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Ji P, Li Y, Wang Z, Jia S, Jiang X, Chen H, Wang Q. Advances in precision gene editing for liver fibrosis: From technology to therapeutic applications. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:117003. [PMID: 38908207 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117003] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
This review presents a comprehensive exploration of gene editing technologies and their potential applications in the treatment of liver fibrosis, a condition often leading to serious complications such as liver cancer. Through an in-depth review of current literature and critical analysis, the study delves into the intricate signaling pathways underlying liver fibrosis development and examines the promising role of gene editing in alleviating this disease burden. Gene editing technologies offer precise, efficient, and reproducible tools for manipulating genetic material, holding significant promise for basic research and clinical practice. The manuscript highlights the challenges and potential risks associated with gene editing technology. By synthesizing existing knowledge and exploring future perspectives, this study aims to provide valuable insights into the potential of precision gene editing to combat liver fibrosis and its associated complications, ultimately contributing to advances in liver fibrosis research and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Ji
- College of Pharmacy and Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou 225300, PR China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, PR China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of International Medicine, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, PR China
| | - Zihan Wang
- College of Pharmacy and Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou 225300, PR China
| | - Siyu Jia
- College of Pharmacy and Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou 225300, PR China
| | - Xinyi Jiang
- College of Pharmacy and Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou 225300, PR China
| | - Hui Chen
- College of Pharmacy and Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou 225300, PR China
| | - Qun Wang
- College of Pharmacy and Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou 225300, PR China.
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Elnagdy M, Wang Y, Rodriguez W, Zhang J, Bauer P, Wilkey DW, Merchant M, Pan J, Farooqui Z, Cannon R, Rai S, Maldonado C, Barve S, McClain CJ, Gobejishvili L. Increased expression of phosphodiesterase 4 in activated hepatic stellate cells promotes cytoskeleton remodeling and cell migration. J Pathol 2023; 261:361-371. [PMID: 37735782 PMCID: PMC10653049 DOI: 10.1002/path.6194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Activation and transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) into migratory myofibroblasts is a key process in liver fibrogenesis. Cell migration requires an active remodeling of the cytoskeleton, which is a tightly regulated process coordinated by Rho-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and the Rho family of small GTPases. Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) promotes assembly of focal adhesions and actin stress fibers by regulating cytoskeleton organization. GEF exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1 (EPAC1) has been implicated in modulating TGFβ1 and Rho signaling; however, its role in HSC migration has never been examined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of cAMP-degrading phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) enzymes in regulating EPAC1 signaling, HSC migration, and fibrogenesis. We show that PDE4 protein expression is increased in activated HSCs expressing alpha smooth muscle actin and active myosin light chain (MLC) in fibrotic tissues of human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis livers and mouse livers exposed to carbon tetrachloride. In human livers, TGFβ1 levels were highly correlated with PDE4 expression. TGFβ1 treatment of LX2 HSCs decreased levels of cAMP and EPAC1 and increased PDE4D expression. PDE4 specific inhibitor, rolipram, and an EPAC-specific agonist decreased TGFβ1-mediated cell migration in vitro. In vivo, targeted delivery of rolipram to the liver prevented fibrogenesis and collagen deposition and decreased the expression of several fibrosis-related genes, and HSC activation. Proteomic analysis of mouse liver tissues identified the regulation of actin cytoskeleton by the kinase effectors of Rho GTPases as a major pathway impacted by rolipram. Western blot analyses confirmed that PDE4 inhibition decreased active MLC and endothelin 1 levels, key proteins involved in cytoskeleton remodeling and contractility. The current study, for the first time, demonstrates that PDE4 enzymes are expressed in hepatic myofibroblasts and promote cytoskeleton remodeling and HSC migration. © 2023 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Elnagdy
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Yali Wang
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Walter Rodriguez
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - JingWen Zhang
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Philip Bauer
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- EndoProtech, Inc., Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Daniel W. Wilkey
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Michael Merchant
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jianmin Pan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Zainab Farooqui
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Robert Cannon
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Shesh Rai
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Claudio Maldonado
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- EndoProtech, Inc., Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Shirish Barve
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Craig J. McClain
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Leila Gobejishvili
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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Mostert D, Grolleman J, van Turnhout MC, Groenen BGW, Conte V, Sahlgren CM, Kurniawan NA, Bouten CVC. SFAlab: image-based quantification of mechano-active ventral actin stress fibers in adherent cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1267822. [PMID: 37779894 PMCID: PMC10540851 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1267822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ventral actin stress fibers (SFs) are a subset of actin SFs that begin and terminate at focal adhesion (FA) complexes. Ventral SFs can transmit forces from and to the extracellular matrix and serve as a prominent mechanosensing and mechanotransduction machinery for cells. Therefore, quantitative analysis of ventral SFs can lead to deeper understanding of the dynamic mechanical interplay between cells and their extracellular matrix (mechanoreciprocity). However, the dynamic nature and organization of ventral SFs challenge their quantification, and current quantification tools mainly focus on all SFs present in cells and cannot discriminate between subsets. Here we present an image analysis-based computational toolbox, called SFAlab, to quantify the number of ventral SFs and the number of ventral SFs per FA, and provide spatial information about the locations of the identified ventral SFs. SFAlab is built as an all-in-one toolbox that besides analyzing ventral SFs also enables the identification and quantification of (the shape descriptors of) nuclei, cells, and FAs. We validated SFAlab for the quantification of ventral SFs in human fetal cardiac fibroblasts and demonstrated that SFAlab analysis i) yields accurate ventral SF detection in the presence of image imperfections often found in typical fluorescence microscopy images, and ii) is robust against user subjectivity and potential experimental artifacts. To demonstrate the usefulness of SFAlab in mechanobiology research, we modulated actin polymerization and showed that inhibition of Rho kinase led to a significant decrease in ventral SF formation and the number of ventral SFs per FA, shedding light on the importance of the RhoA pathway specifically in ventral SF formation. We present SFAlab as a powerful open source, easy to use image-based analytical tool to increase our understanding of mechanoreciprocity in adherent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Mostert
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Janine Grolleman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Mark C. van Turnhout
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Bart G. W. Groenen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Vito Conte
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Cecilia M. Sahlgren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Nicholas A. Kurniawan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Carlijn V. C. Bouten
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
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Bachtler N, Torres S, Ortiz C, Schierwagen R, Tyc O, Hieber C, Berres ML, Meier C, Kraus N, Zeuzem S, Nijmeijer B, Pronk S, Trebicka J, Klein S. The non-selective Rho-kinase inhibitors Y-27632 and Y-33075 decrease contraction but increase migration in murine and human hepatic stellate cells. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0270288. [PMID: 36719899 PMCID: PMC9888688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Rho-kinase ROCK II plays a major role in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), which are the key profibrotic and contractile cells contributing to the development of chronic liver disease. Inhibition of ROCK II ultimately blocks the phosphorylation of the myosin light chain (MLC) and thus inhibits stress fibre assembly and cell contraction. We investigated the effects of the ROCK inhibitors Y-33075 as well as Y-27632 in murine and human hepatic stellate cells. METHODS Primary isolated HSC from FVB/NJ mice and the immortalized human HSC line TWNT-4 were culture-activated and incubated with Y-27632 and Y-33075 (10nM to 10μM) for 24h. Protein expression levels were analyzed by Western Blots and transcriptional levels of pro-fibrotic markers and proliferative markers were evaluated using real-time qPCR. Migration was investigated by wound-healing assay. Proliferation was assessed by BrdU assay. Contraction of HSC was measured using 3D collagen matrices after incubation with Y-27632 or Y-33075 in different doses. RESULTS Both Rho-kinase inhibitors, Y-27632 and Y-33075, reduced contraction, fibrogenesis and proliferation in activated primary mouse HSC (FVB/NJ) and human HSC line (TWNT-4) significantly. Y-33075 demonstrated a 10-times increased potency compared to Y-27632. Surprisingly, both inhibitors mediated a substantial and unexpected increase in migration of HSC in FVB/NJ. CONCLUSION ROCK inhibition by the tested compounds decreased contraction but increased migration. Y-33075 proved more potent than Y27632 in the inhibition of contraction of HSCs and should be further evaluated in chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Bachtler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sandra Torres
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Cristina Ortiz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Schierwagen
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Olaf Tyc
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christoph Hieber
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Marie-Luise Berres
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Caroline Meier
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nico Kraus
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Zeuzem
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | | | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sabine Klein
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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Topographic Orientation of Scaffolds for Tissue Regeneration: Recent Advances in Biomaterial Design and Applications. Biomimetics (Basel) 2022; 7:biomimetics7030131. [PMID: 36134935 PMCID: PMC9496066 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics7030131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering to develop alternatives for the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of injured tissues and organs is gaining more and more attention. In tissue engineering, the scaffold used is one of the most critical elements. Its characteristics are expected to mimic the native extracellular matrix and its unique topographical structures. Recently, the topographies of scaffolds have received increasing attention, not least because different topographies, such as aligned and random, have different repair effects on various tissues. In this review, we have focused on various technologies (electrospinning, directional freeze-drying, magnetic freeze-casting, etching, and 3-D printing) to fabricate scaffolds with different topographic orientations, as well as discussed the physicochemical (mechanical properties, porosity, hydrophilicity, and degradation) and biological properties (morphology, distribution, adhesion, proliferation, and migration) of different topographies. Subsequently, we have compiled the effect of scaffold orientation on the regeneration of vessels, skin, neural tissue, bone, articular cartilage, ligaments, tendons, cardiac tissue, corneas, skeletal muscle, and smooth muscle. The compiled information in this review will facilitate the future development of optimal topographical scaffolds for the regeneration of certain tissues. In the majority of tissues, aligned scaffolds are more suitable than random scaffolds for tissue repair and regeneration. The underlying mechanism explaining the various effects of aligned and random orientation might be the differences in “contact guidance”, which stimulate certain biological responses in cells.
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Sutlive J, Xiu H, Chen Y, Gou K, Xiong F, Guo M, Chen Z. Generation, Transmission, and Regulation of Mechanical Forces in Embryonic Morphogenesis. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2103466. [PMID: 34837328 PMCID: PMC8831476 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202103466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Embryonic morphogenesis is a biological process which depicts shape forming of tissues and organs during development. Unveiling the roles of mechanical forces generated, transmitted, and regulated in cells and tissues through these processes is key to understanding the biophysical mechanisms governing morphogenesis. To this end, it is imperative to measure, simulate, and predict the regulation and control of these mechanical forces during morphogenesis. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the recent advances on mechanical properties of cells and tissues, generation of mechanical forces in cells and tissues, the transmission processes of these generated forces during cells and tissues, the tools and methods used to measure and predict these mechanical forces in vivo, in vitro, or in silico, and to better understand the corresponding regulation and control of generated forces. Understanding the biomechanics and mechanobiology of morphogenesis will not only shed light on the fundamental physical mechanisms underlying these concerted biological processes during normal development, but also uncover new information that will benefit biomedical research in preventing and treating congenital defects or tissue engineering and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Sutlive
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Haning Xiu
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Yunfeng Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Kun Gou
- Department of Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78224
| | - Fengzhu Xiong
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Zi Chen
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
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cAMP Signaling in Pathobiology of Alcohol Associated Liver Disease. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10101433. [PMID: 33050657 PMCID: PMC7600246 DOI: 10.3390/biom10101433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in cellular responses to extracellular signals is well established. Many years after discovery, our understanding of the intricacy of cAMP signaling has improved dramatically. Multiple layers of regulation exist to ensure the specificity of cellular cAMP signaling. Hence, disturbances in cAMP homeostasis could arise at multiple levels, from changes in G protein coupled receptors and production of cAMP to the rate of degradation by phosphodiesterases. cAMP signaling plays critical roles in metabolism, inflammation and development of fibrosis in several tissues. Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a multifactorial condition ranging from a simple steatosis to steatohepatitis and fibrosis and ultimately cirrhosis, which might lead to hepatocellular cancer. To date, there is no FDA-approved therapy for ALD. Hence, identifying the targets for the treatment of ALD is an important undertaking. Several human studies have reported the changes in cAMP homeostasis in relation to alcohol use disorders. cAMP signaling has also been extensively studied in in vitro and in vivo models of ALD. This review focuses on the role of cAMP in the pathobiology of ALD with emphasis on the therapeutic potential of targeting cAMP signaling for the treatment of various stages of ALD.
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Wang PW, Wu TH, Lin TY, Chen MH, Yeh CT, Pan TL. Characterization of the Roles of Vimentin in Regulating the Proliferation and Migration of HSCs during Hepatic Fibrogenesis. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101184. [PMID: 31581522 PMCID: PMC6830351 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) manifested as proliferation and migration is the pivotal event involved in liver fibrogenesis. The vimentin network, an intermediate filament (IF) system, is one of the critical cascades by which the cell morphology, growth, and motility are modulated. However, the vimentin-mediated cytoskeletal cross talk, as well as the signaling transduction, which further coordinates the cellular responses during hepatic fibrogenesis, is poorly understood. In the current study, both messenger RNA (mRNA) and the vimentin protein were significantly increased in a time-dependent manner in the dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-exposed liver. In particular, vimentin was highly expressed in the activated HSCs. Again, the overexpressed vimentin was observed in the plasma samples derived from patients with hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis, suggesting that vimentin may be a key factor in regulating the progression of liver fibrosis. Meanwhile, vimentin knockdown suppressed the migratory propensity, provoked morphological changes, and disturbed the focal adhesions in the HSCs due to the breakdown of associated cytoskeletal proteins. Western blotting showed that vimentin deletion inhibited proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and arrested the Rho GTPase family, thereby impairing the HSCs’ growth as well as motility. The phosphorylated extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) and AKT signals were also notably reduced in response to the silence of vimentin. Inhibitors of selected signaling pathways suppressed the migration and differentiation of activated HSCs by regulating specific serine phosphorylated sites on vimentin. Taken together, these findings revealed a novel mechanism of vimentin through which various signaling pathways controlled the proliferation, differentiation, and movement of the HSCs via the ERK/AKT and Rho cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Wen Wang
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan.
| | - Tung-Ho Wu
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan.
| | - Tung-Yi Lin
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 20401, Taiwan.
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
| | - Mu-Hong Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan.
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
| | - Chau-Ting Yeh
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33375, Taiwan.
| | - Tai-Long Pan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33375, Taiwan.
- Chinese Herbal Medicine Research Team, Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
- Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine and Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 33303, Taiwan.
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Moon MY, Kim HJ, Kim MJ, Uhm S, Park JW, Suk KT, Park JB, Kim DJ, Kim SE. Rap1 regulates hepatic stellate cell migration through the modulation of RhoA activity in response to TGF‑β1. Int J Mol Med 2019; 44:491-502. [PMID: 31173168 PMCID: PMC6605627 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the migration of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is important for hepatic fibrosis, the regulation of this migration is poorly understood. Notably, transforming growth factor (TGF)‑β1 induces monocyte migration to sites of injury or inflammation during the early phase, but inhibits cell migration during the late phase. In the present study, the role of transforming protein RhoA signaling in TGF‑β1‑induced HSC migration was investigated. TGF‑β1 was found to increase the protein and mRNA levels of smooth muscle actin and collagen type I in HSC‑T6 cells. The level of RhoA‑GTP in TGF‑β1‑stimulated cells was significantly higher than that in control cells. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of cofilin and formation of filamentous actin (F‑actin) were more marked in TGF‑β1‑stimulated cells than in control cells. Additionally, TGF‑β1 induced the activation of nuclear factor‑κB, and the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and several cytokines in HSC‑T6 cells. The active form of Rap1 (Rap1 V12) suppressed RhoA‑GTP levels, whereas the dominant‑negative form of Rap1 (Rap1 N17) augmented RhoA‑GTP levels. Therefore, the data confirmed that Rap1 regulated the activation of RhoA in TGF‑β1‑stimulated HSC‑T6 cells. These findings suggest that TGF‑β1 regulates Rap1, resulting in the suppression of RhoA, activation of and formation of F‑actin during the migration of HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Young Moon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi 14068, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Jun Kim
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi 14066, Republic of Korea
| | - Mo-Jong Kim
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi 14066, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunho Uhm
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi 14068, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Won Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi 14068, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Tae Suk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24253, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Bong Park
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Jun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24253, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Eun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi 14068, Republic of Korea
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Gracia-Sancho J, Marrone G, Fernández-Iglesias A. Hepatic microcirculation and mechanisms of portal hypertension. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 16:221-234. [PMID: 30568278 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-018-0097-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The liver microcirculatory milieu, mainly composed of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and hepatic macrophages, has an essential role in liver homeostasis, including in preserving hepatocyte function, regulating the vascular tone and controlling inflammation. Liver microcirculatory dysfunction is one of the key mechanisms that promotes the progression of chronic liver disease (also termed cirrhosis) and the development of its major clinical complication, portal hypertension. In the present Review, we describe the current knowledge of liver microcirculatory dysfunction in cirrhotic portal hypertension and appraise the preclinical models used to study the liver circulation. We also provide a comprehensive summary of the promising therapeutic options to target the liver microvasculature in cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain. .,Hepatology, Department of Biomedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Giusi Marrone
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anabel Fernández-Iglesias
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Hu Y, Hu D, Yu H, Xu W, Fu R. Hypoxia‑inducible factor 1α and ROCK1 regulate proliferation and collagen synthesis in hepatic stellate cells under hypoxia. Mol Med Rep 2018; 18:3997-4003. [PMID: 30132575 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia serves a critical role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Hypoxia‑inducible factor 1α (HIF1‑α) is induced when cells are exposed to low O2 concentrations. Recently, it has been suggested that Rho‑associated coiled‑coil‑forming kinase 1 (ROCK1) may be an important HIF1‑α regulator. In the present study, it was analyzed whether crosstalk between HIF1‑α and ROCK1 regulates cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) under hypoxic conditions. For this purpose, a rat hepatic HSC line (HSC‑T6) was cultured under hypoxic or normoxic conditions, and HIF1‑α and ROCK1 expression was measured at different time points. Additionally, HSC‑T6 cells were transfected with HIF1‑α small interfering RNA (siHIF1‑α), and measured protein expression and mRNA transcript levels of α‑smooth muscle actin, collagen 1A1 and ROCK1. Collagen 3A1 secretion was also measured by ELISA. Cell proliferation was assessed by the MTT assay under these hypoxic conditions. The results indicated that a specific ROCK inhibitor, Y‑27632, increased HIF1‑α and ROCK1 expression over time in HSC‑T6 cells in response to hypoxia. In addition, knockdown of HIF1‑α inhibited HSC‑T6 proliferation, suppressed collagen 1A1 expression, decreased collagen 3A1 secretion and attenuated ROCK1 expression. Notably, ROCK1 inhibition caused HSC‑T6 quiescence, suppressed collagen secretion and downregulated HIF1‑α expression. Collectively, these findings indicated that the interplay between HIF1‑α and ROCK1 may be a critical factor that regulates cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in rat HSCs under hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibing Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325200, P.R. China
| | - Danping Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325200, P.R. China
| | - Huanhuan Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325200, P.R. China
| | - Wangwang Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325200, P.R. China
| | - Rongquan Fu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325200, P.R. China
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12
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Mechanosensing in liver regeneration. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 71:153-167. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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13
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Abdallah BM, Figeac F, Larsen KH, Ditzel N, Keshari P, Isa A, Jafari A, Andersen TL, Delaisse JM, Goshima Y, Ohshima T, Kassem M. CRMP4 Inhibits Bone Formation by Negatively Regulating BMP and RhoA Signaling. J Bone Miner Res 2017; 32:913-926. [PMID: 28019696 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.3069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
We identified the neuroprotein collapsing response mediator protein-4 (CRMP4) as a noncanonical osteogenic factor that regulates the differentiation of mouse bone marrow skeletal stem cells (bone marrow stromal stem cells [mBMSCs]) into osteoblastic cells. CRMP4 is the only member of the CRMP1-CRMP5 family to be expressed by mBMSCs and in osteoprogenitors of both adult mouse and human bones. In vitro gain-of-function and loss-of-function of CRMP4 in murine stromal cells revealed its inhibitory effect on osteoblast differentiation. In addition, Crmp4-deficient mice (Crmp4-/- ) displayed a 40% increase in bone mass, increased mineral apposition rate, and bone formation rate, compared to wild-type controls. Increased bone mass in Crmp4-/- mice was associated with enhanced BMP2 signaling and BMP2-induced osteoblast differentiation in Crmp4-/- osteoblasts (OBs). Furthermore, Crmp4-/- OBs exhibited enhanced activation of RhoA/focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling that led to cytoskeletal changes with increased cell spreading. In addition, Crmp4-/- OBs exhibited increased cell proliferation that was mediated via inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B, p27Kip1 and upregulating cyclin D1 expression which are targets of RhoA signaling pathway. Our findings identify CRMP4 as a novel negative regulator of osteoblast differentiation. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basem M Abdallah
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia.,Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Florence Figeac
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Kenneth H Larsen
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Nicholas Ditzel
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Pankaj Keshari
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Adiba Isa
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Abbas Jafari
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, DanStem (Danish Stem Cell Center), Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas L Andersen
- Department of Clinical Cell Biology, Vejle/Lillebaelt Hospital, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Jean-Marie Delaisse
- Department of Clinical Cell Biology, Vejle/Lillebaelt Hospital, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Yoshio Goshima
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neurobiology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Toshio Ohshima
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Moustapha Kassem
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, DanStem (Danish Stem Cell Center), Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Stem Cell Unit, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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14
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CXCL4 Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Chronic Liver Allograft Dysfunction. J Immunol Res 2016; 2016:9276986. [PMID: 28053995 PMCID: PMC5178361 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9276986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver allograft dysfunction (CLAD) remains the most common cause of patient morbidity and allograft loss in liver transplant patients. However, the pathogenesis of CLAD has not been completely elucidated. By establishing rat CLAD models, in this study, we identified the informative CLAD-associated genes using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) proteomics analysis and validated these results in recipient rat liver allografts. CXCL4, CXCR3, EGFR, JAK2, STAT3, and Collagen IV were associated with CLAD pathogenesis. We validated that CXCL4 is upstream of these informative genes in the isolated hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Blocking CXCL4 protects against CLAD by reducing liver fibrosis. Therefore, our results indicated that therapeutic approaches that neutralize CXCL4, a newly identified target of fibrosis, may represent a novel strategy for preventing and treating CLAD after liver transplantation.
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15
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Zhang JG, Zhang DD, Wu X, Wang YZ, Gu SY, Zhu GH, Li XY, Li Q, Liu GL. Incarvine C suppresses proliferation and vasculogenic mimicry of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via targeting ROCK inhibition. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:814. [PMID: 26510899 PMCID: PMC4625643 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1809-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have described vasculogenic mimicry (VM) as an alternative circulatory system to blood vessels in multiple malignant tumor types, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the current study, we aimed to seek novel and more efficient treatment strategies by targeting VM and explore the underlying mechanisms in HCC cells. Methods Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and colony survival assay were performed to explore the inhibitory effect of incarvine C (IVC) on human cancer cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the cell cycle distribution after DNA staining and cell apoptosis by the Annexin V-PE and 7-AAD assay. The effect of IVC on Rho-associated, coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) was determined by western blotting and stress fiber formation assay. The inhibitory role of IVC on MHCC97H cell VM formation was determined by formation of tubular network structures on Matrigel in vitro, real time-qPCR, confocal microscopy and western blotting techniques. Results We explored an anti-metastatic HCC agent, IVC, derived from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, and found that IVC dose-dependently inhibited the growth of MHCC97H cells. IVC induced MHCC97H cell cycle arrest at G1 transition, which was associated with cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK-2)/cyclin-E1 degradation and p21/p53 up-regulation. In addition, IVC induced apoptotic death of MHCC97H cells. Furthermore, IVC strongly suppressed the phosphorylation of the ROCK substrate myosin phosphatase target subunit-1 (MYPT-1) and ROCK-mediated actin fiber formation. Finally, IVC inhibited cell-dominant tube formation in vitro, which was accompanied with the down-regulation of VM-key factors as detected by real time-qPCR and immunofluorescence. Conclusions Taken together, the effective inhibitory effect of IVC on MHCC97H cell proliferation and neovascularization was associated with ROCK inhibition, suggesting that IVC may be a new potential drug candidate for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Gang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of medicine, No. 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, P. R. China.
| | - Dan-Dan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of medicine, No. 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, P. R. China.
| | - Xin Wu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of medicine, No. 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, P. R. China.
| | - Yu-Zhu Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of medicine, No. 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, P. R. China.
| | - Sheng-Ying Gu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of medicine, No. 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, P. R. China.
| | - Guan-Hua Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of medicine, No. 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, P. R. China.
| | - Xiao-Yu Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of medicine, No. 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, P. R. China.
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of medicine, No. 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, P. R. China.
| | - Gao-Lin Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of medicine, No. 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, P. R. China.
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16
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Crawford J, Nygard K, Gan BS, O'Gorman DB. Periostin induces fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblast persistence in hypertrophic scarring. Exp Dermatol 2015; 24:120-6. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.12601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Justin Crawford
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory; Roth
- McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre; Western University; London ON Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute; Western University; London ON Canada
- Department of Biochemistry; Western University; London ON Canada
| | - Karen Nygard
- Biotron Experimental Climate Change Research Facility; Western University; London ON Canada
| | - Bing Siang Gan
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory; Roth
- McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre; Western University; London ON Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute; Western University; London ON Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics; Western University; London ON Canada
- Department of Surgery; Western University; London ON Canada
| | - David Brian O'Gorman
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory; Roth
- McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre; Western University; London ON Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute; Western University; London ON Canada
- Department of Biochemistry; Western University; London ON Canada
- Department of Surgery; Western University; London ON Canada
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17
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Neurotrophic requirements of human motor neurons defined using amplified and purified stem cell-derived cultures. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110324. [PMID: 25337699 PMCID: PMC4206291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human motor neurons derived from embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (hESCs and hiPSCs) are a potentially important tool for studying motor neuron survival and pathological cell death. However, their basic survival requirements remain poorly characterized. Here, we sought to optimize a robust survival assay and characterize their response to different neurotrophic factors. First, to increase motor neuron yield, we screened a small-molecule collection and found that the Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 enhances motor neuron progenitor proliferation up to 4-fold in hESC and hiPSC cultures. Next, we FACS-purified motor neurons expressing the Hb9::GFP reporter from Y-27632-amplified embryoid bodies and cultured them in the presence of mitotic inhibitors to eliminate dividing progenitors. Survival of these purified motor neurons in the absence of any other cell type was strongly dependent on neurotrophic support. GDNF, BDNF and CNTF all showed potent survival effects (EC(50) 1-2 pM). The number of surviving motor neurons was further enhanced in the presence of forskolin and IBMX, agents that increase endogenous cAMP levels. As a demonstration of the ability of the assay to detect novel neurotrophic agents, Y-27632 itself was found to support human motor neuron survival. Thus, purified human stem cell-derived motor neurons show survival requirements similar to those of primary rodent motor neurons and can be used for rigorous cell-based screening.
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18
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Mikuriya Y, Tashiro H, Kuroda S, Nambu J, Kobayashi T, Amano H, Tanaka Y, Ohdan H. Fatty liver creates a pro-metastatic microenvironment for hepatocellular carcinoma through activation of hepatic stellate cells. Int J Cancer 2014; 136:E3-13. [PMID: 25053237 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Fatty liver (FL) is associated with development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, whether FL itself promotes the progression of HCC is unclear. We recently found that hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were prominently activated in the steatotic liver. Here, we investigated whether steatotic livers promote HCC progression and whether HSCs of steatotic liver are associated with HCC progression. We implanted rat HCC cells into diet-induced steatotic livers in rats via portal vein injection. Thereafter, HSCs and HCC cells were co-implanted subcutaneously into nude rats. Migration and proliferation of HCC cells were measured, and activation of ERK and Akt in these cells was determined by western blotting. Chemokines secreted from HSCs and HCC cells were also evaluated by ELISA. Steatotic livers significantly promoted HCC metastasis compared with non-steatotic livers. Additionally, co-implantation of HCC cells with HSCs from steatotic livers produced significantly larger tumors in recipient rats as compared to those induced by HCC cells co-implanted with HSCs from normal livers (NLs). HSCs isolated from steatotic livers, compared with HSCs isolated from NLs, secreted greater amounts of interleukin-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor, and transforming growth factor-β. These cytokines may enhance the proliferation and migration of HCC cells by increasing the phosphorylation of ERK and Akt in HCC cells. Moreover, we noted that the Rho-kinase inhibitor deactivated activated HSCs and attenuated HCC progression. In conclusion, the rat steatotic liver microenvironment favors HCC metastasis, and this effect appears to be promoted by activated HSCs in the steatotic liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiro Mikuriya
- Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Japan
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19
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Julian L, Olson MF. Rho-associated coiled-coil containing kinases (ROCK): structure, regulation, and functions. Small GTPases 2014; 5:e29846. [PMID: 25010901 PMCID: PMC4114931 DOI: 10.4161/sgtp.29846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 362] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Revised: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Rho-associated coiled-coil containing kinases (ROCK) were originally identified as effectors of the RhoA small GTPase. (1)(-) (5) They belong to the AGC family of serine/threonine kinases (6) and play vital roles in facilitating actomyosin cytoskeleton contractility downstream of RhoA and RhoC activation. Since their discovery, ROCK kinases have been extensively studied, unveiling their manifold functions in processes including cell contraction, migration, apoptosis, survival, and proliferation. Two mammalian ROCK homologs have been identified, ROCK1 (also called ROCK I, ROKβ, Rho-kinase β, or p160ROCK) and ROCK2 (also known as ROCK II, ROKα, or Rho kinase), hereafter collectively referred to as ROCK. In this review, we will focus on the structure, regulation, and functions of ROCK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Julian
- Beatson Institute for Cancer Research; Glasgow, UK
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20
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Opposing signaling of ROCK1 and ROCK2 determines the switching of substrate specificity and the mode of migration of glioblastoma cells. Mol Neurobiol 2013; 49:900-15. [PMID: 24170433 PMCID: PMC3950623 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-013-8568-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Despite current advances in therapy, the prognosis of patients with glioblastoma has not improved sufficiently in recent decades. This is due mainly to the highly invasive capacity of glioma cells. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying this particular characteristic. While the Rho-kinase (ROCK)-dependent signaling pathways involved in glioma migration have yet to be determined, they show promise as one of the candidates in targeted glioblastoma therapy. There are two ROCK isoforms: ROCK1, which is upregulated in glioblastoma tissue compared to normal brain tissue, and ROCK2, which is also expressed in normal brain tissue. Blockage of both of these ROCK isoforms with pharmacologic inhibitors regulates the migration process. We examined the activities of ROCK1 and ROCK2 using knockdown cell lines and the newly developed stripe assay. Selective knockdown of either ROCK1 or ROCK2 exerted antidromic effects on glioma migration: while ROCK1 deletion altered the substrate-dependent migration, deletion of ROCK2 did not. Furthermore, ROCK1 knockdown reduced cell proliferation, whereas ROCK2 knockdown enhanced it. Along the signaling pathways, key regulators of the ROCK pathway are differentially affected by ROCK1 and ROCK2. These data suggest that the balanced activation of ROCKs is responsible for the substrate-specific migration and the proliferation of glioblastoma cells.
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21
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Boku S, Nakagawa S, Toda H, Kato A, Takamura N, Omiya Y, Inoue T, Koyama T. ROCK2 regulates bFGF-induced proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells through GSK-3β and β-catenin pathway. Brain Res 2012; 1492:7-17. [PMID: 23211630 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2012] [Revised: 10/24/2012] [Accepted: 11/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Increased neurogenesis by promoting proliferation of neural precursor cells in the adult dentate gyrus might be beneficial for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Results demonstrate that bFGF is necessary for the proliferation of neural precursor cells and that the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and β-catenin pathway plays a role in it. However, the detailed mechanism of proliferation of neural precursor cells remains unclear. To elucidate that mechanism, we investigated the role of Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) in bFGF-induced proliferation using SH-SY5Y cells as a model of neural precursor-like cells. Y27632, a specific inhibitor of ROCK, decreased bFGF-induced proliferation. Lithium (Li), an inhibitor of GSK-3β, recovered Y27632-decreased proliferation and quercetin (Que), an inhibitor of β-catenin pathway, reversed the recovery effect of Li. Both nuclear β-catenin and cyclin D1 expression were altered by bFGF, Y27632, Li, and Que in parallel with the case of proliferation. Furthermore, bFGF inactivated GSK-3β through increasing the phosphorylation of Ser(9) on GSK-3β, which is reversed by Y27632 through increased phosphorylation of Tyr(216) on GSK-3β. ROCK has two subtypes: ROCK1 and ROCK2. Investigation with siRNA for ROCKs showed that ROCK2 is involved in bFGF-induced proliferation, but not ROCK1. These results suggest that ROCK2 might mediate bFGF-induced proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells through GSK-3β and β-catenin pathway. Further investigation of detailed mechanisms regulating the ROCK2/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway might engender the development of new therapeutic targets of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuken Boku
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
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22
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Poosti F, Yazdani S, Dolman MEM, Jan Kok R, Chen C, Ding G, Lacombe M, Prakash J, van den Born J, Hillebrands JL, van Goor H, de Borst MH. Targeted inhibition of renal Rho kinase reduces macrophage infiltration and lymphangiogenesis in acute renal allograft rejection. Eur J Pharmacol 2012; 694:111-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2012] [Revised: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 08/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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23
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Kageyama Y, Ikeda H, Watanabe N, Nagamine M, Kusumoto Y, Yashiro M, Satoh Y, Shimosawa T, Shinozaki K, Tomiya T, Inoue Y, Nishikawa T, Ohtomo N, Tanoue Y, Yokota H, Koyama T, Ishimaru K, Okamoto Y, Takuwa Y, Koike K, Yatomi Y. Antagonism of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 causes a selective reduction of portal vein pressure in bile duct-ligated rodents. Hepatology 2012; 56:1427-38. [PMID: 22505286 DOI: 10.1002/hep.25780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Sinusoidal vasoconstriction, in which hepatic stellate cells operate as contractile machinery, has been suggested to play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of portal hypertension. We investigated whether sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) stimulates contractility of those cells and enhances portal vein pressure in isolated perfused rat livers with Rho activation by way of S1P receptor 2 (S1P(2) ). Rho and its effector, Rho kinase, reportedly contribute to the pathophysiology of portal hypertension. Thus, a potential effect of S1P(2) antagonism on portal hypertension was examined. Intravenous infusion of the S1P(2) antagonist, JTE-013, at 1 mg/kg body weight reduced portal vein pressure by 24% without affecting mean arterial pressure in cirrhotic rats induced by bile duct ligation at 4 weeks after the operation, whereas the same amount of S1P(2) antagonist did not alter portal vein pressure and mean arterial pressure in control sham-operated rats. Rho kinase activity in the livers was enhanced in bile duct-ligated rats compared to sham-operated rats, and this enhanced Rho kinase activity in bile duct-ligated livers was reduced after infusion of the S1P(2) antagonist. S1P(2) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, but not S1P(1) or S1P(3) , was increased in bile duct-ligated livers of rats and mice and also in culture-activated rat hepatic stellate cells. S1P(2) expression, determined in S1P 2LacZ/+ mice, was highly increased in hepatic stellate cells of bile duct-ligated livers. Furthermore, the increase of Rho kinase activity in bile duct-ligated livers was observed as early as 7 days after the operation in wildtype mice, but was less in S1P 2-/- mice. CONCLUSION S1P may play an important role in the pathophysiology of portal hypertension with Rho kinase activation by way of S1P(2) . The S1P(2) antagonist merits consideration as a novel therapeutic agent for portal hypertension.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Bile Ducts/surgery
- Cells, Cultured/drug effects
- Disease Models, Animal
- Enzyme Activation/drug effects
- Enzyme Activation/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Hemodynamics/drug effects
- Hemodynamics/physiology
- Hepatic Stellate Cells/drug effects
- Hepatic Stellate Cells/physiology
- Hypertension, Portal/drug therapy
- Hypertension, Portal/physiopathology
- Immunoblotting
- Immunohistochemistry
- Infusions, Intravenous
- Ligation
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Pyrazoles/pharmacology
- Pyridines/pharmacology
- Random Allocation
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Receptors, Lysosphingolipid/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Lysosphingolipid/drug effects
- Receptors, Lysosphingolipid/genetics
- Reference Values
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- rho-Associated Kinases/drug effects
- rho-Associated Kinases/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Kageyama
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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24
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Yang J, Xu MQ, Yan LN, Chen XB, Liu J. Zinc finger protein A20 protects rats against chronic liver allograft dysfunction. World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18:3537-50. [PMID: 22826618 PMCID: PMC3400855 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i27.3537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2011] [Revised: 03/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/13/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the effect of zinc finger protein A20 on chronic liver allograft dysfunction in rats.
METHODS: Allogeneic liver transplantation from DA rats to Lewis rats was performed. Chronic liver allograft dysfunction was induced in the rats by administering low-dose tacrolimus at postoperative day (POD) 5. Hepatic overexpression of A20 was achieved by recombinant adenovirus (rAd.)-mediated gene transfer administered intravenously every 10 d starting from POD 10. The recipient rats were injected with physiological saline, rAdEasy-A20 (1 × 109 pfu/30 g weight) or rAdEasy (1 × 109 pfu/30 g weight) every 10 d through the tail vein for 3 mo starting from POD 10. Liver tissue samples were harvested on POD 30 and POD 60.
RESULTS: Liver-transplanted rats treated with only tacrolimus showed chronic allograft dysfunction with severe hepatic fibrosis. A20 overexpression ameliorated the effects on liver function, attenuated liver allograft fibrosis and prolonged the survival of the recipient rats. Treatment with A20 suppressed hepatic protein production of tumor growth factor (TGF)-β1, interleukin-1β, caspase-8, CD40, CD40L, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin. A20 treatment suppressed liver cell apoptosis and inhibited nuclear factor-κB activation of Kupffer cells (KCs), liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and it subsequently decreased cytokine mRNA expression in KCs and LSECs and reduced the production of TGF-β1 in HSCs.
CONCLUSION: A20 might prevent chronic liver allograft dysfunction by re-establishing functional homeostasis of KCs, LSECs and HSCs.
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Takeba Y, Matsumoto N, Watanabe M, Takenoshita-Nakaya S, Ohta Y, Kumai T, Takagi M, Koizumi S, Asakura T, Otsubo T. The Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil is involved in p53-mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2012; 69:1545-55. [DOI: 10.1007/s00280-012-1862-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2011] [Accepted: 03/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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van Beuge MM, Poelstra K, Prakash J. Specific delivery of kinase inhibitors in nonmalignant and malignant diseases. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2011; 9:59-70. [PMID: 22111941 DOI: 10.1517/17425247.2012.638625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Kinase inhibitors have been hailed as a breakthrough in the treatment of cancer. Extensive research is now being devoted to the development of kinase inhibitors as a treatment for many nonmalignant diseases. However, the use of kinase inhibitors in both malignant and nonmalignant diseases is also associated with side effects and the development of resistance. It may be worthwhile to explore whether cell-specific delivery of kinase inhibitors improves therapeutic efficacy and reduces side effects. AREAS COVERED This review aims to provide an overview of the preclinical studies performed to examine the specific targeting of kinase inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. It gives an introduction to kinase signaling pathways induced during disease, along with the possible problems associated with their inhibition. It also discusses the studies on specific delivery and shows that altering the specificity of kinase inhibitors by targeting methods improves their effectivity and safety. EXPERT OPINION Compared with the delivery of cytotoxic compounds, the specific delivery of kinase inhibitors has not yet been studied extensively. The studies discussed in this review provide an insight into methods used to target kinase inhibitors to different organs. The targeting of different kinase inhibitors has improved their therapeutic possibilities, but many questions still remain to be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marike Marjolijn van Beuge
- University of Groningen, University Centre for Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacokinetics, Toxicology & Targeting, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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van Beuge MM, Prakash J, Lacombe M, Post E, Reker-Smit C, Beljaars L, Poelstra K. Increased liver uptake and reduced hepatic stellate cell activation with a cell-specific conjugate of the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y27632. Pharm Res 2011; 28:2045-54. [PMID: 21442374 PMCID: PMC3130909 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-011-0430-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2011] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Rho-kinase regulates activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) during liver fibrosis, but the ubiquitous presence of this kinase may hinder examination of its exact role and the therapeutic use of inhibitors. We therefore coupled the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y27632 to a drug carrier that binds the mannose-6-phosphate insulin-like growth factor II (M6P/IGFII)-receptor which is upregulated on activated HSC. Methods Y27632 was coupled to mannose-6-phosphate human serum albumin (M6PHSA), and in vitro experiments were performed on primary rat HSC. Biodistribution and effect studies were performed in an acute CCl4 model in mice. Results Y27-conjugate remained stable in serum, while drug was efficiently released in liver homogenates. Receptor-blocking studies revealed that it was specifically taken up through the M6P/IGFII-receptor on fibroblasts, and it inhibited expression of fibrotic markers in activated HSC. In vivo, liver drug levels were significantly higher after injection of Y27-conjugate as compared to Y27632, and the conjugate accumulated specifically in HSC. After acute CCl4-induced liver injury, Y27-conjugate reduced the local activation of HSC, whereas an equimolar dose of free drug did not. Conclusions We conclude that specific targeting of a Rho-kinase inhibitor to HSC leads to enhanced accumulation of the drug in HSC, reducing early fibrogenesis in the liver. Electronic Supplementary Material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11095-011-0430-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marike Marjolijn van Beuge
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Toxicology & Targeting, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands.
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van Beuge MM, Prakash J, Lacombe M, Gosens R, Post E, Reker-Smit C, Beljaars L, Poelstra K. Reduction of Fibrogenesis by Selective Delivery of a Rho Kinase Inhibitor to Hepatic Stellate Cells in Mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2011; 337:628-35. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.111.179143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Yotova I, Quan P, Leditznig N, Beer U, Wenzl R, Tschugguel W. Abnormal activation of Ras/Raf/MAPK and RhoA/ROCKII signalling pathways in eutopic endometrial stromal cells of patients with endometriosis. Hum Reprod 2011; 26:885-97. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/der010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
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Clark AG, Paluch E. Mechanics and regulation of cell shape during the cell cycle. Results Probl Cell Differ 2011; 53:31-73. [PMID: 21630140 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-19065-0_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Many cell types undergo dramatic changes in shape throughout the cell cycle. For individual cells, a tight control of cell shape is crucial during cell division, but also in interphase, for example during cell migration. Moreover, cell cycle-related cell shape changes have been shown to be important for tissue morphogenesis in a number of developmental contexts. Cell shape is the physical result of cellular mechanical properties and of the forces exerted on the cell. An understanding of the causes and repercussions of cell shape changes thus requires knowledge of both the molecular regulation of cellular mechanics and how specific changes in cell mechanics in turn effect global shape changes. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the control of cell morphology, both in terms of general cell mechanics and specifically during the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Clark
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
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Smith MA, Blankman E, Gardel ML, Luettjohann L, Waterman CM, Beckerle MC. A zyxin-mediated mechanism for actin stress fiber maintenance and repair. Dev Cell 2010; 19:365-76. [PMID: 20833360 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2010.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2010] [Revised: 06/24/2010] [Accepted: 07/09/2010] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
To maintain mechanical homeostasis, cells must recognize and respond to changes in cytoskeletal integrity. By imaging live cells expressing fluorescently tagged cytoskeletal proteins, we observed that actin stress fibers undergo local, acute, force-induced elongation and thinning events that compromise their stress transmission function, followed by stress fiber repair that restores this capability. The LIM protein zyxin rapidly accumulates at sites of strain-induced stress fiber damage and is essential for stress fiber repair and generation of traction force. Zyxin promotes recruitment of the actin regulatory proteins α-actinin and VASP to compromised stress fiber zones. α-Actinin plays a critical role in restoration of actin integrity at sites of local stress fiber damage, whereas both α-actinin and VASP independently contribute to limiting stress fiber elongation at strain sites, thus promoting stabilization of the stress fiber. Our findings demonstrate a mechanism for rapid repair and maintenance of the structural integrity of the actin cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Smith
- Department of Biology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Krawetz R, Taiani JT, Liu S, Meng G, Li X, Kallos MS, Rancourt DE. Large-Scale Expansion of Pluripotent Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Stirred-Suspension Bioreactors. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2010; 16:573-82. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2009.0228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Roman Krawetz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jaymi T. Taiani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shiying Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Guoliang Meng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xiangyun Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
| | - Michael S. Kallos
- Pharmaceutical Production Research Facility (PPRF), Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Derrick E. Rancourt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Thyroid hormones induce activation of rat hepatic stellate cells through increased expression of p75 neurotrophin receptor and direct activation of Rho. J Transl Med 2010; 90:674-84. [PMID: 20231820 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2010.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that hyperthyroidism is detrimental for liver fibrosis and in this study we have investigated the mechanisms regulating triiodothyronine (T3) and L-thyroxine (T4) activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA) and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) was determined by western blot analyses and transient transfection of the promoters. Rho activation was assayed using a pull-down assay and by ELISA. Expression of thyroid hormone receptor alpha1 decreases, whereas T4 receptor integrin alphaVbeta3 increases, with transdifferentiation of HSC to myofibroblasts. T3 and T4 enhance HSC activation, without affecting proliferation or phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 or Akt. Addition of 10(-7) M T3 or T4 to thyroid hormone-depleted serum induces a twofold increase in activation marker alphaSMA, as well as upregulation of p75NTR protein levels. Both hormones enhance transcription of alphaSMA and p75NTR. We report a novel signaling pathway for thyroid hormones, activation of Rho. T4 induces activation of Rho acting through alphavbeta3 integrin, and the activation is abolished by the T4 antagonist, tetraiodothyroacetic acid, by peptide RGD and by a function-blocking antibody to integrin beta3. T3 and T4 increase phosphorylation of non-muscle myosin light chain II, a downstream signal to Rho/Rho-kinase activation. T3 also induces expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In vivo, administration of T3 or T4 together with thioacetamide (TAA) enhances fibrosis after 3 weeks, compared with the TAA-treated group, accompanied by increased alphaSMA in T3- and T4-treated groups, and of p75NTR in T4-treated rats. Thyroid hormones enhance activation of HSC through increased p75NTR and alphaSMA expression and activation of Rho, therefore accelerating development of liver fibrosis.
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Deng B, Yang X, Zhu Z, Zhang C. A Rho-kinase inhibitor, fasudil, attenuates progressive glomerulosclerosis induced by daunorubicin in rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 29:720-4. [DOI: 10.1007/s11596-009-0609-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Liu Z, van Grunsven LA, Van Rossen E, Schroyen B, Timmermans JP, Geerts A, Reynaert H. Blebbistatin inhibits contraction and accelerates migration in mouse hepatic stellate cells. Br J Pharmacol 2009; 159:304-15. [PMID: 20039876 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00477.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Blebbistatin, an inhibitor of myosin-II-specific ATPase, has been used to inhibit contraction of invertebrate and mammalian muscle preparations containing non-muscle myosin. Activated hepatic stellate cells have contractile properties and play an important role in the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension. Therefore, hepatic stellate cells are considered as therapeutic target cells. In the present study, we studied the effect of blebbistatin during the transition of mouse hepatic stellate cells into contractile myofibroblasts. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Effects of blebbistatin on cell morphology were evaluated by phase contrast microscopy. Cell stress fibres and focal adhesions were investigated by dual immunofluorescence staining and visualized using fluorescence microscopy. Contractile force generation was examined by silicone wrinkle formation assays and collagen gel contraction assays. Intracellular Ca(2+) release in response to endothelin-1 was measured by using Fluo-4. Cell migration was measured by wound healing experiments. KEY RESULTS In culture-activated hepatic stellate cells, blebbistatin was found to change both cell morphology and function. In the presence of blebbistatin, stellate cells became smaller, acquired a dendritic morphology and had less myosin IIA-containing stress fibres and vinculin-containing focal adhesions. Moreover, blebbistatin impaired silicone wrinkle formation, reduced collagen gel contraction and blocked endothelin-1-induced intracellular Ca(2+) release. Finally, it promoted wound-induced cell migration. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS By inhibiting myosin II ATPase, blebbistatin has profound effects on the morphology and function of activated hepatic stellate cells. Our data suggest that myosin II could be a therapeutic target in the treatment of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenan Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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Tian YS, Kim HJ, Kim HM. Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibition reverses low cell activity on hydrophobic surfaces. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2009; 386:499-503. [PMID: 19545543 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.06.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2009] [Accepted: 06/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Hydrophobic polymers do not offer an adequate scaffold surface for cells to attach, migrate, proliferate, and differentiate. Thus, hydrophobic scaffolds for tissue engineering have traditionally been physicochemically modified to enhance cellular activity. However, modifying the surface by chemical or physical treatment requires supplementary engineering procedures. In the present study, regulation of a cell signal transduction pathway reversed the low cellular activity on a hydrophobic surface without surface modification. Inhibition of Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) by Y-27632 markedly enhanced adhesion, migration, and proliferation of osteoblastic cells cultured on a hydrophobic polystyrene surface. ROCK inhibition regulated cell-cycle-related molecules on the hydrophobic surface. This inhibition also decreased expression of the inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases such as p21(cip1) and p27(kip1) and increased expression of cyclin A and D. These results indicate that defective cellular activity on the hydrophobic surface can be reversed by the control of a cell signal transduction pathway without physicochemical surface modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shun Tian
- Laboratory for the Study of Molecular Biointerfaces, Department of Oral Histology and Developmental Biology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-749, Republic of Korea
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Hennenberg M, Trebicka J, Stark C, Kohistani AZ, Heller J, Sauerbruch T. Sorafenib targets dysregulated Rho kinase expression and portal hypertension in rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis. Br J Pharmacol 2009; 157:258-70. [PMID: 19338580 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00158.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Extrahepatic vasodilation and increased intrahepatic vascular resistance represent attractive targets for the medical treatment of portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis. In both dysfunctions, dysregulation of the contraction-mediating Rho kinase plays an important role as it contributes to altered vasoconstrictor responsiveness. However, the mechanisms of vascular Rho kinase dysregulation in cirrhosis are insufficiently understood. They possibly involve mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent mechanisms in extrahepatic vessels. As the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib inhibits ERK, we tested the effect of sorafenib on haemodynamics and dysregulated vascular Rho kinase in rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Secondary biliary cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Sorafenib was given orally for 1 week (60 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)). Messenger RNA levels were determined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction, protein expressions and protein phosphorylation by Western blot analysis. Aortic contractility was studied by myographic measurements, and intrahepatic vasoregulation by using livers perfused in situ. In vivo, haemodynamic parameters were assessed invasively in combination with coloured microspheres. KEY RESULTS In BDL rats, treatment with sorafenib decreased portal pressure, paralleled by decreases in hepatic Rho kinase expression and Rho kinase-mediated intrahepatic vascular resistance. In aortas from BDL rats, sorafenib caused up-regulation of Rho kinase and an improvement of aortic contractility. By contrast, mesenteric Rho kinase remained unaffected by sorafenib. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Intrahepatic dysregulation of vascular Rho kinase expression is controlled by sorafenib-sensitive mechanisms in rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis. Thus, sorafenib reduced portal pressure without affecting systemic blood pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Hennenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Germany.
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Nishikawa Y, Ohi N, Yagisawa A, Doi Y, Yamamoto Y, Yoshida M, Tokairin T, Yoshioka T, Omori Y, Enomoto K. Suppressive effect of orthovanadate on hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis in rats. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2009; 174:881-90. [PMID: 19164509 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2009.080261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Orthovanadate (OV), an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, affects various biological processes in a cell-type-specific manner. In this study, we investigated the effect of OV on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). When primary rat HSCs were cultured in the presence of 10% serum, they spontaneously lost characteristic stellate morphology, proliferated, and were transformed into an activated state with the formation of abundant stress fibers and increased expression of both alpha-smooth muscle actin and collagen type I mRNA. OV treatment inhibited proliferation and activation of HSCs and partially reversed the phenotype of activated HSCs. Among the signaling molecules investigated, phosphorylation of the Src protein at tyrosine 416 was the most striking in OV-treated HSCs. Treatment of cells with Src family inhibitors partially abrogated the effects of OV. Furthermore, transfection of v-Src into activated HSCs induced a stellate morphology similar to that in the quiescent state. We then examined whether OV could effectively suppress HSC activation in vivo after liver injury induced by either carbon tetrachloride or dimethylnitrosamine. OV significantly reduced the appearance of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells and decreased collagen deposition, concomitant with an improvement in liver function. Our study showed for the first time that OV was able to suppress the activation of HSCs, possibly through the modulation of Src activity, and attenuated fibrosis after chronic liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Nishikawa
- Department of Pathology, Akita University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita 010-8543, Japan.
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Ortíz-López L, Morales-Mulia S, Ramírez-Rodríguez G, Benítez-King G. ROCK-regulated cytoskeletal dynamics participate in the inhibitory effect of melatonin on cancer cell migration. J Pineal Res 2009; 46:15-21. [PMID: 18482340 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2008.00600.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cell movement is generated by a driving force provided by dynamic cytoskeletal organization. Two main cytoskeletal-dependent features, essential for migration, are the highly cell polarized structure and focal adhesion complexes. Cell migration and substrate anchorage are finely regulated by external signaling exerted by growth factors and hormones. In particular, the serine threonine kinase activated by the small GTPase Rho, the Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), participate in both processes through regulation of actin rearrangements in lamellipodia, filopodia, ruffles, and stress fibers. Melatonin, the main product secreted by the pineal gland has oncostatic properties. In MCF-7 cells, 1 nm melatonin reduces migration and invasiveness through increased expression of two cell surface adhesion proteins, E-cadherin and beta(1)-integrin. In this work, we studied the microfilament and microtubule rearrangements elicited by melatonin in migrating leader MCF-7 cells by a wound-healing assay. Additionally, cell anchorage was estimated by quantification of focal adhesions in MCF-7 cells cultured with melatonin. ROCK participation in the indole effects on anchorage and migration was explored by inhibition of the kinase activity with the specific inhibitor of ROCK, the Y-27632 compound. The results indicate that ROCK participates in the melatonin inhibitory effects on cell migration by changing cytoskeletal organization of leader MCF-7 cells. Also, they indicated that indole increased the number of focal contacts through ROCK. These results support the notion that melatonin inhibits cancer cell invasion and metastasis formation via ROCK-regulated microfilament and microtubule organization that converge in a migration/anchorage switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Ortíz-López
- Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría, Departamento de Neurofarmacología, Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Mexico D.F., Mexico
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Wozniak MA, Chen CS. Mechanotransduction in development: a growing role for contractility. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2009; 10:34-43. [PMID: 19197330 PMCID: PMC2952188 DOI: 10.1038/nrm2592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 568] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Mechanotransduction research has focused historically on how externally applied forces can affect cell signalling and function. A growing body of evidence suggests that contractile forces that are generated internally by the actomyosin cytoskeleton are also important in regulating cell behaviour, and suggest a broader role for mechanotransduction in biology. Although the molecular basis for these cellular forces in mechanotransduction is being pursued in cell culture, researchers are also beginning to appreciate their contribution to in vivo developmental processes. Here, we examine the role for mechanical forces and contractility in regulating cell and tissue structure and function during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele A. Wozniak
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA 19104
| | - Christopher S. Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA 19104
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Connelly JT, García AJ, Levenston ME. Interactions between integrin ligand density and cytoskeletal integrity regulate BMSC chondrogenesis. J Cell Physiol 2008; 217:145-54. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.21484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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H89 (N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide) induces reduction of myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation and inhibits cell proliferation. Eur J Pharmacol 2008; 590:61-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2007] [Revised: 05/02/2008] [Accepted: 05/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Kohjima M, Enjoji M, Higuchi N, Kotoh K, Kato M, Takayanagi R, Nakamuta M. NIM811, a nonimmunosuppressive cyclosporine analogue, suppresses collagen production and enhances collagenase activity in hepatic stellate cells. Liver Int 2007; 27:1273-81. [PMID: 17919240 PMCID: PMC2156109 DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2007.01560.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS A recent decrease in patient survival has been reported among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected liver transplant recipients and this may be attributable to progression of fibrosis. We reported previously that cyclosporine suppressed the proliferation of, and collagen production in, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Here, we investigated the effects of NIM811, a cyclosporine analogue, on cell growth, collagen production and collagenase activity in HSCs. METHODS Rat HSCs and human HSC-derived TWNT-4 cells were cultured for the study. The expression of collagen, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and collagenase activity was evaluated. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured. Phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), Smad2 and Smad3 was evaluated. The expression of the tumour growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-receptor and Smad7 genes was also evaluated. RESULTS NIM811, as well as cyclosporine, suppressed the transcription and synthesis of collagen and stimulated the production of MMP-1 with a concomitant enhancement of collagenase activity, although it did not change the expression of TIMP-1. NIM811 inhibited proliferation without induction of apoptosis. In the MAPKs and TGF-beta signalling pathways, NIM811 enhanced the phosphorylation of JNK and p38, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2, and suppressed the phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3, accompanied by increased Smad7 transcription and decreased TGF-beta-receptor transcription. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that NIM811 not only suppresses collagen production and proliferation but also increases collagenase activity. These effects are accompanied by inhibition of TGF-beta signalling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motoyuki Kohjima
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu UniversityFukuoka, Japan
| | - Munechika Enjoji
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu UniversityFukuoka, Japan
| | - Nobito Higuchi
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu UniversityFukuoka, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kotoh
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu UniversityFukuoka, Japan
| | - Masaki Kato
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu UniversityFukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryoiichi Takayanagi
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu UniversityFukuoka, Japan
| | - Makoto Nakamuta
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu UniversityFukuoka, Japan,Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical CenterFukuoka, Japan
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Iimuro Y, Brenner DA. Matrix metalloproteinase gene delivery for liver fibrosis. Pharm Res 2007; 25:249-58. [PMID: 17577645 PMCID: PMC2245995 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-007-9311-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2007] [Accepted: 04/09/2007] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The resolution of advanced liver fibrosis has been recently recognized to be possible, if the causative stimuli are successfully removed. However, whether complete resolution from cirrhosis, the end stage of liver fibrosis, can be achieved is still questionable. Delivery of interstitial collagenases, such as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, in the liver could be an attractive strategy to treat advanced hepatic fibrosis from the view point that the imbalance between too few interstitial collagenases and too many of their inhibitors is the main obstacle to the resolution from fibrosis. Remodeling of hepatic extracellular matrix by delivered interstitial collagenases also facilitates the disappearance of activated hepatic stellate cells, the main matrix-producing cells in the liver, and promotes the proliferation of hepatocytes. This review will focus on the impact of the gene delivery of MMPs for the treatment of advanced liver fibrosis while discussing other current therapeutic strategies for liver fibrosis, and on the need for the development of a safe and effective delivery system of MMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Iimuro
- First Department of Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan.
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45
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Gieni RS, Hendzel MJ. Mechanotransduction from the ECM to the genome: Are the pieces now in place? J Cell Biochem 2007; 104:1964-87. [PMID: 17546585 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.21364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A multitude of biochemical signaling processes have been characterized that affect gene expression and cellular activity. However, living cells often need to integrate biochemical signals with mechanical information from their microenvironment as they respond. In fact, the signals received by shape alone can dictate cell fate. This mechanotrasduction of information is powerful, eliciting proliferation, differentiation, or apoptosis in a manner dependent upon the extent of physical deformation. The cells internal "prestressed" structure and its "hardwired" interaction with the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) appear to confer this ability to filter biochemical signals and decide between divergent cell functions influenced by the nature of signals from the mechanical environment. In some instances mechanical signaling through the tissue microenvironment has been shown to be dominant over genomic defects, imparting a normal phenotype on cells that otherwise have transforming genetic lesions. This mechanical control of phenotype is postulated to have a central role in embryogenesis, tissue physiology as well as the pathology of a wide variety of diseases, including cancer. We will briefly review studies showing physical continuity between the external cellular microenvironment and the interior of the cell nucleus. Newly characterized structures, termed nuclear envelope lamina spanning complexes (NELSC), and their interactions will be described as part of a model for mechanical transduction of extracellular cues from the ECM to the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall S Gieni
- Cross Cancer Institute and Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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46
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Bellon A, Ortíz-López L, Ramírez-Rodríguez G, Antón-Tay F, Benítez-King G. Melatonin induces neuritogenesis at early stages in N1E-115 cells through actin rearrangements via activation of protein kinase C and Rho-associated kinase. J Pineal Res 2007; 42:214-21. [PMID: 17349018 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2006.00408.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin increases neurite formation in N1E-115 cells through microtubule enlargement elicited by calmodulin antagonism and vimentin intermediate filament reorganization caused by protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Microfilament rearrangement is also a necessary process in growth cone formation during neurite outgrowth. In this work, we studied the effect of melatonin on microfilament rearrangements present at early stages of neurite formation and the possible participation of PKC and the Rho-associated kinase (ROCK), which is a downstream kinase in the PKC signaling pathway. The results showed that 1 nm melatonin increased both the number of cells with filopodia and with long neurites. Similar results were obtained with the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Both melatonin and PMA increased the quantity of filamentous actin. In contrast, the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide abolished microfilament organization elicited by either melatonin or PMA, while the Rho inhibitor C3, or the ROCK inhibitor Y27632, abolished the bipolar neurite morphology of N1E-115 cells. Instead, these inhibitors prompted neurite ramification. ROCK activity measured in whole cell extracts and in N1E-115 cells was increased in the presence of melatonin and PMA. The results indicate that melatonin increases the number of cells with immature neurites and suggest that these neurites can be susceptible to differentiation by incoming extracellular signals. Data also indicate that PKC and ROCK are involved at initial stages of neurite formation in the mechanism by which melatonin recruits cells for later differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Bellon
- Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría, Departamento de Neurofarmacología, Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Mexico D.F., Mexico
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47
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Ramírez-Rodríguez G, Ortiz-López L, Benítez-King G. Melatonin increases stress fibers and focal adhesions in MDCK cells: participation of Rho-associated kinase and protein kinase C. J Pineal Res 2007; 42:180-90. [PMID: 17286751 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2006.00404.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin cyclically modifies water transport measured as dome formation in MDCK cells. An optimal increase in water transport, concomitant with elevated stress fiber (SF) formation, occurs at nocturnal plasma melatonin concentrations (1 nm) after 6 hr of incubation. Blockage in melatonin-elicited dome formation was observed with protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors. Despite, this information on the precise mechanism by which melatonin increases SF formation involved in water transport is not known. Focal adhesion contacts (FAC) are cytoskeletal structures, which participate in MDCK membrane polarization. SF organization and vinculin phosphorylation are involved in FAC assembly and both processes are mediated by PKC, an enzyme stimulated by melatonin; in these processes also involved is Rho-associated kinase (ROCK). Thus, we studied FAC formation and the ROCK/PKC pathway as the mechanism by which melatonin increases SF formation and water transport. The results showed that 1 nM melatonin and the PKC agonist phorbol-12-miristate-13-acetate increased FAC. The PKC inhibitor GF109203x, and the ROCK inhibitor Y27632, blocked increased FAC caused by melatonin. ROCK and PKC activities, vinculin phosphorylation and FAC formation were increased with melatonin. The PKC inhibitor, GF109203x, abolished both melatonin stimulated FAC in whole cells and ROCK activity, indicating that ROCK is a downstream kinase in the melatonin-stimulated PKC pathway in MDCK cultured cells that causes an increase in SF and FAC formation. Data also document that melatonin modulates water transport through modifications of the cytoskeletal structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Ramírez-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Neurofarmacología, Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, Mexico
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48
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Fukushima M, Enjoji M, Kohjima M, Sugimoto R, Ohta S, Kotoh K, Kuniyoshi M, Kobayashi K, Imamura M, Inoguchi T, Nakamuta M, Nawata H. Adipose differentiation related protein induces lipid accumulation and lipid droplet formation in hepatic stellate cells. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2006; 41:321-4. [PMID: 16448220 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-005-0002-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The function of adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP) is known to be the uptake of long-chain fatty acids and formation of lipid droplets in lipid-accumulating cells. We hypothesized that ADRP might stimulate activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to accumulate lipids, resulting in their transition to the quiescent state. In this study, cultured HSCs in fifth passages isolated from rat were infected by adenovirus vector expressing ADRP (Ad.GFP-ADRP), and morphologic and functional changes were evaluated in comparison with control HSCs infected by recombinant adenovirus-expressing beta-galactosidase (Ad.LacZ). In Ad.GFP-ADRP-infected cells only, many tiny lipid droplets were apparent in the cytoplasm, while the outline of the cells was not changed. The ADRP was detected around the lipid droplets. In HSCs with intracellular actin filaments, the staining pattern of the filaments before and after infection with Ad.GFP-ADRP or Ad.LacZ did not differ. The cell proliferation rate was not influenced by infection with Ad.LacZ or Ad.GFP-ADRP. Type I collagen secretion from cells overexpressing ADRP was not significantly different from that of Ad.LacZ-infected cells. In our in vitro study, ADRP overexpression induced the formation of cytoplasmic lipid droplets in activated HSCs but could not convert other characteristics of the activated form into those of the quiescent form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Fukushima
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Croft DR, Olson MF. The Rho GTPase effector ROCK regulates cyclin A, cyclin D1, and p27Kip1 levels by distinct mechanisms. Mol Cell Biol 2006; 26:4612-27. [PMID: 16738326 PMCID: PMC1489131 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.02061-05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The members of the Rho GTPase family are well known for their regulation of actin cytoskeletal structures. In addition, they influence progression through the cell cycle. The RhoA and RhoC proteins regulate numerous effector proteins, with a central and vital signaling role mediated by the ROCK I and ROCK II serine/threonine kinases. The requirement for ROCK function in the proliferation of numerous cell types has been revealed by studies utilizing ROCK-selective inhibitors such as Y-27632. However, the mechanisms by which ROCK signaling promotes cell cycle progression have not been thoroughly characterized. Using a conditionally activated ROCK-estrogen receptor fusion protein, we found that ROCK activation is sufficient to stimulate G1/S cell cycle progression in NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Further analysis revealed that ROCK acts via independent pathways to alter the levels of cell cycle regulatory proteins: cyclin D1 and p21(Cip1) elevation via Ras and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, increased cyclin A via LIM kinase 2, and reduction of p27(Kip1) protein levels. Therefore, the influence of ROCK on cell cycle regulatory proteins occurs by multiple independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Croft
- The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, United Kingdom
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Fuja TJ, Ostrem EM, Probst-Fuja MN, Titze IR. Differential cell adhesion to vocal fold extracellular matrix constituents. Matrix Biol 2006; 25:240-51. [PMID: 16531030 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2006.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2005] [Revised: 01/10/2006] [Accepted: 01/10/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The human vocal folds are a complex layering of cells and extracellular matrix. Vocal fold extracellular matrix uniquely contributes to the biomechanical viscoelasticity required for human phonation. We investigated the adhesion of vocal fold stellate cells, a novel cell type first cultured by our laboratory, and fibroblasts to eight vocal fold extracellular matrix components: elastin, decorin, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid, laminin and collagen types I, III and IV. Our data demonstrate that these cells adhere differentially to said substrates at 5 to 120 min. Cells were treated with hyaluronidase and Y-27632, a p160ROCK-specific inhibitor, to test the role of pericellular hyaluronan and Rho-ROCK activation in early and mature adhesion. Reduced adhesion resulted; greater inhibition of fibroblast adhesion was observed. We modulated the fibronectin affinity exhibited by both cell types using Nimesulide, an inhibitor of fibronectin integrin receptors alpha5beta1 and alphavbeta3. Our results are important in understanding vocal fold pathologies, wound healing, scarring, and in developing an accurate organotypic model of the vocal folds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tannin J Fuja
- National Center for Voice and Speech, Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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