Octreotide attenuates hepatic fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells proliferation and activation by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, c-Myc and cyclin D1

Phillygenin Inhibits TGF-β1-induced Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Inflammation: Regulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 and Wnt/β-catenin Pathways

Hepatic fibrosis (HF), a precursor to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, is caused by abnormal proliferation of connective tissue and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in the liver. Notably, activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key link in the development of HF. Phillygenin (PHI, C21H24O6) is a lignan component extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Forsythiae Fructus, which has various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumour effects. However, whether PHI can directly inhibit HSC activation and ameliorate the mechanism of action of HF has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro anti-HF effects of PHI and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-activated mouse HSCs (mHSCs) and human HSCs (LX-2 cells) were used as an in vitro model of HF and treated with different concentrations of PHI for 24 h. Subsequently, cell morphological changes were observed under the microscope, cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay, cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry, and the mechanism of anti-fibrotic effect of PHI was explored by immunofluorescence, ELISA, RT-qPCR and western blot. The results showed that PHI suppressed the proliferation of TGF-β1-activated mHSCs and LX-2 cells, arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, decreased the levels of α-SMA, Collagen I, TIMP1 and MMP2 genes and proteins, and promoted apoptosis in activated mHSCs and LX-2 cells. Besides, PHI reduced the expression of inflammatory factors in activated mHSCs and LX-2 cells, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory effect. Mechanically, PHI inhibited TGF-β1-induced HSC activation and inflammation, at least in part through modulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. Overall, PHI has significant anti-HF effects and may be a promising agent for the treatment of HF.

miR-1-3p Inhibits Osteosarcoma Cell Proliferation and Cell Cycle Progression While Promoting Cell Apoptosis by Targeting CDK14 to Inactivate Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common bone malignancy and is diagnosed frequently in children and young adults. According to previous RNA sequencing, miR-1-3p is downregulated in OS clinical samples. Nevertheless, the functions of miR-1-3p in OS cell process and the related mechanism have not been revealed yet. In the current study, miR-1-3p expression in OS tissues and cells were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. CCK-8 assays were conducted to measure OS cell viability in response to miR-1-3p overexpression. Colony forming assays and EdU staining were conducted for measurement of cell proliferation, and flow cytometry analysis was performed to determine cell apoptosis and cell cycle progression. Protein levels of apoptotic markers, beta-catenin, and Wnt downstream targets were quantified using western blotting. The binding relation between miR-1-3p and cyclin dependent kinase 14 (CDK14) was validated utilizing luciferase reporter assays. Experimental results revealed that miR-1-3p expression was decreased in OS tissues and cells. Additionally, miR-1-3p inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression while enhancing OS cell apoptosis. Moreover, miR-1-3p directly targeted CDK14 and inversely regulated CDK14 expression in OS cells. Furthermore, miR-1-3p inactivated the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. CDK14 overexpression partially rescued the inhibitory impact of miR-1-3p on OS cell growth. Overall, miR-1-3p inhibits OS cell proliferation and cell cycle progression while promoting cell apoptosis by targeting CDK14 and inactivating the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling.

Recent Advances in Research on Active Compounds Against Hepatic Fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Almost all chronic liver diseases cause fibrosis, which can lead to cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer. Liver fibrosis is now considered to be a reversible pathophysiological process and suppression of fibrosis is necessary to prevent liver cancer. At present, no specific drugs have been found that have hepatic anti-fibrotic activity.

OBJECTIVE

The research progress of anti-hepatic fibrosis compounds in recent ten years was reviewed to provide a reference for the design and development of anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs.

METHODS

According to the structure of the compounds, they are divided into monocyclic compounds, fused-heterocyclic compounds, and acyclic compounds.

RESULTS

In this article, the natural products and synthetic compounds with anti-fibrotic activity in recent ten years were reviewed, with emphasis on their pharmacological activity and structure-activity relationship (SAR).

CONCLUSION

Most of these compounds are natural active products and their derivatives, and there are few researches on synthetic compounds and SAR studies on natural product.

Current investigations for liver fibrosis treatment: between repurposing the FDA-approved drugs and the other emerging approaches

Long-term liver injuries lead to hepatic fibrosis, often progressing into cirrhosis, liver failure, portal hypertension, and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is currently no effective therapy available for liver fibrosis. Thus, continuous investigations for anti-fibrotic therapy are ongoing. The main theme of anti-fibrotic investigation during recent years is the rationale-based selection of treatment molecules according to the current understanding of the pathology of the disease. The research efforts are mainly toward repurposing current FDA-approved drugs targeting etiological molecular factors involved in developing liver fibrosis. In parallel, investigations also focus on experimental small molecules with evidence to hinder or reverse the fibrosis. Natural compounds, immunological, and genetic approaches have shown significant encouraging effects. This review summarizes the efficacy and safety of current under-investigation antifibrosis medications targeting various molecular targets, as well as the properties of antifibrosis medications, mainly in phase II and III clinical trials.

Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing CXCR7 facilitate treatment of ARDS-associated pulmonary fibrosis via inhibition of Notch/Jag1 mediated by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

The therapeutic efficacy of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is mainly limited by the efficiency of homing of UCMSCs toward tissue damage. C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CXCR7), which is involved in the mobilization of UCMSCs, is only expressed on the surface of a small proportion of UCMSCs. This study examined whether overexpression of CXCR7 in UCMSCs (UCMSCsOE-CXCR7) could improve their homing efficiency, and therefore, improve their effectiveness in fibrosis repair at the site of lung injury caused by ARDS. A lentiviral vector expressing CXCR7 was built and then transfect into UCMSCs. The impacts of CXCR7 expression of the proliferationand homing of UCMSCs were examined in a lipopolysaccharide-induced ARDS mouse model. The potential role and underlying mechanism of CXCR7 were examined by performing scratch assays, transwell assays, and immunoassays. The therapeutic dose and treatment time of UCMSCsOE-CXCR7 were directly proportional to their therapeutic effect on lung injury. In addition, overexpression of CXCR7 increased SDF-1-induced proliferation and migration of lung epithelial cells (Base-2b cells), and upregulation of CXCR7 inhibited α-SMA expression, suggesting that CXCR7 may have a role in alleviating pulmonary fibrosis caused by ARDS. Overexpression of CXCR7 in UCMSCs may improve their therapeutic effect of acute lung injury mouse, The mechanism of fibrosis repair by CXCR7 is inhibition of Jag1 via suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway under the chemotaxis of SDF-1.

Phillygenin Ameliorates Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis: Suppression of Inflammation and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Liver fibrosis (LF) is caused by the chronic wound healing response to liver injury from various origins. Among the causes, inflammatory response is the central trigger of LF. Phillygenin (PHI) is a lignan derived from Forsythia suspensa, which has significant anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of PHI on improving LF and the underlying mechanism have rarely been studied. In this study, we used carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) to establish a mouse model of LF. Through histological analysis of liver tissue, and measurement of the levels of hepatocyte damage markers (ALT, AST, TBIL, TBA) and four indicators of LF (Col IV, HA, LN, PC-III) in serum, it was shown that PHI improved liver function and reduced the progress of LF. Subsequently, the detection of fibrogenic biomarkers in liver tissue showed that PHI inhibited the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Next, the expression of inflammatory markers in liver tissue/serum was detected by immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, and ELISA, suggesting that PHI inhibited inflammation during LF. Similarly, in vitro experiments also confirmed that PHI could inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells, which showed strong anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, the results of network pharmacology, molecular docking, RT-qPCR and western blot confirmed that PHI could alleviate CCl₄-induced LF by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In conclusion, our research showed that PHI curbed LF through inhibition of HSC activation and collagen accumulation via inhibiting multiple profibrogenic factors, modulating a variety of inflammatory factors, and suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

3,3'-Diindolylmethane Augments 5-Fluorouracil-InducedGrowth Suppression in Gastric Cancer Cells through Suppression of the Akt/GSK-3β and WNT/Beta-Catenin

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most lethal cancers in South Korea, and it is a cancer of concern worldwide. 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) is commonly used as the first-line therapy for advanced GC; however, its side effects often limit the dosage range and impair patients' quality of life. Due to the limitations of current chemotherapy, new anticancer therapies are urgently needed. 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) has been reported to have the ability to protect against various types of cancer. Our study aimed to elucidate the anticancer effect of DIM in GC when treated with the chemotherapeutic agent 5-Fu. In our results, combined treatment with DIM and 5-Fu resulted in higher apoptosis and lower cell proliferation than treatment with 5-Fu in SNU484 and SNU638 cell lines. Furthermore, when DIM and 5-Fu were administered together, cell invasion was diminished by mediated E-cadherin, MMP-9, and uPA; p-Akt and p-GSK-3β levels were reduced more significantly than when 5-Fu was administered alone. Moreover, in the Wnt signaling pathway, combined treatment of DIM and 5-Fu diminished β-catenin levels in the nucleus and inhibited cyclin D1and c-Myc protein levels. The Akt inhibitor, wortmannin, further inhibited the levels of β-catenin and c-Myc that were inhibited by DIM and 5-Fu. Furthermore, an animal xenograft model demonstrated that DIM combined with 5-Fu considerably reduced tumor growth without any toxic effects by regulating the Akt/GSK-3β and β-catenin levels. Our findings suggest that DIM significantly potentiates the anticancer effects of 5-Fu by targeting the Akt/GSK-3β and WNT/β-catenin because the combination therapy is more effective than 5-Fu alone, thereby offering an innovative potential therapy for patients with GC.

"Every cell is an immune cell; contributions of non-hematopoietic cells to anti-helminth immunity"

Helminths are remarkably successful parasites that can invade various mammalian hosts and establish chronic infections that can go unnoticed for years despite causing severe tissue damage. To complete their life cycles, helminths migrate through multiple barrier sites that are densely populated by a complex array of hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells. While it is clear that type 2 cytokine responses elicited by immune cells promote worm clearance and tissue healing, the actions of non-hematopoietic cells are increasingly recognized as initiators, effectors and regulators of anti-helminth immunity. This review will highlight the collective actions of specialized epithelial cells, stromal niches, stem, muscle and neuroendocrine cells as well as peripheral neurons in the detection and elimination of helminths at mucosal sites. Studies dissecting the interactions between immune and non-hematopoietic cells will truly provide a better understanding of the mechanisms that ensure homeostasis in the context of helminth infections.

Pathogenesis of Liver Fibrosis and Its TCM Therapeutic Perspectives

Liver fibrosis is a pathological process of abnormal tissue proliferation in the liver caused by various pathogenic factors, which will further develop into cirrhosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma if liver injury is not intervened in time. As a diffuse progressive liver disease, its clinical manifestations are mostly excessive deposition of collagen-rich extracellular matrix resulting in scar formation due to liver injury. Hepatic fibrosis can be caused by hepatitis B and C, fatty liver, alcohol, and rare diseases such as hemochromatosis. As the metabolic center of the body, the liver regulates various vital activities. During the development of fibrosis, it is influenced by many other factors in addition to the central event of hepatic stellate cell activation. Currently, with the increasing understanding of TCM, the advantages of TCM with multiple components, pathways, and targets have been demonstrated. In this review, we will describe the factors influencing liver fibrosis, focusing on the effects of cells, intestinal flora, iron death, signaling pathways, autophagy and angiogenesis on liver fibrosis, and the therapeutic effects of herbal medicine on liver fibrosis.

Fisetin alleviates thioacetamide-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Liver fibrosis is a chronic wound-healing response to liver injury of various origins and represents a major health problem.

OBJECTIVE

The current study endeavored to investigate the repressing effect of fisetin on hepatic fibrosis induced by thioacetamide (TAA) in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were injected with TAA (200 mg/kg) intraperitoneally twice per week for 6 weeks to induce liver fibrosis. Fisetin (50 and 100 mg/kg/day) or silymarin (50 mg/kg/day) were given orally on a daily basis along with TAA. Liver function parameters, oxidative stress, inflammatory and fibrogenic biomarkers as well as wnt3a, β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3β) and cyclin D1 were estimated. Histoapthological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed.

RESULTS

Fisetin restored normal liver functions, increased reduced glutathione (GSH) level and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as inflammatory biomarkers including; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Additionally, it lessened transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), collagen I and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) levels as well as elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) hepatic content. Furthermore, fisetin significantly suppressed wnt3a gene expression associated with decreased β-catenin and increased GSK-3β levels. Moreover, fisetin decreased the progress of histologic hepatic fibroplasia and diminished hepatic expression of α-SMA and cyclin D1.

CONCLUSION

Fisetin curbed liver fibrosis and exhibited superior activity over silymarin through inhibition of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation and proliferation via suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, modulating MMP-9 and TIMP-1, and inhibiting multiple profibrogenic factors, besides its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, fisetin is a promising therapeutic candidate for hepatic fibrosis.

Long Noncoding RNA Metastasis-Associated Lung Adenocarcinoma Transcript 1 in Extracellular Vesicles Promotes Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation, Liver Fibrosis and β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Evidence shows that the long noncoding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (Lnc-MALAT1) is associated with activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and liver fibrosis in animal and in vitro studies. However, its roles in human liver fibrosis and the underlying mechanism in HSC activation are not yet defined. In our current study, the expression of Lnc-MALAT1 in the fibrotic liver tissues and in the plasma extracelllar vesicles (EVs) of liver fibrosis patients was detected by FISH and qRT-PCR. The results revealed that enhanced expression of Lnc-MALAT1 was co-localized with increased expression of the fibrotic markers (collagen I and α-SMA) and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling proteins (β-catenin, cyclinD1 and c-myc) in the fibrotic liver tissues. The level of Lnc-MALAT1 in the plasma EVs isolated from 60 liver fibrosis patients was significantly increased compared with that of the 46 control patients, and area under receiver operating curve (AUROC) analysis showed that plasma EVs-Lnc-MALAT1 was a potential diagnostic marker for liver fibrosis, especially for high liver fibrosis. Plasma EVs with highly expressed Lnc-MALAT1 derived from high liver fibrosis patients up-regulated the expression of the fibrotic markers and enhanced the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in human hepatic stellate cells LX-2, and the fibrogenic effects in LX-2 were inhibited by Lnc-MALAT1 knock-down. Interestingly, TGF-β1, a potent pro-fibrotic cytokine, promoted the expression of Lnc-MALAT1 in LX-2 and its pro-fibrotic effects were also abolished by siRNA for Lnc-MALAT1, suggesting that Lnc-MALAT1 probably functions as a common mediator in the activation and fibrogenesis of HSCs. Our results indicate that enhanced expression of Lnc-MALAT1 in the fibrotic liver stimulate the activation of HSCs and thus promote their fibrogenic activity. These results also provide evidences that Lnc-MALAT1 is a potential therapeutic target and plasma EVs-Lnc-MALAT1 is a potential diagnostic biomarker for liver fibrosis.

c-Myc affects hedgehog pathway via KCNQ1OT1/RAC1: A new mechanism for regulating HSC proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to probe into the potential mechanism of KCNQ1OT1 in liver fibrosis.

METHODS

The pathological changes in liver tissues were observed by Masson and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The proliferation or cell cycle of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) was analyzed by MTT or flow cytometry. The expressions of epithelial markers E-cadherin, interstitial markers Snail and Vimentin, and hedgehog signaling pathway-related molecules Hhip, Shh, and Gli2 were detected by Western blot. The interaction or binding of c-Myc with the KCNQ1OT1 promoter was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter gene or Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR, and the interaction between KCNQ1OT1 and RAC1 was assessed by RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down. Moreover, the stability of RAC1 protein was detected by cycloheximide-chase and ubiquitination.

RESULTS

c-Myc and KCNQ1OT1 were up-regulated in liver fibrosis tissues and cells. After the interference with c-Myc in primary-1-Day HSCs, the down-regulated KCNQ1OT1 restrained HSC proliferation and EMT by down-regulating RAC1 expression and restraining the hedgehog pathway.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that the interference with c-Myc down-regulated RAC1 expression and restrained the hedgehog pathway by down-regulating KCNQ1OT1, thus restraining HSC proliferation and EMT in liver fibrosis.

Liver Fibrosis: Therapeutic Targets and Advances in Drug Therapy

Liver fibrosis is an abnormal wound repair response caused by a variety of chronic liver injuries, which is characterized by over-deposition of diffuse extracellular matrix (ECM) and anomalous hyperplasia of connective tissue, and it may further develop into liver cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. To date, chronic liver diseases accompanied with liver fibrosis have caused significant morbidity and mortality in the world with increasing tendency. Although early liver fibrosis has been reported to be reversible, the detailed mechanism of reversing liver fibrosis is still unclear and there is lack of an effective treatment for liver fibrosis. Thus, it is still a top priority for the research and development of anti-fibrosis drugs. In recent years, many strategies have emerged as crucial means to inhibit the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis including anti-inflammation and liver protection, inhibition of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation and proliferation, reduction of ECM overproduction and acceleration of ECM degradation. Moreover, gene therapy has been proved to be a promising anti-fibrosis method. Here, we provide an overview of the relevant targets and drugs under development. We aim to classify and summarize their potential roles in treatment of liver fibrosis, and discuss the challenges and development of anti-fibrosis drugs.

The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, suppressed hepatic stellate cell activation via NF-kappaB or wnt3α/β-catenin pathway

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) is associated with hepatic fibrogenesis, which is one of complications of diabetes mellitus. Captopril possesses potent anti-inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis effects. However, the specific molecular mechanism of captopril in high glucose (HG)-induced hepatic stellate cells has not been elucidated. Following the treatment of HG or captopril treatment for rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6), cell activities were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined by ROS staining. The expression of inflammation-related proteins (Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-8) and fibrosis-related proteins (fibronectin (FN), collagen I, collagen III, collagen IV, matrix metallopeptidase (MMP-2 and MMP-9) were determined by Western blot. Captopril significantly decreased HSC-T6 cell viability induced by HG in a dose-dependent manner, as well as decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), ROS, pro-inflammatory markers and fibrosis-related proteins, while upregulated superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. We further found that captopril decreased the ratio of p-IκBα/IκBα and the ratio of p-p65/p65. Intriguing, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or LiCl was able to significantly reverse the captopril-induced alteration of oxidative stress-, inflammation- and fibrosis-marker levels. In conclusion, in HG-stimulated HSC-T6 cells, captopril displayed a potent ability to inhibit oxidative stress, inflammation and hepatic fibrogenesis via NF-kappaB or wnt3α/β-catenin. These results demonstrated the mechanism of captopril as well as the role of the NF-kappaB or wnt3α/β-catenin on HSC-T6 activation induced by HG.

Somatostatin Therapy Improves Stellate Cell Activation and Early Fibrogenesis in a Preclinical Model of Extended Major Hepatectomy

Liver resection treats primary and secondary liver tumors, though clinical applicability is limited by the remnant liver mass and quality. Herein, major hepatic resections were performed in pigs to define changes associated with sufficient and insufficient remnants and improve liver-specific outcomes with somatostatin therapy. Three experimental groups were performed: 75% hepatectomy (75H), 90% hepatectomy (90H), and 90% hepatectomy + somatostatin (90H + SST). Animals were followed for 24 h (N = 6) and 5 d (N = 6). After hepatectomy, portal pressure gradient was higher in 90H versus 75H and 90H + SST (8 (3-13) mmHg vs. 4 (2-6) mmHg and 4 (2-6) mmHg, respectively, p < 0.001). After 24 h, changes were observed in 90H associated with stellate cell activation and collapse of sinusoidal lumen. Collagen chain type 1 alpha 1 mRNA expression was higher, extracellular matrix width less, and percentage of collagen-staining areas greater at 24 h in 90H versus 75H and 90H + SST. After 5 d, remnant liver mass was higher in 75H and 90H + SST versus 90H, and Ki-67 immunostaining was higher in 90H + SST versus 75H and 90H. As well, more TUNEL-staining cells were observed in 90H versus 75H and 90H + SST at 5 d. Perioperative somatostatin modified portal pressure, injury, apoptosis, and stellate cell activation, stemming changes related to hepatic fibrogenesis seen in liver remnants not receiving treatment.

Harnessing X-Ray Energy-Dependent Attenuation of Bismuth-Based Nanoprobes for Accurate Diagnosis of Liver Fibrosis

Timely detection of liver fibrosis by X-ray computed tomography (CT) can prevent its progression to fatal liver diseases. However, it remains quite challenging because conventional CT can only identify the difference in density instead of X-ray attenuation characteristics. Spectral CT can generate monochromatic imaging to specify X-ray attenuation characteristics of the scanned matter. Herein, an X-ray energy-dependent attenuation strategy originated from bismuth (Bi)-based nanoprobes (BiF3 @PDA@HA) is proposed for the accurate diagnosis of liver fibrosis. Bi element in BiF3 @PDA@HA can exhibit characteristic attenuation depending on different levels of X-ray energy via spectral CT, and that is challenging for conventional CT. In this study, selectively accumulating BiF3 @PDA@HA nanoprobes in the hepatic fibrosis areas can significantly elevate CT value for 40 Hounsfield units on 70 keV monochromatic images, successfully differentiating from healthy livers and achieving the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. Furthermore, the enhancement produced by the BiF3 @PDA@HA nanoprobes in vivo increases as the monochromatic energy decreases from 70 to 40 keV, optimizing the conspicuity of the diseased areas. As a proof of concept, the strategically designed nanoprobes with energy-dependent attenuation characteristics not only expand the scope of CT application, but also hold excellent potential for precise imaging-based disease diagnosis.

CXCR7 Inhibits Fibrosis via Wnt/β-Catenin Pathways during the Process of Angiogenesis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Although SDF-1/CXCR7 plays an important role in angiogenesis, the function and the pathway of the SDF-1/CXCR7 axis might depend on the cell type or tissue origin and not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of CXCR7 in SDF-1-induced proliferation, migration, apoptosis, tube formation, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and the potential pathway of SDF-1/CXCR7. We confirmed that the silencing of CXCR7 inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs and contributed the apoptosis, while overexpressed CXCR7 increased SDF-1-induced HUVECs migration and tube formation. However, upregulated CXCR7 inhibited the expression of α-SMA, suggesting that CXCR7 might attenuate EndMT. In addition, overexpressed CXCR7 activated AKT and ERK signaling pathways but suppressed Wnt/β-catenin pathways in HUVECs. The inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathways decreased the expression of α-SMA. Altogether, these results suggest that CXCR7 might inhibit fibrosis via Wnt/β-catenin pathways during the process of angiogenesis.

The A3 adenosine receptor agonist, namodenoson, ameliorates non‑alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice

The Wnt/β‑catenin pathway confers a chain of molecular events in livers affected by non‑alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Namodenoson, a selective agonist of the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR), which is highly expressed in pathological liver cells, induces a robust anti‑inflammatory effect in the liver, mediated via the de‑regulation of the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway. Namodenoson also acts as a liver protective agent by inhibiting ischemia/reperfusion injury. Based on these unique characteristics, we investigated the anti‑NASH effect of Namodenoson in murine models of steatohepatitis and in the LX2 human hepatic stellate cell line (HSC). In the STAM model, Namodenoson significantly decreased the non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score, NAS, demonstrating anti‑inflammatory and anti‑steatotic effects. In the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) model, Namodenoson reversed alanine aminotransferase (ALT) to normal values and significantly improved liver inflammation and fibrosis, as well as the adiponectin and leptin levels. Namodenoson de‑regulated the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway in the liver extracts of the CCl4 model mice and in the LX2 HSCs, manifested by a decrease in the expression of phosphoinositide 3‑kinase (PI3K), nuclear factor κ‑light‑chain‑enhancer of activated B cells (NF‑κB), β‑catenin, lymphoid enhancer‑binding factor 1 (Lef‑1) and cyclin D1, and an increase in the expression level of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK‑3β). The fibrosis marker, α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA) was also de‑regulated, supporting the anti‑fibrotic effect of Namodenoson. On the whole, the findings of this study demonstrate that Namodenoson exerts an anti‑NASH effect mediated via the de‑regulation of the PI3K/NF‑κB/Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway. Thus, targeting A3AR may prove to be a novel direction in the pharmacotherapy of NAFLD/NASH.

Research progress on the anti-hepatic fibrosis action and mechanism of natural products

Hepatic fibrosis is the most common pathological feature of most chronic liver diseases, and its continuous deterioration gradually develops into liver cirrhosis and eventually leads to liver cancer. At present, there are many kinds of drugs used to treat liver fibrosis. However, Western drugs tend to only target single genes/proteins and induce many adverse reactions. Most of the mechanisms and active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are not clear, and there is a lack of unified diagnosis and treatment standards. Natural products, which are characterized by structural diversity, low toxicity, and origination from a wide range of sources, have unique advantages and great potential in anti-liver fibrosis. This article summarizes the work done over the previous decade, on the active ingredients in natural products that are reported to have anti-hepatic fibrosis effects. The effective anti-hepatic fibrosis ingredients identified can be generally divided into flavonoids, saponins, polysaccharides and alkaloids. Mechanisms of anti-liver fibrosis include inhibition of liver inflammation, anti-lipid peroxidation injury, inhibition of the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), modulation of the synthesis and secretion of pro-fibrosis factors, and regulation of the synthesis and degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This review provides suggestions for the development of anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs.