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Duan Y, Yang Y, Zhao S, Bai Y, Yao W, Gao X, Yin J. Crosstalk in extrahepatic and hepatic system in NAFLD/NASH. Liver Int 2024; 44:1856-1871. [PMID: 38717072 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15967] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the most prevalent chronic liver disease globally. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) represents an extremely progressive form of NAFLD, which, without timely intervention, may progress to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Presently, a definitive comprehension of the pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH eludes us, and pharmacological interventions targeting NASH specifically remain constrained. The aetiology of NAFLD encompasses a myriad of external factors including environmental influences, dietary habits and gender disparities. More significantly, inter-organ and cellular interactions within the human body play a role in the development or regression of the disease. In this review, we categorize the influences affecting NAFLD both intra- and extrahepatically, elaborating meticulously on the mechanisms governing the onset and progression of NAFLD/NASH. This exploration delves into progress in aetiology and promising therapeutic targets. As a metabolic disorder, the development of NAFLD involves complexities related to nutrient metabolism, liver-gut axis interactions and insulin resistance, among other regulatory functions of extraneous organs. It further encompasses intra-hepatic interactions among hepatic cells, Kupffer cells (KCs) and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). A comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH from a macroscopic standpoint is instrumental in the formulation of future therapies for NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiliang Duan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Yang
- The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuqiang Zhao
- Jiangsu Institute for Food and Drug Control, NMPA Key Laboratory for Impurity Profile of Chemical Drugs, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuesong Bai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenbing Yao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangdong Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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2
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Akkız H, Gieseler RK, Canbay A. Liver Fibrosis: From Basic Science towards Clinical Progress, Focusing on the Central Role of Hepatic Stellate Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7873. [PMID: 39063116 PMCID: PMC11277292 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147873] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The burden of chronic liver disease is globally increasing at an alarming rate. Chronic liver injury leads to liver inflammation and fibrosis (LF) as critical determinants of long-term outcomes such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, and mortality. LF is a wound-healing process characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins due to the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In the healthy liver, quiescent HSCs metabolize and store retinoids. Upon fibrogenic activation, quiescent HSCs transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts; lose their vitamin A; upregulate α-smooth muscle actin; and produce proinflammatory soluble mediators, collagens, and inhibitors of ECM degradation. Activated HSCs are the main effector cells during hepatic fibrogenesis. In addition, the accumulation and activation of profibrogenic macrophages in response to hepatocyte death play a critical role in the initiation of HSC activation and survival. The main source of myofibroblasts is resident HSCs. Activated HSCs migrate to the site of active fibrogenesis to initiate the formation of a fibrous scar. Single-cell technologies revealed that quiescent HSCs are highly homogenous, while activated HSCs/myofibroblasts are much more heterogeneous. The complex process of inflammation results from the response of various hepatic cells to hepatocellular death and inflammatory signals related to intrahepatic injury pathways or extrahepatic mediators. Inflammatory processes modulate fibrogenesis by activating HSCs and, in turn, drive immune mechanisms via cytokines and chemokines. Increasing evidence also suggests that cellular stress responses contribute to fibrogenesis. Recent data demonstrated that LF can revert even at advanced stages of cirrhosis if the underlying cause is eliminated, which inhibits the inflammatory and profibrogenic cells. However, despite numerous clinical studies on plausible drug candidates, an approved antifibrotic therapy still remains elusive. This state-of-the-art review presents cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in hepatic fibrogenesis and its resolution, as well as comprehensively discusses the drivers linking liver injury to chronic liver inflammation and LF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikmet Akkız
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Bahçeşehir, Beşiktaş, Istanbul 34353, Turkey
| | - Robert K. Gieseler
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, In der Schornau 23–25, 44892 Bochum, Germany; (R.K.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Ali Canbay
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, In der Schornau 23–25, 44892 Bochum, Germany; (R.K.G.); (A.C.)
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3
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Zhao B, Liu K, Liu X, Li Q, Li Z, Xi J, Xie F, Li X. Plant-derived flavonoids are a potential source of drugs for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Phytother Res 2024; 38:3122-3145. [PMID: 38613172 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8193] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a dynamic pathological process that can be triggered by any chronic liver injury. If left unaddressed, it will inevitably progress to the severe outcomes of liver cirrhosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma. In the past few years, the prevalence and fatality of hepatic fibrosis have been steadily rising on a global scale. As a result of its intricate pathogenesis, the quest for pharmacological interventions targeting liver fibrosis has remained a formidable challenge. Currently, no pharmaceuticals are exhibiting substantial clinical efficacy in the management of hepatic fibrosis. Hence, it is of utmost importance to expedite the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of this condition. Various research studies have revealed the ability of different natural flavonoid compounds to alleviate or reverse hepatic fibrosis through a range of mechanisms, which are related to the regulation of liver inflammation, oxidative stress, synthesis and secretion of fibrosis-related factors, hepatic stellate cells activation, and proliferation, and extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation by these compounds. This review summarizes the progress of research on different sources of natural flavonoids with inhibitory effects on liver fibrosis over the last decades. The anti-fibrotic effects of natural flavonoids have been increasingly studied, making them a potential source of drugs for the treatment of liver fibrosis due to their good efficacy and biosafety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiuxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhibei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingjing Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fan Xie
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 610032, China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Li Z, Yang H, Li X, She T, Tao Z, Zhong Y, Su T, Feng Y, Shi Q, Li L, Tian R, Wang S, Cheng J, Cai H, Lu X. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β-targeted positron emission tomography imaging for the noninvasive monitoring of liver fibrosis. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024; 51:1530-1543. [PMID: 38189910 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-023-06577-7] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Noninvasive quantifying activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) by molecular imaging is helpful for assessing disease progression and therapeutic responses of liver fibrosis. Our purpose is to develop platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ)-targeted radioactive tracer for assessing liver fibrosis by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of aHSCs. METHODS Comparative transcriptomics, immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used to evaluate PDGFRβ as biomarker for human aHSCs and determine the correlation of PDGFRβ with the severity of liver fibrosis. The high affinity affibody for PDGFRβ (ZPDGFRβ) was labeled with gallium-68 (68Ga) for PET imaging of mice with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. Binding of the [68Ga]Ga-labeled ZPDGFRβ ([68Ga]Ga-DOTA-ZPDGFRβ) for aHSCs in human liver tissues was measured by autoradiography. RESULTS PDGFRβ overexpressed in aHSCs was highly correlated with the severity of liver fibrosis in patients and CCl4-treated mice. The 68Ga-labeled ZPDGFRβ affibody ([68Ga]Ga-DOTA-ZPDGFRβ) showed PDGFRβ-dependent binding to aHSCs. According to the PET imaging, hepatic uptake of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-ZPDGFRβ increased with the accumulation of aHSCs and collagens in the fibrotic livers of mice. In contrast, hepatic uptake of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-ZPDGFRβ decreased with spontaneous recovery or treatment of liver fibrosis, indicating that the progression and therapeutic responses of liver fibrosis in mice could be visualized by PDGFRβ-targeted PET imaging. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-ZPDGFRβ also bound human aHSCs and visualized fibrosis in patient-derived liver tissues. CONCLUSIONS PDGFRβ is a reliable biomarker for both human and mouse aHSCs. PDGFRβ-targeted PET imaging could be used for noninvasive monitoring of liver fibrosis in mice and has great potential for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NHC Key Lab of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine , West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hao Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NHC Key Lab of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Sichuan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Pathology in Clinical Application, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine , West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Tianshan She
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NHC Key Lab of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ze Tao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NHC Key Lab of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Sichuan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Pathology in Clinical Application, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yi Zhong
- Laboratory of Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics, Institutes for Systems Genetics , West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Tao Su
- Laboratory of Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics, Institutes for Systems Genetics , West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yanru Feng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NHC Key Lab of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qiuxiao Shi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NHC Key Lab of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine , West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Rong Tian
- Department of Nuclear Medicine , West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Shisheng Wang
- Laboratory of Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics, Institutes for Systems Genetics , West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jingqiu Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NHC Key Lab of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Sichuan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Pathology in Clinical Application, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Huawei Cai
- Department of Nuclear Medicine , West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Xiaofeng Lu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NHC Key Lab of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Sichuan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Pathology in Clinical Application, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Mounika N, Mungase SB, Verma S, Kaur S, Deka UJ, Ghosh TS, Adela R. Inflammatory Protein Signatures as Predictive Disease-Specific Markers for Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Inflammation 2024:10.1007/s10753-024-02035-0. [PMID: 38676759 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-024-02035-0] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic disease worldwide, consisting of a broad spectrum of diseases such as simple steatosis (NAFL), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatic inflammation plays a key role in the pathophysiology of NAFLD. Inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and chemokines are considered as contributing factors to NAFLD development and progression. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the inflammatory protein signatures as predictive disease-specific markers for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This cross-sectional study included healthy control (n = 64), NAFL (n = 109), and NASH (n = 60) human subjects. Serum concentrations of various cytokines and chemokines were evaluated using sensitive multiplex assays. We used principal component analysis (PCoA) to reveal distinct differences in the levels of cytokines and chemokines between each of the study groups. Further, a random forest classification model was developed to identify the panel of markers that could predict diseases. The protein-protein network analysis was performed to determine the various signaling pathways associated with the disease-specific panel of markers. Serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-1ra, G-CSF, PDGF-BB, MCP-1, MIP-1a, MIP-1b, RANTES, eotaxin, IL-8 and IP-10 were significantly increased in NASH group as compared to control group. Furthermore, serum concentrations of IL-9 and IL-13 were significantly lower in the NASH group, whereas IL-2 levels were significantly decreased in the NAFL group when compared to the control group. PCoA results demonstrated statistically significant differences in cytokines and chemokines between each of the study groups (PERMANOVA p = 0.001; R2 = 0.102). RANTES, IL-1ra, MIP-1b, IL-2, and G-CSF could differentiate the NAFL group from the controls; G-CSF, IL-1ra, TNF-α, RANTES, and IL-9 could differentiate the NASH group from the controls; and G-CSF, IL-9, IL-13, eotaxin, and TNF- α could differentiate the NASH group from the NAFL group. Our protein-protein network revealed that these markers are involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation, TNF, chemokine, JAK/STAT, P13K/Akt, TLR, NOD-like receptor, NF-kB, and adipocytokine signaling pathways which might be responsible for disease pathogenesis. Our study findings revealed a set of distinct cytokine and chemokine markers and they might be considered as biomarkers in distinguishing NASH from NAFL. Future multicentre studies with larger sample size are recommended to determine the potential utility of these panels of markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadella Mounika
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Guwahati, Sila Katamur (Halugurisuk), Changsari, Kamrup, Assam-781101, India
| | - Suraj Bhausaheb Mungase
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Guwahati, Sila Katamur (Halugurisuk), Changsari, Kamrup, Assam-781101, India
| | - Shivangi Verma
- Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT-Delhi), Okhla Phase III, New Delhi, 110020, India
| | - Savneet Kaur
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver & Biliary Science (ILBS), New Delhi-110 070, Vasant Kunj, India
| | - Utpal Jyoti Deka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Downtown Hospital, GS Road, Bormotoria, Guwahati, Assam-781006, India
| | - Tarini Shankar Ghosh
- Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT-Delhi), Okhla Phase III, New Delhi, 110020, India
| | - Ramu Adela
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Guwahati, Sila Katamur (Halugurisuk), Changsari, Kamrup, Assam-781101, India.
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Bogomolova A, Balakrishnan A, Ott M, Sharma AD. "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" - About Diverse Phenotypes of Hepatic Stellate Cells in the Liver. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 17:607-622. [PMID: 38216053 PMCID: PMC10900761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.01.002] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and their activated derivatives, often referred to as myofibroblasts (MFs), play a key role in progression of chronic liver injuries leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Until recently, MFs were considered a homogenous cell type majorly due to lack of techniques that allow complex molecular studies at a single-cell resolution. Recent technical advancements in genetic lineage-tracing models as well as the exponential growth of studies with single-cell transcriptome and proteome analyses have uncovered hidden heterogeneities among the HSC and MF populations in healthy states as well as chronic liver injuries at the various stages of tissue deformation. The identification of different phenotypes along the HSC/MF axis, which either maintain essential liver functions ("good" HSCs), emerge during fibrosis ("bad" HSCs), or even promote hepatocellular carcinoma ("ugly" HSCs), may lay the foundation for targeting a particular MF phenotype as potential treatment for chronic liver injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Bogomolova
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Research Group RNA Therapeutics & Liver Regeneration, REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Asha Balakrishnan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Ott
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Amar Deep Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Research Group RNA Therapeutics & Liver Regeneration, REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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Duangdara J, Boonsri B, Sayinta A, Supradit K, Thintharua P, Kumkate S, Suriyonplengsaeng C, Larbcharoensub N, Mingphruedhi S, Rungsakulkij N, Muangkaew P, Tangtawee P, Vassanasiri W, Suragul W, Janvilisri T, Tohtong R, Bates DO, Wongprasert K. CP-673451, a Selective Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Induces Apoptosis in Opisthorchis viverrini-Associated Cholangiocarcinoma via Nrf2 Suppression and Enhanced ROS. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 17:9. [PMID: 38275995 PMCID: PMC10821224 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010009] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) and PDGF receptors (PDGFRs) play essential roles in promoting cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cell survival by mediating paracrine crosstalk between tumor and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), indicating the potential of PDGFR as a target for CCA treatment. Clinical trials evaluating PDGFR inhibitors for CCA treatment have shown limited efficacy. Furthermore, little is known about the role of PDGF/PDGFR expression and the mechanism underlying PDGFR inhibitors in CCA related to Opisthorchis viverrini (OV). Therefore, we examined the effect of PDGFR inhibitors in OV-related CCA cells and investigated the molecular mechanism involved. We found that the PDGF and PDGFR mRNAs were overexpressed in CCA tissues compared to resection margins. Notably, PDGFR-α showed high expression in CCA cells, while PDGFR-β was predominantly expressed in CAFs. The selective inhibitor CP-673451 induced CCA cell death by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway, leading to a decreased expression of Nrf2-targeted antioxidant genes. Consequently, this led to an increase in ROS levels and the promotion of CCA apoptosis. CP-673451 is a promising PDGFR-targeted drug for CCA and supports the further clinical investigation of CP-673451 for CCA treatment, particularly in the context of OV-related cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinchutha Duangdara
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (J.D.); (B.B.); (K.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Boonyakorn Boonsri
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (J.D.); (B.B.); (K.S.); (P.T.)
- Division of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
| | - Apinya Sayinta
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (J.D.); (B.B.); (K.S.); (P.T.)
- Division of Basic and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Pathumthani University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand
| | - Kittiya Supradit
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (J.D.); (B.B.); (K.S.); (P.T.)
- Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok 10240, Thailand
| | - Pakpoom Thintharua
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (J.D.); (B.B.); (K.S.); (P.T.)
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute (CNMI), Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Samut Prakan 10540, Thailand
| | - Supeecha Kumkate
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Chinnawut Suriyonplengsaeng
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (J.D.); (B.B.); (K.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Noppadol Larbcharoensub
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Somkit Mingphruedhi
- Department of Surgery, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Division, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.M.); (W.V.); (W.S.)
| | - Narongsak Rungsakulkij
- Department of Surgery, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Division, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.M.); (W.V.); (W.S.)
| | - Paramin Muangkaew
- Department of Surgery, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Division, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.M.); (W.V.); (W.S.)
| | - Pongsatorn Tangtawee
- Department of Surgery, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Division, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.M.); (W.V.); (W.S.)
| | - Watoo Vassanasiri
- Department of Surgery, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Division, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.M.); (W.V.); (W.S.)
| | - Wikran Suragul
- Department of Surgery, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Division, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.M.); (W.V.); (W.S.)
| | - Tavan Janvilisri
- Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Rutaiwan Tohtong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - David O. Bates
- Centre for Cancer Sciences, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Kanokpan Wongprasert
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (J.D.); (B.B.); (K.S.); (P.T.)
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8
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Hess A, Gentile SD, Ben Saad A, Rahman R, Habboub T, Pratt DS, Mullen AC. Single-cell transcriptomics stratifies organoid models of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. EMBO J 2023; 42:e113898. [PMID: 37962490 PMCID: PMC10711666 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023113898] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing cause of morbidity with limited treatment options. Thus, accurate in vitro systems to test new therapies are indispensable. While recently, human liver organoid models have emerged to assess steatotic liver disease, a systematic evaluation of their translational potential is still missing. Here, we evaluated human liver organoid models of MASLD, comparatively testing disease induction in three conditions: oleic acid, palmitic acid, and TGF-β1. Through single-cell analyses, we find that all three models induce inflammatory signatures, but only TGF-β1 promotes collagen production, fibrosis, and hepatic stellate cell expansion. In striking contrast, oleic acid ameliorates fibrotic signatures and reduces the hepatic stellate cell population. Linking data from each model to gene expression signatures associated with MASLD disease progression further demonstrates that palmitic acid and TGF-β1 more robustly model inflammation and fibrosis. Our findings highlight the importance of stratifying MASLD organoid models by signatures of clinical disease progression, provide a single-cell reference to benchmark future organoid injury models, and allow us to study evolving steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and HSC susceptibility to injury in a dynamic, multi-lineage human in vitro system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Hess
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
- Present address:
Department of Genome RegulationMax Planck Institute for Molecular GeneticsBerlinGermany
| | - Stefan D Gentile
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
- Klarman Cell ObservatoryBroad Institute of MIT and HarvardCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Amel Ben Saad
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Raza‐Ur Rahman
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Tim Habboub
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Daniel S Pratt
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
- Autoimmune and Cholestatic Liver CenterMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | - Alan C Mullen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
- Klarman Cell ObservatoryBroad Institute of MIT and HarvardCambridgeMAUSA
- Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Harvard Stem Cell InstituteCambridgeMAUSA
- Present address:
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolWorcesterMAUSA
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9
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Cuesta ÁM, Palao N, Bragado P, Gutierrez-Uzquiza A, Herrera B, Sánchez A, Porras A. New and Old Key Players in Liver Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17152. [PMID: 38138981 PMCID: PMC10742790 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417152] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer represents a major health problem worldwide with growing incidence and high mortality, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most frequent. Hepatocytes are likely the cellular origin of most HCCs through the accumulation of genetic alterations, although hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) might also be candidates in specific cases, as discussed here. HCC usually develops in a context of chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, although the role of fibrosis is controversial. The interplay between hepatocytes, immune cells and hepatic stellate cells is a key issue. This review summarizes critical aspects of the liver tumor microenvironment paying special attention to platelets as new key players, which exert both pro- and anti-tumor effects, determined by specific contexts and a tight regulation of platelet signaling. Additionally, the relevance of specific signaling pathways, mainly HGF/MET, EGFR and TGF-β is discussed. HGF and TGF-β are produced by different liver cells and platelets and regulate not only tumor cell fate but also HPCs, inflammation and fibrosis, these being key players in these processes. The role of C3G/RAPGEF1, required for the proper function of HGF/MET signaling in HCC and HPCs, is highlighted, due to its ability to promote HCC growth and, regulate HPC fate and platelet-mediated actions on liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel M. Cuesta
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Palao
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Bragado
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Gutierrez-Uzquiza
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Blanca Herrera
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD-ISCIII), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Sánchez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD-ISCIII), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Porras
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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10
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Skorup I, Valentino G, Aleandri S, Gelli R, Ganguin AA, Felli E, Selicean SE, Marxer RA, Teworte S, Lucić A, Gracia-Sancho J, Berzigotti A, Ridi F, Luciani P. Polyenylphosphatidylcholine as bioactive excipient in tablets for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Int J Pharm 2023; 646:123473. [PMID: 37788730 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123473] [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: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a condition characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) arising from the myofibroblastic transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) occurring as the natural response to liver damage. To date, no pharmacological treatments have been specifically approved for liver fibrosis. We recently reported a beneficial effect of polyenylphosphatidylcholines (PPCs)-rich formulations in reverting fibrogenic features of HSCs. However, unsaturated phospholipids' properties pose a constant challenge to the development of tablets as preferred patient-centric dosage form. Profiting from the advantageous physical properties of the PPCs-rich Soluthin® S 80 M, we developed a tablet formulation incorporating 70% w/w of this bioactive lipid. Tablets were characterized via X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetry, and Raman confocal imaging, and passed the major compendial requirements. To mimic physiological absorption after oral intake, phospholipids extracted from tablets were reconstituted as protein-free chylomicron (PFC)-like emulsions and tested on the fibrogenic human HSC line LX-2 and on primary cirrhotic rat hepatic stellate cells (PRHSC). Lipids extracted from tablets and reconstituted in buffer or as PFC-like emulsions exerted the same antifibrotic effect on both activated LX-2 and PRHSCs as observed with plain S 80 M liposomes, showing that the manufacturing process did not interfere with the bioactivity of PPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo Skorup
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gina Valentino
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Simone Aleandri
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rita Gelli
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff" and CSGI, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Aymar Abel Ganguin
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eric Felli
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sonia Emilia Selicean
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rosanne Angela Marxer
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Teworte
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ana Lucić
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, CIBEREHD, IDIBAPS Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Francesca Ridi
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff" and CSGI, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Luciani
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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11
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Eriksson O, Velikyan I. Radiotracers for Imaging of Fibrosis: Advances during the Last Two Decades and Future Directions. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1540. [PMID: 38004406 PMCID: PMC10674214 DOI: 10.3390/ph16111540] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis accompanies various pathologies, and there is thus an unmet medical need for non-invasive, sensitive, and quantitative methods for the assessment of fibrotic processes. Currently, needle biopsy with subsequent histological analysis is routinely used for the diagnosis along with morphological imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (US). However, none of these imaging techniques are sufficiently sensitive and accurate to detect minor changes in fibrosis. More importantly, they do not provide information on fibrotic activity on the molecular level, which is critical for fundamental understanding of the underlying biology and disease course. Molecular imaging technology using positron emission tomography (PET) offers the possibility of imaging not only physiological real-time activity, but also high-sensitivity and accurate quantification. This diagnostic tool is well established in oncology and has exhibited exponential development during the last two decades. However, PET diagnostics has only recently been widely applied in the area of fibrosis. This review presents the progress of development of radiopharmaceuticals for non-invasive detection of fibrotic processes, including the fibrotic scar itself, the deposition of new fibrotic components (fibrogenesis), or the degradation of existing fibrosis (fibrolysis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Olof Eriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 83 Uppsala, Sweden;
- Antaros Tracer AB, Dragarbrunnsgatan 46, 2 tr, 753 20 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Irina Velikyan
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 83 Uppsala, Sweden;
- Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 752 85 Uppsala, Sweden
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12
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Kandhi R, Yeganeh M, Yoshimura A, Menendez A, Ramanathan S, Ilangumaran S. Hepatic stellate cell-intrinsic role of SOCS1 in controlling hepatic fibrogenic response and the pro-inflammatory macrophage compartment during liver fibrosis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1259246. [PMID: 37860002 PMCID: PMC10582746 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1259246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) become activated, differentiate to myofibroblasts and produce extracellular fibrillar matrix during liver fibrosis. The hepatic fibrogenic response is orchestrated by reciprocal interactions between HSCs and macrophages and their secreted products. SOCS1 can regulate several cytokines and growth factors implicated in liver fibrosis. Here we investigated the role of SOCS1 in regulating HSC activation. Methods Mice lacking SOCS1 in HSCs (Socs1ΔHSC) were generated by crossing Socs1fl/fl and LratCre mice. Liver fibrosis was induced by carbon tetrachloride and evaluated by Sirius red staining, hydroxyproline content and immunostaining of myofibroblasts. Gene expression of pro-fibrogenic factors, cytokines, growth factors and chemokines were quantified by RT-qPCR. The phenotype and the numbers of intrahepatic leukocyte subsets were studied by flow cytometry. The impact of fibrosis on the development of diethyl nitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma was evaluated. Results Socs1ΔHSC mice developed more severe liver fibrosis than control Socs1fl/fl mice that was characterized by increased collagen deposition and myofibroblast differentiation. Socs1ΔHSC mice showed a significant increase in the expression of smooth muscle actin, collagens, matrix metalloproteases, cytokines, growth factors and chemokines in the liver following fibrosis induction. The fibrotic livers of Socs1ΔHSC mice displayed heightened inflammatory cell infiltration with increased proportion and numbers of Ly6ChiCCR2+ pro-inflammatory macrophages. This macrophage population contained elevated numbers of CCR2+CX3CR1+ cells, suggesting impaired transition towards restorative macrophages. Fibrosis induction following exposure to diethyl nitrosamine resulted in more numerous and larger liver tumor nodules in Socs1ΔHSC mice than in Socs1fl/fl mice. Discussion Our findings indicate that (i) SOCS1 expression in HSCs is a critical to control liver fibrosis and development of hepatocaellular carcinoma, and (ii) attenuation of HSC activation by SOCS1 regulates pro-inflammatory macrophage recruitment and differentiation during liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajani Kandhi
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Mehdi Yeganeh
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Akihiko Yoshimura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Alfredo Menendez
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Sheela Ramanathan
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Subburaj Ilangumaran
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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13
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Cogliati B, Yashaswini CN, Wang S, Sia D, Friedman SL. Friend or foe? The elusive role of hepatic stellate cells in liver cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 20:647-661. [PMID: 37550577 PMCID: PMC10671228 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00821-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a substantial risk factor for the development and progression of liver cancer, which includes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). Studies utilizing cell fate mapping and single-cell transcriptomics techniques have identified quiescent perisinusoidal hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) as the primary source of activated collagen-producing HSCs and liver cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in HCC and liver metastasis, complemented in iCCA by contributions from portal fibroblasts. At the same time, integrative computational analysis of single-cell, single-nucleus and spatial RNA sequencing data have revealed marked heterogeneity among HSCs and CAFs, with distinct subpopulations displaying unique gene expression signatures and functions. Some of these subpopulations have divergent roles in promoting or inhibiting liver fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis. In this Review, we discuss the dual roles of HSC subpopulations in liver fibrogenesis and their contribution to liver cancer promotion, progression and metastasis. We review the transcriptomic and functional similarities between HSC and CAF subpopulations, highlighting the pathways that either promote or prevent fibrosis and cancer, and the immunological landscape from which these pathways emerge. Insights from ongoing studies will yield novel strategies for developing biomarkers, assessing prognosis and generating new therapies for both HCC and iCCA prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Cogliati
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Shuang Wang
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniela Sia
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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14
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Liu F, Li S, Chen P, Gu Y, Wang S, Wang L, Chen C, Wang R, Yuan Y. Salvianolic acid B inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis by targeting PDGFRβ. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 122:110550. [PMID: 37451016 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110550] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a reversible pathological process and a wound healing response to liver injury. As an early stage of various liver diseases, liver fibrosis can develop into cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer if not controlled in time. Salvia miltiorrhiza is a medicinal plant with hepatoprotective effects. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) is the representative component of S. miltiorrhiza. Many studies have reported the anti-liver fibrosis effects and mechanisms of Sal B. However, the direct anti-fibrotic targets of Sal B have not yet been reported. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) is one of the most classical targets in liver fibrosis, which is closely related to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activated. Previously, we established and applied a PDGFRβ affinity chromatography model, and found that Sal B binds well to PDGFRβ. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the direct targets of Sal B against liver fibrosis. We confirmed the binding ability of Sal B to PDGFRβ by molecular docking and a surface plasmon resonance biosensor. Our findings indicated that Sal B targeted PDGFRβ to inhibit the activation, migration and proliferation of HSCs and suppressed the PDGF-BB-induced PDGFRβ signaling pathway. Annexin V-FITC/PI assay showed that Sal B reversed the PDGF-BB-induced decrease in HSC apoptosis rate. In the mouse liver fibrosis model, Sal B inhibited the PDGFRβ signaling pathway, HSC activation and reduced inflammatory response, ultimately improved CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. In summary, the direct anti-fibrotic targets of Sal B may be PDGFRβ, and this study clarified the anti-liver fibrosis effects and mechanism of Sal B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangbin Liu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Shengnan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Panpan Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Yanqiu Gu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Shaozhan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Chun Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China.
| | - Yongfang Yuan
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China.
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15
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Otto J, Verwaayen A, Penners C, Hundertmark J, Lin C, Kallen C, Paffen D, Otto T, Berger H, Tacke F, Weiskirchen R, Nevzorova YA, Bartneck M, Trautwein C, Sonntag R, Liedtke C. Expression of Cyclin E1 in hepatic stellate cells is critical for the induction and progression of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:549. [PMID: 37620309 PMCID: PMC10449804 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06077-4] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most severe malignancies with increasing incidence and limited treatment options. Typically, HCC develops during a multistep process involving chronic liver inflammation and liver fibrosis. The latter is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix produced by Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSCs). This process involves cell cycle re-entry and proliferation of normally quiescent HSCs in an ordered sequence that is highly regulated by cyclins and associated cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) such as the Cyclin E1 (CCNE1)/CDK2 kinase complex. In the present study, we examined the role of Cyclin E1 (Ccne1) and Cdk2 genes in HSCs for liver fibrogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis. To this end, we generated conditional knockout mice lacking Ccne1 or Cdk2 specifically in HSCs (Ccne1∆HSC or Cdk2∆HSC). Ccne1∆HSC mice showed significantly reduced liver fibrosis formation and attenuated HSC activation in the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) model. In a combined model of fibrosis-driven hepatocarcinogenesis, Ccne1∆HSC mice revealed decreased HSC activation even after long-term observation and substantially reduced tumor load in the liver when compared to wild-type controls. Importantly, the deletion of Cdk2 in HSCs also resulted in attenuated liver fibrosis after chronic CCl4 treatment. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that only a small fraction of HSCs expressed Ccne1/Cdk2 at a distinct time point after CCl4 treatment. In summary, we provide evidence that Ccne1 expression in a small population of HSCs is sufficient to trigger extensive liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis in a Cdk2-dependent manner. Thus, HSC-specific targeting of Ccne1 or Cdk2 in patients with liver fibrosis and high risk for HCC development could be therapeutically beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Otto
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anna Verwaayen
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Penners
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jana Hundertmark
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cheng Lin
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Carina Kallen
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Daniela Paffen
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tobias Otto
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Hilmar Berger
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Yulia A Nevzorova
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
| | - Matthias Bartneck
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Roland Sonntag
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Liedtke
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
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16
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Huang J, Huang H, Wang Y, Xu B, Lin M, Han S, Yuan Y, Wang Y, Shuai X. Retinol-binding protein-hijacking nanopolyplex delivering siRNA to cytoplasm of hepatic stellate cell for liver fibrosis alleviation. Biomaterials 2023; 299:122134. [PMID: 37167895 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122134] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Activated hepatic stellate cell (aHSC) is mainly responsible for deposition of extracellular collagen matrix that causes liver fibrosis. Although several siRNAs adequately inhibited HSC activation in vitro, they were demonstrated poor RNAi efficiency in vivo. Developing HSC-targeting and cytoplasmic delivery nanocarrier is highly essential to acquire a desirable siRNA therapeutic index for anti-liver fibrosis. Here, we developed a unique crosslinking nanopolyplex (called T-C-siRNA) modified by vitamin A (VA) with the well-designed natures, including the negative charge, retinol-binding protein (RBP) hijacking, and cytoplasmic siRNA release in response to ROS and cis diol molecules. The nanopolyplex was given a yolk-shell-like shape, camouflage ability in blood, and HSC-targeting capability by hijacking the endogenous ligand RBP via surface VA. PDGFR-β siRNA (siPDGFR-β) supplied via T-C-siPDGFR-β nanopolyplex dramatically reduced HSC activation and its production of pro-fibrogenic proteins in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, T-C-siPDGFR-β nanopolyplex effectively alleviated CCl4-induced liver injury, decreased hepatic collagen sediment, and recovered liver function in mice. This study provides a sophisticated method for HSC-targeting cytoplasmic RNA delivery using endogenous ligand hijacking and dual sensitivity of ROS and cis diol compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsheng Huang
- Department of Urology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
| | - Huiling Huang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yiyao Wang
- Department of Urology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Urology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Minzhao Lin
- Nanomedicine Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China; PCFM Lab of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Shisong Han
- PCFM Lab of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yuan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Yong Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Xintao Shuai
- Nanomedicine Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
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17
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Cheng C, Wu Y, Wang X, Xue Q, Huang Y, Liao F, Wang X, Duan Q, Miao C. RNA methylations in hepatic fibrosis, a gradually emerging new treatment strategy. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:126. [PMID: 37420298 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01066-8] [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: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a pathological process caused by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix caused by a series of causes, leading to the formation of fiber scar. RNA methylation is a newly discovered epigenetic modification that exists widely in eukaryotes and prokaryotes and plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. RESULTS The occurrence and development of HF are regulated by many factors, including excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, activation of hepatic stellate cells, inflammation, and oxidative stress. RNA methylations of different species have become a crucial regulatory mode of transcript expression, And participate in the pathogenesis of tumors, nervous system diseases, autoimmune diseases, and other diseases. In addition, there are five common types of RNA methylation, but only m6A plays a crucial regulatory role in HF. The pathophysiological regulation of m6A on HF is achieved by the combination of the methylated transferase, demethylated enzyme, and methylated reading protein. CONCLUSIONS RNA methylated methyltransferase, demethylase, and reading protein extensively affect the pathological mechanism of HF, which may be a new therapeutic and diagnostic target, representing a new class of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglong Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yajie Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Qiuyun Xue
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yurong Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Faxue Liao
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, China.
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Clinical Nursing, School of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
| | - Qiangjun Duan
- Department of Experimental (Practical Training) Teaching Center, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
| | - Chenggui Miao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
- Institute of Rheumatism, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
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18
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Kong M, Dong W, Kang A, Kuai Y, Xu T, Fan Z, Shi L, Sun D, Lu Y, Li Z, Xu Y. Regulatory role and translational potential of CCL11 in liver fibrosis. Hepatology 2023; 78:120-135. [PMID: 36651177 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Myofibroblasts are considered the major effector cell type of liver fibrosis and primarily derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In the present study, we investigated the contribution of C-C motif chemokine (CCL11) to HSC-myofibroblast trans -differentiation and its implication in liver fibrosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS We report that CCL11 levels were elevated in HSCs, but not in hepatocytes or Kupffer cells, isolated from mice with liver fibrosis compared with the control mice. CCL11 levels were also up-regulated by 2 pro-fibrogenic growth factors TGF-β and platelet derived growth factor in cultured HSCs. Mechanistically, zinc finger factor 281 bound to the CCL11 promoter and mediated CCL11 trans -activation in HSCs. Depletion of CCL11 attenuated whereas treatment with recombinant CCL11 promoted HSC activation. Further, global CCL11 deletion ( CCL11-/- ) or HSC/myofibroblast-specific CCL11 knockdown mitigated fibrogenesis in mice. RNA-sequencing revealed that CCL11 might regulate HSC activation by stimulating the transcription of Jagged 1. Reconstitution of Jagged 1 restored the fibrogenic response in CCL11-/- mice. Finally, several targeting strategies that aimed at blockading CCL11 signaling, either by administration of an antagonist to its receptor C-C motif chemokine receptor 3 or neutralizing antibodies against CCL11/C-C motif chemokine receptor 3, ameliorated liver fibrosis in mice. CONCLUSIONS Our data unveil a previously unrecognized role for CCL11 in liver fibrosis and provide proof-of-concept evidence that targeting CCL11 can be considered as an effective therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Aoqi Kang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yameng Kuai
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tongchang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated With Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Longqing Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Hospital Affiliated With Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Donglin Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Hospital Affiliated With Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yunjie Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Hospital Affiliated With Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Zilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Biomedical Research and College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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19
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Pei Q, Yi Q, Tang L. Liver Fibrosis Resolution: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119671. [PMID: 37298621 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is a critical system for metabolism in human beings, which plays an essential role in an abundance of physiological processes and is vulnerable to endogenous or exogenous injuries. After the damage to the liver, a type of aberrant wound healing response known as liver fibrosis may happen, which can result in an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and then cause cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), seriously endangering human health and causing a great economic burden. However, few effective anti-fibrotic medications are clinically available to treat liver fibrosis. The most efficient approach to liver fibrosis prevention and treatment currently is to eliminate its causes, but this approach's efficiency is too slow, or some causes cannot be fully eliminated, which causes liver fibrosis to worsen. In cases of advanced fibrosis, the only available treatment is liver transplantation. Therefore, new treatments or therapeutic agents need to be explored to stop the further development of early liver fibrosis or to reverse the fibrosis process to achieve liver fibrosis resolution. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to the development of liver fibrosis is necessary to find new therapeutic targets and drugs. The complex process of liver fibrosis is regulated by a variety of cells and cytokines, among which hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the essential cells, and their continued activation will lead to further progression of liver fibrosis. It has been found that inhibiting HSC activation, or inducing apoptosis, and inactivating activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) can reverse fibrosis and thus achieve liver fibrosis regression. Hence, this review will concentrate on how HSCs become activated during liver fibrosis, including intercellular interactions and related signaling pathways, as well as targeting HSCs or liver fibrosis signaling pathways to achieve the resolution of liver fibrosis. Finally, new therapeutic compounds targeting liver fibrosis are summarized to provide more options for the therapy of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiying Pei
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Qian Yi
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Liling Tang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
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20
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Jo S, Kim JW, Noh H, Kim H, Kim JH, Park HJ. Generation of a PDGFRB-mCherry knock-in reporter human induced pluripotent stem cell line (KITi001-A-1), using CRISPR/Cas9 nuclease. Stem Cell Res 2023; 69:103081. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2023.103081] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
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21
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Altrieth AL, O’Keefe KJ, Gellatly VA, Tavarez JR, Feminella SM, Moskwa NL, Cordi CV, Turrieta JC, Nelson DA, Larsen M. Identifying fibrogenic cells following salivary gland obstructive injury. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1190386. [PMID: 37287453 PMCID: PMC10242138 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1190386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis results from excess extracellular matrix accumulation, which alters normal tissue architecture and impedes function. In the salivary gland, fibrosis can be induced by irradiation treatment for cancer therapy, Sjögren's Disease, and other causes; however, it is unclear which stromal cells and signals participate in injury responses and disease progression. As hedgehog signaling has been implicated in fibrosis of the salivary gland and other organs, we examined contributions of the hedgehog effector, Gli1, to fibrotic responses in salivary glands. To experimentally induce a fibrotic response in female murine submandibular salivary glands, we performed ductal ligation surgery. We detected a progressive fibrotic response where both extracellular matrix accumulation and actively remodeled collagen significantly increased at 14 days post-ligation. Macrophages, which participate in extracellular matrix remodeling, and Gli1+ and PDGFRα+ stromal cells, which may deposit extracellular matrix, both increased with injury. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing, Gli1 + cells were not found in discrete clusters at embryonic day 16 but were found in clusters expressing the stromal genes Pdgfra and/or Pdgfrb. In adult mice, Gli1+ cells were similarly heterogeneous but more cells co-expressed PDGFRα and PDGFRβ. Using Gli1-CreERT2; ROSA26tdTomato lineage-tracing mice, we found that Gli1-derived cells expand with ductal ligation injury. Although some of the Gli1 lineage-traced tdTomato+ cells expressed vimentin and PDGFRβ following injury, there was no increase in the classic myofibroblast marker, smooth muscle alpha-actin. Additionally, there was little change in extracellular matrix area, remodeled collagen area, PDGFRα, PDGFRβ, endothelial cells, neurons, or macrophages in Gli1 null salivary glands following injury when compared with controls, suggesting that Gli1 signaling and Gli1+ cells have only a minor contribution to mechanical injury-induced fibrotic changes in the salivary gland. We used scRNA-seq to examine cell populations that expand with ligation and/or showed increased expression of matrisome genes. Some Pdgfra + /Pdgfrb + stromal cell subpopulations expanded in response to ligation, with two stromal cell subpopulations showing increased expression of Col1a1 and a greater diversity of matrisome genes, consistent with these cells being fibrogenic. However, only a few cells in these subpopulations expressed Gli1, consistent with a minor contribution of these cells to extracellular matrix production. Defining the signaling pathways driving fibrotic responses in stromal cell sub-types could reveal future therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber L. Altrieth
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Kevin J. O’Keefe
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Victoria A. Gellatly
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Joey R. Tavarez
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Sage M. Feminella
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Nicholas L. Moskwa
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Carmalena V. Cordi
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Judy C. Turrieta
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Deirdre A. Nelson
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Melinda Larsen
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
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22
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Wang Z, Du K, Jin N, Tang B, Zhang W. Macrophage in liver Fibrosis: Identities and mechanisms. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 120:110357. [PMID: 37224653 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a chronic disease characterized by the deposition of extracellular matrix and continuous loss of tissues that perform liver functions. Macrophages are crucial modulators of innate immunity and play important roles in liver fibrogenesis. Macrophages comprise heterogeneous subpopulations that exhibit different cellular functions. Understanding the identity and function of these cells is essential for understanding the mechanisms of liver fibrogenesis. According to different definitions, liver macrophages are divided into M1/M2 macrophages or monocyte-derived macrophages/Kupffer cells. Classic M1/M2 phenotyping corresponds to pro- or anti-inflammatory effects, and, therefore, influences the degree of fibrosis in later phases. In contrast, the origin of the macrophages is closely associated with their replenishment and activation during liver fibrosis. These two classifications of macrophages depict the function and dynamics of liver-infiltrating macrophages. However, neither description properly elucidates the positive or negative role of macrophages in liver fibrosis. Critical tissue cells mediating liver fibrosis include hepatic stellate cells and hepatic fibroblasts, with hepatic stellate cells being of particular interest because of their close association with macrophages in liver fibrosis. However, the molecular biological descriptions of macrophages are inconsistent between mice and humans, warranting further investigations. In liver fibrosis, macrophages can secrete various pro-fibrotic cytokines, such as TGF-β, Galectin-3 and interleukins (ILs), and fibrosis-inhibiting cytokines, such as IL10. These different secretions may be associated with the specific identity and spatiotemporal characteristics of macrophages. Furthermore, during fibrosis dissipation, macrophages may degrade extracellular matrix by secreting matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Notably, using macrophages as therapeutic targets in liver fibrosis has been explored. The current therapeutic approaches for liver fibrosis can by categorized as follows: treatment with macrophage-related molecules and macrophage infusion therapy. Although there have been limited studies, macrophages have shown reliable potential for liver fibrosis treatment. In this review, we focu on the identity and function of macrophages and their relationship to the progression and regression of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine Center, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Kailei Du
- Dongyang Peoples hospital, Zhejiang, China
| | - Nake Jin
- Ningbo Hangzhou Bay Hospital, Zhejiang, China
| | - Biao Tang
- Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenwu Zhang
- Department of Critical Care, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
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23
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Dai W, Guo Y, Shen Z, Wang J, Lu L, Dong H, Cai X. Identification of LBH and SPP1 involved in hepatic stellate cell activation during liver fibrogenesis. Hum Cell 2023; 36:1054-1067. [PMID: 36917392 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-023-00889-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a pathological response driven by the activation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC). However, the mechanisms of liver fibrosis and HSC activation are complicated and far from being fully understood. We aimed to explore the candidate genes involved in HSC activation during liver fibrogenesis. Five genes (LBH, LGALS3, LOXL1, S100A6 and SPP1) were recurrent in the DEGs derived from the seven datasets. The expression of these genes gradually increased as liver fibrosis staging advanced, suggesting they might be candidate genes involved in HSC activation during hepatic fibrosis. These candidate genes were predicted to be coregulated by miRNAs such as hsa-miR-125a-5p and has-miR-125b, or by transcription factors including JUN, USF1, TP53 and TFAP2C. PPI analysis showed that LGALS3, LOXL1, S100A6 and SPP1 might interact with each other indirectly, but no interaction was found between them and LBH. The candidate genes and their interaction partners were enriched in focal adhesion, extracellular matrix organization and binding. Upregulation of LBH, S100A6 and SPP1 were further validated in TGF-β-treated LX-2 as well as in DDC or CCL4-treated mice models. Decreased LBH and SPP1 expression reduces the expression of HSC activation-related markers in TGF-β-treated LX-2. Our results indicated that LBH, LGALS3, LOXL1, S100A6 and SPP1 were candidate genes which may participate in the HSC activation during liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiming Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuecheng Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyang Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Junjun Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lungen Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaobo Cai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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24
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Altrieth AL, O’Keefe KJ, Gellatly VA, Tavarez JR, Feminella SM, Moskwa NL, Cordi CV, Turrieta JC, Nelson DA, Larsen M. Identifying Fibrogenic Cells Following Salivary Gland Obstructive Injury. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.09.531751. [PMID: 36945483 PMCID: PMC10028956 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.09.531751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis results from excess extracellular matrix accumulation, which alters normal tissue architecture and impedes function. In the salivary gland, fibrosis can be induced by irradiation treatment for cancer therapy, Sjögren's Disease, and other causes; however, it is unclear which stromal cells and signals participate in injury responses and disease progression. As hedgehog signaling has been implicated in fibrosis of the salivary gland and other organs, we examined contributions of the hedgehog effector, Gli1, to fibrotic responses in salivary glands. To experimentally induce a fibrotic response in female murine submandibular salivary glands, we performed ductal ligation surgery. We detected a progressive fibrotic response where both extracellular matrix accumulation and actively remodeled collagen trended upwards at 7 days and significantly increased at 14 days post- ligation. Macrophages, which participate in extracellular matrix remodeling, Gli1 + and PDGFRα + stromal cells, which may deposit extracellular matrix, both increased with injury. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing, we found that a majority of Gli1 + cells at embryonic day 16 also express Pdgfra and/or Pdgfrb. However, in adult mice, only a small subset of Gli1 + cells express PDGFRα and/or PDGFRβ at the protein level. Using lineage-tracing mice, we found that Gli1-derived cells expand with ductal ligation injury. Although some of the Gli1 lineage-traced tdTomato + cells expressed vimentin and PDGFRβ following injury, there was no increase in the classic myofibroblast marker, smooth muscle alpha-actin. Additionally, there was little change in extracellular matrix area, remodeled collagen area, PDGFRα, PDGFRβ, endothelial cells, neurons, or macrophages in Gli1 null salivary glands following injury when compared with controls, suggesting that Gli1 signaling and Gli1 + cells have only a minor contribution to mechanical injury-induced fibrotic changes in the salivary gland. We used scRNA-seq to examine cell populations that expand with ligation and/or showed increased expression of matrisome genes. Pdgfra + /Pdgfrb + stromal cell subpopulations both expanded in response to ligation, showed increased expression and a greater diversity of matrisome genes expressed, consistent with these cells being fibrogenic. Defining the signaling pathways driving fibrotic responses in stromal cell sub-types could reveal future therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber L. Altrieth
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental, and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Kevin J. O’Keefe
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental, and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
- Current Location: Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC, White Plains, New York, USA
| | - Victoria A. Gellatly
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental, and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Joey R. Tavarez
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental, and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Sage M. Feminella
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
- Current Location: Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Nicholas L. Moskwa
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental, and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
- Current Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Carmalena V. Cordi
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
- Current Location: Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Judy C. Turrieta
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Deirdre A. Nelson
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Melinda Larsen
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental, and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
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25
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Vyas K, Patel MM. Insights on drug and gene delivery systems in liver fibrosis. Asian J Pharm Sci 2023; 18:100779. [PMID: 36845840 PMCID: PMC9950450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2023.100779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Complications of the liver are amongst the world's worst diseases. Liver fibrosis is the first stage of liver problems, while cirrhosis is the last stage, which can lead to death. The creation of effective anti-fibrotic drug delivery methods appears critical due to the liver's metabolic capacity for drugs and the presence of insurmountable physiological impediments in the way of targeting. Recent breakthroughs in anti-fibrotic agents have substantially assisted in fibrosis; nevertheless, the working mechanism of anti-fibrotic medications is not fully understood, and there is a need to design delivery systems that are well-understood and can aid in cirrhosis. Nanotechnology-based delivery systems are regarded to be effective but they have not been adequately researched for liver delivery. As a result, the capability of nanoparticles in hepatic delivery was explored. Another approach is targeted drug delivery, which can considerably improve efficacy if delivery systems are designed to target hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). We have addressed numerous delivery strategies that target HSCs, which can eventually aid in fibrosis. Recently genetics have proved to be useful, and methods for delivering genetic material to the target place have also been investigated where different techniques are depicted. To summarize, this review paper sheds light on the most recent breakthroughs in drug and gene-based nano and targeted delivery systems that have lately shown useful for the treatment of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
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26
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Wiering L, Subramanian P, Hammerich L. Hepatic Stellate Cells: Dictating Outcome in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 15:1277-1292. [PMID: 36828280 PMCID: PMC10148161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a fast growing, chronic liver disease affecting ∼25% of the global population. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity ranges from the less severe simple hepatic steatosis to the more advanced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The presence of NASH predisposes individuals to liver fibrosis, which can further progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This makes hepatic fibrosis an important indicator of clinical outcomes in patients with NASH. Hepatic stellate cell activation dictates fibrosis development during NASH. Here, we discuss recent advances in the analysis of the profibrogenic pathways and mediators of hepatic stellate cell activation and inactivation, which ultimately determine the course of disease in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leke Wiering
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, BIH Charité Junior Clinician Scientist Program, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pallavi Subramanian
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Linda Hammerich
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
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27
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Wang R, Liu F, Chen P, Li S, Gu Y, Wang L, Chen C, Yuan Y. Gomisin D alleviates liver fibrosis through targeting PDGFRβ in hepatic stellate cells. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 235:123639. [PMID: 36822287 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) plays an important role in hepatic fibrosis and is closely associated with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation. Previously, by modeling PDGFRβ affinity chromatography, we found that gomisin D can target PDGFRβ. However, whether gomisin D has anti-fibrosis effects through targeting PDGFRβ remained unclear. In this study, the effect of gomisin D on hepatic fibrosis was evaluated in vivo and vitro. HSC cell lines and primary HSC were cultured and functionally we found that gomisin D promotes HSC apoptosis, inhibits HSCs activation and proliferation. A male BALB/c mouse liver fibrosis model was established to comfirm gomisin D (especially in 50 mg/kg) could improve liver fibrosis by inhibiting HSCs activation. In addition, gomisin D had a good binding ability with PDGFRβ (KD = 3.3e-5 M). Mechanically, gomisin D regulated PDGF-BB/PDGFRβ signaling pathway by targeting PDGFRβ, further more inhibited HSC activation, subsequently inhibited inflammatory factors, ultimately improved CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Overall, gomisin D could inhibit HSC proliferation and activation, promote HSC apoptosis, and alleviate CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis by targeting PDGFRβ and regulating PDGF-BB/PDGFRβ signaling pathway. This study provides a new drug for anti-liver firbosis therapy, and elucidates the deeper mechanism of gomisin D against HSCs activation by targeting PDGFRβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Fangbin Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Panpan Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Shengnan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Yanqiu Gu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Chun Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Yongfang Yuan
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Rd, Shanghai 201999, China.
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28
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Chen W, Yang X, Sun J, Chen Y, Zhao W, He C, An H, Pang J, Xu W, Wen B, Sun H, He S. Biejiajian pill inhibits progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by downregulating PDGFRβ signaling in cancer-associated fibroblasts. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 301:115825. [PMID: 36240978 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Biejiajian pill (BJJP) is a canonical formula that is clinically used to treat chronic liver disease, especially to decrease the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanisms underlying the prevention of HCC progression by BJJP remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to determine whether BJJP inhibits HCC progression by downregulating platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) signaling in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in a mouse model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)/carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS C57BL/6 male mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEN 2 weeks after birth, followed by repeated injections of CCl4 weekly from 6 weeks of age onwards, to recapitulate features of HCC. At week 14, BJJP was orally administered to mice. The effects of BJJP on HCC progression were evaluated using histology, immunohistochemistry, and serum biochemical marker levels. Transcriptome analysis, molecular docking, quantitative real-time PCR, and Western blot were used to study the genes targeted by BJJP and the associated signaling pathway. The effects of BJJP on PDGFRβ signaling in CAFs and the underlying mechanism were demonstrated. RESULTS BJJP treatment significantly suppressed carcinogenesis and cancer progression, and it ameliorated liver inflammation in mice with HCC. A total of 176 genes, including PDGFRβ, were significantly downregulated after BJJP treatment and five components of BJJP with high binding affinity to PDGFRβ were identified. BJJP inhibited the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) by suppressing PDGFRβ expression in CAFs, and it also downregulated the expression of the downstream proteins hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). Furthermore, BJJP-containing serum consistently reduced PDGFRβ, HGF, and VEGF-A expression levels in HSC-derived CAFs in vitro. Importantly, PDGF-BB induced PDGFRβ activation in CAFs and both BJJP and sunitinib (a kinase inhibitor) inhibited PDGF-BB/PDGFRβ signaling. CONCLUSION BJJP inhibits the progression of HCC through suppressing VEGF-A and HGF expression in CAFs by downregulating PDGFRβ signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weicong Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Xuemei Yang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Jialing Sun
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
| | - Yuyao Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Wenting Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Chunyu He
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Haiyan An
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Jie Pang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Wei Xu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Bin Wen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Air Force Hospital of Southern Theatre Command of People's Liberation Army, Guangzhou, 510602, China.
| | - Haitao Sun
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Songqi He
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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29
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Zhang N, Yao H, Zhang Z, Li Z, Chen X, Zhao Y, Ju R, He J, Pan H, Liu X, Lv Y. Ongoing involvers and promising therapeutic targets of hepatic fibrosis: The hepatic immune microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1131588. [PMID: 36875101 PMCID: PMC9978172 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1131588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is often secondary to chronic inflammatory liver injury. During the development of hepatic fibrosis, the damaged hepatocytes and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) caused by the pathogenic injury could secrete a variety of cytokines and chemokines, which will chemotactic innate and adaptive immune cells of liver tissue and peripheral circulation infiltrating into the injury site, mediating the immune response against injury and promoting tissue reparation. However, the continuous release of persistent injurious stimulus-induced inflammatory cytokines will promote HSCs-mediated fibrous tissue hyperproliferation and excessive repair, which will cause hepatic fibrosis development and progression to cirrhosis even liver cancer. And the activated HSCs can secrete various cytokines and chemokines, which directly interact with immune cells and actively participate in liver disease progression. Therefore, analyzing the changes in local immune homeostasis caused by immune response under different pathological states will greatly enrich our understanding of liver diseases' reversal, chronicity, progression, and even deterioration of liver cancer. In this review, we summarized the critical components of the hepatic immune microenvironment (HIME), different sub-type immune cells, and their released cytokines, according to their effect on the development of progression of hepatic fibrosis. And we also reviewed and analyzed the specific changes and the related mechanisms of the immune microenvironment in different chronic liver diseases.Moreover, we retrospectively analyzed whether the progression of hepatic fibrosis could be alleviated by modulating the HIME.We aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis and provide the possibility for exploring the therapeutic targets for hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Zhang
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Huimin Yao
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhixuan Zhang
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhuoqun Li
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xue Chen
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ran Ju
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiayi He
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Heli Pan
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yi Lv
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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30
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Gan X, Ding D, Wang M, Yang Y, Sun D, Li W, Ding W, Yang F, Zhou W, Yuan S. DANCR deletion retards the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma based on gene knockout and patient-derived xenograft in situ hepatoma mice model. Cancer Lett 2022; 550:215930. [PMID: 36183859 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215930] [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: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Our previous study has demonstrated that the expression level of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA (DANCR) increases in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), contributing to the initiation and aggravation of such kind of malignant tumor, which is recognized as a promising therapeutic target for patients with HCC. To further investigate the effect of DANCR on HCC in preclinical models, we generated a Dancr knockout (KO) mice model by Cas9/gRNA technology and a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) in situ hepatoma mice model using immunodeficient mice and utilized adeno-associated virus 8 (AAV8) delivery DANCR-shRNA system to silence the expression of DANCR in xenograft tumor. Here, we reported that Dancr expression mainly occurred in hepatocytes and its depletion significantly alleviated hepatic fibrosis in mice and showed a prospective result with smaller tumor size and fewer number of tumors in HCC preclinical mice model. Additionally, we found that the expression of Dancr in mice cirrhotic liver was positively correlated with the content of Dancr in serum. Overall, DANCR KO can inhibit the occurrence and development of HCC and is a target worthy of further study in patients with HCC.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Gene Knockout Techniques
- Heterografts
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Mice
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- Prospective Studies
- RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics
- RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Gan
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Dongyang Ding
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Mengchao Wang
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yuan Yang
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Dapeng Sun
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Wen Li
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Wenbin Ding
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Fu Yang
- The Department of Medical Genetics, Naval Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Weiping Zhou
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Shengxian Yuan
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438, China.
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Koda Y, Nakamoto N, Kanai T. Regulation of Progression and Resolution of Liver Fibrosis by Immune Cells. Semin Liver Dis 2022; 42:475-488. [PMID: 36208620 DOI: 10.1055/a-1957-6384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins results in fibrosis-a condition implicated in several diseased conditions, such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, viral hepatitis, and autoimmune hepatitis. Despite its prevalence, direct and effective treatments for fibrosis are lacking, warranting the development of better therapeutic strategies. Accumulating evidence has shown that liver fibrosis-a condition previously considered irreversible-is reversible in specific conditions. Immune cells residing in or infiltrating the liver (e.g., macrophages) are crucial in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. Given this background, the roles and action mechanisms of various immune cells and their subsets in the progression and recovery of liver fibrosis, particularly concerning nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, are discussed in this review. Furthermore, the development of better therapeutic strategies based on stage-specific properties and using advanced techniques as well as the mechanisms underlying recovery are elaborated. In conclusion, we consider the review comprehensively provides the present achievements and future possibilities revolving around fibrosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzo Koda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nakamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takanori Kanai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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32
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Ding Y, Tao C, Chen Q, Chen L, Hu X, Li M, Wang S, Jiang F. Cynarin inhibits PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and activation in hepatic stellate cells through PPARγ. OPEN CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/chem-2022-0192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Cynarin, a caffeoylquinic acid compound that was mainly extracted from Cynara scolymus L., displays various activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial, choleretic, and hepatoprotective functions. However, the target of cynarin and the mechanism of its hepatoprotective effect are still unclear. To find cynarin’s target, we performed molecular docking analysis, fluorescence-based ligand-binding assay, and reporter gene system assay. Our results indicated that cynarin was a partial agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Further studies showed that cynarin significantly inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation and activation of rat CFSC-8G hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Our results also revealed that cynarin inhibited PDGF-BB-induced extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) and v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (AKT) phosphorylation in HSCs. In addition, this inhibition effect was PPARγ dependent since the knockdown of PPARγ significantly attenuated the effects of cynarin on PDGF-BB-induced p-ERK, p-AKT, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expressions. Therefore, this study suggests that cynarin is a promising antifibrotic lead compound that inhibits the activation of HSCs, and it works by targeting PPARγ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Ding
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Forest Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest Forestry University , Kunming 650224 , China
| | - Congcong Tao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Forest Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest Forestry University , Kunming 650224 , China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University , Xiamen 361102 , China
| | - Qian Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University , Xiamen 361102 , China
| | - Lulu Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University , Xiamen 361102 , China
| | - Xianwen Hu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University , Xiamen 361102 , China
| | - Mingyu Li
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University , Xiamen 361102 , China
| | - Shicong Wang
- Fujian Pien Tze Huang Enterprise Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Research and Development, Zhangzhou Pien Tze Huang Pharmaceutical, Co., Ltd. , Zhangzhou 363000 , China
| | - Fuquan Jiang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University , Xiamen 361102 , China
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Oku Y, Madia F, Lau P, Paparella M, McGovern T, Luijten M, Jacobs MN. Analyses of Transcriptomics Cell Signalling for Pre-Screening Applications in the Integrated Approach for Testing and Assessment of Non-Genotoxic Carcinogens. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232112718. [PMID: 36361516 PMCID: PMC9659232 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
With recent rapid advancement of methodological tools, mechanistic understanding of biological processes leading to carcinogenesis is expanding. New approach methodologies such as transcriptomics can inform on non-genotoxic mechanisms of chemical carcinogens and can be developed for regulatory applications. The Organisation for the Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) expert group developing an Integrated Approach to the Testing and Assessment (IATA) of Non-Genotoxic Carcinogens (NGTxC) is reviewing the possible assays to be integrated therein. In this context, we review the application of transcriptomics approaches suitable for pre-screening gene expression changes associated with phenotypic alterations that underlie the carcinogenic processes for subsequent prioritisation of downstream test methods appropriate to specific key events of non-genotoxic carcinogenesis. Using case studies, we evaluate the potential of gene expression analyses especially in relation to breast cancer, to identify the most relevant approaches that could be utilised as (pre-) screening tools, for example Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). We also consider how to address the challenges to integrate gene panels and transcriptomic assays into the IATA, highlighting the pivotal omics markers identified for assay measurement in the IATA key events of inflammation, immune response, mitogenic signalling and cell injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Oku
- The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), 2 Rue Andre Pascal, 75016 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (Y.O.); (M.N.J.)
| | - Federica Madia
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via Enrico Fermi, 2749, 21027 Ispra, Italy
| | - Pierre Lau
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Martin Paparella
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80, 6020 Innbruck, Austria
| | - Timothy McGovern
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20901, USA
| | - Mirjam Luijten
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven, 3721 MA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Miriam N. Jacobs
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazard (CRCE), Public Health England (PHE), Chilton OX11 0RQ, Oxfordshire, UK
- Correspondence: (Y.O.); (M.N.J.)
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34
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Filliol A, Saito Y, Nair A, Dapito DH, Yu LX, Ravichandra A, Bhattacharjee S, Affo S, Fujiwara N, Su H, Sun Q, Savage TM, Wilson-Kanamori JR, Caviglia JM, Chin L, Chen D, Wang X, Caruso S, Kang JK, Amin AD, Wallace S, Dobie R, Yin D, Rodriguez-Fiallos OM, Yin C, Mehal A, Izar B, Friedman RA, Wells RG, Pajvani UB, Hoshida Y, Remotti HE, Arpaia N, Zucman-Rossi J, Karin M, Henderson NC, Tabas I, Schwabe RF. Opposing roles of hepatic stellate cell subpopulations in hepatocarcinogenesis. Nature 2022; 610:356-365. [PMID: 36198802 PMCID: PMC9949942 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05289-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, develops almost exclusively in patients with chronic liver disease and advanced fibrosis1,2. Here we interrogated functions of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the main source of liver fibroblasts3, during hepatocarcinogenesis. Genetic depletion, activation or inhibition of HSCs in mouse models of HCC revealed their overall tumour-promoting role. HSCs were enriched in the preneoplastic environment, where they closely interacted with hepatocytes and modulated hepatocarcinogenesis by regulating hepatocyte proliferation and death. Analyses of mouse and human HSC subpopulations by single-cell RNA sequencing together with genetic ablation of subpopulation-enriched mediators revealed dual functions of HSCs in hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatocyte growth factor, enriched in quiescent and cytokine-producing HSCs, protected against hepatocyte death and HCC development. By contrast, type I collagen, enriched in activated myofibroblastic HSCs, promoted proliferation and tumour development through increased stiffness and TAZ activation in pretumoural hepatocytes and through activation of discoidin domain receptor 1 in established tumours. An increased HSC imbalance between cytokine-producing HSCs and myofibroblastic HSCs during liver disease progression was associated with increased HCC risk in patients. In summary, the dynamic shift in HSC subpopulations and their mediators during chronic liver disease is associated with a switch from HCC protection to HCC promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aveline Filliol
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yoshinobu Saito
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ajay Nair
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dianne H Dapito
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Le-Xing Yu
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aashreya Ravichandra
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | | | - Silvia Affo
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Naoto Fujiwara
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hua Su
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Qiuyan Sun
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas M Savage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - John R Wilson-Kanamori
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jorge M Caviglia
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - LiKang Chin
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Widener University, Chester, PA, USA
| | - Dongning Chen
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stefano Caruso
- Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jin Ku Kang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amit Dipak Amin
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sebastian Wallace
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ross Dobie
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Deqi Yin
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Chuan Yin
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Adam Mehal
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin Izar
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard A Friedman
- Biomedical Informatics Shared Resource, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca G Wells
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Utpal B Pajvani
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Helen E Remotti
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicholas Arpaia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Michael Karin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Neil C Henderson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ira Tabas
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert F Schwabe
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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Wu J, Qi C, Wang H, Wang Q, Sun J, Dong J, Yu G, Gao Z, Zhang B, Tian G. Curcumin and berberine co-loaded liposomes for anti-hepatocellular carcinoma therapy by blocking the cross-talk between hepatic stellate cells and tumor cells. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:961788. [PMID: 36188590 PMCID: PMC9515508 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.961788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) could be activated to become CAFs, which play a critical role in tumor progression and drug resistance. Therefore, recent efforts have been focused on combining anti-HSC and pro-apoptotic activities to improve anti-tumor efficacy of drugs. In this study, glycyrrhetinic acid and hyaluronic acid–modified liposomes (GA-HA-Lip) were prepared for co-delivery of curcumin (CUR) and berberine (BBR) for the treatment of HCC. Furthermore, we established the LX-2+BEL-7402 co-cultured cell model and implanted the m-HSCs+H22 cells into a mouse to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of CUR&BBR/GA-HA-Lip both in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that CUR&BBR/GA-HA-Lip could accumulate in tumor tissues and be taken up by HSCs and BEL-7402 cells simultaneously. Compared with free CUR, the combination therapy based on GA-HA-Lip exhibits stronger pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferation effect both in vitro and in vivo. The anti-tumor mechanistic study revealed that CUR&BBR/GA-HA-Lip could inhibit the activation of HSCs and restrain drug resistance of tumor cells. In summary, CUR&BBR/GA-HA-Lip could be a promising nano-sized formulation for anti-tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingliang Wu
- School of Nursing, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, China
| | - Cuiping Qi
- School of Nursing, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, China
- School of Nursing, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Oncology, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Qing Wang
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jingui Sun
- School of Nursing, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, China
| | - Jinping Dong
- School of Nursing, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, China
| | - Guohua Yu
- Department of Oncology, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Zhiqin Gao
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- *Correspondence: Bo Zhang, ; Guixiang Tian,
| | - Guixiang Tian
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- *Correspondence: Bo Zhang, ; Guixiang Tian,
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36
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Sobecki M, Chen J, Krzywinska E, Nagarajan S, Fan Z, Nelius E, Monné Rodriguez JM, Seehusen F, Hussein A, Moschini G, Hajam EY, Kiran R, Gotthardt D, Debbache J, Badoual C, Sato T, Isagawa T, Takeda N, Tanchot C, Tartour E, Weber A, Werner S, Loffing J, Sommer L, Sexl V, Münz C, Feghali-Bostwick C, Pachera E, Distler O, Snedeker J, Jamora C, Stockmann C. Vaccination-based immunotherapy to target profibrotic cells in liver and lung. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:1459-1474.e9. [PMID: 36113462 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is the final path of nearly every form of chronic disease, regardless of the pathogenesis. Upon chronic injury, activated, fibrogenic fibroblasts deposit excess extracellular matrix, and severe tissue fibrosis can occur in virtually any organ. However, antifibrotic therapies that target fibrogenic cells, while sparing homeostatic fibroblasts in healthy tissues, are limited. We tested whether specific immunization against endogenous proteins, strongly expressed in fibrogenic cells but highly restricted in quiescent fibroblasts, can elicit an antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell response to ameliorate organ fibrosis. In silico epitope prediction revealed that activation of the genes Adam12 and Gli1 in profibrotic cells and the resulting "self-peptides" can be exploited for T cell vaccines to ablate fibrogenic cells. We demonstrate the efficacy of a vaccination approach to mount CD8+ T cell responses that reduce fibroblasts and fibrosis in the liver and lungs in mice. These results provide proof of principle for vaccination-based immunotherapies to treat fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Sobecki
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jing Chen
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ewelina Krzywinska
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shunmugam Nagarajan
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Zheng Fan
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eric Nelius
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Josep M Monné Rodriguez
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology (LAMP), Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frauke Seehusen
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology (LAMP), Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Amro Hussein
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Lengghalde 5, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Greta Moschini
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Lengghalde 5, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Edries Y Hajam
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Ravi Kiran
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Dagmar Gotthardt
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Julien Debbache
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cécile Badoual
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Unit 970, 56 Rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France; Pathology Department and PRB (Plateforme de ressources biologiques), AP-HP, Georges Pompidou European Hospital, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Tatsuyuki Sato
- Division of Cardiology and Metabolism, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan
| | - Takayuki Isagawa
- Division of Cardiology and Metabolism, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan
| | - Norihiko Takeda
- Division of Cardiology and Metabolism, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan
| | - Corinne Tanchot
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Unit 970, 56 Rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Eric Tartour
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Unit 970, 56 Rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France; Immunology, AP-HP, Hôpital Europeen Georges Pompidou, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Achim Weber
- Department for Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University of Zurich and Zurich University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Molecular Cancer Research, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Werner
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Loffing
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Sommer
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Veronika Sexl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Münz
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carol Feghali-Bostwick
- Division of Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Elena Pachera
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Distler
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jess Snedeker
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Lengghalde 5, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Colin Jamora
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Christian Stockmann
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Li WQ, Liu WH, Qian D, Liu J, Zhou SQ, Zhang L, Peng W, Su L, Zhang H. Traditional Chinese medicine: An important source for discovering candidate agents against hepatic fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:962525. [PMID: 36081936 PMCID: PMC9445813 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.962525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis (HF) refers to the pathophysiological process of connective tissue dysplasia in the liver caused by various pathogenic factors. Nowadays, HF is becoming a severe threat to the health of human being. However, the drugs available for treating HF are limited. Currently, increasing natural agents derived from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been found to be beneficial for HF. A systemic literature search was conducted from PubMed, GeenMedical, Sci-Hub, CNKI, Google Scholar and Baidu Scholar, with the keywords of “traditional Chinese medicine,” “herbal medicine,” “natural agents,” “liver diseases,” and “hepatic fibrosis.” So far, more than 76 natural monomers have been isolated and identified from the TCMs with inhibitory effect on HF, including alkaloids, flavones, quinones, terpenoids, saponins, phenylpropanoids, and polysaccharides, etc. The anti-hepatic fibrosis effects of these compounds include hepatoprotection, inhibition of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) activation, regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis & secretion, regulation of autophagy, and antioxidant & anti-inflammation, etc. Natural compounds and extracts from TCMs are promising agents for the prevention and treatment of HF, and this review would be of great significance to development of novel drugs for treating HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Qing Li
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Hao Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Die Qian
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shi-Qiong Zhou
- Hospital of Nursing, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Peng, ; Li Su, ; Hong Zhang,
| | - Li Su
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Peng, ; Li Su, ; Hong Zhang,
| | - Hong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Peng, ; Li Su, ; Hong Zhang,
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38
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Xu X, Poulsen KL, Wu L, Liu S, Miyata T, Song Q, Wei Q, Zhao C, Lin C, Yang J. Targeted therapeutics and novel signaling pathways in non-alcohol-associated fatty liver/steatohepatitis (NAFL/NASH). Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:287. [PMID: 35963848 PMCID: PMC9376100 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01119-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcohol-associated fatty liver/steatohepatitis (NAFL/NASH) has become the leading cause of liver disease worldwide. NASH, an advanced form of NAFL, can be progressive and more susceptible to developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, lifestyle interventions are the most essential and effective strategies for preventing and controlling NAFL without the development of fibrosis. While there are still limited appropriate drugs specifically to treat NAFL/NASH, growing progress is being seen in elucidating the pathogenesis and identifying therapeutic targets. In this review, we discussed recent developments in etiology and prospective therapeutic targets, as well as pharmacological candidates in pre/clinical trials and patents, with a focus on diabetes, hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. Importantly, growing evidence elucidates that the disruption of the gut-liver axis and microbe-derived metabolites drive the pathogenesis of NAFL/NASH. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) act as a signaling mediator, resulting in lipid accumulation, macrophage and hepatic stellate cell activation, further promoting inflammation and liver fibrosis progression during the development of NAFL/NASH. Targeting gut microbiota or EVs may serve as new strategies for the treatment of NAFL/NASH. Finally, other mechanisms, such as cell therapy and genetic approaches, also have enormous therapeutic potential. Incorporating drugs with different mechanisms and personalized medicine may improve the efficacy to better benefit patients with NAFL/NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Xu
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Kyle L Poulsen
- Department of Anesthesiology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lijuan Wu
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Innovation Center of Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Innovation Center of Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Tatsunori Miyata
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Qiaoling Song
- Innovation Center of Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Qingda Wei
- School of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chenyang Zhao
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- Innovation Center of Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Chunhua Lin
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
| | - Jinbo Yang
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
- Innovation Center of Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.
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39
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Choudhury A, Ratna A, Lim A, Sebastian RM, Moore CL, Filliol AA, Bledsoe J, Dai C, Schwabe RF, Shoulders MD, Mandrekar P. Loss of heat shock factor 1 promotes hepatic stellate cell activation and drives liver fibrosis. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:2781-2797. [PMID: 35945902 PMCID: PMC9512451 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.2058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is an aberrant wound healing response that results from chronic injury and is mediated by hepatocellular death and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). While induction of oxidative stress is well established in fibrotic livers, there is limited information on stress‐mediated mechanisms of HSC activation. Cellular stress triggers an adaptive defense mechanism via master protein homeostasis regulator, heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), which induces heat shock proteins to respond to proteotoxic stress. Although the importance of HSF1 in restoring cellular homeostasis is well‐established, its potential role in liver fibrosis is unknown. Here, we show that HSF1 messenger RNA is induced in human cirrhotic and murine fibrotic livers. Hepatocytes exhibit nuclear HSF1, whereas stellate cells expressing alpha smooth muscle actin do not express nuclear HSF1 in human cirrhosis. Interestingly, despite nuclear HSF1, murine fibrotic livers did not show induction of HSF1 DNA binding activity compared with controls. HSF1‐deficient mice exhibit augmented HSC activation and fibrosis despite limited pro‐inflammatory cytokine response and display delayed fibrosis resolution. Stellate cell and hepatocyte‐specific HSF1 knockout mice exhibit higher induction of profibrogenic response, suggesting an important role for HSF1 in HSC activation and fibrosis. Stable expression of dominant negative HSF1 promotes fibrogenic activation of HSCs. Overactivation of HSF1 decreased phosphorylation of JNK and prevented HSC activation, supporting a protective role for HSF1. Our findings identify an unconventional role for HSF1 in liver fibrosis. Conclusion: Our results show that deficiency of HSF1 is associated with exacerbated HSC activation promoting liver fibrosis, whereas activation of HSF1 prevents profibrogenic HSC activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmita Choudhury
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anuradha Ratna
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Arlene Lim
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rebecca M Sebastian
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher L Moore
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Aveline A Filliol
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jacob Bledsoe
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chengkai Dai
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert F Schwabe
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Matthew D Shoulders
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pranoti Mandrekar
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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40
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Extracellular Vesicles from Steatotic Hepatocytes Provoke Pro-Fibrotic Responses in Cultured Stellate Cells. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050698. [PMID: 35625625 PMCID: PMC9138794 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic steatosis and chronic hepatocyte damage ultimately lead to liver fibrosis. Key pathophysiological steps are the activation and transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells. We assessed the interplay between hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells under normal and steatotic conditions. We hypothesized that hepatocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) modify the phenotype of stellate cells. By high speed centrifugation, EVs were isolated from conditioned media of the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 under baseline conditions (C-EVs) or after induction of steatosis by linoleic and oleic acids for 24 h (FA-EVs). Migration of the human stellate cell line TWNT4 and of primary human stellate cells towards the respective EVs and sera of MAFLD patients were investigated using Boyden chambers. Phenotype alterations after incubation with EVs were determined by qRT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. HepG2 cells released more EVs after treatment with fatty acids. Chemotactic migration of TWNT4 and primary hepatic stellate cells was increased, specifically towards FA-EVs. Prolonged incubation of TWNT4 cells with FA-EVs induced expression of proliferation markers and a myofibroblast-like phenotype. Though the expression of the collagen type 1 α1 gene did not change after FA-EV treatment, expression of the myofibroblast markers, e.g., α-smooth-muscle-cell actin and TIMP1, was significantly increased. We conclude that EVs from steatotic hepatocytes can influence the behavior, phenotypes and expression levels of remodeling markers of stellate cells and guides their directed migration. These findings imply EVs as operational, intercellular communicators in the pathophysiology of steatosis-associated liver fibrosis and might represent a novel diagnostic parameter and therapeutic target.
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41
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Ballerini P, Contursi A, Bruno A, Mucci M, Tacconelli S, Patrignani P. Inflammation and Cancer: From the Development of Personalized Indicators to Novel Therapeutic Strategies. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:838079. [PMID: 35308229 PMCID: PMC8927697 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.838079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal (CRC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are associated with chronic inflammation, which plays a role in tumor development and malignant progression. An unmet medical need in these settings is the availability of sensitive and specific noninvasive biomarkers. Their use will allow surveillance of high-risk populations, early detection, and monitoring of disease progression. Moreover, the characterization of specific fingerprints of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) without or with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) at the early stages of liver fibrosis is necessary. Some lines of evidence show the contribution of platelets to intestinal and liver inflammation. Thus, low-dose Aspirin, an antiplatelet agent, reduces CRC and liver cancer incidence and mortality. Aspirin also produces antifibrotic effects in NAFLD. Activated platelets can trigger chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis via the release of soluble mediators, such as thromboxane (TX) A2 and tumor growth factor (TGF)-β, and vesicles containing genetic material (including microRNA). These platelet-derived products contribute to cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression and prostaglandin (PG)E2 biosynthesis by tumor microenvironment cells, such as immune and endothelial cells and fibroblasts, alongside cancer cells. Enhanced COX-2-dependent PGE2 plays a crucial role in chronic inflammation and promotes tumor progression, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Antiplatelet agents can indirectly prevent the induction of COX-2 in target cells by inhibiting platelet activation. Differently, selective COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) block the activity of COX-2 expressed in the tumor microenvironment and cancer cells. However, coxib chemopreventive effects are hampered by the interference with cardiovascular homeostasis via the coincident inhibition of vascular COX-2-dependent prostacyclin biosynthesis, resulting in enhanced risk of atherothrombosis. A strategy to improve anti-inflammatory agents' use in cancer prevention could be to develop tissue-specific drug delivery systems. Platelet ability to interact with tumor cells and transfer their molecular cargo can be employed to design platelet-mediated drug delivery systems to enhance the efficacy and reduce toxicity associated with anti-inflammatory agents in these settings. Another peculiarity of platelets is their capability to uptake proteins and transcripts from the circulation. Thus, cancer patient platelets show specific proteomic and transcriptomic expression profiles that could be used as biomarkers for early cancer detection and disease monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Ballerini
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Chieti, Italy
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, Chieti, Italy
| | - Annalisa Contursi
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Chieti, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Annalisa Bruno
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Chieti, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Matteo Mucci
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Chieti, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefania Tacconelli
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Chieti, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Paola Patrignani
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Chieti, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
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Wang F, Li Z, Chen L, Yang T, Liang B, Zhang Z, Shao J, Xu X, Yin G, Wang S, Ding H, Zhang F, Zheng S. Inhibition of ASCT2 induces hepatic stellate cell senescence with modified proinflammatory secretome through an IL-1α/NF-κB feedback pathway to inhibit liver fibrosis. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:3618-3638. [PMID: 36176909 PMCID: PMC9513497 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Senescence of activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) is a stable growth arrest that is implicated in liver fibrosis regression. Senescent cells often accompanied by a multi-faceted senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). But little is known about how alanine-serine-cysteine transporter type-2 (ASCT2), a high affinity glutamine transporter, affects HSC senescence and SASP during liver fibrosis. Here, we identified ASCT2 is mainly elevated in aHSCs and positively correlated with liver fibrosis in human and mouse fibrotic livers. We first discovered ASCT2 inhibition induced HSCs to senescence in vitro and in vivo. The proinflammatory SASP were restricted by ASCT2 inhibition at senescence initiation to prevent paracrine migration. Mechanically, ASCT2 was a direct target of glutaminolysis-dependent proinflammatory SASP, interfering IL-1α/NF-κB feedback loop via interacting with precursor IL-1α at Lys82. From a translational perspective, atractylenolide III is identified as ASCT2 inhibitor through directly bound to Asn230 of ASCT2. The presence of –OH group in atractylenolide III is suggested to be favorable for the inhibition of ASCT2. Importantly, atractylenolide III could be utilized to treat liver fibrosis mice. Taken together, ASCT2 controlled HSC senescence while modifying the proinflammatory SASP. Targeting ASCT2 by atractylenolide III could be a therapeutic candidate for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feixia Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhanghao Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Li Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Baoyu Liang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zili Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xuefen Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Guoping Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210003, China
| | - Shijun Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250035, China
| | - Hai Ding
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210003, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Corresponding authors.
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Serna-Salas SA, Arroyave-Ospina JC, Zhang M, Damba T, Buist-Homan M, Muñoz-Ortega MH, Ventura-Juárez J, Moshage H. α-1 Adrenergic receptor antagonist doxazosin reverses hepatic stellate cells activation via induction of senescence. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 201:111617. [PMID: 34958827 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) are the main effector cells during liver fibrogenesis. α-1 adrenergic antagonist doxazosin (DX) was shown to be anti-fibrotic in an in vivo model of liver fibrosis (LF), but the mechanism remains to be elucidated. Recent studies suggest that reversion of LF can be achieved by inducing cellular senescence characterized by irreversible cell-cycle arrest and acquisition of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). AIM To elucidate the mechanism of the anti-fibrotic effect of DX and determine whether it induces senescence. METHODS Primary culture-activated rat HSCs were used. mRNA and protein expression were measured by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation was assessed by BrdU incorporation and xCelligence analysis. TGF-β was used for maximal HSC activation. Norepinephrine (NE), PMA and m-3M3FBS were used to activate alpha-1 adrenergic signaling. RESULTS Expression of Col1α1 was significantly decreased by DX (10 µmol/L) at mRNA (-30 %) and protein level (-50 %) in TGF-β treated aHSCs. DX significantly reduced aHSCs proliferation and increased expression of senescence and SASP markers. PMA and m-3M3FBS reversed the effect of DX on senescence markers. CONCLUSION Doxazosin reverses the fibrogenic phenotype of aHSCs and induces the senescence phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra A Serna-Salas
- Dept. Morphology, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico; Dept. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Johanna C Arroyave-Ospina
- Dept. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mengfan Zhang
- Dept. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Turtushikh Damba
- Dept. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Manon Buist-Homan
- Dept. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Dept. Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Han Moshage
- Dept. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Dept. Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Lee SW, Kim SM, Hur W, Kang BY, Lee HL, Nam H, Yoo SH, Sung PS, Kwon JH, Jang JW, Kim SJ, Yoon SK. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate directly ameliorates liver fibrosis by inducing hepatic stellate cell apoptosis via downregulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261067. [PMID: 34879114 PMCID: PMC8654182 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Antifibrotic agent for the treatment of liver fibrosis has not been developed so far. Long term treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients with antiviral drugs tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and entecavir (ETV) results in the regression of liver fibrosis, but the underlying mechanism has not been clarified. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the direct impact of TDF and ETV on liver fibrosis. Methods Activated hepatic stellate cell (HSC) cell lines were used to evaluate the effects of TDF and ETV. After treatment with each antiviral agent, cell viability, morphology, apoptotic features, autophagy and antifibrosis signalling pathways were examined. Then, collagen deposition, fibrosis markers and activated HSCs were measured in liver tissues of the liver fibrosis model mice. Results After TDF treatment, the viabilities of LX2 and HSC-T6 cells were decreased, and the cells exhibited apoptotic features, but ETV did not induce these effects. Cleavage of PARP and Caspase-3 and the inhibition of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-xl indicated activated HSC apoptosis following TDF treatment. TDF simultaneously increased autophagy, which also regulated apoptosis through crosstalk. TDF inactivated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, which was associated with the activation of both apoptosis and autophagy. In the liver fibrosis mouse model, the fibrotic area and activated HSC markers were decreased by TDF but not ETV treatment. Additionally, apoptotic cells were concentrated in the periportal fibrotic area after TDF treatment, which indicated the specific antifibrotic effect of TDF. Conclusions TDF directly ameliorates liver fibrosis by downregulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, which results in the apoptosis of activated HSCs. The antifibrotic effects of TDF indicate that it may be a therapeutic agent for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Won Lee
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University Liver Research Centre, POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Min Kim
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University Liver Research Centre, POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonhee Hur
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University Liver Research Centre, POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Yoon Kang
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University Liver Research Centre, POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Lim Lee
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University Liver Research Centre, POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Heechul Nam
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University Liver Research Centre, POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Hong Yoo
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University Liver Research Centre, POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Pil Soo Sung
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University Liver Research Centre, POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hyun Kwon
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University Liver Research Centre, POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Won Jang
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University Liver Research Centre, POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Jun Kim
- Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Kew Yoon
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University Liver Research Centre, POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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Wu L, Huang XQ, Li N, Xie C, Rao SX, Chen SY, Li F. A magnetic resonance imaging modality for non-invasively distinguishing progression of liver fibrosis by visualizing hepatic platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta expression in mice. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 36:3448-3456. [PMID: 34278598 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the most critical cells responsible for liver fibrosis, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is the most prominent mitogen for HSCs in fibrogenesis. This study aimed to explore the potential of gadolinium (Gd)-labeled cyclic peptides (pPB) targeting PDGF receptor-β (PDGFR-β) as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiotracer to identify the progression of liver fibrosis by imaging hepatic PDGFR-β expression. METHODS Mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) were used to mimic hepatic fibrosis in vivo. The binding activity of FITC-labeled pPB to PDGFR-β was assessed in cultured human HSCs (HSC-LX2). MRI was performed to visualize hepatic PDGFR-β expression in mice with different degrees of liver fibrosis after Gd-labeled pPB was injected. RESULTS Hepatic PDGFR-β expression level was correlated with the severity of liver fibrosis, and the majority of cells expressing PDGFR-β were found to be activated HSCs in fibrotic livers. Culture-activated human HSCs expressed abundant PDGFR-β, and FITC-labeled pPB could bind to these cells in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. With Gd-labeled pPB as a tracer, an MRI modality demonstrated that the relative hepatic T1-weighted MRI signal value progressively increased with the severity of hepatic fibrosis and reduced with remission. CONCLUSIONS Hepatic PDGFR-β expression reflects the progression of hepatic fibrosis, and MRI using Gd-labeled pPB as a tracer exhibits potential for distinguishing liver fibrosis staging in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Quan Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Infection, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cao Xie
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education and PLA, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng-Xiang Rao
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Yao Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Valle-Millares D, Brochado-Kith Ó, Martín-Carbonero L, Domínguez-Domínguez L, Ryan P, De los Santos I, De la Fuente S, Castro JM, Lagarde M, Cuevas G, Mayoral-Muñoz M, Matarranz M, Díez V, Gómez-Sanz A, Martínez-Román P, Crespo-Bermejo C, Palladino C, Muñoz-Muñoz M, Jiménez-Sousa MA, Resino S, Briz V, Fernández-Rodríguez A, (COVIHEP) OBOMGOVCHIV. Different HCV Exposure Drives Specific miRNA Profile in PBMCs of HIV Patients. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111627. [PMID: 34829855 PMCID: PMC8615810 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are essential players in HIV and HCV infections, as both viruses modulate cellular miRNAs and interact with the miRNA-mediated host response. We aim to analyze the miRNA profile of HIV patients with different exposure to HCV to explore specific signatures in the miRNA profile of PBMCs for each type of infection. We massively sequenced small RNAs of PBMCs from 117 HIV+ infected patients: 45 HIV+ patients chronically infected with HCV (HIV/HCV+), 36 HIV+ that spontaneously clarified HCV after acute infection (HIV/HCV-) and 36 HIV+ patients without previous HCV infection (HIV). Thirty-two healthy patients were used as healthy controls (HC). Differential expression analysis showed significantly differentially expressed (SDE) miRNAs in HIV/HCV+ (n = 153), HIV/HCV- (n = 169) and HIV (n = 153) patients. We found putative dysregulated pathways, such as infectious-related and PI3K signaling pathways, common in all contrasts. Specifically, putatively targeted genes involved in antifolate resistance (HIV/HV+), cancer-related pathways (HIV/HCV-) and HIF-signaling (HIV) were identified, among others. Our findings revealed that HCV strongly influences the expression profile of PBMCs from HIV patients through the disruption of its miRNome. Thus, different HCV exposure can be identified by specific miRNA signatures in PBMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Valle-Millares
- Unit of Viral Infection and Immunity, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (D.V.-M.); (Ó.B.-K.); (A.G.-S.); (P.M.-R.); (M.A.J.-S.); (S.R.)
| | - Óscar Brochado-Kith
- Unit of Viral Infection and Immunity, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (D.V.-M.); (Ó.B.-K.); (A.G.-S.); (P.M.-R.); (M.A.J.-S.); (S.R.)
| | - Luz Martín-Carbonero
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), 28046 Madrid, Spain; (L.M.-C.); (J.M.C.); (M.M.-M.)
| | - Lourdes Domínguez-Domínguez
- VIH Servicio de Medicina Interna Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain; (L.D.-D.); (M.L.); (M.M.)
| | - Pablo Ryan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infanta Leonor Teaching Hospital, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (P.R.); (G.C.); (V.D.)
| | - Ignacio De los Santos
- Internal Medicine Servicie Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Sara De la Fuente
- Internal Medicine Service Hospital Puerta de Hierro, 28222 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Juan M. Castro
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), 28046 Madrid, Spain; (L.M.-C.); (J.M.C.); (M.M.-M.)
| | - María Lagarde
- VIH Servicio de Medicina Interna Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain; (L.D.-D.); (M.L.); (M.M.)
| | - Guillermo Cuevas
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infanta Leonor Teaching Hospital, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (P.R.); (G.C.); (V.D.)
| | - Mario Mayoral-Muñoz
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), 28046 Madrid, Spain; (L.M.-C.); (J.M.C.); (M.M.-M.)
| | - Mariano Matarranz
- VIH Servicio de Medicina Interna Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain; (L.D.-D.); (M.L.); (M.M.)
| | - Victorino Díez
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infanta Leonor Teaching Hospital, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (P.R.); (G.C.); (V.D.)
| | - Alicia Gómez-Sanz
- Unit of Viral Infection and Immunity, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (D.V.-M.); (Ó.B.-K.); (A.G.-S.); (P.M.-R.); (M.A.J.-S.); (S.R.)
| | - Paula Martínez-Román
- Unit of Viral Infection and Immunity, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (D.V.-M.); (Ó.B.-K.); (A.G.-S.); (P.M.-R.); (M.A.J.-S.); (S.R.)
| | - Celia Crespo-Bermejo
- Laboratory of Reference and Research on Viral Hepatitis, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (C.C.-B.); (V.B.)
| | - Claudia Palladino
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - María Muñoz-Muñoz
- Department of Animal Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Alimentación Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - María A. Jiménez-Sousa
- Unit of Viral Infection and Immunity, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (D.V.-M.); (Ó.B.-K.); (A.G.-S.); (P.M.-R.); (M.A.J.-S.); (S.R.)
| | - Salvador Resino
- Unit of Viral Infection and Immunity, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (D.V.-M.); (Ó.B.-K.); (A.G.-S.); (P.M.-R.); (M.A.J.-S.); (S.R.)
| | - Verónica Briz
- Laboratory of Reference and Research on Viral Hepatitis, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (C.C.-B.); (V.B.)
| | - Amanda Fernández-Rodríguez
- Unit of Viral Infection and Immunity, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; (D.V.-M.); (Ó.B.-K.); (A.G.-S.); (P.M.-R.); (M.A.J.-S.); (S.R.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Avenida Universidad 1, 28691 Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-918-223-892
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Huang Y, Yang X, Meng Y, Shao C, Liao J, Li F, Li R, Jing Y, Huang A. The hepatic senescence-associated secretory phenotype promotes hepatocarcinogenesis through Bcl3-dependent activation of macrophages. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:173. [PMID: 34530917 PMCID: PMC8447591 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00683-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Liver cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world with a poor prognosis. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent primary liver cancer, accounting for 80–90% of cases. The initiation and progression of HCC are closely associated with chronic liver inflammation. In addition, HCC is often accompanied by cell senescence. Senescent hepatocytes can secrete various inflammatory factors, collectively called the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The SASP has been confirmed to promote the occurrence of liver cancer by affecting the inflammatory microenvironment. However, its role and the underlying mechanism of hepatic SASP in hepatocarcinogenesis are not clearly understood. Therefore, a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of the effect of the hepatic SASP on the occurrence of HCC is still needed. Methods The study aims to explore the role of SASP factors and the underlying mechanism in tumorigenesis and the progression of HCC in vivo. We used diethylnitrosamine (DEN) combined with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (DEN-CCl4) to establish liver cancer model in wild-type (WT) mice and Bcl3 knockout (Bcl3−/−) mice. β-galactosidase (β-gal) staining was performed to evaluate the degree of cellular senescence. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to detect the degree of cellular senescence and the activation of macrophage. PCR chip and clinical tissue chip assays were used to estimate the RNA levels of SASP factors and NF-κB related genes, and their protein levels were examined by Western blot assays. Results DEN-CCl4 induced cellular senescence in mouse hepatocytes. In addition, senescent hepatocytes might release a variety of inflammatory factors that further activate macrophages, thereby changing the microenvironmental state and promoting the occurrence of HCC. Mechanistically, the NF-κB pathway is important because it regulates the SASP. Therefore, we used a PCR chip to detect the expression of NF-κB-related genes in senescent liver tissue. Our results showed that the expression of Bcl3 was increased in senescent hepatocytes, and knocking out Bcl3 significantly inhibited the secretion of hepatocyte SASP factors and the activation of macrophages, thereby inhibiting hepatocarcinogenesis. Finally, in clinical tissues adjacent to HCC tissues in patients, the expression of Bcl3 and IL-8 correlated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. Conclusion The hepatic SASP can further induce the activation of macrophages during hepatocarcinogenesis, thereby promoting the occurrence of HCC, and that this process is closely related to the expression of Bcl3 in hepatocytes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-021-00683-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihua Huang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, 88 Jiaotong Road, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350004, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Yang
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yan Meng
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Changchun Shao
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Jianping Liao
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, 88 Jiaotong Road, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350004, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengwei Li
- Department of Hepatic Surgery IV, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Rong Li
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yingying Jing
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
| | - Aimin Huang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, 88 Jiaotong Road, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350004, People's Republic of China.
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Up-regulation of miR-34b/c by JNK and FOXO3 protects from liver fibrosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2025242118. [PMID: 33649241 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2025242118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
α1-Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a common genetic disease presenting with lung and liver diseases. AAT deficiency results from pathogenic variants in the SERPINA1 gene encoding AAT and the common mutant Z allele of SERPINA1 encodes for Z α1-antitrypsin (ATZ), a protein forming hepatotoxic polymers retained in the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes. PiZ mice express the human ATZ and are a valuable model to investigate the human liver disease of AAT deficiency. In this study, we investigated differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) between PiZ and control mice and found that miR-34b/c was up-regulated and its levels correlated with intrahepatic ATZ. Furthermore, in PiZ mouse livers, we found that Forkhead Box O3 (FOXO3) driving microRNA-34b/c (miR-34b/c) expression was activated and miR-34b/c expression was dependent upon c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation on Ser574 Deletion of miR-34b/c in PiZ mice resulted in early development of liver fibrosis and increased signaling of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a target of miR-34b/c. Activation of FOXO3 and increased miR-34c were confirmed in livers of humans with AAT deficiency. In addition, JNK-activated FOXO3 and miR-34b/c up-regulation were detected in several mouse models of liver fibrosis. This study reveals a pathway involved in liver fibrosis and potentially implicated in both genetic and acquired causes of hepatic fibrosis.
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The APAC Score: A Novel and Highly Performant Serological Tool for Early Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10153392. [PMID: 34362181 PMCID: PMC8348918 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10153392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Surveillance of at-risk patients for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly necessary, as curative treatment options are only feasible in early disease stages. However, to date, screening of patients with liver cirrhosis for HCC mostly relies on suboptimal ultrasound-mediated evaluation and α-fetoprotein (AFP) measurement. Therefore, we sought to develop a novel and blood-based scoring tool for the identification of early-stage HCC. (2) Methods: Serum samples from 267 patients with liver cirrhosis, including 122 patients with HCC and 145 without, were collected. Expression levels of soluble platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (sPDGFRβ) and routine clinical parameters were evaluated, and then utilized in logistic regression analysis. (3) Results: We developed a novel serological scoring tool, the APAC score, consisting of the parameters age, sPDGFRβ, AFP, and creatinine, which identified patients with HCC in a cirrhotic population with an AUC of 0.9503, which was significantly better than the GALAD score (AUC: 0.9000, p = 0.0031). Moreover, the diagnostic accuracy of the APAC score was independent of disease etiology, including alcohol (AUC: 0.9317), viral infection (AUC: 0.9561), and NAFLD (AUC: 0.9545). For the detection of patients with (very) early (BCLC 0/A) HCC stage or within Milan criteria, the APAC score achieved an AUC of 0.9317 (sensitivity: 85.2%, specificity: 89.2%) and 0.9488 (sensitivity: 91.1%, specificity 85.3%), respectively. (4) Conclusions: The APAC score is a novel and highly accurate serological tool for the identification of HCC, especially for early stages. It is superior to the currently proposed blood-based algorithms, and has the potential to improve surveillance of the at-risk population.
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Huang X, Khoong Y, Han C, Su D, Ma H, Gu S, Li Q, Zan T. Targeting Dermal Fibroblast Subtypes in Antifibrotic Therapy: Surface Marker as a Cellular Identity or a Functional Entity? Front Physiol 2021; 12:694605. [PMID: 34335301 PMCID: PMC8319956 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.694605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts are the chief effector cells in fibrotic diseases and have been discovered to be highly heterogeneous. Recently, fibroblast heterogeneity in human skin has been studied extensively and several surface markers for dermal fibroblast subtypes have been identified, holding promise for future antifibrotic therapies. However, it has yet to be confirmed whether surface markers should be looked upon as merely lineage landmarks or as functional entities of fibroblast subtypes, which may further complicate the interpretation of cellular function of these fibroblast subtypes. This review aims to provide an update on current evidence on fibroblast surface markers in fibrotic disorders of skin as well as of other organ systems. Specifically, studies where surface markers were treated as lineage markers and manipulated as functional membrane proteins are both evaluated in parallel, hoping to reveal the underlying mechanism behind the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis contributed by various fibroblast subtypes from multiple angles, shedding lights on future translational researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Huang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yimin Khoong
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengyao Han
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dai Su
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Ma
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuchen Gu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingfeng Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Zan
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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