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Weng T, Yan D, Shi D, Zhu M, Liu Y, Wu Z, Tang T, Zhu L, Zhang H, Yao H, Li L. The MSP-RON pathway regulates liver fibrosis through transforming growth factor beta-dependent epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Liver Int 2021; 41:1956-1968. [PMID: 33786995 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis is pathologically important in the liver cirrhosis progression. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial for organ fibrosis. Macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) and its receptor tyrosine kinase, RON, promote cellular EMT. However, their role in liver fibrosis is unclear. Here, we clarify the biological profile, potential mechanisms and therapeutic targets of the MSP-RON pathway in liver fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Macrophage-stimulating protein expression and its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics of cirrhosis were evaluated in 57 clinical cases and a control group. The effect of MSP-RON pathway in liver fibrosis was determined in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic effects of MSP or RON inhibition on liver fibrosis were evaluated in a mouse liver fibrosis model. RESULTS Macrophage-stimulating protein is upregulated in liver cirrhosis, which was associated with poor patient prognosis. The MSP-RON pathway promoted hepatocytes EMT. MSP-RON-induced EMT depends on the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pathway and is regulated by TGF-β inhibitors. In animal models, an MSP blocking antibody and a small molecule inhibitor of RON, BMS-777607, both inhibited liver fibrosis progression. CONCLUSION Our study revealed that MSP is an important biomarker in liver cirrhosis progression and can be used to prognose patients. The MSP-RON pathway promotes the EMT of hepatocytes and the progress of fibrosis via a TGF-β related pathway. Consequently, we identified a new treatment strategy for liver cirrhosis through targeted inhibition of MSP/RON. This research increases the understanding of EMT-modulated liver fibrosis and provides new insights into biomarkers and therapeutic targets of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhao Weng
- 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, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dong Yan
- 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, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Danrong Shi
- 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, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Miaojin Zhu
- 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, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yizhi 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, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Wu
- 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, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Taoming Tang
- 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, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Linwei Zhu
- 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, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hangping Yao
- 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, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lanjuan Li
- 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, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Cabré N, Gil M, Amigó N, Luciano-Mateo F, Baiges-Gaya G, Fernández-Arroyo S, Rodríguez-Tomàs E, Hernández-Aguilera A, Castañé H, París M, Sabench F, Del Castillo D, Camps J, Joven J. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy alters 1H-NMR-measured lipoprotein and glycoprotein profile in patients with severe obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1343. [PMID: 33446705 PMCID: PMC7809416 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79485-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with morbid obesity frequently present non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) associated with pro-atherogenic alterations. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an effective treatment for weight reduction, and for the remission of hepatic alterations. Using 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), we investigated the effects of LSG on lipoprotein and glycoprotein profile in patients with morbid obesity and liver disease. We included 154 patients with morbid obesity (49 non-NASH, 54 uncertain NASH, 51 definite NASH). A blood sample was obtained before surgery and, in patients with definite NASH, one year after surgery. Patients with NASH had increased concentrations of medium and small VLDL particles, VLDL and IDL cholesterol concentrations, IDL, LDL, and HDL triglyceride concentrations, and elevated glycoprotein levels. These changes were more marked in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. LSG produced significant decreases in the concentration of VLDL particles, VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides, an increase in the concentration LDL particles and LDL cholesterol concentrations, and a decrease in protein glycation. We conclude that patients with obesity and NASH had significant alterations in circulating levels of lipoproteins and glycoproteins that were associated with the severity of the disease. Most of these changes were reversed post-LSG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemí Cabré
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Llorenç, 21, 43201, Reus, Spain.,Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica (URB-CRB), Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Joan S/N, 43201, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Míriam Gil
- Biosfer Teslab, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Universitat 1, 43204, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Núria Amigó
- Biosfer Teslab, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Universitat 1, 43204, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Fedra Luciano-Mateo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Llorenç, 21, 43201, Reus, Spain.,Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica (URB-CRB), Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Joan S/N, 43201, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Gerard Baiges-Gaya
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Llorenç, 21, 43201, Reus, Spain.,Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica (URB-CRB), Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Joan S/N, 43201, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Salvador Fernández-Arroyo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Llorenç, 21, 43201, Reus, Spain.,Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica (URB-CRB), Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Joan S/N, 43201, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Elisabet Rodríguez-Tomàs
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Llorenç, 21, 43201, Reus, Spain.,Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica (URB-CRB), Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Joan S/N, 43201, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Anna Hernández-Aguilera
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Llorenç, 21, 43201, Reus, Spain.,Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica (URB-CRB), Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Joan S/N, 43201, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Helena Castañé
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Llorenç, 21, 43201, Reus, Spain.,Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica (URB-CRB), Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Joan S/N, 43201, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Marta París
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Doctor Josep Laporte 2, 43204, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Fàtima Sabench
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Doctor Josep Laporte 2, 43204, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Daniel Del Castillo
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Doctor Josep Laporte 2, 43204, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Jordi Camps
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Llorenç, 21, 43201, Reus, Spain. .,Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica (URB-CRB), Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Joan S/N, 43201, Reus, Tarragona, Spain.
| | - Jorge Joven
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Llorenç, 21, 43201, Reus, Spain. .,Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica (URB-CRB), Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Institut d'Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C. Sant Joan S/N, 43201, Reus, Tarragona, Spain. .,The Campus of International Excellence Southern Catalonia, Tarragona, Spain.
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4
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Huang L, Fang X, Shi D, Yao S, Wu W, Fang Q, Yao H. MSP-RON Pathway: Potential Regulator of Inflammation and Innate Immunity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:569082. [PMID: 33117355 PMCID: PMC7577085 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.569082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP), a soluble protein mainly synthesized by the liver, is the only known ligand for recepteur d'origine nantais (RON), which is a member of the MET proto-oncogene family. Recent studies show that the MSP-RON signaling pathway not only was important in tumor behavior but also participates in the occurrence or development of many immune system diseases. Activation of RON in macrophages results in the inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis as well as lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response. MSP-RON is also associated with chronic inflammatory responses, especially chronic liver inflammation, and might serve as a novel regulator of inflammation, which may affect the metabolism in the body. Another study provided evidence of the relationship between MSP-RON and autoimmune diseases, suggesting a potential role for MSP-RON in the development of drugs for autoimmune diseases. Moreover, MSP-RON plays an important role in maintaining the stability of the tissue microenvironment and contributes to immune escape in the tumor immune microenvironment. Here, we summarize the role of MSP-RON in immunity, based on recent findings, and lay the foundation for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingtong Huang
- Department of Critical Care Units, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xueling Fang
- Department of Critical Care Units, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Danrong Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & 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, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuhao Yao
- Department of Stormotologry, Wenzhou Medical University Renji College, Wenzhou, China
| | - Weifang Wu
- Department of Critical Care Units, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Fang
- Department of Critical Care Units, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hangping Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & 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, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Allen JN, Dey A, Cai J, Zhang J, Tian Y, Kennett M, Ma Y, Liang TJ, Patterson AD, Hankey-Giblin PA. Metabolic Profiling Reveals Aggravated Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in High-Fat High-Cholesterol Diet-Fed Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice Lacking Ron Receptor Signaling. Metabolites 2020; 10:metabo10080326. [PMID: 32796650 PMCID: PMC7464030 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10080326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) represents the progressive sub-disease of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that causes chronic liver injury initiated and sustained by steatosis and necroinflammation. The Ron receptor is a tyrosine kinase of the Met proto-oncogene family that potentially has a beneficial role in adipose and liver-specific inflammatory responses, as well as glucose and lipid metabolism. Since its discovery two decades ago, the Ron receptor has been extensively investigated for its differential roles on inflammation and cancer. Previously, we showed that Ron expression on tissue-resident macrophages limits inflammatory macrophage activation and promotes a repair phenotype, which can retard the progression of NASH in a diet-induced mouse model. However, the metabolic consequences of Ron activation have not previously been investigated. Here, we explored the effects of Ron receptor activation on major metabolic pathways that underlie the development and progression of NASH. Mice lacking apolipoprotein E (ApoE KO) and double knockout (DKO) mice that lack ApoE and Ron were maintained on a high-fat high-cholesterol diet for 18 weeks. We observed that, in DKO mice, the loss of ligand-dependent Ron signaling aggravated key pathological features in steatohepatitis, including steatosis, inflammation, oxidation stress, and hepatocyte damage. Transcriptional programs positively regulating fatty acid (FA) synthesis and uptake were upregulated in the absence of Ron receptor signaling, whereas lipid disposal pathways were downregulated. Consistent with the deregulation of lipid metabolism pathways, the DKO animals exhibited increased accumulation of FAs in the liver and decreased level of bile acids. Altogether, ligand-dependent Ron receptor activation provides protection from the deregulation of major metabolic pathways that initiate and aggravate non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joselyn N. Allen
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.N.A.); (A.D.); (J.C.); (J.Z.); (Y.T.); (M.K.)
| | - Adwitia Dey
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.N.A.); (A.D.); (J.C.); (J.Z.); (Y.T.); (M.K.)
| | - Jingwei Cai
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.N.A.); (A.D.); (J.C.); (J.Z.); (Y.T.); (M.K.)
| | - Jingtao Zhang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.N.A.); (A.D.); (J.C.); (J.Z.); (Y.T.); (M.K.)
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.N.A.); (A.D.); (J.C.); (J.Z.); (Y.T.); (M.K.)
| | - Mary Kennett
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.N.A.); (A.D.); (J.C.); (J.Z.); (Y.T.); (M.K.)
| | - Yanling Ma
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, The National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (Y.M.); (T.J.L.)
| | - T. Jake Liang
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, The National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (Y.M.); (T.J.L.)
| | - Andrew D. Patterson
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.N.A.); (A.D.); (J.C.); (J.Z.); (Y.T.); (M.K.)
- Correspondence: (A.D.P.); (P.A.H.-G.); Tel.: +1-814-867-4565; (A.D.P.); +1-814-863-0128 (P.A.H.-G.)
| | - Pamela A. Hankey-Giblin
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.N.A.); (A.D.); (J.C.); (J.Z.); (Y.T.); (M.K.)
- Correspondence: (A.D.P.); (P.A.H.-G.); Tel.: +1-814-867-4565; (A.D.P.); +1-814-863-0128 (P.A.H.-G.)
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