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Fu X, Xiao P, Luo X, Guo N. Transcription factor YY1 accelerates hepatic fibrosis development by activating NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis. Histol Histopathol 2024; 39:1079-1087. [PMID: 38264929 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is the basis of multiple liver diseases and may eventually develop into hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is a driving factor of hepatic fibrogenesis. In the liver microenvironment, liver cells and others play a crucial role in HSC activation. The liver tissues of CCl4-induced rats show excessive fibrosis, inflammation, and cell apoptosis. Yin Yang 1 (YY1) was highly expressed in hepatic fibrosis rats and TGF-β1-treated liver cells. In animal experiments, YY1 knockdown effectively attenuated CCl4-induced liver injury and pyroptosis-related IL-1β and IL-18 expression. In cellular experiments, NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis was activated by TGF-β1 treatment, while YY1 knockdown significantly inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, pyroptosis, and the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18. In addition, our data showed that TGF-β1-treated liver cell conditional medium markedly induced HSC activation, which was rescued by YY1 knockdown in liver cells. YY1 overexpression in liver cells contributed to the activation of TGF-β1-treated liver cell conditional medium in HSCs, however, this effect of YY1 was attenuated by NLRP3 inhibition. Overall, YY1 overexpression in liver cells contributed to HSC activation by facilitating IL-1β and IL-18 production via activating NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis, thus aggravating hepatic fibrogenesis. Our data indicate that YY1 may be a novel target for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis and associated liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Fu
- General Medicine Department, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, PR China
| | - Ping Xiao
- General Medicine Department, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, PR China
| | - Xin Luo
- General Medicine Department, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, PR China
| | - Ninghong Guo
- Clinical Trial Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, PR China.
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Yang HX, Li YJ, He YL, Jin KK, Lyu LN, Ding HG. Hydrogen Sulfide Promotes Platelet Autophagy via PDGFR-α/PI3K/Akt Signaling in Cirrhotic Thrombocytopenia. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2024; 12:625-633. [PMID: 38993511 PMCID: PMC11233979 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2024.00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims The role of platelet autophagy in cirrhotic thrombocytopenia (CTP) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of platelet autophagy in CTP and elucidate the regulatory mechanism of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on platelet autophagy. Methods Platelets from 56 cirrhotic patients and 56 healthy individuals were isolated for in vitro analyses. Autophagy markers (ATG7, BECN1, LC3, and SQSTM1) were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while autophagosomes were visualized through electron microscopy. Western blotting was used to assess the autophagy-related proteins and the PDGFR/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway following treatment with NaHS (an H2S donor), hydroxocobalamin (an H2S scavenger), or AG 1295 (a selective PDGFR-α inhibitor). A carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhotic BALB/c mouse model was established. Cirrhotic mice with thrombocytopenia were randomly treated with normal saline, NaHS, or hydroxocobalamin for 15 days. Changes in platelet count and aggregation rate were observed every three days. Results Cirrhotic patients with thrombocytopenia exhibited significantly decreased platelet autophagy markers and endogenous H2S levels, alongside increased platelet aggregation, compared to healthy controls. In vitro, NaHS treatment of platelets from severe CTP patients elevated LC3-II levels, reduced SQSTM1 levels, and decreased platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. H2S treatment inhibited PDGFR, PI3K, Akt, and mTOR phosphorylation. In vivo, NaHS significantly increased LC3-II and decreased SQSTM1 expressions in platelets of cirrhotic mice, reducing platelet aggregation without affecting the platelet count. Conclusions Diminished platelet autophagy potentially contributes to thrombocytopenia in cirrhotic patients. H2S modulates platelet autophagy and functions possibly via the PDGFR-α/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Xiang Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing You'an Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang-Jie Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing You'an Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang-Lan He
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing You'an Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ke-Ke Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing You'an Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ling-Na Lyu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing You'an Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Guo Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing You'an Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Kanmani P, Villena J, Lim SK, Song EJ, Nam YD, Kim H. Immunobiotic Bacteria Attenuate Hepatic Fibrosis through the Modulation of Gut Microbiota and the Activation of Aryl-Hydrocarbon Receptors Pathway in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis Mice. Mol Nutr Food Res 2024:e2400227. [PMID: 39031898 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202400227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
SCOPE Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide that can progress to liver fibrosis (LF). Probiotics have beneficial roles in reducing intestinal inflammation and gut-associated diseases, but their effects and mechanisms beyond the gut in attenuating the progression of LF are remained unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS In a mouse model of NASH/LF induced by a methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet, immunobiotics are administered to investigate their therapeutic effects. Results show that the MCD diet leads to liver inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis, which are alleviated by immunobiotics. Immunobiotics reduces serum endotoxin and inflammatory markers while increasing regulatory cytokines and liver weight. They also suppress Th17 cells, known for producing inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, immunobiotics mitigate collagen deposition and fibrogenic signaling in the liver, while restoring gut-barrier integrity and microbiota composition. Additionally, immunobiotics enhance the activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway in both colonic and liver tissues. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results demonstrate a novel insight into the mechanisms through which immunobiotic administration improves the gut health which in turn increases the AhR pathway and inhibits HSCs activation and fibrosis progression beyond the gut in the liver tissue of NASH/LF mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulraj Kanmani
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Julio Villena
- Laboratory of Immunobiotechnology, Reference Centre for Lactobacilli (CERELA-CONICET), Tucuman, 4000, Argentina
| | - Soo-Kyoung Lim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Ji Song
- Research Group of Gut Microbiome, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-gun 245, Wanju-gun, 55365, Republic of Korea
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology, Wanju, 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Do Nam
- Research Group of Gut Microbiome, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-gun 245, Wanju-gun, 55365, Republic of Korea
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology, Wanju, 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Hojun Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea
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Dejesus JE, Wang X, Gu Y, Zhou J, Radhakrishnan RS. Novel Oridonin Analog CYD0682 Inhibits Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation via the Heat Shock Protein 90-Dependent STAT3 Pathway. J Surg Res 2024; 298:14-23. [PMID: 38537450 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.12.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary effector cells in hepatic fibrosis, over depositing extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Our previous work found oridonin analog CYD0682 attenuates proliferation, Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ)-induced signaling, and ECM production in immortalized HSCs. The underlying mechanism behind these reductions is unclear. The Signal Transduction and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway plays a central role in HSC activation and has been found to be overexpressed in models of hepatic injury. In this study, we will examine the effect of CYD0682 on STAT3 signaling. METHODS Immortalized human (LX-2) and rat (HSC-T6) HSC lines were treated with CYD0682 or Tanespimycin (17-AAG) with or without TGF-β. Nuclear and cytosolic proteins were extracted. Protein expression was analyzed with Western blot. DNA binding activity was assessed with STAT3 DNA Binding ELISA. Cell viability was assessed with Alamar blue assay. RESULTS CYD0682 treatment inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation at tyrosine 705 in a dose-dependent manner in LX-2 and HSC-T6 cells. STAT3 DNA binding activity and STAT3 regulated protein c-myc were significantly decreased by CYD0682. Notably, TGFβ-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and ECM protein expression were inhibited by CYD0682. STAT3 is reported to be a Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) client protein. Notably, CYD0682 attenuated the expression of endogenous STAT3 and other HSP90 client proteins FAK, IKKα, AKT and CDK9. HSP90 specific inhibitor 17-AAG suppressed endogenous and TGFβ-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and ECM protein production. CONCLUSIONS CYD0682 attenuates endogenous and TGFβ-induced STAT3 activation and ECM production via an HSP90 dependent pathway in HSCs. Further study of this pathway may present new targets for therapeutic intervention in hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana E Dejesus
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Xiaofu Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Yanping Gu
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Jia Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
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Takano K, Kaneda M, Aoki Y, Fujita N, Chiba S, Michihara S, Han LK, Takahashi R. The protective effects of Ninjin'yoeito against liver steatosis/fibrosis in a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model mouse. J Nat Med 2024; 78:514-524. [PMID: 38498120 PMCID: PMC11101552 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-024-01786-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive fibrotic form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Liver fibrosis leads to liver cancer and cirrhosis, and drug therapy for NASH remains lacking. Ninjin'yoeito (NYT) has shown antifibrotic effects in a model of liver fibrosis without steatosis but has not been studied for NASH. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of NYT in mice fed a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) as a NASH model. Compared with the normal diet group, mice fed CDAHFD showed decreased body weight and increased white adipose tissue, liver weight, and triglyceride content in the liver. Furthermore, a substantial increase in the hepatic concentration of hydroxyproline, expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and transforming growth factor-β was observed in CDAHFD-fed mice. Masson's trichrome and Picro-Sirius red staining revealed a remarkable increase in collagen fiber compared with the normal diet group. Compared with mice that received CDAHFD alone, those supplemented with NYT exhibited reduced hepatic triglyceride and hydroxyproline levels and α-SMA expression. Additionally, compared with the group fed CDAHFD alone, the stained liver tissues of NYT-treated mice exhibited a reduction in Masson's trichrome- and Picro-Sirius red-positive areas. Locomotor activity was significantly reduced in the CDAHFD-fed group compared with the normal diet group. In the NYT-treated group, the CDAHFD-induced decrease in locomotor activity was significantly suppressed. The findings indicate that NYT inhibited fatty and fibrotic changes in the livers of NASH mice and alleviated the decrease in locomotor activity. Therefore, NYT may serve as a novel therapeutic approach for NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyohei Takano
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan.
| | - Marisa Kaneda
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yayoi Aoki
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
| | - Nina Fujita
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
| | - Shigeki Chiba
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
| | - Seiwa Michihara
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
| | - Li-Kun Han
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
| | - Ryuji Takahashi
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
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Araujo L, Dias C, Sucupira F, Ramalho L, Camporez J. A short-term rodent model for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis induced by a high-fat diet and carbon tetrachloride. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20231532. [PMID: 38660995 PMCID: PMC11081943 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Several models of mice-fed high-fat diets have been used to trigger non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and some chemical substances, such as carbon tetrachloride. The present study aimed to evaluate the joint action of a high-fat diet and CCl4 in developing a short-term non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model. C57BL6/J mice were divided into two groups: standard diet-fed (SD), the high-fat diet-fed (HFD) and HFD + fructose-fed and carbon tetrachloride (HFD+CCl4). The animals fed with HFD+CCl4 presented increased lipid deposition compared with both SD and HFD mice. Plasma cholesterol was increased in animals from the HFD+CCl4 group compared with the SD and HFD groups, without significant differences between the SD and HFD groups. Plasma triglycerides showed no significant difference between the groups. The HFD+CCl4 animals had increased collagen deposition in the liver compared with both SD and HFD groups. Hydroxyproline was also increased in the HFD+CCl4 group. Liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, were increased in the HFD+CCl4 group, compared with SD and HFD groups. Also, CCl4 was able to trigger an inflammatory process in the liver of HFD-fed animals by promoting an increase of ∼2 times in macrophage activity, ∼6 times in F4/80 gene expression, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b and TNFa), in addition to an increase in inflammatory pathway protein phosphorylation (IKKbp). HFD e HFD+CCl4 animals increased glucose intolerance compared with SD mice, associated with reduced insulin-stimulated AKT activity in the liver. Therefore, our study has shown that short-term HFD feeding associated with fructose and CCl4 can trigger non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cause damage to glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layanne C.C. Araujo
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolina C.B. Dias
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe G. Sucupira
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leandra N.Z. Ramalho
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Paulo Camporez
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Leaker BD, Sojoodi M, Tanabe KK, Popov YV, Tam J, Anderson RR. Increased susceptibility to ischemia causes exacerbated response to microinjuries in the cirrhotic liver. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23585. [PMID: 38661043 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301438rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Fractional laser ablation is a technique developed in dermatology to induce remodeling of skin scars by creating a dense pattern of microinjuries. Despite remarkable clinical results, this technique has yet to be tested for scars in other tissues. As a first step toward determining the suitability of this technique, we aimed to (1) characterize the response to microinjuries in the healthy and cirrhotic liver, and (2) determine the underlying cause for any differences in response. Healthy and cirrhotic rats were treated with a fractional laser then euthanized from 0 h up to 14 days after treatment. Differential expression was assessed using RNAseq with a difference-in-differences model. Spatial maps of tissue oxygenation were acquired with hyperspectral imaging and disruptions in blood supply were assessed with tomato lectin perfusion. Healthy rats showed little damage beyond the initial microinjury and healed completely by 7 days without scarring. In cirrhotic rats, hepatocytes surrounding microinjury sites died 4-6 h after ablation, resulting in enlarged and heterogeneous zones of cell death. Hepatocytes near blood vessels were spared, particularly near the highly vascularized septa. Gene sets related to ischemia and angiogenesis were enriched at 4 h. Laser-treated regions had reduced oxygen saturation and broadly disrupted perfusion of nodule microvasculature, which matched the zones of cell death. Our results demonstrate that the cirrhotic liver has an exacerbated response to microinjuries and increased susceptibility to ischemia from microvascular damage, likely related to the vascular derangements that occur during cirrhosis development. Modifications to the fractional laser tool, such as using a femtosecond laser or reducing the spot size, may be able to prevent large disruptions of perfusion and enable further development of a laser-induced microinjury treatment for cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben D Leaker
- Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mozhdeh Sojoodi
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kenneth K Tanabe
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yury V Popov
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joshua Tam
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - R Rox Anderson
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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González-Alfonso WL, Petrosyan P, Del Razo LM, Sánchez-Peña LC, Tapia-Rodríguez M, Hernández-Muñoz R, Gonsebatt ME. Chronic Exposure to Arsenic and Fluoride Starting at Gestation Alters Liver Mitochondrial Protein Expression and Induces Early Onset of Liver Fibrosis in Male Mouse Offspring. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04198-1. [PMID: 38676876 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04198-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
The presence of arsenic (As) and fluoride (F-) in drinking water is of concern due to the enormous number of individuals exposed to this condition worldwide. Studies in cultured cells and animal models have shown that As- or F-induced hepatotoxicity is primarily associated with redox disturbance and altered mitochondrial homeostasis. To explore the hepatotoxic effects of chronic combined exposure to As and F- in drinking water, pregnant CD-1 mice were exposed to 2 mg/L As (sodium arsenite) and/or 25 mg/L F- (sodium fluoride). The male offspring continued the exposure treatment up to 30 (P30) or 90 (P90) postnatal days. GSH levels, cysteine synthesis enzyme activities, and cysteine transporter levels were investigated in liver homogenates, as well as the expression of biomarkers of ferroptosis and mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins. Serum transaminase levels and Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson trichrome-stained liver tissue slices were examined. Combined exposure at P30 significantly reduced GSH levels and the mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) expression while increasing lipid peroxidation, free Fe 2+, p53 expression, and serum ALT activity. At P90, the upregulation of cysteine uptake and synthesis was associated with a recovery of GSH levels. Nevertheless, the downregulation of TFAM continued and was now associated with a downstream inhibition of the expression of MT-CO2 and reduced levels of mtDNA and fibrotic liver damage. Our experimental approach using human-relevant doses gives evidence of the increased risk for early liver damage associated with elevated levels of As and F- in the diet during intrauterine and postnatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy L González-Alfonso
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510, México
| | - Pavel Petrosyan
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510, México
| | - Luz M Del Razo
- Departamento de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luz C Sánchez-Peña
- Departamento de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel Tapia-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Microscopia, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rolando Hernández-Muñoz
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510, México
| | - María E Gonsebatt
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510, México.
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Ma R, Xie N, Shu Y, Wu Y, He P, Xiang Y, Zhou Y, Wang Y. Cannabidiol alleviates carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in mice by regulating NF-κB and PPAR-α pathways. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2024; 249:10141. [PMID: 38711461 PMCID: PMC11070938 DOI: 10.3389/ebm.2024.10141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis has become a serious public health problem that can develop into liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and even lead to death. Cannabidiol (CBD), which is an abundant nonpsychoactive component in the cannabis plant, exerts cytoprotective effects in many diseases and under pathological conditions. In our previous studies, CBD significantly attenuated liver injury induced by chronic and binge alcohol in a mouse model and oxidative bursts in human neutrophils. However, the effects of CBD on liver fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms still need to be further explored. A mouse liver fibrosis model was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 10 weeks and used to explore the protective properties of CBD and related molecular mechanisms. After the injection protocol, serum samples and livers were used for molecular biology, biochemical and pathological analyses. The results showed that CBD could effectively improve liver function and reduce liver damage and liver fibrosis progression in mice; the expression levels of transaminase and fibrotic markers were reduced, and histopathological characteristics were improved. Moreover, CBD inhibited the levels of inflammatory cytokines and reduced the protein expression levels of p-NF-κB, NF-κB, p-IκBα, p-p38 MAPK, and COX-2 but increased the expression level of PPAR-α. We found that CBD-mediated protection involves inhibiting NF-κB and activating PPAR-α. In conclusion, these results suggest that the hepatoprotective effects of CBD may be due to suppressing the inflammatory response in CCl4-induced mice and that the NF-κB and PPAR-α signaling pathways might be involved in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run Ma
- Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Na Xie
- School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yuanhui Shu
- School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yafeng Wu
- Clinical Laboratory, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Ya’an City, Ya’an, Sichuan, China
| | - Ping He
- Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yining Xiang
- Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yuping Wang
- Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
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Li H, Dai R, Huang Y, Zhong J, Yan Q, Yang J, Hu K, Zhong Y. [18F]AlF-ND-bisFAPI PET imaging of fibroblast activation protein as a biomarker to monitor the progression of liver fibrosis. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0407. [PMID: 38466884 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic fibrosis is a progressive disease, which is reversible in the early stages. The current monitoring methods have notable limitations that pose a challenge to early detection. In this study, we evaluated the utility of [18F]AlF-ND-bisFAPI positron emission tomography imaging of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) to monitor the progression of liver fibrosis. METHODS Two mouse models of liver fibrosis were established by bile duct ligation and carbon tetrachloride administration, respectively. Positron emission tomography imaging was performed with the FAP-specific radiotracer [18F]AlF-ND-bisFAPI for the evaluation of rat HSCs and mouse models of fibrosis and combined with histopathology, immunohistochemical staining, and immunoblotting to elucidate the relationships among radioactivity uptake, FAP levels, and liver fibrosis progression. Furthermore, [18F]AlF-ND-bisFAPI autoradiography was performed to assess tracer binding in liver sections from patients with varying degrees of liver fibrosis. RESULTS Cell experiments demonstrated that [18F]AlF-ND-bisFAPI uptake was specific in activated HSCs. Compared with control mice, [18F]AlF-ND-bisFAPI uptake in livers increased in the early stages of fibrosis and increased significantly further with disease progression. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses demonstrated that FAP expression increased with fibrosis severity. In accordance with the findings in animal models, ex vivo autoradiography on human fibrotic liver sections showed that radioactivity increased as fibrosis progressed from mild to severe. CONCLUSIONS [18F]AlF-ND-bisFAPI positron emission tomography imaging is a promising noninvasive method for monitoring the progression of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongsheng Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruoxue Dai
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yueqi Huang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiawei Zhong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingsong Yan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqi Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kongzhen Hu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhua Zhong
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Xie L, Chen H, Zhang L, Ma Y, Zhou Y, Yang YY, Liu C, Wang YL, Yan YJ, Ding J, Teng X, Yang Q, Liu XP, Wu J. JCAD deficiency attenuates activation of hepatic stellate cells and cholestatic fibrosis. Clin Mol Hepatol 2024; 30:206-224. [PMID: 38190829 PMCID: PMC11016487 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2023.0506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Cholestatic liver diseases including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are associated with active hepatic fibrogenesis, which ultimately progresses to cirrhosis. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main fibrogenic effectors in response to cholangiocyte damage. JCAD regulates cell proliferation and malignant transformation in nonalcoholic steatoheaptitis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (NASH-HCC). However, its participation in cholestatic fibrosis has not been explored yet. METHODS Serial sections of liver tissue of PBC patients were stained with immunofluorescence. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in wild-type (WT), global JCAD knockout mice (JCAD-KO) and HSC-specific JCAD knockout mice (HSC-JCAD-KO), and evaluated by histopathology and biochemical tests. In situ-activated HSCs isolated from BDL mice were used to determine effects of JCAD on HSC activation. RESULTS In consistence with staining of liver sections from PBC patients, immunofluorescent staining revealed that JCAD expression was identified in smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA)-positive fibroblast-like cells and was significantly up-regulated in WT mice with BDL. JCAD deficiency remarkably ameliorated BDL-induced hepatic injury and fibrosis, as documented by liver hydroxyproline content, when compared to WT mice with BDL. Histopathologically, collagen deposition was dramatically reduced in both JCAD-KO and HSC-JCAD-KO mice compared to WT mice, as visualized by Trichrome staining and semi-quantitative scores. Moreover, JCAD deprivation significantly attenuated in situ HSC activation and reduced expression of fibrotic genes after BDL. CONCLUSION JCAD deficiency effectively suppressed hepatic fibrosis induced by BDL in mice, and the underlying mechanisms are largely through suppressed Hippo-YAP signaling activity in HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xie
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Ma
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Yu Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Li Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Jun Yan
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jing’an District Central Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Teng
- HistoIndex Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qiang Yang
- Hangzhou Choutu Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiu-Ping Liu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Liver Diseases, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
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12
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Hajiasgharzadeh K, Shahabi P, Karimi-Sales E, Alipour MR. Effects of nicotine on microRNA-124 expression in bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2024; 25:27. [PMID: 38549169 PMCID: PMC10976767 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-024-00749-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotine, the main compound of smoking may exert its effects by changing the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). This study was conducted to further investigate the molecular mechanisms of miRNA-dependent effects of nicotine in an animal model of liver fibrosis. METHODS The bile duct ligation (BDL) approach was used to create a model of liver fibrosis. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were used in the study. The effects of nicotine administration on miRNA-124 expression, as well as alpha-smooth muscle actin (liver fibrosis marker) and chemokine ligand 2 (an inflammatory chemokine), were investigated using RT-qPCR. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3; as a potential target for miRNA-124) were investigated by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence, respectively. Liver enzyme activity levels were measured using a colorimetric assay. In addition, the effects of nicotine on the process of liver fibrosis were investigated with histological studies. RESULTS The development of liver fibrosis in BDL rats and nicotine administration led to a decrease in miRNA-124 expression. The decrease in the expression is accompanied by the increase in the expression of fibrotic and proinflammatory genes. Also, an increase in STAT-3 mRNA and protein expression was observed in the fibrotic rats that received nicotine. In addition, the significant increase in bilirubin and liver enzymes in fibrotic rats worsens with nicotine administration. The results of histological studies also confirm these results. CONCLUSION Considering that miRNA-124 is an anti-inflammatory miRNA, it can be concluded that the decrease in its expression due to nicotine exposure leads to an increase in inflammatory processes and subsequently to an increase in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Parviz Shahabi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elham Karimi-Sales
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Alipour
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Asadollahi N, Hajari MA, Alipour Choshali M, Ajoudanian M, Ziai SA, Vosough M, Piryaei A. Bioengineering scalable and drug-responsive in vitro human multicellular non-alcoholic fatty liver disease microtissues encapsulated in the liver extracellular matrix-derived hydrogel. EXCLI JOURNAL 2024; 23:421-440. [PMID: 38741724 PMCID: PMC11089098 DOI: 10.17179/excli2023-6878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a high-prevalence and progressive disorder. Due to lack of reliable in vitro models to recapitulate the consecutive phases, the exact pathogenesis mechanism of this disease and approved therapeutic medications have not been revealed yet. It has been proven that the interplay between multiple hepatic cell types and liver extracellular matrix (ECM) are critical in NAFLD initiation and progression. Herein, a liver microtissue (LMT) consisting of Huh-7, THP-1, and LX-2 cell lines and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), which could be substituted for the main hepatic cells (hepatocyte, Kupffer, stellate, and sinusoidal endothelium, respectively), encapsulated in liver derived ECM-Alginate composite, was bioengineered. When the microtissues were treated with free fatty acids (FFAs) including Oleic acid (6.6×10-4M) and Palmitic acid (3.3×10-4M), they displayed the key features of NAFLD, including similar pattern of transcripts for genes involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation, insulin-resistance, and fibrosis, as well as pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines' secretions and intracellular lipid accumulation. Continuing FFAs supplementation, we demonstrated that the NAFLD phenomenon was established on day 3 and progressed to the initial fibrosis stage by day 8. Furthermore, this model was stable until day 12 post FFAs withdrawal on day 3. Moreover, administration of an anti-steatotic drug candidate, Liraglutide (15 μM), on the NAFLD microtissues significantly ameliorated the NAFLD phenomenon. Overall, we bioengineered a drug-responsive, cost-benefit liver microtissues which can simulate the initiation and progression of NAFLD. It is expected that this platform could potentially be used for studying molecular pathogenesis of NAFLD and high-throughput drug screening. See also the graphical abstract(Fig. 1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Asadollahi
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Hajari
- Department of Cell Engineering, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Alipour Choshali
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ajoudanian
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Ziai
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Experimental Cancer Medicine, Institution for Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Abbas Piryaei
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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14
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Hajiasgharzadeh K, Shahabi P, Karimi-Sales E, Alipour MR. Nicotine promotes development of bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis by increasing expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rats. Clin Exp Hepatol 2024; 10:62-71. [PMID: 38765906 PMCID: PMC11100344 DOI: 10.5114/ceh.2024.136227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim of the study Liver fibrosis and cigarette smoking seem to be directly linked. Nicotine, as an agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), induces many downstream signaling pathways. The pathways through which nicotine affects the process of liver fibrosis have not been clarified. The present study aimed to investigate the nicotine-induced effects on fibrosis progression in cholestatic rats. Material and methods First, the Wistar rats were subjected to sham or bile duct ligation (BDL) surgery. The rats were treated with low and high doses of nicotine (1 or 10 mg/kg) for three weeks. They were monitored for their body weights before and 21 days after BDL. Also, spleens were weighed to calculate the spleen/body weight ratio. Ductular proliferation and fibrosis were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) as well as Masson's trichrome staining. The mRNA expression of α4nAChR, α7nAChR, and fibrosis gene α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was measured by real-time PCR. Results The findings showed that nicotine promotes the development of BDL-induced liver fibrosis. The ratio of spleen/body weight was significantly affected by nicotine exposure. H&E and Masson's trichrome staining showed that the level of liver fibrosis was higher in the cholestatic BDL groups, and this effect was significantly augmented in the nicotine-treated rats. Also, α4nAChR, α7nAChR, and α-SMA expression was observed in the BDL rats and increased following nicotine treatment. Conclusions The activation of nAChR triggers biliary proliferation and liver fibrosis. Studying the intracellular mechanism of nicotine and alteration in the expression of nicotinic receptors following nicotine exposure can be useful both in diagnosing nicotine-related diseases and finding new treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Parviz Shahabi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elham Karimi-Sales
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Alipour
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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15
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Hao Y, Feng D, Ye H, Liao W. Nobiletin Alleviated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Hepatocytes in Liver Fibrosis Based on Autophagy-Hippo/YAP Pathway. Mol Nutr Food Res 2024; 68:e2300529. [PMID: 38044268 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202300529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
SCOPE The current researches indicated that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of hepatocytes plays a crucial role in the development of liver fibrosis. To date, there is a paucity of literature regarding the impact of nobiletin (NOB) on liver fibrosis. This study investigates the inhibitory effect of NOB on EMT in hepatocytes during the progression of liver fibrosis and its underlying mechanism. METHODS AND RESULTS The findings demonstrated that NOB significantly suppresses liver fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced mice by reducing inflammation and fiber deposition in the liver. Moreover, NOB mitigates EMT in hepatocytes, concurrently alleviating inflammatory status and reducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The comprehensive investigation reveals that the hepatoprotective effect of NOB in liver fibrosis is attributed to autophagy activation, as evidenced by a significant increase in LC3 II expression and p62 degradation upon NOB treatment. Additionally, NOB activates the Hippo/YAP pathway by downregulating YAP and its downstream targets in liver fibrosis, which is regulated by autophagy based on experiments with chloroquine (CQ), 3-methyladenine (3-MA), and siYAP intervention. CONCLUSION Therefore, this study provides evidences that NOB can protect hepatocytes from undergoing EMT during liver fibrosis by inducing autophagy and subsequently modulating the Hippo/YAP pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Hao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Dongliang Feng
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Huarui Ye
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Wenzhen Liao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
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16
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Ortega-Prieto P, Parlati L, Benhamed F, Regnier M, Cavalcante I, Montabord M, Onifarasoaniaina R, Favier M, Pavlovic N, Magusto J, Cauzac M, Pagesy P, Gautheron J, Desdouets C, Guilmeau S, Issad T, Postic C. O-GlcNAc transferase acts as a critical nutritional node for the control of liver homeostasis. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:100878. [PMID: 38298740 PMCID: PMC10827605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims O-GlcNAcylation is a reversible post-translational modification controlled by the activity of two enzymes, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA). In the liver, O-GlcNAcylation has emerged as an important regulatory mechanism underlying normal liver physiology and metabolic disease. Methods To address whether OGT acts as a critical hepatic nutritional node, mice with a constitutive hepatocyte-specific deletion of OGT (OGTLKO) were generated and challenged with different carbohydrate- and lipid-containing diets. Results Analyses of 4-week-old OGTLKO mice revealed significant oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and DNA damage, together with inflammation and fibrosis, in the liver. Susceptibility to oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis was also elevated in OGTLKO hepatocytes. Although OGT expression was partially recovered in the liver of 8-week-old OGTLKO mice, hepatic injury and fibrosis were not rescued but rather worsened with time. Interestingly, weaning of OGTLKO mice on a ketogenic diet (low carbohydrate, high fat) fully prevented the hepatic alterations induced by OGT deletion, indicating that reduced carbohydrate intake protects an OGT-deficient liver. Conclusions These findings pinpoint OGT as a key mediator of hepatocyte homeostasis and survival upon carbohydrate intake and validate OGTLKO mice as a valuable model for assessing therapeutical approaches of advanced liver fibrosis. Impact and Implications Our study shows that hepatocyte-specific deletion of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) leads to severe liver injury, reinforcing the importance of O-GlcNAcylation and OGT for hepatocyte homeostasis and survival. Our study also validates the Ogt liver-deficient mouse as a valuable model for the study of advanced liver fibrosis. Importantly, as the severe hepatic fibrosis of Ogt liver-deficient mice could be fully prevented upon feeding on a ketogenic diet (i.e. very-low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet) this work underlines the potential interest of nutritional intervention as antifibrogenic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucia Parlati
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Fadila Benhamed
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Marion Regnier
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Isadora Cavalcante
- Team Genomics and Signaling of Endocrine Tumors, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Maryline Favier
- HistIM Platform, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Natasa Pavlovic
- Team Proliferation, Stress and Liver Physiopathology, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Julie Magusto
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Michèle Cauzac
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Pagesy
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Jérémie Gautheron
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Chantal Desdouets
- Team Proliferation, Stress and Liver Physiopathology, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Sandra Guilmeau
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Tarik Issad
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Postic
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
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17
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Jin Y, Shi M, Feng J, Zhang Z, Zhao B, Li Q, Yu L, Lu Z. Splenectomy ameliorates liver cirrhosis by restoring the gut microbiota balance. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:32. [PMID: 38214780 PMCID: PMC11072996 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05055-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysbiosis of gut microbiota is frequent in liver cirrhosis (LC) patients, and splenectomy (SP) has been reported to improve LC. Herein, we report the effects of SP on gut microbiota, especially on Veillonella parvula, a Gram-negative coccus of the gastrointestinal tract, in LC mice, and the underlying mechanism. METHODS LC mice models were induced by tail vein injection of concanavalin A (ConA), followed by SP. 16 s rRNA sequencing was conducted to analyze the effects of ConA induction and SP on mouse gut microbiota and the gene expression affected by gut microbiota. LC mice receiving SP were gavaged with Veillonella parvula. Likewise, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and hepatocytes (HC) were induced with conditioned medium (CM) of Veillonella parvula. RESULTS SP alleviated LC in mice by restoring gut barrier function and maintaining gut microbiota balance, with Veillonella as the key genus. The Veillonella parvula gavage on LC mice reversed the ameliorative effect of SP. The CM of Veillonella parvula promoted the activation of HSC and the release of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Also, the CM of Veillonella parvula induced HC pyroptosis and the release of ALT and AST. Veillonella parvula represented an imbalance in the gut microbiota, thus enhancing gut-derived endotoxins in the liver with the main target being Tlr4/Nlrp3. Inhibition of Tlr4 blocked Veillonella parvula-induced HC damage, HSC activation, and subsequent LC progression. CONCLUSION SP-mediated gut microbiota regulation ameliorates ConA-related LC progression by inhibiting Tlr4/Nlrp3 in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Meixin Shi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Feng
- Department of General Surgery, Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengwei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingbing Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingyu Li
- Department of General Surgery, Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ligen Yu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoyang Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Chen N, Liu S, Qin D, Guan D, Chen Y, Hou C, Zheng S, Wang L, Chen X, Chen W, Zhang L. Fate tracking reveals differences between Reelin + hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and Desmin + HSCs in activation, migration and proliferation. Cell Prolif 2023; 56:e13500. [PMID: 37246473 PMCID: PMC10693182 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the main cause of liver fibrogenesis in response to different etiologies of chronic liver injuries. HSCs are heterogeneous, but the lack of specific markers to distinguish different HSC subset hinders the development of targeted therapy for liver fibrosis. In this study, we aim to reveal new HSC subsets by cell fate tracking. We constructed a novel ReelinCreERT2 transgenic mouse model to track the fate of cells expressing Reelin and their progeny (Reelin+ cells). And we investigated the property of Reelin+ cells, such as differentiation and proliferation, in hepatotoxic (carbon tetrachloride; CCl4 ) or cholestatic (bile duct ligation; BDL) liver injury models by immunohistochemistry. Our study revealed that Reelin+ cells were a new HSC subset. In terms of activation, migration, and proliferation, Reelin+ HSCs displayed different properties from Desmin+ HSCs (total HSCs) in cholestatic liver injury model but shared similar properties to total HSCs in hepatotoxic liver injury model. Besides, we did not find evidence that Reelin+ HSCs transdifferentiated into hepatocytes or cholangiocytes through mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). In this study, our genetic cell fate tracking data reveal that ReelinCreERT2-labelled cells are a new HSC subset, which provides new insights into targeted therapy for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Shenghui Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Dan Qin
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Dian Guan
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Yaqing Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Chenjiao Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Songyun Zheng
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Liqiang Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Kidney DiseasesBeijingChina
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Kidney DiseasesBeijingChina
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Lisheng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
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19
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Zheng Y, Ji S, Li X, Wen L. Qijia rougan formula ameliorates ECM deposition in hepatic fibrosis by regulating the JAK1/STAT6-microRNA-23a feedback loop in macrophage M2 polarization. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115794. [PMID: 37922651 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is the critical pathological stage in the progression of chronic liver disease to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, no approved anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs are available currently. Qijia Rougan Formula (QRF) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with significant clinical efficacy on hepatic fibrosis. It was derived from Sanjiasan, a famous decoction documented in the Book of Treatise on the Pestilence in the Ming Dynasty of China. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain elusive. This study further confirmed the therapeutic effects of QRF on hepatic fibrosis and dissected its underlying molecular mechanisms from the perspective of macrophage M2 polarization, one of the critical events in hepatic fibrosis. Experimentally, QRF significantly improved extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and fibrosis in the liver of model rats. QRF diminished the proportion of M2 macrophages, decreased the levels of TGF-β, PDGFB and IL-10, and regulated the expression of p-JAK1, p-STAT6, JAK1 and microRNA-23a both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, it was confirmed that QRF effectively improves liver function and hepatocyte damage, and reduces ECM deposition. QRF ameliorates hepatic fibrosis by regulating JAK1/STAT6-microRNA-23a negative feedback loop to inhibit macrophage M2 polarization and thus reduce ECM deposition. Our study illustrates the potential of QRF for hepatic fibrosis therapy, suggesting that QRF is a promising anti-hepatic fibrosis drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfeng Zheng
- Basic Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shaoxiu Ji
- Basic Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xia Li
- Basic Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Li Wen
- Basic Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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20
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Ramos-Tovar E, Muriel P. NLRP3 inflammasome in hepatic diseases: A pharmacological target. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 217:115861. [PMID: 37863329 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway is mainly responsible for the activation and release of a cascade of proinflammatory mediators that contribute to the development of hepatic diseases. During alcoholic liver disease development, the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway contributes to the maturation of caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18, which induce a robust inflammatory response, leading to fibrosis by inducing profibrogenic hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Substantial evidence demonstrates that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progresses to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) via NLRP3 inflammasome activation, ultimately leading to fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in NASH can be attributed to several factors, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), gut dysbiosis, leaky gut, which allow triggers such as cardiolipin, cholesterol crystals, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and uric acid to reach the liver. Because inflammation triggers HSC activation, the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway performs a central function in fibrogenesis regardless of the etiology. Chronic hepatic activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome can ultimately lead to HCC; however, inflammation also plays a role in decreasing tumor growth. Some data indicate that NLRP3 inflammasome activation plays an important role in autoimmune hepatitis, but the evidence is scarce. Most researchers have reported that NLRP3 inflammasome activation is essential in liver injury induced by a variety of drugs and hepatotropic virus infection; however, few reports indicate that this pathway can play a beneficial role by inducing liver regeneration. Modulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome appears to be a suitable strategy to treat liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Ramos-Tovar
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina-IPN, Apartado Postal 11340, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Casco de Santo Tomás, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Pablo Muriel
- Laboratorio de Hepatología Experimental, Departamento de Farmacología, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México, México.
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21
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Li B, Huang Y, Bao J, Xu Z, Yan X, Zou Q. Supramolecular Nanoarchitectonics Based on Antagonist Peptide Self-Assembly for Treatment of Liver Fibrosis. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2304675. [PMID: 37433983 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic peptides have attracted increasing attention as anti-fibrotic drug candidates. However, the rapid degradation and insufficient liver accumulation of therapeutic peptides have seriously hampered their clinical translation. Here, the use of supramolecular nanoarchitectonics is reported to fabricate nanodrugs from therapeutic peptides for treating liver fibrosis. Self-assembling antagonist peptides are rationally designed and manipulated into uniform peptide nanoparticles with well-defined nanostructures and uniform sizes. Significantly, the peptide nanoparticles show enhanced accumulation in liver sites and limited distribution in other tissues. In vivo results show that the peptide nanoparticles exhibit greatly enhanced anti-fibrotic activity compared to the pristine antagonist along with good biocompatibility. These results indicate that self-assembly is a promising nanoarchitectonics approach to enhance the anti-fibrotic activity of therapeutic peptides for treating liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Li
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, P. R. China
| | - Yan Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, P. R. China
| | - Jianwei Bao
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, P. R. China
| | - Zixuan Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, P. R. China
| | - Xuehai Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Qianli Zou
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, P. R. China
- Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, 230000, P. R. China
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22
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Shu G, Sun H, Zhang T, Zhu A, Lei X, Wang C, Song A, Deng X. Theaflavine inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation by modulating the PKA/LKB1/AMPK/GSK3β cascade and subsequently enhancing Nrf2 signaling. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 956:175964. [PMID: 37549726 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) constitutes a crucial etiological factor leading to liver fibrosis. Theaflavine (TF) is a characteristic bioactive compound in fermented tea. Here, we found that TF attenuated the activation of LX-2 HSCs induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). TF potentiated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related Factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling. Knockdown of Nrf2 abrogated TF-mediated resistance to TGF-β1. Liver kinase B1 (LKB1), AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) are upstream regulators of Nrf2. TF modulated the LKB1/AMPK/GSK3β axis. Inhibition of AMPK or knockdown of LKB1 crippled TF-mediated potentiation of Nrf2. Protein kinase A (PKA) catalyzes LKB1 phosphorylation. In LX-2 cells, TF increased the LKB1/PKA interaction without affecting their contents. Inhibition of PKA abolished TF-mediated potentiation of LKB1/Nrf2 and abrogated the inhibitory effects of TF on their activation. TF also enhanced direct binding between purified catalytic subunit α of PKA (PKA-Cα) and LKB1 proteins in vitro. Molecular docking indicated that TF showed binding activity with both LKB1 and PKA-Cα proteins. In mouse primary HSCs, TF elevated LKB1/PKA-Cα binding, boosted LKB1 phosphorylation, potentiated Nrf2 and suppressed their spontaneous activation. PKA inhibition or LKB1 knockdown eliminated TF-mediated induction of Nrf2 and suppression of HSC activation. Furthermore, TF considerably alleviated CCl4-induced mouse liver fibrosis. In mouse livers, TF increased the LKB1/PKA-Cα interaction, upregulated LKB1 phosphorylation and modulated its downstream AMPK/GSK3β/Nrf2 cascade. Our findings collectively indicated that TF suppresses HSC activation. Mechanistically, TF elevated the LKB1/PKA interaction in HSCs, which increased LKB1 phosphorylation and subsequently modulated the downstream AMPK/GSK3β/Nrf2 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangwen Shu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hui Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tiantian Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Anqi Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiao Lei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chuo Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Anning Song
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xukun Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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23
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Mohammed OA. Alogliptin exhibits multifaceted effects in thioacetamide-insulted rats: A novel approach to combating hepatic inflammation and fibrogenesis. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 250:154833. [PMID: 37769397 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis arising from chronic liver injury is characterized by dysregulated healing, including hepatic stellate cell activation and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. Administration of the hepatotoxin thioacetamide (TAA) induces liver injury coupled to fibrogenesis in rodents, mimicking aspects of human disease. Alogliptin is a highly selective inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 with purported antifibrotic actions. We investigated the protective effects of alogliptin against TAA-mediated hepatic fibrosis in rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received intraperitoneal injections of TAA (150 mg/kg) twice weekly for 6 weeks to induce liver fibrosis. A subset of rats also received daily oral alogliptin (20 mg/kg). At 6 weeks, liver injury and fibrosis were assessed by histology, hydroxyproline content, serum liver enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers, and genes related to inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. TAA elicited necroinflammation, oxidative stress, upregulation of pro-fibrogenic mediators, increased hydroxyproline content, and excessive collagen deposition, indicating hepatic fibrosis. The administration of Alogliptin led to notable enhancements in liver histology, an extension in survival time, a decrease in hydroxyproline levels and the expression of fibrogenic genes, a reduction in inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress, and mitigation of hepatocellular apoptosis in rats subjected to TAA treatment. Alogliptin displayed potent antifibrotic, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties in this model of toxic liver damage, likely by impeding NFκB while enhanced Nrf2 DNA binding activity which together modulate oxidative stress, inflammation, myofibroblast activation, and apoptosis. These results highlight the potential therapeutic value of alogliptin offering hope for improved treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama A Mohammed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia.
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24
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Huang CJ, Hsu SJ, Hsu YC, Chen LK, Li C, Huang HC, Lee YH. Synthesis, characterization, and biological verification of asialoglycoprotein receptor-targeted lipopolysaccharide-encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles for the establishment of a liver fibrosis animal model. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:6650-6662. [PMID: 37609825 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01058a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is generally preceded by various liver injuries and often leads to chronic liver diseases and even cirrhosis. Therefore, a liver fibrosis animal model is the cornerstone for the development of therapeutic strategies for hepatic diseases. Although administration of hepatotoxic substances and/or bile duct ligation have been widely performed to construct the in vivo model over the last decades, they are seriously hindered by time-consuming protocols, high mortality, and instability, indicating that an effective and safe approach for the induction of liver fibrosis is still urgently needed nowadays. In this study, we have developed asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR)-targeted lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles named ALPNPs for establishing an animal model of liver fibrosis. The ALPNPs are characterized as having a spherical nanostructure with size of 182.9 ± 8.89 nm and surface charge of -8.3 ± 1.48 mV. An anti-ASGPR antibody bound to the surface of the nanoparticles with a crosslinking efficiency of 95.03% allows ALPNPs to have hepatocyte-binding specificity. In comparison to free LPSs, the ALPNPs can induce higher aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin concentrations in plasma, reduce the blood flow rate in the portal system and the kidneys, and increase vascular resistance in the liver, kidneys, and collateral shunting vasculature. Based on histological and RNA-seq analyses, the ALPNPs can provide similar capability on inducing hepatic inflammation and fibrosis compared to free LPS but possess higher liver targetability than the naked drug. In addition, the ALPNPs are less toxic in organs other than the liver in comparison to free LPS, demonstrating that the ALPNPs do not elicit off-target effects in vivo. Given the aforementioned efficacies with other merits such as biocompatibility and drug release controllability provided by PLGA, we anticipate that the developed ALPNPs are highly applicable in establishing animal models of liver fibrosis in pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Ju Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central, University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan R.O.C.
| | - Shao-Jung Hsu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C.
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C
| | - Yi-Chiung Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central, University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan R.O.C.
| | - Liang-Kun Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central, University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan R.O.C.
| | - Chuan Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C
| | - Hui-Chun Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C.
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C
| | - Yu-Hsiang Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central, University, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan R.O.C.
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan R.O.C
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25
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Wójtowicz A, Molcan T, Lukasik K, Żebrowska E, Pawlina-Tyszko K, Gurgul A, Szmatoła T, Bugno-Poniewierska M, Ferreira-Dias G, Skarzynski DJ, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A. The potential role of miRNAs and regulation of their expression in the development of mare endometrial fibrosis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15938. [PMID: 37743390 PMCID: PMC10518347 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42149-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mare endometrial fibrosis (endometrosis), is one of the main causes of equine infertility. Despite the high prevalence, both ethology, pathogenesis and the nature of its progression remain poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators in multiple cellular processes and functions under physiological and pathological circumstances. In this article, we reported changes in miRNA expression at different stages of endometrosis and the effect of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 on the expression of the most dysregulated miRNAs. We identified 1, 26, and 5 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs), in categories IIA (mild fibrosis), IIB (moderate fibrosis), and III (severe fibrosis) groups compared to category I (no fibrosis) endometria group, respectively (Padjusted < 0.05, log2FC ≥ 1.0/log2FC ≤ - 1.0). This study indicated the potential involvement of miRNAs in the regulation of the process associated to the development and progression of endometrosis. The functional enrichment analysis revealed, that DEmiRs target genes involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinases, Hippo, and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt signalling pathways, focal adhesion, and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction. Moreover, we demonstrated that the most potent profibrotic cytokine-TGF-β1-downregulated novel-eca-miR-42 (P < 0.05) expression in fibroblasts derived from endometria at early-stage endometrosis (category IIA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wójtowicz
- Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Tomasz Molcan
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Karolina Lukasik
- Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Ewelina Żebrowska
- Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Klaudia Pawlina-Tyszko
- Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Cracow, Poland
| | - Artur Gurgul
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, The University of Agriculture in Krakow, Cracow, Poland
| | - Tomasz Szmatoła
- Department of Animal Molecular Biology, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Cracow, Poland
- Center for Experimental and Innovative Medicine, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Cracow, Poland
| | - Monika Bugno-Poniewierska
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, The University of Agriculture in Krakow, Cracow, Poland
| | - Graca Ferreira-Dias
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CIISA - Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Dariusz J Skarzynski
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Szóstek-Mioduchowska
- Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland.
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26
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Awwad L, Aronheim A. Tumor Progression Reverses Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fibrosis in a Tetracycline-Regulated ATF3 Transgenic Mouse Model. Cells 2023; 12:2289. [PMID: 37759510 PMCID: PMC10528851 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer are the top deadly diseases in the world. Both CVD and cancer have common risk factors; therefore, with the advances in treatment and life span, both diseases may occur simultaneously in patients. It is becoming evident that CVD and cancer are highly connected, establishing a novel discipline known as cardio-oncology. This includes the cardiomyocyte death following any anti-tumor therapy known as cardiotoxicity as well the intricate interplay between heart failure and cancer. Recent studies, using various mouse models, showed that heart failure promotes tumor growth and metastasis spread. Indeed, patients with heart failure were found to be at higher risk of developing malignant diseases. While the effect of heart failure on cancer is well established, little is known regarding the effect of tumors on heart failure. A recent study from our lab has demonstrated that tumor growth and metastasis ameliorate cardiac remodeling in a pressure-overload mouse model. Nevertheless, this study was inconclusive regarding whether tumor growth solely suppresses cardiac remodeling or is able to reverse existing heart failure outcomes as well. Here, we used a regulable transgenic mouse model for cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Cancer cell implantation suppressed cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis as shown using echocardiography, qRT-PCR and fibrosis staining. In addition, tumor growth resulted in an M1 to M2 macrophage switch, which is correlated with cardiac repair. Macrophage depletion using clodronate liposomes completely abrogated the tumors' beneficial effect. This study highly suggests that harnessing tumor paradigms may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for CVDs and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ami Aronheim
- Department of Cell Biology and Cancer Science, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa P.O. Box 9649, Israel;
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27
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Hijazi N, Shi Z, Rockey DC. Paxillin regulates liver fibrosis via actin polymerization and ERK activation in hepatic stellate cells. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs261122. [PMID: 37667902 PMCID: PMC10560551 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver injury leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis. The primary mechanism underlying the fibrogenic response is the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are 'quiescent' in normal liver but become 'activated' after injury by transdifferentiating into extracellular matrix (ECM)-secreting myofibroblasts. Given that integrins are important in HSC activation and fibrogenesis, we hypothesized that paxillin, a key downstream effector in integrin signaling, might be critical in the fibrosis pathway. Using a cell-culture-based model of HSC activation and in vivo models of liver injury, we found that paxillin is upregulated in activated HSCs and fibrotic livers. Overexpression of paxillin (both in vitro and in vivo) led to increased ECM protein expression, and depletion of paxillin in a novel conditional mouse injury model reduced fibrosis. The mechanism by which paxillin mediated this effect appeared to be through the actin cytoskeleton, which signals to the ERK pathway and induces ECM protein production. These data highlight a novel role for paxillin in HSC biology and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Hijazi
- Digestive Disease Research Center Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Zengdun Shi
- Digestive Disease Research Center Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Don C. Rockey
- Digestive Disease Research Center Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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28
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Lin CY, Omoscharka E, Liu Y, Cheng K. Establishment of a Rat Model of Alcoholic Liver Fibrosis with Simulated Human Drinking Patterns and Low-Dose Chemical Stimulation. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1293. [PMID: 37759693 PMCID: PMC10526499 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Although alcohol is a well-known causal factor associated with liver diseases, challenges remain in inducing liver fibrosis in experimental rodent models. These challenges include rodents' natural aversion to high concentrations of alcohol, rapid alcohol metabolism, the need for a prolonged duration of alcohol administration, and technical difficulties. Therefore, it is crucial to establish an experimental model that can replicate the features of alcoholic liver fibrosis. The objective of this study was to develop a feasible rat model of alcoholic liver fibrosis that emulates human drinking patterns and combines low-dose chemicals within a relatively short time frame. We successfully developed an 8-week rat model of alcoholic liver fibrosis that mimics chronic and heavy drinking patterns. Rats were fed with a control liquid diet, an alcohol liquid diet, or alcohol liquid diet combined with multiple binges via oral gavage. To accelerate the progression of alcoholic liver fibrosis, we introduced low-dose carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) through intraperitoneal injection. This model allows researchers to efficiently evaluate potential therapeutics in preclinical studies of alcoholic liver fibrosis within a reasonable time frame.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yu Lin
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Evanthia Omoscharka
- Department of Pathology, University Health/Truman Medical Center, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2301 Holmes Street, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Yanli Liu
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Kun Cheng
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
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29
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Semenovich DS, Andrianova NV, Zorova LD, Pevzner IB, Abramicheva PA, Elchaninov AV, Markova OV, Petrukhina AS, Zorov DB, Plotnikov EY. Fibrosis Development Linked to Alterations in Glucose and Energy Metabolism and Prooxidant-Antioxidant Balance in Experimental Models of Liver Injury. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1604. [PMID: 37627599 PMCID: PMC10451385 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12081604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of liver fibrosis is one of the most severe and life-threatening outcomes of chronic liver disease (CLD). For targeted therapy of CLD, it is highly needed to reveal molecular targets for normalizing metabolic processes impaired in damaged liver and associated with fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the morphological and biochemical changes in rat liver models of fibrosis induced by chronic administration of thioacetamide, carbon tetrachloride, bile duct ligation (BDL), and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), with a specific focus on carbohydrate and energy metabolism. Changes in the levels of substrates and products, as well as enzyme activities of the major glucose metabolic pathways (glycolysis, glucuronidation, and pentose phosphate pathway) were examined in rat liver tissue after injury. We examined key markers of oxidative energy metabolism, such as the activity of the Krebs cycle enzymes, and assessed mitochondrial respiratory activity. In addition, pro- and anti-oxidative status was assessed in fibrotic liver tissue. We found that 6 weeks of exposure to thioacetamide, carbon tetrachloride, BDL or I/R resulted in a decrease in the activity of glycolytic enzymes, retardation of mitochondrial respiration, elevation of glucuronidation, and activation of pentose phosphate pathways, accompanied by a decrease in antioxidant activity and the onset of oxidative stress in rat liver. Resemblance and differences in the changes in the fibrosis models used are described, including energy metabolism alterations and antioxidant status in the used fibrosis models. The least pronounced changes in glucose metabolism and mitochondrial functions in the I/R and thioacetamide models were associated with the least advanced fibrosis. Ultimately, liver fibrosis significantly altered the metabolic profile in liver tissue and the flux of glucose metabolic pathways, which could be the basis for targeted therapy of liver fibrosis in CLD caused by toxic, cholestatic, or I/R liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry S. Semenovich
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nadezda V. Andrianova
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ljubava D. Zorova
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
- V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina B. Pevzner
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
- V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina A. Abramicheva
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey V. Elchaninov
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology of Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery”, 117418 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga V. Markova
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksandra S. Petrukhina
- K.I. Skryabin Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology, 109472 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry B. Zorov
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
- V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Egor Y. Plotnikov
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
- V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, 117198 Moscow, Russia
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30
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Zheng K, Hao F, Medrano-Garcia S, Chen C, Guo F, Morán-Blanco L, Rodríguez-Perales S, Torres-Ruiz R, Peligros MI, Vaquero J, Bañares R, Gómez Del Moral M, Regueiro JR, Martínez-Naves E, Mohamed MR, Gallego-Durán R, Maya D, Ampuero J, Romero-Gómez M, Gilbert-Ramos A, Guixé-Muntet S, Fernández-Iglesias A, Gracia-Sancho J, Coll M, Graupera I, Ginès P, Ciudin A, Rivera-Esteban J, Pericàs JM, Frutos MD, Ramos Molina B, Herranz JM, Ávila MA, Nevzorova YA, Fernández-Malavé E, Cubero FJ. Neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (N-RAS) deficiency aggravates liver injury and fibrosis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:514. [PMID: 37563155 PMCID: PMC10415403 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06029-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Progressive hepatic damage and fibrosis are major features of chronic liver diseases of different etiology, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be fully defined. N-RAS, a member of the RAS family of small guanine nucleotide-binding proteins also encompassing the highly homologous H-RAS and K-RAS isoforms, was previously reported to modulate cell death and renal fibrosis; however, its role in liver damage and fibrogenesis remains unknown. Here, we approached this question by using N-RAS deficient (N-RAS-/-) mice and two experimental models of liver injury and fibrosis, namely carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intoxication and bile duct ligation (BDL). In wild-type (N-RAS+/+) mice both hepatotoxic procedures augmented N-RAS expression in the liver. Compared to N-RAS+/+ counterparts, N-RAS-/- mice subjected to either CCl4 or BDL showed exacerbated liver injury and fibrosis, which was associated with enhanced hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and leukocyte infiltration in the damaged liver. At the molecular level, after CCl4 or BDL, N-RAS-/- livers exhibited augmented expression of necroptotic death markers along with JNK1/2 hyperactivation. In line with this, N-RAS ablation in a human hepatocytic cell line resulted in enhanced activation of JNK and necroptosis mediators in response to cell death stimuli. Of note, loss of hepatic N-RAS expression was characteristic of chronic liver disease patients with fibrosis. Collectively, our study unveils a novel role for N-RAS as a negative controller of the progression of liver injury and fibrogenesis, by critically downregulating signaling pathways leading to hepatocyte necroptosis. Furthermore, it suggests that N-RAS may be of potential clinical value as prognostic biomarker of progressive fibrotic liver damage, or as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Zheng
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Pukou District Hospital of Chinese Medicine Central Laboratory affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Fengjie Hao
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sandra Medrano-Garcia
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Chaobo Chen
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- Department of General Surgery, Wuxi Xishan People's Hospital, Wuxi, China
- Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Feifei Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Laura Morán-Blanco
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Rodríguez-Perales
- Molecular Cytogenetics and Genome Editing Unit, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Torres-Ruiz
- Molecular Cytogenetics and Genome Editing Unit, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Isabel Peligros
- Servicio de Anatomía Patológica Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Vaquero
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Bañares
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Gómez Del Moral
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
| | - José R Regueiro
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Martínez-Naves
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Rocío Gallego-Durán
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Douglas Maya
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Ampuero
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Manuel Romero-Gómez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Albert Gilbert-Ramos
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Vascular Biology, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Guixé-Muntet
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Vascular Biology, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anabel Fernández-Iglesias
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Vascular Biology, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Vascular Biology, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mar Coll
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio de Plasticidad de Células Hepáticas y Reparación de Tejidos, Institut d´Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Graupera
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio de Plasticidad de Células Hepáticas y Reparación de Tejidos, Institut d´Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pere Ginès
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andreea Ciudin
- Endocrinology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute for Research (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Rivera-Esteban
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute for Research (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan M Pericàs
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute for Research (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Dolores Frutos
- Department of General and Digestive System Surgery, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
| | - Bruno Ramos Molina
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio de Obesidad y Metabolismo, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - José María Herranz
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Hepatology Programme, Centre for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matías A Ávila
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Hepatology Programme, Centre for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Yulia A Nevzorova
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Edgar Fernández-Malavé
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Cubero
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain.
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Achlaug L, Awwad L, Langier Goncalves I, Goldenberg T, Aronheim A. Tumor Growth Ameliorates Cardiac Dysfunction and Suppresses Fibrosis in a Mouse Model for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12595. [PMID: 37628775 PMCID: PMC10454371 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The interplay between heart failure and cancer represents a double-edged sword. Whereas cardiac remodeling promotes cancer progression, tumor growth suppresses cardiac hypertrophy and reduces fibrosis deposition. Whether these two opposing interactions are connected awaits to be determined. In addition, it is not known whether cancer affects solely the heart, or if other organs are affected as well. To explore the dual interaction between heart failure and cancer, we studied the human genetic disease Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) using the MDX mouse model. We analyzed fibrosis and cardiac function as well as molecular parameters by multiple methods in the heart, diaphragm, lungs, skeletal muscles, and tumors derived from MDX and control mice. Surprisingly, cardiac dysfunction in MDX mice failed to promote murine cancer cell growth. In contrast, tumor-bearing MDX mice displayed reduced fibrosis in the heart and skeletal and diaphragm muscles, resulting in improved cardiac function. The latter is at least partially mediated via M2 macrophage recruitment to the heart and diaphragm muscles. Collectively, our data support the notion that the effect of heart failure on tumor promotion is independent of the improved cardiac function in tumor-bearing mice. Reduced fibrosis in tumor-bearing MDX mice stems from the suppression of new fibrosis synthesis and the removal of existing fibrosis. These findings offer potential therapeutic strategies for DMD patients, fibrotic diseases, and cardiac dysfunction.
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32
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Krylov D, Rodimova S, Karabut M, Kuznetsova D. Experimental Models for Studying Structural and Functional State of the Pathological Liver (Review). Sovrem Tekhnologii Med 2023; 15:65-82. [PMID: 38434194 PMCID: PMC10902899 DOI: 10.17691/stm2023.15.4.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver pathologies remain one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Despite a high prevalence of liver diseases, the possibilities of diagnosing, prognosing, and treating non-alcoholic and alcoholic liver diseases still have a number of limitations and require the development of new methods and approaches. In laboratory studies, various models are used to reconstitute the pathological conditions of the liver, including cell cultures, spheroids, organoids, microfluidic systems, tissue slices. We reviewed the most commonly used in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo models for studying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease, toxic liver injury, and fibrosis, described their advantages, limitations, and prospects for use. Great emphasis was placed on the mechanisms of development of pathological conditions in each model, as well as the assessment of the possibility of reconstructing various key aspects of pathogenesis for all these pathologies. There is currently no consensus on the choice of the most adequate model for studying liver pathology. The choice of a certain effective research model is determined by the specific purpose and objectives of the experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- D.P. Krylov
- Laboratory Assistant, Scientific Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnologies, Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies; Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod, 603005, Russia; Student, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine; National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Prospekt Gagarina, Nizhny Novgorod, 603022, Russia
| | - S.A. Rodimova
- Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Scientific Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnologies, Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies; Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod, 603005, Russia
| | - M.M. Karabut
- Researcher, Laboratory of Genomics of Adaptive Antitumor Immunity, Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies; Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod, 603005, Russia
| | - D.S. Kuznetsova
- Head of Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnologies, Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies; Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod, 603005, Russia; Head of the Research Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Researches, Institute of Clinical Medicine; National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Prospekt Gagarina, Nizhny Novgorod, 603022, Russia
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33
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Martinez-Lopez S, Angel-Gomis E, Sanchez-Ardid E, Pastor-Campos A, Picó J, Gomez-Hurtado I. The 3Rs in Experimental Liver Disease. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2357. [PMID: 37508134 PMCID: PMC10376896 DOI: 10.3390/ani13142357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with cirrhosis present multiple physiological and immunological alterations that play a very important role in the development of clinically relevant secondary complications to the disease. Experimentation in animal models is essential to understand the pathogenesis of human diseases and, considering the high prevalence of liver disease worldwide, to understand the pathophysiology of disease progression and the molecular pathways involved, due to the complexity of the liver as an organ and its relationship with the rest of the organism. However, today there is a growing awareness about the sensitivity and suffering of animals, causing opposition to animal research among a minority in society and some scientists, but also about the attention to the welfare of laboratory animals since this has been built into regulations in most nations that conduct animal research. In 1959, Russell and Burch published the book "The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique", proposing that in those experiments where animals were necessary, everything possible should be done to try to replace them with non-sentient alternatives, to reduce to a minimum their number, and to refine experiments that are essential so that they caused the least amount of pain and distress. In this review, a comprehensive summary of the most widely used techniques to replace, reduce, and refine in experimental liver research is offered, to assess the advantages and weaknesses of available experimental liver disease models for researchers who are planning to perform animal studies in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Martinez-Lopez
- Instituto ISABIAL, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03550 Sant Joan, Spain
| | - Enrique Angel-Gomis
- Instituto ISABIAL, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03550 Sant Joan, Spain
| | - Elisabet Sanchez-Ardid
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Patología Digestiva, Institut de Recerca IIB-Sant Pau, Hospital de Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Pastor-Campos
- Oficina de Investigación Responsable, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Joanna Picó
- Instituto ISABIAL, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Gomez-Hurtado
- Instituto ISABIAL, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03550 Sant Joan, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
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Awwad L, Shofti R, Haas T, Aronheim A. Tumor Growth Ameliorates Cardiac Dysfunction. Cells 2023; 12:1853. [PMID: 37508517 PMCID: PMC10378697 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart failure and cancer are the deadliest diseases worldwide. Murine models for cardiac remodeling and heart failure demonstrate that cardiac dysfunction promotes cancer progression and metastasis spread. Yet, no information is available on whether and how tumor progression affects cardiac remodeling. Here, we examined cardiac remodeling following transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in the presence or absence of proliferating cancer cells. We show that tumor-bearing mice, of two different cancer cell lines, display reduced cardiac hypertrophy, lower fibrosis and improved cardiac contractile function following pressure overload induced by TAC surgery. Integrative analysis of qRT-PCR, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence identified tumor-dependent M1-to-M2 polarization in the cardiac macrophage population as a mediator of the beneficial tumor effect on the heart. Importantly, tumor-bearing mice lacking functional macrophages fail to improve cardiac function and display sustained fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lama Awwad
- Department of Cell Biology and Cancer Science, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3525422, Israel
| | - Rona Shofti
- Pre-Clinical Research Authority Unit, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Tali Haas
- Pre-Clinical Research Authority Unit, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Ami Aronheim
- Department of Cell Biology and Cancer Science, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3525422, Israel
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35
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Van Campenhout R, Caufriez A, Tabernilla A, Maerten A, De Boever S, Sanz-Serrano J, Kadam P, Vinken M. Pannexin1 channels in the liver: an open enemy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1220405. [PMID: 37492223 PMCID: PMC10363690 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1220405] [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: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Pannexin1 proteins form communication channels at the cell plasma membrane surface, which allow the transfer of small molecules and ions between the intracellular compartment and extracellular environment. In this way, pannexin1 channels play an important role in various cellular processes and diseases. Indeed, a plethora of human pathologies is associated with the activation of pannexin1 channels. The present paper reviews and summarizes the structure, life cycle, regulation and (patho)physiological roles of pannexin1 channels, with a particular focus on the relevance of pannexin1 channels in liver diseases.
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36
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Kim J, Lee C, Han J, Jeong H, Wang S, Choi YH, Jung Y. Targeted Deletion of Thymosin Beta 4 in Hepatic Stellate Cells Ameliorates Liver Fibrosis in a Transgenic Mouse Model. Cells 2023; 12:1658. [PMID: 37371128 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the most common feature of liver disease, and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main contributors to liver fibrosis. Thus, finding key targets that modulate HSC activation is important to prevent liver fibrosis. Previously, we showed that thymosin β4 (Tβ4) influenced HSC activation by interacting with the Hedgehog pathway in vitro. Herein, we generated Tβ4 conditional knockout (Tβ4-flox) mice to investigate in vivo functions of Tβ4 in liver fibrosis. To selectively delete Tβ4 in activated HSCs, double-transgenic (DTG) mice were generated by mating Tβ4-flox mice with α-smooth muscle actin (α-Sma)-Cre-ERT2 mice, and these mice were administered carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or underwent bile duct ligation to induce liver fibrosis. Tβ4 was selectively suppressed in the activated HSCs of DTG mouse liver, and this reduction attenuated liver injury, including fibrosis, in both fibrotic models by repressing Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. In addition, the re-expression of Tβ4 by an adeno-associated virus reversed the effect of HSC-specific Tβ4 deletion and led to liver fibrosis with Hh activation in CCl4-exposed mice treated with tamoxifen. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that Tβ4 is a crucial regulator of HSC activation, suggesting it as a novel therapeutic target for curing liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieun Kim
- Institute of System Biology, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Chanbin Lee
- Institute of System Biology, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinsol Han
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hayeong Jeong
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Sihyung Wang
- New Drug Development Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu 41061, Republic of Korea
| | - Yung Hyun Choi
- Department of Biochemistry, Dong-Eui University College of Korean Medicine, Pusan 47227, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngmi Jung
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Republic of Korea
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Lee YS, Seki E. In Vivo and In Vitro Models to Study Liver Fibrosis: Mechanisms and Limitations. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 16:355-367. [PMID: 37270060 PMCID: PMC10444957 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a common result of liver injury owing to various kinds of chronic liver diseases. A deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis and identifying potential therapeutic targets of liver fibrosis is important because liver fibrosis may progress to advanced liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite numerous studies, the underlying mechanisms of liver fibrosis remain unclear. Mechanisms of the development and progression of liver fibrosis differ according to etiologies. Therefore, appropriate liver fibrosis models should be selected according to the purpose of the study and the type of underlying disease. Many in vivo animal and in vitro models have been developed to study liver fibrosis. However, there are no perfect preclinical models for liver fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the current in vivo and in vitro models for studying liver fibrosis and highlight emerging in vitro models, including organoids and liver-on-a-chip models. In addition, we discuss the mechanisms and limitations of each model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Sun Lee
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ekihiro Seki
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
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Li L, Diao S, Chen Z, Zhang J, Chen W, Wang T, Chen X, Zhao Y, Xu T, Huang C, Li J. DNMT3a-mediated methylation of TCF21/hnRNPA1 aggravates hepatic fibrosis by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Pharmacol Res 2023; 193:106808. [PMID: 37268177 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is caused by liver damage as a consequence of wound healing response. Recent studies have shown that hepatic fibrosis could be effectively reversed, partly through regression of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Transcription factor 21 (TCF21), a member of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in various diseases. However, the mechanism by which TCF21 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in hepatic fibrosis has not been elucidated. In this research, we found that hnRNPA1, the downstream binding protein of TCF21, accelerates hepatic fibrosis reversal by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, the combination of DNMT3a with TCF21 promoter results in TCF21 hypermethylation. Our results suggest that DNMT3a regulation of TCF21 is a significant event in reversing hepatic fibrosis. In conclusion, this research identifies a novel signaling axis, DNMT3a-TCF21-hnRNPA1, that regulates HSCs activation and hepatic fibrosis reversal, providing a novel treatment strategy for hepatic fibrosis. The clinical trial was registered in the Research Registry (researchregistry9079).
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangyun Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Shaoxi Diao
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Zixiang Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jintong Zhang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Wei Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Tianqi Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Yuxin Zhao
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Tao Xu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Cheng Huang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University.
| | - Jun Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University.
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Wang C, Liu Y, Gong L, Xue X, Fu K, Ma C, Li Y. Phillygenin Ameliorates Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis: Suppression of Inflammation and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway. Inflammation 2023:10.1007/s10753-023-01826-1. [PMID: 37219693 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-023-01826-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis (LF) is caused by the chronic wound healing response to liver injury from various origins. Among the causes, inflammatory response is the central trigger of LF. Phillygenin (PHI) is a lignan derived from Forsythia suspensa, which has significant anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of PHI on improving LF and the underlying mechanism have rarely been studied. In this study, we used carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) to establish a mouse model of LF. Through histological analysis of liver tissue, and measurement of the levels of hepatocyte damage markers (ALT, AST, TBIL, TBA) and four indicators of LF (Col IV, HA, LN, PC-III) in serum, it was shown that PHI improved liver function and reduced the progress of LF. Subsequently, the detection of fibrogenic biomarkers in liver tissue showed that PHI inhibited the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Next, the expression of inflammatory markers in liver tissue/serum was detected by immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, and ELISA, suggesting that PHI inhibited inflammation during LF. Similarly, in vitro experiments also confirmed that PHI could inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells, which showed strong anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, the results of network pharmacology, molecular docking, RT-qPCR and western blot confirmed that PHI could alleviate CCl4-induced LF by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In conclusion, our research showed that PHI curbed LF through inhibition of HSC activation and collagen accumulation via inhibiting multiple profibrogenic factors, modulating a variety of inflammatory factors, and suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanfang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Lihong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Xinyan Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Ke Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Cheng Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Yunxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China.
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40
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Rodimova S, Mozherov A, Elagin V, Karabut M, Shchechkin I, Kozlov D, Krylov D, Gavrina A, Bobrov N, Zagainov V, Zagaynova E, Kuznetsova D. Effect of Hepatic Pathology on Liver Regeneration: The Main Metabolic Mechanisms Causing Impaired Hepatic Regeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119112. [PMID: 37298064 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver regeneration has been studied for many decades, and the mechanisms underlying regeneration of normal liver following resection are well described. However, no less relevant is the study of mechanisms that disrupt the process of liver regeneration. First of all, a violation of liver regeneration can occur in the presence of concomitant hepatic pathology, which is a key factor reducing the liver's regenerative potential. Understanding these mechanisms could enable the rational targeting of specific therapies to either reduce the factors inhibiting regeneration or to directly stimulate liver regeneration. This review describes the known mechanisms of normal liver regeneration and factors that reduce its regenerative potential, primarily at the level of hepatocyte metabolism, in the presence of concomitant hepatic pathology. We also briefly discuss promising strategies for stimulating liver regeneration and those concerning methods for assessing the regenerative potential of the liver, especially intraoperatively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Rodimova
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Sq., 603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Artem Mozherov
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Sq., 603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, N.I. Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod National Research State University, 23 Gagarina Ave., 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Vadim Elagin
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Sq., 603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Maria Karabut
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Sq., 603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Ilya Shchechkin
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Sq., 603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, N.I. Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod National Research State University, 23 Gagarina Ave., 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Dmitry Kozlov
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Sq., 603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, N.I. Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod National Research State University, 23 Gagarina Ave., 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Dmitry Krylov
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Sq., 603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, N.I. Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod National Research State University, 23 Gagarina Ave., 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Alena Gavrina
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Sq., 603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, N.I. Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod National Research State University, 23 Gagarina Ave., 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Nikolai Bobrov
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Sq., 603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
- The Volga District Medical Centre of Federal Medical and Biological Agency, 14 Ilinskaya St., 603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Vladimir Zagainov
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Sq., 603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
- Nizhny Novgorod Regional Clinical Oncologic Dispensary, Delovaya St., 11/1, 603126 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Elena Zagaynova
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Sq., 603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Daria Kuznetsova
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Sq., 603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, N.I. Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod National Research State University, 23 Gagarina Ave., 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
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Kolaric TO, Kuna L, Covic M, Roguljic H, Matic A, Sikora R, Hefer M, Petrovic A, Mihaljevic V, Smolic R, Bilic-Curcic I, Vcev A, Smolic M. Preclinical Models and Promising Pharmacotherapeutic Strategies in Liver Fibrosis: An Update. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:4246-4260. [PMID: 37232739 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45050270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis represents one of the greatest challenges in medicine. The fact that it develops with the progression of numerous diseases with high prevalence (NAFLD, viral hepatitis, etc.) makes liver fibrosis an even greater global health problem. Accordingly, it has received much attention from numerous researchers who have developed various in vitro and in vivo models to better understand the mechanisms underlying fibrosis development. All these efforts led to the discovery of numerous agents with antifibrotic properties, with hepatic stellate cells and the extracellular matrix at the center of these pharmacotherapeutic strategies. This review focuses on the current data on numerous in vivo and in vitro models of liver fibrosis and on various pharmacotherapeutic targets in the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Omanovic Kolaric
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Lucija Kuna
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marina Covic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Hrvoje Roguljic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Anita Matic
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pathophysiology and Physiology with Immunology, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Renata Sikora
- Department of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marija Hefer
- Department of Physics, Biophysics, and Chemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ana Petrovic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vjera Mihaljevic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Robert Smolic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ines Bilic-Curcic
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Aleksandar Vcev
- Department of Pathophysiology and Physiology with Immunology, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Martina Smolic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
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42
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Liu R, Feng L, Tang S, Liu Y, Yang Q. The impact and mechanism of TET3 overexpression on the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Epigenomics 2023; 15:577-591. [PMID: 37464780 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims: To investigate whether TET3 regulates hepatic stellate cell apoptosis and understand the role of demethylation in hepatic fibrosis (HF). Methods: LX-2T cells were infected with TET3 lentivirus. After TET3 adenovirus infection, the degree of HF in each group was analyzed. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to verify the targeting relationship between TET3 and CBP, and finally the expression of various proteins was detected. Results: TET3 overexpression activated the CBP/FOXO1-BIM pathway, increased the expression of apoptotic proteins and accelerated the apoptosis of activated LX-2 cells. The degree of HF was improved in the TET3 upregulation group. Conclusion: TET3 can activate the CBP/FOXO1-BIM pathway to accelerate the apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells and ultimately alleviate HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranyang Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis & Drug Research on Common Chronic Diseases, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Linlin Feng
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis & Drug Research on Common Chronic Diseases, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Shuang Tang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis & Drug Research on Common Chronic Diseases, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Yin Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis & Drug Research on Common Chronic Diseases, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Qin Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis & Drug Research on Common Chronic Diseases, Guiyang, 550025, China
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Zhao Q, Dai MY, Huang RY, Duan JY, Zhang T, Bao WM, Zhang JY, Gui SQ, Xia SM, Dai CT, Tang YM, Gonzalez FJ, Li F. Parabacteroides distasonis ameliorates hepatic fibrosis potentially via modulating intestinal bile acid metabolism and hepatocyte pyroptosis in male mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1829. [PMID: 37005411 PMCID: PMC10067939 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37459-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Parabacteroides distasonis (P. distasonis) plays an important role in human health, including diabetes, colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Here, we show that P. distasonis is decreased in patients with hepatic fibrosis, and that administration of P. distasonis to male mice improves thioacetamide (TAA)- and methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced hepatic fibrosis. Administration of P. distasonis also leads to increased bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, inhibition of intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling and decreased taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) levels in liver. TCDCA produces toxicity in mouse primary hepatic cells (HSCs) and induces mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) and Caspase-11 pyroptosis in mice. The decrease of TCDCA by P. distasonis improves activation of HSCs through decreasing MPT-Caspase-11 pyroptosis in hepatocytes. Celastrol, a compound reported to increase P. distasonis abundance in mice, promotes the growth of P. distasonis with concomitant enhancement of bile acid excretion and improvement of hepatic fibrosis in male mice. These data suggest that supplementation of P. distasonis may be a promising means to ameliorate hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhao
- Laboratory of Metabolomics and Drug-Induced Liver Injury, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Man-Yun Dai
- Laboratory of Metabolomics and Drug-Induced Liver Injury, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ruo-Yue Huang
- Laboratory of Metabolomics and Drug-Induced Liver Injury, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jing-Yi Duan
- Laboratory of Metabolomics and Drug-Induced Liver Injury, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Laboratory of Metabolomics and Drug-Induced Liver Injury, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wei-Min Bao
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Jing-Yi Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Shao-Qiang Gui
- Department of Gastroenterology, The second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Shu-Min Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, The second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Cong-Ting Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Ying-Mei Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650101, China.
| | - Frank J Gonzalez
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Fei Li
- Laboratory of Metabolomics and Drug-Induced Liver Injury, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Detection of a glutathionyl-carbonylated group (GS-CO-) on D-dopachrome tautomerase with preferential binding of GS-CO- to MIF proteins in rat livers damaged by carbon tetrachloride. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 374:110406. [PMID: 36804491 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Liver damage has been induced in animal experiments using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a potent hepatotoxin. CCl4 is activated by cytochrome P450 2E1, which results in the formation of various metabolites including phosgene. Although D-dopachrome tautomerase (DDT) is abundant in the liver, its role currently remains unclear. The biological activity of DDT, for which the N-terminal proline is a key site, has been detected in various tissues. We herein incidentally detected a 333 Da modification to the N-terminal proline of DDT in rat livers damaged by CCl4. We identified that this modification as glutathionyl carbonylated group, which was formed by condensation of phosgene and reduced glutathione (GSH). We examined other glutathionyl-carbonylated proteins using two dimensional-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and Western blotting for GSH, and detected only one glutathionyl-carbonylated protein, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). DDT belongs to the MIF family of proteins, and amino acid sequence identity between DDT and MIF is 33%. We concluded that MIF family proteins are major targets for glutathionyl carbonylation.
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45
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Jiang G, Wang B, Wang Y, Kong H, Wang Y, Gao P, Guo M, Li W, Zhang J, Wang Z, Niu J. Structural characteristics of a novel Bletilla striata polysaccharide and its activities for the alleviation of liver fibrosis. Carbohydr Polym 2023; 313:120781. [PMID: 37182941 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis has proven to be the main predisposing factor for liver cirrhosis and liver cancer; however, an effective treatment remains elusive. Polysaccharides, with low toxicity and a wide range of bioactivities, are strong potential candidates for anti-hepatic fibrosis applications. For this study, a new low molecular weight neutral polysaccharide (B. striata glucomannan (BSP)) was extracted and purified from Bletilla striata. The structure of BSP was characterized and its activities for alleviating liver fibrosis in vivo were further evaluated. The results revealed that the structural unit of BSP was likely →4)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → 4)-β-D-Manp-(1 → 4)-β-D-2ace-Manp-(1 → 4)-β-D-Manp-(1 → 4)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → 4)-β-D-Manp-(1 → 4)-β-D-Manp-(1 → 4)-β-D-3ace-Manp-(1→, with a molecular weight of only 58.5 kDa. Additionally, BSP was observed to attenuate the passive impacts of liver fibrosis in a manner closely related to TLR2/TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB signaling pathway conduction. In summary, the results of this study provide theoretical foundations for the potential applications of BSP as an anti-liver fibrosis platform.
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Abouelezz HM, Shehatou GS, Shebl AM, Salem HA. A standardized pomegranate fruit extract ameliorates thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats via AGE-RAGE-ROS signaling. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14256. [PMID: 36938469 PMCID: PMC10015255 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This work aimed to investigate a possible mechanism that may mediate the hepatoprotective effects of pomegranate fruit extract (PFE) against thioacetamide (THIO)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 8 each): control; PFE (150 mg/kg/day, orally); THIO (200 mg/kg, i.p, 3 times a week); and THIO and PFE-treated groups. Oral PFE treatment decreased liver/body weight ratio by 12.4%, diminished serum function levels of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, and total bilirubin, increased serum albumin, boosted hepatic GSH (by 35.6%) and SOD (by 17.5%), and significantly reduced hepatic levels of ROS, MDA, 4-HNE, AGEs, and RAGE in THIO-fibrotic rats relative to untreated THIO group. Moreover, PFE administration downregulated the hepatic levels of profibrotic TGF-β1 (by 23.0%, P < 0.001) and TIMP-1 (by 41.5%, P < 0.001), attenuated α-SMA protein expression, decreased serum HA levels (by 41.3%), and reduced the hepatic levels of the fibrosis markers hydroxyproline (by 26.0%, P < 0.001), collagen type IV (by 44.3%, P < 0.001) and laminin (by 43.4%, P < 0.001) compared to the untreated THIO group. The histopathological examination has corroborated these findings, where PFE decreased hepatic nodule incidence, attenuated portal necroinflammation and reduced extent of fibrosis. These findings may suggest that oral PFE administration could slow the progression of hepatic fibrogenesis via reducing hepatic levels of AGEs, RAGE, ROS, TGF-β1, and TIMP-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadeer M. Abouelezz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- Corresponding author.
| | - George S.G. Shehatou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa City, Egypt
| | - Abdelhadi M. Shebl
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Hatem A. Salem
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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Luo S, Yang Y, Zhao T, Zhang R, Fang C, Li Y, Zhang Z, Gong T. Albumin-Based Silibinin Nanocrystals Targeting Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells for Liver Fibrosis Therapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:7747-7758. [PMID: 36719351 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c19269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) are critical during the development and progression of liver fibrosis. Once liver fibrosis occurs, aHSCs highly express secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), a typical albumin-binding protein. We designed a nano platform, silibinin albumin nanocrystals (SLB-HSA NCs), to target aHSCs for liver fibrosis therapy. The prepared SLB-HSA NCs showed uniform particle size distribution of approximately 60 nm with PDI < 0.15 and high loading efficiency up to 49.4%. Albumin coated on the surface of nanocrystals was demonstrated to increase cellular uptake by aHSCs through SPARC-mediated endocytosis. In addition, SLB-HSA NCs significantly improved the bioavailability compared with free SLB in pharmacokinetic study. Following tail-vein injection, SLB-HSA NCs were massively accumulated in the fibrotic liver and exhibited enhanced antifibrotic effects in hepatic fibrosis mice. Overall, our findings prove the great potential of SLB-HSA NCs in the targeted treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqin Luo
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Yuping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Ting Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Rongping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Changlong Fang
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Yan Li
- Sichuan Institute for Drug Control NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control and Evaluation of Vaccines and Biological Products, Chengdu611731, China
| | - Zhirong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Tao Gong
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu610041, China
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Fu X, Chang J, Jiao D, Zhu M, Ma Y. SLIT3 knockdown inhibited TGF-β-induced hepatic stellate cells activation by down-regulating YAP signal. Mol Cell Toxicol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s13273-023-00336-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver disease caused by a variety of pathophysiological. However, there are no effective treatments to combat it. HSCs are a major source of fibrotic cells and exploring the mechanisms of HSC activation may provide new strategies for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Objectives
To explore the role and underlying mechanism of SLIT3 in HSCs fibrosis.
Results
GSE163211 dataset analysis identified aberrant expression of SLIT3 in NASH F1-F4 tissues and SLIT3 expression level was positively correlated with fibrosis-related proteins. In vitro experiments showed that TGF-β induced upregulation of SLIT3 in LX-2 cells. Knockdown of SLIT3 significantly inhibited TGF-β-induced α-SMA, COL1A2, and COL1A1 expression, inhibited excessive cell proliferation and migration, and suppressed YAP activity.
Conclusion
Collectively, our findings suggest that SLIT3 deficiency alleviates TGF-β-induced HSCs activation by inhibiting YAP activity.
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Abdelsalam MM, El-Mahdy N, Abou-Saif S. Direct-acting antivirals sofosbuvir and daclatasvir attenuate carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in mice. LIVER RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
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Dong HJ, Guo Y, Liu T, Zhao J. Preventive effect of isostrictiniin from Nymphaea candida on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice. Nat Prod Res 2023; 37:628-632. [PMID: 35437072 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2022.2065673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the preventive effect of isostrictiniin (ISO) from Nymphaea candida against CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis (HF) in mice. HF in mice was induced by intraperitoneally injecting 10% CCl4 olive oil solution twice a week. After intragastric administration for 8 weeks. ISO (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg) could significantly reduce the serum AST, ALT, ALP, HA, LN, PC-III, C-IV, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels in HF mice, and the collagen fiber deposition in ISO group was significantly less than that in the model group. Compared with control group, the protein expression of IKKα, NF-ҡB p65, p-NF-ҡKB p65, p-IҡBα in model group were increased as well as the relative content of IKKα, NF-ҡB p65, and IҡBα mRNA. ISO could reverse the expression of these relative proteins and mRNA in HF mice. Our findings confirm that ISO has anti-HF activity, and its mechanism is related to the regulation of NF-ҡB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Juan Dong
- College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yuxuan Guo
- College of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Tao Liu
- College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Institute of Materia Medica of Xinjiang, Key Laboratory for Uighur Medicine, Urumqi, China
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