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Shamsan E, Almezgagi M, Gamah M, Khan N, Qasem A, Chuanchuan L, Haining F. The role of PI3k/AKT signaling pathway in attenuating liver fibrosis: a comprehensive review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1389329. [PMID: 38590313 PMCID: PMC10999701 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1389329] [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: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components within the liver leads to a pathological condition known as liver fibrosis. Alcohol abuse, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune issues, and viral hepatitis cause chronic liver injury. Exploring potential therapeutic targets and understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in liver fibrosis are essential for the development of effective interventions. The goal of this comprehensive review is to explain how the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway contributes to the reduction of liver fibrosis. The potential of this pathway as a therapeutic target is investigated through a summary of results from in vivo and in vitro studies. Studies focusing on PI3K/AKT activation have shown a significant decrease in fibrosis markers and a significant improvement in liver function. The review emphasizes how this pathway may prevent ECM synthesis and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, ultimately reducing the fibrotic response. The specific mechanisms and downstream effectors of the PI3K/AKT pathway in liver fibrosis constitute a rapidly developing field of study. In conclusion, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway plays a significant role in attenuating liver fibrosis. Its complex role in regulating HSC activation and ECM production, demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo, underscores its potential as a effective therapeutic approach for managing liver fibrosis and slowing disease progression. A comprehensive review of this field provides valuable insights into its future developments and implications for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad Shamsan
- College of Clinical Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Medical Science, Taiz University, Taiz, Yemen
| | - Maged Almezgagi
- College of Clinical Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Mohammed Gamah
- College of Clinical Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Naveed Khan
- College of Clinical Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | | | - Liu Chuanchuan
- College of Clinical Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
| | - Fan Haining
- College of Clinical Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
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Yang Y, Jia X, Qu M, Yang X, Fang Y, Ying X, Zhang M, Wei J, Pan Y. Exploring the potential of treating chronic liver disease targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway and polarization mechanism of macrophages. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17116. [PMID: 37484431 PMCID: PMC10361319 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver disease is a significant public health issue that can lead to considerable morbidity and mortality, imposing an enormous burden on healthcare resources. Understanding the mechanisms underlying chronic liver disease pathogenesis and developing effective treatment strategies are urgently needed. In this regard, the activation of liver resident macrophages, namely Kupffer cells, plays a vital role in liver inflammation and fibrosis. Macrophages display remarkable plasticity and can polarize into different phenotypes according to diverse microenvironmental stimuli. The polarization of macrophages into M1 pro-inflammatory or M2 anti-inflammatory phenotypes is regulated by complex signaling pathways such as the PI3K/Akt pathway. This review focuses on investigating the potential of using plant chemicals targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway for treating chronic liver disease while elucidating the polarization mechanism of macrophages under different microenvironments. Studies have demonstrated that inhibiting M1-type macrophage polarization or promoting M2-type polarization can effectively combat chronic liver diseases such as alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and liver fibrosis. The PI3K/Akt pathway acts as a pivotal modulator of macrophage survival, migration, proliferation, and their responses to metabolism and inflammatory signals. Activating the PI3K/Akt pathway induces anti-inflammatory cytokine expression, resulting in the promotion of M2-like phenotype to facilitate tissue repair and resolution of inflammation. Conversely, inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling could enhance the M1-like phenotype, which exacerbates liver damage. Targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway has tremendous potential as a therapeutic strategy for regulating macrophage polarization and activity to treat chronic liver diseases with plant chemicals, providing new avenues for liver disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqian Yang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China
| | - Xiaotao Jia
- Department of Neurology, The Affifiliated Xi'an Central Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710003, PR China
| | - Mengyang Qu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China
| | - Xinmao Yang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China
| | - Yan Fang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China
| | - Xiaoping Ying
- Department of Basic Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China
| | - Meiqian Zhang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Basic Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China
| | - Yanfang Pan
- Department of Basic Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China
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Zheng Y, Xie L, Yang D, Luo K, Li X. Small-molecule natural plants for reversing liver fibrosis based on modulation of hepatic stellate cells activation: An update. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 113:154721. [PMID: 36870824 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis (LF) is a trauma repair process carried out by the liver in response to various acute and chronic liver injuries. Its primary pathological characteristics are excessive proliferation and improper dismissal of the extracellular matrix, and if left untreated, it will progress into cirrhosis, liver cancer, and other diseases. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation is intimately associated to the onset of LF, and it is anticipated that addressing HSCs proliferation can reverse LF. Plant-based small-molecule medications have anti-LF properties, and their mechanisms of action involve suppression of extracellular matrix abnormally accumulating as well as anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress. New targeting HSC agents will therefore be needed to provide a potential curative response. PURPOSE The most recent HSC routes and small molecule natural plants that target HSC described domestically and internationally in recent years were examined in this review. METHODS The data was looked up using resources including ScienceDirect, CNKI, Web of Science, and PubMed. Keyword searches for information on hepatic stellate cells included "liver fibrosis", "natural plant", "hepatic stellate cells", "adverse reaction", "toxicity", etc. RESULTS: We discovered that plant monomers can target and control various pathways to prevent the activation and proliferation of HSC and promote the apoptosis of HSC in order to achieve the anti-LF effect in this work by compiling the plant monomers that influence many common pathways of HSC in recent years. It demonstrates the wide-ranging potential of plant monomers targeting different routes to combat LF, with a view to supplying new concepts and new strategies for natural plant therapy of LF as well as research and development of novel pharmaceuticals. The investigation of kaempferol, physalin B, and other plant monomers additionally motivated researchers to focus on the structure-activity link between the main chemicals and LF. CONCLUSION The creation of novel pharmaceuticals can benefit greatly from the use of natural components. They are often harmless for people, non-target creatures, and the environment because they are found in nature, and they can be employed as the starting chemicals for the creation of novel medications. Natural plants are valuable resources for creating new medications with fresh action targets because they feature original and distinctive action mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Long Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Dejun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Kaipei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
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Shen M, Guo M, Li Y, Wang Y, Qiu Y, Shao J, Zhang F, Xu X, Yin G, Wang S, Chen A, Zhang Z, Zheng S. m 6A methylation is required for dihydroartemisinin to alleviate liver fibrosis by inducing ferroptosis in hepatic stellate cells. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 182:246-259. [PMID: 35248719 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a central event in the development of liver fibrosis, and the elimination of activated HSCs is considered to be an effective anti-fibrotic strategy. Here, we report that dihydroartemisinin (DHA) prevented the activation of HSCs via ferroptosis pathway. Importantly, DHA treatment increased the level of autophagy in HSCs. The inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA dramatically abolished the DHA-induced ferroptosis in HSCs. Mechanistically, the up-regulated m6A modification is essential for the activation of autophagy by DHA through the reduction of fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO). Down-regulation of m6A modification by FTO overexpression could impair autophagy and the classical ferroptotic events. Interestingly, the m6A modification of BECN1 mRNA was evidently up-regulated compared with other autophagy-related genes. More importantly, YTHDF1 was identified as a key m6A reader protein for BECN1 mRNA stability, and knockdown of YTHDF1 could prevent DHA-induced HSC ferroptosis. Noteworthy, YTH domain was essential for YTHDF1 to prolong the half-life of BECN1 mRNA in DHA-induced HSC ferroptosis. In mice, DHA treatment alleviated liver fibrosis by triggering HSC ferroptosis. HSC-specific inhibition of m6A modification and autophagy could impair DHA-induced HSC ferroptosis in murine liver fibrosis. Overall, these results provided novel implications to reveal the molecular mechanism of DHA-induced ferroptosis, by which pointed to m6A modification-dependent ferroptosis as a potential target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Mei Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yujia Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yingqian Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yangling Qiu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xuefen Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Guoping Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shijun Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250035, China
| | - Anping Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Zili Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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Wang F, Li Z, Chen L, Yang T, Liang B, Zhang Z, Shao J, Xu X, Yin G, Wang S, Ding H, Zhang F, Zheng S. Inhibition of ASCT2 induces hepatic stellate cell senescence with modified proinflammatory secretome through an IL-1α/NF-κB feedback pathway to inhibit liver fibrosis. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:3618-3638. [PMID: 36176909 PMCID: PMC9513497 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Senescence of activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) is a stable growth arrest that is implicated in liver fibrosis regression. Senescent cells often accompanied by a multi-faceted senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). But little is known about how alanine-serine-cysteine transporter type-2 (ASCT2), a high affinity glutamine transporter, affects HSC senescence and SASP during liver fibrosis. Here, we identified ASCT2 is mainly elevated in aHSCs and positively correlated with liver fibrosis in human and mouse fibrotic livers. We first discovered ASCT2 inhibition induced HSCs to senescence in vitro and in vivo. The proinflammatory SASP were restricted by ASCT2 inhibition at senescence initiation to prevent paracrine migration. Mechanically, ASCT2 was a direct target of glutaminolysis-dependent proinflammatory SASP, interfering IL-1α/NF-κB feedback loop via interacting with precursor IL-1α at Lys82. From a translational perspective, atractylenolide III is identified as ASCT2 inhibitor through directly bound to Asn230 of ASCT2. The presence of –OH group in atractylenolide III is suggested to be favorable for the inhibition of ASCT2. Importantly, atractylenolide III could be utilized to treat liver fibrosis mice. Taken together, ASCT2 controlled HSC senescence while modifying the proinflammatory SASP. Targeting ASCT2 by atractylenolide III could be a therapeutic candidate for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feixia Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhanghao Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Li Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Baoyu Liang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zili Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xuefen Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Guoping Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210003, China
| | - Shijun Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250035, China
| | - Hai Ding
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210003, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Corresponding authors.
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Li X, Zhang Q, Wang Z, Zhuang Q, Zhao M. Immune and Metabolic Alterations in Liver Fibrosis: A Disruption of Oxygen Homeostasis? Front Mol Biosci 2022; 8:802251. [PMID: 35187072 PMCID: PMC8850363 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.802251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/06/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the WHO, “cirrhosis of the liver” was the 11th leading cause of death globally in 2019. Many kinds of liver diseases can develop into liver cirrhosis, and liver fibrosis is the main pathological presentation of different aetiologies, including toxic damage, viral infection, and metabolic and genetic diseases. It is characterized by excessive synthesis and decreased decomposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). Hepatocyte cell death, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, and inflammation are crucial incidences of liver fibrosis. The process of fibrosis is also closely related to metabolic and immune disorders, which are usually induced by the destruction of oxygen homeostasis, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and hypoxia pathway activation. Mitochondria are important organelles in energy generation and metabolism. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are key factors activated when hypoxia occurs. Both are considered essential factors of liver fibrosis. In this review, the authors highlight the impact of oxygen imbalance on metabolism and immunity in liver fibrosis as well as potential novel targets for antifibrotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Quyan Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Quan Zhuang
- Transplantation Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Quan Zhuang, ; Mingyi Zhao,
| | - Mingyi Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Quan Zhuang, ; Mingyi Zhao,
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Tan Z, Sun H, Xue T, Gan C, Liu H, Xie Y, Yao Y, Ye T. Liver Fibrosis: Therapeutic Targets and Advances in Drug Therapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:730176. [PMID: 34621747 PMCID: PMC8490799 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.730176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is an abnormal wound repair response caused by a variety of chronic liver injuries, which is characterized by over-deposition of diffuse extracellular matrix (ECM) and anomalous hyperplasia of connective tissue, and it may further develop into liver cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. To date, chronic liver diseases accompanied with liver fibrosis have caused significant morbidity and mortality in the world with increasing tendency. Although early liver fibrosis has been reported to be reversible, the detailed mechanism of reversing liver fibrosis is still unclear and there is lack of an effective treatment for liver fibrosis. Thus, it is still a top priority for the research and development of anti-fibrosis drugs. In recent years, many strategies have emerged as crucial means to inhibit the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis including anti-inflammation and liver protection, inhibition of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation and proliferation, reduction of ECM overproduction and acceleration of ECM degradation. Moreover, gene therapy has been proved to be a promising anti-fibrosis method. Here, we provide an overview of the relevant targets and drugs under development. We aim to classify and summarize their potential roles in treatment of liver fibrosis, and discuss the challenges and development of anti-fibrosis drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zui Tan
- Sichuan University-University of Oxford Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongbao Sun
- Sichuan University-University of Oxford Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Taixiong Xue
- Sichuan University-University of Oxford Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cailing Gan
- Sichuan University-University of Oxford Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongyao Liu
- Sichuan University-University of Oxford Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuting Xie
- Sichuan University-University of Oxford Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuqin Yao
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tinghong Ye
- Sichuan University-University of Oxford Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Xiong Y, Huang J. Anti-malarial drug: the emerging role of artemisinin and its derivatives in liver disease treatment. Chin Med 2021; 16:80. [PMID: 34407830 PMCID: PMC8371597 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-021-00489-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin and its derivatives belong to a family of drugs approved for the treatment of malaria with known clinical safety and efficacy. In addition to its anti-malarial effect, artemisinin displays anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects in vivo and in vitro. Recently, much attention has been paid to the therapeutic role of artemisinin in liver diseases. Several studies suggest that artemisinin and its derivatives can protect the liver through different mechanisms, such as those pertaining to inflammation, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and induction of apoptosis and autophagy. In this review, we provide a comprehensive discussion of the underlying molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of artemisinin and its derivatives in treating liver diseases. Further pharmacological research will aid in determining whether artemisinin and its derivatives may serve as promising medicines for the treatment of liver diseases in the future. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xiong
- The Department of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Jianrong Huang
- The Department of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
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9
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Xia S, Wang Z, Chen L, Zhou Y, Li Y, Wang S, Chen A, Xu X, Shao J, Zhang Z, Tan S, Zhang F, Zheng S. Dihydroartemisinin regulates lipid droplet metabolism in hepatic stellate cells by inhibiting lncRNA-H19-induced AMPK signal. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 192:114730. [PMID: 34400125 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a central event in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and is often accompanied by the disappearance of lipid droplets (LDs). Although interference with LD metabolism can effectively reverse the activation of HSCs, there is currently no effective therapy for liver fibrosis. Our previous evidence indicates that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-H19 plays an essential role in LD metabolism of HSC. In this study, we investigated the potential molecular mechanism of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) inhibits LD metabolism and liver fibrosis by regulating H19-AMPK pathway. We found that DHA restores LDs content in activated HSCs via reducing the transcription of H19 driven by hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1α) and inhibiting the lipid oxidation signal mediated by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation. In vivo experiments, we have proved that DHA reduced the deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and reduce the level of liver fibrosis in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis of mice. In summary, our results emphasize the importance of H19 in liver fibrosis and the potential of DHA to regulate H19 to treat liver fibrosis, providing a new direction for the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Xia
- Jangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhimin Wang
- Jiangsu Provincial Xuzhou Pharmaceutical Vocational College, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Li Chen
- Jangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhou
- Jangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yang Li
- Jangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shijun Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250035, China
| | - Anping Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, MO 63104, USA
| | - Xuefen Xu
- Jangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zili Zhang
- Jangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shanzhong Tan
- Department of Integrated TCM and Western Medicine, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Dolivo D, Weathers P, Dominko T. Artemisinin and artemisinin derivatives as anti-fibrotic therapeutics. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:322-339. [PMID: 33643815 PMCID: PMC7893118 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a pathological reparative process that can occur in most organs and is responsible for nearly half of deaths in the developed world. Despite considerable research, few therapies have proven effective and been approved clinically for treatment of fibrosis. Artemisinin compounds are best known as antimalarial therapeutics, but they also demonstrate antiparasitic, antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-fibrotic effects. Here we summarize literature describing anti-fibrotic effects of artemisinin compounds in in vivo and in vitro models of tissue fibrosis, and we describe the likely mechanisms by which artemisinin compounds appear to inhibit cellular and tissue processes that lead to fibrosis. To consider alternative routes of administration of artemisinin for treatment of internal organ fibrosis, we also discuss the potential for more direct oral delivery of Artemisia plant material to enhance bioavailability and efficacy of artemisinin compared to administration of purified artemisinin drugs at comparable doses. It is our hope that greater understanding of the broad anti-fibrotic effects of artemisinin drugs will enable and promote their use as therapeutics for treatment of fibrotic diseases.
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Key Words
- ALP, alkaline phosphatase
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- AMPK, AMP-activated protein kinase
- ASP, aspartate aminotransferase
- Artemisia
- Artemisinin
- Artesunate
- BAD, BCL-2-associated agonist of cell death
- BDL, bile duct ligation
- BSA, bovine serum albumin
- BUN, blood urea nitrogen
- CCl4, carbon tetrachloride
- CTGF, connective tissue growth factor
- Col I, type I collagen
- DHA, dihydroartemisinin
- DLA, dried leaf Artemisia
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- EMT, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
- FLS, fibroblast-like synoviocyte
- Fibroblast
- Fibrosis
- HA, hyaluronic acid
- HSC, hepatic stellate cell
- HUVEC, human umbilical vein endothelial cell
- LAP, latency-associated peptide
- LDH, lactate dehydrogenase
- MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase
- MI, myocardial infarction
- MMP, matrix metalloproteinase
- Myofibroblast
- NAG, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase
- NICD, Notch intracellular domain
- PCNA, proliferating cell nuclear antigen
- PHN, passive heymann nephritis
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- STZ, streptozotocin
- Scar
- TGF, β-transforming growth factor-β
- TGF-β
- TIMP, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase
- UUO, unilateral ureteral obstruction
- i.p., intraperitoneal
- mTOR, mechanistic target of rapamycin
- sCr, serum creatinine
- α-SMA, smooth muscle α-actin
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Affiliation(s)
- David Dolivo
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Pamela Weathers
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, USA
| | - Tanja Dominko
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, USA
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11
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Ma X, Jiang Y, Wen J, Zhao Y, Zeng J, Guo Y. A comprehensive review of natural products to fight liver fibrosis: Alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, coumarins and other compounds. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 888:173578. [PMID: 32976828 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of drugs to treat liver fibrosis has long been a challenge over the past decades due to its complicated pathogenesis. As a primary approach for drug development, natural products account for 30% of clinical drugs used for disease treatment. Therefore, natural products are increasingly important for their medicinal value in liver fibrosis therapy. In this part of the review, special focus is placed on the effect and mechanism of natural compounds, including alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, coumarins and others. A total of 36 kinds of natural compounds demonstrate significant antifibrotic effects in various liver fibrosis models in vivo and in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro. Revealing the mechanism will provide further basis for clinical conversion, as well as accelerate drug discovery. The mechanism was further summarized with the finding of network regulation by several natural products, such as oxymatrine, paeoniflorin, ginsenoside Rg1 and taurine. Moreover, there are still improvements needed in investigating clinical efficacy, determining mechanisms, and combining applications, as well as semisynthesis and modification. Therefore, natural products area promising resource for agents that protect against liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Yinxiao Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Jianxia Wen
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China; Department of Pharmacy, Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Yanling Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Jinhao Zeng
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Yaoguang Guo
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China.
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12
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Novel use for old drugs: The emerging role of artemisinin and its derivatives in fibrosis. Pharmacol Res 2020; 157:104829. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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13
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Wang ZM, Xia SW, Zhang T, Wang ZY, Yang X, Kai J, Cheng XD, Shao JJ, Tan SZ, Chen AP, Wang SJ, Zhang F, Zhang ZL, Zheng SZ. LncRNA-H19 induces hepatic stellate cell activation via upregulating alcohol dehydrogenase III-mediated retinoic acid signals. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 84:106470. [PMID: 32304991 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a pivotal event in liver fibrosis, characterized by enhanced retinoic acid signals. Although up-regulated retinoic acid signal responds further to maintain HSC activation, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, we sought to investigate the role of lncRNA-H19 in regulation of retinoic acid signals, and to further examine the underlying mechanism in this molecular context. We found that lncRNA-H19 upregulation could enhance retinoic acid signals to induce HSC activation, whereas lncRNA-H19 knockdown completely disturbed retinoic acid signals. Moreover, the activation of retinoic acid signals impaired the lncRNA-H19 knockdown mediated HSC inactivation. Interestingly, we also found that enhanced retinoic acid signals by lncRNA-H19 was associated with a coordinate increase in retinol metabolism during HSC activation. Increased retinol metabolism contributed to obvious lipid droplet consumption. Importantly, we identified that alcohol dehydrogenase III (ADH3) was essential for lncRNA-H19 to enhance retinoic acid signals. The inhibition of ADH3 completely abrogated the lncRNA-H19 mediated retinoic acid signals and HSC activation. Of note, we identified dihydroartemisinin (DHA) as a natural inhibitor for lncRNA-H19. Treatment with DHA significantly decreased the expression of lncRNA-H19, reduced the expression of ADH3, blocked retinoic acid signals, and in turn, inhibited HSC activation. Overall, these results provided novel implications to reveal the molecular mechanism of increased retinoic acid signals during HSC activation, and identify lncRNA-H19/ADH3 pathway as a potential target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Min Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Si-Wei Xia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhen-Yi Wang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiang Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jun Kai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xu-Dong Cheng
- Suzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Jiang-Juan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shan-Zhong Tan
- Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - An-Ping Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, MO 63104, USA
| | - Shi-Jun Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250035, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zi-Li Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Shi-Zhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
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14
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Hemistepsin A alleviates liver fibrosis by inducing apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells via inhibition of nuclear factor-κB and Akt. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 135:111044. [PMID: 31830547 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.111044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Hemistepsin A (HsA), isolated from Hemistepta lyrata (Bunge) Bunge, has the ability to ameliorate hepatitis in mice. However, the effects of H. lyrata and HsA on other types of liver disease have not been explored. In this report, we investigated the effects of H. lyrata and HsA on liver fibrosis and the underlying molecular mechanisms in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Based on cell viability-guided isolation, we found HsA was the major natural product responsible for H. lyrata-mediated cytotoxicity in LX-2 cells. HsA significantly decreased the viability of LX-2 cells and primary activated HSCs, increased the binding of Annexin V, and altered the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, suggesting that HsA induces apoptosis in activated HSCs. HsA reduced the phosphorylation of IKKε and the transactivation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Moreover, HsA decreased the phosphorylation of Akt and its downstream signaling molecules. Transfection experiments suggested that inhibition of NF-κB or Akt is essential for HsA-induced apoptosis of HSCs. In a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model, HsA administration significantly decreased ALT and AST activities. Furthermore, HsA attenuated CCl4-mediated collagen deposits and profibrogenic genes expression in hepatic tissue. Thus, HsA may serve as a natural product for managing liver fibrosis through inhibition of NF-κB/Akt-dependent signaling.
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15
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Bian M, He J, Jin H, Lian N, Shao J, Guo Q, Wang S, Zhang F, Zheng S. Oroxylin A induces apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells through endoplasmic reticulum stress. Apoptosis 2019; 24:905-920. [DOI: 10.1007/s10495-019-01568-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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16
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He J, Hong B, Bian M, Jin H, Chen J, Shao J, Zhang F, Zheng S. Docosahexaenoic acid inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation to attenuate liver fibrosis in a PPARγ-dependent manner. Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 75:105816. [PMID: 31437794 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.105816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been found to have a hepatoprotective effect. In this study, we investigated the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in DHA regulation of liver fibrosis. DHA was found to inhibit hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-LX2 cell viability and downregulate marker proteins of HSC activation. Furthermore, DHA induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase in HSCs. Antagonism of PPARγ by GW9662 abrogated the effects of DHA on HSCs. Computer-aided molecular docking predicted that DHA bound to PPARγ via hydrogen bonding with residues Ser289, His323, Tyr473, and His499. We overexpressed Ser289 mutant PPARγ in HSC-LX2 cells and investigated fibrotic marker modulation, and found that DHA effects on HSCs were diminished. Thus, bonding with the Ser289 residue might be indispensable for DHA to activate PPARγ to exert its inhibiting effect on activated HSCs. Last, data from a CCl4-treated mouse model confirmed that PPARγ activation was required for DHA to attenuate liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlin He
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, PR China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, PR China
| | - Bihong Hong
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, PR China
| | - Mianli Bian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, PR China
| | - Huanhuan Jin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, PR China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, PR China
| | - Junde Chen
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, PR China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, PR China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, PR China.
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, PR China.
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17
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Wang Y, Yan D. Plantamajoside exerts antifibrosis effects in the liver by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation. Exp Ther Med 2019; 18:2421-2428. [PMID: 31555353 PMCID: PMC6755269 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of liver fibrosis involves the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into muscle fiber cells and fibroblasts. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether plantamajoside (PMS) exerted antifibrosis effects by affecting HSCs activation and survival during liver fibrosis, and to investigate the underlying mechanism. HSC-T6 cells were activated by exposure to platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), and were subsequently treated with increasing concentrations of PMS (0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 µg/ml). Cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion were determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry and the Transwell assay, respectively. Results indicated that PDGF-BB significantly activated HSC-T6 cells, demonstrated by increased cell proliferation, enhanced cell migration and invasion as well as increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type 1 α 1 (Col1α1). PMS inhibited proliferation, induced cell apoptosis and prevented cell migration and invasion in PDGF-BB-treated HSC-T6 cells in what appeared to be a dose-dependent manner. PMS appeared to dose-dependently reduce the protein and mRNA levels of α-SMA and Col1α1 in PDGF-BB-treated HSC-T6 cells. Furthermore, the results of the present study suggested that PMS administration inhibited the protein expression of phosphorylated-protein kinase B in what appeared to be a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, the data indicated that PMS exhibited an antifibrotic effect in the liver by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210004, P.R. China
| | - Dongliang Yan
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
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18
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Inhibitory effects of octreotide on the progression of hepatic fibrosis via the regulation of Bcl-2/Bax and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 73:515-526. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.05.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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19
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Mi XJ, Hou JG, Jiang S, Liu Z, Tang S, Liu XX, Wang YP, Chen C, Wang Z, Li W. Maltol Mitigates Thioacetamide-induced Liver Fibrosis through TGF-β1-mediated Activation of PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:1392-1401. [PMID: 30644744 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b05943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Our previous study has confirmed that maltol can attenuate alcohol-induced acute hepatic damage and prevent oxidative stress in mice. Therefore, maltol might have the capacity to improve thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis. The purpose of this work was to explore the antifibrotic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of maltol for TAA-treated mice. Progressive liver fibrosis was established with a dose-escalating protocol in which the mice received TAA intraperitoneal three times a week for a total duration of 9 weeks. The injection doses of TAA were 50 mg/kg for the first week, 100 mg/kg for the second and third weeks, and 150 mg/kg for the rest of the injections. Maltol with doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg was given by gavage after 4 weeks of intraperitoneal injection of TAA, respectively, once daily for 5 weeks. Results indicated that TAA intraperitoneal injection significantly increased serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (52.93 ± 13.21 U/L vs 10.22 ± 3.36 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (67.58 ± 25.84 U/L vs 39.34 ± 3.89 U/L); these elevations were significantly diminished by pretreatment with maltol. Additionally, maltol ameliorated TAA-induced oxidative stress with attenuation in MDA ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) content; evident elevation in the GSH levels, GSH/GSSG ratio ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) ( p < 0.01); and restored liver histology accompanied by a decrease of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. Furthermore, maltol significantly suppressed the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expression and the PI3K/Akt pathway. This study suggested that maltol alleviated experimental liver fibrosis by suppressing the activation of HSCs and inducing apoptosis of activated HSCs through TGF-β1-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These findings further clearly suggested that maltol is a potent therapeutic candidate for the alleviation of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jie Mi
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Jin-Gang Hou
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
- Intelligent Synthetic Biology Center , Daejeon 34141 , Republic of Korea
| | - Shuang Jiang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Zhi Liu
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Shan Tang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Xiang-Xiang Liu
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Ying-Ping Wang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Chen Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland Brain Institute , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - Zi Wang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
| | - Wei Li
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials , Jilin Agricultural University , Changchun 130118 , China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development , Changchun 130118 , China
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20
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Preventive effect of artemisinin extract against cholestasis induced via lithocholic acid exposure. Biosci Rep 2018; 38:BSR20181011. [PMID: 30217945 PMCID: PMC6246771 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20181011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2018] [Revised: 09/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Obstructive cholestasis characterized by biliary pressure increase leading to leakage of bile back that causes liver injury. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of artemisinin in obstructive cholestasis in mice. The present study was carried out on 40 adult healthy mice that were divided into 4 groups, 10 mice each; the negative control group didn’t receive any medication. The normal group was fed normally with 100 mg/kg of artemisinin extract orally. The cholestatic group fed on 1% lithocholic acid (LCA) mixed into control diet and cholestatic group co-treated with 100 mg/kg of artemisinin extract orally. Mice were treated for 1 month then killed at end of the experiment. A significant increase in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total and direct bilirubin was detected in mice exposed to LCA toxicity. That increase was significantly reduced to normal values in mice co-treated with artemisinin. LCA toxicity causes multiple areas of necrosis of irregular distribution. However, artemisinin co-treatment showed normal hepatic architecture. Moreover, LCA causes down-regulation of hepatic mRNA expressions of a set of genes that are responsible for ATP binding cassette and anions permeability as ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 8, organic anion-transporting polypeptide, and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 genes that were ameliorated by artemisinin administration. Similarly, LCA toxicity significantly down-regulated hepatic mRNA expression of constitutive androstane receptor, OATP4, and farnesoid x receptor genes. However, artemisinin treatment showed a reasonable prevention. In conclusion, the current study strikingly revealed that artemisinin treatment can prevent severe hepatotoxicity and cholestasis that led via LCA exposure.
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21
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Eissa LA, Kenawy HI, El-Karef A, Elsherbiny NM, El-Mihi KA. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of berberine attenuate hepatic fibrosis induced by thioacetamide injection in rats. Chem Biol Interact 2018; 294:91-100. [PMID: 30138605 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2018.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from the roots, rhizomes and stems of coptis. Liver fibrosis is a worldwide health problem with no established therapy until now. The aim of our study is to investigate the efficacy of BBR on hepatic fibrosis induced in rats and to uncover other mechanisms. Rats were injected with thioacetamide (TAA) (200 mg/kg, i.p) twice per week for 6 weeks to induce fibrosis. Treated groups were gavaged with BBR (50 mg/kg/day, p.o) simultaneously with TAA injection. Hepatic antioxidant enzymes (catalase, SOD, GPx) were assessed in hepatic homogenate. Their activities were attenuated by TAA injection and elevated by BBR administration. Additionally, serum IL-6 and mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ were evaluated as inflammatory markers. Our results showed that BBR suppressed the inflammation induced by TAA injection. Tissue expression of α-SMA (marker of activated HSCs), TGF-β1 and fibronectin were measured by immunohistochemistry as well as mRNA expressions of TGF-β1 and fibronectin were quantified as fibrotic markers. The collagen deposition in hepatic tissues was assessed by Masson's trichome staining. BBR significantly alleviated TGF-β1 production, decreased collagen and fibronectin deposition and consequently attenuated hepatic fibrogenesis. Akt pathway controls cell survival, proliferation, migration and adhesion. The relative phosphorylation of Akt was determined in hepatic homogenates that was increased with TAA injection and decreased by BBR treatment. Inhibition of Akt pathway has been linked to the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Caspase-3, caspase-9, Bcl-2 and Bax were quantified as apoptotic markers using qPCR and also caspase-3 by immunohistochemistry. BBR-treated rats showed an increase in the expression of apoptotic markers. Moreover, BBR-treated rats showed restoration of normal liver lobular architecture as shown by H&E staining. In conclusion, BBR is a potential therapeutic candidate for liver fibrosis owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Ahmed Eissa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
| | - Hany Ibrahim Kenawy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Amro El-Karef
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Nehal Mohsen Elsherbiny
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kholoud Alaa El-Mihi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
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Shi X, Wang L, Li X, Bai J, Li J, Li S, Wang Z, Zhou M. Dihydroartemisinin induces autophagy-dependent death in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells through DNA double-strand break-mediated oxidative stress. Oncotarget 2018; 8:45981-45993. [PMID: 28526807 PMCID: PMC5542242 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin is an effective antimalarial agent with multiple biological activities. In the present investigation, we elucidated its therapeutic potential and working mechanism on human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). It was demonstrated that dihydroartemisinin could significantly inhibit cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner by the Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assay in vitro. Meanwhile, autophagy was promoted in the Cal-27 cells treated by dihydroartemisinin, evidenced by increased LC3B-II level, increased autophagosome formation, and increased Beclin-1 level compared to dihydroartemisinin-untreated cells. Importantly, dihydroartemisinin caused DNA double-strand break with simultaneously increased γH2AX foci and oxidative stress; this inhibited the nuclear localization of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), finally leading to autophagic cell death. Furthermore, the antitumor effect of dihydroartemisinin-monotherapy was confirmed with a mouse xenograft model, and no kidney injury associated with toxic effect was observed after intraperitoneal injection with dihydroartemisinin for 3 weeks in vivo. In the present study, it was revealed that dihydroartemisinin-induced DNA double-strand break promoted oxidative stress, which decreased p-STAT3 (Tyr705) nuclear localization, and successively increased autophagic cell death in the Cal-27 cells. Thus, dihydroartemisinin alone may represent an effective and safe therapeutic agent for human TSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinli Shi
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050081, China.,Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Li Wang
- Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis Prophylaxis and Treatment by Combine Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Research Center of Combine Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Traditional Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050081, China
| | - Jing Bai
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050081, China
| | - Jianchun Li
- Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis Prophylaxis and Treatment by Combine Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Research Center of Combine Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Traditional Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Shenghao Li
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Zeming Wang
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Mingrui Zhou
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
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Dihydroartemisinin inhibits ER stress-mediated mitochondrial pathway to attenuate hepatocyte lipoapoptosis via blocking the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 97:975-984. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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24
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Hedgehog signaling inhibitor GANT61 induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated protective autophagy in hepatic stellate cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 493:487-493. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.08.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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25
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Naringin attenuates thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats through modulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Life Sci 2017; 187:50-57. [PMID: 28830755 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Naringin (NR) is a flavanone glycoside extracted from grapefruits and citrus fruits. The aim of this study is to investigate the antifibrotic efficacy of NR in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats through evaluating NR effect on the PI3K/Akt pathway. MAIN METHODS Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of TAA (200mg/kg) twice per week for 6weeks. Simultaneously, NR (40mg/kg/day, p.o.) was given along with TAA injection. The ratio of P-Akt/Akt was assessed in hepatic homogenate as well as antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) and lipid peroxidation marker, malondialdehyde (MDA). Serum level of interleukin (IL)-6 were measured using ELISA. Hepatic tissues were examined histopathologically using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson trichome staining. Tissue expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), caspase-3 and fibronectin were scored immunohistochemically. Finally, the mRNA level of cytokine genes (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, interferon gamma (IFN-γ)), caspase-3, TGF-β1 and fibronectin were quantified using qPCR. KEY FINDINGS NR significantly suppressed Akt phosphorylation associated with increased number of caspase-3 positive cells especially in the fibrotic areas. Liver tissues of treated rats showed restoration of normal liver histology and decrease in collagen and fibronectin deposition. Furthermore, NR treatment ameliorated oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine production. SIGNIFICANCE NR alleviated experimental liver fibrosis through inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway beside its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Therefore, NR is a promising therapeutic candidate for hepatic fibrosis.
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26
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Lu C, Xu W, Shao J, Zhang F, Chen A, Zheng S. Nrf2 induces lipocyte phenotype via a SOCS3-dependent negative feedback loop on JAK2/STAT3 signaling in hepatic stellate cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2017; 49:203-211. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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27
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Wei T, Liu J. Anti-angiogenic properties of artemisinin derivatives (Review). Int J Mol Med 2017; 40:972-978. [PMID: 28765885 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.3085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the process involving the development of new blood vessels from existing capillaries, is critical for growth and wound healing. However, pathological angiogenesis contributes to the pathogeneses of numerous diseases, including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. Hence, the inhibition of angiogenesis is an effective therapeutic approach for these diseases. Apart from its anti-malarial properties, artemisinin and its derivatives also exhibit potent anti-angiogenic properties. The molecular mechanisms underlying their inhibitory effects on angiogenesis have been studied by several groups. These investigations have revealed that artemisinins inhibit angiogenesis via the perturbations of cellular signaling pathways involved in the regulation of angiogenesis. Along with a brief introduction to artemisinin derivatives, this review provides a detailed summary of the effects of artemisinins on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway and the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Due to the multiplicity of their actions on relevant signaling pathways, artemisinins are promising candidates with potential for use as anti-angiogenic agents for the treatment of related diseases or disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianshu Wei
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Ju Liu
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
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28
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Chen Y, Yuan B, Wu Z, Dong Y, Zhang L, Zeng Z. Microarray profiling of circular RNAs and the potential regulatory role of hsa_circ_0071410 in the activated human hepatic stellate cell induced by irradiation. Gene 2017; 629:35-42. [PMID: 28774651 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.07.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Radiation-induced liver fibrosis (RILF) is considered as a major complication of radiation therapy for liver cancer. Circular RNA (circRNA) has been recently identified as a functional noncoding RNA involving in various biological processes. However, the expression pattern and regulatory capacity of circRNA in the irradiated hepatic stellate cell (HSC), the main fibrogenic cell type, still remain unclear. A circRNA microarray was used to identify circRNA expression profiles in irradiated and normal HSC. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to confirm the dysregulated circRNAs. Bioinformatic analyses including gene ontology (GO), KEGG pathway and circRNA/microRNA interaction network analysis were applied to predict the potential functions of circRNAs. Compared with the normal HSC, 179 circRNAs were found to be up-regulated and 630 circRNAs were down-regulated in irradiated HSC (fold change ≥2.0 and P<0.05). Six dysregulated circRNAs selected randomly were successfully verified by qRT-PCR. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that dysregulated circRNA might be involved in the cell response to irradiation and biological processes of hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, inhibition of hsa_circ_0071410 increased the expression of miR-9-5p, resulting in the attenuation of irradiation induced HSC activation. In summary, this study revealed the expression profile and potential function of differentially expressed circRNAs in irradiated HSC, which provides novel clues for RILF study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180# Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Baoying Yuan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180# Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Zhifeng Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180# Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Yinying Dong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180# Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180# Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Zhaochong Zeng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180# Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, PR China.
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29
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Interaction between autophagy and senescence is required for dihydroartemisinin to alleviate liver fibrosis. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2886. [PMID: 28617435 PMCID: PMC5520911 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 04/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy and cellular senescence are stress responses essential for homeostasis. Therefore, they may represent new pharmacologic targets for drug development to treat diseases. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on senescence of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms. We found that DHA treatment induced the accumulation of senescent activated HSCs in rat fibrotic liver, and promoted the expression of senescence markers p53, p16, p21 and Hmga1 in cell model. Importantly, our study identified the transcription factor GATA6 as an upstream molecule in the facilitation of DHA-induced HSC senescence. GATA6 accumulation promoted DHA-induced p53 and p16 upregulation, and contributed to HSC senescence. By contrast, siRNA-mediated knockdown of GATA6 dramatically abolished DHA-induced upregulation of p53 and p16, and in turn inhibited HSC senescence. Interestingly, DHA also appeared to increase autophagosome generation and autophagic flux in activated HSCs, which was underlying mechanism for DHA-induced GATA6 accumulation. Autophagy depletion impaired GATA6 accumulation, while autophagy induction showed a synergistic effect with DHA. Attractively, p62 was found to act as a negative regulator of GATA6 accumulation. Treatment of cultured HSCs with various autophagy inhibitors, led to an inhibition of DHA-induced p62 degradation, and in turn, prevented DHA-induced GATA6 accumulation and HSC senescence. Overall, these results provide novel implications to reveal the molecular mechanism of DHA-induced senescence, by which points to the possibility of using DHA based proautophagic drugs for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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30
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Xu W, Lu C, Yao L, Zhang F, Shao J, Zheng S. Dihydroartemisinin protects against alcoholic liver injury through alleviating hepatocyte steatosis in a farnesoid X receptor-dependent manner. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2016; 315:23-34. [PMID: 27939985 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a common etiology of liver diseases, characterized by hepatic steatosis. We previously identified farnesoid X receptor (FXR) as a potential therapeutic target for ALD. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been recently identified to possess potent pharmacological activities on liver diseases. This study was aimed to explore the impact of DHA on ALD and further elaborate the underlying mechanisms. Gain- or loss-of-function analyses of FXR were applied in both in vivo and in vitro studies. Results demonstrated that DHA rescued FXR expression and activity in alcoholic rat livers. DHA also reduced serodiagnostic markers of liver injury, including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase. DHA improved alcohol-induced liver histological lesions, expression of inflammation genes, and inflammatory cell infiltration. In addition, DHA not only attenuated hyperlipidemia but also reduced hepatic steatosis through regulating lipogenesis and lipolysis genes. In vitro experiments further consolidated the concept that DHA ameliorated ethanol-caused hepatocyte injury and steatosis. Noteworthily, DHA effects were reinforced by FXR agonist obeticholic acid or FXR expression plasmids but abrogated by FXR antagonist Z-guggulsterone or FXR siRNA. In summary, DHA significantly improved alcoholic liver injury by inhibiting hepatic steatosis, which was dependent on its activation of FXR in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxuan Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chunfeng Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lu Yao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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31
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Zhang Z, Guo M, Zhao S, Shao J, Zheng S. ROS-JNK1/2-dependent activation of autophagy is required for the induction of anti-inflammatory effect of dihydroartemisinin in liver fibrosis. Free Radic Biol Med 2016; 101:272-283. [PMID: 27989749 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.10.498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence identifies autophagy as an inflammation-related defensive mechanism against diseases including liver fibrosis. Therefore, autophagy may represent a new pharmacologic target for drug development to treat liver fibrosis. In this study, we sought to investigate the effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on autophagy, and to further examine the molecular mechanisms of DHA-induced anti-inflammatory effects. We found that DHA appeared to play an essential role in controlling excessive inflammation. DHA suppressed inflammation in rat liver fibrosis model and inhibited the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Interestingly, DHA increased the autophagosome generation and autophagic flux in activated HSCs, which is underlying mechanism for the anti-inflammatory activity of DHA. Autophagy depletion impaired the induction of anti-inflammatory effect of DHA, while autophagy induction showed a synergistic effect with DHA. Importantly, our study also identified a crucial role for reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the facilitation of DHA-induced autophagy. Antioxidants, such as glutathione and N-acetyl cysteine, significantly abrogated ROS production, and in turn, prevented DHA-induced autophagosome generation and autophagic flux. Besides, we found that c-Jun N-terminal kinase1/2 (JNK1/2) was a downstream signaling molecule of ROS that mediated the induction of autophagy by DHA. Down-regulation of JNK1/2 activity, using selective JNK1/2 inhibitor (SP600125) or siJNK1/2, led to an inhibition of DHA-induced autophagy. Overall, these results provide novel implications to reveal the molecular mechanism of DHA-induced anti-inflammatory effects, by which points to the possibility of using DHA based proautophagic drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zili Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Mei Guo
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Shifeng Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, PR China.
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Xu W, Lu C, Zhang F, Shao J, Yao S, Zheng S. Dihydroartemisinin counteracts fibrotic portal hypertension via farnesoid X receptor-dependent inhibition of hepatic stellate cell contraction. FEBS J 2016; 284:114-133. [PMID: 27896916 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Portal hypertension is a frequent pathological symptom occurring especially in hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. Current paradigms indicate that inhibition of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and contraction is anticipated to be an attractive therapeutic strategy, because activated HSC dominantly facilitates an increase in intrahepatic vein pressure through secreting extracellular matrix and contracting. Our previous in vitro study indicated that dihydroartemisinin (DHA) inhibited contractility of cultured HSC by activating intracellular farnesoid X receptor (FXR). However, the effect of DHA on fibrosis-related portal hypertension still requires clarification. In this study, gain- and loss-of-function models of FXR in HSC were established to investigate the mechanisms underlying DHA protection against chronic CCl4 -caused hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension. Immunofluorescence staining visually showed a decrease in FXR expression in CCl4 -administrated rat HSC but an increase in that in DHA-treated rat HSC. Serum diagnostics and morphological analyses consistently indicated that DHA exhibited hepatoprotective effects on CCl4 -induced liver injury. DHA also reduced CCl4 -caused inflammatory mediator expression and inflammatory cell infiltration. These improvements were further enhanced by INT-747 but weakened by Z-guggulsterone. Noteworthily, DHA, analogous to INT-747, significantly lowered portal vein pressure and suppressed fibrogenesis. Experiments on mice using FXR shRNA lentivirus consolidated the results above. Mechanistically, inhibition of HSC activation and contraction was found as a cellular basis for DHA to relieve portal hypertension. These findings demonstrated that DHA attenuated portal hypertension in fibrotic rodents possibly by targeting HSC contraction via a FXR activation-dependent mechanism. FXR could be a target molecule for reducing portal hypertension during hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxuan Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Chunfeng Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Shunyu Yao
- Class AP, Grade 11, Nanjing No. 1 High School, China
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
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