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Shu Y, He Y, Ye G, Liu X, Huang J, Zhang Q, Tian D, Wang T, Shu J. Curcumin inhibits the activity and induces apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cell by suppressing autophagy. J Cell Biochem 2023; 124:1764-1778. [PMID: 37909649 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30487] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Curcumin, a kind of natural compound, has been previously proven to inhibit the autophagy in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and induce their apoptosis. However, it is not clear whether the enhanced apoptosis of activated HSCs (aHSCs) caused by curcumin depends on autophagy inhibition. We aim to verify this hypothesis and explore the potential mechanisms in this study. Immortalized human HSC line LX-2 was used as an experimental specimen and pretreated with transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) for 24 h to activate it before drug application. The levels of autophagy, apoptosis, cell activity, lipid metabolism, and the activity of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway were evaluated by multiple methods, such as Western blotting, mcherry-EGFP-LC3B adenoviruses transfection, immunofluorescence, Nile Red staining, flow cytometry among others. Our results showed that rapamycin, an autophagy activator, could partly offset the effects of curcumin on autophagy and apoptosis of LX-2 cells, while 3-Methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, could enhance these effects. Furthermore, curcumin could promote the activity of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway in LX-2 cells, while PI3K inhibitor could partly offset this effect and increase the autophagy level. Overall, we demonstrated that curcumin could inhibit the activity and promote LX-2 cells apoptosis by suppressing autophagy by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway. In addition, lipid recovery and energy deprivation due to autophagy inhibition may be the exact mechanism by which curcumin attenuates the pro-fibrotic activity of LX-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxiang Shu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yajun He
- Department of Clinical laboratory, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guorong Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuyou Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiahuang Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qinghui Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Da Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tengyan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianchang Shu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Shao C, Xu H, Sun X, Huang Y, Guo W, He Y, Ye L, Wang Z, Huang J, Liang X, Zhang J. New Perspectives on Chinese Medicine in Treating Hepatic Fibrosis: Lipid Droplets in Hepatic Stellate Cells. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2023; 51:1413-1429. [PMID: 37429706 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x23500647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a wound healing response featuring excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) that occurs during chronic liver injury. As an initial stage of various liver diseases, HF is a reversible pathological process that, if left unchecked, can escalate into cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. HF is a life-threatening disease presenting morbidity and mortality challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. There is no specific and effective anti-HF therapy, and the toxic side effects of the available drugs also impose a heavy financial burden on patients. Therefore, it is significant to study the pathogenesis of HF and explore effective prevention and treatment measures. Formerly called adipocytes, or fat storage cells, HSCs regulate liver growth, immunity, and inflammation, as well as energy and nutrient homeostasis. HSCs in a quiescent state do not proliferate and store abundant lipid droplets (LDs). Catabolism of LDs is characteristic of the activation of HSCs and morphological transdifferentiation of cells into contractile and proliferative myofibroblasts, resulting in the deposition of ECM and the development of HF. Recent studies have revealed that various Chinese medicines (e.g., Artemisia annua, turmeric, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, etc.) are able to effectively reduce the degradation of LDs in HSCs. Therefore, this study takes the modification of LDs in HSCs as an entry point to elaborate on the process of Chinese medicine intervening in the loss of LDs in HSCs and the mechanism of action for the treatment of HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Shao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310053, P. R. China
| | - Huihui Xu
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, P. R. China
| | - Xiguang Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310053, P. R. China
| | - Yan Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310053, P. R. China
| | - Wenqin Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310053, P. R. China
| | - Yi He
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310053, P. R. China
| | - Linmao Ye
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310053, P. R. China
| | - Zhili Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310053, P. R. China
| | - Jiaxin Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310053, P. R. China
| | - Xiaofan Liang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310053, P. R. China
| | - Junjie Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310053, P. R. China
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Wang Z, Xue C, Wang X, Zeng M, Wang Z, Chen Q, Chen J, Christian M, He Z. Quercetin 3-O-glucuronide-rich lotus leaf extract promotes a Brown-fat-phenotype in C 3H 10T 1/2 mesenchymal stem cells. Food Res Int 2023; 163:112198. [PMID: 36596137 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.112198] [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: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is an aquatic perennial crop planted worldwide and its leaf (also called "He-Ye") has therapeutic effects on obesity. However, whether the underlying mechanism leads to increased energy expenditure by activation of brown adipocytes has not been clarified. Here, murine C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were employed to investigate the effects of ethanol extracts from lotus leaf (LLE) on brown adipocytes formation and the underlying molecular mechanisms. The results showed LLE was rich in polyphenols (383.7 mg/g) and flavonoids (178.3 mg/g), with quercetin 3-O-glucuronide (Q3G) the most abundant (128.2 μg/mg). In LLE-treated C3H10T1/2 MSCs, the expressions of lipolytic factors (e.g., ATGL, HSL, and ABHD5) and brown regulators (e.g., Sirt1, PGC-1α, Cidea, and UCP1) were significantly upregulated compared to that in the untreated MSCs. Furthermore, LLE promoted mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid β-oxidation, as evidenced by increases in the expression of Tfam, Cox7A, CoxIV, Cox2, Pparα, and Adrb3. Likewise, enhanced browning and mitochondrial biogenesis were also observed in Q3G-stimulated cells. Importantly, LLE and Q3G induced phosphorylation of AMPK accompanied by a remarkable increase in the brown fat marker UCP1, while pretreatment with Compound C (an AMPK inhibitor) reversed these changes. Moreover, stimulating LLE or Q3G-treated cells with CL316243 (a beta3-AR agonist) increased p-AMPKα/AMPKα ratio and UCP1 protein expression, indicating β3-AR/AMPK signaling may involve in this process. Collectively, these observations suggested that LLE, especially the component Q3G, stimulates thermogenesis by activating brown adipocytes, which may involve the β3-AR/AMPK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Chaoyi Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Maomao Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Zhaojun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Qiuming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Mark Christian
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8NS, United Kingdom.
| | - Zhiyong He
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
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Plin5 Bidirectionally Regulates Lipid Metabolism in Oxidative Tissues. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:4594956. [PMID: 35401929 PMCID: PMC8989587 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4594956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs) can store neutral lipids as an energy source when needed and also regulate the key metabolic processes of intracellular lipid accumulation, which is associated with several metabolic diseases. The perilipins (Plins) are a family of proteins that associate with the surface of LDs. As a member of Plins superfamily, perilipin 5 (Plin5) coats LDs in cardiomyocytes, which is significantly related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production originated from mitochondria in the heart, consequently determining the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Plin5 may play a bidirectional function in lipid metabolism which is in a state of dynamic balance. In the basic state, Plin5 inhibited the binding of comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) to adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) by binding CGI-58, thus inhibiting lipolysis. However, when the body is under stress (such as cold, fasting, exercise, and other stimuli), protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylates and activates Plin5, which then causes Plin5 to release the binding site of CGI-58 and ATGL, prompting CGI-58 to bind to ATGL and activate ATGL activity, thus accelerating the lipolysis process, revealing the indispensable role of Plin5 in lipid turnover. Here, the purpose of this review is to summarize the present understanding of the bidirectional regulation role of Plin5 in oxidative tissues and to reveal its potential role in diabetic cardiomyopathy protection.
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A Comprehensive Review of Natural Products against Liver Fibrosis: Flavonoids, Quinones, Lignans, Phenols, and Acids. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:7171498. [PMID: 33082829 PMCID: PMC7556091 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7171498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis resulting from continuous long-term hepatic damage represents a heavy burden worldwide. Liver fibrosis is recognized as a complicated pathogenic mechanism with extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. A series of drugs demonstrate significant antifibrotic activity in vitro and in vivo. No specific agents with ideally clinical efficacy for liver fibrosis treatment have been developed. In this review, we summarized the antifibrotic effects and molecular mechanisms of 29 kinds of common natural products. The mechanism of these compounds is correlated with anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antifibrotic activities. Moreover, parenchymal hepatic cell survival, HSC deactivation, and ECM degradation by interfering with multiple targets and signaling pathways are also involved in the antifibrotic effects of these compounds. However, there remain two bottlenecks for clinical breakthroughs. The low bioavailability of natural products should be improved, and the combined application of two or more compounds should be investigated for more prominent pharmacological effects. In summary, exploration on natural products against liver fibrosis is becoming increasingly extensive. Therefore, natural products are potential resources for the development of agents to treat liver fibrosis.
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Wang ZM, Xia SW, Zhang T, Wang ZY, Yang X, Kai J, Cheng XD, Shao JJ, Tan SZ, Chen AP, Wang SJ, Zhang F, Zhang ZL, Zheng SZ. LncRNA-H19 induces hepatic stellate cell activation via upregulating alcohol dehydrogenase III-mediated retinoic acid signals. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 84:106470. [PMID: 32304991 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a pivotal event in liver fibrosis, characterized by enhanced retinoic acid signals. Although up-regulated retinoic acid signal responds further to maintain HSC activation, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, we sought to investigate the role of lncRNA-H19 in regulation of retinoic acid signals, and to further examine the underlying mechanism in this molecular context. We found that lncRNA-H19 upregulation could enhance retinoic acid signals to induce HSC activation, whereas lncRNA-H19 knockdown completely disturbed retinoic acid signals. Moreover, the activation of retinoic acid signals impaired the lncRNA-H19 knockdown mediated HSC inactivation. Interestingly, we also found that enhanced retinoic acid signals by lncRNA-H19 was associated with a coordinate increase in retinol metabolism during HSC activation. Increased retinol metabolism contributed to obvious lipid droplet consumption. Importantly, we identified that alcohol dehydrogenase III (ADH3) was essential for lncRNA-H19 to enhance retinoic acid signals. The inhibition of ADH3 completely abrogated the lncRNA-H19 mediated retinoic acid signals and HSC activation. Of note, we identified dihydroartemisinin (DHA) as a natural inhibitor for lncRNA-H19. Treatment with DHA significantly decreased the expression of lncRNA-H19, reduced the expression of ADH3, blocked retinoic acid signals, and in turn, inhibited HSC activation. Overall, these results provided novel implications to reveal the molecular mechanism of increased retinoic acid signals during HSC activation, and identify lncRNA-H19/ADH3 pathway as a potential target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Min Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Si-Wei Xia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhen-Yi Wang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiang Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jun Kai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xu-Dong Cheng
- Suzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Jiang-Juan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shan-Zhong Tan
- Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - An-Ping Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, MO 63104, USA
| | - Shi-Jun Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250035, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zi-Li Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Shi-Zhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.
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