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Zhao D, Yu S, Guo P, Zhang X, Tang Y, Dong C, Zhao S, Li L, Al‐Dhamin Z, Ai R, Xue N, Dong S, Nan Y. Identification of potential plasma markers for hepatitis B virus related chronic hepatitis and liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. J Med Virol 2022; 94:3900-3910. [PMID: 35420168 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Zhao
- Department of Traditional and Western Medical HepatologyThird Hospital of Hebei Medical University050051ShijiazhuangChina
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Liver DiseasesChina
| | - Songhao Yu
- Department of Traditional and Western Medical HepatologyThird Hospital of Hebei Medical University050051ShijiazhuangChina
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Liver DiseasesChina
| | - Peilin Guo
- Department of Traditional and Western Medical HepatologyThird Hospital of Hebei Medical University050051ShijiazhuangChina
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Liver DiseasesChina
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhang
- Department of Traditional and Western Medical HepatologyThird Hospital of Hebei Medical University050051ShijiazhuangChina
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Liver DiseasesChina
| | - Yuhui Tang
- Department of Traditional and Western Medical HepatologyThird Hospital of Hebei Medical University050051ShijiazhuangChina
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Liver DiseasesChina
| | - Chen Dong
- Department of Traditional and Western Medical HepatologyThird Hospital of Hebei Medical University050051ShijiazhuangChina
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Liver DiseasesChina
| | - Suxian Zhao
- Department of Traditional and Western Medical HepatologyThird Hospital of Hebei Medical University050051ShijiazhuangChina
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Liver DiseasesChina
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Traditional and Western Medical HepatologyThird Hospital of Hebei Medical University050051ShijiazhuangChina
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Liver DiseasesChina
| | - Zaid Al‐Dhamin
- Department of Traditional and Western Medical HepatologyThird Hospital of Hebei Medical University050051ShijiazhuangChina
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Liver DiseasesChina
| | - Rong Ai
- Department of Traditional and Western Medical HepatologyThird Hospital of Hebei Medical University050051ShijiazhuangChina
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Liver DiseasesChina
| | - Ningning Xue
- Department of Traditional and Western Medical HepatologyThird Hospital of Hebei Medical University050051ShijiazhuangChina
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Liver DiseasesChina
| | - Shiming Dong
- Department of Traditional and Western Medical HepatologyThird Hospital of Hebei Medical University050051ShijiazhuangChina
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Liver DiseasesChina
| | - Yuemin Nan
- Department of Traditional and Western Medical HepatologyThird Hospital of Hebei Medical University050051ShijiazhuangChina
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Liver DiseasesChina
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Decoding the role of the nuclear receptor SHP in regulating hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrogenesis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41055. [PMID: 28117422 PMCID: PMC5259793 DOI: 10.1038/srep41055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The small heterodimer partner (SHP) is an orphan nuclear receptor that lacks the DNA binding domain while conserves a putative ligand-binding site, thought that endogenous ligands for this receptor are unknown. Previous studies have determined that SHP activation protects against development of liver fibrosis a process driven by trans-differentiation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), a miofibroblast like cell type, involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. To dissect signals involved in this activity we generated SHP-overexpressing human and rat HSCs. Forced expression of SHP in HSC-T6 altered the expression of 574 genes. By pathway and functional enrichment analyses we detected a cluster of 46 differentially expressed genes involved in HSCs trans-differentiation. Using a isoxazole scaffold we designed and synthesized a series of SHP agonists. The most potent member of this group, ISO-COOH (EC50: 9 μM), attenuated HSCs trans-differentiation and ECM deposition in vitro, while in mice rendered cirrhotic by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or α-naphthyl-isothiocyanate (ANIT), protected against development of liver fibrosis as measured by morphometric analysis and expression of α-SMA and α1-collagen mRNAs. In aggregate, present results identify SHP as a counter-regulatory signal for HSCs transactivation and describe a novel class of SHP agonists endowed with anti-fibrotic activity.
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Wang W, Zhou Z, Zhang L, Wang S, Xiao G. Structure-function relationship of the mammarenavirus envelope glycoprotein. Virol Sin 2016; 31:380-394. [PMID: 27562602 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-016-3815-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammarenaviruses, including lethal pathogens such as Lassa virus and Junín virus, can cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. Entry is a key step for virus infection, which starts with binding of the envelope glycoprotein (GP) to receptors on target cells and subsequent fusion of the virus with target cell membranes. The GP precursor is synthesized as a polypeptide, and maturation occurs by two cleavage events, yielding a tripartite GP complex (GPC) formed by a stable signal peptide (SSP), GP1 and GP2. The unique retained SSP interacts with GP2 and plays essential roles in virion maturation and infectivity. GP1 is responsible for binding to the cell receptor, and GP2 is a class I fusion protein. The native structure of the tripartite GPC is unknown. GPC is critical for the receptor binding, membrane fusion and neutralization antibody recognition. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlining the structure-function relationship of the three subunits is the key for understanding their function and can facilitate novel avenues for combating virus infections. This review summarizes the basic aspects and recent research of the structure-function relationship of the three subunits. We discuss the structural basis of the receptor-binding domain in GP1, the interaction between SSP and GP2 and its role in virion maturation and membrane fusion, as well as the mechanism by which glycosylation stabilizes the GPC structure and facilitates immune evasion. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in these aspects will contribute to the development of novel vaccines and treatment strategies against mammarenaviruses infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Zheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Leike Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Shaobo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Gengfu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
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Gene expression profiling and secretome analysis differentiate adult-derived human liver stem/progenitor cells and human hepatic stellate cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86137. [PMID: 24516514 PMCID: PMC3906387 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult-derived human liver stem/progenitor cells (ADHLSC) are obtained after primary culture of the liver parenchymal fraction. The cells are of fibroblastic morphology and exhibit a hepato-mesenchymal phenotype. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) derived from the liver non-parenchymal fraction, present a comparable morphology as ADHLSC. Because both ADHLSC and HSC are described as liver stem/progenitor cells, we strived to extensively compare both cell populations at different levels and to propose tools demonstrating their singularity. ADHLSC and HSC were isolated from the liver of four different donors, expanded in vitro and followed from passage 5 until passage 11. Cell characterization was performed using immunocytochemistry, western blotting, flow cytometry, and gene microarray analyses. The secretion profile of the cells was evaluated using Elisa and multiplex Luminex assays. Both cell types expressed α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, fibronectin, CD73 and CD90 in accordance with their mesenchymal origin. Microarray analysis revealed significant differences in gene expression profiles. HSC present high expression levels of neuronal markers as well as cytokeratins. Such differences were confirmed using immunocytochemistry and western blotting assays. Furthermore, both cell types displayed distinct secretion profiles as ADHLSC highly secreted cytokines of therapeutic and immuno-modulatory importance, like HGF, interferon-γ and IL-10. Our study demonstrates that ADHLSC and HSC are distinct liver fibroblastic cell populations exhibiting significant different expression and secretion profiles.
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McLay L, Ansari A, Liang Y, Ly H. Targeting virulence mechanisms for the prevention and therapy of arenaviral hemorrhagic fever. Antiviral Res 2012; 97:81-92. [PMID: 23261843 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2012.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2012] [Revised: 11/28/2012] [Accepted: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A number of arenaviruses are pathogenic for humans, but they differ significantly in virulence. Lassa virus, found in West Africa, causes severe hemorrhagic fever (HF), while the other principal Old World arenavirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, causes mild illness in persons with normal immune function, and poses a threat only to immunocompromised individuals. The New World agents, including Junin, Machupo and Sabia virus, are highly pathogenic for humans. Arenaviral HF is characterized by high viremia and general immune suppression, the mechanism of which is unknown. Studies using viral reverse genetics, cell-based assays, animal models and human genome-wide association analysis have revealed potential mechanisms by which arenaviruses cause severe disease in humans. Each of the four viral gene products (GPC, L polymerase, NP, and Z matrix protein) and several host-cell factors (e.g., α-dystroglycan) are responsible for mediating viral entry, genome replication, and the inhibition of apoptosis, translation and interferon-beta (IFNβ) production. This review summarizes current knowledge of the role of each viral protein and host factor in the pathogenesis of arenaviral HF. Insights from recent studies are being exploited for the development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa McLay
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
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Identification of cell surface molecules involved in dystroglycan-independent Lassa virus cell entry. J Virol 2011; 86:2067-78. [PMID: 22156524 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.06451-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although O-mannosylated dystroglycan is a receptor for Lassa virus, a causative agent of Lassa fever, recent findings suggest the existence of an alternative receptor(s). Here we identified four molecules as receptors for Lassa virus: Axl and Tyro3, from the TAM family, and dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) and liver and lymph node sinusoidal endothelial calcium-dependent lectin (LSECtin), from the C-type lectin family. These molecules enhanced the binding of Lassa virus to cells and mediated infection independently of dystroglycan. Axl- or Tyro3-mediated infection required intracellular signaling via the tyrosine kinase activity of Axl or Tyro3, whereas DC-SIGN- or LSECtin-mediated infection and binding were dependent on a specific carbohydrate and on ions. The identification of these four molecules as Lassa virus receptors advances our understanding of Lassa virus cell entry.
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Kastanis GJ, Hernandez-Nazara Z, Nieto N, Rincón-Sanchez AR, Popratiloff A, Dominguez-Rosales JA, Lechuga CG, Rojkind M. The role of dystroglycan in PDGF-BB-dependent migration of activated hepatic stellate cells/myofibroblasts. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2011; 301:G464-74. [PMID: 21659621 PMCID: PMC3174534 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00078.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells are embedded in the loose connective tissue matrix within the space of Disse. This extracellular matrix contains several basement membrane components including laminin, but its composition changes during liver injury because of the production of extracellular matrix components found in scar tissue. These changes in extracellular matrix composition and in cell-extracellular matrix interactions may play a key role in hepatic stellate cell transdifferentiation. In this communication we used early passages of mouse hepatic stellate cells (activated HSC/myofibroblasts) to study the platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB)-dependent expression and regulation of β-dystroglycan and its role in activated HSC/myofibroblast migration. We used Northern and Western analysis to study dystroglycan expression and confocal microscopy to investigate changes in subcellular distribution of the protein. Activated HSC migration was investigated using an in vitro wound-healing assay. PDGF-BB induced significant changes in dystroglycan regulation and subcellular distribution of the protein. Whereas steady-state levels of dystroglycan mRNA remained constant, PDGF-BB increased dystroglycan transcription but shortened the t(1/2) by 50%. Moreover, PDGF-BB changed dystroglycan and α5-integrin cellular distribution. Cell migration experiments revealed that PDGF-BB-dependent migration of activated HSC/myofibroblasts was completely blocked by neutralizing antibodies to fibronectin, α5-integrin, laminin, and β-dystroglycan. Overall, these findings suggest that both laminin and fibronectin and their receptors play a key role in PDGF-BB-induced activated HSC migration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zamira Hernandez-Nazara
- 2Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México;
| | - Natalia Nieto
- 3Division of Liver Diseases, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York;
| | - Ana Rosa Rincón-Sanchez
- 2Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México;
| | - Anastas Popratiloff
- 4Center for Microscopy and Image Analysis, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC;
| | | | - Carmen G. Lechuga
- 5Molecular Oncology Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, Spain
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Lommel M, Willer T, Strahl S. POMT2, a key enzyme in Walker–Warburg syndrome: somatic sPOMT2, but not testis-specific tPOMT2, is crucial for mannosyltransferase activity in vivo. Glycobiology 2008; 18:615-25. [DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwn042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Gong Y, Zhang R, Zhang J, Xu L, Zhang F, Xu W, Wang Y, Chu Y, Xiong S. Alpha-dystroglycan is involved in positive selection of thymocytes by participating in immunological synapse formation. FASEB J 2008; 22:1426-39. [PMID: 18171694 DOI: 10.1096/fj.07-9264com] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-dystroglycan has been proved to be involved in lymphocyte activation by participating in immunological synapse (IS) formation. Considering the existence of IS formation in thymic development, we questioned whether alpha-dystroglycan was expressed in thymus and influenced thymic development. In this study, we demonstrated that alpha-dystroglycan was expressed on fetal thymocytes, especially on double-positive (DP, CD4(+)CD8(+)) cells. Blocking alpha-dystroglycan by treatment of fetal thymus organ culture (FTOC) with anti-alpha-dystroglycan antibody IIH6C4 decreased the number of DP cells compared with nontreated or isotype antibody controls. Down-regulation of alpha-dystroglycan by retroviruses carrying antisense cDNA of dystroglycan in reaggregate thymus organ culture (RTOC) further confirmed these results. Enhanced apoptosis of DP cells was observed after blocking alpha-dystroglycan. Interestingly, we found that blocking alpha-dystroglycan reduced IS formation between DP cells and thymic epithelial cells. Furthermore, blocking alpha-dystroglycan up-regulated CD95/CD95L expression and reduced Bcl-2 expression on DP cells in the developing thymus. Finally, the increase in the apoptosis of DP cells was associated with a consequent decrease in the positive selection, as indicated by the reduction of both ERK phosphorylation in DP cells and single-positive (SP, CD4(+) or CD8(+)) cell outcome. Altogether, these results indicated that alpha-dystroglycan was involved in positive selection of thymocytes by participating in the IS formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Gong
- Department of Immunology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Rd., Shanghai 200032, China
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Yamamoto T, Kawaguchi M, Sakayori N, Muramatsu F, Morikawa S, Kato Y, Shibata N, Kobayashi M. Intracellular binding of fukutin and α-dystroglycan: Relation to glycosylation of α-dystroglycan. Neurosci Res 2006; 56:391-9. [PMID: 17005282 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2006.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2006] [Revised: 08/14/2006] [Accepted: 08/17/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The functions of fukutin, a gene product responsible for Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy, still remain unclear, although a relation to the glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan is presumed. To investigate the functions of fukutin, immunohistochemistry, examination using cultured astrocytes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based binding assay and immunoprecipitation were performed using control muscle and central nervous system tissues. Immunohistochemistry showed that alpha-dystroglycan and fukutin were co-expressed, especially in the glial cytoplasm and glia limitans of the central nervous system. An anti-fukutin antibody added to the culture medium did not bring about any changes in the astrocytes cultured on laminin-coated dishes. Together with the immunohistochemical results, the intracellular function of fukutin is considered. ELISA-based binding assay and immunoprecipitation may suggest the direct binding of fukutin and alpha-dystroglycan, at least in part. Fukutin seems to bind to both the hypoglycosylated and fully glycosylated form of alpha-dystroglycan, and seems bind to the core area rather than the sugar chain of alpha-dystroglycan. Fukutin may directly interact with alpha-dystroglycan during glycosylation, but further examinations are needed to confirm these details.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Yamamoto
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
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Farkas D, Bhat VB, Mandapati S, Wishnok JS, Tannenbaum SR. Characterization of the secreted proteome of rat hepatocytes cultured in collagen sandwiches. Chem Res Toxicol 2006; 18:1132-9. [PMID: 16022505 PMCID: PMC4113969 DOI: 10.1021/tx0500225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Analysis of proteins in biological samples opens up the possibility of discovering new markers of toxicity. The liver is one of the primary targets of drug-induced toxicity, and it also secretes many plasma proteins, which can be measured clinically. Most of the plasma proteins produced by the liver are secreted by hepatocytes, but there is little information regarding the protein profile secreted by these cells. The purpose of this study was to analyze the secreted proteome of primary rat hepatocytes in a collagen gel sandwich configuration by a gel-LC-MS/MS procedure. We identified over 600 peptides corresponding to more than 200 proteins. The protein profile included over 50 plasma proteins, suggesting that the cultured hepatocytes secrete many of the proteins that they produce in vivo. Our data also suggests that the hepatocytes are actively remodeling their environment, since we identified several structural extracellular matrix proteins as well as some proteins known to be secreted specifically during liver regeneration. We also identified two proteins, alpha1-antitrypsin and alpha2-macroglobulin, whose secretions appear to be down-regulated in cells exposed to aflatoxin B1. It was noted that a 15 nM dose of aflatoxin B1 led to substantially diminished levels of these proteins and that day 6 of incubation was the ideal time point for medium collection. These data suggest that proteins in the conditioned medium of hepatocyte sandwich culture might lead to the discovery of biomarkers for drug-induced chemical toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Farkas
- Biological Engineering Division, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Vadiraja B. Bhat
- Biological Engineering Division, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | | | - John S. Wishnok
- Biological Engineering Division, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Steven R. Tannenbaum
- Biological Engineering Division, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Biological Engineering Division, 77 Massachusetts Avenue Room 56-731. Phone: (617) 253-6792, Fax: (617) 252-1787,
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Tsukada S, Parsons CJ, Rippe RA. Mechanisms of liver fibrosis. Clin Chim Acta 2005; 364:33-60. [PMID: 16139830 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2005.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 275] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2005] [Revised: 06/07/2005] [Accepted: 06/08/2005] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis represents a significant health problem worldwide of which no acceptable therapy exists. The most characteristic feature of liver fibrosis is excess deposition of type I collagen. A great deal of research has been performed to understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of liver fibrosis. The activated hepatic stellate cell (HSC) is the primary cell type responsible for the excess production of collagen. Following a fibrogenic stimulus, HSCs change from a quiescent to an activated, collagen-producing cell. Numerous changes in gene expression are associated with HSC activation including the induction of several intracellular signaling cascades, which help maintain the activated phenotype and control the fibrogenic and proliferative state of the cell. Detailed analyses in understanding the molecular basis of collagen gene regulation have revealed a complex process offering the opportunity for multiple potential therapeutic strategies. However, further research is still needed to gain a better understanding of HSC activation and how this cell maintains its fibrogenic nature. In this review we describe many of the molecular events that occur following HSC activation and collagen gene regulation that contribute to the fibrogenic nature of these cells and provide a review of therapeutic strategies to treat this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Tsukada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7032, USA
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Lee SH, Seo GS, Park YN, Sohn DH. Nephroblastoma overexpressed gene (NOV) expression in rat hepatic stellate cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2004; 68:1391-400. [PMID: 15345329 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2004.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2004] [Accepted: 06/14/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Using the expression-profiling method, we identified nephroblastoma overexpressed gene (NOV) mRNA as one member of the mRNA population that was upregulated in cultured activated hepatic stellate cell (HSC). Northern analysis showed that NOV mRNA was increasingly expressed during progressive activation of cultured rat HSCs, and a significant increase was observed in both the carbon tetrachloride-induced and bile duct ligation/scission rat models of liver fibrosis. RT-PCR showed human NOV mRNA was increased in most fibrotic livers compared with normal livers. The expression of NOV protein in fibrotic rat and human livers was predominantly located in areas of ductular proliferation and HSC of the fibrous septa. HSCs stimulated with transforming growth factor beta1 showed increased expression of NOV protein without changing its mRNA levels. Dexamethasone stimulated the expression of NOV mRNA and protein. Furthermore, we demonstrated that bile acids have a modulating effect on the induction of NOV mRNA expression. In conclusion, this study suggests that NOV is expressed during liver fibrogenesis and HSCs may be an important source of hepatic NOV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hee Lee
- Medicinal Resources Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, Republic of Korea
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Lee SH, Chae KS, Sohn DH. Identification of expressed sequence tags of genes expressed highly in the activated hepatic stellate cell. Arch Pharm Res 2004; 27:422-8. [PMID: 15180308 DOI: 10.1007/bf02980084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were generated from two 3'-directed cDNA libraries constructed from quiescent and activated rat hepatic stellate cell (HSC) to analyze the expression profiles of active genes in both cells. From quiescent and activated HSC, 694 ESTs and 779 ESTs, respectively, were obtained after excluding those having shorter than 30 bp. Among ESTs obtained from quiescent and activated HSC, 68 and 73 kinds of ESTs (186 clones and 236 clones), respectively, appeared more than once, implying that their genes are expressed highly in each cell type. 52 among 73 ESTs appeared only in the activated HSC, 47 among 68 ESTs only in the normal HSC, and 21 in both cells. The genes of these 52 ESTs were assumed to be expressed more highly in the activated HSC. To confirm the high expression of genes of which the ESTs appeared more than twice in the activated HSC, northern hybridization was carried out with RNAs derived from rat normal and fibrotic liver using each of 18 EST DNAs as probe. 13 ESTs showed more intense bands with RNA isolated from the fibrotic liver than normal liver. From these results, we confirm the positive correlation between abundance of transcript in activated HSCs and the expression level in fibrotic liver. The expression profile of the transcripts serves as an important tool in understanding the biological properties of HSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hee Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Chonbuk 570-749, Korea
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Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the hallmark of every chronic liver disease. It is also the major factor of morbidity and mortality due to the development of cirrhosis and its complications including hepatocellular carcinoma. But even at the beginning of the process of liver fibrosis and due to the strategic position of the extracellular matrix at the interface between blood flow and epithelial compartment, any quantitative or qualitative modification of extracellular matrix will rapidly affect structure and function of the liver. The development of several animal models of liver fibrosis as well as isolation and cultivation of hepatic stellate cells, the major fibrogenic cell type in the liver, led to the gathering of recent knowledge on the mechanism of liver fibrosis. Activation of hepatic stellate cells is a key event in this process and many details on this finely tuned mechanism are now available. In addition to these experimental data, experience from chronic hepatitis C now allows the development of new concepts and perspectives such as liver fibrosis regression and antifibrotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Bedossa
- Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, CNRS FRE2443, Hôpital de Bicêtre, 78 Avenue Géneral Leclerc, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
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Abstract
In the past 20 years, the elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for liver fibrogenesis has provided many potential targets for antifibrotic treatments. Difficulty has arisen, however, from the fact that fibrogenesis is part of a general beneficial wound healing process. To be successful, an antifibrotic treatment of HCV might need to be delivered selectively to the hepatic site of fibrogenesis or targeted precisely at an HCV-specific regulatory mechanism. It is likely that in the future, besides viral eradication, another treatment goal in chronic HCV infection will be to reverse existing fibrosis, but considerable work is necessary before making this a reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Bedossa
- Department of Pathology, Service d'anatomie pathologique, Hôpital Bicêtre, Université Paris XI, 78 rue du general Leclerc, 94725 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
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