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The role of protein kinases as key drivers of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease progression: New insights and future directions. Life Sci 2022; 305:120732. [PMID: 35760093 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), proposed in 2020 is a novel term for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which was coined for the first time in 1980. It is a leading cause of the most chronic liver disease and hepatic failure all over the world, and unfortunately, with no licensed drugs for treatment yet. The progress of the disease is driven by the triggered inflammatory process, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance in many pathways, starting with simple hepatic steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Protein kinases (PKs), such as MAPK, ErbB, PKC, PI3K/Akt, and mTOR, govern most of the pathological pathways by acting on various downstream key points in MAFLD and regulating both hepatic gluco- lipo-neogenesis and inflammation. Therefore, modulating the function of those potential protein kinases that are effectively involved in MAFLD might be a promising therapeutic approach for tackling this disease. In the current review, we have discussed the key role of protein kinases in the pathogenesis of MAFLD and performed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network among the main proteins of each kinase pathway with MAFLD-related proteins to predict the most likely targets of the PKs in MAFLD. Moreover, we have reported the experimental, pre-clinical, and clinical data for the most recent investigated molecules that are activating p38-MAPK and AMPK proteins and inhibiting the other PKs to improve MAFLD condition by regulating oxidation and inflammation signalling.
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Cingolani F, Liu Y, Shen Y, Wen J, Farris AB, Czaja MJ. Redundant Functions of ERK1 and ERK2 Maintain Mouse Liver Homeostasis Through Down-Regulation of Bile Acid Synthesis. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:980-994. [PMID: 34936222 PMCID: PMC9035584 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 promotes hepatocyte proliferation in response to growth stimuli, but whether constitutive hepatocyte ERK1/2 signaling functions in liver physiology is unknown. To examine the role of ERK1/2 in hepatic homeostasis, the effects of a knockout of Erk1 and/or Erk2 in mouse liver were examined. The livers of mice with a global Erk1 knockout or a tamoxifen-inducible, hepatocyte-specific Erk2 knockout were normal. In contrast, Erk1/2 double-knockout mice developed hepatomegaly and hepatitis by serum transaminases, histology, terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling, and assays of hepatic inflammation. Liver injury was associated with biochemical evidence of cholestasis with increased serum and hepatic bile acids and led to hepatic fibrosis and mortality. RNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction analysis of double-knockout mouse livers revealed that the rate-limiting bile acid synthesis gene Cyp7a1 (cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase) was up-regulated in concert with decreased expression of the transcriptional repressor short heterodimer partner. Elevated bile acids were the mechanism of liver injury, as bile acid reduction by SC-435, an inhibitor of the ileal apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter, prevented liver injury. Conclusion: Constitutive ERK1 and ERK2 signaling has a redundant but critical physiological function in the down-regulation of hepatic bile acid synthesis to maintain normal liver homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cingolani
- Division of Digestive DiseasesDepartment of MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Yunshan Liu
- Division of Digestive DiseasesDepartment of MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Yang Shen
- Division of Digestive DiseasesDepartment of MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Jing Wen
- Division of Digestive DiseasesDepartment of MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Alton B. Farris
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Mark J. Czaja
- Division of Digestive DiseasesDepartment of MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGAUSA
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Kurihara K, Moteki H, Natsume H, Ogihara M, Kimura M. The Enhancing Effects of S-Allylcysteine on Liver Regeneration Are Associated with Increased Expression of mRNAs Encoding IGF-1 and Its Receptor in Two-Thirds Partially Hepatectomized Rats. Biol Pharm Bull 2020; 43:1776-1784. [PMID: 33132323 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b20-00495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx) was performed in rats, and the differences in effects between S-allylcysteine (SAC) and other sulfur-containing compounds on regeneration of the remaining liver and restoration of the injury were examined. Three days after two-thirds PHx, rats treated with 300 mg/kg/d, per os (p.o.) SAC showed a 1.2-fold increase in liver weight per 100 g body weight compared with saline-treated controls. In contrast, S-methylcysteine (SMC) (300 mg/kg/d, p.o.) or cysteine (Cys) (300 mg/kg/d, p.o.) did not have a regeneration-promoting effect. In the comparison with control rats, the regenerating liver of SAC-treated rats showed a significantly higher 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labeling index on day 1. In contrast, serum alanine aminotransferase activity, which increases following PHx, was significantly inhibited by SAC and SMC (but not Cys) on day 1 after two-thirds PHx. In addition, SAC induced increases in insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and its receptor mRNA expressions at 1 h after two-thirds PHx, and it increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)2 and Akt at 3 h after two-thirds PHx without affecting serum growth hormone levels. These results demonstrate that SAC is a mitogenic effector of normal remnant liver and promotes recuperation of liver function after two-thirds PHx. Moreover, SAC-induced proliferative effects are mediated via increased mRNA expressions of IGF-1 and its receptor and subsequent phosphorylation of ERK2 and Akt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Kurihara
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University
| | - Hajime Moteki
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University
| | - Hideshi Natsume
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University
| | - Masahiko Ogihara
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University
| | - Mitsutoshi Kimura
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University
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Adult and iPS-derived non-parenchymal cells regulate liver organoid development through differential modulation of Wnt and TGF-β. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:258. [PMID: 31416480 PMCID: PMC6694663 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1367-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Liver organoid technology holds great promises to be used in large-scale population-based drug screening and in future regenerative medicine strategies. Recently, some studies reported robust protocols for generating isogenic liver organoids using liver parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) or using isogenic adult primary non-parenchymal cells. However, the use of whole iPS-derived cells could represent great challenges for a translational perspective. Methods Here, we evaluated the influence of isogenic versus heterogenic non-parenchymal cells, using iPS-derived or adult primary cell lines, in the liver organoid development. We tested four groups comprised of all different combinations of non-parenchymal cells for the liver functionality in vitro. Gene expression and protein secretion of important hepatic function markers were evaluated. Additionally, liver development-associated signaling pathways were tested. Finally, organoid label-free proteomic analysis and non-parenchymal cell secretome were performed in all groups at day 12. Results We show that liver organoids generated using primary mesenchymal stromal cells and iPS-derived endothelial cells expressed and produced significantly more albumin and showed increased expression of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and TDO2 while presented reduced TGF-β and Wnt signaling activity. Proteomics analysis revealed that major shifts in protein expression induced by this specific combination of non-parenchymal cells are related to integrin profile and TGF-β/Wnt signaling activity. Conclusion Aiming the translation of this technology bench-to-bedside, this work highlights the role of important developmental pathways that are modulated by non-parenchymal cells enhancing the liver organoid maturation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-019-1367-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Viiri LE, Rantapero T, Kiamehr M, Alexanova A, Oittinen M, Viiri K, Niskanen H, Nykter M, Kaikkonen MU, Aalto-Setälä K. Extensive reprogramming of the nascent transcriptome during iPSC to hepatocyte differentiation. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3562. [PMID: 30837492 PMCID: PMC6401154 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39215-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide a renewable source of cells for drug discovery, disease modelling and cell-based therapies. Here, by using GRO-Seq we provide the first genome-wide analysis of the nascent RNAs in iPSCs, HLCs and primary hepatocytes to extend our understanding of the transcriptional changes occurring during hepatic differentiation process. We demonstrate that a large fraction of hepatocyte-specific genes are regulated at transcriptional level and identify hundreds of differentially expressed non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Differentiation induced alternative transcription start site (TSS) usage between the cell types as evidenced for miR-221/222 and miR-3613/15a/16-1 clusters. We demonstrate that lncRNAs and coding genes are tightly co-expressed and could thus be co-regulated. Finally, we identified sets of transcriptional regulators that might drive transcriptional changes during hepatocyte differentiation. These included RARG, E2F1, SP1 and FOXH1, which were associated with the down-regulated transcripts, and hepatocyte-specific TFs such as FOXA1, FOXA2, HNF1B, HNF4A and CEBPA, as well as RXR, PPAR, AP-1, JUNB, JUND and BATF, which were associated with up-regulated transcripts. In summary, this study clarifies the role of regulatory ncRNAs and TFs in differentiation of HLCs from iPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena E Viiri
- Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland.
| | - Tommi Rantapero
- Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Mostafa Kiamehr
- Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Anna Alexanova
- Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Mikko Oittinen
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Keijo Viiri
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Henri Niskanen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Matti Nykter
- Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Minna U Kaikkonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Katriina Aalto-Setälä
- Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland.,Heart Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, 33520, Finland
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Vanaja KG, Timp W, Feinberg AP, Levchenko A. A Loss of Epigenetic Control Can Promote Cell Death through Reversing the Balance of Pathways in a Signaling Network. Mol Cell 2018; 72:60-70.e3. [PMID: 30244832 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic control of regulatory networks is only partially understood. Expression of Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF2) is controlled by genomic imprinting, mediated by silencing of the maternal allele. Loss of imprinting of IGF2 (LOI) is linked to intestinal and colorectal cancers, causally in murine models and epidemiologically in humans. However, the molecular underpinnings of the LOI phenotype are not clear. Surprisingly, in LOI cells, we find a reversal of the relative activities of two canonical signaling pathways triggered by IGF2, causing further rebalancing between pro- and anti-apoptotic signaling. A predictive mathematical model shows that this network rebalancing quantitatively accounts for the effect of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition in both WT and LOI cells. This mechanism also quantitatively explains both the stable LOI phenotype and the therapeutic window for selective killing of LOI cells, and thus prevention of epigenetically controlled cancers. These findings suggest a framework for understanding epigenetically modified cell signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran G Vanaja
- Yale Systems Biology Institute and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Winston Timp
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Andrew P Feinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Andre Levchenko
- Yale Systems Biology Institute and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Guo T, Lin Q, Li X, Nie Y, Wang L, Shi L, Xu W, Hu T, Guo T, Luo F. Octacosanol Attenuates Inflammation in Both RAW264.7 Macrophages and a Mouse Model of Colitis. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2017; 65:3647-3658. [PMID: 28122452 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b05465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Octacosanol has multiple biological functions. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect and molecular mechanism of octacosanol were evaluated by using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis model in mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. The colitis mouse model was induced by 3.0% DSS in 8-week ICR mice and octacosanol orally administered with 100 mg/kg/day. The results showed that octacosanol significantly improved the health status of mice and reduced DSS-induced pathological damage in the colonic tissues. Octacosanol obviously inhibited the mRNA and protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors of colonic tissues. In vitro, octacosanol administration significantly reduced the expression of mRNA or protein of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38, and it also partly prevented LPS-induced translocations of NF-κB and AP-1. Octacosanol has anti-inflammatory effect, and its molecular mechanism may be involved in downregulating the expression of inflammatory factors and blocking of MAPK/NF-κB/AP-1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Guo
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition, National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and Byproducts, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology , Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Qinlu Lin
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition, National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and Byproducts, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology , Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Xinhua Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Ying Nie
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition, National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and Byproducts, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology , Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Long Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition, National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and Byproducts, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology , Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Limin Shi
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition, National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and Byproducts, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology , Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition, National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and Byproducts, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology , Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Tao Hu
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition, National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and Byproducts, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology , Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Ting Guo
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition, National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and Byproducts, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology , Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Feijun Luo
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition, National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and Byproducts, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology , Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
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Buscà R, Pouysségur J, Lenormand P. ERK1 and ERK2 Map Kinases: Specific Roles or Functional Redundancy? Front Cell Dev Biol 2016; 4:53. [PMID: 27376062 PMCID: PMC4897767 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2016.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The MAP kinase signaling cascade Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK has been involved in a large variety of cellular and physiological processes that are crucial for life. Many pathological situations have been associated to this pathway. More than one isoform has been described at each level of the cascade. In this review we devoted our attention to ERK1 and ERK2, which are the effector kinases of the pathway. Whether ERK1 and ERK2 specify functional differences or are in contrast functionally redundant, constitutes an ongoing debate despite the huge amount of studies performed to date. In this review we compiled data on ERK1 vs. ERK2 gene structures, protein sequences, expression levels, structural and molecular mechanisms of activation and substrate recognition. We have also attempted to perform a rigorous analysis of studies regarding the individual roles of ERK1 and ERK2 by the means of morpholinos, siRNA, and shRNA silencing as well as gene disruption or gene replacement in mice. Finally, we comment on a recent study of gene and protein evolution of ERK isoforms as a distinct approach to address the same question. Our review permits the evaluation of the relevance of published studies in the field especially when measurements of global ERK activation are taken into account. Our analysis favors the hypothesis of ERK1 and ERK2 exhibiting functional redundancy and points to the concept of the global ERK quantity, and not isoform specificity, as being the essential determinant to achieve ERK function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roser Buscà
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7284, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre A. Lacassagne, Institute for Research on Cancer and Ageing of Nice, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis Nice, France
| | - Jacques Pouysségur
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7284, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre A. Lacassagne, Institute for Research on Cancer and Ageing of Nice, University of Nice-Sophia AntipolisNice, France; Centre Scientifique de MonacoMonaco, Monaco
| | - Philippe Lenormand
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7284, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre A. Lacassagne, Institute for Research on Cancer and Ageing of Nice, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis Nice, France
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Kamiya A, Ito K, Yanagida A, Chikada H, Iwama A, Nakauchi H. MEK-ERK Activity Regulates the Proliferative Activity of Fetal Hepatoblasts Through Accumulation of p16/19cdkn2a. Stem Cells Dev 2015; 24:2525-35. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2015.0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Akihide Kamiya
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiichi Ito
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayaka Yanagida
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromi Chikada
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Atsushi Iwama
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Nakauchi
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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Bomo J, Ezan F, Tiaho F, Bellamri M, Langouët S, Theret N, Baffet G. Increasing 3D Matrix Rigidity Strengthens Proliferation and Spheroid Development of Human Liver Cells in a Constant Growth Factor Environment. J Cell Biochem 2015; 117:708-20. [PMID: 26331987 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical forces influence the growth and shape of virtually all tissues and organs. Recent studies show that increased cell contractibility, growth and differentiation might be normalized by modulating cell tensions. Particularly, the role of these tensions applied by the extracellular matrix during liver fibrosis could influence the hepatocarcinogenesis process. The objective of this study is to determine if 3D stiffness could influence growth and phenotype of normal and transformed hepatocytes and to integrate extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness to tensional homeostasis. We have developed an appropriate 3D culture model: hepatic cells within three-dimensional collagen matrices with varying rigidity. Our results demonstrate that the rigidity influenced the cell phenotype and induced spheroid clusters development whereas in soft matrices, Huh7 transformed cells were less proliferative, well-spread and flattened. We confirmed that ERK1 played a predominant role over ERK2 in cisplatin-induced death, whereas ERK2 mainly controlled proliferation. As compared to 2D culture, 3D cultures are associated with epithelial markers expression. Interestingly, proliferation of normal hepatocytes was also induced in rigid gels. Furthermore, biotransformation activities are increased in 3D gels, where CYP1A2 enzyme can be highly induced/activated in primary culture of human hepatocytes embedded in the matrix. In conclusion, we demonstrated that increasing 3D rigidity could promote proliferation and spheroid developments of liver cells demonstrating that 3D collagen gels are an attractive tool for studying rigidity-dependent homeostasis of the liver cells embedded in the matrix and should be privileged for both chronic toxicological and pharmacological drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Bomo
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), UMR1085 Institut de Recherche sur la Santé l'Environnement et le Travail (IRSET); University of Rennes 1, SFR Biosit, F-35043, Rennes, France
| | - Frédéric Ezan
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), UMR1085 Institut de Recherche sur la Santé l'Environnement et le Travail (IRSET); University of Rennes 1, SFR Biosit, F-35043, Rennes, France
| | - François Tiaho
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), UMR1085 Institut de Recherche sur la Santé l'Environnement et le Travail (IRSET); University of Rennes 1, SFR Biosit, F-35043, Rennes, France
| | - Medjda Bellamri
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), UMR1085 Institut de Recherche sur la Santé l'Environnement et le Travail (IRSET); University of Rennes 1, SFR Biosit, F-35043, Rennes, France
| | - Sophie Langouët
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), UMR1085 Institut de Recherche sur la Santé l'Environnement et le Travail (IRSET); University of Rennes 1, SFR Biosit, F-35043, Rennes, France
| | - Nathalie Theret
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), UMR1085 Institut de Recherche sur la Santé l'Environnement et le Travail (IRSET); University of Rennes 1, SFR Biosit, F-35043, Rennes, France
| | - Georges Baffet
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), UMR1085 Institut de Recherche sur la Santé l'Environnement et le Travail (IRSET); University of Rennes 1, SFR Biosit, F-35043, Rennes, France
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Wang AG, Song YN, Chen J, Li HL, Dong JY, Cui HP, Yao L, Li XF, Gao WT, Qiu ZW, Wang FJ, Wang JY. Activation of RAS/ERK alone is insufficient to inhibit RXRα function and deplete retinoic acid in hepatocytes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 452:801-7. [PMID: 25218146 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Activation of RAS/ERK signaling pathway, depletion of retinoid, and phosphorylation of retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRα) are frequent events found in liver tumors and thought to play important roles in hepatic tumorigenesis. However, the relationships among them still remained to be elucidated. By exploring the transgenic mouse model of hepatic tumorigenesis induced by liver-specific expression of H-ras12V oncogene, the activation of RAS/ERK, the mRNA expression levels of retinoid metabolism-related genes, the contents of retinoid metabolites, and phosphorylation of RXRα were determined. RAS/ERK signaling pathway was gradually and significantly activated in hepatic tumor adjacent normal liver tissues (P) and hepatic tumor tissues (T) of H-ras12V transgenic mice compared with normal liver tissues (Wt) of wild type mice. On the contrary, the mRNA expression levels of retinoid metabolism-related genes were significantly reduced in P and T compared with Wt. Interestingly, the retinoid metabolites 9-cis-retinoic acid (9cRA) and all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA), the well known ligands for nuclear transcription factor RXR and retinoic acid receptor (RAR), were significantly decreased only in T compared with Wt and P, although the oxidized polar metabolite of atRA, 4-keto-all-trans-retinoic-acid (4-keto-RA) was significantly decreased in both P and T compared with Wt. To our surprise, the functions of RXRα were significantly blocked only in T compared with Wt and P. Namely, the total protein levels of RXRα were significantly reduced and the phosphorylation levels of RXRα were significantly increased only in T compared with Wt and P. Treatment of H-ras12V transgenic mice at 5-week-old or 5-month-old with atRA had no effect on the prevention of tumorigenesis or cure of developed nodules in liver. These events imply that the depletion of 9cRA and atRA and the inhibition of RXRα function in hepatic tumors involve more complex mechanisms besides the activation of RAS/ERK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Guo Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, PR China.
| | - Ya-Nan Song
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, PR China
| | - Jun Chen
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, PR China
| | - Hui-Ling Li
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, PR China
| | - Jian-Yi Dong
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, PR China
| | - Hai-Peng Cui
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, PR China
| | - Liang Yao
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, PR China
| | - Xue-Feng Li
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, PR China
| | - Wen-Ting Gao
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, PR China
| | - Ze-Wen Qiu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, PR China
| | - Fu-Jin Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, PR China
| | - Jing-Yu Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, PR China.
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Bai L, Kong M, Zhang XH, Ding M, Zheng SJ, Chen Y, Duan ZP. Liver fibrosis protects mice against lethal injury induced by D-GalN/LPS. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2014; 22:1998-2002. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v22.i14.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To assess the tolerance of mice with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced fibrosis to a lethal dose of D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (D-GalN/LPS).
METHODS: A mouse model of hepatic fibrosis was established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (in mineral oil), twice a week for 6 wk. At the end of fibrosis induction, mice were challenged intraperitoneally with D-GalN (700 mg/kg)/LPS (50 μg/kg). Normal mice treated in the same way were used as controls. Mice were sacrificed 24 h after acute insult. Sera and liver tissues were harvested for analyses. To evaluate the tolerance of normal and fibrotic mice to a lethal dose of D-GalN/LPS, survival rate, serum alanine aminotransferase (sALT) levels and histological changes of the liver were compared between before and after acute challenge.
RESULTS: The survival rate of fibrotic mice subjected to a lethal dose of D-GalN/LPS was significantly higher than that of normal mice treated in the same way (100% vs 20%). After challenged by D-GalN/LPS, sALT in normal mice increased by 455.9 folds (49.2 U/L ± 12.9 U/L vs 22429 U/L ± 5446 U/L, P < 0.01), which was significantly higher than that in fibrotic mice (14.3 folds) [(463.7 U/L ± 109.0 U/L vs 6630 U/L ± 1675 U/L, P < 0.01). The tolerance of fibrotic mice to D-GalN/LPS was confirmed by well-preserved liver architecture as compared with controls.
CONCLUSION: CCl4-induced liver fibrosis protects mice against a lethal dose of D-GalN/LPS.
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Guégan JP, Ezan F, Gailhouste L, Langouët S, Baffet G. MEK1/2 overactivation can promote growth arrest by mediating ERK1/2-dependent phosphorylation of p70S6K. J Cell Physiol 2014; 229:903-15. [PMID: 24501087 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 11/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway has been involved in the positive and negative regulation of cell proliferation. Upon mitogen stimulation, ERK1/ERK2 activation is necessary for G1- to S-phase progression whereas when hyperactived, this pathway could elicit cell cycle arrest. The mechanisms involved are not fully elucidated but a kinase-independent function of ERK1/2 has been evidenced in the MAPK-induced growth arrest. Here, we show that p70S6K, a central regulator of protein biosynthesis, is essential for the cell cycle arrest induced by overactivation of ERK1/2. Indeed, whereas MEK1 silencing inhibits cell cycle progression, we demonstrate that active mutant form of MEK1 or MEK2 triggers a G1 phase arrest by stimulating an activation of p70S6K by ERK1/2 kinases. Silencing of ERK1/2 activity by shRNA efficiently suppresses p70S6K phosphorylation on Thr421/Ser424 and S6 phosphorylation on Ser240/244 as well as p21 expression, but these effects can be partially reversed by the expression of kinase-dead mutant form of ERK1 or ERK2. In addition, we demonstrate that the kinase p70S6K modulates neither the p21 gene transcription nor the stability of the protein but enhances the translation of the p21 mRNA. In conclusion, our data emphasizes the importance of the translational regulation of p21 by the MEK1/2-ERK1/2-p70S6K pathway to negatively control the cell cycle progression.
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Moteki H, Kimura M, Sunaga K, Tsuda T, Ogihara M. Signal transduction mechanism for potentiation by α1- and β2-adrenoceptor agonists of L-ascorbic acid-induced DNA synthesis and proliferation in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. Eur J Pharmacol 2012; 700:2-12. [PMID: 23270716 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Revised: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of α- and β-adrenoceptor agonists on L-ascorbic acid-induced hepatocyte DNA synthesis and proliferation in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. The results showed that phenylephrine (10(-6) M) and metaproterenol (10(-6) M) alone did not induce hepatocyte DNA synthesis and proliferation. However, when combined with L-ascorbic acid (10(-6) M), these adrenoceptor agonists potentiated the hepatocyte DNA synthesis and proliferation induced by L-ascorbic acid. Then intracellular signal transduction mechanisms for the effects of phenylephrine and metaproterenol on L-ascorbic acid-induced hepatocyte mitogenesis were examined. Western blot analysis showed that phenylephrine and metaproterenol did not potentiate L-ascorbic acid-induced insulin-like growth factor I receptor tyrosine kinase phosphorylation. In contrast, they both significantly potentiated L-ascorbic acid-induced extracellular-signal regulated kinase-2 (ERK2) phosphorylation within 5 min. Moreover, cell-permeable second messenger analogs phorbol ester (10(-7) M) and 8-bromo cAMP (10(-7) M) mimicked the effects of phenylephrine and metaproterenol on L-ascorbic acid-induced ERK2 phosphorylation. The effects of these adrenoceptor agents were specifically antagonized by GF109203X and H-89, respectively. These results indicate that activation of ERK2 via protein kinas C and protein kinase A represents a mechanism for potentiation of L-ascorbic acid-induced hepatocyte DNA synthesis and proliferation in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Moteki
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University, 1-1 Keyakidai, Sakado, Saitama 350-0295, Japan
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Guégan JP, Ezan F, Théret N, Langouët S, Baffet G. MAPK signaling in cisplatin-induced death: predominant role of ERK1 over ERK2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Carcinogenesis 2012; 34:38-47. [PMID: 23042098 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgs317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma treatment by arterial infusion of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum-II (cisplatin) exhibits certain therapeutic efficacy. However, optimizations are required and the mechanisms underlying cisplatin proapoptotic effect remain unclear. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway plays a key role in cell response to cisplatin and the functional specificity of the isoform MAPK/ERK kinase 1 and 2 (MEK1/2) and ERK1/2 could influence this response. The individual contribution of each kinase on cisplatin-induced death was thus analyzed after a transient or stable specific inhibition by RNA interference in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cells Huh-7 or in knockout mice. We demonstrated here that ERK1 played a predominant role over ERK2 in cisplatin-induced death, whereas MEK1 and MEK2 acted in a redundant manner. Indeed, at clinically relevant concentrations of cisplatin, ERK1 silencing alone was sufficient to protect cells from cisplatin-induced death both in vitro, in Huh-7 cells and ERK1(-/-) hepatocytes, and in vivo, in ERK1-deficient mice. Moreover, we showed that ERK1 activity correlated with the induction level of the proapoptotic BH3-only protein Noxa, a critical mediator of cisplatin toxicity. On the contrary, ERK2 inhibition upregulated ERK1 activity, favored Noxa induction and sensitized hepatocarcinoma cells to cisplatin. Our results point to a crucial role of ERK1 in cisplatin-induced proapoptotic signal and lead us to propose that ERK2-specific targeting could improve the efficacy of cisplatin therapy by increasing ERK1 prodeath functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Guégan
- Inserm U1085, Institut de Recherche sur la Santé l'Environnement et le Travail IRSET, Université de Rennes 1, Biosit, F-35043 Rennes, France
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Kobayashi Y, Lee SS, Arai R, Miki K, Fujii M, Ayusawa D. ERK1/2 mediates unbalanced growth leading to senescence induced by excess thymidine in human cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 425:897-901. [PMID: 22902634 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 08/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Excess thymidine induces unbalanced growth by delaying DNA replication and subsequently induces senescence in every human cell type. Our previous studies with use of inhibitors suggested that ERK1/2 has a major role in these processes. Here we directly assessed the roles of ERK1 and ERK2 in unbalanced growth induced by excess thymidine. Knockdown of ERK2 and ERK1 by vector-based RNA interference prevented loss of colony forming ability and appearance of senescence markers induced by excess thymidine in HeLa and TIG-7 cells, respectively. Such cells continued growing in the presence of excess thymidine. Double knockdown of ERK1 and ERK2 did not improve the effects of single knockdowns of ERK1 and ERK2 in either cell types. These results demonstrate that ERK1 or ERK2 has a major role in manifestation of unbalanced growth in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Kobayashi
- Department of Genome System Science, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan
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The MAPK MEK1/2-ERK1/2 Pathway and Its Implication in Hepatocyte Cell Cycle Control. Int J Hepatol 2012; 2012:328372. [PMID: 23133759 PMCID: PMC3485978 DOI: 10.1155/2012/328372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2012] [Revised: 09/06/2012] [Accepted: 09/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary cultures of hepatocytes are powerful models in studying the sequence of events that are necessary for cell progression from a G0-like state to S phase. The models mimic the physiological process of hepatic regeneration after liver injury or partial hepatectomy. Many reports suggest that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) ERK1/2 can support hepatocyte proliferation in vitro and in vivo and the MEK/ERK cascade acts as an essential element in hepatocyte responses induced by the EGF. Moreover, its disregulation has been associated with the promotion of tumor cell growth of a variety of tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma. Whereas the strict specificity of action of ERK1 and ERK2 is still debated, the MAPKs may have specific biological functions under certain contexts and according to the differentiation status of the cells, notably hepatocytes. In this paper, we will focus on MEK1/2-ERK1/2 activations and roles in normal rodent hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo after partial hepatectomy and in human hepatocarcinoma cells. The possible specificity of ERK1 and ERK2 in normal and transformed hepatocyte will be discussed in regard to other differentiated and undifferentiated cellular models.
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