1
|
Piras IS, DiStefano JK. Comprehensive meta-analysis reveals distinct gene expression signatures of MASLD progression. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302517. [PMID: 38565287 PMCID: PMC10987979 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302517] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its progressive form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), pose significant risks of severe fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite their widespread prevalence, the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of these common chronic hepatic conditions are not fully understood. Here, we conducted the most extensive meta-analysis of hepatic gene expression datasets from liver biopsy samples to date, integrating 10 RNA-sequencing and microarray datasets (1,058 samples). Using a random-effects meta-analysis model, we compared over 12,000 shared genes across datasets. We identified 685 genes differentially expressed in MASLD versus normal liver, 1,870 in MASH versus normal liver, and 3,284 in MASLD versus MASH. Integrating these results with genome-wide association studies and coexpression networks, we identified two functionally relevant, validated coexpression modules mainly driven by SMOC2, ITGBL1, LOXL1, MGP, SOD3, and TAT, HGD, SLC25A15, respectively, the latter not previously associated with MASLD and MASH. Our findings provide a comprehensive and robust analysis of hepatic gene expression alterations associated with MASLD and MASH and identify novel key drivers of MASLD progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ignazio S Piras
- https://ror.org/02hfpnk21 Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Johanna K DiStefano
- https://ror.org/02hfpnk21 Diabetes and Metabolic Disease Research Unit, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tu D, Xu Q, Zuo X, Ma C. Uncovering hub genes and immunological characteristics for heart failure utilizing RRA, WGCNA and Machine learning. IJC HEART & VASCULATURE 2024; 51:101335. [PMID: 38371312 PMCID: PMC10869931 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2024.101335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Background Heart failure (HF) is a major public health issue with high mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to find potential diagnostic markers for HF by the combination of bioinformatics analysis and machine learning, as well as analyze the role of immune infiltration in the pathological process of HF. Methods The gene expression profiles of 124 HF patients and 135 nonfailing donors (NFDs) were obtained from six datasets in the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) public database. We applied robust rank aggregation (RRA) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) method to identify critical genes in HF. To discover novel diagnostic markers in HF, three machine learning methods were employed, including best subset regression, regularization technique, and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE). Besides, immune infiltration was investigated in HF by single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Results Combining RRA with WGCNA method, we recognized 39 critical genes associated with HF. Through integrating three machine learning methods, FCN3 and SMOC2 were determined as novel diagnostic markers in HF. Differences in immune infiltration signature were also found between HF patients and NFDs. Moreover, we explored the potential associations between two diagnostic markers and immune response in the pathogenesis of HF. Conclusions In summary, FCN3 and SMOC2 can be used as diagnostic markers of HF, and immune infiltration plays an important role in the initiation and progression of HF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dingyuan Tu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Shenyang, 110000 Liaoning, China
- Department of Cardiology, The 961st Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, 71 Youzheng Road, Qiqihar, 161000 Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Navy 905 Hospital, Naval Medical University, 1328 Huashan Road, Changning District, Shanghai 200052, China
| | - Xiaoli Zuo
- Department of Cardiology, The 961st Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, 71 Youzheng Road, Qiqihar, 161000 Heilongjiang, China
| | - Chaoqun Ma
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Shenyang, 110000 Liaoning, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang X, Wang M, Zhou Z, Zou X, Song G, Zhang Q, Zhou H. SMOC2 promoted vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix degradation by activating BMP/TGF-β1 signaling pathway. J Clin Biochem Nutr 2023; 73:116-123. [PMID: 37700850 PMCID: PMC10493216 DOI: 10.3164/jcbn.22-100] [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: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A widespread degenerative condition of the aorta, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), severely endangers the health of middle-aged and elderly people. SPARC related modular calcium binding2 (SMOC2) is upregulated in the carotid arteries of rats with atherosclerotic lesions, but its function in AAA is still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the function of SMOC2 in AAA. The results showed that in the AAA tissues, SMOC2 expression was upregulated compared with healthy controls. Overexpression of SMOC2 promoted vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. In contrast, silence of SMOC2 inhibited VSMCs proliferation, migration, and ECM degradation. Overexpression of SMOC2 promoted BMP and TGF-β1 expression and silence of SMOC2 had an opposite effect. Besides, inhibition of BMP or TGF-β1 suppressed VSMCs cell proliferation, migration, and ECM degradation. Moreover, inhibition BMP or TGF-β1 reversed the promotive effects of SMOC2 overexpression on VSMCs proliferation, migration, and ECM degradation. SMOC2 may affecte the formation of AAA by upregulating BMP and TGF-β1 to regulate the proliferation, migration, and ECM degradation of VSMCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 70 Heping Road, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong 264200, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 70 Heping Road, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong 264200, China
| | - Zhongxiao Zhou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 70 Heping Road, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong 264200, China
| | - Xin Zou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 70 Heping Road, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong 264200, China
| | - Guoxin Song
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 70 Heping Road, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong 264200, China
| | - Qingsong Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 70 Heping Road, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong 264200, China
| | - Haimeng Zhou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 70 Heping Road, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong 264200, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Salzano A, Fioriniello S, D'Onofrio N, Balestrieri ML, Aiese Cigliano R, Neglia G, Della Ragione F, Campanile G. Transcriptomic profiles of the ruminal wall in Italian Mediterranean dairy buffaloes fed green forage. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:133. [PMID: 36941576 PMCID: PMC10029215 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09215-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Green feed diet in ruminants exerts a beneficial effect on rumen metabolism and enhances the content of milk nutraceutical quality. At present, a comprehensive analysis focused on the identification of genes, and therefore, biological processes modulated by the green feed in buffalo rumen has never been reported. We performed RNA-sequencing in the rumen of buffaloes fed a total mixed ration (TMR) + the inclusion of 30% of ryegrass green feed (treated) or TMR (control), and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using EdgeR and NOISeq tools. RESULTS We found 155 DEGs using EdgeR (p-values < 0.05) and 61 DEGs using NOISeq (prob ≥0.8), 30 of which are shared. The rt-qPCR validation suggested a higher reliability of EdgeR results as compared with NOISeq data, in our biological context. Gene Ontology analysis of DEGs identified using EdgeR revealed that green feed modulates biological processes relevant for the rumen physiology and, then, health and well-being of buffaloes, such as lipid metabolism, response to the oxidative stress, immune response, and muscle structure and function. Accordingly, we found: (i) up-regulation of HSD17B13, LOC102410803 (or PSAT1) and HYKK, and down-regulation of CDO1, SELENBP1 and PEMT, encoding factors involved in energy, lipid and amino acid metabolism; (ii) enhanced expression of SIM2 and TRIM14, whose products are implicated in the immune response and defense against infections, and reduced expression of LOC112585166 (or SAAL1), ROR2, SMOC2, and S100A11, encoding pro-inflammatory factors; (iii) up-regulation of NUDT18, DNAJA4 and HSF4, whose products counteract stressful conditions, and down-regulation of LOC102396388 (or UGT1A9) and LOC102413340 (or MRP4/ABCC4), encoding detoxifying factors; (iv) increased expression of KCNK10, CACNG4, and ATP2B4, encoding proteins modulating Ca2+ homeostasis, and reduced expression of the cytoskeleton-related MYH11 and DES. CONCLUSION Although statistically unpowered, this study suggests that green feed modulates the expression of genes involved in biological processes relevant for rumen functionality and physiology, and thus, for welfare and quality production in Italian Mediterranean dairy buffaloes. These findings, that need to be further confirmed through the validation of additional DEGs, allow to speculate a role of green feed in the production of nutraceutical molecules, whose levels might be enhanced also in milk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Salzano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Nunzia D'Onofrio
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Gianluca Neglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Floriana Della Ragione
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'A. Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, Naples, Italy.
- IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Campanile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Larsen FT, Hansen D, Terkelsen MK, Bendixen SM, Avolio F, Wernberg CW, Lauridsen MM, Grønkjaer LL, Jacobsen BG, Klinggaard EG, Mandrup S, Di Caterino T, Siersbæk MS, Indira Chandran V, Graversen JH, Krag A, Grøntved L, Ravnskjaer K. Stellate cell expression of SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2 is associated with human non-alcoholic fatty liver disease severity. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100615. [PMID: 36687468 PMCID: PMC9850195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100615] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Histological assessment of liver biopsies is the gold standard for diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), despite its well-established limitations. Therefore, non-invasive biomarkers that can offer an integrated view of the liver are needed to improve diagnosis and reduce sampling bias. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are central in the development of hepatic fibrosis, a hallmark of NASH. Secreted HSC-specific proteins may, therefore, reflect disease state in the NASH liver and serve as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers. Methods We performed RNA-sequencing on liver biopsies from a histologically characterised cohort of obese patients (n = 30, BMI >35 kg/m2) to identify and evaluate HSC-specific genes encoding secreted proteins. Bioinformatics was used to identify potential biomarkers and their expression at single-cell resolution. We validated our findings using single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridisation (smFISH) and ELISA to detect mRNA in liver tissue and protein levels in plasma, respectively. Results Hepatic expression of SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2 (SMOC2) was increased in NASH compared to no-NAFLD (p.adj <0.001). Single-cell RNA-sequencing data indicated that SMOC2 was primarily expressed by HSCs, which was validated using smFISH. Finally, plasma SMOC2 was elevated in NASH compared to no-NAFLD (p <0.001), with a predictive accuracy of AUROC 0.88. Conclusions Increased SMOC2 in plasma appears to reflect HSC activation, a key cellular event associated with NASH progression, and may serve as a non-invasive biomarker of NASH. Impact and implications Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are the most common forms of chronic liver diseases. Currently, liver biopsies are the gold standard for diagnosing NAFLD. Blood-based biomarkers to complement liver biopsies for diagnosis of NAFLD are required. We found that activated hepatic stellate cells, a cell type central to NAFLD pathogenesis, upregulate expression of the secreted protein SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2 (SMOC2). SMOC2 was elevated in blood samples from patients with NASH and may hold promise as a blood-based biomarker for the diagnosis of NAFLD.
Collapse
Key Words
- AUROC, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- HSC, hepatic stellate cells
- LSM, liver stiffness measurement
- MCP, matricellular protein
- NAFL, non-alcoholic fatty liver
- NAFLD
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NAS, NAFLD activity score
- NASH
- PCA, principal component analysis
- SAF, steatosis, activity, and fibrosis
- SE, sensitivity
- SMOC2
- SMOC2, SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2
- SP, specificity
- SPARC, secreted protein acidic and cysteine-rich
- VSMCs, vascular smooth muscle cells
- WGCNA, weighted gene co-expression network analysis
- aHSC, activated HSC
- hepatic stellate cells
- non-invasive biomarker
- qHSC, quiescent HSC
- smFISH, single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridisation
- transcriptomics
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frederik T. Larsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Daniel Hansen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mike K. Terkelsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sofie M. Bendixen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Fabio Avolio
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Charlotte W. Wernberg
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of
Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
- Center for Liver Research (FLASH), Department of Gastroenterology and
Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mette M. Lauridsen
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of
Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Lea L. Grønkjaer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of
Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Birgitte G. Jacobsen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of
Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Ellen G. Klinggaard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Susanne Mandrup
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Tina Di Caterino
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense,
Denmark
| | - Majken S. Siersbæk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Vineesh Indira Chandran
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense,
Denmark
| | - Jonas H. Graversen
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense,
Denmark
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Liver Research (FLASH), Department of Gastroenterology and
Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lars Grøntved
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Kim Ravnskjaer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Corresponding author. Address: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark. Tel.: +45 65508906/+45
93979317.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pro-oxidative priming but maintained cardiac function in a broad spectrum of murine models of chronic kidney disease. Redox Biol 2022; 56:102459. [PMID: 36099852 PMCID: PMC9482130 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk of cardiovascular events and exhibit myocardial changes including left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and fibrosis, overall referred to as ‘uremic cardiomyopathy’. Although different CKD animal models have been studied for cardiac effects, lack of consistent reporting on cardiac function and pathology complicates clear comparison of these models. Therefore, this study aimed at a systematic and comprehensive comparison of cardiac function and cardiac pathophysiological characteristics in eight different CKD models and mouse strains, with a main focus on adenine-induced CKD. Methods and results CKD of different severity and duration was induced by subtotal nephrectomy or adenine-rich diet in various strains (C57BL/6J, C57BL/6 N, hyperlipidemic C57BL/6J ApoE−/−, 129/Sv), followed by the analysis of kidney function and morphology, blood pressure, cardiac function, cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, myocardial calcification and inflammation using functional, histological and molecular techniques, including cardiac gene expression profiling supplemented by oxidative stress analysis. Intriguingly, despite uremia of variable degree, neither cardiac dysfunction, hypertrophy nor interstitial fibrosis were observed. However, already moderate CKD altered cardiac oxidative stress responses and enhanced oxidative stress markers in each mouse strain, with cardiac RNA sequencing revealing activation of oxidative stress signaling as well as anti-inflammatory feedback responses. Conclusion This study considerably expands the knowledge on strain- and protocol-specific differences in the field of cardiorenal research and reveals that several weeks of at least moderate experimental CKD increase oxidative stress responses in the heart in a broad spectrum of mouse models. However, this was insufficient to induce relevant systolic or diastolic dysfunction, suggesting that additional “hits” are required to induce uremic cardiomyopathy. Translational perspective Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events and exhibit myocardial changes, overall referred to as ‘uremic cardiomyopathy’. We revealed that CKD increases cardiac oxidative stress responses in the heart. Nonetheless, several weeks of at least moderate experimental CKD do not necessarily trigger cardiac dysfunction and remodeling, suggesting that additional “hits” are required to induce uremic cardiomyopathy in the clinical setting. Whether the altered cardiac oxidative stress balance in CKD may increase the risk and extent of cardiovascular damage upon additional cardiovascular risk factors and/or events will be addressed in future studies. Development of a CKD mouse model with a clear cardiac functional or morphological phenotype is challenging. Cardiac oxidative stress response as well as oxidative stress markers are increased in a broad spectrum of CKD mouse models. Our findings suggest need of additional cardiovascular hits to clearly induce uremic cardiomyopathy as observed in patients.
Collapse
|
7
|
Stress Reactivity, Susceptibility to Hypertension, and Differential Expression of Genes in Hypertensive Compared to Normotensive Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052835. [PMID: 35269977 PMCID: PMC8911431 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Although half of hypertensive patients have hypertensive parents, known hypertension-related human loci identified by genome-wide analysis explain only 3% of hypertension heredity. Therefore, mainstream transcriptome profiling of hypertensive subjects addresses differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specific to gender, age, and comorbidities in accordance with predictive preventive personalized participatory medicine treating patients according to their symptoms, individual lifestyle, and genetic background. Within this mainstream paradigm, here, we determined whether, among the known hypertension-related DEGs that we could find, there is any genome-wide hypertension theranostic molecular marker applicable to everyone, everywhere, anytime. Therefore, we sequenced the hippocampal transcriptome of tame and aggressive rats, corresponding to low and high stress reactivity, an increase of which raises hypertensive risk; we identified stress-reactivity-related rat DEGs and compared them with their known homologous hypertension-related animal DEGs. This yielded significant correlations between stress reactivity-related and hypertension-related fold changes (log2 values) of these DEG homologs. We found principal components, PC1 and PC2, corresponding to a half-difference and half-sum of these log2 values. Using the DEGs of hypertensive versus normotensive patients (as the control), we verified the correlations and principal components. This analysis highlighted downregulation of β-protocadherins and hemoglobin as whole-genome hypertension theranostic molecular markers associated with a wide vascular inner diameter and low blood viscosity, respectively.
Collapse
|
8
|
Aga H, Soultoukis G, Stadion M, Garcia-Carrizo F, Jähnert M, Gottmann P, Vogel H, Schulz TJ, Schürmann A. Distinct Adipogenic and Fibrogenic Differentiation Capacities of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Pancreas and White Adipose Tissue. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042108. [PMID: 35216219 PMCID: PMC8876166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic steatosis associates with β-cell failure and may participate in the development of type-2-diabetes. Our previous studies have shown that diabetes-susceptible mice accumulate more adipocytes in the pancreas than diabetes-resistant mice. In addition, we have demonstrated that the co-culture of pancreatic islets and adipocytes affect insulin secretion. The aim of this current study was to elucidate if and to what extent pancreas-resident mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with adipogenic progenitor potential differ from the corresponding stromal-type cells of the inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT). miRNA (miRNome) and mRNA expression (transcriptome) analyses of MSCs isolated by flow cytometry of both tissues revealed 121 differentially expressed miRNAs and 1227 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Target prediction analysis estimated 510 DEGs to be regulated by 58 differentially expressed miRNAs. Pathway analyses of DEGs and miRNA target genes showed unique transcriptional and miRNA signatures in pancreas (pMSCs) and iWAT MSCs (iwatMSCs), for instance fibrogenic and adipogenic differentiation, respectively. Accordingly, iwatMSCs revealed a higher adipogenic lineage commitment, whereas pMSCs showed an elevated fibrogenesis. As a low degree of adipogenesis was also observed in pMSCs of diabetes-susceptible mice, we conclude that the development of pancreatic steatosis has to be induced by other factors not related to cell-autonomous transcriptomic changes and miRNA-based signals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heja Aga
- Department of Experimental Diabetology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany; (H.A.); (M.S.); (M.J.); (P.G.); (H.V.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, 85764 München, Germany; (G.S.); (T.J.S.)
| | - George Soultoukis
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, 85764 München, Germany; (G.S.); (T.J.S.)
- Department of Adipocyte Development and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany;
| | - Mandy Stadion
- Department of Experimental Diabetology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany; (H.A.); (M.S.); (M.J.); (P.G.); (H.V.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, 85764 München, Germany; (G.S.); (T.J.S.)
| | - Francisco Garcia-Carrizo
- Department of Adipocyte Development and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany;
| | - Markus Jähnert
- Department of Experimental Diabetology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany; (H.A.); (M.S.); (M.J.); (P.G.); (H.V.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, 85764 München, Germany; (G.S.); (T.J.S.)
| | - Pascal Gottmann
- Department of Experimental Diabetology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany; (H.A.); (M.S.); (M.J.); (P.G.); (H.V.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, 85764 München, Germany; (G.S.); (T.J.S.)
| | - Heike Vogel
- Department of Experimental Diabetology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany; (H.A.); (M.S.); (M.J.); (P.G.); (H.V.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, 85764 München, Germany; (G.S.); (T.J.S.)
- Research Group Genetics of Obesity, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
- Research Group Molecular and Clinical Life Science of Metabolic Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Tim J. Schulz
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, 85764 München, Germany; (G.S.); (T.J.S.)
- Department of Adipocyte Development and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany;
- Institute of Nutritional Sciences, University of Potsdam, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Annette Schürmann
- Department of Experimental Diabetology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany; (H.A.); (M.S.); (M.J.); (P.G.); (H.V.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, 85764 München, Germany; (G.S.); (T.J.S.)
- Institute of Nutritional Sciences, University of Potsdam, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-33-200-88-2368
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Luo L, Sun X, Tang M, Wu J, Qian T, Chen S, Guan Z, Jiang Y, Fu Y, Zheng Z. Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine Mediates the Development and Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:869519. [PMID: 35721704 PMCID: PMC9205223 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.869519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most severe microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) has been found to play an important role in many diseases, but its role and mechanism in DR remain unknown. METHODS We studied the role of SPARC and integrin β1 in vascular pathophysiology and identified potential therapeutic translation. The SPARC levels were tested in human serum and vitreous by ELISA assay, and then the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset was used to understand the key role of the target gene in DR. In human retinal capillary endothelial cells (HRCECs), we analyzed the mRNA and protein level by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. The cell apoptosis, cell viability, and angiogenesis were analyzed by flow cytometry, CCK-8, and tube formation. RESULTS In this study, we investigated the role of SPARC in the development and progression of human DR and high glucose-induced HRCEC cells and found that the SPARC-ITGB1 signaling pathway mimics early molecular and advanced neurovascular pathophysiology complications of DR. The result revealed that DR patients have a high-level SPARC expression in serum and vitreous. Knockdown of SPARC could decrease the expressions of inflammatory factors and VEGFR, inhibit cell apoptosis and angiogenesis, and increase cell viability by regulating integrin β1 in HRCECs. CONCLUSION SPARC promotes diabetic retinopathy via the regulation of integrin β1. The results of this study can provide a potential therapeutic application for the treatment of DR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liying Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Liying Luo, ; Zhi Zheng, ; Yang Fu, ; Yanyun Jiang, ; Zhiyuan Guan, gzy:
| | - Xi Sun
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiahui Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianwei Qian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shimei Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyuan Guan
- Department of Orthopedics, The Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Liying Luo, ; Zhi Zheng, ; Yang Fu, ; Yanyun Jiang, ; Zhiyuan Guan, gzy:
| | - Yanyun Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Liying Luo, ; Zhi Zheng, ; Yang Fu, ; Yanyun Jiang, ; Zhiyuan Guan, gzy:
| | - Yang Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Liying Luo, ; Zhi Zheng, ; Yang Fu, ; Yanyun Jiang, ; Zhiyuan Guan, gzy:
| | - Zhi Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Liying Luo, ; Zhi Zheng, ; Yang Fu, ; Yanyun Jiang, ; Zhiyuan Guan, gzy:
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rui H, Zhao F, Yuhua L, Hong J. Suppression of SMOC2 alleviates myocardial fibrosis via the ILK/p38 pathway. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:951704. [PMID: 36935650 PMCID: PMC10017443 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.951704] [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: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fibrosis of the myocardium is one of the main pathological changes of adverse cardiac remodeling, which is associated with unsatisfactory outcomes in patients with heart disease. Further investigations into the precise molecular mechanisms of cardiac fibrosis are urgently required to seek alternative therapeutic strategies for individuals suffering from heart failure. SMOC2 has been shown to be essential to exert key pathophysiological roles in various physiological processes in vivo, possibly contributing to the pathogenesis of fibrosis. A study investigating the relationship between SMOC2 and myocardial fibrosis has yet to be conducted. Methods Mice received a continuous ISO injection subcutaneously to induce cardiac fibrosis, and down-regulation of SMOC2 was achieved by adeno-associated virus-9 (AAV9)-mediated shRNA knockdown. Neonatal fibroblasts were separated and cultured in vitro with TGFβ to trigger fibrosis and infected with either sh-SMOC2 or sh-RNA as a control. The role and mechanisms of SMOC2 in myocardial fibrosis were further examined and analyzed. Results SMOC2 knockdown partially reversed cardiac functional impairment and cardiac fibrosis in vivo after 21 consecutive days of ISO injection. We further demonstrated that targeting SMOC2 expression effectively slowed down the trans-differentiation and collagen deposition of cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by TGFβ. Mechanistically, targeting SMOC2 expression inhibited the induction of ILK and p38 in vivo and in vitro, and ILK overexpression increased p38 phosphorylation activity and compromised the protective effects of sh-SMOC2-mediated cardiac fibrosis. Conclusion Therapeutic SMOC2 silencing alleviated cardiac fibrosis through inhibition of the ILK/p38 signaling, providing a preventative and control strategy for cardiac remodeling management in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huang Rui
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Yuhua
- Department of Cardiology, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi City, China
| | - Jiang Hong
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Jiang Hong,
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Xin C, Lei J, Wang Q, Yin Y, Yang X, Moran Guerrero JA, Sabbisetti V, Sun X, Vaidya VS, Bonventre JV. Therapeutic silencing of SMOC2 prevents kidney function loss in mouse model of chronic kidney disease. iScience 2021; 24:103193. [PMID: 34703992 PMCID: PMC8524153 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. We developed a mouse model that mimics human CKD with inflammation, extracellular matrix deposition, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, increased proteinuria, and associated reduction in glomerular filtration rate over time. Using this model, we show that genetic deficiency of SMOC2 or therapeutic silencing of SMOC2 with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) after disease onset significantly ameliorates inflammation, fibrosis, and kidney function loss. Mechanistically, we found that SMOC2 promotes fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation by activation of diverse cellular signaling pathways including MAPKs, Smad, and Akt. Thus, targeting SMOC2 therapeutically offers an approach to prevent fibrosis progression and CKD after injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cuiyan Xin
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jiahui Lei
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- The Second Department of General Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yixia Yin
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xiaoqian Yang
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jose Alberto Moran Guerrero
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Venkata Sabbisetti
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xiaoming Sun
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vishal S. Vaidya
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph V. Bonventre
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhang C, Yang M. Current Options and Future Directions for NAFLD and NASH Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147571. [PMID: 34299189 PMCID: PMC8306701 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, with a broad spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to advanced stage of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although there are many undergoing clinical trials for NAFLD treatment, there is no currently approved treatment. NAFLD accounts as a major causing factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its incidence rises accompanying the prevalence of obesity and diabetes. Reprogramming of antidiabetic and anti-obesity medicine is a major treatment option for NAFLD and NASH. Liver inflammation and cellular death, with or without fibrosis account for the progression of NAFLD to NASH. Therefore, molecules and signaling pathways involved in hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and cell death are critically important targets for the therapy of NAFLD and NASH. In addition, the avoidance of aberrant infiltration of inflammatory cytokines by treating with CCR antagonists also provides a therapeutic option. Currently, there is an increasing number of pre-clinical and clinical trials undergoing to evaluate the effects of antidiabetic and anti-obesity drugs, antibiotics, pan-caspase inhibitors, CCR2/5 antagonists, and others on NAFLD, NASH, and liver fibrosis. Non-invasive serum diagnostic markers are developed for fulfilling the need of diagnostic testing in a large amount of NAFLD cases. Overall, a better understanding of the underlying mechanism of the pathogenesis of NAFLD is helpful to choose an optimized treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunye Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Xu M, Yi M, Li N. MicroRNA-17-5p restrains the dysfunction of Ang-II induced podocytes by suppressing secreted modular calcium-binding protein 2 via NF-κB and TGFβ signaling. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2021; 36:1402-1411. [PMID: 33835671 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Glomerulonephritis, also known as nephritis syndrome (nephritis for short), is a common kidney disease. Previous research has proved that microRNAs (miRNAs) frequently regulate various diseases including nephritis. Nonetheless, the biological function and molecular mechanism of miR-17-5p are unclear in nephritis. In the current study, RT-qPCR analysis showed that miR-17-5p was downregulated in Ang II-induced podocytes. Also, according to the results from RT-qPCR analysis, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometric analysis, western blot analysis, and ELISA miR-17-5p elevation alleviated Ang II-induced podocyte injury. Besides, luciferase reporter assay, western blot and RT-qPCR analyses revealed that SMOC2 was targeted by miR-17-5p in Ang II-induced podocytes. Additionally, rescue assays demonstrated that overexpressed SMOC2 counteracted the influence of overexpressed miR-17-5p on cell injury of Ang II-induced podocytes. Moreover, our data suggested that miR-17-5p-SMOC2 axis regulated TGFβ and NF-κB signaling activation in Ang II-induced podocytes. SMOC2 regulated cell viability, apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in Ang II-induced podocytes via TGFβ signaling, and SMOC2 regulated inflammation in Ang II-induced podocytes through NF-κB signaling. Overall, our study demonstrated that miRNA-17-5p restrained the dysfunction of Ang-II induced podocytes by suppressing SMOC2 via the NF-κB and TGFβ signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Xu
- Department of Nephrology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Mengqiu Yi
- Intensive Care Unit, Songyuan Jilin Oilfield Hospital, Jilin, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Nephrology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Mitochondrial Lipid Homeostasis at the Crossroads of Liver and Heart Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136949. [PMID: 34203309 PMCID: PMC8268967 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) is a rapidly increasing problem, affecting a huge population around the globe. However, CVDs (cardiovascular diseases) are the most common cause of mortality in NAFLD patients. Atherogenic dyslipidemia, characterized by plasma hypertriglyceridemia, increased small dense LDL (low-density lipoprotein) particles, and decreased HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels, is often observed in NAFLD patients. In this review, we summarize recent genetic evidence, proving the diverse nature of metabolic pathways involved in NAFLD pathogenesis. Analysis of available genetic data suggests that the altered operation of fatty-acid β-oxidation in liver mitochondria is the key process, connecting NAFLD-mediated dyslipidemia and elevated CVD risk. In addition, we discuss several NAFLD-associated genes with documented anti-atherosclerotic or cardioprotective effects, and current pharmaceutical strategies focused on both NAFLD treatment and reduction of CVD risk.
Collapse
|
15
|
Long F, Shi H, Li P, Guo S, Ma Y, Wei S, Li Y, Gao F, Gao S, Wang M, Duan R, Wang X, Yang K, Sun W, Li X, Li J, Liu Q. A SMOC2 variant inhibits BMP signaling by competitively binding to BMPR1B and causes growth plate defects. Bone 2021; 142:115686. [PMID: 33059102 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2020.115686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Endochondral ossification is the major process of long bone formation, and chondrogenesis is the final step of this process. Several studies have indicated that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are required for chondrogenesis and regulate multiple growth plate features. Abnormal BMP pathways lead to growth plate defects, resulting in osteochondrodysplasia. The SPARC-related modular calcium binding 2 (SMOC2) gene encodes an extracellular protein that is considered to be an antagonist of BMP signaling. In this study, we generated a mouse model by knocking-in the SMOC2 mutation (c.1076 T > G), which showed short-limbed dwarfism, reduced, disorganized, and hypocellular proliferative zones and expanded hypertrophic zones in tibial growth plates. To determine the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of SMOC2 mutation, we used knock-in mice to investigate the interaction between SMOC2 and the BMP-SMAD1/5/9 signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. Eventually, we found that mutant SMOC2 could not bind to COL9A1 and HSPG. Furthermore, mutant SMOC2 inhibited BMP signaling by competitively binding to BMPR1B, which lead to defects in growth plates and short-limbed dwarfism in knock-in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Long
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Hongbiao Shi
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Pengyu Li
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Shaoqiang Guo
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Yuer Ma
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Shijun Wei
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Yan Li
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Shang Gao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Meitian Wang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Ruonan Duan
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China; Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Kun Yang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Wenjie Sun
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Xi Li
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Jiangxia Li
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Qiji Liu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
McQuitty CE, Williams R, Chokshi S, Urbani L. Immunomodulatory Role of the Extracellular Matrix Within the Liver Disease Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2020; 11:574276. [PMID: 33262757 PMCID: PMC7686550 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.574276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver disease when accompanied by underlying fibrosis, is characterized by an accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and chronic inflammation. Although traditionally considered as a passive and largely architectural structure, the ECM is now being recognized as a source of potent damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP)s with immune-active peptides and domains. In parallel, the ECM anchors a range of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, all of which are capable of modulating immune responses. A growing body of evidence shows that ECM proteins themselves are capable of modulating immunity either directly via ligation with immune cell receptors including integrins and TLRs, or indirectly through release of immunoactive molecules such as cytokines which are stored within the ECM structure. Notably, ECM deposition and remodeling during injury and fibrosis can result in release or formation of ECM-DAMPs within the tissue, which can promote local inflammatory immune response and chemotactic immune cell recruitment and inflammation. It is well described that the ECM and immune response are interlinked and mutually participate in driving fibrosis, although their precise interactions in the context of chronic liver disease are poorly understood. This review aims to describe the known pro-/anti-inflammatory and fibrogenic properties of ECM proteins and DAMPs, with particular reference to the immunomodulatory properties of the ECM in the context of chronic liver disease. Finally, we discuss the importance of developing novel biotechnological platforms based on decellularized ECM-scaffolds, which provide opportunities to directly explore liver ECM-immune cell interactions in greater detail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire E. McQuitty
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roger Williams
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shilpa Chokshi
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Urbani
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Almasmoum H, Refaat B, Ghaith MM, Almaimani RA, Idris S, Ahmad J, Abdelghany AH, BaSalamah MA, El-Boshy M. Protective effect of Vitamin D3 against lead induced hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress, immunosuppressive and calcium homeostasis disorders in rat. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2019; 72:103246. [PMID: 31465891 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2019.103246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is an extremely poisonous, non-essential trace element and toxicity develops in humans following frequent exposure to the heavy metal in polluted environmental and occupational settings. Pb induces hepatic damage through the depletion of the antioxidant system, enhancing cellular oxidative stress and stimulation of proinflammatory cytokines. Although the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions of vitamin D3 (VD3) are well-established, a minority of studies measured the protective actions of VD3 against Pb toxicity. Therefore, this work studied the effects of vitamin VD3 therapy on the fundamental molecular basis underlying hepatic injury induced by chronic Pb toxicity. Twenty-four adult male rats were distributed equally into the negative controls (NC), positive controls (PC) and VD3 groups. While both the PC and VD3 groups received Pb-acetate in drinking water (1000 mg/L) for four weeks, the latter group also received intramuscular VD3 injections (1000 IU/kg; 3 days/week) simultaneously with Pb. The liver enzymes together with the serum and hepatic tissue Pb concentrations increased markedly in the PC group compared with the NC group. Pb toxicity also drastically induced hepatocyte apoptosis/necrosis, increased the hepatic tissue concentrations of malondialdehyde and the pro-inflammatory cytokines (TGF-β, IL-4 & TNF-α) as well as reduced the anti-oxidative enzymes (GSH, GPx & CAT) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, compared with the NC group. Pb also significantly decreased the serum concentrations of VD3 and Ca2+. Additionally, the hepatic expressions of VD receptor, Cyp24a1 enzyme, L-type Ca2+-channel, calbindin-D28k & -D29k, calmodulin and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II were significantly upregulated, whereas the VD binding protein, CYP2R1 enzyme and T-type Ca2+-channel were markedly inhibited at the gene and protein levels following Pb intoxication. VD3 alleviated the hepatic damage, inhibited the oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory molecules as well as upregulated the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory markers and restored the expression of the VD/Ca2+ regulatory molecules compared with the PC group. VD3 supplementation discloses promising protective effects against Pb-induced hepatic damage, through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions as well as by modulating the hepatocyte calcium homeostatic molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hussain Almasmoum
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al Abdeyah, PO Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Bassem Refaat
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al Abdeyah, PO Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mazen M Ghaith
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al Abdeyah, PO Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Riyad A Almaimani
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al Abdeyah, PO Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Shakir Idris
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al Abdeyah, PO Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Jawwad Ahmad
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al Abdeyah, PO Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Abdelghany H Abdelghany
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al Abdeyah, PO Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Mohammad A BaSalamah
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al Abdeyah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mohamed El-Boshy
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al Abdeyah, PO Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; Department of Clinical Pathology, Fac. Vet. Med, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|