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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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Xie S, Xu J, Chen L, Qi Y, Yang H, Tan B. Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis Revealed the Cell Population Changes and Cell-Cell Communication in the Liver of a Carnivorous Fish in Response to High-Carbohydrate Diet. J Nutr 2024; 154:2381-2395. [PMID: 38945299 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.06.016] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carnivorous fish have a low carbohydrate utilization ability, and the physiologic and molecular basis of glucose intolerance has not been fully illustrated. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to use largemouth bass as a model to investigate the possible mechanism of glucose intolerance in carnivorous fish with the help of single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq). METHODS Two diets were formulated, a low-carbohydrate (LC) diet and a high-carbohydrate (HC) diet. The feeding trial lasted for 6 wk, and then, growth performance, biochemical parameters, liver histology, and snRNA-seq were performed. RESULTS Growth performance of fish was not affected by the HC diet, while liver glucolipid metabolism disorder and liver injury were observed. A total of 13,247 and 12,848 cells from the liver derived from 2 groups were isolated and sequenced, and 7 major liver cell types were annotated by the marker genes. Hepatocytes and cholangiocytes were lower and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and immune cells were higher in the HC group than those in the LC group. Reclustering analysis identified 7 subtypes of hepatocytes and immune cells, respectively. The HSCs showed more cell communication with other cell types, and periportal hepatocytes showed more cell communication with other hepatocyte subtypes. Cell-cell communication mainly focused on cell junction-related signaling pathways. Uncovered by the pseudotime analysis, midzonal hepatocytes were differentiated into 2 major branches-biliary epithelial hepatocytes and hepatobiliary hybrid progenitor. Cell junction and liver fibrosis-related genes were highly expressed in the HC group. HC diet induced the activation of HSCs and, therefore, led to the liver fibrosis of largemouth bass. CONCLUSIONS HC diet induces liver glucolipid metabolism disorder and liver injury of largemouth bass. The increase and activation of HSCs might be the main reason for the liver injury. In adaption to HC diet, midzonal hepatocytes differentiates into 2 major branches-biliary epithelial hepatocytes and hepatobiliary hybrid progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwei Xie
- Laboratory of Aquatic Nutrition and Feed, College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, PR China; Aquatic Animals Precision Nutrition and High-Efficiency Feed Engineering Research Center of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, PR China; Key Laboratory of Aquatic, Livestock and Poultry Feed Science and Technology in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, Zhanjiang, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Aquatic Animals Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Zhanjiang, China.
| | - Jia Xu
- Guangxi Academy of Marine Sciences, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Liutong Chen
- Laboratory of Aquatic Nutrition and Feed, College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, PR China
| | - Yu Qi
- Laboratory of Aquatic Nutrition and Feed, College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, PR China
| | - Huijun Yang
- Guangzhou Chengyi Aquaculture, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Beiping Tan
- Laboratory of Aquatic Nutrition and Feed, College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, PR China; Aquatic Animals Precision Nutrition and High-Efficiency Feed Engineering Research Center of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, PR China; Key Laboratory of Aquatic, Livestock and Poultry Feed Science and Technology in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, Zhanjiang, PR China.
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Parsa S, Dousti M, Mohammadi N, Abedanzadeh M, Dehdari Ebrahimi N, Dara M, Sani M, Nekouee M, Abolmaali SS, Sani F, Azarpira N. The effects of simvastatin-loaded nanoliposomes on human multilineage liver fibrosis microtissue. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18529. [PMID: 38984945 PMCID: PMC11234647 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18529] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
In this in vitro study, for the first time, we evaluate the effects of simvastatin-loaded liposome nanoparticles (SIM-LipoNPs) treatment on fibrosis-induced liver microtissues, as simvastatin (SIM) has shown potential benefits in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease process. We developed multicellular liver microtissues composed of hepatic stellate cells, hepatoblastoma cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The microtissues were supplemented with a combination of palmitic acid and oleic acid to develop fibrosis models. Subsequently, various groups of microtissues were exposed to SIM and SIM-LipoNPs at doses of 5 and 10 mg/mL. The effectiveness of the treatments was evaluated by analysing cell viability, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), the expression of Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin(IL)-1 α, IL-1 β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α), and the expression of collagen I. Our results indicated that SIM-LipoNPs application showed promising results. SIM-LipoNPs effectively amplified the SIM-klf2-NO pathway at a lower dosage compatible with a high dosage of free SIM, which also led to reduced oxidative stress by decreasing ROS levels. SIM-LipoNPs administration also resulted in a significant reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines and Collagen I mRNA levels, as a marker of fibrosis. In conclusion, our study highlights the considerable therapeutic potential of using SIM-LipoNPs to prevent liver fibrosis progress, underscoring the remarkable properties of SIM-LipoNPs in activating the KLF2-NO pathway and anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Parsa
- Shiraz Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Maryam Dousti
- Shiraz Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Nasim Mohammadi
- Shiraz Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mozhgan Abedanzadeh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Mahintaj Dara
- Stem Cells Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahsa Sani
- Shiraz Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Muhammad Nekouee
- Shiraz Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Samira Sadat Abolmaali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farnaz Sani
- Shiraz Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Negar Azarpira
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Very N, Boulet C, Gheeraert C, Berthier A, Johanns M, Bou Saleh M, Guille L, Bray F, Strub JM, Bobowski-Gerard M, Zummo FP, Vallez E, Molendi-Coste O, Woitrain E, Cianférani S, Montaigne D, Ntandja-Wandji LC, Dubuquoy L, Dubois-Chevalier J, Staels B, Lefebvre P, Eeckhoute J. O-GlcNAcylation controls pro-fibrotic transcriptional regulatory signaling in myofibroblasts. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:391. [PMID: 38830870 PMCID: PMC11148087 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06773-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Tissue injury causes activation of mesenchymal lineage cells into wound-repairing myofibroblasts (MFs), whose uncontrolled activity ultimately leads to fibrosis. Although this process is triggered by deep metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming, functional links between these two key events are not yet understood. Here, we report that the metabolic sensor post-translational modification O-linked β-D-N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) is increased and required for myofibroblastic activation. Inhibition of protein O-GlcNAcylation impairs archetypal myofibloblast cellular activities including extracellular matrix gene expression and collagen secretion/deposition as defined in vitro and using ex vivo and in vivo murine liver injury models. Mechanistically, a multi-omics approach combining proteomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic data mining revealed that O-GlcNAcylation controls the MF transcriptional program by targeting the transcription factors Basonuclin 2 (BNC2) and TEA domain transcription factor 4 (TEAD4) together with the Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) co-activator. Indeed, inhibition of protein O-GlcNAcylation impedes their stability leading to decreased functionality of the BNC2/TEAD4/YAP1 complex towards promoting activation of the MF transcriptional regulatory landscape. We found that this involves O-GlcNAcylation of BNC2 at Thr455 and Ser490 and of TEAD4 at Ser69 and Ser99. Altogether, this study unravels protein O-GlcNAcylation as a key determinant of myofibroblastic activation and identifies its inhibition as an avenue to intervene with fibrogenic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninon Very
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Clémence Boulet
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Céline Gheeraert
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Alexandre Berthier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Manuel Johanns
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Mohamed Bou Saleh
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, France
| | - Loïc Guille
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Fabrice Bray
- Miniaturization for Synthesis, Analysis & Proteomics, UAR 3290, CNRS, University of Lille, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
| | - Jean-Marc Strub
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, CNRS UMR7178, Univ. Strasbourg, IPHC, Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI - FR2048, Strasbourg, France
| | - Marie Bobowski-Gerard
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Francesco P Zummo
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Emmanuelle Vallez
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Olivier Molendi-Coste
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Eloise Woitrain
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Sarah Cianférani
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, CNRS UMR7178, Univ. Strasbourg, IPHC, Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI - FR2048, Strasbourg, France
| | - David Montaigne
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Line Carolle Ntandja-Wandji
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, France
| | - Laurent Dubuquoy
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, France
| | | | - Bart Staels
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Philippe Lefebvre
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Jérôme Eeckhoute
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France.
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De Smet V, Gürbüz E, Eysackers N, Dewyse L, Smout A, Kazemzadeh Dastjerd M, Lefesvre P, Messaoudi N, Reynaert H, Verhulst S, Mannaerts I, van Grunsven LA. Orphan receptor GPR176 in hepatic stellate cells exerts a profibrotic role in chronic liver disease. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:101036. [PMID: 38694958 PMCID: PMC11061336 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Chronic liver disease (CLD) remains a global health issue associated with a significant disease burden. Liver fibrosis, a hallmark of CLD, is characterised by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) that gain profibrotic characteristics including increased production of extracellular matrix protein. Currently, no antifibrotic therapies are available clinically, in part because of the lack of HSC-specific drug targets. Here, we aimed to identify HSC-specific membrane proteins that can serve as targets for antifibrotic drug development. Methods Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of GPR176 was used to assess the in vitro function of GPR176 in HSCs and in precision cut liver slices (PCLS). The in vivo role of GPR176 was assessed using the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and common bile duct ligation (BDL) models in wild-type and GPR176 knockout mice. GPR176 in human CLD was assessed by immunohistochemistry of diseased human livers and RNA expression analysis in human primary HSCs and transcriptomic data sets. Results We identified Gpr176, an orphan G-protein coupled receptor, as an HSC-enriched activation associated gene. In vitro, Gpr176 is strongly induced upon culture-induced and hepatocyte-damage-induced activation of primary HSCs. Knockdown of GPR176 in primary mouse HSCs or PCLS cultures resulted in reduced fibrogenic characteristics. Absence of GPR176 did not influence liver homeostasis, but Gpr176-/- mice developed less severe fibrosis in CCl4 and BDL fibrosis models. In humans, GPR176 expression was correlated with in vitro HSC activation and with fibrosis stage in patients with CLD. Conclusions GPR176 is a functional protein during liver fibrosis and reducing its activity attenuates fibrogenesis. These results highlight the potential of GPR176 as an HSC-specific antifibrotic candidate to treat CLD. Impact and implications The lack of effective antifibrotic drugs is partly attributed to the insufficient knowledge about the mechanisms involved in the development of liver fibrosis. We demonstrate that the G-protein coupled receptor GPR176 contributes to fibrosis development. Since GPR176 is specifically expressed on the membrane of activated hepatic stellate cells and is linked with fibrosis progression in humans, it opens new avenues for the development of targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent De Smet
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Gastro-Enterology and Hepatology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elif Gürbüz
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Eysackers
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Liza Dewyse
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ayla Smout
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Pierre Lefesvre
- Department of Pathology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nouredin Messaoudi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel) and Europe Hospitals, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hendrik Reynaert
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Gastro-Enterology and Hepatology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stefaan Verhulst
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Inge Mannaerts
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Leo A. van Grunsven
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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Dai Y, Xu R, Chen J, Fang J, Zhang H, Li H, Chen W. Thromboxane A2/thromboxane A2 receptor axis facilitates hepatic insulin resistance and steatosis through endoplasmic reticulum stress in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:967-986. [PMID: 37940413 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16238] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Defective insulin signalling and dysfunction of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), driven by excessive lipid accumulation in the liver, is a characteristic feature in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Thromboxane A2 (TXA2 ), an arachidonic acid metabolite, is significantly elevated in obesity and plays a crucial role in hepatic gluconeogenesis and adipose tissue macrophage polarization. However, the role of liver TXA2 /TP receptors in insulin resistance and lipid metabolism is largely unknown. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH TP receptor knockout (TP-/- ) mice were generated and fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. Insulin sensitivity, ER stress responses and hepatic lipid accumulation were assessed. Furthermore, we used primary hepatocytes to dissect the mechanisms by which the TXA2 /TP receptor axis regulates insulin signalling and hepatocyte lipogenesis. KEY RESULTS TXA2 was increased in diet-induced obese mice, and depletion of TP receptors in adult mice improved systemic insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. Mechanistically, we found that the TXA2 /TP receptor axis disrupts insulin signalling by activating the Ca2+ /calcium calmodulin-dependent kinase II γ (CaMKIIγ)-protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-C/EBP homologous protein (Chop)-tribbles-like protein 3 (TRB3) axis in hepatocytes. In addition, our results revealed that the TXA2 /TP receptor axis directly promoted lipogenesis in primary hepatocytes and contributed to Kupffer cell inflammation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The TXA2 /TP receptor axis facilitates insulin resistance through Ca2+ /CaMKIIγ to activate PERK-Chop-TRB3 signalling. Inhibition of hepatocyte TP receptors improved hepatic steatosis and inflammation. The TP receptor is a new therapeutic target for NAFLD and metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ruijie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinxiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jialong Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haitao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
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7
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Bendixen SM, Jakobsgaard PR, Hansen D, Hejn KH, Terkelsen MK, Bjerre FA, Thulesen AP, Eriksen NG, Hallenborg P, Geng Y, Dam TV, Larsen FT, Wernberg CW, Vijayathurai J, Scott EAH, Marcher AB, Detlefsen S, Grøntved L, Dimke H, Berdeaux R, de Aguiar Vallim TQ, Olinga P, Lauridsen MM, Krag A, Blagoev B, Ravnskjaer K. Single cell-resolved study of advanced murine MASH reveals a homeostatic pericyte signaling module. J Hepatol 2024; 80:467-481. [PMID: 37972658 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.11.001] [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: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes and marked by hepatic inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, and fibrosis, impairing liver function and aggravating metabolic derangements. The liver homeostatic interactions disrupted in MASH are still poorly understood. We aimed to elucidate the plasticity and changing interactions of non-parenchymal cells associated with advanced MASH. METHODS We characterized a diet-induced mouse model of advanced MASH at single-cell resolution and validated findings by assaying chromatin accessibility, bioimaging murine and human livers, and via functional experiments in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS The fibrogenic activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) led to deterioration of a signaling module consisting of the bile acid receptor NR1H4/FXR and HSC-specific GS-protein-coupled receptors (GSPCRs) capable of preserving stellate cell quiescence. Accompanying HSC activation, we further observed the attenuation of HSC Gdf2 expression, and a MASH-associated expansion of a CD207-positive macrophage population likely derived from both incoming monocytes and Kupffer cells. CONCLUSION We conclude that HSC-expressed NR1H4 and GSPCRs of the healthy liver integrate postprandial cues, which sustain HSC quiescence and, through paracrine signals, overall sinusoidal health. Hence HSC activation in MASH not only drives fibrogenesis but may desensitize the hepatic sinusoid to liver homeostatic signals. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Homeostatic interactions between hepatic cell types and their deterioration in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis are poorly characterized. In our current single cell-resolved study of advanced murine metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, we identified a quiescence-associated hepatic stellate cell-signaling module with potential to preserve normal sinusoid function. As expression levels of its constituents are conserved in the human liver, stimulation of the identified signaling module is a promising therapeutic strategy to restore sinusoid function in chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie M Bendixen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Peter R Jakobsgaard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Daniel Hansen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Kamilla H Hejn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Mike K Terkelsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Frederik A Bjerre
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Annemette P Thulesen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Niels G Eriksen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Philip Hallenborg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Yana Geng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Trine V Dam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Frederik T Larsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Charlotte W Wernberg
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of South Denmark Esbjerg, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Janusa Vijayathurai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Emma A H Scott
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Ann-Britt Marcher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Sönke Detlefsen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Lars Grøntved
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Henrik Dimke
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Rebecca Berdeaux
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, UT Health Houston, USA
| | - Thomas Q de Aguiar Vallim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Peter Olinga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mette M Lauridsen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of South Denmark Esbjerg, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Blagoy Blagoev
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Kim Ravnskjaer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
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8
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Savage TM, Fortson KT, de Los Santos-Alexis K, Oliveras-Alsina A, Rouanne M, Rae SS, Gamarra JR, Shayya H, Kornberg A, Cavero R, Li F, Han A, Haeusler RA, Adam J, Schwabe RF, Arpaia N. Amphiregulin from regulatory T cells promotes liver fibrosis and insulin resistance in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Immunity 2024; 57:303-318.e6. [PMID: 38309273 PMCID: PMC10922825 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.01.009] [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: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Production of amphiregulin (Areg) by regulatory T (Treg) cells promotes repair after acute tissue injury. Here, we examined the function of Treg cells in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a setting of chronic liver injury. Areg-producing Treg cells were enriched in the livers of mice and humans with NASH. Deletion of Areg in Treg cells, but not in myeloid cells, reduced NASH-induced liver fibrosis. Chronic liver damage induced transcriptional changes associated with Treg cell activation. Mechanistically, Treg cell-derived Areg activated pro-fibrotic transcriptional programs in hepatic stellate cells via epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. Deletion of Areg in Treg cells protected mice from NASH-dependent glucose intolerance, which also was dependent on EGFR signaling on hepatic stellate cells. Areg from Treg cells promoted hepatocyte gluconeogenesis through hepatocyte detection of hepatic stellate cell-derived interleukin-6. Our findings reveal a maladaptive role for Treg cell-mediated tissue repair functions in chronic liver disease and link liver damage to NASH-dependent glucose intolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Savage
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine T Fortson
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Mathieu Rouanne
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah S Rae
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Hani Shayya
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind, and Brain and Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adam Kornberg
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Renzo Cavero
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fangda Li
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arnold Han
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca A Haeusler
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julien Adam
- Pathology Department, Hopital Paris Saint-Joseph, Paris, France; INSERM U1186, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Nicholas Arpaia
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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9
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Mostafa DK, Eissa MM, Ghareeb DA, Abdulmalek S, Hewedy WA. Resveratrol protects against Schistosoma mansoni-induced liver fibrosis by targeting the Sirt-1/NF-κB axis. Inflammopharmacology 2024; 32:763-775. [PMID: 38041753 PMCID: PMC10907480 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01382-y] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic schistosomiasis is a prevalent form of chronic liver disease that drastically affects human health. Nevertheless, an antifibrotic drug that could suppress the development of hepatic fibrosis does not exist yet. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of resveratrol, a natural polyphenol with multiple biological activities, on Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni)-induced hepatic fibrosis and delineate the underlying molecular mechanism. Swiss male albino mice were randomly assigned into infected and non-infected groups. Hepatic schistosomiasis infection was induced via exposure to S. mansoni cercariae. 6 weeks later, resveratrol was administrated either as 20 mg/kg/day or 100 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks to two infected groups. Another group received vehicle and served as infected control group. At the end of the study, portal hemodynamic, biochemical, and histopathological evaluation of liver tissues were conducted. Remarkably, resveratrol significantly reduced portal pressure, portal and mesenteric flow in a dose-dependent manner. It improved several key features of hepatic injury as evidenced biochemically by a significant reduction of bilirubin and liver enzymes, and histologically by amelioration of the granulomatous and inflammatory reactions. In line, resveratrol reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory markers; TNF-α, IL-1β and MCP-1 mRNA, together with fibrotic markers; collagen-1, TGF-β1 and α-SMA. Moreover, resveratrol restored SIRT1/NF-κB balance in hepatic tissues which is the main switch-off control for all the fibrotic and inflammatory mechanisms. Taken together, it can be inferred that resveratrol possesses a possible anti-fibrotic effect that can halt the progression of hepatic schistosomiasis via targeting SIRT1/ NF-κB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Kamal Mostafa
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Al-Moassat Medical Campus, Elhadara, Alexandria, 21561, Egypt
| | - Maha M Eissa
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Doaa A Ghareeb
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Shaymaa Abdulmalek
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Wafaa A Hewedy
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Al-Moassat Medical Campus, Elhadara, Alexandria, 21561, Egypt.
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10
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Quarleri J, Delpino MV. Molecular mechanisms underlying SARS-CoV-2 hepatotropism and liver damage. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:1-11. [PMID: 38313242 PMCID: PMC10835487 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
In coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) primarily targets the respiratory system, but evidence suggests extrapulmonary organ involvement, notably in the liver. Viral RNA has been detected in hepatic tissues, and in situ hybridization revealed virions in blood vessels and endothelial cells. Electron microscopy confirmed viral particles in hepatocytes, emphasizing the need for understanding hepatotropism and direct cytopathic effects in COVID-19-related liver injury. Various factors contribute to liver injury, including direct cytotoxicity, vascular changes, inflammatory responses, immune reactions from COVID-19 and vaccinations, and drug-induced liver injury. Although a typical hepatitis presentation is not widely documented, elevated liver biochemical markers are common in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, primarily showing a hepatocellular pattern of elevation. Long-term studies suggest progressive cholestasis may affect 20% of patients with chronic liver disease post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. The molecular mechanisms underlying SARS-CoV-2 infection in the liver and the resulting liver damage are complex. This "Editorial" highlights the expression of the Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptor in liver cells, the role of inflammatory responses, the impact of hypoxia, the involvement of the liver's vascular system, the infection of bile duct epithelial cells, the activation of hepatic stellate cells, and the contribution of monocyte-derived macrophages. It also mentions that pre-existing liver conditions can worsen the outcomes of COVID-19. Understanding the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with the liver is still evolving, and further research is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Quarleri
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida (INBIRS), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina.
| | - M Victoria Delpino
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida (INBIRS), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
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11
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Goand UK, Patel I, Verma S, Yadav S, Maity D, Singh N, Vishwakarma S, Rathaur S, Garg R, Gayen JR. Immunometabolic impact of pancreastatin inhibitor PSTi8 in MCD induced mouse model of oxidative stress and steatohepatitis. Cytokine 2023; 171:156354. [PMID: 37672864 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
AIM Pancreastatin, a dysglycemic hormone that encourages inflammation and steatosis in a variety of metabolic disorder animal models. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the pancreastatin inhibitor PSTi8 on immunometabolic changes in the liver of MCD-induced NASH mice. MAIN METHODS Methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet was used for the development of NASH. Liver enzymes like SGOT, SGPT, and ALP and lipid profiles were also performed in the serum. Further, immunophenotyping study was performed in the liver through flowcytometer. Subsequently, Hematoxylin and Eosin, Picro Sirius Red and Masson's Trichrome staining were done to check the liver morphology and collagen staining, respectively. Inflammatory cytokines were measured through ELISA and gene expression through RT-PCR. The expression of α-SMA was examined using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. KEY FINDINGS PSTi8 inhibited the expression of lipogenic genes in the liver and attenuated bad cholesterol, SGOT, SGPT, and ALP in the serum. PSTi8 improved the liver morphology and attenuated collagen deposition. Subsequently, PSTi8 attenuated inflammatory M1-macrophages, CD8+T, CD4+T cells and increased anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, T-reg and eosinophil populations in the liver. It also attenuated the expression of pro-inflammatory genes like Mcp1, Tnfα, and Il6. Apart from this, PSTi8 attenuated the oxidative stress marker, like ROS, and MDA and fibrosis marker α-SMA in the liver. It also decreased the apoptosis and ROS and MDA level in the liver. SIGNIFICANCE Overall, these compressive studies revealed that PSTi8 exhibited beneficial effect on the liver of MCD-induced NASH mice by attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umesh K Goand
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Inklisan Patel
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Saurabh Verma
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Shubhi Yadav
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Debalina Maity
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Naveen Singh
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Sachin Vishwakarma
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Shivam Rathaur
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Richa Garg
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Jiaur R Gayen
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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12
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Wang S, Friedman SL. Found in translation-Fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadi0759. [PMID: 37792957 PMCID: PMC10671253 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi0759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a severe form of liver disease that poses a global health threat because of its potential to progress to advanced fibrosis, leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Recent advances in single-cell methodologies, refined disease models, and genetic and epigenetic insights have provided a nuanced understanding of MASH fibrogenesis, with substantial cellular heterogeneity in MASH livers providing potentially targetable cell-cell interactions and behavior. Unlike fibrogenesis, mechanisms underlying fibrosis regression in MASH are still inadequately understood, although antifibrotic targets have been recently identified. A refined antifibrotic treatment framework could lead to noninvasive assessment and targeted therapies that preserve hepatocellular function and restore the liver's architectural integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wang
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Scott L. Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
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13
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Rozen EJ, Ozeroff CD, Allen MA. RUN(X) out of blood: emerging RUNX1 functions beyond hematopoiesis and links to Down syndrome. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:83. [PMID: 37670378 PMCID: PMC10481493 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00531-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RUNX1 is a transcription factor and a master regulator for the specification of the hematopoietic lineage during embryogenesis and postnatal megakaryopoiesis. Mutations and rearrangements on RUNX1 are key drivers of hematological malignancies. In humans, this gene is localized to the 'Down syndrome critical region' of chromosome 21, triplication of which is necessary and sufficient for most phenotypes that characterize Trisomy 21. MAIN BODY Individuals with Down syndrome show a higher predisposition to leukemias. Hence, RUNX1 overexpression was initially proposed as a critical player on Down syndrome-associated leukemogenesis. Less is known about the functions of RUNX1 in other tissues and organs, although growing reports show important implications in development or homeostasis of neural tissues, muscle, heart, bone, ovary, or the endothelium, among others. Even less is understood about the consequences on these tissues of RUNX1 gene dosage alterations in the context of Down syndrome. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on RUNX1 activities outside blood/leukemia, while suggesting for the first time their potential relation to specific Trisomy 21 co-occurring conditions. CONCLUSION Our concise review on the emerging RUNX1 roles in different tissues outside the hematopoietic context provides a number of well-funded hypotheses that will open new research avenues toward a better understanding of RUNX1-mediated transcription in health and disease, contributing to novel potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for Down syndrome-associated conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban J Rozen
- Crnic Institute Boulder Branch, BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, 3415 Colorado Ave., Boulder, CO, 80303, USA.
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| | - Christopher D Ozeroff
- Crnic Institute Boulder Branch, BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, 3415 Colorado Ave., Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, 1945 Colorado Ave., Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Mary Ann Allen
- Crnic Institute Boulder Branch, BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, 3415 Colorado Ave., Boulder, CO, 80303, USA.
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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14
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Weng C, Gu A, Zhang S, Lu L, Ke L, Gao P, Liu X, Wang Y, Hu P, Plummer D, MacDonald E, Zhang S, Xi J, Lai S, Leskov K, Yuan K, Jin F, Li Y. Single cell multiomic analysis reveals diabetes-associated β-cell heterogeneity driven by HNF1A. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5400. [PMID: 37669939 PMCID: PMC10480445 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41228-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Broad heterogeneity in pancreatic β-cell function and morphology has been widely reported. However, determining which components of this cellular heterogeneity serve a diabetes-relevant function remains challenging. Here, we integrate single-cell transcriptome, single-nuclei chromatin accessibility, and cell-type specific 3D genome profiles from human islets and identify Type II Diabetes (T2D)-associated β-cell heterogeneity at both transcriptomic and epigenomic levels. We develop a computational method to explicitly dissect the intra-donor and inter-donor heterogeneity between single β-cells, which reflect distinct mechanisms of T2D pathogenesis. Integrative transcriptomic and epigenomic analysis identifies HNF1A as a principal driver of intra-donor heterogeneity between β-cells from the same donors; HNF1A expression is also reduced in β-cells from T2D donors. Interestingly, HNF1A activity in single β-cells is significantly associated with lower Na+ currents and we nominate a HNF1A target, FXYD2, as the primary mitigator. Our study demonstrates the value of investigating disease-associated single-cell heterogeneity and provides new insights into the pathogenesis of T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Weng
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- The Biomedical Sciences Training Program (BSTP), School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Anniya Gu
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- The Biomedical Sciences Training Program (BSTP), School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Leina Lu
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Luxin Ke
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- The Biomedical Sciences Training Program (BSTP), School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Peidong Gao
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Xiaoxiao Liu
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Yuntong Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Peinan Hu
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- The Biomedical Sciences Training Program (BSTP), School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Dylan Plummer
- Department of Computer and Data Sciences, School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Elise MacDonald
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Saixian Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Jiajia Xi
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Sisi Lai
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- The Biomedical Sciences Training Program (BSTP), School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Konstantin Leskov
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Kyle Yuan
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Fulai Jin
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
- Department of Computer and Data Sciences, School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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15
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Li X, Chen R, Kemper S, Brigstock DR. Production, Exacerbating Effect, and EV-Mediated Transcription of Hepatic CCN2 in NASH: Implications for Diagnosis and Therapy of NASH Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12823. [PMID: 37629004 PMCID: PMC10454308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612823] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, and inflammation and may progress to include increasingly severe fibrosis, which portends more serious disease and is predictive of patient mortality. Diagnostic and therapeutic options for NASH fibrosis are limited, and the underlying fibrogenic pathways are under-explored. Cell communication network factor 2 (CCN2) is a well-characterized pro-fibrotic molecule, but its production in and contribution to NASH fibrosis requires further study. Hepatic CCN2 expression was significantly induced in NASH patients with F3-F4 fibrosis and was positively correlated with hepatic Col1A1, Col1A2, Col3A1, or αSMA expression. When wild-type (WT) or transgenic (TG) Swiss mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of the CCN2 promoter were fed up to 7 weeks with control or choline-deficient, amino-acid-defined diet with high (60%) fat (CDAA-HF), the resulting NASH-like hepatic pathology included a profound increase in CCN2 or EGFP immunoreactivity in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and in fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells of the vasculature, with little or no induction of CCN2 in other liver cell types. In the context of CDAA-HF diet-induced NASH, Balb/c TG mice expressing human CCN2 under the control of the albumin promoter exhibited exacerbated deposition of interstitial hepatic collagen and activated HSC compared to WT mice. In vitro, palmitic acid-treated hepatocytes produced extracellular vesicles (EVs) that induced CCN2, Col1A1, and αSMA in HSC. Hepatic CCN2 may aid the assessment of NASH fibrosis severity and, together with pro-fibrogenic EVs, is a therapeutic target for reducing NASH fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Li
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.C.); (S.K.); (D.R.B.)
| | - Ruju Chen
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.C.); (S.K.); (D.R.B.)
| | - Sherri Kemper
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.C.); (S.K.); (D.R.B.)
| | - David R. Brigstock
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.C.); (S.K.); (D.R.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212, USA
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16
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Affo S, Filliol A, Gores GJ, Schwabe RF. Fibroblasts in liver cancer: functions and therapeutic translation. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 8:748-759. [PMID: 37385282 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(23)00111-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of fibroblasts in the premalignant or malignant liver is a characteristic feature of liver cancer, but has not been therapeutically leveraged despite evidence for pathophysiologically relevant roles in tumour growth. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a largely non-desmoplastic tumour, in which fibroblasts accumulate predominantly in the pre-neoplastic fibrotic liver and regulate the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma development through a balance of tumour-suppressive and tumour-promoting mediators. By contrast, cholangiocarcinoma is desmoplastic, with cancer-associated fibroblasts contributing to tumour growth. Accordingly, restoring the balance from tumour-promoting to tumour-suppressive fibroblasts and mediators might represent a strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma prevention, whereas in cholangiocarcinoma, fibroblasts and their mediators could be leveraged for tumour treatment. Importantly, fibroblast mediators regulating hepatocellular carcinoma development might exert opposite effects on cholangiocarcinoma growth. This Review translates the improved understanding of tumour-specific, location-specific, and stage-specific roles of fibroblasts and their mediators in liver cancer into novel and rational therapeutic concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Affo
- Department of Liver, Digestive System, and Metabolism, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aveline Filliol
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gregory J Gores
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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17
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Minami Y, Hoshino A, Higuchi Y, Hamaguchi M, Kaneko Y, Kirita Y, Taminishi S, Nishiji T, Taruno A, Fukui M, Arany Z, Matoba S. Liver lipophagy ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis through extracellular lipid secretion. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4084. [PMID: 37443159 PMCID: PMC10344867 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39404-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive disorder with aberrant lipid accumulation and subsequent inflammatory and profibrotic response. Therapeutic efforts at lipid reduction via increasing cytoplasmic lipolysis unfortunately worsens hepatitis due to toxicity of liberated fatty acid. An alternative approach could be lipid reduction through autophagic disposal, i.e., lipophagy. We engineered a synthetic adaptor protein to induce lipophagy, combining a lipid droplet-targeting signal with optimized LC3-interacting domain. Activating hepatocyte lipophagy in vivo strongly mitigated both steatosis and hepatitis in a diet-induced mouse NASH model. Mechanistically, activated lipophagy promoted the excretion of lipid from hepatocytes, thereby suppressing harmful intracellular accumulation of nonesterified fatty acid. A high-content compound screen identified alpelisib and digoxin, clinically-approved compounds, as effective activators of lipophagy. Administration of alpelisib or digoxin in vivo strongly inhibited the transition to steatohepatitis. These data thus identify lipophagy as a promising therapeutic approach to prevent NASH progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshito Minami
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hoshino
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Higuchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Masahide Hamaguchi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yusaku Kaneko
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yuhei Kirita
- Department of Nephrology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Shunta Taminishi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Nishiji
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Akiyuki Taruno
- Department of Molecular Cell Physiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
- Japan Science and Technology Agency, PRESTO, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan
- Japan Science and Technology Agency, CREST, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan
| | - Michiaki Fukui
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Zoltan Arany
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Satoaki Matoba
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
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18
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Karri K, Waxman DJ. Dysregulation of murine long noncoding single-cell transcriptome in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:977-1006. [PMID: 37015806 PMCID: PMC10275269 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079580.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
LncRNAs comprise a heterogeneous class of RNA-encoding genes typified by low expression, nuclear enrichment, high tissue-specificity, and functional diversity, but the vast majority remain uncharacterized. Here, we assembled the mouse liver noncoding transcriptome from >2000 bulk RNA-seq samples and discovered 48,261 liver-expressed lncRNAs, a majority novel. Using these lncRNAs as a single-cell transcriptomic reference set, we elucidated lncRNA dysregulation in mouse models of high fat diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis. Trajectory inference analysis revealed lncRNA zonation patterns across the liver lobule in each major liver cell population. Perturbations in lncRNA expression and zonation were common in several disease-associated liver cell types, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-associated macrophages, a hallmark of fatty liver disease progression, and collagen-producing myofibroblasts, a central feature of liver fibrosis. Single-cell-based gene regulatory network analysis using bigSCale2 linked individual lncRNAs to specific biological pathways, and network-essential regulatory lncRNAs with disease-associated functions were identified by their high network centrality metrics. For a subset of these lncRNAs, promoter sequences of the network-defined lncRNA target genes were significantly enriched for lncRNA triplex formation, providing independent mechanistic support for the lncRNA-target gene linkages predicted by the gene regulatory networks. These findings elucidate liver lncRNA cell-type specificities, spatial zonation patterns, associated regulatory networks, and temporal patterns of dysregulation during hepatic disease progression. A subset of the liver disease-associated regulatory lncRNAs identified have human orthologs and are promising candidates for biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Karri
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - David J Waxman
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
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19
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Zhang LY, Tan Y, Luo XJ, Wu JF, Ni YR. The roles of ETS transcription factors in liver fibrosis. Hum Cell 2023; 36:528-539. [PMID: 36547849 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-022-00848-5] [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: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
E26 transformation specific or E twenty-six (ETS) protein family consists of 28 transcription factors, five of which, named ETS1/2, PU.1, ERG and EHF, are known to involve in the development of liver fibrosis, and are expected to become diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets of liver fibrosis. In recent years, some small molecule inhibitors of ETS protein family have been discovered, which might open up a new path for the liver fibrosis therapy targeting ETS. This article reviews the research progress of ETS family members in the development liver fibrosis as well as their prospect of clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ye Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Yong Tan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Xiao-Jie Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Jiang-Feng Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.
- College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.
| | - Yi-Ran Ni
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.
- College of Basic Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.
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20
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Larsen FT, Hansen D, Terkelsen MK, Bendixen SM, Avolio F, Wernberg CW, Lauridsen MM, Grønkjaer LL, Jacobsen BG, Klinggaard EG, Mandrup S, Di Caterino T, Siersbæk MS, Indira Chandran V, Graversen JH, Krag A, Grøntved L, Ravnskjaer K. Stellate cell expression of SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2 is associated with human non-alcoholic fatty liver disease severity. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100615. [PMID: 36687468 PMCID: PMC9850195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Histological assessment of liver biopsies is the gold standard for diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), despite its well-established limitations. Therefore, non-invasive biomarkers that can offer an integrated view of the liver are needed to improve diagnosis and reduce sampling bias. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are central in the development of hepatic fibrosis, a hallmark of NASH. Secreted HSC-specific proteins may, therefore, reflect disease state in the NASH liver and serve as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers. Methods We performed RNA-sequencing on liver biopsies from a histologically characterised cohort of obese patients (n = 30, BMI >35 kg/m2) to identify and evaluate HSC-specific genes encoding secreted proteins. Bioinformatics was used to identify potential biomarkers and their expression at single-cell resolution. We validated our findings using single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridisation (smFISH) and ELISA to detect mRNA in liver tissue and protein levels in plasma, respectively. Results Hepatic expression of SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2 (SMOC2) was increased in NASH compared to no-NAFLD (p.adj <0.001). Single-cell RNA-sequencing data indicated that SMOC2 was primarily expressed by HSCs, which was validated using smFISH. Finally, plasma SMOC2 was elevated in NASH compared to no-NAFLD (p <0.001), with a predictive accuracy of AUROC 0.88. Conclusions Increased SMOC2 in plasma appears to reflect HSC activation, a key cellular event associated with NASH progression, and may serve as a non-invasive biomarker of NASH. Impact and implications Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are the most common forms of chronic liver diseases. Currently, liver biopsies are the gold standard for diagnosing NAFLD. Blood-based biomarkers to complement liver biopsies for diagnosis of NAFLD are required. We found that activated hepatic stellate cells, a cell type central to NAFLD pathogenesis, upregulate expression of the secreted protein SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2 (SMOC2). SMOC2 was elevated in blood samples from patients with NASH and may hold promise as a blood-based biomarker for the diagnosis of NAFLD.
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Key Words
- AUROC, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- HSC, hepatic stellate cells
- LSM, liver stiffness measurement
- MCP, matricellular protein
- NAFL, non-alcoholic fatty liver
- NAFLD
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NAS, NAFLD activity score
- NASH
- PCA, principal component analysis
- SAF, steatosis, activity, and fibrosis
- SE, sensitivity
- SMOC2
- SMOC2, SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2
- SP, specificity
- SPARC, secreted protein acidic and cysteine-rich
- VSMCs, vascular smooth muscle cells
- WGCNA, weighted gene co-expression network analysis
- aHSC, activated HSC
- hepatic stellate cells
- non-invasive biomarker
- qHSC, quiescent HSC
- smFISH, single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridisation
- transcriptomics
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik T. Larsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Daniel Hansen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mike K. Terkelsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sofie M. Bendixen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Fabio Avolio
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Charlotte W. Wernberg
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of
Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
- Center for Liver Research (FLASH), Department of Gastroenterology and
Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mette M. Lauridsen
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of
Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Lea L. Grønkjaer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of
Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Birgitte G. Jacobsen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of
Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Ellen G. Klinggaard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Susanne Mandrup
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Tina Di Caterino
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense,
Denmark
| | - Majken S. Siersbæk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Vineesh Indira Chandran
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense,
Denmark
| | - Jonas H. Graversen
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense,
Denmark
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Liver Research (FLASH), Department of Gastroenterology and
Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lars Grøntved
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Kim Ravnskjaer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Corresponding author. Address: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark. Tel.: +45 65508906/+45
93979317.
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21
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He W, Huang C, Shi X, Wu M, Li H, Liu Q, Zhang X, Zhao Y, Li X. Single-cell transcriptomics of hepatic stellate cells uncover crucial pathways and key regulators involved in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Endocr Connect 2023; 12:e220502. [PMID: 36562664 PMCID: PMC9874973 DOI: 10.1530/ec-22-0502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Fibrosis is an important pathological process in the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and the activation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) is a central event in liver fibrosis. However, the transcriptomic change of activated HSCs (aHSCs) and resting HSCs (rHSCs) in NASH patients has not been assessed. This study aimed to identify transcriptomic signature of HSCs during the development of NASH and the underlying key functional pathways. Methods NASH-associated transcriptomic change of HSCs was defined by single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis, and those top upregulated genes were identified as NASH-associated transcriptomic signatures. Those functional pathways involved in the NASH-associated transcriptomic change of aHSCs were explored by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and functional enrichment analyses. Key regulators were explored by upstream regulator analysis and transcription factor enrichment analysis. Results scRNA-seq analysis identified numerous differentially expressed genes in both rHSCs and aHSCs between NASH patients and healthy controls. Both scRNA-seq analysis and in-vivo experiments showed the existence of rHSCs (mainly expressing a-SMA) in the normal liver and the increased aHSCs (mainly expressing collagen 1) in the fibrosis liver tissues. NASH-associated transcriptomic signature of rHSC (NASHrHSCsignature) and NASH-associated transcriptomic signature of aHSC (NASHaHSCsignature) were identified. WGCNA revealed the main pathways correlated with the transcriptomic change of aHSCs. Several key upstream regulators and transcription factors for determining the functional change of aHSCs in NASH were identified. Conclusion This study developed a useful transcriptomic signature with the potential in assessing fibrosis severity in the development of NASH. This study also identified the main pathways in the activation of HSCs during the development of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei He
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Caoxin Huang
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiulin Shi
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Menghua Wu
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Han Li
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Qiuhong Liu
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiaofang Zhang
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
| | - Xuejun Li
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Clinical Medical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Xiamen Diabetes Prevention and Treatment Center, Xiamen, China
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22
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Nash MJ, Dobrinskikh E, Janssen RC, Lovell MA, Schady DA, Levek C, Jones KL, D’Alessandro A, Kievit P, Aagaard KM, McCurdy CE, Gannon M, Friedman JE, Wesolowski SR. Maternal Western diet is associated with distinct preclinical pediatric NAFLD phenotypes in juvenile nonhuman primate offspring. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0014. [PMID: 36691970 PMCID: PMC9851700 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric NAFLD has distinct and variable pathology, yet causation remains unclear. We have shown that maternal Western-style diet (mWSD) compared with maternal chow diet (CD) consumption in nonhuman primates produces hepatic injury and steatosis in fetal offspring. Here, we define the role of mWSD and postweaning Western-style diet (pwWSD) exposures on molecular mechanisms linked to NAFLD development in a cohort of 3-year-old juvenile nonhuman primates offspring exposed to maternal CD or mWSD followed by CD or Western-style diet after weaning. We used histologic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses to identify hepatic pathways regulating NAFLD. Offspring exposed to mWSD showed increased hepatic periportal collagen deposition but unchanged hepatic triglyceride levels and body weight. mWSD was associated with a downregulation of gene expression pathways underlying HNF4α activity and protein, and downregulation of antioxidant signaling, mitochondrial biogenesis, and PPAR signaling pathways. In offspring exposed to both mWSD and pwWSD, liver RNA profiles showed upregulation of pathways promoting fibrosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress and increased BiP protein expression with pwWSD. pwWSD increased acylcarnitines and decreased anti-inflammatory fatty acids, which was more pronounced when coupled with mWSD exposure. Further, mWSD shifted liver metabolites towards decreased purine catabolism in favor of synthesis, suggesting a mitochondrial DNA repair response. Our findings demonstrate that 3-year-old offspring exposed to mWSD but weaned to a CD have periportal collagen deposition, with transcriptional and metabolic pathways underlying hepatic oxidative stress, compromised mitochondrial lipid sensing, and decreased antioxidant response. Exposure to pwWSD worsens these phenotypes, triggers endoplasmic reticulum stress, and increases fibrosis. Overall, mWSD exposure is associated with altered expression of candidate genes and metabolites related to NAFLD that persist in juvenile offspring preceding clinical presentation of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Nash
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Evgenia Dobrinskikh
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Rachel C. Janssen
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Mark A. Lovell
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Deborah A. Schady
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Claire Levek
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kenneth L. Jones
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Angelo D’Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Paul Kievit
- Division of Cardiometabolic Health, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
| | - Kjersti M. Aagaard
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Carrie E. McCurdy
- Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Maureen Gannon
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jacob E. Friedman
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Stephanie R. Wesolowski
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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23
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Wang M, Li L, Xu Y, Du J, Ling C. Roles of hepatic stellate cells in NAFLD: From the perspective of inflammation and fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:958428. [PMID: 36313291 PMCID: PMC9606692 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.958428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common diseases and severe problems worldwide because of the global increase in obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. NAFLD includes a wide spectrum of liver diseases, the histological forms of which range from non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), which is generally nonprogressive, to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can progress to chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis (LC), and sometimes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unlike NAFL, as the progressive form of NAFLD, NASH is characterized by the presence of inflammation with or without fibrosis in addition to hepatic steatosis. Although it is widely known and proved that persistent hepatic injury and chronic inflammation in the liver activate quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and lead to hepatic fibrosis, the three-step process of “inflammation-fibrosis-carcinoma” in NAFLD has not been investigated and clarified clearly. In this process, the initiation of inflammation in the liver and the function of various liver inflammatory cells have been discussed regularly, while the activated HSCs, which constitute the principal cells responsible for fibrosis and their cross-talk with inflammation, seem not to be investigated specifically and frequently. Also, accumulated evidence suggests that HSCs can not only be activated by inflammation but also participate in the regulation of liver inflammation. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the unique roles of HSCs in NAFLD from the perspective of inflammation and fibrosis. Here, we review the pivotal effects and mechanisms of HSCs and highlight the potential value of HSC-targeted treatment methods in NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yannan Xu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Du
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changquan Ling
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Sánchez-Quevedo J, Ocampo-Rodríguez E, Alvarez-Ayala E, Rodríguez-López A, Duarte-Vázquez MA, Rosado JL, Rodríguez-Fragoso L. β-Hydroxyphosphocarnitine modifies fibrosis, steatosis and improves liver function in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis induced in rats. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2022; 23:75. [PMID: 36175992 PMCID: PMC9520892 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-022-00613-2] [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: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation, steatosis, and liver fibrosis. The liver is particularly affected by alterations in lipid metabolism. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of β-hydroxyphosphocarnitine (β-HPC) on NASH induced in rats. METHODS NASH was produced via the ad libitum daily chronic administration of a fructose solution (400 kcal) for 9 weeks, an oral dose of fat solution (16 kcal) for 7 weeks and a subcutaneous injection of CCl4 (30%) two times a week for 2 weeks to Wistar rats. To evaluate the effect of β-HPC, a dose of 100 mg/kg was administered perorally for 4 weeks and its biochemical and hepatic effects on rats with NASH were analyzed. Serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, and liver enzymes were quantified. Histological changes were evaluated on slices stained with H&E, trichromic and PAS. Glycogen content was measured in liver samples. α-SMA and SREBP-1 immunopositive cells were identified in liver tissue. RESULTS NASH was characterized by elevated triglycerides, elevated liver damage enzymes, and the presence of necrosis, inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis. Significant amounts of glycogen were found, along with α-SMA positive cells in fibrosis areas. The over-expression of SREBP-1 in cytoplasm and nuclei was evident. Animals with NASH treated with β-HPC showed a significant reduction in inflammation, necrosis, and glycogen content in the liver. A reduction in α-SMA and SREBP-1 immunopositive cells correlated with a significant reduction in the degree of fibrosis and steatosis found in liver tissue. β-HPC reduced the levels of ALP and GGT, and significantly reduced triglyceride levels. Animals treated with β-HPC did not show any alterations in liver enzyme function. CONCLUSIONS Our research shows that β-HPC can improve liver function and morphology in the case of NASH induced in rats, suggesting β-HPC could be potentially used in the treatment of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Sánchez-Quevedo
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Emmanuel Ocampo-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Alvarez-Ayala
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Anahí Rodríguez-López
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | | | | | - Lourdes Rodríguez-Fragoso
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
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Functional genomics uncovers the transcription factor BNC2 as required for myofibroblastic activation in fibrosis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5324. [PMID: 36088459 PMCID: PMC9464213 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33063-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue injury triggers activation of mesenchymal lineage cells into wound-repairing myofibroblasts, whose unrestrained activity leads to fibrosis. Although this process is largely controlled at the transcriptional level, whether the main transcription factors involved have all been identified has remained elusive. Here, we report multi-omics analyses unraveling Basonuclin 2 (BNC2) as a myofibroblast identity transcription factor. Using liver fibrosis as a model for in-depth investigations, we first show that BNC2 expression is induced in both mouse and human fibrotic livers from different etiologies and decreases upon human liver fibrosis regression. Importantly, we found that BNC2 transcriptional induction is a specific feature of myofibroblastic activation in fibrotic tissues. Mechanistically, BNC2 expression and activities allow to integrate pro-fibrotic stimuli, including TGFβ and Hippo/YAP1 signaling, towards induction of matrisome genes such as those encoding type I collagen. As a consequence, Bnc2 deficiency blunts collagen deposition in livers of mice fed a fibrogenic diet. Additionally, our work establishes BNC2 as potentially druggable since we identified the thalidomide derivative CC-885 as a BNC2 inhibitor. Altogether, we propose that BNC2 is a transcription factor involved in canonical pathways driving myofibroblastic activation in fibrosis. Myofibroblasts contribute to the development of liver fibrosis. Here, the authors report that the transcription factor Basonuclin 2 (BNC2) integrates fibrogenic signals and drives myofibroblastic transcriptional activation in liver fibrosis.
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Zhu B, Li H, Lu B, Guo X, Wu C, Wang F, Li Q, Xie L, Glaser S, Francis H, Alpini G, Wu C. Indole supplementation ameliorates MCD-induced NASH in mice. J Nutr Biochem 2022; 107:109041. [PMID: 35568098 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2022.109041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Indole is a microbiota metabolite that functions to protect against obesity-associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The present study examined the extent to which indole supplementation alleviates the severity of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is the advanced form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In C57BL/6J mice, feeding a methionine- and choline-deficient diet (MCD) resulted in significant weight loss, overt hepatic steatosis, and massive aggregations of macrophages in the liver compared with control diet-fed mice. Upon indole supplementation, the severity of MCD-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation, as well as liver fibrosis, was significantly decreased compared with that of MCD-fed and control-treated mice. In vitro, indole treatment caused significant decreases in lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory responses in hepatocytes incubated with either basal or MCD-mimicking media. However, indole treatment only significantly decreased lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory responses in bone marrow-derived macrophages incubated with basal, but not MCD-mimicking media. These differential effects suggest that, relative to the responses of macrophages to indole, the responses of hepatocytes to indole appeared to make a greater contribution to indole alleviation of NASH, in particular liver inflammation. While indole supplementation decreased liver expression of desmin in MCD-fed mice, treatment of LX2 cells (a line of hepatic stellate cells) with indole also decreased the expression of various markers of hepatic stellate cell fibrogenic activation. Lastly, indole supplementation decreased intestinal inflammation in MCD-fed mice, suggesting that decreased intestinal inflammation also was involved in indole alleviation of NASH. Collectively, these results demonstrate that indole supplementation alleviates MCD-induced NASH, which is attributable to, in large part, indole suppression of hepatocyte proinflammatory responses and hepatic stellate cell fibrogenic activation, as well as intestinal proinflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilian Zhu
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Honggui Li
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Bangchao Lu
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Xinlei Guo
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Chiashan Wu
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Fen Wang
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Qingsheng Li
- Nebraska Center for Virology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Linglin Xie
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Shannon Glaser
- Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Heather Francis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Chaodong Wu
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
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Nasiri-Ansari N, Androutsakos T, Flessa CM, Kyrou I, Siasos G, Randeva HS, Kassi E, Papavassiliou AG. Endothelial Cell Dysfunction and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Concise Review. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162511. [PMID: 36010588 PMCID: PMC9407007 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases worldwide. It is strongly associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and other metabolic syndrome features. Reflecting the underlying pathogenesis and the cardiometabolic disorders associated with NAFLD, the term metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has recently been proposed. Indeed, over the past few years, growing evidence supports a strong correlation between NAFLD and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, independent of the presence of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. This implies that NAFLD may also be directly involved in the pathogenesis of CVD. Notably, liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) dysfunction appears to be implicated in the progression of NAFLD via numerous mechanisms, including the regulation of the inflammatory process, hepatic stellate activation, augmented vascular resistance, and the distortion of microcirculation, resulting in the progression of NAFLD. Vice versa, the liver secretes inflammatory molecules that are considered pro-atherogenic and may contribute to vascular endothelial dysfunction, resulting in atherosclerosis and CVD. In this review, we provide current evidence supporting the role of endothelial cell dysfunction in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and NAFLD-associated atherosclerosis. Endothelial cells could thus represent a "golden target" for the development of new treatment strategies for NAFLD and its comorbid CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjes Nasiri-Ansari
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Theodoros Androutsakos
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Christina-Maria Flessa
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Ioannis Kyrou
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Siasos
- Third Department of Cardiology, ‘Sotiria’ Thoracic Diseases General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Harpal S. Randeva
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Eva Kassi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Endocrine Unit, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, ‘Laiko’ General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (A.G.P.)
| | - Athanasios G. Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (A.G.P.)
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Hany NM, Eissa S, Basyouni M, Hasanin AH, Aboul-Ela YM, Elmagd NMA, Montasser IF, Ali MA, Skipp PJ, Matboli M. Modulation of hepatic stellate cells by Mutaflor ® probiotic in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease management. Lab Invest 2022; 20:342. [PMID: 35907883 PMCID: PMC9338485 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03543-z] [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: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND NAFLD and NASH are emerging as primary causes of chronic liver disease, indicating a need for an effective treatment. Mutaflor® probiotic, a microbial treatment of interest, was effective in sustaining remission in ulcerative colitis patients. OBJECTIVE To construct a genetic-epigenetic network linked to HSC signaling as a modulator of NAFLD/NASH pathogenesis, then assess the effects of Mutaflor® on this network. METHODS First, in silico analysis was used to construct a genetic-epigenetic network linked to HSC signaling. Second, an investigation using rats, including HFHSD induced NASH and Mutaflor® treated animals, was designed. Experimental procedures included biochemical and histopathologic analysis of rat blood and liver samples. At the molecular level, the expression of genetic (FOXA2, TEAD2, and LATS2 mRNAs) and epigenetic (miR-650, RPARP AS-1 LncRNA) network was measured by real-time PCR. PCR results were validated with immunohistochemistry (α-SMA and LATS2). Target effector proteins, IL-6 and TGF-β, were estimated by ELISA. RESULTS Mutaflor® administration minimized biochemical and histopathologic alterations caused by NAFLD/NASH. HSC activation and expression of profibrogenic IL-6 and TGF-β effector proteins were reduced via inhibition of hedgehog and hippo pathways. Pathways may have been inhibited through upregulation of RPARP AS-1 LncRNA which in turn downregulated the expression of miR-650, FOXA2 mRNA and TEAD2 mRNA and upregulated LATS2 mRNA expression. CONCLUSION Mutaflor® may slow the progression of NAFLD/NASH by modulating a genetic-epigenetic network linked to HSC signaling. The probiotic may be a useful modality for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD/NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha M Hany
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, P.O. box, Cairo, 11381, Egypt
| | - Sanaa Eissa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, P.O. box, Cairo, 11381, Egypt. .,MASRI Research Institue, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Manal Basyouni
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, P.O. box, Cairo, 11381, Egypt
| | - Amany H Hasanin
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yasmin M Aboul-Ela
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nagwa M Abo Elmagd
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Iman F Montasser
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A Ali
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Military Medical Academy, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Paul J Skipp
- Centre for Proteomic Research, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Marwa Matboli
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, P.O. box, Cairo, 11381, Egypt
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Protective Mechanism of Nostoc sphaeroides Kütz. Polysaccharide on Liver Fibrosis by HFD-Induced Liver Fat Synthesis and Oxidative Stress. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:1745244. [PMID: 35836833 PMCID: PMC9276475 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1745244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Nostoc sphaeroides Kütz. polysaccharide (NSKP) is one of the main components of Nostoc sphaeroides Kütz. and is often used as health food. We investigated whether NSKP interferes with the progression of liver fibrosis. Male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (C), high-fat diet (M), high-fat diet + 0.4 g/kg NSKP (L), and high-fat diet + 0.8 g/kg NSKP (H). C was fed standard diet, M was fed high-fat diet, and L and H were fed high-fat diet in addition to gavage of 0.4 g/kg or 0.8 g/kg NSKP, respectively, for 22 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the serum and liver oxidative stress, fat accumulation, and fibrosis indexes were detected. The histopathology of liver was also observed. The results showed that the rice of NSKP, compared with M, improved blood lipid level, liver total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and liver antioxidant capacity and effectively interfered with liver fibrosis related indicators. So it is interesting to note that NSKP appeared to be effective in liver injury; further experiments are necessary to clarify the exact mechanisms involved.
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30
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Zanotti S, Boot GF, Coto-Llerena M, Gallon J, Hess GF, Soysal SD, Kollmar O, Ng CKY, Piscuoglio S. The Role of Chronic Liver Diseases in the Emergence and Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Omics Perspective. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:888850. [PMID: 35814741 PMCID: PMC9263082 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.888850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) typically develops from a background of cirrhosis resulting from chronic inflammation. This inflammation is frequently associated with chronic liver diseases (CLD). The advent of next generation sequencing has enabled extensive analyses of molecular aberrations in HCC. However, less attention has been directed to the chronically inflamed background of the liver, prior to HCC emergence and during recurrence following surgery. Hepatocytes within chronically inflamed liver tissues present highly activated inflammatory signaling pathways and accumulation of a complex mutational landscape. In this altered environment, cells may transform in a stepwise manner toward tumorigenesis. Similarly, the chronically inflamed environment which persists after resection may impact the timing of HCC recurrence. Advances in research are allowing an extensive epigenomic, transcriptomic and proteomic characterization of CLD which define the emergence of HCC or its recurrence. The amount of data generated will enable the understanding of oncogenic mechanisms in HCC from the CLD perspective and provide the possibility to identify robust biomarkers or novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of primary and recurrent HCC. Importantly, biomarkers defined by the analysis of CLD tissue may permit the early detection or prevention of HCC emergence and recurrence. In this review, we compile the current omics based evidence of the contribution of CLD tissues to the emergence and recurrence of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Zanotti
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas University Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Gina F. Boot
- Visceral Surgery and Precision Medicine Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mairene Coto-Llerena
- Visceral Surgery and Precision Medicine Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - John Gallon
- Visceral Surgery and Precision Medicine Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel F. Hess
- Clarunis, University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Clara Hospital and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Savas D. Soysal
- Clarunis, University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Clara Hospital and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Otto Kollmar
- Clarunis, University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Clara Hospital and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte K. Y. Ng
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Salvatore Piscuoglio
- Visceral Surgery and Precision Medicine Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Salvatore Piscuoglio
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31
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Kang B, Kang B, Roh TY, Seong RH, Kim W. The Chromatin Accessibility Landscape of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Progression. Mol Cells 2022; 45:343-352. [PMID: 35422452 PMCID: PMC9095509 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2022.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) has shown great potential as a leading method for analyzing the genome-wide profiling of chromatin accessibility. A comprehensive reference to the ATAC-seq dataset for disease progression is important for understanding the regulatory specificity caused by genetic or epigenetic changes. In this study, we present a genome-wide chromatin accessibility profile of 44 liver samples spanning the full histological spectrum of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We analyzed the ATAC-seq signal enrichment, fragment size distribution, and correlation coefficients according to the histological severity of NAFLD (healthy control vs steatosis vs fibrotic nonalcoholic steatohepatitis), demonstrating the high quality of the dataset. Consequently, 112,303 merged regions (genomic regions containing one or multiple overlapping peak regions) were identified. Additionally, we found differentially accessible regions (DARs) and performed transcription factor binding motif enrichment analysis and de novo motif analysis to determine new biomarker candidates. These data revealed the generegulatory interactions and noncoding factors that can affect NAFLD progression. In summary, our study provides a valuable resource for the human epigenome by applying an advanced approach to facilitate diagnosis and treatment by understanding the non-coding genome of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byeonggeun Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Byunghee Kang
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea
| | - Tae-Young Roh
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea
| | - Rho Hyun Seong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Won Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 07061, Korea
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Dam TV, Toft NI, Grøntved L. Cell-Type Resolved Insights into the Cis-Regulatory Genome of NAFLD. Cells 2022; 11:870. [PMID: 35269495 PMCID: PMC8909044 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing rapidly, and unmet treatment can result in the development of hepatitis, fibrosis, and liver failure. There are difficulties involved in diagnosing NAFLD early and for this reason there are challenges involved in its treatment. Furthermore, no drugs are currently approved to alleviate complications, a fact which highlights the need for further insight into disease mechanisms. NAFLD pathogenesis is associated with complex cellular changes, including hepatocyte steatosis, immune cell infiltration, endothelial dysfunction, hepatic stellate cell activation, and epithelial ductular reaction. Many of these cellular changes are controlled by dramatic changes in gene expression orchestrated by the cis-regulatory genome and associated transcription factors. Thus, to understand disease mechanisms, we need extensive insights into the gene regulatory mechanisms associated with tissue remodeling. Mapping cis-regulatory regions genome-wide is a step towards this objective and several current and emerging technologies allow detection of accessible chromatin and specific histone modifications in enriched cell populations of the liver, as well as in single cells. Here, we discuss recent insights into the cis-regulatory genome in NAFLD both at the organ-level and in specific cell populations of the liver. Moreover, we highlight emerging technologies that enable single-cell resolved analysis of the cis-regulatory genome of the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lars Grøntved
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark; (T.V.D.); (N.I.T.)
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Wonnacott A, Denby L, Coward RJM, Fraser DJ, Bowen T. MicroRNAs and their delivery in diabetic fibrosis. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 182:114045. [PMID: 34767865 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus was estimated to be 463 million people in 2019 and is predicted to rise to 700 million by 2045. The associated financial and societal costs of this burgeoning epidemic demand an understanding of the pathology of this disease, and its complications, that will inform treatment to enable improved patient outcomes. Nearly two decades after the sequencing of the human genome, the significance of noncoding RNA expression is still being assessed. The family of functional noncoding RNAs known as microRNAs regulates the expression of most genes encoded by the human genome. Altered microRNA expression profiles have been observed both in diabetes and in diabetic complications. These transcripts therefore have significant potential and novelty as targets for therapy, therapeutic agents and biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Wonnacott
- Wales Kidney Research Unit, Division of Infection & Immunity, School of Medicine, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Laura Denby
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Richard J M Coward
- Bristol Renal, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK
| | - Donald J Fraser
- Wales Kidney Research Unit, Division of Infection & Immunity, School of Medicine, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Timothy Bowen
- Wales Kidney Research Unit, Division of Infection & Immunity, School of Medicine, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK.
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Rahimi S, Angaji SA, Majd A, Hatami B, Baghaei K. A fast and accurate mouse model for inducing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY FROM BED TO BENCH 2022; 15:406-414. [PMID: 36762217 PMCID: PMC9876774 DOI: 10.22037/ghfbb.v15i4.2593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Aim This study aimed to perform a head-to-head comparison of changes during NASH progression throughout 6-11 weeks of an experiment to supply a faster nutritional model in mimicking NASH to decrease the duration and cost of in vivo studies. Background New therapies are urgently needed because of the growing prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and the lack of an effective treatment approach. Currently, dietary interventions are the most efficient options. Methods This study compared features of NASH in a murine model using protocol that combined special nutritional regimes based on the combination of 21.1% fat, 41% sucrose, and 1.25% cholesterol with weekly intraperitoneal injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Male C57BL/6J mice received either special compositions + CCl4 (NASH group) or standard chow diet (healthy control group) for 11 weeks. Liver histopathology based on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's Trichrome (TC) staining and biochemical analyses were used to assess disease progression. Results In C57BL/6J mice administered a high fat, high cholesterol, high sucrose diet and CCl4 for 8 weeks, steatohepatitis with pronounced hepatocyte ballooning, inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis was observed. According to the NAFLD activity scoring system, the maximum NAS score was manifested after 8-9 weeks (NAS score: 6.75). Following this protocol also led to a significant increase in AST and ALT, total cholesterol, and total triglyceride serum levels in the NASH group. Conclusion Following the special nutritional regime based on high fat, cholesterol, and sucrose in combination with CCL4 injections resulted in a NASH model using C57BL/6J mice in a shorter time compared to similar studies. The obtained histopathological NASH features can be advantageous for preclinical drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahrzad Rahimi
- Department of Genetic, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyyed Abdolhamid Angaji
- Department of Genetic, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran , Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Majd
- Department of Biology, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behzad Hatami
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kaveh Baghaei
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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35
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Delgado ME, Cárdenas BI, Farran N, Fernandez M. Metabolic Reprogramming of Liver Fibrosis. Cells 2021; 10:3604. [PMID: 34944111 PMCID: PMC8700241 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is an excessive and imbalanced deposition of fibrous extracellular matrix (ECM) that is associated with the hepatic wound-healing response. It is also the common mechanism that contributes to the impairment of the liver function that is observed in many chronic liver diseases (CLD). Despite the efforts, no effective therapy against fibrosis exists yet. Worryingly, due to the growing obesity pandemic, fibrosis incidence is on the rise. Here, we aim to summarize the main components and mechanisms involved in the progression of liver fibrosis, with special focus on the metabolic regulation of key effectors of fibrogenesis, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and their role in the disease progression. Hepatic cells that undergo metabolic reprogramming require a tightly controlled, fine-tuned cellular response, allowing them to meet their energetic demands without affecting cellular integrity. Here, we aim to discuss the role of ribonucleic acid (RNA)-binding proteins (RBPs), whose dynamic nature being context- and stimuli-dependent make them very suitable for the fibrotic situation. Thus, we will not only summarize the up-to-date literature on the metabolic regulation of HSCs in liver fibrosis, but also on the RBP-dependent post-transcriptional regulation of this metabolic switch that results in such important consequences for the progression of fibrosis and CLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Eugenia Delgado
- IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (B.I.C.); (N.F.)
| | | | | | - Mercedes Fernandez
- IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (B.I.C.); (N.F.)
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36
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Yang W, He H, Wang T, Su N, Zhang F, Jiang K, Zhu J, Zhang C, Niu K, Wang L, Yuan X, Liu N, Li L, Wei W, Hu J. Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals a Hepatic Stellate Cell-Activation Roadmap and Myofibroblast Origin During Liver Fibrosis in Mice. Hepatology 2021; 74:2774-2790. [PMID: 34089528 PMCID: PMC8597108 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS HSCs and portal fibroblasts (PFs) are the major sources of collagen-producing myofibroblasts during liver fibrosis, depending on different etiologies. However, the mechanisms by which their dynamic gene expression directs the transition from the quiescent to the activated state-as well as their contributions to fibrotic myofibroblasts-remain unclear. Here, we analyze the activation of HSCs and PFs in CCL4 -induced and bile duct ligation-induced fibrosis mouse models, using single-cell RNA sequencing and lineage tracing. APPROACH AND RESULTS We demonstrate that HSCs, rather than PFs, undergo dramatic transcriptomic changes, with the sequential activation of inflammatory, migrative, and extracellular matrix-producing programs. The data also reveal that HSCs are the exclusive source of myofibroblasts in CCL4 -treated liver, while PFs are the major source of myofibroblasts in early cholestatic liver fibrosis. Single-cell and lineage-tracing analysis also uncovers differential gene-expression features between HSCs and PFs; for example, nitric oxide receptor soluble guanylate cyclase is exclusively expressed in HSCs, but not in PFs. The soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator Riociguat potently reduced liver fibrosis in CCL4 -treated livers but showed no therapeutic efficacy in bile duct ligation livers. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a transcriptional roadmap for the activation of HSCs during liver fibrosis and yields comprehensive evidence that the differential transcriptomic features of HSCs and PFs, along with their relative contributions to liver fibrosis of different etiologies, should be considered in developing effective antifibrotic therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu Yang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Hao He
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Tongtong Wang
- Laboratory of Translational Nutritional BiologyDepartment Health Sciences and TechnologySwiss Federal Institute of Technology ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Nan Su
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental BiologyShanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineShanghai JiaoTong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Kai Jiang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Jing Zhu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Chonghe Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Kongyan Niu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Luyue Wang
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina,CAS Key Laboratory of Computational BiologyShanghai Institute of Nutrition and HealthChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Xiaodong Yuan
- Division of Life Sciences and MedicineDepartment of Organ Transplantation CenterTransplant & Immunology Laboratorythe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Nan Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Lingjie Li
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental BiologyShanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineShanghai JiaoTong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Wu Wei
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina,CAS Key Laboratory of Computational BiologyShanghai Institute of Nutrition and HealthChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Junhao Hu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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Wu X, Dong W, Kong M, Ren H, Wang J, Shang L, Zhu Z, Zhu W, Shi X. Down-Regulation of CXXC5 De-Represses MYCL1 to Promote Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:680344. [PMID: 34621736 PMCID: PMC8490686 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.680344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is mediated by myofibroblasts, a specialized cell type involved in wound healing and extracellular matrix production. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are the major source of myofibroblasts in the fibrotic livers. In the present study we investigated the involvement of CXXC-type zinc-finger protein 5 (CXXC5) in HSC activation and the underlying mechanism. Down-regulation of CXXC5 was observed in activated HSCs compared to quiescent HSCs both in vivo and in vitro. In accordance, over-expression of CXXC5 suppressed HSC activation. RNA-seq analysis revealed that CXXC5 influenced multiple signaling pathways to regulate HSC activation. The proto-oncogene MYCL1 was identified as a novel target for CXXC5. CXXC5 bound to the proximal MYCL1 promoter to repress MYCL1 transcription in quiescent HSCs. Loss of CXXC5 expression during HSC activation led to the removal of CpG methylation and acquisition of acetylated histone H3K9/H3K27 on the MYCL1 promoter resulting in MYCL1 trans-activation. Finally, MYCL1 knockdown attenuated HSC activation whereas MYCL1 over-expression partially relieved the blockade of HSC activation by CXXC5. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel transcriptional mechanism contributing to HSC activation and liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Hepatobiliary Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.,Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haozhen Ren
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Hepatobiliary Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Hepatobiliary Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Longcheng Shang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengyi Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaolei Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Hepatobiliary Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Wang ZY, Keogh A, Waldt A, Cuttat R, Neri M, Zhu S, Schuierer S, Ruchti A, Crochemore C, Knehr J, Bastien J, Ksiazek I, Sánchez-Taltavull D, Ge H, Wu J, Roma G, Helliwell SB, Stroka D, Nigsch F. Single-cell and bulk transcriptomics of the liver reveals potential targets of NASH with fibrosis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19396. [PMID: 34588551 PMCID: PMC8481490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98806-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is characterized by the excessive production of collagen and other extracellular matrix (ECM) components and represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Previous studies of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with fibrosis were largely restricted to bulk transcriptome profiles. Thus, our understanding of this disease is limited by an incomplete characterization of liver cell types in general and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in particular, given that activated HSCs are the major hepatic fibrogenic cell population. To help fill this gap, we profiled 17,810 non-parenchymal cells derived from six healthy human livers. In conjunction with public single-cell data of fibrotic/cirrhotic human livers, these profiles enable the identification of potential intercellular signaling axes (e.g., ITGAV-LAMC1, TNFRSF11B-VWF and NOTCH2-DLL4) and master regulators (e.g., RUNX1 and CREB3L1) responsible for the activation of HSCs during fibrogenesis. Bulk RNA-seq data of NASH patient livers and rodent models for liver fibrosis of diverse etiologies allowed us to evaluate the translatability of candidate therapeutic targets for NASH-related fibrosis. We identified 61 liver fibrosis-associated genes (e.g., AEBP1, PRRX1 and LARP6) that may serve as a repertoire of translatable drug target candidates. Consistent with the above regulon results, gene regulatory network analysis allowed the identification of CREB3L1 as a master regulator of many of the 61 genes. Together, this study highlights potential cell-cell interactions and master regulators that underlie HSC activation and reveals genes that may represent prospective hallmark signatures for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Yi Wang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Adrian Keogh
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annick Waldt
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rachel Cuttat
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marilisa Neri
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shanshan Zhu
- China Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Sven Schuierer
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Ruchti
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Judith Knehr
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julie Bastien
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Iwona Ksiazek
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Sánchez-Taltavull
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hui Ge
- China Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jing Wu
- China Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Guglielmo Roma
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephen B Helliwell
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
- Rejuveron Life Sciences AG, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Deborah Stroka
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Florian Nigsch
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
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Chen M, Xie Y, Gong S, Wang Y, Yu H, Zhou T, Huang F, Guo X, Zhang H, Huang R, Han Z, Xing Y, Liu Q, Tong G, Zhou H. Traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Pharmacol Res 2021; 172:105849. [PMID: 34450307 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common chronic liver disease in clinical practice. It has been considered that NASH is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and carcinoma. The mechanism of the NASH progression is complex, including lipid metabolism dysfunction, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Except for lifestyle modification and bariatric surgery, there has been no pharmacological therapy that is being officially approved in NASH treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a conventional and effective therapeutic strategy, has been proved to be beneficial in treating NASH in numbers of studies. In the light of this, TCM may provide a potential therapy for treating NASH. In this review, we summarized the associated mechanisms of action TCM treating NASH in preclinical studies and systematically analysis the effectiveness of TCM treating NASH in current clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingtai Chen
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China; Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Ying Xie
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, PR China
| | - Shenglan Gong
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Yunqiao Wang
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China
| | - Hao Yu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China
| | - Tianran Zhou
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Furong Huang
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Xin Guo
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China
| | - Huanhuan Zhang
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Ruolan Huang
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen University Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Zhiyi Han
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Yufeng Xing
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China; Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Guangdong Tong
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China; Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China.
| | - Hua Zhou
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China; Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China.
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Tripathi DM, Rohilla S, Kaur I, Siddiqui H, Rawal P, Juneja P, Kumar V, Kumari A, Naidu VGM, Ramakrishna S, Banerjee S, Puria R, Sarin SK, Kaur S. Immunonano-Lipocarrier-Mediated Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cell-Specific RUNX1 Inhibition Impedes Immune Cell Infiltration and Hepatic Inflammation in Murine Model of NASH. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168489. [PMID: 34445195 PMCID: PMC8395158 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX1) regulates inflammation in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods: We performed in vivo targeted silencing of the RUNX1 gene in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) by using vegfr3 antibody tagged immunonano-lipocarriers encapsulated RUNX1 siRNA (RUNX1 siRNA) in murine models of methionine choline deficient (MCD) diet-induced NASH. MCD mice given nanolipocarriers-encapsulated negative siRNA were vehicle, and mice with standard diet were controls. Results: Liver RUNX1 expression was increased in the LSECs of MCD mice in comparison to controls. RUNX1 protein expression was decreased by 40% in CD31-positive LSECs of RUNX1 siRNA mice in comparison to vehicle, resulting in the downregulation of adhesion molecules, ICAM1 expression, and VCAM1 expression in LSECs. There was a marked decrease in infiltrated T cells and myeloid cells along with reduced inflammatory cytokines in the liver of RUNX1 siRNA mice as compared to that observed in the vehicle. Conclusions: In vivo LSEC-specific silencing of RUNX1 using immunonano-lipocarriers encapsulated siRNA effectively reduces its expression of adhesion molecules, infiltrate on of immune cells in liver, and inflammation in NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Mani Tripathi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India; (D.M.T.); (I.K.); (H.S.); (P.J.); (A.K.); (S.K.S.)
| | - Sumati Rohilla
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida 201312, India; (S.R.); (P.R.); (R.P.)
| | - Impreet Kaur
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India; (D.M.T.); (I.K.); (H.S.); (P.J.); (A.K.); (S.K.S.)
| | - Hamda Siddiqui
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India; (D.M.T.); (I.K.); (H.S.); (P.J.); (A.K.); (S.K.S.)
| | - Preety Rawal
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida 201312, India; (S.R.); (P.R.); (R.P.)
| | - Pinky Juneja
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India; (D.M.T.); (I.K.); (H.S.); (P.J.); (A.K.); (S.K.S.)
| | - Vikash Kumar
- Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi 110067, India;
| | - Anupama Kumari
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India; (D.M.T.); (I.K.); (H.S.); (P.J.); (A.K.); (S.K.S.)
| | - Vegi Ganga Modi Naidu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati 781122, India; (V.G.M.N.); (S.B.)
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575, Singapore;
| | - Subham Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati 781122, India; (V.G.M.N.); (S.B.)
| | - Rekha Puria
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida 201312, India; (S.R.); (P.R.); (R.P.)
| | - Shiv K. Sarin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India; (D.M.T.); (I.K.); (H.S.); (P.J.); (A.K.); (S.K.S.)
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India
| | - Savneet Kaur
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India; (D.M.T.); (I.K.); (H.S.); (P.J.); (A.K.); (S.K.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Loomba R, Friedman SL, Shulman GI. Mechanisms and disease consequences of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Cell 2021; 184:2537-2564. [PMID: 33989548 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 825] [Impact Index Per Article: 275.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading chronic liver disease worldwide. Its more advanced subtype, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), connotes progressive liver injury that can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Here we provide an in-depth discussion of the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms that lead to progressive liver injury, including the metabolic origins of NAFLD, the effect of NAFLD on hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism, bile acid toxicity, macrophage dysfunction, and hepatic stellate cell activation, and consider the role of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors that promote fibrosis progression and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Loomba
- NAFLD Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
| | - Gerald I Shulman
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Yale Diabetes Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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42
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Khanam A, Saleeb PG, Kottilil S. Pathophysiology and Treatment Options for Hepatic Fibrosis: Can It Be Completely Cured? Cells 2021; 10:cells10051097. [PMID: 34064375 PMCID: PMC8147843 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a dynamic process that occurs as a wound healing response against liver injury. During fibrosis, crosstalk between parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells, activation of different immune cells and signaling pathways, as well as a release of several inflammatory mediators take place, resulting in inflammation. Excessive inflammation drives hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, which then encounters various morphological and functional changes before transforming into proliferative and extracellular matrix (ECM)-producing myofibroblasts. Finally, enormous ECM accumulation interferes with hepatic function and leads to liver failure. To overcome this condition, several therapeutic approaches have been developed to inhibit inflammatory responses, HSC proliferation and activation. Preclinical studies also suggest several targets for the development of anti-fibrotic therapies; however, very few advanced to clinical trials. The pathophysiology of hepatic fibrosis is extremely complex and requires comprehensive understanding to identify effective therapeutic targets; therefore, in this review, we focus on the various cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with the pathophysiology of hepatic fibrosis and discuss potential strategies to control or reverse the fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshi Khanam
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Paul G. Saleeb
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Shyam Kottilil
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-410-706-4872
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Mills EL, Harmon C, Jedrychowski MP, Xiao H, Garrity R, Tran NV, Bradshaw GA, Fu A, Szpyt J, Reddy A, Prendeville H, Danial NN, Gygi SP, Lynch L, Chouchani ET. UCP1 governs liver extracellular succinate and inflammatory pathogenesis. Nat Metab 2021; 3:604-617. [PMID: 34002097 PMCID: PMC8207988 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-021-00389-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most prevalent liver pathology worldwide, is intimately linked with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Liver inflammation is a hallmark of NAFLD and is thought to contribute to tissue fibrosis and disease pathogenesis. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is exclusively expressed in brown and beige adipocytes, and has been extensively studied for its capacity to elevate thermogenesis and reverse obesity. Here we identify an endocrine pathway regulated by UCP1 that antagonizes liver inflammation and pathology, independent of effects on obesity. We show that, without UCP1, brown and beige fat exhibit a diminished capacity to clear succinate from the circulation. Moreover, UCP1KO mice exhibit elevated extracellular succinate in liver tissue that drives inflammation through ligation of its cognate receptor succinate receptor 1 (SUCNR1) in liver-resident stellate cell and macrophage populations. Conversely, increasing brown and beige adipocyte content in mice antagonizes SUCNR1-dependent inflammatory signalling in the liver. We show that this UCP1-succinate-SUCNR1 axis is necessary to regulate liver immune cell infiltration and pathology, and systemic glucose intolerance in an obesogenic environment. As such, the therapeutic use of brown and beige adipocytes and UCP1 extends beyond thermogenesis and may be leveraged to antagonize NAFLD and SUCNR1-dependent liver inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evanna L Mills
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cathal Harmon
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Mark P Jedrychowski
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Haopeng Xiao
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ryan Garrity
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nhien V Tran
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gary A Bradshaw
- Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Accalia Fu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John Szpyt
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anita Reddy
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hannah Prendeville
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nika N Danial
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lydia Lynch
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Edward T Chouchani
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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44
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Moore MP, Cunningham RP, Davis RAH, Deemer SE, Roberts BM, Plaisance EP, Rector RS. A dietary ketone ester mitigates histological outcomes of NAFLD and markers of fibrosis in high-fat diet fed mice. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G564-G572. [PMID: 33501889 PMCID: PMC8238172 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00259.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Nutritional ketosis as a therapeutic tool has been extended to the treatment of metabolic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of this study was to determine whether dietary administration of the ketone ester (KE) R,S-1,3-butanediol diacetoacetate (BD-AcAc2) attenuates markers of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and hepatic fibrosis in the context of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were placed on a 10-wk ad libitum HFD (45% fat, 32% carbohydrates, 23% proteins). Mice were then randomized to one of three groups (n = 10 per group) for an additional 12 wk: 1) control (CON), continuous HFD; 2) pair-fed (PF) to KE, and 3) KE (HFD + 30% energy from BD-AcAc2, KE). KE feeding significantly reduced histological steatosis, inflammation, and total NAFLD activity score versus CON, beyond improvements observed for calorie restriction alone (PF). Dietary KE supplementation also reduced the protein content and gene expression of profibrotic markers (α-SMA, COL1A1, PDGF-β, MMP9) versus CON (P < 0.05), beyond reductions observed for PF versus CON. Furthermore, KE feeding increased hepatic markers of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages (CD163) and also reduced proinflammatory markers [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and cellular communication network factor 1 (CCN1)] versus CON and PF (P ≤ 0.05), in the absence of changes in markers of total hepatic macrophage content (F4/80 and CD68; P > 0.05). These data highlight that the dietary ketone ester BD-AcAc2 ameliorates histological NAFLD and inflammation and reduces profibrotic and proinflammatory markers. Future studies to further explore potential mechanisms are warranted.NEW & NOTEWORTHY To our knowledge, this is the first study focusing on hepatic outcomes in response to dietary ketone ester feeding in male mice with HFD-induced NAFLD. Novel findings include that dietary ketone ester feeding ameliorates NAFLD outcomes via reductions in histological steatosis and inflammation. These improvements were beyond those observed for caloric restriction alone. Furthermore, dietary ketone ester feeding was associated with greater reductions in markers of hepatic fibrogenesis and inflammation compared with control and calorie-restricted mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary P Moore
- Research Service, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Medical Center, Columbia, Missouri
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Rory P Cunningham
- Research Service, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Medical Center, Columbia, Missouri
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Rachel A H Davis
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Sarah E Deemer
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Brandon M Roberts
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Eric P Plaisance
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Department of Human Studies, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - R Scott Rector
- Research Service, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Medical Center, Columbia, Missouri
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
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45
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Sánchez V, Brandt A, Jin CJ, Rajcic D, Engstler AJ, Jung F, Nier A, Baumann A, Bergheim I. Fortifying Butterfat with Soybean Oil Attenuates the Onset of Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and Glucose Intolerance. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13030959. [PMID: 33809593 PMCID: PMC8001628 DOI: 10.3390/nu13030959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The addition of plant oils such as soybean oil (S) to a diet rich in saturated fatty acids is discussed as a possible route to prevent or diminish the development of metabolic disease. Here, we assessed whether a butterfat-rich diet fortified with S affects the development of early non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and glucose intolerance. Female C57BL/6J mice were fed a standard-control diet (C); a fat-, fructose-, and cholesterol-rich diet (FFC, 25E% butterfat, 50% (wt./wt.) fructose, 0.16% (wt./wt.) cholesterol); or FFC supplemented with S (FFC + S, 21E% butterfat + 4E% S) for 13 weeks. Indicators of liver damage, inflammation, intestinal barrier function, and glucose metabolism were measured. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged J774A.1 cells were incubated with linolenic and linoleic acids (ratio 1:7.1, equivalent to S). The development of early NASH and glucose intolerance was significantly attenuated in FFC + S–fed mice compared to FFC-fed mice associated with lower hepatic toll-like receptor-4 mRNA expression, while markers of intestinal barrier function were significantly higher than in C-fed mice. Linolenic and linoleic acid significantly attenuated LPS-induced formation of reactive nitrogen species and interleukin-1 beta mRNA expression in J774A.1 cells. Our results indicate that fortifying butterfat with S may attenuate the development of NASH and glucose intolerance in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Sánchez
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, R.F. Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14/UZAII, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.S.); (A.B.); (D.R.); (A.J.E.); (F.J.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
| | - Annette Brandt
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, R.F. Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14/UZAII, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.S.); (A.B.); (D.R.); (A.J.E.); (F.J.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
| | - Cheng Jun Jin
- Institute of Nutrition, SD Model Systems of Molecular Nutrition, Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena, Dornburger Straße 25-29, 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Dragana Rajcic
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, R.F. Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14/UZAII, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.S.); (A.B.); (D.R.); (A.J.E.); (F.J.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
| | - Anna Janina Engstler
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, R.F. Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14/UZAII, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.S.); (A.B.); (D.R.); (A.J.E.); (F.J.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
| | - Finn Jung
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, R.F. Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14/UZAII, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.S.); (A.B.); (D.R.); (A.J.E.); (F.J.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
| | - Anika Nier
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, R.F. Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14/UZAII, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.S.); (A.B.); (D.R.); (A.J.E.); (F.J.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
| | - Anja Baumann
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, R.F. Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14/UZAII, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.S.); (A.B.); (D.R.); (A.J.E.); (F.J.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
| | - Ina Bergheim
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, R.F. Molecular Nutritional Science, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14/UZAII, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.S.); (A.B.); (D.R.); (A.J.E.); (F.J.); (A.N.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-(1)-4277-54981; Fax: +43-1-4277-95-49
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46
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Kuang M, Wu H, Hu L, Guo X, He D, Liu B, Chen M, Gu J, Gu J, Zeng X, Ruan Y. Up-regulation of FUT8 inhibits TGF-β1-induced activation of hepatic stellate cells during liver fibrogenesis. Glycoconj J 2021; 38:77-87. [PMID: 33608773 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-021-09975-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a continuous wound healing response caused by chronic liver injury, and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is considered as the main event for it. Core fucosylation catalyzed by FUT8 refers to adding the fucosyl moiety to the innermost GlcNAc residue of N-linked oligosaccharides and is involved in many biological processes such as cell differentiation, migration, and signaling transduction. Aberrant core fucosylation is associated with a variety of diseases including cardiovascular disease, tumors and neuroinflammation, but much less is understood in liver fibrosis. Herein, we reported FUT8 mRNA level was increased in patients with liver fibrosis from GEO database and positively correlated with fibrosis progression. FUT8 expression and the core fucosylation were also elevated in TAA-induced mouse liver fibrosis model, and were mainly distributed in the fibrous septum of mouse liver. TGF-β1, as the most pro-fibrogenic cytokine, could promote the expression of FUT8 and total core fucosylation levels in HSCs in vitro. However, up-regulation of FUT8 in turn inhibited TGF-β1-induced trans-differentiation, migration and pro-fibrogenic signaling pathways in HSCs. In conclusion, our results suggest that the up-regulation of FUT8 inhibits TGF-β1-induced HSC activation in a negative feedback loop, and provide potential new therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis by targeting FUT8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengzhen Kuang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Lan Hu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinying Guo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Daochuan He
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengqian Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Gu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianxin Gu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqing Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuanyuan Ruan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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47
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Nardo AD, Schneeweiss‐Gleixner M, Bakail M, Dixon ED, Lax SF, Trauner M. Pathophysiological mechanisms of liver injury in COVID-19. Liver Int 2021; 41:20-32. [PMID: 33190346 PMCID: PMC7753756 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a world-wide pandemic. Disseminated lung injury with the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the main cause of mortality in COVID-19. Although liver failure does not seem to occur in the absence of pre-existing liver disease, hepatic involvement in COVID-19 may correlate with overall disease severity and serve as a prognostic factor for the development of ARDS. The spectrum of liver injury in COVID-19 may range from direct infection by SARS-CoV-2, indirect involvement by systemic inflammation, hypoxic changes, iatrogenic causes such as drugs and ventilation to exacerbation of underlying liver disease. This concise review discusses the potential pathophysiological mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2 hepatic tropism as well as acute and possibly long-term liver injury in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D. Nardo
- Hans Popper Laboratory of Molecular HepatologyDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Internal Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Mathias Schneeweiss‐Gleixner
- Medical Intensive Care Unit 13H1. Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Internal Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - May Bakail
- Campus ITInstitute of Science and Technology AustriaKlosterneuburgAustria
| | - Emmanuel D. Dixon
- Hans Popper Laboratory of Molecular HepatologyDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Internal Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Sigurd F. Lax
- Department of PathologyHospital Graz IIAcademic Teaching Hospital of the Medical University of GrazGrazAustria
- School of MedicineJohannes Kepler UniversityLinzAustria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Hans Popper Laboratory of Molecular HepatologyDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Internal Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Medical Intensive Care Unit 13H1. Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Internal Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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48
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Al-Baiaty FDR, Ismail A, Abdul Latiff Z, Muhammad Nawawi KN, Raja Ali RA, Mokhtar NM. Possible Hepatoprotective Effect of Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction Vitamin E in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children and Adolescents. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:667247. [PMID: 34307250 PMCID: PMC8295474 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.667247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity has become a worldwide health concern among the pediatric population. The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is growing rapidly, alongside the high prevalence of obesity. NAFLD refers to a multifactorial disorder that includes simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with or devoid of fibrosis. NAFLD is regarded as a systemic disorder that influences glucose, lipid, and energy metabolism with hepatic manifestations. A sedentary lifestyle and poor choice of food remain the major contributors to the disease. Prompt and timely diagnosis of NAFLD among overweight children is crucial to prevent the progression of the condition. Yet, there has been no approved pharmacological treatment for NAFLD in adults or children. As indicated by clinical evidence, lifestyle modification plays a vital role as a primary form of therapy for managing and treating NAFLD. Emphasis is on the significance of caloric restriction, particularly macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) in altering the disease consequences. A growing number of studies are now focusing on establishing a link between vitamins and NAFLD. Different types of vitamin supplements have been shown to be effective in treating NAFLD. In this review, we elaborate on the potential role of vitamin E with a high content of tocotrienol as a therapeutic alternative in treating NAFLD in obese children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah D R Al-Baiaty
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Aziana Ismail
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zarina Abdul Latiff
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Khairul Najmi Muhammad Nawawi
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,GUT Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Raja Affendi Raja Ali
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,GUT Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Norfilza Mohd Mokhtar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,GUT Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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49
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Terkelsen MK, Bendixen SM, Hansen D, Scott EA, Moeller AF, Nielsen R, Mandrup S, Schlosser A, Andersen TL, Sorensen GL, Krag A, Natarajan KN, Detlefsen S, Dimke H, Ravnskjaer K. Transcriptional Dynamics of Hepatic Sinusoid-Associated Cells After Liver Injury. Hepatology 2020; 72:2119-2133. [PMID: 32145072 PMCID: PMC7820956 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatic sinusoidal cells are known actors in the fibrogenic response to injury. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and Kupffer cells are responsible for sinusoidal capillarization and perisinusoidal matrix deposition, impairing vascular exchange and heightening the risk of advanced fibrosis. While the overall pathogenesis is well understood, functional relations between cellular transitions during fibrogenesis are only beginning to be resolved. At single-cell resolution, we here explored the heterogeneity of individual cell types and dissected their transitions and crosstalk during fibrogenesis. APPROACH AND RESULTS We applied single-cell transcriptomics to map the heterogeneity of sinusoid-associated cells in healthy and injured livers and reconstructed the single-lineage HSC trajectory from pericyte to myofibroblast. Stratifying each sinusoidal cell population by activation state, we projected shifts in sinusoidal communication upon injury. Weighted gene correlation network analysis of the HSC trajectory led to the identification of core genes whose expression proved highly predictive of advanced fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Among the core members of the injury-repressed gene module, we identified plasmalemma vesicle-associated protein (PLVAP) as a protein amply expressed by mouse and human HSCs. PLVAP expression was suppressed in activated HSCs upon injury and may hence define hitherto unknown roles for HSCs in the regulation of microcirculatory exchange and its breakdown in chronic liver disease. CONCLUSIONS Our study offers a single-cell resolved account of drug-induced injury of the mammalian liver and identifies key genes that may serve important roles in sinusoidal integrity and as markers of advanced fibrosis in human NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike K. Terkelsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS)University of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Sofie M. Bendixen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS)University of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Daniel Hansen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Emma A.H. Scott
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Andreas F. Moeller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Ronni Nielsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS)University of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Susanne Mandrup
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS)University of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Anders Schlosser
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense CDenmark
| | - Thomas L. Andersen
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense CDenmark,Department of Clinical ResearchUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense CDenmark,Department of PathologyOdense University HospitalOdense CDenmark
| | - Grith L. Sorensen
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense CDenmark
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS)University of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Department of Clinical ResearchUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense CDenmark,Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOdense University HospitalOdense CDenmark,Department of NephrologyOdense University HospitalOdense CDenmark
| | - Kedar N. Natarajan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Danish Institute for Advanced StudyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Sönke Detlefsen
- Department of PathologyOdense University HospitalOdense CDenmark
| | - Henrik Dimke
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense CDenmark,Department of NephrologyOdense University HospitalOdense CDenmark
| | - Kim Ravnskjaer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS)University of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
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Nardo AD, Schneeweiss-Gleixner M, Bakail M, Dixon ED, Lax SF, Trauner M. Pathophysiological mechanisms of liver injury in COVID-19. LIVER INTERNATIONAL : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF THE LIVER 2020. [PMID: 33190346 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14730.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a world-wide pandemic. Disseminated lung injury with the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the main cause of mortality in COVID-19. Although liver failure does not seem to occur in the absence of pre-existing liver disease, hepatic involvement in COVID-19 may correlate with overall disease severity and serve as a prognostic factor for the development of ARDS. The spectrum of liver injury in COVID-19 may range from direct infection by SARS-CoV-2, indirect involvement by systemic inflammation, hypoxic changes, iatrogenic causes such as drugs and ventilation to exacerbation of underlying liver disease. This concise review discusses the potential pathophysiological mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2 hepatic tropism as well as acute and possibly long-term liver injury in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D Nardo
- Hans Popper Laboratory of Molecular Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Schneeweiss-Gleixner
- Medical Intensive Care Unit 13H1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - May Bakail
- Campus IT, Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Emmanuel D Dixon
- Hans Popper Laboratory of Molecular Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sigurd F Lax
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Graz II, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,School of Medicine, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Hans Popper Laboratory of Molecular Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Medical Intensive Care Unit 13H1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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