1
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Diwan R, Gaytan SL, Bhatt HN, Pena-Zacarias J, Nurunnabi M. Liver fibrosis pathologies and potentials of RNA based therapeutics modalities. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024; 14:2743-2770. [PMID: 38446352 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-024-01551-8] [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] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis (LF) occurs when the liver tissue responds to injury or inflammation by producing excessive amounts of scar tissue, known as the extracellular matrix. This buildup stiffens the liver tissue, hinders blood flow, and ultimately impairs liver function. Various factors can trigger this process, including bloodborne pathogens, genetic predisposition, alcohol abuse, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. While some existing small-molecule therapies offer limited benefits, there is a pressing need for more effective treatments that can truly cure LF. RNA therapeutics have emerged as a promising approach, as they can potentially downregulate cytokine levels in cells responsible for liver fibrosis. Researchers are actively exploring various RNA-based therapeutics, such as mRNA, siRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, and oligonucleotides, to assess their efficacy in animal models. Furthermore, targeted drug delivery systems hold immense potential in this field. By utilizing lipid nanoparticles, exosomes, nanocomplexes, micelles, and polymeric nanoparticles, researchers aim to deliver therapeutic agents directly to specific biomarkers or cytokines within the fibrotic liver, increasing their effectiveness and reducing side effects. In conclusion, this review highlights the complex nature of liver fibrosis, its underlying causes, and the promising potential of RNA-based therapeutics and targeted delivery systems. Continued research in these areas could lead to the development of more effective and personalized treatment options for LF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimpy Diwan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Samantha Lynn Gaytan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA
- Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA
| | - Himanshu Narendrakumar Bhatt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Jacqueline Pena-Zacarias
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA
| | - Md Nurunnabi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA.
- Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA.
- Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA.
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2
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Cao Y. Lack of basic rationale in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and its related concepts. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:104. [PMID: 39164745 PMCID: PMC11334496 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01282-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is defined as a cellular process during which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal phenotypes and behavior following the downregulation of epithelial features. EMT and its reversed process, the mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), and the special form of EMT, the endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), have been considered as mainstream concepts and general rules driving developmental and pathological processes, particularly cancer. However, discrepancies and disputes over EMT and EMT research have also grown over time. EMT is defined as transition between two cellular states, but it is unanimously agreed by EMT researchers that (1) neither the epithelial and mesenchymal states nor their regulatory networks have been clearly defined, (2) no EMT markers or factors can represent universally epithelial and mesenchymal states, and thus (3) EMT cannot be assessed on the basis of one or a few EMT markers. In contrast to definition and proposed roles of EMT, loss of epithelial feature does not cause mesenchymal phenotype, and EMT does not contribute to embryonic mesenchyme and neural crest formation, the key developmental events from which the EMT concept was derived. EMT and MET, represented by change in cell shapes or adhesiveness, or symbolized by EMT factors, are biased interpretation of the overall change in cellular property and regulatory networks during development and cancer progression. Moreover, EMT and MET are consequences rather than driving factors of developmental and pathological processes. The true meaning of EMT in some developmental and pathological processes, such as fibrosis, needs re-evaluation. EMT is believed to endow malignant features, such as migration, stemness, etc., to cancer cells. However, the core property of cancer (tumorigenic) cells is neural stemness, and the core EMT factors are components of the regulatory networks of neural stemness. Thus, EMT in cancer progression is misattribution of the roles of neural stemness to the unknown mesenchymal state. Similarly, neural crest EMT is misattribution of intrinsic property of neural crest cells to the unknown mesenchymal state. Lack of basic rationale in EMT and related concepts urges re-evaluation of their significance as general rules for understanding developmental and pathological processes, and re-evaluation of their significance in scientific research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cao
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Medical School of Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China.
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Zhan J, Liu S, Meng Y, Yang Q, Wang Z, Zhang S, Ge L, Zhao L, Xu X, Zhao Y, Li X, Wang X. Systematic review of the mechanism and assessment of liver fibrosis in biliary atresia. Pediatr Surg Int 2024; 40:205. [PMID: 39033225 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-024-05778-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study systematically reviewed our team's research on the mechanism and assessment of liver fibrosis in BA, summarized our experience, and discussed the future development direction. METHODS In this study, Pubmed and Wanfang databases were searched to collect the literature published by our team on the mechanisms of liver fibrosis in BA and the assessment of liver fibrosis in BA, and the above research results were systematically reviewed. RESULTS A total of 58 articles were retrieved. Among the included articles, 25 articles related to the mechanism of liver fibrosis in BA, and five articles evaluated liver fibrosis in BA. This article introduces the key pathways and molecules of liver fibrosis in BA and proposes a new grading system for liver fibrosis in BA. CONCLUSIONS The new BA liver fibrosis grading method is expected to assess children's conditions, guide treatment, and improve prognosis more accurately. In addition, we believe that the TGF-β1 signaling pathway is the most important in the study of liver fibrosis in BA, and at the same time, the study of EMT occurrence in BA should also be deepened to resolve the controversy on this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianghua Zhan
- Tianjin Children's Hospital ("Children's Hospital, Tianjin University"), Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, China.
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China.
| | - Shaowen Liu
- Tianjin Children's Hospital ("Children's Hospital, Tianjin University"), Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Meng
- Tianjin Children's Hospital ("Children's Hospital, Tianjin University"), Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qianhui Yang
- Tianjin Children's Hospital ("Children's Hospital, Tianjin University"), Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhiru Wang
- Tianjin Children's Hospital ("Children's Hospital, Tianjin University"), Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shujian Zhang
- Tianjin Children's Hospital ("Children's Hospital, Tianjin University"), Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Liang Ge
- Tianjin Children's Hospital ("Children's Hospital, Tianjin University"), Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Tianjin Children's Hospital ("Children's Hospital, Tianjin University"), Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, China
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaodan Xu
- Tianjin Children's Hospital ("Children's Hospital, Tianjin University"), Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yilin Zhao
- Tianjin Children's Hospital ("Children's Hospital, Tianjin University"), Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Li
- Tianjin Children's Hospital ("Children's Hospital, Tianjin University"), Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xueting Wang
- Tianjin Children's Hospital ("Children's Hospital, Tianjin University"), Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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4
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Akkız H, Gieseler RK, Canbay A. Liver Fibrosis: From Basic Science towards Clinical Progress, Focusing on the Central Role of Hepatic Stellate Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7873. [PMID: 39063116 PMCID: PMC11277292 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The burden of chronic liver disease is globally increasing at an alarming rate. Chronic liver injury leads to liver inflammation and fibrosis (LF) as critical determinants of long-term outcomes such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, and mortality. LF is a wound-healing process characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins due to the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In the healthy liver, quiescent HSCs metabolize and store retinoids. Upon fibrogenic activation, quiescent HSCs transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts; lose their vitamin A; upregulate α-smooth muscle actin; and produce proinflammatory soluble mediators, collagens, and inhibitors of ECM degradation. Activated HSCs are the main effector cells during hepatic fibrogenesis. In addition, the accumulation and activation of profibrogenic macrophages in response to hepatocyte death play a critical role in the initiation of HSC activation and survival. The main source of myofibroblasts is resident HSCs. Activated HSCs migrate to the site of active fibrogenesis to initiate the formation of a fibrous scar. Single-cell technologies revealed that quiescent HSCs are highly homogenous, while activated HSCs/myofibroblasts are much more heterogeneous. The complex process of inflammation results from the response of various hepatic cells to hepatocellular death and inflammatory signals related to intrahepatic injury pathways or extrahepatic mediators. Inflammatory processes modulate fibrogenesis by activating HSCs and, in turn, drive immune mechanisms via cytokines and chemokines. Increasing evidence also suggests that cellular stress responses contribute to fibrogenesis. Recent data demonstrated that LF can revert even at advanced stages of cirrhosis if the underlying cause is eliminated, which inhibits the inflammatory and profibrogenic cells. However, despite numerous clinical studies on plausible drug candidates, an approved antifibrotic therapy still remains elusive. This state-of-the-art review presents cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in hepatic fibrogenesis and its resolution, as well as comprehensively discusses the drivers linking liver injury to chronic liver inflammation and LF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikmet Akkız
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Bahçeşehir, Beşiktaş, Istanbul 34353, Turkey
| | - Robert K. Gieseler
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, In der Schornau 23–25, 44892 Bochum, Germany; (R.K.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Ali Canbay
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, In der Schornau 23–25, 44892 Bochum, Germany; (R.K.G.); (A.C.)
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5
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Lv M, Chen S, Shan M, Si Y, Huang C, Chen J, Gong L. Arctigenin induces activated HSCs quiescence via AMPK-PPARγ pathway to ameliorate liver fibrosis in mice. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 974:176629. [PMID: 38679116 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176629] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Arctigenin (ATG), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is a natural lignan compound extracted from the seeds of burdock (Arctium lappa L, Asteraceae). As a natural product with multiple biological activities, the effect and mechanism of ATG against liver fibrosis are not fully elucidated yet. In current work, we first discovered that ATG could improve CCl4-induced liver injury reflected by lower plasma ALT and AST levels, liver coefficient and pathological scoring of ballooning. Furthermore, it also could reduce the positive areas of Masson, Sirius red and α-SMA staining, inhibit the expression of fibrosis-related genes (Col1a1, Col3a1, Acta2), and decrease the content of hydroxyproline, indicated ATG treatment had benefits in alleviating CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. In vitro, we observed that ATG can inhibit collagen production stimulated by TGF-β1 in LX2 cells. By analysis of the information obtained from SymMap and GeneCards databases and in vitro validation experiments, ATG was proven to be an indirect PPARγ agonist and its effect on collagen production was dependent on PPARγ. Subsequently, we confirmed that ATG activating AMPK was the contributor of its effect on PPARγ and collagen production. Finally, the transformation of activated hepatic stellate cells was determined after treated with ATG, in which ATG treatment could return activated LX2 cells to quiescence because of the elevated quiescent markers and lipid droplets. Our work has highlighted the potential of ATG in the treatment of liver fibrosis and clarified that ATG can activate AMPK/PPARγ pathway to restore the activated hepatic stellate cell to quiescence thereby improving liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjia Lv
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shiyi Chen
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Mengwen Shan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yuan Si
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chenggang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Likun Gong
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
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6
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Ceci L, Gaudio E, Kennedy L. Cellular Interactions and Crosstalk Facilitating Biliary Fibrosis in Cholestasis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 17:553-565. [PMID: 38216052 PMCID: PMC10883986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Biliary fibrosis is seen in cholangiopathies, including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). In PBC and PSC, biliary fibrosis is associated with worse outcomes and histologic scores. Within the liver, both hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and portal fibroblasts (PFs) contribute to biliary fibrosis, but their roles can differ. PFs reside near the bile ducts and may be the first responders to biliary damage, whereas HSCs may be recruited later and initiate bridging fibrosis. Indeed, different models of biliary fibrosis can activate PFs and HSCs to varying degrees. The portal niche can be composed of cholangiocytes, HSCs, PFs, endothelial cells, and various immune cells, and interactions between these cell types drive biliary fibrosis. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of biliary fibrosis and the roles of PFs and HSCs in this process. We will also evaluate cellular interactions and mechanisms that contribute to biliary fibrosis in different models and highlight future perspectives and potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Ceci
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.
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7
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Bogomolova A, Balakrishnan A, Ott M, Sharma AD. "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" - About Diverse Phenotypes of Hepatic Stellate Cells in the Liver. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 17:607-622. [PMID: 38216053 PMCID: PMC10900761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and their activated derivatives, often referred to as myofibroblasts (MFs), play a key role in progression of chronic liver injuries leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Until recently, MFs were considered a homogenous cell type majorly due to lack of techniques that allow complex molecular studies at a single-cell resolution. Recent technical advancements in genetic lineage-tracing models as well as the exponential growth of studies with single-cell transcriptome and proteome analyses have uncovered hidden heterogeneities among the HSC and MF populations in healthy states as well as chronic liver injuries at the various stages of tissue deformation. The identification of different phenotypes along the HSC/MF axis, which either maintain essential liver functions ("good" HSCs), emerge during fibrosis ("bad" HSCs), or even promote hepatocellular carcinoma ("ugly" HSCs), may lay the foundation for targeting a particular MF phenotype as potential treatment for chronic liver injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Bogomolova
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Research Group RNA Therapeutics & Liver Regeneration, REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Asha Balakrishnan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Ott
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Amar Deep Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Research Group RNA Therapeutics & Liver Regeneration, REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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8
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Wells RG. Liver fibrosis: Our evolving understanding. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2024; 23:e0243. [PMID: 38961878 PMCID: PMC11221862 DOI: 10.1097/cld.0000000000000243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
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9
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Zhang Y, Yan HJ, Wu J. The Tumor Immune Microenvironment plays a Key Role in Driving the Progression of Cholangiocarcinoma. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2024; 24:681-700. [PMID: 38213139 DOI: 10.2174/0115680096267791231115101107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an epithelial cancer distinguished by bile duct cell differentiation and is also a fibroproliferative tumor. It is characterized by a dense mesenchyme and a complex tumor immune microenvironment (TME). The TME comprises both cellular and non-cellular components. The celluar component includes CCA cells, immune cells and mesenchymal cells represented by the cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), while the non-cellular component is represented by mesenchymal elements such as the extracellular matrix (ECM). Recent studies have demonstrated the important role of the TME in the development, progression, and treatment resistance of CCA. These cell-associated prognostic markers as well as intercellular connections, may serve as potential therapeutic targets and could inspire new treatment approaches for CCA in the future. This paper aims to summarize the current understanding of CCA's immune microenvironment, focusing on immune cells, mesenchymal cells, ECM, intercellular interactions, and metabolism within the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 185 Juqian St, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Hai-Jiao Yan
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 185 Juqian St, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 185 Juqian St, Changzhou, 213003, China
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10
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Chen N, Liu S, Qin D, Guan D, Chen Y, Hou C, Zheng S, Wang L, Chen X, Chen W, Zhang L. Fate tracking reveals differences between Reelin + hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and Desmin + HSCs in activation, migration and proliferation. Cell Prolif 2023; 56:e13500. [PMID: 37246473 PMCID: PMC10693182 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13500] [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: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the main cause of liver fibrogenesis in response to different etiologies of chronic liver injuries. HSCs are heterogeneous, but the lack of specific markers to distinguish different HSC subset hinders the development of targeted therapy for liver fibrosis. In this study, we aim to reveal new HSC subsets by cell fate tracking. We constructed a novel ReelinCreERT2 transgenic mouse model to track the fate of cells expressing Reelin and their progeny (Reelin+ cells). And we investigated the property of Reelin+ cells, such as differentiation and proliferation, in hepatotoxic (carbon tetrachloride; CCl4 ) or cholestatic (bile duct ligation; BDL) liver injury models by immunohistochemistry. Our study revealed that Reelin+ cells were a new HSC subset. In terms of activation, migration, and proliferation, Reelin+ HSCs displayed different properties from Desmin+ HSCs (total HSCs) in cholestatic liver injury model but shared similar properties to total HSCs in hepatotoxic liver injury model. Besides, we did not find evidence that Reelin+ HSCs transdifferentiated into hepatocytes or cholangiocytes through mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). In this study, our genetic cell fate tracking data reveal that ReelinCreERT2-labelled cells are a new HSC subset, which provides new insights into targeted therapy for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Shenghui Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Dan Qin
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Dian Guan
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Yaqing Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Chenjiao Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Songyun Zheng
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Liqiang Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Kidney DiseasesBeijingChina
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Kidney DiseasesBeijingChina
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Lisheng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
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11
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Zheng Q, Li M, Chen L, Zhang C, Zhao Y, Liu G, Yang F, Zhan J. Potential therapeutic target of EGF on bile duct ligation model and biliary atresia children. Pediatr Res 2023; 94:1297-1307. [PMID: 37138025 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02592-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in biliary atresia (BA) is unclear. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays a vital role in liver fibrosis. This study aims to investigate the expression of EGF and the mechanisms of its pro-fibrotic effects in BA. METHODS EGF levels in serum and liver samples of BA and non-BA children were detected. Marker proteins of EGF signaling and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in liver sections were evaluated. Effects of EGF on intrahepatic cells and the underlying mechanisms were explored in vitro. Bile duct ligation (BDL) mice with/without EGF antibody injection were used to verify the effects of EGF on liver fibrosis. RESULTS Serum levels and liver expression of EGF elevated in BA. Phosphorylated EGF receptor (p-EGFR) and extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) increased. In addition, EMT and proliferation of biliary epithelial cells were present in BA liver. In vitro, EGF induced EMT and proliferation of HIBEpic cells and promoted IL-8 expression in L-02 cells by phosphorylating ERK1/2. And EGF activated LX-2 cells. Furthermore, EGF antibody injection reduced p-ERK1/2 levels and alleviated liver fibrosis in BDL mice. CONCLUSION EGF is overexpressed in BA. It aggravates liver fibrosis through EGF/EGFR-ERK1/2 pathway, which may be a therapeutic target for BA. IMPACT The exact pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in BA is unknown, severely limiting the advancement of BA treatment strategies. This study revealed that serum and liver tissue levels of EGF were increased in BA, and its expression in liver tissues was correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis. EGF may promote EMT and proliferation of biliary epithelial cells and induce IL-8 overexpression in hepatocytes through EGF/EGFR-ERK1/2 signaling pathway. EGF can also activate HSCs in vitro. The EGF/EGFR-ERK1/2 pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for BA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qipeng Zheng
- Graduate College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Mengdi Li
- Graduate College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Lingzhi Chen
- Graduate College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Graduate College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Yilin Zhao
- Graduate College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Gengxin Liu
- Graduate College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Fang Yang
- Graduate College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Jianghua Zhan
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Tianjin, 300134, China.
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12
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Kim HY, Sakane S, Eguileor A, Carvalho Gontijo Weber R, Lee W, Liu X, Lam K, Ishizuka K, Rosenthal SB, Diggle K, Brenner DA, Kisseleva T. The Origin and Fate of Liver Myofibroblasts. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:93-106. [PMID: 37743012 PMCID: PMC10665929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis of different etiologies is a serious health problem worldwide. There is no effective therapy available for liver fibrosis except the removal of the underlying cause of injury or liver transplantation. Development of liver fibrosis is caused by fibrogenic myofibroblasts that are not present in the normal liver, but rather activate from liver resident mesenchymal cells in response to chronic toxic or cholestatic injury. Many studies indicate that liver fibrosis is reversible when the causative agent is removed. Regression of liver fibrosis is associated with the disappearance of activated myofibroblasts and resorption of the fibrous scar. In this review, we discuss the results of genetic tracing and cell fate mapping of hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts, their specific characteristics, and potential phenotypes. We summarize research progress in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and reversibility of liver fibrosis, including activation, apoptosis, and inactivation of myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Young Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Sadatsugu Sakane
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Alvaro Eguileor
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Raquel Carvalho Gontijo Weber
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California; Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Wonseok Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California; Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Kevin Lam
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Kei Ishizuka
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Sara Brin Rosenthal
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Karin Diggle
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California; Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - David A Brenner
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California; Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California.
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California.
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13
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Liu X, Lam K, Zhao H, Sakane S, Kim HY, Eguileor A, Diggle K, Wu S, Gontijo Weber RC, Soroosh P, Hosseini M, Mekeel K, Brenner DA, Kisseleva T. Isolation of primary human liver cells from normal and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis livers. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102391. [PMID: 37405925 PMCID: PMC10345194 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102391] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we present a protocol for isolating human hepatocytes and neural progenitor cells from normal and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis livers. We describe steps for perfusion for scaled-up liver cell isolation and optimization of chemical digestion to achieve maximal yield and cell viability. We then detail a liver cell cryopreservation and potential applications, such as the use of human liver cells as a tool to link experimental and translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Kevin Lam
- Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Huayi Zhao
- Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sadatsugu Sakane
- Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hyun Young Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alvaro Eguileor
- Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Karin Diggle
- Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shuai Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Raquel Carvalho Gontijo Weber
- Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Pejman Soroosh
- Janssen Pharmaceutical R&D, Immunometabolism Obesity and Metabolic Disorders, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Mojgan Hosseini
- Department of Pathology, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kristin Mekeel
- Department of Surgery, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - David A Brenner
- Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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14
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Lotto J, Stephan TL, Hoodless PA. Fetal liver development and implications for liver disease pathogenesis. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 20:561-581. [PMID: 37208503 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00775-2] [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] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The metabolic, digestive and homeostatic roles of the liver are dependent on proper crosstalk and organization of hepatic cell lineages. These hepatic cell lineages are derived from their respective progenitors early in organogenesis in a spatiotemporally controlled manner, contributing to the liver's specialized and diverse microarchitecture. Advances in genomics, lineage tracing and microscopy have led to seminal discoveries in the past decade that have elucidated liver cell lineage hierarchies. In particular, single-cell genomics has enabled researchers to explore diversity within the liver, especially early in development when the application of bulk genomics was previously constrained due to the organ's small scale, resulting in low cell numbers. These discoveries have substantially advanced our understanding of cell differentiation trajectories, cell fate decisions, cell lineage plasticity and the signalling microenvironment underlying the formation of the liver. In addition, they have provided insights into the pathogenesis of liver disease and cancer, in which developmental processes participate in disease emergence and regeneration. Future work will focus on the translation of this knowledge to optimize in vitro models of liver development and fine-tune regenerative medicine strategies to treat liver disease. In this Review, we discuss the emergence of hepatic parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells, advances that have been made in in vitro modelling of liver development and draw parallels between developmental and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Lotto
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Cell and Developmental Biology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tabea L Stephan
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Cell and Developmental Biology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Pamela A Hoodless
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Cell and Developmental Biology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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15
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Prochera A, Rao M. Mini-Review: Enteric glial regulation of the gastrointestinal epithelium. Neurosci Lett 2023; 805:137215. [PMID: 37001854 PMCID: PMC10125724 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137215] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Many enteric glia are located along nerve fibers in the gut mucosa where they form close associations with the epithelium lining the gastrointestinal tract. The gut epithelium is essential for absorbing nutrients, regulating fluid flux, forming a physical barrier to prevent the entry of pathogens and toxins into the host, and participating in immune responses. Disruptions to this epithelium are linked to numerous diseases, highlighting its central importance in maintaining health. Accumulating evidence indicates that glia regulate gut epithelial homeostasis. Observations from glial-epithelial co-cultures in vitro and mouse genetic models in vivo suggest that enteric glia influence several important features of the gut epithelium including barrier integrity, ion transport, and capacity for self-renewal. Here we review the evidence for enteric glial regulation of the intestinal epithelium, with a focus on these three features of its biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Prochera
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Program in Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meenakshi Rao
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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16
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Ying F, Chan MSM, Lee TKW. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 15:985-999. [PMID: 36708970 PMCID: PMC10040968 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC) includes hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with poor prognosis. PLC is characterized by an abundant stromal reaction in which cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the major stromal components. Solid evidence has demonstrated the crucial role of CAFs in tumor progression, and CAF abundance is often correlated with poor clinical outcomes. Although CAFs are regarded as an attractive and promising target for PLC treatment, a poor understanding of CAF origins and heterogeneity and a lack of specific CAF markers are the major hurdles to efficient CAF-specific therapy. In this review, we examine recent advances in the understanding of CAF diversity in the context of biomarkers, subtypes, and functions in PLC. The regulatory roles of CAFs in extracellular matrix remodeling, metastasis, cancer stemness, and therapeutic resistance are summarized. With an increasing link between CAF abundance and reduced antitumor immune responses, we provide updated knowledge on the crosstalk between CAFs and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, which leads to immune resistance. In addition, we present current CAF-targeted therapies and describe some future perspectives. A better understanding of CAF biology will shed light on a novel therapeutic strategy against PLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Ying
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Mandy Sze Man Chan
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Terence Kin Wah Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
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17
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Li B, Wang H, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Zhou T, Zhou B, Zhang Y, Chen R, Xing J, He L, Salinas JM, Koyama S, Meng F, Wan Y. Current Perspectives of Neuroendocrine Regulation in Liver Fibrosis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233783. [PMID: 36497043 PMCID: PMC9736734 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a complicated process that involves different cell types and pathological factors. The excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and the formation of fibrotic scar disrupt the tissue homeostasis of the liver, eventually leading to cirrhosis and even liver failure. Myofibroblasts derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) contribute to the development of liver fibrosis by producing ECM in the area of injuries. It has been reported that the secretion of the neuroendocrine hormone in chronic liver injury is different from a healthy liver. Activated HSCs and cholangiocytes express specific receptors in response to these neuropeptides released from the neuroendocrine system and other neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine hormones and their receptors form a complicated network that regulates hepatic inflammation, which controls the progression of liver fibrosis. This review summarizes neuroendocrine regulation in liver fibrosis from three aspects. The first part describes the mechanisms of liver fibrosis. The second part presents the neuroendocrine sources and neuroendocrine compartments in the liver. The third section discusses the effects of various neuroendocrine factors, such as substance P (SP), melatonin, as well as α-calcitonin gene-related peptide (α-CGRP), on liver fibrosis and the potential therapeutic interventions for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Li
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Yudian Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Ying Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Tiejun Zhou
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Bingru Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Rong Chen
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Juan Xing
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Longfei He
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Jennifer Mata Salinas
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sachiko Koyama
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Fanyin Meng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Correspondence: (F.M.); (Y.W.)
| | - Ying Wan
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Correspondence: (F.M.); (Y.W.)
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18
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Inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A in hepatic stellate cells protects against fibrosis. J Hepatol 2022; 77:15-28. [PMID: 35167910 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The pathogenesis of liver fibrosis requires activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs); once activated, HSCs lose intracellular fatty acids but the role of fatty acid oxidation and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) in this process remains largely unexplored. METHODS CPT1A was found in HSCs of patients with fibrosis. Pharmacological and genetic manipulation of CPT1A were performed in human HSC cell lines and primary HCSs. Finally, we induced fibrosis in mice lacking CPT1A specifically in HSCs. RESULTS Herein, we show that CPT1A expression is elevated in HSCs of patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, showing a positive correlation with the fibrosis score. This was corroborated in rodents with fibrosis, as well as in primary human HSCs and LX-2 cells activated by transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and fetal bovine serum (FBS). Furthermore, both pharmacological and genetic silencing of CPT1A prevent TGFβ1- and FBS-induced HSC activation by reducing mitochondrial activity. The overexpression of CPT1A, induced by saturated fatty acids and reactive oxygen species, triggers mitochondrial activity and the expression of fibrogenic markers. Finally, mice lacking CPT1A specifically in HSCs are protected against fibrosis induced by a choline-deficient high-fat diet, a methionine- and choline-deficient diet, or treatment with carbon tetrachloride. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that CPT1A plays a critical role in the activation of HSCs and is implicated in the development of liver fibrosis, making it a potentially actionable target for fibrosis treatment. LAY SUMMARY We show that the enzyme carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) is elevated in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in patients with fibrosis and mouse models of fibrosis, and that CPT1A induces the activation of these cells. Inhibition of CPT1A ameliorates fibrosis by preventing the activation of HSCs.
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19
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Zweerink S, Mueck V, Kraemer LP, Tischler E, Schulte S, Goeser T, Nierhoff D. Repolarization Precedes Oval Cell-mediated Hepatocytic Regeneration in the CDE Diet Mouse Model. J Histochem Cytochem 2022; 70:377-389. [PMID: 35272516 PMCID: PMC9058371 DOI: 10.1369/00221554221084665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver has a unique ability to recover from injury unlike any other organ. A poorly understood aspect of liver regeneration is the role of hepatocellular polarization. Neighbor of Punc E11 (Nope) is an oncofetal stem/progenitor cell marker, which is expressed by depolarized adult hepatocytes after cholestatic liver injury and in hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver injury induced by a choline-deficient and ethionine-supplemented diet is reversible if followed by an additional dietary stop interval and enabled us to study the expression of Nope during the induction of chronic liver injury and during subsequent liver regeneration. We could show by quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry that the expression of Nope is induced in depolarized adult hepatocytes during injury. However, after another 2 weeks of a normal diet, the polarization of hepatocytes was almost completely restored and the expression of Nope remained limited to bile ducts and oval cells. Using an inducible CK19-lineage tracing model, we could demonstrate that oval cell-mediated hepatocyte regeneration is rare and was preceded by repolarization of hepatocytes. In conclusion, polarization of hepatocytes is an important part of liver regeneration and precedes oval cell-mediated regeneration of the liver. This process can be visualized by a characteristic expression pattern of Nope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Zweerink
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Vera Mueck
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Laurenz P Kraemer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eva Tischler
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany (ET)
| | - Sigrid Schulte
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tobias Goeser
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Dirk Nierhoff
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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20
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Liu L, Sun Q, Davis F, Mao J, Zhao H, Ma D. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in organ fibrosis development: current understanding and treatment strategies. BURNS & TRAUMA 2022; 10:tkac011. [PMID: 35402628 PMCID: PMC8990740 DOI: 10.1093/burnst/tkac011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Organ fibrosis is a process in which cellular homeostasis is disrupted and extracellular matrix is excessively deposited. Fibrosis can lead to vital organ failure and there are no effective treatments yet. Although epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) may be one of the key cellular mechanisms, the underlying mechanisms of fibrosis remain largely unknown. EMT is a cell phenotypic process in which epithelial cells lose their cell-to-cell adhesion and polarization, after which they acquire mesenchymal features such as infiltration and migration ability. Upon injurious stimulation in different organs, EMT can be triggered by multiple signaling pathways and is also regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. This narrative review summarizes the current understanding of the underlying mechanisms of EMT in fibrogenesis and discusses potential strategies for attenuating EMT to prevent and/or inhibit fibrosis. Despite better understanding the role of EMT in fibrosis development, targeting EMT and beyond in developing therapeutics to tackle fibrosis is challenging but likely feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lexin Liu
- Division of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, SW10 9NH, UK.,Department of Nephrology and Urology, Pediatric Urolith Center, The Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, China
| | - Qizhe Sun
- Division of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, SW10 9NH, UK
| | - Frank Davis
- Division of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, SW10 9NH, UK
| | - Jianhua Mao
- Department of Nephrology, The Children Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, China
| | - Hailin Zhao
- Division of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, SW10 9NH, UK
| | - Daqing Ma
- Division of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, SW10 9NH, UK
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21
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Czaja AJ. Immune Inhibitory Properties and Therapeutic Prospects of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta and Interleukin 10 in Autoimmune Hepatitis. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:1163-1186. [PMID: 33835375 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-021-06968-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta and interleukin 10 have diverse immune inhibitory properties that have restored homeostatic defense mechanisms in experimental models of autoimmune disease. The goals of this review are to describe the actions of each cytokine, review their investigational use in animal models and patients, and indicate their prospects as interventions in autoimmune hepatitis. English abstracts were identified in PubMed by multiple search terms. Full-length articles were selected for review, and secondary and tertiary bibliographies were developed. Transforming growth factor-beta expands the natural and inducible populations of regulatory T cells, limits the proliferation of natural killer cells, suppresses the activation of naïve CD8+ T cells, decreases the production of interferon-gamma, and stimulates fibrotic repair. Interleukin 10 selectively inhibits the CD28 co-stimulatory signal for antigen recognition and impairs antigen-specific activation of uncommitted CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. It also inhibits maturation of dendritic cells, suppresses Th17 cells, supports regulatory T cells, and limits production of diverse pro-inflammatory cytokines. Contradictory immune stimulatory effects have been associated with each cytokine and may relate to the dose and accompanying cytokine milieu. Experimental findings have not translated into successful early clinical trials. The recombinant preparation of each agent in low dosage has been safe in human studies. In conclusion, transforming growth factor-beta and interleukin 10 have powerful immune inhibitory actions of potential therapeutic value in autoimmune hepatitis. The keys to their therapeutic application will be to match their predominant non-redundant function with the pivotal pathogenic mechanism or cytokine deficiency and to avoid contradictory immune stimulatory actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Czaja
- Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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22
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Gao J, Wu L, Zhao Y, Hong Q, Feng Z, Chen X. Cxcl10 deficiency attenuates renal interstitial fibrosis through regulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Exp Cell Res 2022; 410:112965. [PMID: 34896075 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10, CXCL10) has been widely demonstrated to be involved in multiple kidney pathological processes. However, the role of CXCL10 in renal fibrosis remains unclear. In this study, Cxcl10-deficient (Cxcl10-/-) mice were used to generate the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model. The level of renal fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration was examined in vivo and the effects of CXCL10 on EMT process of HK-2 cells was investigated in vitro. We observed that the injury degree of renal tissue and the collagen deposition levels were lighter and the expression of α-SMA, collagen I and fibronectin was significantly reduced in Cxcl10-/- mice, while the expression of E-cadherin was increased. However, interstitial F4/80-positive macrophages and CD4-positive T lymphocytes were unaffected by knockout of Cxcl10. Furthermore, IFN-γ or CXCL10 stimulation could obviously promote the expression of α-SMA, collagen I, fibronectin and reduce the expression of E-cadherin in HK-2 cells, which could be inhibited by transfection of Cxcl10-siRNA. Our findings suggested Cxcl10 knockout could reduce renal dysfunction and inhibit renal fibrosis through regulating EMT process of renal tubular epithelial cells in murine UUO model. These results may provide a novel insight into the mechanism and a potential therapy target of renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gao
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Fuxing Road 28, Beijing, 100853, China; Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jingwu Road 324, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Lingling Wu
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Fuxing Road 28, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Yinghua Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Fuxing Road 28, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Quan Hong
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Fuxing Road 28, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Zhe Feng
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Fuxing Road 28, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Fuxing Road 28, Beijing, 100853, China.
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23
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Fuji H, Miller G, Nishio T, Koyama Y, Lam K, Zhang V, Loomba R, Brenner D, Kisseleva T. The role of Mesothelin signaling in Portal Fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver fibrosis. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:790032. [PMID: 34966784 PMCID: PMC8710774 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.790032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis develops in response to chronic toxic or cholestatic injury, and is characterized by apoptosis of damaged hepatocytes, development of inflammatory responses, and activation of Collagen Type I producing myofibroblasts that make liver fibrotic. Two major cell types, Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSCs) and Portal Fibroblasts (PFs) are the major source of hepatic myofibroblasts. Hepatotoxic liver injury activates Hepatic Stellate Cells (aHSCs) to become myofibroblasts, while cholestatic liver injury activates both aHSCs and Portal Fibroblasts (aPFs). aPFs comprise the major population of myofibroblasts at the onset of cholestatic injury, while aHSCs are increasingly activated with fibrosis progression. Here we summarize our current understanding of the role of aPFs in the pathogenesis of cholestatic fibrosis, their unique features, and outline the potential mechanism of targeting aPFs in fibrotic liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Fuji
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Grant Miller
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Takahiro Nishio
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yukinori Koyama
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kevin Lam
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Vivian Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Rohit Loomba
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - David Brenner
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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24
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Zheng WV, Li Y, Cheng X, Xu Y, Zhou T, Li D, Xiong Y, Wang S, Chen Z. Uridine alleviates carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis by regulating the activity of liver-related cells. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 26:840-854. [PMID: 34970843 PMCID: PMC8817115 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, liver fibrosis is a major challenge of global health. When hepatocyte regeneration cannot compensate for hepatocyte death, it will develop into liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease. Initially, collagen produced by myofibroblasts plays a role in maintaining liver integrity, but excessive collagen accumulation can inhibit the residual liver function, leading to liver failure. At present, many scientists are actively looking for drugs to alleviate liver fibrosis. In the current study, we investigated the potential role of uridine in the treatment of liver fibrosis (uridine is a plant/animal‐derived pyrimidine nucleoside, therefore uridine can also be ingested and absorbed by the body, accompanied by the process of food intake). For this, we systematically studied the effect of uridine on CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo through a series of technologies, such as Western blot, laser confocal scanning microscope, ELISA and immunohistochemistry. The experimental results showed that uridine can effectively reduce the accumulation of collagen in liver. Furthermore, uridine can improve the activity of liver cells and alleviate CCl4‐induced liver injury. Furthermore, uridine can significantly alleviate the risk factors caused by hepatic stellate cell activation, uridine treatment significantly down‐regulated the expression of α‐SMA, collagen type‐I and fibronectin. In conclusion, the current research shows that uridine can alleviate CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis, suggesting that uridine can be used as a potential drug to alleviate liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei V Zheng
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yaqin Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xianyi Cheng
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Minimally Invasion Intervention, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanwei Xu
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dezhi Li
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Xiong
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Minimally Invasion Intervention, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shaobin Wang
- Health Management Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zaizhong Chen
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Minimally Invasion Intervention, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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25
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Liu YF, Niu GC, Li CY, Guo JB, Song J, Li H, Zhang XL. Mechanism of Ulcerative Colitis-Aggravated Liver Fibrosis: The Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells and TLR4 Signaling Through Gut-Liver Axis. Front Physiol 2021; 12:695019. [PMID: 34603071 PMCID: PMC8484790 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.695019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The progression of liver disorders is frequently associated with inflammatory bowel disease through the gut-liver axis. However, no direct evidence showed the mechanisms of ulcerative colitis (UC) in the development of liver fibrosis per se. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of UC on liver fibrosis and its potential mechanism in the experimental model. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were allocated into five groups (n = 10 per group) to receive either drinking water (control), 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), olive oil, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or DSS + CCl4 for 4 cycles. Blood was collected for biochemical analysis. Colons were excised for the evaluation of colon length and morphological score. Liver, colon, and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) were collected for histopathological staining, expression analysis, and bacterial translocation assay to evaluate the inflammation, fibrosis, the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and gut barrier function. Results: DSS caused severe colitis in mice treated or treated with CCl4, as evident from the elevation of disease activity index (DAI), histological abnormalities, and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17A). Histopathological staining revealed that DSS treatment aggravated the CCl4-induced extracellular matrix deposition, liver fibrosis, and inflammation in mice. Additionally, biochemical and expression analysis indicated the DSS treatment caused the increase of hydroxyproline and pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as the abnormal liver function indexes in CCl4-induced mice. Gut barrier function was impaired in DSS- and DSS + CCl4-treated mice, manifesting as the increase in bacterial translocation and lipopolysaccharide level, and the reduction in tight junction proteins (occluding, claudin-1 and ZO-1) expression. Further, the activations of HSCs and TLR4 signaling pathway were observed after DSS + CCl4 treatment, presenting with the increase in expression of α-SMA, vimentin, TGF-β, collagen type I, collagen type II, TIMP-2, TLR4, TRAF6, and NF-κB p65, and a decrease in GFAP and MMP-2 expression. Conclusion: The present study verified that UC aggravated CCl4-induced liver injury, inflammation, and fibrosis in mice through the gut-liver axis. Gut barrier dysfunction in UC leads to bacterial translocation and elevated lipopolysaccharide, which may promote the activation of TLR4 signaling and HSCs in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Feng Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, Dingzhou People's Hospital of Hebei Province, Dingzhou, China
| | - Guo-Chao Niu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chen-Yang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jin-Bo Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jia Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiao-Lan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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26
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Feng S, Tong H, Gao JH, Tang SH, Yang WJ, Wang GM, Zhou HY, Wen SL. Anti-inflammation treatment for protection of hepatocytes and amelioration of hepatic fibrosis in rats. Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:1213. [PMID: 34584558 PMCID: PMC8422404 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is considered as an important pathophysiologic mechanism of hepatic cirrhosis, which induces hepatocyte injury and activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), thus resulting in hepatic fibrosis. Previous studies have reported that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor can effectively treat liver fibrosis, while somatostatin (SST) analogues inhibit the activation of HSCs. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, combined with a SST analogue, octreotide, for protection of hepatocytes and prevention of fibrosis in a rat model of hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, a hepatic fibrosis rat model was established following peritoneal injection of thioacetamide (TAA), and the rats were then treated with a combination of celecoxib and octreotide (TAA + C). Immunohistochemistry and western blotting assays were used to assess the expression levels of proteins associated with inflammation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy. H&E staining, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the destruction of hepatocytes. Masson's Trichrome and Sirius Red were used to measure the degree of liver fibrosis. The results demonstrated that, compared with those of the control group, the degree of liver fibrosis and the expression of the intrahepatic inflammation factors were aggravated in the TAA group. Furthermore, the apoptosis rate, EMT and autophagy of hepatocytes were also increased in the TAA group. However, treatment with TAA + C restored the aforementioned increased levels compared with the TAA group. In conclusion, treatment of rats with the combination of celecoxib and octreotide could attenuate the progress of hepatic fibrosis via protection of hepatocytes by reducing apoptosis, EMT and autophagy in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Feng
- Key Laboratory of Brain Science Research and Transformation in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P.R. China
| | - Huan Tong
- Division of Peptides Related with Human Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Jin-Hang Gao
- Division of Peptides Related with Human Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Hang Tang
- Division of Peptides Related with Human Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Juan Yang
- Division of Peptides Related with Human Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Gui-Ming Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, West China School of Basic Medical Science and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Ying Zhou
- Department of Human Anatomy, West China School of Basic Medical Science and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Lei Wen
- Key Laboratory of Brain Science Research and Transformation in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P.R. China
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27
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Sun YL, Bai T, Zhou L, Zhu RT, Wang WJ, Liang RP, Li J, Zhang CX, Gou JJ. SOD3 deficiency induces liver fibrosis by promoting hepatic stellate cell activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:4313-4329. [PMID: 33230845 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is suggested to potentially promote HSC activation. Superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) is an extracellular antioxidant defense against oxidative damage. Here, we found downregulation of SOD3 in a mouse model of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ). SOD3 deficiency induced spontaneous liver injury and fibrosis with increased collagen deposition, and further aggravated CCl4 -induced liver injury in mice. Depletion of SOD3 enhanced HSC activation marked by increased α-smooth muscle actin and subsequent collagen synthesis primarily collagen type I in vivo, and promoted transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced HSC activation in vitro. SOD3 deficiency accelerated EMT process in the liver and TGF-β1-induced EMT of AML12 hepatocytes, as evidenced by loss of E-cadherin and gain of N-cadherin and vimentin. Notably, SOD3 expression and its pro-fibrogenic effect were positively associated with sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression. SOD3 deficiency inhibited adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling to downregulate SIRT1 expression and thus involving in liver fibrosis. Enforced expression of SIRT1 inhibited SOD3 deficiency-induced HSC activation and EMT, whereas depletion of SIRT1 counteracted the inhibitory effect of SOD3 in vitro. These findings demonstrate that SOD3 deficiency contributes to liver fibrogenesis by promoting HSC activation and EMT process, and suggest a possibility that SOD3 may function through modulating SIRT1 via the AMPK pathway in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ling Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Key Lab of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tao Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Key Lab of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Institute of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Key Lab of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Digestive, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Rong-Tao Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Key Lab of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei-Jie Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Key Lab of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruo-Peng Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Key Lab of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Key Lab of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chi-Xian Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Key Lab of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jian-Jun Gou
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Key Lab of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Zhengzhou, China
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28
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Acharya P, Chouhan K, Weiskirchen S, Weiskirchen R. Cellular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:671640. [PMID: 34025430 PMCID: PMC8134740 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.671640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is a central organ in the human body, coordinating several key metabolic roles. The structure of the liver which consists of the distinctive arrangement of hepatocytes, hepatic sinusoids, the hepatic artery, portal vein and the central vein, is critical for its function. Due to its unique position in the human body, the liver interacts with components of circulation targeted for the rest of the body and in the process, it is exposed to a vast array of external agents such as dietary metabolites and compounds absorbed through the intestine, including alcohol and drugs, as well as pathogens. Some of these agents may result in injury to the cellular components of liver leading to the activation of the natural wound healing response of the body or fibrogenesis. Long-term injury to liver cells and consistent activation of the fibrogenic response can lead to liver fibrosis such as that seen in chronic alcoholics or clinically obese individuals. Unidentified fibrosis can evolve into more severe consequences over a period of time such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is well recognized now that in addition to external agents, genetic predisposition also plays a role in the development of liver fibrosis. An improved understanding of the cellular pathways of fibrosis can illuminate our understanding of this process, and uncover potential therapeutic targets. Here we summarized recent aspects in the understanding of relevant pathways, cellular and molecular drivers of hepatic fibrosis and discuss how this knowledge impact the therapy of respective disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragyan Acharya
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Komal Chouhan
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sabine Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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29
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The Emerging Role of Immunotherapy in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9050422. [PMID: 33922362 PMCID: PMC8146949 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9050422] [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: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Biliary tract cancer, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC) in particular, represents a rather uncommon, highly aggressive malignancy with unfavorable prognosis. Therapeutic options remain scarce, with platinum-based chemotherapy is being considered as the gold standard for the management of advanced disease. Comprehensive molecular profiling of tumor tissue biopsies, utilizing multi-omics approaches, enabled the identification of iCC’s intratumor heterogeneity and paved the way for the introduction of novel targeted therapies under the scope of precision medicine. Yet, the unmet need for optimal care of patients with chemo-refractory disease or without targetable mutations still exists. Immunotherapy has provided a paradigm shift in cancer care over the past decade. Currently, immunotherapeutic strategies for the management of iCC are under intense research. Intrinsic factors of the tumor, including programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and mismatch repair (MMR) status, are simply the tip of the proverbial iceberg with regard to resistance to immunotherapy. Acknowledging the significance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in both cancer growth and drug response, we broadly discuss about its diverse immune components. We further review the emerging role of immunotherapy in this rare disease, summarizing the results of completed and ongoing phase I–III clinical trials, expounding current challenges and future directions.
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30
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Brooks A, Liang X, Zhang Y, Zhao CX, Roberts MS, Wang H, Zhang L, Crawford DHG. Liver organoid as a 3D in vitro model for drug validation and toxicity assessment. Pharmacol Res 2021; 169:105608. [PMID: 33852961 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The past decade has seen many advancements in the development of three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models in pharmaceutical sciences and industry. Specifically, organoids present a self-organising, self-renewing and more physiologically relevant model than conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures. Liver organoids have been developed from a variety of cell sources, including stem cells, cell lines and primary cells. They have potential for modelling patient-specific disease and establishing personalised therapeutic approaches. Additionally, liver organoids have been used to test drug efficacy and toxicity. Herein we summarise cell sources for generating liver organoids, the advantages and limitations of each cell type, as well as the application of the organoids in modelling liver diseases. We focus on the use of liver organoids as tools for drug validation and toxicity assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Brooks
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Xiaowen Liang
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Yonglong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun-Xia Zhao
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael S Roberts
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Haolu Wang
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Darrell H G Crawford
- Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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31
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Kisseleva T, Brenner D. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of liver fibrosis and its regression. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 18:151-166. [PMID: 33128017 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-020-00372-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 832] [Impact Index Per Article: 277.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Chronic liver injury leads to liver inflammation and fibrosis, through which activated myofibroblasts in the liver secrete extracellular matrix proteins that generate the fibrous scar. The primary source of these myofibroblasts are the resident hepatic stellate cells. Clinical and experimental liver fibrosis regresses when the causative agent is removed, which is associated with the elimination of these activated myofibroblasts and resorption of the fibrous scar. Understanding the mechanisms of liver fibrosis regression could identify new therapeutic targets to treat liver fibrosis. This Review summarizes studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying the reversibility of liver fibrosis, including apoptosis and the inactivation of hepatic stellate cells, the crosstalk between the liver and the systems that orchestrate the recruitment of bone marrow-derived macrophages (and other inflammatory cells) driving fibrosis resolution, and the interactions between various cell types that lead to the intracellular signalling that induces fibrosis or its regression. We also discuss strategies to target hepatic myofibroblasts (for example, via apoptosis or inactivation) and the myeloid cells that degrade the matrix (for example, via their recruitment to fibrotic liver) to facilitate fibrosis resolution and liver regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - David Brenner
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Fabris L, Sato K, Alpini G, Strazzabosco M. The Tumor Microenvironment in Cholangiocarcinoma Progression. Hepatology 2021; 73 Suppl 1:75-85. [PMID: 32500550 PMCID: PMC7714713 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive and heterogeneous malignancy of the biliary tree. A typical hallmark of CCA is that cancer cells are embedded into a dense stroma containing fibrogenic cells, lymphatics and a variety of immune cells. Functional roles of the reactive tumor stroma are not fully elucidated; however, recent studies suggest that the tumor microenvironment plays a key role in the progression and invasiveness of CCA. CCA cells exchange autocrine/paracrine signals with other cancer cells and the infiltrating cell types that populate the microenvironment. This crosstalk is under the control of signals mediated by various cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. In addition, extracellular vesicles (EVs), exosomes and microvesicles, containing cargo mediators, such as proteins and RNAs, play a key role in cell-to-cell communication, and particularly in epigenetic regulation thanks to their content in miRNAs. Both cytokine- and EV-mediated communications between CCA cells and other liver cells provide a potential novel target for the management of CCA. This review summarizes current understandings of the tumor microenvironment and intercellular communications in CCA and their role in tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Fabris
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy,Liver Center and Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Keisaku Sato
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN,Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- Liver Center and Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT,Correspondence: Mario Strazzabosco MD, PhD, Liver Center and Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,
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Berumen J, Baglieri J, Kisseleva T, Mekeel K. Liver fibrosis: Pathophysiology and clinical implications. WIREs Mech Dis 2020; 13:e1499. [PMID: 32713091 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a clinically significant finding that has major impacts on patient morbidity and mortality. The mechanism of fibrosis involves many different cellular pathways, but the major cell type involved appears to be hepatic stellate cells. Many liver diseases, including Hepatitis B, C, and fatty liver disease cause ongoing hepatocellular damage leading to liver fibrosis. No matter the cause of liver disease, liver-related mortality increases exponentially with increasing fibrosis. The progression to cirrhosis brings more dramatic mortality and higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Fibrosis can also affect outcomes following liver transplantation in adult and pediatric patients and require retransplantation. Drugs exist to treat Hepatitis B and C that reverse fibrosis in patients with those viral diseases, but there are currently no therapies to directly treat liver fibrosis. Several mouse models of chronic liver diseases have been successfully reversed using novel drug targets with current therapies focusing mostly on prevention of myofibroblast activation. Further research in these areas could lead to development of drugs to treat fibrosis, which will have invaluable impact on patient survival. This article is categorized under: Metabolic Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Berumen
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jacopo Baglieri
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Kristin Mekeel
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
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MicroRNA-221: A Fine Tuner and Potential Biomarker of Chronic Liver Injury. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081767. [PMID: 32717951 PMCID: PMC7464779 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The last decade has witnessed significant advancements in our understanding of how small noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), regulate disease progression. One such miRNA, miR-221, has been shown to play a key role in the progression of liver fibrosis, a common feature of most liver diseases. Many reports have demonstrated the upregulation of miR-221 in liver fibrosis caused by multiple etiologies such as viral infections and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Inhibition of miR-221 via different strategies has shown promising results in terms of the suppression of fibrogenic gene signatures in vitro, as well as in vivo, in independent mouse models of liver fibrosis. In addition, miR-221 has also been suggested as a noninvasive serum biomarker for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. In this review, we discuss the biology of miR-221, its significance and use as a biomarker during progression of liver fibrosis, and finally, potential and robust approaches that can be utilized to suppress liver fibrosis via inhibition of miR-221.
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Li M, Jiang M, Meng J, Tao L. Exosomes: Carriers of Pro-Fibrotic Signals and Therapeutic Targets in Fibrosis. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:4496-4509. [PMID: 31814552 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191209161443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Exosomes are nano-sized extracellular vesicles that are released by a variety of cells. Exosomes contain cargo from cells they derived, including lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. The bilayer lipid membrane structure of exosomes protects these contents from degradation, allowing them for intercellular communication. The role of exosomes in fibrotic diseases is increasingly being valued. Exosomes, as carriers of profibrotic signals, are involved in the development of fibrotic diseases, and also regulate fibrosis by transmitting signals that inhibit fibrosis or inflammation. Exosomes mobilize and activate a range of effector cells by targeted delivery of bioactive information. Exosomes can also reflect the condition of cells, tissues and organisms, and thus become potential biomarkers of fibrotic diseases. Exosomes from bone marrow stem cells support biological signaling that regulates and inhibits fibrosis and thus initially used in the treatment of fibrotic diseases. This article briefly summarizes the role of exosomes in the pathogenesis and treatment of fibrotic diseases and raises some issues that remain to be resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyu Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 932 Lushans Rd, Yuela, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Organ Fibrosis Research Center, Central South University, 932 Lushans Rd, Yuela, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mao Jiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 932 Lushans Rd, Yuela, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Organ Fibrosis Research Center, Central South University, 932 Lushans Rd, Yuela, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Meng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 932 Lushans Rd, Yuela, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Organ Fibrosis Research Center, Central South University, 932 Lushans Rd, Yuela, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lijian Tao
- Organ Fibrosis Research Center, Central South University, 932 Lushans Rd, Yuela, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 932 Lushans Rd, Yuela, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Origin and role of hepatic myofibroblasts in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2020; 11:1186-1201. [PMID: 32284794 PMCID: PMC7138168 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Fibrosis and cirrhosis are important risk factors for the development of HCC. Hepatic myofibroblasts are the cells responsible for extracellular matrix deposition, which is the hallmark of liver fibrosis. It is believed that myofibroblasts are predominantly derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), also known as Ito cells. Nevertheless, depending on the nature of insult to the liver, it is thought that myofibroblasts may also originate from a variety of other cell types such as the portal fibroblasts (PFs), fibrocytes, hepatocytes, hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs), and mesothelial cells. Liver myofibroblasts are believed to transform into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) while HCC is developing. There is substantial evidence suggesting that activated HSCs (aHSCs)/cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) may play an important role in HCC initiation and progression. In this paper, we aim to review current literature on cellular origins of myofibroblasts with a focus on hepatitis B virus (HBV)- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced hepatic fibrosis. We also address the role of aHSCs/CAFs in HCC progression through the regulation of immune cells as well as mechanisms of evolvement of drug resistance.
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Fibrosis and cirrhosis are important risk factors for the development of HCC. Hepatic myofibroblasts are the cells responsible for extracellular matrix deposition, which is the hallmark of liver fibrosis. It is believed that myofibroblasts are predominantly derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), also known as Ito cells. Nevertheless, depending on the nature of insult to the liver, it is thought that myofibroblasts may also originate from a variety of other cell types such as the portal fibroblasts (PFs), fibrocytes, hepatocytes, hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs), and mesothelial cells. Liver myofibroblasts are believed to transform into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) while HCC is developing. There is substantial evidence suggesting that activated HSCs (aHSCs)/cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) may play an important role in HCC initiation and progression. In this paper, we aim to review current literature on cellular origins of myofibroblasts with a focus on hepatitis B virus (HBV)- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced hepatic fibrosis. We also address the role of aHSCs/CAFs in HCC progression through the regulation of immune cells as well as mechanisms of evolvement of drug resistance.
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LeBleu VS, Neilson EG. Origin and functional heterogeneity of fibroblasts. FASEB J 2020; 34:3519-3536. [PMID: 32037627 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201903188r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The inherent plasticity and resiliency of fibroblasts make this cell type a conventional tool for basic research. But where do they come from, are all fibroblasts the same, and how do they function in disease? The first fibroblast lineages in mammalian development emerge from the ooze of primary mesenchyme during gastrulation. They are cells that efficiently create and negotiate the extracellular matrix of the mesoderm in order to migrate and meet their developmental fate. Mature fibroblasts in epithelial tissues live in the interstitial spaces between basement membranes that spatially delimit complex organ structures. While the function of resident fibroblasts in healthy tissues is largely conjecture, the accumulation of fibroblasts in pathologic lesions offers insight into biologic mechanisms that control their function; fibroblasts are poised to coordinate fibrogenesis in tissue injury, neoplasia, and aging. Here, we examine the developmental origin and plasticity of fibroblasts, their molecular and functional definitions, the epigenetic control underlying their identity and activation, and the evolution of their immune regulatory functions. These topics are reviewed through the lens of fate mapping using genetically engineered mouse models and from the perspective of single-cell RNA sequencing. Recent observations suggest dynamic and heterogeneous functions for fibroblasts that underscore their complex molecular signatures and utility in injured tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie S LeBleu
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Eric G Neilson
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Akbari S, Arslan N, Senturk S, Erdal E. Next-Generation Liver Medicine Using Organoid Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:345. [PMID: 31921856 PMCID: PMC6933000 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
"Liver medicine" refers to all diagnostic and treatment strategies of diseases and conditions that cause liver failure directly or indirectly. Despite significant advances in the field of liver medicine in recent years, improved tools are needed to efficiently define the pathophysiology of liver diseases and provide effective therapeutic options to patients. Recently, organoid technology has been established as the state-of-the-art cell culture tool for studying human biology in health and disease. In general, organoids are simplified three-dimensional (3D) mini-organ structures that can be grown in a 3D matrix where the structural and functional aspects of real organs are efficiently recapitulated. The generation of organoids is facilitated by exogenous factors that regulate multiple signaling pathways and promote the self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation of the cells to promote spontaneous self-organization and tissue-specific organogenesis. Newly established protocols suggest that liver-specific organoids can be derived from either pluripotent stem cells or liver-specific stem/progenitor cells. Today, robust and long-term cultures of organoids with the closest physiology to in vivo liver, in terms of cellular composition and function, open a new era in studying and understanding the disease pathology as well as high-throughput drug screening. Of note, these next-generation cell culture systems have immense potential to be further improved by genome editing and bioengineering technologies to foster the development of patient-specific therapeutic options for clinical applications. Here, we will discuss recent advances and challenges in the generation of human liver organoids and highlight emerging concepts for their potential applications in liver medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nur Arslan
- İzmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, İzmir, Turkey.,Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Serif Senturk
- İzmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, İzmir, Turkey.,Department of Genome Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology, İzmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Esra Erdal
- İzmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, İzmir, Turkey.,Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, İzmir, Turkey
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Oncostatin M, A Profibrogenic Mediator Overexpressed in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Stimulates Migration of Hepatic Myofibroblasts. Cells 2019; 9:cells9010028. [PMID: 31861914 PMCID: PMC7017087 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic myofibroblasts (MFs) can originate from hepatic stellate cells, portal fibroblasts, or bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and can migrate towards the site of injury by aligning with nascent and established fibrotic septa in response to several mediators. Oncostatin M (OSM) is known to orchestrate hypoxia-modulated hepatic processes involving the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). METHODS In vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to analyze the expression of OSM and OSM-receptor (OSMR) in three murine models of non-alcoholic-fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and -steatohepatitis (NASH) and in human NASH patients as well as the action of OSM on phenotypic responses of human MFs. RESULTS Hepatic OSM and OSMR levels were overexpressed in three murine NASH models and in NASH patients. OSM stimulates migration in human MFs by involving early intracellular ROS generation and activation of Ras/Erk, JNK1/2, PI3K/Akt as well as STAT1/STAT3 pathways and HIF-1α. OSM-dependent migration relies on a biphasic mechanism requiring early intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and late HIF1-dependent expression and release of VEGF. CONCLUSION OSM is overexpressed in experimental and human progressive NAFLD and can act as a profibrogenic factor by directly stimulating migration of hepatic MFs.
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Penke LR, Peters-Golden M. Molecular determinants of mesenchymal cell activation in fibroproliferative diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:4179-4201. [PMID: 31563998 PMCID: PMC6858579 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03212-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Uncontrolled scarring, or fibrosis, can interfere with the normal function of virtually all tissues of the body, ultimately leading to organ failure and death. Fibrotic diseases represent a major cause of death in industrialized countries. Unfortunately, no curative treatments for these conditions are yet available, highlighting the critical need for a better fundamental understanding of molecular mechanisms that may be therapeutically tractable. The ultimate indispensable effector cells responsible for deposition of extracellular matrix proteins that comprise scars are mesenchymal cells, namely fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. In this review, we focus on the biology of these cells and the molecular mechanisms that regulate their pertinent functions. We discuss key pro-fibrotic mediators, signaling pathways, and transcription factors that dictate their activation and persistence. Because of their possible clinical and therapeutic relevance, we also consider potential brakes on mesenchymal cell activation and cellular processes that may facilitate myofibroblast clearance from fibrotic tissue-topics that have in general been understudied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loka R Penke
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 6301 MSRB III, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5642, USA
| | - Marc Peters-Golden
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 6301 MSRB III, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5642, USA.
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Kendall TJ, Duff CM, Boulter L, Wilson DH, Freyer E, Aitken S, Forbes SJ, Iredale JP, Hastie ND. Embryonic mesothelial-derived hepatic lineage of quiescent and heterogenous scar-orchestrating cells defined but suppressed by WT1. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4688. [PMID: 31615982 PMCID: PMC6794268 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12701-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) orchestrate scarring during liver injury, with putative quiescent precursor mesodermal derivation. Here we use lineage-tracing from development, through adult homoeostasis, to fibrosis, to define morphologically and transcriptionally discreet subpopulations of aHSCs by expression of WT1, a transcription factor controlling morphological transitions in organogenesis and adult homoeostasis. Two distinct populations of aHSCs express WT1 after injury, and both re-engage a transcriptional signature reflecting embryonic mesothelial origin of their discreet quiescent adult precursor. WT1-deletion enhances fibrogenesis after injury, through upregulated Wnt-signalling and modulation of genes central to matrix persistence in aHSCs, and augmentation of myofibroblastic transition. The mesothelial-derived lineage demonstrates punctuated phenotypic plasticity through bidirectional mesothelial-mesenchymal transitions. Our findings demonstrate functional heterogeneity of adult scar-orchestrating cells that can be whole-life traced back through specific quiescent adult precursors to differential origin in development, and define WT1 as a paradoxical regulator of aHSCs induced by injury but suppressing scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy James Kendall
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK.
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK.
| | - Catherine Mary Duff
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Luke Boulter
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - David H Wilson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Elisabeth Freyer
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Stuart Aitken
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Stuart John Forbes
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - John Peter Iredale
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
- Senate House, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
| | - Nicholas Dixon Hastie
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
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Zhou T, Kyritsi K, Wu N, Francis H, Yang Z, Chen L, O'Brien A, Kennedy L, Ceci L, Meadows V, Kusumanchi P, Wu C, Baiocchi L, Skill NJ, Saxena R, Sybenga A, Xie L, Liangpunsakul S, Meng F, Alpini G, Glaser S. Knockdown of vimentin reduces mesenchymal phenotype of cholangiocytes in the Mdr2 -/- mouse model of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). EBioMedicine 2019; 48:130-142. [PMID: 31522982 PMCID: PMC6838376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholangiocytes are the target cells of cholangiopathies including primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein that has been found in various types of mesenchymal cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of vimentin in the progression of biliary damage/liver fibrosis and whether there is a mesenchymal phenotype of cholangiocytes in the Mdr2-/- model of PSC. METHODS In vivo studies were performed in 12 wk. Mdr2-/- male mice with or without vimentin Vivo-Morpholino treatment and their corresponding control groups. Liver specimens from human PSC patients, human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (HIBEpiC) and human hepatic stellate cell lines (HHSteCs) were used to measure changes in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). FINDINGS There was increased mesenchymal phenotype of cholangiocytes in Mdr2-/- mice, which was reduced by treatment of vimentin Vivo-Morpholino. Concomitant with reduced vimentin expression, there was decreased liver damage, ductular reaction, biliary senescence, liver fibrosis and TGF-β1 secretion in Mdr2-/- mice treated with vimentin Vivo-Morpholino. Human PSC patients and derived cell lines had increased expression of vimentin and other mesenchymal markers compared to healthy controls and HIBEpiC, respectively. In vitro silencing of vimentin in HIBEpiC suppressed TGF-β1-induced EMT and fibrotic reaction. HHSteCs had decreased fibrotic reaction and increased cellular senescence after stimulation with cholangiocyte supernatant with reduced vimentin levels. INTERPRETATION Our study demonstrated that knockdown of vimentin reduces mesenchymal phenotype of cholangiocytes, which leads to decreased biliary senescence and liver fibrosis. Inhibition of vimentin may be a key therapeutic target in the treatment of cholangiopathies including PSC. FUND: National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards, VA Merit awards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhao Zhou
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, United States of America
| | - Konstantina Kyritsi
- Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Nan Wu
- Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Heather Francis
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America; Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Zhihong Yang
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America; Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Lixian Chen
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, United States of America
| | - April O'Brien
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, United States of America
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Ludovica Ceci
- Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Vik Meadows
- Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Praveen Kusumanchi
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America; Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Chaodong Wu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, United States of America
| | | | - Nicholas J Skill
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Romil Saxena
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Amelia Sybenga
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - Linglin Xie
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, United States of America
| | - Suthat Liangpunsakul
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America; Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Fanyin Meng
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America; Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America; Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America.
| | - Shannon Glaser
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, United States of America.
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Lai C, Feng T, Wei L, Zhang T, Zhou G, Yang Q, Lan T, Xiang G, Yao Y, Zhou L, Huang X. Development and validation of a primate model for liver fibrosis. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2019; 100:106600. [PMID: 31247307 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2019.106600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many liver diseases involve liver fibrosis. Most preclinical studies of liver fibrosis are carried out in small animals such as rodents, and thus lack direct potential for extrapolation to human diseases. The aim of the current study was to develop a primate model for liver fibrosis with greater relevance to translational research. METHODS Liver fibrosis was induced in adult male healthy rhesus monkeys using repeated CCl4 treatment (40% in olive oil, 1.5 ml/kg once every 3 days via peritoneal injection, subcutaneous injection or gastric gavage). Liver biopsy was conducted at various time points for histologic examination. Blood samples were taken for standard liver function test. RESULTS Gastric gavage was the optimal approach for establishing stably liver fibrosis without animal loss due to toxicity. The progression of fibrosis appeared to involve epithelial to mesenchymal transition and hepatic ductular reaction. CONCLUSION Repeated CCl4 gavage in rhesus monkeys results in stable liver fibrosis. Such a model may be an effective platform for future studies of human liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyou Lai
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Tianhang Feng
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lingling Wei
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Tianying Zhang
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Guo Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Qinyan Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Tao Lan
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Guangming Xiang
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yutong Yao
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiaolun Huang
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
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Fabris L, Perugorria MJ, Mertens J, Björkström NK, Cramer T, Lleo A, Solinas A, Sänger H, Lukacs-Kornek V, Moncsek A, Siebenhüner A, Strazzabosco M. The tumour microenvironment and immune milieu of cholangiocarcinoma. Liver Int 2019; 39 Suppl 1:63-78. [PMID: 30907492 PMCID: PMC10878127 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tumour microenvironment is a complex, multicellular functional compartment that, particularly when assembled as an abundant desmoplastic reaction, may profoundly affect the proliferative and invasive abilities of epithelial cancer cells. Tumour microenvironment comprises not only stromal cells, mainly cancer-associated fibroblasts, but also immune cells of both the innate and adaptive system (tumour-associated macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and T and B lymphocytes), and endothelial cells. This results in an intricate web of mutual communications regulated by an extensively remodelled extracellular matrix, where the tumour cells are centrally engaged. In this regard, cholangiocarcinoma, in particular the intrahepatic variant, has become the focus of mounting interest in the last years, largely because of the lack of effective therapies despite its rising incidence and high mortality rates worldwide. On the other hand, recent studies in pancreatic cancer, which similarly to cholangiocarcinoma, is highly desmoplastic, have argued against a tumour-promoting function of the tumour microenvironment. In this review, we will discuss recent developments concerning the role of each cellular population and their multifaceted interplay with the malignant biliary epithelial counterpart. We ultimately hope to provide the working knowledge on how their manipulation may lead to a therapeutic gain in cholangiocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Fabris
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
- Liver Center and Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - María Jesús Perugorria
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute – Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastián, Spain
- National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Joachim Mertens
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Niklas K. Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thorsten Cramer
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- ESCAM – European Surgery Center Aachen Maastricht, Germany and The Netherlands
- NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ana Lleo
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS, Rozzano (MI), Italy. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele (MI), Italy
| | - Antonio Solinas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Hanna Sänger
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital, Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Veronika Lukacs-Kornek
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Germany
| | - Anja Moncsek
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Siebenhüner
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- Liver Center and Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Sato K, Glaser S, Kennedy L, Liangpunsakul S, Meng F, Francis H, Alpini G. Preclinical insights into cholangiopathies: disease modeling and emerging therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2019; 23:461-472. [PMID: 30990740 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2019.1608950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The common predominant clinical features of cholangiopathies such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and biliary atresia (BA) are biliary damage/senescence and liver fibrosis. Curative therapies are lacking, and liver transplantation is the only option. An understanding of the mechanisms and pathogenesis is needed to develop novel therapies. Previous studies have developed various disease-based research models and have identified candidate therapeutic targets. Areas covered: This review summarizes recent studies performed in preclinical models of cholangiopathies and the current understanding of the pathophysiology representing potential targets for novel therapies. A literature search was conducted in PubMed using the combination of the searched term 'cholangiopathies' with one or two keywords including 'model', 'cholangiocyte', 'animal', or 'fibrosis'. Papers published within five years were obtained. Expert opinion: Access to appropriate research models is a key challenge in cholangiopathy research; establishing more appropriate models for PBC is an important goal. Several preclinical studies have demonstrated promising results and have led to novel therapeutic approaches, especially for PSC. Further studies on the pathophysiology of PBC and BA are necessary to identify candidate targets. Innovative therapeutic approaches such as stem cell transplantation have been introduced, and those therapies could be applied to PSC, PBC, and BA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisaku Sato
- a Indiana Center for Liver Research, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.,b Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Shannon Glaser
- c Department of Medical Physiology , Texas A&M University Collage of Medicine , Temple , TX , USA
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- a Indiana Center for Liver Research, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.,b Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Suthat Liangpunsakul
- a Indiana Center for Liver Research, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.,b Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Fanyin Meng
- a Indiana Center for Liver Research, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.,b Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Heather Francis
- a Indiana Center for Liver Research, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.,b Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- a Indiana Center for Liver Research, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.,b Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center , Indianapolis , IN , USA
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New Insights into the Role of Epithelial⁻Mesenchymal Transition during Aging. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20040891. [PMID: 30791369 PMCID: PMC6412502 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular process by which differentiated epithelial cells undergo a phenotypic conversion to a mesenchymal nature. The EMT has been increasingly recognized as an essential process for tissue fibrogenesis during disease and normal aging. Higher levels of EMT proteins in aged tissues support the involvement of EMT as a possible cause and/or consequence of the aging process. Here, we will highlight the existing understanding of EMT supporting the phenotypical alterations that occur during normal aging or pathogenesis, covering the impact of EMT deregulation in tissue homeostasis and stem cell function.
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Chen L, Brenner DA, Kisseleva T. Combatting Fibrosis: Exosome-Based Therapies in the Regression of Liver Fibrosis. Hepatol Commun 2018; 3:180-192. [PMID: 30766956 PMCID: PMC6357832 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis results from chronic injury and inflammation in the liver and leads to cirrhosis, liver failure, and portal hypertension. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatic fibrosis has advanced the prospect of developing therapies for regression of the disease. Resolution of fibrosis requires a reduction of proinflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines, a decrease in extracellular matrix (ECM) protein production, an increase in collagenase activity, and finally, a disappearance of activated myofibroblasts. Exosomes are nanovesicles of endocytic origin secreted by most cell types. They epigenetically reprogram and alter the phenotype of their recipient cells and hold great promise for the reversal of fibrosis. Recent studies have shown that exosomes function as conduits for intercellular transfer and contain all the necessary components to induce resolution of fibrosis, including the ability to (1) inhibit macrophage activation and cytokine secretion, (2) remodel ECM production and decrease fibrous scars, and (3) inactivate hepatic stellate cells, a major myofibroblast population. Here, we discuss the research involving the regression of hepatic fibrosis. We focus on the newly discovered roles of exosomes during fibrogenesis and as a therapy for fibrosis reversal. We also emphasize the novel discoveries of exosome‐based antifibrotic treatments in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Department of Medicine University of California San Diego La Jolla CA
| | - David A Brenner
- Department of Medicine University of California San Diego La Jolla CA
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery University of California San Diego La Jolla CA
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Zhu J, Luo Z, Pan Y, Zheng W, Li W, Zhang Z, Xiong P, Xu D, Du M, Wang B, Yu J, Zhang J, Liu J. H19/miR-148a/USP4 axis facilitates liver fibrosis by enhancing TGF-β signaling in both hepatic stellate cells and hepatocytes. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:9698-9710. [PMID: 30362572 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing response represented by excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Activation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) is the critical cellular basis for hepatic fibrogenesis, whereas hepatocyte undergoes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) which is also involved in chronic liver injury. Long noncoding RNA H19 has been found to be associated with cholestatic liver fibrosis lately. However, the role of H19 in liver fibrosis remains largely to be elucidated. In this study, we found that the expression of H19 was significantly upregulated in the liver tissue of CCl4 -induced mice, a toxicant-induced liver fibrogenesis model. Overexpression of H19 significantly aggravated activation of HSC and EMT of hepatocyte both by stimulating transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway. In terms of mechanism, H19 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA to sponge miR-148a and subsequently sustained the level of ubiquitin-specific protease 4 (USP4), which was an identified target of miR-148a and was able to stabilize TGF-β receptor I. In conclusion, our findings revealed a novel H19/miR-148a/USP4 axis which promoted liver fibrosis via TGF-β pathway in both HSC and hepatocyte, indicating that H19 could become a promising target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhu
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongguang Luo
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yida Pan
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanwei Zheng
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenshuai Li
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziqiang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Panpan Xiong
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Diannan Xu
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences and Department of Immunology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meiling Du
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bangting Wang
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianghong Yu
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences and Department of Immunology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institutes of Biomedical Sciences and Department of Immunology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Liver fibrosis: Pathophysiology, pathogenetic targets and clinical issues. Mol Aspects Med 2018; 65:37-55. [PMID: 30213667 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 634] [Impact Index Per Article: 105.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The progression of chronic liver diseases (CLD), irrespective of etiology, involves chronic parenchymal injury, persistent activation of inflammatory response as well as sustained activation of liver fibrogenesis and wound healing response. Liver fibrogenesis, is a dynamic, highly integrated molecular, cellular and tissue process responsible for driving the excess accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components (i.e., liver fibrosis) sustained by an eterogeneous population of hepatic myofibroblasts (MFs). The process of liver fibrogenesis recognizes a number of common and etiology-independent mechanisms and events but it is also significantly influenced by the specific etiology, as also reflected by peculiar morphological patterns of liver fibrosis development. In this review we will analyze the most relevant established and/or emerging pathophysiological issues underlying CLD progression with a focus on the role of critical hepatic cell populations, mechanisms and signaling pathways involved, as they represent potential therapeutic targets, to finally analyze selected and relevant clinical issues.
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