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Li Z, Ma Y, Fan C, Jiang H. The circAno6/miR-296-3p/TLR4 signaling axis mediates the inflammatory response to induce the activation of hepatic stellate cells. Gene 2024; 920:148497. [PMID: 38677350 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148497] [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: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circular RNA (circRNA) is a novel functional non-coding RNA(ncRNA) that plays a role in the occurrence and development of multiple human liver diseases, including liver fibrosis (LF). LF is a reversible repair response after liver injury, and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the core event. However, the regulatory mechanisms by which circRNAs induce the activation of HSCs in LF are still poorly understood. The circAno6/miR-296-3p/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling axis that mediates the inflammatory response and causes the activation of HSCs was investigated in this study. METHODS First, a circAno6 overexpression plasmid and small interfering RNA were transfected into cells to determine whether circAno6 can affect the function of HSCs. Second, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blotting (WB) and immunofluorescence (IF) were used to detect the effects of circAno6 plasmid/siRNA transfection on HSC activation indices, inflammatory markers and the circAno6/miR-296-3p/TLR4 signaling axis. The subcellular position of circAno6 was then examined by nucleo-cytoplasmic separation and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Finally, a luciferase reporter gene assay was used to identify the relationship between circAno6 and miR-296-3p as well as the relationship between miR-296-3p and TLR4. RESULTS CircAno6 was considerably upregulated in HSCs and positively correlated with cell proliferation and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, NOD-likereceptorthermalproteindomainassociatedprotein 3 (NLRP3), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) expression. Overexpression of circAno6 increased the inflammatory response and induced HSC activation, whereas interference resulted in the opposite effects. FISH experiments revealed the localization of circAno6 in the cytoplasm. Then, a double luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-296-3p significantly inhibited luciferase activity in the circAno6-WT and TLR4-WT groups. CONCLUSION This study suggests that circAno6 and miR-296-3p/TLR4 may form a regulatory axis and regulate the inflammatory response, which in turn induces HSC activation. Targeting circAno6 may be a potential therapeutic strategy to treat LF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Li
- Experimental Center of Clinical Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province 230031, China; School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province 230012, China
| | - Yanzhen Ma
- Experimental Center of Clinical Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province 230031, China; School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province 230012, China
| | - Chang Fan
- Experimental Center of Clinical Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province 230031, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Experimental Center of Clinical Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province 230031, China; School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province 230012, China.
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Yue B, Gao Y, Hu Y, Zhan M, Wu Y, Lu L. Harnessing CD8 + T cell dynamics in hepatitis B virus-associated liver diseases: Insights, therapies and future directions. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1731. [PMID: 38935536 PMCID: PMC11210506 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection playsa significant role in the etiology and progression of liver-relatedpathologies, encompassing chronic hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventual hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC). Notably, HBV infection stands as the primary etiologicalfactor driving the development of HCC. Given the significant contribution ofHBV infection to liver diseases, a comprehensive understanding of immunedynamics in the liver microenvironment, spanning chronic HBV infection,fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC, is essential. In this review, we focused on thefunctional alterations of CD8+ T cells within the pathogenic livermicroenvironment from HBV infection to HCC. We thoroughly reviewed the roles ofhypoxia, acidic pH, metabolic reprogramming, amino acid deficiency, inhibitory checkpointmolecules, immunosuppressive cytokines, and the gut-liver communication in shapingthe dysfunction of CD8+ T cells in the liver microenvironment. Thesefactors significantly impact the clinical prognosis. Furthermore, we comprehensivelyreviewed CD8+ T cell-based therapy strategies for liver diseases,encompassing HBV infection, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC. Strategies includeimmune checkpoint blockades, metabolic T-cell targeting therapy, therapeuticT-cell vaccination, and adoptive transfer of genetically engineered CD8+ T cells, along with the combined usage of programmed cell death protein-1/programmeddeath ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors with mitochondria-targeted antioxidants.Given that targeting CD8+ T cells at various stages of hepatitis Bvirus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV + HCC) shows promise, we reviewedthe ongoing need for research to elucidate the complex interplay between CD8+ T cells and the liver microenvironment in the progression of HBV infection toHCC. We also discussed personalized treatment regimens, combining therapeuticstrategies and harnessing gut microbiota modulation, which holds potential forenhanced clinical benefits. In conclusion, this review delves into the immunedynamics of CD8+ T cells, microenvironment changes, and therapeuticstrategies within the liver during chronic HBV infection, HCC progression, andrelated liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Yue
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumour Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai Institute of Translational MedicineZhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Zhuhai People's Hospital), Jinan UniversityZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Yuxia Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumour Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai Institute of Translational MedicineZhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Zhuhai People's Hospital), Jinan UniversityZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Yi Hu
- Microbiology and Immunology DepartmentSchool of MedicineFaculty of Medical ScienceJinan UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Meixiao Zhan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumour Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai Institute of Translational MedicineZhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Zhuhai People's Hospital), Jinan UniversityZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Yangzhe Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumour Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai Institute of Translational MedicineZhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Zhuhai People's Hospital), Jinan UniversityZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Ligong Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumour Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai Institute of Translational MedicineZhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Zhuhai People's Hospital), Jinan UniversityZhuhaiGuangdongChina
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Radosavljevic T, Vukicevic D, Djuretić J, Gopcevic K, Labudovic Borovic M, Stankovic S, Samardzic J, Radosavljevic M, Vucevic D, Jakovljevic V. The Role of Macrophage Inhibitory Factor in TAA-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Mice: Modulatory Effects of Betaine. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1337. [PMID: 38927544 PMCID: PMC11201963 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061337] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multipotent cytokine, involved in the inflammatory response to infections or injuries. This study investigates the role of MIF in liver fibrosis and the modulating effect of betaine on MIF in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis. The wild-type and knockout MIF-/- C57BL/6 mice were divided into the following groups: control; Bet group, which received betaine; MIF-/-; MIF-/-+Bet; TAA group, which received TAA; TAA+Bet; MIF-/-+TAA; and MIF-/-+TAA+Bet group. After eight weeks of treatment, liver tissue was collected for further analysis. The results revealed that TAA-treated MIF-deficient mice had elevated levels of hepatic TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB, as well as MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 compared to TAA-treated wild-type mice. However, the administration of betaine to TAA-treated MIF-deficient mice reduced hepatic TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB levels and also the relative activities of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1, albeit less effectively than in TAA-treated mice without MIF deficiency. Furthermore, the antifibrogenic effect of MIF was demonstrated by an increase in MMP2/TIMP1 and MMP9/TIMP1 ratios. The changes in the hepatic levels of fibrogenic factors were confirmed by a histological examination of liver tissue. Overall, the dual nature of MIF highlights its involvement in the progression of liver fibrosis. Its prooxidant and proinflammatory effects may exacerbate tissue damage and inflammation initially, but its antifibrogenic activity suggests a potential protective role against fibrosis development. The study showed that betaine modulates the antifibrogenic effects of MIF in TAA-induced liver fibrosis, by decreasing TGF-β1, PDGF-BB, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and the deposition of ECM (Coll1 and Coll3) in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Radosavljevic
- Institute of Pathophysiology “Ljubodrag Buba Mihailović”, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Dusan Vukicevic
- Uniklinik Mannheim, Theodor-Kutyer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany;
| | - Jasmina Djuretić
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Kristina Gopcevic
- Institute of Chemistry in Medicine “Prof. Dr. Petar Matavulj”, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Milica Labudovic Borovic
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Sanja Stankovic
- Centre for Medical Biochemistry, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Janko Samardzic
- Institute of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Milica Radosavljevic
- Institute of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Danijela Vucevic
- Institute of Pathophysiology “Ljubodrag Buba Mihailović”, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Vladimir Jakovljevic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
- Center of Excellence for the Study of Redox Balance in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Department of Human Pathology, First Moscow State Medical University I.M. Sechenov, Trubetskaya Street 8, Str. 2, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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Wang S, Friedman SL. Found in translation-Fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadi0759. [PMID: 37792957 PMCID: PMC10671253 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi0759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a severe form of liver disease that poses a global health threat because of its potential to progress to advanced fibrosis, leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Recent advances in single-cell methodologies, refined disease models, and genetic and epigenetic insights have provided a nuanced understanding of MASH fibrogenesis, with substantial cellular heterogeneity in MASH livers providing potentially targetable cell-cell interactions and behavior. Unlike fibrogenesis, mechanisms underlying fibrosis regression in MASH are still inadequately understood, although antifibrotic targets have been recently identified. A refined antifibrotic treatment framework could lead to noninvasive assessment and targeted therapies that preserve hepatocellular function and restore the liver's architectural integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wang
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Scott L. Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
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Zhao H, Zhu H, Zhang Y, Ding Y, Feng R, Li J, Ma T, Huang C. Lymphocyte-Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase Contributes to Spontaneous Regression of Liver Fibrosis may by Interacting with Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1. Inflammation 2023; 46:1653-1669. [PMID: 37233920 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-023-01831-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Quiescent hepatic stellate cells (qHSCs), converted to myofibroblasts, produce fibrous scars, which is an essential event during liver fibrogenesis. Clinical and experimental fibrosis undergo remarkable regression when the underlying etiological agent is removed. Some myofibroblasts revert to an inactive phenotype (iHSCs) during the regression of fibrosis. However, the mechanisms underlying HSC activation and reversal remain unclear. The present study demonstrated that the expression of lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) was increased in fibrotic livers but decreased after spontaneous recovery in vivo and in vitro, which was correlated with the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen (COL-1). Further investigation indicated that specific knockdown of LCK by a recombination adeno-associated virus 9 (rAAV9) in C57BL/6 mice ameliorated liver fibrosis. Co-incubation of TGF-β1-induced HSC-T6 cells with LCK-siRNA inhibited cell proliferation and activation. Overexpression of LCK inhibited activated HSCs going to inactivated phenotype. Interestingly, we found that LCK may interact with suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) and may influence the expression of p-JAK1 and p-STAT1/3. These data suggest that LCK may play a regulatory role in liver fibrosis by inhibiting SOCS1, indicating that LCK is a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizi Zhao
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yuhao Ding
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Rui Feng
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jun Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Taotao Ma
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Cheng Huang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
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Zhang Y, Zhang L, Zhao Y, He J, Zhang Y, Zhang X. PGC-1α inhibits M2 macrophage polarization and alleviates liver fibrosis following hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:337. [PMID: 37679346 PMCID: PMC10484946 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01636-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress can induce inflammation, promoting macrophage polarization and liver fibrosis following hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, how PGC-1α regulates macrophage polarization following hepatic I/R remains largely unknown. Male C57BL/6 wild-type mice were pre-treated with vehicle or trichostatin A (TSA) for 2 days and subjected to surgical induction of I/R. Liver injury and fibrosis in individual mice were examined longitudinally and the expression levels of IL-6, STAT3, M2-type macrophage markers, Collagen I and α-SMA in the liver of mice were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR and Western blot. The potential interaction of PGC-1α with phosphorylated NF-kBp65 was determined by immunoprecipitation. The impacts of PGC-1α deficiency in hepatocytes on their IL-6 production and macrophage polarization were tested in a Transwell co-culture system. Moreover, the M2-type macrophage polarization and liver fibrosis were examined in hepatocyte-specific PGC-1α knockout mice and AAV8-mediated PGC-1α over-expressing mice following liver I/R. The down-regulated PGC-1α expression by I/R was negatively correlated with IL-6 levels in the liver of I/R mice and PGC-1α deficiency enhanced IL-6 expression, STAT3 activation and M2-type macrophage polarization in the I/R mice, which were abrogated by TSA treatment. In addition, PGC-1α directly interacted with phosphorylated NF-kBp65 in I/R livers. Hepatocyte-specific PGC-1α deficiency increased IL-6 production and promoted macrophage polarization toward M2 type when co-culture. More importantly, administration with AAV8-PGC-1α rescued the I/R-induced liver fibrosis by inhibiting the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling and M2-type macrophage polarization in the liver. These results suggest that PGC-1α may alleviate the I/R-induced liver fibrosis by attenuating the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling to limit M2-type macrophage polarization. PGC-1α may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Linzhong Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Air Force Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yanmian Zhao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing He
- Department of Internal Medicine, School Hospital, Communication University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yanghao Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuying Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Petri BJ, Cave MC, Klinge CM. Changes in m6A in Steatotic Liver Disease. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1653. [PMID: 37628704 PMCID: PMC10454815 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fatty liver disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Fatty liver includes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), now replaced by a consensus group as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). While excess nutrition and obesity are major contributors to fatty liver, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown and therapeutic interventions are limited. Reversible chemical modifications in RNA are newly recognized critical regulators controlling post-transcriptional gene expression. Among these modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant and regulates transcript abundance in fatty liver disease. Modulation of m6A by readers, writers, and erasers (RWE) impacts mRNA processing, translation, nuclear export, localization, and degradation. While many studies focus on m6A RWE expression in human liver pathologies, limitations of technology and bioinformatic methods to detect m6A present challenges in understanding the epitranscriptomic mechanisms driving fatty liver disease progression. In this review, we summarize the RWE of m6A and current methods of detecting m6A in specific genes associated with fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda J. Petri
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
| | - Matthew C. Cave
- Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences (CIEHS), University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Carolyn M. Klinge
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
- Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences (CIEHS), University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
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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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Liu XY, Lu JF, Wang LD, Wang ZY. Diagnostic value of shear wave velocity measured by virtual touch tissue imaging quantification combined with hepatic blood flow index measured by single-photon emission computed tomography first-pass method for hepatitis B fibrosis. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2023; 31:492-500. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v31.i12.492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The degree of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease can be evaluated by combining single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) first-pass method to measure hepatic blood flow index with virtual touch tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ) to detect shear wave velocity (SWV).
AIM To evaluate the clinical value of VTIQ combined with SPECT first-pass method for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).
METHODS Forty-two CHB patients with liver fibrosis at our hospital from August 2020 to August 2021 were selected as a study group, and another 42 patients with CHB without hepatic fibrosis were selected as a control group. VTIQ was performed to obtain the shear wave transverse velocity (SWV), and SPECT examination was performed to obtain liver blood flow index. General data, routine blood indexes [white blood cell count (WBC), absolute monocyte count (AMC), and neutrophil count (NEUT)], blood coagulation function [prothombin time (PT) and prothrombin activity (PTA)], liver function indexes [total bilirubin (TBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and albumin (ALB)] and SWV, and liver blood flow index were compared between the two groups. The degree of liver fibrosis in the study group was determined through liver tissue pathology, and SWV and liver blood flow index were compared among patients with different liver fibrosis degrees. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation of SWV and liver blood flow index with CHB liver fibrosis degree. The value of SWV and liver blood flow index in diagnosing CHB liver fibrosis was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
RESULTS The SWV and liver blood flow index of the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The SWV and hepatic blood flow index were significantly higher in patients with liver fibrosis grade S3-S4 in the study group than in those with grade S1-S2, and and in those with grade S2 than in those with grade S1 (P < 0.05). SWV and liver blood flow index were positively correlated with CHB liver fibrosis degree (P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) values of SWV and liver blood flow index, alone or in combination, for the diagnosis of CHB liver fibrosis were all > 0.7, and the AUC of the combination was the largest (0.930).
CONCLUSION SWV measured by VTIQ combined with liver blood flow index measured by SPECT has appreciated value in the diagnosis of CHB liver fibrosis and in the assessment of the degree of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Yan Liu
- Department of Hepatological Surgery, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jian-Fang Lu
- Department of Hepatological Surgery, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Li-Dong Wang
- Department of Hepatological Surgery, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhuo-Yi Wang
- Department of Hepatological Surgery, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
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Yoon I, Song JA, Suh JH, Kim S, Son J, Kim JH, Jang SY, Hwang KY, Kim MH, Kim S. EPRS1 Controls the TGF- β Signaling Pathway via Interaction with TβRI in Hepatic Stellate Cell. Mol Cell Biol 2023; 43:223-240. [PMID: 37154023 PMCID: PMC10184599 DOI: 10.1080/10985549.2023.2205344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (EPRS1) is known to associated with fibrosis through its catalytic activity to produce prolyl-tRNA. Although its catalytic inhibitor halofuginone (HF) has been known to inhibit the TGF-β pathway as well as to reduce prolyl-tRNA production for the control of fibrosis, the underlying mechanism how EPRS1 regulates the TGF-β pathway was not fully understood. Here, we show a noncatalytic function of EPRS1 in controlling the TGF-β pathway and hepatic stellate cell activation via its interaction with TGF-β receptor I (TβRI). Upon stimulation with TGF-β, EPRS1 is phosphorylated by TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), leading to its dissociation from the multi-tRNA synthetase complex and subsequent binding with TβRI. This interaction increases the association of TβRI with SMAD2/3 while decreases that of TβRI with SMAD7. Accordingly, EPRS1 stabilizes TβRI by preventing the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of TβRI. HF disrupts the interaction between EPRS1 and TβRI, and reduces TβRI protein levels, leading to inhibition of the TGF-β pathway. In conclusion, this work suggests the novel function of EPRS1 involved in the development of fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β pathway and the antifibrotic effects of HF by controlling both of EPRS1 functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Yoon
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Biomedical Research, Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center, Yonsei University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Ae Song
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Biomedical Research, Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center, Yonsei University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hun Suh
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Biomedical Research, Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center, Yonsei University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sulhee Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jonghyeon Son
- New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hyun Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Song Yee Jang
- Microbiome Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Korea Research Republic of Korea
- Core Research Facility & Analysis Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Yeon Hwang
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Hee Kim
- Microbiome Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Korea Research Republic of Korea
| | - Sunghoon Kim
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Biomedical Research, Medicinal Bioconvergence Research Center, Yonsei University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
- College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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11
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Yin KL, Li M, Song PP, Duan YX, Ye WT, Tang W, Kokudo N, Gao Q, Liao R. Unraveling the Emerging Niche Role of Hepatic Stellate Cell-derived Exosomes in Liver Diseases. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:441-451. [PMID: 36643031 PMCID: PMC9817040 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2022.00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play an essential role in various liver diseases, and exosomes are critical mediators of intercellular communication in local and distant microenvironments. Cellular crosstalk between HSCs and surrounding multiple tissue-resident cells promotes or inhibits the activation of HSCs. Substantial evidence has revealed that HSC-derived exosomes are involved in the occurrence and development of liver diseases through the regulation of retinoid metabolism, lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, protein metabolism, and mitochondrial metabolism. HSC-derived exosomes are underpinned by vehicle molecules, such as mRNAs and microRNAs, that function in, and significantly affect, the processes of various liver diseases, such as acute liver injury, alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, fibrosis, and cancer. As such, numerous exosomes derived from HSCs or HSC-associated exosomes have attracted attention because of their biological roles and translational applications as potential targets for therapeutic targets. Herein, we review the pathophysiological and metabolic processes associated with HSC-derived exosomes, their roles in various liver diseases and their potential clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Li Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pei-Pei Song
- National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yu-Xin Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wen-Tao Ye
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Tang
- National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norihiro Kokudo
- National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Qiang Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Correspondence to: Qiang Gao, Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6695-9906. ; Rui Liao, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing 400016, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0057-2792. E-mail:
| | - Rui Liao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Correspondence to: Qiang Gao, Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6695-9906. ; Rui Liao, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing 400016, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0057-2792. E-mail:
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12
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Wang Y, Liu Y, Liu Y, Zhong J, Wang J, Sun L, Yu L, Wang Y, Li Q, Jin W, Yan Z. Remodeling liver microenvironment by L-arginine loaded hollow polydopamine nanoparticles for liver cirrhosis treatment. Biomaterials 2023; 295:122028. [PMID: 36739734 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis is a liver disease with a high mortality rate worldwide, and antifibrotic drugs are commonly used clinically to alleviate the symptoms, but there are still many challenges. Many studies have shown that excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the microenvironment of liver lesions is an important factor leading to the development of liver cirrhosis. Herein, a nanomedicine-mediated antioxidant therapy was utilized to remodel liver microenvironment and hence reverse the process of cirrhosis from the root. Firstly, L-arginine (L-Arg) loaded and pPB peptide modified PEGylated hollow polydopamine (HPDA) nanoparticles (L-Arg@HPDA-PEG-pPB, L@HPp) were prepared successfully. The in vitro and in vivo experiment showed that L@HPp significantly inhibited oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction, reduced the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), inhibited the pro-fibrosis molecular pathway, and reduced the deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), thereby effectively inhibiting liver fibrosis. The pPB peptide modification increased the targeting effect to HSCs. In addition, the oxidative microenvironment in liver cirrhosis promoted the transformation of the loaded L-Arg to nitric oxide (NO), and the latter one caused vascular dilation and further relieved portal hypertension, a typical complication of liver cirrhosis. Therefore, L@HPp had a good prospect of clinical application in the treatment of liver cirrhosis and its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeying Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, PR China; Medical Frontier Innovation Research Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Yang Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, PR China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, PR China
| | - Jie Zhong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200120, PR China
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, PR China
| | - Lei Sun
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, PR China
| | - Lei Yu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, PR China
| | - Yiting Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, PR China
| | - Qinghua Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200120, PR China.
| | - Weilin Jin
- Medical Frontier Innovation Research Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Zhiqiang Yan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, PR China.
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13
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Ezhilarasan D. Unraveling the pathophysiologic role of galectin-3 in chronically injured liver. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:673-686. [PMID: 36745560 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30956] [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: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Galectin-3 (Gal-3) previously referred to as S-type lectins, is a soluble protein that specifically binds to β-galactoside carbohydrates with high specificity. Gal-3 plays a pivotal role in a variety of pathophysiological processes such as cell proliferation, inflammation, differentiation, angiogenesis, transformation and apoptosis, pre-mRNA splicing, metabolic syndromes, fibrosis, and host defense. The role of Gal-3 has also been implicated in liver diseases. Gal-3 is activated upon a hepatotoxic insult to the liver and its level has been shown to be upregulated in fatty liver diseases, inflammation, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cholangitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Gal-3 directly interacts with the NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3, and activates the inflammasome in macrophages of the liver. In the chronically injured liver, Gal-3 secreted by injured hepatocytes and immune cells, activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in a paracrine fashion to acquire a myofibroblast like collagen-producing phenotype. Activated HSCs in the fibrotic liver secrete Gal-3 which acts via autocrine signaling to exacerbate extracellular matrix synthesis and fibrogenesis. In the stromal microenvironment, Gal-3 activates cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasiveness, and metastasis. Clinically, increased serum levels and Gal-3 expression were observed in the liver tissue of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, fibrotic/cirrhotic, and HCC patients. The pathological role of Gal-3 has been experimentally and clinically reported in the progression of chronic liver disease. Therefore, this review discusses the pathological role of Gal-3 in the progression of chronic liver diseases.
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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, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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14
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Booijink R, Terstappen L, Bansal R. Single Cell Secretome Analyses of Hepatic Stellate Cells: Aiming for Single Cell Phenomics. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2669:257-268. [PMID: 37247066 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3207-9_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) that secrete large amounts of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, primarily collagens, are recognized as the key pathogenic cells in liver diseases. Excessive ECM accumulation results in tissue scarring, referred to as liver fibrosis, that progresses to liver cirrhosis (liver dysfunction) and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent studies using single cell RNA sequencing have discovered various subpopulations of HSCs with high degree of heterogeneity in quiescent, activated, as well as inactive (identified during disease regression) HSCs. However, little is known about the role of these subpopulations in ECM secretion and cell-cell communication or if they respond differently to different exogenous and endogenous factors. Moreover, how the heterogenous single cell transcriptome translates into the single cell secretome and "communicatome" (cell-cell communication) remains largely underexplored. In this chapter, we describe the method (modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot, ELISpot) for analyzing collagen type 1 secretion of HSCs at the single cell level, enabling a deeper understanding into the HSC secretome. In the near future, we aim to develop an integrated platform with which we can study secretome of individual cells identified by immunostaining-based fluorescence-activated cell sorting derived from healthy and diseased liver. Through the use of the VyCAP 6400-microwell chip in combination with their puncher device, we aim to perform single cell phenomics by analyzing and correlating phenotype, secretome, transcriptome, and genome of the single cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richell Booijink
- Translational Liver Research, Department of Medical Cell BioPhysics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Leon Terstappen
- Department of Medical Cell BioPhysics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Ruchi Bansal
- Translational Liver Research, Department of Medical Cell BioPhysics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
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15
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Aljobaily N, Krutsinger K, Viereckl MJ, Joly R, Menlove B, Cone B, Suppes A, Han Y. Low-Dose Administration of Cannabigerol Attenuates Inflammation and Fibrosis Associated with Methionine/Choline Deficient Diet-Induced NASH Model via Modulation of Cannabinoid Receptor. Nutrients 2022; 15:nu15010178. [PMID: 36615835 PMCID: PMC9823433 DOI: 10.3390/nu15010178] [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: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive form of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NASH is distinguished by severe hepatic fibrosis and inflammation. The plant-derived, non-psychotropic compound cannabigerol (CBG) has potential anti-inflammatory effects similar to other cannabinoids. However, the impact of CBG on NASH pathology is still unknown. This study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of CBG in reducing hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and inflammation. METHODS 8-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were fed with methionine/choline deficient (MCD) diet or control (CTR) diets for five weeks. At the beginning of week 4, mice were divided into three sub-groups and injected with either a vehicle, a low or high dose of CBG for two weeks. Overall health of the mice, Hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and inflammation were evaluated. RESULTS Increased liver-to-body weight ratio was observed in mice fed with MCD diet, while a low dose of CBG treatment rescued the liver-to-body weight ratio. Hepatic ballooning and leukocyte infiltration were decreased in MCD mice with a low dose of CBG treatment, whereas the CBG treatment did not change the hepatic steatosis. The high dose CBG administration increased inflammation and fibrosis. Similarly, the expression of cannabinoid receptor (CB)1 and CB2 showed decreased expression with the low CBG dose but not with the high CBG dose intervention in the MCD group and were co-localized with mast cells. Additionally, the decreased mast cells were accompanied by decreased expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, the low dose of CBG alleviated hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in MCD-induced NASH, however, the high dose of CBG treatment showed enhanced liver damage when compared to MCD only group. These results will provide pre-clinical data to guide future intervention studies in humans addressing the potential uses of CBG for inflammatory liver pathologies, as well as open the door for further investigation into systemic inflammatory pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouf Aljobaily
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kelsey Krutsinger
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
| | - Michael J. Viereckl
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
| | - Raznin Joly
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
| | - Bridger Menlove
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
| | - Brexton Cone
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
| | - Ailaina Suppes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
| | - Yuyan Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-970-351-2004
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16
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Liver Microenvironment Response to Prostate Cancer Metastasis and Hormonal Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246189. [PMID: 36551674 PMCID: PMC9777323 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer-associated deaths arise from disease progression and metastasis. Metastasis to the liver is associated with the worst clinical outcomes for prostate cancer patients, and these metastatic tumors can be particularly resistant to the currently widely used chemotherapy and hormonal therapies, such as anti-androgens which block androgen synthesis or directly target the androgen receptor. The incidence of liver metastases is reportedly increasing, with a potential correlation with use of anti-androgen therapies. A key player in prostate cancer progression and therapeutic response is the microenvironment of the tumor(s). This is a dynamic and adaptive collection of cells and proteins, which impart signals and stimuli that can alter biological processes within prostate cancer cells. Investigation in the prostate primary site has demonstrated that cells of the microenvironment are also responsive to hormones and hormonal therapies. In this review, we collate information about what happens when cancer moves to the liver: the types of prostate cancer cells that metastasize there, the response of resident mesenchymal cells of the liver, and how the interactions between the cancer cells and the microenvironment may be altered by hormonal therapy.
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17
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The m 6A methyltransferase Mettl3 deficiency attenuates hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis. Mol Ther 2022; 30:3714-3728. [PMID: 35923112 PMCID: PMC9734030 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a central driver of liver fibrosis. Previous investigations have identified various altered epigenetic landscapes during the cellular progression of HSC activation. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal RNA modification in eukaryotic cells and is dynamically regulated under various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. However, the functional role of Mettl3-mediated m6A in liver fibrosis remains elusive. Here, we found that the HSC-specific knockout of m6A methyltransferase Mettl3 suppressed HSC activation and significantly alleviated liver fibrosis. Multi-omics analysis of HSCs showed that Mettl3 depletion reduced m6A deposition on mRNA transcripts of Lats2 (a central player of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway) and slowed down their degradation. Elevated Lats2 increased phosphorylation of the downstream transcription factor YAP, suppressed YAP nuclear translocation, and decreased pro-fibrotic gene expression. Overexpressing YAP mutant resistant to phosphorylation by Lats2 partially rescued the activation and pro-fibrotic gene expression of Mettl3-deficient HSCs. Our study revealed that disruption of Mettl3 in HSCs mitigated liver fibrosis by controlling the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway, providing potential therapeutic strategies to alleviate liver fibrosis by targeting epitranscriptomic machinery.
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18
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Wusiman W, Zhang Z, Ding Q, Liu M. The pathophyiological role of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in digestive system diseases. Front Physiol 2022; 13:935576. [PMID: 36017335 PMCID: PMC9396140 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.935576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) catalyze the ligation of amino acids to their cognate transfer RNAs and are indispensable enzymes for protein biosynthesis in all the cells. Previously, ARSs were considered simply as housekeeping enzymes, however, they are now known to be involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, such as tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and immune response. In this review, we summarize the role of ARSs in the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, as well as the auxiliary organs such as the pancreas, liver, and the gallbladder. Furthermore, we specifically focus on the diagnostic and prognostic value of ARSs in cancers, aiming to provide new insights into the pathophysiological implications of ARSs in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wugelanmu Wusiman
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zerui Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiang Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- *Correspondence: Mei Liu,
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19
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Zhao Y, Yu Y, Wang S, Li J, Teng L. Small extracellular vesicles encapsulating lefty1 mRNA inhibit hepatic fibrosis. Asian J Pharm Sci 2022; 17:630-640. [PMID: 36382306 PMCID: PMC9640367 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the liver caused by persistent chronic injury, which can lead to more serious diseases such as cirrhosis or cancer. Blocking the effect of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), one of the most important cytokines in liver fibrosis, may be one of the effective ways to inhibit liver fibrosis. As a kind of natural nano-scale vesicles, small extracellular vesicles (sEvs) have displayed excellent delivery vehicle properties. Herein, we prepared hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-derived sEvs loading left-right determination factor 1 (lefty1) mRNA (sEvLs) and we wanted to verify whether they can inhibit fibrosis by blocking the TGF-β1 signaling pathway. The results showed that sEvLs had effective cell uptake and reduced activation of HSCs. Rats that were injected with CCl4 by intraperitoneal injection for 6 weeks exhibited obvious symptoms of liver fibrosis and were treated with systemically administered sEvLs and free sEvs for 4 weeks. Rats injected with olive oil alone served as sham controls. Administration of sEvLs significantly reduced the area of fibrosis compared with free sEvs. We demonstrated that sEvLs inhibited HSCs activation and ECM production, and promote ECM degradation by downregulating α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) -1 and upregulating matrix metalloprotease (MMP) -1. In summary, as an endogenous delivery vehicle, sEvs could deliver mRNA to attenuate hepatic fibrosis by blocking the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.
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20
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Elsharkawy A, Samir R, El-Kassas M. Fibrosis regression following hepatitis C antiviral therapy. World J Hepatol 2022; 14:1120-1130. [PMID: 35978676 PMCID: PMC9258254 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i6.1120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most common causes of liver pathology. It is a major etiological factor of continuous liver injury by triggering an uncontrolled inflammatory response, causing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Liver fibrosis is a dynamic process that can be reversible upon timely cessation of the injurious agent, which in cases of HCV is represented by the sustained virological response (SVR) following antiviral therapies. Direct-acting antiviral therapy has recently revolutionized HCV therapy and minimized complications. Liver fibrosis can be assessed with variable invasive and non-invasive methods, with certain limitations. Despite the broad validation of the diagnostic and prognostic value of non-invasive modalities of assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with HCV, the proper interpretation of liver stiffness measurement in patients after SVR remains unclear. It is also still a debate whether this regression is caused by the resolution of liver injury following treatment of HCV, rather than true fibrosis regression. Regression of liver fibrosis can possess a positive impact on patient's quality of life reducing the incidence of complications. However, fibrosis regression does not abolish the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, which mandates regular screening of patients with advanced fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha Elsharkawy
- Department of Endemic Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Reham Samir
- Department of Endemic Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Kassas
- Department of Endemic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, Egypt
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21
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Hyaluronan synthase 2, a target of miR-200c, promotes carbon tetrachloride-induced acute and chronic liver inflammation via regulation of CCL3 and CCL4. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:739-752. [PMID: 35662287 PMCID: PMC9256637 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00781-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis occurs during wound healing after repeated liver injury and is characterized by extensive extracellular matrix deposition. We previously identified hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) as a driver of liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Developing strategies to suppress HSC activation is key to alleviating liver fibrosis, and HAS2 is an attractive candidate for intervention. To gain insight into the molecular function of HAS2, we investigated its posttranscriptional regulation. We found that miR-200c directly targets the 3' untranslated regions of HAS2. Moreover, miR-200c and HAS2 were inversely expressed in fibrotic human and mouse livers. After establishing the direct interaction between miR-200c and HAS2, we investigated the functional outcome of regulating HAS2 expression in three murine models: CCl4-induced acute liver injury, CCl4-induced chronic liver fibrosis, and bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis. Hepatic Has2 expression was induced by acute and chronic CCl4 treatment. In contrast, miR-200c expression was decreased after CCl4 treatment. HSC-specific Has2 deletion reduced the expression of inflammatory markers and infiltration of macrophages in the models. Importantly, hyaluronidase-2 (HYAL2) but not HYAL1 was overexpressed in fibrotic human and murine livers. HYAL2 is an enzyme that can cleave the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan. We found that low-molecular-weight hyaluronan stimulated the expression of inflammatory genes. Treatment with the HA synthesis inhibitor 4-methylumbelliferone alleviated bile duct ligation-induced expression of these inflammatory markers. Collectively, our results suggest that HAS2 is negatively regulated by miR-200c and contributes to the development of acute liver injury and chronic liver inflammation via hyaluronan-mediated immune signaling.
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Ye Z, Song B, Lee PM, Ohliger MA, Laustsen C. Hyperpolarized carbon 13 MRI in liver diseases: Recent advances and future opportunities. Liver Int 2022; 42:973-983. [PMID: 35230742 PMCID: PMC9313895 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Hyperpolarized carbon-13 magnetic resonance imaging (HP 13 C MRI) is a recently translated metabolic imaging technique. With dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (d-DNP), more than 10 000-fold signal enhancement can be readily reached, making it possible to visualize real-time metabolism and specific substrate-to-metabolite conversions in the liver after injecting carbon-13 labelled probes. Increasing evidence suggests that HP 13 C MRI is a potential tool in detecting liver abnormalities, predicting disease progression and monitoring response treatment. In this review, we will introduce the recent progresses of HP 13 C MRI in diffuse liver diseases and liver malignancies and discuss its future opportunities from a clinical perspective, hoping to provide a comprehensive overview of this novel technique in liver diseases and highlight its scientific and clinical potential in the field of hepatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Ye
- Department of RadiologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- The MR Research Center, Department of Clinical MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Bin Song
- Department of RadiologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Philip M. Lee
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical ImagingUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Michael A. Ohliger
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical ImagingUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Christoffer Laustsen
- The MR Research Center, Department of Clinical MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
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Garbuzenko DV. Pathophysiological mechanisms of hepatic stellate cells activation in liver fibrosis. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:3662-3676. [PMID: 35647163 PMCID: PMC9100727 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i12.3662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a complex pathological process controlled by a variety of cells, mediators and signaling pathways. Hepatic stellate cells play a central role in the development of liver fibrosis. In chronic liver disease, hepatic stellate cells undergo dramatic phenotypic activation and acquire fibrogenic properties. This review focuses on the pathophysiological mechanisms of hepatic stellate cells activation in liver fibrosis. They enter the cell cycle under the influence of various triggers. The “Initiation” phase of hepatic stellate cells activation overlaps and continues with the “Perpetuation” phase, which is characterized by a pronounced inflammatory and fibrogenic reaction. This is followed by a resolution phase if the injury subsides. Knowledge of these pathophysiological mechanisms paved the way for drugs aimed at preventing the development and progression of liver fibrosis. In this respect, impairments in intracellular signaling, epigenetic changes and cellular stress response can be the targets of therapy where the goal is to deactivate hepatic stellate cells. Potential antifibrotic therapy may focus on inducing hepatic stellate cells to return to an inactive state through cellular aging, apoptosis, and/or clearance by immune cells, and serve as potential antifibrotic therapy. It is especially important to prevent the formation of liver cirrhosis since the only radical approach to its treatment is liver transplantation which can be performed in only a limited number of countries.
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24
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Potential Therapeutic Targets and Promising Agents for Combating NAFLD. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040901. [PMID: 35453652 PMCID: PMC9032837 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is a growing cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide because of the global increases in obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Contrary to the advancements in therapies for viral hepatitis, effective treatments remain unestablished for patients with NAFLD. NAFLD, including NASH, is characterized by steatosis, inflammation, hepatic necrosis, and fibrosis. Despite our understanding of its pathophysiology, there are currently no effective treatments for NAFLD. In this review, we provide an update on the known pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of NAFLD and the role of hepatic stellate cells, and summarize the potential therapeutic agents, including natural products, for NAFLD.
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25
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Wang F, Li Z, Chen L, Yang T, Liang B, Zhang Z, Shao J, Xu X, Yin G, Wang S, Ding H, Zhang F, Zheng S. Inhibition of ASCT2 induces hepatic stellate cell senescence with modified proinflammatory secretome through an IL-1α/NF-κB feedback pathway to inhibit liver fibrosis. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:3618-3638. [PMID: 36176909 PMCID: PMC9513497 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Senescence of activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) is a stable growth arrest that is implicated in liver fibrosis regression. Senescent cells often accompanied by a multi-faceted senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). But little is known about how alanine-serine-cysteine transporter type-2 (ASCT2), a high affinity glutamine transporter, affects HSC senescence and SASP during liver fibrosis. Here, we identified ASCT2 is mainly elevated in aHSCs and positively correlated with liver fibrosis in human and mouse fibrotic livers. We first discovered ASCT2 inhibition induced HSCs to senescence in vitro and in vivo. The proinflammatory SASP were restricted by ASCT2 inhibition at senescence initiation to prevent paracrine migration. Mechanically, ASCT2 was a direct target of glutaminolysis-dependent proinflammatory SASP, interfering IL-1α/NF-κB feedback loop via interacting with precursor IL-1α at Lys82. From a translational perspective, atractylenolide III is identified as ASCT2 inhibitor through directly bound to Asn230 of ASCT2. The presence of –OH group in atractylenolide III is suggested to be favorable for the inhibition of ASCT2. Importantly, atractylenolide III could be utilized to treat liver fibrosis mice. Taken together, ASCT2 controlled HSC senescence while modifying the proinflammatory SASP. Targeting ASCT2 by atractylenolide III could be a therapeutic candidate for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feixia Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhanghao Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Li Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Baoyu Liang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zili Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xuefen Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Guoping Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210003, China
| | - Shijun Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250035, China
| | - Hai Ding
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210003, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Corresponding authors.
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He Z, Chen S, Pan T, Li A, Wang K, Lin Z, Liu W, Wang Y, Wang Y. Ginsenoside Rg2 Ameliorating CDAHFD-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis by Regulating AKT/mTOR-Mediated Autophagy. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:1911-1922. [PMID: 35104139 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c07578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ginsenoside Rg2 (G-Rg2) in the rhizome of Panax ginseng can modify lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the liver induced by a high-fat diet. This research adds to this by assessing the potential antifibrosis effect of G-Rg2 (including possible mechanisms). G-Rg2 significantly improved pathological changes in liver tissue induced by a choline-deficient, l-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD), it inhibited serum transaminase, plasma lipopolysaccharide, and liver hydroxyproline levels; it inhibited TGF-β1, α-SMA, and COL1A1 expression, it activated the AKT/mTOR signal pathway, and it inhibited liver expression of autophagy-related proteins. The in vitro experiments showed that G-Rg2 also restored the autophagy flux impairment induced by oleic acid and inhibited TGF-β1 expression by promoting p62 degradation in hepatocytes. In hepatic stellate (HSC-T6) cells, G-Rg2 reversed lipopolysaccharide-induced activation through the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, inhibiting autophagy. Thus, G-Rg2 ameliorates CDAHFD-induced liver fibrosis and lipopolysaccharide-induced HSC-T6 cell activation by inhibiting AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei He
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Tingting Pan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Ao Li
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118,China
| | - Kangyu Wang
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118,China
| | - Zhuofeng Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Wei Liu
- College of Foreign Languages, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Yi Wang
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118,China
- Research Center Ginseng Genetic Resources Development and Utilization, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Yanfang Wang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- Research Center Ginseng Genetic Resources Development and Utilization, Changchun 130118, China
- Laboratory for Cultivation and Breeding of Medicinal Plants of National Administrition of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130118, China
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27
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Metabolic Reprogramming of Liver Fibrosis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123604. [PMID: 34944111 PMCID: PMC8700241 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is an excessive and imbalanced deposition of fibrous extracellular matrix (ECM) that is associated with the hepatic wound-healing response. It is also the common mechanism that contributes to the impairment of the liver function that is observed in many chronic liver diseases (CLD). Despite the efforts, no effective therapy against fibrosis exists yet. Worryingly, due to the growing obesity pandemic, fibrosis incidence is on the rise. Here, we aim to summarize the main components and mechanisms involved in the progression of liver fibrosis, with special focus on the metabolic regulation of key effectors of fibrogenesis, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and their role in the disease progression. Hepatic cells that undergo metabolic reprogramming require a tightly controlled, fine-tuned cellular response, allowing them to meet their energetic demands without affecting cellular integrity. Here, we aim to discuss the role of ribonucleic acid (RNA)-binding proteins (RBPs), whose dynamic nature being context- and stimuli-dependent make them very suitable for the fibrotic situation. Thus, we will not only summarize the up-to-date literature on the metabolic regulation of HSCs in liver fibrosis, but also on the RBP-dependent post-transcriptional regulation of this metabolic switch that results in such important consequences for the progression of fibrosis and CLD.
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28
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Biondo-Simões MDELP, Pessini VCDEA, Ichi CA, Robes RR, Ioshii S. Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin®) and liver regeneration: experimental study in rats. Rev Col Bras Cir 2021; 48:e20213164. [PMID: 34816883 PMCID: PMC10683428 DOI: 10.1590/0100-6991e-20213164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE to evaluate the influence of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on cell proliferation after partial hepatectomy in rats. METHODS 40 male Wistar rats were separated into four groups of ten rats each. Groups 1 and 2 (controls): undergoing 30% partial hepatectomy and, after one day (group 1) and seven days (group 2), to euthanasia; daily administration of 0.9% saline solution (1mL per 200g of body weight). Groups 3 and 4 (experimental): undergoing 30% partial hepatectomy and, after one day (group 3) and seven days (group 4), to euthanasia; daily administration of ASA (40mg/mL, 1mL per 200g of body weight). The absolute number of cells stained with PCNA was counted in photomicrographs, in five fields, and it was calculated the mean of positive cells per animal and per group. RESULTS the final mean of PCNA+ cells per group was: in group 1, 17.57 ± 6.77; in group 2, 19.31 ± 5.30; in group 3, 27.46 ± 11.55; and, in group 4, 12.40 ± 5.23. There was no significant difference at the two evaluation times in the control group (p=0.491), but there was in the experimental group (p=0.020), with a lower number of PCNA+ cells on the seventh day. The comparison between the two groups, on the first day, showed more PCNA+ cells in the livers of the animals that received ASA (p=0.047), and on the seventh day the number was lower in the experimental group (p=0.007). CONCLUSION ASA induced greater hepatocyte proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rogério Ribeiro Robes
- - Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Departamento de Veterinária - Curitiba - PR - Brasil
| | - Sérgio Ioshii
- - Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Departamento de Anatomia Patológica - Curitiba - PR - Brasil
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29
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Ezhilarasan D. Deciphering the toxicological role of Porphyromonas gingivalis derived endotoxins in liver diseases. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 88:103755. [PMID: 34662732 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2021.103755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Periodontitis is a most prevalent and infectious multifactorial inflammatory disease and is characterized by the progressive destruction of the tooth-supporting tissues. Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram‑negative oral anaerobe, mainly causes periodontitis and it is one of the most important risk factors responsible for aggravation of existing systemic diseases. Several experimental and clinical studies have shown the positive association between periodontitis and different forms of liver disease. Periodontal diseases increase the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases and cirrhosis. Infected periodontium and pathogens in the periodontal microenvironments release pathogen-associated molecular patterns such as peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharides, gingipain, fimbria, bacterial DNA, etc, and damage-associated molecular patterns such as interleukins-1α, β, - 8, and galectin-3, etc. These virulence factors and cytokines enter the bloodstream, disseminate into the whole body, and induce a variety of systemic pathological effects, including liver diseases (steatosis and fibrosis). Maintaining oral hygiene by scaling and root planning significantly improves liver damage in patients with periodontitis. Dentists and physicians should have more awareness in understanding the bidirectional nature of the relationship between oral and systemic diseases. Importantly, periodontitis condition aggravates simple fatty liver into fibrotic disease and therefore, the aim of this review is to understand the possible link between periodontitis and liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, The Blue Lab, Molecular Medicine and Toxicology Division, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 077, India.
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30
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Shen M, Li Y, Wang Y, Shao J, Zhang F, Yin G, Chen A, Zhang Z, Zheng S. N 6-methyladenosine modification regulates ferroptosis through autophagy signaling pathway in hepatic stellate cells. Redox Biol 2021; 47:102151. [PMID: 34607160 PMCID: PMC8495178 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a recently identified non-apoptotic form of cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. However, the underlying exact mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we report that the total levels of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification are evidently increased upon exposure to ferroptosis-inducing compounds due to the upregulation of methylase METTL4 and the downregulation of demethylase FTO. Interestingly, RNA-seq shows that m6A modification appears to trigger autophagy activation by stabilizing BECN1 mRNA, which may be the potential mechanism for m6A modification-enhanced HSC ferroptosis. Importantly, YTHDF1 is identified as a key m6A reader protein for BECN1 mRNA stability, and knockdown of YTHDF1 could prevent BECN1 plasmid-induced HSC ferroptosis. Noteworthy, YTHDF1 promotes BECN1 mRNA stability and autophagy activation via recognizing the m6A binding site within BECN1 coding regions. In mice, erastin treatment alleviates liver fibrosis by inducing HSC ferroptosis. HSC-specific inhibition of m6A modification could impair erastin-induced HSC ferroptosis in murine liver fibrosis. Moreover, we retrospectively analyzed the effect of sorafenib on HSC ferroptosis and m6A modification in advanced fibrotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving sorafenib monotherapy. Attractively, the m6A modification upregulation, autophagy activation, and ferroptosis induction occur in human HSCs. Overall, these findings reveal novel signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, and also identify m6A modification-dependent ferroptosis as a potential target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yujia Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yingqian Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Guoping Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Anping Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St Louis. MO, 63104, USA
| | - Zili Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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Ezhilarasan D. Hepatic stellate cells in the injured liver: Perspectives beyond hepatic fibrosis. J Cell Physiol 2021; 237:436-449. [PMID: 34514599 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, our understanding of the pathological role of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in fibrotic liver disease has increased dramatically. As HSCs are identified as the principal collagen-producing cells in the injured liver, several experimental and clinical studies have targeted HSCs to treat liver fibrosis. However, HSCs also play a critical role in developing nonfibrotic liver diseases such as cholestasis, portal hypertension, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, this review exclusively focuses on the role of activated HSCs beyond hepatic fibrosis. In cholestasis conditions, elevated bile salts and bile acids activate HSCs to secrete collagen and other extracellular matrix products, which cause biliary fibrosis and cholangitis. In the chronically injured liver, autocrine and paracrine signaling from liver sinusoidal endothelial cells activates HSCs to induce portal hypertension via endothelin-1 release. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), activated HSCs are the major source of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). The crosstalk between activated HSC/CAF and tumor cells is associated with tumor cell proliferation, migration, metastasis, and chemoresistance. In TME, activated HSCs convert macrophages to tumor-associated macrophages and induce the differentiation of dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes to regulatory DCs and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, respectively. This differentiation, in turn, increases T cells proliferation and induces their apoptosis leading to reduced immune surveillance in TME. Thus, HSCs activation in chronically injured liver is a critical process involved in the progression of cholestasis, portal hypertension, and liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, The Blue Lab, Molecular Medicine and Toxicology Division, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Ezhilarasan D. Mitochondria: A critical hub for hepatic stellate cells activation during chronic liver diseases. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2021; 20:315-322. [PMID: 33975780 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2021.04.010] [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] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Upon liver injury, quiescent hepatic stellate cells (qHSCs), reside in the perisinusoidal space, phenotypically transdifferentiate into myofibroblast-like cells (MFBs). The qHSCs in the normal liver are less fibrogenic, migratory, and also have less proliferative potential. However, activated HSCs (aHSCs) are more fibrogenic and have a high migratory and proliferative MFBs phenotype. HSCs activation is a highly energetic process that needs abundant intracellular energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the injured liver to substantiate the injury. DATA SOURCES The articles were collected through PubMed and EMBASE using search terms "mitochondria and hepatic stellate cells", "mitochondria and HSCs", "mitochondria and hepatic fibrosis", "mitochondria and liver diseases", and "mitochondria and chronic liver disease", and relevant publications published before September 31, 2020 were included in this review. RESULTS Mitochondria homeostasis is affected during HSCs activation. Mitochondria in aHSCs are highly energetic and are in a high metabolically active state exhibiting increased activity such as glycolysis and respiration. aHSCs have high glycolytic enzymes expression and glycolytic activity induced by Hedgehog (Hh) signaling from injured hepatocytes. Increased glycolysis and aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect) end-products in aHSCs consequently activate the ECM-related gene expressions. Increased Hh signaling from injured hepatocytes downregulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ expression and decreases lipogenesis in aHSCs. Glutaminolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle liberate ATPs that fuel HSCs to proliferate and produce ECM during their activation. CONCLUSIONS Available studies suggest that mitochondria functions can increase in parallel with HSCs activation. Therefore, mitochondrial modulators should be tested in an elaborate manner to control or prevent the HSCs activation during liver injury to subsequently regress hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, the Blue Lab, Molecular Medicine and Toxicology Division, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Wegrzyniak O, Rosestedt M, Eriksson O. Recent Progress in the Molecular Imaging of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7348. [PMID: 34298967 PMCID: PMC8306605 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological fibrosis of the liver is a landmark feature in chronic liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Diagnosis and assessment of progress or treatment efficacy today requires biopsy of the liver, which is a challenge in, e.g., longitudinal interventional studies. Molecular imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) have the potential to enable minimally invasive assessment of liver fibrosis. This review will summarize and discuss the current status of the development of innovative imaging markers for processes relevant for fibrogenesis in liver, e.g., certain immune cells, activated fibroblasts, and collagen depositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Wegrzyniak
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, SE-751 83 Uppsala, Sweden; (O.W.); (M.R.)
| | - Maria Rosestedt
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, SE-751 83 Uppsala, Sweden; (O.W.); (M.R.)
| | - Olof Eriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, SE-751 83 Uppsala, Sweden; (O.W.); (M.R.)
- Antaros Medical AB, SE-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
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34
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Ezhilarasan D. Relaxin in hepatic fibrosis: What is known and where to head? Biochimie 2021; 187:144-151. [PMID: 34102254 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Relaxin (RLX) is a heterodimeric, polypeptide hormone that has natural anti-fibrotic activity in many organs. During the chronic liver injury, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are phenotypically transformed into myofibroblasts. This process is known as activation of HSCs. Activated HSCs play a central role in hepatic fibrosis. Quiescent HSCs were shown to express low levels of RLX receptors such as RXFP1 and RXFP2. Upon chronic liver injury, HSCs are activated and express high levels of the RLX receptors. ML290, an agonist of RXFP1 has been reported to have antifibrotic effect in vitro as well as in vivo. Serelaxin, a recombinant human RLX-2 treatment has reduced hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension in experimental models due to its vasodilation properties by inducing intrahepatic nitric oxide level. Serelaxin has also produced a neutral effect when studied against human cirrhosis-related portal hypertension in clinical trials. RLX is a potent collagen synthesis inhibitor and it has extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling properties by promoting matrix metalloproteinases and downregulating expression of metalloproteinases inhibitors. Available reports suggest that RLX could induce ECM remodeling and suppress the profibrogenic transforming growth factor-β signaling and thereby regress hepatic fibrosis. Though RLX has natural antifibrotic activity, its antifibrotic molecular mechanisms especially in hepatic fibrosis condition are not reported. This review exclusively focuses antifibrotic effect of RLX on hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, The Blue Lab, Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology Division, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 077, India.
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Li N, Zhao S, Zhang Z, Zhu Y, Gliniak CM, Vishvanath L, An YA, Wang MY, Deng Y, Zhu Q, Shan B, Sherwood A, Onodera T, Oz OK, Gordillo R, Gupta RK, Liu M, Horvath TL, Dixit VD, Scherer PE. Adiponectin preserves metabolic fitness during aging. eLife 2021; 10:65108. [PMID: 33904399 PMCID: PMC8099426 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adiponectin is essential for the regulation of tissue substrate utilization and systemic insulin sensitivity. Clinical studies have suggested a positive association of circulating adiponectin with healthspan and lifespan. However, the direct effects of adiponectin on promoting healthspan and lifespan remain unexplored. Here, we are using an adiponectin null mouse and a transgenic adiponectin overexpression model. We directly assessed the effects of circulating adiponectin on the aging process and found that adiponectin null mice display exacerbated age-related glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. Moreover, adiponectin null mice have a significantly shortened lifespan on both chow and high-fat diet. In contrast, a transgenic mouse model with elevated circulating adiponectin levels has a dramatically improved systemic insulin sensitivity, reduced age-related tissue inflammation and fibrosis, and a prolonged healthspan and median lifespan. These results support a role of adiponectin as an essential regulator for healthspan and lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shangang Zhao
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Zhuzhen Zhang
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Yi Zhu
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Christy M Gliniak
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Lavanya Vishvanath
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Yu A An
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - May-Yun Wang
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Yingfeng Deng
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Qingzhang Zhu
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Bo Shan
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Amber Sherwood
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Toshiharu Onodera
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Orhan K Oz
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Ruth Gordillo
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Rana K Gupta
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Tamas L Horvath
- Department of Comparative Medicine and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Vishwa Deep Dixit
- Department of Comparative Medicine and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,Yale Center for Research on Aging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Philipp E Scherer
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Cell Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
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Rockey DC, Friedman SL. Fibrosis Regression After Eradication of Hepatitis C Virus: From Bench to Bedside. Gastroenterology 2021; 160:1502-1520.e1. [PMID: 33529675 PMCID: PMC8601597 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.09.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its complications have been the major cause of cirrhosis and its complications for several decades in the Western world. Until recently, treatment for HCV with interferon-based regimens was associated with moderate success but was difficult to tolerate. More recently, however, an arsenal of novel and highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs has transformed the landscape by curing HCV in a broad range of patients, including those with established advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, comorbidities, and even those with complications of cirrhosis. Fibrosis is a dynamic process comprising both extracellular matrix deposition, as well as its degradation. With almost universal sustained virologic response (SVR) (ie, elimination of HCV), it is timely to explore whether HCV eradication can reverse fibrosis and cirrhosis. Indeed, fibrosis in several types of liver disease is reversible, including HCV. However, we do not know with certainty in whom fibrosis regression can be expected after HCV elimination, how quickly it occurs, and whether antifibrotic therapies will be indicated in those with persistent cirrhosis. This review summarizes the evidence for reversibility of fibrosis and cirrhosis after HCV eradication, its impact on clinical outcomes, and therapeutic prospects for directly promoting fibrosis regression in patients whose fibrosis persists after SVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don C Rockey
- The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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Ogawa H, Kaji K, Nishimura N, Takagi H, Ishida K, Takaya H, Kawaratani H, Moriya K, Namisaki T, Akahane T, Yoshiji H. Lenvatinib prevents liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation and sinusoidal capillarization in experimental liver fibrosis. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:4001-4013. [PMID: 33609067 PMCID: PMC8051749 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular targeted agents are pharmacologically used to treat liver fibrosis and have gained increased attention. The present study examined the preventive effect of lenvatinib on experimental liver fibrosis and sinusoidal capillarization as well as the in vitro phenotypes of hepatic stellate cells. LX-2, a human stellate cell line, was used for in vitro studies. In vivo liver fibrosis was induced in F344 rats using carbon tetrachloride by intraperitoneal injection for 8 weeks, and oral administration of lenvatinib was started two weeks after initial injection of carbon tetrachloride. Lenvatinib restrained proliferation and promoted apoptosis of LX-2 with suppressed phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and AKT. It also down-regulated COL1A1, ACTA2 and TGFB1 expressions by inhibiting the transforming growth factor-β1/Smad2/3 pathway. Treatment with lenvatinib also suppressed platelet-derived growth factor-BB-stimulated proliferation, chemotaxis and vascular endothelial growth factor-A production, as well as basic fibroblast growth factor-induced LX-2 proliferation. In vivo study showed that lenvatinib attenuated liver fibrosis development with reduction in activated hepatic stellate cells and mRNA expression of profibrogenic markers. Intrahepatic neovascularization was ameliorated with reduced hepatic expressions of Vegf1, Vegf2 and Vegfa in lenvatinib-treated rats. Collectively, these results suggest the potential use of lenvatinib as a novel therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kaji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | | | - Hirotetsu Takagi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | - Koji Ishida
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Takaya
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | - Hideto Kawaratani
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | - Kei Moriya
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | - Tadashi Namisaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | - Takemi Akahane
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Yoshiji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
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Sanyal AJ, Ling L, Beuers U, DePaoli AM, Lieu HD, Harrison SA, Hirschfield GM. Potent suppression of hydrophobic bile acids by aldafermin, an FGF19 analogue, across metabolic and cholestatic liver diseases. JHEP Rep 2021; 3:100255. [PMID: 33898959 PMCID: PMC8056274 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Higher serum bile acid levels are associated with an increased risk of cirrhosis and liver-related morbidity and mortality. Herein, we report secondary analyses of aldafermin, an engineered analogue of the gut hormone fibroblast growth factor 19, on the circulating bile acid profile in prospective, phase II studies in patients with metabolic or cholestatic liver disease. Methods One hundred and seventy-six patients with biopsy-confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis and elevated liver fat content (≥8% by magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction) received 0.3 mg (n = 23), 1 mg (n = 49), 3 mg (n = 49), 6 mg (n = 28) aldafermin or placebo (n = 27) for 12 weeks. Sixty-two patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and elevated alkaline phosphatase (>1.5× upper limit of normal) received 1 mg (n = 21), 3 mg (n = 21) aldafermin or placebo (n = 20) for 12 weeks. Serum samples were collected on day 1 and week 12 for determination of bile acid profile and neoepitope-specific N-terminal pro-peptide of type III collagen (Pro-C3), a direct measure of fibrogenesis. Results Treatment with aldafermin resulted in significant dose-dependent reductions in serum bile acids. In particular, bile acids with higher hydrophobicity indices, such as deoxycholic acid, lithocholic acid, glycodeoxycholic acid, glycochenodeoxycholic acid, and glycocholic acid, were markedly lowered by aldafermin in both NASH and PSC populations. Moreover, aldafermin predominantly suppressed the glycine-conjugated bile acids, rather than the taurine-conjugated bile acids. Changes in levels of bile acids correlated with changes in the novel fibrogenesis marker Pro-C3, which detects a neo-epitope of the type III collagen during its formation, in the pooled NASH and PSC populations. Conclusions Aldafermin markedly reduced major hydrophobic bile acids that have greater detergent activity and cytotoxicity. Our data provide evidence that bile acids may contribute to sustaining a pro-fibrogenic microenvironment in the liver across metabolic and cholestatic liver diseases. Lay summary Aldafermin is an analogue of a gut hormone, which is in development as a treatment for patients with chronic liver disease. Herein, we show that aldafermin can potently and robustly suppress the toxic, hydrophobic bile acids irrespective of disease aetiology. The therapeutic strategy utilising aldafermin may be broadly applicable to other chronic gastrointestinal and liver disorders. Clinical Trials Registration The study is registered at Clinicaltrials.govNCT02443116 and NCT02704364. Higher serum bile acid levels are associated with an increased risk of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Aldafermin produces significant dose-dependent reductions in toxic hydrophobic bile acids in NASH and PSC. Changes in bile acids correlate with changes in the novel fibrogenesis marker Pro-C3. Bile acids may contribute to a pro-fibrogenic microenvironment in the liver.
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Key Words
- ALP, alkaline phosphatase
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- AST, aspartate aminotransferase
- BAAT, bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase
- Bile acid synthesis
- CA, cholic acid
- CDCA, chenodeoxycholic acid
- DCA, deoxycholic acid
- ELF test, Enhanced Liver Fibrosis test
- FGF19, fibroblast growth factor 19
- FXR, farnesoid X receptor
- Fibroblast growth factor
- Fibrogenesis
- G/T ratio, ratio of glycine to taurine conjugates of bile acids
- GCA, glycocholic acid
- GCDCA, glycochenodeoxycholic acid
- GDCA, glycodeoxycholic acid
- GLCA, glycolithocholic acid
- LCA, lithocholic acid
- MRI-PDFF, magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NAS, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score
- NASH CRN, NASH Clinical Research Network
- NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- PSC, primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Pro-C3
- Pro-C3, neoepitope-specific N-terminal pro-peptide of type III collagen
- TCA, taurocholic acid
- TCDCA, taurochenodeoxycholic acid
- TDCA, taurodeoxycholic acid
- TLCA, taurolithocholic acid
- UDCA, ursodeoxycholic acid
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lei Ling
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ulrich Beuers
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Hsiao D Lieu
- NGM Biopharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stephen A Harrison
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Pinnacle Clinical Research, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Gideon M Hirschfield
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Cytoplasmic vacuolation with endoplasmic reticulum stress directs sorafenib induced non-apoptotic cell death in hepatic stellate cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3089. [PMID: 33542321 PMCID: PMC7862314 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82381-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major cells that secrete the ECM proteins and drive the pathogenesis of fibrosis in chronic liver disease. Targeting of HSCs by modulating their activation and proliferation has emerged as a promising approach in the development of anti-fibrotic therapy. Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor has shown anti-fibrotic properties by inhibiting the survival and proliferation of HSCs. In present study we investigated sorafenib induced cytoplasmic vacuolation mediated decreased cell viability of HSCs in dose and time dependent manner. In this circumstance, sorafenib induces ROS and ER stress in HSCs without involvement of autophagic signals. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide treatment significantly decreased the sorafenib-induced cytoplasmic vacuolation with increasing cell viability. Antioxidant human serum albumin influences the viability of HSCs by reducing sorafenib induced vacuolation and cell death. However, neither caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK nor autophagy inhibitor chloroquine could rescue the HSCs from sorafenib-induced cytoplasmic vacuolation and cell death. Using TEM and ER organelle tracker, we conclude that the cytoplasmic vacuoles are due to ER dilation. Sorafenib treatment induces calreticulin and GPR78, and activates IRE1α-XBP1s axis of UPR pathway, which eventually trigger the non-apoptotic cell death in HSCs. This study provides a notable mechanistic insight into the ER stress directed non-apoptotic cell death with future directions for the development of efficient anti-fibrotic therapeutic strategies.
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Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are resident non-parenchymal liver pericytes whose plasticity enables them to regulate a remarkable range of physiologic and pathologic responses. To support their functions in health and disease, HSCs engage pathways regulating carbohydrate, mitochondrial, lipid, and retinoid homeostasis. In chronic liver injury, HSCs drive hepatic fibrosis and are implicated in inflammation and cancer. To do so, the cells activate, or transdifferentiate, from a quiescent state into proliferative, motile myofibroblasts that secrete extracellular matrix, which demands rapid adaptation to meet a heightened energy need. Adaptations include reprogramming of central carbon metabolism, enhanced mitochondrial number and activity, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and liberation of free fatty acids through autophagy-dependent hydrolysis of retinyl esters that are stored in cytoplasmic droplets. As an archetype for pericytes in other tissues, recognition of the HSC's metabolic drivers and vulnerabilities offer the potential to target these pathways therapeutically to enhance parenchymal growth and modulate repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parth Trivedi
- Division of Liver Diseases, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Shuang Wang
- Division of Liver Diseases, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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