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Masood N, Hameed H, Tariq M, Ahmed R, Khalid M, Latief N, Hasan A. Therapeutic efficacy of Strobilanthes urticifolia-infused pectin/polyacrylic acid hydrogel for targeted hepatorenal fibrosis mitigation: A multifaceted biomaterial approach. Microsc Res Tech 2024. [PMID: 39076150 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24667] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Pectin/polyacrylic acid (PPAA) hydrogel is a unique and versatile biomaterial with applications in drug delivery, wound healing, tissue engineering, and agriculture, owing to its tailored properties and multifunctional attributes. This study aims to harness the therapeutic potential of Strobilanthes urticifolia extract within a PPAA hydrogel matrix to attenuate liver and kidney fibrosis through targeted and sustained delivery of biologically active substances. PPAA hydrogel was prepared by free radical polymerization, followed by its porosity and swelling determination. The results depicted the porous nature of PPAA hydrogel and improved swelling properties at pH 7.4, confirming its drug delivery promise. The polyphenolic-enriched S. urticifolia extracts of leaf and flower were loaded onto PPAA hydrogel, and the loading efficiency was 87% (leaf) and 62.5% (flower). Moreover, slow-release studies showed controlled and prolonged release of polyphenols for 7 days. The polyphenolic-enriched hydrogel's microstructure was characterized using SEM, FTIR, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). SEM results revealed a highly porous structure of polyphenol enriched PPAA hydrogel, while FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups such as OH group of carboxylic acid, aliphatic CH2 stretching due to acrylic acid grafting with pectin, CO stretching due to acid linkage with pectin, CH of aromatic ring, and CH of carboxylate salt in PPAA hydrogel. TGA of PPAA hydrogel showed its stability up to 488°C. Additionally, the S. urticifolia extract loaded PPAA hydrogel displayed significant antibacterial properties and minimum inhibitory concentrations against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In vivo studies carried out on rats demonstrated that polyphenolic enriched PPAA hydrogel significantly attenuates liver and kidney fibrosis. Therefore, it is concluded from the present study that loading of polyphenolic enriched extract from leaves and flower of S. urticifolia enhanced the biomedical applications of PPAA hydrogel. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The PPAA hydrogel developed in this study exhibits a highly porous structure and improved swelling properties at physiological pH (7.4), making it an excellent candidate for drug delivery systems. S. urticifolia extracts, rich in polyphenols, were successfully incorporated into the PPAA hydrogel with high loading efficiencies of 87% for leaf and 62.5% for flower extracts. Loading of polyphenolic enriched extracts of S. urticifolia onto PPAA enhanced its biological activities such as antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and reno-protective activities as depicted by in vitro and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nosheen Masood
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, AJK, Pakistan
| | - Hajra Hameed
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, AJK, Pakistan
| | - Rashid Ahmed
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, AJK, Pakistan
| | - Mehwish Khalid
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, AJK, Pakistan
| | - Noreen Latief
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Anwarul Hasan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Bedir Ö, Evlice M, Kurt İH. Relationship between echocardiographic parameters and ALBI score in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING 2024; 40:535-543. [PMID: 38104039 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-023-03021-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
An increase in the volume and pressure of the heart chambers has been shown to increase liver stiffness. The Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score is useful and easy-to-use for objectively assessing liver function. There is no information in the literature regarding changes in ALBI scores in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS). The aim of our study was to investigate changes in ALBI score and its clinical impact in patients with MS. Of the 247 patients analyzed, 54 were excluded from the study. The remaining 193 patients with MS were divided into two groups: Group I (64 patients with mitral valve area > 1.5 cm2 and mean transmitral gradient < 10 mmHg) and Group II (129 patients with mitral valve area ≤ 1.5 cm2 and mean transmitral gradient ≥ 10 mmHg). The ALBI score was calculated based on serum albumin and total bilirubin levels using the following formula: ALBI= (log10 bilirubin [µmol/L] × 0.66) + (albumin [g/L] × - 0.085). A significant correlation was found between the ALBI score and mitral valve area in patients with MS (r = - 0.479, p < 0.001*) (Table 4; Fig. 3A). An ALBI score greater than - 2.61 was associated with severe MS (mitral valve area < 1.5 cm2), with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 69% (Area under the ROC curve = 0.726; p < 0.001; 95% CI 0.650-0.802) (Fig. 4A). A significant correlation was found between the ALBI score and mean transmitral gradient in patients with MS (r = 0.476; p < 0.001*) (Table 4; Fig. 3B). An ALBI score greater than - 2.57 was associated with severe MS (mean transmitral gradient < 10 mmHg), with a sensitivity of 65% and a specificity of 67% (Area under the ROC curve = 0.684; p < 0.001; 95% CI 0.608-0.759) (Fig. 4B). In multivariate linear regression analysis, mitral valve area and mean transmitral gradient were significantly associated with increased ALBI scores (p < 0.05). Mitral valve area, mean transmitral gradient, and NT-proBNP levels were significantly associated with the ALBI score. The ALBI score could provide an information about the severity of MS. The ALBI score is a simple, evidence-based, objective, and discriminatory method for assessing liver function in patients with MS.Please check and confirm that the authors and their respective affiliations have been correctly identified and amend if necessary.Authors and their respective affiliations are correctly identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ömer Bedir
- Department of Cardiology, Health Sciences Hamidiye University -Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Türkiye.
| | - Mert Evlice
- Department of Cardiology, Health Sciences Hamidiye University -Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Türkiye
| | - İbrahim H Kurt
- Department of Cardiology, Health Sciences Hamidiye University -Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Türkiye
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Dai X, Du Z, Jin C, Tang B, Chen X, Jing X, Shen Y, He F, Wang S, Li J, Ding K, Zang Y. Inulin-like polysaccharide ABWW may impede CCl 4 induced hepatic stellate cell activation through mediating the FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in vitro & in vivo. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 326:121637. [PMID: 38142102 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121637] [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: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Studies have shown that terrestrial acidic polysaccharides containing carboxyl groups and seaweed sulfated polysaccharides have strong potential in anti-liver fibrosis. However, there is no investigation on the anti-liver fibrosis of fructan, a ubiquitous natural polysaccharide. The present study aimed to understand the effect of fructan in ameliorating carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. Here, an inulin-like fructan ABWW from Achyranthes bidentata Bl. was characterized by fructose enzymatic hydrolysis, methylation analysis, ESI-MS, and NMR. It was composed of →2)-β-d-Fruf-(1→ and →2)-β-d-Fruf-(1, 6→, terminated with →1)-α-d-Glcp and →2)-β-d-Fruf residues. The biological studies showed that ABWW could improve liver damage and liver fibrosis induced by CCl4in vivo and inhibit hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and migration in vitro. We further demonstrated that ABWW inhibited LX2 activation via suppressing the FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Hence, ABWW might be a potential novel active compound for anti-fibrosis new drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhenyun Du
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Can Jin
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 563003, China
| | - Bixi Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xia Chen
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaoqi Jing
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yumei Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fei He
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shunchun Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Jia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China; ZhongShan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan Tsuihang New District, Guangdong 528400, China.
| | - Kan Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; ZhongShan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan Tsuihang New District, Guangdong 528400, China.
| | - Yi Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China.
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Wang X, Li S, Liu J, Sun W, Zhao H, Han Q, Liu Y, Cao X, Li Q, Jin Y, Guo X, Ren G. Evaluation of prevention and treatment effects of fibroblast growth factor-21 in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 396:3299-3313. [PMID: 37256335 PMCID: PMC10230495 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02540-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and fatal fibrotic lung disease and associated with a high mortality rate. In the study, the prevention and treatment effects of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis were investigated in vivo and vitro. In the prevention of pulmonary fibrosis studies, the results showed that interdict of FGF-21 could reduce the related gene and protein expression levels of pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, FGF-21 significantly reduced both the aggregation of inflammatory cells and deposition of collagen in the lung by histopathology. In therapy of pulmonary fibrosis studies, the results indicated that treatment with FGF-21 resulted in an amelioration of the pulmonary fibrosis in mice with reductions of the pathological score, collagen deposition and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expressions in the lung tissues at fibrotic stage, and late administration was also able to reduce the degree of pulmonary fibrosis and even better than these in the prevention group. Furthermore, BLM-induced THP-1 macrophage model was verified using FGF-21; the result showed that FGF-21 decreased the related gene expression level of pulmonary fibrosis. FGF-21 may have preventive and therapeutic effects on BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis via inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation and inflammatory. Thus, FGF-21 represents a potential drug for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangxiang Wang
- Biopharmaceutical Lab, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Road, Harbin, 150030, China
- Institute of Microbiology, Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, Harbin, 150010, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Biopharmaceutical Lab, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Road, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Jinmiao Liu
- Biopharmaceutical Lab, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Road, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Wenying Sun
- Biopharmaceutical Lab, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Road, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Han Zhao
- Biopharmaceutical Lab, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Road, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Qing Han
- Biopharmaceutical Lab, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Road, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Yijia Liu
- Biopharmaceutical Lab, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Road, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Xiaolin Cao
- Biopharmaceutical Lab, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Road, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Qianhui Li
- Biopharmaceutical Lab, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Road, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Yuhan Jin
- Biopharmaceutical Lab, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Road, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Xiaochen Guo
- Biopharmaceutical Lab, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Road, Harbin, 150030, China.
| | - Guiping Ren
- Biopharmaceutical Lab, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Road, Harbin, 150030, China.
- Research Center of Genetic Engineering of Pharmaceuticals of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biological Functional Gene, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China.
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Kim YS, Hurley EH, Park Y, Ko S. Treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis combined with inflammatory bowel disease. Intest Res 2023; 21:420-432. [PMID: 37519211 PMCID: PMC10626010 DOI: 10.5217/ir.2023.00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive cholestatic, inflammatory, and fibrotic disease that is strongly associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PSC-IBD represents a unique disease entity and patients with this disease have an increased risk of malignancy development, such as colorectal cancer and cholangiocarcinoma. The pathogenesis of PSC-IBD involves genetic and environmental factors such as gut dysbiosis and bile acids alteration. However, despite the advancement of disease characteristics, no effective medical therapy has proven to have a significant impact on the prognosis of PSC. The treatment options for patients with PSC-IBD do not differ from those for patients with PSC alone. Potential candidate drugs have been developed based on the pathogenesis of PSC-IBD, such as those that target modulation of bile acids, inflammation, fibrosis, and gut dysbiosis. In this review, we summarize the current medical treatments for PSC-IBD and the status of new emerging therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Sun Kim
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Edward H. Hurley
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yoojeong Park
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sungjin Ko
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Ibuki K, Imamura T, Nakaoka H, Takarada S, Okabe M, Ozawa S, Kinugawa K, Hirono K. Serum Angiopoetin-2 Levels in Pediatric Patients After Fontan Operation. Am J Cardiol 2023; 203:23-28. [PMID: 37481808 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2023.06.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Angiopoietin-2 is associated with chronic inflammation and angiogenesis, but its activity after Fontan operation in pediatric patients remains uncertain. We compared serum angiopoietin-2 levels in pediatric patients after Fontan operation versus those with congenital heart disease as a control group. A total of 185 patients (median age 7 [3 to 12] years, 106 males) were included, consisting of 140 in the Fontan group and 45 in the control group. Serum angiopoietin-2 levels were significantly higher in the Fontan group (7,670 vs 2,351 pg/ml, p <0.001). In the Fontan group, a serum angiopoietin-2 level ≥3.9 of common logarithm was an independent risk factor for death or Fontan-related adverse events with an adjusted hazard ratio of 6.25 (95% confidence interval 1.64 to 23.9, p = 0.007). In preoperative variables, desaturation was independently associated with increased serum angiopoietin-2 levels after Fontan operation (p = 0.047). In conclusion, serum angiopoietin-2 levels were elevated in the pediatric phase after Fontan operation. In Fontan patients, a higher serum angiopoietin-2 level was an independent risk factor for death or Fontan-related adverse events. The clinical implication of measuring and monitoring serum angiopoietin-2 levels in this cohort requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Teruhiko Imamura
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | | - Koichiro Kinugawa
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
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Yadav S. Advanced therapeutics avenues in hepatocellular carcinoma: a novel paradigm. Med Oncol 2023; 40:239. [PMID: 37442842 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02104-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent type of primary liver cancer, and it poses a significant risk to patients health and longevity due to its high morbidity and fatality rates. Surgical ablation, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and, most recently, immunotherapy have all been investigated for HCC, but none have yielded the desired outcomes. Several unique nanocarrier drug delivery techniques have been studied for their potential therapeutic implications in the treatment of HCC. Nanoparticle-based imaging could be effective for more accurate HCC diagnosis. Since its inception, nanomedicine has significantly transformed the approach to both the treatment and diagnostics of liver cancer. Nanoparticles (NPs) are being studied as a potential treatment for liver cancer because of their ability to carry small substances, such as treatment with chemotherapy, microRNA, and therapeutic genes. The primary focus of this study is on the most current discoveries and practical uses of nanomedicine-based diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for liver cancer. In this section, we had gone over what we know about metabolic dysfunction in HCC and the treatment options that attempt to fix it by targeting metabolic pathways. Furthermore, we propose a multi-target metabolic strategy as a viable HCC treatment option. Based on the findings given here, the scientists believe that smart nanomaterials have great promise for improving cancer theranostics and opening up new avenues for tumor diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Yadav
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Plot No.2, Sector 17-A, Yamuna Expressway, Gautam Buddhnagar, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201310, India.
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Evlice M, Bedir Ö, Coşkun M, Paçacı E, Cerşit S, Öcal L, Gürsoy MO, Şen Ö, Kurt İH. The relationship between echocardiographic parameters and albumin bilirubin (ALBI) score in patients with isolated secundum type atrial septal defect. Echocardiography 2023; 40:350-358. [PMID: 36973228 DOI: 10.1111/echo.15556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been shown that the increase in volume and pressure in the right heart chambers increases liver stiffness. The Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score is a useful and easy-to-use score for objectively assessing liver function. There is no information in the literature about changes in ALBI score in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). The aim of our study is to investigate the changes in ALBI score and its clinical impact in patients with ASD. METHODS Of the 206 analyzed patients, 77 were excluded. The remaining 129 patients with secundum type ASD with left to right shunt were divided into three groups; Group I (16 patients with Qp/Qs < 1.5 and defect diameter < 10 mm), Group II (52 patients with Qp/Qs > 1.5 and defect diameter 10-20 mm) and Group III (61 patients with Qp/Qs > 1.5 and defect diameter > 20 mm). The ALBI score was calculated based on serum albumin and total bilirubin levels using the following formula: ALBI = (log10 bilirubin [umol/L] * .66) + (albumin [g/L] * -.085). RESULTS ALBI scores as well as total bilirubin levels, transaminases, and functional-structural heart abnormalities (increase in RA and RV dimensions, sPAP, ASD size and decrease in LVEF and TAPSE) showed a significant increasing trend from Group I to Group III (p < .001 for all comparisons). The mean ALBI scores for Group I, Group II, and Group III were -3.71 ± .37, -3.51 ± .25, and -3.27 ± .34, respectively. In multivariate linear regression analysis, ASD size, sPAP, RV-RA diameter were found to be significantly associated with increased ALBI score. CONCLUSION The ALBI score offers a simple, evidence-based, objective, and discriminatory method of assessing liver function in patients with ASD. ASD size, sPAP, RV and RA diameters were significantly associated with ALBI score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mert Evlice
- Department of Cardiology, Health Sciences University -Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
| | - Ömer Bedir
- Department of Cardiology, Health Sciences University -Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
| | - Mükremin Coşkun
- Department of Cardiology, Health Sciences University -Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
| | - Emre Paçacı
- Department of Cardiology, Health Sciences University -Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
| | - Sinan Cerşit
- Department of Cardiology, Health Sciences University -Kartal Koşuyolu Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Lütfi Öcal
- Department of Cardiology, Health Sciences University -Kartal Koşuyolu Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Ömer Şen
- Department of Cardiology, Health Sciences University -Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
| | - İbrahim Halil Kurt
- Department of Cardiology, Health Sciences University -Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
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Inhibition of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 relieves fibrosis through depolarizing of hepatic stellate cell in NASH. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:1011. [PMID: 36446766 PMCID: PMC9709168 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05452-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the intracellular conversion of cortisone to physiologically active cortisol. Although 11βHSD1 has been implicated in numerous metabolic syndromes, such as obesity and diabetes, the functional roles of 11βHSD1 during progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and consequent fibrosis have not been fully elucidated. We found that pharmacological and genetic inhibition of 11βHSD1 resulted in reprogramming of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation via inhibition of p-SMAD3, α-SMA, Snail, and Col1A1 in a fibrotic environment and in multicellular hepatic spheroids (MCHSs). We also determined that 11βHSD1 contributes to the maintenance of NF-κB signaling through modulation of TNF, TLR7, ITGB3, and TWIST, as well as regulating PPARα signaling and extracellular matrix accumulation in activated HSCs during advanced fibrogenesis in MCHSs. Of great interest, the 11βHSD1 inhibitor J2H-1702 significantly attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation and ameliorated liver fibrosis in diet- and toxicity-induced NASH mouse models. Together, our data indicate that J2H-1702 is a promising new clinical candidate for the treatment of NASH.
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Luo F, Yu Y, Li M, Chen Y, Zhang P, Xiao C, Lv G. Polymeric nanomedicines for the treatment of hepatic diseases. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:488. [PMCID: PMC9675156 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01708-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is an important organ in the human body and performs many functions, such as digestion, detoxification, metabolism, immune responses, and vitamin and mineral storage. Therefore, disorders of liver functions triggered by various hepatic diseases, including hepatitis B virus infection, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatic fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and transplant rejection, significantly threaten human health worldwide. Polymer-based nanomedicines, which can be easily engineered with ideal physicochemical characteristics and functions, have considerable merits, including contributions to improved therapeutic outcomes and reduced adverse effects of drugs, in the treatment of hepatic diseases compared to traditional therapeutic agents. This review describes liver anatomy and function, and liver targeting strategies, hepatic disease treatment applications and intrahepatic fates of polymeric nanomedicines. The challenges and outlooks of hepatic disease treatment with polymeric nanomedicines are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feixiang Luo
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ying Yu
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingqian Li
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuguo Chen
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Zhang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022 People’s Republic of China
| | - Chunsheng Xiao
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022 People’s Republic of China
| | - Guoyue Lv
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People’s Republic of China
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Ullah A, Chen G, Yibang Z, Hussain A, Shafiq M, Raza F, Liu D, Wang K, Cao J, Qi X. A new approach based on CXCR4-targeted combination liposomes for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:2650-2664. [PMID: 35420075 DOI: 10.1039/d2bm00242f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis results from excessive extracellular matrix accumulation due to injury and leads to cirrhosis, cancer, and death. Herein, we propose a chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)-targeted combination (CTC) liposomal therapy to treat carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in a mouse model. This study aims to combine small molecules such as pirfenidone and AMD3100 in a single nanoplatform to investigate their synergistic antifibrotic effects in a setting of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. CTC liposomes (CTC lipo) were prepared using the thin-film hydration method. CTC lipo exhibited a spherical shape, and the particle size was recorded at the nanoscale which confirms its appropriateness for in vitro and in vivo applications. CTC lipo had good storage and serum stability. The entrapped drugs in CTC lipo showed reduced toxicity at higher concentrations. CTC lipo displayed CXCR4 mediated cell uptake and were internalized by caveolae-mediated endocytosis. CTC lipo showed CXCR4 targeting and stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF1-α)/CXCR4 axis blocking activity. CTC lipo reduced the elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and hydroxyproline (HYP) levels. The histological studies showed improved liver architecture and reduced collagen deposition after treatment. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen I were elevated by CCl4 in comparison with the Sham. Upon CTC liposomal treatment, the quantitative score for the elevated fibrotic proteins such as TGFβ, α-SMA, and collagen I was normalized. CTC lipo displayed significant downregulation of the upregulated TGFβ, α-SMA, collagen I, and P-p38 expressions at the molecular level. The CXCR4 targeted liposomes showed prolonged biodistribution at 24 h. Our findings indicated that CTC lipo might be an alternative antifibrotic therapy that may offer new access to research and development. In a nutshell, the present study suggests that systemic administration of CTC lipo has efficient antifibrotic potential and deserves to be investigated for further clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aftab Ullah
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China.
| | - Gang Chen
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhang Yibang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China.
| | - Abid Hussain
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Muhammad Shafiq
- Department of Pharmacy, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Faisal Raza
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, Shanghai, China
| | - Daojun Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Kaikai Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Jin Cao
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China.
| | - Xueyong Qi
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China.
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El-Tantawy WH, Temraz A. Anti-fibrotic activity of natural products, herbal extracts and nutritional components for prevention of liver fibrosis: review. Arch Physiol Biochem 2022; 128:382-393. [PMID: 31711319 DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2019.1684952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a grave problem worldwide, and the development of this condition is the first step towards cirrhosis. In fact, when lesions of different aetiologies chronically affect the liver, it triggers fibrogenesis, the resulting damage and the progression of fibrosis cause serious clinical influences including severe complications, expensive treatments, and death in end-stage liver disease. Although impressive progress has been reported in understanding the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, no effective agent has been developed to prevent or reverse the fibrotic process directly. This article reviews natural products, herbal medicines and nutritional components that exhibited an anti-fibrotic activity through different mechanisms of action, including suppressing of cytokine production, inhibition of hepatic stellate cells "HSCs" propagation, modulation of the molecular mechanisms leading to hepatic fibrosis, free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abeer Temraz
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy For Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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13
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Zhou L, Li Y, Liang Q, Liu J, Liu Y. Combination therapy based on targeted nano drug co-delivery systems for liver fibrosis treatment: A review. J Drug Target 2022; 30:577-588. [PMID: 35179094 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2022.2044485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the hallmark of liver disease and occurs prior to the stages of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Any type of liver damage or inflammation can result in fibrosis. Fibrosis does not develop overnight, but rather as a result of the long-term action of injury factors. At present, however, there are no good treatment methods or specific drugs other than removing the pathogenic factors. Drug application is still limited, which means that drugs with good performance in vitro cannot achieve good therapeutic effects in vivo, owing to various factors such as poor drug targeting, large side effects, and strong hydrophobicity. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are the primary effector cells in liver fibrosis. The nano-drug delivery system is a new and safe drug delivery system that has many advantages which are widely used in the field of liver fibrosis. Drug resistance and side effects can be reduced when two or more drugs are used in combination drug delivery. Combination therapy of drugs with different targets has emerged as a novel approach to treating liver fibrosis, and the nano co-delivery system enhances the benefits of combination therapy. While nano co-delivery systems can maximize benefits while avoiding drug side effects, this is precisely the advantage of the nano co-delivery system. This review briefly described the pathogenesis and current treatment strategies, the different co-delivery systems of combination drugs in the nano delivery system, and targeting strategies for nano delivery systems on liver fibrosis therapy. Because of their superior performance, nano delivery systems and targeting drug delivery systems have received a lot of attention in the new drug delivery system. The new delivery systems offer a new pathway in the treatment of liver fibrosis, and it is believed that it can be a new treatment for fibrosis in the future. Nano co-delivery system of combination drugs and targeting strategies has proven the effectiveness of anti-fibrosis at the experimental level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyue Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yifan Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Qiangwei Liang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yanhua Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Hui Ethnic Medicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
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Cheng JT, Wang HM, Yu JH, Sun CF, Cao F, Jiang XH, Chen XA, Zhao QW, Gan LS, Xie RR, Wang SL, Li J, Zang Y, Mao XM. Discovery of a Potential Liver Fibrosis Inhibitor from a Mushroom Endophytic Fungus by Genome Mining of a Silent Biosynthetic Gene Cluster. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:11303-11310. [PMID: 34542281 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c03639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis has accounted for liver diseases and overall mortality, but no relevant drug has been developed. Filamentous fungi are important resources of natural products for pharmaceutical development. Calcarisporium arbuscula is a mushroom endophytic fungus, which primarily produces aurovertins. Here, in an aurovertin null-production mutant, one silent gene cluster (mca17) was activated by overexpression of a pathway-specific zinc finger transcriptional regulator, and a tetramic acid-type compound (1, MCA17-1) was identified. Along with detailed structural characterization, its biosynthesis was proposed to be produced from the core PKS-NRPS hybrid enzyme. Moreover, 1 suppressed the activation of LX-2 upon transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) challenge and had stronger bioactivity than the positive control obeticholic acid (OCA) against liver fibrosis. Our work suggested that this engineered fungus could be a producer of 1 for promising pharmaceutical development, and alternatively, it would be developed as a mushroom ingredient in dietary therapy to prevent liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Tao Cheng
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology & Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Microbial Biochemistry and Metabolic Engineering, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Han-Min Wang
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jia-Hui Yu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chen-Fan Sun
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology & Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Microbial Biochemistry and Metabolic Engineering, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fei Cao
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology & Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Microbial Biochemistry and Metabolic Engineering, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xin-Hang Jiang
- Equipment and Technology Service Platform, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xin-Ai Chen
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology & Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Microbial Biochemistry and Metabolic Engineering, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qing-Wei Zhao
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology & Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Li-She Gan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong 529020, China
| | - Rong-Rong Xie
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shi-Lei Wang
- Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jia Li
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi Zang
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xu-Ming Mao
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology & Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Microbial Biochemistry and Metabolic Engineering, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Reye G, Huang X, Haupt LM, Murphy RJ, Northey JJ, Thompson EW, Momot KI, Hugo HJ. Mechanical Pressure Driving Proteoglycan Expression in Mammographic Density: a Self-perpetuating Cycle? J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2021; 26:277-296. [PMID: 34449016 PMCID: PMC8566410 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-021-09494-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Regions of high mammographic density (MD) in the breast are characterised by a proteoglycan (PG)-rich fibrous stroma, where PGs mediate aligned collagen fibrils to control tissue stiffness and hence the response to mechanical forces. Literature is accumulating to support the notion that mechanical stiffness may drive PG synthesis in the breast contributing to MD. We review emerging patterns in MD and other biological settings, of a positive feedback cycle of force promoting PG synthesis, such as in articular cartilage, due to increased pressure on weight bearing joints. Furthermore, we present evidence to suggest a pro-tumorigenic effect of increased mechanical force on epithelial cells in contexts where PG-mediated, aligned collagen fibrous tissue abounds, with implications for breast cancer development attributable to high MD. Finally, we summarise means through which this positive feedback mechanism of PG synthesis may be intercepted to reduce mechanical force within tissues and thus reduce disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Reye
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Xuan Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Larisa M Haupt
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Genomics Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Ryan J Murphy
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason J Northey
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Erik W Thompson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Konstantin I Momot
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Honor J Hugo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia.
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
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16
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Laschtowitz A, Zachou K, Lygoura V, Pape S, Derben F, Jaeckel E, Oller-Moreno S, Weidemann S, Krech T, Piecha F, Schön G, Liebhoff AM, Al Tarrah M, Heneghan M, Drenth JP, Dalekos G, Taubert R, Lohse AW, Schramm C. Histological activity despite normal ALT and IgG serum levels in patients with autoimmune hepatitis and cirrhosis. JHEP Rep 2021; 3:100321. [PMID: 34381983 PMCID: PMC8333110 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS In autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), normal levels of transaminases and IgG define biochemical remission and are considered the best surrogate markers for histological remission. This study assessed whether this also applies to patients with AIH cirrhosis. METHODS In this European multicentric study, we included 125 biopsies from 113 patients with AIH and histologically proven cirrhosis; 105 biopsies from 104 patients with AIH without cirrhosis served as controls. Biochemical parameters were available within 4 weeks of biopsy. AIH activity was graded according to the modified Hepatitis Activity Index (mHAI), with mHAI ≥4/18 considered to indicate risk of disease progression. RESULTS In total, 47 out of 125 liver biopsies were obtained from patients with AIH cirrhosis and normal ALT levels at time of biopsy. Only 26% (12/47) of those livers showed histological remission (mHAI <4/18), whereas 36% (17/47) showed moderate to high histological activity (mHAI ≥6/18). In patients with noncirrhotic AIH, 88% (46/52 biopsies) of cases with normal ALT levels had histological remission and only 4% (2/52) had an mHAI ≥6/18 (p <0.001). The addition of IgG to define complete biochemical remission only slightly improved the association with histological remission in the limited number of patients with AIH cirrhosis available for analysis [29% (5/17) of biopsies with mHAI <4/18]. ALT correlated closely with mHAI in AIH without cirrhosis but poorly in AIH with cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to patients with noncirrhotic AIH, in patients with AIH cirrhosis, who are at risk of disease progression, normal ALT levels and potentially also complete biochemical remission are poor surrogate markers of histological remission. Thus, new biomarkers are needed to monitor disease activity and progression in patients with AIH cirrhosis. LAY SUMMARY Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an inflammatory disease of the liver that usually responds to immunosuppressive therapy. Serum transaminases and IgG levels within the normal ranges define complete biochemical remission and are considered as surrogate markers for histological disease activity. Here, we show that those biochemical markers are not sufficient to indicate low disease activity in patients with AIH and already established cirrhosis. Consequently, until better biomarkers for disease activity are found, only liver biopsy can reliably indicate disease activity in the presence of cirrhosis. Additional investigations, such as measurements of liver stiffness, should be undertaken to monitor non-invasively for disease progression in patients with AIH and established cirrhosis.
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Key Words
- AIH, autoimmune hepatitis
- ALD, alcoholic liver disease
- ALP, alkaline phosphatase
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- AST, aspartate aminotransferase
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Biochemical remission
- Cirrhosis
- EASL, European Association for the Study of the Liver
- Histological activity
- ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient
- INR, international normalised ratio
- LLN, lower limit of normal
- Liver biopsy
- MELD, model for end-stage liver disease
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- TE, transient elastography
- TIPS, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
- ULN, upper limit of normal
- gamma-GT, gamma glutamyl transferase
- mHAI
- mHAI, modified Hepatitis Activity Index
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Laschtowitz
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- European Reference Network for Hepatological Diseases (ERN-RARE LIVER)
| | - Kalliopi Zachou
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, National Expertise Centre of Greece in Autoimmune Liver Diseases, General University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Lygoura
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, National Expertise Centre of Greece in Autoimmune Liver Diseases, General University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Simon Pape
- European Reference Network for Hepatological Diseases (ERN-RARE LIVER)
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Finn Derben
- European Reference Network for Hepatological Diseases (ERN-RARE LIVER)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Elmar Jaeckel
- European Reference Network for Hepatological Diseases (ERN-RARE LIVER)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sergio Oller-Moreno
- Institute of Medical Systems Biology, Centre for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sören Weidemann
- European Reference Network for Hepatological Diseases (ERN-RARE LIVER)
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Till Krech
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Felix Piecha
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Schön
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Liebhoff
- Institute of Medical Systems Biology, Centre for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Munira Al Tarrah
- Institute of Liver Studies and Transplantation, King´s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Michael Heneghan
- Institute of Liver Studies and Transplantation, King´s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Joost P.H. Drenth
- European Reference Network for Hepatological Diseases (ERN-RARE LIVER)
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - George Dalekos
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, National Expertise Centre of Greece in Autoimmune Liver Diseases, General University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Richard Taubert
- European Reference Network for Hepatological Diseases (ERN-RARE LIVER)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ansgar Wilhelm Lohse
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- European Reference Network for Hepatological Diseases (ERN-RARE LIVER)
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Centre for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Schramm
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- European Reference Network for Hepatological Diseases (ERN-RARE LIVER)
- Hamburg Centre for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Martin Zeitz Centre for Rare Diseases, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Neshat SY, Quiroz VM, Wang Y, Tamayo S, Doloff JC. Liver Disease: Induction, Progression, Immunological Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Interventions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136777. [PMID: 34202537 PMCID: PMC8267746 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is an organ with impressive regenerative potential and has been shown to heal sizable portions after their removal. However, certain diseases can overstimulate its potential to self-heal and cause excessive cellular matrix and collagen buildup. Decompensation of liver fibrosis leads to cirrhosis, a buildup of fibrotic ECM that impedes the liver’s ability to efficiently exchange fluid. This review summarizes the complex immunological activities in different liver diseases, and how failure to maintain liver homeostasis leads to progressive fibrotic tissue development. We also discuss a variety of pathologies that lead to liver cirrhosis, such as alcoholic liver disease and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV). Mesenchymal stem cells are widely studied for their potential in tissue replacement and engineering. Herein, we discuss the potential of MSCs to regulate immune response and alter the disease state. Substantial efforts have been performed in preclinical animal testing, showing promising results following inhibition of host immunity. Finally, we outline the current state of clinical trials with mesenchymal stem cells and other cellular and non-cellular therapies as they relate to the detection and treatment of liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Y. Neshat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (S.Y.N.); (V.M.Q.); (Y.W.); (S.T.)
| | - Victor M. Quiroz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (S.Y.N.); (V.M.Q.); (Y.W.); (S.T.)
| | - Yuanjia Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (S.Y.N.); (V.M.Q.); (Y.W.); (S.T.)
| | - Sebastian Tamayo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (S.Y.N.); (V.M.Q.); (Y.W.); (S.T.)
| | - Joshua C. Doloff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (S.Y.N.); (V.M.Q.); (Y.W.); (S.T.)
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Oncology-Cancer Immunology Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Correspondence:
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18
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Sun M, Tan L, Hu M. The role of autophagy in hepatic fibrosis. Am J Transl Res 2021; 13:5747-5757. [PMID: 34306323 PMCID: PMC8290830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a chronic liver injury process, and its continuous development can lead to cirrhosis, hepatic failure and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Autophagy has attracted much attention because of its controversial role in the course of hepatic fibrosis. In this review, we introduce the mechanism related to noncoding RNAs and some of the signaling pathways that promote or inhibit fibrosis by affecting autophagy. Finally, we list some targets related to autophagy that enable hepatic fibrosis therapy and forecast its prospect in hepatic fibrosis. This review will provide new ideas in diagnosing and treating hepatic fibrosis, which will be helpful to reduce the incidence of cirrhosis and its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Li Tan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Min Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
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19
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Song Y, Kim S, Heo J, Shum D, Lee SY, Lee M, Kim AR, Seo HR. Identification of hepatic fibrosis inhibitors through morphometry analysis of a hepatic multicellular spheroids model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10931. [PMID: 34035369 PMCID: PMC8149639 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90263-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A chronic, local inflammatory milieu can cause tissue fibrosis that results in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), increased abundance of fibroblasts, and further acceleration of fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to identify potential mechanisms and inhibitors of fibrosis using 3D model-based phenotypic screening. We established liver fibrosis models using multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs) composed of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and stromal cells such as fibroblasts (WI38), hepatic stellate cells (LX2), and endothelial cells (HUVEC) seeded at constant ratios. Through high-throughput screening of FDA-approved drugs, we identified retinoic acid and forskolin as candidates to attenuate the compactness of MCTSs as well as inhibit the expression of ECM-related proteins. Additionally, retinoic acid and forskolin induced reprogramming of fibroblast and cancer stem cells in the HCC microenvironment. Of interest, retinoic acid and forskolin had anti-fibrosis effects by decreasing expression of α-SMA and F-actin in LX2 cells and HUVEC cells. Moreover, when sorafenib was added along with retinoic acid and forskolin, apoptosis was increased, suggesting that anti-fibrosis drugs may improve tissue penetration to support the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. Collectively, these findings support the potential utility of morphometric analyses of hepatic multicellular spheroid models in the development of new drugs with novel mechanisms for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis and HCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeonhwa Song
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghwa Kim
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinyeong Heo
- Screening Discovery Platform, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - David Shum
- Screening Discovery Platform, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Yeon Lee
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Minji Lee
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology, Deajeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - A-Ram Kim
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Haeng Ran Seo
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
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20
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Glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper regulates liver fibrosis by suppressing CCL2-mediated leukocyte recruitment. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:421. [PMID: 33927191 PMCID: PMC8085011 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03704-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis (LF) is a dangerous clinical condition with no available treatment. Inflammation plays a critical role in LF progression. Glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ, encoded in mice by the Tsc22d3 gene) mimics many of the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids, but its role in LF has not been directly addressed. Here, we found that GILZ deficiency in mice was associated with elevated CCL2 production and pro-inflammatory leukocyte infiltration at the early LF stage, resulting in enhanced LF development. RNA interference-mediated in vivo silencing of the CCL2 receptor CCR2 abolished the increased leukocyte recruitment and the associated hepatic stellate cell activation in the livers of GILZ knockout mice. To highlight the clinical relevance of these findings, we found that TSC22D3 mRNA expression was significantly downregulated and was inversely correlated with that of CCL2 in the liver samples of patients with LF. Altogether, these data demonstrate a protective role of GILZ in LF and uncover the mechanism, which can be targeted therapeutically. Therefore, modulating GILZ expression and its downstream targets represents a novel avenue for pharmacological intervention for treating LF and possibly other liver inflammatory disorders.
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21
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Effectiveness of Hepatoprotectors in the Practice of a Family Doctor. Fam Med 2021. [DOI: 10.30841/2307-5112.1.2021.231939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Hepatoprotectors – drugs that form the basis of pathogenetic treatment of various liver diseases. They help restore impaired hepatocyte function, increase the resistance of liver cells to the effects of pathological factors, enhance the detoxification function of hepatocytes, have antioxidant properties. There is no generally accepted classification of hepatoprotectors today, they are divided into several groups depending on the origin: plant, animal, synthetic origin, products containing essential phospholipids, amino acids, vitamins, and other groups.
One of the well-known hepatoprotectors of plant origin is glycyrrhizin – the main active ingredient of licorice root. Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a drug used in medicine since ancient times, as evidenced by historical data from China, Japan, India, Greece, and Europe. Licorice root is widely used today in medicine and the food industry. Glycyrrhizin – potassium and calcium salt of glycyrrhizinic acid, has a wide range of properties. It is used mainly for the treatment of chronic liver disease. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the use of glycyrrhizin helps reduce steatosis, inflammation in the liver has an antifibrotic effect. Studies on the use of glycyrrhizinic acid in hepatocellular carcinoma are actively conducted, as its antitumor properties are known. It is included in the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis. In vitro studies have shown the antiviral activity of glycyrrhizin against HIV-1, SARS-associated virus, respiratory syncytial virus, arboviruses, and its potential for coronavirus control is being discussed. Possibilities of application of glycyrrhizin and cardiovascular diseases are studied. In this article, we present a review of current literature data on glycerol, its properties, and applications in liver disease, other diseases, and our own clinical observations.
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22
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Hasbaoui BE, Rifai Z, Saghir S, Ayad A, Lamalmi N, Abilkassem R, Agadr A. Congenital hepatic fibrosis: case report and review of literature. Pan Afr Med J 2021; 38:188. [PMID: 33995794 PMCID: PMC8106784 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.188.27941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is a rare autosomal recessive disease derived from biliary dysgenesis secondary to ductal plate malformation; it often coexists with Caroli's disease, von Meyenburg complexes, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). Although CHF was first named and described in detail by Kerr et al. in 1961. Its pathogenesis still remains unclear. The exact incidence and prevalence are not known, and only a few hundred patients with CHF have been reported in the literature to date. However, with the development of noninvasive diagnostic techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CHF may now be more frequently detected. Anatomopathological examination of liver biopsy is the gold standard in diagnosis of CHF. Patients with CHF exhibit variable clinical presentations, ranging from no symptoms to severe symptoms such as acute hepatic decompensation and even cirrhosis. The most common presentations in these patients are splenomegaly, esophageal varices, and gastrointestinal bleeding due to portal hypertension. In addition, in younger children, CHF often is accompanied by renal cysts or increased renal echogenicity. Great variability exists among the signs and symptoms of the disease from early childhood to the 5th or 6th decade of life, and in most patients the disorder is diagnosed during adolescence or young adulthood. Here, we present two cases of congenital hepatic fibrosis in 2-years-old girl and 12-year-old male who had been referred for evaluation of an abdominal distension with persistent hyper-transaminasemia and cholestasis, the diagnostic was made according to the results of medical imaging (CT or MRI), a liver biopsy, and genetic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brahim El Hasbaoui
- Department of Pediatrics, Military Teaching Hospital Mohammed V, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Zainab Rifai
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Salahiddine Saghir
- Department of Pediatrics, Military Teaching Hospital Mohammed V, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Anas Ayad
- Department of Pediatrics, Military Teaching Hospital Mohammed V, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Najat Lamalmi
- Department of Histopathologic, Avicenne Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Rachid Abilkassem
- Department of Pediatrics, Military Teaching Hospital Mohammed V, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Aomar Agadr
- Department of Pediatrics, Military Teaching Hospital Mohammed V, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
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23
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ASK1 Enhances Angiotensin II-Induced Liver Fibrosis In Vitro by Mediating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Dependent Exosomes. Mediators Inflamm 2020; 2020:8183713. [PMID: 33223956 PMCID: PMC7669360 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8183713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) has been reported to induce fibrotic signaling in the setting of oxidative stress. However, the role of ASK1 and its mechanism of action in angiotensin II- (Ang II-) induced liver fibrosis remain largely unknown. Methods Human hepatic LX-2 stellate cells were treated with Ang II alone or cotreated with Ang II plus an ASK1 inhibitor (GS-4997) or siRNA-targeting ASK1. Immunofluorescent staining, real-time PCR, and western blotting were used to determine the expressionof α-SMA, Col I, and Col III expression. Cell viability was assessed by the CCK-8 assay. The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α in conditioned medium were determined by ELISA. The levels of intracellular ROS in LX-2 cells were analyzed using a ROS assay kit. Exosome size was determined by electron microscopy. Results Ang II markedly increased the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (α-SMA, Col I, and Col III) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α). Ang II also increased the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) markers (GRP78, p-PERK, and CHOP) and p-ASK1. Results also showed that pretreatment with GS-4997 or siRNA could abolish all the abovementioned effects on LX-2 cells. Furthermore, we found that exosome release caused by ASK1-mediated ERS was involved in the activation of LX-2 cells by Ang II. The activation of LX-2 cells could be blocked by treating the exosomes with annexin. Conclusions In summary, we found that ASK1 mediates Ang II-activated ERS in HSCs and the subsequent activation of HSCs, suggesting a promising strategy for treating liver fibrosis.
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miR-125b acts as anti-fibrotic therapeutic target through regulating Gli3 in vivo and in vitro. Ann Hepatol 2020; 18:825-832. [PMID: 31548167 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2019.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Liver fibrosis is a major characteristic of most chronic liver diseases which leads to accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Hedgehog (Hh) pathway activated by Gli genes participated in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. However, the regulatory role of miR-125b in liver fibrosis via targeting Gli genes remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS RT-qPCR and western blot were employed to the expression levels of mRNA and protein, respectively. The fibrosis level of liver tissue was determined by Masson's trichrome staining. The interaction between miR-125b and Gli3 was tested by luciferase reporter assay. In addition, LX2 cells were activated and CCl4-induced rat model was used in this study. RESULTS miR-125b was significantly declined in serum samples of the clinical liver fibrosis patient, activated LX2 cells and the liver tissues of the CCl4-induced rat model. Furthermore, in cellular level, the alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Albumin expressions were ascending and descending in LX2 cells, respectively, with the decline of miR-125b. However, when transfecting with miR-125b mimic, the expressions of α-SMA and Albumin was reversed and Gli3 expression was notably repressed in LX2 cells. The target interaction between miR-125b and Gli3 was determined by dual-luciferase assays. It was further discovered that the changes of α-SMA, Albumin, and Gli3 were similar to the expression trend in LX2 cells with miR-125b mimic transfection. CONCLUSION These results suggested that miR-125b might be protective against liver fibrosis via regulating Gli3 and it might be a promising target in the development of novel therapies to treat pathological fibrotic disorders.
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25
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Shiau H, Guffey D, Loomes KM, Seidman C, Ragozzino E, Molleston JP, Schady D, Leung DH. Biopsy Validated Study of Biomarkers for Liver Fibrosis and Transplant Prediction in Inherited Cholestasis. Hepatol Commun 2020; 4:1516-1526. [PMID: 33024920 PMCID: PMC7527690 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alagille syndrome (ALGS) and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) are inherited cholestatic disorders with risk of developing end‐stage liver disease requiring liver transplantation (LT). We investigated aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI), Fibrosis‐4 score (FIB‐4), and conjugated bilirubin as biomarkers to assess fibrosis severity and risk for LT among children with ALGS and PFIC. This multicenter, cross‐sectional study included 64 children with ALGS or PFIC (per genetics or strict clinical criteria) with APRI, FIB‐4, and conjugated bilirubin levels collected within ±90 days of their most recent liver biopsy. A single, blinded pathologist staged all biopsies (metavir; F0‐F2: nonsevere, F3‐F4: severe). Logistic regression and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (AUC) were used to assess biomarker associations with fibrosis severity and risk for LT. In ALGS, only APRI distinguished F3‐F4 (AUC 0.72, P = 0.012), with a cutoff greater than 2.97 demonstrating a sensitivity of 61.5% (95% confidence interval 0.32, 0.86) and specificity of 81.5% (0.62, 0.94). In ALGS, a 50% increase of APRI increased the odds of F3‐F4 by 1.31‐fold (1.04, 1.65; P = 0.023). In ALGS, APRI (AUC 0.87; P < 0.001) and FIB‐4 (AUC 0.84; P < 0.001) were able to predict risk for LT. In PFIC, only APRI distinguished F3‐4 (AUC 0.74, P = 0.039), with a cutoff greater than 0.99 demonstrating a sensitivity of 80% (0.44, 0.98) and specificity of 64.3% (0.35, 0.87). In PFIC, only FIB‐4 was able predict risk for LT (AUC 0.80; P = 0.002). In ALGS or PFIC, conjugated bilirubin could not distinguish F3‐F4 or predict risk for LT. Conclusion: This liver biopsy–validated study suggests that APRI is able to distinguish F3‐F4 from F0‐F2 in ALGS and PFIC. APRI and FIB‐4 may also serve as predictors of risk for LT in ALGS (APRI and FIB‐4) and PFIC (FIB‐4).
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Shiau
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX.,Texas Children's Hospital Houston TX
| | - Danielle Guffey
- Institute for Clinical and Translational Research Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX
| | - Kathleen M Loomes
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine Philadelphia PA.,Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia PA
| | | | | | - Jean P Molleston
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Indiana University-Riley Hospital for Children Indianapolis IN
| | - Deborah Schady
- Pathology and Immunology Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX
| | - Daniel H Leung
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX.,Texas Children's Hospital Houston TX
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Mariqueo TA, Zúñiga-Hernández J. Omega-3 derivatives, specialized pro-resolving mediators: Promising therapeutic tools for the treatment of pain in chronic liver disease. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2020; 158:102095. [PMID: 32450460 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2020.102095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The main causes of liver injury are associated with inflammation and permanent damage. They can cause chronic liver disease (CLD), which is mainly related to viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. These conditions prevent the liver from working normally and make it begin to fail, which in turn may prompt a liver transplant. CLD and cirrhosis are the eleventh cause of death worldwide. At present, there are no approved pharmacological treatments to prevent, treat or resolve liver fibrosis. The prevalence of pain in the hepatic disease is elevated with ranges between 30% and 40%. Most of the pain drugs require hepatic function; therefore, the suitable control of pain is still a clinical challenge. Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM): lipoxins, resolvins, protectins and maresins, are potent endogenous molecules (nM concentrations) that modulate inflammatory body responses by reducing neutrophil infiltration, macrophage activity and pain sensitization. SPM have anti-inflammatory properties, stimulate tissue resolution, repair and regeneration, and exhibit anti-nociceptive actions. Furthermore, SPM were tried on different cellular, animal models and human observational data of liver injury, improving the pathogenesis of inflammation and fibrosis. In the present work, we will describe recent evidence that suggests that SPM can be used as a therapeutic option for CLD. Additionally, we will examine the role of SPM in the control of pain in pathologies associated with liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Mariqueo
- Centro de Investigaciones Medicas, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - J Zúñiga-Hernández
- Centro de Investigaciones Medicas, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile.
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27
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Alatas FS, Matsuura T, Pudjiadi AH, Wijaya S, Taguchi T. Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Agonist Attenuates Liver Fibrosis by Several Fibrogenic Pathways in an Animal Model of Cholestatic Fibrosis. Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr 2020; 23:346-355. [PMID: 32704495 PMCID: PMC7354870 DOI: 10.5223/pghn.2020.23.4.346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) has a key role in hepatic fibrogenesis by virtue of its effect on the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Although many studies have shown that PPAR-γ agonists inhibit liver fibrosis, the mechanism remains largely unclear, especially regarding the cross-talk between PPAR-γ and other potent fibrogenic factors. METHODS This experimental study involved 25 male Wistar rats. Twenty rats were subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) to induce liver fibrosis, further divided into an untreated group (BDL; n=10) and a group treated with the PPAR-γ agonist thiazolidinedione (TZD), at 14 days post-operation (BDL+TZD; n=10). The remaining 5 rats had a sham operation (sham; n=5). The effect of PPAR-γ agonist on liver fibrosis was evaluated by histopathology, protein immunohistochemistry, and mRNA expression quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Histology and immunostaining showed markedly reduced collagen deposition, bile duct proliferation, and HSCs in the BDL+TZD group compared to those in the BDL group (p<0.001). Similarly, significantly lower mRNA expression of collagen α-1(I), matrix metalloproteinase-2, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B chain, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were evident in the BDL+TZD group compared to those in the BDL group (p=0.0002, p<0.035, p<0.0001, and p=0.0123 respectively). Moreover, expression of the transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) was also downregulated in the BDL+TZD group (p=0.0087). CONCLUSION The PPAR-γ agonist inhibits HSC activation in vivo and attenuates liver fibrosis through several fibrogenic pathways. Potent fibrogenic factors such as PDGF, CTGF, and TGF-β1 were downregulated by the PPAR-γ agonist. Targeting PPAR-γ activity may be a potential strategy to control liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Safira Alatas
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Toshiharu Matsuura
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Antonius Hocky Pudjiadi
- Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Stephanie Wijaya
- Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Tomoaki Taguchi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Yugawa K, Kohashi K, Itoh S, Yoshizumi T, Sakamoto I, Tsutsui H, Mori M, Oda Y. Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma after tetralogy of Fallot repair: a case report and review of literature. Pathol Res Pract 2020; 216:152908. [PMID: 32143908 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2020.152908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis and cancer are serious hepatic complications for patients with congenital heart diseases. We present a rare case of combined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) (cHCC-CCA) after the repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). CASE PRESENTATION A 54-year-old Japanese woman had undergone biventricular repair for TOF at 7 years old. She presented with abdominal distension. Abdominal CT revealed ascites and a 90-mm tumor involving the liver's left lobe. Tumor marker values were: alpha-fetoprotein, 16,208 ng/mL and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin, 33,920 mAU/mL. The preoperative diagnosis was malignant tumor of the liver (e.g., HCC or intrahepatic CCA). We performed a left lobectomy of the liver. Histopathologically, the tumor was composed of two components growing in trabecular and irregular tubular patterns accompanied by a transitional area; the tumor was diagnosed as cHCC-CCA. The non-cancerous area showed fibrous change mainly surrounding a central vein and sinusoid, expanding toward the portal area without inflammation. CONCLUSIONS We provide the details of our patient's cHCC-CCA that developed from fibrous congestive liver associated with right-sided heart failure after TOF repair, diagnosed based on histopathological features. We discuss liver fibrosis as a hepatic complication and a careful follow-up maneuver for improving the outcomes of patients with chronic hepatic congestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyohei Yugawa
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan; Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kenichi Kohashi
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Shinji Itoh
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Yoshizumi
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Ichiro Sakamoto
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tsutsui
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masaki Mori
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yoshinao Oda
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
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29
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Böttger R, Pauli G, Chao PH, AL Fayez N, Hohenwarter L, Li SD. Lipid-based nanoparticle technologies for liver targeting. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020; 154-155:79-101. [PMID: 32574575 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma are global health problems accounting for approximately 800 million cases and over 2 million deaths per year worldwide. Major drawbacks of standard pharmacological therapies are the inability to deliver a sufficient concentration of a therapeutic agent to the diseased liver, and nonspecific drug delivery leading to undesirable systemic side effects. Additionally, depending on the specific liver disease, drug delivery to a subset of liver cells is required. In recent years, lipid nanoparticles have been developed to passively and actively target drugs to the liver. The success of this approach has been highlighted by the FDA-approval of the first liver-targeting lipid nanoparticle, ONPATTRO, in 2018 and many other promising candidate technologies are expected to follow. This review summarizes recent developments of various lipid-based liver-targeting technologies, namely solid-lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, niosomes and micelles, and discusses the challenges and future perspectives in this field.
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30
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Technical success rates and reliability of spin-echo echo-planar imaging (SE-EPI) MR elastography in patients with chronic liver disease or liver cirrhosis. Eur Radiol 2019; 30:1730-1737. [PMID: 31728687 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-019-06496-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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31
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Miranda JF, Scarinci LD, Ramos LF, Silva CM, Gonçalves LR, de Morais PF, Malaspina O, Moraes KCM. The modulatory effect of triclosan on the reversion of the activated phenotype of LX-2 hepatic stellate cells. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2019; 34:e22413. [PMID: 31714634 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic diseases leading to fibrosis affect millions of individuals worldwide and are a major public health challenge. Although, there have been many advances in understanding hepatic fibrogenesis, an effective therapy remains elusive. Studies focus primarily on activation of the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the principal fibrogenic cells in the liver; however, fewer numbers of studies have examined molecular mechanisms that deactivate HSC, controlling the profibrogenic phenotype. In the present study, we evaluated cellular and molecular actions of the chemical triclosan (TCS) in reverting activated HSCs to a quiesced phenotype. We demonstrated that the inhibition of the enzyme fatty acid synthase by TCS in activated HSCs promotes survival of the cells and triggers cellular and molecular changes that promote cellular phenotypic reversion, offering potentially new therapeutic directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana F Miranda
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia D Scarinci
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia F Ramos
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caio M Silva
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia R Gonçalves
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priscila F de Morais
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Osmar Malaspina
- Instituto de Biociências, Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karen C M Moraes
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
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Iron chelation by deferasirox confers protection against concanavalin A-induced liver fibrosis: A mechanistic approach. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 382:114748. [PMID: 31499193 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.114748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic iron overload is one of the causative factors for chronic liver injury and fibrosis. The present study aimed to investigate the potential antifibrotic effect of the iron chelator; deferasirox (DFX) in experimentally-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered concanavalin A (Con A) and/or DFX for 6 consecutive weeks. Con A injection induced significant hepatotoxicity as was evident by the elevated transaminases activity, and decreased albumin level. Also, it disturbed the iron homeostasis through increasing C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), decreasing phosphorylated cAMP responsive element binding protein(P-CREB) and hepcidin levels leading to significant serum and hepatic iron overload. In addition, it induced an imbalance in the oxidative status of the liver via upregulating NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), together with a marked decrease in anti-oxidant enzymes' activities. As a consequence, upregulation of nuclear factor-kappa b (NF-κB) and the downstream inflammatory mediators was observed. Those events all together precipitated in initiation of liver fibrosis as confirmed by the elevation of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and liver collagen content. Co-treatment with DFX protected against experimentally-induced liver fibrosis in rats via its iron chelating, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. These findings imply that DFX can attenuate the progression of liver fibrosis.
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Kanai AJ, Konieczko EM, Bennett RG, Samuel CS, Royce SG. Relaxin and fibrosis: Emerging targets, challenges, and future directions. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 487:66-74. [PMID: 30772373 PMCID: PMC6475456 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The peptide hormone relaxin is well-known for its anti-fibrotic actions in several organs, particularly from numerous studies conducted in animals. Acting through its cognate G protein-coupled receptor, relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1), serelaxin (recombinant human relaxin) has been shown to consistently inhibit the excessive extracellular matrix production (fibrosis) that results from the aberrant wound-healing response to tissue injury and/or chronic inflammation, and at multiple levels. Furthermore, it can reduce established scarring by promoting the degradation of aberrant extracellular matrix components. Following on from the review that describes the mechanisms and signaling pathways associated with the extracellular matrix remodeling effects of serelaxin (Ng et al., 2019), this review focuses on newly identified tissue targets of serelaxin therapy in fibrosis, and the limitations associated with (se)relaxin research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Kanai
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Elisa M Konieczko
- Biology Department, Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences, Gannon University, Erie, PA, USA.
| | - Robert G Bennett
- Research Service, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Research Service, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Theme, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Simon G Royce
- Cardiovascular Disease Theme, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Prahran, VIC, Australia.
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34
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Mikulak J, Bruni E, Oriolo F, Di Vito C, Mavilio D. Hepatic Natural Killer Cells: Organ-Specific Sentinels of Liver Immune Homeostasis and Physiopathology. Front Immunol 2019; 10:946. [PMID: 31114585 PMCID: PMC6502999 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is considered a preferential tissue for NK cells residency. In humans, almost 50% of all intrahepatic lymphocytes are NK cells that are strongly imprinted in a liver-specific manner and show a broad spectrum of cellular heterogeneity. Hepatic NK (he-NK) cells play key roles in tuning liver immune response in both physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, there is a pressing need to comprehensively characterize human he-NK cells to better understand the related mechanisms regulating their effector-functions within the dynamic balance between immune-tolerance and immune-surveillance. This is of particular relevance in the liver that is the only solid organ whose parenchyma is constantly challenged on daily basis by millions of foreign antigens drained from the gut. Therefore, the present review summarizes our current knowledge on he-NK cells in the light of the latest discoveries in the field of NK cell biology and clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Mikulak
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Bruni
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Oriolo
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Di Vito
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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35
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Ullah A, Wang K, Wu P, Oupicky D, Sun M. CXCR4-targeted liposomal mediated co-delivery of pirfenidone and AMD3100 for the treatment of TGFβ-induced HSC-T6 cells activation. Int J Nanomedicine 2019; 14:2927-2944. [PMID: 31118614 PMCID: PMC6501422 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s171280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver disease associated with an excessive accumulation of extracellualr matrix (ECM) proteins which ultimately lead to cirrohosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Purpose: Liver fibrosis therapies that use combination approaches with the ability to affect multiple disease pathways have proven higher efficacies. This study aimed at optimizing and characterizing the co-encapsulation of pirfenidone (PF) and AMD3100 (AMD) into CXCR4-targeted combination liposomes (CTC liposome) for CXCR4 targeting, and the inhibition of major molecular culprits ie α-SMA, CXCR4, TGFβ, and P-p38 involved in liver fibrosis in-vitro. Methods: The CTC liposomes were prepared using the thin-film hydration method. The concentration of encapsulated AMD and PF was measured by HPLC and UV spectrophotometry, respectively. Tramsmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to determine the liposomal morphology. The CXCR4 targeting ability was determined by CXCR4 redistribution assay. Confocal microscopy and flowcytometry were used to determine the CXCR4 mediated cell uptake. The apoptosis inducing and protein downreguating ability of CTC liposomes were determined by apoptosis assay and western blot analysis, respectively. In-vivo biodistribution and Hoechst staining were used to confirm the feasibility of CTC liposome for the in-vivo applications and drug targeted accumulation, respectively. Results: The TEM studies revealed that CTC liposomes were spherical in shape. The cumulative release of AMD and PF from CTC liposome was 67% and 84%, respectively, at 48 h. Compared to the free drug counterparts, encapsulated drugs displayed higher cell viability. The CXCR4 redistribution assay confirmed the CXCR4 targeting and antagonistic ability of CTC liposomes. The CTC liposomes were internalized more effectively via caveolae-mediated endocytic pathways. CTC liposomes displayed aggressive apoptosis (87.3%) in TGFβ-induced activated HSC-T6 cells suggesting a propensity to fibrosis regression. Also, CTC liposomes significantly reduced α-SMA (65%), CXCR4 (77%), TGFβ (89%), and P-p38 (66%) expressions, better than free drugs. CTC@IR780 liposomes (CTC liposomes incorporating IR780 dye) were more accumulated in fibrotic livers compared to free IR780, as judged by in-vivo imaging, biodistribution analysis, and Hoechst staining. These findings suggest that this simple and stable CTC liposomal system holds a great promise for the treatment and prevention of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aftab Ullah
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaikai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengkai Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - David Oupicky
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China.,Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Minjie Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
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Zhang H, Sun D, Wang G, Cui S, Field RA, Li J, Zang Y. Alogliptin alleviates liver fibrosis via suppression of activated hepatic stellate cell. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 511:387-393. [PMID: 30797555 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.02.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis occurs in most types of chronic liver diseases. The understanding of the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis has grown considerably, but the effective treatments are still lacking. Alogliptin, a classical Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor with great effects on type 2 diabetes, has shown the potential to protect liver, but its effects on the progression of liver fibrosis have not been clarified. Herein, we explored the anti-fibrosis effects of alogliptin. In vitro, we demonstrated that alogliptin suppressed the activation of LX-2 upon transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) challenge. In vivo, chronic treatment with alogliptin alleviated hepatic steatosis and protected from the liver injury in ob/ob mice, which delayed the progression of liver fibrosis. Furthermore, alogliptin significantly relieved the hepatic fibrosis in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that negatively modulation of alogliptin on hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation might contribute to liver fibrosis alleviation. Our research provides the potential possibility of alogliptin on the application for liver fibrosis therapy and suggests that DPP4 may be a novel target for liver fibrosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanyan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanchang University, 461 Bayi Road, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| | - Dandan Sun
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Guanzhen Wang
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Shichao Cui
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Robert A Field
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK.
| | - Jia Li
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Yi Zang
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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A noninvasive indicator for the diagnosis of early hepatitis B virus-related liver fibrosis. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 31:218-223. [PMID: 30277926 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000001281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) detected by FibroScan, combined with biochemical indexes, has shown potential values for assessment of liver fibrosis pathological degrees. Here we aimed to investigate a noninvasive method for hepatitis B virus-related liver fibrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 307 patients who underwent liver biopsy and LSM measurement were included. Inflammation grades and fibrosis stages were evaluated according to METAVIR scoring system. Spearman's rank correlation analysis, logistic regression analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis were performed to assess the factors' role in inflammation grades/fibrosis stages. RESULTS Spearman's rank correlation analysis showed that LSM, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and AST-to-platelet ratio index were positively correlated with inflammation grades and histologic fibrosis stages; platelets showed negative correlation, and AST-to-ALT ratio was not related. Logistic regression analysis indicated that LSM and APRI were risk factors for inflammation grades; LSM was the independent risk factor for fibrosis stages, P<0.0001, odds ratio>1. ROC curve analysis found LSM cutoff values and areas under the curve for the diagnosis of fibrosis scores: 6.95 and 0.804, respectively, for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis (F≥F2); 10.35 and 0.856, respectively, for severe fibrosis (F≥F3); 11.35 and 0.897, respectively, for cirrhosis (F=F4). Considering ALT as a confounding factor, ROC analysis was repeated in patients with normal and elevated ALT separately; the results indicated that when ALT was up to 40 U/l, LSM cutoff value and areas under the curve for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis (F≥F2) were 6.55 and 0.748, respectively. CONCLUSION This study provided a noninvasive treatment and prevention indicator for early hepatitis B virus-related liver fibrosis.
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38
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Abdel-Naim A, E. Abdel-Hamid AD, El Dine R, Sendker J, El Zalabani S, Meselhy M, Jimenez-Negro E. Metabolic profiling of Solanum villosum Mill subsp. miniatum (bernh. ex willd.): Hepatoprotective and antifibrotic activity in a rat model of liver fibrosis. Pharmacogn Mag 2019. [DOI: 10.4103/pm.pm_547_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
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39
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Thi Thanh Hai N, Thuy LTT, Shiota A, Kadono C, Daikoku A, Hoang DV, Dat NQ, Sato-Matsubara M, Yoshizato K, Kawada N. Selective overexpression of cytoglobin in stellate cells attenuates thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in mice. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17860. [PMID: 30552362 PMCID: PMC6294752 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36215-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytoglobin (CYGB), discovered in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), is known to possess a radical scavenger function, but its pathophysiological roles remain unclear. Here, for the first time, we generated a new transgenic (TG) mouse line in which both Cygb and mCherry reporter gene expression were under the control of the native Cygb gene promoter. We demonstrated that the expression of Cygb-mCherry was related to endogenous Cygb in adult tissues by tracing mCherry fluorescence together with DNA, mRNA, and protein analyses. Administration of a single dose (50 mg/kg) of thioacetamide (TAA) in Cygb-TG mice resulted in lower levels of alanine transaminase and oxidative stress than those in WT mice. After 10 weeks of TAA administration, Cygb-TG livers exhibited reduced neutrophil accumulation, cytokine expression and fibrosis but high levels of quiescent HSCs. Primary HSCs isolated from Cygb-TG mice (HSCCygb-TG) exhibited significantly decreased mRNA levels of α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), collagen 1α1, and transforming growth factor β-3 after 4 days in culture relative to WT cells. HSCsCygb-TG were resistant to H2O2-induced αSMA expression. Thus, cell-specific overexpression of Cygb attenuates HSC activation and protects mice against TAA-induced liver fibrosis presumably by maintaining HSC quiescence. Cygb is a potential new target for antifibrotic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Thi Thanh Hai
- Departments of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Le Thi Thanh Thuy
- Departments of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Chiho Kadono
- Departments of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsuko Daikoku
- Departments of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Dinh Viet Hoang
- Departments of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ninh Quoc Dat
- Departments of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Misako Sato-Matsubara
- Departments of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Yoshizato
- Departments of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
- PhoenixBio Co. Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan
- Endowed Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Norifumi Kawada
- Departments of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.
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40
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Guerra JA, Kampa KC, Zapparoli M, Alves VA, Ivantes CAP. CONGENITAL HEPATIC FIBROSIS AND OBLITERATIVE PORTAL VENOPATHY WITHOUT PORTAL HYPERTENSION - A REVIEW OF LITERATURE BASED ON AN ASYMPTOMATIC CASE. ARQUIVOS DE GASTROENTEROLOGIA 2018; 55:324-328. [PMID: 30785513 DOI: 10.1590/s0004-2803.201800000-91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The disease and the case reported here are relevant especially because of their varied clinical presentation, possibility of being associated with other disorders affecting several organs and possible differential diagnoses. Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease due to mutation in the PKHD1 gene, which encodes the fibrocystin/polyductine protein. It is a cholangiopathy, characterized by varying degrees of periportal fibrosis and irregular proliferation of bile ducts. Affected patients are typically diagnosed in childhood, but in some cases the disease may remain asymptomatic for many years. The exact prevalence and incidence of the disease are not known, but it is consider a rare disease, with a few hundred cases described worldwide. It can affect all ethnic groups and occur associated with various hereditary and non-hereditary disorders. The clinical presentation is quite variable, with melena and hematemesis being initial symptoms in 30%-70% of the cases. More rarely, they may present episodes of cholangitis. The disease has been classified into four types: portal hypertension, cholestasis / cholangitis, mixed and latent. Diagnosis begins with imaging tests, but the definition is made by the histopathological sample. So far, there is no specific therapy that can stop or reverse the pathological process. Currently, the therapeutic strategy is to treat the complications of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Arrais Guerra
- Nossa Senhora das Graças Hospital, Unidade de Gastroenterologia, Hepatologia e Transplante de Fígado, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Kátia Cristina Kampa
- Nossa Senhora das Graças Hospital, Unidade de Gastroenterologia, Hepatologia e Transplante de Fígado, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | | | - Venâncio Af Alves
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,CICAP, Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Afifi NA, Ibrahim MA, Galal MK. Hepatoprotective influence of quercetin and ellagic acid on thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2018; 96:624-629. [DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2017-0651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite all the studies performed to date, therapy choices for liver injuries are very few. Therefore, the search for a new treatment that could safely and effectively block or reverse liver injuries remains a challenge. Quercetin (QR) and ellagic acid (EA) had potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The current study aimed at evaluating the potential hepatoprotective influence of QR and EA against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver toxicity in rats and the underlying mechanism using silymarin as a reference drug. Fifty mature male rats were orally treated daily with EA and QR in separate groups for 45 consecutive days, and then were injected with TAA twice with 24 h intervals in the last 2 days of the experiment. Administration of TAA resulted in marked elevation of liver indices, alteration in oxidative stress parameters, and significant elevation in expression level of fibrosis-related genes (MMP9 and MMP2). Administration of QR and EA significantly attenuated the hepatic toxicity through reduction of liver biomarkers, improving the redox status of the tissue, as well as hampering the expression level of fibrosis-related genes. In this study, QR and EA were proved to attenuate the hepatotoxicity through their antioxidant, metal-chelating capacity, and anti-inflammatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehal A. Afifi
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt, 12211
| | - Marwa A. Ibrahim
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mona K. Galal
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
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Takemura S, Azuma H, Osada-Oka M, Kubo S, Shibata T, Minamiyama Y. S-allyl-glutathione improves experimental liver fibrosis by regulating Kupffer cell activation in rats. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2018; 314:G150-G163. [PMID: 28971836 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00023.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
S-allyl-glutathione (SAG) is one of the metabolites of diallyl sulfide (DAS), a component of garlic. DAS has shown preventative effects on carcinogenesis in animal models. However, whether synthetic SAG can improve liver fibrosis has not been investigated. We examined the potential preventive effects of SAG on acute and chronic models of liver fibrosis by chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration. SAG inhibited liver fibrogenesis induced by CCl4 in a dose-dependent manner and reduced heat shock protein-47 (HSP47), a collagen-specific chaperone, and other fibrosis markers. In fibrosis regression models, after administration of either CCl4 for 9 wk or dimethyl nitrosamine (DMN) for 6 wk, SAG markedly accelerated fibrolysis in both models. In the regression stage of DMN-treated liver, SAG normalized the ratio of M2 phenotype (expression of mannose receptor) in Kupffer cells (KCs). Consistent with these results, the culture supernatants of SAG-treated M2-phenotype KCs inhibited collagen-α1(I) chain (COL1A1) mRNA expression in primary culture-activated rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). However, SAG did not directly inhibit HSC activation. In an acute model of CCl4 single injection, SAG inhibited hepatic injury dose dependently consistent with the inhibited the elevation of the bilirubin and ALT levels. These findings suggest that SAG could improve the fibrogenic and fibrolysis cascade via the regulation of excess activated and polarized KCs. SAG may also serve as a preventive and therapeutic agent in fibrosis of other organs for which current clinical therapy is unavailable. NEW & NOTEWORTHY S-allyl-glutathione (SAG) is a metabolite of diallyl sulfide, a component of garlic. SAG increased hepatic glutathione levels and GSH-to-GSSG ratio in normal rats. SAG treatment before or after liver fibrosis from chronic CCl4 administration improved liver fibrosis and regression. SAG decreased heat shock protein-47 (HSP47), a collagen-specific chaperone, and other fibrosis markers in CCl4-treated livers. SAG-treated Kupffer cell conditioned medium also inhibited collagen-α1(I) chain (COL1A1) mRNA expression and other markers in primary culture hepatic stellate cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigekazu Takemura
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University , Osaka , Japan
| | - Hideki Azuma
- Department of Applied and Bioapplied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka City University , Osaka , Japan
| | - Mayuko Osada-Oka
- Food Hygiene and Environmental Health Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Shoji Kubo
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University , Osaka , Japan
| | - Toshihiko Shibata
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University , Osaka , Japan
| | - Yukiko Minamiyama
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University , Osaka , Japan.,Food Hygiene and Environmental Health Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University , Kyoto , Japan
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Current Perspectives Regarding Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Liver Cirrhosis. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 2018:4197857. [PMID: 29670867 PMCID: PMC5833156 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4197857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis is a major cause of mortality and a common end of various progressive liver diseases. Since the effective treatment is currently limited to liver transplantation, stem cell-based therapy as an alternative has attracted interest due to promising results from preclinical and clinical studies. However, there is still much to be understood regarding the precise mechanisms of action. A number of stem cells from different origins have been employed for hepatic regeneration with different degrees of success. The present review presents a synopsis of stem cell research for the treatment of patients with liver cirrhosis according to the stem cell type. Clinical trials to date are summarized briefly. Finally, issues to be resolved and future perspectives are discussed with regard to clinical applications.
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44
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Herrera B, Addante A, Sánchez A. BMP Signalling at the Crossroad of Liver Fibrosis and Regeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 19:ijms19010039. [PMID: 29295498 PMCID: PMC5795989 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) belong to the Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) family. Initially identified due to their ability to induce bone formation, they are now known to have multiple functions in a variety of tissues, being critical not only during development for tissue morphogenesis and organogenesis but also during adult tissue homeostasis. This review focus on the liver as a target tissue for BMPs actions, devoting most efforts to summarize our knowledge on their recently recognized and/or emerging roles on regulation of the liver regenerative response to various insults, either acute or chronic and their effects on development and progression of liver fibrosis in different pathological conditions. In an attempt to provide the basis for guiding research efforts in this field both the more solid and more controversial areas of research were highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Herrera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Annalisa Addante
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Aránzazu Sánchez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Grgurevic L, Erjavec I, Grgurevic I, Dumic-Cule I, Brkljacic J, Verbanac D, Matijasic M, Paljetak HC, Novak R, Plecko M, Bubic-Spoljar J, Rogic D, Kufner V, Pauk M, Bordukalo-Niksic T, Vukicevic S. Systemic inhibition of BMP1-3 decreases progression of CCl 4-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Growth Factors 2017; 35:201-215. [PMID: 29482391 DOI: 10.1080/08977194.2018.1428966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a progressive pathological process resulting in an accumulation of excess extracellular matrix proteins. We discovered that bone morphogenetic protein 1-3 (BMP1-3), an isoform of the metalloproteinase Bmp1 gene, circulates in the plasma of healthy volunteers and its neutralization decreases the progression of chronic kidney disease in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. Here, we investigated the potential role of BMP1-3 in a chronic liver disease. Rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis were treated with monoclonal anti-BMP1-3 antibodies. Treatment with anti-BMP1-3 antibodies dose-dependently lowered the amount of collagen type I, downregulated the expression of Tgfb1, Itgb6, Col1a1, and Acta2 and upregulated the expression of Ctgf, Itgb1, and Dcn. Mehanistically, BMP1-3 inhibition decreased the plasma levels of transforming growth factor beta 1(TGFβ1) by prevention of its activation and lowered the prodecorin production further suppressing the TGFβ1 profibrotic effect. Our results suggest that BMP1-3 inhibitors have significant potential for decreasing the progression of fibrosis in liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lovorka Grgurevic
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
- b Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Igor Erjavec
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Ivica Grgurevic
- c Department of Gastroenterology , University Hospital Dubrava, Center for Scientific Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Ivo Dumic-Cule
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Jelena Brkljacic
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Donatella Verbanac
- b Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Mario Matijasic
- b Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Hana Cipcic Paljetak
- b Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Rudjer Novak
- b Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Mihovil Plecko
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Jadranka Bubic-Spoljar
- b Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Dunja Rogic
- d Department of Laboratory Diagnosis , University Hospital Centre , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Vera Kufner
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Martina Pauk
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Tatjana Bordukalo-Niksic
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Slobodan Vukicevic
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
- c Department of Gastroenterology , University Hospital Dubrava, Center for Scientific Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
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Zhou X, Gu Y, Xiao H, Kang N, Xie Y, Zhang G, Shi Y, Hu X, Oldfield E, Zhang X, Zhang Y. Combining Vγ9Vδ2 T Cells with a Lipophilic Bisphosphonate Efficiently Kills Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1381. [PMID: 29118758 PMCID: PMC5661056 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) are now established as a central driver of fibrosis in human liver injury. In the presence of chronic or repeated injury, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can occur, so there is interest in down-regulating aHSCs activity in order to treat these diseases. Here, we report that Vγ9Vδ2 T cells are reduced in patients with liver cirrhosis, stimulating us to investigate possible interactions between Vγ9Vδ2 T cells and aHSCs. We find that Vγ9Vδ2 T cells kill aHSCs and killing is enhanced when aHSCs are pretreated with BPH-1236, a lipophilic analog of the bone resorption drug zoledronate. Cytotoxicity is mediated by direct cell-to-cell contact as shown by Transwell experiments and atomic force microscopy, with BPH-1236 increasing the adhesion between aHSCs and Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. Mechanistically, BPH-1236 functions by inhibiting farnesyl diphosphate synthase, leading to accumulation of the phosphoantigen isopentenyl diphosphate and recognition by Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. The cytolytic process is largely dependent on the perforin/granzyme B pathway. In a Rag2-/-γc-/- immune-deficient mouse model, we find that Vγ9Vδ2 T cells home-in to the liver, and when accompanied by BPH-1236, kill not only orthotopic aHSCs but also orthotopic HCC tumors. Collectively, our results provide the first proof-of-concept of a novel immunotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of fibrosis-cirrhosis-HCC diseases using adoptively transferred Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, combined with a lipophilic bisphosphonate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanzheng Gu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongying Xiao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ning Kang
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yonghua Xie
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Guangbo Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Eric Oldfield
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Xueguang Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yonghui Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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de Oliveira da Silva B, Ramos LF, Moraes KCM. Molecular interplays in hepatic stellate cells: apoptosis, senescence, and phenotype reversion as cellular connections that modulate liver fibrosis. Cell Biol Int 2017; 41:946-959. [PMID: 28498509 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a pathophysiological process correlated with intense repair and cicatrization mechanisms in injured liver, and over the past few years, the characterization of the fine-tuning of molecular interconnections that support the development of liver fibrosis has been investigated. In this cellular process, the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) support the organ fibrogenesis. The HSCs are found in two distinct morpho-physiological states: quiescent and activated. In normal liver, most HSCs are found in quiescent state, presenting a considerable amount of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm, while in injured liver, the activated phenotype of HSCs is a myofibroblast, that secrete extracellular matrix elements and contribute to the establishment of the fibrotic process. Studies on the molecular mechanisms by which HSCs try to restore their quiescent state have been performed; however, no effective treatment to reverse fibrosis has been so far prescribed. Therefore, the elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of apoptosis, senescence, and the cell reversion phenotype process from activate to quiescent state will certainly contribute to the development of effective therapies to treat hepatic fibrosis. In this context, this review aimed to address central elements of apoptosis, senescence, and reversal of HSC phenotype in the control of hepatic fibrogenesis, as a guide to future development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda de Oliveira da Silva
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.,Molecular Biology Laboratory, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"-Campus Rio Claro, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia Ferrreira Ramos
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"-Campus Rio Claro, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karen C M Moraes
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"-Campus Rio Claro, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
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The pattern of IL-24/mda-7 and its cognate receptors expression following activation of human hepatic stellate cells. Biomed Rep 2017; 7:173-178. [PMID: 28804632 DOI: 10.3892/br.2017.931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the pivotal event during liver fibrosis. Interleukin (IL)-24/melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7 (mda-7) has attracted attention in the pathophysiology of some diseases, while its role in activation/suppression of human HSCs is still unclear. It is important to elucidate whether the expression levels of the IL-24/mda-7 protein and its receptors in HSC cells are changed following activation. LX-2 cells, a human hepatic stellate cell line were activated by a combination of leptin and serum starvation. The activation state was evaluated through measuring the mRNA expression of profibrotic molecules, collagen-I, TIMP metalloproteinase inhibitor-1 and transforming growth factor-β. The expression of IL-24/mda-7 was assessed in mRNA and protein levels by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and ELISA methods, respectively. Hence, the amount of IL-22R1 and IL-20R2 subunit expression was also compared in activated and normal LX-2 cells by RT-qPCR. The expression level of IL-24/mda-7 and its cognate receptors was detectable both in the normal and activated LX-2 cell line. Furthermore, in activated LX-2, a significant increase of IL24 expression either on IL-22R1 and IL-20R2 subunits was also noticeable in comparison to normal cells. The activation state of LX-2 cells caused significant changes of IL-24/mda-7 and its receptors expression. In addition, the elevation in IL-24/mda-7 during LX-2 cell activation, suggested that IL-24/mda-7 and its cognate receptors serve a possible role in the development of the fibrosis process. Therefore, IL-24/mda-7 and relevant signaling pathways may be employed as a target for fibrosis treatment.
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Antibody-Directed Glucocorticoid Targeting to CD163 in M2-type Macrophages Attenuates Fructose-Induced Liver Inflammatory Changes. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2016; 4:50-61. [PMID: 28344991 PMCID: PMC5363319 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Increased consumption of high-caloric carbohydrates contributes substantially to endemic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in humans, covering a histological spectrum from fatty liver to steatohepatitis. Hypercaloric intake and lipogenetic effects of fructose and endotoxin-driven activation of liver macrophages are suggested to be essential to disease progression. In the present study, we show that a low dose of an anti-CD163-IgG-dexamethasone conjugate targeting the hemoglobin scavenger receptor CD163 in Kupffer cells and other M2-type macrophages has a profound effect on liver inflammatory changes in rats on a high-fructose diet. The diet induced severe non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-like changes within a few weeks but the antibody-drug conjugate strongly reduced inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning, fibrosis, and glycogen deposition. Non-conjugated dexamethasone or dexamethasone conjugated to a control IgG did not have this effect but instead exacerbated liver lipid accumulation. The low-dose anti-CD163-IgG-dexamethasone conjugate displayed no apparent systemic side effects. In conclusion, macrophage targeting by antibody-directed anti-inflammatory low-dose glucocorticoid therapy seems to be a promising approach for safe treatment of fructose-induced liver inflammation.
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Cheng CF, Pan TM. Ankaflavin and Monascin Induce Apoptosis in Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells through Suppression of the Akt/NF-κB/p38 Signaling Pathway. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2016; 64:9326-9334. [PMID: 27960292 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b03700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The increased proliferation of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is associated with hepatic fibrosis and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM)-protein production. We examined the inhibitory effects of the Monascus purpureus-fermented metabolites, ankaflavin and monascin (15 and 30 μM), on the Akt/nuclear factor (NF)-κB and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in HSC-T6 (activated hepatic stellate cell line). Ankaflavin and monascin (30 μM) induced apoptosis and significantly inhibited cell growth (cell viabilities: 80.2 ± 5.43% and 62.8 ± 8.20%, respectively, versus control cells; P < 0.05). Apoptosis and G1 phase arrest (G1 phase percentages: 76.1 ± 2.85% and 79.9 ± 1.80%, respectively, versus control cells 65.9 ± 4.94%; P < 0.05) correlated with increased p53 and p21 levels and caspase 3 activity and decreased cyclin D1 and Bcl-2-family protein levels (P < 0.05, all cases). The apoptotic effects of ankaflavin and monascin were HSC-T6-specific, suggesting their potential in treating liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Fu Cheng
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University , No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ming Pan
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University , No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
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