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Luo Z, Jiang M, Cheng N, Zhao X, Liu H, Wang S, Lin Q, Huang J, Guo X, Liu X, Shan X, Lu Y, Shi Y, Luo L, You J. Remodeling the hepatic immune microenvironment and demolishing T cell traps to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in liver metastasis. J Control Release 2024; 373:890-904. [PMID: 39067794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.07.057] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) exhibit compromised therapeutic efficacy in many patients with advanced cancers, particularly those with liver metastases. Much of this incapability can be ascribed as an irresponsiveness resulting from the "cold" hepatic tumor microenvironment that acts as T cell "traps" for which there currently lack countermeasures. We report a novel nanomedicine that converts the hepatic immune microenvironment to a "hot" phenotype by targeting hepatic macrophage-centric T cell elimination. Using the nanomedicine, composed of KIRA6 (an endothelium reticulum stress inhibitor), α-Tocopherol nanoemulsions, and anti-PD1 antibodies, we found its potency in murine models of orthotopic colorectal tumors and hepatic metastases, restoring immune responses and enhancing anti-tumor effects. A post-treatment scrutiny of the immune microenvironment landscape in the liver reveals repolarization of immunosuppressive hepatic macrophages, upregulation of Th1-like effector CD4+ T cells, and rejuvenation of dendritic cells along with CD8+ T cells. These findings suggest adaptations of liver-centric immune milieu modulation strategies to improve the efficacy of ICIs for a variety of "cold" tumors and their liver metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Luo
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Mengshi Jiang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Ningtao Cheng
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Hangzhou Yuhang BoYu Intelligent Health Innovation Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China.
| | - Xiaoqi Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Huihui Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Sijie Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Qing Lin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jiaxin Huang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xuemeng Guo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xu Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xinyu Shan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Yichao Lu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Yingying Shi
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Lihua Luo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jian You
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
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Dashti Z, Yousefi Z, Kiani P, Taghizadeh M, Maleki MH, Borji M, Vakili O, Shafiee SM. Autophagy and the unfolded protein response shape the non-alcoholic fatty liver landscape: decoding the labyrinth. Metabolism 2024; 154:155811. [PMID: 38309690 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2024.155811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
The incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is on the rise, mirroring a global surge in diabetes and metabolic syndrome, as its major leading causes. NAFLD represents a spectrum of liver disorders, ranging from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can potentially progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Mechanistically, we know the unfolded protein response (UPR) as a protective cellular mechanism, being triggered under circumstances of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The hepatic UPR is turned on in a broad spectrum of liver diseases, including NAFLD. Recent data also defines molecular mechanisms that may underlie the existing correlation between UPR activation and NAFLD. More interestingly, subsequent studies have demonstrated an additional mechanism, i.e. autophagy, to be involved in hepatic steatosis, and thus NAFLD pathogenesis, principally by regulating the insulin sensitivity, hepatocellular injury, innate immunity, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. All these findings suggest possible mechanistic roles for autophagy in the progression of NAFLD and its complications. Both UPR and autophagy are dynamic and interconnected fluxes that act as protective responses to minimize the harmful effects of hepatic lipid accumulation, as well as the ER stress during NAFLD. The functions of UPR and autophagy in the liver, together with findings of decreased hepatic autophagy in correlation with conditions that predispose to NAFLD, such as obesity and aging, suggest that autophagy and UPR, alone or combined, may be novel therapeutic targets against the disease. In this review, we discuss the current evidence on the interplay between autophagy and the UPR in connection to the NAFLD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Dashti
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Zeynab Yousefi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pouria Kiani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Motahareh Taghizadeh
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hasan Maleki
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Borji
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Omid Vakili
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Autophagy Research Center, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Sayed Mohammad Shafiee
- Autophagy Research Center, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Wang Y, Yu H, Cen Z, Zhu Y, Wu W. Drug targets regulate systemic metabolism and provide new horizons to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Metabol Open 2024; 21:100267. [PMID: 38187470 PMCID: PMC10770762 DOI: 10.1016/j.metop.2023.100267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is the advanced stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with rapidly rising global prevalence. It is featured with severe hepatocyte apoptosis, inflammation and hepatic lipogenesis. The drugs directly targeting the processes of steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis are currently under clinical investigation. Nevertheless, the long-term ineffectiveness and remarkable adverse effects are well documented, and new concepts are required to tackle with the root causes of NASH progression. We critically assess the recently validated drug targets that regulate the systemic metabolism to ameliorate NASH. Thermogenesis promoted by mitochondrial uncouplers restores systemic energy expenditure. Furthermore, regulation of mitochondrial proteases and proteins that are pivotal for intracellular metabolic homeostasis normalize mitochondrial function. Secreted proteins also improve systemic metabolism, and NASH is ameliorated by agonizing receptors of secreted proteins with small molecules. We analyze the drug design, the advantages and shortcomings of these novel drug candidates. Meanwhile, the structural modification of current NASH therapeutics significantly increased their selectivity, efficacy and safety. Furthermore, the arising CRISPR-Cas9 screen strategy on liver organoids has enabled the identification of new genes that mediate lipid metabolism, which may serve as promising drug targets. In summary, this article discusses the in-depth novel mechanisms and the multidisciplinary approaches, and they provide new horizons to treat NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibing Wang
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, China
| | - Hanhan Yu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Zhipeng Cen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Nanhai Translational Innovation Center of Precision Immunology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, 528200, China
| | - Yutong Zhu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Wenyi Wu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China
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De Muynck K, Heyerick L, De Ponti FF, Vanderborght B, Meese T, Van Campenhout S, Baudonck L, Gijbels E, Rodrigues PM, Banales JM, Vesterhuus M, Folseraas T, Scott CL, Vinken M, Van der Linden M, Hoorens A, Van Dorpe J, Lefere S, Geerts A, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Verhelst X, Van Vlierberghe H, Devisscher L. Osteopontin characterizes bile duct-associated macrophages and correlates with liver fibrosis severity in primary sclerosing cholangitis. Hepatology 2024; 79:269-288. [PMID: 37535809 PMCID: PMC10789378 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an immune-mediated cholestatic liver disease for which pharmacological treatment options are currently unavailable. PSC is strongly associated with colitis and a disruption of the gut-liver axis, and macrophages are involved in the pathogenesis of PSC. However, how gut-liver interactions and specific macrophage populations contribute to PSC is incompletely understood. APPROACH AND RESULTS We investigated the impact of cholestasis and colitis on the hepatic and colonic microenvironment, and performed an in-depth characterization of hepatic macrophage dynamics and function in models of concomitant cholangitis and colitis. Cholestasis-induced fibrosis was characterized by depletion of resident KCs, and enrichment of monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) in the liver. These MoMFs highly express triggering-receptor-expressed-on-myeloid-cells-2 ( Trem2 ) and osteopontin ( Spp1 ), markers assigned to hepatic bile duct-associated macrophages, and were enriched around the portal triad, which was confirmed in human PSC. Colitis induced monocyte/macrophage infiltration in the gut and liver, and enhanced cholestasis-induced MoMF- Trem2 and Spp1 upregulation, yet did not exacerbate liver fibrosis. Bone marrow chimeras showed that knockout of Spp1 in infiltrated MoMFs exacerbates inflammation in vivo and in vitro , while monoclonal antibody-mediated neutralization of SPP1 conferred protection in experimental PSC. In human PSC patients, serum osteopontin levels are elevated compared to control, and significantly increased in advanced stage PSC and might serve as a prognostic biomarker for liver transplant-free survival. CONCLUSIONS Our data shed light on gut-liver axis perturbations and macrophage dynamics and function in PSC and highlight SPP1/OPN as a prognostic marker and future therapeutic target in PSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin De Muynck
- Department of Basic & Applied Medical Sciences, Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lander Heyerick
- Department of Basic & Applied Medical Sciences, Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Federico F. De Ponti
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Biology in Tissue Damage and Inflammation, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart Vanderborght
- Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Hepatology Research Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim Meese
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- NXTGNT, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sanne Van Campenhout
- Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Hepatology Research Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Leen Baudonck
- Department of Basic & Applied Medical Sciences, Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eva Gijbels
- Department of Basic & Applied Medical Sciences, Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pedro M. Rodrigues
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Jesus M. Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Sciences, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mette Vesterhuus
- Department of Transplantation Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Medicine and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Norwegian PSC Research Center, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Trine Folseraas
- Department of Transplantation Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Medicine and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Norwegian PSC Research Center, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Medicine and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Charlotte L. Scott
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Biology in Tissue Damage and Inflammation, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Anne Hoorens
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jo Van Dorpe
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sander Lefere
- Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Hepatology Research Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anja Geerts
- Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Hepatology Research Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Filip Van Nieuwerburgh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- NXTGNT, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Xavier Verhelst
- Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Hepatology Research Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hans Van Vlierberghe
- Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Hepatology Research Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lindsey Devisscher
- Department of Basic & Applied Medical Sciences, Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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Wan S, Li KP, Wang CY, Yang JW, Chen SY, Wang HB, Li XR, Yang L. Immunologic Crosstalk of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Signaling in Bladder Cancer. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2024; 24:701-719. [PMID: 38265406 DOI: 10.2174/0115680096272663231121100515] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) is a common malignant tumor of the urinary system. While current approaches involving adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy have shown significant progress in BC treatment, challenges, such as recurrence and drug resistance, persist, especially in the case of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). It is mainly due to the lack of pre-existing immune response cells in the tumor immune microenvironment. Micro-environmental changes (such as hypoxia and under-nutrition) can cause the aggregation of unfolded and misfolded proteins in the lumen, which induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. ER stress and its downstream signaling pathways are closely related to immunogenicity and tumor drug resistance. ER stress plays a pivotal role in a spectrum of processes within immune cells and the progression of BC cells, encompassing cell proliferation, autophagy, apoptosis, and resistance to therapies. Recent studies have increasingly recognized the potential of natural compounds to exhibit anti-BC properties through ER stress induction. Still, the efficacy of these natural compounds remains less than that of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Currently, the ER stress-mediated immunogenic cell death (ICD) pathway is more encouraging, which can enhance ICI responses by mediating immune stemness. This article provides an overview of the recent developments in understanding how ER stress influences tumor immunity and its implications for BC. Targeting this pathway may soon emerge as a compelling therapeutic strategy for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Wan
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Urology, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Kun-Peng Li
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Urology, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Chen-Yang Wang
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Urology, Lanzhou730000, PR China
| | - Jian-Wei Yang
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Si-Yu Chen
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Urology, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Hua-Bin Wang
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Urology, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Xiao-Ran Li
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Urology, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Urology, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
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Yang T, Liang N, Zhang J, Bai Y, Li Y, Zhao Z, Chen L, Yang M, Huang Q, Hu P, Wang Q, Zhang H. OCTN2 enhances PGC-1α-mediated fatty acid oxidation and OXPHOS to support stemness in hepatocellular carcinoma. Metabolism 2023; 147:155628. [PMID: 37315888 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2023.155628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells plays a vital role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Organic cation/carnitine transporter 2 (OCTN2), a sodium-ion dependent carnitine transporter and a sodium-ion independent tetraethylammonium (TEA) transporter, has been reported to contribute tumor malignancies and metabolic dysregulation in renal and esophageal carcinoma. However, the role of lipid metabolism deregulation mediated by OCTN2 in HCC cells has not been clarified. METHODS Bioinformatics analyses and immunohistochemistry assay were employed to identify OCTN2 expression in HCC tissues. The correlation between OCTN2 expression and prognosis was elucidated through K-M survival analysis. The expression and function of OCTN2 were examined via the assays of western blotting, sphere formation, cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The mechanism of OCTN2-mediated HCC malignancies was investigated through RNA-seq and metabolomic analyses. Furthermore, xenograft tumor models based on HCC cells with different OCTN2 expression levels were conducted to analyze the tumorigenic and targetable role of OCTN2 in vivo. RESULTS We found that gradually focused OCTN2 was significantly upregulated in HCC and tightly associated with poor prognosis. Additionally, OCTN2 upregulation promoted HCC cells proliferation and migration in vitro and augmented the growth and metastasis of HCC. Moreover, OCTN2 promoted the cancer stem-like properties of HCC by increasing fatty acid oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation. Mechanistically, PGC-1α signaling participated in the HCC cancer stem-like properties mediated by OCTN2 overexpression, which is confirmed by in vitro and in vivo analyses. Furthermore, OCTN2 upregulation may be transcriptionally activated by YY1 in HCC. Particularly, treatment with mildronate, an inhibitor of OCTN2, showed a therapeutic influence on HCC in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that OCTN2 plays a critical metabolic role in HCC cancer stemness maintenance and HCC progression, providing evidence for OCTN2 as a promising target for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yang
- Department of Pain Treatment, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, China
| | - Ning Liang
- Department of General Surgery, The 75th Group Army Hospital, Dali 671000, China; Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, China
| | - Jiahao Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yaxing Bai
- Department of Dermatology, XiJing Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Yuedan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Central Theater Command, Wuhan 430010, China
| | - Zifeng Zhao
- Department of Pain Treatment, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, China
| | - Liusheng Chen
- Clinical Research Center, The 75th Group Army Hospital, Dali, Yunnan 671000, China
| | - Min Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The 75th Group Army Hospital, Dali 671000, China
| | - Qian Huang
- Clinical Research Center, The 75th Group Army Hospital, Dali, Yunnan 671000, China
| | - Pan Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the 920 Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese PLA, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China.
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China.
| | - Hongxin Zhang
- Department of Pain Treatment, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, China; Department of Intervention Therapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China.
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7
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Di Conza G, Ho PC, Cubillos-Ruiz JR, Huang SCC. Control of immune cell function by the unfolded protein response. Nat Rev Immunol 2023; 23:546-562. [PMID: 36755160 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-023-00838-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Initiating and maintaining optimal immune responses requires high levels of protein synthesis, folding, modification and trafficking in leukocytes, which are processes orchestrated by the endoplasmic reticulum. Importantly, diverse extracellular and intracellular conditions can compromise the protein-handling capacity of this organelle, inducing a state of 'endoplasmic reticulum stress' that activates the unfolded protein response (UPR). Emerging evidence shows that physiological or pathological activation of the UPR can have effects on immune cell survival, metabolism, function and fate. In this Review, we discuss the canonical role of the adaptive UPR in immune cells and how dysregulation of this pathway in leukocytes contributes to diverse pathologies such as cancer, autoimmunity and metabolic disorders. Furthermore, we provide an overview as to how pharmacological approaches that modulate the UPR could be harnessed to control or activate immune cell function in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Di Conza
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Ping-Chih Ho
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.
| | - Juan R Cubillos-Ruiz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Stanley Ching-Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Vanderborght B, De Muynck K, Gijbels E, Lefere S, Scott CL, Guilliams M, Beschin A, Vinken M, Verhelst X, Geerts A, Van Vlierberghe H, Devisscher L. Transient Kupffer cell depletion and subsequent replacement by infiltrating monocyte-derived cells does not alter the induction or progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Cancer 2023; 152:2615-2628. [PMID: 36912275 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Due to a combination of rapid disease progression and the lack of curative treatment options, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Infiltrated, monocyte-derived, tumor-associated macrophages are known to play a role in HCC pathogenesis, but the involvement of Kupffer cells (KCs) remains elusive. Here, we used the Clec4F-diphteria toxin receptor transgenic mouse model to specifically investigate the effect of KC depletion on HCC initiation, progression and neoplastic growth following liver resection. For this purpose, several HCC mouse models with varying underlying etiologies were used and partial hepatectomy was performed. Our results show that in HCC, developed on a fibrotic or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis background, depletion of embryonic KCs at the onset of HCC induction and the subsequent replacement by monocyte-derived KCs does not affect the tumor burden, tumor microenvironment or the phenotype of isolated KCs at end-stage disease. In non-chronic liver disease-associated diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC, ablation of Clec4F+ KCs did not alter tumor progression or neoplastic growth following liver resection. Our results show that temporal ablation of resident KCs does not impact HCC pathogenesis, neither in the induction phase nor in advanced disease, and indicate that bone marrow-derived KCs are able to swiftly repopulate the available KC niche and adopt their phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Vanderborght
- Hepatology Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Kevin De Muynck
- Hepatology Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Eva Gijbels
- Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Sander Lefere
- Hepatology Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Charlotte L Scott
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Biology in Tissue Damage and Inflammation, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Martin Guilliams
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Biology in Tissue Homeostasis and Regeneration, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Alain Beschin
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Xavier Verhelst
- Hepatology Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Anja Geerts
- Hepatology Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Hans Van Vlierberghe
- Hepatology Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Lindsey Devisscher
- Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
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9
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Kohlhepp MS, Liu H, Tacke F, Guillot A. The contradictory roles of macrophages in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and primary liver cancer-Challenges and opportunities. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1129831. [PMID: 36845555 PMCID: PMC9950415 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1129831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases from varying etiologies generally lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Among them, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects roughly one-quarter of the world population, thus representing a major and increasing public health burden. Chronic hepatocyte injury, inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, NASH) and liver fibrosis are recognized soils for primary liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), being the third most common cause for cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite recent advances in liver disease understanding, therapeutic options on pre-malignant and malignant stages remain limited. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify targetable liver disease-driving mechanisms for the development of novel therapeutics. Monocytes and macrophages comprise a central, yet versatile component of the inflammatory response, fueling chronic liver disease initiation and progression. Recent proteomic and transcriptomic studies performed at singular cell levels revealed a previously overlooked diversity of macrophage subpopulations and functions. Indeed, liver macrophages that encompass liver resident macrophages (also named Kupffer cells) and monocyte-derived macrophages, can acquire a variety of phenotypes depending on microenvironmental cues, and thus exert manifold and sometimes contradictory functions. Those functions range from modulating and exacerbating tissue inflammation to promoting and exaggerating tissue repair mechanisms (i.e., parenchymal regeneration, cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, fibrosis). Due to these central functions, liver macrophages represent an attractive target for the treatment of liver diseases. In this review, we discuss the multifaceted and contrary roles of macrophages in chronic liver diseases, with a particular focus on NAFLD/NASH and HCC. Moreover, we discuss potential therapeutic approaches targeting liver macrophages.
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Polyzos SA, Hill MA, Fuleihan GEH, Gnudi L, Kim YB, Larsson SC, Masuzaki H, Matarese G, Sanoudou D, Tena-Sempere M, Mantzoros CS. Metabolism, Clinical and Experimental: seventy years young and growing. Metabolism 2022; 137:155333. [PMID: 36244415 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2022.155333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stergios A Polyzos
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michael A Hill
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan
- Division of Endocrinology, Calcium Metabolism and Osteoporosis Program, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Metabolic Bone Disorders, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Luigi Gnudi
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, King's College, London, UK
| | - Young-Bum Kim
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Susanna C Larsson
- Unit of Medical Epidemiology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hiroaki Masuzaki
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Hematology, Rheumatology, Second Department of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Giuseppe Matarese
- Treg Cell Lab, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Naples, Italy; Laboratorio di Immunogenetica dei Trapianti & Registro Regionale dei Trapianti di Midollo, AOU "Federico II", Naples, Italy; Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'Oncologia Sperimentale Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Naples, Italy
| | - Despina Sanoudou
- Clinical Genomics and Pharmacogenomics Unit, 4th Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece; Center for New Biotechnologies and Precision Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Manuel Tena-Sempere
- Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Cordoba (IMIBIC), Cordoba, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Christos S Mantzoros
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Section of Endocrinology, Boston VA Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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11
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Luo Y, Jiao Q, Chen Y. Targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress-the responder to lipotoxicity and modulator of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:1073-1085. [PMID: 36657744 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2170780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress occurs with aberrant lipid accumulation and resultant adverse effects and widely exists in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR) to restore ER homeostasis and actively participates in NAFLD pathological processes, including hepatic steatosis, inflammation, hepatocyte death, and fibrosis. Such acknowledges drive the discovery of novel NAFLD biomarker and therapeutic targets and the development of ER-stress targeted NAFLD drugs. AREAS COVERED This article discusses and updates the role of ER stress and UPR in NAFLD, the underlying action mechanism, and especially their full participation in NAFLD pathophysiology. It characterizes key molecular targets useful for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD and highlights the recent ER stress-targeted therapeutic strategies for NAFLD. EXPERT OPINION Targeting ER Stress is a valuable and promising strategy for NAFLD treatment, but its smooth translation into clinical application still requires better clarification of the different UPR patterns in diverse NAFLD physiological states. Further understanding of the distinct effects of these various patterns on NAFLD, the thresholds deciding their final impacts, and their actions via non-liver tissues and cells would be of great help to develop a precise and effective therapy for NAFLD. [Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Luo
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Qiangqiang Jiao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yuping Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Institute of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
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12
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De Muynck K, Vanderborght B, Van Vlierberghe H, Devisscher L. The Gut-Liver Axis in Chronic Liver Disease: A Macrophage Perspective. Cells 2021; 10:2959. [PMID: 34831182 PMCID: PMC8616442 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a growing health concern which accounts for two million deaths per year. Obesity, alcohol overconsumption, and progressive cholestasis are commonly characterized by persistent low-grade inflammation and advancing fibrosis, which form the basis for development of end-stage liver disease complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma. CLD pathophysiology extends to the intestinal tract and is characterized by intestinal dysbiosis, bile acid dysregulation, and gut barrier disruption. In addition, macrophages are key players in CLD progression and intestinal barrier breakdown. Emerging studies are unveiling macrophage heterogeneity and driving factors of their plasticity in health and disease. To date, in-depth investigation of how gut-liver axis disruption impacts the hepatic and intestinal macrophage pool in CLD pathogenesis is scarce. In this review, we give an overview of the role of intestinal and hepatic macrophages in homeostasis and gut-liver axis disruption in progressive stages of CLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin De Muynck
- Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (K.D.M.); (B.V.)
- Hepatology Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Bart Vanderborght
- Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (K.D.M.); (B.V.)
- Hepatology Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Hans Van Vlierberghe
- Hepatology Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Lindsey Devisscher
- Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (K.D.M.); (B.V.)
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13
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Jiang M, Li X, Zhang J, Lu Y, Shi Y, Zhu C, Liu Y, Qin B, Luo Z, Du Y, Luo L, Peng L, You J. Dual Inhibition of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Oxidation Stress Manipulates the Polarization of Macrophages under Hypoxia to Sensitize Immunotherapy. ACS NANO 2021; 15:14522-14534. [PMID: 34414762 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c04068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
M2-tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) play an important role in tumor genesis, progression, and metastasis, and repolarizing M2-TAMs to immune-promoting M1 type is increasingly recognized as a promising strategy against the clinically intractable carcinomas. It is observed that M2 macrophages have a high tropism to the tumor hypoxic area, with their endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated IRE1-XBP1 pathway activated to inhibit cell glycolysis, promote oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and facilitate intracellular lipid accumulation, which in turn shapes the typical phenotypes of M2-TAMs, suggesting that manipulating the ER stress response of M2-TAMs might stand as a breakthrough for antitumor therapy. However, current attempts to repolarize M2 cells remain limited and are greatly challenged by the hypoxic nature of tumors. Also, the high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is favorable for the polarization of M2-TAMs. Here, we encapsulated KIRA6, an inhibitor of the IRE1-XBP1 pathway, into a reductive nanoemulsion containing α-tocopherol. Our α-T-K had dual inhibitory effects on the ER stress and oxidative stress. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments suggested that α-T-K effectively reprogrammed M2 macrophages even under hypoxia, achieved by increasing glycolysis and suppressing fatty acid oxidation (FAO). In addition, our data revealed that α-T-K not only delayed tumor growth but elevated the curative effect of PD-1 antibody. Our research demonstrated that simultaneous inhibition of ER stress and oxidative stress could effectively repolarize M2-TAMs under hypoxia, which not only filled the current gap in regulating the biological repolarization of macrophages under hypoxia but provided a meaningful reference for the clinical immunotherapy of sensitized anti-PD-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengshi Jiang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
| | - Junlei Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
| | - Yichao Lu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
| | - Yingying Shi
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
| | - Chunqi Zhu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
| | - Yu Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
| | - Bing Qin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
| | - Zhenyu Luo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
| | - Yongzhong Du
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
| | - Lihua Luo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
| | - Ling Peng
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P. R. China
| | - Jian You
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China
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14
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Sorg UR, Küpper N, Mock J, Tersteegen A, Petzsch P, Köhrer K, Hehlgans T, Pfeffer K. Lymphotoxin-β-receptor (LTβR) signaling on hepatocytes is required for liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Biol Chem 2021; 402:1147-1154. [PMID: 34087963 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2021-0152] [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: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Lymphotoxin-β-receptor deficient (LTβR-/-) and Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor p55 deficient (TNFRp55-/-) mice show defects in liver regeneration (LR) after partial hepatectomy (PHx) with significantly increased mortality. LTβR and TNFRp55 belong to the core members of the TNF/TNFR superfamily. Interestingly, combined failure of LTβR and TNFRp55 signaling after PHx leads to a complete defect in LR. Here, we first addressed the question which liver cell population crucially requires LTβR signaling for efficient LR. To this end, mice with a conditionally targeted LTβR allele (LTβRfl/fl) were crossed to AlbuminCre and LysozymeMCre mouse lines to unravel the function of the LTβR on hepatocytes and monocytes/macrophages/Kupffer cells, respectively. Analysis of these mouse lines clearly reveals that LTβR is required on hepatocytes for efficient LR while no deficit in LR was found in LTβRfl/fl × LysMCre mice. Second, the molecular basis for the cooperating role of LTβR and TNFRp55 signaling pathways in LR was investigated by transcriptome analysis of etanercept treated LTβR-/- (LTβR-/-/ET) mice. Bioinformatic analysis and subsequent verification by qRT-PCR identified novel target genes (Cyclin-L2, Fas-Binding factor 1, interferon-related developmental regulator 1, Leucyl-tRNA Synthetase 2, and galectin-4) that are upregulated by LTβR/TNFRp55 signaling after PHx and fail to be upregulated after PHx in LTβR-/-/ET mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula R Sorg
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nicole Küpper
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Mock
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Anne Tersteegen
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Current address: Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Petzsch
- Biological and Medical Research Center (BMFZ), Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Universitätsstraße 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Karl Köhrer
- Biological and Medical Research Center (BMFZ), Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Universitätsstraße 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Hehlgans
- Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI), Regensburg University, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Pfeffer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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Flessa CM, Kyrou I, Nasiri-Ansari N, Kaltsas G, Papavassiliou AG, Kassi E, Randeva HS. Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autophagy in the Pathogenesis of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Current Evidence and Perspectives. Curr Obes Rep 2021; 10:134-161. [PMID: 33751456 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-021-00431-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease with rising prevalence worldwide. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge supporting the role of ER stress and autophagy processes in NAFLD pathogenesis and progression. We also highlight the interrelation between these two pathways and the impact of ER stress and autophagy modulators on NAFLD treatment. RECENT FINDINGS The pathophysiological mechanisms involved in NAFLD progression are currently under investigation. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the concomitant unfolded protein response (UPR) seem to contribute to its pathogenesis mainly due to high ER content in the liver which exerts significant metabolic functions and can be dysregulated. Furthermore, disruption of autophagy processes has also been identified in NAFLD. The crucial role of these two pathways in NAFLD is underlined by the fact that they have recently emerged as promising targets of therapeutic interventions. There is a greater need for finding the natural/chemical compounds and drugs which can modulate the ER stress pathway and autophagy for the treatment of NAFLD. Clarifying the inter-relation between these two pathways and their interaction with inflammatory and apoptotic mechanisms will allow the development of additional therapeutic options which can better target and reprogram the underlying pathophysiological pathways, aiming to attenuate NAFLD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina-Maria Flessa
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Ioannis Kyrou
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
- Aston Medical Research Institute, Aston Medical School, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, B4 7ET, Birmingham, UK
- Division of Translational and Experimental Medicine, Metabolic and Vascular Health, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Narjes Nasiri-Ansari
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Gregory Kaltsas
- Endocrine Unit, 1st Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios G Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Eva Kassi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece.
- Endocrine Unit, 1st Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece.
| | - Harpal S Randeva
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK.
- Division of Translational and Experimental Medicine, Metabolic and Vascular Health, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
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16
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Balgoma D, Kullenberg F, Calitz C, Kopsida M, Heindryckx F, Lennernäs H, Hedeland M. Anthracyclins Increase PUFAs: Potential Implications in ER Stress and Cell Death. Cells 2021; 10:1163. [PMID: 34064765 PMCID: PMC8151859 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic and personalized interventions in cancer treatment require a better understanding of the relationship between the induction of cell death and metabolism. Consequently, we treated three primary liver cancer cell lines with two anthracyclins (doxorubicin and idarubin) and studied the changes in the lipidome. We found that both anthracyclins in the three cell lines increased the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and alkylacylglycerophosphoethanolamines (etherPEs) with PUFAs. As PUFAs and alkylacylglycerophospholipids with PUFAs are fundamental in lipid peroxidation during ferroptotic cell death, our results suggest supplementation with PUFAs and/or etherPEs with PUFAs as a potential general adjuvant of anthracyclins. In contrast, neither the markers of de novo lipogenesis nor cholesterol lipids presented the same trend in all cell lines and treatments. In agreement with previous research, this suggests that modulation of the metabolism of cholesterol could be considered a specific adjuvant of anthracyclins depending on the type of tumor and the individual. Finally, in agreement with previous research, we found a relationship across the different cell types between: (i) the change in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and (ii) the imbalance between PUFAs and cholesterol and saturated lipids. In the light of previous research, this imbalance partially explains the sensitivity to anthracyclins of the different cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that the modulation of different lipid metabolic pathways may be considered for generalized and personalized metabochemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Balgoma
- Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Fredrik Kullenberg
- Translational Drug Development and Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (F.K.); (H.L.)
| | - Carlemi Calitz
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (C.C.); (M.K.); (F.H.)
| | - Maria Kopsida
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (C.C.); (M.K.); (F.H.)
| | - Femke Heindryckx
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (C.C.); (M.K.); (F.H.)
| | - Hans Lennernäs
- Translational Drug Development and Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (F.K.); (H.L.)
| | - Mikael Hedeland
- Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden;
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Bloomer SA, Moyer ED. Hepatic macrophage accumulation with aging: cause for concern? Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G496-G505. [PMID: 33470190 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00286.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Aging is associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation that adversely affects physiological function. The liver regulates systemic inflammation; it is a source of cytokine production and also scavenges bacteria from the portal circulation to prevent infection of other organs. The cells with primary roles in these functions, hepatic macrophages, become more numerous in the liver with "normal" aging (i.e., in the absence of disease). Here, we demonstrate evidence and potential mechanisms for this phenomenon, which include augmented tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in the liver. Also, we discuss how an age-related impairment in autophagy within macrophages leads to a pro-oxidative state and ensuing production of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin 6 (IL-6). Given that the liver is a rich source of macrophages, we posit that it represents a major source of the elevated systemic IL-6 observed with aging, which is associated with physiological dysfunction. Testing a causal role for liver macrophage production of IL-6 during aging remains a challenge, yet interventions that have targeted macrophages and/or IL-6 have demonstrated promise in treating age-related diseases. These studies have demonstrated an age-related, deleterious reprogramming of macrophage function, which worsens pathology. Therefore, hepatic macrophage accrual is indeed a cause for concern, and therapies that attenuate the aged phenotype of macrophages will likely prove useful in promoting healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Bloomer
- Division of Science and Engineering, Penn State Abington, Abington, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric D Moyer
- Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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Characterization of the inflammatory microenvironment and hepatic macrophage subsets in experimental hepatocellular carcinoma models. Oncotarget 2021; 12:562-577. [PMID: 33796224 PMCID: PMC7984829 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. HCC typically develops on a background of chronic inflammation and fibrosis with tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) playing an important role in chronic inflammation-induced HCC and progression. However, the liver harbors unique macrophages, resident liver Kupffer cells (KCs) and monocyte-derived macrophages (Mo-Mφ), and their contribution to HCC and to the population of TAMs is incompletely known. Here, we characterized the tumor microenvironment and the proportion and transcriptional profile of hepatic macrophages (Mφ) in two commonly used HCC mouse models. A gradually increased expression of inflammatory, immune regulatory, fibrotic and cell proliferation pathways and markers was observed during diethylnitrosamine (DEN)- and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-induced HCC development. The transcriptional phenotypes of isolated hepatic Mφ subsets were clearly distinct and shifted during HCC development, with mixed pro-inflammatory and tumor-promoting expression profiles. There were marked differences between the models as well, with Mφ in NASH-HCC exhibiting a more immunomodulatory phenotype, in conjunction with an upregulation of lipid metabolism genes. Our data show that at least some infiltrated macrophages display expression of pro-tumoral markers, and that Kupffer cells are part of the population of TAMs and enhance tumor progression. These insights are useful to further unravel sequential pathogenic events during hepatocarcinogenesis and direct future development of new treatment strategies for HCC.
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Pavlović N, Kopsida M, Gerwins P, Heindryckx F. Inhibiting P2Y12 in Macrophages Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Promotes an Anti-Tumoral Phenotype. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218177. [PMID: 33142937 PMCID: PMC7672568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The P2Y12 receptor is an adenosine diphosphate responsive G protein-coupled receptor expressed on the surface of platelets and is the pharmacologic target of several anti-thrombotic agents. In this study, we use liver samples from mice with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma to show that P2Y12 is expressed by macrophages in the liver. Using in vitro methods, we show that inhibition of P2Y12 with ticagrelor enhances tumor cell phagocytosis by macrophages and induces an anti-tumoral phenotype. Treatment with ticagrelor also increases the expression of several actors of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathways, suggesting activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Inhibiting the UPR with tauroursodeoxycholic acid (Tudca) diminishes the pro-phagocytotic effect of ticagrelor, thereby indicating that P2Y12 mediates macrophage function through activation of ER stress pathways. This could be relevant in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease and cancer, as macrophages are considered key players in these inflammation-driven pathologies.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cholagogues and Choleretics/pharmacology
- Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects
- Humans
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/metabolism
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/pathology
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/prevention & control
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/prevention & control
- Macrophages/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists/pharmacology
- Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12/chemistry
- Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12/metabolism
- Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid/pharmacology
- Ticagrelor/pharmacology
- Unfolded Protein Response/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataša Pavlović
- Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden; (N.P.); (M.K.); (P.G.)
| | - Maria Kopsida
- Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden; (N.P.); (M.K.); (P.G.)
| | - Pär Gerwins
- Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden; (N.P.); (M.K.); (P.G.)
- Radiology, Uppsala University Hospital, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Femke Heindryckx
- Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden; (N.P.); (M.K.); (P.G.)
- Correspondence:
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20
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Xu L, Zhang Y, Chen J, Xu Y. Thrombospondin-1: A Key Protein That Induces Fibrosis in Diabetic Complications. J Diabetes Res 2020; 2020:8043135. [PMID: 32626782 PMCID: PMC7306092 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8043135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis accompanies most common pathophysiological features of diabetes complications in different organs. It is characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, the response to which contributes to inevitable organ injury. The extracellular protein thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a kind of extracellular glycoprotein, is upregulated by the increased activity of some transcription factors and results in fibrosis by activating multiple pathways in diabetes. The results of studies from our team and other colleagues indicate that TSP-1 is associated with the pathological process leading to diabetic complications and is considered to be the most important factor in fibrosis. This review summarizes the molecular mechanism of increased TSP-1 induced by hyperglycemia and the role of TSP-1 in fibrosis during the development of diabetes complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linhao Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310006 Zhejiang, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310053 Zhejiang, China
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006 Zhejiang, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310053 Zhejiang, China
| | - Yizhou Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310006 Zhejiang, China
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