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Li X, Liang X, Gu X, Zou M, Cao W, Liu C, Wang X. Ursodeoxycholic acid and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid alleviate ethinylestradiol-induced cholestasis via downregulating RORγt and CXCR3 signaling pathway in iNKT cells. Toxicol In Vitro 2024; 96:105782. [PMID: 38244730 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2024.105782] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Estrogen-induced intrahepatic cholestasis (IHC) is a mild but potentially serious risk and urges for new therapeutic targets and effective treatment. Our previous study demonstrated that RORγt and CXCR3 signaling pathway of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) 17 cells play pathogenic roles in 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE)-induced IHC. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) present a protective effect on IHC partially due to their immunomodulatory properties. Hence in present study, we aim to investigate the effectiveness of UDCA and 18β-GA in vitro and verify the accessibility of the above targets. Biochemical index measurement indicated that UDCA and 18β-GA presented efficacy to alleviate EE-induced cholestatic cytotoxicity. Both UDCA and 18β-GA exhibited suppression on the CXCL9/10-CXCR3 axis, and significantly restrained the expression of RORγt in vitro. In conclusion, our observations provide new therapeutic targets of UDCA and 18β-GA, and 18β-GA as an alternative treatment for EE-induced cholestasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, New Drug Screening Center, Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xiaojing Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, New Drug Screening Center, Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xiaoxia Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Mengzhi Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, New Drug Screening Center, Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Weiping Cao
- Departments of Obstetrics, Maternity and Child Health Hospital of Zhenjiang, Zhenjiang 212001, China.
| | - Chunhui Liu
- Physics and Chemistry Test Center of Jiangsu Province, 210042 Nanjing, China.
| | - Xinzhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, New Drug Screening Center, Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Ávila G. Fluorofenidone enhances cardiac contractility by stimulating CICR and Ca V1.2. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 681:242-248. [PMID: 37788591 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.09.079] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) is a novel pyridone derivative that inhibits fibrosis and inflammation in many tissues. Accordingly, it has been effective in disease models, such as liver failure, nephropathy, and pulmonary fibrosis. However, its potential role in cardiac physiology and pathology has yet to be elucidated. Thus, this paper investigated a possible functional impact of AKF-PD on adult rat cardiac myocytes. Cells were kept in culture for 1-2 days under either control conditions or the presence of AKF-PD (500 μM). They were next examined concerning cell contractility, intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, and activity of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Remarkably, AKF-PD enhanced the percentage of cell shortening and rates of both contraction and relaxation by nearly 100%. A stimulus in Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) most likely accounts for these effects because AKF-PD also increased the magnitude of electrically evoked Ca2+ transients. Of note, the compound did not alter the peak value of caffeine-elicited Ca2+ transients, indicating stimulation of CICR at constant sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ load. Since CICR is triggered by the entry of Ca2+ through CaV1.2 (ICa), a possible effect on these Ca2+ channels was also investigated. AKF-PD increased the magnitude of both ICa and maximal macroscopic Ca2+ conductance (Gmax) by about 50%. However, no differences were found in either voltage dependence of inactivation or the amount of maximal immobilization-resistant charge movement (Qmax). Thus, the effect on ICa could be explained by a higher channel's open probability (Po) rather than a greater abundance of channel proteins. Additional data indicate that AKF-PD reduces the rate of Ca2+ extrusion in the presence of caffeine, suggesting inhibition of the Na/Ca exchanger. Overall, these results indicate that AKF-PD upregulates the Po of CaV1.2 and then sequentially enhances ICa, CICR, and contractility. Therefore, the novel compound is also a candidate to be tested in cardiac disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Ávila
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Cinvestav-IPN, AP 14-740, México City, 07000, México.
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Zhang J, Wang H, Liu J, Fu L, Peng S. ANXA1 is identified as a key gene associated with high risk and T cell infiltration in primary sclerosing cholangitis. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:86. [PMID: 37735492 PMCID: PMC10512524 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00534-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease, with unclear pathogenesis. Although immune disorders, especially T cell infiltration, are thought to play a vital role in PSC, the specific pathogenesis mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study evaluated the potential key gene associated with the PSC pathogenesis and analyzed the associations of the key gene with prognosis and immune cell infiltration by combining bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification. METHODS Transcriptome data of PSC and normal human liver tissues (GSE159676) were obtained from the gene expression omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and differences in biological states were analyzed. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. Hub genes were identified, and their expression was verified using transcriptome data of mice fed 0.1% 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) and Mdr2-/- mice (GSE179993, GSE80776), as well as by immunohistochemistry staining on clinical samples. The correlations between the key gene and other factors were evaluated by Pearson's correlation coefficient. Immune cell infiltration into human liver (GSE159676) was analyzed by xCell and verified by immunofluorescence staining on PSC liver samples. RESULTS Of the 185 DEGs identified, 113 were upregulated and 72 were downregulated genes in PSC. Genes associated with immune cell infiltration and fibrosis were significantly enriched in PSC. PPI network showed close interactions among DEGs. A module strongly associated with immune infiltration was identified, with annexin A1 (ANXA1) being the core gene. High expression of ANXA1 in PSC was confirmed in two public datasets and by immunohistochemistry staining on clinical samples. High ANXA1 expression was strongly associated with high-risk score for PSC. Also, ANXA1 expression was positively associated with chemokines and chemokine receptors and with the infiltration of immune cells, especially T cells, into liver with PSC. Immune infiltration, fibrosis, and cancer-related processes were markedly enriched in PSC with high expression of ANXA1. CONCLUSION ANXA1 is a key gene associated with high risk and infiltration of immune cells, especially T cells, in PSC. These findings provide new insight into the key biomarker of PSC and suggest that targeting ANXA1 may be a valuable strategy for the treatment of PSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huiwen Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jinqing Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lei Fu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Shifang Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China.
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Ma WJ, Chen HY, Huang YL, Chen JM, Lu TB. Complexation of Fluorofenidone by Cucurbit[7]uril and β-Cyclodextrin: Keto-Enol Tautomerization to Enhance the Solubility. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:4517-4527. [PMID: 37526016 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00213] [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: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
This study is designed to compare drug encapsulation by cucurbit[7]uril and β-cyclodextrin, using fluorofenidone as a model drug. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was employed to successfully determine the crystal structures of fluorofenidone·H+@cucurbit[7]uril Form, fluorofenidone@cucurbit[7]uril Form, and fluorofenidone@β-cyclodextrin Form. Keto-enol tautomerization of fluorofenidone mediated by cucurbit[7]uril in acid solution is confirmed by crystal structures, pH titration, and nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. However, β-cyclodextrin cannot cause the keto-enol tautomerization of fluorofenidone under similar conditions. The phase solubility study demonstrates that cucurbit[7]uril has a much higher solubilization capacity for fluorofenidone than β-cyclodextrin in 0.1 M HCl since the Kc values of fluorofenidone with cucurbit[7]uril and β-cyclodextrin were 1223.97 ± 452.68 and 78.49 ± 10.56 M-1, respectively. Excellent solubility can be attributed to the keto-enol tautomerization of fluorofenidone under the conditions of cucurbit[7]uril in acid solution. The enol form of fluorofenidone is encapsulated by cucurbit[7]uril by hydrogen bonding interaction and hydrophobic interaction to increase binding affinity. Rat pharmacokinetic studies demonstrate that the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to 7 h value of fluorofenidone@cucurbit[7]uril complex is 1.70-fold greater than that of free fluorofenidone, and the mean residence time from time 0 to 7 h is slightly prolonged from 1.29 to 1.76 h (P < 0.01) after oral administration. However, no significant difference is found between fluorofenidone and fluorofenidone@β-cyclodextrin complex. This work indicates that the induction of keto-enol tautomerization of drugs using macrocyclic molecules has the potential to be an effective method to improve their solubility and bioavailability, providing valuable insights for the application of macrocyclic molecules in the biomedical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juan Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
- Department of Pharmacy, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350212, China
| | - Hua-Yu Chen
- Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Yong-Liang Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Mei Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Tong-Bu Lu
- Institute for New Energy Materials and Low Carbon Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
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Gu L, He X, Zhang Y, Li S, Tang J, Ma R, Yang X, Huang H, Peng Y, Xie Y, Peng Z, Meng J, Hu G, Tao L, Liu X, Yang H. Fluorofenidone protects against acute liver failure in mice by regulating MKK4/JNK pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114844. [PMID: 37224750 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114844] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-threatening disease characterized by abrupt and extensive hepatic necrosis and apoptosis, resulting in high mortality. The approved drug, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), is only effective for acetaminophen (APAP)-associated ALF at the early stage. Thus, we investigate whether fluorofenidone (AKF-PD), a novel antifibrosis pyridone agent, protects against ALF in mice and explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS ALF mouse models were established using APAP or lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-Gal). Anisomycin and SP600125 were used as JNK activator and inhibitor, respectively, and NAC served as a positive control. Mouse hepatic cell line AML12 and primary mouse hepatocytes were used for in vitro studies. RESULTS AKF-PD pretreatment alleviated APAP-induced ALF with decreased necrosis, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) markers, and mitochondrial permeability transition in liver. Additionally, AKF-PD alleviated mitochondrial ROS stimulated by APAP in AML12 cells. RNA-sequencing in the liver and subsequent gene set enrichment analysis showed that AKF-PD significantly impacted MAPK and IL-17 pathway. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that AKF-PD inhibited APAP-induced phosphorylation of MKK4/JNK, while SP600125 only inhibited JNK phosphorylation. The protective effect of AKF-PD was abolished by anisomycin. Similarly, AKF-PD pretreatment abolished hepatotoxicity caused by LPS/D-Gal, decreased ROS levels, and diminished inflammation. Furthermore, unlike NAC, AKF-PD, inhibited the phosphorylation of MKK4 and JNK upon pretreatment, and improved survival in cases of LPS/D-Gal-induced mortality with delayed dosing. CONCLUSIONS In summary, AKF-PD can protect against ALF caused by APAP or LPS/D-Gal, in part, via regulating MKK4/JNK pathway. AKF-PD might be a novel candidate drug for ALF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Gu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Hunan Key Lab of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410008, China; National International Collaborative Research Center for Medical Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Xin He
- Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Hunan Key Lab of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yanqiu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Hunan Key Lab of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Shenglan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Hunan Key Lab of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Jie Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Ruixue Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Xinyi Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Hunan Key Lab of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410008, China; Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Yu Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yanyun Xie
- Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Hunan Key Lab of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410008, China; National International Collaborative Research Center for Medical Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Zhangzhe Peng
- Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Hunan Key Lab of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410008, China; National International Collaborative Research Center for Medical Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
| | - Jie Meng
- Hunan Key Lab of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410008, China; National International Collaborative Research Center for Medical Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Department of Respirology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Gaoyun Hu
- Hunan Key Lab of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410008, China; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Lijian Tao
- Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Hunan Key Lab of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410008, China; National International Collaborative Research Center for Medical Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Huixiang Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Hunan Key Lab of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410008, China; National International Collaborative Research Center for Medical Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China.
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Wang H, Zhang J, Liu J, Jiang Y, Fu L, Peng S. Identification of AKR1B10 as a key gene in primary biliary cholangitis by integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1124956. [PMID: 36845547 PMCID: PMC9947156 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1124956] [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: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease that eventually progresses to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the absence of proper treatment. However, Gene expression and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of PBC have not been completely elucidated. Methods: Microarray expression profiling dataset GSE61260 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Data were normalized to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using the limma package in R. Moreover, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify hub genes and an integrative regulatory network of transcriptional factor-DEG-microRNA was established. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to analyze differences in biological states for groups with different expressions of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis was performed to validate the expression of hepatic AKR1B10 in patients with PBC. The association of hepatic AKR1B10 levels with clinical parameters was evaluated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson's correlation analysis. Results: This study identified 22 upregulated and 12 downregulated DEGs between patients with PBC and healthy controls. GO and KEGG analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly enriched in immune reactions. AKR1B10 was identified as a key gene and was further analyzed by screening out hub genes from the PPI network. GSEA analysis indicated that high expression of AKR1B10 might promote PBC to develop into HCC. Immunohistochemistry results verified the increased expression of hepatic AKR1B10 in patients with PBC and demonstrated its positive correlation with the severity of PBC. Conclusion: AKR1B10 was identified as a hub gene in PBC by integrated bioinformatics analysis and clinical validation. The increase of AKR1B10 expression in patients with PBC was associated with disease severity and might promote the progression of PBC to HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiwen Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jinqing Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongfang Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lei Fu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,*Correspondence: Lei Fu, ; Shifang Peng,
| | - Shifang Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,*Correspondence: Lei Fu, ; Shifang Peng,
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