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Al Saihati HA, Badr OA, Dessouky AA, Mostafa O, Samir Farid A, Aborayah NH, Abdullah Aljasir M, Baioumy B, Mahmoud Taha N, El-Sherbiny M, Hamed Al-Serwi R, Ramadan MM, Salim RF, Shaheen D, E M Ali F, Ebrahim N. Exploring the cytoprotective role of mesenchymal stem Cell-Derived exosomes in chronic liver Fibrosis: Insights into the Nrf2/Keap1/p62 signaling pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 141:112934. [PMID: 39178516 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a common pathology present in most chronic liver diseases. Autophagy is a lysosome-mediated intracellular catabolic and recycling process that plays an essential role in maintaining normal hepatic functions. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor responsible for the regulation of cellular anti-oxidative stress response. This study was designed to assess the cytoprotective effect of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-exos) on endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in Carbon Tetrachloride (CCL4) induced liver fibrosis. Rats were treated with 0.1 ml of CCL4 twice weekly for 8 weeks, followed by administration of a single dose of MSC-exos. Rats were then sacrificed after 4 weeks, and liver samples were collected for gene expression analyses, Western blot, histological studies, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. Our results showed that MSC-exos administration decreased collagen deposition, apoptosis, and inflammation. Exosomes modulate the Nrf2/Keap1/p62 pathway, restoring autophagy and Nrf2 levels through modulation of the non-canonical pathway of Nrf2/Keap1/p62. Additionally, MSC-exos regulated miR-153-3p, miR-27a, miR-144 and miRNA-34a expression. In conclusion, the present study shed light on MSC-exos as a cytoprotective agent against EMT and tumorigenesis in chronic liver inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajir A Al Saihati
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hafr Albatin, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Omnia A Badr
- Department of Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Egypt.
| | - Arigue A Dessouky
- Department of Medical Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, 44519 Zagazig, Egypt.
| | - Ola Mostafa
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Egypt.
| | - Ayman Samir Farid
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh 13736, Qalyubia, Egypt.
| | - Nashwa H Aborayah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Egypt, Department of Pharmacology, Mutah University, Mutah 61710, Jordan.
| | - Mohammad Abdullah Aljasir
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Bodour Baioumy
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Egypt.
| | | | - Mohamed El-Sherbiny
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt.
| | - Rasha Hamed Al-Serwi
- Department of Basic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mahmoud M Ramadan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah City, United Arab Emirates; Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt.
| | - Rabab F Salim
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha Universit, Egypt.
| | - Dalia Shaheen
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
| | - Fares E M Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Nesrine Ebrahim
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Stem Cell Unit, Egypt.
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2
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Jacobs I, Ke BJ, Ceulemans M, Cremer J, D'Hoore A, Bislenghi G, Matteoli G, De Hertogh G, Sabino J, Ferrante M, Vermeire S, Breynaert C, Vanuytsel T, Verstockt B. Fibrostricturing Crohn's Disease Is Marked by an Increase in Active Eosinophils in the Deeper Layers. Clin Transl Gastroenterol 2024; 15:e00706. [PMID: 38690831 PMCID: PMC11272291 DOI: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000706] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Approximately 50% of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) develop intestinal strictures necessitating surgery. The immune cell distribution in these strictures remains uncharacterized. We aimed to identify the immune cells in intestinal strictures of patients with CD. METHODS During ileocolonic resections, transmural sections of terminal ileum were sampled from 25 patients with CD and 10 non-inflammatory bowel disease controls. Macroscopically unaffected, fibrostenotic, and inflamed ileum was collected and analyzed for immune cell distribution (flow cytometry) and protein expression. Collagen deposition was assessed through a Masson Trichrome staining. Eosinophil and fibroblast colocalization was assessed through immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The Masson Trichrome staining confirmed augmented collagen deposition in both the fibrotic and the inflamed regions, though with a significant increased collagen deposition in the fibrotic compared with inflamed tissue. Distinct Th1, Th2, regulatory T cells, dendritic cells, and monocytes were identified in fibrotic and inflamed CD ileum compared with unaffected ileum of patients with CD as non-inflammatory bowel disease controls. Only minor differences were observed between fibrotic and inflamed tissue, with more active eosinophils in fibrotic deeper layers and increased eosinophil cationic protein expression in inflamed deeper layers. Last, no differences in eosinophil and fibroblast colocalization were observed between the different regions. DISCUSSION This study characterized immune cell distribution and protein expression in fibrotic and inflamed ileal tissue of patients with CD. Immunologic, proteomic, and histological data suggest inflammation and fibrosis are intertwined, with a large overlap between both tissue types. However strikingly, we did identify an increased presence of active eosinophils only in the fibrotic deeper layers, suggesting their potential role in fibrosis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Jacobs
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, Leuven, Belgium
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (ChroMetA), Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bo-Jun Ke
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (ChroMetA), Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthias Ceulemans
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (ChroMetA), Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Cremer
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, Leuven, Belgium
| | - André D'Hoore
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gabriele Bislenghi
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gianluca Matteoli
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (ChroMetA), Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gert De Hertogh
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell & Tissue Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - João Sabino
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (ChroMetA), Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Leuven, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marc Ferrante
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (ChroMetA), Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Leuven, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Séverine Vermeire
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (ChroMetA), Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Leuven, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christine Breynaert
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, Leuven, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of General Internal Medicine, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim Vanuytsel
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (ChroMetA), Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Leuven, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Verstockt
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (ChroMetA), Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Leuven, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leuven, Belgium
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Yang XY, Chen Z, Tan J, Xue YK, Zheng H. KLF4 Inhibits the Activation of Human Hepatic Stellate Cell In Vitro. Curr Med Sci 2024; 44:512-518. [PMID: 38789819 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-024-2860-8] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a crucial role in liver fibrosis. Early-stage liver fibrosis is reversible and intimately associated with the state of HSCs. Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) plays a pivotal role in a wide array of physiological and pathological processes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of KLF4 on the proliferation, apoptosis and phenotype of quiescent HSCs METHODS: We designed a KLF4 lentiviral vector and a KLF4 siRNA lentiviral vector, to upregulate and silence KLF4 expression in human HSC LX-2 cells via transfection. Cell proliferation was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate. Western blotting was used to determine the levels of some quiescence and activation markers of HSCs RESULTS: Overexpression of KLF4 significantly increased the levels of E-cadherin and ZO-1, which are quiescent HSC markers, while significantly decreased the levels of N-cadherin and a-SMA, known activated HSC markers. In contrast, cell proliferation and apoptosis rates were elevated in LX-2 cells in which KLF4 expression was silenced CONCLUSION: KLF4 inhibits the proliferation and activation of human LX-2 HSCs. It might be a key regulatory protein in the maintenance of HSC quiescence and may serve as a target for the inhibition of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Yu Yang
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jun Tan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yin-Kai Xue
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Hai Zheng
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Madorran E, Kocbek Šaherl L, Rakuša M, Takač I, Munda M. Finding a Direct Method for a Dynamic Process: The DD (Direct and Dynamic) Cell-Tox Method. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5133. [PMID: 38791172 PMCID: PMC11120653 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The main focus of in vitro toxicity assessment methods is to assess the viability of the cells, which is usually based on metabolism changes. Yet, when exposed to toxic substances, the cell triggers multiple signals in response. With this in mind, we have developed a promising cell-based toxicity method that observes various cell responses when exposed to toxic substances (either death, division, or remain viable). Based on the collective cell response, we observed and predicted the dynamics of the cell population to determine the toxicity of the toxicant. The method was tested with two different conformations: In the first conformation, we exposed a monoculture model of blood macrophages to UV light, hydrogen peroxide, nutrient deprivation, tetrabromobisphenol A, fatty acids, and 5-fluorouracil. In the second, we exposed a coculture liver model consisting of hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, Kupffer cells, and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells to rifampicin, ibuprofen, and 5-fluorouracil. The method showed good accuracy compared to established toxicity assessment methods. In addition, this approach provided more representative information on the toxic effects of the compounds, as it considers the different cellular responses induced by toxic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eneko Madorran
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Maribor, Taborska Ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (L.K.Š.); (M.R.); (M.M.)
| | - Lidija Kocbek Šaherl
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Maribor, Taborska Ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (L.K.Š.); (M.R.); (M.M.)
| | - Mateja Rakuša
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Maribor, Taborska Ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (L.K.Š.); (M.R.); (M.M.)
| | - Iztok Takač
- Division for Gynecology and Perinatology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Ljubljanska Ulica 5, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska Ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Miha Munda
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Maribor, Taborska Ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (L.K.Š.); (M.R.); (M.M.)
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Chen M, Wu GB, Hua S, Zheng L, Fan Q, Luo M. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) to aggravate liver fibrosis into cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHT) via ROS/TGF-β1/Snail-1 signalling pathway in adult rats. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 274:116124. [PMID: 38503108 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study was to investigate the toxicological impact of Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on the process of liver fibrosis transitioning into cirrhosis and the subsequent development of portal hypertension (PHT) through the mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mediated by the ROS/TGF-β/Snail-1 signaling pathway. METHOD Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (1 mg/kg) was introduced in adult rats by oral feeding in CCl4 and CCl4+DBP groups twice a week for 8 weeks, and twice for another 8 week in CCl4 group. DBP was introduced by oral feeding in the CCl4+DBP group twice over the following 8 weeks. We subsequently analyzed hemodynamics measurements and liver cirrhosis degree, hepatic inflammation and liver function in the different groups. EMT related genes expression in rats in the groups of Control, DBP, CCl4 and CCl4+DBP were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), qRT-PCR, western blot were used to detect the EMT related proteins and mRNA gene expression levels in rats and primary hepatocytes (PHCs). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined with a ROS detection kit. RESULTS The results showed that the CCl4+DBP group had higher portal pressure (PP) and lower mean arterial pressure (MAP) than the other groups. Elevated collagen deposition, profibrotic factor, inflammation, EMT levels were detected in DBP and CCl4+DBP groups. ROS, TGF-β1 and Snail-1 were highly expressed after DBP exposure in vitro. TGF-β1 had the potential to regulate Snail-1, and both of them were subject to regulation by ROS. CONCLUSION DBP could influence the progression of EMT through its toxicological effect by ROS/TGF-β1/Snail-1 signalling pathway, causing cirrhosis and PHT in final. The findings of this research might contribute to a novel comprehension of the underlying toxicological mechanisms and animal model involved in the progression of cirrhosis and PHT, and potentially offered a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guang-Bo Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Hua
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Fan
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Meng Luo
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Zhang R, Zhan Y, Lang Z, Li Y, Zhang W, Zheng J. LncRNA-SNHG5 mediates activation of hepatic stellate cells by regulating NF2 and Hippo pathway. Commun Biol 2024; 7:266. [PMID: 38438584 PMCID: PMC10912598 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05971-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 5 (SNHG5) is an oncogene found in various human cancers. However, it is unclear what role SNHG5 plays in activating hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and liver fibrosis. In this study, SNHG5 was found to be upregulated in activated HSCs in vitro and in primary HSCs isolated from fibrotic liver in vivo, and inhibition of SNHG5 suppressed HSC activation. Notably, Neurofibromin 2 (NF2), the main activator for Hippo signalling, was involved in the effects of SNHG5 on HSC activation. The interaction between SNHG5 and NF2 protein was further confirmed, and preventing the combination of the two could effectively block the effects of SNHG5 inhibition on EMT process and Hippo signaling. Additionally, higher SNHG5 was found in chronic hepatitis B patients and associated with the fibrosis stage. Altogether, we demonstrate that SNHG5 could serve as an activated HSCs regulator via regulating NF2 and Hippo pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongrong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Yating Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Zhichao Lang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Yifei Li
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Weizhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Jianjian Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
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Sagy N, Meyrom N, Beckerman P, Pleniceanu O, Bar DZ. Kidney-specific methylation patterns correlate with kidney function and are lost upon kidney disease progression. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:27. [PMID: 38347603 PMCID: PMC10863297 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01642-w] [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: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronological and biological age correlate with DNA methylation levels at specific sites in the genome. Linear combinations of multiple methylation sites, termed epigenetic clocks, can inform us the chronological age and predict multiple health-related outcomes. However, why some sites correlating with lifespan, healthspan, or specific medical conditions remain poorly understood. Kidney fibrosis is the common pathway for chronic kidney disease, which affects 10% of European and US populations. RESULTS Here we identify epigenetic clocks and methylation sites that correlate with kidney function. Moreover, we identify methylation sites that have a unique methylation signature in the kidney. Methylation levels in majority of these sites correlate with kidney state and function. When kidney function deteriorates, all of these sites regress toward the common methylation pattern observed in other tissues. Interestingly, while the majority of sites are less methylated in the kidney and become more methylated with loss of function, a fraction of the sites are highly methylated in the kidney and become less methylated when kidney function declines. These methylation sites are enriched for specific transcription-factor binding sites. In a large subset of sites, changes in methylation patterns are accompanied by changes in gene expression in kidneys of chronic kidney disease patients. CONCLUSIONS These results support the information theory of aging, and the hypothesis that the unique tissue identity, as captured by methylation patterns, is lost as tissue function declines. However, this information loss is not random, but guided toward a baseline that is dependent on the genomic loci. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT DNA methylation at specific sites accurately reflects chronological and biological age. We identify sites that have a unique methylation pattern in the kidney. Methylation levels in the majority of these sites correlate with kidney state and function. Moreover, when kidney function deteriorates, all of these sites regress toward the common methylation pattern observed in other tissues. Thus, the unique methylation signature of the kidney is degraded, and epigenetic information is lost, when kidney disease progresses. These methylation sites are enriched for specific and methylation-sensitive transcription-factor binding sites, and associated genes show disease-dependent changes in expression. These results support the information theory of aging, and the hypothesis that the unique tissue identity, as captured by methylation patterns, is lost as tissue function declines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naor Sagy
- Department of Oral Biology, Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, The Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Noa Meyrom
- Department of Oral Biology, Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, The Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Pazit Beckerman
- Kidney Research Lab, The Institute of Nephrology and Hypertension, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer and The Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Oren Pleniceanu
- Kidney Research Lab, The Institute of Nephrology and Hypertension, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer and The Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Daniel Z Bar
- Department of Oral Biology, Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, The Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- The AI and Data Science Center (TAD), Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Thiery JP, Sheng G, Shu X, Runyan R. How studies in developmental epithelial-mesenchymal transition and mesenchymal-epithelial transition inspired new research paradigms in biomedicine. Development 2024; 151:dev200128. [PMID: 38300897 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200128] [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] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse mechanism, mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), are evolutionarily conserved mechanisms initially identified in studies of early metazoan development. EMT may even have been established in choanoflagellates, the closest unicellular relative of Metazoa. These crucial morphological transitions operate during body plan formation and subsequently in organogenesis. These findings have prompted an increasing number of investigators in biomedicine to assess the importance of such mechanisms that drive epithelial cell plasticity in multiple diseases associated with congenital disabilities and fibrosis, and, most importantly, in the progression of carcinoma. EMT and MET also play crucial roles in regenerative medicine, notably by contributing epigenetic changes in somatic cells to initiate reprogramming into stem cells and their subsequent differentiation into distinct lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guojun Sheng
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Xiaodong Shu
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Raymond Runyan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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9
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Fareed MM, Khalid H, Khalid S, Shityakov S. Deciphering Molecular Mechanisms of Carbon Tetrachloride- Induced Hepatotoxicity: A Brief Systematic Review. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:1124-1134. [PMID: 37818557 DOI: 10.2174/0115665240257603230919103539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
The liver plays a critical role in metabolic processes, making it vulnerable to injury. Researchers often study carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in model organisms because it closely resembles human liver damage. This toxicity occurs due to the activation of various cytochromes, including CYP2E1, CYP2B1, CYP2B2, and possibly CYP3A, which produce the trichloromethyl radical (CCl3*). CCl3* can attach to biological molecules such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, impairing lipid metabolism and leading to fatty degeneration. It can also combine with DNA to initiate hepatic carcinogenesis. When exposed to oxygen, CCl3* generates more reactive CCl3OO*, which leads to lipid peroxidation and membrane damage. At the molecular level, CCl4 induces the release of several inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and NO, which can either help or harm hepatotoxicity through cellular apoptosis. TGF-β contributes to fibrogenesis, while IL-6 and IL-10 aid in recovery by minimizing anti-apoptotic activity and directing cells toward regeneration. To prevent liver damage, different interventions can be employed, such as antioxidants, mitogenic agents, and the maintenance of calcium sequestration. Drugs that prevent CCl4- induced cytotoxicity and proliferation or enhance CYP450 activity may offer a protective response against hepatic carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Mazhar Fareed
- School of Science and Engineering, Department of Computer Science, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
- Laboratorio di Bioinformatica Applicata, Department of Biotechnology, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Hina Khalid
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Sana Khalid
- School of Life Science and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
| | - Sergey Shityakov
- Laboratory of Chemoinformatics, Infochemistry Scientific Center, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
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10
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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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11
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Zhang L, Zhang X, Deng X, Wang P, Mo Y, Zhang Y, Tong X. Cytokines as drivers: Unraveling the mechanisms of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in COVID-19 lung fibrosis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 686:149118. [PMID: 37931361 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), like other viruses, can induce proliferation of myofibroblasts and even lead to fibrosis in the lung. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is thought to play an essential role in the pathogenesis of Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). EMT is originally a critical process that regulates the development of different tissues in the embryo, but in inflammatory situations, EMT tries to be activated again to control inflammation or even heal inflammatory damage. However, in pathological situations, such as chronic viral infections (e.g., COVID-19) or pulmonary fibrosis initiation, this benign healing transforms into sinister nature, pushing the lung into the fibrotic process. Notably, the cytokines released by inflammatory cells and the chronic inflammatory microenvironment shared by fibrotic cells promote each other as critical factors in the induction of pathological EMT. In the induction of SARS-CoV-2 virus, cytokines are an essential mediator of EMT transformation, and a summary of whether COVID-19 patients, during the infection phase, have many persistent inflammatory mediators (cytokines) that are a causative factor of EMT has not yet appeared. The following common signaling drivers, including Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), cytokines, Notch signaling pathway, Wnt and hypoxia signaling pathways, drive the regulation of EMT. In this review, we will focus on 3 key EMT signaling pathways: TGF-β, Leucine zipper transcription factor like 1 (LZTFL1) and the common interleukin family expressed in the lung. TGF-β-induced SNAIL and LZTFL1 were identified as regulatory EMT in COVID-19. For cytokines, the interleukin family is a common inducer of EMT and plays an essential role in the formation of the microenvironment of fibrosis. We sought to demonstrate that cytokines act as "communicators" and build the "microenvironment" of fibrosis together with EMT as a "bridge" to induce EMT in fibrosis. The mechanisms utilized by these two pathways could serve as templates for other mesenchymal transformations and provide new potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Chengdu, China.
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, West China (Airport) Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Xiaoqian Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan university, Chengdu, China
| | - Pengbo Wang
- School of Professional Studies, Columbia University, USA
| | - Yan Mo
- Department of Neurology Medicine, The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) 363 Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuansheng Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xia Tong
- Department of Gastroenterology, West China (Airport) Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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12
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Lin P, Bai Y, Nian X, Chi J, Chen T, Zhang J, Zhang W, Zhou B, Liu Y, Zhao Y. Chemically induced revitalization of damaged hepatocytes for regenerative liver repair. iScience 2023; 26:108532. [PMID: 38144457 PMCID: PMC10746372 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In prolonged liver injury, hepatocytes undergo partial identity loss with decreased regenerative capacity, resulting in liver failure. Here, we identified a five compound (5C) combination that could restore hepatocyte identity and reverse the damage-associated phenotype (e.g., dysfunction, senescence, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, growth arrest, and pro-inflammatory gene expression) in damaged hepatocytes (dHeps) from CCl4-induced mice with chronic liver injury, resembling a direct chemical reprogramming approach. Systemic administration of 5C in mice with chronic liver injury promoted hepatocyte regeneration, improved liver function, and ameliorated liver fibrosis. The hepatocyte-associated transcriptional networks were reestablished with chemical treatment as revealed by motif analysis of ATAC-seq, and a hepatocyte-enriched transcription factor, Foxa2, was found to be essential for hepatocyte revitalization. Overall, our findings indicate that the phenotype and transcriptional program of dHeps can be reprogrammed to generate functional and regenerative hepatocytes by using only small molecules, as an alternative approach to liver repair and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
| | - Yunfei Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
| | - Xinxin Nian
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jun Chi
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
| | - Tianzhe Chen
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
| | - Wenpeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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13
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Hassanein EHM, Ibrahim IM, Abd El-Maksoud MS, Abd El-Aziz MK, Abd-Alhameed EK, Althagafy HS. Targeting necroptosis in fibrosis. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:10471-10484. [PMID: 37910384 PMCID: PMC10676318 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08857-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Necroptosis, a type of programmed cell death that resembles necrosis, is now known to depend on a different molecular mechanism from apoptosis, according to several recent studies. Many efforts have reported the possible influence of necroptosis in human disorders and concluded the crucial role in the pathophysiology of various diseases, including liver diseases, renal injuries, cancers, and others. Fibrosis is the most common end-stage pathological cascade of several chronic inflammatory disorders. In this review, we explain the impact of necroptosis and fibrosis, for which necroptosis has been demonstrated to be a contributing factor. We also go over the inhibitors of necroptosis and how they have been applied to fibrosis models. This review helps to clarify the role of necroptosis in fibrosis and will encourage clinical efforts to target this pathway of programmed cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad H M Hassanein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt.
| | - Islam M Ibrahim
- Graduated Student, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, 71524, Egypt
| | - Mostafa S Abd El-Maksoud
- Graduated Student, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, 71524, Egypt
| | - Mostafa K Abd El-Aziz
- Graduated Student, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, 71524, Egypt
| | - Esraa K Abd-Alhameed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Hanan S Althagafy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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14
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Huang FY, Wong DKH, Mak LY, Cheung TT, Zhang SS, Chau HT, Hui RWH, Seto WK, Yuen MF. FAT4 loss initiates hepatocarcinogenesis through the switching of canonical to noncanonical WNT signaling pathways. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0338. [PMID: 38055646 PMCID: PMC10984662 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000338] [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: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutation and downregulation of FAT atypical cadherin 4 (FAT4) are frequently detected in HCC, suggesting a tumor suppressor role of FAT4. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive. METHODS CRISPR-Cas9 system was used to knockout FAT4 (FAT4-KO) in a normal human hepatic cell line L02 to investigate the impact of FAT4 loss on the development of HCC. RNA-sequencing and xenograft mouse model were used to study gene expression and tumorigenesis, respectively. The mechanistic basis of FAT4 loss on hepatocarcinogenesis was elucidated using in vitro experiments. RESULTS We found that FAT4-KO disrupted cell-cell adhesion, induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and increased expression of extracellular matrix components. FAT4-KO is sufficient for tumor initiation in a xenograft mouse model. RNA-sequencing of FAT4-KO cells identified PAK6-mediated WNT/β-catenin signaling to promote tumor growth. Suppression of PAK6 led to β-catenin shuttling out of the nucleus for ubiquitin-dependent degradation and constrained tumor growth. Further, RNA-sequencing of amassed FAT4-KO cells identified activation of WNT5A and ROR2. The noncanonical WNT5A/ROR2 signaling has no effect on β-catenin and its target genes (CCND1 and c-Myc) expression. Instead, we observed downregulation of receptors for WNT/β-catenin signaling, suggesting the shifting of β-catenin-dependent to β-catenin-independent pathways as tumor progression depends on its receptor expression. Both PAK6 and WNT5A could induce the expression of extracellular matrix glycoprotein, laminin subunit alpha 4. Laminin subunit alpha 4 upregulation in HCC correlated with poor patient survival. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that FAT4 loss is sufficient to drive HCC development through the switching of canonical to noncanonical Wingless-type signaling pathways. The findings may provide a mechanistic basis for an in-depth study of the two pathways in the early and late stages of HCC for precise treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fung-Yu Huang
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Danny Ka-Ho Wong
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Lung-Yi Mak
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Tan-To Cheung
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Sai-Sai Zhang
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Hau-Tak Chau
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Rex Wan-Hin Hui
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
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15
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Zhang M, Barroso E, Ruart M, Peña L, Peyman M, Aguilar-Recarte D, Montori-Grau M, Rada P, Cugat C, Montironi C, Zarei M, Jurado-Aguilar J, Camins A, Balsinde J, Valverde ÁM, Wahli W, Palomer X, Vázquez-Carrera M. Elafibranor upregulates the EMT-inducer S100A4 via PPARβ/δ. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115623. [PMID: 37783154 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115623] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Elafibranor is a dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α and β/δ agonist that has reached a phase III clinical trial for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Here, we examined the effects of elafibranor in mice fed a choline-deficient high-fat diet (CD-HFD), a model of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) that presents obesity and insulin resistance. Our findings revealed that elafibranor treatment ameliorated steatosis, inflammation, and fibrogenesis in the livers of CD-HFD-fed mice. Unexpectedly, elafibranor also increased the levels of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-promoting protein S100A4 via PPARβ/δ activation. The increase in S100A4 protein levels caused by elafibranor was accompanied by changes in the levels of markers associated with the EMT program. The S100A4 induction caused by elafibranor was confirmed in the BRL-3A rat liver cells and a mouse primary hepatocyte culture. Furthermore, elafibranor reduced the levels of ASB2, a protein that promotes S100A4 degradation, while ASB2 overexpression prevented the stimulating effect of elafibranor on S100A4. Collectively, these findings reveal an unexpected hepatic effect of elafibranor on increasing S100A4 and promoting the EMT program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijian Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Emma Barroso
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Maria Ruart
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Lucía Peña
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Mona Peyman
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - David Aguilar-Recarte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Marta Montori-Grau
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Patricia Rada
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (CSIC/UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Cugat
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Carla Montironi
- Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Cancer Translational Research Group, Liver Unit, IDIBAPS-Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mohammad Zarei
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA; Renal Division, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Javier Jurado-Aguilar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Antoni Camins
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Balsinde
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Ángela M Valverde
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (CSIC/UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Walter Wahli
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 308232, Singapore; INRA ToxAlim, UMR1331, Chemin de Tournefeuille, F-31027 Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Xavier Palomer
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Manuel Vázquez-Carrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain.
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16
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Jiachen Z, Paul Kwong Hang T, Kenneth Kak Yuen W, Vincent Chi Hang L. Pathological role of methionine in the initiation and progression of biliary atresia. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1263836. [PMID: 37772039 PMCID: PMC10522914 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1263836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Methionine (Met) is an essential amino acid, and its excessive dietary intake and/or its metabolism disturbance could lead to accumulation/depletion of hepatic Met and some of the key intermediates of these pathways, which would interfere normal liver function and would be associated with liver diseases. Biliary atresia (BA) is a life-threatening disease characterized by inflammatory fibrosclerosing changes of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary systems and is the primary cause of obstructive neonatal cholestasis with a rapid course of liver failure. However, its pathogenesis remains unknown. Previous studies reported elevated Met level in patients with obstructive cholestasis, suggesting a potential link between Met and BA. This paper reviews the Met metabolism in normal conditions and its dysregulation under abnormal conditions, the possible causes of hypermethioninemia, and its connection to BA pathogenesis: Abnormal hepatic level of Met could lead to a perturbation of redox homeostasis and mitochondrial functions of hepatocytes, enhancement of viral infectivity, and dysregulation of innate and adaptative immune cells in response to infection/damage of the liver contributing to the initiation/progression of BA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Jiachen
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tam Paul Kwong Hang
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Wong Kenneth Kak Yuen
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lui Vincent Chi Hang
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Dr. Li Dak-Sum Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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17
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Li Y, Lu Y, Nian M, Sheng Q, Zhang C, Han C, Dou X, Ding Y. Therapeutic potential and mechanism of Chinese herbal medicines in treating fibrotic liver disease. Chin J Nat Med 2023; 21:643-657. [PMID: 37777315 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(23)60443-1] [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: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a pathological condition characterized by replacement of normal liver tissue with scar tissue, and also the leading cause of liver-related death worldwide. During the treatment of liver fibrosis, in addition to antiviral therapy or removal of inducers, there remains a lack of specific and effective treatment strategies. For thousands of years, Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have been widely used to treat liver fibrosis in clinical setting. CHMs are effective for liver fibrosis, though its mechanisms of action are unclear. In recent years, many studies have attempted to determine the possible mechanisms of action of CHMs in treating liver fibrosis. There have been substantial improvements in the experimental investigation of CHMs which have greatly promoted the understanding of anti-liver fibrosis mechanisms. In this review, the role of CHMs in the treatment of liver fibrosis is described, based on studies over the past decade, which has addressed the various mechanisms and signaling pathways that mediate therapeutic efficacy. Among them, inhibition of stellate cell activation is identified as the most common mechanism. This article provides insights into the research direction of CHMs, in order to expand its clinical application range and improve its effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Yunrui Lu
- Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Mozuo Nian
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Qiuju Sheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Chao Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Xiaoguang Dou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Yang Ding
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China.
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18
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Park HJ, Choi J, Kim H, Yang DY, An TH, Lee EW, Han BS, Lee SC, Kim WK, Bae KH, Oh KJ. Cellular heterogeneity and plasticity during NAFLD progression. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1221669. [PMID: 37635938 PMCID: PMC10450943 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1221669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a progressive liver disease that can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), NASH-related cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NAFLD ranges from simple steatosis (or nonalcoholic fatty liver [NAFL]) to NASH as a progressive form of NAFL, which is characterized by steatosis, lobular inflammation, and hepatocellular ballooning with or without fibrosis. Because of the complex pathophysiological mechanism and the heterogeneity of NAFLD, including its wide spectrum of clinical and histological characteristics, no specific therapeutic drugs have been approved for NAFLD. The heterogeneity of NAFLD is closely associated with cellular plasticity, which describes the ability of cells to acquire new identities or change their phenotypes in response to environmental stimuli. The liver consists of parenchymal cells including hepatocytes and cholangiocytes and nonparenchymal cells including Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells, and endothelial cells, all of which have specialized functions. This heterogeneous cell population has cellular plasticity to adapt to environmental changes. During NAFLD progression, these cells can exert diverse and complex responses at multiple levels following exposure to a variety of stimuli, including fatty acids, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Therefore, this review provides insights into NAFLD heterogeneity by addressing the cellular plasticity and metabolic adaptation of hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, hepatic stellate cells, and Kupffer cells during NAFLD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Ju Park
- Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Juyoung Choi
- Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunmi Kim
- Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Yeon Yang
- Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hyeon An
- Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Woo Lee
- Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Baek-Soo Han
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Biodefense Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Chul Lee
- Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Kon Kim
- Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Hee Bae
- Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Jin Oh
- Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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19
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An J, Jiang T, Qi L, Xie K. Acinar cells and the development of pancreatic fibrosis. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2023; 71-72:40-53. [PMID: 37291030 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic fibrosis is caused by excessive deposition of extracellular matrixes of collagen and fibronectin in the pancreatic tissue as a result of repeated injury often seen in patients with chronic pancreatic diseases. The most common causative conditions include inborn errors of metabolism, chemical toxicity and autoimmune disorders. Its pathophysiology is highly complex, including acinar cell injury, acinar stress response, duct dysfunction, pancreatic stellate cell activation, and persistent inflammatory response. However, the specific mechanism remains to be fully clarified. Although the current therapeutic strategies targeting pancreatic stellate cells show good efficacy in cell culture and animal models, they are not satisfactory in the clinic. Without effective intervention, pancreatic fibrosis can promote the transformation from pancreatitis to pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal malignancies. In the normal pancreas, the acinar component accounts for 82% of the exocrine tissue. Abnormal acinar cells may activate pancreatic stellate cells directly as cellular source of fibrosis or indirectly via releasing various substances and initiate pancreatic fibrosis. A comprehensive understanding of the role of acinar cells in pancreatic fibrosis is critical for designing effective intervention strategies. In this review, we focus on the role of and mechanisms underlying pancreatic acinar injury in pancreatic fibrosis and their potential clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhong An
- SCUT-QMPH Joint Laboratory for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, Guangdong 511518, China; Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Ling Qi
- SCUT-QMPH Joint Laboratory for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, Guangdong 511518, China.
| | - Keping Xie
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China.
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20
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Wang D, Wei Y, Xu L, Zhang J. Crosstalk between the JAK2 and TGF-β1 signaling pathways in scleroderma-related interstitial lung disease targeted by baricitinib. Adv Rheumatol 2023; 63:22. [PMID: 37194022 DOI: 10.1186/s42358-023-00305-3] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an immune-mediated rheumatic disease characterized by fibrosis and vascular lesions. Interstitial lung disease is an early complication of SSc and the main cause of death from SSc. Although baricitinib shows good efficacy in a variety of connective tissue diseases, its role in systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is unclear. The objective of our study was to explore the effect and mechanism of baricitinib in SSc-ILD. METHODS We explored crosstalk between the JAK2 and TGF-β1 pathways. In vivo experiments, SSc-ILD mice model were constructed by subcutaneous injection of PBS or bleomycin (7.5 mg/kg) and intragastric administration of 0.5% CMC-Na or baricitinib (5 mg/kg) once every two days. We used ELISA, qRT‒PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence staining to evaluate the degree of fibrosis. In vitro experiments, we used TGF-β1 and baricitinib to stimulate human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFLs) and assessed protein expression by western blot. RESULTS The vivo experiments showed that baricitinib notably alleviated skin and lung fibrosis, decreased the concentration of pro-inflammatory factors and increased those of the anti-inflammatory factors. Baricitinib affected the expression of TGF-β1 and TβRI/II inhibitiing JAK2. In the vitro experiments, following the culture of HFLs with baricitinib or a STAT3 inhibitor for 48 h, the expression levels of TβRI/II decreased. Conversely, with successful inhibition of TGF-β receptors in HFLs, JAK2 protein expression decreased. CONCLUSIONS Baricitinib attenuated bleomycin-induced skin and lung fibrosis in SSc-ILD mice model by targeting JAK2 and regulating of the crosstalk between the JAK2 and TGF-β1 signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Wang
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou City, Sichuan Province, China
- Division of Geriatrics, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing Municipality, China
| | - Yimei Wei
- Division of Geriatrics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Municipality, China
- Division of Geriatrics, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing Municipality, China
| | - Lulu Xu
- Division of Geriatrics, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing Municipality, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Division of Geriatrics, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing Municipality, China.
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21
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Pucci M, Moschetti M, Urzì O, Loria M, Conigliaro A, Di Bella MA, Crescitelli R, Olofsson Bagge R, Gallo A, Santos MF, Puglisi C, Forte S, Lorico A, Alessandro R, Fontana S. Colorectal cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles induce TGFβ1-mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition of hepatocytes. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:77. [PMID: 37072829 PMCID: PMC10114452 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02916-8] [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: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastatic disease is the major cause of cancer-related deaths. Increasing evidence shows that primary tumor cells can promote metastasis by preparing the local microenvironment of distant organs, inducing the formation of the so-called "pre-metastatic niche". In recent years, several studies have highlighted that among the tumor-derived molecular components active in pre-metastatic niche formation, small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) play a crucial role. Regarding liver metastasis, the ability of tumor-derived sEVs to affect the activities of non-parenchymal cells such as Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells is well described, while the effects on hepatocytes, the most conspicuous and functionally relevant hepatic cellular component, remain unknown. METHODS sEVs isolated from SW480 and SW620 CRC cells and from clinical samples of CRC patients and healthy subjects were used to treat human healthy hepatocytes (THLE-2 cells). RT-qPCR, Western blot and confocal microscopy were applied to investigate the effects of this treatment. RESULTS Our study shows for the first time that TGFβ1-carrying CRC_sEVs impair the morphological and functional properties of healthy human hepatocytes by triggering their TGFβ1/SMAD-dependent EMT. These abilities of CRC_sEVs were further confirmed by evaluating the effects elicited on hepatocytes by sEVs isolated from plasma and biopsies from CRC patients. CONCLUSIONS Since it is known that EMT of hepatocytes leads to the formation of a fibrotic environment, a well-known driver of metastasis, these results suggest that CRC_sEV-educated hepatocytes could have an active and until now neglected role during liver metastasis formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Pucci
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marta Moschetti
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ornella Urzì
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Loria
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alice Conigliaro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Di Bella
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rossella Crescitelli
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Roger Olofsson Bagge
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alessia Gallo
- Department of Research, IRCCS ISMETT, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mark F Santos
- Touro University College of Medicine, Henderson, NV, USA
| | | | | | - Aurelio Lorico
- Touro University College of Medicine, Henderson, NV, USA
- IOM Ricerca, Viagrande, Catania, Italy
| | - Riccardo Alessandro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona Fontana
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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22
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Akkız H. Emerging Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Progression and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:3941. [PMID: 36835352 PMCID: PMC9964606 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Tumor cells recruit and remodel various types of stromal and inflammatory cells to form a tumor microenvironment (TME), which encompasses cellular and molecular entities, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs), immune cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), immune checkpoint molecules and cytokines that promote cancer cell growth, as well as their drug resistance. HCC usually arises in the context of cirrhosis, which is always associated with an enrichment of activated fibroblasts that are owed to chronic inflammation. CAFs are a major component of the TME, providing physical support in it and secreting various proteins, such as extracellular matrices (ECMs), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), insulin-like growth factor 1/2 (ILGF1/2) and cytokines that can modulate tumor growth and survival. As such, CAF-derived signaling may increase the pool of resistant cells, thus reducing the duration of clinical responses and increasing the degree of heterogeneity within tumors. Although CAFs are often implicated to be associated with tumor growth, metastasis and drug resistance, several studies have reported that CAFs have significant phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, and some CAFs display antitumor and drug-sensitizing properties. Multiple studies have highlighted the relevance of crosstalk between HCC cells, CAFs and other stromal cells in influence of HCC progression. Although basic and clinical studies partially revealed the emerging roles of CAFs in immunotherapy resistance and immune evasion, a better understanding of the unique functions of CAFs in HCC progression will contribute to development of more effective molecular-targeted drugs. In this review article, molecular mechanisms involved in crosstalk between CAFs, HCC cells and other stromal cells, as well as the effects of CAFs on HCC-cell growth, metastasis, drug resistance and clinical outcomes, are comprehensively discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikmet Akkız
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The University of Bahçeşehir, Istanbul 34425, Turkey
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23
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Ali Mondal S, Sathiaseelan R, Mann SN, Kamal M, Luo W, Saccon TD, Isola JVV, Peelor FF, Li T, Freeman WM, Miller BF, Stout MB. 17α-estradiol, a lifespan-extending compound, attenuates liver fibrosis by modulating collagen turnover rates in male mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2023; 324:E120-E134. [PMID: 36516471 PMCID: PMC9902223 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00256.2022] [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: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen signaling is protective against chronic liver diseases, although men and a subset of women are contraindicated for chronic treatment with 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) or combination hormone replacement therapies. We sought to determine if 17α-estradiol (17α-E2), a naturally occurring diastereomer of 17β-E2, could attenuate liver fibrosis. We evaluated the effects of 17α-E2 treatment on collagen synthesis and degradation rates using tracer-based labeling approaches in male mice subjected to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. We also assessed the effects of 17α-E2 on markers of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, collagen cross-linking, collagen degradation, and liver macrophage content and polarity. We found that 17α-E2 significantly reduced collagen synthesis rates and increased collagen degradation rates, which was mirrored by declines in transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) protein content in liver. These improvements were associated with increased matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) activity and suppressed stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) protein levels, the latter of which has been linked to the resolution of liver fibrosis. We also found that 17α-E2 increased liver fetuin-A protein, a strong inhibitor of TGF-β1 signaling, and reduced proinflammatory macrophage activation and cytokines expression in the liver. We conclude that 17α-E2 reduces fibrotic burden by suppressing HSC activation and enhancing collagen degradation mechanisms. Future studies will be needed to determine if 17α-E2 acts directly in hepatocytes, HSCs, and/or immune cells to elicit these benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samim Ali Mondal
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Roshini Sathiaseelan
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Shivani N Mann
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Maria Kamal
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Wenyi Luo
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Tatiana D Saccon
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - José V V Isola
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Frederick F Peelor
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Tiangang Li
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Willard M Freeman
- Genes & Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Benjamin F Miller
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Michael B Stout
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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24
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Riegl SD, Starnes C, Jima DD, Baptissart M, Diehl AM, Belcher SM, Cowley M. The imprinted gene Zac1 regulates steatosis in developmental cadmium-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Toxicol Sci 2023; 191:34-46. [PMID: 36200916 PMCID: PMC9887675 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac106] [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] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) exposure in adulthood is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. The prevalence of NAFLD in children is increasing, suggesting a role for the developmental environment in programming susceptibility. However, the role of developmental Cd exposure in programming NAFLD and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We have proposed that imprinted genes are strong candidates for connecting the early life environment and later life disease. In support of this, we previously identified roles for the Imprinted Gene Network (IGN) and its regulator Zac1 in programming NAFLD in response to maternal metabolic dysfunction. Here, we test the hypothesis that developmental Cd exposure is sufficient to program NAFLD, and further, that this process is mediated by Zac1 and the IGN. Using mice, we show that developmental cadmium chloride (CdCl2) exposure leads to histological, biochemical, and molecular signatures of steatosis and fibrosis in juveniles. Transcriptomic analyses comparing livers of CdCl2-exposed and control mice show upregulation of Zac1 and the IGN coincident with disease presentation. Increased hepatic Zac1 expression is independent of promoter methylation and imprinting statuses. Finally, we show that over-expression of Zac1 in cultured hepatocytes is sufficient to induce lipid accumulation in a Pparγ-dependent manner and demonstrate direct binding of Zac1 to the Pparγ promoter. Our findings demonstrate that developmental Cd exposure is sufficient to program NAFLD in later life, and with our previous work, establish Zac1 and the IGN as key regulators of prosteatotic and profibrotic pathways, two of the major pathological hallmarks of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra D Riegl
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - Cassie Starnes
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - Dereje D Jima
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - Marine Baptissart
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - Anna Mae Diehl
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Scott M Belcher
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - Michael Cowley
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
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25
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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: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [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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26
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Cahill T, da Silveira WA, Renaud L, Wang H, Williamson T, Chung D, Chan S, Overton I, Hardiman G. Investigating the effects of chronic low-dose radiation exposure in the liver of a hypothermic zebrafish model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:918. [PMID: 36650199 PMCID: PMC9845366 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26976-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mankind's quest for a manned mission to Mars is placing increased emphasis on the development of innovative radio-protective countermeasures for long-term space travel. Hibernation confers radio-protective effects in hibernating animals, and this has led to the investigation of synthetic torpor to mitigate the deleterious effects of chronic low-dose-rate radiation exposure. Here we describe an induced torpor model we developed using the zebrafish. We explored the effects of radiation exposure on this model with a focus on the liver. Transcriptomic and behavioural analyses were performed. Radiation exposure resulted in transcriptomic perturbations in lipid metabolism and absorption, wound healing, immune response, and fibrogenic pathways. Induced torpor reduced metabolism and increased pro-survival, anti-apoptotic, and DNA repair pathways. Coupled with radiation exposure, induced torpor led to a stress response but also revealed maintenance of DNA repair mechanisms, pro-survival and anti-apoptotic signals. To further characterise our model of induced torpor, the zebrafish model was compared with hepatic transcriptomic data from hibernating grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) and active controls revealing conserved responses in gene expression associated with anti-apoptotic processes, DNA damage repair, cell survival, proliferation, and antioxidant response. Similarly, the radiation group was compared with space-flown mice revealing shared changes in lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Cahill
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Willian Abraham da Silveira
- School of Health, Science and Wellbeing, Department of Biological Sciences, Science Centre, Staffordshire University, Leek Road, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 2DF, UK
- International Space University, 1 Rue Jean-Dominique Cassini, 67400, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Ludivine Renaud
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Hao Wang
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Tucker Williamson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Dongjun Chung
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Sherine Chan
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- JLABS at the Children's National Research and Innovation Campus, Washington, DC, 20012, USA
| | - Ian Overton
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Gary Hardiman
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5DL, UK.
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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27
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Gromowski T, Lukacs-Kornek V, Cisowski J. Current view of liver cancer cell-of-origin and proposed mechanisms precluding its proper determination. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:3. [PMID: 36609378 PMCID: PMC9824961 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02843-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma are devastating primary liver cancers with increasing prevalence in many parts of the world. Despite intense investigation, many aspects of their biology are still largely obscure. For example, numerous studies have tackled the question of the cell-of-origin of primary liver cancers using different experimental approaches; they have not, however, provided a clear and undisputed answer. Here, we will review the evidence from animal models supporting the role of all major types of liver epithelial cells: hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and their common progenitor as liver cancer cell-of-origin. Moreover, we will also propose mechanisms that promote liver cancer cell plasticity (dedifferentiation, transdifferentiation, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition) which may contribute to misinterpretation of the results and which make the issue of liver cancer cell-of-origin particularly complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Gromowski
- grid.5522.00000 0001 2162 9631Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Veronika Lukacs-Kornek
- grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300Institute of Experimental Immunology, University Hospital of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jaroslaw Cisowski
- Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
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28
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Liu SQ, Deng X, Zhu CP, Cui YL, Xie WF, Zhang X. Depletion of Tgfbr2 in hepatocytes alleviates liver fibrosis and restores hepatic function in fibrotic mice. J Dig Dis 2023; 24:39-50. [PMID: 36967587 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.13161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previous studies have demonstrated the pivotal role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling in activating hepatic stellate cells during liver fibrosis. In this study we aimed to demonstrate the effects and underlying mechanism of TGF-β signaling in hepatocytes on hepatic fibrogenesis. METHODS Hepatocyte-specific Tgfbr2-knockout (Tgfbr2HKO ) mice were generated by AAV8-TBG-Cre injection via the tail vein of Tgfbr2f/f mice. CCl4 was injected intraperitoneally twice a week for 4 weeks to establish the fibrotic mouse model. The expression of the fibrogenesis markers was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, western blot, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RNA-seq analysis was used to detect the transcriptional profiles of primary hepatocytes isolated from Tgfbr2HKO mice and control mice. RESULTS The expression of TβR2 (Tgfbr2) was markedly upregulated in hepatocytes of the fibrotic liver. Tgfbr2 depletion in hepatocytes decreased the expressions of profibrogenic markers (Col1a1 and Acta2) in the CCl4 -treated fibrotic liver. RNA-seq analysis revealed that Tgfbr2 deletion in hepatocytes significantly reduced the inflammatory response and suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocytes accompanied by upregulation of the metabolic pathways during liver fibrosis. Moreover, the expressions of hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNFs), including Hnf4α, Foxa1, Foxa2, and Foxa3, which are important for maintaining liver metabolism and homeostasis, were decreased in fibrotic livers and significantly increased after Tgfbr2 blockade. CONCLUSION Blocking the TGF-β signaling pathway in hepatocytes reduces hepatic fibrosis and improves hepatic function in fibrotic livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Qing Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xing Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang Peng Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya Lu Cui
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Fen Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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TGF-β Inhibitors for Therapeutic Management of Kidney Fibrosis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15121485. [PMID: 36558936 PMCID: PMC9783223 DOI: 10.3390/ph15121485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Kidney fibrosis is a common pathophysiological mechanism of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression caused by several underlying kidney diseases. Among various contributors to kidney fibrosis, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is the major factor driving fibrosis. TGF-β1 exerts its profibrotic attributes via the activation of canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways, which induce proliferation and activation of myofibroblasts and subsequent accumulation of extracellular matrix. Over the past few decades, studies have determined the TGF-β1 signaling pathway inhibitors and evaluated whether they could ameliorate the progression of CKD by hindering kidney fibrosis. However, therapeutic strategies that block TGF-β1 signaling have usually demonstrated unsatisfactory results. Herein, we discuss the therapeutic concepts of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway and its inhibitors and review the current state of the art regarding regarding TGF-β1 inhibitors in CKD management.
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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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Yoon JS, Lee CW. Protein phosphatases regulate the liver microenvironment in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:1799-1813. [PMID: 36380016 PMCID: PMC9722691 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00883-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is a complicated heterogeneous organ composed of different cells. Parenchymal cells called hepatocytes and various nonparenchymal cells, including immune cells and stromal cells, are distributed in liver lobules with hepatic architecture. They interact with each other to compose the liver microenvironment and determine its characteristics. Although the liver microenvironment maintains liver homeostasis and function under healthy conditions, it also shows proinflammatory and profibrogenic characteristics that can induce the progression of hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis, eventually changing to a protumoral microenvironment that contributes to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). According to recent studies, phosphatases are involved in liver diseases and HCC development by regulating protein phosphorylation in intracellular signaling pathways and changing the activities and characteristics of liver cells. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the importance of protein phosphatases in HCC development and in the regulation of the cellular components in the liver microenvironment and to show their significance as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon-Sup Yoon
- grid.264381.a0000 0001 2181 989XDepartment of Molecular Cell Biology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419 Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Woo Lee
- grid.264381.a0000 0001 2181 989XDepartment of Molecular Cell Biology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419 Republic of Korea ,grid.264381.a0000 0001 2181 989XDepartment of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, 06351 Republic of Korea
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Wang P, Huang Z, Peng Y, Li H, Lin T, Zhao Y, Hu Z, Zhou Z, Zhou W, Liu Y, Hou FF. Circular RNA circBNC2 inhibits epithelial cell G2-M arrest to prevent fibrotic maladaptive repair. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6502. [PMID: 36316334 PMCID: PMC9622807 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34287-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying fibrogenic responses after injury are not well understood. Epithelial cell cycle arrest in G2/M after injury is a key checkpoint for determining wound-healing leading to either normal cell proliferation or fibrosis. Here, we identify a kidney- and liver-enriched circular RNA, circBNC2, which is abundantly expressed in normal renal tubular cells and hepatocytes but significantly downregulated after acute ischemic or toxic insult. Loss of circBNC2 is at least partially mediated by upregulation of DHX9. Gain- and loss-of-function studies, both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrate that circBNC2 acts as a negative regulator of cell G2/M arrest by encoding a protein that promotes formation of CDK1/cyclin B1 complexes. Restoring circBNC2 in experimentally-induced male mouse models of fibrotic kidney and liver, decreases G2/M arrested cell numbers with secretion of fibrotic factors, thereby mitigating extracellular matrix deposition and fibrosis. Decreased expression of circBNC2 and increased G2/M arrest of epithelial cells are recapitulated in human ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI)-induced chronic kidney disease and inflammation-induced liver fibrosis, highlighting the clinical relevance. These findings suggest that restoring circBNC2 might represent a potential strategy for therapeutic intervention in epithelial organ fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wang
- grid.484195.5Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Zhitao Huang
- grid.484195.5Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Yili Peng
- grid.484195.5Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Hongwei Li
- grid.484195.5Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Tong Lin
- grid.484195.5Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Yingyu Zhao
- grid.484195.5Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Zheng Hu
- grid.484195.5Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Zhanmei Zhou
- grid.484195.5Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Weijie Zhou
- grid.484195.5Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Youhua Liu
- grid.484195.5Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Fan Fan Hou
- grid.484195.5Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Renal Failure Research, Guangzhou, 510515 China ,grid.508040.90000 0004 9415 435XGuangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510515 China
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You Y, Gao C, Wu J, Qu H, Xiao Y, Kang Z, Li J, Hong J. Enhanced Expression of ARK5 in Hepatic Stellate Cell and Hepatocyte Synergistically Promote Liver Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113084. [PMID: 36361872 PMCID: PMC9655442 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
AMPK-related protein kinase 5 (ARK5) is involved in a broad spectrum of physiological and cell events, and aberrant expression of ARK5 has been observed in a wide variety of solid tumors, including liver cancer. However, the role of ARK5 in liver fibrosis remains largely unexplored. We found that ARK5 expression was elevated in mouse fibrotic livers, and showed a positive correlation with the progression of liver fibrosis. ARK5 was highly expressed not only in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), but also in hepatocytes. In HSCs, ARK5 prevents the degradation of transforming growth factor β type I receptor (TβRI) and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (Smad4) proteins by inhibiting the expression of Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2), thus maintaining the continuous transduction of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway, which is essential for cell activation, proliferation and survival. In hepatocytes, ARK5 induces the occurrence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and also promotes the secretion of inflammatory factors. Inflammatory factors, in turn, further enhance the activation of HSCs and deepen the degree of liver fibrosis. Notably, we demonstrated in a mouse model that targeting ARK5 with the selective inhibitor HTH-01-015 attenuates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice. Taken together, the results indicate that ARK5 is a critical driver of liver fibrosis, and promotes liver fibrosis by synergy between HSCs and hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang You
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Chongqing Gao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Junru Wu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Hengdong Qu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
- Department of Hepatological Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Ziwei Kang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Jinying Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Jian Hong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
- Department of Hepatological Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-20-8522-0253
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Ning W, Xu X, Zhou S, Wu X, Wu H, Zhang Y, Han J, Wang J. Effect of high glucose supplementation on pulmonary fibrosis involving reactive oxygen species and TGF-β. Front Nutr 2022; 9:998662. [PMID: 36304232 PMCID: PMC9593073 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.998662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study explored the profibrotic impact of high glucose in the lung and potential mechanisms using latent TGF-β1-induced human epithelial cell pulmonary fibrosis and bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis models. Results demonstrated that high glucose administration induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner via activating latent TGF-β1, followed by increased expression of mesenchymal-related proteins and decreased expression of epithelial marker protein E-cadherin. Further mechanism analysis showed that administration of high glucose dose-dependently promoted total and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in human epithelial cells, which promoted latent TGF-β1 activation. However, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a ROS eliminator, inhibited such effects. An in vivo feed study found that mice given a high-glucose diet had more seriously pathological characteristics of pulmonary fibrosis in BLM-treated mice, including increasing infiltrated inflammatory cells, collagen I deposition, and the expression of mesenchymal-related proteins while decreasing the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin. In addition, high glucose intake further increased TGF-β1 concentration and upregulated p-Smad2/3 and snail in lung tissues from BLM-treated mice when compared to BLM-treated mice. Finally, supplementation with high glucose further increased the production of lipid peroxidation metabolite malondialdehyde and decreased superoxide dismutase activity in BLM-treated mice. Collectively, these findings illustrate that high glucose supplementation activates a form of latent TGF-β1 by promoting ROS accumulation and ultimately exacerbates the development of pulmonary fibrosis.
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Wei M, Yan X, Xin X, Chen H, Hou L, Zhang J. Hepatocyte-Specific Smad4 Deficiency Alleviates Liver Fibrosis via the p38/p65 Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911696. [PMID: 36232998 PMCID: PMC9570188 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing response caused by the abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix, which is produced by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Most studies have focused on the activated HSCs themselves in liver fibrosis, and whether hepatocytes can modulate the process of fibrosis is still unclear. Sma mothers against decapentaplegic homologue 4 (Smad4) is a key intracellular transcription mediator of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) during the development and progression of liver fibrosis. However, the role of hepatocyte Smad4 in the development of fibrosis is poorly elucidated. Here, to explore the functional role of hepatocyte Smad4 and the molecular mechanism in liver fibrosis, a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model was established in mice with hepatocyte-specific Smad4 deletion (Smad4Δhep). We found that hepatocyte-specific Smad4 deficiency reduced liver inflammation and fibrosis, alleviated epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and inhibited hepatocyte proliferation and migration. Molecularly, Smad4 deletion in hepatocytes suppressed the expression of inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1) and the secretion of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) of hepatocytes, which subsequently activated the p38 and p65 signaling pathways of HSCs in an epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent manner. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that the Smad4 expression in hepatocytes plays an important role in promoting liver fibrosis and could therefore be a promising target for future anti-fibrotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Wei
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Xinlong Yan
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Xin Xin
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Haiqiang Chen
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Lingling Hou
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Jinhua Zhang
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
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Baptissart M, Bradish CM, Jones BS, Walsh E, Tehrani J, Marrero‐Colon V, Mehta S, Jima DD, Oh SH, Diehl AM, Fougeray T, Guillou H, Cowley M. Zac1 and the Imprinted Gene Network program juvenile NAFLD in response to maternal metabolic syndrome. Hepatology 2022; 76:1090-1104. [PMID: 35083765 PMCID: PMC9314464 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Within the next decade, NAFLD is predicted to become the most prevalent cause of childhood liver failure in developed countries. Predisposition to juvenile NAFLD can be programmed during early life in response to maternal metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We hypothesized that imprinted genes, defined by expression from a single parental allele, play a key role in maternal MetS-induced NAFLD, due to their susceptibility to environmental stressors and their functions in liver homeostasis. We aimed to test this hypothesis and determine the critical periods of susceptibility to maternal MetS. APPROACH AND RESULTS We established a mouse model to compare the effects of MetS during prenatal and postnatal development on NAFLD. Postnatal but not prenatal MetS exposure is associated with histological, biochemical, and molecular signatures of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in juvenile mice. Using RNA sequencing, we show that the Imprinted Gene Network (IGN), including its regulator Zac1, is up-regulated and overrepresented among differentially expressed genes, consistent with a role in maternal MetS-induced NAFLD. In support of this, activation of the IGN in cultured hepatoma cells by overexpressing Zac1 is sufficient to induce signatures of profibrogenic transformation. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we demonstrate that Zac1 binds the TGF-β1 and COL6A2 promoters, forming a direct pathway between imprinted genes and well-characterized pathophysiological mechanisms of NAFLD. Finally, we show that hepatocyte-specific overexpression of Zac1 is sufficient to drive fibrosis in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our findings identify a pathway linking maternal MetS exposure during postnatal development to the programming of juvenile NAFLD, and provide support for the hypothesis that imprinted genes play a central role in metabolic disease programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Baptissart
- Department of Biological SciencesCenter for Human Health and the EnvironmentNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Christine M. Bradish
- Department of Biological SciencesCenter for Human Health and the EnvironmentNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Brie S. Jones
- Department of Biological SciencesCenter for Human Health and the EnvironmentNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Evan Walsh
- Department of Biological SciencesCenter for Human Health and the EnvironmentNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jesse Tehrani
- Department of Biological SciencesCenter for Human Health and the EnvironmentNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Vicmarie Marrero‐Colon
- Department of Biological SciencesCenter for Human Health and the EnvironmentNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Sanya Mehta
- Department of Biological SciencesCenter for Human Health and the EnvironmentNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Dereje D. Jima
- Department of Biological SciencesCenter for Human Health and the EnvironmentNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA,Bioinformatics Research CenterNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Seh Hoon Oh
- Department of MedicineDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Anna Mae Diehl
- Department of MedicineDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Tiffany Fougeray
- UMR 1331Institut National de la Recherche AgronomiqueToxalim (Research Center in Food Toxicology)ToulouseFrance
| | - Hervé Guillou
- UMR 1331Institut National de la Recherche AgronomiqueToxalim (Research Center in Food Toxicology)ToulouseFrance
| | - Michael Cowley
- Department of Biological SciencesCenter for Human Health and the EnvironmentNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
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Munakarmi S, Gurau Y, Shrestha J, Risal P, Park HS, Shin HB, Jeong YJ. Hepatoprotective Effects of a Natural Flavanol 3,3'-Diindolylmethane against CCl 4-Induced Chronic Liver Injury in Mice and TGFβ1-Induced EMT in Mouse Hepatocytes via Activation of Nrf2 Cascade. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911407. [PMID: 36232707 PMCID: PMC9569868 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a form of irregular wound-healing response with acute and chronic injury triggered by the deposition of excessive extracellular matrix. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic process that plays a crucial role in the fibrogenic response and pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. In the present study, we postulated a protective role of 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) against TGF-β1 mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. TGF-β1-induced AML-12 hepatocyte injury was evaluated by monitoring cell morphology, measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential, and quantifying apoptosis, inflammatory, and EMT-related proteins. Furthermore, CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice was evaluated by performing liver function tests, including serum ALT and AST, total bilirubin, and albumin to assess liver injury and by performing H&E and Sirius red staining to determine the degree of liver fibrosis. Immunoblotting was performed to determine the expression levels of inflammation, apoptosis, and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling-related proteins. DIM treatment significantly restored TGF-β1-induced morphological changes, inhibited the expression of mesenchymal markers by activating E-cadherin, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced ROS intensity, and upregulated levels of Nrf2-responsive antioxidant genes. In the mouse model of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, DIM remarkably attenuated liver injury and liver fibrosis, as reflected by the reduced ALT and AST parameters with increased serum Alb activity and fewer lesions in H&E staining. It also mitigated the fibrosis area in Sirius red and Masson staining. Taken together, our results suggest a possible molecular mechanism of DIM by suppressing TGF-β1-induced EMT in mouse hepatocytes and CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvesh Munakarmi
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University, Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Korea
| | - Yamuna Gurau
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University, Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Korea
| | - Juna Shrestha
- Alka Hospital Private Limited, Jwalakhel, Kathmandu 446010, Nepal
| | - Prabodh Risal
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel 45200, Nepal
| | - Ho Sung Park
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University, Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Korea
- Department of Pathology, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Korea
| | - Hyun Beak Shin
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University, Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Korea
| | - Yeon Jun Jeong
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University, Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Korea
- Correspondence:
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Lee YC, Lam HM, Rosser C, Theodorescu D, Parks WC, Chan KS. The dynamic roles of the bladder tumour microenvironment. Nat Rev Urol 2022; 19:515-533. [PMID: 35764795 PMCID: PMC10112172 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00608-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bladder cancer is a prevalent but currently understudied cancer type and patient outcomes are poor when it progresses to the muscle-invasive stage. Current research in bladder cancer focuses on the genetic and epigenetic alterations occurring within the urothelial cell compartment; however, the stromal compartment receives less attention. Dynamic changes and intercellular communications occur in the tumour microenvironment (TME) of the bladder - a new concept and niche that we designate as the bladder TME (bTME) - during tumour evolution, metastatic progression and in the context of therapeutic response. Collagens and their cognate receptors, the discoidin domain receptors, have a role in various steps of the metastatic cascade and in immune checkpoint resistance. Furthermore, the presence of another TME niche, the metastatic TME (met-TME), is a novel concept that could support divergent progression of metastatic colonization in different organs, resulting in distant metastases with distinct characteristics and genetics from the primary tumour. The stroma has divergent roles in mediating therapeutic response to BCG immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors, as well as conventional chemotherapy or trimodality therapy (that is, maximal transurethral resection of bladder tumour, chemotherapy and radiotherapy). The local bTME and distant met-TME are currently conceptually and therapeutically unexploited niches that should be actively investigated. New biological insights from these TMEs will enable rational design of strategies that co-target the tumour and stroma, which are expected to improve the outcomes of patients with advanced bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Cheng Lee
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Ming Lam
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Charles Rosser
- Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dan Theodorescu
- Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - William C Parks
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Keith Syson Chan
- Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Academic Pathology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Steiner CA, Cartwright IM, Taylor CT, Colgan SP. Hypoxia-inducible factor as a bridge between healthy barrier function, wound healing, and fibrosis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 323:C866-C878. [PMID: 35912990 PMCID: PMC9467472 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00227.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The healthy mammalian intestine is lined by a single layer of epithelial cells. These cells provide a selectively permeable barrier to luminal contents and normally do so in an efficient and effective manner. Barrier function in the healthy mucosa is provided via several mechanisms including epithelial junctional complexes, mucus production, as well as mucosal-derived antimicrobial proteins. As tissue metabolism is central to the maintenance of homeostasis in the mucosa, intestinal [Formula: see text] levels are uniquely low due to counter-current blood flow and the presence of the microbiota, resulting in the stabilization of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Ongoing studies have revealed that HIF molds normal intestinal metabolism and is central to the coordination of barrier regulation during both homeostasis and active disease. During acute inflammation, HIF is central to controlling the rapid restitution of the epithelium consistent with normal wound healing responses. In contrast, HIF may also contribute to the fibrostenotic response associated with chronic, nonresolving inflammation. As such, HIF may function as a double-edged sword in the overall course of the inflammatory response. Here, we review recent literature on the contribution of HIF to mucosal barrier function, wound healing, and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calen A Steiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Medicine and the Mucosal Inflammation Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Ian M Cartwright
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Medicine and the Mucosal Inflammation Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
- Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Cormac T Taylor
- School of Medicine, Conway Institute and Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean P Colgan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Medicine and the Mucosal Inflammation Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
- Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
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40
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Peng H, Zhu E, Zhang Y. Advances of cancer-associated fibroblasts in liver cancer. Biomark Res 2022; 10:59. [PMID: 35971182 PMCID: PMC9380339 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-022-00406-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, it is ranked sixth in incidence and fourth in mortality. According to the distinct origin of malignant tumor cells, liver cancer is mainly divided into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Since most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, the prognosis of liver cancer is poor. Tumor growth depends on the dynamic interaction of various cellular components in the tumor microenvironment (TME). As the most abundant components of tumor stroma, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been involved in the progression of liver cancer. The interplay between CAFs and tumor cells, immune cells, or vascular endothelial cells in the TME through direct cell-to-cell contact or indirect paracrine interaction, affects the initiation and development of tumors. Additionally, CAFs are not a homogeneous cell population in liver cancer. Recently, single-cell sequencing technology has been used to help better understand the diversity of CAFs in liver cancer. In this review, we mainly update the knowledge of CAFs both in HCC and CCA, including their cell origins, chemoresistance, tumor stemness induction, tumor immune microenvironment formation, and the role of tumor cells on CAFs. Understanding the context-dependent role of different CAFs subsets provides new strategies for precise liver cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Peng
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Erwei Zhu
- The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang (The Oncology Hospital of Lianyungang), Lianyungang, 222006, China
| | - Yewei Zhang
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Li Y, He XL, Zhou LP, Huang XZ, Li S, Guan S, Li J, Zhang L. Asiatic acid alleviates liver fibrosis via multiple signaling pathways based on integrated network pharmacology and lipidomics. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 931:175193. [PMID: 35963324 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is characterized by the abnormal deposition of the extracellular matrix with a severe inflammatory response and/or metabolic disorder. Asiatic acid (AA), a natural compound derived from Centella asiatica, exhibited potent anti-fibrosis effects. This investigation first confirmed the anti-fibrosis effects of AA in TGF-β-LX-2 cells and CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mice, and then sought to elucidate a novel mechanism of action by integrating network pharmacology and lipidomics. Network pharmacology was used to find potential targets of AA, while lipidomics was used to identify differential metabolites between fibrosis and recovered cohorts. AA could suppress hepatic stellate cell activation in vitro and improve liver fibrosis in vivo. Network pharmacology unveiled the genes involved in pathways in cancer, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors signaling pathway, and arachidonic acid metabolism pathway. Furthermore, five key genes were found in the both human and mouse databases, indicating that arachidonic acid metabolism was important. Changes in lyso-phosphocholine (22:5), prostaglandin F2α, and other related lipid metabolites also suggested the involvement of arachidonic acid metabolism the anti-fibrotic effect. In summary, our integrated strategies demonstrated that AA targeted multiple targets and impeded the progression of liver fibrosis by ameliorating arachidonic acid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Li
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Guangdong Sunshine Lake Pharma Co. Ltd, Dongguan, 523000, PR China
| | - Xu-Lin He
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Li-Ping Zhou
- Evaluation and Monitoring Center of Occupational Health, Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Xiao-Zhong Huang
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Guangdong Sunshine Lake Pharma Co. Ltd, Dongguan, 523000, PR China
| | - Shan Li
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Su Guan
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Jing Li
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
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Revisiting Epithelial Carcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137437. [PMID: 35806442 PMCID: PMC9267463 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin of cancer remains one of the most important enigmas in modern biology. This paper presents a hypothesis for the origin of carcinomas in which cellular aging and inflammation enable the recovery of cellular plasticity, which may ultimately result in cancer. The hypothesis describes carcinogenesis as the result of the dedifferentiation undergone by epithelial cells in hyperplasia due to replicative senescence towards a mesenchymal cell state with potentially cancerous behavior. In support of this hypothesis, the molecular, cellular, and histopathological evidence was critically reviewed and reinterpreted when necessary to postulate a plausible generic series of mechanisms for the origin and progression of carcinomas. In addition, the implications of this theoretical framework for the current strategies of cancer treatment are discussed considering recent evidence of the molecular events underlying the epigenetic switches involved in the resistance of breast carcinomas. The hypothesis also proposes an epigenetic landscape for their progression and a potential mechanism for restraining the degree of dedifferentiation and malignant behavior. In addition, the manuscript revisits the gradual degeneration of the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to propose an integrative generalized mechanistic explanation for the involution and carcinogenesis of tissues associated with aging. The presented hypothesis might serve to understand and structure new findings into a more encompassing view of the genesis of degenerative diseases and may inspire novel approaches for their study and therapy.
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43
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Hwang J, Seo Y, Jeong D, Ning X, Wiraja C, Yang L, Tan CT, Lee J, Kim Y, Kim JW, Kim DH, Choi J, Lim CY, Pu K, Jang WY, Xu C. Monitoring Wound Healing with Topically Applied Optical NanoFlare mRNA Nanosensors. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2104835. [PMID: 35460189 PMCID: PMC9218655 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
An effective wound management strategy needs accurate assessment of wound status throughout the whole healing process. This can be achieved by examining molecular biomarkers including proteins, DNAs, and RNAs. However, existing methods for quantifying these biomarkers such as immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction are usually laborious, resource-intensive, and disruptive. This article reports the development and utilization of mRNA nanosensors (i.e., NanoFlare) that are topically applied on cutaneous wounds to reveal the healing status through targeted and semi-quantitative examination of the mRNA biomarkers in skin cells. In 2D and 3D in vitro models, the efficacy and efficiency of these nanosensors are demonstrated in revealing the dynamic changes of mRNA biomarkers for different stages of wound development. In mouse models, this platform permits the tracking and identification of wound healing stages and a normal and diabetic wound healing process by wound healing index in real time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jangsun Hwang
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University62 Nanyang DriveSingapore637457Singapore
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryCollege of MedicineKorea University73 Korea‐ro, Seongbuk‐guSeoul02841Republic of Korea
| | - Youngmin Seo
- School of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringYonsei University50 Yonsei‐ro, Seodaemun‐guSeoul03722Republic of Korea
- Department of Research & DevelopmentOID Ltd249‐2, 123 Osongsaengmyeong‐ro, Osong‐eup, Heungdeok‐gu, Cheongju‐siChungcheongbuk‐do28160Republic of Korea
| | - Daun Jeong
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryCollege of MedicineKorea University73 Korea‐ro, Seongbuk‐guSeoul02841Republic of Korea
| | - Xiaoyu Ning
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University62 Nanyang DriveSingapore637457Singapore
- NTU Institute for Health TechnologiesInterdisciplinary Graduate SchoolNanyang Technological University61 Nanyang DriveSingapore637335Singapore
| | - Christian Wiraja
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University62 Nanyang DriveSingapore637457Singapore
| | - Lixia Yang
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University62 Nanyang DriveSingapore637457Singapore
| | - Chew Teng Tan
- A*STAR Skin Research LabsAgency for ScienceTechnology and Research8A Biomedical GroveSingapore138648Singapore
| | - Jinhyuck Lee
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryCollege of MedicineKorea University73 Korea‐ro, Seongbuk‐guSeoul02841Republic of Korea
| | - Yesol Kim
- School of Integrative EngineeringChung‐Ang University84, Heukseok‐ro, Dongjak‐guSeoul06974Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Won Kim
- School of Integrative EngineeringChung‐Ang University84, Heukseok‐ro, Dongjak‐guSeoul06974Republic of Korea
| | - Dai Hyun Kim
- Department of DermatologyCollege of MedicineKorea University73 Korea‐ro, Seongbuk‐guSeoul02841Republic of Korea
| | - Jonghoon Choi
- School of Integrative EngineeringChung‐Ang University84, Heukseok‐ro, Dongjak‐guSeoul06974Republic of Korea
| | - Chin Yan Lim
- A*STAR Skin Research LabsAgency for ScienceTechnology and Research8A Biomedical GroveSingapore138648Singapore
- Department of BiochemistryYong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeMD 7, 8 Medical DriveSingapore117596Singapore
| | - Kanyi Pu
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University62 Nanyang DriveSingapore637457Singapore
| | - Woo Young Jang
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryCollege of MedicineKorea University73 Korea‐ro, Seongbuk‐guSeoul02841Republic of Korea
| | - Chenjie Xu
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCity University of Hong Kong83 Tat Chee AvenueKowloonHong Kong SARChina
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44
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Lyu J, Pirooznia M, Li Y, Xiong J. The short-chain fatty acid acetate modulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Mol Biol Cell 2022; 33. [PMID: 35544303 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-02-0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal tissue and organ morphogenesis requires epithelial cell plasticity and conversion to a mesenchymal phenotype through a tightly regulated process: epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Alterations of EMT go far beyond cell-lineage segregation and contribute to pathologic conditions such as cancer. EMT is subject to intersecting control pathways; however, EMT's metabolic mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-induced EMT is accompanied by decreased fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and reduced acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) levels. Acetyl-CoA is a central metabolite and the sole donor of acetyl groups to acetylate key proteins. Further, the short-chain fatty acid acetate increases acetyl-CoA levels-robustly inhibiting EMT and cancer cell migration. Acetate can restore EMT-associated α-tubulin acetylation levels, increasing microtubule stability. Transcriptome profiling and flow cytometric analysis show that acetate inhibits the global gene expression program associated with EMT and the EMT-associated G1 cell cycle arrest. Taken together, these results demonstrate that acetate is a potent metabolic regulator of EMT and that therapeutic manipulation of acetate metabolism could provide the basis for treating a wide range of EMT-linked pathological conditions, including cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfang Lyu
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
| | - Mehdi Pirooznia
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Yuesheng Li
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Jianhua Xiong
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
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45
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Senescence-Associated Cell Transition and Interaction (SACTAI): A Proposed Mechanism for Tissue Aging, Repair, and Degeneration. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071089. [PMID: 35406653 PMCID: PMC8997723 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is a broad process that occurs as a time-dependent functional decline and tissue degeneration in living organisms. On a smaller scale, aging also exists within organs, tissues, and cells. As the smallest functional unit in living organisms, cells “age” by reaching senescence where proliferation stops. Such cellular senescence is achieved through replicative stress, telomere erosion and stem cell exhaustion. It has been shown that cellular senescence is key to tissue degradation and cell death in aging-related diseases (ARD). However, senescent cells constitute only a small percentage of total cells in the body, and they are resistant to death during aging. This suggests that ARD may involve interaction of senescent cells with non-senescent cells, resulting in senescence-triggered death of non-senescent somatic cells and tissue degeneration in aging organs. Here, based on recent research evidence from our laboratory and others, we propose a mechanism—Senescence-Associated Cell Transition and Interaction (SACTAI)—to explain how cell heterogeneity arises during aging and how the interaction between somatic cells and senescent cells, some of which are derived from aging somatic cells, results in cell death and tissue degeneration.
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46
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Worlikar T, Zhang M, Ganguly A, Hall TL, Shi J, Zhao L, Lee FT, Mendiratta-Lala M, Cho CS, Xu Z. Impact of Histotripsy on Development of Intrahepatic Metastases in a Rodent Liver Tumor Model. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1612. [PMID: 35406383 PMCID: PMC8996987 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Histotripsy has been used for tumor ablation, through controlled, non-invasive acoustic cavitation. This is the first study to evaluate the impact of partial histotripsy ablation on immune infiltration, survival outcomes, and metastasis development, in an in vivo orthotopic, immunocompetent rat HCC model (McA-RH7777). At 7−9 days post-tumor inoculation, the tumor grew to 5−10 mm, and ~50−75% tumor volume was treated by ultrasound-guided histotripsy, by delivering 1−2 cycle histotripsy pulses at 100 Hz PRF (focal peak negative pressure P− >30 MPa), using a custom 1 MHz transducer. Complete local tumor regression was observed on MRI in 9/11 histotripsy-treated rats, with no local recurrence or metastasis up to the 12-week study end point, and only a <1 mm residual scar tissue observed on histology. In comparison, 100% of untreated control animals demonstrated local tumor progression, developed intrahepatic metastases, and were euthanized at 1−3 weeks. Survival outcomes in histotripsy-treated animals were significantly improved compared to controls (p-value < 0.0001). There was evidence of potentially epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in control tumor and tissue healing in histotripsy-treated tumors. At 2- and 7-days post-histotripsy, increased immune infiltration of CD11b+, CD8+ and NK cells was observed, as compared to controls, which may have contributed to the eventual regression of the untargeted tumor region in histotripsy-treated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejaswi Worlikar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (T.W.); (T.L.H.)
| | - Man Zhang
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (M.Z.); (M.M.-L.)
| | - Anutosh Ganguly
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (A.G.); (C.S.C.)
| | - Timothy L. Hall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (T.W.); (T.L.H.)
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Lili Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Fred T. Lee
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Mishal Mendiratta-Lala
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (M.Z.); (M.M.-L.)
| | - Clifford S. Cho
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (A.G.); (C.S.C.)
- Department of Surgery, Ann Arbor VA Healthcare, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Zhen Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (T.W.); (T.L.H.)
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Romayor I, García-Vaquero ML, Márquez J, Arteta B, Barceló R, Benedicto A. Discoidin Domain Receptor 2 Expression as Worse Prognostic Marker in Invasive Breast Cancer. Breast J 2022; 2022:5169405. [PMID: 35711892 PMCID: PMC9187291 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5169405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) is arising as a promising therapeutic target in breast carcinoma (BC). The ability of DDR2 to bind to collagen promotes protumoral responses in cancer cells that influence the tumor microenvironment (TME). Nonetheless, the interrelation between DDR2 expression and TME modulation during BC progression remains poorly known. For this reason, we aim to evaluate the correlation between intratumoral expression of DDR2 and the infiltration of the main TME cell populations, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). First, collagen and DDR2 expression levels were analyzed in human invasive BC samples. Then, DDR2 status correlation with tumor aggressiveness and patient survival were retrieved from different databases. Subsequently, the main pathways, cell types, and tissues correlated with DDR2 expression in BC were obtained through bioinformatics approach. Finally, we studied the association of DDR2 expression with the recruitment of CAFs and TAMs. Our findings showed that, together with the expected overexpression of TME markers, DDR2 was upregulated in tumor samples. Besides, we uncovered that altered TME markers were linked to DDR2 expression in invasive BC patients. Consequently, DDR2 modulates the stromal reaction through CAFs and TAMs infiltration and could be used as a potential worse prognostic factor in the treatment response of invasive BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Romayor
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Marina Luque García-Vaquero
- Department of Medicine and Cytometry General Service-Nucleus, CIBERONC, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC/CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca9, Spain
| | - Joana Márquez
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Beatriz Arteta
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Ramón Barceló
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
- Oncology Service, Basurto University Hospital, 48002 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Aitor Benedicto
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
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48
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Hirway SU, Weinberg SH. A review of computational modeling, machine learning and image analysis in cancer metastasis dynamics. COMPUTATIONAL AND SYSTEMS ONCOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/cso2.1044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shreyas U. Hirway
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
| | - Seth H. Weinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
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49
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Therapeutic Targeting of Intestinal Fibrosis in Crohn's Disease. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030429. [PMID: 35159238 PMCID: PMC8834168 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal fibrosis is one of the most threatening complications of Crohn’s disease. It occurs in more than a third of patients with this condition, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and surgery often represents the only available therapeutic option. The mechanisms underlying intestinal fibrosis are partly known. Studies conducted so far have shown a relevant pathogenetic role played by mesenchymal cells (especially myofibroblasts), cytokines (e.g., transforming growth factor-β), growth factors, microRNAs, intestinal microbiome, matrix stiffness, and mesenteric adipocytes. Further studies are still necessary to elucidate all the mechanisms involved in intestinal fibrosis, so that targeted therapies can be developed. Although several pre-clinical studies have been conducted so far, no anti-fibrotic therapy is yet available to prevent or reverse intestinal fibrosis. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the main therapeutic targets currently identified and the most promising anti-fibrotic therapies, which may be available in the near future.
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50
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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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