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Robarts DR, Paine-Cabrera D, Kotulkar M, Venneman KK, Gunewardena S, Foquet L, Bial G, Apte U. Identifying novel mechanisms of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance-induced hepatotoxicity using FRG humanized mice. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:3063-3075. [PMID: 38782768 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03789-0] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluoro-2-methyl-3-oxahexanoic acid (GenX), the new replacement PFAS, are major environmental contaminants. In rodents, these PFAS induce several adverse effects on the liver, including increased proliferation, hepatomegaly, steatosis, hypercholesterolemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and liver cancers. Activation of peroxisome proliferator receptor alpha by PFAS is considered the primary mechanism of action in rodent hepatocyte-induced proliferation. However, the human relevance of this mechanism is uncertain. We investigated human-relevant mechanisms of PFAS-induced adverse hepatic effects using FRG liver-chimeric humanized mice with livers repopulated with functional human hepatocytes. Male FRG humanized mice were treated with 0.067 mg/L of PFOA, 0.145 mg/L of PFOS, or 1 mg/L of GenX in drinking water for 28 days. PFOS caused a significant decrease in total serum cholesterol and LDL/VLDL, whereas GenX caused a significant elevation in LDL/VLDL with no change in total cholesterol and HDL. All three PFAS induced significant hepatocyte proliferation. RNA-sequencing with alignment to the human genome showed a total of 240, 162, and 619 differentially expressed genes after PFOA, PFOS, and GenX exposure, respectively. Upstream regulator analysis revealed that all three PFAS induced activation of p53 and inhibition of androgen receptor and NR1D1, a transcriptional repressor important in circadian rhythm. Further biochemical studies confirmed NR1D1 inhibition and in silico modeling indicated potential interaction of all three PFAS with the DNA-binding domain of NR1D1. In conclusion, our studies using FRG humanized mice have revealed new human-relevant molecular mechanisms of PFAS including their previously unknown effect on circadian rhythm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota R Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., MS1018, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Diego Paine-Cabrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., MS1018, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., MS1018, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Kaitlyn K Venneman
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., MS1018, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Sumedha Gunewardena
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | | | - Greg Bial
- Yecuris Corporation, Tualatin, OR, USA
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., MS1018, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
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2
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Kotulkar M, Paine-Cabrera D, Robarts DR, Apte U. Regulation of hepatic xenosensor function by HNF4alpha. Toxicol Sci 2024; 200:346-356. [PMID: 38810120 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae069] [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: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors such as constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα), and transcription factors with nuclear receptor type activity such as aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) function as xenobiotic sensors. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4α) is a highly conserved orphan nuclear receptor essential for liver function. We tested the hypothesis that HNF4α is essential for the function of these 4 major xenosensors. Wild-type (WT) and hepatocyte-specific Hnf4a null (HNF4α-KO) mice were treated with the mouse-specific activators of AhR (TCDD, 30 µg/kg), CAR (TCPOBOP, 2.5 µg/g), PXR, (PCN, 100 µg/g), and PPARα (WY-14643, 1 mg/kg). Blood and liver tissue samples were collected to study receptor activation. TCDD (AhR agonist) treatment did not affect the liver-to-body weight ratio (LW/BW) in either WT or HNF4α-KO mice. Further, TCDD activated AhR in both WT and HNF4α-KO mice, confirmed by increase in expression of AhR target genes. TCPOBOP (CAR agonist) significantly increased the LW/BW ratio and CAR target gene expression in WT mice, but not in HNF4α-KO mice. PCN (a mouse PXR agonist) significantly increased LW/BW ratio in both WT and HNF4α-KO mice however, failed to induce PXR target genes in HNF4α-KO mice. The treatment of WY-14643 (PPARα agonist) increased LW/BW ratio and PPARα target gene expression in WT mice but not in HNF4α-KO mice. Together, these data indicate that the function of CAR, PXR, and PPARα but not of AhR was disrupted in HNF4α-KO mice. These results demonstrate that HNF4α function is critical for the activation of hepatic xenosensors, which are critical for toxicological responses.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4/metabolism
- Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4/genetics
- Liver/metabolism
- Liver/drug effects
- PPAR alpha/agonists
- PPAR alpha/metabolism
- PPAR alpha/genetics
- Mice, Knockout
- Constitutive Androstane Receptor
- Pregnane X Receptor/genetics
- Pregnane X Receptor/metabolism
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/agonists
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism
- Mice
- Receptors, Steroid/genetics
- Receptors, Steroid/metabolism
- Receptors, Steroid/agonists
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/agonists
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/genetics
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Male
- Pyrimidines/pharmacology
- Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/toxicity
- Pyridines/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States
| | - Diego Paine-Cabrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States
| | - Dakota R Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States
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3
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Kotulkar M, Paine-Cabrera D, Apte U. Role of Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha in Liver Cancer. Semin Liver Dis 2024; 44:383-393. [PMID: 38901435 DOI: 10.1055/a-2349-7236] [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] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent primary liver cancer and the incidence of HCC is on the rise. Liver cancers in general and HCC in particular do not respond to chemotherapy. Radiological ablation, surgical resection, and liver transplantation are the only medical therapies currently available. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 α (HNF4α) is an orphan nuclear receptor expressed only in hepatocytes in the liver. HNF4α is considered the master regulator of hepatic differentiation because it regulates a significant number of genes involved in various liver-specific functions. In addition to maintaining hepatic differentiation, HNF4α also acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting hepatocyte proliferation by suppressing the expression of promitogenic genes and inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition in hepatocytes. Loss of HNF4α expression and function is associated with rapid progression of chronic liver diseases that ultimately lead to liver cirrhosis and HCC, including metabolism-associated steatohepatitis, alcohol-associated liver disease, and hepatitis virus infection. This review summarizes the role of HNF4α in liver cancer pathogenesis and highlights its potential as a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Diego Paine-Cabrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
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4
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Kotulkar M, Barbee J, Paine-Cabrera D, Robarts D, O'Neil M, Apte U. Role of HNF4α-cMyc Interaction in CDE Diet-Induced Liver Injury and Regeneration. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:1218-1229. [PMID: 38588852 PMCID: PMC11317903 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) is a nuclear factor essential for liver function that regulates the expression of cMyc and plays an important role during liver regeneration. This study investigated the role of the HNF4α-cMyc interaction in regulating liver injury and regeneration using the choline-deficient and ethionine-supplemented (CDE) diet model. Wild-type (WT), hepatocyte-specific HNF4α-knockout (KO), cMyc-KO, and HNF4α-cMyc double KO (DKO) mice were fed a CDE diet for 1 week to induce subacute liver injury. To study regeneration, normal chow diet was fed for 1 week after CDE diet. WT mice exhibited significant liver injury and decreased HNF4α mRNA and protein expression after CDE diet. HNF4α deletion resulted in significantly higher injury with increased inflammation, fibrosis, proliferation, and hepatic progenitor cell activation compared with WT mice after CDE diet but indicated similar recovery. Deletion of cMyc lowered liver injury with activation of inflammatory genes compared with WT and HNF4α-KO mice after CDE diet. DKO mice had a phenotype comparable to that of the HNF4α-KO mice after CDE diet and a complete recovery. DKO mice exhibited a significant increase in hepatic progenitor cell markers both after injury and recovery phase. Taken together, these data show that HNF4α protects against inflammatory and fibrotic changes after CDE diet-induced injury, which is driven by cMyc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Julia Barbee
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Diego Paine-Cabrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Dakota Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Maura O'Neil
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
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Ehle C, Iyer-Bierhoff A, Wu Y, Xing S, Kiehntopf M, Mosig AS, Godmann M, Heinzel T. Downregulation of HNF4A enables transcriptomic reprogramming during the hepatic acute-phase response. Commun Biol 2024; 7:589. [PMID: 38755249 PMCID: PMC11099168 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06288-1] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The hepatic acute-phase response is characterized by a massive upregulation of serum proteins, such as haptoglobin and serum amyloid A, at the expense of liver homeostatic functions. Although the transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A) has a well-established role in safeguarding liver function and its cistrome spans around 50% of liver-specific genes, its role in the acute-phase response has received little attention so far. We demonstrate that HNF4A binds to and represses acute-phase genes under basal conditions. The reprogramming of hepatic transcription during inflammation necessitates loss of HNF4A function to allow expression of acute-phase genes while liver homeostatic genes are repressed. In a pre-clinical liver organoid model overexpression of HNF4A maintained liver functionality in spite of inflammation-induced cell damage. Conversely, HNF4A overexpression potently impaired the acute-phase response by retaining chromatin at regulatory regions of acute-phase genes inaccessible to transcription. Taken together, our data extend the understanding of dual HNF4A action as transcriptional activator and repressor, establishing HNF4A as gatekeeper for the hepatic acute-phase response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Ehle
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Aishwarya Iyer-Bierhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Yunchen Wu
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
| | - Shaojun Xing
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
| | - Michael Kiehntopf
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Jena University Hospital, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander S Mosig
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Maren Godmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Thorsten Heinzel
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07745, Jena, Germany.
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6
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Wang Y, Peng J, Yang D, Xing Z, Jiang B, Ding X, Jiang C, Ouyang B, Su L. From metabolism to malignancy: the multifaceted role of PGC1α in cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1383809. [PMID: 38774408 PMCID: PMC11106418 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1383809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
PGC1α, a central player in mitochondrial biology, holds a complex role in the metabolic shifts seen in cancer cells. While its dysregulation is common across major cancers, its impact varies. In some cases, downregulation promotes aerobic glycolysis and progression, whereas in others, overexpression escalates respiration and aggression. PGC1α's interactions with distinct signaling pathways and transcription factors further diversify its roles, often in a tissue-specific manner. Understanding these multifaceted functions could unlock innovative therapeutic strategies. However, challenges exist in managing the metabolic adaptability of cancer cells and refining PGC1α-targeted approaches. This review aims to collate and present the current knowledge on the expression patterns, regulators, binding partners, and roles of PGC1α in diverse cancers. We examined PGC1α's tissue-specific functions and elucidated its dual nature as both a potential tumor suppressor and an oncogenic collaborator. In cancers where PGC1α is tumor-suppressive, reinstating its levels could halt cell proliferation and invasion, and make the cells more receptive to chemotherapy. In cancers where the opposite is true, halting PGC1α's upregulation can be beneficial as it promotes oxidative phosphorylation, allows cancer cells to adapt to stress, and promotes a more aggressive cancer phenotype. Thus, to target PGC1α effectively, understanding its nuanced role in each cancer subtype is indispensable. This can pave the way for significant strides in the field of oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Surgery, Nanjing Central Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianing Peng
- Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dengyuan Yang
- Department of Surgery, Nanjing Central Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhongjie Xing
- Department of Surgery, Nanjing Central Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Bo Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Ding
- Department of Surgery, Nanjing Central Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Chaoyu Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bing Ouyang
- Department of Surgery, Nanjing Central Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Su
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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7
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Xiao MC, Jiang N, Chen LL, Liu F, Liu SQ, Ding CH, Wu SH, Wang KQ, Luo YY, Peng Y, Yan FZ, Zhang X, Qian H, Xie WF. TRIB3-TRIM8 complex drives NAFLD progression by regulating HNF4α stability. J Hepatol 2024; 80:778-791. [PMID: 38237865 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.12.029] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress of hepatocytes plays a causative role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Reduced expression of hepatic nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) is a critical event in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and other liver diseases. Whether ER stress regulates HNF4α expression remains unknown. The aim of this study was to delineate the machinery of HNF4α protein degradation and explore a therapeutic strategy based on protecting HNF4α stability during NAFLD progression. METHODS Correlation of HNF4α and tribbles homologue 3 (TRIB3), an ER stress sensor, was evaluated in human and mouse NAFLD tissues. RNA-sequencing, mass spectrometry analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, in vivo and in vitro ubiquitination assays were used to elucidate the mechanisms of TRIB3-mediated HNF4α degradation. Molecular docking and co-immunoprecipitation analyses were performed to identify a cell-penetrating peptide that ablates the TRIB3-HNF4α interaction. RESULTS TRIB3 directly interacts with HNF4α and mediates ER stress-induced HNF4α degradation. TRIB3 recruits tripartite motif containing 8 (TRIM8) to form an E3 ligase complex that catalyzes K48-linked polyubiquitination of HNF4α on lysine 470. Abrogating the degradation of HNF4α attenuated the effect of TRIB3 on a diet-induced NAFLD model. Moreover, the TRIB3 gain-of-function variant p.Q84R is associated with NAFLD progression in patients, and induces lower HNF4α levels and more severe hepatic steatosis in mice. Importantly, disrupting the TRIB3-HNF4α interaction using a cell-penetrating peptide restores HNF4α levels and ameliorates NAFLD progression in mice. CONCLUSIONS Our findings unravel the machinery of HNF4α protein degradation and indicate that targeting TRIB3-TRIM8 E3 complex-mediated HNF4α polyubiquitination may be an ideal strategy for NAFLD therapy. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Reduced expression of hepatic nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) is a critical event in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and other liver diseases. However, the mechanism of HNF4α protein degradation remains unknown. Herein, we reveal that TRIB3-TRIM8 E3 ligase complex is responsible for HNF4α degradation during NAFLD. Inhibiting the TRIB3-HNF4α interaction effectively stabilized HNF4α protein levels and transcription factor activity in the liver and ameliorated TRIB3-mediated NAFLD progression. Our findings demonstrate that disturbing the TRIM8-TRIB3-HNF4α interaction may provide a novel approach to treat NAFLD and even other liver diseases by stabilizing the HNF4α protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Chao Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Lin Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Qing Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen-Hong Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Si-Han Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke-Qi Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yu Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang-Zhi Yan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hui Qian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Wei-Fen Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China.
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8
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Sinha RA. Targeting nuclear receptors for NASH/MASH: From bench to bedside. LIVER RESEARCH 2024; 8:34-45. [PMID: 38544909 PMCID: PMC7615772 DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The onset of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) represents a tipping point leading to liver injury and subsequent hepatic complications in the natural progression of what is now termed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver diseases (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). With no pharmacological treatment currently available for MASH/NASH, the race is on to develop drugs targeting multiple facets of hepatic metabolism, inflammation, and pro-fibrotic events, which are major drivers of MASH. Nuclear receptors (NRs) regulate genomic transcription upon binding to lipophilic ligands and govern multiple aspects of liver metabolism and inflammation. Ligands of NRs may include hormones, lipids, bile acids, and synthetic ligands, which upon binding to NRs regulate the transcriptional activities of target genes. NR ligands are presently the most promising drug candidates expected to receive approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration as a pharmacological treatment for MASH. This review aims to cover the current understanding of NRs, including nuclear hormone receptors, non-steroid hormone receptors, circadian NRs, and orphan NRs, which are currently undergoing clinical trials for MASH treatment, along with NRs that have shown promising results in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit A Sinha
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
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Li R, Zhang Z, Xuan Y, Wang Y, Zhong Y, Zhang L, Zhang J, Chen Q, Yu S, Yuan J. HNF4A as a potential target of PFOA and PFOS leading to hepatic steatosis: Integrated molecular docking, molecular dynamic and transcriptomic analyses. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 390:110867. [PMID: 38199259 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.110867] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are indeed among the most well known and extensively studied Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and increasing evidence confirm their effects on human health, especially liver steatosis. Nonetheless, the molecular mechanisms of their initiation of hepatic steatosis is still elusive. Therefore, potential targets of PFOA/PFOS must be explored to ameliorate its adverse consequences. This research aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms of PFOA and PFOS-induced liver steatosis, with emphasis on identifying a potential target that links these PFASs to liver steatosis. The potential target that causes PFOA and PFOS-induced liver steatosis have been explored and determined based on molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and transcriptomics analysis. In silico results show that PFOA/PFOS can form a stable binding conformation with HNF4A, and PFOA/PFOS may interact with HNF4A to affect the downstream conduction mechanism. Transcriptome data from PFOA/PFOS-induced human stem cell spheres showed that HNF4A was inhibited, suggesting that PFOA/PFOS may constrain its function. PFOS mainly down-regulated genes related to cholesterol synthesis while PFOA mainly up-regulated genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation. This study explored the toxicological mechanism of liver steatosis caused by PFOA/PFOS. These compounds might inhibit and down-regulate HNF4A, which is the molecular initiation events (MIE) that induces liver steatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China
| | - Zijing Zhang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China
| | - Yuxin Xuan
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China
| | - Yulu Wang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China
| | - Yuyan Zhong
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China
| | - Lingyin Zhang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China
| | - Jinrui Zhang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China
| | - Qian Chen
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China
| | - Shuling Yu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immune-Engineering of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, PR China
| | - Jintao Yuan
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, PR China.
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10
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Yang Z, Danzeng A, Liu Q, Zeng C, Xu L, Mo J, Pingcuo C, Wang X, Wang C, Zhang B, Zhang B. The Role of Nuclear Receptors in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:113-126. [PMID: 38164174 PMCID: PMC10750283 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.87305] [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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health burden closely linked to insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. The complex pathophysiology of NAFLD involves multiple cellular pathways and molecular factors. Nuclear receptors (NRs) have emerged as crucial regulators of lipid metabolism and inflammation in NAFLD, offering potential therapeutic targets for NAFLD. Targeting PPARs and FXRs has shown promise in ameliorating NAFLD symptoms and halting disease progression. However, further investigation is needed to address side effects and personalize therapy approaches. This review summarizes the current understanding of the involvement of NRs in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and explores their therapeutic potential. We discuss the role of several NRs in modulating lipid homeostasis in the liver, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), liver X receptors (LXRs), farnesoid X receptors (FXRs), REV-ERB, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α), constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR).The expanding knowledge of NRs in NAFLD offers new avenues for targeted therapies, necessitating exploration of novel treatment strategies and optimization of existing approaches to combat this increasingly prevalent disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Yang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Awang Danzeng
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Qiumeng Liu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Chenglong Zeng
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jie Mo
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Ciren Pingcuo
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonostic Infectious Disease, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Bixiang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Binhao Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
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11
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Porukala M, Vinod PK. Gene expression signatures of stepwise progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0296454. [PMID: 38157373 PMCID: PMC10756545 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The molecular pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a complex process progressing from premalignant stages to cancer in a stepwise manner. Mostly, HCC is detected at advanced stages, leading to high mortality rates. Hence, characterising the molecular underpinnings of HCC from normal to cancer state through precancerous state may help in early detection and improve its prognosis and treatment. In this work, we analysed the transcriptomic profile of tumour and premalignant samples from HCC or chronic liver disease patients, who had undergone either total or partial hepatectomy. The normal samples from patients with metastatic cancer/polycystic liver disease/ cholangiocarcinoma were also included. A gene co-expression network approach was applied to identify hierarchical changes: modules, pathways, and genes related to different trajectories of HCC and patient survival. Our analysis shows that the progression from premalignant conditions to tumour is accompanied by differences in the downregulation of genes associated with HNF4A activity and the immune system and upregulation of cell cycle genes, bringing about variability in patient outcomes. However, an increase in immune and cell cycle activity is observed in premalignant samples. Interestingly, co-expression modules and genes from premalignant stages are associated with survival. THBD, a classical marker for dendritic cells, is a predictor of survival at the premalignant stage. Further, genes linked to microtubules, kinetochores, and centromere are altered in both premalignant and tumour conditions and are associated with survival. Our analysis revealed a three-way molecular axis of liver function, immune pathways, and cell cycle driving HCC pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisri Porukala
- Centre for Computational Natural Sciences and Bioinformatics, IIIT, Hyderabad, India
| | - P. K. Vinod
- Centre for Computational Natural Sciences and Bioinformatics, IIIT, Hyderabad, India
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12
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Apte U. Modulation of Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha (HNF4α): A Critical Mechanism of Disease Progression in Liver Cirrhosis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:505-506. [PMID: 38158194 PMCID: PMC10884551 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
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13
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Hidalgo-Álvarez J, Salas-Lucia F, Vera Cruz D, Fonseca TL, Bianco AC. Localized T3 production modifies the transcriptome and promotes the hepatocyte-like lineage in iPSC-derived hepatic organoids. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e173780. [PMID: 37856222 PMCID: PMC10795825 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.173780] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid hormone (TH) levels are low during development, and the deiodinases control TH signaling through tissue-specific activation or inactivation of TH. Here, we studied human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived (iPSC-derived) hepatic organoids and identified a robust induction of DIO2 expression (the deiodinase that activates T4 to T3) that occurs in hepatoblasts. The surge in DIO2-T3 (the deiodinase that activates thyroxine [T4] to triiodothyronine [T3]) persists until the hepatoblasts differentiate into hepatocyte- or cholangiocyte-like cells, neither of which expresses DIO2. Preventing the induction of the DIO2-T3 signaling modified the expression of key transcription factors, decreased the number of hepatocyte-like cells by ~60%, and increased the number of cholangiocyte-like cells by ~55% without affecting the growth or the size of the mature liver organoid. Physiological levels of T3 could not fully restore the transition from hepatoblasts to mature cells. This indicates that the timed surge in DIO2-T3 signaling critically determines the fate of developing human hepatoblasts and the transcriptome of the maturing hepatocytes, with physiological and clinical implications for how the liver handles energy substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diana Vera Cruz
- Center for Research Informatics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Tatiana L. Fonseca
- Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and
| | - Antonio C. Bianco
- Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and
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14
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Robarts DR, Dai J, Lau C, Apte U, Corton JC. Hepatic Transcriptome Comparative In Silico Analysis Reveals Similar Pathways and Targets Altered by Legacy and Alternative Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Mice. TOXICS 2023; 11:963. [PMID: 38133364 PMCID: PMC10748317 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of fluorinated carbon chains that include legacy PFAS, such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). These compounds induce adverse health effects, including hepatotoxicity. Potential alternatives to the legacy PFAS (HFPO-DA (GenX), HFPO4, HFPO-TA, F-53B, 6:2 FTSA, and 6:2 FTCA), as well as a byproduct of PFAS manufacturing (Nafion BP2), are increasingly being found in the environment. The potential hazards of these new alternatives are less well known. To better understand the diversity of molecular targets of the PFAS, we performed a comparative toxicogenomics analysis of the gene expression changes in the livers of mice exposed to these PFAS, and compared these to five activators of PPARα, a common target of many PFAS. Using hierarchical clustering, pathway analysis, and predictive biomarkers, we found that most of the alternative PFAS modulate molecular targets that overlap with legacy PFAS. Only three of the 11 PFAS tested did not appreciably activate PPARα (Nafion BP2, 6:2 FTSA, and 6:2 FTCA). Predictive biomarkers showed that most PFAS (PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, HFPO-TA, F-53B, HFPO4, Nafion BP2) activated CAR. PFNA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, HFPO4, HFPO-TA, F-53B, Nafion BP2, and 6:2 FTSA suppressed STAT5b, activated NRF2, and activated SREBP. There was no apparent relationship between the length of the carbon chain, type of head group, or number of ether linkages and the transcriptomic changes. This work highlights the similarities in molecular targets between the legacy and alternative PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota R. Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Jiayin Dai
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Christopher Lau
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - J. Christopher Corton
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
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15
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Melis M, Marino R, Tian J, Johnson C, Sethi R, Oertel M, Fox IJ, Locker J. Mechanism and Effect of HNF4α Decrease in a Rat Model of Cirrhosis and Liver Failure. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:453-479. [PMID: 37993018 PMCID: PMC10837635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.11.009] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS HNF4α, a master regulator of liver development and the mature hepatocyte phenotype, is down-regulated in chronic and inflammatory liver disease. We used contemporary transcriptomics and epigenomics to study the cause and effects of this down-regulation and characterized a multicellular etiology. METHODS Progressive changes in the rat carbon tetrachloride model were studied by deep RNA sequencing and genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis of transcription factor (TF) binding and chromatin modification. Studies compared decompensated cirrhosis with liver failure after 26 weeks of treatment with earlier compensated cirrhosis and with additional rat models of chronic fibrosis. Finally, to resolve cell-specific responses and intercellular signaling, we compared transcriptomes of liver, nonparenchymal, and inflammatory cells. RESULTS HNF4α was significantly lower in 26-week cirrhosis, part of a general reduction of TFs that regulate metabolism. Nevertheless, increased binding of HNF4α contributed to strong activation of major phenotypic genes, whereas reduced binding to other genes had a moderate phenotypic effect. Decreased Hnf4a expression was the combined effect of STAT3 and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) activation, which similarly reduced expression of other metabolic TFs. STAT/NFκB also induced de novo expression of Osmr by hepatocytes to complement induced expression of Osm by nonparenchymal cells. CONCLUSIONS Liver decompensation by inflammatory STAT3 and NFκB signaling was not a direct consequence of progressive cirrhosis. Despite significant reduction of Hnf4a expression, residual levels of this abundant TF still stimulated strong new gene expression. Reduction of HNF4α was part of a broad hepatocyte transcriptional response to inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Melis
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Rebecca Marino
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jianmin Tian
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Carla Johnson
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Rahil Sethi
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael Oertel
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ira J Fox
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Joseph Locker
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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16
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Shah A, Huck I, Duncan K, Gansemer ER, Liu K, Adajar RC, Apte U, Stamnes MA, Rutkowski DT. Interference with the HNF4-dependent gene regulatory network diminishes endoplasmic reticulum stress in hepatocytes. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0278. [PMID: 37820274 PMCID: PMC10578741 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000278] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In all eukaryotic cell types, the unfolded protein response (UPR) upregulates factors that promote protein folding and misfolded protein clearance to help alleviate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Yet, ER stress in the liver is uniquely accompanied by the suppression of metabolic genes, the coordination and purpose of which are largely unknown. METHODS Here, we combined in silico machine learning, in vivo liver-specific deletion of the master regulator of hepatocyte differentiation HNF4α, and in vitro manipulation of hepatocyte differentiation state to determine how the UPR regulates hepatocyte identity and toward what end. RESULTS Machine learning identified a cluster of correlated genes that were profoundly suppressed by persistent ER stress in the liver. These genes, which encode diverse functions including metabolism, coagulation, drug detoxification, and bile synthesis, are likely targets of the master regulator of hepatocyte differentiation HNF4α. The response of these genes to ER stress was phenocopied by liver-specific deletion of HNF4α. Strikingly, while deletion of HNF4α exacerbated liver injury in response to an ER stress challenge, it also diminished UPR activation and partially preserved ER ultrastructure, suggesting attenuated ER stress. Conversely, pharmacological maintenance of hepatocyte identity in vitro enhanced sensitivity to stress. CONCLUSIONS Together, our findings suggest that the UPR regulates hepatocyte identity through HNF4α to protect ER homeostasis even at the expense of liver function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anit Shah
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Ian Huck
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Kaylia Duncan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Erica R. Gansemer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Kaihua Liu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Reed C. Adajar
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Mark A. Stamnes
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - D. Thomas Rutkowski
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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17
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Robarts DR, Kotulkar M, Paine-Cabrera D, Venneman KK, Hanover JA, Zachara NE, Slawson C, Apte U. The essential role of O-GlcNAcylation in hepatic differentiation. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0283. [PMID: 37930118 PMCID: PMC10629742 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000283] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND O-GlcNAcylation is a post-translational modification catalyzed by the enzyme O-GlcNAc transferase, which transfers a single N-acetylglucosamine sugar from UDP-GlcNAc to the protein on serine and threonine residues on proteins. Another enzyme, O-GlcNAcase (OGA), removes this modification. O-GlcNAcylation plays an important role in pathophysiology. Here, we report that O-GlcNAcylation is essential for hepatocyte differentiation, and chronic loss results in fibrosis and HCC. METHODS Single-cell RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to investigate hepatocyte differentiation in hepatocyte-specific O-GlcNAc transferase-knockout (OGT-KO) mice with decreased hepatic O-GlcNAcylation and in O-GlcNAcase-KO mice with increased O-GlcNAcylation in hepatocytes. Patients HCC samples and the diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC model were used to investigate the effect of modulation of O-GlcNAcylation on the development of liver cancer. RESULTS Loss of hepatic O-GlcNAcylation resulted in disruption of liver zonation. Periportal hepatocytes were the most affected by loss of differentiation, characterized by dysregulation of glycogen storage and glucose production. O-GlcNAc transferase-KO mice exacerbated diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC development with increased inflammation, fibrosis, and YAP signaling. Consistently, O-GlcNAcase -KO mice with increased hepatic O-GlcNAcylation inhibited diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC. A progressive loss of O-GlcNAcylation was observed in patients with HCC. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that O-GlcNAcylation is a critical regulator of hepatic differentiation, and loss of O-GlcNAcylation promotes hepatocarcinogenesis. These data highlight increasing O-GlcNAcylation as a potential therapy in chronic liver diseases, including HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota R. Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Diego Paine-Cabrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Kaitlyn K. Venneman
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - John A. Hanover
- Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Natasha E. Zachara
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chad Slawson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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18
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Kotulkar M, Cabrera DP, Robarts D, Apte U. Regulation of Hepatic Xenosensor Function by HNF4alpha. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.11.561888. [PMID: 37873133 PMCID: PMC10592787 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.11.561888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors including Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR), Constitutive Androstane Receptor (CAR), Pregnane X Receptor (PXR), and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-alpha (PPARα) function as xenobiotic sensors. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4α) is a highly conserved orphan nuclear receptor essential for liver function. We tested the hypothesis that HNF4α is essential for function of these four major xenosensors. Wild-type (WT) and hepatocyte-specific HNF4α knockout (HNF4α-KO) mice were treated with the mouse-specific activators of AhR (TCDD, 30 µg/kg), CAR (TCPOBOP, 2.5 µg/g), PXR, (PCN, 100 µg/g), and PPARα (WY-14643, 1 mg/kg). Blood and liver tissue samples were collected to study nuclear receptor activation. TCDD (AhR agonist) treatment did not affect the liver-to-body weight ratio (LW/BW) in either WT or HNF4α-KO mice. Further, TCDD activated AhR in both WT and HNF4-KO mice, confirmed by increase in expression of its target genes. TCPOBOP (CAR agonist) significantly increased the LW/BW ratio and CAR target gene expression in WT mice, but not in HNF4α-KO mice. PCN (a mouse PXR agonist) significantly increased LW/BW ratio in both WT and HNF4α-KO mice however, it failed to induce PXR target genes in HNF4 KO mice. The treatment of WY-14643 (PPARα agonist) increased LW/BW ratio and PPARα target gene expression in WT mice but not in HNF4α-KO mice. Together, these data indicate that the function of CAR, PXR, and PPARα but not of AhR was disrupted in HNF4α-KO mice. These results demonstrate that HNF4α function is critical for the activation of hepatic xenosensors, which are critical for toxicological responses.
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19
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Kotulkar M, Paine-Cabrera D, Abernathy S, Robarts DR, Parkes WS, Lin-Rahardja K, Numata S, Lebofsky M, Jaeschke H, Apte U. Role of HNF4alpha-cMyc interaction in liver regeneration and recovery after acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury. Hepatology 2023; 78:1106-1117. [PMID: 37021787 PMCID: PMC10523339 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) is the major cause of acute liver failure in the western world. We report a novel signaling interaction between hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) cMyc and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) during liver injury and regeneration after APAP overdose. APPROACH AND RESULTS APAP-induced liver injury and regeneration were studied in male C57BL/6J (WT) mice, hepatocyte-specific HNF4α knockout mice (HNF4α-KO), and HNF4α-cMyc double knockout mice (DKO). C57BL/6J mice treated with 300 mg/kg maintained nuclear HNF4α expression and exhibited liver regeneration, resulting in recovery. However, treatment with 600-mg/kg APAP, where liver regeneration was inhibited and recovery was delayed, showed a rapid decline in HNF4α expression. HNF4α-KO mice developed significantly higher liver injury due to delayed glutathione recovery after APAP overdose. HNF4α-KO mice also exhibited significant induction of cMyc, and the deletion of cMyc in HNF4α-KO mice (DKO mice) reduced the APAP-induced liver injury. The DKO mice had significantly faster glutathione replenishment due to rapid induction in Gclc and Gclm genes. Coimmunoprecipitation and ChIP analyses revealed that HNF4α interacts with Nrf2 and affects its DNA binding. Furthermore, DKO mice showed significantly faster initiation of cell proliferation resulting in rapid liver regeneration and recovery. CONCLUSIONS These data show that HNF4α interacts with Nrf2 and promotes glutathione replenishment aiding in recovery from APAP-induced liver injury, a process inhibited by cMyc. These studies indicate that maintaining the HNF4α function is critical for regeneration and recovery after APAP overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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20
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Dubois‐Chevalier J, Gheeraert C, Berthier A, Boulet C, Dubois V, Guille L, Fourcot M, Marot G, Gauthier K, Dubuquoy L, Staels B, Lefebvre P, Eeckhoute J. An extended transcription factor regulatory network controls hepatocyte identity. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e57020. [PMID: 37424431 PMCID: PMC10481658 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202357020] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell identity is specified by a core transcriptional regulatory circuitry (CoRC), typically limited to a small set of interconnected cell-specific transcription factors (TFs). By mining global hepatic TF regulons, we reveal a more complex organization of the transcriptional regulatory network controlling hepatocyte identity. We show that tight functional interconnections controlling hepatocyte identity extend to non-cell-specific TFs beyond the CoRC, which we call hepatocyte identity (Hep-ID)CONNECT TFs. Besides controlling identity effector genes, Hep-IDCONNECT TFs also engage in reciprocal transcriptional regulation with TFs of the CoRC. In homeostatic basal conditions, this translates into Hep-IDCONNECT TFs being involved in fine tuning CoRC TF expression including their rhythmic expression patterns. Moreover, a role for Hep-IDCONNECT TFs in the control of hepatocyte identity is revealed in dedifferentiated hepatocytes where Hep-IDCONNECT TFs are able to reset CoRC TF expression. This is observed upon activation of NR1H3 or THRB in hepatocarcinoma or in hepatocytes subjected to inflammation-induced loss of identity. Our study establishes that hepatocyte identity is controlled by an extended array of TFs beyond the CoRC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Céline Gheeraert
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
| | - Alexandre Berthier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
| | - Clémence Boulet
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
| | - Vanessa Dubois
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
- Basic and Translational Endocrinology (BaTE), Department of Basic and Applied Medical SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Loïc Guille
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
| | - Marie Fourcot
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41 – UAR 2014 – PLBSLilleFrance
| | - Guillemette Marot
- Univ. Lille, Inria, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 – METRICS: Évaluation des technologies de santé et des pratiques médicalesLilleFrance
| | - Karine Gauthier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon (IGFL), CNRS UMR 5242, INRAE USC 1370, École Normale Supérieure de LyonLyonFrance
| | - Laurent Dubuquoy
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 – INFINITE – Institute for Translational Research in InflammationLilleFrance
| | - Bart Staels
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
| | - Philippe Lefebvre
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
| | - Jérôme Eeckhoute
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
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21
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Wei T, Li J, Zhang J, Zhang Q, Liu X, Chen Q, Wen L, Ma K, Chen W, Zhao J, Zhang C, Huang J, Xie Y, Qin H, Qian D, Liang T. Loss of Mettl3 enhances liver tumorigenesis by inducing hepatocyte dedifferentiation and hyperproliferation. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112704. [PMID: 37379215 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112704] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
While a few works have shown that Mettl3 plays oncogenic roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), its function in early HCC tumorigenesis remains unclear. In Mettl3flox/flox; Alb-Cre knockout mice, Mettl3 loss leads to aberrant hepatocyte homeostasis and liver damage. Importantly, Mettl3 deletion dramatically accelerates liver tumorigenesis in various HCC mouse models. Depletion of Mettl3 in adult Mettl3flox/flox mice through TBG-Cre administration also enhances liver tumor development, while overexpression of Mettl3 inhibits hepatocarcinogenesis. Mechanistically, aggravated tumorigenesis upon Mettl3 deletion is a consequence of hepatocyte dedifferentiation and hyperproliferation via m6A-mediated modulation on Hnf4α and cell cycle genes. In contrast, by using Mettl3flox/flox; Ubc-Cre mice, depletion of Mettl3 in established HCC ameliorates tumor progression. Additionally, Mettl3 is overexpressed in HCC tumors compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues. The present findings define a tumor-suppressive role of Mettl3 in liver tumorigenesis, indicating its potentially opposite stage-dependent functions in HCC initiation versus progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Liang Wen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Ke Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Wen Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Jianhui Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Jinyan Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Yali Xie
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Hao Qin
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Danfeng Qian
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China.
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22
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Abstract
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 α (HNF4α) is a highly conserved member of the nuclear receptor superfamily expressed at high levels in the liver, kidney, pancreas, and gut. In the liver, HNF4α is exclusively expressed in hepatocytes, where it is indispensable for embryonic and postnatal liver development and for normal liver function in adults. It is considered a master regulator of hepatic differentiation because it regulates a significant number of genes involved in hepatocyte-specific functions. Loss of HNF4α expression and function is associated with the progression of chronic liver disease. Further, HNF4α is a target of chemical-induced liver injury. In this review, we discuss the role of HNF4α in liver pathophysiology and highlight its potential use as a therapeutic target for liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Dakota R Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
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23
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Robarts DR, Kotulkar M, Paine-Cabrera D, Venneman KK, Hanover JA, Zachara NE, Slawson C, Apte U. The Essential Role of O-GlcNAcylation in Hepatic Differentiation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.16.528884. [PMID: 36824917 PMCID: PMC9949138 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.16.528884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
Background & Aims O-GlcNAcylation is a post-translational modification catalyzed by the enzyme O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), which transfers a single N-acetylglucosamine sugar from UDP-GlcNAc to the protein on serine and threonine residues on proteins. Another enzyme, O-GlcNAcase (OGA), removes this modification. O-GlcNAcylation plays an important role in pathophysiology. Here, we report that O-GlcNAcylation is essential for hepatocyte differentiation, and chronic loss results in fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Single-cell RNA-sequencing was used to investigate hepatocyte differentiation in hepatocyte-specific OGT-KO mice with increased hepatic O-GlcNAcylation and in OGA-KO mice with decreased O-GlcNAcylation in hepatocytes. HCC patient samples and the DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model were used to investigate the effect of modulation of O-GlcNAcylation on the development of liver cancer. Results Loss of hepatic O-GlcNAcylation resulted in disruption of liver zonation. Periportal hepatocytes were the most affected by loss of differentiation characterized by dysregulation of glycogen storage and glucose production. OGT-KO mice exacerbated DEN-induced HCC development with increased inflammation, fibrosis, and YAP signaling. Consistently, OGA-KO mice with increased hepatic O-GlcNAcylation inhibited DEN-induced HCC. A progressive loss of O-GlcNAcylation was observed in HCC patients. Conclusions Our study shows that O-GlcNAcylation is a critical regulator of hepatic differentiation, and loss of O-GlcNAcylation promotes hepatocarcinogenesis. These data highlight increasing O-GlcNAcylation as a potential therapy in chronic liver diseases, including HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota R. Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Diego Paine-Cabrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Kaitlyn K. Venneman
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - John A. Hanover
- Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Natasha E. Zachara
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chad Slawson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
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24
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Shah A, Huck I, Duncan K, Gansemer ER, Apte U, Stamnes MA, Rutkowski DT. Interference with the HNF4-dependent gene regulatory network diminishes ER stress in hepatocytes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.09.527889. [PMID: 36798396 PMCID: PMC9934629 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.09.527889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
In all eukaryotic cell types, the unfolded protein response (UPR) upregulates factors that promote protein folding and misfolded protein clearance to help alleviate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Yet ER stress in the liver is uniquely accompanied by the suppression of metabolic genes, the coordination and purpose of which is largely unknown. Here, we used unsupervised machine learning to identify a cluster of correlated genes that were profoundly suppressed by persistent ER stress in the liver. These genes, which encode diverse functions including metabolism, coagulation, drug detoxification, and bile synthesis, are likely targets of the master regulator of hepatocyte differentiation HNF4α. The response of these genes to ER stress was phenocopied by liver-specific deletion of HNF4 α. Strikingly, while deletion of HNF4α exacerbated liver injury in response to an ER stress challenge, it also diminished UPR activation and partially preserved ER ultrastructure, suggesting attenuated ER stress. Conversely, pharmacological maintenance of hepatocyte identity in vitro enhanced sensitivity to stress. Several pathways potentially link HNF4α to ER stress sensitivity, including control of expression of the tunicamycin transporter MFSD2A; modulation of IRE1/XBP1 signaling; and regulation of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase. Together, these findings suggest that HNF4α activity is linked to hepatic ER homeostasis through multiple mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anit Shah
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
| | - Ian Huck
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Kaylia Duncan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
| | - Erica R. Gansemer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Mark A. Stamnes
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
| | - D. Thomas Rutkowski
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
- Department of Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
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25
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Robarts DR, Paine-Cabrera D, Kotulkar M, Venneman KK, Gunewardena S, Corton JC, Lau C, Foquet L, Bial G, Apte U. Identifying Human Specific Adverse Outcome Pathways of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Using Liver-Chimeric Humanized Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.01.526711. [PMID: 36778348 PMCID: PMC9915685 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.01.526711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants with myriad adverse effects. While perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) are the most common contaminants, levels of replacement PFAS, such as perfluoro-2-methyl-3-oxahexanoic acid (GenX), are increasing. In rodents, PFOA, PFOS, and GenX have several adverse effects on the liver, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Objective We aimed to determine human-relevant mechanisms of PFAS induced adverse hepatic effects using FRG liver-chimeric humanized mice with livers repopulated with functional human hepatocytes. Methods Male humanized mice were treated with 0.067 mg/L of PFOA, 0.145 mg/L of PFOS, or 1 mg/L of GenX in drinking water for 28 days. Liver and serum were collected for pathology and clinical chemistry, respectively. RNA-sequencing coupled with pathway analysis was used to determine molecular mechanisms. Results PFOS caused a significant decrease in total serum cholesterol and LDL/VLDL, whereas GenX caused a significant elevation in LDL/VLDL with no change in total cholesterol and HDL. PFOA had no significant changes in serum LDL/VLDL and total cholesterol. All three PFAS induced significant hepatocyte proliferation. RNA-sequencing with alignment to the human genome showed a total of 240, 162, and 619 differentially expressed genes after PFOA, PFOS, and GenX exposure, respectively. Upstream regulator analysis revealed inhibition of NR1D1, a transcriptional repressor important in circadian rhythm, as the major common molecular change in all PFAS treatments. PFAS treated mice had significant nuclear localization of NR1D1. In silico modeling showed PFOA, PFOS, and GenX potentially interact with the DNA-binding domain of NR1D1. Discussion These data implicate PFAS in circadian rhythm disruption via inhibition of NR1D1. These studies show that FRG humanized mice are a useful tool for studying the adverse outcome pathways of environmental pollutants on human hepatocytes in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota R. Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Diego Paine-Cabrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Kaitlyn K. Venneman
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Sumedha Gunewardena
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - J. Christopher Corton
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Christopher Lau
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | | | | | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
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26
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Thymiakou E, Tzardi M, Kardassis D. Impaired hepatic glucose metabolism and liver-α-cell axis in mice with liver-specific ablation of the Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α (Hnf4a) gene. Metabolism 2023; 139:155371. [PMID: 36464036 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2022.155371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hnf4a gene ablation in mouse liver causes hepatic steatosis, perturbs HDL structure and function and affects many pathways and genes related to glucose metabolism. Our aim here was to investigate the role of liver HNF4A in glucose homeostasis. METHODS Serum and tissue samples were obtained from Alb-Cre;Hnf4afl/fl (H4LivKO) mice and their littermate Hnf4afl/fl controls. Fasting glucose and insulin, glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance and glucagon challenge tests were performed by standard procedures. Binding of HNF4A to DNA was assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Gene expression analysis was performed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. RESULTS H4LivKO mice presented lower blood levels of fasting glucose, improved glucose tolerance, increased serum lactate levels and reduced response to glucagon challenge compared to their control littermates. Insulin signaling in the liver was reduced despite the increase in serum insulin levels. H4LivKO mice showed altered expression of genes involved in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and glycogen metabolism in the liver. The expression of the gene encoding the glucagon receptor (Gcgr) was markedly reduced in H4LivKO liver and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed specific and strong binding of HNF4A to the Gcgr promoter. H4LivKO mice presented increased amino acid concentration in the serum, α-cell hyperplasia and a dramatic increase in glucagon levels suggesting an impairment of the liver-α-cell axis. Glucose administration in the drinking water of H4LivKO mice resulted in an impressive extension of survival. The expression of several genes related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression to more severe liver pathologies, including Mcp1, Gdf15, Igfbp-1 and Hmox1, was increased in H4LivKO mice as early as 6 weeks of age and this increased expression was sustained until the endpoint of the study. CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal a novel role of liver HNF4A in controlling blood glucose levels via regulation of glucagon signaling. In combination with the steatotic phenotype, our results suggest that H4LivKO mice could serve as a valuable model for studying glucose homeostasis in the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efstathia Thymiakou
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion 71003, Greece; Gene Regulation and Epigenetics group, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology of Hellas, Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Maria Tzardi
- Department of Pathology, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Dimitris Kardassis
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion 71003, Greece; Gene Regulation and Epigenetics group, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology of Hellas, Heraklion 71003, Greece.
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27
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Robarts DR, Venneman KK, Gunewardena S, Apte U. GenX induces fibroinflammatory gene expression in primary human hepatocytes. Toxicology 2022; 477:153259. [PMID: 35850385 PMCID: PMC9741548 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2022.153259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The toxicity induced by the persistent organic pollutants per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is dependent on the length of their polyfluorinated tail. Long-chain PFASs have significantly longer half-lives and profound toxic effects compared to their short-chain counterparts. Recently, production of a short-chain PFAS substitute called ammonium 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy) propanoate, also known as GenX, has significantly increased. However, the adverse health effects of GenX are not completely known. In this study, we investigated the dose-dependent effects of GenX on primary human hepatocytes (PHH). Freshly isolated PHH were treated with either 0.1, 10, or 100 μM of GenX for 48 and 96 h; then, global transcriptomic changes were determined using Human Clariom™ D arrays. GenX-induced transcriptional changes were similar at 0.1 and 10 μM doses but were significantly different at the 100 μM dose. Genes involved in lipid, monocarboxylic acid, and ketone metabolism were significantly altered following exposure of PHH at all doses. However, at the 100 μM dose, GenX caused changes in genes involved in cell proliferation, inflammation and fibrosis. A correlation analysis of concentration and differential gene expression revealed that 576 genes positively (R > 0.99) and 375 genes negatively (R < -0.99) correlated with GenX concentration. The upstream regulator analysis indicated HIF1α was inhibited at the lower doses but were activated at the higher dose. Additionally, VEGF, PPARα, STAT3, and SMAD4 signaling was induced at the 100 µM dose. These data indicate that at lower doses GenX can interfere with metabolic pathways and at higher doses can induce fibroinflammatory changes in human hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota R Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
| | - Kaitlyn K Venneman
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
| | - Sumedha Gunewardena
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
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28
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Robarts DR, McGreal SR, Umbaugh DS, Parkes WS, Kotulkar M, Abernathy S, Lee N, Jaeschke H, Gunewardena S, Whelan SA, Hanover JA, Zachara NE, Slawson C, Apte U. Regulation of Liver Regeneration by Hepatocyte O-GlcNAcylation in Mice. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 13:1510-1529. [PMID: 35093590 PMCID: PMC9043307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The liver has a unique capacity to regenerate after injury in a highly orchestrated and regulated manner. Here, we report that O-GlcNAcylation, an intracellular post-translational modification regulated by 2 enzymes, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA), is a critical termination signal for liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy (PHX). METHODS We studied liver regeneration after PHX on hepatocyte specific OGT and OGA knockout mice (OGT-KO and OGA-KO), which caused a significant decrease (OGT-KO) and increase (OGA-KO) in hepatic O-GlcNAcylation, respectively. RESULTS OGA-KO mice had normal regeneration, but the OGT-KO mice exhibited substantial defects in termination of liver regeneration with increased liver injury, sustained cell proliferation resulting in significant hepatomegaly, hepatic dysplasia, and appearance of small nodules at 28 days after PHX. This was accompanied by a sustained increase in expression of cyclins along with significant induction in pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic gene expression in the OGT-KO livers. RNA-sequencing studies revealed inactivation of hepatocyte nuclear 4 alpha (HNF4α), the master regulator of hepatic differentiation and a known termination signal, in OGT-KO mice at 28 days after PHX, which was confirmed by both Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. Furthermore, a significant decrease in HNFα target genes was observed in OGT-KO mice, indicating a lack of hepatocyte differentiation following decreased hepatic O-GlcNAcylation. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed HNF4α is O-GlcNAcylated in normal differentiated hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS These studies show that O-GlcNAcylation plays a critical role in the termination of liver regeneration via regulation of HNF4α in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota R Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Steven R McGreal
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - David S Umbaugh
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Wendena S Parkes
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Sarah Abernathy
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Norman Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hartmut Jaeschke
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Kansas City, Kansas
| | | | - Stephen A Whelan
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - John A Hanover
- Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Natasha E Zachara
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chad Slawson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Kansas City, Kansas.
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