1
|
Xiao MH, Ma D, Wu S, Huang Z, Liang P, Chen H, Zhong Z, Li W, Wang F, Tang Y, Liu J, Jiang H, Feng X, Luo Z. Integrative single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analyses identify a pathogenic cholangiocyte niche and TNFRSF12A as therapeutic target for biliary atresia. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00999. [PMID: 39178365 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000001064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Biliary atresia (BA) is a devastating fibroinflammatory biliary disease that is the leading indication for pediatric liver transplants worldwide. Although cholangiocytes are the primary target cells, the pathogenic mechanisms involving cholangiocytes remain elusive. Here, we aimed to characterize the pathogenic role of cholangiocytes in BA. APPROACH AND RESULTS Integration of single-cell RNA sequencing of 12 liver tissues (from 9 BA and 3 controls) and the spatial transcriptome of another four liver sections (from 2 BA and 2 controls) provided a comprehensive spatial liver cell atlas of BA. In particular, we identified a cholangiocyte-enriched spatial niche with infiltration of activated HSCs, activated portal fibroblasts, macrovascular endothelial cells, and TREM2 + macrophages that were elevated in the portal triad of BA. This niche was positively correlated with bile duct profiles, liver fibrosis, and poor survival in 2 independent cohorts of patients with BA. Using integrative bioinformatics analyses to mine the cell-cell communication and regulatory network in BA cholangiocytes, we uncovered the fibroinflammatory phenotype of cholangiocytes with TNFSF12-TNFRSF12A as a significant signal. Genetic ablation or blockade of TNFRSF12A suppresses liver injury, inflammation, and bile duct profiles in a mouse model of disease. Using human biliary organoids, we revealed that BA organoids expressed higher levels of CCL2 in response to TNFSF12 stimulation and promoted monocyte chemotaxis via the CCL2-CCR2 axis. CONCLUSIONS Pathogenic cholangiocytes-enriched niche identifies TNFRSF12A as a potential therapeutic target for BA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Man-Huan Xiao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Dong Ma
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Sihan Wu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zaoli Huang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Peishi Liang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huadong Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhihai Zhong
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fen Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanlai Tang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Juncheng Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuyang Feng
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenhua Luo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mavila N, Siraganahalli Eshwaraiah M, Kennedy J. Ductular Reactions in Liver Injury, Regeneration, and Disease Progression-An Overview. Cells 2024; 13:579. [PMID: 38607018 PMCID: PMC11011399 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070579] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Ductular reaction (DR) is a complex cellular response that occurs in the liver during chronic injuries. DR mainly consists of hyper-proliferative or reactive cholangiocytes and, to a lesser extent, de-differentiated hepatocytes and liver progenitors presenting a close spatial interaction with periportal mesenchyme and immune cells. The underlying pathology of DRs leads to extensive tissue remodeling in chronic liver diseases. DR initiates as a tissue-regeneration mechanism in the liver; however, its close association with progressive fibrosis and inflammation in many chronic liver diseases makes it a more complicated pathological response than a simple regenerative process. An in-depth understanding of the cellular physiology of DRs and their contribution to tissue repair, inflammation, and progressive fibrosis can help scientists develop cell-type specific targeted therapies to manage liver fibrosis and chronic liver diseases effectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nirmala Mavila
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (M.S.E.); (J.K.)
- Division of Applied Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Mallikarjuna Siraganahalli Eshwaraiah
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (M.S.E.); (J.K.)
| | - Jaquelene Kennedy
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (M.S.E.); (J.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Marakovits C, Francis H. Unraveling the complexities of fibrosis and ductular reaction in liver disease: pathogenesis, mechanisms, and therapeutic insights. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C698-C706. [PMID: 38105754 PMCID: PMC11193454 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00486.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Ductular reaction and fibrosis are hallmarks of many liver diseases including primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cholangitis, biliary atresia, alcoholic liver disease, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease/metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Liver fibrosis is the accumulation of extracellular matrix often caused by excess collagen deposition by myofibroblasts. Ductular reaction is the proliferation of bile ducts (which are composed of cholangiocytes) during liver injury. Many other cells including hepatic stellate cells, hepatocytes, hepatic progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and immune cells contribute to ductular reaction and fibrosis by either directly or indirectly interacting with myofibroblasts and cholangiocytes. This review summarizes the recent findings in cellular links between ductular reaction and fibrosis in numerous liver diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corinn Marakovits
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Heather Francis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
- Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guo H, Wang T, Yu J, Shi Z, Liang M, Chen S, He T, Yan H. Vitreous Olink proteomics reveals inflammatory biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1355314. [PMID: 38455059 PMCID: PMC10917961 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1355314] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to identify inflammatory biomarkers in traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy (TPVR) patients and further validate the expression curve of particular biomarkers in the rabbit TPVR model. Methods The Olink Inflammation Panel was used to compare the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the vitreous of TPVR patients 7-14 days after open globe injury (OGI) (N = 19) and macular hole patients (N = 22), followed by correlation analysis between DEPs and clinical signs, protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis, and function enrichment analysis. A TPVR rabbit model was established and expression levels of candidate interleukin family members (IL-6, IL-7, and IL-33) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 0, 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, and 28 days after OGI. Results Forty-eight DEPs were detected between the two groups. Correlation analysis showed that CXCL5, EN-RAGE, IL-7, ADA, CD5, CCL25, CASP8, TWEAK, and IL-33 were significantly correlated with clinical signs including ocular wound characteristics, PVR scoring, PVR recurrence, and final visual acuity (R = 0.467-0.699, p < 0.05), and all with optimal AUC values (0.7344-1). Correlations between DEP analysis and PPI analysis further verified that IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-33, HGF, and CXCL5 were highly interactive (combined score: 0.669-0.983). These DEPs were enriched in novel pathways such as cancer signaling pathway (N = 14, p < 0.000). Vitreous levels of IL-6, IL-7, and IL-33 in the rabbit TPVR model displayed consistency with the trend in Olink data, all exhibiting marked differential expression 1 day following the OGI. Conclusion IL-7, IL-33, EN-RAGE, TWEAK, CXCL5, and CD5 may be potential biomarkers for TPVR pathogenesis and prognosis, and early post-injury may be an ideal time for TPVR intervention targeting interleukin family biomarkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Tian Wang
- Shaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi’an People’s Hospital (Xi’an Fourth Hospital), Affiliated People’s Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jinguo Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhemin Shi
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Minghui Liang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ocular Trauma, Laboratory of Molecular Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Siyue Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ocular Trauma, Laboratory of Molecular Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tiangeng He
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hua Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ocular Trauma, Laboratory of Molecular Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lebedeva E, Shchastniy A, Babenka A. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Toxic Liver Fibrosis in Rats Depending on the Stages of Its Development. Sovrem Tekhnologii Med 2023; 15:50-63. [PMID: 38434195 PMCID: PMC10902903 DOI: 10.17691/stm2023.15.4.05] [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: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim is to study the cellular and molecular features of toxic liver fibrosis in rats and its dependence on development stages of this pathological condition. Materials and Methods Liver fibrogenesis in male Wistar rats was induced with the thioacetamide solution by introducing into the stomach with a probe at a dose of 200 mg/kg of animal body weight 2 times per week. The process dynamics was studied at 5 time points (control, week 3, week 5, week 7, and week 9). The mRNA levels of tweak, fn14, ang, vegfa, cxcl12, and mmp-9 genes in liver were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemical study was performed on paraffin sections. The CD31, CD34, CK19, α-SMA, FAP, CD68, CD206, CX3CR1, and CD45 cells were used as markers. Fibrosis degree was determined in histological sections, stained in line with the Mallory technique, according to the Ishak's semi-quantitative scale. Results Two simultaneously existing morphologically heterogeneous populations of myofibroblasts expressing different types of markers (FAP, α-SMA) were identified in rat liver. Prior to the onset of transformation of fibrosis into cirrhosis (F1-F4, weeks 3-7), FAP+ and SMA+ cells were localized in different places on histological specimens. All stages of liver fibrosis development were accompanied by an increase in the number (p=0.0000), a change in the phenotypic structure and functional properties of macrophages. The CK19+ cells of the portal areas differentiated into cholangiocytes that formed interlobular bile ducts and ductules, as well as hepatocytes that formed rudiments of new hepatic microlobules. Pathological venous angiogenesis and heterogeneity of endotheliocytes of the intrahepatic vascular bed were detected. Two options for changes in mRNA expression of the selected genes were identified. The level of the fn14 and mmp-9 mRNAs at all stages of fibrosis was higher (p=0.0000) than in control rats. For tweak, ang, vegfa, and cxcl12 mRNAs, the situation was the opposite - the level of genes decreased (p=0.0000). There were strong and moderate correlations between the studied target genes (p<0.05). Conclusion It was established that the stages of toxic fibrosis had morphological and molecular genetic features. The FAP+ cells make the main contribution to development of portal and initial stage of bridging fibrosis. The stellate macrophages and infiltrating monocytes/ macrophages can potentially be used for development of new therapeutic strategies for liver pathology treatment. One should take into account the features of the markers' expression by endothelial cells during the study of the intrahepatic vascular bed. Joint study of genes is a necessary ad-hoc parameter in fundamental and preclinical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E.I. Lebedeva
- Associate Professor, Department of Histology, Cytology and Embryology; Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University, 27 Frunze Avenue, Vitebsk, 210009, the Republic of Belarus
| | - A.T. Shchastniy
- Professor, Head of the Department of Hospital Surgery with the Course of the Fetoplacental Complex and Placental Complex; Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University, 27 Frunze Avenue, Vitebsk, 210009, the Republic of Belarus
| | - A.S. Babenka
- Associate Professor, Department of Bioorganic Chemistry; Belarusian State Medical University, 83 Dzerzhinsky Avenue, Minsk, 220116, the Republic of Belarus
| |
Collapse
|