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Guo Z, Yao Z, Huang B, Wu D, Li Y, Chen X, Lu Y, Wang L, Lv W. MAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma: Exploring the potent combination of immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 140:112821. [PMID: 39088919 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112821] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity globally, and with the prevalence of metabolic-related diseases, the incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) related hepatocellular carcinoma (MAFLD-HCC) continues to rise with the limited efficacy of conventional treatments, which has created a major challenge for HCC surveillance. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and molecularly targeted drugs offer new hope for advanced MAFLD-HCC, but the evidence for the use of both types of therapy in this type of tumour is still insufficient. Theoretically, the combination of immunotherapy, which awakens the body's anti-tumour immunity, and targeted therapies, which directly block key molecular events driving malignant progression in HCC, is expected to produce synergistic effects. In this review, we will discuss the progress of immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy in MAFLD-HCC and look forward to the opportunities and challenges of the combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Guo
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Ziang Yao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking University People 's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Bohao Huang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100105, China
| | - Dongjie Wu
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Yanbo Li
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Xiaohan Chen
- Department of Hematology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Yanping Lu
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Bao'an Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518100, China.
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
| | - Wenliang Lv
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
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Han Y, Gao Q, Xu Y, Chen K, Li R, Guo W, Wang S. Cysteine sulfenylation contributes to liver fibrosis via the regulation of EphB2-mediated signaling. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:602. [PMID: 39164267 PMCID: PMC11335765 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06997-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Sulfenylation is a reversible oxidative posttranslational modification (PTM) of proteins on cysteine residues. Despite the dissection of various biological functions of cysteine sulfenylation, its roles in hepatic fibrosis remain elusive. Here, we report that EphB2, a receptor tyrosine kinase previously implicated in liver fibrosis, is regulated by cysteine sulfenylation during the fibrotic progression of liver. Specifically, EphB2 is sulfenylated at the residues of Cys636 and Cys862 in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), leading to the elevation of tyrosine kinase activity and protein stability of EphB2 and stronger interactions with focal adhesion kinase for the activation of downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. The inhibitions of both EphB2 kinase activity and cysteine sulfenylation by idebenone (IDE), a marketed drug with potent antioxidant activity, can markedly suppress the activation of HSCs and ameliorate hepatic injury in two well-recognized mouse models of liver fibrosis. Collectively, this study reveals cysteine sulfenylation as a new type of PTM for EphB2 and sheds a light on the therapeutic potential of IDE for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueqing Han
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Gao
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yating Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ke Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rongxin Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiran Guo
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuzhen Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
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3
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Tang BX, Zhang Y, Sun DD, Liu QY, Li C, Wang PP, Gao LX, Zhang XM, Li J, Zhu WL, Zang Y. Luteolin-7-diglucuronide, a novel PTP1B inhibitor, ameliorates hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis in mice. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024:10.1038/s41401-024-01351-3. [PMID: 39103531 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01351-3] [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: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, lacks effective therapy. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the dominant event in hepatic fibrogenesis. Luteolin-7-diglucuronide (L7DG) is the major flavonoid extracted from Perilla frutescens and Verbena officinalis. Their beneficial effects in the treatment of liver diseases were well documented. In this study we investigated the anti-fibrotic activities of L7DG and the potential mechanisms. We established TGF-β1-activated mouse primary hepatic stellate cells (pHSCs) and human HSC line LX-2 as in vitro liver fibrosis models. Co-treatment with L7DG (5, 20, 50 μM) dose-dependently decreased TGF-β1-induced expression of fibrotic markers collagen 1, α-SMA and fibronectin. In liver fibrosis mouse models induced by CCl4 challenge alone or in combination with HFHC diet, administration of L7DG (40, 150 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g., for 4 or 8 weeks) dose-dependently attenuated hepatic histopathological injury and collagen accumulation, decreased expression of fibrogenic genes. By conducting target prediction, molecular docking and enzyme activity detection, we identified L7DG as a potent inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) with an IC50 value of 2.10 µM. Further studies revealed that L7DG inhibited PTP1B activity, up-regulated AMPK phosphorylation and subsequently inhibited HSC activation. This study demonstrates that the phytochemical L7DG may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Xi Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Stake Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Stake Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Dan-Dan Sun
- Stake Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qin-Yi Liu
- Stake Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Li
- Stake Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Pei-Pei Wang
- Stake Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Li-Xin Gao
- Stake Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xue-Mei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Jia Li
- Stake Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
- Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, 264117, China.
| | - Wei-Liang Zhu
- Stake Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Yi Zang
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Wang A, Zhang Y, Lv X, Liang G. Therapeutic potential of targeting protein tyrosine phosphatases in liver diseases. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:3295-3311. [PMID: 39220870 PMCID: PMC11365412 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is a post-translational modification that regulates protein structure to modulate demic organisms' homeostasis and function. This physiological process is regulated by two enzyme families, protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). As an important regulator of protein function, PTPs are indispensable for maintaining cell intrinsic physiology in different systems, as well as liver physiological and pathological processes. Dysregulation of PTPs has been implicated in multiple liver-related diseases, including chronic liver diseases (CLDs), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver injury, and several PTPs are being studied as drug therapeutic targets. Therefore, given the regulatory role of PTPs in diverse liver diseases, a collated review of their function and mechanism is necessary. Moreover, based on the current research status of targeted therapy, we emphasize the inclusion of several PTP members that are clinically significant in the development and progression of liver diseases. As an emerging breakthrough direction in the treatment of liver diseases, this review summarizes the research status of PTP-targeting compounds in liver diseases to illustrate their potential in clinical treatment. Overall, this review aims to support the development of novel PTP-based treatment pathways for liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao Wang
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Inflammation, Zhejiang Provincial Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Inflammation, Zhejiang Provincial Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Xinting Lv
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Inflammation, Zhejiang Provincial Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Guang Liang
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Inflammation, Zhejiang Provincial Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
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Ding F, Zheng P, Fang H, Luo Y, Yan X, Chen H, Yan Y. Adipocyte-specific FAK deletion promotes pancreatic β-cell apoptosis via adipose inflammatory response to exacerbate diabetes mellitus. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1742. [PMID: 38925910 PMCID: PMC11208094 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1742] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND White adipose tissue (WAT) has a key role in maintaining energy balance throughout the body, and their dysfunction take part in the regulation of diabetes mellitus. However, the internal regulatory mechanisms underlying are still unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS We generated adipocyte-specific FAK KO (FAK-AKO) mice and investigated their phenotype. The cascade of adipocyte, macrophage in adipocyte tissues, and pancreatic β-cells were proposed in FAK-AKO mice and validated by cell line studies using 3T3-L1, Raw264.7 and Min6. The FAK-AKO mice exhibited glucose intolerance, reduced adipose tissue mass and increased apoptosis, lipolysis and inflammatory response in adipose tissue. We further demonstrate that adipocyte FAK deletion increases β cell apoptosis and inflammatory infiltrates into islets, which is potentiated if mice were treated with STZ. In the STZ-induced diabetes model, FAK AKO mice exhibit less serum insulin content and pancreatic β cell area. Moreover, serum pro-inflammatory factors increased and insulin levels decreased after glucose stimulation in FAK AKO mice. In a parallel vitro experiment, knockdown or inhibition of FAK during differentiation also increased apoptosis, lipolysis and inflammatory in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, whereas the opposite was observed upon overexpression of FAK. Moreover, coculturing LPS-treated RAW264.7 macrophages with knockdown FAK of 3T3-L1 adipocytes increased macrophage pro-inflammatory response. Furthermore, conditioned medium from above stimulated Min6 cells apoptosis (with or without STZ), whereas the opposite was observed upon overexpression of FAK. Mechanistically, FAK protein interact with TRAF6 in adipocytes and knockdown or inhibition of FAK activated TRAF6/TAK1/NF-κB signaling, which exacerbates inflammation of adipocytes themselves. CONCLUSION Adipocyte FAK deletion promotes both adipocyte apoptosis and adipose tissue inflammation. Pro-inflammatory factors released by the FAK-null adipose tissue further trigger apoptosis in pancreatic islets induced by the administration of STZ, thereby exacerbating the diabetes mellitus. This study reveals a link between FAK-mediated adipose inflammation and diabetes mellitus, a mechanism that has not been previously recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Ding
- Department of PharmacologyWuhan University School of Basic Medical SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Peng Zheng
- Department of PharmacologyWuhan University School of Basic Medical SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Hong‐Ting Fang
- Department of PharmacologyWuhan University School of Basic Medical SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Yuan‐Yuan Luo
- Department of PharmacologyWuhan University School of Basic Medical SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Xi‐Yue Yan
- Department of PharmacologyWuhan University School of Basic Medical SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Hui‐Jian Chen
- Department of PharmacologyWuhan University School of Basic Medical SciencesWuhanChina
| | - You‐E Yan
- Department of PharmacologyWuhan University School of Basic Medical SciencesWuhanChina
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Bu L, Zhang Z, Chen J, Fan Y, Guo J, Su Y, Wang H, Zhang X, Wu X, Jiang Q, Gao B, Wang L, Hu K, Zhang X, Xie W, Wei W, Kuang M, Guo J. High-fat diet promotes liver tumorigenesis via palmitoylation and activation of AKT. Gut 2024; 73:1156-1168. [PMID: 38191266 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-330826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Whether and how the PI3K-AKT pathway, a central node of metabolic homeostasis, is responsible for high-fat-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain a mystery. Characterisation of AKT regulation in this setting will provide new strategies to combat HCC. DESIGN Metabolite library screening disclosed that palmitic acid (PA) could activate AKT. In vivo and in vitro palmitoylation assay were employed to detect AKT palmitoylation. Diverse cell and mouse models, including generation of AKT1C77S and AKT1C224S knock-in cells, Zdhhc17 and Zdhhc24 knockout mice and Akt1C224S knock-in mice were employed. Human liver tissues from patients with NASH and HCC, hydrodynamic transfection mouse model, high-fat/high-cholesterol diet (HFHCD)-induced NASH/HCC mouse model and high-fat and methionine/choline-deficient diet (HFMCD)-induced NASH mouse model were also further explored for our mechanism studies. RESULTS By screening a metabolite library, PA has been defined to activate AKT by promoting its palmitoyl modification, an essential step for growth factor-induced AKT activation. Biologically, a high-fat diet could promote AKT kinase activity, thereby promoting NASH and liver cancer. Mechanistically, palmitoyl binding anchors AKT to the cell membrane in a PIP3-independent manner, in part by preventing AKT from assembling into an inactive polymer. The palmitoyltransferases ZDHHC17/24 were characterised to palmitoylate AKT to exert oncogenic effects. Interestingly, the anti-obesity drug orlistat or specific penetrating peptides can effectively attenuate AKT palmitoylation and activation by restricting PA synthesis or repressing AKT modification, respectively, thereby antagonising liver tumorigenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings elucidate a novel fine-tuned regulation of AKT by PA-ZDHHC17/24-mediated palmitoylation, and highlight tumour therapeutic strategies by taking PA-restricted diets, limiting PA synthesis, or directly targeting AKT palmitoylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lang Bu
- Center of Hepato-Pancreate-Biliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhengkun Zhang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianwen Chen
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yizeng Fan
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jinhe Guo
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaqing Su
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueji Wu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiwei Jiang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Bing Gao
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kunpeng Hu
- Division of General Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease and the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Xie
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenyi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ming Kuang
- Center of Hepato-Pancreate-Biliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianping Guo
- Institute of Precision Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Zhong Z, Xu M, Ge C, Tan J. Exploring shared molecular signatures and regulatory mechanisms in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and inflammatory bowel disease using integrative bioinformatics analysis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12085. [PMID: 38802459 PMCID: PMC11130338 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62310-w] [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: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The co-existence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has raised interest in identifying shared molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. However, the relationship between these two diseases remains unclear and effective medical treatments are still lacking. Through the bioinformatics analysis in this study, 116 shared differentially expressed genes (SDEGs) were identified between IBD and NASH datasets. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed significant involvement of SDEGs in apoptotic processes, cell death, defense response, cytokine and chemokine activity, and signaling pathways. Furthermore, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified five shared signature genes associated specifically with IBD and NASH, they were CXCL9, GIMAP2, ADAMTS5, GRAP, and PRF1. These five genes represented potential diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing patients with diseases from healthy individuals by using two classifier algorithms and were positively related to autophagy, ferroptosis, angiogenesis, and immune checkpoint factors in the two diseases. Additionally, single-cell analysis of IBD and NASH samples highlighted the expression of regulatory genes in various immune cell subtypes, emphasizing their significance in disease pathogenesis. Our work elucidated the shared signature genes and regulatory mechanisms of IBD and NASH, which could provide new potential therapies for patients with IBD and NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Zhong
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region, School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, 400067, People's Republic of China.
- Research Center of Brain Intellectual Promotion and Development for Children Aged 0-6 Years, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, 400067, People's Republic of China.
| | - Minxuan Xu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region, School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, 400067, People's Republic of China
- Research Center of Brain Intellectual Promotion and Development for Children Aged 0-6 Years, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, 400067, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenxu Ge
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region, School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, 400067, People's Republic of China
- Research Center of Brain Intellectual Promotion and Development for Children Aged 0-6 Years, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, 400067, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Tan
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region, School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, 400067, People's Republic of China
- Research Center of Brain Intellectual Promotion and Development for Children Aged 0-6 Years, Chongqing University of Education, Chongqing, 400067, People's Republic of China
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Chen X, Fang M, Hong J, Guo Y. JNK Pathway-Associated Phosphatase Deficiency Facilitates Atherosclerotic Progression by Inducing T-Helper 1 and 17 Polarization and Inflammation in an ERK- and NF-κB Pathway-Dependent Manner. J Atheroscler Thromb 2024:64754. [PMID: 38797677 DOI: 10.5551/jat.64754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM JNK pathway-associated phosphatase (JKAP) regulates T cell-mediated immunity and inflammation, which are involved in atherosclerosis pathogenesis. This study investigated the effects of JKAP on T-helper (Th) cell polarization, inflammation, and atherosclerotic progression. METHODS Serum JKAP levels were measured in 30 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and 30 controls. CHD blood naïve CD4+ T cells were acquired, followed by JKAP overexpression and knockdown with or without treatment with PD98059 (ERK inhibitor) or BAY-11-7082 (NF-κB inhibitor) in vitro. CD4+ T-cell conditional JKAP ablation mice were established in vivo, followed by the construction of an atherosclerosis model. RESULTS JKAP was reduced and negatively correlated with the Gensini score, CRP, Th1 cells, Th17 cells, and proinflammatory cytokines in patients with CHD. In vitro, JKAP overexpression suppressed Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation and proinflammatory cytokines, whereas JKAP knockdown exerted the opposite effect; however, JKAP modification did not affect Th2 cell differentiation. Interestingly, JKAP negatively regulated the ERK and NF-κB pathways; meanwhile, the PD98059 and BAY-11-7082 treatments repressed Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation, and attenuated the effect of JKAP knockdown on these indices. In vivo, conditional CD4+ T-cell JKAP ablation increased Th1 and Th17 cell polarization in the spleen, lymph node, blood, and/or aortic root. Furthermore, CD4+ T-cell conditional JKAP ablation exaggerated atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta, elevated CD4+ cell infiltration and proinflammatory cytokines in the aortic root, and activated the ERK and NF-κB pathways in the aortic root. CONCLUSION JKAP ablation facilitates atherosclerosis progression by promoting Th1 and 17 polarization and inflammation through regulation of the ERK and NF-κB pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjing Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Provincial Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Fujian Provincial Hospital
| | - Mingcheng Fang
- Department of Cardiology, Provincial Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Fujian Provincial Hospital
| | - Jingxuan Hong
- Department of Cardiology, Provincial Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Fujian Provincial Hospital
| | - Yansong Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Provincial Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Fujian Provincial Hospital
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9
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Zhang Q, Shen X, Yuan X, Huang J, Zhu Y, Zhu T, Zhang T, Wu H, Wu Q, Fan Y, Ni J, Meng L, He A, Shi C, Li H, Hu Q, Wang J, Chang C, Huang F, Li F, Chen M, Liu A, Ye S, Zheng M, Fang H. Lipopolysaccharide binding protein resists hepatic oxidative stress by regulating lipid droplet homeostasis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3213. [PMID: 38615060 PMCID: PMC11016120 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47553-5] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress-induced lipid accumulation is mediated by lipid droplets (LDs) homeostasis, which sequester vulnerable unsaturated triglycerides into LDs to prevent further peroxidation. Here we identify the upregulation of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and its trafficking through LDs as a mechanism for modulating LD homeostasis in response to oxidative stress. Our results suggest that LBP induces lipid accumulation by controlling lipid-redox homeostasis through its lipid-capture activity, sorting unsaturated triglycerides into LDs. N-acetyl-L-cysteine treatment reduces LBP-mediated triglycerides accumulation by phospholipid/triglycerides competition and Peroxiredoxin 4, a redox state sensor of LBP that regulates the shuttle of LBP from LDs. Furthermore, chronic stress upregulates LBP expression, leading to insulin resistance and obesity. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the role of LBP in regulating LD homeostasis and against cellular peroxidative injury. These insights could inform the development of redox-based therapies for alleviating oxidative stress-induced metabolic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qilun Zhang
- Laboratory of Diabetes, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Xuting Shen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Xin Yuan
- Department of Pathophysiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Yaling Zhu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Tengteng Zhu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Haibo Wu
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Qian Wu
- Department of pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230011, China
| | - Yinguang Fan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Jing Ni
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Leilei Meng
- Department of Pathophysiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Anyuan He
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Chaowei Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Science at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Chemistry, Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Science at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
| | - Qingsong Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Cheng Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Fan Huang
- Organ Transplantation Center, Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
| | - Meng Chen
- Graduate School of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, 233030, China
| | - Anding Liu
- Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
| | - Shandong Ye
- Laboratory of Diabetes, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
| | - Mao Zheng
- Laboratory of Diabetes, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
| | - Haoshu Fang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China.
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10
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Hu HM, Lee HL, Liu CJ, Hsieh YH, Chen YS, Hsueh KC. Loss of MTA2-mediated downregulation of PTK7 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis progression by modulating the FAK-MMP7 axis. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:1897-1908. [PMID: 38050825 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
The expression of metastasis tumor-associated protein 2 (MTA2) and protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. However, the functional effect and mechanism through which MTA2 regulates PTK7-mediated HCC progression remains unclear. Here, we found that MTA2 knockdown significantly down-regulated PTK7 expression in HCC cells (SK-Hep-1 and PLC/PRF/5). Data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases show that the PTK7 expression level was higher in HCC tissues than in normal liver tissues. In HCC patients, the PTK7 expression level clearly correlated with tumor stage and grade, lower overall survival (OS) correlated positively with MTA2 level, and PTK7 expression acted as a downstream factor for MTA2 expression. In addition, matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) expression was closely regulated by PTK7, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of MTA2 and PTK7 correlated positively with lower OS. MMP7 downregulation by PTK7 knockdown clearly decreased the migration and invasion abilities of HCC cells. In HCC cells, recombinant human MMP7 reversed the PTK7 knockdown-induced suppression of migration and invasion. Furthermore, deactivation of FAK using siFAK or FAK inhibitor (PF-573228, PF) synergistically contributed to PTK7 knockdown-inhibited FAK activity, MMP7 expression, and the migration and invasion abilities of HCC cells. Collectively, our findings show that PTK7 mediates HCC progression by regulating the MTA2-FAK-MMP7 axis and may be a diagnostic value for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huang-Ming Hu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Lin Lee
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Deptartment of Surgery, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Jung Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsien Hsieh
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yong-Syuan Chen
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Chun Hsueh
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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11
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Chen L, Su H, Tao Z, Liang C, Liu Z, Dong Y, Zheng P, Liu Y. DUSP22 Ameliorates Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in HUVECs through Smad2/3 and MAPK Signaling Pathways. Cardiovasc Ther 2024; 2024:5583961. [PMID: 38495810 PMCID: PMC10942825 DOI: 10.1155/2024/5583961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is the process by which endothelial cells lose their endothelial properties and acquire mesenchymal characteristics. Dual-specific protein phosphatase 22 (DUSP22) inactivates various protein kinases and transcription factors by dephosphorylating serine/threonine residues: hence, it plays a key role in many diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the functional role of DUSP22 in EndMT. In the transforming growth factor-β-induced EndMT model in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we observed a downregulation of DUSP22 expression. This DUSP22 deficiency could aggravate EndMT. Conversely, the overexpression of DUSP22 could ameliorate EndMT. We used signaling pathway inhibitors to verify our results and found that DUSP22 could regulate EndMT through the smad2/3 and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In summary, DUSP22 ameliorates EndMT in HUVECs in vitro through the smad2/3 and MAPK signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongyu Su
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zekai Tao
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cui Liang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhongzhao Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yiming Dong
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Peipei Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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12
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Wang Y, Yu H, Cen Z, Zhu Y, Wu W. Drug targets regulate systemic metabolism and provide new horizons to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Metabol Open 2024; 21:100267. [PMID: 38187470 PMCID: PMC10770762 DOI: 10.1016/j.metop.2023.100267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is the advanced stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with rapidly rising global prevalence. It is featured with severe hepatocyte apoptosis, inflammation and hepatic lipogenesis. The drugs directly targeting the processes of steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis are currently under clinical investigation. Nevertheless, the long-term ineffectiveness and remarkable adverse effects are well documented, and new concepts are required to tackle with the root causes of NASH progression. We critically assess the recently validated drug targets that regulate the systemic metabolism to ameliorate NASH. Thermogenesis promoted by mitochondrial uncouplers restores systemic energy expenditure. Furthermore, regulation of mitochondrial proteases and proteins that are pivotal for intracellular metabolic homeostasis normalize mitochondrial function. Secreted proteins also improve systemic metabolism, and NASH is ameliorated by agonizing receptors of secreted proteins with small molecules. We analyze the drug design, the advantages and shortcomings of these novel drug candidates. Meanwhile, the structural modification of current NASH therapeutics significantly increased their selectivity, efficacy and safety. Furthermore, the arising CRISPR-Cas9 screen strategy on liver organoids has enabled the identification of new genes that mediate lipid metabolism, which may serve as promising drug targets. In summary, this article discusses the in-depth novel mechanisms and the multidisciplinary approaches, and they provide new horizons to treat NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibing Wang
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, China
| | - Hanhan Yu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Zhipeng Cen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Nanhai Translational Innovation Center of Precision Immunology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, 528200, China
| | - Yutong Zhu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Wenyi Wu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China
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13
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Lv T, Lou Y, Yan Q, Nie L, Cheng Z, Zhou X. Phosphorylation: new star of pathogenesis and treatment in steatotic liver disease. Lipids Health Dis 2024; 23:50. [PMID: 38368351 PMCID: PMC10873984 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-024-02037-9] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Steatotic liver disease poses a serious threat to human health and has emerged as one of the most significant burdens of chronic liver disease worldwide. Currently, the research mechanism is not clear, and there is no specific targeted drug for direct treatment. Phosphorylation is widely regarded as the most common type of protein modification, closely linked to steatotic liver disease in previous studies. However, there is no systematic review to clarify the relationship and investigate from the perspective of phosphorylation. Phosphorylation has been found to mainly regulate molecule stability, affect localization, transform molecular function, and cooperate with other protein modifications. Among them, adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), serine/threonine kinase (AKT), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) are considered the core mechanisms in steatotic liver disease. As to treatment, lifestyle changes, prescription drugs, and herbal ingredients can alleviate symptoms by influencing phosphorylation. It demonstrates the significant role of phosphorylation as a mechanism occurrence and a therapeutic target in steatotic liver disease, which could be a new star for future exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiansu Lv
- Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Lou
- Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianhua Yan
- Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lijuan Nie
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhe Cheng
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiqiao Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
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14
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Chen J, Kang G, Lei W, Li J, Wang H, Bi Y, Zhang W, Zhang L, Chai L, Wang P, Li X. DUSP22 suppresses tumor progression by directly dephosphorylating AKT in non-small cell lung cancer. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:314-325. [PMID: 37937915 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23654] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinase B (AKT) plays a pivotal in regulating cell migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and survival, making it a prominent target for anticancer therapy. While the kinase activity of AKT has been extensively explored, its dephosphorylation have largely remained uncharted. Herein, we aimed to unravel the molecular mechanisms governing AKT dephosphorylation, with a specific emphasis on dual-specificity phosphatases DUSP22. Our investigation sought to shed light on the potential of DUSP22 as a potential therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To determine the expression level of DUSP22 in NSCLC cell lines, the gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA) and Oncomine database were searched. Additionally, the effect of DUSP22 on patient survival was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier database. Antitumor effects of DUSP22 were tested in A549 and H1299 cell lines. Experiments are based on: (1) cell viability determined by the cell counting kit-8 assay and colony-formation assay; (2) cell migratory ability assessed through the scratch assay and the transwell migration assay; (3) the mechanism behind the antitumor effects of DUSP22 dissected with co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and in vitro kinase assays. Our study revealed a significant downregulation of DUSP22 in both NSCLC cell lines and tissues. Meanwhile, survival rate analysis results demonstrated that reduced DUSP22 expression was correlated with poorer overall survival in lung cancer patients. Moreover, DUSP22 exhibited an inhibitory effect on the cell viability and migratory capacity of A549 and H1299 cells. This inhibition was accompanied by the decrease in the phosphorylation of AKT and p38. Mechanistically, the phosphatase domain of DUSP22 interacted with AKT, resulting in the inhibition of AKT phosphorylation. This inhibitory effect was contingent upon the phosphatase activity of DUSP22. These findings provide compelling evidence that DUSP22 directly interacted with AKT, leading to the dephosphorylation of AKT at S473 and T308 residues, ultimately curbing the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells. Additionally, our results also highlight a preclinical rationale for utilizing DUSP22 as a prognostic marker in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingying Chen
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Guoqi Kang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Weidong Lei
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jizhuo Li
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Huiling Wang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yuanlin Bi
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Wanru Zhang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Liming Zhang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Lihui Chai
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Peiling Wang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xia Li
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, the First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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15
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Shih YC, Chen HF, Wu CY, Ciou YR, Wang CW, Chuang HC, Tan TH. The phosphatase DUSP22 inhibits UBR2-mediated K63-ubiquitination and activation of Lck downstream of TCR signalling. Nat Commun 2024; 15:532. [PMID: 38225265 PMCID: PMC10789758 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44843-w] [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: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
DUSP22 is a dual-specificity phosphatase that inhibits T cell activation by inactivating the kinase Lck. Here we show that the E3 ubiquitin ligase UBR2 is a positive upstream regulator of Lck during T-cell activation. DUSP22 dephosphorylates UBR2 at specific Serine residues, leading to ubiquitin-mediated UBR2 degradation. UBR2 is also modified by the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex via Lys48-linked ubiquitination at multiple Lysine residues. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and UBR2 loss of function experiments showed that UBR2 is a positive regulator of proinflammatory cytokine expression. Mechanistically, UBR2 induces Lys63-linked ubiquitination of Lck at Lys99 and Lys276 residues, followed by Lck Tyr394 phosphorylation and activation as part of TCR signalling. Inflammatory phenotypes induced by TCR-triggered Lck activation or knocking out DUSP22, are attenuated by genomic deletion of UBR2. UBR2-Lck interaction and Lck Lys63-linked ubiquitination are induced in the peripheral blood T cells of human SLE patients, which demonstrate the relevance of the UBR2-mediated regulation of inflammation to human pathology. In summary, we show here an important regulatory mechanism of T cell activation, which finetunes the balance between T cell response and aggravated inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Chun Shih
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Fen Chen
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ying Wu
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ru Ciou
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wen Wang
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Huai-Chia Chuang
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan.
| | - Tse-Hua Tan
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan.
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16
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Liu X, Yan C, Chang C, Meng F, Shen W, Wang S, Zhang Y. Ochratoxin A promotes chronic enteritis and early colorectal cancer progression by targeting Rinck signaling. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 122:155095. [PMID: 37844381 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin and ochratoxin A (OTA), are found at measurable levels in many staple foods; the health implications of long-term exposure of such toxins are poorly understood. Increasing evidence has confirmed the important role of OTA in upregulation of oxidative stress- and inflammatory response-induced tissue injury. However, it remains unknown whether ochratoxin A can promote chronic colitis and its associated colon cancer (CRC) development, and potential molecular mechanism. Additionally, RING finger-interacting protein with C kinase (RINCK) is a ubiquitin ligase and mediates immune response. Unfortunately, the potential molecular function of RINCK on regulation of colitis is still largely unknown. PURPOSE This study aims to provide mechanistic evidence that the role of RINCK in colitis and early colorectal cancer progression in response to OTA treatment via targeting nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, GEO database, human subjects with CC phenotype and CC cell lines were used in this work. Pathological links between OTA, RINCK and treatment of CC are revealed through comprehensive means such as biological information analysis, clinical experiments, RNA-seq, and verification experiments. RESULTS In this study, under oxidative stress in setting of colitis, we first identified RINCK as a key regulatory factor and a novel endogenous suppressor of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), and we also confirm that RINCK is a NRF2 partner protein that catalyses its ubiquitination and degradation in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Notably, in vivo study, pathological phenotypes triggered by OTA pretreatment, accompanied by post-treatment of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis was significantly mitigated by IEC-specific deficiency of Rinck, IEC-Rinck(KO) and adenovirus-associated virus (AAV)-triggered suppression of Rinck in rodent model, and lentivirus (LV)-mediated downregulation of Rinck (LV-shRinck) in rabbit model, as determined by decreased endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, pro-inflammatory cytokines contents, improved body weights, reduced survival rates, restored colon length, assuasive DAI and histological scores. Inversely, transgenic mice by IEC-specific Rinck overexpression, IEC-Rinck(OE) accelerated colitis in acute or chronic colitis rodent models and in vitro experiments. Moreover, we found that OTA pretreatment-promoted azoxymethane (AOM)/DSS-induced colitis-associated early colorectal cancer (CRC) was also dramatically reduced by IEC-Rinck(KO), indicated by the decreased tumor number and corresponding KI-67 levels. Clinical samples analysis revealed that RINCK levels were greatly increased in tumor tissues of patients with CRC phenotypes. In parallel, RINCK deletion remarkably retarded the proliferation of colon cancer and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Mechanistically, in response to onset of colitis, RINCK directly interacts with NRF2 and promotes ubiquitin-proteasome degradation via increasing K48-linkage ubiquitin chain, thus leads in suppression of NRF2 nuclear translocation and its downstream cascade inactivation, which retards antioxidant defense. CONCLUSION The findings suggested that oral sub-chronic exposure of OTA significantly facilitates DSS-induced colitis and colitis-associated CRC development. These results further elucidated the potential role of RINCK in colitis progression by mediating NRF2 degradation, and could be considered as a therapeutic target for the treatment of such disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Chunli Yan
- Department of Breast Internal Medicine, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Chunxiao Chang
- Ward 2 of Gastroenterology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Fansong Meng
- Department of Medical Management, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Wenjie Shen
- Clinical Trial Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Song Wang
- Department of Medical Management, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China.
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17
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Li R, Wang J, Li X, Liang Y, Jiang Y, Zhang Y, Xu P, Deng L, Wang Z, Sun T, Wu J, Xie H, Wang Y. T-cell receptor sequencing reveals hepatocellular carcinoma immune characteristics according to Barcelona Clinic liver cancer stages within liver tissue and peripheral blood. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:94-108. [PMID: 37962061 PMCID: PMC10823291 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16013] [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: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Analysis of T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoires in different stages of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) might help to elucidate its pathogenesis and progression. This study aimed to investigate TCR profiles in liver biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in different Barcelona Clinic liver cancer (BCLC) stages of HCC. Ten patients in early stage (BCLC_A), 10 patients in middle stage (BCLC_B), and 10 patients in late stage (BCLC_C) cancer were prospectively enrolled. The liver tumor tissues, adjacent tissues, and PBMCs of each patient were collected and examined by TCR β sequencing. Based on the ImMunoGeneTics (IMGT) database, we aligned the V, D, J, and C gene segments and identified the frequency of CDR3 sequences and amino acids sequence. Diversity of TCR in PBMCs was higher than in both tumor tissues and adjacent tissues, regardless of BCLC stage and postoperative recurrence. TCR clonality was increased in T cells from peripheral blood in advanced HCC, compared with the early and middle stages. No statistical differences were observed between different BCLC stages, either in tumors or adjacent tissues. TCR clonality revealed no significant difference between recurrent tumor and non-recurrent tumor, therefore PBMCs was better to be representative of TCR characteristics in different stages of HCC compared to tumor tissues. Clonal expansion of T cells was associated with low risk of recurrence in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- School of MedicineSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Junxiao Wang
- Interventional Radiology, The Fifth Medical CenterChinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Aerospace Medical Center, Aerospace Center HospitalPeking University Aerospace Clinical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Xiubin Li
- Department of Urology, The Third Medical CenterChinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yining Liang
- School of MedicineSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Yiyun Jiang
- Department of Pathology and Hepatology, The Fifth Medical CenterChinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- School of MedicineSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Pengfei Xu
- Hangzhou ImmuQuad BiotechnologiesHangzhouChina
| | - Ling Deng
- Hangzhou ImmuQuad BiotechnologiesHangzhouChina
| | - Zhe Wang
- School of MedicineSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Tao Sun
- Hangzhou ImmuQuad BiotechnologiesHangzhouChina
- Institute of Wenzhou, Zhejiang UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThe Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Hui Xie
- Interventional Radiology, The Fifth Medical CenterChinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yijin Wang
- School of MedicineSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
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18
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Li YM, He HW, Zhang N. Targeting Protein Phosphatases for the Treatment of Chronic Liver Disease. Curr Drug Targets 2024; 25:171-189. [PMID: 38213163 DOI: 10.2174/0113894501278886231221092522] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
There exists a huge number of patients suffering from chronic liver disease worldwide. As a disease with high incidence and mortality worldwide, strengthening the research on the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease and the development of novel drugs is an important issue related to the health of all human beings. Phosphorylation modification of proteins plays a crucial role in cellular signal transduction, and phosphatases are involved in the development of liver diseases. Therefore, this article summarized the important role of protein phosphatases in chronic liver disease with the aim of facilitating the development of drugs targeting protein phosphatases for the treatment of chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ming Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Microbial Drugs, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hong-Wei He
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Microbial Drugs, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Na Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Microbial Drugs, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
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Xie S, Yuan L, Sui Y, Feng S, Li H, Li X. NME4 mediates metabolic reprogramming and promotes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease progression. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:378-403. [PMID: 38177901 PMCID: PMC10897415 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-023-00012-6] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is mainly characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, and it is associated with liver-related complications and adverse systemic diseases. NAFLD has become the most prevalent liver disease; however, effective therapeutic agents for NAFLD are still lacking. We combined clinical data with proteomics and metabolomics data, and found that the mitochondrial nucleoside diphosphate kinase NME4 plays a central role in mitochondrial lipid metabolism. Nme4 is markedly upregulated in mice fed with high-fat diet, and its expression is positively correlated with the level of steatosis. Hepatic deletion of Nme4 suppresses the progression of hepatic steatosis. Further studies demonstrated that NME4 interacts with several key enzymes in coenzyme A (CoA) metabolism and increases the level of acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA, which are the major lipid components of the liver in NAFLD. Increased level of acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA lead to increased triglyceride levels and lipid accumulation in the liver. Taken together, these findings reveal that NME4 is a critical regulator of NAFLD progression and a potential therapeutic target for NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaofang Xie
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Fudan University, 310018, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, 310024, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, 310024, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Yuan
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Fudan University, 310018, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, 310024, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, 310024, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yue Sui
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Fudan University, 310018, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, 310024, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, 310024, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shan Feng
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, 310024, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hengle Li
- School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xu Li
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Fudan University, 310018, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, 310024, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, 310024, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Dai J, Zhang L, Zhang R, Ge J, Yao F, Zhou S, Xu J, Yu K, Xu J, Jiang L, Jin K, Dai X, Li J, Li Q. Hepatocyte Deubiquitinating Enzyme OTUD5 Deficiency is a Key Aggravator for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis by Disturbing Mitochondrial Homeostasis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:399-421. [PMID: 38036082 PMCID: PMC10827517 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a common chronic liver disease worldwide. No effective pharmacologic therapies for MASH have been developed; to develop such promising drugs, the underlying mechanisms regulating MASH need to be elucidated. Here, we aimed to determine the role of ovarian tumor domain-containing protein 5 (OTUD5) in MASH progression and identify a specific mechanism. METHODS The expression levels of OTUD subfamily under palmitic acid/oleic acid (PAOA) stimulation were screened. OTUD5 expression was assessed in human liver tissues without steatosis, those with simple steatosis, and those with MASH. MASH models were developed in hepatocyte-specific Otud5-knockout mice that were fed high-fat high-cholesterol and high-fat high-cholesterol plus high-fructose/sucrose diet for 16 weeks. RESULTS The expression of OTUD5 was down-regulated in fatty liver and was negatively related to the progression of MASH. Lipid accumulation and inflammation were exacerbated by Otud5 knockdown but attenuated by Otud5 overexpression under PAOA treatment. Hepatocyte-specific Otud5 deletion markedly exacerbated steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in the livers of 2 MASH mouse models. We identified voltage-dependent anion channel 2 (VDAC2) as an OTUD5-interacting partner; OTUD5 cleaved the K48-linked polyubiquitin chains from VDAC2, and it inhibited subsequent proteasomal degradation. The anabolic effects of OTUD5 knockdown on PAOA-induced lipid accumulation were effectively reversed by VDAC2 overexpression in primary hepatocytes. Metabolomic results revealed that VDAC2 is required for OTUD5-mediated protection against hepatic steatosis by maintaining mitochondrial function. CONCLUSIONS OTUD5 may ameliorate MASH progression via VDAC2-maintained mitochondrial homeostasis. Targeting OTUD5 may be a viable MASH-treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Dai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Liren Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ruizhi Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jing Ge
- Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Feifan Yao
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Suiqing Zhou
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiali Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kai Yu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Longfeng Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Ke Jin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Xinzheng Dai
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Qing Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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21
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Zhang C, Sui Y, Liu S, Yang M. Molecular mechanisms of metabolic disease-associated hepatic inflammation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. EXPLORATION OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES 2023:246-275. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.37349/edd.2023.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading chronic liver disease worldwide, with a progressive form of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It may progress to advanced liver diseases, including liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD/NASH is a comorbidity of many metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. These metabolic diseases are often accompanied by systemic or extrahepatic inflammation, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis and treatment of NAFLD or NASH. Metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, impact the function, inflammation, and death of hepatocytes, the primary parenchymal cells in the liver tissue. Cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells that line the bile ducts, can differentiate into proliferative hepatocytes in chronic liver injury. In addition, hepatic non-parenchymal cells, including liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, hepatic stellate cells, and innate and adaptive immune cells, are involved in liver inflammation. Proteins such as fibroblast growth factors, acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylases, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 are involved in liver metabolism and inflammation, which are potential targets for NASH treatment. This review focuses on the effects of metabolic disease-induced extrahepatic inflammation, liver inflammation, and the cellular and molecular mechanisms of liver metabolism on the development and progression of NAFLD and NASH, as well as the associated treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunye Zhang
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Yuxiang Sui
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Normal University, Linfen 041004, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Tong M, Gu C, Yu Q, Ma J. Serum JKAP reflects Th2 and Th17 cell levels, and diabetic nephropathy risk and severity in diabetes mellitus patients. Biomark Med 2023; 17:701-710. [PMID: 38179996 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2023-0422] [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: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to explore the potency of serum JKAP for estimating diabetic nephropathy risk in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Methods: Serum JKAP was detected in 212 DM patients. According to urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, DM patients were divided into normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria groups. Results: JKAP declined in the macroalbuminuria group versus normoalbuminuria group (p < 0.001). In DM patients, JKAP inversely correlated with Th17 cells (p < 0.001) but positively related to Th2 cells (p = 0.003). After adjustment, JKAP independently estimated lower risks of albuminuria (microalbuminuria + macroalbuminuria; odds ratio = 0.966, p < 0.001) and macroalbuminuria (odds ratio = 0.948; p = 0.002). Conclusion: Serum JKAP reflects increased Th2 cells, decreased Th17 cells, and lower diabetic nephropathy risk and severity in DM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meili Tong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Harbin Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Harbin, 150070, China
| | - Changrui Gu
- Department of Endocrinology, Heilongjiang Ruijing Diabetes Hospital, Harbin, 150096, China
| | - Qiuzhi Yu
- Department of Endocrinology, Heilongjiang Ruijing Diabetes Hospital, Harbin, 150096, China
| | - Jian Ma
- Department of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China
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23
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Jin B, Wang J, Chen Y, Zuo W, Hong B, Li J, Huang F, Zhang M, Wang Y. Focal adhesion kinase induces cardiac remodeling through NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 120:110280. [PMID: 37216798 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110280] [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: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyperglycemia-induced chronic inflammation is a crucial risk factor that causes undesirable cardiac alternations in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase that primarily regulates cell adhesion and migration. Based on recent studies, FAK is involved in inflammatory signaling pathway activation in cardiovascular diseases. Here, we evaluated the possibility of FAK as a therapeutic target for DCM. METHODS A small molecular selective FAKinhibitor, PND-1186 (PND), was used to evaluate the effect of FAK on DCM in both high glucose-stimulated cardiomyocytes and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) mice. RESULTS Increased FAK phosphorylation was found in the hearts of STZ-induced T1DM mice. PND treatment significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines and fibrogenic markers in cardiac specimens of diabetic mice. Notably, these reductions were correlated with improved cardiac systolic function. Furthermore, PND suppressed transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) phosphorylation and NF-κB activation in the hearts of diabetic mice. Cardiomyocytes were identified as the main contributor to FAK-mediated cardiac inflammation and the involvement of FAK in cultured primary mouse cardiomyocytes and H9c2 cells was identified. Both FAK inhibition or FAK deficiency prevented hyperglycemia-induced inflammatory and fibrotic responses in cardiomyocytes owing to the inhibition of NF-κB. Herein, FAK activation was revealed to FAK directly binding to TAK1, leading to activation of TAK1 and downstream NF-κB signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS FAK is a key regulator of diabetes-associated myocardial inflammatory injury by directly targeting to TAK1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiong Wang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Zuo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bo Hong
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fang Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengpei Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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24
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Valenzuela-Vallejo L, Sanoudou D, Mantzoros CS. Precision Medicine in Fatty Liver Disease/Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13050830. [PMID: 37241000 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13050830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease, and is related to fatal and non-fatal liver, metabolic, and cardiovascular complications. Its non-invasive diagnosis and effective treatment remain an unmet clinical need. NAFLD is a heterogeneous disease that is most commonly present in the context of metabolic syndrome and obesity, but not uncommonly, may also be present without metabolic abnormalities and in subjects with normal body mass index. Therefore, a more specific pathophysiology-based subcategorization of fatty liver disease (FLD) is needed to better understand, diagnose, and treat patients with FLD. A precision medicine approach for FLD is expected to improve patient care, decrease long-term disease outcomes, and develop better-targeted, more effective treatments. We present herein a precision medicine approach for FLD based on our recently proposed subcategorization, which includes the metabolic-associated FLD (MAFLD) (i.e., obesity-associated FLD (OAFLD), sarcopenia-associated FLD (SAFLD, and lipodystrophy-associated FLD (LAFLD)), genetics-associated FLD (GAFLD), FLD of multiple/unknown causes (XAFLD), and combined causes of FLD (CAFLD) as well as advanced stage fibrotic FLD (FAFLD) and end-stage FLD (ESFLD) subcategories. These and other related advances, as a whole, are expected to enable not only improved patient care, quality of life, and long-term disease outcomes, but also a considerable reduction in healthcare system costs associated with FLD, along with more options for better-targeted, more effective treatments in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Valenzuela-Vallejo
- Department of Medicine, Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Despina Sanoudou
- Clinical Genomics and Pharmacogenomics Unit, 4(th) Department of Internal Medicine, Attikon Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Center for New Biotechnologies and Precision Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Molecular Biology Division, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Christos S Mantzoros
- Department of Medicine, Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston VA Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
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25
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Chen L, Wang Y. Interdisciplinary advances reshape the delivery tools for effective NASH treatment. Mol Metab 2023; 73:101730. [PMID: 37142161 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe systemic and inflammatory subtype of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, eventually develops into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma with few options for effective treatment. Currently potent small molecules identified in preclinical studies are confronted with adverse effects and long-term ineffectiveness in clinical trials. Nevertheless, highly specific delivery tools designed from interdisciplinary concepts may address the significant challenges by either effectively increasing the concentrations of drugs in target cell types, or selectively manipulating the gene expression in liver to resolve NASH. SCOPE OF REVIEW We focus on dissecting the detailed principles of the latest interdisciplinary advances and concepts that direct the design of future delivery tools to enhance the efficacy. Recent advances have indicated that cell and organelle-specific vehicles, non-coding RNA research (e.g. saRNA, hybrid miRNA) improve the specificity, while small extracellular vesicles and coacervates increase the cellular uptake of therapeutics. Moreover, strategies based on interdisciplinary advances drastically elevate drug loading capacity and delivery efficiency and ameliorate NASH and other liver diseases. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The latest concepts and advances in chemistry, biochemistry and machine learning technology provide the framework and strategies for the design of more effective tools to treat NASH, other pivotal liver diseases and metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linshan Chen
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yibing Wang
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China; Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health.
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Zhang J, Zhang W, Yang L, Zhao W, Liu Z, Wang E, Wang J. Phytochemical gallic acid alleviates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via AMPK-ACC-PPARa axis through dual regulation of lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 109:154589. [PMID: 36610145 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) usually includes NAFL called simple hepatosteatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) called more steatohepatitis. The latter is a leading pathogenic promotor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Phytochemical gallic acid (GA) has been proved to exert positive efficacy in HCC in our work, but it remains unclear whether its hepatoprotective effect attributes to the controlled transition from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis. PURPOSE This work aims to provide mechanistic evidence that the therapeutic application of GA in NAFLD is indispensable for GA-meliorated NASH progression. METHODS The high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and palmitic acid (PA) and oleic acid (OA)-treated hepatocytes were used collectively in this study. Bioinformatic analysis, clinical subjects, RNA-Seq, molecular docking, and confirmatory experiments were performed comprehensively to uncover the pathological link between the AMPK-ACC-PPARα axis and the treatment of NAFLD. RESULTS By analyzing the clinical subjects and GEO database, we find a close link between the activation of AMPK-ACC-PPARα axis and the progression of NAFLD in human fatty liver. Subsequent assays show that GA exhibits pharmacological activation of AMPK, reprogramming lipid metabolism, and reversing mitochondrial function in cellular and murine fatty liver models. AMPK activation conferred substantial protection against murine NASH and fibrosis in the context of HFD-induced NAFLD. In contrast, silencing AMPK badly aggravates lipid deposition in hepatocytes, boosting NASH and NAFLD-associated HCC progression. The in silico docking, in vitro surface plasmon resonance and in vivo cellular thermal shift assay collectively reveal that GA directly interacts with AMPKα, which inactivates the ACC-PPARα axis signaling. Notably, GA repairs the liver damage, lipotoxicity, and mitochondrial respiratory capacity caused by excessive mtROS, while showing minimal effects in other major organs in mice. CONCLUSION Our work identifies GA as an important suppressor of NAFLD-HCC progression, and underscores the AMPK-ACC-PPARα signal axis as a potential therapeutic target for NAFLD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Wenxin Zhang
- Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Li Yang
- Hepatobiliary Hospital of Jilin Province, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Wenjing Zhao
- Hepatobiliary Hospital of Jilin Province, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Zuojia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Erkang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, USA.
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Gallage S, Avila JEB, Ramadori P, Focaccia E, Rahbari M, Ali A, Malek NP, Anstee QM, Heikenwalder M. A researcher's guide to preclinical mouse NASH models. Nat Metab 2022; 4:1632-1649. [PMID: 36539621 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00700-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its inflammatory form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), have quickly risen to become the most prevalent chronic liver disease in the Western world and are risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is not only one of the most common cancers but is also highly lethal. Nevertheless, there are currently no clinically approved drugs for NAFLD, and NASH-induced HCC poses a unique metabolic microenvironment that may influence responsiveness to certain treatments. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the pathogenesis of this rampant disease to devise new therapies. In this line, preclinical mouse models are crucial tools to investigate mechanisms as well as novel treatment modalities during the pathogenesis of NASH and subsequent HCC in preparation for human clinical trials. Although, there are numerous genetically induced, diet-induced and toxin-induced models of NASH, not all of these models faithfully phenocopy and mirror the human pathology very well. In this Perspective, we shed some light onto the most widely used mouse models of NASH and highlight some of the key advantages and disadvantages of the various models with an emphasis on 'Western diets', which are increasingly recognized as some of the best models in recapitulating the human NASH pathology and comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchira Gallage
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- The M3 Research Institute, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Jose Efren Barragan Avila
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pierluigi Ramadori
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Enrico Focaccia
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mohammad Rahbari
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Adnan Ali
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nisar P Malek
- The M3 Research Institute, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department Internal Medicine I, Eberhard-Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Quentin M Anstee
- Newcastle NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- The M3 Research Institute, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
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