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Vestal KA, Kattamuri C, Koyiloth M, Ongaro L, Howard JA, Deaton AM, Ticau S, Dubey A, Bernard DJ, Thompson TB. Activin E is a transforming growth factor β ligand that signals specifically through activin receptor-like kinase 7. Biochem J 2024; 481:547-564. [PMID: 38533769 PMCID: PMC11088876 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230404] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Activins are one of the three distinct subclasses within the greater Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily. First discovered for their critical roles in reproductive biology, activins have since been shown to alter cellular differentiation and proliferation. At present, members of the activin subclass include activin A (ActA), ActB, ActC, ActE, and the more distant members myostatin and GDF11. While the biological roles and signaling mechanisms of most activins class members have been well-studied, the signaling potential of ActE has remained largely unknown. Here, we characterized the signaling capacity of homodimeric ActE. Molecular modeling of the ligand:receptor complexes showed that ActC and ActE shared high similarity in both the type I and type II receptor binding epitopes. ActE signaled specifically through ALK7, utilized the canonical activin type II receptors, ActRIIA and ActRIIB, and was resistant to the extracellular antagonists follistatin and WFIKKN. In mature murine adipocytes, ActE invoked a SMAD2/3 response via ALK7, like ActC. Collectively, our results establish ActE as a specific signaling ligand which activates the type I receptor, ALK7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie A. Vestal
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, U.S.A
| | - Chandramohan Kattamuri
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, U.S.A
| | - Muhasin Koyiloth
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, U.S.A
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - James A. Howard
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, U.S.A
| | | | | | - Aditi Dubey
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A
| | - Daniel J. Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Thomas B. Thompson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, U.S.A
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2
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Mekala S, Rai R, Reed SL, Bowen B, Michalopoulos GK, Locker J, Raeman R, Oertel M. Antagonizing Activin A/p15 INK4b Signaling as Therapeutic Strategy for Liver Disease. Cells 2024; 13:649. [PMID: 38607090 PMCID: PMC11011318 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070649] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Activin A is involved in the pathogenesis of human liver diseases, but its therapeutic targeting is not fully explored. Here, we tested the effect of novel, highly specific small-molecule-based activin A antagonists (NUCC-474/555) in improving liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy and halting fibrosis progression in models of chronic liver diseases (CLDs). METHODS Cell toxicity of antagonists was determined in rat hepatocytes and Huh-7 cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were treated with activin A and NUCC-555 and analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Partial hepatectomized Fisher (F)344 rats were treated with NUCC-555, and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation was determined at 18/24/36/120/240 h. NUCC-555 was administered into thioacetamide- or carbon tetrachloride-treated F344 rats or C57BL/6 mice, and the fibrosis progression was studied. RESULTS NUCC-474 showed higher cytotoxicity in cultured hepatic cells; therefore, NUCC-555 was used in subsequent studies. Activin A-stimulated overexpression of cell cycle-/senescence-related genes (e.g., p15INK4b, DEC1, Glb1) was near-completely reversed by NUCC-555 in hepatocytes. Activin A-mediated HSC activation was blocked by NUCC-555. In partial hepatectomized rats, antagonizing activin A signaling resulted in a 1.9-fold and 2.3-fold increase in BrdU+ cells at 18 and 24 h, respectively. Administration of NUCC-555 in rats and mice with progressing fibrosis significantly reduced collagen accumulation (7.9-fold), HSC activation indicated by reduced alpha smooth muscle actin+ and vimentin+ cells, and serum aminotransferase activity. CONCLUSIONS Our studies demonstrate that activin A antagonist NUCC-555 promotes liver regeneration and halts fibrosis progression in CLD models, suggesting that blocking activin A signaling may represent a new approach to treating people with CLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sowmya Mekala
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
| | - Ravi Rai
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
| | - Samantha Loretta Reed
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
| | - Bill Bowen
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
| | - George K. Michalopoulos
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center (PLRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Joseph Locker
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center (PLRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Reben Raeman
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center (PLRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Michael Oertel
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center (PLRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
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3
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Griffin JD, Buxton JM, Culver JA, Barnes R, Jordan EA, White AR, Flaherty SE, Bernardo B, Ross T, Bence KK, Birnbaum MJ. Hepatic Activin E mediates liver-adipose inter-organ communication, suppressing adipose lipolysis in response to elevated serum fatty acids. Mol Metab 2023; 78:101830. [PMID: 38787338 PMCID: PMC10656223 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The liver is a central regulator of energy metabolism exerting its influence both through intrinsic processing of substrates such as glucose and fatty acid as well as by secreting endocrine factors, known as hepatokines, which influence metabolism in peripheral tissues. Human genome wide association studies indicate that a predicted loss-of-function variant in the Inhibin βE gene (INHBE), encoding the putative hepatokine Activin E, is associated with reduced abdominal fat mass and cardiometabolic disease risk. However, the regulation of hepatic Activin E and the influence of Activin E on adiposity and metabolic disease are not well understood. Here, we examine the relationship between hepatic Activin E and adipose metabolism, testing the hypothesis that Activin E functions as part of a liver-adipose, inter-organ feedback loop to suppress adipose tissue lipolysis in response to elevated serum fatty acids and hepatic fatty acid exposure. METHODS The relationship between hepatic Activin E and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) released from adipose lipolysis was assessed in vivo using fasted CL 316,243 treated mice and in vitro using Huh7 hepatocytes treated with fatty acids. The influence of Activin E on adipose lipolysis was examined using a combination of Inhbe knockout mice, a mouse model of hepatocyte-specific overexpression of Activin E, and mouse brown adipocytes treated with Activin E enriched media. RESULTS Increasing hepatocyte NEFA exposure in vivo by inducing adipose lipolysis through fasting or CL 316,243 treatment increased hepatic Inhbe expression. Similarly, incubation of Huh7 human hepatocytes with fatty acids increased expression of INHBE. Genetic ablation of Inhbe in mice increased fasting circulating NEFA and hepatic triglyceride accumulation. Treatment of mouse brown adipocytes with Activin E conditioned media and overexpression of Activin E in mice suppressed adipose lipolysis and reduced serum FFA levels, respectively. The suppressive effects of Activin E on lipolysis were lost in CRISPR-mediated ALK7 deficient cells and ALK7 kinase deficient mice. Disruption of the Activin E-ALK7 signaling axis in Inhbe KO mice reduced adiposity upon HFD feeding, but caused hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our data suggest that Activin E functions as part of a liver-adipose feedback loop, such that in response to increased serum free fatty acids and elevated hepatic triglyceride, Activin E is released from hepatocytes and signals in adipose through ALK7 to suppress lipolysis, thereby reducing free fatty acid efflux to the liver and preventing excessive hepatic lipid accumulation. We find that disrupting this Activin E-ALK7 inter-organ communication network by ablation of Inhbe in mice increases lipolysis and reduces adiposity, but results in elevated hepatic triglyceride and impaired insulin sensitivity. These results highlight the liver-adipose, Activin E-ALK7 signaling axis as a critical regulator of metabolic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Griffin
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc.,1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Joanne M Buxton
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc.,1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Culver
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc.,1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Robert Barnes
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc.,1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Emily A Jordan
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc.,1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Alexis R White
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc.,1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Stephen E Flaherty
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc.,1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Barbara Bernardo
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc.,1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Trenton Ross
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc.,1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kendra K Bence
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc.,1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Morris J Birnbaum
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Inc.,1 Portland Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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4
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Mitaka T, Ichinohe N, Tanimizu N. "Small Hepatocytes" in the Liver. Cells 2023; 12:2718. [PMID: 38067145 PMCID: PMC10705974 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232718] [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: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mature hepatocytes (MHs) in an adult rodent liver are categorized into the following three subpopulations based on their proliferative capability: type I cells (MH-I), which are committed progenitor cells that possess a high growth capability and basal hepatocytic functions; type II cells (MH-II), which possess a limited proliferative capability; and type III cells (MH-III), which lose the ability to divide (replicative senescence) and reach the final differentiated state. These subpopulations may explain the liver's development and growth after birth. Generally, small-sized hepatocytes emerge in mammal livers. The cells are characterized by being morphologically identical to hepatocytes except for their size, which is substantially smaller than that of ordinary MHs. We initially discovered small hepatocytes (SHs) in the primary culture of rat hepatocytes. We believe that SHs are derived from MH-I and play a role as hepatocytic progenitors to supply MHs. The population of MH-I (SHs) is distributed in the whole lobules, a part of which possesses a self-renewal capability, and decreases with age. Conversely, injured livers of experimental models and clinical cases showed the emergence of SHs. Studies demonstrate the involvement of SHs in liver regeneration. SHs that appeared in the injured livers are not a pure population but a mixture of two distinct origins, MH-derived and hepatic-stem-cell-derived cells. The predominant cell-derived SHs depend on the proliferative capability of the remaining MHs after the injury. This review will focus on the SHs that appeared in the liver and discuss the significance of SHs in liver regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiro Mitaka
- Department of Tissue Development and Regeneration, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (N.I.); (N.T.)
| | - Norihisa Ichinohe
- Department of Tissue Development and Regeneration, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (N.I.); (N.T.)
| | - Naoki Tanimizu
- Department of Tissue Development and Regeneration, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (N.I.); (N.T.)
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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5
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Wiszpolska M, Lepiarczyk E, Maździarz MA, Paukszto Ł, Makowczenko KG, Lipka A, Łopieńska-Biernat E, Makowska K, Gonkowski S, Correia-de-Sá P, Majewska M. The Carcinogenic Potential of Bisphenol A in the Liver Based on Transcriptomic Studies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5014. [PMID: 37894381 PMCID: PMC10605469 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental toxin widely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics. A correlation exists between BPA tissue contamination and the occurrence of pathological conditions, including cancer. First-passage detoxification of high BPA amounts in the liver promotes hepatotoxicity and morphological alterations of this organ, but there is a lack of knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena. This prompted us to investigate changes in the liver transcriptomics of 3-month-old female mice exposed to BPA (50 mg/kg) in drinking water for 3 months. Five female mice served as controls. The animals were euthanized, the livers were collected, and RNA was extracted to perform RNA-seq analysis. The multistep transcriptomic bioinformatics revealed 120 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the BPA-exposed samples. Gene Ontology (GO) annotations indicated that DEGs have been assigned to many biological processes, including "macromolecule modification" and "protein metabolic process". Several of the revealed DEGs have been linked to the pathogenesis of severe metabolic liver disorders and malignant tumors, in particular hepatocellular carcinoma. Data from this study suggest that BPA has a significant impact on gene expression in the liver, which is predictive of the carcinogenic potential of this compound in this organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Wiszpolska
- Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Ewa Lepiarczyk
- Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Mateusz A Maździarz
- Department of Botany and Nature Protection, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Łukasz Paukszto
- Department of Botany and Nature Protection, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Karol G Makowczenko
- Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of PAS, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Lipka
- Institute of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Elżbieta Łopieńska-Biernat
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Krystyna Makowska
- Department of Clinical Diagnostics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-957 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Sławomir Gonkowski
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-957 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Paulo Correia-de-Sá
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia, Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines (MedInUP), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Majewska
- Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
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6
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Vestal KA, Kattamuri C, Koyiloth M, Ongaro L, Howard JA, Deaton A, Ticau S, Dubey A, Bernard DJ, Thompson TB. Activin E is a TGFβ ligand that signals specifically through activin receptor-like kinase 7. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.25.559288. [PMID: 37808681 PMCID: PMC10557571 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.25.559288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Activins are one of the three distinct subclasses within the greater Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) superfamily. First discovered for their critical roles in reproductive biology, activins have since been shown to alter cellular differentiation and proliferation. At present, members of the activin subclass include activin A (ActA), ActB, ActC, ActE, and the more distant members myostatin and GDF11. While the biological roles and signaling mechanisms of most activins class members have been well-studied, the signaling potential of ActE has remained largely unknown. Here, we characterized the signaling capacity of homodimeric ActE. Molecular modeling of the ligand:receptor complexes showed that ActC and ActE shared high similarity in both the type I and type II receptor binding epitopes. ActE signaled specifically through ALK7, utilized the canonical activin type II receptors, ActRIIA and ActRIIB, and was resistant to the extracellular antagonists follistatin and WFIKKN. In mature murine adipocytes, ActE invoked a SMAD2/3 response via ALK7, similar to ActC. Collectively, our results establish ActE as an ALK7 ligand, thereby providing a link between genetic and in vivo studies of ActE as a regulator of adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie A Vestal
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Chandramohan Kattamuri
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Muhasin Koyiloth
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Luisina Ongaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - James A Howard
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | | | | | | | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Thomas B Thompson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
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7
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Fattahi P, de Hoyos-Vega JM, Choi JH, Duffy CD, Gonzalez-Suarez AM, Ishida Y, Nguyen KM, Gwon K, Peterson QP, Saito T, Stybayeva G, Revzin A. Guiding Hepatic Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells Using 3D Microfluidic Co-Cultures with Human Hepatocytes. Cells 2023; 12:1982. [PMID: 37566061 PMCID: PMC10417547 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are capable of unlimited proliferation and can undergo differentiation to give rise to cells and tissues of the three primary germ layers. While directing lineage selection of hPSCs has been an active area of research, improving the efficiency of differentiation remains an important objective. In this study, we describe a two-compartment microfluidic device for co-cultivation of adult human hepatocytes and stem cells. Both cell types were cultured in a 3D or spheroid format. Adult hepatocytes remained highly functional in the microfluidic device over the course of 4 weeks and served as a source of instructive paracrine cues to drive hepatic differentiation of stem cells cultured in the neighboring compartment. The differentiation of stem cells was more pronounced in microfluidic co-cultures compared to a standard hepatic differentiation protocol. In addition to improving stem cell differentiation outcomes, the microfluidic co-culture system described here may be used for parsing signals and mechanisms controlling hepatic cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pouria Fattahi
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (P.F.); (J.M.d.H.-V.); (J.H.C.); (C.D.D.); (A.M.G.-S.); (K.M.N.); (K.G.); (Q.P.P.); (G.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jose M. de Hoyos-Vega
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (P.F.); (J.M.d.H.-V.); (J.H.C.); (C.D.D.); (A.M.G.-S.); (K.M.N.); (K.G.); (Q.P.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Jong Hoon Choi
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (P.F.); (J.M.d.H.-V.); (J.H.C.); (C.D.D.); (A.M.G.-S.); (K.M.N.); (K.G.); (Q.P.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Caden D. Duffy
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (P.F.); (J.M.d.H.-V.); (J.H.C.); (C.D.D.); (A.M.G.-S.); (K.M.N.); (K.G.); (Q.P.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Alan M. Gonzalez-Suarez
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (P.F.); (J.M.d.H.-V.); (J.H.C.); (C.D.D.); (A.M.G.-S.); (K.M.N.); (K.G.); (Q.P.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Yuji Ishida
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (Y.I.); (T.S.)
- Research and Development Unit, PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., Higashi-Hiroshima 739-0046, Japan
| | - Kianna M. Nguyen
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (P.F.); (J.M.d.H.-V.); (J.H.C.); (C.D.D.); (A.M.G.-S.); (K.M.N.); (K.G.); (Q.P.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Kihak Gwon
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (P.F.); (J.M.d.H.-V.); (J.H.C.); (C.D.D.); (A.M.G.-S.); (K.M.N.); (K.G.); (Q.P.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Quinn P. Peterson
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (P.F.); (J.M.d.H.-V.); (J.H.C.); (C.D.D.); (A.M.G.-S.); (K.M.N.); (K.G.); (Q.P.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Takeshi Saito
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (Y.I.); (T.S.)
| | - Gulnaz Stybayeva
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (P.F.); (J.M.d.H.-V.); (J.H.C.); (C.D.D.); (A.M.G.-S.); (K.M.N.); (K.G.); (Q.P.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Alexander Revzin
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (P.F.); (J.M.d.H.-V.); (J.H.C.); (C.D.D.); (A.M.G.-S.); (K.M.N.); (K.G.); (Q.P.P.); (G.S.)
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8
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Hamang M, Yaden B, Dai G. Gastrointestinal pharmacology activins in liver health and disease. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 214:115668. [PMID: 37364623 PMCID: PMC11234865 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115668] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Activins are a subgroup of the TGFβ superfamily of growth and differentiation factors, dimeric in nature and consisting of two inhibin beta subunits linked via a disulfide bridge. Canonical activin signaling occurs through Smad2/3, with negative feedback initiated by Smad6/7 following signal transduction, which binds activin type I receptor preventing phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and activation of downstream signaling. In addition to Smad6/7, other inhibitors of activin signaling have been identified as well, including inhibins (dimers of an inhibin alpha and beta subunit), BAMBI, Cripto, follistatin, and follistatin-like 3 (fstl3). To date, activins A, B, AB, C, and E have been identified and isolated in mammals, with activin A and B having the most characterization of biological activity. Activin A has been implicated as a regulator of several important functions of liver biology, including hepatocyte proliferation and apoptosis, ECM production, and liver regeneration; the role of other subunits of activin in liver physiology are less understood. There is mounting data to suggest a link between dysregulation of activins contributing to various hepatic diseases such as inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and emerging studies demonstrating the protective and regenerative effects of inhibiting activins in mouse models of liver disease. Due to their importance in liver biology, activins demonstrate utility as a therapeutic target for the treatment of hepatic diseases such as cirrhosis, NASH, NAFLD, and HCC; further research regarding activins may provide diagnostic or therapeutic opportunity for those suffering from various liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Hamang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - Benjamin Yaden
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - Guoli Dai
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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Payano VJH, Lopes LVDA, Peixoto LR, Silva KAD, Ortiga-Carvalho TM, Tafuri A, Vago AR, Bloise E. Immunostaining of βA-Activin and Follistatin Is Decreased in HPV(+) Cervical Pre-Neoplastic and Neoplastic Lesions. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051031. [PMID: 37243119 DOI: 10.3390/v15051031] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The activin-follistatin system regulates several cellular processes, including differentiation and tumorigenesis. We hypothesized that the immunostaining of βA-activin and follistatin varies in neoplastic cervical lesions. Cervical paraffin-embedded tissues from 162 patients sorted in control (n = 15), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1 (n = 38), CIN2 (n = 37), CIN3 (n = 39), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; n = 33) groups were examined for βA-activin and follistatin immunostaining. Human papillomavirus (HPV) detection and genotyping were performed by PCR and immunohistochemistry. Sixteen samples were inconclusive for HPV detection. In total, 93% of the specimens exhibited HPV positivity, which increased with patient age. The most detected high-risk (HR)-HPV type was HPV16 (41.2%) followed by HPV18 (16%). The immunostaining of cytoplasmatic βA-activin and follistatin was higher than nuclear immunostaining in all cervical epithelium layers of the CIN1, CIN2, CIN3, and SCC groups. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the cytoplasmic and nuclear immunostaining of βA-activin was detected in all cervical epithelial layers from the control to the CIN1, CIN2, CIN3, and SCC groups. Only nuclear follistatin immunostaining exhibited a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in specific epithelial layers of cervical tissues from CIN1, CIN2, CIN3, and SCC compared to the control. Decreased immunostaining of cervical βA-activin and follistatin at specific stages of CIN progression suggests that the activin-follistatin system participates in the loss of the differentiation control of pre-neoplastic and neoplastic cervical specimens predominantly positive for HPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Jesus Huaringa Payano
- Laboratório de Patogênese Molecular, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-910, MG, Brazil
| | - Lara Verônica de Araújo Lopes
- Laboratório de Patogênese Molecular, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-910, MG, Brazil
| | - Larissa Rodrigues Peixoto
- Laboratório de Patogênese Molecular, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-910, MG, Brazil
| | - Keila Alves da Silva
- Laboratório de Patogênese Molecular, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-910, MG, Brazil
| | - Tania Maria Ortiga-Carvalho
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Tafuri
- Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica Tafuri, Belo Horizonte 30170-133, MG, Brazil
| | - Annamaria Ravara Vago
- Laboratório de Patogênese Molecular, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-910, MG, Brazil
| | - Enrrico Bloise
- Laboratório de Patogênese Molecular, Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-910, MG, Brazil
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10
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Schon SB, Yang K, Schindler R, Jiang L, Neff LM, Seeley RJ, Marsh EE. Obesity-related alterations in protein expression in human follicular fluid from women undergoing in vitro fertilization. F&S SCIENCE 2022; 3:331-339. [PMID: 36096447 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the proteomic composition of follicular fluid from women with normal weight vs. women with obesity but without a history of polycystic ovary syndrome or known ovarian dysfunction undergoing in vitro fertilization. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Academic medical center. PATIENT(S) Eight women with normal weight and 8 women with obesity undergoing in vitro fertilization and without a history of polycystic ovary syndrome, ovulatory dysfunction, diminished ovarian reserve, or known endometriosis were included in the analysis. INTERVENTION(S) Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Proteomic assessment using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. RESULT(S) The mean age of women with normal weight was similar to that of women with obesity (32.9 vs. 32.6 years, not significant). The mean body mass index of women with normal weight was 21.2 kg/m2 compared with a body mass index of 37.1 kg/m2 in women with obesity. A total of 1,174 proteins were identified with ≥2 peptides present. Twenty-five proteins were found to be significantly altered in the follicular fluid from women with obesity. Of these 25 proteins, 19 were up-regulated and 6 were down-regulated. Notably, C-reactive protein was 11-fold higher in the follicular fluid from women with obesity than in the follicular fluid from women with normal weight. CONCLUSION(S) Obesity is associated with dysregulation at the level of the follicle, including alterations in proteins related to inflammation and metabolism. These include proteins with emerging roles in energy homeostasis and follicular regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha B Schon
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Kun Yang
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ronald Schindler
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Li Jiang
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Randy J Seeley
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Erica E Marsh
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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11
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Yu W, He G, Zhang W, Ye Z, Zhong Z, Huang S. INHBB is a novel prognostic biomarker and correlated with immune infiltrates in gastric cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:933862. [PMID: 36118865 PMCID: PMC9478859 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.933862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibin subunit beta B (INHBB) is a potential prognostic biomarker for a variety of cancers. However, its role in gastric cancer (GC) remains elusive. The differential expression data of INHBB in tumor and normal tissues were extracted from several databases and genetic alterations of INHBB were assessed by cBioPortal. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the survival rate of patients with GC with INHBB and association with clinical features in GC. Cox regression analysis was used to explore the prognostic value of clinical indicators and INHBB in GC, and a nomogram prognostic model was established. In addition, the predictive validity of the nomogram model was assessed by time-depended receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and calibration curves. Functional enrichment analyses were conducted to functionally annotate INHBB. Notably, we found that the quantitative assessment of immune cell subpopulation infiltration correlated with INHBB expression. INHBB expression is upregulated in GC and is correlated with several clinical features including prognostic indicators and a histological type. Genetic alterations were observed in INHBB, its DNA methylation level was negatively correlated with INHBB expression. High INHBB expression is associated with a poor prognosis and is an independent risk factor for prognosis in GC, along with age and residual tumor. The nomogram model showed a good prediction ability and was validated by time-depended ROC and calibration curves. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that INHBB-associated genes were enriched in tumor microenvironment Gene Ontology (GO) terms and were correlated with tumor-associated pathways. INHBB has a regulatory function in immune cell infiltration, especially macrophage infiltration in GC. Specifically, patients with GC with high INHBB expression and high macrophage infiltration have a worse prognosis. INHBB expression was negatively correlated with the expression of chemokines/chemokine receptors and plays a regulatory role in immunoinhibitor/immunostimulator-involved pathways. INHBB is a potential prognostic biomarker for GC and may drive the abnormal activity of critical cancer-associated pathways, potentially contributing to immune cell infiltration to promote GC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifeng Yu
- Gastroenterology Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Gastroenterology Department, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guihua He
- Gastroenterology Department, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wang Zhang
- Gastroenterology Department, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenhao Ye
- Gastroenterology Department, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zishao Zhong
- Gastroenterology Department, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zishao Zhong, ; Suiping Huang,
| | - Suiping Huang
- Gastroenterology Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Gastroenterology Department, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zishao Zhong, ; Suiping Huang,
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12
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Cambuli F, Foletto V, Alaimo A, De Felice D, Gandolfi F, Palumbieri MD, Zaffagni M, Genovesi S, Lorenzoni M, Celotti M, Bertossio E, Mazzero G, Bertossi A, Bisio A, Berardinelli F, Antoccia A, Gaspari M, Barbareschi M, Fiorentino M, Shen MM, Loda M, Romanel A, Lunardi A. Intra-epithelial non-canonical Activin A signaling safeguards prostate progenitor quiescence. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e54049. [PMID: 35253958 PMCID: PMC9066067 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202154049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The healthy prostate is a relatively quiescent tissue. Yet, prostate epithelium overgrowth is a common condition during aging, associated with urinary dysfunction and tumorigenesis. For over thirty years, TGF-β ligands have been known to induce cytostasis in a variety of epithelia, but the intracellular pathway mediating this signal in the prostate, and its relevance for quiescence, have remained elusive. Here, using mouse prostate organoids to model epithelial progenitors, we find that intra-epithelial non-canonical Activin A signaling inhibits cell proliferation in a Smad-independent manner. Mechanistically, Activin A triggers Tak1 and p38 ΜAPK activity, leading to p16 and p21 nuclear import. Spontaneous evasion from this quiescent state occurs upon prolonged culture, due to reduced Activin A secretion, a condition associated with DNA replication stress and aneuploidy. Organoids capable to escape quiescence in vitro are also able to implant with increased frequency into immunocompetent mice. This study demonstrates that non-canonical Activin A signaling safeguards epithelial quiescence in the healthy prostate, with potential implications for the understanding of cancer initiation, and the development of therapies targeting quiescent tumor progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Cambuli
- The Armenise‐Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & GeneticsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly,Department of Medicine, Genetics and DevelopmentUrologySystems BiologyHerbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer CenterColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA,Present address:
Molecular Pharmacology ProgramSloan Kettering InstituteMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Veronica Foletto
- The Armenise‐Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & GeneticsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Alessandro Alaimo
- The Armenise‐Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & GeneticsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Dario De Felice
- The Armenise‐Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & GeneticsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Francesco Gandolfi
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational GenomicsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Maria Dilia Palumbieri
- The Armenise‐Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & GeneticsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Michela Zaffagni
- The Armenise‐Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & GeneticsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Sacha Genovesi
- The Armenise‐Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & GeneticsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Marco Lorenzoni
- The Armenise‐Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & GeneticsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Martina Celotti
- The Armenise‐Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & GeneticsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Emiliana Bertossio
- The Armenise‐Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & GeneticsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | | | - Arianna Bertossi
- The Armenise‐Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & GeneticsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Alessandra Bisio
- The Armenise‐Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & GeneticsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Francesco Berardinelli
- Department of ScienceUniversity of Roma TreRomaItaly,Laboratory of Neurodevelopment, Neurogenetics and Molecular Neurobiology UnitIRCCS Santa Lucia FoundationRomaItaly
| | | | - Marco Gaspari
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of CatanzaroCatanzaroItaly
| | | | - Michelangelo Fiorentino
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty MedicineUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Michael M Shen
- Department of Medicine, Genetics and DevelopmentUrologySystems BiologyHerbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer CenterColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Massimo Loda
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineWeill Medical College of Cornell UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Alessandro Romanel
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational GenomicsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Andrea Lunardi
- The Armenise‐Harvard Laboratory of Cancer Biology & GeneticsDepartment of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)University of TrentoTrentoItaly
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13
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Petca A, Miron BC, Pacu I, Dumitrașcu MC, Mehedințu C, Șandru F, Petca RC, Rotar IC. HELLP Syndrome—Holistic Insight into Pathophysiology. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58020326. [PMID: 35208649 PMCID: PMC8875732 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58020326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
HELLP syndrome, also known as the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets, represents a severe pregnancy complication typically associated with hypertension. It is associated with increased risks of adverse complications for both mother and fetus. HELLP occurs in 0.2–0.8% of pregnancies, and, in 70–80% of cases, it coexists with preeclampsia (PE). Both of these conditions show a familial tendency. A woman with a history of HELLP pregnancy is at high risk for developing this entity in subsequent pregnancies. We cannot nominate a single worldwide genetic cause for the increased risk of HELLP. Combinations of multiple gene variants, each with a moderate risk, with concurrent maternal and environmental factors are thought to be the etiological mechanisms. This review highlights the significant role of understanding the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of HELLP syndrome. A better knowledge of the disease’s course supports early detection, an accurate diagnosis, and proper management of this life-threatening condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Petca
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (M.C.D.); (C.M.); (F.Ș.); (R.-C.P.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Elias University Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bianca Corina Miron
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (M.C.D.); (C.M.); (F.Ș.); (R.-C.P.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Elias University Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (B.C.M.); (I.P.); Tel.: +40-757-917889 (B.C.M.); +40-722-787327 (I.P.)
| | - Irina Pacu
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (M.C.D.); (C.M.); (F.Ș.); (R.-C.P.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Sf. Pantelimon” Emergency Clinical Hospital, 021623 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (B.C.M.); (I.P.); Tel.: +40-757-917889 (B.C.M.); +40-722-787327 (I.P.)
| | - Mihai Cristian Dumitrașcu
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (M.C.D.); (C.M.); (F.Ș.); (R.-C.P.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Emergency Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Claudia Mehedințu
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (M.C.D.); (C.M.); (F.Ș.); (R.-C.P.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Malaxa Clinical Hospital, 022441 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Florica Șandru
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (M.C.D.); (C.M.); (F.Ș.); (R.-C.P.)
- Department of Dermatology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Răzvan-Cosmin Petca
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.); (M.C.D.); (C.M.); (F.Ș.); (R.-C.P.)
- Department of Urology, “Prof. Dr. Th. Burghele” Clinical Hospital, 050659 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ioana Cristina Rotar
- “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emergency Clinical County Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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14
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Frias-Soler RC, Kelsey NA, Villarín Pildaín L, Wink M, Bairlein F. Transcriptome signature changes in the liver of a migratory passerine. Genomics 2022; 114:110283. [PMID: 35143886 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The liver plays a principal role in avian migration. Here, we characterised the liver transcriptome of a long-distance migrant, the Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe), sampled at different migratory stages, looking for molecular processes linked with adaptations to migration. The analysis of the differentially expressed genes suggested changes in the periods of the circadian rhythm, variation in the proportion of cells in G1/S cell-cycle stages and the putative polyploidization of this cell population. This may explain the dramatic increment in the liver's metabolic capacities towards migration. Additionally, genes involved in anti-oxidative stress, detoxification and innate immune responses, lipid metabolism, inflammation and angiogenesis were regulated. Lipophagy and lipid catabolism were active at all migratory stages and increased towards the fattening and fat periods, explaining the relevance of lipolysis in controlling steatosis and maintaining liver health. Our study clears the way for future functional studies regarding long-distance avian migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Carlos Frias-Soler
- Institute of Avian Research, An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386 Wilhelmshaven, Germany; Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Natalie A Kelsey
- Institute of Avian Research, An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386 Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
| | - Lilian Villarín Pildaín
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Wink
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Franz Bairlein
- Institute of Avian Research, An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386 Wilhelmshaven, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Am Obstberg 1, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany.
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15
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Klaus VS, Schriever SC, Monroy Kuhn JM, Peter A, Irmler M, Tokarz J, Prehn C, Kastenmüller G, Beckers J, Adamski J, Königsrainer A, Müller TD, Heni M, Tschöp MH, Pfluger PT, Lutter D. Correlation guided Network Integration (CoNI) reveals novel genes affecting hepatic metabolism. Mol Metab 2021; 53:101295. [PMID: 34271221 PMCID: PMC8361260 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Technological advances have brought a steady increase in the availability of various types of omics data, from genomics to metabolomics. Integrating these multi-omics data is a chance and challenge for systems biology; yet, tools to fully tap their potential remain scarce. Methods We present here a fully unsupervised and versatile correlation-based method – termed Correlation guided Network Integration (CoNI) – to integrate multi-omics data into a hypergraph structure that allows for the identification of effective modulators of metabolism. Our approach yields single transcripts of potential relevance that map to specific, densely connected, metabolic subgraphs or pathways. Results By applying our method on transcriptomics and metabolomics data from murine livers under standard Chow or high-fat diet, we identified eleven genes with potential regulatory effects on hepatic metabolism. Five candidates, including the hepatokine INHBE, were validated in human liver biopsies to correlate with diabetes-related traits such as overweight, hepatic fat content, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Conclusion Our method's successful application to an independent omics dataset confirmed that the novel CoNI framework is a transferable, entirely data-driven, flexible, and versatile tool for multiple omics data integration and interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina S Klaus
- Computational Discovery Research Unit, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; TUM School of Medicine, Neurobiology of Diabetes, Technical University Munich, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany
| | - Sonja C Schriever
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany; Research Unit Neurobiology of Diabetes, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - José Manuel Monroy Kuhn
- Computational Discovery Research Unit, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany
| | - Andreas Peter
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Irmler
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Janina Tokarz
- Research Unit Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Prehn
- Research Unit Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Gabi Kastenmüller
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Beckers
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; Chair of Experimental Genetics, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jerzy Adamski
- Research Unit Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Chair of Experimental Genetics, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Alfred Königsrainer
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Timo D Müller
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany; Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapy, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Eberhard Karls University Hospitals and Clinics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Heni
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Nephrology, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias H Tschöp
- TUM School of Medicine, Neurobiology of Diabetes, Technical University Munich, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany; Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Medicine, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Paul T Pfluger
- TUM School of Medicine, Neurobiology of Diabetes, Technical University Munich, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany; Research Unit Neurobiology of Diabetes, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Dominik Lutter
- Computational Discovery Research Unit, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany.
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16
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Liang TZ, Whang G, Chopra S. Primary hepatic carcinoma with inhibin positivity in a young male patient: a rare tumor previously only reported in females-case report and review of literature. Virchows Arch 2020; 478:605-610. [PMID: 32533342 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-020-02864-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Primary hepatic carcinoma with inhibin positivity is a rare aggressive liver tumor with seven cases described. The tumor presents at a younger age than primary hepatic carcinoma with all cases being females. RNA albumin ISH positivity suggests the tumor to be a primary hepatic carcinoma. The tumor is different from hepatocellular carcinoma as well as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma because of its distinct morphology, lack of hepatocellular differentiation, strong inhibin staining, and lack of typical mutations. A 26-year-old male presented with a 20-cm liver mass. The tumor progressed on therapy with development of multiple lung metastasis. Currently, the patient is enrolled in phase II clinical trial utilizing nivolumab and ipilumumab. While the tumor has a female preponderance, it is not exclusively found in females. Additional studies are necessary to determine the cause of inhibin staining, driving molecular alterations, natural history of this rare tumor, and to come up with consensus nomenclature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Z Liang
- Department of Pathology, Keck Medical Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gilbert Whang
- Department of Radiology, Keck Medical Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shefali Chopra
- Department of Pathology, Keck Medical Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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17
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Ríos-López DG, Aranda-López Y, Sosa-Garrocho M, Macías-Silva M. La plasticidad del hepatocito y su relevancia en la fisiología y la patología hepática. TIP REVISTA ESPECIALIZADA EN CIENCIAS QUÍMICO-BIOLÓGICAS 2020. [DOI: 10.22201/fesz.23958723e.2020.0.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
El hígado es uno de los principales órganos encargados de mantener la homeostasis en vertebrados, además de poseer una gran capacidad regenerativa. El hígado está constituido por diversos tipos celulares que de forma coordinada contribuyen para que el órgano funcione eficientemente. Los hepatocitos representan el tipo celular principal de este órgano y llevan a cabo la mayoría de sus actividades; además, constituyen una población heterogénea de células epiteliales con funciones especializadas en el metabolismo. El fenotipo de los hepatocitos está controlado por diferentes vías de señalización, como la vía del TGFβ/Smads, la ruta Hippo/YAP-TAZ y la vía Wnt/β-catenina, entre otras. Los hepatocitos son células que se encuentran normalmente en un estado quiescente, aunque cuentan con una plasticidad intrínseca que se manifiesta en respuesta a diversos daños en el hígado; así, estas células reactivan su capacidad proliferativa o cambian su fenotipo a través de procesos celulares como la transdiferenciación o la transformación, para contribuir a mantener la homeostasis del órgano en condiciones saludables o desarrollar diversas patologías.
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18
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barari A, Dehghani pour F, abdi A, farzanegi P. Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Resveratrol Supplementation on Plasma Level and Liver Expression of Activin A and Follistatin in a Rats with Nonalcoholic Fatty liver Disease. MEDICAL LABORATORY JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.29252/mlj.14.2.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
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19
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van Lieshout LCEW, Koek GH, Spaanderman MA, van Runnard Heimel PJ. Placenta derived factors involved in the pathogenesis of the liver in the syndrome of haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP): A review. Pregnancy Hypertens 2019; 18:42-48. [PMID: 31494464 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2019.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIM With this review we try to unravel if placenta-derived factors are able to initiate liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) decay in HELLP syndrome and eventually cause the development of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). BACKGROUND Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets (HELLP) syndrome is a severe complication of pregnancy. It is characterized by elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count and haemolytic anaemia. The risk of developing HELLP syndrome within a pregnancy is 0.1-0.8%. The mortality rate among women with HELLP syndrome is 0-24% and the perinatal death goes up to 37%. The aetiology of HELLP syndrome is not fully understood but the pathogenesis of the liver pathology in the HELLP syndrome resembles that of a SOS with endothelial damage of the LSECs which ultimately leads to liver failure. OBJECTIVES We hypothesize that placenta derived factors cause LSEC damage and thereby liver dysfunction. METHODS We searched in the PubMed database for relevant articles about placenta derived factors involved in endothelial activation especially in the liver. We yielded eventually 55 relevant articles. RESULTS Based on this literature search we associate that in HELLP syndrome there is an increase of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFR), soluble endoglin (sEng), galectin-1 (Gal-1), endothelin-1 (ET-1), Angiopoietin 2 (Angs-2), Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), activin B, inhibin A, Fas ligand (FasL) and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70). CONCLUSION We assume that these eleven increased placenta derived factors are responsible for LSEC damage which eventually leads to liver failure. This concept shows a possible design of the complicated pathophysiology in HELLP syndrome. However further research is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C E W van Lieshout
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
| | - G H Koek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Netherlands; Department of Surgery, Klinikum RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - M A Spaanderman
- Department of Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Netherlands
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20
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Sekiyama K, Ushiro Y, Kurisaki A, Funaba M, Hashimoto O. Activin E enhances insulin sensitivity and thermogenesis by activating brown/beige adipocytes. J Vet Med Sci 2019; 81:646-652. [PMID: 30880304 PMCID: PMC6541856 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.19-0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin E, a secreted peptide encoded by the inhibin/activin βE subunit gene, is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, which is predominantly expressed in the liver. Recent reports have suggested that activin E plays a role in energy homeostasis as a hepatokine. Here, using transgenic mice overexpressing activin E under the control of the β-actin promoter, we demonstrate that activin E controls energy metabolism through brown/beige adipocytes. The glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test showed that the insulin sensitivity was improved in the transgenic mice. Furthermore, the mice had a high body temperature compared with wild-type mice. The transgenic brown adipose tissue and mesenteric white adipose tissue showed upregulation of uncoupling protein 1, which enables energy dissipation as heat by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation from ATP production. Present results indicate that activin E activates energy expenditure through brown/beige adipocyte activation, suggesting that activin E has high potential for obesity therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunari Sekiyama
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan.,Laboratory of Neuropathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Kamikitazawa, Setagaya, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Yuuki Ushiro
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
| | - Akira Kurisaki
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Stem Cell Technology Laboratory, Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Masayuki Funaba
- Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Osamu Hashimoto
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
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21
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Morita M, Hashimoto O. Identification and expression of the medaka inhibin βE subunit. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:1603-1609. [PMID: 30680594 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04607-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Activin E, a member of the TGF-β super family, is a protein dimer of mature inhibin βE subunits. Recently, it is reported that hepatic activin E may act as a hepatokine that alter whole body energy/glucose metabolism in human. However, orthologues of the activin E gene have yet to be identified in lower vertebrates, including fish. Here, we cloned the medaka (Oryzias latipes) activin E cDNA from liver. Among all the mammalian inhibin β subunits, the mature medaka activin E amino acid sequence shares the highest homology with mammalian activin E. Recombinant expression studies suggest that medaka activin E, the disulfide-bound mature form of mature inhibin βE subunits, may exert its effects in a way similar to that in mammals. Although activin E mRNA is predominantly expressed in liver in mammals, it is ubiquitously expressed in medaka tissues. Since expression in the liver was enhanced after a high fat diet, medaka activin E may be associated with energy/glucose metabolism, as shown in mice and human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Morita
- Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, 35-1 Higashi 23, Towada-shi, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Osamu Hashimoto
- Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, 35-1 Higashi 23, Towada-shi, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan.
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22
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Bloise E, Ciarmela P, Dela Cruz C, Luisi S, Petraglia F, Reis FM. Activin A in Mammalian Physiology. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:739-780. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00002.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Activins are dimeric glycoproteins belonging to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily and resulting from the assembly of two beta subunits, which may also be combined with alpha subunits to form inhibins. Activins were discovered in 1986 following the isolation of inhibins from porcine follicular fluid, and were characterized as ovarian hormones that stimulate follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) release by the pituitary gland. In particular, activin A was shown to be the isoform of greater physiological importance in humans. The current understanding of activin A surpasses the reproductive system and allows its classification as a hormone, a growth factor, and a cytokine. In more than 30 yr of intense research, activin A was localized in female and male reproductive organs but also in other organs and systems as diverse as the brain, liver, lung, bone, and gut. Moreover, its roles include embryonic differentiation, trophoblast invasion of the uterine wall in early pregnancy, and fetal/neonate brain protection in hypoxic conditions. It is now recognized that activin A overexpression may be either cytostatic or mitogenic, depending on the cell type, with important implications for tumor biology. Activin A also regulates bone formation and regeneration, enhances joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, and triggers pathogenic mechanisms in the respiratory system. In this 30-yr review, we analyze the evidence for physiological roles of activin A and the potential use of activin agonists and antagonists as therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrrico Bloise
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Pasquapina Ciarmela
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Cynthia Dela Cruz
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Stefano Luisi
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
| | - Fernando M. Reis
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; and Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and
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23
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Hashimoto O, Funaba M, Sekiyama K, Doi S, Shindo D, Satoh R, Itoi H, Oiwa H, Morita M, Suzuki C, Sugiyama M, Yamakawa N, Takada H, Matsumura S, Inoue K, Oyadomari S, Sugino H, Kurisaki A. Activin E Controls Energy Homeostasis in Both Brown and White Adipose Tissues as a Hepatokine. Cell Rep 2018; 25:1193-1203. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
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24
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Zhang S. The role of transforming growth factor β in T helper 17 differentiation. Immunology 2018; 155:24-35. [PMID: 29682722 PMCID: PMC6099164 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
T helper 17 (Th17) cells play critical roles in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The lineage-specific transcription factor RORγt is the key regulator for Th17 cell fate commitment. A substantial number of studies have established the importance of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) -dependent pathways in inducing RORγt expression and Th17 differentiation. TGF-β superfamily members TGF-β1 , TGF-β3 or activin A, in concert with interleukin-6 or interleukin-21, differentiate naive T cells into Th17 cells. Alternatively, Th17 differentiation can occur through TGF-β-independent pathways. However, the mechanism of how TGF-β-dependent and TGF-β-independent pathways control Th17 differentiation remains controversial. This review focuses on the perplexing role of TGF-β in Th17 differentiation, depicts the requirement of TGF-β for Th17 development, and underscores the multiple mechanisms underlying TGF-β-promoted Th17 generation, pathogenicity and plasticity. With new insights and comprehension from recent findings, this review specifically tackles the involvement of the canonical TGF-β signalling components, SMAD2, SMAD3 and SMAD4, summarizes diverse SMAD-independent mechanisms, and highlights the importance of TGF-β signalling in balancing the reciprocal conversion of Th17 and regulatory T cells. Finally, this review includes discussions and perspectives and raises important mechanistic questions about the role of TGF-β in Th17 generation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical BiologyCollege of Life SciencesNankai UniversityTianjinChina
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25
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Gao X, Zhao P, Hu J, Zhu H, Zhang J, Zhou Z, Zhao J, Tang F. MicroRNA-194 protects against chronic hepatitis B-related liver damage by promoting hepatocyte growth via ACVR2B. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:4534-4544. [PMID: 30044042 PMCID: PMC6111826 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent infection with the hepatitis B virus leads to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in a variety of biological processes; however, the role of miRNAs in chronic hepatitis B (CHB)‐induced liver damage remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of miRNAs in CHB‐related liver damage. Microarray analysis of the expression of miRNAs in 22 CHB patients and 33 healthy individuals identified miR‐194 as one of six differentially expressed miRNAs. miR‐194 was up‐regulated in correlation with increased liver damage in the plasma or liver tissues of CHB patients. In mice subjected to 2/3 partial hepatectomy, miR‐194 was up‐regulated in liver tissues in correlation with hepatocyte growth and in parallel with the down‐regulation of the activin receptor ACVR2B. Overexpression of miR‐194 in human liver HL7702 cells down‐regulated ACVR2B mRNA and protein expression, promoted cell proliferation, acceleratedG1 to S cell cycle transition, and inhibited apoptosis, whereas knockdown of miR‐194 had the opposite effects. Luciferase reporter assays confirmed that ACVR2B is a direct target of miR‐194, and overexpression of ACVR2B significantly repressed cell proliferation and G1 to S phase transition and induced cell apoptosis. ACVR2B overexpression abolished the effect of miR‐194, indicating that miR‐194 promotes hepatocyte proliferation and inhibits apoptosis by down‐regulating ACVR2B. Taken together, these results indicate that miR‐194 plays a crucial role in hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration by targeting ACVR2B and may represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of CHB‐related liver damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Gao
- Department of Pathology, 302 Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Pan Zhao
- Clinical Trial Center, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Hu
- Liver Surgery Department, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongguang Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongwen Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingmin Zhao
- Department of Pathology, 302 Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Tang
- Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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26
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Autocrine transforming growth factor-β/activin A-Smad signaling induces hepatic progenitor cells undergoing partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition states. Biochimie 2018; 148:87-98. [PMID: 29544731 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) are a subpopulation of cells which was usually expanded in chronic liver injury and are contributed to liver regeneration through differentiating into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a dynamic process which is important for the progression of liver fibrosis and cancer initiation. This study demonstrated that LE/6 and WB-F344 cells, both of which were HPC derived cell lines, were undergoing partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition states, which was indicated by the co-expression of epithelial markers (E-cadherin and zona occludin 1), and mesenchymal markers (vimentin, fibronectin, collagen 1and α-SMA). Furthermore, autocrine TGF-β and activin A signaling contributed to the maintenance of partial EMT in HPCs. In addition, Smad signaling, a classic downstream signaling cascade of both TGF-β and activin A, also participated in the partial EMT. These findings revealed the existence of partial EMT states in HPCs and confirmed some partial EMT related autocrine signaling cascades, and may help to further the understanding and explore the functional role of HPCs in the process of hepatic fibrosis and liver cancer initiation.
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27
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Hussien NI, El-kerdasy HI, Ibrahim MET. Protective effect of rimonabant, a canabinoid receptor 1 antagonist, on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a rat model through modulation of the hepatic expression of activin A and follistatin. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2017; 95:1433-1441. [DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2017-0070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of liver morbidity and mortality, and there is still no proven effective therapy. The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in various liver diseases. Activin A is a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily and inhibits hepatocyte growth. Follistatin antagonizes the biological actions of activin A. This study was designed to investigate the effect of rimonabant (a potent cannabinoid receptor1 (CB1) antagonist) on NAFLD induced with a choline-deficient (CD) diet in rats, as well as to detect whether it can alter the hepatic expression of activin A and follistatin. Forty rats were distributed among 4 groups: the control group, the rimonabant treatment group (normal rats that received rimonabant); the CD diet group (NAFLD induced with a CD diet); and the CD diet + rimonabant group (NAFLD treated with rimonabant). It was found that the CD diet caused significant increase in liver index, serum levels of liver enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), TGF-β1, activin A, and CB1 expression in liver tissue, with a significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and follistatin mRNA expression in liver tissues. The administration of rimonabant significantly improved all of the studied parameters compared with the group fed the CD diet alone. Histopathological examination supported these results. We concluded that rimonabant significantly counteracted NAFLD induced with the CD diet by decreasing oxidative stress and hepatic expression of TGF-β1, and modulating the hepatic expression of activin A and follistatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha I. Hussien
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Egypt
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28
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Seoane J, Gomis RR. TGF-β Family Signaling in Tumor Suppression and Cancer Progression. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2017; 9:cshperspect.a022277. [PMID: 28246180 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a022277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 325] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induces a pleiotropic pathway that is modulated by the cellular context and its integration with other signaling pathways. In cancer, the pleiotropic reaction to TGF-β leads to a diverse and varied set of gene responses that range from cytostatic and apoptotic tumor-suppressive ones in early stage tumors, to proliferative, invasive, angiogenic, and oncogenic ones in advanced cancer. Here, we review the knowledge accumulated about the molecular mechanisms involved in the dual response to TGF-β in cancer, and how tumor cells evolve to evade the tumor-suppressive responses of this signaling pathway and then hijack the signal, converting it into an oncogenic factor. Only through the detailed study of this complexity can the suitability of the TGF-β pathway as a therapeutic target against cancer be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Seoane
- Translational Research Program, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roger R Gomis
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain.,Oncology Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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29
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Presynaptic inhibition of nociceptive neurotransmission by somatosensory neuron-secreted suppressors. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2017. [PMID: 28624955 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-017-9061-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Noxious stimuli cause pain by activating cutaneous nociceptors. The Aδ- and C-fibers of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons convey the nociceptive signals to the laminae I-II of spinal cord. In the dorsal horn of spinal cord, the excitatory afferent synaptic transmission is regulated by the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid and modulators such as opioid peptides released from the spinal interneurons, and by serotonin, norepinepherine and dopamine from the descending inhibitory system. In contrast to the accumulated evidence for these central inhibitors and their neural circuits in the dorsal spinal cord, the knowledge about the endogenous suppressive mechanisms in nociceptive DRG neurons remains very limited. In this review, we summarize our recent findings of the presynaptic suppressive mechanisms in nociceptive neurons, the BNP/NPR-A/PKG/BKCa channel pathway, the FSTL1/α1Na+-K+ ATPase pathway and the activin C/ERK pathway. These endogenous suppressive systems in the mechanoheat nociceptors may also contribute differentially to the mechanisms of nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain or inflammation-induced pain.
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30
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Rider CC, Mulloy B. Heparin, Heparan Sulphate and the TGF-β Cytokine Superfamily. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22050713. [PMID: 28468283 PMCID: PMC6154108 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22050713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Of the circa 40 cytokines of the TGF-β superfamily, around a third are currently known to bind to heparin and heparan sulphate. This includes TGF-β1, TGF-β2, certain bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and growth and differentiation factors (GDFs), as well as GDNF and two of its close homologues. Experimental studies of their heparin/HS binding sites reveal a diversity of locations around the shared cystine-knot protein fold. The activities of the TGF-β cytokines in controlling proliferation, differentiation and survival in a range of cell types are in part regulated by a number of specific, secreted BMP antagonist proteins. These vary in structure but seven belong to the CAN or DAN family, which shares the TGF-β type cystine-knot domain. Other antagonists are more distant members of the TGF-β superfamily. It is emerging that the majority, but not all, of the antagonists are also heparin binding proteins. Any future exploitation of the TGF-β cytokines in the therapy of chronic diseases will need to fully consider their interactions with glycosaminoglycans and the implications of this in terms of their bioavailability and biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris C Rider
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK.
| | - Barbara Mulloy
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK.
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Braxton DR, Saxe D, Damjanov N, Stashek K, Shroff S, Morrissette JD, Tondon R, Furth EE. Molecular and cytogenomic profiling of hepatic adenocarcinoma expressing inhibinA, a mimicker of neuroendocrine tumors: proposal to reclassify as "cholangioblastic variant of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma”. Hum Pathol 2017; 62:232-241. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Endothelial transcription factor KLF2 negatively regulates liver regeneration via induction of activin A. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:3993-3998. [PMID: 28348240 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1613392114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) not only are important for oxygen delivery but also act as a paracrine source for signals that determine the balance between tissue regeneration and fibrosis. Here we show that genetic inactivation of flow-induced transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) in ECs results in reduced liver damage and augmentation of hepatocyte proliferation after chronic liver injury by treatment with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Serum levels of GLDH3 and ALT were significantly reduced in CCl4-treated EC-specific KLF2-deficient mice. In contrast, transgenic overexpression of KLF2 in liver sinusoidal ECs reduced hepatocyte proliferation. KLF2 induced activin A expression and secretion from endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo, which inhibited hepatocyte proliferation. However, loss or gain of KLF2 expression did not change capillary density and liver fibrosis, but significantly affected hepatocyte proliferation. Taken together, the data demonstrate that KLF2 induces an antiproliferative secretome, including activin A, which attenuates liver regeneration.
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Polyzos SA, Kountouras J, Anastasilakis AD, Triantafyllou GΑ, Mantzoros CS. Activin A and follistatin in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Metabolism 2016; 65:1550-8. [PMID: 27621190 PMCID: PMC5022788 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2016.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are limited data on the role of activin A and its binding protein, follistatin, in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The main aim was the evaluation of serum activin A and follistatin levels in patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD vs. METHODS This was a case-control study. Fifteen patients with nonalcoholic simple steatosis (SS), 16 with steatohepatitis (NASH), and 52 (24 lean and 28 obese) controls were recruited. Activin A and follistatin were measured using ELISA. RESULTS Activin A levels showed a trend towards progressive increase (p=0.010) from the controls (lean: 356±25, 95% CI 305-408; obese 360±20, 95% CI 320-401pg/ml) to SS (407±28, 95% CI 347-466pg/ml) and NASH patients (514±70 95% CI 364-664pg/ml); this association became non-significant after adjusting for adiposity. Follistatin was not different between groups (lean controls: 1.11±0.08, 95% CI 0.95-1.28; obese controls: 1.00±0.07, 95% CI 0.86-1.14; SS: 0.86±0.07, 95% CI 0.70-1.02; NASH: 1.14±0.09, 95% CI 0.90-1.37ng/ml; p=0.13). Within the NAFLD group of patients, follistatin was associated with NASH independently from activin A, gender and age, a relationship however likely reflecting the effect of adiposity. CONCLUSIONS Activin A is higher in patients with NASH than both lean and obese controls. Future clinical studies are needed to confirm and expand these findings, whereas mechanistic studies exploring underlying mechanisms are also warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stergios A Polyzos
- Department of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Jannis Kountouras
- Department of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Georgios Α Triantafyllou
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christos S Mantzoros
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Environmental Ligands of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Their Effects in Models of Adult Liver Progenitor Cells. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:4326194. [PMID: 27274734 PMCID: PMC4870370 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4326194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The toxicity of environmental and dietary ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in mature liver parenchymal cells is well appreciated, while considerably less attention has been paid to their impact on cell populations exhibiting phenotypic features of liver progenitor cells. Here, we discuss the results suggesting that the consequences of the AhR activation in the cellular models derived from bipotent liver progenitors could markedly differ from those in hepatocytes. In contact-inhibited liver progenitor cells, the AhR agonists induce a range of effects potentially linked with tumor promotion. They can stimulate cell cycle progression/proliferation and deregulate cell-to-cell communication, which is associated with downregulation of proteins forming gap junctions, adherens junctions, and desmosomes (such as connexin 43, E-cadherin, β-catenin, and plakoglobin), as well as with reduced cell adhesion and inhibition of intercellular communication. At the same time, toxic AhR ligands may affect the activity of the signaling pathways contributing to regulation of liver progenitor cell activation and/or differentiation, such as downregulation of Wnt/β-catenin and TGF-β signaling, or upregulation of transcriptional targets of YAP/TAZ, the effectors of Hippo signaling pathway. These data illustrate the need to better understand the potential role of liver progenitors in the AhR-mediated liver carcinogenesis and tumor promotion.
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Activin A-Smad Signaling Mediates Connective Tissue Growth Factor Synthesis in Liver Progenitor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:408. [PMID: 27011166 PMCID: PMC4813263 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17030408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver progenitor cells (LPCs) are activated in chronic liver damage and may contribute to liver fibrosis. Our previous investigation reported that LPCs produced connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2), an inducer of liver fibrosis, yet the regulatory mechanism of the production of CTGF/CCN2 in LPCs remains elusive. In this study, we report that Activin A is an inducer of CTGF/CCN2 in LPCs. Here we show that expression of both Activin A and CTGF/CCN2 were upregulated in the cirrhotic liver, and the expression of Activin A positively correlates with that of CTGF/CCN2 in liver tissues. We go on to show that Activin A induced de novo synthesis of CTGF/CCN2 in LPC cell lines LE/6 and WB-F344. Furthermore, Activin A contributed to autonomous production of CTGF/CCN2 in liver progenitor cells (LPCs) via activation of the Smad signaling pathway. Smad2, 3 and 4 were all required for this induction. Collectively, these results provide evidence for the fibrotic role of LPCs in the liver and suggest that the Activin A-Smad-CTGF/CCN2 signaling in LPCs may be a therapeutic target of liver fibrosis.
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El-Abd N, Fawzy A, Elbaz T, Hamdy S. Evaluation of annexin A2 and as potential biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:211-6. [PMID: 26189841 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3524-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the fifth most common malignancy worldwide. Early detection of HCC is difficult due to the lack of reliable markers. We aimed to assess the diagnostic role of annexin A2 (ANXA2) and follistatin as serum markers for HCC patients. This study included 50 patients with confirmed diagnosis of HCC, 30 patients with chronic liver disease, and 20 normal persons. Subjects performed thorough assessment and laboratory investigations. Serum levels of alpha fetoprotein (AFP), annexin A2, and follistatin were measured using ELISA technique. Annexin A2 significantly increased in the sera of HCC patients (median, 69.6 ng/ml) compared to chronic liver disease patients (median, 16.8 ng/ml) and control group (median, 9.5 ng/ml) (p < 0.001). Follistatin was higher in sera of HCC patients (median, 24.4 ng/ml) compared to the control group (median, 4.2 ng/ml) (p = 0.002) while no such significant difference was achieved between HCC and chronic liver disease patients. At a cutoff level 29.3 ng/ml, area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for ANXA2 was 0.910 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.84-0.97). For follistatin, it was 0.631 (95 % confidence interval 0.52-0.74) at cutoff level 15.7 ng/ml. Combining both annexin A2 and AFP increased the diagnostic efficiency (98 % specificity, LR + 41 and 97.6 % PPV). Follistatin combined with AFP provided 92 % specificity while lower sensitivity (50 %) was observed. Serum ANXA2 is a promising biomarker for HCC, certainly when measured with AFP. Follistatin could not differentiate between HCC and chronic liver disease, but its combination with AFP improved the specificity for HCC diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nevine El-Abd
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amal Fawzy
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Tamer Elbaz
- Department of Endemic Hepatogastroenterology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Sherif Hamdy
- Department of Endemic Hepatogastroenterology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Pegylated Interferon-α Modulates Liver Concentrations of Activin-A and Its Related Proteins in Normal Wistar Rat. Mediators Inflamm 2015; 2015:414207. [PMID: 26236109 PMCID: PMC4506924 DOI: 10.1155/2015/414207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Revised: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims. To measure the expression of activin βA-subunit, activin IIA and IIB receptors, Smad4, Smad7, and follistatin in the liver and the liver and serum concentrations of mature activin-A and follistatin in normal rat following treatment with pegylated interferon-α (Peg-INF-α) and ribavirin (RBV). Materials and Methods. 40 male Wistar rats were divided equally into 4 groups: “control,” “Peg-only” receiving 4 injections of Peg-INF-α (6 µg/rat/week), “RBV-only” receiving ribavirin (4 mg/rat/day) orally, and “Peg & RBV” group receiving both drugs. The expression of candidate molecules in liver was measured by immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR. The concentrations of mature proteins in serum and liver homogenate samples were measured using ELISA. Results. Peg-INF-α ± RBV altered the expression of all candidate molecules in the liver at the gene and protein levels (P < 0.05) and decreased activin-A and increased follistatin in serum and liver homogenates compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). There were also significant correlations between serum and liver activin-A and follistatin. Conclusion. Peg-INF-α modulates the hepatic production of activin-A and follistatin, which can be detected in serum. Further studies are needed to explore the role of Peg-INF-α on the production of activins and follistatin by the liver and immune cells.
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The effects of pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin on liver and serum concentrations of activin-A and follistatin in normal Wistar rat: a preliminary report. BMC Res Notes 2015; 8:265. [PMID: 26112013 PMCID: PMC4481076 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1253-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Activin-A and follistatin regulate the liver and the immune system. Aims To measure the effects of treatment with pegylated-interferon-α (Peg-IFN-α) and ribavirin on the concentrations of mature activin-A and follistatin in serum and liver tissue homogenates in rats. Methods A total of 28 male Wistar rats were divided equally into four groups as follow: ‘Control group’ (n = 7), ‘PEG only group’ consisted of those that only received a weekly injection of Peg-IFN-α (6 µg/rat) for 4 weeks, ‘RBV only group’ received ribavirin only (4 mg/rat/day) orally for 35 days and the last group received both Peg-IFN-α and ribavirin ‘PEG & RBV group’. The concentrations of candidate proteins in serum and liver samples were measured using ELISA. Results Pegylated-interferon-α decreased activin-A and increased follistatin significantly in serum and liver of ‘PEG only’ and ‘PEG & RBV’ groups compared with the ‘Control’ and ‘RBV only’ groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the ‘RBV only’ and ‘Control’ groups (P > 0.05) in the concentrations of candidate proteins. A significant positive correlations between serum and liver activin-A (r = 0.727; P = 0.02 × 10−3) and follistatin (r = 0.540; P = 0.01) was also detected. Conclusion Pegylated-interferon-α modulates the production of activin-A and follistatin by the liver, which is reflected and can be detected at the serum level. Further studies are needed to explore the role of Peg-IFN-α based therapy on the production of activins and follistatin by the liver and immune cells.
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Refaat B, Ashshi AM, El-Shemi AG, Azhar E. Activins and Follistatin in Chronic Hepatitis C and Its Treatment with Pegylated-Interferon-α Based Therapy. Mediators Inflamm 2015; 2015:287640. [PMID: 25969625 PMCID: PMC4417604 DOI: 10.1155/2015/287640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pegylated-interferon-α based therapy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is considered suboptimal as not all patients respond to the treatment and it is associated with several side effects that could lead to dose reduction and/or termination of therapy. The currently used markers to monitor the response to treatment are based on viral kinetics and their performance in the prediction of treatment outcome is moderate and does not combine accuracy and their values have several limitations. Hence, the development of new sensitive and specific predictor markers could provide a useful tool for the clinicians and healthcare providers, especially in the new era of interferon-free therapy, for the classification of patients according to their response to the standard therapy and only subscribing the novel directly acting antiviral drugs to those who are anticipated not to respond to the conventional therapy and/or have absolute contraindications for its use. The importance of activins and follistatin in the regulation of immune system, liver biology, and pathology has recently emerged. This review appraises the up-to-date knowledge regarding the role of activins and follistatin in liver biology and immune system and their role in the pathophysiology of CHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassem Refaat
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-'Abdiyah Campus, P. O. Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Mohamed Ashshi
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-'Abdiyah Campus, P. O. Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel Galal El-Shemi
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-'Abdiyah Campus, P. O. Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 6515, Egypt
| | - Esam Azhar
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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Baillon L, Pierron F, Coudret R, Normendeau E, Caron A, Peluhet L, Labadie P, Budzinski H, Durrieu G, Sarraco J, Elie P, Couture P, Baudrimont M, Bernatchez L. Transcriptome profile analysis reveals specific signatures of pollutants in Atlantic eels. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2015; 24:71-84. [PMID: 25258179 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-014-1356-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Identifying specific effects of contaminants in a multi-stress field context remain a challenge in ecotoxicology. In this context, "omics" technologies, by allowing the simultaneous measurement of numerous biological endpoints, could help unravel the in situ toxicity of contaminants. In this study, wild Atlantic eels were sampled in 8 sites presenting a broad contamination gradient in France and Canada. The global hepatic transcriptome of animals was determined by RNA-Seq. In parallel, the contamination level of fish to 8 metals and 25 organic pollutants was determined. Factor analysis for multiple testing was used to identify genes that are most likely to be related to a single factor. Among the variables analyzed, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lindane (γ-HCH) and the hepato-somatic index (HSI) were found to be the main factors affecting eel's transcriptome. Genes associated with As exposure were involved in the mechanisms that have been described during As vasculotoxicity in mammals. Genes correlated with Cd were involved in cell cycle and energy metabolism. For γ-HCH, genes were involved in lipolysis and cell growth. Genes associated with HSI were involved in protein, lipid and iron metabolisms. Our study proposes specific gene signatures of pollutants and their impacts in fish exposed to multi-stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Baillon
- Univ. Bordeaux, UMR EPOC CNRS 5805, 33400, Talence, France
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Silva RN, Bueno PG, Avó LRS, Nonaka KO, Selistre-Araújo HS, Leal AMO. Effect of physical training on liver expression of activin A and follistatin in a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease model in rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 47:746-52. [PMID: 25075578 PMCID: PMC4143201 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x20143869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by fat accumulation in the liver and is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Activin A is a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF)-β superfamily and inhibits hepatocyte growth. Follistatin antagonizes the biological actions of activin. Exercise is an important therapeutic strategy to reduce the metabolic effects of obesity. We evaluated the pattern of activin A and follistatin liver expression in obese rats subjected to swimming exercise. Control rats (C) and high-fat (HF) diet-fed rats were randomly assigned to a swimming training group (C-Swim and HF-Swim) or a sedentary group (C-Sed and HF-Sed). Activin βA subunit mRNA expression was significantly higher in HF-Swim than in HF-Sed rats. Follistatin mRNA expression was significantly lower in C-Swim and HF-Swim than in either C-Sed or HF-Sed animals. There was no evidence of steatosis or inflammation in C rats. In contrast, in HF animals the severity of steatosis ranged from grade 1 to grade 3. The extent of liver parenchyma damage was less in HF-Swim animals, with the severity of steatosis ranging from grade 0 to grade 1. These data showed that exercise may reduce the deleterious effects of a high-fat diet on the liver, suggesting that the local expression of activin-follistatin may be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- R N Silva
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
| | - P G Bueno
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
| | - L R S Avó
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
| | - K O Nonaka
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
| | - H S Selistre-Araújo
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
| | - A M O Leal
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
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Effects of chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 and 4 on serum activins and follistatin in treatment naïve patients and their correlations with interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α, viral load and liver damage. Clin Exp Med 2014; 15:293-302. [DOI: 10.1007/s10238-014-0297-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Zhang S, Sun WY, Wu JJ, Wei W. TGF-β signaling pathway as a pharmacological target in liver diseases. Pharmacol Res 2014; 85:15-22. [PMID: 24844437 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2014.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Revised: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) belongs to a class of pleiotropic cytokines that are involved in the processes of embryonic development, wound healing, cell proliferation, and differentiation. Moreover, TGF-β is also regarded as a central regulator in the pathogenesis and development of various liver diseases because it contributes to almost all of the stages of disease progression. A range of liver cells are considered to secrete TGF-β ligands and express related receptors and, consequently, play a crucial role in the progression of liver disease via different signal pathways. In this manuscript, we review the role of the TGF-β signaling pathway in liver disease and the potential of targeting the TGF-β signaling in the pharmacological treatment of liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, Anhui Province, China
| | - Wu-Yi Sun
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Jing-Jing Wu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, Anhui Province, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, Anhui Province, China.
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Serum Activins and Follistatin during the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Genotypes 1 and 4 and Their Correlations with Viral Load and Liver Enzymes: A Preliminary Report. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2014; 2014:628683. [PMID: 24799891 PMCID: PMC3995172 DOI: 10.1155/2014/628683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims. To measure the effect of pegylated interferon-α therapy on serum activin-A, activin-B, and follistatin and their correlation with viral load and liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Methods. This study was cross-sectional and sera were collected from 165 participants classified into 7 groups: 40 healthy negative control, 33 treatment naïve patients as positive control, 19 patients at week 4, 22 at week 12, and 19 at week 24 of treatment initiation and 21 responders and 11 nonresponders at the end of 48-week treatment protocol. Serum candidate proteins were measured using ELISA and liver fibrosis was assessed by AST platelet ratio index (APRI). Results. CHC significantly increased activins and decreased follistatin compared to negative control (P < 0.05). Activin-A and follistatin levels returned to the levels of negative control group at weeks 4, 12, and 24 following treatment initiation and were significantly different from positive control (P < 0.05). Both proteins were significantly different between responders and nonresponders. Activin-A correlated positively and significantly with the viral load and APRI. Conclusion. CHC modulates serum activin-A and follistatin and they appear to be influenced by pegylated interferon-α therapy. Further studies are needed to explore the role of activins in CHC.
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Li N, Cui X, Ge J, Li J, Niu L, Liu H, Qi Y, Liu Z, Wang Y. Activin A inhibits activities of lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages via TLR4, not of TLR2. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 435:222-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.04.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Jückstock J, Kimmich T, Mylonas I, Friese K, Dian D. The inhibin-βC subunit is down-regulated, while inhibin-βE is up-regulated by interferon-β1a in Ishikawa carcinoma cell line. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2013; 288:883-8. [PMID: 23580013 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-013-2848-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inhibins are important regulators of the female reproductive system. Recently, two new inhibin-subunits βC and βE have been described, although, their function is still quite unclear. Interestingly, there is an association between interferon and TGF-β expression. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine expression changes of inhibin-βC and -βE subunits in endometrial Ishikawa carcinoma cell line after stimulation with interferon-β1a. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Ishikawa cell line was cultured until confluence was observed (after 2 days). After adding interferon-β1a (1,000 IE/ml), Ishikawa cells were analyzed for inhibin-βC and -βE subunits by RT-PCR. The fibroblast cell line BJ6 served as negative control. Experiments were performed in triplicates. RESULTS The endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line Ishikawa synthesized the inhibin- βC and -βE subunits. The fibroblast cells BJ6 did not demonstrate an inhibin -βC and -βE mRNA expression, while inhibin-βC subunit is down-regulated and inhibin-βE is up-regulated in Ishikawa carcinoma cell line after stimulation with interferon-β1a in Ishikawa. DISCUSSION We demonstrated for the first time a functional relationship between interferon and the novel inhibin-βC and -βE subunits. It might be possible that interferon exerts a possible apoptotic function through the βE-subunit, while, by down-regulating the βC isoform, cell proliferation is inhibited. However, the precise function of the novel βC- and βE-subunits are still not known in human endometrial tissue and a possible association with interferon is still unclear and warrants further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Jückstock
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337, Munich, Germany
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Rath T, Hage L, Kügler M, Menendez Menendez K, Zachoval R, Naehrlich L, Schulz R, Roderfeld M, Roeb E. Serum proteome profiling identifies novel and powerful markers of cystic fibrosis liver disease. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58955. [PMID: 23516586 PMCID: PMC3597583 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cystic Fibrosis associated liver disease (CFLD) develops in approximately 30% of CF patients. However, routine sensitive diagnostic tools for CFLD are lacking. Within this study, we aimed to identify new experimental biomarkers for the detection of CFLD. METHODS 45 CF patients were included in the study and received transient elastography. Differential regulation of 220 different serum proteins was assessed in a subgroup of patients with and without CFLD. Most interesting candidate proteins were further quantified and validated by ELISA in the whole patient cohort. To assess a potential relation of biomarker expression to the degree of hepatic fibrosis, serum biomarkers were further determined in 18 HCV patients where liver histology was available. RESULTS 43 serum proteins differed at least 2-fold in patients with CFLD compared to those without liver disease as identified in proteome profiling. In ELISA quantifications, TIMP-4 and Endoglin were significantly up-regulated in patients with CFLD as diagnosed by clinical guidelines or increased liver stiffness. Pentraxin-3 was significantly decreased in patients with CFLD. Serum TIMP-4 and Endoglin showed highest values in HCV patients with liver cirrhosis compared to those with fibrosis but without cirrhosis. At a cut-off value of 6.3 kPa, transient elastography compassed a very high diagnostic accuracy and specificity for the detection of CFLD. Among the biomarkers, TIMP-4 and Endoglin exhibited a high diagnostic accuracy for CFLD. Diagnostic sensitivities and negative predictive values were increased when elastography and TIMP-4 and Endoglin were combined for the detection of CFLD. CONCLUSIONS Serum TIMP-4 and Endoglin are increased in CFLD and their expression correlates with hepatic staging. Determination of TIMP-4 and Endoglin together with transient elastography can increase the sensitivity for the non-invasive diagnosis of CFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Rath
- Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lisa Hage
- Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Marion Kügler
- Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Katrin Menendez Menendez
- Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Reinhart Zachoval
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Department of Gastroenterology, Munich, Germany
| | - Lutz Naehrlich
- Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Richard Schulz
- Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Roderfeld
- Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Elke Roeb
- Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Giessen, Germany
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Faust D, Vondráček J, Krčmář P, Šmerdová L, Procházková J, Hrubá E, Hulinková P, Kaina B, Dietrich C, Machala M. AhR-mediated changes in global gene expression in rat liver progenitor cells. Arch Toxicol 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-012-0979-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Fields SZ, Parshad S, Anne M, Raftopoulos H, Alexander MJ, Sherman ML, Laadem A, Sung V, Terpos E. Activin receptor antagonists for cancer-related anemia and bone disease. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2012; 22:87-101. [PMID: 23127248 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2013.738666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antagonists of activin receptor signaling may be beneficial for cancer-related anemia and bone disease caused by malignancies such as multiple myeloma and solid tumors. AREAS COVERED We review evidence of dysregulated signaling by activin receptor pathways in anemia, myeloma-associated osteolysis, and metastatic bone disease, as well as potential involvement in carcinogenesis. We then review properties of activin receptor antagonists in clinical development. EXPERT OPINION Sotatercept is a novel receptor fusion protein that functions as a soluble trap to sequester ligands of activin receptor type IIA (ActRIIA). Preclinically, the murine version of sotatercept increased red blood cells (RBC) in a model of chemotherapy-induced anemia, inhibited tumor growth and metastasis, and exerted anabolic effects on bone in diverse models of multiple myeloma. Clinically, sotatercept increases RBC markedly in healthy volunteers and patients with multiple myeloma. With a rapid onset of action differing from erythropoietin, sotatercept is in clinical development as a potential first-in-class therapeutic for cancer-related anemia, including those characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis as in myelodysplastic syndromes. Anabolic bone activity in early clinical studies and potential antitumor effects make sotatercept a promising therapeutic candidate for multiple myeloma and malignant bone diseases. Antitumor activity has been observed preclinically with small-molecule inhibitors of transforming growth factor-β receptor type I (ALK5) that also antagonize the closely related activin receptors ALK4 and ALK7. LY-2157299, the first such inhibitor to enter clinical studies, has shown an acceptable safety profile so far in patients with advanced cancer. Together, these data identify activin receptor antagonists as attractive therapeutic candidates for multiple diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Z Fields
- Monter Cancer Center, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Lake Success, NY, USA
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Voumvouraki A, Notas G, Koulentaki M, Georgiadou M, Klironomos S, Kouroumalis E. Increased serum activin-A differentiates alcoholic from cirrhosis of other aetiologies. Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42:815-22. [PMID: 22304651 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2012.02647.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activin-A is a molecule of the TGF superfamily, implicated in liver fibrosis, regeneration and stem cell differentiation. However, data on activins in liver diseases are few. We therefore studied serum levels of activin-A in chronic liver diseases. To identify the origin of activin-A, levels in the hepatic vein were also estimated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nineteen controls and 162 patients participated in the study: 39 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC: 19 viral associated and 20 alcohol associated), 18 with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), 47 with primary biliary cirrhosis (26 PBC stage I-II and 21 stage IV), 22 with alcoholic cirrhosis (AC, hepatic vein blood available in 16), 20 with HCV cirrhosis (hepatic vein blood available in 18) and 16 patients with alcoholic fatty liver with mild to moderate fibrosis but no cirrhosis. RESULTS Activin-A levels were significantly increased (P < 0·001) in serum of patients with AC (median 673 pg/mL, range 449-3279), compared with either controls (149 pg/mL, 91-193) or patients with viral cirrhosis (189 pg/mL, 81-480), CHC (142 pg/mL, 65-559) PBC stage I-II (100 pg/mL, 59-597) and PBC stage IV (104 pg/mL, 81-579). Only patients with AC-associated HCC had significantly increased levels of activin-A (2403 pg/mL, 1561-7220 pg/mL). Activin-A serum levels could accurately discriminate AC from cirrhosis of other aetiologies and noncirrhotic alcoholic fatty liver with fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Increased serum levels of activin-A only in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis or HCC suggest a possible role of this molecule in the pathophysiology of AC. Further research is warranted to elucidate its role during the profibrotic process and its possible clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argyro Voumvouraki
- University Hospital Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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