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Mariotti V, Fiorotto R, Cadamuro M, Fabris L, Strazzabosco M. New insights on the role of vascular endothelial growth factor in biliary pathophysiology. JHEP Rep 2021; 3:100251. [PMID: 34151244 PMCID: PMC8189933 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The family of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) includes 5 members (VEGF-A to -D, and placenta growth factor), which regulate several critical biological processes. VEGF-A exerts a variety of biological effects through high-affinity binding to tyrosine kinase receptors (VEGFR-1, -2 and -3), co-receptors and accessory proteins. In addition to its fundamental function in angiogenesis and endothelial cell biology, VEGF/VEGFR signalling also plays a role in other cell types including epithelial cells. This review provides an overview of VEGF signalling in biliary epithelial cell biology in both normal and pathologic conditions. VEGF/VEGFR-2 signalling stimulates bile duct proliferation in an autocrine and paracrine fashion. VEGF/VEGFR-1/VEGFR-2 and angiopoietins are involved at different stages of biliary development. In certain conditions, cholangiocytes maintain the ability to secrete VEGF-A, and to express a functional VEGFR-2 receptor. For example, in polycystic liver disease, VEGF secreted by cystic cells stimulates cyst growth and vascular remodelling through a PKA/RAS/ERK/HIF1α-dependent mechanism, unveiling a new level of complexity in VEFG/VEGFR-2 regulation in epithelial cells. VEGF/VEGFR-2 signalling is also reactivated during the liver repair process. In this context, pro-angiogenic factors mediate the interactions between epithelial, mesenchymal and inflammatory cells. This process takes place during the wound healing response, however, in chronic biliary diseases, it may lead to pathological neo-angiogenesis, a condition strictly linked with fibrosis progression, the development of cirrhosis and related complications, and cholangiocarcinoma. Novel observations indicate that in cholangiocarcinoma, VEGF is a determinant of lymphangiogenesis and of the immune response to the tumour. Better insights into the role of VEGF signalling in biliary pathophysiology might help in the search for effective therapeutic strategies.
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Key Words
- ADPKD, adult dominant polycystic kidney disease
- Anti-Angiogenic therapy
- BA, biliary atresia
- BDL, bile duct ligation
- CCA, cholangiocarcinoma
- CCl4, carbon tetrachloride
- CLDs, chronic liver diseases
- Cholangiocytes
- Cholangiopathies
- DP, ductal plate
- DPM, ductal plate malformation
- DRCs, ductular reactive cells
- Development
- HIF-1α, hypoxia-inducible factor type 1α
- HSCs, hepatic stellate cells
- IHBD, intrahepatic bile ducts
- IL-, interleukin-
- LECs, lymphatic endothelial cells
- LSECs, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells
- Liver repair
- MMPs, matrix metalloproteinases
- PBP, peribiliary plexus
- PC, polycystin
- PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor
- PIGF, placental growth factor
- PLD, polycystic liver diseases
- Polycystic liver diseases
- SASP, senescence-associated secretory phenotype
- TGF, transforming growth factor
- VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factors
- VEGF-A
- VEGF/VEGFR-2 signalling
- VEGFR-1/2, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1/2
- mTOR, mammalian target of rapamycin
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Mariotti
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Liver Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Romina Fiorotto
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Liver Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Massimiliano Cadamuro
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, School of Medicine, Padua, Italy
| | - Luca Fabris
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Liver Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, School of Medicine, Padua, Italy
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Liver Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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MONMEESIL P, FUNGFUANG W, TULAYAKUL P, PONGCHAIRERK U. The effects of astaxanthin on liver histopathology and expression of superoxide dismutase in rat aflatoxicosis. J Vet Med Sci 2019; 81:1162-1172. [PMID: 31270307 PMCID: PMC6715921 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.18-0690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The metabolism of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that destroys hepatocytes. Meanwhile, astaxanthin (AX) is known to have stronger antioxidative activity than other carotenoids. This study aimed to investigate hepatoprotective role of AX from AFB1-induced toxicity in rat by histopathological study and immunohistochemistry of Cu/Zn-SOD (SOD1) which acts as the first enzyme in antioxidative reaction against cell injury from ROS. Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. The control and AFB1 groups were gavaged by water for 7 days followed by a single DMSO and 1 mg/kg AFB1, respectively. The AXL+ AFB1 and AXH+ AFB1 groups were given of 5 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg AX for 7 days before 1 mg/kg AFB1 administration. The result showed significantly elevated liver weight per 100 g body weight in AFB1 group. The histopathological finding revealed vacuolar degeneration, necrosis, megalocytosis and binucleation of hepatocytes with bile duct hyperplasia in AFB1 group. The severities of pathological changes were sequentially reduced in AXL+AFB1 and AXH+AFB1 groups. Most rats in AXH+AFB1 group owned hypertrophic hepatocytes and atypical proliferation of cholangiocytes which are adaptive responses to severe hepatocyte damage. The SOD1 expression was also significantly higher in AXH+AFB1 group than solely treated AFB1 and AXL+AFB1 groups. In conclusion, AX alleviated AFB1-induced liver damage in rat by stimulating SOD1 expression and transdifferentiation of cholangiocytes in dose dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poempool MONMEESIL
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan Road, Ladyao, Jatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Wirasak FUNGFUANG
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart
University, 50 Ngamwongwan Road, Ladyao, Jatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Phitsanu TULAYAKUL
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Malaiman Road, Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom
73140, Thailand
| | - Urai PONGCHAIRERK
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan Road, Ladyao, Jatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
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Columbano A, Chiellini G, Kowalik MA. GC-1: A Thyromimetic With Multiple Therapeutic Applications in Liver Disease. Gene Expr 2017; 17:265-275. [PMID: 28635586 PMCID: PMC5885148 DOI: 10.3727/105221617x14968563796227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs), namely, 3,5,3'-triiodo-l-thyronine (T3) and 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodo-l-thyronine (thyroxine or T4), influence a variety of physiological processes that have important implications in fetal development, metabolism, cell growth, and proliferation. While THs elicit several beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and improve myocardial contractility, these therapeutically desirable effects are associated to a thyrotoxic state that severely limits the possible use of THs as therapeutic agents. Therefore, several efforts have been made to develop T3 analogs that could retain the beneficial actions (triglyceride, cholesterol, obesity, and body mass lowering) without the adverse TH-dependent side effects. This goal was achieved by the synthesis of TRβ-selective agonists. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the effects of one of the best characterized TH analogs, the TRβ1-selective thyromimetic, GC-1. In particular, we review some of the effects of GC-1 on different liver disorders, with reference to its possible clinical application. A brief comment on the possible therapeutic use of GC-1 in extrahepatic disorders is also included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Columbano
- *Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Grazia Chiellini
- †Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marta Anna Kowalik
- *Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Puliga E, Min Q, Tao J, Zhang R, Pradhan-Sundd T, Poddar M, Singh S, Columbano A, Yu J, Monga SP. Thyroid Hormone Receptor-β Agonist GC-1 Inhibits Met-β-Catenin-Driven Hepatocellular Cancer. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2017; 187:2473-2485. [PMID: 28807594 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The thyromimetic agent GC-1 induces hepatocyte proliferation via Wnt/β-catenin signaling and may promote regeneration in both acute and chronic liver insufficiencies. However, β-catenin activation due to mutations in CTNNB1 is seen in a subset of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Thus, it is critical to address any effect of GC-1 on HCC growth and development before its use can be advocated to stimulate regeneration in chronic liver diseases. In this study, we first examined the effect of GC-1 on β-catenin-T cell factor 4 activity in HCC cell lines harboring wild-type or mutated-CTNNB1. Next, we assessed the effect of GC-1 on HCC in FVB mice generated by hydrodynamic tail vein injection of hMet-S45Y-β-catenin, using the sleeping beauty transposon-transposase. Four weeks following injection, mice were fed 5 mg/kg GC-1 or basal diet for 10 or 21 days. GC-1 treatment showed no effect on β-catenin-T cell factor 4 activity in HCC cells, irrespective of CTNNB1 mutations. Treatment with GC-1 for 10 or 21 days led to a significant reduction in tumor burden, associated with decreased tumor cell proliferation and dramatic decreases in phospho-(p-)Met (Y1234/1235), p-extracellular signal-related kinase, and p-STAT3 without affecting β-catenin and its downstream targets. GC-1 exerts a notable antitumoral effect on hMet-S45Y-β-catenin HCC by inactivating Met signaling. GC-1 does not promote β-catenin activation in HCC. Thus, GC-1 may be safe for use in inducing regeneration during chronic hepatic insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Puliga
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Qian Min
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junyan Tao
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Tirthadipa Pradhan-Sundd
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Minakshi Poddar
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sucha Singh
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Amedeo Columbano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan, China.
| | - Satdarshan P Monga
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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