1
|
Shao T, Chen Z, Belov V, Wang X, Rwema SH, Kumar V, Fu H, Deng X, Rong J, Yu Q, Lang L, Lin W, Josephson L, Samir AE, Chen X, Chung RT, Liang SH. [ 18F]-Alfatide PET imaging of integrin αvβ3 for the non-invasive quantification of liver fibrosis. J Hepatol 2020; 73:161-169. [PMID: 32145257 PMCID: PMC7363052 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The vitronectin receptor integrin αvβ3 drives fibrogenic activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Molecular imaging targeting the integrin αvβ3 could provide a non-invasive method for evaluating the expression and the function of the integrin αvβ3 on activated HSCs (aHSCs) in the injured liver. In this study, we sought to compare differences in the uptake of [18F]-Alfatide between normal and injured liver to evaluate its utility for assessment of hepatic fibrogenesis. METHODS PET with [18F]-Alfatide, non-enhanced CT, histopathology, immunofluorescence staining, immunoblotting and gene analysis were performed to evaluate and quantify hepatic integrin αvβ3 levels and liver fibrosis progression in mouse models of fibrosis (carbon tetrachloride [CCl4] and bile duct ligation [BDL]). The liver AUC divided by the blood AUC over 30 min was used as an integrin αvβ3-PET index to quantify fibrosis progression. Ex vivo analysis of frozen liver tissue from patients with fibrosis and cirrhosis verified the animal findings. RESULTS Fibrotic mouse livers showed enhanced [18F]-Alfatide uptake and retention compared to control livers. The radiotracer was demonstrated to bind specifically with integrin αvβ3, which is mainly expressed on aHSCs. Autoradiography and histopathology confirmed the PET imaging results. Further, the mRNA and protein level of integrin αvβ3 and its signaling complex were higher in CCl4 and BDL models than controls. The results obtained from analyses on human fibrotic liver sections supported the animal findings. CONCLUSIONS Imaging hepatic integrin αvβ3 with PET and [18F]-Alfatide offers a potential non-invasive method for monitoring the progression of liver fibrosis. LAY SUMMARY Integrin αvβ3 expression on activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) is associated with HSC proliferation during hepatic fibrogenesis. Herein, we show that a radioactive tracer, [18F]-Alfatide, binds to integrin αvβ3 with high affinity and specificity. [18F]-Alfatide could thus be used as a non-invasive imaging biomarker to track hepatic fibrosis progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuo Shao
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA; Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Zhen Chen
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Vasily Belov
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, USA
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Center for Ultrasound Research & Translation, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Steve H Rwema
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Viksit Kumar
- Center for Ultrasound Research & Translation, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Hualong Fu
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Deng
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Jian Rong
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Qingzhen Yu
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Lixin Lang
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Nanomedicine, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Wenyu Lin
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Lee Josephson
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Anthony E Samir
- Center for Ultrasound Research & Translation, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Nanomedicine, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA.
| | - Raymond T Chung
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.
| | - Steven H Liang
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shalini CNS, Suman FR, Jacob JS, Rajendran R, Scott JX, Latha MS. Prognostic significance of receptor for hyaluronan acid-mediated motility (CD168) in acute pediatric leukemias - assessment of clinical outcome, post induction, end of treatment and minimal residual disease. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2018; 40:310-316. [PMID: 30370408 PMCID: PMC6200675 DOI: 10.1016/j.htct.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The extracellular matrix protein hyaluronan acid plays an active in role in tumor cell proliferation and invasion. Hyaluronan acid receptors, namely CD168 or the receptor for hyaluronan acid-mediated motility (RHAMM) and CD44 have been implicated in promoting malignancy. There is a lacuna in data on the expression of the receptor in pediatric leukemias. METHODS Pediatric patients with acute leukemia who were diagnosed, treated and followed up in our center were enrolled. The bone marrow biopsies performed prior to treatment were subjected to immunohistochemical staining (54 biopsies: acute lymphoblastic leukemia - 45, acute myeloid leukemia - 9). Blast counts were carried out at diagnosis, end of the induction phase and end of chemotherapy, the minimal residual disease was assessed and follow up details were collected. Positivity was correlated with initial blast count, post-induction blast count, minimal residual disease and patient survival. RESULTS There was no correlation between the initial blast count and the percentage of blasts with RHAMM expression. The positive correlation between percentage of blasts expressing RHAMM and the post-induction blast count was moderate in acute myeloid leukemia (0.74) and mild in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (0.48). There was a statistically significant difference in RHAMM expression between the two minimal residual disease risk groups (p-value = 0.012) with a negative prognostic effect of RHAMM expression. Moreover, a negative prognostic effect of RHAMM expression was noted when patient survival was considered. CONCLUSION This study shows that blasts in acute myeloid leukemia show more RHAMM positivity than those of acute lymphoblastic leukemia indicating the aggressive nature of this type of leukemia. In acute leukemias, patients with high percentages of RHAMM-positive blasts had more post-induction blasts, blasts in minimal residual disease and poorer prognosis.
Collapse
|
3
|
Jian J, Zhang W, Yang H, Zhao X, Xuan R, Li D, Hu C. Phase-contrast CT: Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Capillarized Sinusoids and Trabecular Structure in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tissues. Acad Radiol 2017; 24:67-75. [PMID: 27818006 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2016.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 08/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Capillarization of sinusoids and change of trabecular thickness are the main histologic features in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Of particular interest are the three-dimensional (3D) visualization and quantitative evaluation of such alterations in the HCC progression. X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (PCCT) is an emerging imaging method that provides excellent image contrast for soft tissues. This study aimed to explore the potential of in-line PCCT in microstructure imaging of capillarized sinusoids and trabecular structure in human HCC tissues and to quantitatively evaluate the alterations of those fine structures during the development of HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS This project was designed as an ex vivo experimental study. The study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from the patients. Eight human resected HCC tissue samples were imaged using in-line PCCT. After histologic processing, PCCT images and histopathologic data were matched. Fine structures in HCC tissues were revealed. Quantitative analyses of capillarized sinusoids (ie, percentage of sinusoidal area [PSA], sinusoidal volume) and trabecular structure (ie, trabecular thickness, surface-area-to-volume ratio [SA/V]) in low-grade (well or moderately differentiated) and high-grade (poorly differentiated) HCC groups were performed. RESULTS Using PCCT, the alterations of capillarized sinusoids and trabecular structure were clearly observed in 3D geometry, which was confirmed by the corresponding histologic sections. The 3D qualitative analyses of sinusoids in the high-grade HCC group were significantly different (P < 0.05) in PSA (7.8 ± 2.5%) and sinusoidal volume (2.9 ± 0.6 × 107 µm3) from those in the low-grade HCC group (PSA, 12.9 ± 2.2%; sinusoidal volume, 2.4 ± 0.3 × 107 µm3). Moreover, the 3D quantitative evaluation of the trabecular structure in the high-grade HCC group showed a significant change (P < 0.05) in the trabecular thickness (87.8 ± 15.6 µm) and SA/V (2.2 ± 1.3 × 103 µm-1) compared to the low-grade HCC group (trabecular thickness, 75.9 ± 7.1 µm; SA/V, 7.5 ± 1.3 × 103 µm-1). CONCLUSIONS This study provides insights into the 3D alterations of microstructures such as capillarized sinusoids and the trabecular structure at a micrometer level, which might allow for an improved understanding of the development of HCC.
Collapse
|
4
|
Shiha GE, Abu-Elsaad NM, Zalata KR, Ibrahim TM. Tracking anti-fibrotic pathways of nilotinib and imatinib in experimentally induced liver fibrosis: An insight. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2014; 41:788-97. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gamal E Shiha
- Departments of Internal Medicine; Mansoura University; Mansoura Egypt
| | - Nashwa M Abu-Elsaad
- Department of Pathology; Faculty of Medicine; Mansoura University; Mansoura Egypt
| | - Khaled R Zalata
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Faculty of Pharmacy; Mansoura University; Mansoura Egypt
| | - Tarek M Ibrahim
- Department of Pathology; Faculty of Medicine; Mansoura University; Mansoura Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells contribute in liver fibrosis improvement with interferon alpha. Inflammation 2014; 36:1374-82. [PMID: 23813328 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-013-9677-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the optimal dose, treatment time, and possible immunologic mechanisms of interferon alpha (IFN-α) in the treatment of liver fibrosis. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with 10 % carbon tetrachloride to induce liver fibrosis, except in the normal control group. The experimental mice were randomly divided into four groups: physiological saline group, 20 U/gb wt IFN-α group, 40 U/gb wt IFN-α group, and 60 U/gb wt IFN-α group. After 3 and 6 weeks, type I collagen was detected in liver by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain, Masson's trichrome stain, and immunohistochemical staining. The number of CD8(+) T cells, the number of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs and the activation of CD4(+) T cells were detected in liver and spleen. Beneficial effects were observed in the 40 U/gb wt IFN-α group by pathological analysis. The number of CD8(+) T cells in the liver was significantly lower in mice receiving middle-dose IFN-α therapy as compared to mice receiving physiological saline (P < 0.05), while CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs and activation of CD4(+) T cells in the liver were significantly higher in the therapeutic group than in the physiological saline group (P < 0.05). CD8(+) T cells (r = 0.3796) and activated CD4(+) T cells (r = 0.2437) were found to be positively correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis. CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs (r = -0.7932) was found to be negatively correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis. IFN-α can inhibit liver fibrosis following 6 weeks of middle-dose IFN-α therapy by upregulating CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs and suppressing CD8(+) T cells.
Collapse
|
6
|
López-Navarrete G, Ramos-Martínez E, Suárez-Álvarez K, Aguirre-García J, Ledezma-Soto Y, León-Cabrera S, Gudiño-Zayas M, Guzmán C, Gutiérrez-Reyes G, Hernández-Ruíz J, Camacho-Arroyo I, Robles-Díaz G, Kershenobich D, Terrazas LI, Escobedo G. Th2-associated alternative Kupffer cell activation promotes liver fibrosis without inducing local inflammation. Int J Biol Sci 2011; 7:1273-86. [PMID: 22110380 PMCID: PMC3221364 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.7.1273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Accepted: 10/01/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cirrhosis is the final outcome of liver fibrosis. Kupffer cell-mediated hepatic inflammation is considered to aggravate liver injury and fibrosis. Alternatively-activated macrophages are able to control chronic inflammatory events and trigger wound healing processes. Nevertheless, the role of alternative Kupffer cell activation in liver harm is largely unclear. Thus, we evaluated the participation of alternatively-activated Kupffer cells during liver inflammation and fibrosis in the murine model of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage. To stimulate alternative activation in Kupffer cells, 20 Taenia crassiceps (Tc) larvae were inoculated into BALBc/AnN female mice. Six weeks post-inoculation, carbon tetrachloride or olive oil were orally administered to Tc-inoculated and non-inoculated mice twice per week during other six weeks. The initial exposure of animals to T. crassiceps resulted in high serum concentrations of IL-4 accompanied by a significant increase in the hepatic mRNA levels of Ym-1, with no alteration in iNOS expression. In response to carbon tetrachloride, recruitment of inflammatory cell populations into the hepatic parenchyma was 5-fold higher in non-inoculated animals than Tc-inoculated mice. In contrast, carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis was significantly less in non-inoculated animals than in the Tc-inoculated group. The latter showed elevated IL-4 serum levels and low IFN-γ concentrations during the whole experiment, associated with hepatic expression of IL-4, TGF-β, desmin and α-sma, as well as increased mRNA levels of Arg-1, Ym-1, FIZZ-1 and MMR in Kupffer cells. These results suggest that alternative Kupffer cell activation is favored in a Th2 microenvironment, whereby such liver resident macrophages could exhibit a dichotomic role during chronic hepatic damage, being involved in attenuation of the inflammatory response but at the same time exacerbation of liver fibrosis.
Collapse
|
7
|
Zakaria S, Youssef M, Moussa M, Akl M, El-Ahwany E, El-Raziky M, Mostafa O, Helmy AH, El-Hindawi A. Value of α-smooth muscle actin and glial fibrillary acidic protein in predicting early hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Arch Med Sci 2010; 6:356-65. [PMID: 22371771 PMCID: PMC3282512 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2010.14255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2009] [Revised: 03/12/2009] [Accepted: 04/10/2009] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION α-Smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are pericytes responsible for fibrosis in chronic liver injury. The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), commonly expressed by astrocytes in the central nervous system, is expressed in vivo in the liver in a subpopulation of quiescent stellate cells. The reports concerning GFAP expression in human liver are still conflicting. The aim of the study is investigation the utility of GFAP compared to α-SMA as an indicator of early activated HSCs, in predicting fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS With immunohistochemistry and a semi-quantitative scoring system, the expressions of α-SMA and GFAP on HSCs in liver biopsies from patients with pure CHC (n = 34), hepatitis C virus-induced cirrhosis (n = 24), mixed CHC/schistosomiasis (n = 11) and normal controls (n = 10) were analysed. RESULTS The immunoreactivity of α-SMA and GFAP in perisinusoidal, periportal and pericentral areas was assessed. α-Smooth muscle actin and GFAP-positive HSCs were significantly increased in all diseased groups compared with normal controls. In pure CHC with or without cirrhosis, perisinusoidal α-SMA-positive HSCs were predominant in relation to GFAP-positive cells. On the other hand, GFAP-positive cells were predominant in the group of schistosomiasis as compared with the other diseased groups. It was noticed that expression of GFAP on perisinusoidal HSCs in CHC patients sequentially decreased with the progression of fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Glial fibrillary acidic protein could represent a more useful marker than α-SMA of early activation of HSCs in CHC patients and seems to be an early indicator of hepatic fibrogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sohier Zakaria
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Magdy Youssef
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mona Moussa
- Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Maha Akl
- Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Eman El-Ahwany
- Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Maysa El-Raziky
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Omaima Mostafa
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ahmed-Hazem Helmy
- Department of Surgery, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Burton DGA. Cellular senescence, ageing and disease. AGE (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2009; 31:1-9. [PMID: 19234764 PMCID: PMC2645988 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-008-9075-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2008] [Accepted: 07/29/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Cellular senescence is the irreversible growth arrest of individual mitotic cells, which as a consequence display a radically altered phenotype that is thought to impair tissue function and predispose tissues to disease development and/or progression as they gradually accumulate. However, in the past, research into mechanisms of ageing has commonly been researched and treated separately from disease development. This may partly be due to the lack of understanding concerning mechanisms of ageing and the difficulty in implementing what was known into models of disease development. Only in the last 10 years, with increasing knowledge of the senescent phenotype and the ability to detect senescent cells in human tissues, have biologists been able to investigate the relationship between cellular senescence and disease. This review therefore brings together and discusses recent findings which suggest that cellular senescence does contribute to ageing and the development/progression of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D G A Burton
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Cockcroft Building, University of Brighton, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 4GJ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
The hepatic stellate cell has surprised and engaged physiologists, pathologists, and hepatologists for over 130 years, yet clear evidence of its role in hepatic injury and fibrosis only emerged following the refinement of methods for its isolation and characterization. The paradigm in liver injury of activation of quiescent vitamin A-rich stellate cells into proliferative, contractile, and fibrogenic myofibroblasts has launched an era of astonishing progress in understanding the mechanistic basis of hepatic fibrosis progression and regression. But this simple paradigm has now yielded to a remarkably broad appreciation of the cell's functions not only in liver injury, but also in hepatic development, regeneration, xenobiotic responses, intermediary metabolism, and immunoregulation. Among the most exciting prospects is that stellate cells are essential for hepatic progenitor cell amplification and differentiation. Equally intriguing is the remarkable plasticity of stellate cells, not only in their variable intermediate filament phenotype, but also in their functions. Stellate cells can be viewed as the nexus in a complex sinusoidal milieu that requires tightly regulated autocrine and paracrine cross-talk, rapid responses to evolving extracellular matrix content, and exquisite responsiveness to the metabolic needs imposed by liver growth and repair. Moreover, roles vital to systemic homeostasis include their storage and mobilization of retinoids, their emerging capacity for antigen presentation and induction of tolerance, as well as their emerging relationship to bone marrow-derived cells. As interest in this cell type intensifies, more surprises and mysteries are sure to unfold that will ultimately benefit our understanding of liver physiology and the diagnosis and treatment of liver disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029-6574, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fan S, Chen HN, Wang CJ, Tseng WC, Hsu HK, Weng CF. Toona sinensis Roem (Meliaceae) leaf extract alleviates liver fibrosis via reducing TGFbeta1 and collagen. Food Chem Toxicol 2007; 45:2228-36. [PMID: 17629604 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2007.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2006] [Revised: 04/29/2007] [Accepted: 05/16/2007] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Toona sinensis Roem (TS) leaf tea as a health food for the improvement of blood sugar and hypertension has been demonstrated. Thioacetamide (TAA), a hepatotoxin, causes the progression of liver fibrosis. In this study, we tested the effects of TS leaf on TAA-induced liver injury. TAA (200mg/kg Bwt/3 days, i.p.) treated rats were orally administrated with TS leaf extract (1g/kg Bwt/10 days) three times. After 30 days treatment, the morphological data showed that TS leaf extract given to TAA-treated rats had less liver fibrosis. The GOT/GPT, collagen 1 and collagen 3 mRNAs of livers in TAA-treated rats were elevated when compared to normal rats. The improvements of GOT/GPT, collagen 1 and collagen 3 mRNAs were shown in the TS leaf extract given to TAA-treated rats. TS leaf extract given to TAA-treated rats showed higher levels of cytochrome P450 (1A1, 2A and reductase) than those of TAA-treated rats. Compared to the TAA-treated group, TGFbeta1 mRNA (RT-PCR) was decreased with an increase of TGFbetaR1 protein (western blot) in the TS leaf extract given to TAA-treated rats. The decreased tendency of FGFR2 was found in the TS leaf extract given to TAA-treated rats. The result implies that TS leaf possesses beneficial effects on liver injury through increments of detoxification and the metabolic pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Fan
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 974, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Akpolat N, Yahsi S, Godekmerdan A, Yalniz M, Demirbag K. The value of alpha-SMA in the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis severity in hepatitis B infection and cirrhosis development: a histopathological and immunohistochemical study. Histopathology 2005; 47:276-80. [PMID: 16115228 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2005.02226.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the value of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), an indicator of stellate cell activation, in predicting fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. METHODS AND RESULTS The liver biopsy specimens of 30 patients with a clinical diagnosis of CHB were obtained before treatment and scored by Knodell's histological activity index. The specimens were then immunohistochemically stained with alpha-SMA and semiquantitatively evaluated. Fibrosis and the immunoreactivity of alpha-SMA in the periportal, perisinusoidal and pericentral areas were compared. Fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in CHB patients were significantly correlated (P =0.022). Furthermore, the degree of alpha-SMA expression and the scores of fibrosis (in periportal, perisinusoidal and pericentral areas) were highly correlated (P =0.000, 0.001, 0.000, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In liver biopsy samples, alpha-SMA may prove to be a valuable marker in the evaluation of stellate cell activation and fibrosis progression and an early indicator of the development of fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Akpolat
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University Firat, Elazig, Turkey.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Aoki F, Kurabayashi M, Hasegawa Y, Kojima I. Attenuation of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by follistatin. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005; 172:713-20. [PMID: 15976370 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200412-1620oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Activins are members of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily thought to be involved in repair processes after tissue injury. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to clarify whether activin and its antagonist, follistatin, played a significant role in lung injury and fibrosis. METHODS AND RESULTS In bleomycin (BLM)-treated rat lung, mRNA for the beta(A) subunit of activin was upregulated on Days 3 and 7 and decreased gradually thereafter. Immunoreactive activin A was abundantly expressed in macrophages infiltrated in the lung, and was detected in fibroblasts accumulated in the fibrotic area on Day 28. We then administered follistatin, an activin antagonist, to BLM-treated rats. Follistatin significantly reduced the number of macrophages and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage and reduced the protein content. Histologically, follistatin markedly reduced the number of infiltrating cells, ameliorated the destruction of lung architecture on Day 7, and attenuated lung fibrosis on Day 28. The hydroxyproline content was significantly lower in follistatin-treated rats. In cultured lung fibroblasts, production of activin A was augmented by transforming growth factor-beta, and activin antagonist follistatin significantly inhibited transforming growth factor-beta-induced fibroblast activation. These results suggest that activin A was produced in the lung after BLM treatment and promoted acute inflammation and subsequent fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Follistatin is effective in treating acute lung injury and BLM-induced fibrosis by blocking the actions of activin and transforming growth factor-beta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fumiaki Aoki
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi 371-8512, Japan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tolg C, Poon R, Fodde R, Turley EA, Alman BA. Genetic deletion of receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility (Rhamm) attenuates the formation of aggressive fibromatosis (desmoid tumor). Oncogene 2003; 22:6873-82. [PMID: 14534534 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1206811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Aggressive fibromatosis (desmoid tumor) is a locally invasive soft tissue neoplasm associated with mutations resulting in beta-catenin-mediated transcriptional activation. This tumor is composed of cells with histological and molecular characteristics common to proliferating mesenchymal cells of dermal wounds. Using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, we show that Rhamm, a protein with an important role in wound healing and neoplastic progression, is also expressed at high levels in aggressive fibromatosis. A mouse harboring a targeted deletion in Rhamm was generated, resulting in viable Rhamm-/- animals. Rhamm-/- mice were crossed with Apc/Apc1638N mice, which harbor a targeted mutation in the Apc gene predisposing animals to gastrointestinal and aggressive fibromatosis tumors. Rhamm deficiency significantly decreased the number of aggressive fibromatosis tumors formed, but did not alter the number of gastrointestinal polyps. Cell culture studies show that Rhamm regulates cell proliferation in both fibroblasts and fibromatosis cells under conditions of low density, but not high density. These results suggest that Rhamm regulates proliferation of cells with sparse cell-cell contacts, such as occurs in aggressive fibromatosis; provides the first genetic evidence implicating Rhamm in tumor pathology; and suggest Rhamm blockade as a potential therapeutic target for this otherwise difficult-to-treat neoplasm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Tolg
- Departments of Oncology and Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|