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Sun T, Li S, Li X, Lei Y, Wang B, Liu X, Yu S, Li N. Apigenin intervenes in liver fibrosis by regulating PKM2-HIF-1α mediated oxidative stress. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 721:150130. [PMID: 38761750 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Apigenin (API) is a natural flavonoid compound with antioxidant, anti fibrotic, anti-inflammatory and other effects, but there is limited research on the effect of API on liver fibrosis. This study aims to explore the effect and potential mechanism of API on liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 in mice. The results indicate that API reduces oxidative stress levels, inhibits hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, and exerts anti liver fibrosis effects by regulating the PKM2-HIF-1α pathway. We observed that API alleviated liver tissue pathological damage and collagen deposition in CCl4 induced mouse liver fibrosis model, promoting the recovery of liver function in mice with liver fibrosis. In addition, the API inhibits the transition of Pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2) from dimer to tetramer formation by regulating the EGFR-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway, thereby preventing dimer from entering the nucleus and blocking PKM2-HIF-1α access. This change leads to a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and Catalase (CAT) levels and an increase in glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels, as well as total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the liver of liver fibrosis mice. At the same time, API downregulated the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Vimentin and Desmin in the liver tissue of mice with liver fibrosis, inhibited the activation of HSC, and reduced collagen deposition. These results indicate that API can inhibit HSC activation and alleviate CCl4 induced liver fibrosis by inhibiting the PKM2-HIF-1α pathway and reducing oxidative stress, laying an important foundation for the development and clinical application of API as a novel drug for treating liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Saifei Li
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaoying Li
- Department of Pathology, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanfei Lei
- Department of Internal Medicine, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Baoying Wang
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xianghua Liu
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shanfa Yu
- School of Public Health, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ningning Li
- Department of Pathology, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China.
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2
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Chen L, Huang Y, Zhang N, Qu J, Fang Y, Fu J, Yuan Y, Zhang Q, Li H, Wen Z, Yuan L, Chen L, Xu Z, Li Y, Yan H, Izawa H, Li L, Xiang C. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals reduced intercellular adhesion molecule crosstalk between activated hepatic stellate cells and neutrophils alleviating liver fibrosis in hepatitis B virus transgenic mice post menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e654. [PMID: 39040848 PMCID: PMC11261812 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis can cause hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs) can ameliorate liver fibrosis through paracrine. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) may be used to explore the roadmap of activated hepatic stellate cell (aHSC) inactivation to target liver fibrosis. This study established HBV transgenic (HBV-Tg) mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis and demonstrated that MenSCs migrated to the injured liver to improve serological indices and reduce fibrotic accumulation. RNA-bulk analysis revealed that MenSCs mediated extracellular matrix accumulation and cell adhesion. Liver parenchymal cells and nonparenchymal cells were identified by scRNA-seq in the control, CCl4, and MenSC groups, revealing the heterogeneity of fibroblasts/HSCs. A CellChat analysis revealed that diminished intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) signaling is vital for MenSC therapy. Specifically, Icam1 in aHSCs acted on Itgal/Itgb2 and Itgam/Itgb2 in neutrophils, causing decreased adhesion. The expression of Itgal, Itgam, and Itgb2 was higher in CCl4 group than in the control group and decreased after MenSC therapy in neutrophil clusters. The Lcn2, Pglyrp1, Wfdc21, and Mmp8 had high expression and may be potential targets in neutrophils. This study highlights interacting cells, corresponding molecules, and underlying targets for MenSCs in treating HBV-associated liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and MicroecologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yuqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Ning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Jingjing Qu
- Department of Respiratory DiseaseThoracic Disease CentreThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Yangxin Fang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Jiamin Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Yin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Hang Li
- Innovative Precision Medicine (IPM) GroupHangzhouChina
| | - Zuoshi Wen
- Department of CardiologyThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Li Yuan
- Innovative Precision Medicine (IPM) GroupHangzhouChina
| | - Lu Chen
- Innovative Precision Medicine (IPM) GroupHangzhouChina
| | - Zhenyu Xu
- Innovative Precision Medicine (IPM) GroupHangzhouChina
| | - Yifei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and MicroecologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Huadong Yan
- Infectious Disease DepartmentShulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical CollegeHangzhouChina
| | | | - Lanjuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and MicroecologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong LaboratoryJinanChina
| | - Charlie Xiang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and MicroecologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong LaboratoryJinanChina
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Yashaswini CN, Qin T, Bhattacharya D, Amor C, Lowe S, Lujambio A, Wang S, Friedman SL. Phenotypes and ontogeny of senescent hepatic stellate cells in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. J Hepatol 2024; 81:207-217. [PMID: 38508241 PMCID: PMC11269047 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the key drivers of fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), the fastest growing cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. HSCs are heterogenous, and a senescent subset of HSCs is implicated in hepatic fibrosis and HCC. Administration of anti-uPAR (urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor) CAR T cells has been shown to deplete senescent HSCs and attenuate fibrosis in murine models. However, the comprehensive features of senescent HSCs in MASH, as well as their cellular ontogeny have not been characterized; hence, we aimed to comprehensively characterize and define the origin of HSCs in human and murine MASH. METHODS To comprehensively characterize the phenotype and ontogeny of senescent HSCs in human and murine MASH, we integrated senescence-associated beta galactosidase activity with immunostaining, flow cytometry and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNAseq). We integrated the immunohistochemical profile with a senescence score applied to snRNAseq data to characterize senescent HSCs and mapped the evolution of uPAR expression in MASH. RESULTS Using pseudotime trajectory analysis, we establish that senescent HSCs arise from activated HSCs. While uPAR is expressed in MASH, the magnitude and cell-specificity of its expression evolve with disease stage. In early disease, uPAR is more specific to activated and senescent HSCs, while it is also expressed by myeloid-lineage cells, including Trem2+ macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, in late disease. Furthermore, we identify novel surface proteins expressed on senescent HSCs in human and murine MASH that could be exploited as therapeutic targets. CONCLUSIONS These data define features of HSC senescence in human and murine MASH, establishing an important blueprint to target these cells as part of future antifibrotic therapies. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary drivers of scarring in chronic liver diseases. As injury develops, a subset of HSCs become senescent; these cells are non-proliferative and pro-inflammatory, thereby contributing to worsening liver injury. Here we show that senescent HSCs are expanded in MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) in humans and mice, and we trace their cellular origin from the activated HSC subset. We further characterize expression of uPAR (urokinase plasminogen activated receptor), a protein that marks senescent HSCs, and report that uPAR is also expressed by activated HSCs in early injury, and in immune cells as liver injury advances. We have integrated high-resolution single-nucleus RNA sequencing with immunostaining and flow cytometry to identify five other novel proteins expressed by senescent HSCs, including mannose receptor CD206, which will facilitate future therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chittampalli N Yashaswini
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; The Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Medical Scientist Training Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tianyue Qin
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Dipankar Bhattacharya
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Corina Amor
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States
| | - Scott Lowe
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
| | - Amaia Lujambio
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shuang Wang
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
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Bouguéon M, Legagneux V, Hazard O, Bomo J, Siegel A, Feret J, Théret N. A rule-based multiscale model of hepatic stellate cell plasticity: Critical role of the inactivation loop in fibrosis progression. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1011858. [PMID: 39074160 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are the source of extracellular matrix (ECM) whose overproduction leads to fibrosis, a condition that impairs liver functions in chronic liver diseases. Understanding the dynamics of HSCs will provide insights needed to develop new therapeutic approaches. Few models of hepatic fibrosis have been proposed, and none of them include the heterogeneity of HSC phenotypes recently highlighted by single-cell RNA sequencing analyses. Here, we developed rule-based models to study HSC dynamics during fibrosis progression and reversion. We used the Kappa graph rewriting language, for which we used tokens and counters to overcome temporal explosion. HSCs are modeled as agents that present seven physiological cellular states and that interact with (TGFβ1) molecules which regulate HSC activation and the secretion of type I collagen, the main component of the ECM. Simulation studies revealed the critical role of the HSC inactivation process during fibrosis progression and reversion. While inactivation allows elimination of activated HSCs during reversion steps, reactivation loops of inactivated HSCs (iHSCs) are required to sustain fibrosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated the model's sensitivity to (TGFβ1) parameters, suggesting its adaptability to a variety of pathophysiological conditions for which levels of (TGFβ1) production associated with the inflammatory response differ. Using new experimental data from a mouse model of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, we validated the predicted ECM dynamics. Our model also predicts the accumulation of iHSCs during chronic liver disease. By analyzing RNA sequencing data from patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) associated with liver fibrosis, we confirmed this accumulation, identifying iHSCs as novel markers of fibrosis progression. Overall, our study provides the first model of HSC dynamics in chronic liver disease that can be used to explore the regulatory role of iHSCs in liver homeostasis. Moreover, our model can also be generalized to fibroblasts during repair and fibrosis in other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Bouguéon
- Univ Rennes, Inria, CNRS, IRISA, UMR 6074, Rennes, France
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset, UMR S1085, Rennes, France
| | | | - Octave Hazard
- École Polytechnique, Palaiseau, France
- DI-ENS (Inria, ÉNS, CNRS, PSL University), École normale supérieure, Paris, France
| | - Jérémy Bomo
- Univ Rennes, Inria, CNRS, IRISA, UMR 6074, Rennes, France
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset, UMR S1085, Rennes, France
| | - Anne Siegel
- Univ Rennes, Inria, CNRS, IRISA, UMR 6074, Rennes, France
| | - Jérôme Feret
- DI-ENS (Inria, ÉNS, CNRS, PSL University), École normale supérieure, Paris, France
- Team Antique, Inria, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Théret
- Univ Rennes, Inria, CNRS, IRISA, UMR 6074, Rennes, France
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset, UMR S1085, Rennes, France
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5
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Watakabe K, Miyoshi M, Kakinuma S, Sato A, Tsuchiya J, Shimizu T, Mochida T, Inada K, Kaneko S, Kawai-Kitahata F, Murakawa M, Nitta S, Nakagawa M, Oshima S, Watanabe M, Ma A, Asahina Y, Okamoto R. A20 in hepatic stellate cells suppresses chronic hepatitis by inhibiting DCLK1-JNK pathway-dependent chemokines. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23757. [PMID: 38965999 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400109r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are responsible for liver fibrosis accompanied by its activation into myofibroblasts and the abundant production of extracellular matrix. However, the HSC contribution to progression of liver inflammation has been less known. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism in HSCs underlying the inflammatory response and the function of tumor necrosis factor α-related protein A20 (TNFAIP3). We established A20 conditional knockout (KO) mice crossing Twist2-Cre and A20 floxed mice. Using these mice, the effect of A20 was analyzed in mouse liver and HSCs. The human HSC line LX-2 was also used to examine the role and underlying molecular mechanism of A20. In this KO model, A20 was deficient in >80% of HSCs. Spontaneous inflammation with mild fibrosis was found in the liver of the mouse model without any exogenous agents, suggesting that A20 in HSCs suppresses chronic hepatitis. Comprehensive RNA sequence analysis revealed that A20-deficient HSCs exhibited an inflammatory phenotype and abnormally expressed chemokines. A20 suppressed JNK pathway activation in HSCs. Loss of A20 function in LX-2 cells also induced excessive chemokine expression, mimicking A20-deficient HSCs. A20 overexpression suppressed chemokine expression in LX-2. In addition, we identified DCLK1 in the genes regulated by A20. DCLK1 activated the JNK pathway and upregulates chemokine expression. DCLK1 inhibition significantly decreased chemokine induction by A20-silencing, suggesting that A20 controlled chemokine expression in HSCs via the DCLK1-JNK pathway. In conclusion, A20 suppresses chemokine induction dependent on the DCLK1-JNK signaling pathway. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of A20 and the DCLK1-JNK pathway for the regulation of inflammation in chronic hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiya Watakabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masato Miyoshi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sei Kakinuma
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayako Sato
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Tsuchiya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taro Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Mochida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kento Inada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shun Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fukiko Kawai-Kitahata
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miyako Murakawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sayuri Nitta
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mina Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeru Oshima
- Institute of Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Averil Ma
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yasuhiro Asahina
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Liver Disease Control, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Okamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
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Gao B, Zhou P, Wang L, Wang Z, Yi Y, Li X, Zhou J, Fan J, Qiu S, Xu Y. Effects of the subtypes of apolipoprotein E on immune inhibition and prognosis in patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:341. [PMID: 38976030 PMCID: PMC11230970 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05856-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is affected by the abundance and subgroups of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) as well as subtypes and expression of apolipoprotein E (apoE). METHODS 31 HCC patients were divided into three groups according to blood total apoE level for detecting the abundance of immunoregulatory cells by flow cytometry. Tumour tissue microarrays from 360 HCC patients were evaluated about the abundance and subgroups of MDSCs and the expression of apoE2, apoE3, apoE4 by immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry staining. Survival analysis by means of univariate, multivariate COX regression and Kaplan-Meier methods of the 360 patients was performed based on clinical and pathological examinations along with 10 years' follow-up data. RESULTS The lower apoE group presented higher abundance of MDSCs in the peripheral blood of HCC patients than higher apoE group. The abundance of monocyte-like MDSCs (M-MDSCs) was higher in the apoE low level group than high level group (p = 0.0399). Lower H-score of apoE2 (HR = 6.140, p = 0.00005) and higher H-score of apoE4 (HR = 7.001, p = 0.009) in tumour tissue were significantly associated with shorter overall survival (OS). The higher infiltration of polymorphonuclear granulocyte-like MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs, HR = 3.762, p = 0.000009) and smaller proportion of M-MDSCs of total cells (HR = 0.454, p = 0.006) in tumour tissue were independent risk factors for shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS). CONCLUSION The abundance of MDSCs in HCC patients' plasma negatively correlates with the level of apoE. The expression of apoE4 in HCC tissue indicated a poor prognosis while apoE2 might be a potential protective factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Peiyun Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Cancer Centre, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Li Wang
- Institutes of Biomedical Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhutao Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yong Yi
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xian Li
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shuangjian Qiu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Yang Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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7
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Xiu AY, Ding Q, Zhu CP, Zhang CQ. The α-1 Adrenergic Receptor Antagonist Doxazosin Attenuates Liver Fibrosis by Alleviating Sinusoidal Capillarization and Liver Angiogenesis. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2300513. [PMID: 38494421 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, which are caused by chronic liver injury, represent common and intractable clinical challenges of global importance. However, effective therapeutics are lacking. Therefore, the study examines the effect of doxazosin on liver fibrosis. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is injected into mice to establish a liver fibrosis model. Doxazosin (5 and 10 mg/kg) is administered daily by gavage. HE staining, Masson staining, Sirius Red staining, scanning electron microscopy, western blotting, real-time PCR, and immunofluorescence analysis are performed to estimate liver fibrosis and sinusoidal capillarization in mice. Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, western blotting, immunofluorescence analysis, tube formation, and transwell migration assays are performed on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HHSECs) to elucidate the potential mechanism of doxazosin. Doxazosin alleviates liver fibrosis and sinusoidal capillarization in CCl4-induced mice. Angiogenesis is attenuated by doxazosin in HUVECs and HHSECs. This study demonstrates that doxazosin attenuated liver fibrosis by alleviating sinusoidal capillarization and liver angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Yuan Xiu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Qian Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Chang-Peng Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Chun-Qing Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
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8
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Liao J, Yuan Q, Luo L, Hu X, Li Z, Zhang Z. LncRNA Snhg12/IGFBP3 axis is involved in liver fibrosis by promoting the proliferation and activation of mouse hepatic stellate cells. J Cell Commun Signal 2024; 18:e12033. [PMID: 38946724 PMCID: PMC11208121 DOI: 10.1002/ccs3.12033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a persistent damage repair response triggered by various injury factors, which leads to an abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix within liver tissue samples. The current clinical treatment of liver fibrosis is currently ineffective; therefore, elucidating the mechanism of liver fibrogenesis is of significant importance. Herein, the function and related mechanisms of lncRNA Snhg12 within hepatic fibrosis were investigated. Snhg12 expression was shown to be increased in mouse hepatic fibrotic tissue samples, and Snhg12 knockdown suppressed hepatic pathological injury and down-regulated the expression levels of fibrosis-associated proteins. Mechanistically, Snhg12 played a role in the early activation of mouse hepatic stellate cells (mHSCs) based on bioinformatics analysis, and Snhg12 was positively correlated with Igfbp3 expression. Further experimental results demonstrated that Snhg12 knockdown impeded mHSCs proliferation and activation and also downregulated the protein expression of Igfbp3. Snhg12 could interact with IGFBP3 and boost its protein stability, and overexpression of Igfbp3 partially reversed the inhibition of mHSCsproliferation and activation by the knockdown of Snhg12. In conclusion, LncRNA Snhg12 mediates liver fibrosis by targeting IGFBP3 and promoting its protein stability, thereby promoting mHSC proliferation and activation. Snhg12 has been identified as an underlying target for treating liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingmao Liao
- Department of HepatologyHunan Provincial People's HospitalThe First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Qi Yuan
- Department of HepatologyHunan Provincial People's HospitalThe First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Lidan Luo
- Department of HepatologyHunan Provincial People's HospitalThe First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Xiaoxuan Hu
- Department of HepatologyHunan Provincial People's HospitalThe First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Zhengzheng Li
- Department of Vascular SurgeryHainan Provincial People's HospitalHainan Medical College Affiliated Hainan HospitalHaikouHainanChina
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of HepatologyHunan Provincial People's HospitalThe First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaHunanChina
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9
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Huyan Y, Chen X, Chang Y, Hua X, Fan X, Shan D, Xu Z, Tao M, Zhang H, Liu S, Song J. Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Myocardial Fibrosis Mechanism of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity. Int Heart J 2024; 65:487-497. [PMID: 38749755 DOI: 10.1536/ihj.23-302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Myocardial fibrosis is a pathological feature of doxorubicin-induced chronic cardiotoxicity that severely affects the prognosis of oncology patients. However, the specific cellular and molecular mediators driving doxorubicin-induced cardiac fibrosis, and the relative impact of different cell populations on cardiac fibrosis, remain unclear.This study aimed to explore the mechanism of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and myocardial fibrosis and to find potential therapeutic targets. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze the transcriptome of non-cardiomyocytes from normal and doxorubicin-induced chronic cardiotoxicity in mouse model heart tissue.We established a mouse model of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity with a well-defined fibrotic phenotype. Analysis of single-cell sequencing results showed that fibroblasts were the major origin of extracellular matrix in doxorubicin-induced myocardial fibrosis. Further resolution of fibroblast subclusters showed that resting fibroblasts were converted to matrifibrocytes and then to myofibroblasts to participate in the myocardial remodeling process in response to doxorubicin treatment. Ctsb expression was significantly upregulated in fibroblasts after doxorubicin-induced.This study provides a comprehensive map of the non-cardiomyocyte landscape at high resolution, reveals multiple cell populations contributing to pathological remodeling of the cardiac extracellular matrix, and identifies major cellular sources of myofibroblasts and dynamic gene-expression changes in fibroblast activation. Finally, we used this strategy to detect potential therapeutic targets and identified Ctsb as a specific target for fibroblasts in doxorubicin-induced myocardial fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yige Huyan
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
| | - Xiao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
| | - Yuan Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
| | - Xiumeng Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
| | - Xuexin Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
| | - Dan Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
| | - Zhenyu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
| | - Menghao Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
| | - Hang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
| | - Sheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
| | - Jiangping Song
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College
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10
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Rudman-Melnick V, Vanhoutte D, Stowers K, Sargent M, Adam M, Ma Q, Perl AKT, Miethke AG, Burg A, Shi T, Hildeman DA, Woodle ESS, Kofron JM, Devarajan P. Gucy1α1 specifically marks kidney, heart, lung and liver fibroblasts. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.15.594404. [PMID: 38798483 PMCID: PMC11118280 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.15.594404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a common outcome of numerous pathologies, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), a progressive renal function deterioration. Current approaches to target activated fibroblasts, key effector contributors to fibrotic tissue remodeling, lack specificity. Here, we report Gucy1α1 as a specific kidney fibroblast marker. Gucy1α1 levels significantly increased over the course of two clinically relevant murine CKD models and directly correlated with established fibrosis markers. Immunofluorescent (IF) imaging showed that Gucy1α1 comprehensively labelled cortical and medullary quiescent and activated fibroblasts in the control kidney and throughout injury progression, respectively. Unlike traditionally used markers platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (Pdgfrβ) and vimentin (Vim), Gucy1α1 did not overlap with off-target populations such as podocytes. Notably, Gucy1α1 labelled kidney fibroblasts in both male and female mice. Furthermore, we observed elevated GUCY1α1 expression in the human fibrotic kidney and lung. Studies in the murine models of cardiac and liver fibrosis revealed Gucy1α1 elevation in activated Pdgfrβ-, Vim- and alpha smooth muscle actin (αSma)-expressing fibroblasts paralleling injury progression and resolution. Overall, we demonstrate Gucy1α1 as an exclusive fibroblast marker in both sexes. Due to its multiorgan translational potential, GUCY1α1 might provide a novel promising strategy to specifically target and mechanistically examine fibroblasts.
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11
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Du K, Jun JH, Dutta RK, Diehl AM. Plasticity, heterogeneity, and multifunctionality of hepatic stellate cells in liver pathophysiology. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0411. [PMID: 38619452 PMCID: PMC11019831 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
HSCs, the resident pericytes of the liver, have consistently been at the forefront of liver research due to their crucial roles in various hepatic pathological processes. Prior literature often depicted HSCs in a binary framework, categorizing them as either quiescent or activated. However, recent advances in HSC research, particularly the advent of single-cell RNA-sequencing, have revolutionized our understanding of these cells. This sophisticated technique offers an unparalleled, high-resolution insight into HSC populations, uncovering a spectrum of diversity and functional heterogeneity across various physiological states of the liver, ranging from liver development to the liver aging process. The single-cell RNA-sequencing revelations have also highlighted the intrinsic plasticity of HSCs and underscored their complex roles in a myriad of pathophysiological processes, including liver injury, repair, and carcinogenesis. This review aims to integrate and clarify these recent discoveries, focusing on how the inherent plasticity of HSCs is central to their dynamic roles both in maintaining liver homeostasis and orchestrating responses to liver injury. Future research will clarify whether findings from rodent models can be translated to human livers and guide how these insights are harnessed to develop targeted therapeutic interventions.
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12
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Youssef KK, Nieto MA. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tissue repair and degeneration. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41580-024-00733-z. [PMID: 38684869 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00733-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) are the epitome of cell plasticity in embryonic development and cancer; during EMT, epithelial cells undergo dramatic phenotypic changes and become able to migrate to form different tissues or give rise to metastases, respectively. The importance of EMTs in other contexts, such as tissue repair and fibrosis in the adult, has become increasingly recognized and studied. In this Review, we discuss the function of EMT in the adult after tissue damage and compare features of embryonic and adult EMT. Whereas sustained EMT leads to adult tissue degeneration, fibrosis and organ failure, its transient activation, which confers phenotypic and functional plasticity on somatic cells, promotes tissue repair after damage. Understanding the mechanisms and temporal regulation of different EMTs provides insight into how some tissues heal and has the potential to open new therapeutic avenues to promote repair or regeneration of tissue damage that is currently irreversible. We also discuss therapeutic strategies that modulate EMT that hold clinical promise in ameliorating fibrosis, and how precise EMT activation could be harnessed to enhance tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Angela Nieto
- Instituto de Neurociencias (CSIC-UMH), Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain.
- CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Kong M, Zhou J, Kang A, Kuai Y, Xu H, Li M, Miao X, Guo Y, Fan Z, Xu Y, Li Z. Histone methyltransferase Suv39h1 regulates hepatic stellate cell activation and is targetable in liver fibrosis. Gut 2024; 73:810-824. [PMID: 38176898 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-329671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Liver fibrosis is a prelude to a host of end-stage liver diseases. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), switching from a quiescent state to myofibroblasts, are the major source for excessive production of extracellular matrix proteins. In the present study, we investigated the role of Suv39h1, a lysine methyltransferase, in HSC-myofibroblast transition and the implication in liver fibrosis. DESIGN HSC-specific or myofibroblast-specific Suv39h1 deletion was achieved by crossbreeding the Suv39h1 f/f mice to the Lrat-Cre mice or the Postn-CreERT2 mice. Liver fibrosis was induced by CCl4 injection or bile duct ligation. RESULTS We report that Suv39h1 expression was universally upregulated during HSC-myofibroblast transition in different cell and animal models of liver fibrosis and in human cirrhotic liver tissues. Consistently, Suv39h1 knockdown blocked HSC-myofibroblast transition in vitro. HSC-specific or myofibroblast-specific deletion of Suv39h1 ameliorated liver fibrosis in mice. More importantly, Suv39h1 inhibition by a small-molecule compound chaetocin dampened HSC-myofibroblast transition in cell culture and mitigated liver fibrosis in mice. Mechanistically, Suv39h1 bound to the promoter of heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) and repressed HMOX1 transcription. HMOX1 depletion blunted the effects of Suv39h1 inhibition on HSC-myofibroblast transition in vitro and liver fibrosis in vivo. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that HMOX1 might contribute to HSC-myofibroblast transition by modulating retinol homeostasis. Finally, myofibroblast-specific HMOX1 overexpression attenuated liver fibrosis in both a preventive scheme and a therapeutic scheme. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate a previously unrecognised role for Suv39h1 in liver fibrosis and offer proof-of-concept of its targetability in the intervention of cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjing Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of JiangnanUniversity, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Aoqi Kang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yameng Kuai
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Huihui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiulian Miao
- Institute of Biomedical Research and College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Guo
- Institute of Biomedical Research and College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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14
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Sun C, Zhou C, Daneshvar K, Ben Saad A, Kratkiewicz AJ, Toles BJ, Arghiani N, Hess A, Chen JY, Pondick JV, York SR, Li W, Moran SP, Gentile SD, Rahman RU, Li Z, Zhou P, Sparks RP, Habboub T, Kim BM, Choi MY, Affo S, Schwabe RF, Popov YV, Mullen AC. Conserved long noncoding RNA TILAM promotes liver fibrosis through interaction with PML in HSCs. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00834. [PMID: 38563629 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Fibrosis is the common end point for all forms of chronic liver injury, and the progression of fibrosis leads to the development of end-stage liver disease. Activation of HSCs and their transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts results in the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins that form the fibrotic scar. Long noncoding RNAs regulate the activity of HSCs and provide targets for fibrotic therapies. APPROACH AND RESULTS We identified long noncoding RNA TILAM located near COL1A1 , expressed in HSCs, and induced with liver fibrosis in humans and mice. Loss-of-function studies in human HSCs and human liver organoids revealed that TILAM regulates the expression of COL1A1 and other extracellular matrix genes. To determine the role of TILAM in vivo, we annotated the mouse ortholog ( Tilam ), generated Tilam- deficient green fluorescent protein-reporter mice, and challenged these mice in 2 different models of liver fibrosis. Single-cell data and analysis of single-data and analysis of Tilam-deficient reporter mice revealed that Tilam is induced in murine HSCs with the development of fibrosis in vivo. Tilam -deficient reporter mice revealed that Tilam is induced in murine HSCs with the development of fibrosis in vivo. Furthermore, loss of Tilam expression attenuated the development of fibrosis in the setting of in vivo liver injury. Finally, we found that TILAM interacts with promyelocytic leukemia nuclear body scaffold protein to regulate a feedback loop by which TGF-β2 reinforces TILAM expression and nuclear localization of promyelocytic leukemia nuclear body scaffold protein to promote the fibrotic activity of HSCs. CONCLUSIONS TILAM is activated in HSCs with liver injury and interacts with promyelocytic leukemia nuclear body scaffold protein to drive the development of fibrosis. Depletion of TILAM may serve as a therapeutic approach to combat the development of end-stage liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Sun
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chan Zhou
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts USA
| | - Kaveh Daneshvar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amel Ben Saad
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Arcadia J Kratkiewicz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Benjamin J Toles
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nahid Arghiani
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anja Hess
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer Y Chen
- Department of Medicine, Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Joshua V Pondick
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Samuel R York
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wenyang Li
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sean P Moran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stefan D Gentile
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Raza Ur Rahman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zixiu Li
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts USA
| | - Peng Zhou
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts USA
| | - Robert P Sparks
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tim Habboub
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Byeong-Moo Kim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Y Choi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Silvia Affo
- Department of Liver, Digestive System, and Metabolism, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Robert F Schwabe
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yury V Popov
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alan C Mullen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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15
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O'Reilly S. Emerging therapeutic targets in systemic sclerosis. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:465-478. [PMID: 38386070 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02424-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disease which is characterised by vascular perturbations, inflammation, and fibrosis. Although huge progress recently into the underlying molecular pathways that are perturbed in the disease, currently no therapy exists that targets the fibrosis element of the disease and consequently there is a huge unmet medical need. Emerging studies reveal new dimensions of complexity, and multiple aberrant pathways have been uncovered that have shed light on disturbed signalling in the disease, primarily in inflammatory pathways that can be targeted with repurposed drugs. Pre-clinical animal models using these inhibitors have yielded proof of concept for targeting these signalling systems and progressing to clinical trials. This review will examine the recent evidence of new perturbed pathways in SSc and how these can be targeted with new or repurposed drugs to target a currently intractable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven O'Reilly
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, UK.
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16
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Zhu J, Yang W, Ma J, He H, Liu Z, Zhu X, He X, He J, Chen Z, Jin X, Wang X, He K, Wei W, Hu J. Pericyte signaling via soluble guanylate cyclase shapes the vascular niche and microenvironment of tumors. EMBO J 2024; 43:1519-1544. [PMID: 38528180 PMCID: PMC11021551 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00078-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Pericytes and endothelial cells (ECs) constitute the fundamental components of blood vessels. While the role of ECs in tumor angiogenesis and the tumor microenvironment is well appreciated, pericyte function in tumors remains underexplored. In this study, we used pericyte-specific deletion of the nitric oxide (NO) receptor, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), to investigate via single-cell RNA sequencing how pericytes influence the vascular niche and the tumor microenvironment. Our findings demonstrate that pericyte sGC deletion disrupts EC-pericyte interactions, impairing Notch-mediated intercellular communication and triggering extensive transcriptomic reprogramming in both pericytes and ECs. These changes further extended their influence to neighboring cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) through paracrine signaling, collectively suppressing tumor growth. Inhibition of pericyte sGC has minimal impact on quiescent vessels but significantly increases the vulnerability of angiogenic tumor vessels to conventional anti-angiogenic therapy. In conclusion, our findings elucidate the role of pericytes in shaping the tumor vascular niche and tumor microenvironment and support pericyte sGC targeting as a promising strategy for improving anti-angiogenic therapy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wu Yang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Jianyun Ma
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao He
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolan Zhu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xueyang He
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing He
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhan Chen
- Pathology Department, Cixi People's Hospital, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoliang Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Kaiwen He
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Aging Studies, Shanghai, China
| | - Wu Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, China.
| | - Junhao Hu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Aging Studies, Shanghai, China.
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17
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Hubel E, Neuman A, Fishman S, Schaffer O, Erez N, Shrkihe BA, Shteingard Y, Gross T, Shibolet O, Varol C, Zvibel I. Sortilin in biliary epithelial cells promotes ductular reaction and fibrosis during cholestatic injury. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024:S0002-9440(24)00087-7. [PMID: 38493927 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2024.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Cholestatic injuries are accompanied by a ductular reaction, initiated by proliferation and activation of biliary epithelial cells (BEC), leading to fibrosis. Sortilin (Sort1) facilitates IL-6 secretion and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) signaling. This study investigated the interplay between sortilin, IL-6 and LIF in cholestatic injury-induced ductular reaction, morphogenesis of new ducts and fibrosis. Cholestatic injury was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in WT and Sort1-/- mice, with or without augmentation of IL-6 or LIF. Mice with BEC sortilin deletion (HgfapcreSort1fl/fl) and controls were subjected to BDL and 3,5-Diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-Dihydrocollidine diet (DDC)-induced cholestatic injury. Sort1-/- mice displayed reduced BEC proliferation and expression of BEC reactive markers. Administration of LIF or IL-6 restored BEC proliferation in Sort1-/- mice, without affecting BEC reactive or inflammatory markers. Sort1-/- mice also displayed impaired morphogenesis, which was corrected by LIF treatment. Similarly, HgfapcreSort1fl/f mice exhibited reduced BEC proliferation, but similar expression of reactive and inflammatory markers. Serum IL-6 and LIF levels were comparable, yet liver pSTAT3 was reduced, indicating that sortilin is essential for co-activation of LIFR/gp130 signaling in BEC, but not for IL-6 secretion. Notably, HgfapcreSortfl/fl mice displayed impaired morphogenesis and diminished fibrosis following BDL and DDC. In conclusion, sortilin-governed engagement of LIF signaling in BEC promotes ductular reaction and morphogenesis during cholestatic injury. Moreover, BEC sortilin is pivotal for the development of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Einav Hubel
- The Research Center for Digestive Tract and Liver Diseases, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Anat Neuman
- The Research Center for Digestive Tract and Liver Diseases, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Sigal Fishman
- The Research Center for Digestive Tract and Liver Diseases, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ortal Schaffer
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Assaf Harofe Hospital, Tzrifin, Israel
| | - Noam Erez
- The Research Center for Digestive Tract and Liver Diseases, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Bander Abu Shrkihe
- The Research Center for Digestive Tract and Liver Diseases, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Tamar Gross
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Oren Shibolet
- The Research Center for Digestive Tract and Liver Diseases, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Chen Varol
- The Research Center for Digestive Tract and Liver Diseases, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University.
| | - Isabel Zvibel
- The Research Center for Digestive Tract and Liver Diseases, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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18
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Qi B, Li Y, Peng Z, Luo Z, Zhang X, Chen J, Li G, Sun Y. Macrophage-Myofibroblast Transition as a Potential Origin for Skeletal Muscle Fibrosis After Injury via Complement System Activation. J Inflamm Res 2024; 17:1083-1094. [PMID: 38384372 PMCID: PMC10880461 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s450599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Acute skeletal muscle injury is common in sports. The injured muscle cannot fully recover due to fibrosis resulting from myofibroblasts. Understanding the origin of fibroblasts is, therefore, important for the development of anti-fibrotic therapies. Accumulating evidence shows that a mechanism called macrophage-myofibroblast transition (MMT) can lead to tissue or organ fibrosis, yet it is still unclear whether MMT exists in skeletal muscle and the exact mechanisms. Methods Single-cell transcriptome of mice skeletal muscle after acute injury was analyzed with a specific attention on the process of MMT. Cell-cell interaction network, pseudotime trajectory analysis, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Genome Encyclopedia (KEGG) were conducted. A series of experiments in vivo and in vitro were launched for verification. Results Single cell transcriptomic analysis indicated that, following acute injury, there were much interactions between macrophages and myofibroblasts. A detailed analysis on macrophages indicated that, CD68+α-SMA+ cells, which represented the status of MMT, mainly appeared at five days post-injury. KEGG/GO analysis underlined the involvement of complement system, within which C3ar1, C1qa, C1qb, and C1qc were up-regulated. Trajectory analysis also confirmed a potential shift from macrophages to myofibroblasts. These findings were verified by histological study in mice skeletal muscle, that there were much MMT cells at five days, declined gradually, and vanished 14 days after trauma, when there was remarkable fibrosis formation within the injured muscle. Moreover, C3a stimulation could directly induce MMT in BMDMs. Conclusion Fibrosis following acute injury is disastrous to skeletal muscle, but the origin of myofibroblasts remains unclear. We proved that, following acute injury, macrophage-myofibroblast transition happened in skeletal muscle, which may contribute to fibrosis formation. This phenomenon mainly occurred at five days post-injury. The complement system can activate MMT. More evidence is needed to directly support the pro-fibrotic role of MMT in skeletal muscle fibrosis after acute injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beijie Qi
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuqi Li
- Department of Sports Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhen Peng
- Department of Sports Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiwen Luo
- Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xingyu Zhang
- Department of Sports Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiwu Chen
- Department of Sports Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guoqi Li
- Department of Sports Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yaying Sun
- Department of Sports Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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19
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Shinn J, Park S, Lee S, Park N, Kim S, Hwang S, Moon JJ, Kwon Y, Lee Y. Antioxidative Hyaluronic Acid-Bilirubin Nanomedicine Targeting Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells for Anti-Hepatic-Fibrosis Therapy. ACS NANO 2024; 18:4704-4716. [PMID: 38288705 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a life-threatening and irreversible disease. The fibrosis process is largely driven by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which undergo transdifferentiation from an inactivated state to an activated one during persistent liver damage. This activated state is responsible for collagen deposition in liver tissue and is accompanied by increased CD44 expression on the surfaces of HSCs and amplified intracellular oxidative stress, which contributes to the fibrosis process. To address this problem, we have developed a strategy that combines CD44-targeting of activated HSCs with an antioxidative approach. We developed hyaluronic acid-bilirubin nanoparticles (HABNs), composed of endogenous bilirubin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bile acid, and hyaluronic acid, an endogenous CD44-targeting glycosaminoglycan biopolymer. Our findings demonstrate that intravenously administered HABNs effectively targeted the liver, particularly activated HSCs, in fibrotic mice with choline-deficient l-amino acid-defined high-fat diet (CD-HFD)-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). HABNs were able to inhibit HSC activation and proliferation and collagen production. Furthermore, in a murine CD-HFD-induced NASH fibrosis model, intravenously administered HABNs showed potent fibrotic modulation activity. Our study suggests that HABNs have the potential to serve as a targeted anti-hepatic-fibrosis therapy by modulating activated HSCs via CD44-targeting and antioxidant strategies. This strategy could also be applied to various ROS-related diseases in which CD44-overexpressing cells play a pivotal role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongyoon Shinn
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea
| | - Seojeong Park
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea
| | - Seonju Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea
| | - Nayoon Park
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea
| | - Seojeong Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea
| | - Seohui Hwang
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea
| | - James J Moon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Youngjoo Kwon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea
| | - Yonghyun Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea
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20
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Ye F, Wang J, Li J, Mei Y, Guo G. Mapping Cell Atlases at the Single-Cell Level. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305449. [PMID: 38145338 PMCID: PMC10885669 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Recent advancements in single-cell technologies have led to rapid developments in the construction of cell atlases. These atlases have the potential to provide detailed information about every cell type in different organisms, enabling the characterization of cellular diversity at the single-cell level. Global efforts in developing comprehensive cell atlases have profound implications for both basic research and clinical applications. This review provides a broad overview of the cellular diversity and dynamics across various biological systems. In addition, the incorporation of machine learning techniques into cell atlas analyses opens up exciting prospects for the field of integrative biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Ye
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310000China
- Liangzhu LaboratoryZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang311121China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310000China
- Liangzhu LaboratoryZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang311121China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310000China
| | - Yuqing Mei
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310000China
| | - Guoji Guo
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310000China
- Liangzhu LaboratoryZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang311121China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative MedicineDr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310058China
- Institute of HematologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310000China
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21
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Chen J, Zhang R, Li F, Lin S, Wang J. Integrated analysis and validation of TRIM23/p53 signaling pathway in hepatic stellate cells ferroptosis and liver fibrosis. Dig Liver Dis 2024; 56:281-290. [PMID: 37495427 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2023.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tripartite motif containing proteins 23(TRIM23) is identified as an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in signal transduction, but its role in liver fibrosis remains unknown. AIMS To investigate the effects and mechanisms of TRIM23 on hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) ferroptosis and liver fibrosis. METHODS We utilized the Gene Expression Omibus database to identify differentially expressed genes and downstream pathways. TRIM23 expression was examined in fibrotic liver tissues. The effects of TRIM23 on HSCs ferroptosis were validated through assessing cell viability, lipid peroxidation, and ferroptotic markers using HSC-T6 cell lines and primary rat HSCs. Co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to analyze the interactions between TRIM23 and p53. A CCl4-induced liver fibrosis rat model was employed to confirm the in vivo effects. RESULTS TRIM23 expression was positively correlated with the severity of liver fibrosis. Upregulated TRIM23 expression promoted HSCs viability and activation by attenuating ferroptosis. Furthermore, the upregulation of TRIM23 expression significantly enhanced p53 ubiquitination. In contrast, TRIM23 knockdown induced HSCs ferroptosis by regulating p53, leading to the suppression of cell viability and activation. Silencing TRIM23 led to the regression of liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 treatment in vivo. CONCLUSION Our study uncovers a novel mechanism in which TRIM23 inhibits HSCs ferroptosis, promotes cell activation and contributes to liver fibrosis by regulating p53 ubiquitination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Liver Disease, Shanghai, PR China; Evidence-Based Medicine Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Liver Disease, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Liver Disease, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Shengli Lin
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China.
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Liver Disease, Shanghai, PR China.
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22
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Wan S, Liu X, Sun R, Liu H, Jiang J, Wu B. Activated hepatic stellate cell-derived Bmp-1 induces liver fibrosis via mediating hepatocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:41. [PMID: 38216590 PMCID: PMC10786946 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06437-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a reparative response to injury that arises from various etiologies, characterized by activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Periostin, a secreted matricellular protein, has been reported to participate in tissue development and regeneration. However, its involvement in liver fibrosis remains unknown. This study investigated the roles and mechanisms of Periostin in phenotypic transition of HSCs and relevant abnormal cellular crosstalk during liver fibrosis. The fate of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) during liver fibrogenesis was investigated using single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing profiles, which revealed a significant proliferation of activated HSCs (aHSCs) in fibrotic livers of both humans and mice. αSMA-TK mice were used to demonstrate that depletion of proliferative aHSCs attenuates liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride and 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine. Through integrating data from single-cell and bulk sequencing, Periostin was identified as a distinctive hallmark of proliferative aHSC subpopulation. Elevated levels of Periostin were detected in fibrotic livers of both humans and mice, primarily within aHSCs. However, hepatic Periostin levels were decreased along with depletion of proliferative aHSCs. Deficiency of Periostin led to reduced liver fibrosis and suppressed hepatocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Periostin-overexpressing HSCs, exhibiting a proliferative aHSC phenotype, release bone morphogenetic protein-1 (Bmp-1), which activates EGFR signaling, inducing hepatocyte EMT and contributing to liver fibrosis. In conclusion, Periostin in aHSCs drives their acquisition of a proliferative phenotype and the release of Bmp-1. Proliferative aHSC subpopulation-derived Bmp-1 induces hepatocyte EMT via EGFR signaling, promoting liver fibrogenesis. Bmp-1 and Periostin should be potential therapeutic targets for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sizhe Wan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianzhi Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruonan Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiling Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China.
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23
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Ceci L, Gaudio E, Kennedy L. Cellular Interactions and Crosstalk Facilitating Biliary Fibrosis in Cholestasis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 17:553-565. [PMID: 38216052 PMCID: PMC10883986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Biliary fibrosis is seen in cholangiopathies, including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). In PBC and PSC, biliary fibrosis is associated with worse outcomes and histologic scores. Within the liver, both hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and portal fibroblasts (PFs) contribute to biliary fibrosis, but their roles can differ. PFs reside near the bile ducts and may be the first responders to biliary damage, whereas HSCs may be recruited later and initiate bridging fibrosis. Indeed, different models of biliary fibrosis can activate PFs and HSCs to varying degrees. The portal niche can be composed of cholangiocytes, HSCs, PFs, endothelial cells, and various immune cells, and interactions between these cell types drive biliary fibrosis. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of biliary fibrosis and the roles of PFs and HSCs in this process. We will also evaluate cellular interactions and mechanisms that contribute to biliary fibrosis in different models and highlight future perspectives and potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Ceci
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.
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24
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Bogomolova A, Balakrishnan A, Ott M, Sharma AD. "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" - About Diverse Phenotypes of Hepatic Stellate Cells in the Liver. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 17:607-622. [PMID: 38216053 PMCID: PMC10900761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and their activated derivatives, often referred to as myofibroblasts (MFs), play a key role in progression of chronic liver injuries leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Until recently, MFs were considered a homogenous cell type majorly due to lack of techniques that allow complex molecular studies at a single-cell resolution. Recent technical advancements in genetic lineage-tracing models as well as the exponential growth of studies with single-cell transcriptome and proteome analyses have uncovered hidden heterogeneities among the HSC and MF populations in healthy states as well as chronic liver injuries at the various stages of tissue deformation. The identification of different phenotypes along the HSC/MF axis, which either maintain essential liver functions ("good" HSCs), emerge during fibrosis ("bad" HSCs), or even promote hepatocellular carcinoma ("ugly" HSCs), may lay the foundation for targeting a particular MF phenotype as potential treatment for chronic liver injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Bogomolova
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Research Group RNA Therapeutics & Liver Regeneration, REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Asha Balakrishnan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Ott
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Amar Deep Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Research Group RNA Therapeutics & Liver Regeneration, REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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25
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Magnani E, Nair AR, McBain I, Delaney P, Chu J, Sadler KC. Methods to Study Liver Disease Using Zebrafish Larvae. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2707:43-69. [PMID: 37668904 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3401-1_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Liver disease affects millions of people worldwide, and the high morbidity and mortality is attributed in part to the paucity of treatment options. In many cases, liver injury self-resolves due to the remarkable regenerative capacity of the liver, but in cases when regeneration cannot compensate for the injury, inflammation and fibrosis occur, creating a setting for the emergence of liver cancer. Whole animal models are crucial for deciphering the basic biological underpinnings of liver biology and pathology and, importantly, for developing and testing new treatments for liver disease before it progresses to a terminal state. The cellular components and functions of the zebrafish liver are highly similar to mammals, and zebrafish develop many diseases that are observed in humans, including toxicant-induced liver injury, fatty liver, fibrosis, and cancer. Therefore, the widespread use of zebrafish larvae for studying the mechanisms of these pathologies and for developing potential treatments necessitates the optimization of experimental approaches to assess liver disease in this model. Here, we describe protocols using staining methods, imaging, and gene expression analysis to assess liver injury, fibrosis, and preneoplastic changes in the liver of larval zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Magnani
- Program in Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anjana Ramdas Nair
- Program in Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ian McBain
- Program in Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Patrice Delaney
- Program in Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jaime Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kirsten C Sadler
- Program in Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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Chen Y, Yang S, Yu K, Zhang J, Wu M, Zheng Y, Zhu Y, Dai J, Wang C, Zhu X, Dai Y, Sun Y, Wu T, Wang S. Spatial omics: An innovative frontier in aging research. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 93:102158. [PMID: 38056503 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Disentangling the impact of aging on health and disease has become critical as population aging progresses rapidly. Studying aging at the molecular level is complicated by the diverse aging profiles and dynamics. However, the examination of cellular states within aging tissues in situ is hampered by the lack of high-resolution spatial data. Emerging spatial omics technologies facilitate molecular and spatial analysis of tissues, providing direct access to precise information on various functional regions and serving as a favorable tool for unraveling the heterogeneity of aging. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in spatial omics application in multi-organ aging research, which has enhanced the understanding of aging mechanisms from multiple standpoints. We also discuss the main challenges in spatial omics research to date, the opportunities for further developing the technology, and the potential applications of spatial omics in aging and aging-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, China; Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuhao Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, China; Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaixu Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinjin Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, China; Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, China; Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongqiang Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Centre, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yun Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 801 N. Rutledge, P.O. Box 19628, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - Jun Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, China; Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- College of Science & Engineering Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoran Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, China; Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Wuhan, China
| | - Yun Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, China; Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunhong Sun
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, China; Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Wuhan, China.
| | - Shixuan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, China; Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Wuhan, China.
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27
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Zhu Y, Kang A, Kuai Y, Guo Y, Miao X, Zhu L, Kong M, Li N. The chromatin remodeling protein BRG1 regulates HSC-myofibroblast differentiation and liver fibrosis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:826. [PMID: 38092723 PMCID: PMC10719330 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06351-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Excessive fibrogenic response in the liver disrupts normal hepatic anatomy and function heralding such end-stage liver diseases as hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. Myofibroblasts, derived primarily from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), are the effector of liver fibrosis. In the present study we investigated the mechanism by which Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1, encoded by Smarca4) regulates HSC-myofibroblast transition and the implication in intervention against liver fibrosis. We report that BRG1 expression was elevated during HSC maturation in cell culture, in animal models, and in human cirrhotic liver biopsy specimens. HSC-specific deletion of BRG1 attenuated liver fibrosis in several different animal models. In addition, BRG1 ablation in myofibroblasts ameliorated liver fibrosis. RNA-seq identified IGFBP5 as a novel target for BRG1. Over-expression of IGFBP5 partially rescued the deficiency in myofibroblast activation when BRG1 was depleted. On the contrary, IGFBP5 knockdown suppressed HSC-myofibroblast transition in vitro and mollified liver fibrosis in mice. Mechanistically, IGFBP5 interacted with Bat3 to stabilize the Bat3-TβR complex and sustain TGF-β signaling. In conclusion, our data provide compelling evidence that BRG1 is a pivotal regulator of liver fibrosis by programming HSC-myofibroblast transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Departments of Pathophysiology and Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Aoqi Kang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Departments of Pathophysiology and Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yameng Kuai
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Departments of Pathophysiology and Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Guo
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Xiulian Miao
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.
| | - Ming Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Nan Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Departments of Pathophysiology and Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Cuesta ÁM, Palao N, Bragado P, Gutierrez-Uzquiza A, Herrera B, Sánchez A, Porras A. New and Old Key Players in Liver Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17152. [PMID: 38138981 PMCID: PMC10742790 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer represents a major health problem worldwide with growing incidence and high mortality, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most frequent. Hepatocytes are likely the cellular origin of most HCCs through the accumulation of genetic alterations, although hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) might also be candidates in specific cases, as discussed here. HCC usually develops in a context of chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, although the role of fibrosis is controversial. The interplay between hepatocytes, immune cells and hepatic stellate cells is a key issue. This review summarizes critical aspects of the liver tumor microenvironment paying special attention to platelets as new key players, which exert both pro- and anti-tumor effects, determined by specific contexts and a tight regulation of platelet signaling. Additionally, the relevance of specific signaling pathways, mainly HGF/MET, EGFR and TGF-β is discussed. HGF and TGF-β are produced by different liver cells and platelets and regulate not only tumor cell fate but also HPCs, inflammation and fibrosis, these being key players in these processes. The role of C3G/RAPGEF1, required for the proper function of HGF/MET signaling in HCC and HPCs, is highlighted, due to its ability to promote HCC growth and, regulate HPC fate and platelet-mediated actions on liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel M. Cuesta
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Palao
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Bragado
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Gutierrez-Uzquiza
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Blanca Herrera
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD-ISCIII), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Sánchez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD-ISCIII), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Porras
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Casari M, Siegl D, Deppermann C, Schuppan D. Macrophages and platelets in liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1277808. [PMID: 38116017 PMCID: PMC10728659 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1277808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
During fibrosis, (myo)fibroblasts deposit large amounts of extracellular matrix proteins, thereby replacing healthy functional tissue. In liver fibrosis, this leads to the loss of hepatocyte function, portal hypertension, variceal bleeding, and increased susceptibility to infection. At an early stage, liver fibrosis is a dynamic and reversible process, however, from the cirrhotic stage, there is significant progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. Both liver-resident macrophages (Kupffer cells) and monocyte-derived macrophages are important drivers of fibrosis progression, but can also induce its regression once triggers of chronic inflammation are eliminated. In liver cancer, they are attracted to the tumor site to become tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) polarized towards a M2- anti-inflammatory/tumor-promoting phenotype. Besides their role in thrombosis and hemostasis, platelets can also stimulate fibrosis and tumor development by secreting profibrogenic factors and regulating the innate immune response, e.g., by interacting with monocytes and macrophages. Here, we review recent literature on the role of macrophages and platelets and their interplay in liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Casari
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Dominik Siegl
- Institute for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Carsten Deppermann
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- Research Center for Immune Therapy Forschungszentrum für Immuntherapie (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Detlef Schuppan
- Institute for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- Research Center for Immune Therapy Forschungszentrum für Immuntherapie (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Manna D, Chidambaranathan Reghupaty S, Camarena MDC, Mendoza RG, Subler MA, Koblinski JE, Martin R, Dozmorov MG, Mukhopadhyay ND, Liu J, Qu X, Das SK, Lai Z, Windle JJ, Fisher PB, Sarkar D. Melanoma differentiation associated gene-9/syndecan binding protein promotes hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2023; 78:1727-1741. [PMID: 36120720 PMCID: PMC11261751 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debashri Manna
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Maria Del Carmen Camarena
- C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Rachel G. Mendoza
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Mark A. Subler
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Koblinski
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Rebecca Martin
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Mikhail G. Dozmorov
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Nitai D. Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Jinze Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Xufeng Qu
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Swadesh K. Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Virginia Commonwealth University Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Zhao Lai
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jolene J. Windle
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Virginia Commonwealth University Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Paul B. Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Virginia Commonwealth University Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Virginia Commonwealth University Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Zhang M, Jing Y, Xu W, Shi X, Zhang W, Chen P, Cao X, Han X, Duan X, Ren J. The C-type lectin COLEC10 is predominantly produced by hepatic stellate cells and involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:785. [PMID: 38036508 PMCID: PMC10689734 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06324-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cell is one of the major nonparenchymal cell types in liver. It has been proved the hepatic stellate cells are activated upon liver injury and produce excessive extracellular matrix to induce liver fibrosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing has been introduced to identify the subpopulations and function of hepatic stellate cells for its remarkable resolution of representation of single-cell transcriptome. According to the re-analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data and pseudotime trajectory inference, we have found the C-type lectins including Colec10 and Colec11 are not produced by hepatocytes but predominantly produced by hepatic stellate cells, especially quiescent ones in the mice livers. In addition, the expression of Colec10 is decreased in the fibrotic livers of CCl4-challenged mice. COLEC10 is also mainly expressed in the hepatic stellate cells of human livers and the expression of COLEC10 is decreased with the progression of liver fibrosis. The bulk RNA sequencing data of the lentivirus transfected LX-2 cells indicates the function of COLEC10 is associated with inflammation, angiogenesis and extracellular matrix alteration. Surprisingly, the in vitro overexpression of COLEC10 in LX-2 cells promotes the mRNA expression of extracellular matrix components including COL1A1, COL1A2 and COL3A1 and the extracellular matrix degradation enzyme MMP2. To further investigate the role of COLEC10 in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, the serum concentration of COLEC10 in patients with chronic liver disease and healthy donors is measured. The serum concentration of COLEC10 is elevated in the patients with chronic liver disease compared to the healthy donors and positively correlated with serum concentration of the D-dimer but not the most of liver function markers. Altogether, we conclude that the C-type lectin COLEC10 is predominantly produced by the hepatic stellate cells and involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengfan Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Yang Jing
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Wenze Xu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xiaojing Shi
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Wenguang Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Pengfei Chen
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xiaocang Cao
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xinwei Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
| | - Xuhua Duan
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
| | - Jianzhuang Ren
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
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Li X, Yu M, Zhao Q, Yu Y. Prospective therapeutics for intestinal and hepatic fibrosis. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10579. [PMID: 38023697 PMCID: PMC10658571 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, there are no effective therapies for intestinal and hepatic fibrosis representing a considerable unmet need. Breakthroughs in pathogenesis have accelerated the development of anti-fibrotic therapeutics in recent years. Particularly, with the development of nanotechnology, the harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract and inaccessible microenvironment of fibrotic lesions seem to be no longer considered a great barrier to the use of anti-fibrotic drugs. In this review, we comprehensively summarize recent preclinical and clinical studies on intestinal and hepatic fibrosis. It is found that the targets for preclinical studies on intestinal fibrosis is varied, which could be divided into molecular, cellular, and tissues level, although little clinical trials are ongoing. Liver fibrosis clinical trials have focused on improving metabolic disorders, preventing the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells, promoting the degradation of collagen, and reducing inflammation and cell death. At the preclinical stage, the therapeutic strategies have focused on drug targets and delivery systems. At last, promising remedies to the current challenges are based on multi-modal synergistic and targeted delivery therapies through mesenchymal stem cells, nanotechnology, and gut-liver axis providing useful insights into anti-fibrotic strategies for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Drug Evaluation and Clinical Research, The First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Mengli Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fourth Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineYiwuChina
| | - Qingwei Zhao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Drug Evaluation and Clinical Research, The First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Yang Yu
- College of Pharmaceutical SciencesSouthwest UniversityChongqingChina
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Tsuchiya Y, Seki T, Kobayashi K, Komazawa-Sakon S, Shichino S, Nishina T, Fukuhara K, Ikejima K, Nagai H, Igarashi Y, Ueha S, Oikawa A, Tsurusaki S, Yamazaki S, Nishiyama C, Mikami T, Yagita H, Okumura K, Kido T, Miyajima A, Matsushima K, Imasaka M, Araki K, Imamura T, Ohmuraya M, Tanaka M, Nakano H. Fibroblast growth factor 18 stimulates the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells, thereby inducing liver fibrosis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6304. [PMID: 37813881 PMCID: PMC10562492 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42058-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis results from chronic liver injury triggered by factors such as viral infection, excess alcohol intake, and lipid accumulation. However, the mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that the expression of fibroblast growth factor 18 (Fgf18) is elevated in mouse livers following the induction of chronic liver fibrosis models. Deletion of Fgf18 in hepatocytes attenuates liver fibrosis; conversely, overexpression of Fgf18 promotes liver fibrosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals that overexpression of Fgf18 in hepatocytes results in an increase in the number of Lrat+ hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), thereby inducing fibrosis. Mechanistically, FGF18 stimulates the proliferation of HSCs by inducing the expression of Ccnd1. Moreover, the expression of FGF18 is correlated with the expression of profibrotic genes, such as COL1A1 and ACTA2, in human liver biopsy samples. Thus, FGF18 promotes liver fibrosis and could serve as a therapeutic target to treat liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Tsuchiya
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, 5-21-16 Omori-Nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8540, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi-shi, Chiba, 274-8510, Japan
| | - Takao Seki
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, 5-21-16 Omori-Nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8540, Japan
| | - Kenta Kobayashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, 5-21-16 Omori-Nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8540, Japan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, 125-8585, Japan
| | - Sachiko Komazawa-Sakon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, 5-21-16 Omori-Nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8540, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Shichino
- Division of Molecular Regulation of Inflammatory and Immune Diseases, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2669 Yamazaki, Noda-shi, Chiba, 278-0022, Japan
| | - Takashi Nishina
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, 5-21-16 Omori-Nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8540, Japan
| | - Kyoko Fukuhara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Kenichi Ikejima
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Hidenari Nagai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Toho University Omori Medical Center, 6-11-1 Omori-Nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8541, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Igarashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Toho University Omori Medical Center, 6-11-1 Omori-Nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8541, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ueha
- Division of Molecular Regulation of Inflammatory and Immune Diseases, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2669 Yamazaki, Noda-shi, Chiba, 278-0022, Japan
| | - Akira Oikawa
- Laboratory of Quality Analysis and Assessment, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Gokasyo, Uji-shi, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Shinya Tsurusaki
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Soh Yamazaki
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, 5-21-16 Omori-Nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8540, Japan
| | - Chiharu Nishiyama
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, 125-8585, Japan
| | - Tetuo Mikami
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, 5-21-16 Omori-Nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8540, Japan
| | - Hideo Yagita
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Ko Okumura
- Atopy Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Taketomo Kido
- Laboratory of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan
| | - Atsushi Miyajima
- Laboratory of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan
| | - Kouji Matsushima
- Division of Molecular Regulation of Inflammatory and Immune Diseases, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2669 Yamazaki, Noda-shi, Chiba, 278-0022, Japan
| | - Mai Imasaka
- Department of Genetics, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan
| | - Kimi Araki
- Center for Animal Resources and Development, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
- Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Toru Imamura
- Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, 305-8560, Japan
| | - Masaki Ohmuraya
- Department of Genetics, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan
| | - Minoru Tanaka
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Nakano
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, 5-21-16 Omori-Nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 143-8540, Japan.
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Wang S, Friedman SL. Found in translation-Fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadi0759. [PMID: 37792957 PMCID: PMC10671253 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi0759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a severe form of liver disease that poses a global health threat because of its potential to progress to advanced fibrosis, leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Recent advances in single-cell methodologies, refined disease models, and genetic and epigenetic insights have provided a nuanced understanding of MASH fibrogenesis, with substantial cellular heterogeneity in MASH livers providing potentially targetable cell-cell interactions and behavior. Unlike fibrogenesis, mechanisms underlying fibrosis regression in MASH are still inadequately understood, although antifibrotic targets have been recently identified. A refined antifibrotic treatment framework could lead to noninvasive assessment and targeted therapies that preserve hepatocellular function and restore the liver's architectural integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wang
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Scott L. Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
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Djouina M, Waxin C, Dubuquoy L, Launay D, Vignal C, Body-Malapel M. Oral exposure to polyethylene microplastics induces inflammatory and metabolic changes and promotes fibrosis in mouse liver. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 264:115417. [PMID: 37651791 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence shows widespread contamination of water sources and food with microplastics. Although the liver is one of the main sites of bioaccumulation within the human body, it is still unclear whether microplastics produce damaging effects. In particular, the hepatic consequences of ingesting polyethylene (PE) microplastics in mammals are unknown. In this study, female mice were fed with food contaminated with 36 and 116 µm diameter PE microbeads at a dosage of 100 µg/g of food for 6 and 9 weeks. Mice were exposed to each type of microbead, or co-exposed to the 2 types of microbeads. Mouse liver showed altered levels of genes involved in uptake, synthesis, and β-oxidation of fatty acids. Ingestion of PE microbeads disturbed the detoxification response, promoted oxidative imbalance, increased inflammatory foci and cytokine expression, and enhanced proliferation in liver. Since relative expression of the hepatic stellate cell marker Pdgfa and collagen deposition were increased following PE exposure, we assessed the effect of PE ingestion in a mouse model of CCl4-induced fibrosis and showed that PE dietary exposure exacerbated liver fibrogenesis. These findings provide the first demonstration of the adverse hepatic effects of PE ingestion in mammals and highlight the need for further health risk assessment in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madjid Djouina
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286- INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Christophe Waxin
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286- INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Laurent Dubuquoy
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286- INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - David Launay
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286- INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Cécile Vignal
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286- INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Mathilde Body-Malapel
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286- INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France.
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36
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Ezzo M, Hinz B. Novel approaches to target fibroblast mechanotransduction in fibroproliferative diseases. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 250:108528. [PMID: 37708995 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
The ability of cells to sense and respond to changes in mechanical environment is vital in conditions of organ injury when the architecture of normal tissues is disturbed or lost. Among the various cellular players that respond to injury, fibroblasts take center stage in re-establishing tissue integrity by secreting and organizing extracellular matrix into stabilizing scar tissue. Activation, activity, survival, and death of scar-forming fibroblasts are tightly controlled by mechanical environment and proper mechanotransduction ensures that fibroblast activities cease after completion of the tissue repair process. Conversely, dysregulated mechanotransduction often results in fibroblast over-activation or persistence beyond the state of normal repair. The resulting pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix is called fibrosis, a condition that has been associated with over 40% of all deaths in the industrialized countries. Consequently, elements in fibroblast mechanotransduction are scrutinized for their suitability as anti-fibrotic therapeutic targets. We review the current knowledge on mechanically relevant factors in the fibroblast extracellular environment, cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion structures, stretch-activated membrane channels, stress-regulated cytoskeletal structures, and co-transcription factors. We critically discuss the targetability of these elements in therapeutic approaches and their progress in pre-clinical and/or clinical trials to treat organ fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Ezzo
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, and Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, and Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Cogliati B, Yashaswini CN, Wang S, Sia D, Friedman SL. Friend or foe? The elusive role of hepatic stellate cells in liver cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 20:647-661. [PMID: 37550577 PMCID: PMC10671228 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00821-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a substantial risk factor for the development and progression of liver cancer, which includes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). Studies utilizing cell fate mapping and single-cell transcriptomics techniques have identified quiescent perisinusoidal hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) as the primary source of activated collagen-producing HSCs and liver cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in HCC and liver metastasis, complemented in iCCA by contributions from portal fibroblasts. At the same time, integrative computational analysis of single-cell, single-nucleus and spatial RNA sequencing data have revealed marked heterogeneity among HSCs and CAFs, with distinct subpopulations displaying unique gene expression signatures and functions. Some of these subpopulations have divergent roles in promoting or inhibiting liver fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis. In this Review, we discuss the dual roles of HSC subpopulations in liver fibrogenesis and their contribution to liver cancer promotion, progression and metastasis. We review the transcriptomic and functional similarities between HSC and CAF subpopulations, highlighting the pathways that either promote or prevent fibrosis and cancer, and the immunological landscape from which these pathways emerge. Insights from ongoing studies will yield novel strategies for developing biomarkers, assessing prognosis and generating new therapies for both HCC and iCCA prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Cogliati
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Shuang Wang
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniela Sia
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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Lv H, Sun H, Wang L, Yao S, Liu D, Zhang X, Pei Z, Zhou J, Wang H, Dai J, Yan G, Ding L, Wang Z, Cao C, Zhao G, Hu Y. Targeting CD301 + macrophages inhibits endometrial fibrosis and improves pregnancy outcome. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e17601. [PMID: 37519221 PMCID: PMC10493587 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202317601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are a key and heterogeneous cell population involved in endometrial repair and regeneration during the menstrual cycle, but their role in the development of intrauterine adhesion (IUA) and sequential endometrial fibrosis remains unclear. Here, we reported that CD301+ macrophages were significantly increased and showed their most active interaction with profibrotic cells in the endometria of IUA patients compared with the normal endometria by single-cell RNA sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing, and experimental verification. Increasing CD301+ macrophages promoted the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells into myofibroblasts and resulted in extracellular matrix accumulation, which destroyed the physiological architecture of endometrial tissue, drove endometrial fibrosis, and ultimately led to female infertility or adverse pregnancy outcomes. Mechanistically, CD301+ macrophages secreted GAS6 to activate the AXL/NF-κB pathway, upregulating the profibrotic protein synthesis. Targeted deletion of CD301+ macrophages or inhibition of AXL by Bemcentinib blunted the pathology and improved the outcomes of pregnancy in mice, supporting the therapeutic potential of targeting CD301+ macrophages for treating endometrial fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haining Lv
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Limin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Simin Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiwen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhongrui Pei
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Jianjun Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Huiyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jianwu Dai
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Guijun Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Lijun Ding
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhiyin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Chenrui Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Guangfeng Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
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Gao J, Wang A, Bu X, Jia W. Acute murine cytomegalovirus infection boosts cell-type specific response and lipid metabolism changes in the liver of infant mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1169869. [PMID: 37638012 PMCID: PMC10449610 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1169869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in infants can lead to severe diseases, including neonatal hepatitis. The single-cell dimensional changes in immune cells after the initial CMV infection remain elusive, as do the effects of CMV infection on hepatic lipid metabolism. Methods We employed single-cell RNA-sequencing to investigate the changes in liver cell types and immune responses in infant mice following murine CMV (MCMV) infection. Additionally, we examined alterations in protein expression profiles related to lipid metabolism in hepatocytes and the role of the key transcription factor PPAR-γ in hepatocytes during CMV infection. Results Our study revealed that MCMV infects most liver cell types in infant mice, leading to an increase in the proportion of proliferating CD8 effector T cells and a subset of Nos2+ monocytes, potentially playing an essential role in early anti-viral responses. Furthermore, MCMV infection resulted in altered protein expression of lipid metabolism in hepatocytes. Knocking down the transcription factor PPAR-γ in hepatocytes effectively inhibited CMV infection. Discussion Our findings underscore the immune system's response to early-stage MCMV infection and the subsequent impact on hepatic lipid metabolism in infant mice. This research provides new insights into the mechanisms of CMV infection and could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanzi Gao
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Anmin Wang
- Institute of Immunology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiangyi Bu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Weidong Jia
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China
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40
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Affo S, Filliol A, Gores GJ, Schwabe RF. Fibroblasts in liver cancer: functions and therapeutic translation. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 8:748-759. [PMID: 37385282 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(23)00111-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of fibroblasts in the premalignant or malignant liver is a characteristic feature of liver cancer, but has not been therapeutically leveraged despite evidence for pathophysiologically relevant roles in tumour growth. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a largely non-desmoplastic tumour, in which fibroblasts accumulate predominantly in the pre-neoplastic fibrotic liver and regulate the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma development through a balance of tumour-suppressive and tumour-promoting mediators. By contrast, cholangiocarcinoma is desmoplastic, with cancer-associated fibroblasts contributing to tumour growth. Accordingly, restoring the balance from tumour-promoting to tumour-suppressive fibroblasts and mediators might represent a strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma prevention, whereas in cholangiocarcinoma, fibroblasts and their mediators could be leveraged for tumour treatment. Importantly, fibroblast mediators regulating hepatocellular carcinoma development might exert opposite effects on cholangiocarcinoma growth. This Review translates the improved understanding of tumour-specific, location-specific, and stage-specific roles of fibroblasts and their mediators in liver cancer into novel and rational therapeutic concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Affo
- Department of Liver, Digestive System, and Metabolism, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aveline Filliol
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gregory J Gores
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Lurje I, Gaisa NT, Weiskirchen R, Tacke F. Mechanisms of organ fibrosis: Emerging concepts and implications for novel treatment strategies. Mol Aspects Med 2023; 92:101191. [PMID: 37236017 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2023.101191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis, or tissue scarring, develops as a pathological deviation from the physiological wound healing response and can occur in various organs such as the heart, lung, liver, kidney, skin, and bone marrow. Organ fibrosis significantly contributes to global morbidity and mortality. A broad spectrum of etiologies can cause fibrosis, including acute and chronic ischemia, hypertension, chronic viral infection (e.g., viral hepatitis), environmental exposure (e.g., pneumoconiosis, alcohol, nutrition, smoking) and genetic diseases (e.g., cystic fibrosis, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency). Common mechanisms across organs and disease etiologies involve a sustained injury to parenchymal cells that triggers a wound healing response, which becomes deregulated in the disease process. A transformation of resting fibroblasts into myofibroblasts with excessive extracellular matrix production constitutes the hallmark of disease, however, multiple other cell types such as immune cells, predominantly monocytes/macrophages, endothelial cells, and parenchymal cells form a complex network of profibrotic cellular crosstalk. Across organs, leading mediators include growth factors like transforming growth factor-β and platelet-derived growth factor, cytokines like interleukin-10, interleukin-13, interleukin-17, and danger-associated molecular patterns. More recently, insights into fibrosis regression and resolution of chronic conditions have deepened our understanding of beneficial, protective effects of immune cells, soluble mediators and intracellular signaling. Further in-depth insights into the mechanisms of fibrogenesis can provide the rationale for therapeutic interventions and the development of targeted antifibrotic agents. This review gives insight into shared responses and cellular mechanisms across organs and etiologies, aiming to paint a comprehensive picture of fibrotic diseases in both experimental settings and in human pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Lurje
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Charité Mitte and Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine T Gaisa
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Charité Mitte and Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Zhao L, Li J, Mo G, Cao D, Li C, Huang G, Jiang L, Chen G, Yao H, Peng X. Recombinant protein EBI3 attenuates Clonorchis sinensis-induced liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation in mice. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:246. [PMID: 37480105 PMCID: PMC10360228 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05863-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic infection with Clonorchis sinensis can cause hepatobiliary fibrosis and even lead to hepatobiliary carcinoma. Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 protein (EBI3) is a subunit of interleukin 35, which can regulate inflammatory response and the occurrence of fibrotic diseases. Previous studies have reported that the expression of EBI3 in the serum of patients with liver cirrhosis is reduced. The present study aims to investigate the biological effects of EBI3 on liver fibrosis caused by C. sinensis and the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS We first established a mouse model of liver fibrosis induced by C. sinensis infection and then measured the serum expression of EBI3 during the inflammatory and fibrotic phase. GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway analyses were performed to investigate the potential role of EBI3 in liver fibrosis by regulating the extracellular matrix structural constituent and collagen catabolic process. Recombinant protein EBI3 (rEBI3) was added to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro with C. sinensis antigen to explore its function. Finally, the therapeutic effect of rEBI3 was verified by intravenous injection into C. sinensis-infected mice. RESULTS The results showed that the serum expression of EBI3 increased in the inflammatory response phase but decreased in the fibrotic phase. The excretory-secretory products of C. sinensis (Cs.ESP) were able to stimulate HSC activation, while rEBI3 reduced the activation of HSCs induced by Cs.ESP. Also, the protein expression of gp130 and downstream protein expressions of JAK1, p-JAK1, STAT3 and p-STAT3 in HSCs were increased after rEBI3 incubation. Finally, intravenously injected rEBI3 inhibited hepatic epithelial-mesenchymal transition in C. sinensis-infected mice by inhibiting HSC activation and reducing liver injury. CONCLUSION This study confirms that rEBI3 can attenuate C. sinensis-induced liver fibrosis by inhibiting HSC activation and may be one of the potential treatments for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhao
- Guangxi University Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Li
- Guangxi University Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Mo
- Guangxi University Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Deping Cao
- Guangxi University Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun Li
- Guangxi University Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoyang Huang
- Guangxi University Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Liping Jiang
- Guangxi University Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Gen Chen
- Guangxi University Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbing Yao
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohong Peng
- Guangxi University Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine in Liver Injury and Repair, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
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Kong M, Dong W, Kang A, Kuai Y, Xu T, Fan Z, Shi L, Sun D, Lu Y, Li Z, Xu Y. Regulatory role and translational potential of CCL11 in liver fibrosis. Hepatology 2023; 78:120-135. [PMID: 36651177 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Myofibroblasts are considered the major effector cell type of liver fibrosis and primarily derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In the present study, we investigated the contribution of C-C motif chemokine (CCL11) to HSC-myofibroblast trans -differentiation and its implication in liver fibrosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS We report that CCL11 levels were elevated in HSCs, but not in hepatocytes or Kupffer cells, isolated from mice with liver fibrosis compared with the control mice. CCL11 levels were also up-regulated by 2 pro-fibrogenic growth factors TGF-β and platelet derived growth factor in cultured HSCs. Mechanistically, zinc finger factor 281 bound to the CCL11 promoter and mediated CCL11 trans -activation in HSCs. Depletion of CCL11 attenuated whereas treatment with recombinant CCL11 promoted HSC activation. Further, global CCL11 deletion ( CCL11-/- ) or HSC/myofibroblast-specific CCL11 knockdown mitigated fibrogenesis in mice. RNA-sequencing revealed that CCL11 might regulate HSC activation by stimulating the transcription of Jagged 1. Reconstitution of Jagged 1 restored the fibrogenic response in CCL11-/- mice. Finally, several targeting strategies that aimed at blockading CCL11 signaling, either by administration of an antagonist to its receptor C-C motif chemokine receptor 3 or neutralizing antibodies against CCL11/C-C motif chemokine receptor 3, ameliorated liver fibrosis in mice. CONCLUSIONS Our data unveil a previously unrecognized role for CCL11 in liver fibrosis and provide proof-of-concept evidence that targeting CCL11 can be considered as an effective therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Aoqi Kang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yameng Kuai
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tongchang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated With Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Longqing Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Hospital Affiliated With Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Donglin Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Hospital Affiliated With Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yunjie Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Hospital Affiliated With Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Zilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Biomedical Research and College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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Li X, Zhi Y, Li J, Lei X, Ju Y, Zhang Y, Zheng Y, Kong X, Xue F, Zhong W, Chen X, Tang J, Li X, Mao Y. Single-cell RNA sequencing to reveal non-parenchymal cell heterogeneity and immune network of acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:1979-1995. [PMID: 37202523 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03513-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The role of non-parenchymal cells (NPCs) in the early phase of acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury (AILI) remains unclear. Therefore, single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to explore the heterogeneity and immune network of NPCs in the livers of mice with AILI. Mice were challenged with saline, 300 mg/kg APAP, or 750 mg/kg APAP (n = 3 for each group). After 3 h, the liver samples were collected, digested, and subjected to scRNA-seq. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were performed to confirm the expression of Makorin ring finger protein 1 (Mkrn1). We identified 14 distinct cell subtypes among the 120,599 cells. A variety of NPCs were involved, even in the early stages of AILI, indicating highly heterogeneous transcriptome dynamics. Cholangiocyte cluster 3, which had high deleted in malignant brain tumors 1 (Dmbt1) expression, was found to perform drug metabolism and detoxification functions. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells exhibited fenestrae loss and angiogenesis. Macrophage cluster 1 displayed a M1 polarization phenotype, whereas cluster 3 tended to exhibit M2 polarization. Kupffer cells (KCs) exhibited pro-inflammatory effects due to the high expression of Cxcl2. qRT-PCR and western blotting verified that the LIFR-OSM axis might promote the activation of MAPK signaling pathway in RAW264.7 macrophages. Mkrn1 was highly expressed in the liver macrophages of AILI mice and AILI patients. Interaction patterns between macrophages/KCs and other NPCs were complex and diverse. NPCs were highly heterogeneous and were involved in the immune network during the early phase of AILI. In addition, we propose that Mkrn1 may serve as a potential biomarker of AILI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Li
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Research Center of Fatty Liver Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Zhi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Research Center of Fatty Liver Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Li
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Research Center of Fatty Liver Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohong Lei
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Research Center of Fatty Liver Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Ju
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yufan Zheng
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaming Kong
- Singleron Biotechnologies Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feng Xue
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Research Center of Fatty Liver Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Research Center of Fatty Liver Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jieting Tang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Research Center of Fatty Liver Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Yimin Mao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Research Center of Fatty Liver Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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45
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Karri K, Waxman DJ. Dysregulation of murine long noncoding single-cell transcriptome in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:977-1006. [PMID: 37015806 PMCID: PMC10275269 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079580.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
LncRNAs comprise a heterogeneous class of RNA-encoding genes typified by low expression, nuclear enrichment, high tissue-specificity, and functional diversity, but the vast majority remain uncharacterized. Here, we assembled the mouse liver noncoding transcriptome from >2000 bulk RNA-seq samples and discovered 48,261 liver-expressed lncRNAs, a majority novel. Using these lncRNAs as a single-cell transcriptomic reference set, we elucidated lncRNA dysregulation in mouse models of high fat diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis. Trajectory inference analysis revealed lncRNA zonation patterns across the liver lobule in each major liver cell population. Perturbations in lncRNA expression and zonation were common in several disease-associated liver cell types, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-associated macrophages, a hallmark of fatty liver disease progression, and collagen-producing myofibroblasts, a central feature of liver fibrosis. Single-cell-based gene regulatory network analysis using bigSCale2 linked individual lncRNAs to specific biological pathways, and network-essential regulatory lncRNAs with disease-associated functions were identified by their high network centrality metrics. For a subset of these lncRNAs, promoter sequences of the network-defined lncRNA target genes were significantly enriched for lncRNA triplex formation, providing independent mechanistic support for the lncRNA-target gene linkages predicted by the gene regulatory networks. These findings elucidate liver lncRNA cell-type specificities, spatial zonation patterns, associated regulatory networks, and temporal patterns of dysregulation during hepatic disease progression. A subset of the liver disease-associated regulatory lncRNAs identified have human orthologs and are promising candidates for biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Karri
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - David J Waxman
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
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Gäberlein K, Schröder SK, Nanda I, Steinlein C, Haaf T, Buhl EM, Sauvant P, Sapin V, Abergel A, Weiskirchen R. Genetic Characterization of Rat Hepatic Stellate Cell Line PAV-1. Cells 2023; 12:1603. [PMID: 37371073 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The rat hepatic stellate cell line PAV-1 was established two decades ago and proposed as a cellular model to study aspects of hepatic retinoic acid metabolism. This cell line exhibits a myofibroblast-like phenotype but also has the ability to store retinyl esters and synthesize retinoic acid from its precursor retinol. Importantly, when cultured with palmitic acid alone or in combination with retinol, the cells switch to a deactivated phenotype in which the proliferation and expression of profibrogenic marker genes are suppressed. Despite these interesting characteristics, the cell line has somehow fallen into oblivion. However, based on the fact that working with in vivo models is becoming increasingly complicated, genetically characterized established cell lines that mimic aspects of hepatic stellate cell biology are of fundamental value for biomedical research. To genetically characterize PAV-1 cells, we performed karyotype analysis using conventional chromosome analysis and multicolor spectral karyotyping (SKY), which allowed us to identify numerical and specific chromosomal alteration in PAV-1 cells. In addition, we used a panel of 31 species-specific allelic variant sites to define a unique short tandem repeat (STR) profile for this cell line and performed bulk mRNA-sequencing, showing that PAV-1 cells express an abundance of genes specific for the proposed myofibroblastic phenotype. Finally, we used Rhodamine-Phalloidin staining and electron microscopy analysis, which showed that PAV-1 cells contain a robust intracellular network of filamentous actin and process typical ultrastructural features of hepatic stellate cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiara Gäberlein
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sarah K Schröder
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Indrajit Nanda
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Claus Steinlein
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Haaf
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Eva M Buhl
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Patrick Sauvant
- UMR CNRS 5248, CBMN, University Bordeaux, 33600 Pessac, France
- Feed & Food Department, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, 33175 Gradignan, France
| | - Vincent Sapin
- Team "Translational Approach to Epithelial Injury and Repair", Institute Genetics, Reproduction and Development (iGReD), Université Clermont Auvergne, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Armand Abergel
- Department of Digestive and Hepatobiliary Medecine, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
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Tang Z, Lin B, Li W, Li X, Liu F, Zhu X. Y-box binding protein 1 promotes chromatin accessibility to aggravate liver fibrosis. Cell Signal 2023:110750. [PMID: 37290675 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) has been reported to be involved in the transcriptional regulation of various pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation. However, its precise role and mechanism in regulating hepatic fibrosis remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of YBX1 on liver fibrosis and its potential mechanism. The expression of YBX1 in human liver microarray, mice tissues and primary mouse hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) was validated to be upregulated in several hepatic fibrosis models (CCl4 injection, TAA injection, and BDL). Hepatic-specific Ybx1 overexpression exacerbated the liver fibrosis phenotypes in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the knockdown of YBX1 significantly improved TGF-β-induced fibrosis in the LX2 cell (a hepatic stellate cell line). Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with high throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) of hepatic-specific Ybx1 overexpression (Ybx1-OE) mice with CCl4 injection showed increasing chromatin accessibility than CCl4 only group. Functional enrichments of open regions in the Ybx1-OE group indicated that extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, lipid purine metabolism, and oxytocin-related pathways were more accessible in the Ybx1-OE group. Accessible regions of the Ybx1-OE group in the promoter also suggested significant activation of genes related to liver fibrogenesis, such as response to oxidative stress and ROS, lipid localization, angiogenesis and vascular development, and inflammatory regulation. Moreover, we screened and validated the expression of candidate genes (Fyn, Axl, Acsl1, Plin2, Angptl3, Pdgfb, Ccl24, and Arg2), which might be potential targets of Ybx1 in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihui Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Bowen Lin
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Pinghu Second People's Hospital, Zhejiang 314201, China
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201199, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Ji'an Hospital, Shanghai East Hospital, Ji'an, Jiangxi 343000, China.
| | - Xinyan Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Ji'an Hospital, Shanghai East Hospital, Ji'an, Jiangxi 343000, China.
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48
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Du K, Maeso-Díaz R, Oh SH, Wang E, Chen T, Pan C, Xiang K, Dutta RK, Wang XF, Chi JT, Diehl AM. Targeting YAP-mediated HSC death susceptibility and senescence for treatment of liver fibrosis. Hepatology 2023; 77:1998-2015. [PMID: 36815382 PMCID: PMC10416614 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Liver fibrosis results from the accumulation of myofibroblasts (MFs) derived from quiescent HSCs, and yes-associated protein (YAP) controls this state transition. Although fibrosis is also influenced by HSC death and senescence, whether YAP regulates these processes and whether this could be leveraged to treat liver fibrosis are unknown. APPROACH AND RESULTS YAP activity was manipulated in MF-HSCs to determine how YAP impacts susceptibility to pro-apoptotic senolytic agents or ferroptosis. Effects of senescence on YAP activity and susceptibility to apoptosis versus ferroptosis were also examined. CCl 4 -treated mice were treated with a ferroptosis inducer or pro-apoptotic senolytic to determine the effects on liver fibrosis. YAP was conditionally disrupted in MFs to determine how YAP activity in MF-HSC affects liver fibrosis in mouse models. Silencing YAP in cultured MF-HSCs induced HSC senescence and vulnerability to senolytics, and promoted ferroptosis resistance. Conversely, inducing HSC senescence suppressed YAP activity, increased sensitivity to senolytics, and decreased sensitivity to ferroptosis. Single-cell analysis of HSCs from fibrotic livers revealed heterogeneous sensitivity to ferroptosis, apoptosis, and senescence. In mice with chronic liver injury, neither the ferroptosis inducer nor senolytic improved fibrosis. However, selectively depleting YAP in MF-HSCs induced senescence and decreased liver injury and fibrosis. CONCLUSION YAP determines whether MF-HSCs remain activated or become senescent. By regulating this state transition, Yap controls both HSC fibrogenic activity and susceptibility to distinct mechanisms for cell death. MF-HSC-specific YAP depletion induces senescence and protects injured livers from fibrosis. Clarifying determinants of HSC YAP activity may facilitate the development of novel anti-fibrotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo Du
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Raquel Maeso-Díaz
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Seh Hoon Oh
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ergang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tianyi Chen
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christopher Pan
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kun Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Xiao-Fan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jen-Tsan Chi
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anna Mae Diehl
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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49
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Guo PC, Zuo J, Huang KK, Lai GY, Zhang X, An J, Li JX, Li L, Wu L, Lin YT, Wang DY, Xu JS, Hao SJ, Wang Y, Li RH, Ma W, Song YM, Liu C, Liu CY, Dai Z, Xu Y, Sharma AD, Ott M, Ou-Yang Q, Huo F, Fan R, Li YY, Hou JL, Volpe G, Liu LQ, Esteban MA, Lai YW. Cell atlas of CCl 4-induced progressive liver fibrosis reveals stage-specific responses. Zool Res 2023; 44:451-466. [PMID: 36994536 PMCID: PMC10236302 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2023.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver injury leads to progressive liver fibrosis and ultimately cirrhosis, a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, there are currently no effective anti-fibrotic therapies available, especially for late-stage patients, which is partly attributed to the major knowledge gap regarding liver cell heterogeneity and cell-specific responses in different fibrosis stages. To reveal the multicellular networks regulating mammalian liver fibrosis from mild to severe phenotypes, we generated a single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas encompassing 49 919 nuclei corresponding to all main liver cell types at different stages of murine carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)-induced progressive liver fibrosis. Integrative analysis distinguished the sequential responses to injury of hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells and endothelial cells. Moreover, we reconstructed cell-cell interactions and gene regulatory networks implicated in these processes. These integrative analyses uncovered previously overlooked aspects of hepatocyte proliferation exhaustion and disrupted pericentral metabolic functions, dysfunction for clearance by apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells, accumulation of pro-fibrotic signals, and the switch from an anti-angiogenic to a pro-angiogenic program during CCl 4-induced progressive liver fibrosis. Our dataset thus constitutes a useful resource for understanding the molecular basis of progressive liver fibrosis using a relevant animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Cheng Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
| | - Jing Zuo
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
| | - Ke-Ke Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Diagnosis, Therapy and Rehabilitation of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510799, China
| | - Guang-Yao Lai
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
- Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health and Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
| | - Juan An
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Jin-Xiu Li
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Li Li
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
| | - Yi-Ting Lin
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
| | - Dong-Ye Wang
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
| | - Jiang-Shan Xu
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
| | - Shi-Jie Hao
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yang Wang
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
| | - Rong-Hai Li
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
| | - Wen Ma
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
| | - Yu-Mo Song
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
| | - Chang Liu
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
| | - Chuan-Yu Liu
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
| | - Zhen Dai
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Biotherapy Centre, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Amar Deep Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Michael Ott
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Qing Ou-Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplant Center, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, China
| | - Feng Huo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplant Center, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, China
| | - Rong Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Yong-Yin Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Jin-Lin Hou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Giacomo Volpe
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Long-Qi Liu
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
| | - Miguel A Esteban
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Diagnosis, Therapy and Rehabilitation of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510799, China
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
- Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health and Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany. E-mail:
| | - Yi-Wei Lai
- BGI-Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518103, China. E-mail:
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50
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Ma M, Wang X, Liu X, Han Y, Chu Y, Guan Y, Liu H. Engineered fibrotic liver-targeted truncated transforming growth factor β receptor type II variant for superior anti-liver fibrosis therapy. Arch Pharm Res 2023; 46:177-191. [PMID: 36905489 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-023-01435-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Truncated transforming growth factor β receptor type II (tTβRII) is a promising anti-liver fibrotic candidate because it serves as a trap for binding excessive TGF-β1 by means of competing with wild type TβRII (wtTβRII). However, the widespread application of tTβRII for the treatment of liver fibrosis has been limited by its poor fibrotic liver-homing capacity. Herein, we designed a novel tTβRII variant Z-tTβRII by fusing the platelet-derived growth factor β receptor (PDGFβR)-specific affibody ZPDGFβR to the N-terminus of tTβRII. The target protein Z-tTβRII was produced using Escherichia coli expression system. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that Z-tTβRII has a superior specific fibrotic liver-targeting potential via the engagement of PDGFβR-overexpressing activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) in liver fibrosis. Moreover, Z-tTβRII significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion, and downregulated fibrosis- and TGF-β1/Smad pathway-related protein levels in TGF-β1-stimiluated HSC-T6 cells. Furthermore, Z-tTβRII remarkably ameliorated liver histopathology, mitigated the fibrosis responses and blocked TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway in CCl4-induced liver fibrotic mice. More importantly, Z-tTβRII exhibits a higher fibrotic liver-targeting potential and stronger anti-fibrotic effects than either its parent tTβRII or former variant BiPPB-tTβRII (PDGFβR-binding peptide BiPPB modified tTβRII). In addition, Z-tTβRII shows no significant sign of potential side effects in other vital organs in liver fibrotic mice. Taken together, we conclude that Z-tTβRII with its a high fibrotic liver-homing potential, holds a superior anti-fibrotic activity in liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo, which may be a potential candidate for targeted therapy for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manman Ma
- Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory for Anti-fibrosis Biotherapy, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, 157011, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohua Wang
- Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, 157011, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory for Anti-fibrosis Biotherapy, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, 157011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Han
- The First Clinical College, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, 157011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhui Chu
- Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory for Anti-fibrosis Biotherapy, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, 157011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanzhong Guan
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, 157011, People's Republic of China.
| | - Haifeng Liu
- Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory for Anti-fibrosis Biotherapy, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, 157011, People's Republic of China.
- Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, 157011, People's Republic of China.
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