1
|
Rodrigues SG, van der Merwe S, Krag A, Wiest R. Gut-liver axis: Pathophysiological concepts and medical perspective in chronic liver diseases. Semin Immunol 2024; 71:101859. [PMID: 38219459 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Susana G Rodrigues
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Schalk van der Merwe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University hospital Gasthuisberg, University of Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Centre for Liver Research, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Reiner Wiest
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Haijer F, Koets-Shajari S, Heegsma J, Serna-Salas S, Blokzijl T, Buist-Homan M, Moshage H, Faber KN. Hydroxyurea attenuates hepatic stellate cell proliferation in vitro and liver fibrogenesis in vivo. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23124. [PMID: 37552464 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300920r] [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: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis results from excessive proliferation of, and collagen production by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) that is caused by chronic liver injury. No drugs are available to cure liver fibrosis. Hydroxyurea is an anti-proliferative drug that is used in benign and malignant disorders. Here, we studied the effect of hydroxyurea on primary HSCs and its anti-fibrotic effect in the CCl4 mouse model of liver fibrosis. Primary rat HSCs were cultured in the absence or presence of hydroxyurea (0.1-1.0 mmol/L). CCl4 or vehicle was administered to C57BL/6/J mice for 4 weeks, with or without hydroxyurea (100 mg/kg/day) co-treatment. We used real-time cell proliferation analysis, Oil Red O (lipid droplet) staining, immunohistochemistry, Acridine Orange staining (apoptosis), Sytox green staining (necrosis), RT-qPCR, ELISA, and Western Blotting for analysis. Hydroxyurea dose-dependently suppressed lipid droplet-loss and mRNA levels of Col1α1 and Acta2 in transdifferentiating HSCs. In fully-activated HSCs, hydroxyurea dose-dependently attenuated PCNA protein levels and BrdU incorporation, but did not reverse Col1α1 and Acta2 mRNA expression. Hydroxyurea did not induce apoptosis or necrosis in HSCs or hepatocytes. Hydroxyurea suppressed accumulation of desmin-positive HSCs and hepatic collagen deposition after CCl4 treatment. CCl4 -induced regenerative hepatocyte proliferation, Col1α1 and Acta2 mRNA expression and α-SMA protein levels were not affected. This study demonstrates that hydroxyurea inhibits HSC proliferation in vitro and attenuates early development of liver fibrosis in vivo, while preserving hepatocyte regeneration after toxic insults by CCl4. Thus, hydroxyurea may have therapeutic value against liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Floris Haijer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Shiva Koets-Shajari
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Janette Heegsma
- Department Laboratory Medicine, Center for Liver, Digestive, and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Serna-Salas
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tjasso Blokzijl
- Department Laboratory Medicine, Center for Liver, Digestive, and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Manon Buist-Homan
- Department Laboratory Medicine, Center for Liver, Digestive, and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Han Moshage
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department Laboratory Medicine, Center for Liver, Digestive, and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Klaas Nico Faber
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department Laboratory Medicine, Center for Liver, Digestive, and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cannito S, Dianzani U, Parola M, Albano E, Sutti S. Inflammatory processes involved in NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20221271. [PMID: 36691794 PMCID: PMC9874450 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20221271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In the recent years nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a growing cause of HCCs and the incidence of NAFLD-related HCCs is expected to further dramatically increase by the next decade. Chronic inflammation is regarded as the driving force of NAFLD progression and a key factor in hepatic carcinogenesis. Hepatic inflammation in NAFLD results from the persistent stimulation of innate immunity in response to hepatocellular injury and gut dysbiosis as well as by the activation of adaptive immunity. However, the relative roles of innate and adaptive immunity in the processes leading to HCC are still incompletely characterized. This is due to the complex interplay between different liver cell populations, which is also strongly influenced by gut-derived bacterial products, metabolic/nutritional signals. Furthermore, carcinogenic mechanisms in NAFLD/NASH appear to involve the activation of signals mediated by hypoxia inducible factors. This review discusses recent data regarding the contribution of different inflammatory cells to NAFLD-related HCC and their possible impact on patient response to current treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Cannito
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Umberto Dianzani
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, University of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Maurizio Parola
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Emanuele Albano
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, University of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sutti
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, University of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cappell MS. Ancient Origins of the Remarkable Ability of the Human Liver to Regenerate Itself: Three References from the Babylonian Talmud and Two References from Greek Mythology. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2022; 12:1593-1594. [PMID: 36340305 PMCID: PMC9630027 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2022.07.247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell S. Cappell
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Main Building, Room 3212, Aleda E. Lutz Veteran Administration Medical Center, 1500 Weiss Street, Saginaw, MI 48602, USA
| |
Collapse
|