1
|
Qu J, Wang L, Li Y, Li X. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cell: An important yet often overlooked player in the liver fibrosis. Clin Mol Hepatol 2024; 30:303-325. [PMID: 38414375 PMCID: PMC11261236 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2024.0022] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are liver-specific endothelial cells with the highest permeability than other mammalian endothelial cells, characterized by the presence of fenestrae on their surface, the absence of diaphragms and the lack of basement membrane. Located at the interface between blood and other liver cell types, LSECs mediate the exchange of substances between the blood and the Disse space, playing a crucial role in maintaining substance circulation and homeostasis of multicellular communication. As the initial responders to chronic liver injury, the abnormal LSEC activation not only changes their own physicochemical properties but also interrupts their communication with hepatic stellate cells and hepatocytes, which collectively aggravates the process of liver fibrosis. In this review, we have comprehensively updated the various pathways by which LSECs were involved in the initiation and aggravation of liver fibrosis, including but not limited to cellular phenotypic change, the induction of capillarization, decreased permeability and regulation of intercellular communications. Additionally, the intervention effects and latest regulatory mechanisms of anti-fibrotic drugs involved in each aspect have been summarized and discussed systematically. As we studied deeper into unraveling the intricate role of LSECs in the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis, we unveil a promising horizon that pave the way for enhanced patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaorong Qu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Le Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yufei Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shen B, Gu T, Shen Z, Zhou C, Guo Y, Wang J, Li B, Xu X, Li F, Zhang Q, Cai X, Dong H, Lu L. Escherichia coli Promotes Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transformation of Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells and Exacerbates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Via Its Flagellin. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 16:857-879. [PMID: 37572735 PMCID: PMC10598062 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND&AIMS: Gut bacteria translocate into the liver through a disrupted gut vascular barrier, which is an early and common event in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are directly exposed to translocated gut microbiota in portal vein blood. Escherichia coli, a commensal gut bacterium with flagella, is markedly enriched in the gut microbiota of patients with NAFLD. However, the impact of E coli on NAFLD progression and its underlying mechanisms remains unclear. METHODS The abundance of E coli was analyzed by using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing in a cohort of patients with NAFLD and healthy controls. The role of E coli was assessed in NAFLD mice after 16 weeks of administration, and the features of NAFLD were evaluated. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in LSECs induced by E coli was analyzed through Western blotting and immunofluorescence. RESULTS The abundance of gut Enterobacteriaceae increased in NAFLD patients with severe fat deposition and fibrosis. Importantly, translocated E coli in the liver aggravated hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in NAFLD mice. Mechanistically, E coli induced EndMT in LSECs through the TLR5/MYD88/TWIST1 pathway during NAFLD development. The toll-like receptor 5 inhibitor attenuated E coli-induced EndMT in LSECs and liver injury in NAFLD mice. Interestingly, flagellin-deficient E coli promoted less EndMT in LSECs and liver injury in NAFLD mice. CONCLUSIONS E coli promoted the development of NAFLD and promoted EndMT in LSECs through toll-like receptor 5/nuclear factor kappa B-dependent activation of TWIST1 mediated by flagellin. Therapeutic interventions targeting E coli and/or flagellin may represent a promising candidate for NAFLD treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianyi Gu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyang Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cui Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuecheng Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Junjun Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Binghang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianjun Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qidi Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobo Cai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lungen Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Selvakumar SC, Auxzilia Preethi K, Veeraiyan DN, Sekar D. The role of microRNAs on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of portal hypertension in patients with chronic liver disease. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 16:941-951. [PMID: 36315408 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2022.2142562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Portal hypertension (PH) is the elevated pressure in the portal vein, which results in poor functioning of the liver and is influenced by various factors like liver cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, schistosomiasis, thrombosis, and angiogenesis. Though the diagnosis and treatment have been advanced, early diagnosis of the disease remains a challenge, and the diagnosis methods are often invasive. Hence, the clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms of PH can give rise to the development of novel biomarkers which can pave way for early diagnosis in noninvasive methods, and also the identification of target genes can elucidate an efficient therapeutic target. AREAS COVERED PubMed and Embase database was used to search articles with search terms 'Portal Hypertension' or 'pathophysiology' and 'diagnosis' and 'treatment' or "role of miRNAs in portal hypertension. EXPERT OPINION Interestingly, biomarkers like microRNAs (miRNAs) have been studied for their potential role in various diseases including hypertension. In recent years, miRNAs have been proved to be an efficient biomarker and therapeutic target and few studies have assessed the roles of miRNAs in PH. The present paper highlights the potential roles of miRNAs in PH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sushmaa Chandralekha Selvakumar
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Research, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - K Auxzilia Preethi
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Research, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Deepak Nallaswamy Veeraiyan
- Department of Prosthodontics, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Durairaj Sekar
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Research, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang J, Liu Q, He J, Li Y. Novel Therapeutic Targets in Liver Fibrosis. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:766855. [PMID: 34805276 PMCID: PMC8602792 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.766855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is end-stage liver disease that can be rescued. If irritation continues due to viral infection, schistosomiasis and alcoholism, liver fibrosis can progress to liver cirrhosis and even cancer. The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any drugs that act directly against liver fibrosis. The only treatments currently available are drugs that eliminate pathogenic factors, which show poor efficacy; and liver transplantation, which is expensive. This highlights the importance of clarifying the mechanism of liver fibrosis and searching for new treatments against it. This review summarizes how parenchymal, nonparenchymal cells, inflammatory cells and various processes (liver fibrosis, hepatic stellate cell activation, cell death and proliferation, deposition of extracellular matrix, cell metabolism, inflammation and epigenetics) contribute to liver fibrosis. We highlight discoveries of novel therapeutic targets, which may provide new insights into potential treatments for liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinhang Zhang
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy and Adverse Drug Reaction, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
| | - Qinhui Liu
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy and Adverse Drug Reaction, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
| | - Jinhan He
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy and Adverse Drug Reaction, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China.,Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanping Li
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy and Adverse Drug Reaction, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Shen B, Wang J, Guo Y, Gu T, Shen Z, Zhou C, Li B, Xu X, Li F, Zhang Q, Cai X, Dong H, Lu L. Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt-Induced Colitis Aggravates Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Liver Injury in Mice With Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:756299. [PMID: 34795650 PMCID: PMC8593467 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.756299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by gut microbiota dysbiosis, which is also frequently observed in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Whether gut microbiota dysbiosis in IBD patients promotes the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remains unclear. We aimed to explore the role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in the development of NASH in mice with dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) induced colitis. Design: Dextran sulfate sodium salt was used to induce colitis, and high fat (HF), in combination with a high-fructose diet, was used to induce NASH in C57BL/6J male mice. Mice were treated with (1%) DSS to induce colitis in cycles, and each cycle consisted of 7 days of DSS administration followed by a 10-day interval. The cycles were repeated throughout the experimental period of 19 weeks. Pathological alterations in colitis and NASH were validated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), oil red O, Sirius red staining, and immunofluorescence. Gut microbiota was examined by 16S rRNA sequencing, and gene expression profiles of hepatic non-parenchymal cells (NPCs) were detected by RNA sequencing. Results: Dextran sulfate sodium salt administration enhanced the disruption of the gut-vascular barrier and aggravated hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in mice with NASH. DSS-induced colitis was accompanied by gut microbiota dysbiosis, characterized by alteration in the core microbiota composition. Compared with the HF group, the abundance of p_Proteobacteria and g_Bacteroides increased, while that of f_S24-7 decreased in the DSS + HF mice. Specifically, gut microbiota dysbiosis was characterized by enrichment of lipopolysaccharide producing bacteria and decreased abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria. Gene expression analysis of liver NPCs indicated that compared with the HF group, genes related to both inflammatory response and angiocrine signaling were altered in the DSS + HF group. The expression levels of inflammation-related and vascular development genes correlated significantly with the abundance of p_Proteobacteria, g_Bacteroides, or f_S24-7 in the gut microbiota, implying that gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by DSS might aggravate hepatic inflammation and fibrosis by altering the gene expression in NPCs. Conclusion: Dextran sulfate sodium salt-induced colitis may promote the progression of liver inflammation and fibrosis by inducing microbiota dysbiosis, which triggers an inflammatory response and disrupts angiocrine signaling in liver NPCs. The abundance of gut microbiota was associated with expression levels of inflammation-related genes in liver NPCs and may serve as a potential marker for the progression of NASH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Junjun Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuecheng Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianyi Gu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyang Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cui Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Binghang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianjun Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qidi Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobo Cai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lungen Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|