Differentially expressed genes in a porcine adult hepatic stem-like cell line and their expression in developing and regenerating liver

Functional Genomic Screening During Somatic Cell Reprogramming Identifies DKK3 as a Roadblock of Organ Regeneration

Somatic cell reprogramming and tissue repair share relevant factors and molecular programs. Here, Dickkopf-3 (DKK3) is identified as novel factor for organ regeneration using combined transcription-factor-induced reprogramming and RNA-interference techniques. Loss of Dkk3 enhances the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells but does not affect de novo derivation of embryonic stem cells, three-germ-layer differentiation or colony formation capacity of liver and pancreatic organoids. However, DKK3 expression levels in wildtype animals and serum levels in human patients are elevated upon injury. Accordingly, Dkk3-null mice display less liver damage upon acute and chronic failure mediated by increased proliferation in hepatocytes and LGR5+ liver progenitor cell population, respectively. Similarly, recovery from experimental pancreatitis is accelerated. Regeneration onset occurs in the acinar compartment accompanied by virtually abolished canonical-Wnt-signaling in Dkk3-null animals. This results in reduced expression of the Hedgehog repressor Gli3 and increased Hedgehog-signaling activity upon Dkk3 loss. Collectively, these data reveal Dkk3 as a key regulator of organ regeneration via a direct, previously unacknowledged link between DKK3, canonical-Wnt-, and Hedgehog-signaling.

Dickkopf 3 attenuates xanthine dehydrogenase expression to prevent oxidative stress-induced apoptosis

Dickkopf (DKK) 3 is a DKK glycoprotein family member that controls cell fate during embryogenesis and exerts opposing effects on survival in a cell type-dependent manner; however, the mechanisms governing its pro-apoptosis versus pro-survival functions remain unclear. Here, we investigated DKK3 function in Li21 hepatoma cells and tPH5CH immortalized hepatocytes. DKK3 knockdown by siRNA resulted in reactive oxygen species accumulation and subsequent apoptosis, which were abrogated by administration of the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine. Moreover, forced DKK3 over-expression induced resistance to hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ )-induced apoptosis. Expression analysis by cDNA microarray showed that xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) expression was significantly lower in Li21 and tPH5CHDKK3-over-expressing cells in response to H₂ O₂ treatment when compared to that in their respective mock-transfected controls, whereas a marked increase was observed in H₂ O₂ -treated DKK3 knockdown cells. Thus, these data suggest that DKK3 promotes cell survival during oxidative stress by suppressing the expression of the superoxide-producing enzyme XDH.

Effects of DKK-3, a Wnt signaling inhibitor, on dendritic cell phenotype and T cell polarization

Wnt signaling plays crucial roles in regulation of a wide range of processes in different cell types including immune cells and, in particular, dendritic cells and T cells. Growing indications point out that Wnt pathway components modulate the both innate and adaptive immune responses through regulating DC functions. We investigated the effects of recombinant DKK-3 protein on the phenotype and biological functions of bone marrow-derived DCs (BM-DCs) as well as T cell polarization. The phenotype and the cytokine production of BM-derived DCs in the presence DKK-3 were analyzed using flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. Also, capability of DCs to activate T cells was evaluated by CFSE-labeled splenocytes. Regulatory T cell induction, T cell polarization, and cytokine secretion were assessed by flow cytometry and ELISA in splenocytes cultured in the presence of DKK-3. Our results showed that the expression of CD86 and CD40 increased in the DKK-3-treated DC, while the expression of PDL-1 and PDL-2 diminished. Furthermore, the presence of DKK-3 decreased IL-10 and IL-4 production and increased IFN-gamma production by treated DCs.DKK-3. Moreover, DKK-3 shifted naive CD4 T cells towards TH1 cells through up-regulation of T-bet and down-regulation of GATA-3. Our results, therefore, suggest that DKK-3 protein has the ability to promote the generation of Th1-immunostimulatory DCs from its precursors.

Aberrant stratifin overexpression is regulated by tumor-associated CpG demethylation in lung adenocarcinoma

We previously have shown the aberrant overexpression of stratifin (SFN, 14-3-3 ς) in lung adenocarcinoma. Although SFN is known to facilitate tumor cell proliferation, the mechanism that underlies its aberrant expression has remained unclear. SFN, the downstream target of p53, often has been reported to be hypermethylated and subsequently silenced in certain cancers; however, its hypomethylation-linked reactivation has not yet been validated. In this study, we investigated the DNA methylation status of the SFN promoter region using 8 lung cancer cell lines and 32 specimens of adenocarcinoma tissue. Real-time methylation-specific PCR analysis showed that although both normal lung tissue and adenocarcinoma in situ bore a completely methylated SFN promoter, the promoter region in almost all invasive adenocarcinomas was at least partially methylated. The expression of SFN and its level of methylation were correlated strongly. Furthermore, statistical analysis revealed that the level of methylation became reduced with progression of the pathologic stage, although no clear relationship between methylation level and p53 abnormality was found. These results suggest that methylation-related silencing of SFN occurs in both normal lung tissues and adenocarcinoma in situ, and that demethylation of the SFN promoter participates in the aberrant expression of SFN in invasive adenocarcinoma cells, independently of p53 alteration. This novel finding might be informative for clarifying the mechanism that underlies the progression of early lung adenocarcinoma.

Activation, isolation, identification and culture of hepatic stem cells from porcine liver tissues

OBJECTIVES

  Utility of hepatic stem cells could provide a novel solution to the severe shortage of human donor livers, for treatment of liver-related diseases, due to their ability to proliferate and differentiate into functional hepatocytes. Porcine liver tissues also offer an alternative source from human donor livers. However, morphology, phenotype, successful isolation and culture of porcine hepatic stem cells still require much investigation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

  In the present study, we performed partial hepatectomy to activate hepatic oval cells and developed a procedure utilizing enzymatic digestion and density gradient centrifugation to isolate and purify oval cells derived from porcine livers. We identified ovoid cells by their morphological characteristics and phenotypic properties, thereby providing definitive evidence for the presence of hepatic stem cells in porcine livers. Moreover, we established a culture system, using various growth factors, to provide nourishment for these cells.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

  By transmission electron microscopy, oval-shaped cells with ovoid nuclei, a high nucleus/cytoplasm ratio and few organelles were demonstrated. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry showed that freshly isolated oval cells expressed albumin, cytokeratin 19, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and OV6 at high levels. Immunofluorescence revealed that porcine hepatic oval cells after culture expressed stem-cell factor, c-kit, Thy-1, CK19, OV6, and AFP. Taken together, this study provides a novel insight into morphological and phenotypic characteristics of porcine hepatic stem cells. Our ability for isolation and culturing porcine hepatic stem cells offers an abundant source of cells for transplantation and tissue engineering to help alleviate liver disease.

Overexpression of Dickkopf 3 in hepatoblastomas and hepatocellular carcinomas

Dickkopf 3 (Dkk3) is a protein expressed at a very early stage of hepatogenesis. In this study, we examined whether Dkk3 was related to a premature or dedifferentiated nature in hepatoblastomas (HBLs) and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). It was demonstrated that Dkk3 was overexpressed in HBLs and HCCs and that its expression was more frequent in the former than in the latter, being consistent with the fact that most HBLs show an embryonal or fetal hepatic histology, whereas there was no distinct relationship between Dkk3 expression and clinical data or histology. All of the HBLs expressed Dkk3, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), or both proteins, suggesting that, similar to AFP, Dkk3 is another potentially useful biomarker detecting a wide range of HBLs. Furthermore, Dkk3 and AFP were expressed reciprocally in the tumors. These results suggest that Dkk3 may be related to the premature or dedifferentiated nature of HBLs and HCCs, whereas AFP may be related to a more differentiated nature. Thus, assessment of Dkk3 and AFP may be useful in the diagnosis of hepatic tumors.