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Yan R, Cai H, Zhou X, Bao G, Bai Z, Ge RL. Hypoxia-inducible factor-2α promotes fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by enhancing glutamine catabolism and inhibiting yes-associated protein phosphorylation in hepatic stellate cells. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1344971. [PMID: 38501098 PMCID: PMC10946064 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1344971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a high global prevalence and affects approximately one-third of adults, owing to high-fat dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle. The role of hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α) in NAFLD progression remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic hypoxia on NAFLD progression by examining the role of hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α) activation and that of hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-derived myofibroblasts through glutaminolysis. We hypothesised that hypoxia exacerbates NAFLD by promoting HIF-2α upregulation and inhibiting phosphorylated yes-associated protein (YAP), and that increasing YAP expression enhances HSC-derived myofibroblasts. We studied patients with NAFLD living at high altitudes, as well as animal models and cultured cells. The results revealed significant increases in HSC-derived myofibroblasts and collagen accumulation caused by HIF-2α and YAP upregulation, both in patients and in a mouse model for hypoxia and NAFLD. HIF-2α and HIF-2α-dependent YAP downregulation reduced HSC activation and myofibroblast levels in persistent chronic hypoxia. Furthermore, hypoxia-induced HIF-2α upregulation promoted YAP and inhibited YAP phosphorylation, leading to glutaminase 1 (GLS1), SLC38A1, α-SMA, and Collagen-1 overexpression. Additionally, hypoxia restored mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate production and reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. Thus, chronic hypoxia-induced HIF-2α activation enhances fibrosis and NAFLD progression by restoring mitochondrial ROS production and glutaminase-1-induced glutaminolysis, which is mediated through the inhibition of YAP phosphorylation and increased YAP nuclear translocation. In summary, HIF-2α plays a pivotal role in NAFLD progression during chronic hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranran Yan
- Qinghai-Utah Joint Key Lab for High-altitude Medicine, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine in Qinghai University, Ministry of Education, Xining, China
- Key Laboratory for Application of High-Altitude Medicine in Qinghai Province, Xining, China
| | - Hao Cai
- Oncology Department, The Fifth People’s Hospital of Qinghai Provincial, Xining, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhou
- Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Guodan Bao
- Qinghai-Utah Joint Key Lab for High-altitude Medicine, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine in Qinghai University, Ministry of Education, Xining, China
- Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Zhenzhong Bai
- Qinghai-Utah Joint Key Lab for High-altitude Medicine, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine in Qinghai University, Ministry of Education, Xining, China
- Key Laboratory for Application of High-Altitude Medicine in Qinghai Province, Xining, China
| | - Ri-li Ge
- Qinghai-Utah Joint Key Lab for High-altitude Medicine, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine in Qinghai University, Ministry of Education, Xining, China
- Key Laboratory for Application of High-Altitude Medicine in Qinghai Province, Xining, China
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Lv J, Xing C, Chen Y, Bian H, Lv N, Wang Z, Liu M, Su L. The STING in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases: Potential Therapeutic Targets in Inflammation-Carcinogenesis Pathway. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1241. [PMID: 36297353 PMCID: PMC9611148 DOI: 10.3390/ph15101241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), an important chronic disease, is one of the major causes of high mortality and creates a substantial financial burden worldwide. The various immune cells in the liver, including macrophages, NK cells, dendritic cells, and the neutrophils involved in the innate immune response, trigger inflammation after recognizing the damage signaled from infection or injured cells and tissues. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a critical molecule that binds to the cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) generated by the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) to initiate the innate immune response against infection. Previous studies have demonstrated that the cGAS-STING pathway plays a critical role in inflammatory, auto-immune, and anti-viral immune responses. Recently, studies have focused on the role of STING in liver diseases, the results implying that alterations in its activity may be involved in the pathogenesis of liver disorders. Here, we summarize the function of STING in the development of NAFLD and present the current inhibitors and agonists targeting STING.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Lv
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Chunlei Xing
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yuhong Chen
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- School of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233030, China
| | - Huihui Bian
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Nanning Lv
- Lianyungang Second People’s Hospital, Lianyungang 222002, China
| | - Zhibin Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200020, China
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Mingming Liu
- Lianyungang Second People’s Hospital, Lianyungang 222002, China
| | - Li Su
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
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