by D-gal-alone or retrorsine-alone. The expressions of transforming growth factor-alpha and hepatocyte growth factor genes in the R+D-gal injured liver were significantly upregulated and prolonged up to 4 weeks after hepatocyte transplantation. The expression kinetics were parallel with the efficient proliferation and repopulation of transplanted hepatocytes. HSC was activated rapidly, markedly, and prolongedly up to 4 weeks after hepatocyte transplantation, when the expression of HGF gene and repopulation of transplanted hepatocytes were reduced afterward. Furthermore, the expression kinetics of MMP2 and its specific distribution in the host areas surrounding the expanding clusters of transplanted hepatocytes are consistent with those of activated HSC. Impaired hepatocyte regeneration after acute severe hepatic injury may initiate serial compensatory repair mechanisms that facilitate the extensive repopulation by transplanted hepatocytes that enter early the hepatic plates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hsien Yu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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Enami Y, Bandi S, Kapoor S, Krohn N, Joseph B, Gupta S. Hepatic stellate cells promote hepatocyte engraftment in rat liver after prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase inhibition. Gastroenterology 2009; 136:2356-64. [PMID: 19303017 PMCID: PMC2693465 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2009.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2008] [Revised: 01/10/2009] [Accepted: 03/04/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatic inflammation occurs immediately after cells are transplanted to the liver, but the mechanisms that underlie this process are not fully defined. We examined cyclooxygenase pathways that mediate hepatic inflammation through synthesis of prostaglandins, prostacyclins, thromboxanes, and other prostanoids following transplantation of hepatocytes. METHODS We transplanted F344 rat hepatocytes into syngeneic dipeptidyl peptidase IV-deficient F344 rats. Changes in cyclooxygenase pathways were analyzed, and specific pathways were blocked pharmacologically; the effects on cell engraftment and native liver cells were determined. RESULTS Transplantation of hepatocytes induced hepatic expression of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthases 1 and 2, which catalyze production of prostaglandin H2, as well as the downstream factor thromboxane synthase, which produces thromboxane A2 (a regulator of vascular and platelet responses in inflammation). Transplanted hepatocytes were in proximity with liver cells that expressed prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthases. The number of engrafted hepatocytes increased in rats given naproxen or celecoxib before transplantation but not in rats given furegrelate (an inhibitor of thromboxane synthase) or clopodigrel (an antiplatelet drug). Naproxen and celecoxib did not prevent hepatic ischemia or activation of neutrophils, Kupffer cells, or inflammatory cytokines, but they did induce hepatic stellate cells to express cytoprotective genes, vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor, and matrix-type metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, which regulate hepatic remodeling. CONCLUSIONS Activation of cyclooxygenase pathways interferes with engraftment of transplanted hepatocytes in the liver. Pharmacologic blockade of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthases stimulated hepatic stellate cells and improved cell engraftment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Enami
- Department of Surgery, Showa University Hospital and School of Medicine, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Krohn N, Kapoor S, Enami Y, Follenzi A, Bandi S, Joseph B, Gupta S. Hepatocyte transplantation-induced liver inflammation is driven by cytokines-chemokines associated with neutrophils and Kupffer cells. Gastroenterology 2009; 136:1806-17. [PMID: 19422086 PMCID: PMC2742335 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2009.01.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatocyte transplantation-induced liver inflammation impairs cell engraftment. We defined whether proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines played roles in regulation of hepatocyte engraftment in the liver. METHODS We performed studies over up to 3 weeks in rat hepatocyte transplantation systems. Expression of 84 cytokine-chemokine genes was studied by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions. Expression of selected up-regulated genes was verified by immunohistochemistry. Hepatic recruitment of neutrophils was demonstrated by myeloperoxidase activity assays, and Kupffer cell activation was established by carbon phagocytosis assays. The role of neutrophils and Kupffer cells in regulating expression of cytokine-chemokine genes as well as cell engraftment was determined by cell depletion studies. RESULTS Within 6 hours after syngeneic cell transplantation, expression of 25 cytokine-chemokine genes increased by 2- to 123-fold, P < .05. These genes were largely associated with activated neutrophils and macrophages, including chemokine ligands, CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL3, CCL4; chemokine receptors, CXCR1 or CXCR2, CCR1, CCR2; and regulatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6. Inflammatory cells in the liver immunostained for CCR1, CCR2, CXCR1, and CXCR2, which indicated that up-regulated messenger RNA was appropriately translated. When neutrophils and Kupffer cells were depleted with neutrophil antiserum and gadolinium chloride, respectively, before transplanting cells, cell transplantation-induced cytokine-chemokine responses were attenuated. Virtually all abnormalities subsided in animals treated with neutrophil antiserum plus gadolinium chloride. Moreover, depletion of neutrophils or Kupffer cells improved engraftment of transplanted cells. CONCLUSIONS Cell transplantation-induced liver inflammation involves proinflammatory cytokine-chemokine systems capable of modulation by neutrophils and Kupffer cells. This offers new directions for optimizing cell therapy strategies.
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