1
|
Liu M, Cho WC, Flynn RJ, Jin X, Song H, Zheng Y. microRNAs in parasite-induced liver fibrosis: from mechanisms to diagnostics and therapeutics. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:859-872. [PMID: 37516634 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Chronic parasite infections in the liver pose a global threat to human and animal health, often occurring with liver fibrosis that leads to cirrhosis, liver failure, and even cancer. Hepatic fibrogenesis is a complex yet reversible process of tissue repair and is associated with various factors, including immune cells, microenvironment, gut microbiome, and interactions of the different liver cells. As a profibrogenic or antifibrogenic driver, microRNAs (miRNAs) are closely involved in parasite-induced hepatic fibrosis. This article updates the current understanding of the roles of miRNAs in hepatic fibrogenesis by parasite infections and discusses the strategies using miRNAs as candidates for diagnostics and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengqi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - William C Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Robin J Flynn
- Dept. Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; Graduate Studies Office, Department of Research, Innovation and Graduate Studies, Waterford Institute of Technology, X91 K0EK, Ireland
| | - Xiaoliang Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Houhui Song
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China.
| | - Yadong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Huang J, Yin X, Zhang L, Yao M, Wei D, Wu Y. Serum proteomic profiling in patients with advanced Schistosoma japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:232. [PMID: 33933138 PMCID: PMC8088642 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04734-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosoma japonicum is a parasitic flatworm that is the aetiological agent of human schistosomiasis, an important cause of hepatic fibrosis. Schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis is a consequence of the highly fibrogenic nature of egg-induced granulomatous lesions, which are the main pathogenic features of schistosomiasis. Although global awareness of the association between schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis and S. japonicum infection is increasing, little is known about the molecular differences associated with rapid progression to schistosomiasis in cirrhotic patients. Methods We systematically used data-independent acquisition (DIA)-based liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify differentially expressed proteins in serum samples from patients with advanced S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis. Results Our analysis identified 1144 proteins, among which 66 were differentially expressed between the healthy control group and the group of patients with advanced S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis stage F2 (SHF-F2) and 214 were differentially expressed between the SHF-F2 and SHF-F4 groups (up- or downregulation of at least 1.5-fold in serum samples). The results also indicated that two selected proteins (C1QA and CFD) are potential biomarkers for distinguishing between patients with SHF-F2 and those with SHF-F4 due to S. japonicum infection. Conclusions We provide here the first global proteomic profile of serum samples from patients with advanced S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis. The proteins C1QA and CFD are potential diagnostic markers for patients with SHF-F2 and SHF-F4 due to S. japonicum infection, although further large-scale studies are needed. Our DIA-based quantitative proteomic analysis revealed molecular differences among individuals at different stages of advanced S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis and may provide fundamental information for further detailed investigations. Graphic Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04734-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Huang
- Institute of Hepatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, 314001, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Jiaxing, 314001, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinguang Yin
- Jiaxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Jiaxing, 314001, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Lifang Zhang
- Institute of Hepatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, 314001, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Jiaxing, 314001, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Yao
- Institute of Hepatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, 314001, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Jiaxing, 314001, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Dahai Wei
- Institute of Hepatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, 314001, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Jiaxing, 314001, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yiming Wu
- Institute of Hepatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, 314001, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Jiaxing, 314001, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li Q, Li Z, Lin Y, Che H, Hu Y, Kang X, Zhang Y, Wang L, Zhang Y. High glucose promotes hepatic fibrosis via miR‑32/MTA3‑mediated epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition. Mol Med Rep 2019; 19:3190-3200. [PMID: 30816482 PMCID: PMC6423609 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.9986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is characterized by the aberrant production and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Growing evidence indicates that the epithelial‑mesenchymal transition serves a crucial role in the progression of liver fibrogenesis. Although a subset of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) has recently been identified as essential regulators of the EMT gene expression, studies of the EMT in hyperglycemic‑induced liver fibrosis are limited. In the current study, it was observed that high glucose‑treated AML12 cells occurred EMT process, and miR‑32 expression was markedly increased in the liver tissue of streptozotocin‑induced diabetic rats and in high glucose‑treated AML12 cells. Additionally, the contribution of the EMT to liver fibrosis by targeting metastasis‑associated gene 3 (MTA3) under hyperglycemic conditions was suppressed by AMO‑32. The results indicated that miR‑32 and MTA3 may be considered as novel drug targets in the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis under hyperglycemic conditions. These finding improves the understanding of the progression of liver fibrogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P.R. China
| | - Zhange Li
- Department of Pharmacology (The State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Lin
- Department of Pharmacology (The State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Hui Che
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Yingying Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| | - Xujuan Kang
- Department of Pharmacology (The State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology (The State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Lihong Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology (The State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
- Institute of Metabolic Disease, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Science, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tao L, Xue D, Shen D, Ma W, Zhang J, Wang X, Zhang W, Wu L, Pan K, Yang Y, Nwosu ZC, Dooley S, Seki E, Liu C. MicroRNA-942 mediates hepatic stellate cell activation by regulating BAMBI expression in human liver fibrosis. Arch Toxicol 2018; 92:2935-2946. [PMID: 30097701 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-018-2278-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA)-mediated gene regulation contributes to liver pathophysiology, including hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and fibrosis progression. Here, we investigated the role of miR-942 in human liver fibrosis. The expression of miR-942, HSC activation markers, transforming growth factor-beta pseudoreceptor BMP and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI), as well as collagen deposition, were investigated in 100 liver specimens from patients with varying degree of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related fibrosis. Human primary HSCs and the immortalized cell line (LX2 cells) were used for functional studies. We found that miR-942 expression was upregulated in activated HSCs and correlated inversely with BAMBI expression in liver fibrosis progression. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and lipopolyssacharide (LPS), two major drivers of liver fibrosis and inflammation, induce miR-942 expression in HSCs via Smad2/3 respective NF-κB/p50 binding to the miR-942 promoter. Mechanistically, the induced miR-942 degrades BAMBI mRNA in HSCs, thereby sensitizing the cells for fibrogenic TGF-β signaling and also partly mediates LPS-induced proinflammatory HSC fate. In conclusion, the TGF-β and LPS-induced miR-942 mediates HSC activation through downregulation of BAMBI in human liver fibrosis. Our study provides new insights on the molecular mechanism of HSC activation and fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Le Tao
- Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 164 Lanxi Rd, Shanghai, 200062, China
- Laboratory of Liver Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Dongying Xue
- Laboratory of Liver Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Dongxiao Shen
- Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 164 Lanxi Rd, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Wenting Ma
- Laboratory of Liver Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Laboratory of Liver Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xuefei Wang
- Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 164 Lanxi Rd, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 164 Lanxi Rd, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Liu Wu
- Laboratory of Liver Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Kai Pan
- Laboratory of Liver Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Yanqin Yang
- Department of Pathology, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Zeribe C Nwosu
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Steven Dooley
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Ekihiro Seki
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
| | - Cheng Liu
- Central Laboratory, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 164 Lanxi Rd, Shanghai, 200062, China.
- Laboratory of Liver Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200062, China.
- Shanghai Putuo Central School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Shanghai, 200062, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sun NN, Yu CH, Pan MX, Zhang Y, Zheng BJ, Yang QJ, Zheng ZM, Meng Y. Mir-21 Mediates the Inhibitory Effect of Ang (1-7) on AngII-induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Targeting Spry1 in lung fibroblasts. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14369. [PMID: 29084974 PMCID: PMC5662719 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13305-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA-21 (mir-21) induced by angiotensin II (AngII) plays a vital role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis, and the NLRP3 inflammasome is known to be involved in fibrogenesis. However, whether there is a link between mir-21 and the NLRP3 inflammasome in pulmonary fibrosis is unknown. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/angiotensin(1-7) [ACE2/Ang(1-7)] has been shown to attenuate AngII-induced pulmonary fibrosis, but it is not clear whether ACE2/Ang(1-7) protects against pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting AngII-induced mir-21 expression. This study's aim was to investigate whether mir-21 activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and mediates the different effects of AngII and ACE2/Ang(1-7) on lung fibroblast apoptosis and collagen synthesis. In vivo, AngII exacerbated bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis in rats, and elevated mir-21 and the NLRP3 inflammasome. In contrast, ACE2/Ang(1-7) attenuated BLM-induced lung fibrosis, and decreased mir-21 and the NLRP3 inflammasome. In vitro, AngII activated the NLRP3 inflammasome by up-regulating mir-21, and ACE2/Ang(1-7) inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation by down-regulating AngII-induced mir-21. Over-expression of mir-21 activated the NLRP3 inflammasome via the ERK/NF-κB pathway by targeting Spry1, resulting in apoptosis resistance and collagen synthesis in lung fibroblasts. These results indicate that mir-21 mediates the inhibitory effect of ACE2/Ang(1-7) on AngII-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by targeting Spry1 in lung fibroblasts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Na-Na Sun
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chang-Hui Yu
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miao-Xia Pan
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo-Jun Zheng
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian-Jie Yang
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ze-Mao Zheng
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Meng
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Antischistosomiasis Liver Fibrosis Effects of Chlorogenic Acid through IL-13/miR-21/Smad7 Signaling Interactions In Vivo and In Vitro. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.01347-16. [PMID: 27872076 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01347-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the antischistosomiasis liver fibrosis effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on interleukin 13 (IL-13)/microRNA-21 (miR-21)/Smad7 signaling interactions in the hepatic stellate LX2 cell line and schistosome-infected mice. The transfection was based on the ability of the GV273-miR-21-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and GV369-miR-21-EGFP lentiviral system to up- or downregulate the miR-21 gene in LX2 cells. The mRNA expression of miR-21, Smad7, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and the protein expression of Smad7, CTGF, Smad1, phosphor-Smad1 (p-Smad1), Smad2, p-Smad2, Smad2/3, p-Smad2/3, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) receptor I, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was assayed. Pathological manifestation of hepatic tissue was assessed for the degree of liver fibrosis in animals. The results showed that CGA could inhibit the mRNA expression of miR-21, promote Smad7, and inhibit CTGF mRNA expression. Meanwhile, CGA could significantly lower the protein levels of CTGF, p-Smad1, p-Smad2, p-Smad2/3, TGF-β receptor I, and α-SMA and elevate the Smad7 protein level. In vivo, with treatment with CGA, the signaling molecules of IL-13/miR-21/Smad7 interactions were markedly regulated. CGA could also reduce the degree of liver fibrosis in pathological manifestations. In conclusion, CGA could inhibit schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis through IL-13/miR-21/Smad7 signaling interactions in LX2 cells and schistosome-infected mice and might serve as an antifibrosis agent for treating schistosomiasis liver fibrosis.
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu W. Epigenetics in Schistosomes: What We Know and What We Need Know. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:149. [PMID: 27891322 PMCID: PMC5104962 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes are metazoan parasites and can cause schistosomiasis. Epigenetic modifications include DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs. Some enzymes involved in epigenetic modification and microRNA processes have been developed as drugs to treat the disease. Compared with humans and vertebrates, an in-depth understanding of epigenetic modifications in schistosomes is starting to be realized. DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs play important roles in the development and reproduction of schistosomes and in interactions between the host and schistosomes. Therefore, exploring and investigating the epigenetic modifications in schistosomes will facilitate drug development and therapy for schistosomiasis. Here, we review the role of epigenetic modifications in the development, growth and reproduction of schistosomes, and the interactions between the host and schistosome. We further discuss potential epigenetic targets for drug discovery for the treatment of schistosomiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Liu
- Department of Avian Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yang F, Wang Y, Xue J, Ma Q, Zhang J, Chen YF, Shang ZZ, Li QQ, Zhang SL, Zhao L. Effect of Corilagin on the miR-21/smad7/ERK signaling pathway in a schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis mouse model. Parasitol Int 2016; 65:308-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|