1
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Mašek J, Filipovic I, Van Hul N, Belicová L, Jiroušková M, Oliveira DV, Frontino AM, Hankeova S, He J, Turetti F, Iqbal A, Červenka I, Sarnová L, Verboven E, Brabec T, Björkström NK, Gregor M, Dobeš J, Andersson ER. Jag1 insufficiency alters liver fibrosis via T cell and hepatocyte differentiation defects. EMBO Mol Med 2024:10.1038/s44321-024-00145-8. [PMID: 39358604 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00145-8] [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: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis contributes to tissue repair, but excessive fibrosis disrupts organ function. Alagille syndrome (ALGS, caused by mutations in JAGGED1) results in liver disease and characteristic fibrosis. Here, we show that Jag1Ndr/Ndr mice, a model for ALGS, recapitulate ALGS-like fibrosis. Single-cell RNA-seq and multi-color flow cytometry of the liver revealed immature hepatocytes and paradoxically low intrahepatic T cell infiltration despite cholestasis in Jag1Ndr/Ndr mice. Thymic and splenic regulatory T cells (Tregs) were enriched and Jag1Ndr/Ndr lymphocyte immune and fibrotic capacity was tested with adoptive transfer into Rag1-/- mice, challenged with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) or bile duct ligation (BDL). Transplanted Jag1Ndr/Ndr lymphocytes were less inflammatory with fewer activated T cells than Jag1+/+ lymphocytes in response to DSS. Cholestasis induced by BDL in Rag1-/- mice with Jag1Ndr/Ndr lymphocytes resulted in periportal Treg accumulation and three-fold less periportal fibrosis than in Rag1-/- mice with Jag1+/+ lymphocytes. Finally, the Jag1Ndr/Ndr hepatocyte expression profile and Treg overrepresentation were corroborated in patients' liver samples. Jag1-dependent hepatic and immune defects thus interact to determine the fibrotic process in ALGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Mašek
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, 14183, Sweden.
| | - Iva Filipovic
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Noémi Van Hul
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lenka Belicová
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Markéta Jiroušková
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská, 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel V Oliveira
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Maria Frontino
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Simona Hankeova
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jingyan He
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fabio Turetti
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Afshan Iqbal
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Igor Červenka
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lenka Sarnová
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská, 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Elisabeth Verboven
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomáš Brabec
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Gregor
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská, 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Dobeš
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Emma R Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, 14183, Sweden.
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Niu C, Zhang J, Okolo PI. The possible pathogenesis of liver fibrosis: therapeutic potential of natural polyphenols. Pharmacol Rep 2024; 76:944-961. [PMID: 39162986 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-024-00638-w] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the formation of a fibrous scar resulting from chronic liver injury, independently from etiology. Although many of the mechanical details remain unknown, activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a central driver of liver fibrosis. Extracellular mechanisms such as apoptotic bodies, paracrine stimuli, inflammation, and oxidative stress are critical in activating HSCs. The potential for liver fibrosis to reverse after removing the causative agent has heightened interest in developing antifibrotic therapies. Polyphenols, the secondary plant metabolites, have gained attention because of their health-beneficial properties, including well-recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, in the setting of liver fibrosis. In this review, we present an overview of the mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis with a specific focus on the activation of resident HSCs. We highlight the therapeutic potential and promising role of natural polyphenols to mitigate liver fibrosis pathogenesis, focusing on HSCs activation. We also discuss the translational gap from preclinical findings to clinical treatments involved in natural polyphenols in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengu Niu
- Internal medicine residency program, Rochester General Hospital, 1425 Portland Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14621, USA.
| | - Jing Zhang
- Rainier Springs Behavioral Health Hospital, 2805 NE 129th St, Vancouver, WA, 98686, USA
| | - Patrick I Okolo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY, 14621, USA
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3
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Long F, Zhong W, Zhao F, Xu Y, Hu X, Jia G, Huang L, Yi K, Wang N, Si H, Wang J, Wang B, Rong Y, Yuan Y, Yuan C, Wang F. DAB2 + macrophages support FAP + fibroblasts in shaping tumor barrier and inducing poor clinical outcomes in liver cancer. Theranostics 2024; 14:4822-4843. [PMID: 39239526 PMCID: PMC11373629 DOI: 10.7150/thno.99046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the key components of the immune barrier in liver cancer. Therefore, gaining a deeper understanding of the heterogeneity and intercellular communication of CAFs holds utmost importance in boosting immunotherapy effectiveness and improving clinical outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive analysis by combing single-cell, bulk, and spatial transcriptome profiling with multiplexed immunofluorescence was conducted to unravel the complexities of CAFs in liver cancer. Results: Through an integrated approach involving 235 liver cancer scRNA-seq samples encompassing over 1.2 million cells, we found that CAFs were particularly increased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). FAP + fibroblasts were identified as the dominant subtype of CAFs, and which were mainly involved in extracellular matrix organization and angiogenesis. These CAFs were enriched in the tumor boundary of HCC, but diffusely scattered within ICC. The DAB2 + and SPP1 + tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) reinforce the function of FAP + CAFs through signals such as TGF-β, PDGF, and ADM. Notably, the interaction between DAB2 + TAMs and FAP + CAFs promoted the formation of immune barrier and correlated with poorer patient survival, non-response to immunotherapy in HCC. High FAP and DAB2 immunohistochemical scores predicted shorter survival and higher serum AFP concentration in a local clinical cohort of 90 HCC patients. Furthermore, this communication pattern might be applicable to other solid malignancies as well. Conclusions: The interaction between DAB2 + TAMs and FAP + CAFs appears crucial in shaping the immune barrier. Strategies aimed at disrupting this communication or inhibiting the functions of FAP + CAFs could potentially enhance immunotherapy effectiveness and improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Long
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Zhong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Faming Zhao
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaqi Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Gaihua Jia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lanxiang Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kezhen Yi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Huaqi Si
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bicheng Wang
- Department of Pathology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Rong
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yufeng Yuan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunhui Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fubing Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
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Chen L, Huang Y, Zhang N, Qu J, Fang Y, Fu J, Yuan Y, Zhang Q, Li H, Wen Z, Yuan L, Chen L, Xu Z, Li Y, Yan H, Izawa H, Li L, Xiang C. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals reduced intercellular adhesion molecule crosstalk between activated hepatic stellate cells and neutrophils alleviating liver fibrosis in hepatitis B virus transgenic mice post menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e654. [PMID: 39040848 PMCID: PMC11261812 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis can cause hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs) can ameliorate liver fibrosis through paracrine. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) may be used to explore the roadmap of activated hepatic stellate cell (aHSC) inactivation to target liver fibrosis. This study established HBV transgenic (HBV-Tg) mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis and demonstrated that MenSCs migrated to the injured liver to improve serological indices and reduce fibrotic accumulation. RNA-bulk analysis revealed that MenSCs mediated extracellular matrix accumulation and cell adhesion. Liver parenchymal cells and nonparenchymal cells were identified by scRNA-seq in the control, CCl4, and MenSC groups, revealing the heterogeneity of fibroblasts/HSCs. A CellChat analysis revealed that diminished intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) signaling is vital for MenSC therapy. Specifically, Icam1 in aHSCs acted on Itgal/Itgb2 and Itgam/Itgb2 in neutrophils, causing decreased adhesion. The expression of Itgal, Itgam, and Itgb2 was higher in CCl4 group than in the control group and decreased after MenSC therapy in neutrophil clusters. The Lcn2, Pglyrp1, Wfdc21, and Mmp8 had high expression and may be potential targets in neutrophils. This study highlights interacting cells, corresponding molecules, and underlying targets for MenSCs in treating HBV-associated liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and MicroecologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yuqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Ning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Jingjing Qu
- Department of Respiratory DiseaseThoracic Disease CentreThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Yangxin Fang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Jiamin Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Yin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Hang Li
- Innovative Precision Medicine (IPM) GroupHangzhouChina
| | - Zuoshi Wen
- Department of CardiologyThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Li Yuan
- Innovative Precision Medicine (IPM) GroupHangzhouChina
| | - Lu Chen
- Innovative Precision Medicine (IPM) GroupHangzhouChina
| | - Zhenyu Xu
- Innovative Precision Medicine (IPM) GroupHangzhouChina
| | - Yifei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and MicroecologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Huadong Yan
- Infectious Disease DepartmentShulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical CollegeHangzhouChina
| | | | - Lanjuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and MicroecologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong LaboratoryJinanChina
| | - Charlie Xiang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesNational Medical Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and MicroecologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong LaboratoryJinanChina
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Wilhelmsen I, Combriat T, Dalmao-Fernandez A, Stokowiec J, Wang C, Olsen PA, Wik JA, Boichuk Y, Aizenshtadt A, Krauss S. The effects of TGF-β-induced activation and starvation of vitamin A and palmitic acid on human stem cell-derived hepatic stellate cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:223. [PMID: 39044210 PMCID: PMC11267759 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03852-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) have numerous critical roles in liver function and homeostasis, while they are also known for their importance during liver injury and fibrosis. There is therefore a need for relevant in vitro human HSC models to fill current knowledge gaps. In particular, the roles of vitamin A (VA), lipid droplets (LDs), and energy metabolism in human HSC activation are poorly understood. METHODS In this study, human pluripotent stem cell-derived HSCs (scHSCs), benchmarked to human primary HSC, were exposed to 48-hour starvation of retinol (ROL) and palmitic acid (PA) in the presence or absence of the potent HSC activator TGF-β. The interventions were studied by an extensive set of phenotypic and functional analyses, including transcriptomic analysis, measurement of activation-related proteins and cytokines, VA- and LD storage, and cell energy metabolism. RESULTS The results show that though the starvation of ROL and PA alone did not induce scHSC activation, the starvation amplified the TGF-β-induced activation-related transcriptome. However, TGF-β-induced activation alone did not lead to a reduction in VA or LD stores. Additionally, reduced glycolysis and increased mitochondrial fission were observed in response to TGF-β. CONCLUSIONS scHSCs are robust models for activation studies. The loss of VA and LDs is not sufficient for scHSC activation in vitro, but may amplify the TGF-β-induced activation response. Collectively, our work provides an extensive framework for studying human HSCs in healthy and diseased conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Wilhelmsen
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Nydalen, Oslo, 0424, Norway.
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway.
| | - Thomas Combriat
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway
| | - Andrea Dalmao-Fernandez
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Nydalen, Oslo, 0424, Norway
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068, Blindern, Oslo, 0316, Norway
| | - Justyna Stokowiec
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway
| | - Chencheng Wang
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway
- Department of Transplantation Medicine, Institute for Surgical Research, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Nydalen, Oslo, 0424, Norway
| | - Petter Angell Olsen
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Nydalen, Oslo, 0424, Norway
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway
| | - Jonas Aakre Wik
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Nydalen, Oslo, 0424, Norway
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway
| | - Yuliia Boichuk
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway
| | - Aleksandra Aizenshtadt
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Nydalen, Oslo, 0424, Norway
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway
| | - Stefan Krauss
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Nydalen, Oslo, 0424, Norway
- Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1110, Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway
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6
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Kou Z, Liu C, Zhang W, Sun C, Liu L, Zhang Q. Heterogeneity of primary and metastatic CAFs: From differential treatment outcomes to treatment opportunities (Review). Int J Oncol 2024; 64:54. [PMID: 38577950 PMCID: PMC11015919 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2024.5642] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Compared with primary tumor sites, metastatic sites appear more resistant to treatments and respond differently to the treatment regimen. It may be due to the heterogeneity in the microenvironment between metastatic sites and primary tumors. Cancer‑associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are widely present in the tumor stroma as key components of the tumor microenvironment. Primary tumor CAFs (pCAFs) and metastatic CAFs (mCAFs) are heterogeneous in terms of source, activation mode, markers and functional phenotypes. They can shape the tumor microenvironment according to organ, showing heterogeneity between primary tumors and metastases, which may affect the sensitivity of these sites to treatment. It was hypothesized that understanding the heterogeneity between pCAFs and mCAFs can provide a glimpse into the difference in treatment outcomes, providing new ideas for improving the rate of metastasis control in various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixing Kou
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250355, P.R. China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Wenfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa Island 999078, Macau SAR, P.R. China
| | - Changgang Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 621000, P.R. China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 621000, P.R. China
| | - Qiming Zhang
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250355, P.R. China
- Department of Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100007, P.R. China
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7
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Xie L, Chen H, Zhang L, Ma Y, Zhou Y, Yang YY, Liu C, Wang YL, Yan YJ, Ding J, Teng X, Yang Q, Liu XP, Wu J. JCAD deficiency attenuates activation of hepatic stellate cells and cholestatic fibrosis. Clin Mol Hepatol 2024; 30:206-224. [PMID: 38190829 PMCID: PMC11016487 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2023.0506] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Cholestatic liver diseases including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are associated with active hepatic fibrogenesis, which ultimately progresses to cirrhosis. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main fibrogenic effectors in response to cholangiocyte damage. JCAD regulates cell proliferation and malignant transformation in nonalcoholic steatoheaptitis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (NASH-HCC). However, its participation in cholestatic fibrosis has not been explored yet. METHODS Serial sections of liver tissue of PBC patients were stained with immunofluorescence. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in wild-type (WT), global JCAD knockout mice (JCAD-KO) and HSC-specific JCAD knockout mice (HSC-JCAD-KO), and evaluated by histopathology and biochemical tests. In situ-activated HSCs isolated from BDL mice were used to determine effects of JCAD on HSC activation. RESULTS In consistence with staining of liver sections from PBC patients, immunofluorescent staining revealed that JCAD expression was identified in smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA)-positive fibroblast-like cells and was significantly up-regulated in WT mice with BDL. JCAD deficiency remarkably ameliorated BDL-induced hepatic injury and fibrosis, as documented by liver hydroxyproline content, when compared to WT mice with BDL. Histopathologically, collagen deposition was dramatically reduced in both JCAD-KO and HSC-JCAD-KO mice compared to WT mice, as visualized by Trichrome staining and semi-quantitative scores. Moreover, JCAD deprivation significantly attenuated in situ HSC activation and reduced expression of fibrotic genes after BDL. CONCLUSION JCAD deficiency effectively suppressed hepatic fibrosis induced by BDL in mice, and the underlying mechanisms are largely through suppressed Hippo-YAP signaling activity in HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xie
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Ma
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Yu Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Li Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Jun Yan
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jing’an District Central Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Teng
- HistoIndex Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qiang Yang
- Hangzhou Choutu Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiu-Ping Liu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Liver Diseases, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
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8
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Hong R, Tan Y, Tian X, Huang Z, Wang J, Ni H, Yang J, Bu W, Yang S, Li T, Yu F, Zhong W, Sun T, Wang X, Li D, Liu M, Yang Y, Zhou J. XIAP-mediated degradation of IFT88 disrupts HSC cilia to stimulate HSC activation and liver fibrosis. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:1055-1074. [PMID: 38351372 PMCID: PMC10933415 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00092-y] [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: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a critical role in liver fibrosis. However, the molecular basis for HSC activation remains poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrate that primary cilia are present on quiescent HSCs but exhibit a significant loss upon HSC activation which correlates with decreased levels of the ciliary protein intraflagellar transport 88 (IFT88). Ift88-knockout mice are more susceptible to chronic carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis. Mechanistic studies show that the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for IFT88. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a profibrotic factor, enhances XIAP-mediated ubiquitination of IFT88, promoting its proteasomal degradation. Blocking XIAP-mediated IFT88 degradation ablates TGF-β-induced HSC activation and liver fibrosis. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized role for ciliary homeostasis in regulating HSC activation and identify the XIAP-IFT88 axis as a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjie Hong
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanjie Tan
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, 250014, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Tian
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, 250014, Jinan, China
| | - Zhenzhou Huang
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, 250014, Jinan, China
| | - Jiaying Wang
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, 250014, Jinan, China
| | - Hua Ni
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Jia Yang
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Weiwen Bu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Song Yang
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Te Li
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Fan Yu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Weilong Zhong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, China
| | - Dengwen Li
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Yunfan Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China.
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China.
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, 250014, Jinan, China.
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9
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Wang C, Bai Y, Li T, Liu J, Wang Y, Ju S, Yao W, Xiong B. Ginkgetin exhibits antifibrotic effects by inducing hepatic stellate cell apoptosis via STAT1 activation. Phytother Res 2024; 38:1367-1380. [PMID: 38217097 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8106] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis affects approximately 800 million patients worldwide, with over 2 million deaths each year. Nevertheless, there are no approved medications for treating liver fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the impacts of ginkgetin on liver fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms. The impacts of ginkgetin on liver fibrosis were assessed in mouse models induced by thioacetamide or bile duct ligation. Experiments on human LX-2 cells and primary mouse hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms, which were also validated in the mouse models. Ginkgetin significantly decreased hepatic extracellular matrix deposition and HSC activation in the fibrotic models induced by thioacetamide (TAA) and bile duct ligation (BDL). Beneficial effects also existed in inhibiting hepatic inflammation and improving liver function. In vitro experiments showed that ginkgetin markedly inhibited HSC viability and induced HSC apoptosis dose-dependently. Mechanistic studies revealed that the antifibrotic effects of ginkgetin depend on STAT1 activation, as the effects were abolished in vitro after STAT1 silencing and in vivo after inhibiting STAT1 activation by fludarabine. Moreover, we observed a meaningful cross-talk between HSCs and hepatocytes, in which IL-6, released by ginkgetin-induced apoptotic HSCs, enhanced hepatocyte proliferation by activating STAT3 signaling. Ginkgetin exhibits antifibrotic effects by inducing HSC apoptosis via STAT1 activation and enhances hepatocyte proliferation secondary to HSC apoptosis via the IL-6/STAT3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyang Wang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaowei Bai
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tongqiang Li
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiacheng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yingliang Wang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuguang Ju
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Yao
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bin Xiong
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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10
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Singh S, Budiman T, Redmond D, Gupta V. Modulation of canonical Wnt signaling regulates peribiliary mesenchymal identity during homeostasis and injury. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0368. [PMID: 38251878 PMCID: PMC10805418 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The matrix and associated mesenchyme of the extrahepatic bile ducts are distinct, which could drive diseases with a predilection for these ducts, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis. We aimed to understand the molecular drivers of peribiliary mesenchymal cell (PMC) identity in the extrahepatic bile ducts and dissect how this changed in the context of injury using an entirely in vivo approach with transcriptomic analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS Single-cell sequencing with a receptor-ligand analysis showed that PMCs had the most interactions with surrounding cells. Wnt4, Wnt5a, and Wnt7b were identified as the major ligands secreted from PMCs and cholangiocytes that interacted in both paracrine and autocrine fashion. Bile duct ligation caused an increase in all 3 Wingless/Integrated ligands and Axin2 with an associated increase in the transcription factors T-box transcription factor (Tbx)2 and Tbx3. Conversely, Indian hedgehog secretion decreased without an associated decrease in hedgehog signaling effectors. Loss of smoothened within PMCs did not impact hedgehog signaling effectors or cellular identity, whereas smoothened gain of function led to myofibroblast transdifferentiation with upregulation of Tbx2 and Tbx3 without injury. Loss of β-catenin caused a decrease in expression of all 3 Gli transcription factors and associated mesenchymal gene expression, which was phenocopied with compound Gli2 and Gli3 loss in uninjured PMCs. With injury, loss of β-catenin resulted in decreased myofibroblast transdifferentiation with reduced Tbx2 and Tbx3 expression. CONCLUSIONS Our results show how modulation of canonical Wingless/Integrated signaling in PMCs is important for regulating basal mesenchymal gene expression and initiating a myogenic gene transcriptional program during injury. They also highlight reciprocating interactions between the hedgehog and Wingless/Integrated signaling pathways within PMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serrena Singh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Tifanny Budiman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - David Redmond
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vikas Gupta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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11
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Chen N, Liu S, Qin D, Guan D, Chen Y, Hou C, Zheng S, Wang L, Chen X, Chen W, Zhang L. Fate tracking reveals differences between Reelin + hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and Desmin + HSCs in activation, migration and proliferation. Cell Prolif 2023; 56:e13500. [PMID: 37246473 PMCID: PMC10693182 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the main cause of liver fibrogenesis in response to different etiologies of chronic liver injuries. HSCs are heterogeneous, but the lack of specific markers to distinguish different HSC subset hinders the development of targeted therapy for liver fibrosis. In this study, we aim to reveal new HSC subsets by cell fate tracking. We constructed a novel ReelinCreERT2 transgenic mouse model to track the fate of cells expressing Reelin and their progeny (Reelin+ cells). And we investigated the property of Reelin+ cells, such as differentiation and proliferation, in hepatotoxic (carbon tetrachloride; CCl4 ) or cholestatic (bile duct ligation; BDL) liver injury models by immunohistochemistry. Our study revealed that Reelin+ cells were a new HSC subset. In terms of activation, migration, and proliferation, Reelin+ HSCs displayed different properties from Desmin+ HSCs (total HSCs) in cholestatic liver injury model but shared similar properties to total HSCs in hepatotoxic liver injury model. Besides, we did not find evidence that Reelin+ HSCs transdifferentiated into hepatocytes or cholangiocytes through mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). In this study, our genetic cell fate tracking data reveal that ReelinCreERT2-labelled cells are a new HSC subset, which provides new insights into targeted therapy for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Shenghui Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Dan Qin
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Dian Guan
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Yaqing Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Chenjiao Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Songyun Zheng
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Liqiang Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Kidney DiseasesBeijingChina
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Kidney DiseasesBeijingChina
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Lisheng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
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12
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Wei T, Liu J, Ma S, Wang M, Yuan Q, Huang A, Wu Z, Shang D, Yin P. A Nucleotide Metabolism-Related Gene Signature for Risk Stratification and Prognosis Prediction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on an Integrated Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Approach. Metabolites 2023; 13:1116. [PMID: 37999212 PMCID: PMC10673507 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13111116] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The in-depth study of genes and metabolites related to nucleotide metabolism will provide new ideas for predicting the prognosis of HCC patients. This study integrated the transcriptome data of different cancer types to explore the characteristics and significance of nucleotide metabolism-related genes (NMGRs) in different cancer types. Then, we constructed a new HCC classifier and prognosis model based on HCC samples from TCGA and GEO, and detected the gene expression level in the model through molecular biology experiments. Finally, nucleotide metabolism-related products in serum of HCC patients were examined using untargeted metabolomics. A total of 97 NMRGs were obtained based on bioinformatics techniques. In addition, a clinical model that could accurately predict the prognostic outcome of HCC was constructed, which contained 11 NMRGs. The results of PCR experiments showed that the expression levels of these genes were basically consistent with the predicted trends. Meanwhile, the results of untargeted metabolomics also proved that there was a significant nucleotide metabolism disorder in the development of HCC. Our results provide a promising insight into nucleotide metabolism in HCC, as well as a tailored prognostic and chemotherapy sensitivity prediction tool for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianfu Wei
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China; (T.W.)
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Jifeng Liu
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China; (T.W.)
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Shurong Ma
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China; (T.W.)
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Mimi Wang
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Qihang Yuan
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China; (T.W.)
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Anliang Huang
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Zeming Wu
- iPhenome Biotechnology (Yun Pu Kang) Inc., Dalian 116000, China
| | - Dong Shang
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China; (T.W.)
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Peiyuan Yin
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China; (T.W.)
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
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13
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Wang HC, Yin WX, Jiang M, Han JY, Kuai XW, Sun R, Sun YF, Ji JL. Function and biomedical implications of exosomal microRNAs delivered by parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:5435-5451. [PMID: 37900996 PMCID: PMC10600808 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i39.5435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Small extracellular vesicles (exosomes) are important components of the tumor microenvironment. They are small membrane-bound vesicles derived from almost all cell types and play an important role in intercellular communication. Exosomes transmit biological molecules obtained from parent cells, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, and are involved in cancer development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), the most abundant contents in exosomes, are selectively packaged into exosomes to carry out their biological functions. Recent studies have revealed that exosome-delivered miRNAs play crucial roles in the tumorigenesis, progression, and drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, exosomes have great industrial prospects in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients with HCC. This review summarized the composition and function of exosomal miRNAs of different cell origins in HCC and highlighted the association between exosomal miRNAs from stromal cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and the progression of HCC. Finally, we described the potential applicability of exosomal miRNAs derived from mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Chen Wang
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wen-Xuan Yin
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Meng Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Microenvironment and Translational Cancer Research, Science and Technology Bureau of Nantong City, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jia-Yi Han
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Microenvironment and Translational Cancer Research, Science and Technology Bureau of Nantong City, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xing-Wang Kuai
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Microenvironment and Translational Cancer Research, Science and Technology Bureau of Nantong City, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Microenvironment and Translational Cancer Research, Science and Technology Bureau of Nantong City, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu-Feng Sun
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Microenvironment and Translational Cancer Research, Science and Technology Bureau of Nantong City, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ju-Ling Ji
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Microenvironment and Translational Cancer Research, Science and Technology Bureau of Nantong City, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
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14
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Guo S, Feng Y, Zhu X, Zhang X, Wang H, Wang R, Zhang Q, Li Y, Ren Y, Gao X, Bian H, Liu T, Gao H, Kong X. Metabolic crosstalk between skeletal muscle cells and liver through IRF4-FSTL1 in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6047. [PMID: 37770480 PMCID: PMC10539336 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41832-3] [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: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Inter-organ crosstalk has gained increasing attention in recent times; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we elucidate an endocrine pathway that is regulated by skeletal muscle interferon regulatory factor (IRF) 4, which manipulates liver pathology. Skeletal muscle specific IRF4 knockout (F4MKO) mice exhibited ameliorated hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, without changes in body weight, when put on a nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) diet. Proteomics analysis results suggested that follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) may constitute a link between muscles and the liver. Dual luciferase assays showed that IRF4 can transcriptionally regulate FSTL1. Further, inducing FSTL1 expression in the muscles of F4MKO mice is sufficient to restore liver pathology. In addition, co-culture experiments confirmed that FSTL1 plays a distinct role in various liver cell types via different receptors. Finally, we observed that the serum FSTL1 level is positively correlated with NASH progression in humans. These data indicate a signaling pathway involving IRF4-FSTL1-DIP2A/CD14, that links skeletal muscle cells to the liver in the pathogenesis of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Guo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yonghao Feng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Xiaopeng Zhu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xinyi Zhang
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism & Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Ruwen Wang
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Qiongyue Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yiming Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yan Ren
- Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xin Gao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hua Bian
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Tiemin Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism & Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Huanqing Gao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Xingxing Kong
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism & Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
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15
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Kim HY, Sakane S, Eguileor A, Carvalho Gontijo Weber R, Lee W, Liu X, Lam K, Ishizuka K, Rosenthal SB, Diggle K, Brenner DA, Kisseleva T. The Origin and Fate of Liver Myofibroblasts. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:93-106. [PMID: 37743012 PMCID: PMC10665929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.09.008] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis of different etiologies is a serious health problem worldwide. There is no effective therapy available for liver fibrosis except the removal of the underlying cause of injury or liver transplantation. Development of liver fibrosis is caused by fibrogenic myofibroblasts that are not present in the normal liver, but rather activate from liver resident mesenchymal cells in response to chronic toxic or cholestatic injury. Many studies indicate that liver fibrosis is reversible when the causative agent is removed. Regression of liver fibrosis is associated with the disappearance of activated myofibroblasts and resorption of the fibrous scar. In this review, we discuss the results of genetic tracing and cell fate mapping of hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts, their specific characteristics, and potential phenotypes. We summarize research progress in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and reversibility of liver fibrosis, including activation, apoptosis, and inactivation of myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Young Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Sadatsugu Sakane
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Alvaro Eguileor
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Raquel Carvalho Gontijo Weber
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California; Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Wonseok Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California; Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Kevin Lam
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Kei Ishizuka
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Sara Brin Rosenthal
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Karin Diggle
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California; Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - David A Brenner
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California; Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California.
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California.
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Hou X, Li Y, Song J, Peng L, Zhang W, Liu R, Yuan H, Feng T, Li J, Li W, Zhu C. METTL14 reverses liver fibrosis by inhibiting NOVA2 through an m6A-YTHDF2-dependent mechanism. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0199. [PMID: 37534933 PMCID: PMC10409442 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent internal RNA modification in eukaryotic cells, is dynamically regulated in response to a wide range of physiological and pathological states. Nonetheless, the involvement of METTL14-induced m6A in liver fibrosis (LF) has yet to be established. METHODS In vitro, HSC cell lines with knock-down and overexpression of METTL14 were constructed, and the effects of METTL14 gene on the phenotypic function of activated HSCs were observed. The proliferation rate was measured by CCK8 and EDU, the cell proliferation cycle was measured by flow detector, the migration rate was measured by Transwell, and the contractility of F-actin was observed after phalloidin staining. The downstream target gene NOVA2 of METTL14 was screened by combined sequencing of MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq, combined with signal analysis. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was injected into the tail vein in vivo to knock down the expression of METTL14, so as to further observe the role of METTL14 in the progress of LF. RESULTS our research showed that the methylase METTL14 content was decreased in hepatic tissue from patients with LF, leading to a lowered degree of m6A modification. Functionally, we discovered that knocking down m6A methyltransferase METTL14 led to increased HSC activation and a substantial worsening of LF. Mechanically, as shown in a multiomics study of HSCs, depleting METTL14 levels decreased m6A deposition onNOVA2 mRNA transcripts, which prompted the activation of YTHDF2 to detect and degrade the decrease of NOVA2 mRNA. CONCLUSIONS METTL14 functioned as a profibrotic gene by suppressing NOVA2 activity in a mechanism dependent on m6A-YTHDF2. Moreover, knocking down METTL14 exacerbated LF, while NOVA2 prevented its development and partly reversed the damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Hou
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuwen Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiali Song
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Linya Peng
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Tropical Diseases of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Hui Yuan
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tiantong Feng
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jieying Li
- Department of Tropical Diseases of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Wenting Li
- Department of Tropical Diseases of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Chuanlong Zhu
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Tropical Diseases of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
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Di Fazio P, Mielke S, Böhm IT, Buchholz M, Matrood S, Schuppan D, Wissniowski T. Toll-like receptor 5 tunes hepatic and pancreatic stellate cells activation. BMJ Open Gastroenterol 2023; 10:e001148. [PMID: 37433685 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgast-2023-001148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Stellate cells are responsible for liver and pancreas fibrosis and strictly correlate with tumourigenesis. Although their activation is reversible, an exacerbated signalling triggers chronic fibrosis. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) modulate stellate cells transition. TLR5 transduces the signal deriving by the binding to bacterial flagellin from invading mobile bacteria. DESIGN Human hepatic and pancreatic stellate cells were activated by the administration of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). TLR5 was transiently knocked down by short-interference RNA transfection. Reverse Transcription-quantitativePCR and western blot were performed to analyse the transcript and protein level of TLR5 and the transition players. Fluorescence microscopy was performed to identify these targets in spheroids and in the sections of murine fibrotic liver. RESULTS TGF-β-activated human hepatic and pancreatic stellate cells showed an increase of TLR5 expression. TLR5 knockdown blocked the activation of those stellate cells. Furthermore, TLR5 busted during murine liver fibrosis and co-localised with the inducible Collagen I. Flagellin suppressed TLR5, COL1A1 and ACTA2 expression after the administration of TGF-β. Instead, the antagonist of TLR5 did not block the effect of TGF-β. Wortmannin, a specific AKT inhibitor, induced TLR5 but not COL1A1 and ACTA2 transcript and protein level. CONCLUSION TGF-β-mediated activation of hepatic and pancreatic stellate cells requires the over-expression of TLR5. Instead, its autonomous signalling inhibits the activation of the stellate cells, thus prompting a signalling through different regulatory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Di Fazio
- Department of Visceral Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sophia Mielke
- Department of Visceral Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Isabell T Böhm
- Department of Visceral Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Malte Buchholz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sami Matrood
- Department of Visceral Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Detlef Schuppan
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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CD36 + cancer-associated fibroblasts provide immunosuppressive microenvironment for hepatocellular carcinoma via secretion of macrophage migration inhibitory factor. Cell Discov 2023; 9:25. [PMID: 36878933 PMCID: PMC9988869 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00529-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 91.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an immunotherapy-resistant malignancy characterized by high cellular heterogeneity. The diversity of cell types and the interplay between tumor and non-tumor cells remain to be clarified. Single cell RNA sequencing of human and mouse HCC tumors revealed heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF). Cross-species analysis determined the prominent CD36+ CAFs exhibited high-level lipid metabolism and expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). Lineage-tracing assays showed CD36+CAFs were derived from hepatic stellate cells. Furthermore, CD36 mediated oxidized LDL uptake-dependent MIF expression via lipid peroxidation/p38/CEBPs axis in CD36+ CAFs, which recruited CD33+myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in MIF- and CD74-dependent manner. Co-implantation of CD36+ CAFs with HCC cells promotes HCC progression in vivo. Finally, CD36 inhibitor synergizes with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by restoring antitumor T-cell responses in HCC. Our work underscores the importance of elucidating the function of specific CAF subset in understanding the interplay between the tumor microenvironment and immune system.
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19
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Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor reduces biliary fibrosis and ductular reaction in a mouse model of chronic cholestasis. LIVER RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
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20
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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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Ying F, Chan MSM, Lee TKW. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 15:985-999. [PMID: 36708970 PMCID: PMC10040968 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC) includes hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with poor prognosis. PLC is characterized by an abundant stromal reaction in which cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the major stromal components. Solid evidence has demonstrated the crucial role of CAFs in tumor progression, and CAF abundance is often correlated with poor clinical outcomes. Although CAFs are regarded as an attractive and promising target for PLC treatment, a poor understanding of CAF origins and heterogeneity and a lack of specific CAF markers are the major hurdles to efficient CAF-specific therapy. In this review, we examine recent advances in the understanding of CAF diversity in the context of biomarkers, subtypes, and functions in PLC. The regulatory roles of CAFs in extracellular matrix remodeling, metastasis, cancer stemness, and therapeutic resistance are summarized. With an increasing link between CAF abundance and reduced antitumor immune responses, we provide updated knowledge on the crosstalk between CAFs and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, which leads to immune resistance. In addition, we present current CAF-targeted therapies and describe some future perspectives. A better understanding of CAF biology will shed light on a novel therapeutic strategy against PLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Ying
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Mandy Sze Man Chan
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Terence Kin Wah Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
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22
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Xiang L, Wang X, Shao Y, Jiao Q, Cheng J, Zheng X, Zhou S, Chen Y. Folate Decoration Supports the Targeting of Camptothecin Micelles against Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells and the Suppression of Fibrogenesis. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:2030-2042. [PMID: 36571106 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c16616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As the central cellular player in fibrogenesis, activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) are the major target of antifibrotic nanomedicines. Based on our finding that activated HSCs increase the expression of folate receptor alpha (FRα), we tried to apply folic acid (FA) decoration to generate an active drug-targeting at aHSCs and suppress hepato-fibrogenesis. FA-conjugated poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) copolymers (PEG-PCL) were synthesized and self-assembled into the spherical micelles that owned a uniform size distribution averaging at 60 nm, excellent hemo- and cyto-compatibility, and pH-sensitive stability. These FA-modified micelles were preferentially ingested by aHSCs as expected and accumulated more in acutely CCl4 injured mouse livers compared to nondecorated counterparts. Such an aHSC targetability facilitated the loaded medicinal camptothecin (CPT) to achieve a greater therapeutic efficacy and inhibition of MF phenotypic genes in aHSCs. Encouragingly, though free CPT and nontargeting CPT micelles produced negligible curative outcomes, FA-decorated CPT micelles yielded effectively remedial effects in chronically CCl4-induced fibrotic mice, as represented by a significant shrinkage of aHSC population, suppression of fibrogenesis, and recovery of liver structure and function, clearly indicating the success of the folate decoration-supported aHSC-targeted strategy for antifibrotic nanomedicines in fibrosis resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xiang
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Yaru Shao
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutic Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Qiangqiang Jiao
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutic Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Jiang Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Xiaotong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Shaobing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Yuping Chen
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutic Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
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23
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The Tumor Microenvironment in Tumorigenesis and Therapy Resistance Revisited. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020376. [PMID: 36672326 PMCID: PMC9856874 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis is a complex and dynamic process involving cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions that allow tumor cell growth, drug resistance and metastasis. This review provides an updated summary of the role played by the tumor microenvironment (TME) components and hypoxia in tumorigenesis, and highlight various ways through which tumor cells reprogram normal cells into phenotypes that are pro-tumorigenic, including cancer associated- fibroblasts, -macrophages and -endothelial cells. Tumor cells secrete numerous factors leading to the transformation of a previously anti-tumorigenic environment into a pro-tumorigenic environment. Once formed, solid tumors continue to interact with various stromal cells, including local and infiltrating fibroblasts, macrophages, mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, pericytes, and secreted factors and the ECM within the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME is key to tumorigenesis, drug response and treatment outcome. Importantly, stromal cells and secreted factors can initially be anti-tumorigenic, but over time promote tumorigenesis and induce therapy resistance. To counter hypoxia, increased angiogenesis leads to the formation of new vascular networks in order to actively promote and sustain tumor growth via the supply of oxygen and nutrients, whilst removing metabolic waste. Angiogenic vascular network formation aid in tumor cell metastatic dissemination. Successful tumor treatment and novel drug development require the identification and therapeutic targeting of pro-tumorigenic components of the TME including cancer-associated- fibroblasts (CAFs) and -macrophages (CAMs), hypoxia, blocking ECM-receptor interactions, in addition to the targeting of tumor cells. The reprogramming of stromal cells and the immune response to be anti-tumorigenic is key to therapeutic success. Lastly, this review highlights potential TME- and hypoxia-centered therapies under investigation.
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Tong H, Bernardazzi C, Curiel L, Xu H, Ghishan FK. The Expression of NHE8 in Liver and Its Role in Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Injury. GASTRO HEP ADVANCES 2023; 2:199-208. [PMID: 36936401 PMCID: PMC10019310 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastha.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Sodium-hydrogen exchanger 8 (NHE8) is expressed in array of tissues and has pleiotropic functions beyond simply exchanging sodium and hydrogen across cell membrane. This study investigates the expression pattern of liver NHE8 and its roles in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury. METHODS NHE8 expression pattern was investigated in mouse livers of different ages and in HepG2 cells. CCl4 was given to mice to determine NHE8 expression in CCl4-induced liver injury. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β were used to treat HepG2 cells to evaluate their effect on NHE8 expression. The CCl4-induced acute and chronic liver injuries were also used in NHE8KO mice to determine the role of NHE8 deficiency in liver injury. RESULTS NHE8 was mainly detected in the peripheral area of hepatocytes in mouse liver and in HepG2 cells. The liver NHE8 expression was 47% of NHE1, and liver NHE8 expression was the lowest at suckling age and reached plateau at 4 weeks of age. Similar to dextran sulfate sodium colitis reduced intestinal NHE8, CCl4-induced acute liver injury also inhibited NHE8 expression. The absence of NHE8 in the liver displayed abnormal hepatocyte morphology and has elevated expression of IL-1β and Lgr5. However, unlike NHE8 deficiency enhanced dextran sulfate sodium-induced colon tissue damage, the absence of NHE8 in the liver did not exacerbate CCl4-induced liver injury. Although both TNF-α and IL-1β were elevated in CCl4-induced liver injury, they could not inhibit NHE8 expression in hepatocytes, which is in contrast with TNF-α-mediated NHE8 inhibition in the intestine. CONCLUSION Liver NHE8 has unique roles that are different from the intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Tong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | | | - Leslie Curiel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Hua Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Fayez K. Ghishan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
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25
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Ezhilarasan D, Najimi M. Intercellular communication among liver cells in the perisinusoidal space of the injured liver: Pathophysiology and therapeutic directions. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:70-81. [PMID: 36409708 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30915] [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: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in the perisinusoidal space are surrounded by hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, and other resident immune cells. In the normal liver, HSCs communicate with these cells to maintain normal liver functions. However, after chronic liver injury, injured hepatocytes release several proinflammatory mediators, reactive oxygen species, and damage-associated molecular patterns into the perisinusoidal space. Consequently, such alteration activates quiescent HSCs to acquire a myofibroblast-like phenotype and express high amounts of transforming growth factor-β1, angiopoietins, vascular endothelial growth factors, interleukins 6 and 8, fibril forming collagens, laminin, and E-cadherin. These phenotypic and functional transdifferentiation lead to hepatic fibrosis with a typical abnormal extracellular matrix synthesis and disorganization of the perisinusoidal space of the injured liver. Those changes provide a favorable environment that regulates tumor cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and survival in the perisinusoidal space. Such tumor cells by releasing transforming growth factor-β1 and other cytokines, will, in turn, activate and deeply interact with HSCs via a bidirectional loop. Furthermore, hepatocellular carcinoma-derived mediators convert HSCs and macrophages into protumorigenic cell populations. Thus, the perisinusoidal space serves as a critical hub for activating HSCs and their interactions with other cell types, which cause a variety of liver diseases such as hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and their complications, such as portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, targeting the crosstalk between activated HSCs and tumor cells/immune cells in the tumor microenvironment may also support a promising therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, Molecular Medicine and Toxicology Lab, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mustapha Najimi
- Laboratory of Pediatric Hepatology and Cell Therapy, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Abstract
AIM Fibrosis is a common pathological feature of most types of chronic liver injuries. There is no specific treatment for liver fibrosis at present. The liver microenvironment, which fosters the survival and activity of liver cells, plays an important role in maintaining the normal structure and physiological function of the liver. The aim of this review is to deeply understand the role of the liver microenvironment in the dynamic and complicated development of liver fibrosis. METHODS After searching in Elsevier ScienceDirect, PubMed and Web of Science databases using 'liver fibrosis' and 'microenvironment' as keywords, studies related to microenvironment in liver fibrosis was compiled and examined. RESULTS The homeostasis of the liver microenvironment is disrupted during the development of liver fibrosis, affecting liver cell function, causing various types of cell reactions, and changing the cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, eventually affecting fibrosis formation. CONCLUSION Liver microenvironment may be important for identifying potential therapeutic targets, and restoring microenvironment homeostasis may be an important strategy for promoting the reversal of liver fibrosis.KEY MESSAGESThe homeostasis of the liver microenvironment is disrupted in liver fibrosis;A pro-fibrotic microenvironment is formed during the development of liver fibrosis;Restoring microenvironment homeostasis may be an important strategy for promoting the reversal of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Meng
- Department of General Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Tong Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics, Lanzhou University First Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zhengyi Zhang
- Department of General Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Dekui Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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Bioactive coumarin-derivative esculetin decreases hepatic stellate cell activation via induction of cellular senescence via the PI3K-Akt-GSK3β pathway. FOOD BIOSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2022.102164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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28
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Lei L, Bruneau A, El Mourabit H, Guégan J, Folseraas T, Lemoinne S, Karlsen TH, Hoareau B, Morichon R, Gonzalez-Sanchez E, Goumard C, Ratziu V, Charbord P, Gautheron J, Tacke F, Jaffredo T, Cadoret A, Housset C. Portal fibroblasts with mesenchymal stem cell features form a reservoir of proliferative myofibroblasts in liver fibrosis. Hepatology 2022; 76:1360-1375. [PMID: 35278227 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In liver fibrosis, myofibroblasts derive from HSCs and as yet undefined mesenchymal cells. We aimed to identify portal mesenchymal progenitors of myofibroblasts. APPROACH AND RESULTS Portal mesenchymal cells were isolated from mouse bilio-vascular tree and analyzed by single-cell RNA-sequencing. Thereby, we uncovered the landscape of portal mesenchymal cells in homeostatic mouse liver. Trajectory analysis enabled inferring a small cell population further defined by surface markers used to isolate it. This population consisted of portal fibroblasts with mesenchymal stem cell features (PMSCs), i.e., high clonogenicity and trilineage differentiation potential, that generated proliferative myofibroblasts, contrasting with nonproliferative HSC-derived myofibroblasts (-MF). Using bulk RNA-sequencing, we built oligogene signatures of the two cell populations that remained discriminant across myofibroblastic differentiation. SLIT2, a prototypical gene of PMSC/PMSC-MF signature, mediated profibrotic and angiogenic effects of these cells, which conditioned medium promoted HSC survival and endothelial cell tubulogenesis. Using PMSC/PMSC-MF 7-gene signature and slit guidance ligand 2 fluorescent in situ hybridization, we showed that PMSCs display a perivascular portal distribution in homeostatic liver and largely expand with fibrosis progression, contributing to the myofibroblast populations that form fibrotic septa, preferentially along neovessels, in murine and human liver disorders, irrespective of etiology. We also unraveled a 6-gene expression signature of HSCs/HSC-MFs that did not vary in these disorders, consistent with their low proliferation rate. CONCLUSIONS PMSCs form a small reservoir of expansive myofibroblasts, which, in interaction with neovessels and HSC-MFs that mainly arise through differentiation from a preexisting pool, underlie the formation of fibrotic septa in all types of liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Lei
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Alix Bruneau
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Haquima El Mourabit
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Justine Guégan
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Bioinformatics/Biostatistics iCONICS Facility, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Trine Folseraas
- Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Medicine and Transplantation, Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Norwegian PSC Research Center, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sara Lemoinne
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, Reference Center for Inflammatory Biliary Diseases and Autoimmune Hepatitis (CRMR MIVB-H, ERN RARE-LIVER), Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Tom Hemming Karlsen
- Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Medicine and Transplantation, Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Norwegian PSC Research Center, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bénédicte Hoareau
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMS Production et Analyse de Données en Sciences de la Vie et en Santé (PASS), Cytométrie Pitié-Salpêtrière (CyPS), Paris, France
| | - Romain Morichon
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Ester Gonzalez-Sanchez
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Claire Goumard
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France.,Departments of Hepatology, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, ICAN, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Vlad Ratziu
- Departments of Hepatology, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, ICAN, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Charbord
- Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Jérémie Gautheron
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thierry Jaffredo
- Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Axelle Cadoret
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Chantal Housset
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France.,Department of Hepatology, Reference Center for Inflammatory Biliary Diseases and Autoimmune Hepatitis (CRMR MIVB-H, ERN RARE-LIVER), Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France
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Guo X, Li Y, Wang W, Wang L, Hu S, Xiao X, Hu C, Dai Y, Zhang Y, Li Z, Li J, Ma X, Zeng J. The construction of preclinical evidence for the treatment of liver fibrosis with quercetin: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytother Res 2022; 36:3774-3791. [PMID: 35918855 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Quercetin (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone), a flavonoid, is widely found in fruits and vegetables and exerts broad-spectrum pharmacological effects in the liver. Many studies have explored the bioactivity of quercetin in the treatment of liver fibrosis. Hence, through a systematic review and biological mechanism evaluation, this study aimed to construct a body of preclinical evidence for the treatment of liver fibrosis using quercetin. The literature used in this study was mainly obtained from four databases, and the SYRCLE list (10 items) was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature. A meta-analysis of HA, LN, and other indicators was performed via STATA 15.0 software. Subgroup analyses based on animal species and model protocol were performed to further obtain detailed results. Moreover, the therapeutic mechanism of quercetin was summarized in a directed network form based on a comprehensive search of the literature. After screening, a total of 14 articles (comprising 15 studies) involving 254 animals were included. The results from the analysis showed that the corresponding liver function indexes, such as the levels of HA and LN, were significantly improved in the quercetin group compared with the model group, and liver function, such as the levels of AST and ALT, were also improved in the quercetin group. The species- and model-based subgroup analyses of AST and ALT revealed that quercetin exerts a significant effect. The therapeutic mechanism of quercetin was shown to be related to multiple pathways involving anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and lipid accumulation, including regulation of the TGF-β, α-SMA, ROS, and P-AMPK pathways. The results showed that quercetin exerts an obvious effect on liver fibrosis, and more prominent improvement effects on liver function and liver fibrosis indicators were obtained with a dose of 5-200 mg during a treatment course ranging from 4 to 8 weeks. Quercetin might be a promising therapeutic for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochuan Guo
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Weizheng Wang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Luyao Wang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Sihan Hu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaolin Xiao
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Caiyu Hu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yao Dai
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiheng Zhang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ziyu Li
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Junlin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinhao Zeng
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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30
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Shi S, Bonaccorsi-Riani E, Schurink I, van den Bosch T, Doukas M, Lila KA, Roest HP, Xhema D, Gianello P, de Jonge J, Verstegen MMA, van der Laan LJW. Liver Ischemia and Reperfusion Induce Periportal Expression of Necroptosis Executor pMLKL Which Is Associated With Early Allograft Dysfunction After Transplantation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:890353. [PMID: 35655777 PMCID: PMC9152120 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.890353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) following liver transplantation (LT) remains a major threat to the survival of liver grafts and recipients. In animal models, it is shown that hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) triggers phosphorylation of Mixed Lineage Kinase domain-like protein (pMLKL) inducing necroptotic cell death. However, the clinical implication of pMLKL-mediated cell death in human hepatic IRI remains largely unexplored. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression of pMLKL in human liver grafts and its association with EAD after LT. Methods The expression of pMLKL was determined by immunohistochemistry in liver biopsies obtained from both human and rat LT. Human liver biopsies were obtained at the end of preservation (T0) and ~1 hour after reperfusion (T1). The positivity of pMLKL was quantified electronically and compared in rat and human livers and post-LT outcomes. Multiplex immunofluorescence staining was performed to characterize the pMLKL-expressing cells. Results In the rat LT model, significant pMLKL expression was observed in livers after IRI as compared to livers of sham-operation animals. Similarly, the pMLKL score was highest after IRI in human liver grafts (in T1 biopsies). Both in rats and humans, the pMLKL expression is mostly observed in the portal triads. In grafts who developed EAD after LT (n=24), the pMLKL score at T1 was significantly higher as compared to non-EAD grafts (n=40). ROC curve revealed a high predictive value of pMLKL score at T1 (AUC 0.70) and the ratio of pMLKL score at T1 and T0 (pMLKL-index, AUC 0.82) for EAD. Liver grafts with a high pMLKL index (>1.64) had significantly higher levels of serum ALT, AST, and LDH 24 hours after LT compared to grafts with a low pMLKL index. Multivariate logistical regression analysis identified the pMLKL-index (Odds ratio=1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.7) as a predictor of EAD development. Immunohistochemistry on serial sections and multiplex staining identified the periportal pMLKL-positive cells as portal fibroblasts, fibrocytes, and a minority of cholangiocytes. Conclusion Periportal pMLKL expression increased significantly after IRI in both rat and human LT. The histological score of pMLKL is predictive of post-transplant EAD and is associated with early liver injury after LT. Periportal non-parenchymal cells (i.e. fibroblasts) appear most susceptible to pMLKL-mediated cell death during hepatic IRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojun Shi
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eliano Bonaccorsi-Riani
- Abdominal Transplant Unit, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Pôle de Chirurgie Expérimentale et Transplantation Institute de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ivo Schurink
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Thierry van den Bosch
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Michael Doukas
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Karishma A Lila
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Henk P Roest
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Daela Xhema
- Pôle de Chirurgie Expérimentale et Transplantation Institute de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Gianello
- Pôle de Chirurgie Expérimentale et Transplantation Institute de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jeroen de Jonge
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Monique M A Verstegen
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Luc J W van der Laan
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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31
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Chen D, Liu J, Zang L, Xiao T, Zhang X, Li Z, Zhu H, Gao W, Yu X. Integrated Machine Learning and Bioinformatic Analyses Constructed a Novel Stemness-Related Classifier to Predict Prognosis and Immunotherapy Responses for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18:360-373. [PMID: 34975338 PMCID: PMC8692161 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.66913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has made great progress in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet there is still a lack of biomarkers for predicting response to it. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the primary cause of the tumorigenesis, metastasis, and multi-drug resistance of HCC. This study aimed to propose a novel CSCs-related cluster of HCC to predict patients' response to immunotherapy. Based on RNA-seq datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium (PCBC), one-class logistic regression (OCLR) algorithm was applied to compute the stemness index (mRNAsi) of HCC patients. Unsupervised consensus clustering was performed to categorize HCC patients into two stemness subtypes which further proved to be a predictor of tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) status, immunogenomic expressions and sensitivity to neoadjuvant therapies. Finally, four machine learning algorithms (LASSO, RF, SVM-RFE and XGboost) were applied to distinguish different stemness subtypes. Thus, a five-hub-gene based classifier was constructed in TCGA and ICGC HCC datasets to predict patients' stemness subtype in a more convenient and applicable way, and this novel stemness-based classification system could facilitate the prognostic prediction and guide clinical strategies of immunotherapy and targeted therapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjie Chen
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Jixing Liu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China.,Department of Nephrology, Institute of Nephrology, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, P.R. China
| | - Longjun Zang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Tijun Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Shaoyang University Affiliated Second Hospital, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Xianlin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Zhu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Wenzhe Gao
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Yu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
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32
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Ge S, Yang W, Chen H, Yuan Q, Liu S, Zhao Y, Zhang J. MyD88 in Macrophages Enhances Liver Fibrosis by Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasome in HSCs. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212413. [PMID: 34830293 PMCID: PMC8622429 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver disease mediated by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) leads to liver fibrosis. The signal adaptor MyD88 of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling is involved during the progression of liver fibrosis. However, the specific role of MyD88 in myeloid cells in liver fibrosis has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we used a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced mouse fibrosis model in which MyD88 was selectively depleted in myeloid cells. MyD88 deficiency in myeloid cells attenuated liver fibrosis in mice and decreased inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore, deficiency of MyD88 in macrophages inhibits the secretion of CXC motif chemokine 2 (CXCL2), which restrains the activation of HSCs characterized by NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. Moreover, targeting CXCL2 by CXCR2 inhibitors attenuated the activation of HSCs and reduced liver fibrosis. Thus, MyD88 may represent a potential candidate target for the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Ge
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (S.G.); (W.Y.)
| | - Wei Yang
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (S.G.); (W.Y.)
| | - Haiqiang Chen
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China; (H.C.); (Q.Y.); (S.L.)
| | - Qi Yuan
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China; (H.C.); (Q.Y.); (S.L.)
| | - Shi Liu
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China; (H.C.); (Q.Y.); (S.L.)
| | - Yongxiang Zhao
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (S.G.); (W.Y.)
- Correspondence: (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jinhua Zhang
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (S.G.); (W.Y.)
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China; (H.C.); (Q.Y.); (S.L.)
- Correspondence: (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
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Lu S, Wang Y, Liu J. TNF-α signaling in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and targeted therapies. J Genet Genomics 2021; 49:269-278. [PMID: 34757037 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an inflammatory subtype of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is featured by significantly elevated levels of various pro-inflammatory cytokines. Among numerous pro-inflammatory factors that contribute to NASH pathogenesis, the secreted protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plays an essential role in multiple facets of NASH progression and is therefore considered as a potential therapeutic target. In this review, we will first systematically describe the preclinical studies on the biochemical function of TNF-α and its intracellular downstream signaling mechanisms through its receptors. Moreover, we extensively discuss its functions in regulating inflammation, cell death, and fibrosis of liver cells in the pathogenesis of NASH, and the molecular mechanism that TNF-α expression was regulated by NF-κB and other upstream master regulators during NASH progression. As TNF-α is one of the causal factors that remarkably contributes to NASH progression, combination of therapeutic modalities, including TNF-α-based therapies may lead to resolution of NASH via multiple pathways and thus generate clinical benefits. For translational studies, we summarize recent advances in strategies targeting TNF-α and its signaling pathway, which paves the way for potential therapeutic treatments for NASH in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Lu
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yibing Wang
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sports, Shanghai 200438, China.
| | - Junli Liu
- Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China.
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Soliman H, Theret M, Scott W, Hill L, Underhill TM, Hinz B, Rossi FMV. Multipotent stromal cells: One name, multiple identities. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:1690-1707. [PMID: 34624231 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) are vital for development, maintenance, function, and regeneration of most tissues. They can differentiate along multiple connective lineages, but unlike most other stem/progenitor cells, they carry out various other functions while maintaining their developmental potential. MSCs function as damage sensors, respond to injury by fostering regeneration through secretion of trophic factors as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, and contribute to fibrotic reparative processes when regeneration fails. Tissue-specific MSC identity, fate(s), and function(s) are being resolved through fate mapping coupled with single cell "omics," providing unparalleled insights into the secret lives of tissue-resident MSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesham Soliman
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Aspect Biosystems, Vancouver, BC V6P 6P2, Canada
| | - Marine Theret
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Wilder Scott
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Lesley Hill
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Tully Michael Underhill
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Fabio M V Rossi
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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35
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Lua I, Balog S, Yanagi A, Tateno C, Asahina K. Loss of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 in hepatocytes reduces steatosis via down-regulation of CD36. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2021; 156:106577. [PMID: 34147666 PMCID: PMC8490298 DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2021.106577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a major public health concern and is characterized by the accumulation of triglyceride in hepatocytes and inflammation in the liver. Steatosis is caused by dysregulation of the influx and efflux of lipids, lipogenesis, and mitochondrial β-oxidation. Extracellular lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) regulates a broad range of cellular processes in development, tissue injury, and cancer. In the present study, we examined the roles of LPA in steatohepatitis induced by a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet in mice. Hepatocytes express LPA receptor (Lpar) 1-3 mRNAs. Steatosis developed in mice fed the MCD diet was reduced by treatment with inhibitors for pan-LPAR or LPAR1. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of the Lpar1 gene also reduced the steatosis in the MCD model. Deletion of the Lpar1 gene in hepatocytes reduced expression of Cd36, a gene encoding a fatty acid transporter. Although LPA/LPAR1 signaling induces expression of Srebp1 mRNA in hepatocytes, LPA does not fully induce expression of SREBP1-target genes involved in lipogenesis. Human hepatocytes repopulated in chimeric mice are known to develop steatosis and treatment with an LPAR1 inhibitor reduces expression of CD36 mRNA and steatosis. Our data indicate that antagonism of LPAR1 reduces steatosis in mouse and human hepatocytes by down-regulation of Cd36.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Lua
- The Southern California Research Center for ALPD and Cirrhosis, Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, CA, 90033, United States
| | - Steven Balog
- The Southern California Research Center for ALPD and Cirrhosis, Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, CA, 90033, United States
| | - Ami Yanagi
- Department of Research and Development, PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-0046, Japan
| | - Chise Tateno
- Department of Research and Development, PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-0046, Japan
| | - Kinji Asahina
- The Southern California Research Center for ALPD and Cirrhosis, Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, CA, 90033, United States.
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Kim M, Hur S, Kim KH, Cho Y, Kim K, Kim HR, Nam KT, Lim KM. A New Murine Liver Fibrosis Model Induced by Polyhexamethylene Guanidine-Phosphate. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2021; 30:126-136. [PMID: 34580237 PMCID: PMC8902451 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2021.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is part of the wound healing process to help the liver recover from the injuries caused by various liver-damaging insults. However, liver fibrosis often progresses to life-threatening cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. To overcome the limitations of current in vivo liver fibrosis models for studying the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis and establishing effective treatment strategies, we developed a new mouse model of liver fibrosis using polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p), a humidifier sterilizer known to induce lung fibrosis in humans. Male C57/BL6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with PHMG-p (0.03% and 0.1%) twice a week for 5 weeks. Subsequently, liver tissues were examined histologically and RNA-sequencing was performed to evaluate the expression of key genes and pathways affected by PHMG-p. PHMG-p injection resulted in body weight loss of ~15% and worsening of physical condition. Necropsy revealed diffuse fibrotic lesions in the liver with no effect on the lungs. Histology, collagen staining, immunohistochemistry for smooth muscle actin and collagen, and polymerase chain reaction analysis of fibrotic genes revealed that PHMG-p induced liver fibrosis in the peri-central, peri-portal, and capsule regions. RNA-sequencing revealed that PHMG-p affected several pathways associated with human liver fibrosis, especially with upregulation of lumican and IRAK3, and downregulation of GSTp1 and GSTp2, which are closely involved in liver fibrosis pathogenesis. Collectively we demonstrated that the PHMG-p-induced liver fibrosis model can be employed to study human liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjeong Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Sumin Hur
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang H Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yejin Cho
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Keunyoung Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha Ryong Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 38430, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Taek Nam
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Min Lim
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
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Zhang M, Serna-Salas S, Damba T, Borghesan M, Demaria M, Moshage H. Hepatic stellate cell senescence in liver fibrosis: Characteristics, mechanisms and perspectives. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 199:111572. [PMID: 34536446 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Myofibroblasts play an important role in fibrogenesis. Hepatic stellate cells are the main precursors of myofibroblasts. Cellular senescence is the terminal cell fate in which proliferating cells undergo irreversible cell cycle arrest. Senescent hepatic stellate cells were identified in liver fibrosis. Senescent hepatic stellate cells display decreased collagen production and proliferation. Therefore, induction of senescence could be a protective mechanism against progression of liver fibrosis and the concept of therapy-induced senescence has been proposed to treat liver fibrosis. In this review, characteristics of senescent hepatic stellate cells and the essential signaling pathways involved in senescence are reviewed. Furthermore, the potential impact of senescent hepatic stellate cells on other liver cell types are discussed. Senescent cells are cleared by the immune system. The persistence of senescent cells can remodel the microenvironment and interact with inflammatory cells to induce aging-related dysfunction. Therefore, senolytics, a class of compounds that selectively induce death of senescent cells, were introduced as treatment to remove senescent cells and consequently decrease the disadvantageous effects of persisting senescent cells. The effects of senescent hepatic stellate cells in liver fibrosis need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengfan Zhang
- Dept. of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra Serna-Salas
- Dept. of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Turtushikh Damba
- Dept. of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; School of Pharmacy, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Michaela Borghesan
- European Research Institute on the Biology of Aging (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marco Demaria
- European Research Institute on the Biology of Aging (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Han Moshage
- Dept. of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Wang SS, Tang XT, Lin M, Yuan J, Peng YJ, Yin X, Shang G, Ge G, Ren Z, Zhou BO. Perivenous Stellate Cells Are the Main Source of Myofibroblasts and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Formed After Chronic Liver Injuries. Hepatology 2021; 74:1578-1594. [PMID: 33817801 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Studies of the identity and pathophysiology of fibrogenic HSCs have been hampered by a lack of genetic tools that permit specific and inducible fate-mapping of these cells in vivo. Here, by single-cell RNA sequencing of nonparenchymal cells from mouse liver, we identified transcription factor 21 (Tcf21) as a unique marker that restricted its expression to quiescent HSCs. APPROACH AND RESULTS Tracing Tcf21+ cells by Tcf21-CreER (Cre-Estrogen Receptor fusion protein under the control of Tcf21 gene promoter) targeted ~10% of all HSCs, most of which were located at periportal and pericentral zones. These HSCs were quiescent under steady state but became activated on injuries, generating 62%-67% of all myofibroblasts in fibrotic livers and ~85% of all cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in liver tumors. Conditional deletion of Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 2 (Tgfbr2) by Tcf21-CreER blocked HSC activation, compromised liver fibrosis, and inhibited liver tumor progression. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, Tcf21-CreER-targeted perivenous stellate cells are the main source of myofibroblasts and CAFs in chronically injured livers. TGF-β signaling links HSC activation to liver fibrosis and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Shan Wang
- Department of Hepatic Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyu Thomas Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Minghui Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Yuan
- Department of Hepatic Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Jacky Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiujuan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - GuoGuo Shang
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gaoxiang Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhenggang Ren
- Department of Hepatic Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo O Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
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Kordes C, Bock HH, Reichert D, May P, Häussinger D. Hepatic stellate cells: current state and open questions. Biol Chem 2021; 402:1021-1032. [PMID: 34008380 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2021-0180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
This review article summarizes 20 years of our research on hepatic stellate cells within the framework of two collaborative research centers CRC575 and CRC974 at the Heinrich Heine University. Over this period, stellate cells were identified for the first time as mesenchymal stem cells of the liver, and important functions of these cells in the context of liver regeneration were discovered. Furthermore, it was determined that the space of Disse - bounded by the sinusoidal endothelium and hepatocytes - functions as a stem cell niche for stellate cells. Essential elements of this niche that control the maintenance of hepatic stellate cells have been identified alongside their impairment with age. This article aims to highlight previous studies on stellate cells and critically examine and identify open questions and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claus Kordes
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans H Bock
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Doreen Reichert
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Petra May
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dieter Häussinger
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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40
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Ruan B, Duan JL, Xu H, Tao KS, Han H, Dou GR, Wang L. Capillarized Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells Undergo Partial Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition to Actively Deposit Sinusoidal ECM in Liver Fibrosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:671081. [PMID: 34277612 PMCID: PMC8285099 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.671081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue-specific endothelial cells are more than simply a barrier lining capillaries and are proved to be capable of remarkable plasticity to become active collagen matrix-producing myofibroblasts (MFs) in solid organs with fibrosis. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) also participate in the development of hepatic fibrosis, but the exact roles and underlying mechanism have been poorly understood in addition to capillarization. In this study, we demonstrate, by using single-cell RNA sequencing, lineage tracing, and colocalization analysis, that fibrotic LSECs undergo partial endothelial mesenchymal transition (EndMT) with a subset of LSECs acquiring an MF-like phenotype. These phenotypic changes make LSECs substantial producers of extracellular matrix (ECM) preferentially deposited in liver sinusoids but not septal/portal scars as demonstrated by immunofluorescence in animal models and patients with fibrosis/cirrhosis, likely due to their limited migration. Bioinformatic analysis verifies that LSECs undergo successive phenotypic transitions from capillarization to mesenchymal-like cells in liver fibrosis. Furthermore, blockade of LSEC capillarization by using YC-1, a selective eNOS-sGC activator, effectively attenuates liver damage and fibrogenesis as well as mesenchymal features of LSECs, suggesting that capillarization of LSECs might be upstream to their mesenchymal transition during fibrosis. In conclusion, we report that capillarized LSECs undergo a partial EndMT characterized by increased ECM production without activating cell mobility, leading to perisinusoidal ECM deposition that aggravate liver function and fibrogenesis. Targeting this transitional process may be of great value for antifibrotic treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bai Ruan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Aviation Medicine, Center of Clinical Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Juan-Li Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kai-Shan Tao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hua Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Guo-Rui Dou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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41
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Kyrönlahti A, Godbole N, Akinrinade O, Soini T, Nyholm I, Andersson N, Hukkinen M, Lohi J, Wilson DB, Pihlajoki M, Pakarinen MP, Heikinheimo M. Evolving Up-regulation of Biliary Fibrosis-Related Extracellular Matrix Molecules After Successful Portoenterostomy. Hepatol Commun 2021; 5:1036-1050. [PMID: 34141988 PMCID: PMC8183171 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful portoenterostomy (SPE) improves the short-term outcome of patients with biliary atresia (BA) by relieving cholestasis and extending survival with native liver. Despite SPE, hepatic fibrosis progresses in most patients, leading to cirrhosis and a deterioration of liver function. The goal of this study was to characterize the effects of SPE on the BA liver transcriptome. We used messenger RNA sequencing to analyze global gene-expression patterns in liver biopsies obtained at the time of portoenterostomy (n = 13) and 1 year after SPE (n = 8). Biopsies from pediatric (n = 2) and adult (n = 2) organ donors and other neonatal cholestatic conditions (n = 5) served as controls. SPE was accompanied by attenuation of inflammation and concomitant up-regulation of key extracellular matrix (ECM) genes. Highly overexpressed genes promoting biliary fibrosis and bile duct integrity, such as integrin subunit beta 6 and previously unreported laminin subunit alpha 3, emerged as candidates to control liver fibrosis after SPE. At a cellular level, the relative abundance of activated hepatic stellate cells and liver macrophages decreased following SPE, whereas portal fibroblasts (PFs) and cholangiocytes persisted. Conclusion: The attenuation of inflammation following SPE coincides with emergence of an ECM molecular fingerprint, a set of profibrotic molecules mechanistically connected to biliary fibrosis. The persistence of activated PFs and cholangiocytes after SPE suggests a central role for these cell types in the progression of biliary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti Kyrönlahti
- Pediatric Research CenterChildren's HospitalUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Nimish Godbole
- Pediatric Research CenterChildren's HospitalUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Oyediran Akinrinade
- Pediatric Research CenterChildren's HospitalUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Tea Soini
- Pediatric Research CenterChildren's HospitalUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland.,Center for Infectious MedicineDepartment of MedicineKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Iiris Nyholm
- Pediatric Research CenterChildren's HospitalUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland.,Pediatric SurgeryPediatric Liver and Gut Research GroupChildren's HospitalUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Noora Andersson
- Pediatric Research CenterChildren's HospitalUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Maria Hukkinen
- Pediatric SurgeryPediatric Liver and Gut Research GroupChildren's HospitalUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Jouko Lohi
- Department of PathologyHelsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - David B Wilson
- Department of PediatricsSt. Louis Children's HospitalWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMOUSA
| | - Marjut Pihlajoki
- Pediatric Research CenterChildren's HospitalUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland.,Center for Infectious MedicineDepartment of MedicineKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Mikko P Pakarinen
- Pediatric Research CenterChildren's HospitalUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland.,Pediatric SurgeryPediatric Liver and Gut Research GroupChildren's HospitalUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Markku Heikinheimo
- Pediatric Research CenterChildren's HospitalUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland.,Department of PediatricsSt. Louis Children's HospitalWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMOUSA
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Sbierski-Kind J, Mroz N, Molofsky AB. Perivascular stromal cells: Directors of tissue immune niches. Immunol Rev 2021; 302:10-31. [PMID: 34075598 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Perivascular niches are specialized microenvironments where stromal and immune cells interact with vasculature to monitor tissue status. Adventitial perivascular niches surround larger blood vessels and other boundary sites, supporting collections of immune cells, stromal cells, lymphatics, and neurons. Adventitial fibroblasts (AFs), a subtype of mesenchymal stromal cell, are the dominant constituents in adventitial spaces, regulating vascular integrity while organizing the accumulation and activation of a variety of interacting immune cells. In contrast, pericytes are stromal mural cells that support microvascular capillaries and surround organ-specific parenchymal cells. Here, we outline the unique immune and non-immune composition of perivascular tissue immune niches, with an emphasis on the heterogeneity and immunoregulatory functions of AFs and pericytes across diverse organs. We will discuss how perivascular stromal cells contribute to the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses and integrate immunological signals to impact tissue health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Sbierski-Kind
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas Mroz
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ari B Molofsky
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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43
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Reungoat E, Grigorov B, Zoulim F, Pécheur EI. Molecular Crosstalk between the Hepatitis C Virus and the Extracellular Matrix in Liver Fibrogenesis and Early Carcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092270. [PMID: 34065048 PMCID: PMC8125929 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In the era of direct-acting antivirals against the hepatitis C virus (HCV), curing chronic hepatitis C has become a reality. However, while replicating chronically, HCV creates a peculiar state of inflammation and oxidative stress in the infected liver, which fuels DNA damage at the onset of HCV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This cancer, the second leading cause of death by cancer, remains of bad prognosis when diagnosed. This review aims to decipher how HCV durably alters elements of the extracellular matrix that compose the liver microenvironment, directly through its viral proteins or indirectly through the induction of cytokine secretion, thereby leading to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and, ultimately, HCC. Abstract Chronic infection by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver diseases, predisposing to fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver fibrosis is characterized by an overly abundant accumulation of components of the hepatic extracellular matrix, such as collagen and elastin, with consequences on the properties of this microenvironment and cancer initiation and growth. This review will provide an update on mechanistic concepts of HCV-related liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and early stages of carcinogenesis, with a dissection of the molecular details of the crosstalk during disease progression between hepatocytes, the extracellular matrix, and hepatic stellate cells.
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44
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Post-Surgical Peritoneal Scarring and Key Molecular Mechanisms. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11050692. [PMID: 34063089 PMCID: PMC8147932 DOI: 10.3390/biom11050692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-surgical adhesions are internal scar tissue and a major health and economic burden. Adhesions affect and involve the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity, which consists of a continuous mesothelial covering of the cavity wall and majority of internal organs. Our understanding of the full pathophysiology of adhesion formation is limited by the fact that the mechanisms regulating normal serosal repair and regeneration of the mesothelial layer are still being elucidated. Emerging evidence suggests that mesothelial cells do not simply form a passive barrier but perform a wide range of important regulatory functions including maintaining a healthy peritoneal homeostasis as well as orchestrating events leading to normal repair or pathological outcomes following injury. Here, we summarise recent advances in our understanding of serosal repair and adhesion formation with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms and novel gene expression signatures associated with these processes. We discuss changes in mesothelial biomolecular marker expression during peritoneal development, which may help, in part, to explain findings in adults from lineage tracing studies using experimental adhesion models. Lastly, we highlight examples of where local tissue specialisation may determine a particular response of peritoneal cells to injury.
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45
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Xue F, Lu J, Buchl SC, Sun L, Shah VH, Malhi H, Maiers JL. Coordinated signaling of activating transcription factor 6α and inositol-requiring enzyme 1α regulates hepatic stellate cell-mediated fibrogenesis in mice. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G864-G879. [PMID: 33728997 PMCID: PMC8202196 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00453.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Liver injury and the unfolded protein response (UPR) are tightly linked, but their relationship differs with cell type and injurious stimuli. UPR initiation promotes hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and fibrogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Despite the complexity and overlap downstream of UPR transducers inositol-requiring protein 1α (IRE1α), activating transcription factor 6α (ATF6α), and protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), previous research in HSCs primarily focused on IRE1α. Here, we investigated the fibrogenic role of ATF6α or PERK in vitro and HSC-specific UPR signaling in vivo. Overexpression of ATF6α, but not the PERK effector activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), promoted HSC activation and fibrogenic gene transcription in immortalized HSCs. Furthermore, ATF6α inhibition through Ceapin-A7, or Atf6a deletion, disrupted transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-mediated activation of primary human hepatic stellate cells (hHSCs) or murine hepatic stellate cells (mHSCs), respectively. We investigated the fibrogenic role of ATF6α in vivo through conditional HSC-specific Atf6a deletion. Atf6aHSCΔ/Δ mice displayed reduced fibrosis and HSC activation following bile duct ligation (BDL) or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced injury. The Atf6aHSCΔ/Δ phenotype differed from HSC-specific Ire1a deletion, as Ire1aHSCΔ/Δ mice showed reduced fibrogenic gene transcription but no changes in fibrosis compared with Ire1afl/fl mice following BDL. Interestingly, ATF6α signaling increased in Ire1aΔ/Δ HSCs, whereas IRE1α signaling was upregulated in Atf6aΔ/Δ HSCs. Finally, we asked whether co-deletion of Atf6a and Ire1a additively limits fibrosis. Unexpectedly, fibrosis worsened in Atf6aHSCΔ/ΔIre1aHSCΔ/Δ mice following BDL, and Atf6aΔ/ΔIre1aΔ/Δ mHSCs showed increased fibrogenic gene transcription. ATF6α and IRE1α individually promote fibrogenic transcription in HSCs, and ATF6α drives fibrogenesis in vivo. Unexpectedly, disruption of both pathways sensitizes the liver to fibrogenesis, suggesting that fine-tuned UPR signaling is critical for regulating HSC activation and fibrogenesis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY ATF6α is a critical driver of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation in vitro. HSC-specific deletion of Atf6a limits fibrogenesis in vivo despite increased IRE1α signaling. Conditional deletion of Ire1α from HSCs limits fibrogenic gene transcription without impacting overall fibrosis. This could be due in part to observed upregulation of the ATF6α pathway. Dual loss of Atf6a and Ire1a from HSCs worsens fibrosis in vivo through enhanced HSC activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xue
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jianwen Lu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Samuel C. Buchl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Liankang Sun
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Vijay H. Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Harmeet Malhi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jessica L. Maiers
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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46
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Yan J, Hu B, Shi W, Wang X, Shen J, Chen Y, Huang H, Jin L. Gli2-regulated activation of hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis by TGF-β signaling. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G720-G728. [PMID: 33728992 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00310.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is correlated with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation and liver fibrosis. Gli2 is a key transcription effector of Hh signaling. However, the role of Gli2 in HSC-mediated liver fibrosis progression is largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Gli2 on liver fibrogenesis and its possible mechanism using conditional knockout (cKO) Gli2 mice and HSC models. Wild-type (WT) and GFAP-CreERT;Gli2flox/flox male mice were exposed to CCl4 for 1 mo to induce liver fibrosis. Primary HSCs were isolated from mice and the transition of HSCs into a myofibroblastic phenotype was evaluated. Livers from mice underwent histological, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescence analyses. The expression levels of proteins and genes were evaluated by Western blot (WB) analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. RNA-seq was used to screen differentially expressed genes. Results showed that CCl4 treatment induced liver fibrosis, promoted HSCs activation and proliferation, and upregulated Hh signaling activity. The cKO of Gli2 in GFAP-CreERT;Gli2flox/flox mice decreased liver fibrosis as well as HSC activation and proliferation. In vitro studies showed that KO of Gli2 in HSCs blocked cell proliferation and activation by decrease of cyclin D1/D2 expression. The RNA-seq results revealed that the expression levels TGF-β1 ligands were downregulated in Gli2 KO HSCs. Furthermore, overexpression of Gli2 rescued proliferation and activation of HSCs by upregulation of TGF-β signaling activity. Our data demonstrated that Gli2 regulated HSC activation and liver fibrosis by TGF-β signaling, thus providing support for future Gli2-based investigations of liver fibrosis therapy.NEW & NOTEWORTHYGli2 is a key transcription effector of Hh signaling. We found that Hh/Gli2 signaling activity was upregulated in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Conditional deletion of the Gli2 gene in HSCs ameliorated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis and HSCs activation. Moreover, Gli2 promoted activation of HSCs through upregulation of cyclin expression and TGF-β signaling activity. Thus, our data provide strong support for future investigations on Gli2 inhibition to slow liver fibrosis progression in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyan Yan
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Baowei Hu
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Wenjie Shi
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Jiayuan Shen
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China.,Department of Pathology, Affliliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Yaping Chen
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Huarong Huang
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lifang Jin
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
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Son YJ, Jung DS, Shin JM, Kim M, Yoo G, Nho CW. Yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris var. davurica) ameliorates liver fibrosis in db/db mice with methionine- and choline-deficient diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021; 21:44. [PMID: 33494735 PMCID: PMC7836176 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03212-6] [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: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a liver disease caused by a nonalcoholic fatty liver, is increasing in incidence worldwide. Owing to the complexity of its pathogenic mechanisms, there are no therapeutic agents for this disease yet. The ideal drug for NASH needs to concurrently decrease hepatic lipid accumulation and exert anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antioxidative effects in the liver. Because of their multipurpose therapeutic effects, we considered that medicinal herbs are suitable for treating patients with NASH. Methods We determined the efficacy of the alcoholic extract of Lysimachia vulgaris var. davurica (LV), an edible medicinal herb, for NASH treatment. For inducing NASH, C57BLKS/J lar-Leprdb/Leprdb (db/db) male mice were fed with a methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet ad libitum. After 3 weeks, the LV extract and a positive control (GFT505) were administered to mice by oral gavage for 3 weeks with a continued MCD diet as needed. Results In mice with diet-induced NASH, the LV extract could relieve the disease symptoms; that is, the extract ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation and also showed antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. The LV extract also activated nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression, leading to the upregulation of antioxidants and detoxification signaling. Moreover, the extract presented remarkable efficacy in alleviating liver fibrosis compared with GFT505. This difference was caused by significant LV extract-mediated reduction in the mRNA expression of fibrotic genes like the alpha-smooth muscle actin and collagen type 3 alpha 1. Reduction of fibrotic genes may thus relate with the downregulation of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)/Smad signaling by LV extract administration. Conclusions Lipid accumulation and inflammatory responses in the liver were alleviated by feeding LV extract to NASH-induced mice. Moreover, the LV extract strongly prevented liver fibrosis by blocking TGFβ/Smad signaling. Hence, LV showed sufficient potency for use as a therapeutic agent against NASH. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-021-03212-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Ju Son
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Da Seul Jung
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Ji Min Shin
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Myungsuk Kim
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Gyhye Yoo
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Chu Won Nho
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea.
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Urea-based amino sugar agent clears murine liver and preserves protein fluorescence and lipophilic dyes. Biotechniques 2021; 70:72-80. [PMID: 33467918 PMCID: PMC7983039 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2020-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Five established clearing protocols were compared with a modified and simplified method to determine an optimal clearing reagent for three-dimensionally visualizing fluorophores in the murine liver, a challenging organ to clear. We report successful clearing of whole liver lobes by modification of an established protocol (UbasM) using only Ub-1, a urea-based amino sugar reagent, in a simpler protocol that requires only a 24-h processing time. With Ub-1 alone, we observed sufficiently preserved liver tissue structure in three dimensions along with excellent preservation of fluorophore emissions from endogenous protein reporters and lipophilic tracer dyes. This streamlined technique can be used for 3D cell lineage tracing and fluoroprobe-based reporter gene expression to compare various experimental conditions. This study presents a simplified protocol for optically clearing murine liver tissue in only 24 h using one simple urea-based amino sugar solution and a single incubation. This method preserves fluorescence of transgenically expressed proteins and lipophilic tracer dyes within the context of native spatial morphology.
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Jiang Y, Xiang C, Zhong F, Zhang Y, Wang L, Zhao Y, Wang J, Ding C, Jin L, He F, Wang H. Histone H3K27 methyltransferase EZH2 and demethylase JMJD3 regulate hepatic stellate cells activation and liver fibrosis. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:361-378. [PMID: 33391480 PMCID: PMC7681085 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: As the central hallmark of liver fibrosis, transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the predominant contributor to fibrogenic hepatic myofibroblast responsible for extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, is characterized with transcriptional and epigenetic remodeling. We aimed to characterize the roles of H3K27 methyltransferase EZH2 and demethylase JMJD3 and identify their effective pathways and novel target genes in HSCs activation and liver fibrosis. Methods: In primary HSCs, we analyzed effects of pharmacological inhibitions and genetic manipulations of EZH2 and JMJD3 on HSCs activation. In HSCs cell lines, we evaluated effects of EZH2 inhibition by DZNep on proliferation, cell cycling, senescence and apoptosis. In CCl4 and BDL murine models of liver fibrosis, we assessed in vivo effects of DZNep administration and Ezh2 silencing. We profiled rat primary HSCs transcriptomes with RNA-seq, screened the pathways and genes associated with DZNep treatment, analyzed EZH2 and JMJD3 regulation towards target genes by ChIP-qPCR. Results: EZH2 inhibition by DZNep resulted in retarded growth, lowered cell viability, cell cycle arrest in S and G2 phases, strengthened senescence, and enhanced apoptosis of HSCs, decreased hepatic collagen deposition and rescued the elevated serum ALT and AST activities of diseased mice, and downregulated cellular and hepatic expressions of H3K27me3, EZH2, α-SMA and COL1A. Ezh2 silencing by RNA interference in vitro and in vivo showed similar effects. JMJD3 inhibition by GSK-J4 and overexpression of wild-type but not mutant Jmjd3 enhanced or repressed HSCs activation respectively. EZH2 inhibition by DZNep transcriptionally inactivated TGF-β1 pathway, cell cycle pathways and vast ECM components in primary HSCs. EZH2 inhibition decreased H3K27me3 recruitment at target genes encoding TGF-β1 pseudoreceptor BAMBI, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 and cell cycle regulators CDKN1A, GADD45A and GADD45B, and increased their expressions, while Jmjd3 overexpression manifested alike effects. Conclusions: EZH2 and JMJD3 antagonistically modulate HSCs activation. The therapeutic effects of DZNep as epigenetic drug in liver fibrosis are associated with the regulation of EZH2 towards direct target genes encoding TGF-β1 pseudoreceptor BAMBI, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 and cell cycle regulators CDKN1A, GADD45A and GADD45B, which are also regulated by JMJD3. Our present study provides new mechanistic insight into the epigenetic modulation of EZH2 and JMJD3 in HSCs biology and hepatic fibrogenesis.
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Wu C, Rao X, Lin W. Immune landscape and a promising immune prognostic model associated with TP53 in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma. Cancer Med 2020; 10:806-823. [PMID: 33314730 PMCID: PMC7897963 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose TP53 mutation, one of the most frequent mutations in early‐stage lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), triggers a series of alterations in the immune landscape, progression, and clinical outcome of early‐stage LUAD. Our study was designed to unravel the effects of TP53 mutation on the immunophenotype of early‐stage LUAD and formulate a TP53‐associated immune prognostic model (IPM) that can estimate prognosis in early‐stage LUAD patients. Materials and methods Immune‐associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between TP53 mutated (TP53MUT) and TP53 wild‐type (TP53WT) early‐stage LUAD were comprehensively analyzed. Univariate Cox analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis identified the prognostic immune‐associated DEGs. We constructed and validated an IPM based on the TCGA and a meta‐GEO composed of GSE72094, GSE42127, and GSE31210, respectively. The CIBERSORT algorithm was analyzed for assessing the percentage of immune cell types. A nomogram model was established for clinical application. Results TP53 mutation occurred in approximately 50.00% of LUAD patients, stimulating a weakened immune response in early‐stage LUAD. Sixty‐seven immune‐associated DEGs were determined between TP53WT and TP53MUT cohort. An IPM consisting of two prognostic immune‐associated DEGs (risk score = 0.098 * ENTPD2 expression + 0.168 * MIF expression) was developed through 397 cases in the TCGA and further validated based on 623 patients in a meta‐GEO. The IPM stratified patients into low or high risk of undesirable survival and was identified as an independent prognostic indicator in multivariate analysis (HR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.43–3.06, p < 0.001). Increased expressions of PD‐L1, CTLA‐4, and TIGIT were revealed in the high‐risk group. Prognostic nomogram incorporating the IPM and other clinicopathological parameters (TNM stage and age) achieved optimal predictive accuracy and clinical utility. Conclusion The IPM based on TP53 status is a reliable and robust immune signature to identify early‐stage LUAD patients with high risk of unfavorable survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengde Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Xiang Rao
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Hainan, China
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