A potential role of somatostatin and its receptor SSTR4 in the migration of hepatic oval cells

Somatostatin and Somatostatin Receptors in Tumour Biology

Somatostatin (SST), a growth hormone inhibitory peptide, is expressed in endocrine and non-endocrine tissues, immune cells and the central nervous system (CNS). Post-release from secretory or immune cells, the first most appreciated role that SST exhibits is the antiproliferative effect in target tissue that served as a potential therapeutic intervention in various tumours of different origins. The SST-mediated in vivo and/or in vitro antiproliferative effect in the tumour is considered direct via activation of five different somatostatin receptor subtypes (SSTR1-5), which are well expressed in most tumours and often more than one receptor in a single cell. Second, the indirect effect is associated with the regulation of growth factors. SSTR subtypes are crucial in tumour diagnosis and prognosis. In this review, with the recent development of new SST analogues and receptor-specific agonists with emerging functional consequences of signaling pathways are promising therapeutic avenues in tumours of different origins that are discussed.

The Somatostatin Receptor-4 Agonist J-2156 Alleviates Mechanical Hypersensitivity in a Rat Model of Breast Cancer Induced Bone Pain

In the majority of patients with breast cancer in the advanced stages, skeletal metastases are common, which may cause excruciating pain. Currently available drug treatments for relief of breast cancer-induced bone pain (BCIBP) include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and strong opioid analgesics along with inhibitors of osteoclast activity such as bisphosphonates and monoclonal antibodies such as denosumab. However, these medications often lack efficacy and/or they may produce serious dose-limiting side effects. In the present study, we show that J-2156, a somatostatin receptor type 4 (SST4 receptor) selective agonist, reverses pain-like behaviors in a rat model of BCIBP induced by unilateral intra-tibial injection of Walker 256 breast cancer cells. Following intraperitoneal administration, the ED₅₀ of J-2156 for the relief of mechanical allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia in the ipsilateral hindpaws was 3.7 and 8.0 mg/kg, respectively. Importantly, the vast majority of somatosensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia including small diameter C-fibers and medium-large diameter fibers, that play a crucial role in cancer pain hypersensitivities, expressed the SST4 receptor. J-2156 mediated pain relief in BCIBP-rats was confirmed by observations of a reduction in the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK), a protein essential for central sensitization and persistent pain, in the spinal dorsal horn. Our results demonstrate the potential of the SST4 receptor as a pharmacological target for relief of BCIBP and we anticipate the present work to be a starting point for further mechanism-based studies.

An oyster species-specific miRNA scaffold42648_5080 modulates haemocyte migration by targeting integrin pathway

miRNAs are important gene regulators at post-transcriptional level and can modulate diverse biological processes, including immune response. Dozens of species-specific miRNAs have been identified in oyster Crassostrea gigas while their functions remain largely unknown. In the present study, an oyster species-specific miRNA scaffold42648_5080 was found responsive to LPS stimulation and might target a total of 31 oyster genes possibly involved in cell communication, cellular localization and cellular response to stimulus. Besides, in gain-of-function assay of scaffold42648_5080 in vivo, the phagocytosis (30.90% in miRNA group verse 23.20% in miRNA control group), apoptosis (3.10% in miRNA group verse 5.30% in miRNA control group) and migration rate (13.88% in miRNA group verse 21.03% in miRNA control group) of oyster haemocytes were found significantly altered after the injection of scaffold42648_5080 mimics. Among the target genes, integrin-linked kinase (CgILK) was considered crucial in cell migration and its interaction with scaffold42648_5080 was then verified both in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, a significant decrease of relative luciferase ratio was observed in CgILK 3'-UTR luciferase reporter assay after transfection of scaffold42648_5080 mimics (0.70-fold of that in blank group, p < 0.01). Meanwhile, when scaffold42648_5080 was overexpressed in vivo (5.41-fold of miRNA control group, p < 0.01), the expression of CgILK declined significantly to 0.25-fold of miRNA control group (p < 0.01). Comparatively, a significant decrease of the haemocyte migration rate (19.76% verse 34.82% in siEGFP control group, p < 0.01) was observed after knock-down of CgILK in vivo. The present study, as far as we know, for the first time revealed the immunomodulation role of an oyster species-specific miRNA, which might provide new insights into miRNA-mediated adaptation mechanism of oysters.

Hepatic oval cells and liver diseases

In recent years, hepatic oval cells (HOC) have gradually become a research hotspot, and their participation in the reconstruction of liver structure and function has been preliminarily confirmed. This provides a new direction for the study of the pathogenesis and treatment of liver injury, hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver neoplasms and other liver diseases. This paper will discuss the relationship between hepatic oval cells and liver diseases.

Hedgehog signaling influences gender-specific response of liver to radiation in mice

BACKGROUND

It is unclear why the response to radiation in the female liver is different from that of the male liver. Hedgehog (Hh) that remains latent in healthy adult livers is activated in the injured liver and promotes the proliferation of progenitors and myofibroblastic hepatic stellate cells, leading to hepatic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE

These findings have led to the hypothesis that the gender-specific expression of Hh signaling could affect the different response of the female liver to radiation.

METHODS

Male and female mice irradiated with a single dose of 6 Gy were killed at 1 week post irradiation, and the livers were collected for biochemical analysis.

RESULTS

A greater accumulation of fatty hepatocytes and apoptotic cells was observed in irradiated female mice. Sox-9 and pancytokeratin-positive cells were expanded in the livers of irradiated female, but not male, mice. The expression of the Hh ligand, Sonic Hh, Hh receptor, Smoothened, and Hh-target gene, Gli2, showed a greater increase in the liver of radiation-treated female. The levels of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-stimulating factor, transforming growth factor-β, collagen α1, and N-cadherin were upregulated, while the EMT inhibitor, bmp7, was downregulated in the damaged liver of females compared to controls. In addition, increased fibrosis was seen in the injured livers of female mice. No significant changes in Hh expression and EMT were detected in the irradiated male mice.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated that the increased expression of Hh signaling contributed to the different repair process in the irradiated female mice by promoting proliferation of progenitor and EMT process.

Genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in discordant sib pairs with alcohol dependence

INTRODUCTION

Alcohol dependence is a complex disease caused by a confluence of environmental and genetic factors. Epigenetic mechanisms have been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of alcohol dependence.

METHODS

To determine if alterations in gene-specific methylation were associated with alcohol dependence, a genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from alcohol-dependent patients and siblings without alcohol dependence as controls. The Illumina Infinium Human Methylation450 BeadChip was used and gene-specific methylation of DNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was assessed. Genes ALDH1L2, GAD1, DBH and GABRP were selected to validate beadchip results by pyrosequencing.

RESULTS

Compared to normal controls, 865 hypomethylated and 716 hypermethylated CG sites in peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNA in alcohol-dependent patients were identified. The most hypomethylated CG site is located in the promoter of SSTR4 (somatostatin receptor 4) and the most hypermethylated CG site is GABRP (gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor). The results from beadchip analysis were consistent with that of pyrosequencing.

DISCUSSION

DNA methylation might be associated with alcohol dependence. Genes SSTR4, ALDH1L2, GAD1, DBH and GABRP may participate in the biological process of alcohol dependence.

Somatostatin stimulates the migration of hepatic oval cells in the injured rat liver

BACKGROUND

Somatostatin is a pleiotropic peptide, exerting a variety of effects through its receptor subtypes. Recently, somatostatin has been shown to act as a chemoattractant for haematopoietic progenitor cells and hepatic oval cells (HOC) via receptor subtype 2 and subtype 4 (SSTR4) respectively.

AIMS

We investigated the in vivo effect of somatostatin/SSTR4 on HOC migration in the injured liver model of rats and the type of signalling molecules associated with the chemotactic function.

METHODS

Migration assay, HOC transplantation and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signalling were assessed with or without somatostatin and an analogue of somatostatin (TT232) that specifically binds to SSTR4.

RESULTS

TT232 was shown to have an antimigratory action on HOC induced by somatostatin in vitro. In HOC transplantation experiments, a lower number of donor-derived cells were detected in TT232-treated animals, as compared with control animals. Activation of PI3K was observed in HOC exposed to somatostatin, and this activation was suppressed by either SSTR4 antibody or TT232-pretreatment. In addition, a PI3K inhibitor abrogated the motility of HOC.

CONCLUSION

Together, these data suggest that somatostatin stimulates the migration of HOC within injured liver through SSTR4, and this action appears to be mediated by the PI3K pathway.

Evaluation of the effects of somatostatin on portal hemodynamics in rabbits after hepatectomy by color Doppler ultrasound

AIM: To investigate the value of color Doppler ultrasound in evaluating the effects of somatostatin on portal hemodynamics in rabbits after hepatectomy.

METHODS: Thirty-two rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 6), normal saline group (n = 13), somatostatin group (n = 13). The normal saline group and somatostatin group underwent 50% hepatectomy, while the control group underwent a sham operation. Color Doppler ultrasound was then used to measure and compare various portal vein hemodynamic parameters, including flow direction, diameter, hemokinetic velocity, average flow rate, and blood flow volume, among each group.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences in portal diameter and hemokinetic velocity among all the three groups before and after the surgery (all P > 0.05). However, the average flow rate and blood flow volume were significant lower in the somatostatin group than in the control group and normal saline group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Application of somatostatin early after hepatectomy may reduce the flow rate and blood flow volume in the portal vein, which may be the cause that somatostatin reduces elevated portal pressure. Color Doppler ultrasound is effective in evaluating the effects of somatostatin on portal hemodynamics in rabbits after hepatectomy.

Potential applications for cell regulatory factors in liver progenitor cell therapy

Orthotopic liver transplant represent the state of the art treatment for terminal liver pathologies such as cirrhosis in adults and hemochromatosis in neonates. A limited supply of transplantable organs in relationship to the demand means that many patients will succumb to disease before an organ becomes available. One promising alternative to liver transplant is therapy based on the transplant of liver progenitor cells. These cells may be derived from the patient, expanded in vitro, and transplanted back to the diseased liver. Inborn metabolic disorders represent the most attractive target for liver progenitor cell therapy, as many of these disorders may be corrected by repopulation of only a portion of the liver by healthy cells. Another potential application for liver progenitor cell therapy is the seeding of bio-artificial liver matrix. These ex vivo bioreactors may someday be used to bridge critically ill patients to other treatments. Conferring a selective growth advantage to the progenitor cell population remains an obstacle to therapy development. Understanding the molecular signaling mechanisms and micro-environmental cues that govern liver progenitor cell phenotype may someday lead to strategies for providing this selective growth advantage. The discovery of a population of cells within the bone marrow possessing the ability to differentiate into hepatocytes may provide an easily accessible source of cells for liver therapies.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 is required for the regulation of rat oval cell proliferation and differentiation in the 2AAF/PHX model

Oval cell-mediated liver regeneration is a highly complex process that involves the coordination of several signaling factors, chemokines and cytokines to allow for proper maintenance of the liver architecture. When hepatocyte proliferation is inhibited, an hepatic stem cell population, often referred to as “oval cells”, is activated to aid in liver regeneration. The function of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) during this process of oval cell activation is of particular interest because it is produced in liver and has been shown to induce migration and differentiation of other stem cell populations both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, IGFBP-3 production has been linked to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, a pathway known to be induced during oval cell proliferation. In this study, we set out to determine whether IGFBP-3 plays a role in oval cell proliferation, migration and differentiation during this specific type of regeneration. Through activation of the oval cell-mediated liver regeneration in a rat model, we found that IGFBP-3 is elevated in the liver and serum of animals during peak days of oval cell activation and proliferation. Furthermore, in vitro assays found that WB-344 cells, a liver stem cell line similar to oval cells, were induced to migrate in the presence of IGFBP-3. When expression of IGFBP-3 was knocked down during oval cell activation in vivo, we found that oval cell proliferation was increased and observed the appearance of numerous atypical ductular structures, which were OV-6 and Ki67-positive. Finally, quantitative realtime PCR analysis of liver tissue from IGFBP-3 small interfering RNA (siRNA) treated animals determined that expression of TGFβ family members, including TGF-βRII and Smads 2–4, were significantly downregulated compared to animals at day 9 post-PHx alone or animals that received negative control siRNA. In conclusion, IGFBP-3 may function as a potent chemoattractant of oval cells during specific types of liver regeneration and may be involved in regulating oval cell proliferation and differentiation in vivo via the TGF-β pathway.

Effects of somatostatin on portal vein hemodynamics in the early stage after hepatectomy

AIM: To investigate the effects of somatostatin on portal vein hemodynamics in the early stage after hepatectomy and explore the mechanism under such effects.

METHODS: Thirty-two rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: group A (n = 6, control group), group B (n = 13, normal saline treatment group) and group C (n = 13, somatostatin treatment group). Rabbits in all three groups underwent portal vein catheterization, while only those in Groups B and C underwent 50% partial hepatectomy. An intraoperative and postoperative intravenous infusion of normal saline and somatostatin was given. Before and after the treatment (0.5, 1, 2 h), the pressure, flow direction, diameter, hemokinetic velocity, average flow rate and blood flow of the portal vein were detected and compared.

RESULTS: After hepatectomy, the portal pressure increased. The increase in the portal pressure in group B was significantly higher than that in group C (0.5 h: 436.001 ± 169.654 Pa vs 258.012 ± 167.497 Pa, P < 0.05; 1 h: 394.324 ± 163.182 Pa vs 224.767 ± 164.653 Pa, P < 0.05; 2 h: 193.092 ± 154.356 Pa vs 351.861 ± 183.579 Pa, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in portal diameter and hemokinetic velocity among all the three groups before and after treatment (P > 0.05). However, the average flow rate and blood flow of the portal vein in group C were significant lower than those in groups A and B (both P < 0.05). Two hours after hepatectomy, no significant differences in the expression of ALT and AST were noted between groups A and B.

CONCLUSION: Application of somatostatin in the early stage of hepatectomy may reduce elevated portal pressure, which may be associated with somatostatin-induced decrease in flow rate and blood flow of the portal vein.

Stem cells in liver regeneration, fibrosis and cancer: the good, the bad and the ugly

The worldwide shortage of donor livers to transplant end stage liver disease patients has prompted the search for alternative cell therapies for intractable liver diseases, such as acute liver failure, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Under normal circumstances the liver undergoes a low rate of hepatocyte 'wear and tear' renewal, but can mount a brisk regenerative response to the acute loss of two-thirds or more of the parenchymal mass. A body of evidence favours placement of a stem cell niche in the periportal regions, although the identity of such stem cells in rodents and man is far from clear. In animal models of liver disease, adopting strategies to provide a selective advantage for transplanted hepatocytes has proved highly effective in repopulating recipient livers, but the poor success of today's hepatocyte transplants can be attributed to the lack of a clinically applicable procedure to force a similar repopulation of the human liver. The activation of bipotential hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) is clearly vital for survival in many cases of acute liver failure, and the signals that promote such reactions are being elucidated. Bone marrow cells (BMCs) make, at best, a trivial contribution to hepatocyte replacement after damage, but other BMCs contribute to the hepatic collagen-producing cell population, resulting in fibrotic disease; paradoxically, BMC transplantation may help alleviate established fibrotic disease. HCC may have its origins in either hepatocytes or HPCs, and HCCs, like other solid tumours appear to be sustained by a minority population of cancer stem cells.

Isolation and characterization of hepatic stem cells, or "oval cells," from rat livers

The pace of research on the potential therapeutic uses of liver stem cells or "oval cells" has accelerated significantly in recent years. Concurrent advancements in techniques for the isolation and characterization of these cells have helped fuel this research. Several models now exist for the induction of oval cell proliferation in rodents. Protocols for the isolation and culture of these cells have evolved to the point that they may be set up in any laboratory equipped for cell culture. The advent of magnetic cell sorting has eliminated reliance on expensive flow cytometric sorting equipment to generate highly enriched populations of oval cells. Our laboratory has had much success in using the oval cell surface marker Thy-1 in combination with magnetic sorting to produce material suitable for testing the influence of a myriad of chemical signaling molecules on the oval cell phenotype. This chapter will describe our basic strategy for oval cell induction and isolation. Additionally, two in vitro procedures are described which the reader may find useful in the early stages of developing an oval cell research project.

Liver regeneration

Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is a very complex and well-orchestrated phenomenon. It is carried out by the participation of all mature liver cell types. The process is associated with signaling cascades involving growth factors, cytokines, matrix remodeling, and several feedbacks of stimulation and inhibition of growth related signals. Liver manages to restore any lost mass and adjust its size to that of the organism, while at the same time providing full support for body homeostasis during the entire regenerative process. In situations when hepatocytes or biliary cells are blocked from regeneration, these cell types can function as facultative stem cells for each other.

Liver regeneration

Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is a very complex and well-orchestrated phenomenon. It is carried out by the participation of all mature liver cell types. The process is associated with signaling cascades involving growth factors, cytokines, matrix remodeling, and several feedbacks of stimulation and inhibition of growth related signals. Liver manages to restore any lost mass and adjust its size to that of the organism, while at the same time providing full support for body homeostasis during the entire regenerative process. In situations when hepatocytes or biliary cells are blocked from regeneration, these cell types can function as facultative stem cells for each other.

Application of liver stem cells for cell therapy

The worldwide shortage of donor livers to transplant end stage liver disease patients has prompted the search for alternative cell therapies for intractable liver disease. Embryonic stem cells can be readily differentiated into hepatocytes, and their transplantation into animals has improved liver function in the absence of teratoma formation: their use in bioartificial liver support is an obvious application. In animal models of liver disease, adopting strategies to provide a selective advantage for transplanted foetal or adult hepatocytes have proved highly effective in repopulating recipient livers, but the poor success of today's hepatocyte transplants can be attributed to the lack of a clinically applicable procedure to force a similar repopulation of the human liver. The activation of bipotential hepatic progenitor cells is clearly vital for survival in many cases of acute liver failure, but surprisingly little progress has been made with these cells in terms of transplantation. Finally there is the controversial subject of autologous bone marrow, and while the contribution of these indigenous cells to liver turnover seems at best, trivial, results from a small number of phase 1 studies of transplantation of bone marrow to cirrhotic patients have been moderately encouraging.

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor promotes liver repair and induces oval cell migration and proliferation in rats

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hepatic regeneration is a heterogeneous phenomenon involving several cell populations. Oval cells are considered liver stem cells, a portion of which derive from bone marrow (BM). Recent studies have shown that granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) may be effective in facilitating liver repair. However, it remains unclear if G-CSF acts by mobilizing BM cells, or if it acts locally within the liver microenvironment to facilitate the endogenous restoration program. In the present study, we assessed the involvement of G-CSF during oval cell activation.

METHODS

Dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV-deficient female rats received BM transplants from wild-type male donors. Four weeks later, rats were subjected to the 2-acetylaminofluorene/partial hepatectomy model of oval cell-mediated liver regeneration, followed by administration of either nonpegylated G-CSF or pegylated G-CSF. Control animals did not receive further treatments after surgery. The magnitude of oval cell reaction, the entity of BM contribution to liver repopulation, as well as the G-CSF/G-CSF-receptor expression levels were evaluated. In addition, in vitro proliferation and migration assays were performed on freshly isolated oval cells.

RESULTS

Oval cells were found to express G-CSF receptor and G-CSF was produced within the regenerating liver. G-CSF administration significantly increased both the magnitude of the oval cell reaction, and the contribution of BM to liver repair. Finally, G-CSF acted as a chemoattractant and a mitogen for oval cells in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

We have shown that G-CSF facilitates hepatic regeneration by increasing the migration of BM-derived progenitors to the liver, as well as enhancing the endogenous oval cell reaction.