Osteopontin Takes Center Stage in Chronic Liver Disease

Enzyme-free and rapid colorimetric analysis of osteopontin via triple-helix aptamer probe coupled with catalytic hairpin assembly reaction

BACKGROUND

Osteopontin (OPN) is closely associated with tumorigenesis, growth, invasion, and immune escape and it serves as a plasma biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, the accurate and rapid detection of low-abundance OPN still poses significant challenges. Currently, the majority of protein detection methods rely heavily on large precision instruments or involve complex procedures. Therefore, developing a simple, enzyme-free, rapid colorimetric analysis method with high sensitivity is imperative.

RESULTS

In this study, we have developed a portable colorimetric biosensor by integrating the triple-helix aptamer probe (THAP) and catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) strategy, named as T-CHA. After binding to the OPN, the trigger probe can be released from THAP, then initiates the CHA reaction and outputs the signal through the formation of a G-quadruplex/Hemin DNAzyme with horseradish peroxidase-like activity. Consequently, this colorimetric sensor achieves visual free-labeled detection without additional fluorophore modification and allows for accurate quantification by measuring the optical density of the solution at 650 nm. Under optimal conditions, the logarithmic values of various OPN concentrations exhibit satisfactory linearity in the range of 5 pg mL-1 to 5 ng mL-1, with a detection limit of 2.04 pg mL-1. Compared with the widely used ELISA strategy, the proposed T-CHA strategy is rapid (∼105 min), highly sensitive, and cost-effective.

SIGNIFICANCE

The T-CHA strategy, leveraging the low background leakage of THAP and the high catalytic efficiency of CHA, has been successfully applied to the detection of OPN in plasma, demonstrating significant promise for the early diagnosis of HCC in point-of-care testing. Given the programmability of DNA and the universality of T-CHA, it can be readily modified for analyzing other useful tumor biomarkers.

Elevated SLC1A5 associated with poor prognosis and therapeutic resistance to transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor, and glutamine is vital for tumor cells. The role of glutamine transporter SLC1A5 in tumor progression and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) efficacy is under study. This research seeks to determine the impact of SLC1A5 expression on the prognosis and TACE efficacy of HCC and elucidate its mechanisms.

METHODS

SLC1A5 expression in HCC, correlation with patient outcomes, and response to TACE were studied in an open access liver cancer dataset and confirmed in our cohort. Additionally, the correlation between SLC1A5 expression and hypoxia, angiogenesis and immune infiltration was analyzed and verified by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and transcriptome sequencing. Liver cancer cell lines with SLC1A5 expression knockdown or overexpression were constructed, and cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, migration and drug sensitivity as well as in vivo xenograft tumor were measured. A gene set enrichment analysis was conducted to determine the signaling pathway influenced by SLC1A5, and a western blot analysis was performed to detect protein expression alterations.

RESULTS

SLC1A5 expression was higher in HCC tissue and associated with poor survival and TACE resistance. Hypoxia could stimulate the upregulation of glutamine transport, angiogenesis and SLC1A5 expression. The SLC1A5 expression was positively correlated with hypoxia and angiogenesis-related genes, immune checkpoint pathways, macrophage, Tregs, and other immunosuppressive cells infiltration. Knockdown of SLC1A5 decreased proliferation, colony formation, and migration, but increased apoptosis and increased sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs. Downregulation of SLC1A5 resulted in a decrease in Vimentin and N-cadherin expression, yet an increase in E-cadherin expression. Upregulation of SLC1A5 increased Vimentin and N-cadherin expression, while decreasing E-cadherin. Overexpression of β-catenin in SLC1A5-knockdown HCC cell lines could augment Vimentin and N-cadherin expression, suppress E-cadherin expression, and increase the migration and drug resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated SLC1A5 was linked to TACE resistance and survival shortening in HCC patients. SLC1A5 was positively correlated with hypoxia, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression. SLC1A5 may mediate HCC cell migration and drug resistance via Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway.

Matricellular proteins: Potential biomarkers in head and neck cancer

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network of diverse multidomain macromolecules, including collagen, proteoglycans, and fibronectin, that significantly contribute to the mechanical properties of tissues. Matricellular proteins (MCPs), as a family of non-structural proteins, play a crucial role in regulating various ECM functions. They exert their biological effects by interacting with matrix proteins, cell surface receptors, cytokines, and proteases. These interactions govern essential cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, adhesion, migration as well as multiple signal transduction pathways. Consequently, MCPs are pivotal in maintaining tissue homeostasis while orchestrating intricate molecular mechanisms within the ECM framework. The expression level of MCPs in adult steady-state tissues is significantly low; however, under pathological conditions such as inflammation and cancer, there is a substantial increase in their expression. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on elucidating the role and significance of MCPs in the development and progression of head and neck cancer (HNC). During HNC progression, there is a remarkable upregulation in MCP expression. Through their distinctive structure and function, they actively promote tumor growth, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and lymphatic metastasis of HNC cells. Moreover, by binding to integrins and modulating various signaling pathways, they effectively execute their biological functions. Furthermore, MCPs also hold potential as prognostic indicators. Although the star proteins of various MCPs have been extensively investigated, there remains a plethora of MCP family members that necessitate further scrutiny. This article comprehensively examines the functionalities of each MCP and highlights the research advancements in the context of HNC, with an aim to identify novel biomarkers for HNC and propose promising avenues for future investigations.

Enhancing sciatic nerve regeneration with osteopontin-loaded acellular nerve allografts in rats: Effects on macrophage polarization

Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional matrix glycoprotein with neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties. This study explored the potential of OPN-loaded acellular nerve allografts (ANAs) to repair sciatic nerves in male Wistar rats. The research also delved into the impact of OPN on macrophage phenotypes. We reconstructed a 10 mm nerve gap with ANAs containing OPN at 2 nM and 4 nM. The sciatic functional index (SFI) and paw withdrawal reflex latency (WRL) showed the significant efficacy of ANA/OPN (2 nM) in enhancement of target organ reinnervation and subsequent sensorimotor recovery compared to other groups. Electrophysiological and histomorphometric analyses further supported the regenerative properties of ANA/OPN (2 nM). Additionally, ANA/OPN (2 nM) promoted macrophage polarization towards an M2 phenotype and reduced proinflammatory cytokines at the injury site. In conclusion, the study suggested that ANA loaded with 2 nM OPN effectively repaired transected sciatic nerves in rats, potentially through enhancing axonal sprouting and exerting anti-inflammatory effects.

From NAFLD to NASH: Understanding the spectrum of non-alcoholic liver diseases and their consequences

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most frequent chronic liver diseases worldwide in recent decades. Metabolic diseases like excessive blood glucose, central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and liver function abnormalities cause NAFLD. NAFLD significantly increases the likelihood of liver cancer, heart disease, and mortality, making it a leading cause of liver transplants. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a more advanced form of the disease that causes scarring and inflammation of the liver over time and can ultimately result in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we briefly discuss NAFLD's pathogenic mechanisms, their progression into NASH and afterward to NASH-related cirrhosis. It also covers disease epidemiology, metabolic mechanisms, glucose and lipid metabolism in the liver, macrophage dysfunction, bile acid toxicity, and liver stellate cell stimulation. Additionally, we consider the contribution of intestinal microbiota, genetics, epigenetics, and ecological factors to fibrosis progression and hepatocellular carcinoma risk in NAFLD and NASH patients.

Targeting osteopontin alleviates endometriosis and inflammation by inhibiting the RhoA/ROS axis and achieves non-invasive in vitro detection via menstrual blood

STUDY QUESTION

How does osteopontin (OPN) in endometriosis ectopic stromal cells (EESCs) participate in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and achieve non-invasive detection in vitro?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Targeted OPN regulates endometriosis's necroptosis and inflammatory state by inhibiting the RhoA/reactive oxygen species (ROS) axis, thereby alleviating endometriosis and enabling non-invasive detection of menstrual blood in vitro.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Recent studies have shown that OPN plays an important role in disease progression by regulating cell death and inflammation.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

The study included 20 patients diagnosed with endometriosis (confirmed by laparoscopy and histology) and 10 controls without endometriosis. Endometriotic stromal cells were isolated from endometrial samples, while menstrual blood endometrial cells (MESCs) were isolated from menstrual blood. These cells were then cultured in vitro and utilized in subsequent experiments.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

OPN expression in EESCs was assessed using inflammatory factor sequencing, immunohistochemical staining (IHC), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis, and Western blotting (WB). The biological behavior of OPN and its effects on inflammatory factors were examined using EdU, wound-healing, Transwell, and ELISA assays. Necroptosis in EESCs and its impact on inflammatory factors were detected through qRT-PCR, WB, and Calcein-AM/PI fluorescence assays. The examination of mitochondrial stress in EESCs involved the use of the Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (ΔΨm) Assay, ROS detection, and Calcein-AM Loading/cobalt chloride Quenching. qRT-PCR, WB, and other experiments were conducted to verify the regulation of necroptosis and inflammatory factor levels in EESCs by OPN through the RhoA/ROS axis. Knockdown of OPN and its inhibitory effect on endometriosis lesion size were confirmed using AAV9 virus, IHC, qRT-PCR, WB, and other experiments. Additionally, OPN expression in MESCs was detected using transcriptome sequencing, RT-PCR, WB, and other experiments.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

In vitro assays demonstrated a significant upregulation of OPN in EESCs, and the knockdown of OPN effectively inhibited necroptosis and the release of inflammatory factors. OPN inhibited necroptosis and inflammatory factor release by mediating RhoA-dependent ROS production and blocking mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein phosphorylation at the cell membrane. In vivo, targeting of OPN can inhibit the growth of endometriosis lesions. Clinically, OPN was also significantly upregulated in the menstrual blood of patients with endometriosis.

LARGE SCALE DATA

N/A.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Due to limitations in obtaining surgical specimens, our study primarily involved collecting endometriosis tissues from women during the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle. We observed a significant overexpression of OPN in the samples used for our investigation. However, the expression of OPN in endometriosis tissues during the intermenstrual phase remains unknown.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Our findings highlight the pivotal role of the OPN/RhoA/ROS axis in the regulation of necroptosis and the release of inflammatory factors. OPN knockdown exerts a therapeutic effect in vivo, and the high expression detection of OPN in menstrual blood in vitro. In summary, targeting OPN provides possibilities for the treatment and detection of endometriosis.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82071626), the Zhejiang Province Public Welfare Technology Application Research Project (LGF21H040010), and the Clinical Research project of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (1010293). The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Ablation of secreted phosphoprotein-1 in hepatocytes increases fatty acid oxidation and ameliorates alcohol-associated liver disease

BACKGROUND

Previously, we demonstrated that Spp1-/- mice exhibit a greater susceptibility to alcohol-induced liver injury than wild-type (WT) mice. Notably, alcohol triggers the expression of osteopontin (encoded by SPP1) in hepatocytes. However, the specific role of hepatocyte-derived SPP1 in either mitigating or exacerbating alcohol-associated liver disease (AALD) has yet to be elucidated. We hypothesized that hepatocyte-derived SPP1 plays a role in AALD by modulating the regulation of steatosis.

METHODS

We analyzed hepatic SPP1 expression using four publicly available datasets from patients with alcoholic hepatitis (AH). Additionally, we examined SPP1 expression in the livers of WT mice subjected to either a control or ethanol Lieber-DeCarli (LDC) diet for 6 weeks. We compared the relationship between SPP1 expression and significantly dysregulated genes in AH with controls using correlation and enrichment analyses. To investigate the specific impact of hepatocyte-derived SPP1, we generated hepatocyte-specific Spp1 knock-out (Spp1ΔHep) mice and subjected them to either a control or ethanol Lieber-DeCarli diet for 6 weeks.

RESULTS

Alcohol induced hepatic SPP1 expression in both humans and mice. Our analysis, focusing on genes correlated with SPP1, revealed an enrichment of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in three datasets, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling in one dataset. Notably, FAO genes correlating with SPP1 were downregulated in patients with AH. Ethanol-fed WT mice exhibited higher serum-free fatty acids (FFAs), adipose tissue lipolysis, and hepatic fatty acid (FA) transporters. In contrast, ethanol-fed Spp1ΔHep mice displayed lower liver triglycerides, FFAs, and serum alanine transaminase and greater FAO gene expression than WT mice, indicating a protective effect against AALD. Primary hepatocytes from Spp1∆Hep mice exhibited heightened expression of genes encoding proteins involved in FAO.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol induces the expression of SPP1 in hepatocytes, leading to impaired FAO and contributing to the development of AALD.

SPP1 represents a therapeutic target that promotes the progression of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma by driving M2 macrophage infiltration

BACKGROUND

Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an important component of the tumour microenvironment (TME). However, the crosstalk between oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells and TAMs remains largely unexplored.

METHODS

Clinical samples and the TCGA database were used to evaluate the relevance of SPP1 and TAM infiltration in ESCC. Mouse models were constructed to investigate the roles of macrophages educated by SPP1 in ESCC. Macrophage phenotypes were determined using qRT‒PCR and immunohistochemical staining. RNA sequencing was performed to elucidate the mechanism.

RESULTS

Increasing expression of SPP1 correlated with M2-like TAM accumulation in ESCC, and they both predicted poor prognosis in the ESCC cohort. Knockdown of SPP1 significantly inhibited the infiltration of M2 TAMs in xenograft tumours. In vivo mouse model experiments showed that SPP1-mediated education of macrophages plays an essential role in the progression of ESCC. Mechanistically, SPP1 recruited macrophages and promoted M2 polarisation via CD44/PI3K/AKT signalling activation and then induced VEGFA and IL6 secretion to sustain ESCC progression. Finally, blockade of SPP1 with RNA aptamer significantly inhibited tumour growth and M2 TAM infiltration in xenograft mouse models.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights SPP1-mediated crosstalk between ESCC cells and TAMs in ESCC. SPP1 could serve as a potential target in ESCC therapy.

Role of Cardiac Biomarkers in Hepatic Disorders: A Literature Review

Various studies have reported the association between cardiac markers and hepatic disorders. The main objective of this review article was to elucidate the significance of important cardiac indicators such as ischemia-modified albumin, cardiac troponin, cardiac natriuretic peptides, creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, heart-type fatty acid-binding protein, osteopontin, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2, C-reactive protein, and lipoprotein(a) in the development of hepatic disorders. In addition, it highlighted recent notable discoveries and accomplishments in this field and identified areas requiring further investigation, ongoing discussions, and potential avenues for future research. Early identification and control of these cardiac markers might be helpful to control the prevalence of hepatic disorders associated with cardiovascular diseases.

Longitudinal changes in bone mineral density may be associated with long-term survival in patients with cirrhosis: A proof of concept of study

INTRODUCTION

The impact of longitudinal changes in different body components measured via body composition analysis (BCA) on liver-related outcomes in patients with cirrhosis is poorly understood. We evaluated the prognostic relevance of longitudinal changes in body composition over one year in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

This was a follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial evaluating changes in bone density measured via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) upon vitamin D supplementation. Patients with available anthropometric indices, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), bone-density at lumbar spine (LD) and left femur-neck (FD) (assessed by T score) at two time points one year apart were assessed for outcomes. The prognostic relevance of change in parameters such as ΔFM, ΔFFM, ΔLD and ΔFD over one year was assessed and compared with baseline model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score.

RESULTS

Patients with cirrhosis (n=112) (mean age 41.8±12 years, 58.5% males) were followed up for median duration of 5.7 years interquartile range [IQR 3.5-5.7], with five-year survival rate of 77%. On serial BCA, ΔLD (p=0.029) and ΔFD (p=0.003) emerged as significant predictors of survival, whereas ΔFM (p=0.479), ΔFFM (p=0.245) and ΔBMI (p=0.949) were not. The area under curve of ΔLD and MELD score for predicting survival was 0.636 (0.5-0.773) and 0.664 (0.555-0.773), respectively. ΔFD<0.1 over one year had sensitivity and specificity of 70.4% and 56.5% to predict poor survival. The combination of ΔFD, MELD and ascites predicted five-year survival with an optimism-corrected c-statistic of 0.785.

CONCLUSION

Among body composition parameters, changes in bone mineral density correlate best with survival and have prognostic relevance similar to that of ascites and MELD score.

Inflammatory liver diseases and susceptibility to sepsis

Patients with inflammatory liver diseases, particularly alcohol-associated liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), have higher incidence of infections and mortality rate due to sepsis. The current focus in the development of drugs for MAFLD is the resolution of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and prevention of progression to cirrhosis. In patients with cirrhosis or alcoholic hepatitis, sepsis is a major cause of death. As the metabolic center and a key immune tissue, liver is the guardian, modifier, and target of sepsis. Septic patients with liver dysfunction have the highest mortality rate compared with other organ dysfunctions. In addition to maintaining metabolic homeostasis, the liver produces and secretes hepatokines and acute phase proteins (APPs) essential in tissue protection, immunomodulation, and coagulation. Inflammatory liver diseases cause profound metabolic disorder and impairment of energy metabolism, liver regeneration, and production/secretion of APPs and hepatokines. Herein, the author reviews the roles of (1) disorders in the metabolism of glucose, fatty acids, ketone bodies, and amino acids as well as the clearance of ammonia and lactate in the pathogenesis of inflammatory liver diseases and sepsis; (2) cytokines/chemokines in inflammatory liver diseases and sepsis; (3) APPs and hepatokines in the protection against tissue injury and infections; and (4) major nuclear receptors/signaling pathways underlying the metabolic disorders and tissue injuries as well as the major drug targets for inflammatory liver diseases and sepsis. Approaches that focus on the liver dysfunction and regeneration will not only treat inflammatory liver diseases but also prevent the development of severe infections and sepsis.

Patients who received sleeve gastrectomy have lower plasma osteopontin levels than those who did not

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare metabolic parameters, plasma Osteopontin (OPN) and Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) levels between Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) patients in their 6th post-operation month and healthy control patients.

METHODS

Height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and laboratory parameters of 58 SG patients aged 18‒65 years (Group 1) and 46 healthy control patients (Group 2) were compared. In addition, preoperative and postoperative sixth-month BMI and laboratory parameters of the patients in Group 1 were compared.

RESULTS

The mean age and gender distributions of the groups were similar (p > 0.05). Mean BMI was 28.9 kg/m2 in Group 1 and 27 kg/m2 in Group 2 (p < 0.01). While plasma HGF levels were similar between both groups, plasma OPN levels were higher in Group 2 (p < 0.001). Fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting plasma insulin and insulin resistance values were higher in Group 1, while alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were higher in Group 2 (p < 0.05). There was a strong correlation between plasma HGF and OPN levels in Group 1, but not in Group 2 (Rho = 0.805, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

OPN and HGF are promising biomarkers that can be used to better understand and detect problems related to obesity. The fact that patients in the early post-SG period had lower plasma OPN and similar plasma HGF compared to non-surgical patients of similar age and gender with higher BMI may be another favorable and previously unknown metabolic effect of SG.

Hepatocyte-specific CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α restricts liver fibrosis progression

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) - previously described as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) - is a major driver of liver fibrosis in humans, while liver fibrosis is a key determinant of all-cause mortality in liver disease independent of MASH occurrence. CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (CEBPA), as a versatile ligand-independent transcriptional factor, has an important function in myeloid cells, and is under clinical evaluation for cancer therapy. CEBPA is also expressed in hepatocytes and regulates glucolipid homeostasis; however, the role of hepatocyte-specific CEBPA in modulating liver fibrosis progression is largely unknown. Here, hepatic CEBPA expression was found to be decreased during MASH progression both in humans and mice, and hepatic CEBPA mRNA was negatively correlated with MASH fibrosis in the human liver. CebpaΔHep mice had markedly enhanced liver fibrosis induced by a high-fat, high-cholesterol, high-fructose diet or carbon tetrachloride. Temporal and spatial hepatocyte-specific CEBPA loss at the progressive stage of MASH in CebpaΔHep,ERT2 mice functionally promoted liver fibrosis. Mechanistically, hepatocyte CEBPA directly repressed Spp1 transactivation to reduce the secretion of osteopontin, a fibrogenesis inducer of hepatic stellate cells. Forced hepatocyte-specific CEBPA expression reduced MASH-associated liver fibrosis. These results demonstrate an important role for hepatocyte-specific CEBPA in liver fibrosis progression, and may help guide the therapeutic discoveries targeting hepatocyte CEBPA for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Integrative analysis unveils ECM signatures and pathways driving hepatocellular carcinoma progression: A multi-omics approach and prognostic model development

Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is a highly lethal form of cancer that is among the deadliest cancer types globally. In terms of cancer-related mortality rates, liver cancer ranks among the top three, underscoring the severity of this disease. Insufficient analysis has been conducted to fully understand the potential value of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in immune infiltration and the prognostic stratification of LIHC, despite its recognised importance in the development of this disease. The scRNA-seq data of GSE149614 was used to conduct single-cell analysis on 10 LIHC samples. CellChat scores were calculated for seven cell populations in the descending cohort to investigate cellular communication, while PROGENy scores were calculated to determine tumour-associated pathway scores in different cell populations. The pathway analysis using GO and KEGG revealed the enrichment of ECM-associated genes in the pathway, highlighting the potential role of the ECM in LIHC development. By utilizing the TCGA-LIHC cohort, an ECM-based prognostic model for LIHC was developed using Lasso regression. Immune infiltration scores were calculated using two methods, and the performance of the ECM-related risk score was evaluated using an independent cohort from the CheckMate study. To determine the precise expression of ECM-associated risk genes in LIHC, we evaluated hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines using a range of assays, including Western blotting, invasion assays and Transwell assays. Using single-cell transcriptome analysis, we annotated the spatially-specific distribution of major immune cell types in single-cell samples of LIHC. The main cell types identified and annotated included hepatocytes, T cells, myeloid cells, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and B cells. The utilisation of cellchat and PROGENy analyses enabled the investigation and unveiling of signalling interactions, protein functionalities and the prominent influential pathways facilitated by the primary immune cell types within the LIHC. Numerous tumour pathways, including PI2K, EGFR and TGFb, demonstrated a close correlation with the involvement of ECM in LIHC. Moreover, an evaluation was conducted to assess the primary ECM-related functional changes and biological pathway enrichment in LIHC. Differential genes associated with ECM were identified and utilised to create prognostic models. The prognostic stratification value of these models for LIHC patients was confirmed through validation in multiple databases. Furthermore, through immune infiltration analysis, it was discovered that ECM might be linked to the irregular expression and regulation of numerous immune cells. Additionally, histone acetylation was mapped against gene mutation frequencies and differential expression profiles. The prognostic stratification efficacy of the ECM prediction model constructed in the context of PD-1 inhibitor therapy was also examined, and it exhibited strong stratification performance. Cellular experiments, including Western blotting, invasion and Transwell assays, revealed that ECM-associated risk genes have a promoting effect on the development of LIHC. The creation of biomarkers for LIHC using ECM-related genes unveiled substantial correlations with immune microenvironmental infiltration and functional mutations in various tumour pathways. This enlightens us to the possibility that the influence of ECM on tumours may extend beyond simply promoting the fibrotic process and the stromal composition of tumours.

Protective hepatocyte signals restrain liver fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects nearly 40% of the global adult population and may progress to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and MASH-associated liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Despite numerous studies unraveling the mechanism of hepatic fibrogenesis, there are still no approved antifibrotic therapies. The development of MASLD and liver fibrosis results from complex cell-cell interactions that often initiate within hepatocytes but remain incompletely understood. In this issue of the JCI, Yan and colleagues describe an ATF3/HES1/CEBPA/OPN pathway that links hepatocyte signals to fibrogenic activation of hepatic stellate cells and may provide new perspectives on therapeutic options for MASLD-induced liver fibrosis.

Comparative analysis of gene expression between mice and humans in acetaminophen-induced liver injury by integrating bioinformatics analysis

OBJECTIVE

Mice are routinely utilized as animal models of drug-induced liver injury (DILI), however, there are significant differences in the pathogenesis between mice and humans. This study aimed to compare gene expression between humans and mice in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury (AILI), and investigate the similarities and differences in biological processes between the two species.

METHODS

A pair of public datasets (GSE218879 and GSE120652) obtained from GEO were analyzed using "Limma" package in R language, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including co-expressed DEGs (co-DEGs) and specific-expressed DEGS (specific-DEGs). Analysis of Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were performed analyses for specific-DEGs and co-DEGs. The co-DEGs were also used to construct transcription factor (TF)-gene network, gene-miRNA interactions network and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for analyzing hub genes.

RESULTS

Mouse samples contained 1052 up-regulated genes and 1064 down-regulated genes, while human samples contained 1156 up-regulated genes and 1557 down-regulated genes. After taking the intersection between the DEGs, only 154 co-down-regulated and 89 co-up-regulated DEGs were identified, with a proportion of less than 10%. It was suggested that significant differences in gene expression between mice and humans in drug-induced liver injury. Mouse-specific-DEGs predominantly engaged in processes related to apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress, while human-specific-DEGs were concentrated around catabolic process. Analysis of co-regulated genes reveals showed that they were mainly enriched in biosynthetic and metabolism-related processes. Then a PPI network which contains 189 nodes and 380 edges was constructed from the co-DEGs and two modules were obtained by Mcode. We screened out 10 hub genes by three algorithms of Degree, MCC and MNC, including CYP7A1, LSS, SREBF1, FASN, CD44, SPP1, ITGAV, ANXA5, LGALS3 and PDGFRA. Besides, TFs such as FOXC1, HINFP, NFKB1, miRNAs like mir-744-5p, mir-335-5p, mir-149-3p, mir-218-5p, mir-10a-5p may be the key regulatory factors of hub genes.

CONCLUSIONS

The DEGs of AILI mice models and those of patients were compared, and common biological processes were identified. The signaling pathways and hub genes in co-expression were identified between mice and humans through a series of bioinformatics analyses, which may be more valuable to reveal molecular mechanisms of AILI.

Osteocyte mitochondria regulate angiogenesis of transcortical vessels

Transcortical vessels (TCVs) provide effective communication between bone marrow vascular system and external circulation. Although osteocytes are in close contact with them, it is not clear whether osteocytes regulate the homeostasis of TCVs. Here, we show that osteocytes maintain the normal network of TCVs by transferring mitochondria to the endothelial cells of TCV. Partial ablation of osteocytes causes TCV regression. Inhibition of mitochondrial transfer by conditional knockout of Rhot1 in osteocytes also leads to regression of the TCV network. By contrast, acquisition of osteocyte mitochondria by endothelial cells efficiently restores endothelial dysfunction. Administration of osteocyte mitochondria resultes in acceleration of the angiogenesis and healing of the cortical bone defect. Our results provide new insights into osteocyte-TCV interactions and inspire the potential application of mitochondrial therapy for bone-related diseases.

Targeting osteopontin to treat primary sclerosing cholangitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a chronic cholestatic liver disease for which no pharmacological treatment options are available. It is an immune-mediated disease and macrophages have been implicated in disease pathogenesis. However, which specific macrophage populations contribute to disease, and how we can apply this as therapeutic strategy is still unclear.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have shown that fibrous tissue is characterized by osteopontin-positive macrophages, including in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Experimental models indicate that intracellular osteopontin in macrophages confers protection, while secreted osteopontin contributes to disease. Serum osteopontin is increased in different liver diseases, including primary sclerosing cholangitis, and might thus serve as therapeutic target.

SUMMARY

Although several studies report on the role of osteopontin in liver disease, only a minority of the studies have focused on isoform-specific functions, and the importance of the cellular source of secreted osteopontin. Future studies investigating these aspects, and how this can be translated to therapies for primary sclerosing cholangitis, and other chronic liver diseases, are required.

Reliability, stability during long-term storage, and intra-individual variation of circulating levels of osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, and interleukin-17A

BACKGROUND

Studies in many populations have reported associations between circulating cytokine levels and various physiological or pathological conditions. However, the reliability of cytokine measurements in population studies, which measure cytokines in multiple assays over a prolonged period, has not been adequately examined; nor has stability during sample storage or intra-individual variation been assessed.

METHODS

We assessed (1) analytical reliability in short- and long-term repeated measurements; (2) stability and analytical reliability during long-term sample storage, and (3) variability within individuals over seasons, of four cytokines-osteopontin (OPN), osteoprotegerin (OPG), vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), and interleukin-17A (IL-17A). Measurements in plasma or serum samples were made with commercial kits according to standard procedures. Estimation was performed by fitting a random or mixed effects linear model on the log scale.

RESULTS

In repeated assays over a short period, OPN, OPG, and VEGF-A had acceptable reliability, with intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CV) less than 0.11. Reliability of IL-17A was poor, with inter- and intra-assay CV 0.85 and 0.43, respectively. During long-term storage, OPG significantly decayed (- 33% per year; 95% confidence interval [- 54, - 3.7]), but not OPN or VEGF-A (- 0.3% or - 6.3% per year, respectively). Intra- and inter-assay CV over a long period were comparable to that in a short period except for a slight increase in inter-assay CV of VEGF-A. Within-individual variation was small for OPN and VEGF-A, with intra-class correlations (ICC) 0.68 and 0.83, respectively, but large for OPG (ICC 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that OPN and VEGF-A can be reliably measured in a large population, that IL-17A is suitable only for small experiments, and that OPG should be assessed with caution due to degradation during storage and intra-individual variation. The overall results of our study illustrate the need for validation under relevant conditions when measuring circulating cytokines in population studies.

Osteopontin characterizes bile duct-associated macrophages and correlates with liver fibrosis severity in primary sclerosing cholangitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an immune-mediated cholestatic liver disease for which pharmacological treatment options are currently unavailable. PSC is strongly associated with colitis and a disruption of the gut-liver axis, and macrophages are involved in the pathogenesis of PSC. However, how gut-liver interactions and specific macrophage populations contribute to PSC is incompletely understood.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

We investigated the impact of cholestasis and colitis on the hepatic and colonic microenvironment, and performed an in-depth characterization of hepatic macrophage dynamics and function in models of concomitant cholangitis and colitis. Cholestasis-induced fibrosis was characterized by depletion of resident KCs, and enrichment of monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) in the liver. These MoMFs highly express triggering-receptor-expressed-on-myeloid-cells-2 ( Trem2 ) and osteopontin ( Spp1 ), markers assigned to hepatic bile duct-associated macrophages, and were enriched around the portal triad, which was confirmed in human PSC. Colitis induced monocyte/macrophage infiltration in the gut and liver, and enhanced cholestasis-induced MoMF- Trem2 and Spp1 upregulation, yet did not exacerbate liver fibrosis. Bone marrow chimeras showed that knockout of Spp1 in infiltrated MoMFs exacerbates inflammation in vivo and in vitro , while monoclonal antibody-mediated neutralization of SPP1 conferred protection in experimental PSC. In human PSC patients, serum osteopontin levels are elevated compared to control, and significantly increased in advanced stage PSC and might serve as a prognostic biomarker for liver transplant-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data shed light on gut-liver axis perturbations and macrophage dynamics and function in PSC and highlight SPP1/OPN as a prognostic marker and future therapeutic target in PSC.

Roles of immune dysregulation in MASLD

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Its occurrence and progression involve the process from simple hepatic steatosis to metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which could develop into advanced liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Growing evidences support that the pathogenesis and progression of MASLD are closely related to immune system dysfunction. This review aims to summarize the association of MASLD with immune disorders and the prospect of using immunotherapy for MASLD.

Osteopontin modulates microglial activation states and attenuates inflammatory responses after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats

AIMS

Osteopontin (OPN) has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in various stroke models. Its role in neuroinflammation after brain injury remains to be elucidated. This study aims to clarify the effect of OPN on neuroinflammation, particularly on the functional states of microglia after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

77 rats were randomly divided into the following groups: Sham, SAH 24 h, SAH + rOPN, SAH + Vehicle (PBS), SAH + OPN siRNA, and SAH + Scr siRNA, SAH + rOPN+Fib-14 and SAH + rOPN+DMSO. Modified Garcia and beam balance tests were used to evaluate neurobehavioral outcomes. Semi-quantitative immunofluorescence staining was performed to measure expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and microglia activation state markers CD16, CD206 after SAH and recombinant OPN treatment. The quantification of microglia activation and functional markers CD16, CD206, TNF-α and IL-10 were further evaluated using Western-blotting.

RESULTS

Nasal administration of rOPN improved neurological dysfunction, attenuated neutrophil infiltration, and decreased expression of phenotypic and functional markers of pro-inflammatory microglia CD16 and TNF-α. It also promoted an anti-inflammatory microglial state, as evidenced by increased expression of CD206 and IL-10. Furthermore, after blocking the phosphorylation of FAK signaling, the effects of rOPN on microglial activation states were partially reversed. The downstream pathways of STAT3 and NF-κB also exhibited consistent changes, suggesting the involvement of the STAT3 and NF-κB pathways in OPN's modulation of microglial activation via integrin-FAK signaling.

CONCLUSION

OPN attenuates inflammatory responses after SAH by promoting an anti-inflammatory microglial state, potentially mediated through the integrin-FAK-STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways.

The HEDGEHOG-GLI1 pathway is important for fibroproliferative properties in keloids and as a candidate therapeutic target

Keloids are benign fibroproliferative skin tumors caused by aberrant wound healing that can negatively impact patient quality of life. The lack of animal models has limited research on pathogenesis or developing effective treatments, and the etiology of keloids remains unknown. Here, we found that the characteristics of stem-like cells from keloid lesions and the surrounding dermis differ from those of normal skin. Furthermore, the HEDGEHOG (HH) signal and its downstream transcription factor GLI1 were upregulated in keloid patient-derived stem-like cells. Inhibition of the HH-GLI1 pathway reduced the expression of genes involved in keloids and fibrosis-inducing cytokines, including osteopontin. Moreover, the HH signal inhibitor vismodegib reduced keloid reconstituted tumor size and keloid-related gene expression in nude mice and the collagen bundle and expression of cytokines characteristic for keloids in ex vivo culture of keloid tissues. These results implicate the HH-GLI1 pathway in keloid pathogenesis and suggest therapeutic targets of keloids.

Melanoma differentiation associated gene-9/syndecan binding protein promotes hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The oncogene Melanoma differentiation associated gene-9/syndecan binding protein (MDA-9/SDCBP) is overexpressed in many cancers, promoting aggressive, metastatic disease. However, the role of MDA-9 in regulating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been well studied.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

To unravel the function of MDA-9 in HCC, we generated and characterized a transgenic mouse with hepatocyte-specific overexpression of MDA-9 (Alb/MDA-9). Compared with wild-type (WT) littermates, Alb/MDA-9 mice demonstrated significantly higher incidence of N-nitrosodiethylamine/phenobarbital-induced HCC, with marked activation and infiltration of macrophages. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in naive WT and Alb/MDA-9 hepatocytes identified activation of signaling pathways associated with invasion, angiogenesis, and inflammation, especially NF-κB and integrin-linked kinase signaling pathways. In nonparenchymal cells purified from naive livers, single-cell RNA-seq showed activation of Kupffer cells and macrophages in Alb/MDA-9 mice versus WT mice. A robust increase in the expression of Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (Spp1/osteopontin) was observed upon overexpression of MDA-9. Inhibition of NF-κB pathway blocked MDA-9-induced Spp1 induction, and knock down of Spp1 resulted in inhibition of MDA-9-induced macrophage migration, as well as angiogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Alb/MDA-9 is a mouse model with MDA-9 overexpression in any tissue type. Our findings unravel an HCC-promoting role of MDA-9 mediated by NF-κB and Spp1 and support the rationale of using MDA-9 inhibitors as a potential treatment for aggressive HCC.

The critical role of osteopontin (OPN) in fibrotic diseases

Fibrosis is a pathological condition characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components in tissues and organs, leading to progressive architectural remodelling and contributing to the development of various diseases. Osteopontin (OPN), a highly phosphorylated glycoprotein, has been increasingly recognized for its involvement in the progression of tissue fibrosis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the genetic and protein structure of OPN and focuses on our current understanding of the role of OPN in the development of fibrosis in the lungs and other tissues. Additionally, special attention is given to the potential of OPN as a biomarker and a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of fibrosis.

Macrophage-associated markers of metaflammation are linked to metabolic dysfunction in pediatric obesity

BACKGPOUND

Metabolically driven chronic low-grade adipose tissue inflammation, so-called metaflammation, is a central feature in obesity. This inflammatory tone is largely driven by adipose tissue macrophages (ATM), which express pro- and anti-inflammatory markers and cytokines such as, e.g., IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), CD163 and osteopontin (OPN). Metaflammation ultimately leads to the development of cardiometabolic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the association between selected adipose tissue macrophage-associated markers and metabolic comorbidities in pediatric obesity.

METHODS

From a pediatric cohort with obesity (n = 108), clinically thoroughly characterized including diverse routine blood parameters, oral glucose tolerance test and liver MRI, plasma IL-1RA, soluble (s)CD163 and OPN were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

We observed significantly higher IL-1RA, sCD163, and OPN levels in the plasma of children with metabolic-dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and metabolic syndrome. Moreover, IL-1RA and sCD163 correlated with hepatic disease and apoptosis markers alanine aminotransferase and CK-18. IL-1RA concentrations additionally correlated with insulin resistance, while children with disturbed glucose metabolism had significantly higher levels of sCD163.

CONCLUSION

MAFLD and other metabolic disorders in pediatric patients with obesity are associated with an elevation of adipose tissue macrophage-related inflammation markers.

FGF9 Recruits β-Catenin to Increase Hepatic ECM Synthesis and Promote NASH-Driven HCC

Most nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients develop severe fibrosis through extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, which can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) is involved in serial types of cancer; however, the specific role of FGF9 in NASH-driven HCC is not fully understood. This study finds that FGF9 is increased in patients with NASH-associated HCC. Furthermore, NASH-driven HCC mice models by feeding wildtype mice with high-fat/high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet and low dose carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) treatment is established; and identified that hepatic FGF9 is increased; with severe fibrosis. Additionally, AAV-mediated knockdown of FGF9 reduced the hepatic tumor burden of NASH-driven HCC mice models. Hepatocyte-specific FGF9 transgenic mice (FGF9Alb ) fed with a HFHC diet without CCl4 treatment exhibited an increased hepatic ECM and tumor burden. However, XAV-939 treatment blocked ECM accumulation and NASH-driven HCC in FGF9Alb mice fed with HFHC diet. Molecular mechanism studies show that FGF9 stimulated the expression of ECM related genes in a β-catenin dependent manner; and FGF9 exerts its effect on β-catenin stability via the ERK1/2-GSK-3β signaling pathway. In summary, the data provides evidence for the critical role of FGF9 in NASH-driven HCC pathogenesis; wherein it promotes the tumors formation through the ECM pathway.

Osteopontin-driven T-cell accumulation and function in adipose tissue and liver promoted insulin resistance and MAFLD

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the contribution of osteopontin/secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) to T-cell regulation in initiation of obesity-driven adipose tissue (AT) inflammation and macrophage infiltration and the subsequent impact on insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) development.

METHODS

SPP1 and T-cell marker expression was evaluated in AT and liver according to type 2 diabetes and MAFLD in human individuals with obesity. The role of SPP1 on T cells was evaluated in Spp1-knockout mice challenged with a high-fat diet.

RESULTS

In humans with obesity, elevated SPP1 expression in AT was parallel to T-cell marker expression (CD4, CD8A) and IR. Weight loss reversed AT inflammation with decreased SPP1 and CD8A expression. In liver, elevated SPP1 expression correlated with MAFLD severity and hepatic T-cell markers. In mice, although Spp1 deficiency did not impact obesity, it did improve AT IR associated with prevention of proinflammatory T-cell accumulation at the expense of regulatory T cells. Spp1 deficiency also decreased ex vivo helper T cell, subtype 1 (Th1) polarization of AT CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In addition, Spp1 deficiency significantly reduced obesity-associated liver steatosis and inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

Current findings highlight a critical role of SPP1 in the initiation of obesity-driven chronic inflammation by regulating accumulation and/or polarization of T cells. Early targeting of SPP1 could be beneficial for IR and MAFLD treatment.

Increased expression of OPN contributes to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and indicates a poor prognosis

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is fibrotic lung disease with no effective treatment. It is characterized by destruction of alveolar structure and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, leading to dyspnea and even asphyxia death of patients. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered to be a driving factor in the pathogenesis of IPF. Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted protein widely present in the extracellular matrix and involved in the occurrence and development of a variety of diseases.

METHODS

The original datasets were obtained from NCBI GEO databases analyzed with the online tool GEO2R and EasyGEO. Bleomycin induced mouse pulmonary fibrosis model and OPN/OPN-biotin treated mouse model were established to investigate the role of OPN in mouse pulmonary fibrosis and the target cells of OPN. A549 cells and HBE cells were used to explore the mechanism of OPN-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in epithelial cells and mass spectrometry was used to detect OPN downstream receptors. Precision-cut lung slices and lentivirus-treated mice with pulmonary fibrosis were used to examine the therapeutic effect of OPN and its downstream pathways on pulmonary fibrosis.

RESULTS

We demonstrate that the content of OPN in IPF bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is high compared to the normal groups, and its expression level is correlated with prognosis. At the animal level, OPN was highly expressed at all stages of pulmonary fibrosis in mice, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) could accurately reflect its expression in the lung. Next, we reveal that OPN was mainly expressed by macrophages and the main target cells of OPN were epithelial cells. Mice developed pulmonary fibrosis accompanied after treating the mice with OPN. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that OPN could induce EMT of alveolar epithelial cells. Mechanistically, OPN binding triggered phosphorylation of FAK by CD44, thus activating snail1-mediated profibrotic protein synthesis. Inhibition of FAK phosphorylation and its downstream pathways can effectively alleviate pulmonary fibrosis in precision sections of lung tissue (PCLS) assay. OPN knockdown in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis mice led to significantly less fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that OPN mediates lung fibrosis through EMT, implicating its potential therapeutic target and prognostic indicator role for IPF. OPN may be a target for the diagnosis and treatment of IPF.

MIF is a critical regulator of mononuclear phagocytic infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma

Immunotherapy targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is a promising approach to treating cancer. However, the limited drug targets and ambiguous mechanisms impede the development of clinical immunotherapy strategies. To elucidate the underlying processes involved in mononuclear phagocyte (MNP) infiltration and phenotypic changes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we integrated single-cell RNA-sequencing data from 100,030 cells derived from patients with HCC and healthy individuals and compared the phenotypes and origins of the MNPs in the tumor core, tumor periphery, adjacent normal tissue, and healthy liver samples. Using machine learning and multi-omics analyses, we identified 445 infiltration-associated genes and potential drug targets affecting this process. Through in vitro experiments, we found that the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is the upstream regulator of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) and promote migration in TAMs. Our findings also indicate that MIF promotes tumor metastasis and invasion and is a promising potential target for treating HCC.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 and Osteopontin Serum Levels as Biomarkers for Biliary Atresia

OBJECTIVES

Matrix metallopeptidase-7 (MMP-7) and osteopontin (OPN) are important components in the pathophysiology of fibrosis in biliary atresia (BA). There has been much recent interest in MMP-7 serum level in the diagnosis of BA. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of both MMP-7 and OPN in a Western BA study.

METHODS

Diagnostic value was assessed by comparison of serum MMP-7 and OPN levels in infants with BA and age-matched cholestatic controls. Prognostic value was assessed through subsequent clearance of jaundice (COJ) and need for liver transplantation (LT).

RESULTS

Serum was assessed from 32 BA and 27 controls. Median MMP-7 was higher in BA (96.4 vs 35 ng/mL; P < 0.0001) with an optimal cut-off value of 69 ng/mL. Sensitivity and specificity was 68% and 93%, respectively [negative predictive value (NPV) = 71%]. Similarly, median OPN was higher in BA (1952 vs 1457 ng/mL; P = 0.0001) and an optimal cut-off of 1611 ng/mL. Sensitivity and specificity was 84% and 78%, respectively (NPV = 81%). MMP-7 level correlated positively with Ishak liver fibrosis score (r = 0.27, P = 0.04). Neither MMP-7 (70 vs 100 ng/mL; P = 0.2) nor OPN (1969 vs 1939 ng/mL; P = 0.3) were predictive of COJ, or need for LT (99 vs 79 ng/mL; P = 0.7, and 1981 vs 1899 ng/mL; P = 0.2), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

MMP-7 and OPN may have contributory value in the diagnosis of BA, but remain far of the "gold standard" role. Much more prospective data are required and collaborative multi-center initiatives should be the next logical steps.

Macrophage-derived Osteopontin (SPP1) Protects From Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by steatosis, lobular inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning degeneration, and fibrosis, all of which increase the risk of progression to end-stage liver disease. Osteopontin (OPN, SPP1) plays an important role in macrophage (MF) biology, but whether MF-derived OPN affects NASH progression is unknown.

METHODS

We analyzed publicly available transcriptomic datasets from patients with NASH, and used mice with conditional overexpression or ablation of Spp1 in myeloid cells and liver MFs, and fed them a high-fat, fructose, and cholesterol diet mimicking the Western diet, to induce NASH.

RESULTS

This study demonstrated that MFs with high expression of SPP1 are enriched in patients and mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and show metabolic but not pro-inflammatory properties. Conditional knockin of Spp1 in myeloid cells (Spp1KI Mye) or in hepatic macrophages (Spp1KI LvMF) conferred protection, whereas conditional knockout of Spp1 in myeloid cells (Spp1ΔMye) worsened NASH. The protective effect was mediated by induction of arginase-2 (ARG2), which enhanced fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in hepatocytes. Induction of ARG2 stemmed from enhanced production of oncostatin-M (OSM) in MFs from Spp1KI Mye mice. OSM activated STAT3 signaling, which upregulated ARG2. In addition to hepatic effects, Spp1KI Mye also protected through sex-specific extrahepatic mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

MF-derived OPN protects from NASH, by upregulating OSM, which increases ARG2 through STAT3 signaling. Further, the ARG2-mediated increase in FAO reduces steatosis. Therefore, enhancing the OPN-OSM-ARG2 crosstalk between MFs and hepatocytes may be beneficial for patients with NASH.

Hypericum perforatum L. and the Underlying Molecular Mechanisms for Its Choleretic, Cholagogue, and Regenerative Properties

Any defects in bile formation, secretion, or flow may give rise to cholestasis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. As the pathogenesis of hepatic disorders is multifactorial, targeting parallel pathways potentially increases the outcome of therapy. Hypericum perforatum has been famed for its anti-depressive effects. However, according to traditional Persian medicine, it helps with jaundice and acts as a choleretic medication. Here, we will discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms of Hypericum for its use in hepatobiliary disorders. Differentially expressed genes retrieved from microarray data analysis upon treatment with safe doses of Hypericum extract and intersection with the genes involved in cholestasis are identified. Target genes are located mainly at the endomembrane system with integrin-binding ability. Activation of α5β1 integrins, as osmo-sensors in the liver, activates a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, c-SRC, which leads to the insertion of bile acid transporters into the canalicular membrane to trigger choleresis. Hypericum upregulates CDK6 that controls cell proliferation, compensating for the bile acid damage to hepatocytes. It induces ICAM1 to stimulate liver regeneration and regulates nischarin, a hepatoprotective receptor. The extract targets the expression of conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) and facilitates the movement of bile acids toward the canalicular membrane via Golgi-derived vesicles. In addition, Hypericum induces SCP2, an intracellular cholesterol transporter, to maintain cholesterol homeostasis. We have also provided a comprehensive view of the target genes affected by Hypericum's main metabolites, such as hypericin, hyperforin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, and p-coumaric acid to enlighten a new scope in the management of chronic liver disorders. Altogether, standard trials using Hypericum as a neo-adjuvant or second-line therapy in ursodeoxycholic-acid-non-responder patients define the future trajectories of cholestasis treatment with this product.

Exploring Key Genes with Diagnostic Value for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Based on Bioinformatics Analysis

We aimed to screen specific genes in liver tissue samples of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with clinical diagnostic value based on bioinformatics analysis. The datasets of liver tissue samples from healthy individuals and NASH patients were retrieved for consistency cluster analysis to obtain the NASH sample typing, followed by verification of the diagnostic value of sample genotyping-specific genes. All samples were subjected to logistic regression analysis, followed by the establishment of the risk model, and then, the diagnostic value was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. NASH samples could be divided into cluster 1, cluster 2, and cluster 3, which could predict the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score of patients. A total of 162 sample genotyping-specific genes were extracted from patient clinical parameters, and the top 20 core genes in the protein interaction network were obtained for logistic regression analysis. Five sample genotyping-specific genes (WD repeat and HMG-box DNA-binding protein 1 [WDHD1], GINS complex subunit 2 [GINS2], replication factor C subunit 3 (RFC3), secreted phosphoprotein 1 [SPP1], and spleen tyrosine kinase [SYK]) were extracted to construct the risk models with high diagnostic value in NASH. Compared with the low-risk group, the high-risk group of the model showed increased lipoproduction and decreased lipolysis and lipid β oxidation. The risk models based on WDHD1, GINS2, RFC3, SPP1, and SYK have high diagnostic value in NASH, and this risk model is closely related to lipid metabolism pathways.

Liver Fibrosis Resolution: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Opportunities

The liver is a critical system for metabolism in human beings, which plays an essential role in an abundance of physiological processes and is vulnerable to endogenous or exogenous injuries. After the damage to the liver, a type of aberrant wound healing response known as liver fibrosis may happen, which can result in an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and then cause cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), seriously endangering human health and causing a great economic burden. However, few effective anti-fibrotic medications are clinically available to treat liver fibrosis. The most efficient approach to liver fibrosis prevention and treatment currently is to eliminate its causes, but this approach's efficiency is too slow, or some causes cannot be fully eliminated, which causes liver fibrosis to worsen. In cases of advanced fibrosis, the only available treatment is liver transplantation. Therefore, new treatments or therapeutic agents need to be explored to stop the further development of early liver fibrosis or to reverse the fibrosis process to achieve liver fibrosis resolution. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to the development of liver fibrosis is necessary to find new therapeutic targets and drugs. The complex process of liver fibrosis is regulated by a variety of cells and cytokines, among which hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the essential cells, and their continued activation will lead to further progression of liver fibrosis. It has been found that inhibiting HSC activation, or inducing apoptosis, and inactivating activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) can reverse fibrosis and thus achieve liver fibrosis regression. Hence, this review will concentrate on how HSCs become activated during liver fibrosis, including intercellular interactions and related signaling pathways, as well as targeting HSCs or liver fibrosis signaling pathways to achieve the resolution of liver fibrosis. Finally, new therapeutic compounds targeting liver fibrosis are summarized to provide more options for the therapy of liver fibrosis.

SPP1 as a risk factor for patients with acute on chronic liver failure undergoing liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) is characterized by systemic inflammation and significant mortality, calling for accurate assessment due to the diverse prognosis of liver transplantation (LT).

METHODS

8 patients with ACLF and 4 normal controls (NC) underwent peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) transcriptomics, whereas 9 patients with ACLF and 3 NC had hepatic CD45⁺ T cells transcriptomics. Thecandidateindicatorfoundinthetranscriptomicswas confirmedbya retrospective cohort (n = 137) and one prospective cohort (n = 68).

RESULTS

Transcriptomics revealed significant differentially expression genes (DEGs) and bioprocesses related to the PBMCs and hepatic CD45⁺ T cells. Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) was identified as a potential indicator for ACLF patients receiving LT, which was supported by evidence from the cross-sectional cohorts. As the condition of ACLF got worse, so did SPP1 levels, which were associated with liver failure and coagulation failure. SPP1 levels prior to LT were considerably greater in non-survivors of ACLF within 90 days than that in survivors. In the derivation cohort and validation cohort, ACLF patients with elevated SPP1 levels had significantly shorter cumulative survival durations than those with low SPP1 levels, P = 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively. The SPP1-MELD and SPP1-chronic liver failure consortium (CLIF-C) ACLF scores had comparatively larger areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) than MELD (P = 0.0388) and CLIF-C ACLF (P = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

The circulating SPP1 showed promise as a predictor for ACLF patients receiving LT, which demonstrated the need for tracking the clinical outcome of LT.

Advanced Biomarkers of Hepatotoxicity in Psychiatry: A Narrative Review and Recommendations for New Psychoactive Substances

One of the factors that increase the effectiveness of the pharmacotherapy used in patients abusing various types of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) is the proper functioning of the liver. However, the articles published to date on NPS hepatotoxicity only address non-specific hepatic parameters. The aim of this manuscript was to review three advanced markers of hepatotoxicity in psychiatry, namely, osteopontin (OPN), high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and glutathione dehydrogenase (GDH, GLDH), and, on this basis, to identify recommendations that should be included in future studies in patients abusing NPSs. This will make it possible to determine whether NPSs do indeed have a hepatotoxic effect or whether other factors, such as additional substances taken or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, are responsible. NPS abusers are at particular risk of HCV infection, and for this reason, it is all the more important to determine what factors actually show a hepatotoxic effect in them.

The potential of epigallocatechin gallate in the chemoprevention and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most notorious malignancies globally, has a high fatality and poor prognosis. Though remarkable breakthroughs have been made in the therapeutic strategies recently, the overall survival of HCC remains unsatisfactory. Consequently, the therapy of HCC remains a great challenge. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a natural polyphenol extracted from the leaves of the tea bush, has been extensively investigated for its antitumor effects. In this review, we summarize the previous literature to elucidate the roles of EGCG in the chemoprophylaxis and therapy of HCC. Accumulating evidence has confirmed EGCG prevents and inhibits the hepatic tumorigenesis and progression through multiple biological mechanisms, mainly involving hepatitis virus infection, oxidative stress, proliferation, invasion, migration, angiogenesis, apoptosis, autophagy, and tumor metabolism. Furthermore, EGCG enhances the efficacy and sensitivity of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy in HCC. In conclusion, preclinical studies have confirmed the potential of EGCG for chemoprevention and therapy of HCC under multifarious experimental models and conditions. Nevertheless, there is an urgent need to explore the safety and efficacy of EGCG in the clinical practice of HCC.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Bone Tissue Metabolism: Current Findings and Future Perspectives

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is reaching epidemic proportions worldwide. Moreover, the prevalence of this liver disease is expected to increase rapidly in the near future, aligning with the rise in obesity and the aging of the population. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is considered to be complex and to include the interaction between genetic, metabolic, inflammatory, and environmental factors. It is now well documented that NAFLD is linked to the other conditions common to insulin resistance, such as abnormal lipid levels, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, it is considered that the insulin resistance may be one of the main mechanisms determining the disturbances in both bone tissue metabolism and skeletal muscles quality and functions in patients with NAFLD. To date, the association between NAFLD and osteoporosis has been described in several studies, though it worth noting that most of them included postmenopausal women or elderly patients and originated from Asia. However, taking into account the health and economic burdens of NAFLD, and the increasing prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents worldwide, further investigation of the relationship between osteopenia, osteoporosis and sarcopenia in NAFLD, including in young and middle-aged patients, is of great importance. In addition, this will help to justify active screening and surveillance of osteopenia and osteoporosis in patients with NAFLD. In this review, we will discuss various pathophysiological mechanisms and possible biologically active molecules that may interplay between NAFLD and bone tissue metabolism.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of YAP-1 in biliary epithelial cells mediates posthepatectomy liver regeneration and is affected by serotonin

Experimental data suggested activation of yes-associated protein (YAP-1) as a critical regulator of liver regeneration (LR). Serotonin (5-HT) promotes LR in rodent models and has been proposed to act via YAP-1. How 5-HT affects LR is incompletely understood. A possible mechanism how 5-HT affects human LR was explored. Sixty-one patients were included. Tissue samples prior and 2 h after induction of LR were collected. Circulating levels of 5-HT and osteopontin (OPN) were assessed. YAP-1, its phosphorylation states, cytokeratin 19 (CK-19) and OPN were assessed using immunofluorescence. A mouse model of biliary epithelial cells (BECs) specific deletion of YAP/TAZ was developed. YAP-1 increased as early as 2 h after induction of LR (p = 0.025) predominantly in BECs. BEC specific deletion of YAP/TAZ reduced LR after 70% partial hepatectomy in mice (Ki67%, p < 0.001). SSRI treatment, depleting intra-platelet 5-HT, abolished YAP-1 and OPN induction upon LR. Portal vein 5-HT levels correlated with intrahepatic YAP-1 expression upon LR (R = 0.703, p = 0.035). OPN colocalized with YAP-1 in BECs and its circulating levels increased in the liver vein 2 h after induction of LR (p = 0.017). In the context of LR tyrosine-phosphorylated YAP-1 significantly increased (p = 0.042). Stimulating BECs with 5-HT resulted in increased YAP-1 activation via tyrosine-phosphorylation and subsequently increased OPN expression. BECs YAP-1 appears to be critical for LR in mice and humans. Our evidence suggests that 5-HT, at least in part, exerts its pro-regenerative effects via YAP-1 tyrosine-phosphorylation in BECs and subsequent OPN-dependent paracrine immunomodulation.

Osteopontin Promotes Macrophage M1 Polarization by Activation of the JAK1/STAT1/HMGB1 Signaling Pathway in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background and Aims

Osteopontin (OPN) is reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the function of OPN in NAFLD is still inconclusive. Therefore, our aim in this study was to evaluate the role of OPN in NAFLD and clarify the involved mechanisms.

Methods

We analyzed the expression change of OPN in NAFLD by bioinformatic analysis, qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. To clarify the role of OPN in NAFLD, the effect of OPN from HepG2 cells on macrophage polarization and the involved mechanisms were examined by FACS and western blotting.

Results

OPN was significantly upregulated in NAFLD patients compared with normal volunteers by microarray data, and the high expression of OPN was related with disease stage and progression. OPN level was also significantly increased in liver tissue samples of NAFLD from human and mouse, and in HepG2 cells treated with oleic acid (OA). Furthermore, the supernatants of OPN-treated HepG2 cells promoted the macrophage M1 polarization. Mechanistically, OPN activated the janus kinase 1(JAK1)/signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling pathway in HepG2 cells, and consequently HepG2 cells secreted more high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), thereby promoting macrophage M1 polarization.

Conclusions

OPN promoted macrophage M1 polarization by increasing JAK1/STAT1-induced HMGB1 secretion in hepatocytes.

Important oncogenic and immunogenic roles of SPP1 and CSF1 in hepatocellular carcinoma

The treatment and prognosis of liver cancer remain the focus of medical research. Studies have shown that SPP1 and CSF1 play important roles in cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Therefore, this study analyzed the oncogenic and immunologic roles of SPP1 and CSF1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We found that the expression levels of SPP1 and CSF1 in HCC were markedly increased and positively correlated. High SPP1 expression was significantly associated with poor OS, DSS, PFS, and RFS. It was not affected by gender, alcohol use, HBV, or race, whereas CSF1 was affected by these factors. Higher expression levels of SPP1 and CSF1 indicated higher levels of immune cell infiltration and a higher immune score with the R software package ESTIMATE. Further analysis revealed that many genes work co-expressed between SPP1 and CSF1 with the LinkedOmics database, which were mainly involved in signal transduction, the integral components of the membrane, protein binding, and osteoclast differentiation. In addition, we screened ten hub genes using cytoHubba, among which the expression of four genes was significantly associated with the prognosis of HCC patients. Finally, we demonstrated the oncogenic and immunologic roles of SPP1 and CSF1 using the vitro experiments. Reducing the expression of either SPP1 or CSF1 could significantly reduce the proliferation of HCC cells and the expression of CSF1, SPP1, and the other four hub genes. This study suggested that SPP1 and CSF1 interact with each other and have the potential to be therapeutic and prognostic targets for HCC.

Mechanical homeostasis imbalance in hepatic stellate cells activation and hepatic fibrosis

Chronic liver disease or repeated damage to hepatocytes can give rise to hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a pathological process of excessive sedimentation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagens, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans (PGs) in the hepatic parenchyma. Changes in the composition of the ECM lead to the stiffness of the matrix that destroys its inherent mechanical homeostasis, and a mechanical homeostasis imbalance activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblasts, which can overproliferate and secrete large amounts of ECM proteins. Excessive ECM proteins are gradually deposited in the Disse gap, and matrix regeneration fails, which further leads to changes in ECM components and an increase in stiffness, forming a vicious cycle. These processes promote the occurrence and development of hepatic fibrosis. In this review, the dynamic process of ECM remodeling of HF and the activation of HSCs into mechanotransduction signaling pathways for myofibroblasts to participate in HF are discussed. These mechanotransduction signaling pathways may have potential therapeutic targets for repairing or reversing fibrosis.

Role and mechanism of DNA methylation and its inhibitors in hepatic fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is a repair response to injury caused by various chronic stimuli that continually act on the liver. Among them, the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and their transformation into a myofibroblast phenotype is a key event leading to liver fibrosis, however the mechanism has not yet been elucidated. The molecular basis of HSC activation involves changes in the regulation of gene expression without changes in the genome sequence, namely, via epigenetic regulation. DNA methylation is a key focus of epigenetic research, as it affects the expression of fibrosis-related, metabolism-related, and tumor suppressor genes. Increasing studies have shown that DNA methylation is closely related to several physiological and pathological processes including HSC activation and liver fibrosis. This review aimed to discuss the mechanism of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, explore DNA methylation inhibitors as potential therapies for liver fibrosis, and provide new insights on the prevention and clinical treatment of liver fibrosis.

Identification of LBH and SPP1 involved in hepatic stellate cell activation during liver fibrogenesis

Liver fibrosis is a pathological response driven by the activation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC). However, the mechanisms of liver fibrosis and HSC activation are complicated and far from being fully understood. We aimed to explore the candidate genes involved in HSC activation during liver fibrogenesis. Five genes (LBH, LGALS3, LOXL1, S100A6 and SPP1) were recurrent in the DEGs derived from the seven datasets. The expression of these genes gradually increased as liver fibrosis staging advanced, suggesting they might be candidate genes involved in HSC activation during hepatic fibrosis. These candidate genes were predicted to be coregulated by miRNAs such as hsa-miR-125a-5p and has-miR-125b, or by transcription factors including JUN, USF1, TP53 and TFAP2C. PPI analysis showed that LGALS3, LOXL1, S100A6 and SPP1 might interact with each other indirectly, but no interaction was found between them and LBH. The candidate genes and their interaction partners were enriched in focal adhesion, extracellular matrix organization and binding. Upregulation of LBH, S100A6 and SPP1 were further validated in TGF-β-treated LX-2 as well as in DDC or CCL₄-treated mice models. Decreased LBH and SPP1 expression reduces the expression of HSC activation-related markers in TGF-β-treated LX-2. Our results indicated that LBH, LGALS3, LOXL1, S100A6 and SPP1 were candidate genes which may participate in the HSC activation during liver fibrosis.

Proteomic Analysis of Hepatic Fibrosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Demonstrates Up-regulation of Immune Response and Tissue Repair Pathways

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by a high prevalence of hepatic fibrosis as a strong clinical predictor of all-cause and liver-specific mortality risk.

METHODS

We leveraged data from an earlier clinical trial to define the circulating proteomic signature of hepatic fibrosis in HIV-associated NAFLD. A total of 183 plasma proteins within 2 high-multiplex panels were quantified at baseline and at 12 months (Olink Cardiovascular III; Immuno-Oncology).

RESULTS

Twenty proteins were up-regulated at baseline among participants with fibrosis stages 2-3 versus 0-1. Proteins most differentially expressed included matrix metalloproteinase 2 (P < .001), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (P = .001), and collagen α1(I) chain (P = .001). Proteins were enriched within pathways including response to tumor necrosis factor and aminopeptidase activity. Key proteins correlated directly with visceral adiposity and glucose intolerance and inversely with CD4+ T-cell count. Within the placebo-treated arm, 11 proteins differentially increased among individuals with hepatic fibrosis progression over a 12-month period (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Among individuals with HIV-associated NAFLD, hepatic fibrosis was associated with a distinct proteomic signature involving up-regulation of tissue repair and immune response pathways. These findings enhance our understanding of potential mechanisms and biomarkers of hepatic fibrosis in HIV.

Single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals liver injury induced by glyphosate in mice

BACKGROUND

Glyphosate (GLY), as the active ingredient of the most widely used herbicide worldwide, is commonly detected in the environment and living organisms, including humans. Its toxicity and carcinogenicity in mammals remain controversial. Several studies have demonstrated the hepatotoxicity of GLY; however, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown.

METHODS

Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), immunofluorescent staining, and in vivo animal studies, we analyzed the liver tissues from untreated and GLY-treated mice.

RESULTS

We generated the first scRNA-seq atlas of GLY-exposed mouse liver. GLY induced varied cell composition, shared or cell-type-specific transcriptional alterations, and dysregulated cell-cell communication and thus exerted hepatotoxicity effects. The oxidative stress and inflammatory response were commonly upregulated in several cell types. We also observed activation and upregulated phagocytosis in macrophages, as well as proliferation and extracellular matrix overproduction in hepatic stellate cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides a comprehensive single-cell transcriptional picture of the toxic effect of GLY in the liver, which offers novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of the GLY-associated hepatotoxicity.

Single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals the metabolic changes and the prognostic value of malignant hepatocyte subpopulations and predict new therapeutic agents for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

The development of HCC is often associated with extensive metabolic disturbances. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) provides a better understanding of cellular behavior in the context of complex tumor microenvironments by analyzing individual cell populations.

Methods

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data was employed to investigate the metabolic pathways in HCC. Principal component analysis (PCA) and uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) analysis were applied to identify six cell subpopulations, namely, T/NK cells, hepatocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and B cells. The gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to explore the existence of pathway heterogeneity across different cell subpopulations. Univariate Cox analysis was used to screen genes differentially related to The Overall Survival in TCGA-LIHC patients based on scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq datasets, and LASSO analysis was used to select significant predictors for incorporation into multivariate Cox regression. Connectivity Map (CMap) was applied to analysis drug sensitivity of risk models and targeting of potential compounds in high risk groups.

Results

Analysis of TCGA-LIHC survival data revealed the molecular markers associated with HCC prognosis, including MARCKSL1, SPP1, BSG, CCT3, LAGE3, KPNA2, SF3B4, GTPBP4, PON1, CFHR3, and CYP2C9. The RNA expression of 11 prognosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in normal human hepatocyte cell line MIHA and HCC cell lines HCC-LM3 and HepG2 were compared by qPCR. Higher KPNA2, LAGE3, SF3B4, CCT3 and GTPBP4 protein expression and lower CYP2C9 and PON1 protein expression in HCC tissues from Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases. The results of target compound screening of risk model showed that mercaptopurine is a potential anti-HCC drug.

Conclusion

The prognostic genes associated with glucose and lipid metabolic changes in a hepatocyte subpopulation and comparison of liver malignancy cells to normal liver cells may provide insight into the metabolic characteristics of HCC and the potential prognostic biomarkers of tumor-related genes and contribute to developing new treatment strategies for individuals.