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Ramkissoon R, Cao S, Shah VH. The Pathophysiology of Portal Hypertension. Clin Liver Dis 2024; 28:369-381. [PMID: 38945632 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2024.03.001] [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] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
This article reviews the pathophysiology of portal hypertension that includes multiple mechanisms internal and external to the liver. This article starts with a review of literature describing the cellular and molecular mechanisms of portal hypertension, microvascular thrombosis, sinusoidal venous congestion, portal angiogenesis, vascular hypocontractility, and hyperdynamic circulation. Mechanotransduction and the gut-liver axis, which are newer areas of research, are reviewed. Dysfunction of this axis contributes to chronic liver injury, inflammation, fibrosis, and portal hypertension. Sequelae of portal hypertension are discussed in subsequent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Resham Ramkissoon
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street, SW, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Sheng Cao
- Mayo College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street, SW, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Vijay H Shah
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street, SW, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street, SW, Rochester, MN 55902, USA.
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2
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Zuchowska A, Frojdenfal S, Trzaskowski M, Jastrzebska E. Advanced three-dimensional in vitro liver models to study the activity of anticancer drugs. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2400159. [PMID: 38896414 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202400159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body. It performs many important functions, including being responsible for the metabolism of most drugs, which is often associated with its drug-induced damage. Currently, there are no ideal pharmacological models that would allow the evaluation of the effect of newly tested drugs on the liver in preclinical studies. Moreover, the influence of hepatic metabolism on the effectiveness of the tested drugs is rarely evaluated. Therefore, in this work we present an advanced model of the liver, which reflects most of the morphologically and metabolically important features of the liver in vivo, namely: three-dimensionality, cellular composition, presence of extracellular matrix, distribution of individual cell types in the structure of the liver model, high urea and albumin synthesis efficiency, high cytochrome p450 activity. In addition, the work, based on the example of commonly used anticancer drugs, shows how important it is to take into account hepatic metabolism in the effective assessment of their impact on the target organ, in this case cancer. In our research, we have shown that the most similar to liver in vivo are 3D cellular aggregates composed of three important liver cells, namely hepatocytes (HepG2), hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSECs). Moreover, we showed that the cells in 3D aggregate structure need time (cell-cell interactions) to improve proper liver characteristic. The triculture model additionally showed the greatest ability to metabolize selected anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonia Frojdenfal
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Maciej Trzaskowski
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies CEZAMAT, Warsaw University of Technology, Warszawa, Poland
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Airola C, Pallozzi M, Cerrito L, Santopaolo F, Stella L, Gasbarrini A, Ponziani FR. Microvascular Thrombosis and Liver Fibrosis Progression: Mechanisms and Clinical Applications. Cells 2023; 12:1712. [PMID: 37443746 PMCID: PMC10341358 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131712] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is an unavoidable consequence of chronic inflammation. Extracellular matrix deposition by fibroblasts, stimulated by multiple pathways, is the first step in the onset of chronic liver disease, and its propagation promotes liver dysfunction. At the same time, chronic liver disease is characterized by alterations in primary and secondary hemostasis but unlike previously thought, these changes are not associated with an increased risk of bleeding complications. In recent years, the role of coagulation imbalance has been postulated as one of the main mechanisms promoting hepatic fibrogenesis. In this review, we aim to investigate the function of microvascular thrombosis in the progression of liver disease and highlight the molecular and cellular networks linking hemostasis to fibrosis in this context. We analyze the predictive and prognostic role of coagulation products as biomarkers of liver decompensation (ascites, variceal hemorrhage, and hepatic encephalopathy) and liver-related mortality. Finally, we evaluate the current evidence on the application of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies for prophylaxis of hepatic decompensation or prevention of the progression of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Airola
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Maria Pallozzi
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Lucia Cerrito
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Francesco Santopaolo
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Leonardo Stella
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Ponziani
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Sayed AA, Soliman AM, Marzouk M, Mohammed FF, Desouky S. Bromelain mitigates liver fibrosis via targeting hepatic stellate cells in vitro and in vivo. Tissue Cell 2023; 82:102118. [PMID: 37269556 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Various therapeutic approaches are conducted for regression of liver fibrosis and prevent possible further carcinogenic transformation. This study was aimed to assess the prospective therapeutic potential of bromelain against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis using in-vitro and in vivo approaches. In vitro study, HSC-T6 cell line was used to evaluate the effect of bromelain on HSC-T6 cell viability and apoptosis. In vivo, Rats were treated by TAA for 6 weeks for induction of hepatic fibrosis followed by post treatment by different doses of bromelain and silymarin for further 4 weeks to assess the regression of hepatic fibrosis. The in-vitro findings indicated that bromelain hindered the proliferation of HSCs in concentration dependent manner compared with the untreated cells. The in vivo study revealed that treatment of TAA fibrotic rats with different doses of bromelain and silymarin induced a significant restoration in liver function biomarkers, attenuation of oxidative stress, upregulation of total antioxidant capacity and thereby decline of fibrotic biomarkers and improving histopathological and immunohistochemical changes. In conclusion, This study indicates that bromelain can regress TAA induced hepatic fibrosis in rats via inhibiting HSCs activation, α-SMA expression and the ECM deposition in hepatic tissue in addition to its antioxidants pathway, these findings prove the promising therapeutic potential of bromelain as a novel therapeutic approach for chronic hepatic fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amany A Sayed
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Amel M Soliman
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Marzouk
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Faten F Mohammed
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt.
| | - Shreen Desouky
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
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Wang W, Shui L, Liu Y, Zheng M. C-Kit, a Double-Edged Sword in Liver Regeneration and Diseases. Front Genet 2021; 12:598855. [PMID: 33603771 PMCID: PMC7884772 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.598855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have reported an important role of c-kit in embryogenesis and adulthood. Activation of the SCF/KIT signal transduction pathway is customarily linked to cell proliferation, migration and survival thus influence hematopoiesis, pigmentation, and spermatogenesis. The role of c-kit in the liver is controversial, it is however argued that it is a double-edged sword in liver regeneration and diseases. First, liver c-kit+ cells, including oval cells, bile epithelial cells, and part of hepatocytes, participate in liver tissue repair by regenerating target cells according to the type of liver injury. At the same time, c-kit+ mast cells, act as immature progenitors in circulation, playing a critical role in liver fibrosis. Furthermore, c-kit is also a proto-oncogene. Notably, c-kit overexpression regulates gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Various studies have explored on c-kit and hepatocellular carcinoma, nevertheless, the intricate roles of c-kit in the liver are largely understudied. Herein, we extensively summarize previous studies geared toward providing hints for future clinical and basic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weina Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liyan Shui
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanning Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Min Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Healing gone wrong: convergence of hemostatic pathways and liver fibrosis? Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:2189-2201. [PMID: 32844997 DOI: 10.1042/cs20191102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis results from a disordered wound healing response within the liver with activated hepatic stellate cells laying down dense, collagen-rich extracellular matrix that eventually restricts liver hepatic synthetic function and causes increased sinusoidal resistance. The end result of progressive fibrosis, cirrhosis, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality as well as tremendous economic burden. Fibrosis can be conceptualized as an aberrant wound healing response analogous to a chronic ankle sprain that is driven by chronic liver injury commonly over decades. Two unique aspects of hepatic fibrosis - the chronic nature of insult required and the liver's unique ability to regenerate - give an opportunity for pharmacologic intervention to stop or slow the pace of fibrosis in patients early in the course of their liver disease. Two potential biologic mechanisms link together hemostasis and fibrosis: focal parenchymal extinction and direct stellate cell activation by thrombin and Factor Xa. Available translational research further supports the role of thrombosis in fibrosis. In this review, we will summarize what is known about the convergence of hemostatic changes and hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease and present current preclinical and clinical data exploring the relationship between the two. We will also present clinical trial data that underscores the potential use of anticoagulant therapy as an antifibrotic factor in liver disease.
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Effects of Anticoagulants on Experimental Models of Established Chronic Liver Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 2020:8887574. [PMID: 33381477 PMCID: PMC7749775 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8887574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The role of anticoagulants in chronic liver diseases is inconclusive. A meta-analysis was thus undertaken to evaluate treatment-related survival and antifibrotic effects in animal models of chronic liver diseases. METHODS A systematic search of the literature took place (up to November 2020), screening for preclinical studies that evaluated anticoagulant effects in animal models of chronic liver diseases. We assessed the quality of methods and the certainty of evidence. Data on outcomes were extracted and pooled into random-effects models. RESULTS Sixteen studies proved eligible, each assessing anticoagulant use in animals with chronic liver diseases. Generally, the pooled evidence demonstrated that the administration of anticoagulants is preventive against fibrogenesis, as indicated by METAVIR fibrosis scores (risk ratio = 0.66, 95% confidence interval: 0.47 to 0.94), portal pressure determinations (mean difference = -1.39, 95% confidence interval: -2.33 to -0.44), inflammatory activity (mean difference = -169.69, 95% confidence interval: -257.64 to -81.74), and indices of hepatic injury, specifically alanine aminotransferase (mean difference = -82.7, 95% confidence interval: -107.36 to -58.04), aspartate aminotransferase (mean difference = -186.12, 95% confidence interval: -254.90 to -117.33), albumin (mean difference = 0.59, 95% confidence interval: 0.16 to 1.01), and total bilirubin (mean difference = -0.96, 95% confidence interval: -1.46 to -0.46), and it had no impact on animal survival (risk ratio = 1.03, 95% confidence interval: 0.94 to 1.13). CONCLUSIONS Our assessments indicate that in animal models of chronic liver diseases, anticoagulants may alleviate the degree of fibrosis evaluated by the METAVIR score system, portal pressure, inflammatory activity, and serum indices of hepatocellular injury, without impacting survival. High-quality experimental studies are still required.
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Poole LG, Pant A, Cline‐Fedewa HM, Williams KJ, Copple BL, Palumbo JS, Luyendyk JP. Liver fibrosis is driven by protease-activated receptor-1 expressed by hepatic stellate cells in experimental chronic liver injury. Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2020; 4:906-917. [PMID: 32685902 PMCID: PMC7354391 DOI: 10.1002/rth2.12403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood coagulation protease activity is proposed to drive hepatic fibrosis through activation of protease-activated receptors (PARs). Whole-body PAR-1 deficiency reduces experimental hepatic fibrosis, and in vitro studies suggest a potential contribution by PAR-1 expressed by hepatic stellate cells. However, owing to a lack of specific tools, the cell-specific role of PAR-1 in experimental hepatic fibrosis has never been formally investigated. Using a novel mouse expressing a conditional PAR-1 allele, we tested the hypothesis that PAR-1 expressed by hepatic stellate cells contributes to hepatic fibrosis. METHODS PAR-1flox/flox mice were crossed with mice expressing Cre recombinase controlled by the lecithin retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) promoter, which induces recombination in hepatic stellate cells. Male PAR-1flox/flox/LRATCre and PAR-1flox/flox mice were challenged twice weekly with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, 1 mL/kg i.p.) for 6 weeks to induce liver fibrosis. RESULTS PAR-1 mRNA levels were reduced (>95%) in hepatic stellate cells isolated from PAR-1flox/flox/LRATCre mice. Hepatic stellate cell activation was evident in CCl4-challenged PAR-1flox/flox mice, indicated by increased α-smooth muscle actin labeling and induction of several profibrogenic genes. CCl4-challenged PAR-1flox/flox mice displayed robust hepatic collagen deposition, indicated by picrosirius red staining and type I collagen immunolabeling. Notably, stellate cell activation and collagen deposition were significantly reduced (>30%) in PAR-1flox/flox/LRATCre mice. Importantly, the reduction in liver fibrosis was not a consequence of reduced acute CCl4 hepatotoxicity in PAR-1flox/flox/LRATCre mice. CONCLUSIONS The results constitute the first direct experimental evidence that PAR-1 expressed by stellate cells directly promotes their profibrogenic phenotype and hepatic fibrosis in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren G. Poole
- Institute for Integrative ToxicologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic InvestigationMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - Asmita Pant
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic InvestigationMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - Holly M. Cline‐Fedewa
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic InvestigationMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - Kurt J. Williams
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic InvestigationMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - Bryan L. Copple
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - Joseph S. Palumbo
- Cancer and Blood Diseases InstituteCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - James P. Luyendyk
- Institute for Integrative ToxicologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic InvestigationMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
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Lafoz E, Ruart M, Anton A, Oncins A, Hernández-Gea V. The Endothelium as a Driver of Liver Fibrosis and Regeneration. Cells 2020; 9:E929. [PMID: 32290100 PMCID: PMC7226820 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a common feature of sustained liver injury and represents a major public health problem worldwide. Fibrosis is an active research field and discoveries in the last years have contributed to the development of new antifibrotic drugs, although none of them have been approved yet. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) are highly specialized endothelial cells localized at the interface between the blood and other liver cell types. They lack a basement membrane and display open channels (fenestrae), making them exceptionally permeable. LSEC are the first cells affected by any kind of liver injury orchestrating the liver response to damage. LSEC govern the regenerative process initiation, but aberrant LSEC activation in chronic liver injury induces fibrosis. LSEC are also main players in fibrosis resolution. They maintain liver homeostasis and keep hepatic stellate cell and Kupffer cell quiescence. After sustained hepatic injury, they lose their phenotype and protective properties, promoting angiogenesis and vasoconstriction and contributing to inflammation and fibrosis. Therefore, improving LSEC phenotype is a promising strategy to prevent liver injury progression and complications. This review focuses on changes occurring in LSEC after liver injury and their consequences on fibrosis progression, liver regeneration, and resolution. Finally, a synopsis of the available strategies for LSEC-specific targeting is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Lafoz
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Maria Ruart
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Aina Anton
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Anna Oncins
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Virginia Hernández-Gea
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Weiskirchen R, Meurer SK, Liedtke C, Huber M. Mast Cells in Liver Fibrogenesis. Cells 2019; 8:E1429. [PMID: 31766207 PMCID: PMC6912398 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) are immune cells of the myeloid lineage that are present in the connective tissue throughout the body and in mucosa tissue. They originate from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow and circulate as MC progenitors in the blood. After migration to various tissues, they differentiate into their mature form, which is characterized by a phenotype containing large granules enriched in a variety of bioactive compounds, including histamine and heparin. These cells can be activated in a receptor-dependent and -independent manner. Particularly, the activation of the high-affinity immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor, also known as FcεRI, that is expressed on the surface of MCs provoke specific signaling cascades that leads to intracellular calcium influx, activation of different transcription factors, degranulation, and cytokine production. Therefore, MCs modulate many aspects in physiological and pathological conditions, including wound healing, defense against pathogens, immune tolerance, allergy, anaphylaxis, autoimmune defects, inflammation, and infectious and other disorders. In the liver, MCs are mainly associated with connective tissue located in the surrounding of the hepatic arteries, veins, and bile ducts. Recent work has demonstrated a significant increase in MC number during hepatic injury, suggesting an important role of these cells in liver disease and progression. In the present review, we summarize aspects of MC function and mediators in experimental liver injury, their interaction with other hepatic cell types, and their contribution to the pathogenesis of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, D-52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Steffen K. Meurer
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, D-52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Christian Liedtke
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, D-52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Michael Huber
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
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Zhang S, He Y, Shi Z, Jiang J, He B, Xu S, Fang Z. Small Intestine Protection of Mica Against Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs-Injury Through ERK1/2 Signal Pathway in Rats. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:871. [PMID: 31427976 PMCID: PMC6688191 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to damage the small intestine has been well known. Mica, one kind of natural clay, has been widely marketed in China for the treatment of gastric diseases. However, the role and mechanism of mica in small intestinal injure is still unknown. The study was designed to declare the effects of mica on intestinal injury induced by diclofenac in rats. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into control, model, PAR-2 agonist group (SLIGRL-NH2group), control peptide group (LRGILS-NH2 group), and ERK blocker group (eight mice per group). Morphological changes of mucous membrane of small intestine were observed, and the expression of tryptase, PAR-2, and p-ERK1/2 was measured by immunohistochemistry and western blot. PAR-2 mRNA was tested by qRT-PCR. Rats were also randomly divided into control, model, and mica group (eight mice per group). Morphological changes of mucous membrane were observed. The expression of tryptase, PAR-2, and p-ERK1/2 was measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: The expression of trypsin, PAR-2, and p-ERK1/2 was increased in model group compared with control. The expression of PAR-2 and p-ERK1/2 was increased in SLIGRL-NH2 group compared with model, but not LRGILS-NH2 group. The expression of PAR-2 was down-regulated in ERK blocker group compared with SLIGRL-NH2 group. Macroscopically visible lesions of mucous membrane were positively correlated with the expression of PAR-2 and p-ERK1/2. Furthermore, we also found that mica could inhibit small intestinal injure, as evidenced by the improvement of macroscopic damage. Tryptase, PAR-2, and p-ERK1/2 expression was down-regulated in mica group compared with model group. Conclusion: Mica inhibit small intestinal injury induced by NSAIDs via ERK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yinghua He
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zheng Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Jiang
- Department of Preparation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Beihui He
- Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sumei Xu
- Department of General Family Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhengyu Fang
- Department of Proctology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Hangzhou, China
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Poole LG, Pant A, Baker KS, Kopec AK, Cline-Fedewa HM, Iismaa SE, Flick MJ, Luyendyk JP. Chronic liver injury drives non-traditional intrahepatic fibrin(ogen) crosslinking via tissue transglutaminase. J Thromb Haemost 2019; 17:113-125. [PMID: 30415489 PMCID: PMC6322974 DOI: 10.1111/jth.14330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Essentials Fibrin clots are often implicated in the progression of liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis was induced in transgenic mice with defects in clot formation or stabilization. Liver fibrosis and fibrin(ogen) deposition do not require fibrin polymerization or factor XIIIa. Fibrin(ogen) is an in vivo substrate of tissue transglutaminase in experimental liver fibrosis. SUMMARY: Background Intravascular fibrin clots and extravascular fibrin deposits are often implicated in the progression of liver fibrosis. However, evidence supporting a pathological role of fibrin in hepatic fibrosis is indirect and based largely on studies using anticoagulant drugs that inhibit activation of the coagulation protease thrombin, which has other downstream targets that promote fibrosis. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the precise role of fibrin deposits in experimental hepatic fibrosis. Methods Liver fibrosis was induced in mice expressing mutant fibrinogen insensitive to thrombin-mediated proteolysis (i.e. locked in the monomeric form), termed FibAEK mice, and factor XIII A2 subunit-deficient (FXIII-/- ) mice. Female wild-type mice, FXIII-/- mice and homozygous FibAEK mice were challenged with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) twice weekly for 4 weeks or 6 weeks (1 mL kg-1 , intraperitoneal). Results Hepatic injury and fibrosis induced by CCl4 challenge were unaffected by FXIII deficiency or inhibition of thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymer formation (in FibAEK mice). Surprisingly, hepatic deposition of crosslinked fibrin(ogen) was not reduced in CCl4 -challenged FXIII-/- mice or FibAEK mice as compared with wild-type mice. Rather, deposition of crosslinked hepatic fibrin(ogen) following CCl4 challenge was dramatically reduced in tissue transglutaminase-2 (TGM2)-deficient (TGM2-/- ) mice. However, the reduction in crosslinked fibrin(ogen) in TGM2-/- mice did not affect CCl4 -induced liver fibrosis. Conclusions These results indicate that neither traditional fibrin clots, formed by the thrombin-activated FXIII pathway nor atypical TGM2-crosslinked fibrin(ogen) contribute to experimental CCl4 -induced liver fibrosis. Collectively, the results indicate that liver fibrosis occurs independently of intrahepatic fibrin(ogen) deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G Poole
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - A Pant
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - K S Baker
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - A K Kopec
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - H M Cline-Fedewa
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - S E Iismaa
- Division of Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - M J Flick
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - J P Luyendyk
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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13
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Chen L, Brenner DA, Kisseleva T. Combatting Fibrosis: Exosome-Based Therapies in the Regression of Liver Fibrosis. Hepatol Commun 2018; 3:180-192. [PMID: 30766956 PMCID: PMC6357832 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis results from chronic injury and inflammation in the liver and leads to cirrhosis, liver failure, and portal hypertension. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatic fibrosis has advanced the prospect of developing therapies for regression of the disease. Resolution of fibrosis requires a reduction of proinflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines, a decrease in extracellular matrix (ECM) protein production, an increase in collagenase activity, and finally, a disappearance of activated myofibroblasts. Exosomes are nanovesicles of endocytic origin secreted by most cell types. They epigenetically reprogram and alter the phenotype of their recipient cells and hold great promise for the reversal of fibrosis. Recent studies have shown that exosomes function as conduits for intercellular transfer and contain all the necessary components to induce resolution of fibrosis, including the ability to (1) inhibit macrophage activation and cytokine secretion, (2) remodel ECM production and decrease fibrous scars, and (3) inactivate hepatic stellate cells, a major myofibroblast population. Here, we discuss the research involving the regression of hepatic fibrosis. We focus on the newly discovered roles of exosomes during fibrogenesis and as a therapy for fibrosis reversal. We also emphasize the novel discoveries of exosome‐based antifibrotic treatments in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Department of Medicine University of California San Diego La Jolla CA
| | - David A Brenner
- Department of Medicine University of California San Diego La Jolla CA
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery University of California San Diego La Jolla CA
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14
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Tryptase Promotes the Profibrotic Phenotype Transfer of Atrial Fibroblasts by PAR2 and PPARγ Pathway. Arch Med Res 2018; 49:568-575. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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15
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Pant A, Kopec AK, Luyendyk JP. Role of the blood coagulation cascade in hepatic fibrosis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2018; 315:G171-G176. [PMID: 29723040 PMCID: PMC6139645 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00402.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver is the primary source of numerous proteins that are critical for normal function of the blood coagulation cascade. Because of this, diseases of the liver, particularly when affiliated with severe complications like cirrhosis, are associated with abnormalities of blood clotting. Although conventional interpretation has inferred cirrhosis as a disorder of uniform bleeding risk, it is now increasingly appreciated as a disease wherein the coagulation cascade is precariously rebalanced. Moreover, prothrombotic risk factors are also associated with a more rapid progression of fibrosis in humans, suggesting that coagulation proteases participate in disease pathogenesis. Indeed, strong evidence drawn from experimental animal studies indicates that components of the coagulation cascade, particularly coagulation factor Xa and thrombin, drive profibrogenic events, leading to hepatic fibrosis. Here, we concisely review the evidence supporting a pathologic role for coagulation in the development of liver fibrosis and the potential mechanisms involved. Further, we highlight how studies in experimental animals may shed light on emerging clinical evidence, suggesting that beneficial effects of anticoagulation could extend beyond preventing thrombotic complications to include reducing pathologies like fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmita Pant
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Anna K Kopec
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan
| | - James P Luyendyk
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan
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16
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Bitto N, Liguori E, La Mura V. Coagulation, Microenvironment and Liver Fibrosis. Cells 2018; 7:E85. [PMID: 30042349 PMCID: PMC6115868 DOI: 10.3390/cells7080085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is the main consequence of any kind of chronic liver damage. Coagulation and thrombin generation are crucial in the physiological response to tissue injury; however, the inappropriate and uncontrolled activation of coagulation cascade may lead to fibrosis development due to the involvement of several cellular types and biochemical pathways in response to thrombin generation. In the liver, hepatic stellate cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells orchestrate fibrogenic response to chronic damage. Thrombin interacts with these cytotypes mainly through protease-activated receptors (PARs), which are expressed by endothelium, platelets and hepatic stellate cells. This review focuses on the impact of coagulation in liver fibrogenesis, describes receptors and pathways involved and explores the potential antifibrotic properties of drugs active in hemostasis in studies with cells, animal models of liver damage and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niccolò Bitto
- Medicina Interna, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Donato, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20097 San Donato Milanese (MI), Italy.
| | - Eleonora Liguori
- Medicina Interna, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Donato, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20097 San Donato Milanese (MI), Italy.
| | - Vincenzo La Mura
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, UOC Medicina Generale-Emostasi e Trombosi, 20122 Milano, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Scienze biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy.
- A. M. and A. Migliavacca per lo studio delle Malattie del Fegato, 20122 Milano, Italy.
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17
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Dhar A, Sadiq F, Anstee QM, Levene AP, Goldin RD, Thursz MR. Thrombin and factor Xa link the coagulation system with liver fibrosis. BMC Gastroenterol 2018; 18:60. [PMID: 29739329 PMCID: PMC5941658 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-018-0789-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Thrombin activates hepatic stellate cells via protease-activated receptor-1. The role of Factor Xa (FXa) in hepatic fibrosis has not been elucidated. We aimed to evaluate the impact of FXa and thrombin in vitro on stellate cells and their respective inhibition in vivo using a rodent model of hepatic fibrosis. Methods HSC-LX2 cells were incubated with FXa and/or thrombin in cell culture, stained for αSMA and relative gene expression and gel contraction calculated. C57BL/6 J mice were administered thioacetamide (TAA) for 8 weeks with Rivaroxaban (n = 15) or Dabigatran (n = 15). Control animals received TAA alone (n = 15). Fibrosis was scored and quantified using digital image analysis and hepatic tissue hydroxyproline estimated. Results Stellate cells treated with FXa and thrombin demonstrated upregulation of procollagen, TGF-beta, αSMA and significant cell contraction (43.48%+/− 4.12) compared to culturing with FXa or thrombin alone (26.90%+/− 8.90, p = 0.02; 13.1%+/− 9.84, p < 0.001). Mean fibrosis score, percentage area of fibrosis and hepatic hydroxyproline content (2.46 vs 4.08, p = 0.008; 2.02% vs 3.76%, p = 0.012; 276.0 vs 651.3, p = 0.0001) were significantly reduced in mice treated with the FXa inhibitor compared to control mice. FXa inhibition was significantly more effective than thrombin inhibition in reducing percentage area of fibrosis and hepatic hydroxyproline content (2.02% vs 3.70%,p = 0.031; 276.0 vs 413.1,p = 0.001). Conclusions FXa promotes stellate cell contractility and activation. Early inhibition of coagulation using a FXa inhibitor significantly reduces TAA induced murine liver fibrosis and may be a viable treatment for liver fibrosis in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameet Dhar
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London, W2 1NY, UK
| | - Fouzia Sadiq
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London, W2 1NY, UK.
| | - Quentin M Anstee
- Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, The Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Adam P Levene
- Department of Histopathology, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London, W2 1NY, UK
| | - Robert D Goldin
- Department of Histopathology, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London, W2 1NY, UK
| | - Mark R Thursz
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London, W2 1NY, UK
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18
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Chen L, Brigstock DR. Cellular or Exosomal microRNAs Associated with CCN Gene Expression in Liver Fibrosis. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1489:465-480. [PMID: 27734397 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6430-7_38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis occurs during chronic injury and represents, in large part, an exaggerated matrigenic output by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) which become activated as a result of injury-induced signaling pathways in parenchymal and inflammatory cells (hepatocytes, macrophages, etc.). The molecular components in these pathways (e.g., CCN proteins) are modulated by transcription factors as well as by factors such as microRNAs (miRs) that act posttranscriptionally. MiRs are small (~23 nt) noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by specifically interacting with the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target gene mRNA to repress translation or enhance mRNA cleavage. As well as acting in their cells of production, miRs (and other cellular constituents such as mRNAs and proteins) can be liberated from their cells of origin in nanovesicular membrane exosomes, which traverse the intercellular spaces, and can be delivered to neighboring cells into which they release their molecular payload, causing alterations in gene expression in the target cells. Here we summarize some of the experimental approaches for studying miR action and exosomal trafficking between hepatic cells. Insights into the mechanisms involved will yield new information about how hepatic fibrosis is regulated and, further, may identify new points of therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Research Building 2, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.
| | - David R Brigstock
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Research Building 2, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.,Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43212, USA.,Department of Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43212, USA
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19
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ENMD-1068 inhibits liver fibrosis through attenuation of TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling in mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5498. [PMID: 28710422 PMCID: PMC5511273 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05190-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. We studied the effect of N1-3-methylbutyryl-N4-6-aminohexanoyl-piperazine (ENMD-1068), a PAR-2 antagonist, on the development of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) isolated from the mice. Before CCl4 injection, the mice were injected intraperitoneally with either 25 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg ENMD-1068 or with 200 μL of the vehicle control twice per week for 4 weeks. The isolated HSCs were stimulated by TGF-β1 with or without ENMD-1068 to evaluate the role of PAR-2 in TGF-β1 induced HSCs activation and collagen production. We showed that the levels of ALT/AST, collagen content, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were significantly reduced by treatment with ENMD-1068 in CCl4-induced fibrotic mice. Interestingly, we found TGF-β1 signaling-related expression levels of α-SMA, type I and III collagen, and C-terminal phosphorylation of Smad2/3 were significantly decreased in the ENMD-1068 treated HSCs. Moreover, we showed ENMD-1068 treatment inhibited trypsin or SLIGRL-NH2 stimulated calcium release and TGF-β1 induced Smad transcriptional activity in HSCs. We demonstrated that ENMD-1068 reduces HSCs activation and collagen expression through the inhibiton of TGF-β1/Smad signal transduction.
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20
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Vilaseca M, García-Calderó H, Lafoz E, Ruart M, López-Sanjurjo CI, Murphy MP, Deulofeu R, Bosch J, Hernández-Gea V, Gracia-Sancho J, García-Pagán JC. Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant mitoquinone deactivates human and rat hepatic stellate cells and reduces portal hypertension in cirrhotic rats. Liver Int 2017; 37:1002-1012. [PMID: 28371136 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS In cirrhosis, activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) play a major role in increasing intrahepatic vascular resistance and developing portal hypertension. We have shown that cirrhotic livers have increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), and that antioxidant therapy decreases portal pressure. Considering that mitochondria produce many of these ROS, our aim was to assess the effects of the oral mitochondria-targeted antioxidant mitoquinone on hepatic oxidative stress, HSC phenotype, liver fibrosis and portal hypertension. METHODS Ex vivo: Hepatic stellate cells phenotype was analysed in human precision-cut liver slices in response to mitoquinone or vehicle. In vitro: Mitochondrial oxidative stress was analysed in different cell type of livers from control and cirrhotic rats. HSC phenotype, proliferation and viability were assessed in LX2, and in primary human and rat HSC treated with mitoquinone or vehicle. In vivo: CCl4 - and thioacetamide-cirrhotic rats were treated with mitoquinone (5 mg/kg/day) or the vehicle compound, DecylTPP, for 2 weeks, followed by measurement of oxidative stress, systemic and hepatic haemodynamic, liver fibrosis, HSC phenotype and liver inflammation. RESULTS Mitoquinone deactivated human and rat HSC, decreased their proliferation but with no effects on viability. In CCl4 -cirrhotic rats, mitoquinone decreased hepatic oxidative stress, improved HSC phenotype, reduced intrahepatic vascular resistance and diminished liver fibrosis. These effects were associated with a significant reduction in portal pressure without changes in arterial pressure. These results were further confirmed in the thioacetamide-cirrhotic model. CONCLUSION We propose mitochondria-targeted antioxidants as a novel treatment approach against portal hypertension and cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Vilaseca
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Héctor García-Calderó
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Erica Lafoz
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Ruart
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Isabel López-Sanjurjo
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ramon Deulofeu
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Chromatography, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Bosch
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Virginia Hernández-Gea
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos García-Pagán
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
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21
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Vilaseca M, García-Calderó H, Lafoz E, García-Irigoyen O, Avila MA, Reverter JC, Bosch J, Hernández-Gea V, Gracia-Sancho J, García-Pagán JC. The anticoagulant rivaroxaban lowers portal hypertension in cirrhotic rats mainly by deactivating hepatic stellate cells. Hepatology 2017; 65:2031-2044. [PMID: 28142199 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In cirrhosis, increased intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR) is the primary factor for portal hypertension (PH) development. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a major role increasing IHVR because, when activated, they are contractile and promote fibrogenesis. Protease-activated receptors (PARs) can activate HSCs through thrombin and factor Xa, which are known PAR agonists, and cause microthrombosis in liver microcirculation. This study investigates the effects of the oral anticoagulant, rivaroxaban (RVXB), a direct antifactor Xa, on HSC phenotype, liver fibrosis (LF), liver microthrombosis, and PH in cirrhotic rats. Hepatic and systemic hemodynamic, nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, LF, HSC activation, and microthrombosis were evaluated in CCl4 and thioacetamide-cirrhotic rats treated with RVXB (20 mg/kg/day) or its vehicle for 2 weeks. RVXB significantly decreased portal pressure (PP) in both models of cirrhosis without changes in portal blood flow, suggesting a reduction in IHVR. RVXB reduced oxidative stress, improved NO bioavailability, and ameliorated endothelial dysfunction. Rivaroxaban deactivated HSC, with decreased alpha-smooth muscle actin and mRNA expression of other HSC activation markers. Despite this marked improvement in HSC phenotype, no significant changes in LF were identified. RVXB markedly reduced fibrin deposition, suggesting reduced intrahepatic microthrombosis. CONCLUSION RVXB decreases PP in two rat models of cirrhosis. This effect is mostly associated with decreased IHVR, enhanced NO bioavailability, HSC deactivation, and reduced intrahepatic microthrombosis. Our findings suggest that RVXB deserves further evaluation as a potential treatment for cirrhotic PH. (Hepatology 2017;65:2031-2044).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Vilaseca
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain.,University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Héctor García-Calderó
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Spain
| | - Erica Lafoz
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain.,University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oihane García-Irigoyen
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Spain.,Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Division of Hepatology; University of Navarra, IDISNA (Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria de Navarra), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matías A Avila
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Spain.,Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Division of Hepatology; University of Navarra, IDISNA (Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria de Navarra), Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Jaume Bosch
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain.,University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Spain.,Swiss Liver Centre, Inselspital, Bern University, Switzerland
| | - Virginia Hernández-Gea
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain.,University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Spain
| | - Joan Carles García-Pagán
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain.,University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Spain
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22
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Nault R, Fader KA, Kopec AK, Harkema JR, Zacharewski TR, Luyendyk JP. From the Cover: Coagulation-Driven Hepatic Fibrosis Requires Protease Activated Receptor-1 (PAR-1) in a Mouse Model of TCDD-Elicited Steatohepatitis. Toxicol Sci 2016; 154:381-391. [PMID: 27613713 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfw175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence supports a role for environmental chemical exposure in the pathology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a disease process tightly linked to increased activity of the blood coagulation cascade. Exposure of C57BL/6 mice to the persistent environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) recapitulates features of the NAFLD spectrum, including steatosis, hepatic injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. We assessed coagulation cascade activation, and determined the role of the thrombin receptor protease activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) in experimental TCDD-elicited NAFLD. Chronic exposure to TCDD (30 µg/kg every 4 days for 28 days) was associated with intrahepatic coagulation, indicated by increased plasma thrombin-antithrombin levels and hepatic fibrin(ogen) deposition. PAR-1 deficiency diminished TCDD-elicited body weight loss and relative liver weight was reduced in TCDD-exposed PAR-1-/- mice compared with TCDD-exposed wild-type mice. PAR-1 deficiency did not affect TCDD-induced hepatic steatosis or hepatocellular injury, as indicated by serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Despite a lack of effect on these 2 features of NAFLD pathology, PAR-1 deficiency was associated with a reduction in hepatic inflammation evident in liver histopathology, and reflected by a reduction in serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6. Moreover, TCDD-driven hepatic collagen deposition was markedly reduced in PAR-1-deficient mice. These results indicate that experimental TCDD-elicited steatohepatitis is associated with coagulation cascade activation and PAR-1-driven hepatic inflammation and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rance Nault
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Kelly A Fader
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Anna K Kopec
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Jack R Harkema
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Timothy R Zacharewski
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - James P Luyendyk
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; .,Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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Mußbach F, Ungefroren H, Günther B, Katenkamp K, Henklein P, Westermann M, Settmacher U, Lenk L, Sebens S, Müller JP, Böhmer FD, Kaufmann R. Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) in hepatic stellate cells - evidence for a role in hepatocellular carcinoma growth in vivo. Mol Cancer 2016; 15:54. [PMID: 27473374 PMCID: PMC4966804 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-016-0538-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have established that proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) promotes migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, suggesting a role in HCC progression. Here, we assessed the impact of PAR2 in HCC stromal cells on HCC growth using LX-2 hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and Hep3B cells as model. METHODS PAR2 expression and function in LX-2 cells was analysed by RT-PCR, confocal immunofluorescence, electron microscopy, and [Ca(2+)]i measurements, respectively. The impact of LX-2-expressed PAR2 on tumour growth in vivo was monitored using HCC xenotransplantation experiments in SCID mice, in which HCC-like tumours were induced by coinjection of LX-2 cells and Hep3B cells. To characterise the effects of PAR2 activation in LX-2 cells, various signalling pathways were analysed by immunoblotting and proteome profiler arrays. RESULTS Following verification of functional PAR2 expression in LX-2 cells, in vivo studies showed that these cells promoted tumour growth and angiogenesis of HCC xenografts in mice. These effects were significantly reduced when F2RL1 (encoding PAR2) was downregulated by RNA interference (RNAi). In vitro studies confirmed these results demonstrating RNAi mediated inhibition of PAR2 attenuated Smad2/3 activation in response to TGF-β1 stimulation in LX-2 cells and blocked the pro-mitotic effect of LX-2 derived conditioned medium on Hep3B cells. Furthermore, PAR2 stimulation with trypsin or a PAR2-selective activating peptide (PAR2-AP) led to activation of different intracellular signalling pathways, an increased secretion of pro-angiogenic and pro-mitotic factors and proteinases, and an enhanced migration rate across a collagen-coated membrane barrier. Silencing F2RL1 by RNAi or pharmacological inhibition of Src, hepatocyte growth factor receptor (Met), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), p42/p44 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) or matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) blocked PAR2-AP-induced migration. CONCLUSION PAR2 in HSCs plays a crucial role in promoting HCC growth presumably by mediating migration and secretion of pro-angiogenic and pro-mitotic factors. Therefore, PAR2 in stromal HSCs may have relevance as a therapeutic target of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Mußbach
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, Erlanger Allee 101, D-07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Hendrik Ungefroren
- First Department of Medicine, UKSH and University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Bernd Günther
- Service Unit Small Animal, Research Center Lobeda (FZL), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Utz Settmacher
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, Erlanger Allee 101, D-07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Lennart Lenk
- Group Inflammatory Carcinogenesis, Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Susanne Sebens
- Group Inflammatory Carcinogenesis, Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jörg P Müller
- Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Frank-Dietmar Böhmer
- Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Roland Kaufmann
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, Erlanger Allee 101, D-07747, Jena, Germany.
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24
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Kopec AK, Joshi N, Luyendyk JP. Role of hemostatic factors in hepatic injury and disease: animal models de-liver. J Thromb Haemost 2016; 14:1337-49. [PMID: 27060337 PMCID: PMC5091081 DOI: 10.1111/jth.13327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chronic liver damage is associated with unique changes in the hemostatic system. Patients with liver disease often show a precariously rebalanced hemostatic system, which is easily tipped towards bleeding or thrombotic complications by otherwise benign stimuli. In addition, some clinical studies have shown that hemostatic system components contribute to the progression of liver disease. There is a strong basic science foundation for clinical studies with this particular focus. Chronic and acute liver disease can be modeled in rodents and large animals with a variety of approaches, which span chronic exposure to toxic xenobiotics, diet-induced obesity, and surgical intervention. These experimental approaches have now provided strong evidence that, in addition to perturbations in hemostasis caused by liver disease, elements of the hemostatic system have powerful effects on the progression of experimental liver toxicity and disease. In this review, we cover the basis of the animal models that are most often utilized to assess the impact of the hemostatic system on liver disease, and highlight the role that coagulation proteases and their targets play in experimental liver toxicity and disease, emphasizing key similarities and differences between models. The need to characterize hemostatic changes in existing animal models and to develop novel animal models recapitulating the coagulopathy of chronic liver disease is highlighted. Finally, we emphasize the continued need to translate knowledge derived from highly applicable animal models to improve our understanding of the reciprocal interaction between liver disease and the hemostatic system in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K. Kopec
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Nikita Joshi
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - James P. Luyendyk
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
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25
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Glab-Ampai K, Malik AA, Chulanetra M, Thanongsaksrikul J, Thueng-In K, Srimanote P, Tongtawe P, Chaicumpa W. Inhibition of HCV replication by humanized-single domain transbodies to NS4B. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 476:654-664. [PMID: 27240954 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.05.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
NS4B of hepatitis C virus (HCV) initiates membrane web formation, binds RNA and other HCV proteins for viral replication complex (RC) formation, hydrolyses NTP, and inhibits innate anti-viral immunity. Thus, NS4B is an attractive target of a novel anti-HCV agent. In this study, humanized-nanobodies (VHs/VHHs) that bound to recombinant NS4B were produced by means of phage display technology. The nanobodies were linked molecularly to a cell penetrating peptide, penetratin (PEN), for making them cell penetrable (become transbodies). Human hepatic (Huh7) cells transfected with HCV JFH1-RNA that were treated with transbodies from four Escherichia coli clones (PEN-VHH7, PEN-VHH9, PEN-VH33, and PEN-VH43) had significant reduction of HCV RNA amounts in their culture fluids and intracellularly when compared to the transfected cells treated with control transbody and medium alone. The results were supported by the HCV foci assay. The transbody treated-transfected cells also had upregulation of the studied innate cytokine genes, IRF3, IFNβ and IL-28b. The transbodies have high potential for testing further as a novel anti-HCV agent, either alone, adjunct of existing anti-HCV agents/remedies, or in combination with their cognates specific to other HCV enzymes/proteins.
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MESH Headings
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/chemistry
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/genetics
- Antibodies, Viral/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Viral/chemistry
- Antibodies, Viral/genetics
- Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage
- Antiviral Agents/chemistry
- Carrier Proteins/administration & dosage
- Carrier Proteins/chemistry
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Cell Line
- Cell Surface Display Techniques
- Cell-Penetrating Peptides/administration & dosage
- Cell-Penetrating Peptides/chemistry
- Cell-Penetrating Peptides/genetics
- Computer Simulation
- Hepacivirus/genetics
- Hepacivirus/immunology
- Hepacivirus/physiology
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate/genetics
- Models, Molecular
- Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Single-Domain Antibodies/administration & dosage
- Single-Domain Antibodies/chemistry
- Single-Domain Antibodies/genetics
- Transfection
- Viral Nonstructural Proteins/genetics
- Viral Nonstructural Proteins/immunology
- Viral Nonstructural Proteins/physiology
- Virus Replication/genetics
- Virus Replication/immunology
- Virus Replication/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Kittirat Glab-Ampai
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Aijaz Ahmad Malik
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Monrat Chulanetra
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Jeeraphong Thanongsaksrikul
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Kanyarat Thueng-In
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; School of Pathology, Institute of Medicine, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhonratchaseema Province 30000, Thailand
| | - Potjanee Srimanote
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Pongsri Tongtawe
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Wanpen Chaicumpa
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Graduate Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.
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26
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González-Reimers E, Quintero-Platt G, Martín-González C, Pérez-Hernández O, Romero-Acevedo L, Santolaria-Fernández F. Thrombin activation and liver inflammation in advanced hepatitis C virus infection. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:4427-4437. [PMID: 27182154 PMCID: PMC4858626 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i18.4427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with increased thrombotic risk. Several mechanisms are involved including direct endothelial damage by the HCV virus, with activation of tissue factor, altered fibrinolysis and increased platelet aggregation and activation. In advanced stages, chronic HCV infection may evolve to liver cirrhosis, a condition in which alterations in the portal microcirculation may also ultimately lead to thrombin activation, platelet aggregation, and clot formation. Therefore in advanced HCV liver disease there is an increased prevalence of thrombotic phenomena in portal vein radicles. Increased thrombin formation may activate hepatic stellate cells and promote liver fibrosis. In addition, ischemic changes derived from vascular occlusion by microthrombi favor the so called parenchymal extinction, a process that promotes collapse of hepatocytes and the formation of gross fibrous tracts. These reasons may explain why advanced HCV infection may evolve more rapidly to end-stage liver disease than other forms of cirrhosis.
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27
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Kopec AK, Luyendyk JP. Role of Fibrin(ogen) in Progression of Liver Disease: Guilt by Association? Semin Thromb Hemost 2016; 42:397-407. [PMID: 27144445 DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1579655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Strong experimental evidence indicates that components of the hemostatic system, including thrombin, exacerbate diverse features of experimental liver disease. Clinical studies have also begun to address this connection and some studies have suggested that anticoagulants can improve outcome in patients with liver disease. Among the evidence of coagulation cascade activation in models of liver injury and disease is the frequent observation of thrombin-driven hepatic fibrin(ogen) deposition. Indeed, hepatic fibrin(ogen) deposition has long been recognized as a consequence of hepatic injury. Although commonly inferred as pathologic due to protective effects of anticoagulants in mouse models, the role of fibrin(ogen) in acute liver injury and chronic liver disease may not be universally detrimental. The localization of hepatic fibrin(ogen) deposits within the liver is connected to the disease stimulus and in animal models of liver toxicity and chronic disease, fibrin(ogen) deposition may not always be synonymous with large vessel thrombosis. Here, we provide a balanced review of the experimental evidence supporting a direct connection between fibrin(ogen) and liver injury/disease pathogenesis, and suggest a path forward bridging experimental and clinical research to improve our knowledge on the nature and function of fibrin(ogen) in liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Kopec
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - James P Luyendyk
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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28
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Cerini F, Vilaseca M, Lafoz E, García-Irigoyen O, García-Calderó H, Tripathi DM, Avila M, Reverter JC, Bosch J, Gracia-Sancho J, García-Pagán JC. Enoxaparin reduces hepatic vascular resistance and portal pressure in cirrhotic rats. J Hepatol 2016; 64:834-42. [PMID: 26686269 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Increased hepatic vascular resistance due to fibrosis and elevated hepatic vascular tone is the primary factor in the development of portal hypertension. Heparin may decrease fibrosis by inhibiting intrahepatic microthrombosis and thrombin-mediated hepatic stellate cell activation. In addition, heparin enhances eNOS activity, which may reduce hepatic vascular tone. Our study aimed at evaluating the effects of acute, short-, long-term and preventive enoxaparin administration on hepatic and systemic hemodynamics, liver fibrosis and nitric oxide availability in cirrhotic rats. METHODS Enoxaparin (1.8 mg/kg subcutaneously), or its vehicle, was administered to CCl4-cirrhotic rats 24h and 1h before the study (acute), daily for 1 week (short-term) or daily for 3 weeks (long-term) and to thioacetamide-cirrhotic rats daily for 3 weeks with/without thioacetamide (preventive/long-term, respectively). Mean arterial pressure, portal pressure, portal blood flow, hepatic vascular resistance and molecular/cellular mechanisms were evaluated. RESULTS No significant changes in hemodynamic parameters were observed in acute administration. However, one-week, three-week and preventive treatments significantly decreased portal pressure mainly due to a decrease in hepatic vascular resistance without significant changes in mean arterial pressure. These findings were associated with significant reductions in liver fibrosis, hepatic stellate cell activation, and desmin expression. Moreover, a reduction in fibrin deposition was observed in enoxaparin-treated rats, suggesting reduced intrahepatic microthrombosis. CONCLUSION Enoxaparin reduces portal pressure in cirrhotic rats by improving the structural component of increased liver resistance. These findings describe the potentially beneficial effects of enoxaparin beyond the treatment/prevention of portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis, which deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Cerini
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Vilaseca
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Erica Lafoz
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oihane García-Irigoyen
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Division of Hepatology and Gene Therapy, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain
| | - Héctor García-Calderó
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dinesh M Tripathi
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Matias Avila
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Division of Hepatology and Gene Therapy, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Reverter
- Hemotherapy and Hemostasis Department, Hospital Clínic, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaime Bosch
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos García-Pagán
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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29
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Fibrin deposition following bile duct injury limits fibrosis through an αMβ2-dependent mechanism. Blood 2016; 127:2751-62. [PMID: 26921287 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-09-670703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Coagulation cascade activation and fibrin deposits have been implicated or observed in diverse forms of liver damage. Given that fibrin amplifies pathological inflammation in several diseases through the integrin receptor αMβ2, we tested the hypothesis that disruption of the fibrin(ogen)-αMβ2 interaction in Fibγ(390-396A) mice would reduce hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in an experimental setting of chemical liver injury. Contrary to our hypothesis, α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced liver fibrosis increased in Fibγ(390-396A) mice, whereas inflammatory cytokine expression and hepatic necrosis were similar to ANIT-challenged wild-type (WT) mice. Increased fibrosis in Fibγ(390-396A) mice appeared to be independent of coagulation factor 13 (FXIII) transglutaminase, as ANIT challenge in FXIII-deficient mice resulted in a distinct pathological phenotype characterized by increased hepatic necrosis. Rather, bile duct proliferation underpinned the increased fibrosis in ANIT-exposed Fibγ(390-396A) mice. The mechanism of fibrin-mediated fibrosis was linked to interferon (IFN)γ induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a gene linked to bile duct hyperplasia and liver fibrosis. Expression of iNOS messenger RNA was significantly increased in livers of ANIT-exposed Fibγ(390-396A) mice. Fibrin(ogen)-αMβ2 interaction inhibited iNOS induction in macrophages stimulated with IFNγ in vitro and ANIT-challenged IFNγ-deficient mice had reduced iNOS induction, bile duct hyperplasia, and liver fibrosis. Further, ANIT-induced iNOS expression, liver fibrosis, and bile duct hyperplasia were significantly reduced in WT mice administered leukadherin-1, a small molecule that allosterically enhances αMβ2-dependent cell adhesion to fibrin. These studies characterize a novel mechanism whereby the fibrin(ogen)-integrin-αMβ2 interaction reduces biliary fibrosis and suggests a novel putative therapeutic target for this difficult-to-treat fibrotic disease.
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30
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Weiskirchen R. Hepatoprotective and Anti-fibrotic Agents: It's Time to Take the Next Step. Front Pharmacol 2016; 6:303. [PMID: 26779021 PMCID: PMC4703795 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis cause strong human suffering and necessitate a monetary burden worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of therapies. Pre-clinical animal models are indispensable in the drug discovery and development of new anti-fibrotic compounds and are immensely valuable for understanding and proofing the mode of their proposed action. In fibrosis research, inbreed mice and rats are by far the most used species for testing drug efficacy. During the last decades, several hundred or even a thousand different drugs that reproducibly evolve beneficial effects on liver health in respective disease models were identified. However, there are only a few compounds (e.g., GR-MD-02, GM-CT-01) that were translated from bench to bedside. In contrast, the large number of drugs successfully tested in animal studies is repeatedly tested over and over engender findings with similar or identical outcome. This circumstance undermines the 3R (Replacement, Refinement, Reduction) principle of Russell and Burch that was introduced to minimize the suffering of laboratory animals. This ethical framework, however, represents the basis of the new animal welfare regulations in the member states of the European Union. Consequently, the legal authorities in the different countries are halted to foreclose testing of drugs in animals that were successfully tested before. This review provides a synopsis on anti-fibrotic compounds that were tested in classical rodent models. Their mode of action, potential sources and the observed beneficial effects on liver health are discussed. This review attempts to provide a reference compilation for all those involved in the testing of drugs or in the design of new clinical trials targeting hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy, and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen Aachen, Germany
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31
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Massó-Vallés D, Jauset T, Serrano E, Sodir NM, Pedersen K, Affara NI, Whitfield JR, Beaulieu ME, Evan GI, Elias L, Arribas J, Soucek L. Ibrutinib exerts potent antifibrotic and antitumor activities in mouse models of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res 2015; 75:1675-81. [PMID: 25878147 PMCID: PMC6773609 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-2852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a dense stromal fibroinflammatory reaction that is a major obstacle to effective therapy. The desmoplastic stroma comprises many inflammatory cells, in particular mast cells as key components of the PDAC microenvironment, and such infiltration correlates with poor patient outcome. Indeed, it has been hypothesized that stromal ablation is critical to improve clinical response in patients with PDAC. Ibrutinib is a clinically approved Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits mast cells and tumor progression in a mouse model of β-cell tumorigenesis. Here, we show that ibrutinib is highly effective at limiting the growth of PDAC in both transgenic mouse and patient-derived xenograft models of the disease. In these various experimental settings, ibrutinib effectively diminished fibrosis, extended survival, and improved the response to clinical standard-of-care therapy. Our results offer a preclinical rationale to immediately evaluate the clinical efficacy of ibrutinib in patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Massó-Vallés
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Mediterrània, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toni Jauset
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Mediterrània, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Erika Serrano
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Mediterrània, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nicole M Sodir
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kim Pedersen
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Mediterrània, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nesrine I Affara
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Jonathan R Whitfield
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Mediterrània, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marie-Eve Beaulieu
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Mediterrània, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gerard I Evan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Joaquín Arribas
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Mediterrània, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Soucek
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Mediterrània, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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Christensen J, Alfredson H, Andersson G. Protease-activated receptors in the Achilles tendon-a potential explanation for the excessive pain signalling in tendinopathy. Mol Pain 2015; 11:13. [PMID: 25880199 PMCID: PMC4369088 DOI: 10.1186/s12990-015-0007-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/Aim Tendinopathies are pathological conditions of tissue remodelling occurring in the major tendons of the body, accompanied by excessive nociceptive signalling. Tendinopathies have been shown to exhibit an increase in the number of mast cells, which are capable of releasing histamine, tryptase and other substances upon activation, which may play a role in the development of tendinopathies. This study set out to describe the distribution patterns of a family of receptors called protease-activated receptors (PARs) within the Achilles tendon. These four receptors (PAR1, PAR2, PAR3, PAR4) are activated by proteases, including tryptase released from mast cells, and are involved in fibrosis, hyperalgesia and neovascularisation, which are changes seen in tendinopathies. Method In order to study which structures involved in tendinopathy that these proteases can affect, biopsies from patients suffering of mid-portion Achilles tendinosis and healthy controls were collected and examined using immunohistochemistry. Tendon cells were cultured to study in vitro expression patterns. Results The findings showed a distribution of PARs inside the tendon tissue proper, and in the paratendinous tissue, with all four being expressed on nerves and vascular structures. Double staining showed co-localisation of PARs with nociceptive fibres expressing substance P. Concerning tenocytes, PAR2, PAR3, and PAR4, were found in both biopsies of tendon tissue and cultured tendon cells. Conclusions This study describes the expression patterns of PARs in the mid-portion of the Achilles tendon, which can help explain the tissue changes and increased pain signalling seen in tendinopathies. These findings also show that in-vitro studies of the effects of these receptors are plausible and that PARs are a possible therapeutic target in the future treatment strategies of tendinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Christensen
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Section for Anatomy, Umeå University, Umeå, SE-90187, Sweden.
| | - Håkan Alfredson
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, SE-90187, Sweden. .,ISEH, UCLH, London, UK. .,Pure Sports Clinic, London, UK.
| | - Gustav Andersson
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Section for Anatomy, Umeå University, Umeå, SE-90187, Sweden. .,Department of Surgical and Perioperative Science, Section for Hand and Plastic Surgery, Umeå University, Umeå, SE-90187, Sweden.
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Joshi N, Kopec AK, O'Brien KM, Towery KL, Cline-Fedewa H, Williams KJ, Copple BL, Flick MJ, Luyendyk JP. Coagulation-driven platelet activation reduces cholestatic liver injury and fibrosis in mice. J Thromb Haemost 2015; 13:57-71. [PMID: 25353084 PMCID: PMC4487795 DOI: 10.1111/jth.12770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coagulation cascade has been shown to participate in chronic liver injury and fibrosis, but the contribution of various thrombin targets, such as protease activated receptors (PARs) and fibrin(ogen), has not been fully described. Emerging evidence suggests that in some experimental settings of chronic liver injury, platelets can promote liver repair and inhibit liver fibrosis. However, the precise mechanisms linking coagulation and platelet function to hepatic tissue changes following injury remain poorly defined. OBJECTIVES To determine the role of PAR-4, a key thrombin receptor on mouse platelets, and fibrin(ogen) engagement of the platelet αII b β3 integrin (αIIb β3 ) in a model of cholestatic liver injury and fibrosis. METHODS Biliary and hepatic injury was characterized following 4 week administration of the bile duct toxicant α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) (0.025%) in PAR-4-deficient mice, mice expressing a mutant form of fibrin(ogen) incapable of binding integrin αII b β3 (Fibγ(Δ5) ), and wild-type mice. RESULTS Elevated plasma thrombin-antithrombin and serotonin levels, hepatic fibrin deposition, and platelet accumulation in liver accompanied hepatocellular injury and fibrosis in ANIT-treated wild-type mice. PAR-4 deficiency reduced plasma serotonin levels, increased serum bile acid concentration, and exacerbated ANIT-induced hepatocellular injury and peribiliary fibrosis. Compared with PAR-4-deficient mice, ANIT-treated Fibγ(Δ5) mice displayed more widespread hepatocellular necrosis accompanied by marked inflammation, robust fibroblast activation, and extensive liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, the results indicate that PAR-4 and fibrin-αII b β3 integrin engagement, pathways coupling coagulation to platelet activation, each exert hepatoprotective effects during chronic cholestasis.
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MESH Headings
- 1-Naphthylisothiocyanate
- Animals
- Antithrombin III
- Bile Acids and Salts/blood
- Blood Coagulation/genetics
- Blood Platelets/metabolism
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/blood
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/genetics
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/pathology
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/prevention & control
- Cholestasis/blood
- Cholestasis/chemically induced
- Cholestasis/genetics
- Cholestasis/pathology
- Cholestasis/prevention & control
- Fibrinogens, Abnormal/genetics
- Fibrinogens, Abnormal/metabolism
- Genotype
- Liver/metabolism
- Liver/pathology
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/blood
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/chemically induced
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/genetics
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/pathology
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/prevention & control
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mutation
- Necrosis
- Peptide Hydrolases/blood
- Phenotype
- Platelet Activation/genetics
- Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex/metabolism
- Receptors, Thrombin/deficiency
- Receptors, Thrombin/genetics
- Serotonin/blood
- Signal Transduction
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Affiliation(s)
- N Joshi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Phenotypic Changes in Hepatic Stellate Cells in Response to Toxic Liver Injury. CURRENT PATHOBIOLOGY REPORTS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s40139-014-0051-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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35
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Kopec AK, Joshi N, Towery KL, Kassel KM, Sullivan BP, Flick MJ, Luyendyk JP. Thrombin inhibition with dabigatran protects against high-fat diet-induced fatty liver disease in mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2014; 351:288-97. [PMID: 25138021 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.218545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Robust coagulation cascade activation is common in obese patients with NAFLD. We identified a critical temporal relationship between thrombin generation and the manifestation of hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and injury in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 1, 2, and 3 months. Mice fed a HFD exhibited dramatic increases in hepatocellular injury and inflammation over time. Hepatic fibrin deposition preceded an increase in serum alanine aminotransferase, and the most dramatic changes in liver histopathology occurred in conjunction with a detectable increase in plasma thrombin-antithrombin levels at 3 months. To directly determine whether thrombin activity promotes NAFLD pathogenesis, mice were fed a HFD and simultaneously treated with the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran etexilate for 3 months. Notably, dabigatran treatment significantly reduced hepatic fibrin deposition, hepatic inflammation, hepatocellular injury, and steatosis in mice fed a HFD. Of interest, dabigatran treatment also significantly attenuated HFD-induced body weight gain. Gene expression analysis suggested that thrombin potentially drives NAFLD pathogenesis by altering the expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism and bile acid synthesis. Collectively, the results suggest that thrombin activity is central to HFD-induced body weight gain, liver injury, and inflammation and provide the proof-of-principle evidence that pharmacological thrombin inhibition could be effective in limiting NAFLD and associated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Kopec
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation (A.K.K., K.L.T., J.P.L.), Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (N.J.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas (K.M.K., B.P.S.); and Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio (M.J.F.)
| | - Nikita Joshi
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation (A.K.K., K.L.T., J.P.L.), Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (N.J.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas (K.M.K., B.P.S.); and Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio (M.J.F.)
| | - Keara L Towery
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation (A.K.K., K.L.T., J.P.L.), Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (N.J.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas (K.M.K., B.P.S.); and Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio (M.J.F.)
| | - Karen M Kassel
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation (A.K.K., K.L.T., J.P.L.), Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (N.J.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas (K.M.K., B.P.S.); and Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio (M.J.F.)
| | - Bradley P Sullivan
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation (A.K.K., K.L.T., J.P.L.), Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (N.J.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas (K.M.K., B.P.S.); and Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio (M.J.F.)
| | - Matthew J Flick
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation (A.K.K., K.L.T., J.P.L.), Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (N.J.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas (K.M.K., B.P.S.); and Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio (M.J.F.)
| | - James P Luyendyk
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation (A.K.K., K.L.T., J.P.L.), Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (N.J.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas (K.M.K., B.P.S.); and Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio (M.J.F.)
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Charrier A, Chen R, Chen L, Kemper S, Hattori T, Takigawa M, Brigstock DR. Exosomes mediate intercellular transfer of pro-fibrogenic connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) between hepatic stellate cells, the principal fibrotic cells in the liver. Surgery 2014; 156:548-55. [PMID: 24882759 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2014.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrogenic pathways in the liver are principally regulated by hepatic stellate cells (HSC), which produce and respond to fibrotic mediators such as connective tissue growth factor (CCN2). The aim of this study was to determine whether CCN2 is shuttled between HSC in membranous nanovesicles, or "exosomes." METHODS Exosomes were incubated with HSC after isolation from conditioned medium of control or CCN2-green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transfected primary mouse HSC or human LX-2 HSC. Some exosomes were stained fluorescently with PKH26. HSC co-culture experiments were performed in the presence of GW4869 exosome inhibitor. CCN2 or CCN2-GFP were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or Western blot. RESULTS HSC-derived exosomes contained CCN2 or CCN2 mRNA, each of which increased in concentration during HSC activation or after transfection of HSC with CCN2-GFP. Exosomes, stained with either PKH26 or purified from CCN2-GFP-transfected cells, were taken up by activated or quiescent HSC resulting in CCN2-GFP delivery, as shown by their direct addition to recipient cells or by the GW4869-dependency of donor HSC. CONCLUSION CCN2 is packaged into secreted, nano-sized exosomes that mediate its intercellular transfer between HSC. Exosomal CCN2 may amplify or fine tune fibrogenic signaling and, in conjunction with other exosome constituents, may have utility as a noninvasive biomarker to assess hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Charrier
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Ruju Chen
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Li Chen
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Sherri Kemper
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Takako Hattori
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masaharu Takigawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan; Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School, Okayama, Japan
| | - David R Brigstock
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
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37
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Lu J, Chen B, Li S, Sun Q. Tryptase inhibitor APC 366 prevents hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting collagen synthesis induced by tryptase/protease-activated receptor 2 interactions in hepatic stellate cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2014; 20:352-7. [PMID: 24735816 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2014.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Revised: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Protease-activated receptor (PAR) 2 is a G-protein-coupled receptor that is activated by mast cell tryptase. PAR-2 activation augments profibrotic pathways through the induction of extracellular matrix proteins. PAR-2 is widely expressed in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), but the role of tryptase/PAR-2 interaction in liver fibrosis is unclear. We studied the development of bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats treated with mast cell tryptase inhibitor APC 366, and showed that APC 366 reduced hepatic fibrosis scores, collagen content and serum biochemical parameters. Reduced fibrosis was associated with decreased expression of PAR-2 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Our findings demonstrate that mast cell tryptase induces PAR-2 activation to augment HSC proliferation and promote hepatic fibrosis in rats. Treatment with tryptase antagonists may be a novel therapeutic approach to prevent fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Baian Chen
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Shengli Li
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Quan Sun
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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38
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Lionetti L, Mollica MP, Sica R, Donizzetti I, Gifuni G, Pignalosa A, Cavaliere G, Putti R. Differential effects of high-fish oil and high-lard diets on cells and cytokines involved in the inflammatory process in rat insulin-sensitive tissues. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:3040-63. [PMID: 24562331 PMCID: PMC3958898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15023040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Revised: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary fat sources may differentially affect the development of inflammation in insulin-sensitive tissues during chronic overfeeding. Considering the anti-inflammatory properties of ω-3 fatty acids, this study aimed to compare the effects of chronic high-fish oil and high-lard diets on obesity-related inflammation by evaluating serum and tissue adipokine levels and histological features in insulin-sensitive tissues (white adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and liver). As expected, a high-lard diet induced systemic and peripheral inflammation and insulin resistance. Conversely, compared with a high-lard diet, a high-fish oil diet resulted in a lower degree of systemic inflammation and insulin resistance that were associated with a lower adipocyte diameter as well as lower immunoreactivity for transforming growth factor β 1 (TGFβ1) in white adipose tissue. A high-fish oil diet also resulted in a lower ectopic lipid depot, inflammation degree and insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle and liver. Moreover, a high-fish oil diet attenuated hepatic stellate cell activation and fibrogenesis in the liver, as indicated by the smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA) and TGFβ1 levels. The replacement of lard (saturated fatty acids) with fish oil (ω-3 fatty acids) in chronic high-fat feeding attenuated the development of systemic and tissue inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillà Lionetti
- Department of Biology, Via Mezzocannone 8, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Maria Pina Mollica
- Department of Biology, Via Mezzocannone 8, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Raffaella Sica
- Department of Biology, Via Mezzocannone 8, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Immacolata Donizzetti
- Department of Biology, Via Mezzocannone 8, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Gifuni
- Department of Biology, Via Mezzocannone 8, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Angelica Pignalosa
- Department of Biology, Via Mezzocannone 8, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Gina Cavaliere
- Department of Biology, Via Mezzocannone 8, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Rosalba Putti
- Department of Biology, Via Mezzocannone 8, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134 Naples, Italy.
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Kallis YN, Scotton CJ, MacKinnon AC, Goldin RD, Wright NA, Iredale JP, Chambers RC, Forbes SJ. Proteinase activated receptor 1 mediated fibrosis in a mouse model of liver injury: a role for bone marrow derived macrophages. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86241. [PMID: 24475094 PMCID: PMC3903514 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis results from the co-ordinated actions of myofibroblasts and macrophages, a proportion of which are of bone marrow origin. The functional effect of such bone marrow-derived cells on liver fibrosis is unclear. We examine whether changing bone marrow genotype can down-regulate the liver's fibrotic response to injury and investigate mechanisms involved. Proteinase activated receptor 1 (PAR1) is up-regulated in fibrotic liver disease in humans, and deficiency of PAR1 is associated with reduced liver fibrosis in rodent models. In this study, recipient mice received bone marrow transplantation from PAR1-deficient or wild-type donors prior to carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis. Bone marrow transplantation alone from PAR1-deficient mice was able to confer significant reductions in hepatic collagen content and activated myofibroblast expansion on wild-type recipients. This effect was associated with a decrease in hepatic scar-associated macrophages and a reduction in macrophage recruitment from the bone marrow. In vitro, PAR1 signalling on bone marrow-derived macrophages directly induced their chemotaxis but did not stimulate proliferation. These data suggest that the bone marrow can modulate the fibrotic response of the liver to recurrent injury. PAR1 signalling can contribute to this response by mechanisms that include the regulation of macrophage recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiannis N. Kallis
- Department of Hepatology, St. Mary's Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Scotton
- Centre for Inflammation & Tissue Repair, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison C. MacKinnon
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Robert D. Goldin
- Department of Histopathology, St. Mary's Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas A. Wright
- Barts Cancer Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, United Kingdom
| | - John P. Iredale
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel C. Chambers
- Centre for Inflammation & Tissue Repair, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart J. Forbes
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Huang M, Deshpande M. Hepatitis C drug discovery: in vitro and in vivo systems and drugs in the pipeline. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2014; 2:375-88. [PMID: 15482203 DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2.3.375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The combination therapy of ribavirin and pegylated interferon-alpha for hepatitis C has significant side effects, is often poorly tolerated and is ineffective in many patients, despite causing impressive improvement in the sustained virological response. Discovery and development of more effective and well-tolerated antihepatitis C virus drugs are clearly in great demand. During the past few years, remarkable advances have been made in the establishment of in vitro and in vivo systems. Armed with these systems, a wave of specific antihepatitis C virus compounds have been discovered and are moving into the clinical phase. More effective combination therapies with specific antivirals are predicted to emerge in the near future for the treatment of hepatitis C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjun Huang
- Antiviral Drug Discovery, Achillion Pharmaceuticals, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
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Guvendiren M, Perepelyuk M, Wells RG, Burdick JA. Hydrogels with differential and patterned mechanics to study stiffness-mediated myofibroblastic differentiation of hepatic stellate cells. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2013; 38:198-208. [PMID: 24361340 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2013.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2013] [Revised: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblasts is a key event in liver fibrosis. Due to the local stiffening of the extracellular matrix (ECM) during fibrosis, it is of great interest to develop mimics that can be used to investigate the cellular response to changes in mechanics. Here, we used a step-wise hydrogel crosslinking technique, where macromolecules are crosslinked using a sequence of addition then UV light-mediated radical crosslinking, to generate hydrogels with tunable stiffness. Freshly isolated HSCs remained rounded with lipid droplets and high levels of PPARγ expression on soft substrates (E~2kPa); however, HSCs spread, lost their lipid droplets, and expressed high levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen on stiff substrates (E~24kPa). Similarly, fully differentiated cells reverted to a quiescent state when plated on soft substrates. Stiffness-induced differentiation of HSCs was enhanced in the presence of exogenous TGF-β1, a dominant signal in fibrosis. When the UV-induced secondary crosslinking was restricted with a photomask to spatially control mechanics, HSCs responded based on the local hydrogel stiffness, although they remained quiescent on stiff substrates if the stiff feature size was not sufficient to allow cell spreading. This hydrogel system permits the investigation of HSC response to materials with diverse levels and spatially heterogeneous mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Guvendiren
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Maryna Perepelyuk
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rebecca G Wells
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Jason A Burdick
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Coagulation and coagulation signalling in fibrosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2013; 1832:1018-27. [PMID: 23298546 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2012.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2012] [Revised: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 12/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Following tissue injury, a complex and coordinated wound healing response comprising coagulation, inflammation, fibroproliferation and tissue remodelling has evolved to nullify the impact of the original insult and reinstate the normal physiological function of the affected organ. Tissue fibrosis is thought to result from a dysregulated wound healing response as a result of continual local injury or impaired control mechanisms. Although the initial insult is highly variable for different organs, in most cases, uncontrolled or sustained activation of mesenchymal cells into highly synthetic myofibroblasts leads to the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins and eventually loss of tissue function. Coagulation was originally thought to be an acute and transient response to tissue injury, responsible primarily for promoting haemostasis by initiating the formation of fibrin plugs to enmesh activated platelets within the walls of damaged blood vessels. However, the last 20years has seen a major re-evaluation of the role of the coagulation cascade following tissue injury and there is now mounting evidence that coagulation plays a critical role in orchestrating subsequent inflammatory and fibroproliferative responses during normal wound healing, as well as in a range of pathological contexts across all major organ systems. This review summarises our current understanding of the role of coagulation and coagulation initiated signalling in the response to tissue injury, as well as the contribution of uncontrolled coagulation to fibrosis of the lung, liver, kidney and heart. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Fibrosis: Translation of basic research to human disease.
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Ponziani FR, Zocco MA, Garcovich M, D’Aversa F, Roccarina D, Gasbarrini A. What we should know about portal vein thrombosis in cirrhotic patients: A changing perspective. World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18:5014-20. [PMID: 23049208 PMCID: PMC3460326 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i36.5014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Revised: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is one of the most common complications occurring during the natural course of liver cirrhosis. Even though PVT is often asymptomatic, the worsening of liver function, an unexpected episode of gastrointestinal bleeding or ascitic decompensation may be landmarks of PVT development. Beyond these clinical manifestations, it is debated whether PVT really has an impact on liver cirrhosis natural history or rather represents only one of its consequences. Probably PVT development should not only be considered as a matter of impaired blood flow or pro-coagulation tendency. On one hand, PVT seems a consequence of the worsening in portal vein outflow due to the increased hepatic resistance in cirrhotic livers. On the other hand, vascular microthrombosis secondary to necroinflammation may cause liver ischemia and infarction, with loss of hepatic tissue (parenchymal extinction) which is replaced by fibrotic tissue. Therefore, PVT might also be considered as the overt manifestation of the liver fibrosing process evolution and anticoagulant therapy may thus have microscopic indirect effects also on the progression of liver disease. At present, a connection between PVT development and the progression of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis has not yet been demonstrated. Nevertheless, it is not clear if PVT development may worsen cirrhotic patients’ outcome by itself. Some authors tried to assess liver transplant benefit in PVT cirrhotic patients but data are contrasting. In this review, we will try to answer these questions, providing a critical analysis of data reported in literature.
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Evans A, Costello E. The role of inflammatory cells in fostering pancreatic cancer cell growth and invasion. Front Physiol 2012; 3:270. [PMID: 22969725 PMCID: PMC3431795 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2012.00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2012] [Accepted: 06/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) microenvironment accommodates a variety of cell types and a plethora of complex interactions between tumor cells, host cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Here we review the role of inflammatory cells, in particular mast cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, macrophages, T regulatory cells, T helper cells and neutrophils. The picture that emerges is that of a tumor microenvironment, in which the immune response is actively suppressed, and inflammatory cells contribute in a variety of ways to tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Evans
- Liverpool Cancer Research UK Centre, University of Liverpool Liverpool, UK
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Yu F, Su L, Ji S, Zhang S, Yu P, Zheng Y, Zhang Q. Inhibition of hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis by fat-specific protein 27. Mol Cell Biochem 2012; 369:35-43. [PMID: 22752386 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-012-1366-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In order to explore the effects of fat-specific protein 27 (Fsp27) on regulation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and liver fibrosis. HSCs were isolated from rat liver tissues and cultivated in vitro for gene expression and lentivirus infection. CCK-8 cell viability assay, immunofluorescence staining, qRT-PCR, and western blot assays were used to assess phenotypic changes and gene expression in HSCs. The rat liver fibrosis model was produced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride for assessing the effects of Fsp27 in the rat liver. Gene expression was then detected by immunohistochemistry and ELISA assays. The results of the study showed that Fsp27 was constitutively expressed in primary quiescent HSCs, but was absent in activated HSCs. Ectopic expression of Fsp27 significantly inhibited HSC proliferation and activation, as well as expression of α-smooth muscle actin. Fsp27 expression also significantly reduced collagen I production and matrix metalloproteinases 2 protein levels, and to a lesser degree, reduced tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 expression. In vivo data showed that ectopic expression of Fsp27 protein significantly reduced levels of hydroxyproline in liver tissue, and decreased serum levels of collagen III and hyaluronic acid, which in turn, suppressed liver fibrosis in rats. From these findings, it can be concluded that Fsp27 expression suppressed HSC activation in vitro and liver fibrogenesis in vivo. Further studies are needed to explore whether expression of Fsp27 can be selected as a potential novel strategy for anti-fibrotic therapy against liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuxiang Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China
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46
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Li S, Yu X, Guo Y, Kong L. Interaction networks of hepatitis C virus NS4B: implications for antiviral therapy. Cell Microbiol 2012; 14:994-1002. [PMID: 22329740 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2012.01773.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important human pathogen infecting more than 170 million people worldwide with approximately three million new cases each year. HCV depends heavily on interactions between viral proteins and host factors for its survival and propagation. Among HCV viral proteins, the HCV non-structural protein 4B (NS4B) has been shown to mediate virus-host interactions that are essential for HCV replication and pathogenesis and emerged as the target for anti-HCV therapy. Here, we reviewed recent knowledge about the NS4B interaction networks with host factors and its possible regulatory mechanisms, which will both advance our understanding of the role of NS4B in HCV life cycle and illuminate potential viral and host therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Li
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
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Knight V, Tchongue J, Lourensz D, Tipping P, Sievert W. Protease-activated receptor 2 promotes experimental liver fibrosis in mice and activates human hepatic stellate cells. Hepatology 2012; 55:879-87. [PMID: 22095855 DOI: 10.1002/hep.24784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2011] [Accepted: 10/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Protease-activated receptor (PAR) 2 is a G-protein-coupled receptor that is activated after proteolytic cleavage by serine proteases, including mast cell tryptase and activated coagulation factors. PAR-2 activation augments inflammatory and profibrotic pathways through the induction of genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix proteins. Thus, PAR-2 represents an important interface linking coagulation and inflammation. PAR-2 is widely expressed in cells of the gastrointestinal tract, including hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), endothelial cells, and hepatic macrophages; however, its role in liver fibrosis has not been previously examined. We studied the development of CCl(4) -induced liver fibrosis in PAR-2 knockout mice, and showed that PAR-2 deficiency reduced the progression of liver fibrosis, hepatic collagen gene expression, and hydroxyproline content. Reduced fibrosis was associated with decreased transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) gene and protein expression and decreased matrix metalloproteinase 2 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 gene expression. In addition, PAR-2 stimulated activation, proliferation, collagen production, and TGFβ protein production by human stellate cells, indicating that hepatic PAR-2 activation increases profibrogenic cytokines and collagen production both in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate the capacity of PAR-2 activation to augment TGFβ production and promote hepatic fibrosis in mice and to induce a profibrogenic phenotype in human HSCs. PAR-2 antagonists have recently been developed and may represent a novel therapeutic approach in preventing fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Knight
- Center for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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48
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Tarr AW, Urbanowicz RA, Ball JK. The role of humoral innate immunity in hepatitis C virus infection. Viruses 2012; 4:1-27. [PMID: 22355450 PMCID: PMC3280516 DOI: 10.3390/v4010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2011] [Revised: 12/21/2011] [Accepted: 12/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) causes chronic disease in approximately 80% of cases, resulting in chronic inflammation and cirrhosis. Current treatments are not completely effective, and a vaccine has yet to be developed. Spontaneous resolution of infection is associated with effective host adaptive immunity to HCV, including production of both HCV-specific T cells and neutralizing antibodies. However, the supporting role of soluble innate factors in protection against HCV is less well understood. The innate immune system provides an immediate line of defense against infections, triggering inflammation and playing a critical role in activating adaptive immunity. Innate immunity comprises both cellular and humoral components, the humoral arm consisting of pattern recognition molecules such as complement C1q, collectins and ficolins. These molecules activate the complement cascade, neutralize pathogens, and recruit antigen presenting cells. Here we review the current understanding of anti-viral components of the humoral innate immune system that play a similar role to antibodies, describing their role in immunity to HCV and their potential contribution to HCV pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W. Tarr
- Biomedical Research Unit in Gastroenterology, School of Molecular Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (J.K.B.)
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Liu YC, Gu XH. Roles and relation between C/EBPα and PARs in the activation of hepatic stellate cells. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2011; 19:3656-3660. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v19.i36.3656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Protease activated receptors (PARs) are main components of the fibrotic cascade mediated by the trypsin and thrombin that amplifies liver inflammation and fibrosis. Gene transcription initiation induced by PARs plays an important role in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). HSC activation can be inhibited by the expression of transcription factor CCAAT enhancer binding proteins α (C/EBPα). Further research of the relation between C/EBPα and PARs will contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and provide a theoretical basis for further exploration of anti-fibrotic strategies.
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Kassel KM, Owens AP, Rockwell CE, Sullivan BP, Wang R, Tawfik O, Li G, Guo GL, Mackman N, Luyendyk JP. Protease-activated receptor 1 and hematopoietic cell tissue factor are required for hepatic steatosis in mice fed a Western diet. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2011; 179:2278-89. [PMID: 21907177 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Revised: 06/15/2011] [Accepted: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of obesity and metabolic syndrome and contributes to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and liver-related morbidity and mortality. Indeed, obese patients with metabolic syndrome generate greater amounts of thrombin, an indication of coagulation cascade activation. However, the role of the coagulation cascade in Western diet-induced NAFLD has not been investigated. Using an established mouse model of Western diet-induced NAFLD, we tested whether the thrombin receptor protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) and hematopoietic cell-derived tissue factor (TF) contribute to hepatic steatosis. In association with hepatic steatosis, plasma thrombin-antithrombin levels and hepatic fibrin deposition increased significantly in C57Bl/6J mice fed a Western diet for 3 months. PAR-1 deficiency reduced hepatic inflammation, particularly monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression and macrophage accumulation. In addition, PAR-1 deficiency was associated with reduced steatosis in mice fed a Western diet, including reduced liver triglyceride accumulation and CD36 expression. Similar to PAR-1 deficiency, hematopoietic cell TF deficiency was associated with reduced inflammation and reduced steatosis in livers of low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice fed a Western diet. Moreover, hematopoietic cell TF deficiency reduced hepatic fibrin deposition. These studies indicate that PAR-1 and hematopoietic cell TF are required for liver inflammation and steatosis in mice fed a Western diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Kassel
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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