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Pan M, Deng Y, Qiu Y, Pi D, Zheng C, Liang Z, Zhen J, Fan W, Song Q, Pan J, Li Y, Yan H, Yang Q, Zhang Y. Shenling Baizhu powder alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by modulating autophagy and energy metabolism in high-fat diet-induced rats. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 130:155712. [PMID: 38763008 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a burgeoning health problem worldwide, but no specific drug has been approved for its treatment. Shenling Baizhu powder (SL) is extensively used to treat NAFLD in Chinese clinical practice. However, the therapeutic components and pharmacological mechanisms of SL against NAFLD have not been thoroughly investigated. PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological impact and molecular mechanism of SL on NAFLD. METHODS First, we established an animal model of NAFLD by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, and evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of SL on NAFLD by physiological, biochemical, pathological, and body composition analysis. Next, the effect of SL on autophagic flow in NAFLD rats was evaluated by ultrastructure, immunofluorescence staining, and western blotting. Moreover, an integrated strategy of targeted energy metabolomics and network pharmacology was performed to characterize autophagy-related genes and explore the synergistic effects of SL active compounds. UPLC-MS/MS, molecular docking combined with in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to verify the key compounds and genes. Finally, a network was established among SL-herb-compound-genes-energy metabolites-NAFLD, which explains the complicated regulating mechanism of SL on NAFLD. RESULTS We discovered that SL decreased hepatic lipid accumulation, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance, and improved systemic metabolic disorders and pathological abnormalities. Subsequently, an integrated strategy of targeted energy metabolomics and network pharmacology identified quercetin, ellagic acid, kaempferol, formononetin, stigmasterol, isorhamnetin and luteolin as key compounds; catalase (CAT), AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT), nitric oxide synthase 3 (eNOS), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF-1α) were identified as key genes; while nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) and succinate emerged as key energy metabolites. Mechanistically, we revealed that SL may exert its anti-NAFLD effect by inducing autophagy activation and forming a comprehensive regulatory network involving key compounds, key genes, and key energy metabolites, ultimately alleviating oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated the therapeutic effect of SL in NAFLD models, and establishes a basis for the development of potential products from SL plant materials for the treatment of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoxing Pan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yuanjun Deng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen 518033, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yebei Qiu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Dajin Pi
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chuiyang Zheng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zheng Liang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jianwei Zhen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wen Fan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qingliang Song
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jinyue Pan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yuanyou Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Haizhen Yan
- Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510240, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Qinhe Yang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Yupei Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China.
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Zheng Y, Wang Y, Xiong X, Zhang L, Zhu J, Huang B, Liu X, Liu J, Zhu Z, Yang G, Qu H, Zheng H. CD9 Counteracts Liver Steatosis and Mediates GCGR Agonist Hepatic Effects. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2400819. [PMID: 38837628 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Glucagon receptor (GCGR) agonism offers potentially greater effects on the mitigation of hepatic steatosis. However, its underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Here, it screened tetraspanin CD9 might medicate hepatic effects of GCGR agonist. CD9 is decreased in the fatty livers of patients and upregulated upon GCGR activation. Deficiency of CD9 in the liver exacerbated diet-induced hepatic steatosis via complement factor D (CFD) regulated fatty acid metabolism. Specifically, CD9 modulated hepatic fatty acid synthesis and oxidation genes through regulating CFD expression via the ubiquitination-proteasomal degradation of FLI1. In addition, CD9 influenced body weight by modulating lipogenesis and thermogenesis of adipose tissue through CFD. Moreover, CD9 reinforcement in the liver alleviated hepatic steatosis, and blockage of CD9 abolished the remission of hepatic steatosis induced by cotadutide treatment. Thus, CD9 medicates the hepatic beneficial effects of GCGR signaling, and may server as a promising therapeutic target for hepatic steatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zheng
- Department of Endocrinology, Translational Research of Diabetes Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Yuren Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Translational Research of Diabetes Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Xin Xiong
- Department of Endocrinology, Translational Research of Diabetes Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Translational Research of Diabetes Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Jiaran Zhu
- Department of Endocrinology, Translational Research of Diabetes Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Bangliang Huang
- Department of Endocrinology, Translational Research of Diabetes Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Xiufei Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Translational Research of Diabetes Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Jinbo Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Zhiming Zhu
- Department of Hypertension and Endocrinology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Gangyi Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Hua Qu
- Department of Endocrinology, Translational Research of Diabetes Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Hongting Zheng
- Department of Endocrinology, Translational Research of Diabetes Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
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Abstract
The understanding of the mechanisms of liver fibrosis has been dominated by models in which chronic hepatocellular injury is the initiating step as is seen with viral infections. The increased prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, and the increases in liver fibrosis due to metabolic syndrome driven non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), has made it a priority to understand how this type of liver fibrosis is similar to, and different from, pure hepatocellular injury driven liver fibrosis. Both types of liver fibrosis have the transformation of the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) into a myofibroblast as a key step. In metabolic syndrome, there is little evidence that metabolite changes such as high levels of glucose and free fatty acids are directly inducing HSC transdifferentiation, however, metabolite changes may lead to reductions in immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective molecules such as lipoxins, resolvins and Interleukin (IL)-22. Cells of the innate immune system are known to be important intermediaries between hepatocellular damage and HSC transdifferentiation, primarily by producing cytokines such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF). Resident and infiltrating macrophages are the dominant innate immune cells, but others (dendritic cells, neutrophils, natural killer T cells and mucosal-associated invariant T cells) also have important roles in inducing and resolving liver fibrosis. CD8+ and CD4+ T cells of the adaptive immune system have been identified to have greater profibrotic roles than previously realised by inducing hepatocyte death (auto-aggressive CD8+T) cells and cytokines producing (TH17 producing CD4+T) cells. Finally, the cellular networks present in NASH fibrosis are being identified and suggest that once fibrosis has developed cell-to-cell communication is dominated by myofibroblasts autocrine signalling followed by communication with cholangiocytes and endothelial cells, with myofibroblast-hepatocyte, and myofibroblast-macrophage signalling having minor roles. Such information is essential to the development of antifibrotic strategies for different stages of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wajahat Mehal
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Kumar V, Sethi B, Staller DW, Xin X, Ma J, Dong Y, Talmon GA, Mahato RI. Anti-miR-96 and Hh pathway inhibitor MDB5 synergistically ameliorate alcohol-associated liver injury in mice. Biomaterials 2023; 295:122049. [PMID: 36827892 PMCID: PMC9998370 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and its complications are significant health problems worldwide. Several pathways in ALD are influenced by alcohol that drives inflammation, fatty acid metabolism, and fibrosis. Although miR-96 has become a key regulator in several liver diseases, its function in ALD remains unclear. In contrast, sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling has a well-defined role in liver disease through influencing the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the inducement of liver fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the expression patterns of miR-96 and Hh molecules in mouse and human liver samples. We showed that miR-96 and Shh were upregulated in ethanol-fed mice. Furthermore, alcoholic hepatitis (AH) patient specimens also showed upregulated FOXO3a, TGF-β1, SHH, and GLI2 proteins. We then examined the effects of Hh inhibitor MDB5 and anti-miR-96 on inflammatory and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes. We identified FOXO3 and SMAD7 as direct target genes of miR-96. Inhibition of miR-96 decreased the expression of these genes in vitro in AML12 cells, HSC-T6 cells, and in vivo in ALD mice. Furthermore, MDB5 decreased HSCs activation and the expression of ECM-related genes, such as Gli1, Tgf-β1, and collagen. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) loaded with the combination of MDB5, and anti-miR-96 ameliorated ALD in mice. Our study demonstrated that this combination therapy could serve as a new therapeutic target for ALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virender Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Bharti Sethi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Dalton W Staller
- Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Xiaofei Xin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jingyi Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Yuxiang Dong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Geoffrey A Talmon
- Department of Pathology & Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ram I Mahato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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He T, Lykov N, Luo X, Wang H, Du Z, Chen Z, Chen S, Zhu L, Zhao Y, Tzeng C. Protective Effects of Lactobacillus gasseri against High-Cholesterol Diet-Induced Fatty Liver and Regulation of Host Gene Expression Profiles. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032053. [PMID: 36768377 PMCID: PMC9917166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032053] [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: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Fatty liver is one of the most pervasive liver diseases worldwide. Probiotics play an important role in the progression of liver disease, but their effects on host regulation are poorly understood. This study investigated the protective effects of lactobacillus gasseri (L. gasseri) against high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced fatty liver injury using a zebrafish larvae model. Liver pathology, lipid accumulation, oxidative stress and hepatic inflammation were evaluated to demonstrate the changes in a spectrum of hepatic injury. Moreover, multiple indexes on host gene expression profiles were comprehensively characterized by RNA screening. The results showed that treatment with L. gasseri ameliorated HCD-induced morphological and histological alterations, lipid regulations, oxidative stress and macrophage aggregation in the liver of zebrafish larvae. Furthermore, the enrichment of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway revealed that the core pathways of L. gasseri regulation were interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling pathway, the regulation of lipolysis and adipocytes and fatty acid elongation and estrogen signaling. The genes at key junction nodes, hsp90aa1.1, kyat3, hsd17b7, irs2a, myl9b, ptgs2b, cdk21 and papss2a were significantly regulated by L. gasseri administration. To conclude, the current research extends our understanding of the protective effects of L. gasseri against fatty liver and provides potential therapeutic options for fatty liver treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ye Zhao
- Correspondence: (Y.Z.); (C.T.)
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Pan L, Li Z, Su Z, Su W, Zheng R, Chen W, He X, Song J, Li S, Wen P. Case Report: Long-term follow-up of desert hedgehog variant caused 46, XY gonadal dysgenesis with multiple complications in a Chinese child. Front Genet 2022; 13:954288. [PMID: 36072668 PMCID: PMC9441908 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.954288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Desert hedgehog (DHH), as a member of the Hedgehog (HH) family, is mainly involved in testicular development and peripheral nerve sheath formation. A DHH variant has been identified in patients with 46, XY gonadal dysgenesis (46, XY GD) with or without neuropathy, but few reports mention the involvement of other complications. Case presentation: Here, we report a Chinese female patient who was hospitalized at 14.3 years old due to slow breast development for more than 1 year. She had a female genitalia phenotype and breast development started at 13 years old but progressed slowly. She was not yet menarche on admission, and she had intermittent muscle cramps in her hands and feet. Her karyotype analysis was 46, XY and the SRY gene was positive. Surgical exploration revealed no uterus or ovaries, and the pathology of bilateral gonads was dysplastic testis tissue, which was consistent with partial gonadal dysgenesis (PGD). Genetic analysis identified a homozygous pathogenic variant in DHH exon 3 (c.1027T>C, p. Cys343Arg). During the 6-year follow-up, she received estrogen replacement therapy, resulting in breast development progression without gender dysphoria. However, her peripheral neuropathy became more obvious, and a nerve conduction study (NCS) indicated decreased nerve conduction velocity and action potential. In addition, she also suffered complications such as obesity, insulin resistance, fatty liver, and gastric ulcers. Conclusion: In the present study, we reported a case of 46, XY GD with minifascicular neuropathy caused by a DHH homozygous variant, and we summarized the reported cases worldwide. For the first time in such patients, we showed a comparison of NCS changes with age as well as the presence of multiple complications not previously reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Pan
- Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhuoguang Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhe Su
- Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Zhe Su,
| | - Wei Su
- Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rongfei Zheng
- Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weiyan Chen
- Department of Neural Electrophysiology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuezhi He
- Department of Ultrasonography, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianming Song
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shoulin Li
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pengqiang Wen
- Shenzhen Institute of Pediatrics, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Wen J, Zhu H, Li X, Huang J, Chen Y, Yang Q. [Inhibition of Sonic Hedgehog signaling inhibits fibrous scar formation and adversely affects functional outcome after ischemic brain injury in rats]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2022; 42:840-848. [PMID: 35790434 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2022.06.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of inhibiting Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling on fibrous scar formation and functional outcome after ischemic brain injury. METHODS Adult SD rats were randomized into sham-operated group, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion (I/R) group, I/R with intraventricular empty adenoviral vector (rAd-NC) injection group, and I/R with adenovirus-mediated Shh knockdown (rAd-ShShh) group. After the treatments, the neurological deficits of the rats were assessed, and the protein and mRNA expressions of fibronectin (Fn), α-SMA, and Shh in the ischemic hemisphere were detected with immunofluorescence assay and qPCR; TUNEL staining was used for detecting neural cell apoptosis. In the cell experiment, primary meningeal fibroblasts isolated from neonatal SD rats were pretreated for 24 h with TGF-β1 or TGF-β1 plus cyclopamine (CYC) before oxygen-glucose deprivation for 150 min followed by reoxygenation for 72 h (OGD/R). CCK-8 assay and scratch test were performed to examine the changes in cell proliferation and migration, and immunofluorescence assay, qPCR and Western blotting were used for detecting cell transformation and the expressions of Shh, α-SMA, and Fn. RESULTS Cerebral I/R injury significantly increased the protein and mRNA expressions of Shh, α-SMA, and Fn in the ischemic hemisphere of the rats, but their expression levels were significantly lowered by intraventricular injection of rAd-Shshh (P < 0.05), which obviously increased cell apoptosis in the ischemic hemisphere (P < 0.05) and improved modified mNSS and modified Bederson scores of the rats (P < 0.05). In the cell experiment, pretreatment with TGF-β1 and TGF-β1+CYC both increased the viability of the primary meningeal fibroblasts after OGD/R. TGF-β1 significantly enhanced the migration ability and induced obvious transformation of the exposed cells (P < 0.05), but these effects were significantly attenuated by co-treatment with CYC (P < 0.05). The expressions of Shh, α-SMA and Fn in the TGF-β1 group were all significantly higher in TGF-β1-treated cells (P < 0.05) and were obviously lowered by co-treatment with CYC (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Inhibition of Shh signaling may inhibit fibrous scar formation and functional recovery in rats after ischemic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Wen
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - H Zhu
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - X Li
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - J Huang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Y Chen
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Q Yang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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[Transforming growth factor-β1 induces transformation of rat meningeal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts by upregulating Shh signaling]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2022; 42:250-255. [PMID: 35365450 PMCID: PMC8983365 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2022.02.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of TGF-β1 on Shh signaling pathway during the transformation of meningeal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. METHODS Primary meningeal fibroblasts were isolated from neonatal (24 h) SD rats and purified using type Ⅳ collagenase. The isolated cells were treated with 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 alone or in combination with 20 μmol/L SB-431542 (a TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor) for 72 h, and the changes in proliferation and migration abilities of the fibroblasts were assessed with CCK-8 assay and cell scratch test. The expression of fibronectin (Fn) was detected with immunofluorescence assay, and Western blotting was performed to examine the expressions of Fn, α-SMA and Shh protein in the cells; the expression of Shh mRNA was detected with real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. RESULTS TGF-β1 treatment obviously enhanced the proliferation and migration of primary meningeal fibroblasts (P < 0.05), and promoted the transformation of meningeal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and the secretion of Fn (P < 0.05). TGF-β1 treatment also upregulated the expression of Shh at both protein and mRNA levels (P < 0.05). Treatment with SB-431542 partially blocked the effect of TGF-β1 on the transformation of meningeal fibroblasts (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION TGF-β1 can induce the transformation of meningeal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts by up-regulating Shh expression in Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway.
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Xiang X, Zhou L, Lin Z, Qu X, Chen Y, Xia H. Metformin regulates macrophage polarization via the Shh signaling pathway to improve pulmonary vascular development in bronchopulmonary dysplasia. IUBMB Life 2021; 74:259-271. [PMID: 34910358 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Metformin has potential anti-inflammatory properties and accelerates wound healing by enhancing vascular development. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of metformin on pulmonary vascular development and the underlying mechanism. Newborn mice were subcutaneously injected with metformin from day 2 after exposure to hyperoxia. Pulmonary vascular development, inflammation, and Shh signaling pathway-related protein expression were evaluated by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. M2 macrophage polarization was measured by flow cytometry. The effect of metformin on macrophage polarization was determined using RAW264.7 macrophages exposed to 90% oxygen in vitro. The role of metformin and purmorphamine on M1 and M2 polarization was observed by flow cytometry. M2 polarization of pulmonary macrophages was inhibited after hyperoxic exposure, and metformin increased the number of M2 macrophages in the lung on postnatal day 14. Metformin upregulated CD31 expression and suppressed inflammation in the lung of mice exposed to hyperoxia on postnatal days 7 and 14. Metformin downregulated the Gli1 expression in macrophages in the lung after exposure to hyperoxia on postnatal day 14. In vitro studies showed that metformin inhibited the Gli1 expression in RAW264.7 macrophages exposed to 90% oxygen, which was reversed after purmorphamine pretreatment. Exposure to 90% oxygen inhibited the polarization of M2 macrophages, whereas metformin increased the number of M2 macrophages. Purmorphamine reversed the effects of metformin on M2 polarization and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) upregulation in RAW264.7 macrophages exposed to hyperoxia. In conclusion, metformin regulates macrophage polarization via the Shh signaling pathway to improve pulmonary vascular development in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Xiang
- Department of Neonatology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Department of Neonatology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiwei Lin
- Department of Neonatology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xia Qu
- Department of Neonatology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanru Chen
- Department of Neonatology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongping Xia
- Department of Neonatology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Jiang Y, Peng J, Song J, He J, Jiang M, Wang J, Ma L, Wang Y, Lin M, Wu H, Zhang Z, Gao D, Zhao Y. Loss of Hilnc prevents diet-induced hepatic steatosis through binding of IGF2BP2. Nat Metab 2021; 3:1569-1584. [PMID: 34750570 PMCID: PMC9235319 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-021-00488-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway plays a critical role in regulating liver lipid metabolism and related diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we show that the Hh signalling pathway induces a previously undefined long non-coding RNA (Hilnc, Hedgehog signalling-induced long non-coding RNA), which controls hepatic lipid metabolism. Mutation of the Gli-binding sites in the Hilnc promoter region (HilncBM/BM) decreases the expression of Hilnc in vitro and in vivo. HilncBM/BM and Hilnc-knockout mice are resistant to diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis through attenuation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signalling pathway, as Hilnc directly interacts with IGF2BP2 to enhance Pparγ mRNA stability. Furthermore, we identify a potential functional human homologue of Hilnc, h-Hilnc, which has a similar function in regulating cellular lipid metabolism. These findings uncover a critical role of the Hh-Hilnc-IGF2BP2 signalling axis in lipid metabolism and suggest a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of diet-induced hepatic steatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiao Jiang
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayin Peng
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiawen Song
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan He
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Man Jiang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Liya Ma
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuang Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Moubin Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Hailong Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Imaging, Collaborative Research Center, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Science, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Dong Gao
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shangha, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
- School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.
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11
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Pan MX, Zheng CY, Deng YJ, Tang KR, Nie H, Xie JQ, Liu DD, Tu GF, Yang QH, Zhang YP. Hepatic protective effects of Shenling Baizhu powder, a herbal compound, against inflammatory damage via TLR4/NLRP3 signalling pathway in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE-JIM 2021; 19:428-438. [PMID: 34426178 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE High-fat diet (HFD) and inflammation are two key contributors to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Shenling Baizhu powder (SLBZP), a classical herbal compound, has been successfully used to alleviate NAFLD. However, its specific mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we assessed the anti-NAFLD effect of SLBZP in vivo. METHODS Rats were fed an HFD with or without SLBZP or with probiotics. At the end of week 16, an echo magnetic resonance imaging (EchoMRI) body composition analyser was used to quantitatively analyse body composition; a micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging system was used to evaluate whole body and liver fat; and the Moor full-field laser perfusion imager 2 was used to assess liver microcirculation, after which, all rats were sacrificed. Then, biochemical indicators in the blood and the ultrastructure of rat livers were evaluated. Protein expression related to the liver Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) signalling pathway was assessed using Western blot analysis. Further, high-throughput screening of 29 related inflammatory factors in liver tissue was performed using a cytokine array. RESULTS SLBZP supplementation reduced body weight, serum free fatty acid, and insulin resistance index (P < 0.05). It also ameliorated liver microcirculation and ultrastructural abnormalities. EchoMRI and micro-CT quantitative analyses showed that treatment with SLBZP reduced fat mass and visceral fat (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, SLBZP decreased the expression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated TLR4/NLRP3 signalling pathway-related proteins and altered the expression levels of some inflammatory cytokines in liver tissues. CONCLUSION SLBZP can inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and interleukin-1β release by suppressing LPS-induced TLR4 expression in rats with HFD-induced NAFLD. Thus, SLBZP may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory damage and associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao-Xing Pan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chui-Yang Zheng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yuan-Jun Deng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Kai-Rui Tang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Huan Nie
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ji-Qian Xie
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Dong-Dong Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Gui-Fang Tu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qin-He Yang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Yu-Pei Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China.
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12
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Yang J, Ma W, Mei Q, Song J, Shu L, Zhang S, Li C, An L, Du N, Shi Z. Protective Effect of Fuzi Lizhong Decoction against Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Anti-inflammatory Response through Regulating p53 and PPARG Signaling. Biol Pharm Bull 2021; 43:1626-1633. [PMID: 33132309 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b20-00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Fuzi Lizhong decoction (FLD) is derived from an ancient Chinese Pharmacopoeia and has been used in clinical treatment for years. The present study aimed to investigate the activities and underlying mechanisms of FLD against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Network pharmacology analysis demonstrated that FLD might affect NAFLD through regulating p53 and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARG), which has been confirmed in vitro and in vivo. In vivo NAFLD was induced in rats by a high-fat diet, and in vitro studies were performed on HL-7702 cells treated with oleic acid and linoleic acid. We showed that FLD significantly improved NAFLD by regulating the immune system to induce the release of interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-α (IFN-α), and IFN-β through activating p53 signaling and inhibiting PPARG signaling in vivo and in vitro. P53 inhibition induced by NAFLD was recused by FLD, while PPARG overexpression induced by NAFLD was inhibited by FLD. In addition, NAFLD resulted in increased levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood glucose in the serum and free fatty acid in the liver, which were reduced by FLD treatment. Evidently, FLD exhibited potent protective effects against NAFLD via p53 and PPARG signaling. Our study could provide novel insights into the mechanisms of FLD as an anti-inflammatory candidate for the treatment of NAFLD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayao Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
| | - Wei Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
| | - Qunchao Mei
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
| | - Juefei Song
- Department of Medical Services, Hongan County People's Hospital
| | - Lei Shu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
| | - Chenyu Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Liu An
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Nianlong Du
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
| | - Zhaohong Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
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13
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Cao H, Chen X, Wang Z, Wang L, Xia Q, Zhang W. The role of MDM2-p53 axis dysfunction in the hepatocellular carcinoma transformation. Cell Death Discov 2020; 6:53. [PMID: 32595984 PMCID: PMC7305227 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-020-0287-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the second most frequent cause of cancer-related death globally. The main histological subtype is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is derived from hepatocytes. According to the epidemiologic studies, the most important risk factors of HCC are chronic viral infections (HBV, HCV, and HIV) and metabolic disease (metabolic syndrome). Interestingly, these carcinogenic factors that contributed to HCC are associated with MDM2-p53 axis dysfunction, which presented with inactivation of p53 and overactivation of MDM2 (a transcriptional target and negative regulator of p53). Mechanically, the homeostasis of MDM2-p53 feedback loop plays an important role in controlling the initiation and progression of HCC, which has been found to be dysregulated in HCC tissues. To maintain long-term survival in hepatocytes, hepatitis viruses have lots of ways to destroy the defense strategies of hepatocytes by inducing TP53 mutation and silencing, promoting MDM2 overexpression, accelerating p53 degradation, and stabilizing MDM2. As a result, genetic instability, chronic ER stress, oxidative stress, energy metabolism switch, and abnormalities in antitumor genes can be induced, all of which might promote hepatocytes' transformation into hepatoma cells. In addition, abnormal proliferative hepatocytes and precancerous cells cannot be killed, because of hepatitis viruses-mediated exhaustion of Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and CD4+T cells by disrupting their MDM2-p53 axis. Moreover, inefficiency of hepatic immune response can be further aggravated when hepatitis viruses co-infected with HIV. Unlike with chronic viral infections, MDM2-p53 axis might play a dual role in glucolipid metabolism of hepatocytes, which presented with enhancing glucolipid catabolism, but promoting hepatocyte injury at the early and late stages of glucolipid metabolism disorder. Oxidative stress, fatty degeneration, and abnormal cell growth can be detected in hepatocytes that were suffering from glucolipid metabolism disorder, and all of which could contribute to HCC initiation. In this review, we focus on the current studies of the MDM2-p53 axis in HCC, and specifically discuss the impact of MDM2-p53 axis dysfunction by viral infection and metabolic disease in the transformation of normal hepatocytes into hepatoma cells. We also discuss the therapeutic avenues and potential targets that are being developed to normalize the MDM2-p53 axis in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Cao
- Department of Liver Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200030 China
| | - Xiaosong Chen
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200127 China
| | - Zhijun Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Putuo People’s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Liver Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200030 China
| | - Qiang Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200127 China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Liver Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200030 China
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14
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Schwabe RF, Tabas I, Pajvani UB. Mechanisms of Fibrosis Development in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Gastroenterology 2020; 158:1913-1928. [PMID: 32044315 PMCID: PMC7682538 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.11.311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 318] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most prevalent liver disease worldwide, affecting 20%-25% of the adult population. In 25% of patients, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease progresses to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which increases the risk for the development of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In patients with NASH, liver fibrosis is the main determinant of mortality. Here, we review how interactions between different liver cells culminate in fibrosis development in NASH, focusing on triggers and consequences of hepatocyte-macrophage-hepatic stellate cell (HSC) crosstalk. We discuss pathways through which stressed and dead hepatocytes instigate the profibrogenic crosstalk with HSC and macrophages, including the reactivation of developmental pathways such as TAZ, Notch, and hedgehog; how clearance of dead cells in NASH via efferocytosis may affect inflammation and fibrogenesis; and insights into HSC and macrophage heterogeneity revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing. Finally, we summarize options to therapeutically interrupt this profibrogenic hepatocyte-macrophage-HSC network in NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Schwabe
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York; Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, New York.
| | - Ira Tabas
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York; Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Utpal B Pajvani
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York; Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, New York
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15
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Marbach-Breitrück E, Matz-Soja M, Abraham U, Schmidt-Heck W, Sales S, Rennert C, Kern M, Aleithe S, Spormann L, Thiel C, Gerlini R, Arnold K, Klöting N, Guthke R, Rozman D, Teperino R, Shevchenko A, Kramer A, Gebhardt R. Tick-tock hedgehog-mutual crosstalk with liver circadian clock promotes liver steatosis. J Hepatol 2019; 70:1192-1202. [PMID: 30711403 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2019.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The mammalian circadian clock controls various aspects of liver metabolism and integrates nutritional signals. Recently, we described Hedgehog (Hh) signaling as a novel regulator of liver lipid metabolism. Herein, we investigated crosstalk between hepatic Hh signaling and circadian rhythm. METHODS Diurnal rhythms of Hh signaling were investigated in liver and hepatocytes from mice with ablation of Smoothened (SAC-KO) and crossbreeds with PER2::LUC reporter mice. By using genome-wide screening, qPCR, immunostaining, ELISA and RNAi experiments in vitro we identified relevant transcriptional regulatory steps. Shotgun lipidomics and metabolic cages were used for analysis of metabolic alterations and behavior. RESULTS Hh signaling showed diurnal oscillations in liver and hepatocytes in vitro. Correspondingly, the level of Indian Hh, oscillated in serum. Depletion of the clock gene Bmal1 in hepatocytes resulted in significant alterations in the expression of Hh genes. Conversely, SAC-KO mice showed altered expression of clock genes, confirmed by RNAi against Gli1 and Gli3. Genome-wide screening revealed that SAC-KO hepatocytes showed time-dependent alterations in various genes, particularly those associated with lipid metabolism. The clock/hedgehog module further plays a role in rhythmicity of steatosis, and in the response of the liver to a high-fat diet or to differently timed starvation. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, Hh signaling in hepatocytes was found to be time-of-day dependent and to feed back on the circadian clock. Our findings suggest an integrative role of Hh signaling, mediated mainly by GLI factors, in maintaining homeostasis of hepatic lipid metabolism by balancing the circadian clock. LAY SUMMARY The results of our investigation show for the first time that the Hh signaling in hepatocytes is time-of-day dependent, leading to differences not only in transcript levels but also in the amount of Hh ligands in peripheral blood. Conversely, Hh signaling is able to feed back to the circadian clock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Marbach-Breitrück
- Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Biochemistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany
| | - Madlen Matz-Soja
- Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Ute Abraham
- Laboratory of Chronobiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schmidt-Heck
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Susanne Sales
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christiane Rennert
- Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias Kern
- IFB Adiposity Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Susanne Aleithe
- Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany; Clinic and Polyclinic of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Germany
| | - Luise Spormann
- Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carlo Thiel
- Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Raffaele Gerlini
- Institute of Experimental Genetics (IEG), HDC, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Katrin Arnold
- Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nora Klöting
- IFB Adiposity Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Reinhard Guthke
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Damjana Rozman
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Raffaele Teperino
- Institute of Experimental Genetics (IEG), HDC, Neuherberg, Germany; DZD, German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Andrej Shevchenko
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Achim Kramer
- Laboratory of Chronobiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany
| | - Rolf Gebhardt
- Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
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16
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Khajehahmadi Z, Mohagheghi S, Nikeghbalian S, Geramizadeh B, Khodadadi I, Karimi J, Ghaffari ME, Tavilani H. Downregulation of hedgehog ligands in human simple steatosis may protect against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: Is TAZ a crucial regulator? IUBMB Life 2019; 71:1382-1390. [PMID: 31087761 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The conversion of simple steatosis into nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has attracted many attentions in recent years. The role of the hedgehog (HH) pathway in the regulation of lipogenesis has been addressed in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the levels of the sonic hedgehog (SHH) and Indian hedgehog (IHH) ligands and the correlation of these ligands with levels of proteins involved in the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) pathway, as well as the evaluation of the transcriptional coactivator with PDZ binding motif (TAZ) expression in human simple steatosis, NASH cirrhosis, and controls. Patients were divided into two groups: the first group consisted of patients diagnosed with simple steatosis (n = 16) and the second group included those diagnosed with NASH cirrhosis (n = 15). As a control group, 18 histologically normal liver tissues were collected in this study. The expression of the TGF-β1pathway components and SHH and IHH ligands were analyzed by means of the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. A significant decrease was found in the hepatic expression of the SHH, IHH, and TGF-β1 pathways along with the expression of TAZ in tissue specimens with simple steatosis in comparison with patients affected by NASH cirrhosis and controls. Also, the levels of SHH and IHH proteins were significantly correlated with the expression of proteins involved in the TGF-β1 pathway. Moreover, the expression of the HH pathway ligands was positively associated with the expression of TAZ, supporting the notion that TAZ may play a role in the activation of the HH pathway thereby regulating the expression of its ligands. It seems that in patients with NAFLD, the downregulation of the HH pathway ligands may stem from steatosis; however, at the same time, it may prevent the conversion of simple steatosis into NASH in patients with liver diseases. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(9):1382-1390, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Khajehahmadi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Sina Mohagheghi
- Student Research Committee, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Saman Nikeghbalian
- Shiraz Transplant Center, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bita Geramizadeh
- Transplant Research Center, Pathology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Iraj Khodadadi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Jamshid Karimi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ebrahim Ghaffari
- Dental Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Heidar Tavilani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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17
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p53 as a double-edged sword in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Life Sci 2018; 215:64-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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18
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Mohagheghi S, Khajehahmadi Z, Tavilani H. Signaling in Simple Steatosis and Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis Cirrhosis: TGF-β1, YAP/TAZ, and Hedgehog Pathway Activity. AVICENNA JOURNAL OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY 2018. [DOI: 10.15171/ajmb.2018.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to the accumulation of fat in the liver tissue that is usually associated with metabolic disorders. Traditionally, the disease is regarded as a spectrum of pathological conditions ranging from simple steatosis (SS) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatic fibrosis with progression to cirrhosis. However, so far, there is no available explanation for the disease progression. Several signaling pathways such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, hedgehog (HH), and yes-associated protein 1 (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) signaling are attributed to the NAFLD pathogenesis. TGF-β1 pathway component expression aligns with HH pathway ligands expression elevate in NASH cirrhosis while they decrease in SS. YAP and TAZ are two transcriptional co-activators from the Hippo signaling pathway. Similarly, the TAZ level (but not YAP1) is higher in NASH cirrhosis compared to SS. In addition, these three signaling pathways have little molecular similarity but their changes are totally similar in SS and NASH cirrhosis. The present review discusses the main changes in the expression of TGF-β, HH, and YAP/TAZ pathway components in SS and NASH cirrhosis. It is hoped that these data provide a better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the pathophysiology of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Mohagheghi
- Student Research Committee, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Zohreh Khajehahmadi
- Student Research Committee, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Heidar Tavilani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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19
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Chen DQ, Feng YL, Cao G, Zhao YY. Natural Products as a Source for Antifibrosis Therapy. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2018; 39:937-952. [PMID: 30268571 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Although fibrosis is a final pathological feature of many chronic diseases, few interventions are available that specifically target the pathogenesis of fibrosis. Natural products are becoming increasingly recognized as effective therapies for fibrosis. The highlights of common cellular and molecular mechanisms of fibrosis facilitate the discovery of effective antifibrotic drugs. We describe some new profibrotic mechanisms and corresponding therapeutic targets using natural products. Interleukin, ephrin-B2, Gas6/TAM, Wnt/β-catenin, hedgehog pathway, PPARγ, lysophosphatidic acid, and CTGF are promising therapeutic targets. Natural products can target these mediators and inhibit chronic inflammation, myofibroblast activation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and extracellular matrix accumulation to alleviate fibrosis. Of note, natural products have the potential to inhibit fibrosis in one organ, simultaneously targeting fibrosis in multiple other organs, which provides us new strategies to find antifibrotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Qian Chen
- School of Life Science, Northwest University, No. 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
| | - Ya-Long Feng
- School of Life Science, Northwest University, No. 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
| | - Gang Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China
| | - Ying-Yong Zhao
- School of Life Science, Northwest University, No. 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China.
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20
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Martinez AF, Kruszka PS, Muenke M. Extracephalic manifestations of nonchromosomal, nonsyndromic holoprosencephaly. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2018; 178:246-257. [PMID: 29761634 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nonchromosomal, nonsyndromic holoprosencephaly (NCNS-HPE) has traditionally been considered as a condition of brain and craniofacial maldevelopment. In this review, we present the results of a comprehensive literature search supporting a wide spectrum of extracephalic manifestations identified in patients with NCNS-HPE. These manifestations have been described in case reports and in large cohorts of patients with "single-gene" mutations, suggesting that the NCNS-HPE phenotype can be more complex than traditionally thought. Likely, a complex network of interacting genetic variants and environmental factors is responsible for these systemic abnormalities that deviate from the usual brain and craniofacial findings in NCNS-HPE. In addition to the systemic consequences of pituitary dysfunction (as a direct result of brain midline defects), here we describe a number of extracephalic findings of NCNS-HPE affecting various organ systems. It is our goal to provide a guide of extracephalic features for clinicians given the important clinical implications of these manifestations for the management and care of patients with HPE and their mutation-positive relatives. The health risks associated with some manifestations (e.g., fatty liver disease) may have historically been neglected in affected families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel F Martinez
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Paul S Kruszka
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Maximilian Muenke
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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Machado MV, Diehl AM. Hedgehog signalling in liver pathophysiology. J Hepatol 2018; 68:550-562. [PMID: 29107151 PMCID: PMC5957514 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver disease remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide despite recent successes in the field of viral hepatitis, because increases in alcohol consumption and obesity are fuelling an epidemic of chronic fatty liver disease for which there are currently no effective medical therapies. About 20% of individuals with chronic liver injury ultimately develop end-stage liver disease due to cirrhosis. Hence, treatments to prevent and reverse cirrhosis in individuals with ongoing liver injury are desperately needed. The development of successful treatments requires an improved understanding of the mechanisms controlling liver disease progression. The liver responds to diverse insults with a conserved wound healing response, suggesting that it might be generally beneficial to optimise pathways that are crucial for effective liver repair. The Hedgehog pathway has emerged as a potential target based on compelling preclinical and clinical data, which demonstrate that it critically regulates the liver's response to injury. Herein, we will summarise evidence of the Hedgehog pathway's role in liver disease and discuss how modulating pathway activity might be applied to improve liver disease outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Verdelho Machado
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Gastroenterology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, CHLN, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anna Mae Diehl
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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