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Sun YD, Zhang H, Li YM, Han JJ. Abnormal metabolism in hepatic stellate cells: Pandora's box of MAFLD related hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189086. [PMID: 38342420 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189086] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a significant risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), as key mediators in liver injury response, are believed to play a crucial role in the repair process of liver injury. However, in MAFLD patients, the normal metabolic and immunoregulatory mechanisms of HSCs become disrupted, leading to disturbances in the local microenvironment. Abnormally activated HSCs are heavily involved in the initiation and progression of HCC. The metabolic disorders and abnormal activation of HSCs not only initiate liver fibrosis but also contribute to carcinogenesis. In this review, we provide an overview of recent research progress on the relationship between the abnormal metabolism of HSCs and the local immune system in the liver, elucidating the mechanisms of immune imbalance caused by abnormally activated HSCs in MAFLD patients. Based on this understanding, we discuss the potential and challenges of metabolic-based and immunology-based mechanisms in the treatment of MAFLD-related HCC, with a specific focus on the role of HSCs in HCC progression and their potential as targets for anti-cancer therapy. This review aims to enhance researchers' understanding of the importance of HSCs in maintaining normal liver function and highlights the significance of HSCs in the progression of MAFLD-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Dong Sun
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Yuan-Min Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China
| | - Jian-Jun Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China.
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Trogisch FA, Abouissa A, Keles M, Birke A, Fuhrmann M, Dittrich GM, Weinzierl N, Wink E, Cordero J, Elsherbiny A, Martin-Garrido A, Grein S, Hemanna S, Hofmann E, Nicin L, Bibli SI, Airik R, Kispert A, Kist R, Quanchao S, Kürschner SW, Winkler M, Gretz N, Mogler C, Korff T, Koch PS, Dimmeler S, Dobreva G, Heineke J. Endothelial cells drive organ fibrosis in mice by inducing expression of the transcription factor SOX9. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eabq4581. [PMID: 38416842 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abq4581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a hallmark of chronic disease. Although fibroblasts are involved, it is unclear to what extent endothelial cells also might contribute. We detected increased expression of the transcription factor Sox9 in endothelial cells in several different mouse fibrosis models. These models included systolic heart failure induced by pressure overload, diastolic heart failure induced by high-fat diet and nitric oxide synthase inhibition, pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin treatment, and liver fibrosis due to a choline-deficient diet. We also observed up-regulation of endothelial SOX9 in cardiac tissue from patients with heart failure. To test whether SOX9 induction was sufficient to cause disease, we generated mice with endothelial cell-specific overexpression of Sox9, which promoted fibrosis in multiple organs and resulted in signs of heart failure. Endothelial Sox9 deletion prevented fibrosis and organ dysfunction in the two mouse models of heart failure as well as in the lung and liver fibrosis mouse models. Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing of mouse endothelial cells across multiple vascular beds revealed that SOX9 induced extracellular matrix, growth factor, and inflammatory gene expression, leading to matrix deposition by endothelial cells. Moreover, mouse endothelial cells activated neighboring fibroblasts that then migrated and deposited matrix in response to SOX9, a process partly mediated by the secreted growth factor CCN2, a direct SOX9 target; endothelial cell-specific Sox9 deletion reversed these changes. These findings suggest a role for endothelial SOX9 as a fibrosis-promoting factor in different mouse organs during disease and imply that endothelial cells are an important regulator of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix A Trogisch
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- CFPM (Core Facility Platform Mannheim), Cardiac Imaging Center, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Aya Abouissa
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- CFPM (Core Facility Platform Mannheim), Cardiac Imaging Center, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Merve Keles
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- CFPM (Core Facility Platform Mannheim), Cardiac Imaging Center, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anne Birke
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Manuela Fuhrmann
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Gesine M Dittrich
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nina Weinzierl
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Elvira Wink
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Julio Cordero
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- ECAS, Department of Cardiovascular Genomics and Epigenomics, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Adel Elsherbiny
- ECAS, Department of Cardiovascular Genomics and Epigenomics, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Abel Martin-Garrido
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Steve Grein
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Shruthi Hemanna
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ellen Hofmann
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Luka Nicin
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- DZHK, partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sofia-Iris Bibli
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- DZHK, partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Vascular Signaling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Rannar Airik
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas Kispert
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ralf Kist
- School of Dental Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW, UK
| | - Sun Quanchao
- Medical Research Center, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sina W Kürschner
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, and Center of Excellence in Dermatology, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- ECAS, Adjunct Faculty, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Manuel Winkler
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, and Center of Excellence in Dermatology, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- ECAS, Adjunct Faculty, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Norbert Gretz
- Medical Research Center, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Carolin Mogler
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Korff
- ECAS, Adjunct Faculty, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp-Sebastian Koch
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, and Center of Excellence in Dermatology, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- ECAS, Adjunct Faculty, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- DZHK, partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Gergana Dobreva
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- ECAS, Department of Cardiovascular Genomics and Epigenomics, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Joerg Heineke
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- CFPM (Core Facility Platform Mannheim), Cardiac Imaging Center, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
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王 磊, 金 香, 董 慧, 欧 国, 赖 鑫, 庄 辉, 李 彤, 向 宽. [Establishment of a reporter system for estimating activation of human hepatic stellate cells based on COL1A1 promoter and enhanced green fluorescent protein]. BEIJING DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF PEKING UNIVERSITY. HEALTH SCIENCES 2023; 55:876-885. [PMID: 37807743 PMCID: PMC10560908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To establish a visual reporting system for evaluating the activity of collagen Ⅰ α 1 chain (COL1A1) gene promoter in immortalized human hepatic stellate cells, so as to estimate the activation status of the cells and provide a new cell model for the screening and study of anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs. METHODS The promoter sequence of human COL1A1 was amplified from the genomic DNA of human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2. Based on the pLVX-AcGFP1-N1 plasmid, the recombinant plasmid pLVX-COL1A1-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was constructed, in which the enhanced green fluorescent protein gene expression was regulated by the COL1A1 promoter. The monoclonal cell line was acquired by stably transfecting pLVX-COL1A1-EGFP into the immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 by the lentivirus packaging system and screening. The cell line was treated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) or co-treated with TGF-β1 and drugs with potential anti-hepatic fibrosis effects. The EGFP fluorescence intensity in cells was analyzed by the fluorescence microscope and ImageJ 1.49 software using a semi-quantitative method. The COL1A1 and EGFP mRNA were detected by reverse transcription real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and corresponding proteins were detected by Western blot. RESULTS The recombinant plasmid pLVX-COL1A1-EGFP with the expression of EGFP regulated by COL1A1 promoter was successfully constructed. Kozak sequence was added to enhance the expression of EGFP, which was identified by double digestion and sequencing. The LX-2 monoclonal cell line LX-2-CE stably transfected with pLVX-COL1A1-EGFP was obtained. After co-treatment with TGF-β1 and 5 μmol/L dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ with potential anti-hepatic fibrosis effect for 24 h, the total fluorescence intensity and the average fluorescence intensity of LX-2-CE were lower than those in TGF-β1 single treatment group (P < 0.05), the intracellular mRNA and protein levels of COL1A1 and EGFP were also lower than those in the TGF-β1 single treatment group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION A reporter system for estimating activation of hepatic stellate cells based on COL1A1 promoter regulated EGFP expression is successfully constructed, which could visually report the changes in COL1A1 expression, one of the activation-related markers of hepatic stellate cells, in vitro. It provides a new cell model for the screening and study of anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- 磊 王
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 香淑 金
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 慧君 董
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 国敏 欧
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 鑫源 赖
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 辉 庄
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 彤 李
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 宽辉 向
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
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Zheng Y, Xie L, Yang D, Luo K, Li X. Small-molecule natural plants for reversing liver fibrosis based on modulation of hepatic stellate cells activation: An update. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 113:154721. [PMID: 36870824 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis (LF) is a trauma repair process carried out by the liver in response to various acute and chronic liver injuries. Its primary pathological characteristics are excessive proliferation and improper dismissal of the extracellular matrix, and if left untreated, it will progress into cirrhosis, liver cancer, and other diseases. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation is intimately associated to the onset of LF, and it is anticipated that addressing HSCs proliferation can reverse LF. Plant-based small-molecule medications have anti-LF properties, and their mechanisms of action involve suppression of extracellular matrix abnormally accumulating as well as anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress. New targeting HSC agents will therefore be needed to provide a potential curative response. PURPOSE The most recent HSC routes and small molecule natural plants that target HSC described domestically and internationally in recent years were examined in this review. METHODS The data was looked up using resources including ScienceDirect, CNKI, Web of Science, and PubMed. Keyword searches for information on hepatic stellate cells included "liver fibrosis", "natural plant", "hepatic stellate cells", "adverse reaction", "toxicity", etc. RESULTS: We discovered that plant monomers can target and control various pathways to prevent the activation and proliferation of HSC and promote the apoptosis of HSC in order to achieve the anti-LF effect in this work by compiling the plant monomers that influence many common pathways of HSC in recent years. It demonstrates the wide-ranging potential of plant monomers targeting different routes to combat LF, with a view to supplying new concepts and new strategies for natural plant therapy of LF as well as research and development of novel pharmaceuticals. The investigation of kaempferol, physalin B, and other plant monomers additionally motivated researchers to focus on the structure-activity link between the main chemicals and LF. CONCLUSION The creation of novel pharmaceuticals can benefit greatly from the use of natural components. They are often harmless for people, non-target creatures, and the environment because they are found in nature, and they can be employed as the starting chemicals for the creation of novel medications. Natural plants are valuable resources for creating new medications with fresh action targets because they feature original and distinctive action mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Long Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Dejun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Kaipei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
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Chen M, Li L, Chai Y, Yang Y, Ma S, Pu X, Chen Y. Vitamin D can ameliorate premature ovarian failure by inhibiting neutrophil extracellular traps: A review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e33417. [PMID: 37000081 PMCID: PMC10063315 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000033417] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiology of premature ovarian failure (POF) is mainly related to inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, and tumor radiotherapy and chemotherapy; however, its specific pathogenesis has not been clarified. Vitamin D (VD), a fat-soluble vitamin, is an essential steroid hormone in the human body. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are meshwork structures that are formed when neutrophils are stimulated by inflammation and other factors and are closely associated with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Notably, VD inhibits NET formation and intervenes in the development of POF in terms of inflammatory and immune responses, oxidative stress, and tissue fibrosis. Therefore, this study aimed to theorize the relationship between NETs, VD, and POF and provide new ideas and targets for the pathogenesis and clinical treatment of POF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglu Chen
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Lailai Li
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Yihui Chai
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Yuqi Yang
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Sibu Ma
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Xiang Pu
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Yunzhi Chen
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China
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Trampuž SR, van Riet S, Nordling Å, Ingelman-Sundberg M. The Role of CTGF in Liver Fibrosis Induced in 3D Human Liver Spheroids. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020302. [PMID: 36672237 PMCID: PMC9857203 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) production. Elevated levels of CTGF can be found in plasma from patients with liver fibrosis and in experimental animal models of liver fibrosis, but the exact role of CTGF in, e.g., diet-induced human liver fibrosis is not entirely known. To address this question, we utilized a 3D human liver co-culture spheroid model composed of hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells, in which fibrosis is induced by TGF-β1, CTGF or free fatty acids (FFA). Treatment of the spheroids with TGF-β1 or FFA increased COL1A1 deposition as well as the expression of TGF-β1 and CTGF. Recombinant CTGF, as well as angiotensin II, caused increased expression and/or production of CTGF, TGF-β1, COL1A1, LOX, and IL-6. In addition, silencing of CTGF reduced both TGF-β1- and FFA-induced COL1A1 deposition. Furthermore, we found that IL-6 induced CTGF, COL1A1 and TGF-β1 production, suggesting that IL-6 is a mediator in the pathway of CTGF-induced fibrosis. Taken together, our data indicate a specific role for CTGF and CTGF downstream signaling pathways for the development of liver inflammation and fibrosis in the human 3D liver spheroid model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Redenšek Trampuž
- Section of Pharmacogenetics, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sander van Riet
- Section of Pharmacogenetics, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Åsa Nordling
- Section of Pharmacogenetics, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Ingelman-Sundberg
- Section of Pharmacogenetics, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence:
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He H, Xu B, Ge P, Gao Y, Wei M, Li T, Zhang R, Li B, Cao H, Zhang K. The effects of taraxasterol on liver fibrosis revealed by RNA sequencing. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 114:109481. [PMID: 36470119 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109481] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Effective treatment of liver fibrosis remains a challenging medical problem. Taraxasterol (TAR) has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and hepatoprotective effects. Studies have shown that TAR has good biological activity against liver injury induced by various factors. However, the anti-fibrotic effect of TAR and its mechanism are never clarified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of TAR in liver fibrosis and to reveal its possible mechanism by RNA sequencing. Our results suggested that TAR attenuated CCl4-induced hepatocyte necrosis, inflammatory infiltration and ECM deposition. TAR inhibited the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, LN, HA, PC III and IV-C in serum and TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and MDA in liver. In addition, TAR increased the activities of SOD and GSH-Px in liver. RNA sequencing analysis of liver tissues revealed that CCl4 and TAR significantly altered 4,155 genes and 2,675 genes, respectively. TAR reversed changes in ECM-related genes. More specifically, TAR mediated the expression of genes related to the activation of the Hippo pathway, while inhibiting the expression of genes related to the activation of HIF-1α, TGF-β/Smad, and Wnt pathways. In the validation experiments, the qRT-PCR results showed that the expression levels of Yap1, Tead3, Hif1α, Vegfa, Tgfβ1, Want3a, and Ctnnb1 mRNA were consistent with the RNA sequencing results. The Western blot results showed that TAR inhibited the levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad2. In addition, the results in vitro were consistent with those in vivo. Therefore, we concluded that TAR improved CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by regulating Hippo, HIF-1α, TGF-β/Smad and Wnt pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan He
- Pharmacology Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence of Disease, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China
| | - Baoling Xu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541104, China
| | - Pengfei Ge
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541104, China
| | - Ya Gao
- Pharmacology Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence of Disease, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China
| | - Min Wei
- Pharmacology Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence of Disease, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China
| | - Ting Li
- Pharmacology Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence of Disease, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China
| | - Ruobing Zhang
- Pharmacology Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence of Disease, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China
| | - Bo Li
- Pharmacology Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence of Disease, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China
| | - Houkang Cao
- Pharmacology Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence of Disease, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China
| | - Kefeng Zhang
- Pharmacology Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence of Disease, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541104, Guangxi, China.
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Liu Q, van der Stel W, van der Noord VE, Leegwater H, Coban B, Elbertse K, Pruijs JTM, Béquignon OJM, van Westen G, Dévédec SEL, Danen EHJ. Hypoxia Triggers TAZ Phosphorylation in Basal A Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710119. [PMID: 36077517 PMCID: PMC9456181 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710119] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia and HIF signaling drive cancer progression and therapy resistance and have been demonstrated in breast cancer. To what extent breast cancer subtypes differ in their response to hypoxia has not been resolved. Here, we show that hypoxia similarly triggers HIF1 stabilization in luminal and basal A triple negative breast cancer cells and we use high throughput targeted RNA sequencing to analyze its effects on gene expression in these subtypes. We focus on regulation of YAP/TAZ/TEAD targets and find overlapping as well as distinct target genes being modulated in luminal and basal A cells under hypoxia. We reveal a HIF1 mediated, basal A specific response to hypoxia by which TAZ, but not YAP, is phosphorylated at Ser89. While total YAP/TAZ localization is not affected by hypoxia, hypoxia drives a shift of [p-TAZ(Ser89)/p-YAP(Ser127)] from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in basal A but not luminal breast cancer cells. Cell fractionation and YAP knock-out experiments confirm cytoplasmic sequestration of TAZ(Ser89) in hypoxic basal A cells. Pharmacological and genetic interference experiments identify c-Src and CDK3 as kinases involved in such phosphorylation of TAZ at Ser89 in hypoxic basal A cells. Hypoxia attenuates growth of basal A cells and the effect of verteporfin, a disruptor of YAP/TAZ-TEAD–mediated transcription, is diminished under those conditions, while expression of a TAZ-S89A mutant does not confer basal A cells with a growth advantage under hypoxic conditions, indicating that other hypoxia regulated pathways suppressing cell growth are dominant.
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9
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Liu Z, Fu J, Yuan H, Ma B, Cao Z, Chen Y, Xing C, Niu X, Li N, Wang H, An H. Polyisocyanide hydrogels with tunable nonlinear elasticity mediate liver carcinoma cell functional response. Acta Biomater 2022; 148:152-162. [PMID: 35718101 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.06.022] [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: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma development is closely related to the changes in tissue mechanics induced by excess collagen deposition and crosslinking, which leads to liver fibrosis and malignant progression. The role of matrix stiffness has been widely assessed using various linearly elastic materials. However, the liver, like many soft tissues, also exhibits nonlinear elasticity by strain-stiffening, allowing cells to mechanically interact with their micromilieus which has attracted much attention in cellular processes recently. Here, we use a biomimetic hydrogel grafting of GRGDS peptide with tunable nonlinear mechanical properties, polyisocyanides (PIC), to investigate the influence of strain-stiffening on HepG2 liver cancer cell behavior by tuning PIC polymer length. Compared to short PIC polymer with lower critical stress, PIC hydrogels composed of long polymer with higher critical stress promote the motility and invasiveness of HepG2 cells, and induce more actin stress fibers and higher expression level of mechanotransducer YAP and its nuclear translocation. Strikingly, the expression of calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1, an important biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma, is also affected by the mechanical property of PIC hydrogels. It was also shown that downregulating the KCa3.1 channel can be achieved by inhibiting the formation of actin fibers. Our findings imply that the strain-stiffening property of PIC hydrogels affects the expression of KCa3.1 potassium channel via mediating cytoskeletal stress fiber formation, and ultimately influences the liver carcinoma cell functional response. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The effect of nonlinear elasticity by strain-stiffening, is assessed in HepG2 liver cancer cell behavior by using a biomimetic hydrogel with tunable mechanical properties, polyisocyanides (PIC). PIC gels with higher critical stress promote the motility and invasiveness of HepG2 cells and induce upregulated expression levels of KCa3.1 potassium channel and YAP, but which can be suppressed by inhibiting the formation of actin fibers. Our findings imply that the strain-stiffening property of PIC gels influences the expression of KCa3.1 potassium channel via mediating cytoskeletal stress fiber formation and, ultimately affects the liver carcinoma cell functional response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Jingxuan Fu
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China; College of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China; School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, GuangRong Dao 8, Hongqiao District, Tianjin 300130, PR China
| | - Hongbo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China; Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
| | - Biao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Zhanshuo Cao
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Yafei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Chengfen Xing
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Xuezhi Niu
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China; College of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China.
| | - Hailong An
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China.
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10
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Xiang X, Ohshiro K, Zaidi S, Yang X, Bhowmick K, Vegesna AK, Bernstein D, Crawford JM, Mishra B, Latham PS, Gough NR, Rao S, Mishra L. Impaired reciprocal regulation between SIRT6 and TGF-β signaling in fatty liver. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22335. [PMID: 35506565 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101518r] [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: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulated transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling contributes to fibrotic liver disease and hepatocellular cancer (HCC), both of which are associated with fatty liver disease. SIRT6 limits fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β signaling through deacetylating SMAD2 and SMAD3 and limits lipogenesis by inhibiting SREBP1 and SREBP2 activity. Here, we showed that, compared to wild-type mice, high-fat diet-induced fatty liver is worse in TGF-β signaling-deficient mice (SPTBN1+/- ) and the mutant mice had reduced SIRT6 abundance in the liver. Therefore, we hypothesized that altered reciprocal regulation between TGF-β signaling and SIRT6 contributes to these liver pathologies. We found that deficiency in SMAD3 or SPTBN1 reduced SIRT6 mRNA and protein abundance and impaired TGF-β induction of SIRT6 transcripts, and that SMAD3 bound to the SIRT6 promoter, suggesting that an SMAD3-SPTBN1 pathway mediated the induction of SIRT6 in response to TGF-β. Overexpression of SIRT6 in HCC cells reduced the expression of TGF-β-induced genes, consistent with the suppressive role of SIRT6 on TGF-β signaling. Manipulation of SIRT6 abundance in HCC cells altered sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) activity and overexpression of SIRT6 reduced the amount of acetylated SPTBN1 and the abundance of both SMAD3 and SPTBN1. Furthermore, induction of SREBP target genes in response to SIRT6 overexpression was impaired in SPTBN1 heterozygous cells. Thus, we identified a regulatory loop between SIRT6 and SPTBN1 that represents a potential mechanism for susceptibility to fatty liver in the presence of dysfunctional TGF-β signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyan Xiang
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA.,Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Kazufumi Ohshiro
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Sobia Zaidi
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA.,Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Xiaochun Yang
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA.,Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Krishanu Bhowmick
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA.,Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Anil K Vegesna
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - David Bernstein
- Division of Hepatology, Northwell Health and Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, USA
| | - James M Crawford
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, USA
| | - Bibhuti Mishra
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA.,Department of Neurology, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Patricia S Latham
- Department of Pathology, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Nancy R Gough
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Shuyun Rao
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Lopa Mishra
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA.,Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, Manhasset, New York, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA.,Department of Surgery, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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11
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OTUD7B (Cezanne) ameliorates fibrosis after myocardial infarction via FAK-ERK/P38 MAPK signaling pathway. Arch Biochem Biophys 2022; 724:109266. [PMID: 35523269 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2022.109266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is one of the crucial reasons for cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI). Understanding the underlying molecular mechanism that causes fibrosis is crucial to developing effective therapy. Recently, OUT domain-containing 7B (OTUD7B), also called Cezanne, a multifunctional deubiquitylate, has been found to play various roles in cancer and vascular diseases and control many important signaling pathways, including inflammation, proliferation, and so on. However, whether OTUD7B plays a role in fibrosis caused by MI remains unclear. Our study aimed to explore the function of OTUD7B in cardiac fibrosis and investigate the underlying mechanism. We found that the expression of OTUD7B was downregulated in the MI rat model and cultured cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) in hypoxic conditions and after TGF-β1 treatment. In vitro, silencing OTUD7B using small interfering RNA (siRNA) increased α-SMA (smooth muscle actin α) and collagen Ⅰ levels in CFs, whereas the overexpression of OTUD7B using adenovirus decreased their expression. Mechanistically, OTUD7B could regulate the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that has been proved to act as a potential mediator of fibrosis, and ERK/P38 MAPK was involved in this regulation process. In vitro, overexpression of OTUD7B downregulated the phosphorylation level of FAK and then inhibited ERK/P38 phosphorylation, thus leading to decreased α-SMA and collagen Ⅰ expressions, while OTUD7B knockdown showed an opposite result. These findings suggest that OTUD7B could become a potentially effective therapeutic strategy against fibrosis after MI.
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12
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Li H, You S, Yang X, Liu S, Hu L. Injectable recombinant human collagen-derived material with high cell adhesion activity limits adverse remodelling and improves pelvic floor function in pelvic floor dysfunction rats. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2022; 134:112715. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2022.112715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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13
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Capellero S, Erriquez J, Battistini C, Porporato R, Scotto G, Borella F, Di Renzo MF, Valabrega G, Olivero M. Ovarian Cancer Cells in Ascites Form Aggregates That Display a Hybrid Epithelial-Mesenchymal Phenotype and Allows Survival and Proliferation of Metastasizing Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020833. [PMID: 35055018 PMCID: PMC8775835 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Peritoneal metastases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in ovarian cancer. Cancer cells float in peritoneal fluid, named ascites, together with a definitely higher number of non neo-neoplastic cells, as single cells or multicellular aggregates. The aim of this work is to uncover the features that make these aggregates the metastasizing units. Immunofluorescence revealed that aggregates are made almost exclusively of ovarian cancer cells expressing the specific nuclear PAX8 protein. The same cells expressed epithelial and mesenchymal markers, such as EPCAM and αSMA, respectively. Expression of fibronectin further supported a hybrid epithelia-mesenchymal phenotype, that is maintained when aggregates are cultivated and proliferate. Hematopoietic cells as well as macrophages are negligible in the aggregates, while abundant in the ascitic fluid confirming their prominent role in establishing an eco-system necessary for the survival of ovarian cancer cells. Using ovarian cancer cell lines, we show that cells forming 3D structures neo-expressed thoroughly fibronectin and αSMA. Functional assays showed that αSMA and fibronectin are necessary for the compaction and survival of 3D structures. Altogether these data show that metastasizing units display a hybrid phenotype that allows maintenance of the 3D structures and the plasticity necessary for implant and seeding into peritoneal lining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Capellero
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (S.C.); (J.E.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (M.F.D.R.); (M.O.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Jessica Erriquez
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (S.C.); (J.E.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (M.F.D.R.); (M.O.)
| | - Chiara Battistini
- Unit of Gynaecological Oncology Research, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 20100 Milan, Italy;
| | - Roberta Porporato
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (S.C.); (J.E.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (M.F.D.R.); (M.O.)
| | - Giulia Scotto
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (S.C.); (J.E.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (M.F.D.R.); (M.O.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Fulvio Borella
- Gynecology and Obstetrics 1, Department of Surgical Sciences, City of Health and Science, University of Turin, 10100 Turin, Italy;
| | - Maria F. Di Renzo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (S.C.); (J.E.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (M.F.D.R.); (M.O.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Giorgio Valabrega
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (S.C.); (J.E.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (M.F.D.R.); (M.O.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-011-993-3521
| | - Martina Olivero
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (S.C.); (J.E.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (M.F.D.R.); (M.O.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
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14
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Gabbia D, Carpi S, Sarcognato S, Cannella L, Colognesi M, Scaffidi M, Polini B, Digiacomo M, Esposito Salsano J, Manera C, Macchia M, Nieri P, Carrara M, Russo FP, Guido M, De Martin S. The Extra Virgin Olive Oil Polyphenol Oleocanthal Exerts Antifibrotic Effects in the Liver. Front Nutr 2021; 8:715183. [PMID: 34671630 PMCID: PMC8521071 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.715183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, which is the outcome of wound-healing response to chronic liver damage, represents an unmet clinical need. This study evaluated the anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects of the polyphenol oleocanthal (OC) extracted from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) by an in vitro/in vivo approach. The hepatic cell lines LX2 and HepG2 were used as in vitro models. The mRNA expression of pro-fibrogenic markers, namely alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), a panel of metalloproteinases (MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP7, MMP9) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) as well as the pro-oxidant genes NADPH oxidases (NOXs) 1 and 4 were evaluated in TGF-β activated LX2 cells by qRT-PCR. α-SMA and COL1A1 protein expression was assessed by immunofluorescence coupled to confocal microscopy. VEGFA release from LX2 was measured by ELISA. We also evaluated the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by H2O2 activated- HepG2 cells. In vivo, OC was administered daily by oral gavage to Balb/C mice with CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. In this model, we measured the mRNA hepatic expression of the three pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL) IL6, IL17, IL23, chemokines such as C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2) and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 12 (CXCL12), and selected miRNAs (miR-181-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-29b-3p and miR-101b-3p) by qRT-PCR. We demonstrated that OC significantly downregulated the gene/protein expression of α-SMA, COL1A1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP7 and VEGF as well as the oxidative enzymes NOX1 and 4 in TGFβ1-activated LX2 cells, and reduced the production of ROS by HepG2. In vivo OC, beside causing a significant reduction of fibrosis at histological assessment, counteracted the CCl4-induced upregulation of pro-fibrotic and inflammatory genes. Moreover, OC upregulated the anti-fibrotic miRNAs (miR-29b-3p and miR-101b-3p) reduced in fibrotic mice, while downregulated the pro-fibrotic miRNAs (miR-221-3p and miR-181-5p), which were dramatically upregulated in fibrotic mice. In conclusion, OC exerts a promising antifibrotic effect via a combined reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation involving putative miRNAs, which in turn reduces hepatic stellate cells activation and liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Carpi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Luana Cannella
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Martina Colognesi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Michela Scaffidi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Maria Digiacomo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jasmine Esposito Salsano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Doctoral School in Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Clementina Manera
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Macchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Nieri
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Carrara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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15
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Han QJ, Mu YL, Zhao HJ, Zhao RR, Guo QJ, Su YH, Zhang J. Fasudil prevents liver fibrosis via activating natural killer cells and suppressing hepatic stellate cells. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:3581-3594. [PMID: 34239271 PMCID: PMC8240055 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i24.3581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fasudil, as a Ras homology family member A (RhoA) kinase inhibitor, is used to improve brain microcirculation and promote nerve regeneration clinically. Increasing evidence shows that Rho-kinase inhibition could improve liver fibrosis.
AIM To evaluate the anti-fibrotic effects of Fasudil in a mouse model of liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide (TAA).
METHODS C57BL/6 mice were administered TAA once every 3 d for 12 times. At 1 wk after induction with TAA, Fasudil was intraperitoneally injected once a day for 3 wk, followed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, sirius red staining, western blotting, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and immune cell activation was assayed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Furthermore, the effects of Fasudil on hepatic stellate cells and natural killer (NK) cells were assayed in vitro.
RESULTS First, we found that TAA-induced liver injury was protected, and the positive area of sirius red staining and type I collagen deposition were significantly decreased by Fasudil treatment. Furthermore, western blot and qPCR assays showed that the levels of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) were inhibited by Fasudil. Moreover, flow cytometry analysis revealed that NK cells were activated by Fasudil treatment in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, Fasudil directly promoted the apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells by decreasing α-SMA and TGF-β1.
CONCLUSION Fasudil inhibits liver fibrosis by activating NK cells and blocking hepatic stellate cell activation, thereby providing a feasible solution for the clinical treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Ju Han
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yong-Liang Mu
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hua-Jun Zhao
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Rong-Rong Zhao
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Quan-Juan Guo
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yu-Hang Su
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
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16
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Yang DJ, Shi JH, Xia ZP, Guo WZ, Ahmed MS, Zhang SJ. Hepatic connective tissue growth factor expression and regulation differ between non-steatotic and non-alcoholic steatotic livers from brain-dead donor. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3857. [PMID: 33594198 PMCID: PMC7886893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83516-2] [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: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate evaluation of liver steatosis is required from brain-dead donors (BDDs) with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our purposes were to investigate expression and regulation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression in livers from human and rat after brain death, and further evaluate its potential application. NAFLD and brain death models were established in rats. LX2 cells were cultured under hypoxia/reoxygenation. CTGF protein and mRNA levels were measured in liver samples from BDDs of human and rat by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. YAP-regulated CTGF expression was investigated in LX2 cells via YAP small interfering RNA and Verteporfin treatment. Blood CTGF level from BDDs was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After brain death, CTGF, transforming growth factor-β and YAP were overexpressed in non-alcoholic steatotic liver, whereas CTGF was downregulated in non-steatotic liver. Time-series analysis revealed that CTGF and YAP expression was comparable, as confirmed by inhibited YAP expression in LX2 cells. CTGF level and NAFLD activity were linearly correlated. CTGF expression and regulation differ between non-steatosis and nonalcoholic steatosis livers from BDDs. CTGF may be an important factor to evaluate graft quality from BDDs with NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Jing Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for HPB Diseases and Organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ji-Hua Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for HPB Diseases and Organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zong-Ping Xia
- Translational Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wen-Zhi Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for HPB Diseases and Organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mohammed Shakil Ahmed
- Institute for Surgical Research, Department of Cardiology and Center for Heart Failure Research, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Shui-Jun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for HPB Diseases and Organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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Li W, Yu X, Chen X, Wang Z, Yin M, Zhao Z, Zhu C. HBV induces liver fibrosis via the TGF-β1/miR-21-5p pathway. Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:169. [PMID: 33456536 PMCID: PMC7792493 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9600] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA (miR)-21-5p is a newly discovered factor that mediates TGF-β1 signaling. The present study was designed to investigate the role of TGF-β1/miR-21-5p in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced liver fibrosis. HBV-infected sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP)-transfected Huh7.5.1 cells were co-cultured with LX2 cells to simulate HBV infection in the present study. A total of 29 patients with chronic HBV infection were enrolled. Cells were transfected with miR-21-5p mimic or inhibitor with or without TGF-β1 stimulation. The demographic, biochemical and virological data from the 29 patients were analyzed and liver tissues were collected. miR-21-5p levels and the mRNA and protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), collagen type 1 α 1 (CoL1A1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and Smad from liver cells or tissues were detected by quantitative PCR analysis and western blotting, respectively. Cell viability was observed, and the liver fibrosis score was evaluated. The association between miR-21-5p and liver fibrosis was evaluated by correlation analysis. HBV infection upregulated TGF-β1/miR-21-5p mRNA expression in NTCP-Huh7.5.1 cells compared with mock infection (P<0.05). TGF-β1 incubation significantly increased miR-21-5p levels, as well as the mRNA and protein expression of α-SMA, CoL1A1 and TIMP-1, and reduced Smad7 expression in LX2 cells compared with the normal group, and these effects were counteracted by miR-21-5p inhibitor (P<0.05). miR-21-5p overexpression also contributed to TGF-β1-induced α-SMA, CoL1A1 and TIMP-1 expression in LX2 cells (P<0.05). Co-culture with HBV-infected NTCP-Huh7.5.1 cells upregulated TGF-β1/miR-21-5p activity and CoL1A1 expression in LX2 cells compared with normal control, which were significantly reduced by miR-21-5p inhibitor (P<0.05). miR-21-5p levels were significantly correlated with the liver fibrosis score (r=0.888; P<0.05). These data demonstrated that HBV induced liver fibrosis via the TGF-β1/miR-21-5p pathway and suggested that miR-21-5p may be an effective anti-fibrosis target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Li
- 3rd Liver Unit, Department of Infectious Disease, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolan Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230000, P.R. China
- Department of Ear-Nose-Throat, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Xiliu Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Ming Yin
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230000, P.R. China
- Intensive Care Unit, Department of Infectious Disease, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Zonghao Zhao
- 3rd Liver Unit, Department of Infectious Disease, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230000, P.R. China
| | - Chuanwu Zhu
- Department of Hepatology, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215131, P.R. China
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