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Dong QQ, Yang Y, Tao H, Lu C, Yang JJ. m6A epitranscriptomic and epigenetic crosstalk in liver fibrosis: Special emphasis on DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs. Cell Signal 2024; 122:111302. [PMID: 39025344 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a pathological process caused by a variety of chronic liver diseases. Currently, therapeutic options for liver fibrosis are very limited, highlighting the urgent need to explore new treatment approaches. Epigenetic modifications and epitranscriptomic modifications, as reversible regulatory mechanisms, are involved in the development of liver fibrosis. In recent years, researches in epitranscriptomics and epigenetics have opened new perspectives for understanding the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Exploring the epigenetic mechanisms of liver fibrosis may provide valuable insights into the development of new therapies for chronic liver diseases. This review primarily focus on the regulatory mechanisms of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, non-coding RNA, and DNA methylation in organ fibrosis. It discusses the interactions between m6A modification and DNA methylation, as well as between m6A modification and non-coding RNA, providing a reference for understanding the interplay between epitranscriptomics and epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Qi Dong
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Suzhou 215153, China
| | - Hui Tao
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China.
| | - Chao Lu
- First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui University of Science & Technology, Huainan 232001, China.
| | - Jing-Jing Yang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China.
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Liu R, Li Y, Zheng Q, Ding M, Zhou H, Li X. Epigenetic modification in liver fibrosis: Promising therapeutic direction with significant challenges ahead. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:1009-1029. [PMID: 38486982 PMCID: PMC10935124 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, characterized by scar tissue formation, can ultimately result in liver failure. It's a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally, often associated with chronic liver diseases like hepatitis or alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. However, current treatment options are limited, highlighting the urgent need for the development of new therapies. As a reversible regulatory mechanism, epigenetic modification is implicated in many biological processes, including liver fibrosis. Exploring the epigenetic mechanisms involved in liver fibrosis could provide valuable insights into developing new treatments for chronic liver diseases, although the current evidence is still controversial. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the regulatory mechanisms and critical targets of epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA modification, in liver fibrotic diseases. The potential cooperation of different epigenetic modifications in promoting fibrogenesis was also highlighted. Finally, available agonists or inhibitors regulating these epigenetic mechanisms and their potential application in preventing liver fibrosis were discussed. In summary, elucidating specific druggable epigenetic targets and developing more selective and specific candidate medicines may represent a promising approach with bright prospects for the treatment of chronic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runping Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102400, China
| | - Yajing Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102400, China
| | - Qi Zheng
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102400, China
| | - Mingning Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102400, China
| | - Huiping Zhou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 22460, USA
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102400, China
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Wang FD, Zhou J, Chen EQ. Molecular Mechanisms and Potential New Therapeutic Drugs for Liver Fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:787748. [PMID: 35222022 PMCID: PMC8874120 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.787748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the pathological process of excessive extracellular matrix deposition after liver injury and is a precursor to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is essentially a wound healing response to liver tissue damage. Numerous studies have shown that hepatic stellate cells play a critical role in this process, with various cells, cytokines, and signaling pathways engaged. Currently, the treatment targeting etiology is considered the most effective measure to prevent and treat liver fibrosis, but reversal fibrosis by elimination of the causative agent often occurs too slowly or too rarely to avoid life-threatening complications, especially in advanced fibrosis. Liver transplantation is the only treatment option in the end-stage, leaving us with an urgent need for new therapies. An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of liver fibrosis could identify new targets for the treatment. Most of the drugs targeting critical cells and cytokines in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis are still in pre-clinical trials and there are hardly any definitive anti-fibrotic chemical or biological drugs available for clinical use. In this review, we will summarize the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, focusing on the role of key cells, associated mechanisms, and signaling pathways, and summarize various therapeutic measures or drugs that have been trialed in clinical practice or are in the research stage.
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Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a reversible wound healing process following liver injury. Although this process is necessary for maintaining liver integrity, severe excessive extracellular matrix accumulation (ECM) could lead to permanent scar formation and destroy the liver structure. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key event in hepatic fibrosis. Previous studies show that most antifibrotic therapies focus on the apoptosis of HSCs and the prevention of HSC activation. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a substantial role in HSC activation and are likely to be biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis. This review summarizes and discusses the previously reported ncRNAs, including the microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs, highlighting their regulatory roles and interactions in the signaling pathways that regulate HSC activation in hepatic fibrosis.
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Wang Y, Pan W, Bai X, Wang X, Wang Y, Yin Y. microRNA-454-mediated NEDD4-2/TrkA/cAMP axis in heart failure: Mechanisms and cardioprotective implications. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:5082-5098. [PMID: 33949117 PMCID: PMC8178253 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which miR-454 influences the progression of heart failure (HF) in relation to the neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally downregulated 4-2 (NEDD4-2)/tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA)/cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) axis. Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish a HF animal model via ligation of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. The cardiomyocyte H9c2 cells were treated with H2 O2 to stimulate oxidative stress injury in vitro. RT-qPCR and Western blot assay were subsequently performed to determine the expression patterns of miR-454, NEDD4-2, TrkA, apoptosis-related proteins and cAMP pathway markers. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay coupled with co-immunoprecipitation was performed to elucidate the relationship between miR-454, NEDD4-2 and TrkA. Gain- or loss-of-function experiments as well as rescue experiments were conducted via transient transfection (in vitro) and adenovirus infection (in vivo) to examine their respective functions on H9c2 cell apoptosis and myocardial damage. Our results suggested that miR-454 was aberrantly downregulated in the context of HF, while evidence was obtained suggesting that it targeted NEDD4-2 to downregulate NEDD4-2 in cardiomyocytes. miR-454 exerted anti-apoptotic and protective effects on cardiomyocytes through inhibition of NEDD4-2, while NEDD4-2 stimulated ubiquitination and degradation of TrkA protein. Furthermore, miR-454 activated the cAMP pathway via the NEDD4-2/TrkA axis, which ultimately suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis and attenuated myocardial damage. Taken together, the key findings of the current study highlight the cardioprotective role of miR-454, which is achieved through activation of the cAMP pathway by impairing NEDD4-2-induced TrkA ubiquitination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaowen Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Cardiac Arrhythmias Therapeutic Service Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Pan
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Cardiac Arrhythmias Therapeutic Service Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinyu Bai
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Xukai Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Institute of Field Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Yuehui Yin
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Cardiac Arrhythmias Therapeutic Service Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Differences in MicroRNA Expression in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Early Liver Fibrosis Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:5956940. [PMID: 33178319 PMCID: PMC7648684 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5956940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine if microRNA (miRNA) expression is different among chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with early liver fibrosis classified according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes. Eighteen CHB-fibrosis patients and 12 CHB patients without fibrosis were enrolled. The CHB-fibrosis group included 9 patients with the TCM syndrome of Ganyu Pixu Xueyu (GYPXXY), characterized by liver stagnation, spleen deficiency, and blood stasis, and 9 patients with the TCM syndrome of Qixu Xueyu (QXXY), characterized by deficiency of qi, blood, and blood stasis. Agilent miRNA microarray was performed first in liver specimens to determine whether miRNA expression is different in patients with these two TCM syndromes of CHB-fibrosis. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and KEGG analysis were applied to determine the roles of the differentially expressed miRNAs. QRT-PCR was performed to validate the Agilent miRNA microarray results. Compared with GYPXXY patients, 6 differentially expressed miRNAs were upregulated (miR-144-5p, miR-18a-5p, miR-148b-3p, miR-654-3p, miR-139-3p, and miR-24-1-5p) and 1 was downregulated (miR-6834-3p) in QXXY patients. According to qRT-PCR data, miR-144-5p and miR-654-3p were confirmed as upregulated in CHB-liver fibrosis patients compared to CHB patients without fibrosis, whereas the other 4 miRNAs were not significantly different. More importantly, miR-654-3p was confirmed to be significantly upregulated in QXXY patients compared with values in GYPXXY patients, whereas no significant difference was found in miR-144-5p. Moreover, the pathways of central carbon metabolism in cancer and cell cycle related to miR-654-3p and the target genes of PTEN and ATM were found to be different between QXXY patients and GYPXXY patients. These results indicate that there are different miRNAs, pathways, and target genes between QXXY patients and GYPXXY patients. However, due to the limited sample, whether miR-654-3p and the target genes PTEN and ATM could be molecular markers to differentiate TCM syndromes could not be established.
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Liang H, Wang X, Si C, Duan Y, Chen B, Liang H, Yang D. Downregulation of miR‑141 deactivates hepatic stellate cells by targeting the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway. Int J Mol Med 2020; 46:406-414. [PMID: 32319536 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) caused by stimulating factors or fibrogenic cytokines is the critical stage of liver fibrosis. Recent studies have demonstrated the influence of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) on HSC activation and transformation; however, the function and underlying mechanisms of miRNAs in HSC activation have not yet been completely clarified. In the present study, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‑β1) was used to treat human HSC lines (HSC‑T6 and LX2 cells) to simulate the activation of HSCs in vivo and whether the expression of miRNAs in HSCs was affected by TGF‑β1 treatment was examined using a miRNA microarray. It was observed that miR‑141 was one of the most upregulated miRNAs during HSC activation. Functional analyses revealed that miR‑141 knockdown suppressed the viability of HSCs and inhibited the expression levels of pro‑fibrotic markers. In addition, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a well‑known suppressor of the AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, was found to be directly targeted by miR‑141 in HSCs. More importantly, the knockdown of PTEN markedly reversed the suppressive effects of miR‑141 inhibition on the viability of and the expression levels of pro‑fibrotic markers during HSC activation. Finally, it was observed that the downregulation of miR‑141 blocked the TGF‑β1‑induced activation of the AKT/mTOR pathway in HSCs. On the whole, the findings of the present study indicate that miR‑141 inhibition suppresses HSC activation via the AKT/mTOR pathway by targeting PTEN, highlighting that miR‑141 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijun Liang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Xinwei Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Changyun Si
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Yuxiu Duan
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Baoxin Chen
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Haixia Liang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Daokun Yang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
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Ulukan B, Sila Ozkaya Y, Zeybel M. Advances in the epigenetics of fibroblast biology and fibrotic diseases. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2019; 49:102-109. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2019.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Zhao Z, Lin CY, Cheng K. siRNA- and miRNA-based therapeutics for liver fibrosis. Transl Res 2019; 214:17-29. [PMID: 31476281 PMCID: PMC6848786 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2019.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing process induced by chronic liver injuries, such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and metal poisoning. The accumulation of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) in the liver is a key characteristic of liver fibrosis. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major producers of ECM and therefore play irreplaceably important roles during the progression of liver fibrosis. Liver fibrogenesis is highly correlated with the activation of HSCs, which is regulated by numerous profibrotic cytokines. Using RNA interference to downregulate these cytokines in activated HSCs is a promising strategy to reverse liver fibrosis. Meanwhile, microRNAs (miRNAs) have also been exploited for the treatment of liver fibrosis. This review focuses on the current siRNA- and miRNA-based liver fibrosis treatment strategies by targeting activated HSCs in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhao
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Chien-Yu Lin
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Kun Cheng
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri.
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