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Chen K, Wei L, Yu S, He N, Zhang F. Identification of autophagy-related signatures in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and correlation with non-parenchymal cells of the liver. Mol Omics 2024; 20:469-482. [PMID: 38982979 DOI: 10.1039/d4mo00060a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic hepatic disease. The incidence and prevalence of NAFLD have increased greatly in recent years, and there is still a lack of effective drugs. Autophagy plays an important role in promoting liver metabolism and maintaining liver homeostasis, and defects in autophagy levels are considered to be related to the development of NAFLD. However, the molecular mechanisms of autophagy in NAFLD still remain unknown. In this study, we identified 6 autophagy-associated hub genes using gene expression profiles obtained from the GSE48452 and GSE89632 datasets. Biomarkers were screened according to gene significance (GS) and module membership (MM) using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and the immune infiltration landscape of the liver in NAFLD patients was explored using the CIBERSORT algorithm. Subsequently, we analyzed the relationship between liver non-parenchymal cells and autophagy-related hub genes using scRNA-seq data (GSE129516). Finally, we separated the NAFLD patients into two groups based on 6 hub genes by consensus clustering and screened 10 potential autophagy-related small molecules based on the cMAP database.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiwei Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Ling Wei
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China.
| | - Shengnan Yu
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Ningning He
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Fengjuan Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China.
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2
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Lin Z, Huang Z, Qiu J, Shi Y, Zuo D, Qiu Z, He W, Niu Y, Yuan Y, Li B. m 6A-mediated lnc-OXAR promotes oxaliplatin resistance by enhancing Ku70 stability in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:206. [PMID: 39054531 PMCID: PMC11271202 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03134-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The escalating prevalence of metabolic diseases has led to a rapid increase in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (NASH-HCC). While oxaliplatin (OXA)-based hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has shown promise in advanced-stage HCC patients, its efficacy in NASH-HCC remains uncertain. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of OXA-based HAIC and elucidate the mechanisms underlying OXA resistance in NASH-HCC. METHODS The key lncRNAs were screened through RNA-seq analysis of NASH/non-NASH and OXA-sensitive/OXA-resistant (OXA-S/R) HCC tissues. The biological functions of the lnc-OXAR (OXA resistance-related lncRNA in NASH-HCC) in NASH-HCC were verified through a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments. The molecular mechanism of lnc-OXAR was elucidated by fluorescence in situ hybridization, immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry (FISH), Immunoprecipitation-Mass Spectrometry (IP-MS), RNA pulldown, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-Seq) and a dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS NASH-HCC exhibited reduced responsiveness to OXA-based HAIC compared to non-NASH HCC. We identified and validated a novel transcript namedlnc-OXAR, which played a crucial role in conferring OXA resistance to NASH-HCC. Inhibition of lnc-OXAR suppressed HCC cell growth and restored OXA sensitivity both in NASH-HCC mouse models and in vitro. Mechanistically, lnc-OXAR recruited Ku70 and cystatin A (CSTA), preventing Ku70 degradation and facilitating DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair, thereby promoting OXA resistance in NASH-HCC. Additionally, WTAP-mediated m6A modification enhanced the stability of lnc-OXAR in an IGF2BP2-dependent manner. Notably, silencing lnc-OXAR significantly enhanced the response to OXA in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models derived from NASH-HCC. CONCLUSIONS The reduced responsiveness of NASH-HCC to OXA treatment can be attributed to the upregulation of lnc-OXAR. Our findings provide a rationale for stratifying HCC patients undergoing OXA-based HAIC based on etiology. Lnc-OXAR holds promise as a novel target for overcoming OXA resistance in NASH-HCC and improving prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenkun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiliang Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunxing Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dinglan Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiyu Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yunfei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Binkui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
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3
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Miracle CE, McCallister CL, Egleton RD, Salisbury TB. Mechanisms by which obesity regulates inflammation and anti-tumor immunity in cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 733:150437. [PMID: 39074412 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is associated with an increased risk for 13 different cancers. The increased risk for cancer in obesity is mediated by obesity-associated changes in the immune system. Obesity has distinct effects on different types of inflammation that are tied to tumorigenesis. For example, obesity promotes chronic inflammation in adipose tissue that is tumor-promoting in peripheral tissues. Conversely, obesity inhibits acute inflammation that rejects tumors. Obesity therefore promotes cancer by differentially regulating chronic versus acute inflammation. Given that obesity is chronic, the initial inflammation in adipose tissue will lead to systemic inflammation that could induce compensatory anti-inflammatory reactions in peripheral tissues to suppress chronic inflammation. The overall effect of obesity in peripheral tissues is therefore dependent on the duration and severity of obesity. Adipose tissue is a complex tissue that is composed of many cell types in addition to adipocytes. Further, adipose tissue cellularity is different at different anatomical sites throughout the body. Consequently, the sensitivity of adipose tissue to obesity is dependent on the anatomical location of the adipose depot. For example, obesity induces more inflammation in visceral than subcutaneous adipose tissue. Based on these studies, the mechanisms by which obesity promotes tumorigenesis are multifactorial and immune cell type-specific. The objective of our paper is to discuss the cellular mechanisms by which obesity promotes tumorigenesis by regulating distinct types of inflammation in adipose tissue and the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora E Miracle
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV, 25755, USA.
| | - Chelsea L McCallister
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV, 25755, USA.
| | - Richard D Egleton
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV, 25755, USA.
| | - Travis B Salisbury
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV, 25755, USA.
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4
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Song YM, Ge JY, Ding M, Zheng YW. Key factor screening in mouse NASH model using single-cell sequencing combined with machine learning. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33597. [PMID: 39040415 PMCID: PMC11260934 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Aims To identify and analyze genes closely related to the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by employing a combination of single-cell RNA sequencing and machine-learning algorithms. Main methods Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis was performed to find the cell population with the most significant differences between the Chow and NASH groups. This approach was used to validate the developmental trajectory of this cell population and investigate changes in cellular communication and important signaling pathways among these cells. Subsequently, high dimensional Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (hdWGCNA) was used to find the key modules in NASH. Machine learning analyses were performed to further identify core genes. Deep learning techniques were applied to elucidate the correlation between core genes and immune cells. The accuracy of this correlation was further confirmed using deep learning techniques, specifically Convolutional Neural Networks. Key findings By comparing scRNA-seq data between the Chow and NASH groups, we have observed a notable distinction existing in the Kupffer cell population. Signaling interactions between hepatic macrophages and other cells were significantly heightened in the NASH group. Through subsequent analysis of macrophage subtypes and key modules, we identified 150 genes tightly associated with NASH. Finally, we highlighted the 16 most significant core genes using multiple iterations of machine learning. Furthermore, we pointed out the close relationship between core genes and immune cells. Significances Using scRNA-seq analysis and machine learning, we can distinguish NASH-related genes from large genetic datasets, providing theoretical support in finding potential targets for the development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Mu Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian-Yun Ge
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China
| | - Min Ding
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yun-Wen Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Medical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo Univ of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Chen L, Xuan Y, Zhu Y, Wang J, Tian W, Yang X, Chen W, Chen S, Wang S, Miao Q, Liu Y, Zhang R, Hu C, Zhang Y, Jin L, Yu H. Adipocyte secreted NRG4 ameliorates age-associated metabolic dysfunction. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 225:116327. [PMID: 38823457 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116327] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
With the progressive aging of society, there is an increasing prevalence of age-related diseases that pose a threat to the elderly's quality of life. Adipose tissue, a vital energy reservoir with endocrine functions, is one of the most vulnerable tissues in aging, which in turn influences systematic aging process, including metabolic dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanism is still poorly understood. In this study, we found that NRG4, a novel adipokine, is obviously decreased in adipocyte tissues and serums during aging. Moreover, delivered recombinant NRG4 protein (rNRG4) into aged mice can ameliorate age-associated insulin resistance, glucose disorders and other metabolic disfunction. In addition, rNRG4 treatment alleviates age-associated hepatic steatosis and sarcopenia, accompanied with altered gene signatures. Together, these results indicate that NRG4 plays a key role in the aging process and is a therapeutic target for the treatment of age-associated metabolic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwei Chen
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Ye Xuan
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yangyang Zhu
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China; Institute for Metabolic Disease, Fengxian Central Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Shanghai 226001, China
| | - Jinghui Wang
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China; Department of Endocrinology, Xihua Xian People's Hospital, Zhoukou 466000, China
| | - Wen Tian
- Department of Endocrinology, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China
| | - Xiaoyue Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Si Chen
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Siyi Wang
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Qizeng Miao
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yahui Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Post and Telecommunications Hospital, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Cheng Hu
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China; Institute for Metabolic Disease, Fengxian Central Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Shanghai 226001, China.
| | - Yi Zhang
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Li Jin
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China.
| | - Haoyong Yu
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China.
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Li Z, Duan D, Li L, Peng D, Ming Y, Ni R, Liu Y. Tumor-associated macrophages in anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: recent research progress. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1382256. [PMID: 38957393 PMCID: PMC11217528 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1382256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the cancers that seriously threaten human health. Immunotherapy serves as the mainstay of treatment for HCC patients by targeting the programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) axis. However, the effectiveness of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment is limited when HCC becomes drug-resistant. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an important factor in the negative regulation of PD-1 antibody targeted therapy in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Therefore, as an emerging direction in cancer immunotherapy research for the treatment of HCC, it is crucial to elucidate the correlations and mechanisms between TAMs and PD-1/PD-L1-mediated immune tolerance. This paper summarizes the effects of TAMs on the pathogenesis and progression of HCC and their impact on HCC anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy, and further explores current potential therapeutic strategies that target TAMs in HCC, including eliminating TAMs in the TME, inhibiting TAMs recruitment to tumors and functionally repolarizing M2-TAMs (tumor-supportive) to M1-TAMs (antitumor type).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Rui Ni
- Department of Pharmacy, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yao Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Xie W, Gan J, Zhou X, Tian H, Pan X, Liu W, Li X, Du J, Xu A, Zheng M, Wu F, Li Y, Lin Z. Myocardial infarction accelerates the progression of MASH by triggering immunoinflammatory response and induction of periosti. Cell Metab 2024; 36:1269-1286.e9. [PMID: 38838640 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), especially advanced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Whether CVD events will, in turn, influence the pathogenesis of MASLD remains unknown. Here, we show that myocardial infarction (MI) accelerates hepatic pathological progression of MASLD. Patients with MASLD who experience CVD events after their diagnosis exhibit accelerated liver fibrosis progression. MI promotes hepatic fibrosis in mice with MASH, accompanied by elevated circulating Ly6Chi monocytes and their recruitment to damaged liver tissues. These adverse effects are significantly abrogated when deleting these cells. Meanwhile, MI substantially increases circulating and cardiac periostin levels, which act on hepatocytes and stellate cells to promote hepatic lipid accumulation and fibrosis, finally exacerbating hepatic pathological progression of MASH. These preclinical and clinical results demonstrate that MI alters systemic homeostasis and upregulates pro-fibrotic factor production, triggering cross-disease communication that accelerates hepatic pathological progression of MASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xie
- The Affiliated Dongguan Songshan Lake Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523326, China; Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jing Gan
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Huiying Tian
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xingchao Pan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Wenyue Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiaokun Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jie Du
- Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University, the Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Aimin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Minghua Zheng
- MAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Fan Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Yuling Li
- Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University, the Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100029, China.
| | - Zhuofeng Lin
- The Affiliated Dongguan Songshan Lake Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523326, China; Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; The Innovation Center of Cardiometabolic Disease, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China.
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8
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Yu W, Zhang Y, Sun L, Huang W, Li X, Xia N, Chen X, Wikana LP, Xiao Y, Chen M, Han S, Wang Z, Pu L. Myeloid Trem2 ameliorates the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease by regulating macrophage pyroptosis and inflammation resolution. Metabolism 2024; 155:155911. [PMID: 38609037 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2024.155911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasing year by year and has become one of the leading causes of end-stage liver disease worldwide. Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (Trem2) has been confirmed to play an essential role in the progression of MASLD, but its specific mechanism still needs to be clarified. This study aims to explore the role and mechanism of Trem2 in MASLD. METHODS Human liver tissues were obtained from patients with MASLD and controls. Myeloid-specific knockout mice (Trem2mKO) and myeloid-specific overexpression mice (Trem2TdT) were fed a high-fat diet, either AMLN or CDAHFD, to establish the MASLD model. Relevant signaling molecules were assessed through lipidomics and RNA-seq analyses after that. RESULTS Trem2 is upregulated in human MASLD/MASH-associated macrophages and is associated with hepatic steatosis and inflammation progression. Hepatic steatosis and inflammatory responses are exacerbated with the knockout of myeloid Trem2 in MASLD mice, while mice overexpressing Trem2 exhibit the opposite phenomenon. Mechanistically, Trem2mKO can aggravate macrophage pyroptosis through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and amplify the resulting inflammatory response. At the same time, Trem2 promotes the inflammation resolution phenotype transformation of macrophages through TGFβ1, thereby promoting tissue repair. CONCLUSIONS Myeloid Trem2 ameliorates the progression of Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease by regulating macrophage pyroptosis and inflammation resolution. We believe targeting myeloid Trem2 could represent a potential avenue for treating MASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Yu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary cancers, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary cancers, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Linfeng Sun
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary cancers, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of General Surgery, The Friendship Hospital of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Ili & Jiangsu Joint Institute of Health, Ili, China
| | - Xiangdong Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary cancers, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Nan Xia
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary cancers, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xuejiao Chen
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary cancers, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Likalamu Pascalia Wikana
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary cancers, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuhao Xiao
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary cancers, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Minhao Chen
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary cancers, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Sheng Han
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary cancers, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary cancers, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Liyong Pu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary cancers, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Zhang J, Kibret BG, Vatner DE, Vatner SF. The role of brown adipose tissue in mediating healthful longevity. THE JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR AGING 2024; 4:17. [PMID: 39119146 PMCID: PMC11309368 DOI: 10.20517/jca.2024.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
There are two major subtypes of adipose tissue, i.e., white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT). It has been known for a long time that WAT mediates obesity and impairs healthful longevity. More recently, interest has focused on BAT, which, unlike WAT, actually augments healthful aging. The goal of this review is to examine the role of BAT in mediating healthful longevity. A major role for BAT and its related beige adipose tissue is thermogenesis, as a mechanism to maintain body temperature by producing heat through uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) or through UCP1-independent thermogenic pathways. Our hypothesis is that healthful longevity is, in part, mediated by BAT. BAT protects against the major causes of impaired healthful longevity, i.e., obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, reduced exercise tolerance, and impaired blood flow. Several genetically engineered mouse models have shown that BAT enhances healthful aging and that their BAT is more potent than wild-type (WT) BAT. For example, when BAT, which increases longevity and exercise performance in mice with disruption of the regulator of G protein signaling 14 (RGS14), is transplanted to WT mice, their exercise capacity is enhanced at 3 days after BAT transplantation, whereas BAT transplantation from WT to WT mice also resulted in increased exercise performance, but only at 8 weeks after transplantation. In view of the ability of BAT to mediate healthful longevity, it is likely that a pharmaceutical analog of BAT will become a novel therapeutic modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Berhanu Geresu Kibret
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Dorothy E. Vatner
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Stephen F. Vatner
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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10
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Xie L, Wang H, Hu J, Liu Z, Hu F. The role of novel adipokines and adipose-derived extracellular vesicles (ADEVs): Connections and interactions in liver diseases. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 222:116104. [PMID: 38428826 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116104] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Adipose tissues (AT) are an important endocrine organ that secretes various functional adipokines, peptides, non-coding RNAs, and acts on AT themselves or other distant tissues or organs through autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine manners. An accumulating body of evidence has suggested that many adipokines play an important role in liver metabolism. Besides the traditional adipokines such as adiponectin and leptin, many novel adipokines have recently been identified to have regulatory effects on the liver. Additionally, AT can produce extracellular vesicles (EVs) that act on peripheral tissues. However, under pathological conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, dysregulation of adipokines is associated with functional changes in AT, which may cause liver diseases. In this review, we focus on the newly discovered adipokines and EVs secreted by AT and highlight their actions on the liver under the context of obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), and some other liver diseases. Clarifying the action of adipokines and adipose tissue-derived EVs on the liver would help to identify novel therapeutic targets or biomarkers for metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Xie
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Huiying Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Jinying Hu
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Zhuoying Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Health Law Research Center, School of Law, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Fang Hu
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China.
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11
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Zhou L, Qiu X, Meng Z, Liu T, Chen Z, Zhang P, Kuang H, Pan T, Lu Y, Qi L, Olson DP, Xu XZS, Chen YE, Li S, Lin JD. Hepatic danger signaling triggers TREM2 + macrophage induction and drives steatohepatitis via MS4A7-dependent inflammasome activation. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadk1866. [PMID: 38478630 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adk1866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/15/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is an advanced stage of metabolic fatty liver disease. The pathogenic mechanisms of MASH center on hepatocyte injury and the ensuing immune response within the liver microenvironment. Recent work has implicated TREM2+ macrophages in various disease conditions, and substantial induction of TREM2+ NASH-associated macrophages (NAMs) serves as a hallmark of metabolic liver disease. Despite this, the mechanisms through which NAMs contribute to MASH pathogenesis remain poorly understood. Here, we identify membrane-spanning 4-domains a7 (MS4A7) as a NAM-specific pathogenic factor that exacerbates MASH progression in mice. Hepatic MS4A7 expression was strongly induced in mouse and human MASH and associated with the severity of liver injury. Whole-body and myeloid-specific ablation of Ms4a7 alleviated diet-induced MASH pathologies in male mice. We demonstrate that exposure to lipid droplets (LDs), released upon injury of steatotic hepatocytes, triggered NAM induction and exacerbated MASH-associated liver injury in an MS4A7-dependent manner. Mechanistically, MS4A7 drove NLRP3 inflammasome activation via direct physical interaction and shaped disease-associated cell states within the liver microenvironment. This work reveals the LD-MS4A7-NLRP3 inflammasome axis as a pathogenic driver of MASH progression and provides insights into the role of TREM2+ macrophages in disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linkang Zhou
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Xiaoxue Qiu
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ziyi Meng
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tongyu Liu
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Zhimin Chen
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Peng Zhang
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Henry Kuang
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tong Pan
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - You Lu
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ling Qi
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - David P Olson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - X Z Shawn Xu
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Siming Li
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jiandie D Lin
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Chen M, Zhu J, Luo H, Mu W, Guo L. The journey towards physiology and pathology: Tracing the path of neuregulin 4. Genes Dis 2024; 11:687-700. [PMID: 37692526 PMCID: PMC10491916 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuregulin 4 (Nrg4), an epidermal growth factor (EGF) family member, can bind to and activate the ErbB4 receptor tyrosine kinase. Nrg4 has five different isoforms by alternative splicing and performs a wide variety of functions. Nrg4 is involved in a spectrum of physiological processes including neurobiogenesis, lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, thermogenesis, and angiogenesis. In pathological processes, Nrg4 inhibits inflammatory factor levels and suppresses apoptosis in inflammatory diseases. In addition, Nrg4 could ameliorate obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, Nrg4 improves non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by promoting autophagy, improving lipid metabolism, and inhibiting cell death of hepatocytes. Besides, Nrg4 is closely related to the development of cancer, hyperthyroidism, and some other diseases. Therefore, elucidation of the functional role and mechanisms of Nrg4 will provide a clearer view of the therapeutic potential and possible risks of Nrg4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Chen
- School of Exercise and Health and Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jieying Zhu
- School of Exercise and Health and Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Hongyang Luo
- School of Exercise and Health and Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Wangjing Mu
- School of Exercise and Health and Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Liang Guo
- School of Exercise and Health and Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
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13
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Ding X, He X, Tang B, Lan T. Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the prevention and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: future directions and strategies. Chin Med 2024; 19:21. [PMID: 38310315 PMCID: PMC10838467 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-024-00894-1] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used for several centuries for metabolic diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). At present, NAFLD has become the most prevalent form of chronic liver disease worldwide and can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. However, there is still a lack of effective treatment strategies in Western medicine. The development of NAFLD is driven by multiple mechanisms, including genetic factors, insulin resistance, lipotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and adipose tissue dysfunction. Currently, certain drugs, including insulin sensitizers, statins, vitamin E, ursodeoxycholic acid and betaine, are proven to be beneficial for the clinical treatment of NAFLD. Due to its complex pathogenesis, personalized medicine that integrates various mechanisms may provide better benefits to patients with NAFLD. The holistic view and syndrome differentiation of TCM have advantages in treating NAFLD, which are similar to the principles of personalized medicine. In TCM, NAFLD is primarily classified into five types based on clinical experience. It is located in the liver and is closely related to spleen and kidney functions. However, due to the multi-component characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine, its application in the treatment of NAFLD has been considerably limited. In this review, we summarize the advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of NAFLD, drawn from both the Western medicine and TCM perspectives. We highlight that Chinese and Western medicine have complementary advantages and should receive increased attention in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, 280 Wai Huan Dong Road, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xu He
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, 280 Wai Huan Dong Road, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bulang Tang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, 280 Wai Huan Dong Road, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Tian Lan
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, 280 Wai Huan Dong Road, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
- School of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China.
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14
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Meng Z, Zhou L, Hong S, Qiu X, Chen Z, Liu T, Inoki K, Lin JD. Myeloid-specific ablation of Basp1 ameliorates diet-induced NASH in mice by attenuating pro-inflammatory signaling. Hepatology 2024; 79:409-424. [PMID: 37505219 PMCID: PMC10808272 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS NASH represents a severe stage of fatty liver disease characterized by hepatocyte injury, inflammation, and liver fibrosis. Myeloid-derived innate immune cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, play an important role in host defense and disease pathogenesis. Despite this, the nature of transcriptomic reprogramming of myeloid cells in NASH liver and its contribution to disease progression remain incompletely defined. APPROACH AND RESULTS In this study, we performed bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNA seq) analysis to delineate the landscape of macrophage and dendritic cell transcriptomes in healthy and NASH livers. Our analysis uncovered cell type-specific patterns of transcriptomic reprogramming on diet-induced NASH. We identified brain-abundant membrane-attached signal protein 1 (Basp1) as a myeloid-enriched gene that is markedly induced in mouse and human NASH liver. Myeloid-specific inactivation of Basp1 attenuates the severity of diet-induced NASH pathologies, as shown by reduced hepatocyte injury and liver fibrosis in mice. Mechanistically, cultured macrophages lacking Basp1 exhibited a diminished response to pro-inflammatory stimuli, impaired NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and reduced cytokine secretion. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings uncover Basp1 as a critical regulator of myeloid inflammatory signaling that underlies NASH pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Meng
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Linkang Zhou
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Sungki Hong
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Xiaoxue Qiu
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Zhimin Chen
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Tongyu Liu
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Ken Inoki
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Jiandie D. Lin
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
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15
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Ning D, Jin J, Fang Y, Du P, Yuan C, Chen J, Huang Q, Cheng K, Mo J, Xu L, Guo H, Yang MJ, Chen X, Liang H, Zhang B, Zhang W. DEAD-Box Helicase 17 exacerbates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis via transcriptional repression of cyp2c29, inducing hepatic lipid metabolism disorder and eliciting the activation of M1 macrophages. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1529. [PMID: 38303609 PMCID: PMC10835191 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our study was to elucidate the role of RNA helicase DEAD-Box Helicase 17 (DDX17) in NAFLD and to explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS We created hepatocyte-specific Ddx17-deficient mice aim to investigate the impact of Ddx17 on NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) as well as methionine and choline-deficient l-amino acid diet (MCD) in adult male mice. RNA-seq and lipidomic analyses were conducted to depict the metabolic landscape, and CUT&Tag combined with chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase reporter assays were conducted. RESULTS In this work, we observed a notable increase in DDX17 expression in the livers of patients with NASH and in murine models of NASH induced by HFD or MCD. After introducing lentiviruses into hepatocyte L02 for DDX17 knockdown or overexpression, we found that lipid accumulation induced by palmitic acid/oleic acid (PAOA) in L02 cells was noticeably weakened by DDX17 knockdown but augmented by DDX17 overexpression. Furthermore, hepatocyte-specific DDX17 knockout significantly alleviated hepatic steatosis, inflammatory response and fibrosis in mice after the administration of MCD and HFD. Mechanistically, our analysis of RNA-seq and CUT&Tag results combined with ChIP and luciferase reporter assays indicated that DDX17 transcriptionally represses Cyp2c29 gene expression by cooperating with CCCTC binding factor (CTCF) and DEAD-Box Helicase 5 (DDX5). Using absolute quantitative lipidomics analysis, we identified a hepatocyte-specific DDX17 deficiency that decreased lipid accumulation and altered lipid composition in the livers of mice after MCD administration. Based on the RNA-seq analysis, our findings suggest that DDX17 could potentially have an impact on the modulation of lipid metabolism and the activation of M1 macrophages in murine NASH models. CONCLUSION These results imply that DDX17 is involved in NASH development by promoting lipid accumulation in hepatocytes, inducing the activation of M1 macrophages, subsequent inflammatory responses and fibrosis through the transcriptional repression of Cyp2c29 in mice. Therefore, DDX17 holds promise as a potential drug target for the treatment of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deng Ning
- Department of Hepatic Surgery CenterTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary DiseasesWuhanChina
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Jie Jin
- Department of Hepatic Surgery CenterTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary DiseasesWuhanChina
| | - Yuanyuan Fang
- Department of NeurologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Pengcheng Du
- Department of Hepatic Surgery CenterTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary DiseasesWuhanChina
| | - Chaoyi Yuan
- Department of Hepatic Surgery CenterTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary DiseasesWuhanChina
| | - Jin Chen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery CenterTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary DiseasesWuhanChina
| | - Qibo Huang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery CenterTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary DiseasesWuhanChina
| | - Kun Cheng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery CenterTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary DiseasesWuhanChina
| | - Jie Mo
- Department of Hepatic Surgery CenterTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary DiseasesWuhanChina
| | - Lei Xu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery CenterTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary DiseasesWuhanChina
| | - Hui Guo
- Institute of Organ TransplantationTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Mia Jiming Yang
- Institute for Management in Medicine and Health SciencesUniversity of BayreuthBayreuthGermany
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery CenterTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary DiseasesWuhanChina
- Key Laboratory of Organ TransplantationMinistry of Education and Ministry of HealthWuhanChina
| | - Huifang Liang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery CenterTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary DiseasesWuhanChina
- Key Laboratory of Organ TransplantationMinistry of Education and Ministry of HealthWuhanChina
| | - Bixiang Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery CenterTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary DiseasesWuhanChina
- Key Laboratory of Organ TransplantationMinistry of Education and Ministry of HealthWuhanChina
| | - Wanguang Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery CenterTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary DiseasesWuhanChina
- Key Laboratory of Organ TransplantationMinistry of Education and Ministry of HealthWuhanChina
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He C, Guo Z, Zhang H, Yang G, Gao J, Mo Z. Identification and validation of methylation-CpG prognostic signature for prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:1733-1749. [PMID: 38244582 PMCID: PMC10866447 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic biomarkers help predict the prognosis of cancer patients and evaluating the clinical outcome of immunization therapy. In this study, we present a personalized gene methylation-CpG signature to enhance the accuracy of survival prediction for individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Utilizing RNA sequencing and methylation datasets from GEO as well as TCGA, we conducted single sample GSEA (ssGSEA), WGCNA, as well as Cox regression. Through these analyses, we identified 175 oxidative stress and immune-related genes along with 4 CpG loci that are associated with the prognosis of HCC. Subsequently, we constructed a prognostic signature for HCC utilizing these 4 CpG sites, referred to as the HCC Prognostic Signature of Methylation-CpG sites (HPSM). Further investigation revealed an enrichment of immune-related signal pathways in the HPSM-low group, which demonstrated a positive correlation with better survival among HCC patients. Moreover, the methylation of the CpG sites in HPSM was found to be closely linked to drug sensitivity. In vitro experiments tentatively confirmed that promoter methylation regulated the expression of BMPER, one of the CpG sites within HPSM. The expression of BMPER was significantly correlated with cell death in the oxidative stress pathway, and overexpression of BMPER effectively inhibited HCC cell proliferation. Consequently, our findings suggest that HPSM is an independent predictive factor and holds promise for accurately predicting the prognosis of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei He
- School of Intelligent Medicine and Biotechnology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, Guangxi, China
- Chandi Precision Medical Technology, Foshan 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Zehao Guo
- School of Intelligent Medicine and Biotechnology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, Guangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Guilin Medical University), Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin 541199, Guangxi, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- School of Intelligent Medicine and Biotechnology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, Guangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Guilin Medical University), Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin 541199, Guangxi, China
| | - Ganqing Yang
- School of Intelligent Medicine and Biotechnology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, Guangxi, China
| | - Jintao Gao
- School of Intelligent Medicine and Biotechnology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, Guangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Guilin Medical University), Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin 541199, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhijing Mo
- School of Intelligent Medicine and Biotechnology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, Guangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Guilin Medical University), Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin 541199, Guangxi, China
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Ni Y, Lu M, Li M, Hu X, Li F, Wang Y, Xue D. Unraveling the underlying pathogenic factors driving nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma: an in-depth analysis of prognostically relevant gene signatures in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Transl Med 2024; 22:72. [PMID: 38238845 PMCID: PMC10795264 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04885-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive manifestation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite the growing knowledge of NASH and HCC, the association between the two conditions remains to be fully explored. Bioinformatics has emerged as a valuable approach for identifying disease-specific feature genes, enabling advancements in disease prediction, prevention, and personalized treatment strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, we utilized CellChat, copy number karyotyping of aneuploid tumors (CopyKAT), consensus Non-negative Matrix factorization (cNMF), Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), Gene set variation analysis (GSVA), Monocle, spatial co-localization, single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), Slingshot, and the Scissor algorithm to analyze the cellular and immune landscape of NASH and HCC. Through the Scissor algorithm, we identified three cell types correlating with disease phenotypic features and subsequently developed a novel clinical prediction model using univariate, LASSO, and multifactor Cox regression. RESULTS Our results revealed that macrophages are a significant pathological factor in the development of NASH and HCC and that the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cellular crosstalk at the molecular level. We deduced three prognostic genes (YBX1, MED8, and KPNA2), demonstrating a strong diagnostic capability in both NASH and HCC. CONCLUSION These findings shed light on the pathological mechanisms shared between NASH and HCC, providing valuable insights for the development of novel clinical strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ni
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Maoqing Lu
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Ming Li
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Xixi Hu
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yan Wang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
| | - Dong Xue
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
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18
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Chen Z, Zhang P, Liu T, Qiu X, Li S, Lin JD. Neuregulin 4 mediates the metabolic benefits of mild cold exposure by promoting beige fat thermogenesis. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e172957. [PMID: 38015639 PMCID: PMC10906454 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.172957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Interorgan crosstalk via secreted hormones and metabolites is a fundamental aspect of mammalian metabolic physiology. Beyond the highly specialized endocrine cells, peripheral tissues are emerging as an important source of metabolic hormones that influence energy and nutrient metabolism and contribute to disease pathogenesis. Neuregulin 4 (Nrg4) is a fat-derived hormone that protects mice from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and NASH-associated liver cancer by shaping hepatic lipid metabolism and the liver immune microenvironment. Despite its enriched expression in brown fat, whether NRG4 plays a role in thermogenic response and mediates the metabolic benefits of cold exposure are areas that remain unexplored. Here we show that Nrg4 expression in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) is highly responsive to chronic cold exposure. Nrg4 deficiency impairs beige fat induction and renders mice more susceptible to diet-induced metabolic disorders under mild cold conditions. Using mice with adipocyte and hepatocyte-specific Nrg4 deletion, we reveal that adipose tissue-derived NRG4, but not hepatic NRG4, is essential for beige fat induction following cold acclimation. Furthermore, treatment with recombinant NRG4-Fc fusion protein promotes beige fat induction in iWAT and improves metabolic health in mice with diet-induced obesity. These findings highlight a critical role of NRG4 in mediating beige fat induction and preserving metabolic health under mild cold conditions.
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19
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Chen J, Chan TTH, Zhou J. Lipid metabolism in the immune niche of tumor-prone liver microenvironment. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:68-84. [PMID: 37474318 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is a common primary site not only for tumorigenesis, but also for cancer metastasis. Advanced cancer patients with liver metastases also show reduced response rates and survival benefits when treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the importance of the liver immune microenvironment in determining tumorigenesis, metastasis-organotropism, and immunotherapy resistance. Various immune cells such as T cells, natural killer and natural killer T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells, and stromal cells including liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells, and hepatocytes are implicated in contributing to the immune niche of tumor-prone liver microenvironment. In parallel, as the major organ for lipid metabolism, the increased abundance of lipids and their metabolites is linked to processes crucial for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and related liver cancer development. Furthermore, the proliferation, differentiation, and functions of hepatic immune and stromal cells are also reported to be regulated by lipid metabolism. Therefore, targeting lipid metabolism may hold great potential to reprogram the immunosuppressive liver microenvironment and synergistically enhance the immunotherapy efficacy in the circumstance of liver metastasis. In this review, we describe how the hepatic microenvironment adapts to the lipid metabolic alterations in pathologic conditions like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We also illustrate how these immunometabolic alterations promote the development of liver cancers and immunotherapy resistance. Finally, we discuss the current therapeutic options and hypothetic combination immunotherapies for the treatment of advanced liver cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jintian Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, SAR, P.R. China
| | - Thomas T H Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, SAR, P.R. China
| | - Jingying Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, SAR, P.R. China
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20
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Hu Y, Wang H, Liu Y. NETosis: Sculpting tumor metastasis and immunotherapy. Immunol Rev 2024; 321:263-279. [PMID: 37712361 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
The process of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation, called NETosis, is a peculiar death modality of neutrophils, which was first observed as an immune response against bacterial infection. However, recent work has revealed the unique biology of NETosis in facilitating tumor metastatic process. Neutrophil extracellular traps released by the tumor microenvironment (TME) shield tumor cells from cytotoxic immunity, leading to impaired tumor clearance. Besides, tumor cells tapped by NETs enable to travel through vessels and subsequently seed distant organs. Targeted ablation of NETosis has been proven to be beneficial in potentiating the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy in the metastatic settings. This review outlines the impact of NETosis at almost all stages of tumor metastasis. Furthermore, understanding the multifaceted interplay between NETosis and the TME components is crucial for supporting the rational development of highly effective combination immunotherapeutic strategies with anti-NETosis for patients with metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Hu
- Department of Digestive Diseases 1, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Houhong Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Bozhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Bozhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China
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21
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Zhu W, Fan C, Dong S, Li X, Chen H, Zhou W. Neutrophil extracellular traps regulating tumorimmunity in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1253964. [PMID: 38173719 PMCID: PMC10764195 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1253964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
As a component of the innate immune system, there is emerging evidence to suggest that neutrophils may play a critical role in the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are web-like chromatin structures that protrude from the membranes during neutrophil activation. Recent research has shown that NETs, which are at the forefront of the renewed interest in neutrophil studies, are increasingly intertwined with HCC. By exploring the mechanisms of NETs in HCC, we aim to improve our understanding of the role of NETs and gain deeper insights into neutrophil biology. Therefore, this article provides a summary of key findings and discusses the emerging field of NETs in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixiong Zhu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chuanlei Fan
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shi Dong
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Li
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Haofei Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wence Zhou
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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22
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Liu L, Tang H, Wang K, Liu J, Luo N, Jin G. A three-gene signature reveals changes in the tumor immune microenvironment in the progression from NAFLD to HCC. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22295. [PMID: 38102321 PMCID: PMC10724126 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49358-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most dangerous malignant tumors. The incidence rates of obesity related NAFLD and NASH are increasing year by year, and they are the main risk factors for HCC at present. Finding the mechanism of malignant transformation of NAFLD and NASH is helpful for early prevention and diagnosis. In this study, we performed differential analysis using NAFLD data, NASH data, and HCC data to identify crossover differential genes. Then, using the clinical data of TCGA, a prognostic risk prediction model of three genes (TEAD4, SOCS2, CIT) was constructed, and survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn. The prognostic model was validated using ICGC, GSE116174 and GSE54236 datasets. In addition, we assessed immune status and function in high- and low-risk populations using a prognostic model. Moreover, we assessed the expression of CIT in clinical samples and HCC cell lines and validated its role in HCC development. Our study elucidates the important role of the tumor immune microenvironment in the development of NAFLD/NASH to HCC, deepens the understanding of the pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH development to HCC, and is helpful for clinical management and decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Liu
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nan Ning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Haonan Tang
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nan Ning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Kui Wang
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nan Ning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jiaying Liu
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nan Ning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Ningbin Luo
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nan Ning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
| | - Guanqiao Jin
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nan Ning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
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23
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Dai J, Zhang L, Zhang R, Ge J, Yao F, Zhou S, Xu J, Yu K, Xu J, Jiang L, Jin K, Dai X, Li J, Li Q. Hepatocyte Deubiquitinating Enzyme OTUD5 Deficiency is a Key Aggravator for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis by Disturbing Mitochondrial Homeostasis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:399-421. [PMID: 38036082 PMCID: PMC10827517 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a common chronic liver disease worldwide. No effective pharmacologic therapies for MASH have been developed; to develop such promising drugs, the underlying mechanisms regulating MASH need to be elucidated. Here, we aimed to determine the role of ovarian tumor domain-containing protein 5 (OTUD5) in MASH progression and identify a specific mechanism. METHODS The expression levels of OTUD subfamily under palmitic acid/oleic acid (PAOA) stimulation were screened. OTUD5 expression was assessed in human liver tissues without steatosis, those with simple steatosis, and those with MASH. MASH models were developed in hepatocyte-specific Otud5-knockout mice that were fed high-fat high-cholesterol and high-fat high-cholesterol plus high-fructose/sucrose diet for 16 weeks. RESULTS The expression of OTUD5 was down-regulated in fatty liver and was negatively related to the progression of MASH. Lipid accumulation and inflammation were exacerbated by Otud5 knockdown but attenuated by Otud5 overexpression under PAOA treatment. Hepatocyte-specific Otud5 deletion markedly exacerbated steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in the livers of 2 MASH mouse models. We identified voltage-dependent anion channel 2 (VDAC2) as an OTUD5-interacting partner; OTUD5 cleaved the K48-linked polyubiquitin chains from VDAC2, and it inhibited subsequent proteasomal degradation. The anabolic effects of OTUD5 knockdown on PAOA-induced lipid accumulation were effectively reversed by VDAC2 overexpression in primary hepatocytes. Metabolomic results revealed that VDAC2 is required for OTUD5-mediated protection against hepatic steatosis by maintaining mitochondrial function. CONCLUSIONS OTUD5 may ameliorate MASH progression via VDAC2-maintained mitochondrial homeostasis. Targeting OTUD5 may be a viable MASH-treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Dai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Liren Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ruizhi Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jing Ge
- Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Feifan Yao
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Suiqing Zhou
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiali Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kai Yu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Longfeng Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Ke Jin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Xinzheng Dai
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Qing Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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24
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Gabbia D, De Martin S. Targeting the Adipose Tissue-Liver-Gut Microbiota Crosstalk to Cure MASLD. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1471. [PMID: 38132297 PMCID: PMC10741127 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The gut microbiota is a complex system, playing a peculiar role in regulating innate and systemic immunity. Increasing evidence links dysfunctional gut microbiota to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) due to the activation of multiple pathways in the gut and in the liver, including those mediated by Toll-like receptors (TLRs), that sustain hepatic inflammation. Thus, many efforts have been made to unravel the role of microbiota-associated dysfunction in MASLD, with the final aim of finding novel strategies to improve liver steatosis and function. Moreover, recent evidence underlines the role of adipose tissue in sustaining hepatic inflammation during MASLD development. In this review, we focus on the recently discovered strategies proposed to improve the alteration of gut microbiota observed in MASLD patients, with a particular insight into those known to modulate gut microbiota-associated dysfunction and to affect the complex crosstalk between the gut, the adipose tissue, and the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 351131 Padova, Italy;
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25
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Song Y, Wang Y, Geng X, Wang X, He H, Qian Y, Dong Y, Fan Z, Chen S, Wen W, Wang H. Novel biomarker genes for the prediction of post-hepatectomy survival of patients with NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:269. [PMID: 37950277 PMCID: PMC10638756 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03106-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence and prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease related hepatocellular carcinoma (NAFLD-HCC) are rapidly increasing worldwide. This study aimed to identify biomarker genes for prognostic prediction model of NAFLD-HCC hepatectomy by integrating text-mining, clinical follow-up information, transcriptomic data and experimental validation. METHODS The tumor and adjacent normal liver samples collected from 13 NAFLD-HCC and 12 HBV-HCC patients were sequenced using RNA-Seq. A novel text-mining strategy, explainable gene ontology fingerprint approach, was utilized to screen NAFLD-HCC featured gene sets and cell types, and the results were validated through a series of lab experiments. A risk score calculated by the multivariate Cox regression model using discovered key genes was established and evaluated based on 47 patients' follow-up information. RESULTS Differentially expressed genes associated with NAFLD-HCC specific tumor microenvironment were screened, of which FABP4 and VWF were featured by previous reports. A risk prediction model consisting of FABP4, VWF, gender and TNM stage were then established based on 47 samples. The model showed that overall survival in the high-risk score group was lower compared with that in the low-risk score group (p = 0.0095). CONCLUSIONS This study provided the landscape of NAFLD-HCC transcriptome, and elucidated that our model could predict hepatectomy prognosis with high accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Song
- Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Xin Geng
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Xianming Wang
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Huisi He
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Youwen Qian
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yaping Dong
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Zhecai Fan
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Shuzhen Chen
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Wen Wen
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 201805, China.
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Hongyang Wang
- Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China.
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 201805, China.
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
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Zeng Y, Jiang H, Zhang X, Xu J, Wu X, Xu Q, Cai W, Ying H, Zhou R, Ding Y, Ying K, Song X, Chen Z, Zeng L, Zhao L, Yu F. Canagliflozin reduces chemoresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma through PKM2-c-Myc complex-mediated glutamine starvation. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 208:571-586. [PMID: 37696420 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Cisplatin (CPT) is one of the standard treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its use is limits as a monotherapy due to drug resistance, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To solve this problem, we tried using canagliflozin (CANA), a clinical drug for diabetes, to reduce chemoresistance to CPT, and the result showed that CANA could vigorously inhibit cell proliferation and migration independent of the original target SGLT2. Mechanistically, CANA reduced aerobic glycolysis in HCC by targeting PKM2. The downregulated PKM2 directly bound to the transcription factor c-Myc in the cytoplasm to form a complex, which upregulated the level of phosphorylated c-Myc Thr58 and promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of c-Myc. Decreased c-Myc reduced the expression of GLS1, a key enzyme in glutamine metabolism, leading to impaired glutamine utilization. Finally, intracellular glutamine starvation induced ferroptosis and sensitized HCC to CPT. In conclusion, our study showed that CANA re-sensitized HCC to CPT by inducing ferroptosis through dual effects on glycolysis and glutamine metabolism. This is a novel mechanism to increase chemosensitivity, which may provide compatible chemotherapy drugs for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haoran Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiangting Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weimin Cai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huiya Ying
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ruoru Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yingrong Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kanglei Ying
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xian Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhuoyan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liuwei Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Luying Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Fujun Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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27
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Hao L, Li S, Hu X. New insights into T-cell exhaustion in liver cancer: from mechanism to therapy. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:12543-12560. [PMID: 37423958 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05083-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignancies. T-cell exhaustion is associated with immunosuppression of tumor and chronic infection. Although immunotherapies that enhance the immune response by targeting programmed cell death-1(PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) have been applied to malignancies, these treatments have shown limited response rates. This suggested that additional inhibitory receptors (IRs) also contributed to T-cell exhaustion and tumor prognosis. Exhausted T-cells (Tex) in the tumor immune microenvironment (TME) are usually in a dysfunctional state of exhaustion, such as impaired activity and proliferative ability, increased apoptosis rate, and reduced production of effector cytokines. Tex cells participate in the negative regulation of tumor immunity mainly through IRs on the cell surface, changes in cytokines and immunomodulatory cell types, causing tumor immune escape. However, T-cell exhaustion is not irreversible and targeted immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can effectively reverse the exhaustion of T-cells and restore the anti-tumor immune response. Therefore, the research on the mechanism of T-cell exhaustion in liver cancer, aimed at maintaining or restoring the effector function of Tex cells, might provide a new method for the treatment of liver cancer. In this review, we summarized the basic characteristics of Tex cells (such as IRs and cytokines), discussed the mechanisms associated with T-cell exhaustion, and specifically discussed how these exhaustion characteristics were acquired and shaped by key factors within TME. Then new insights into the molecular mechanism of T-cell exhaustion suggested a potential way to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, namely to restore the effector function of Tex cells. In addition, we also reviewed the research progress of T-cell exhaustion in recent years and provided suggestions for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Hao
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenghao Li
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
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Zhao Z, Luan T, Wan J, Du H, Hu J, Liu H, Gong X, Kuang G, Wang B. Elucidating Cuproptosis-Associated Genes in the Progression from Nash to HCC Using Bulk and Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Analyses and Experimental Validation. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1639. [PMID: 37763758 PMCID: PMC10536385 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59091639] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a significant risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Timely treatment during the NASH stage is essential to minimize the possibility of disease progression to HCC. Cuproptosis is a newly identified form of cellular death that could impact the progression of various diseases and cancers. Materials and Methods: Transcriptome and single-cell sequencing datasets were utilized to investigate the role of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in NASH progression to HCC. FDX1, LIPT1, and PDHP were identified as CRGs in NASH patients, and FDX1, DBT, GCSH, SLC31A1, and DLAT were identified as CRGs in patients with NASH progressing to HCC. FDX1 was found to play a significant role in both NASH patients and patients with NASH progressing to HCC. This study constructed cuproptosis-related clusters (CRCs) using the Nonnegative Matrix Factorization algorithm, and they were linked to fatty acid metabolism and the PPAR signaling pathway in both NASH CRCs and HCC CRCs. The Weighted Correlation Network Analysis algorithm identified CRP, CRC, TAT, CXCL10, and ACTA1 as highly relevant genes in NASH CRCs and HCC CRCs. The expression of FDX1 was validated in both mouse models and human NASH samples. Results: The investigation highlights FDX1 as a pivotal CRG in both NASH and NASH progression to HCC. The comprehensive characterization of CRGs sheds light on their potential biofunctional importance in the context of NASH and HCC. Our experimental results show that FDX1 expression was significantly increased in NASH patients. Conclusions: The present study identified key CRGs, revealing their potential impact on NASH and HCC. Meanwhile, targeting FDX1 may prevent the progression of NASH to HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizuo Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China;
| | - Tiankuo Luan
- Department of Anatomy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; (T.L.); (X.G.)
| | - Jingyuan Wan
- Department of Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; (J.W.); (H.D.); (J.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Hui Du
- Department of Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; (J.W.); (H.D.); (J.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Jun Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; (J.W.); (H.D.); (J.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; (J.W.); (H.D.); (J.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Xia Gong
- Department of Anatomy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; (T.L.); (X.G.)
| | - Ge Kuang
- Department of Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; (J.W.); (H.D.); (J.H.); (H.L.)
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China;
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Zhong X, Lv M, Ma M, Huang Q, Hu R, Li J, Yi J, Sun J, Zhou X. State of CD8 + T cells in progression from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma: From pathogenesis to immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115131. [PMID: 37429231 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
With the obesity epidemic, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is emerging as the fastest growing potential cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH has been demonstrated to establish a tumor-prone liver microenvironment where both innate and adaptive immune systems are involved. As the most typical anti-tumor effector, the cell function of CD8+ T cells is remodeled by chronic inflammation, metabolic alteration, lipid toxicity and oxidative stress in the liver microenvironment along the NASH to HCC transition. Unexpectedly, NASH may blunt the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy against HCC due to the dysregulated CD8+ T cells. Growing evidence has supported that NASH is likely to facilitate the state transition of CD8+ T cells with changes in cell motility, effector function, metabolic reprogramming and gene transcription according to single-cell sequencing. However, the mechanistic insight of CD8+ T cell states in the NASH-driven HCC is not comprehensive. Herein, we focus on the characterization of state phenotypes of CD8+ T cells with both functional and metabolic signatures in NASH-driven fibrosis and HCC. The NASH-specific CD8+ T cells are speculated to mainly have a dualist effect, where its aberrant activated phenotype sustains chronic inflammation in NASH but subsequently triggers its exhaustion in HCC. As the exploration of CD8+ T cells on the distribution and phenotypic shifts will provide a new direction for the intervention strategies against HCC, we also discuss the implications for targeting different phenotypes of CD8+ T cells, shedding light on the personalized immunotherapy for NASH-driven HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhong
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Minling Lv
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - MengQing Ma
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Rui Hu
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinyu Yi
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jialing Sun
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaozhou Zhou
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Department of Liver Disease, the fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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30
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Zhang J, Yang Y, Wang Z, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Lin J, Du Y, Wang S, Si D, Bao J, Tian X. Integration of Metabolomics, Lipidomics, and Proteomics Reveals the Metabolic Characterization of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. J Proteome Res 2023; 22:2577-2592. [PMID: 37403919 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction is associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) development. However, omics studies investigating metabolic changes in NASH patients are limited. In this study, metabolomics and lipidomics in plasma, as well as proteomics in the liver, were performed to characterize the metabolic profiles of NASH patients. Moreover, the accumulation of bile acids (BAs) in NASH patients prompted us to investigate the protective effect of cholestyramine on NASH. The liver expression of essential proteins involved in FA transport and lipid droplets was significantly elevated in patients with NASH. Furthermore, we observed a distinct lipidomic remodeling in patients with NASH. We also report a novel finding suggesting an increase in the expression of critical proteins responsible for glycolysis and the level of glycolytic output (pyruvic acid) in patients with NASH. Furthermore, the accumulation of branched chain amino acids, aromatic amino acids, purines, and BAs was observed in NASH patients. Similarly, a dramatic metabolic disorder was also observed in a NASH mouse model. Cholestyramine not only significantly alleviated liver steatosis and fibrosis but also reversed NASH-induced accumulation of BAs and steroid hormones. In conclusion, NASH patients were characterized by perturbations in FA uptake, lipid droplet formation, glycolysis, and accumulation of BAs and other metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yiqin Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Zipeng Wang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xiaofen Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yingfan Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Jiashuo Lin
- School of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yue Du
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Suhua Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | | | - Jie Bao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xin Tian
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
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31
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Povero D, Chen Y, Johnson SM, McMahon CE, Pan M, Bao H, Petterson XMT, Blake E, Lauer KP, O'Brien DR, Yu Y, Graham RP, Taner T, Han X, Razidlo GL, Liu J. HILPDA promotes NASH-driven HCC development by restraining intracellular fatty acid flux in hypoxia. J Hepatol 2023; 79:378-393. [PMID: 37061197 PMCID: PMC11238876 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-driven hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rising rapidly, yet its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we aim to determine the role of hypoxia-inducible lipid droplet associated protein (HILPDA)/hypoxia-inducible gene 2 (HIG2), a selective inhibitor of intracellular lipolysis, in NASH-driven HCC. METHODS The clinical significance of HILPDA was assessed in human NASH-driven HCC specimens by immunohistochemistry and transcriptomics analyses. The oncogenic effect of HILPDA was assessed in human HCC cells and in 3D epithelial spheroids upon exposure to free fatty acids and either normoxia or hypoxia. Lipidomics profiling of wild-type and HILPDA knockout HCC cells was assessed via shotgun and targeted approaches. Wild-type (Hilpdafl/fl) and hepatocyte-specific Hilpda knockout (HilpdaΔHep) mice were fed a Western diet and high sugar in drinking water while receiving carbon tetrachloride to induce NASH-driven HCC. RESULTS In patients with NASH-driven HCC, upregulated HILPDA expression is strongly associated with poor survival. In oxygen-deprived and lipid-loaded culture conditions, HILPDA promotes viability of human hepatoma cells and growth of 3D epithelial spheroids. Lack of HILPDA triggered flux of polyunsaturated fatty acids to membrane phospholipids and of saturated fatty acids to ceramide synthesis, exacerbating lipid peroxidation and apoptosis in hypoxia. The apoptosis induced by HILPDA deficiency was reversed by pharmacological inhibition of ceramide synthesis. In our experimental mouse model of NASH-driven HCC, HilpdaΔHep exhibited reduced hepatic steatosis and tumorigenesis but increased oxidative stress in the liver. Single-cell analysis supports a dual role of hepatic HILPDA in protecting HCC cells and facilitating the establishment of a pro-tumorigenic immune microenvironment in NASH. CONCLUSIONS Hepatic HILPDA is a pivotal oncometabolic factor in the NASH liver microenvironment and represents a potential novel therapeutic target. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, chronic metabolic liver disease caused by buildup of fat, inflammation and damage in the liver) is emerging as the leading risk factor and the fastest growing cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer. While curative therapeutic options exist for HCC, it frequently presents at a late stage when such options are no longer effective and only systemic therapies are available. However, systemic therapies are still associated with poor efficacy and some side effects. In addition, no approved drugs are available for NASH. Therefore, understanding the underlying metabolic alterations occurring during NASH-driven HCC is key to identifying new cancer treatments that target the unique metabolic needs of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Povero
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
| | - Yongbin Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Scott M Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Cailin E McMahon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Meixia Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Hanmei Bao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Xuan-Mai T Petterson
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 4939 Charles Katz Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Emily Blake
- Metabolomics Core, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Kimberly P Lauer
- Metabolomics Core, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Daniel R O'Brien
- Metabolomics Core, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Yue Yu
- Metabolomics Core, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Rondell P Graham
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Timucin Taner
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Xianlin Han
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; Departments of Surgery and Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Gina L Razidlo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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32
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Jin L, Han S, Lv X, Li X, Zhang Z, Kuang H, Chen Z, Lv CA, Peng W, Yang Z, Yang M, Mi L, Liu T, Ma S, Qiu X, Wang Q, Pan X, Shan P, Feng Y, Li J, Wang F, Xie L, Zhao X, Fu JF, Lin JD, Meng ZX. The muscle-enriched myokine Musclin impairs beige fat thermogenesis and systemic energy homeostasis via Tfr1/PKA signaling in male mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4257. [PMID: 37468484 PMCID: PMC10356794 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39710-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle and thermogenic adipose tissue are both critical for the maintenance of body temperature in mammals. However, whether these two tissues are interconnected to modulate thermogenesis and metabolic homeostasis in response to thermal stress remains inconclusive. Here, we report that human and mouse obesity is associated with elevated Musclin levels in both muscle and circulation. Intriguingly, muscle expression of Musclin is markedly increased or decreased when the male mice are housed in thermoneutral or chronic cool conditions, respectively. Beige fat is then identified as the primary site of Musclin action. Muscle-transgenic or AAV-mediated overexpression of Musclin attenuates beige fat thermogenesis, thereby exacerbating diet-induced obesity and metabolic disorders in male mice. Conversely, Musclin inactivation by muscle-specific ablation or neutralizing antibody treatment promotes beige fat thermogenesis and improves metabolic homeostasis in male mice. Mechanistically, Musclin binds to transferrin receptor 1 (Tfr1) and antagonizes Tfr1-mediated cAMP/PKA-dependent thermogenic induction in beige adipocytes. This work defines the temperature-sensitive myokine Musclin as a negative regulator of adipose thermogenesis that exacerbates the deterioration of metabolic health in obese male mice and thus provides a framework for the therapeutic targeting of this endocrine pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Jin
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuang Han
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Geriatrics, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xue Lv
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofei Li
- Department of Sport Medicine, The Lianyungang First People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Affiliated Hospital of Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Ziyin Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Henry Kuang
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Zhimin Chen
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Cheng-An Lv
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Peng
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhuoying Yang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Miqi Yang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lin Mi
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Tongyu Liu
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Shengshan Ma
- Department of Sport Medicine, The Lianyungang First People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Affiliated Hospital of Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Xinyuan Qiu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Qintao Wang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaowen Pan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Shan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jin Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fudi Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liwei Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuyun Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of National Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Fen Fu
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Jiandie D Lin
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Zhuo-Xian Meng
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of Geriatrics, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.
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33
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Wang Z, Kim SY, Tu W, Kim J, Xu A, Yang YM, Matsuda M, Reolizo L, Tsuchiya T, Billet S, Gangi A, Noureddin M, Falk BA, Kim S, Fan W, Tighiouart M, You S, Lewis MS, Pandol SJ, Di Vizio D, Merchant A, Posadas EM, Bhowmick NA, Lu SC, Seki E. Extracellular vesicles in fatty liver promote a metastatic tumor microenvironment. Cell Metab 2023; 35:1209-1226.e13. [PMID: 37172577 PMCID: PMC10524732 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Liver metastasis is a major cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Fatty liver promotes liver metastasis, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We demonstrated that hepatocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in fatty liver enhanced the progression of CRC liver metastasis by promoting oncogenic Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Fatty liver upregulated Rab27a expression, which facilitated EV production from hepatocytes. In the liver, these EVs transferred YAP signaling-regulating microRNAs to cancer cells to augment YAP activity by suppressing LATS2. Increased YAP activity in CRC liver metastasis with fatty liver promoted cancer cell growth and an immunosuppressive microenvironment by M2 macrophage infiltration through CYR61 production. Patients with CRC liver metastasis and fatty liver had elevated nuclear YAP expression, CYR61 expression, and M2 macrophage infiltration. Our data indicate that fatty liver-induced EV-microRNAs, YAP signaling, and an immunosuppressive microenvironment promote the growth of CRC liver metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Wang
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - So Yeon Kim
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Wei Tu
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030 China
| | - Jieun Kim
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Alexander Xu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Yoon Mee Yang
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Department of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, South Korea
| | - Michitaka Matsuda
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Lien Reolizo
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Takashi Tsuchiya
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Sandrine Billet
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Alexandra Gangi
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Mazen Noureddin
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ben A Falk
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Wei Fan
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Mourad Tighiouart
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Sungyong You
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Michael S Lewis
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Department of Pathology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Department of Pathology, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
| | - Stephen J Pandol
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Dolores Di Vizio
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Akil Merchant
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Edwin M Posadas
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Neil A Bhowmick
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Shelly C Lu
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ekihiro Seki
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
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Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Wang J, Jin L, Guo M, Chen L, Zhang L, Li Y, Wan B, Zhang R, Jia W, Hu C. Neuregulin4 Acts on Hypothalamic ErBb4 to Excite Oxytocin Neurons and Preserve Metabolic Homeostasis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2204824. [PMID: 37060105 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Neuregulin 4 (Nrg4) is an adipose tissue-enriched secreted factor that modulates glucose and lipid metabolism. Nrg4 is closely associated with obesity and preserves diet-induced metabolic disorders. However, the specific mechanisms via which Nrg4 regulates metabolic homeostasis remain incompletely understood. Here, this work finds that the Nrg4 receptor, ErbB4, is highly expressed in the hypothalamus, and the phosphorylation of hypothalamic ErbB4 is reduced in diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice. Peripheral Nrg4 can act on ErbB4 via blood circulation and excite neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN). Central administration of recombinant Nrg4 protein (rNrg4) reduces obesity and related metabolic disorders by influencing energy expenditure and intake. Overexpression of ErbB4 in the PVN protects against obesity, whereas its knock down in oxytocin (Oxt) neuron accelerates obesity. Furthermore, Nrg4-ErbB4 signaling excites Oxt release, and ablation of Oxt neuron considerably attenuates the effect of Nrg4 on energy balance. These data suggest that the hypothalamus is a key target of Nrg4, which partially explains the multifaceted roles of Nrg4 in metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, P. R. China
| | - Yangyang Zhu
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, P. R. China
- Institute for Metabolic Disease, Fengxian Central Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Shanghai, 201449, P. R. China
| | - Jinghui Wang
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, P. R. China
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, P. R. China
| | - Li Jin
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, P. R. China
| | - Mingwei Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, P. R. China
| | - Liwei Chen
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, P. R. China
| | - Lina Zhang
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, P. R. China
| | - Yangyang Li
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, P. R. China
| | - Baocheng Wan
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, P. R. China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, P. R. China
| | - Weiping Jia
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Hu
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, P. R. China
- Institute for Metabolic Disease, Fengxian Central Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Shanghai, 201449, P. R. China
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35
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Pal Chaudhary S, Reyes S, Chase ML, Govindan A, Zhao L, Luther J, Bhan I, Bethea E, Franses JW, Paige Walsh E, Anne Dageford L, Kimura S, Elias N, Yeh H, Markman J, Bozorgzadeh A, Tanabe K, Ferrone C, Zhu AX, Andersson K, Thiim M, Antonio Catalano O, Kambadakone A, Vagefi PA, Qadan M, Pratt D, Hashemi N, Corey KE, Misdraji J, Goyal L, Clark JW. Resection of NAFLD/NASH-related Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): Clinical Features and Outcomes Compared with HCC Due to Other Etiologies. Oncologist 2023; 28:341-350. [PMID: 36763374 PMCID: PMC10078904 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyac251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are the leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Limited data exist on surgical outcomes for NAFLD/NASH-related HCC compared with other HCC etiologies. We evaluated differences in clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing surgical resection for NAFLD/NASH-associated HCC compared with other HCC etiologies. METHODS Demographic, clinicopathological features, and survival outcomes of patients with surgically resected HCC were collected. NAFLD activity score (NAS) and fibrosis score were assessed by focused pathologic review in a subset of patients. RESULTS Among 492 patients screened, 260 met eligibility (NAFLD/NASH [n = 110], and other etiologies [n = 150]). Median age at diagnosis was higher in the NAFLD/NASH HCC cohort compared with the other etiologies cohort (66.7 vs. 63.4 years, respectively, P = .005), with an increased percentage of female patients (36% vs. 18%, P = .001). NAFLD/NASH-related tumors were more commonly >5 cm (66.0% vs. 45%, P = .001). There were no significant differences in rates of lymphovascular or perineural invasion, histologic grade, or serum AFP levels. The NAFLD/NASH cohort had lower rates of background liver fibrosis, lower AST and ALT levels, and higher platelet counts (P < .01 for all). Median overall survival (OS) was numerically shorter in NAFLD/NASH vs other etiology groups, however, not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Patients with NAFLD/NASH-related HCC more commonly lacked liver fibrosis and presented with larger HCCs compared with patients with HCC from other etiologies. No differences were seen in rates of other high-risk features or survival. With the caveat of sample size and retrospective analysis, this supports a similar decision-making approach regarding surgical resection for NAFLD/NASH and other etiology-related HCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surendra Pal Chaudhary
- Division of Oncology, Mass General Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jay Luther
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Irun Bhan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily Bethea
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph W Franses
- Division of Oncology, Mass General Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Paige Walsh
- Division of Oncology, Mass General Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leigh Anne Dageford
- Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shoko Kimura
- Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nahel Elias
- Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heidi Yeh
- Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James Markman
- Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adel Bozorgzadeh
- Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth Tanabe
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cristina Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew X Zhu
- Jiahui Health, Jiahui International Cancer Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Karin Andersson
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Thiim
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Onofrio Antonio Catalano
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Avinash Kambadakone
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Parsia A Vagefi
- Division of Surgical Transplantation, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Motaz Qadan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Pratt
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nikroo Hashemi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen E Corey
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Misdraji
- Department of Pathology, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lipika Goyal
- Division of Oncology, Mass General Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Clark
- Division of Oncology, Mass General Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Kohlhepp MS, Liu H, Tacke F, Guillot A. The contradictory roles of macrophages in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and primary liver cancer-Challenges and opportunities. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1129831. [PMID: 36845555 PMCID: PMC9950415 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1129831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases from varying etiologies generally lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Among them, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects roughly one-quarter of the world population, thus representing a major and increasing public health burden. Chronic hepatocyte injury, inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, NASH) and liver fibrosis are recognized soils for primary liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), being the third most common cause for cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite recent advances in liver disease understanding, therapeutic options on pre-malignant and malignant stages remain limited. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify targetable liver disease-driving mechanisms for the development of novel therapeutics. Monocytes and macrophages comprise a central, yet versatile component of the inflammatory response, fueling chronic liver disease initiation and progression. Recent proteomic and transcriptomic studies performed at singular cell levels revealed a previously overlooked diversity of macrophage subpopulations and functions. Indeed, liver macrophages that encompass liver resident macrophages (also named Kupffer cells) and monocyte-derived macrophages, can acquire a variety of phenotypes depending on microenvironmental cues, and thus exert manifold and sometimes contradictory functions. Those functions range from modulating and exacerbating tissue inflammation to promoting and exaggerating tissue repair mechanisms (i.e., parenchymal regeneration, cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, fibrosis). Due to these central functions, liver macrophages represent an attractive target for the treatment of liver diseases. In this review, we discuss the multifaceted and contrary roles of macrophages in chronic liver diseases, with a particular focus on NAFLD/NASH and HCC. Moreover, we discuss potential therapeutic approaches targeting liver macrophages.
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Lee E, Korf H, Vidal-Puig A. An adipocentric perspective on the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Hepatol 2023; 78:1048-1062. [PMID: 36740049 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alongside the liver, white adipose tissue (WAT) is critical in regulating systemic energy homeostasis. Although each organ has its specialised functions, they must work coordinately to regulate whole-body metabolism. Adipose tissues and the liver are relatively resilient and can adapt to an energy surplus by facilitating triglyceride (TG) storage up to a certain threshold level without significant metabolic disturbances. However, lipid storage in WAT beyond a "personalised" adiposity threshold becomes dysfunctional, leading to metabolic inflexibility, progressive inflammation, and aberrant adipokine secretion. Moreover, the failure of adipose tissue to store and mobilise lipids results in systemic knock-on lipid overload, particularly in the liver. Factors contributing to hepatic lipid overload include lipids released from WAT, dietary fat intake, and enhanced de novo lipogenesis. In contrast, extrahepatic mechanisms counteracting toxic hepatic lipid overload entail coordinated compensation through oxidation of surplus fatty acids in brown adipose tissue and storage of fatty acids as TGs in WAT. Failure of these integrated homeostatic mechanisms leads to quantitative increases and qualitative alterations to the lipidome of the liver. Initially, hepatocytes preferentially accumulate TG species leading to a relatively "benign" non-alcoholic fatty liver. However, with time, inflammatory responses ensue, progressing into more severe conditions such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, in some individuals (often without an early prognostic clue). Herein, we highlight the pathogenic importance of obesity-induced "adipose tissue failure", resulting in decreased adipose tissue functionality (i.e. fat storage capacity and metabolic flexibility), in the development and progression of NAFL/NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunyoung Lee
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK; Department of Medical Physiology, Chiba University, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hannelie Korf
- Laboratory of Hepatology, CHROMETA Department, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Antonio Vidal-Puig
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK; Centro de Innvestigacion Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain; Cambridge University Nanjing Centre of Technology and Innovation, Nanjing, China.
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38
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Liu Y, Chen M. Neuregulin 4 as a novel adipokine in energy metabolism. Front Physiol 2023; 13:1106380. [PMID: 36703934 PMCID: PMC9873244 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1106380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissue has been shown to play a key role in energy metabolism and it has been shown to regulate metabolic homeostasis through the secretion of adipokines. Neuregulin 4 (Nrg4), a novel adipokine secreted mainly by brown adipose tissue (BAT), has recently been characterized as having an important effect on the regulation of energy homeostasis and glucolipid metabolism. Nrg4 can modulate BAT-related thermogenesis by increasing sympathetic innervation of adipose tissue and therefore has potential metabolic benefits. Nrg4 improves metabolic dysregulation in various metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and diabetes through several mechanisms such as anti-inflammation, autophagy regulation, pro-angiogenesis, and lipid metabolism normalization. However, inconsistent findings are found regarding the effects of Nrg4 on metabolic diseases in clinical settings, and this heterogeneity needs to be further clarified by future studies. The potential metabolic protective effect of Nrg4 suggests that it may be a promising endocrine therapeutic target.
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39
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Wang GY, Zhang XY, Wang CJ, Guan YF. Emerging novel targets for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease treatment: Evidence from recent basic studies. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:75-95. [PMID: 36683713 PMCID: PMC9850950 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i1.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a leading chronic disease worldwide, affects approximately a quarter of the global population. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an advanced form of NAFLD and is more likely to progress to liver fibrosis than simple steatosis. NASH is also identified as the most rapidly growing cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although in the past decade, several phase II/III clinical trials have shown promising results in the use of novel drugs targeting lipid synthase, farnesoid X receptor signaling, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling, hepatocellular injury, and inflammatory signaling, proven pharmaceutical agents to treat NASH are still lacking. Thus, continuous exploration of the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of NAFLD and the identification of novel therapeutic targets remain urgent tasks in the field. In the current review, we summarize studies reported in recent years that not only provide new insights into the mechanisms of NAFLD development but also explore the possibility of treating NAFLD by targeting newly identified signaling pathways. We also discuss evidence focusing on the intrahepatic targets involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD as well as extrahepatic targets affecting liver metabolism and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Yan Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin 300070, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development, Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital and Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Zhang
- Health Science Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Chun-Jiong Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin 300070, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development, Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital and Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - You-Fei Guan
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning Province, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning Province, China
- Dalian Key Laboratory for Nuclear Receptors in Major Metabolic Diseases, Dalian 116044, Liaoning Province, China
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40
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AlZaim I, Kalucka J. Batokine neuregulin 4 promotes atherosclerotic resolution. Nat Metab 2022; 4:1440-1441. [PMID: 36400934 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00669-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim AlZaim
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Joanna Kalucka
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
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