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VanSant-Webb C, Low HK, Kuramoto J, Stanley CE, Qiang H, Su AY, Ross AN, Cooper CG, Cox JE, Summers SA, Evason KJ, Ducker GS. Phospholipid isotope tracing suggests β-catenin-driven suppression of phosphatidylcholine metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2024; 1869:159514. [PMID: 38795827 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2024.159514] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Activating mutations in the CTNNB1 gene encoding β-catenin are among the most frequently observed oncogenic alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Profound alterations in lipid metabolism, including increases in fatty acid oxidation and transformation of the phospholipidome, occur in HCC with CTNNB1 mutations, but it is unclear what mechanisms give rise to these changes. We employed untargeted lipidomics and targeted isotope tracing to measure phospholipid synthesis activity in an inducible human liver cell line expressing mutant β-catenin, as well as in transgenic zebrafish with activated β-catenin-driven HCC. In both models, activated β-catenin expression was associated with large changes in the lipidome including conserved increases in acylcarnitines and ceramides and decreases in triglycerides. Lipid isotope tracing analysis in human cells revealed a reduction in phosphatidylcholine (PC) production rates as assayed by choline incorporation. We developed lipid isotope tracing analysis for zebrafish tumors and observed reductions in phosphatidylcholine synthesis by both the CDP-choline and PEMT pathways. The observed changes in the β-catenin-driven HCC phospholipidome suggest that zebrafish can recapitulate conserved features of HCC lipid metabolism and may serve as a model for identifying future HCC-specific lipid metabolic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad VanSant-Webb
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Hayden K Low
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Junko Kuramoto
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Pathology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Claire E Stanley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Hantao Qiang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Audrey Y Su
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Alexis N Ross
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Chad G Cooper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - James E Cox
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Scott A Summers
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah College of Health, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kimberley J Evason
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| | - Gregory S Ducker
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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2
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Karin M, Kim JY. MASH as an emerging cause of hepatocellular carcinoma: current knowledge and future perspectives. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38874196 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13685] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the deadliest and fastest-growing cancers. Among HCC etiologies, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has served as a major HCC driver due to its great potential for increasing cirrhosis. The obesogenic environment fosters a positive energy balance and results in a continuous rise of obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, it is difficult to understand how metabolic complications lead to the poor prognosis of liver diseases and which molecular mechanisms are underpinning MAFLD-driven HCC development. Thus, suitable preclinical models that recapitulate human etiologies are essentially required. Numerous preclinical models have been created but not many mimicked anthropometric measures and the course of disease progression shown in the patients. Here we review the literature on adipose tissues, liver-related HCC etiologies and recently discovered genetic mutation signatures found in MAFLD-driven HCC patients. We also critically review current rodent models suggested for MAFLD-driven HCC study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Karin
- Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Departments of Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ju Youn Kim
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University ERICA, Ansan, Korea
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3
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Yamada A, Watanabe A, Nara A, Ishimaru N, Maeda K, Ido Y, Kotake K, Asano M, Shinohara Y, Yamamoto T. Longitudinal Analysis of Mitochondrial Function in a Choline-Deficient L-Amino Acid-Defined High-Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6193. [PMID: 38892381 PMCID: PMC11173319 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116193] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. Some patients with MAFLD develop metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which can lead to severe liver fibrosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this progression remain unknown, and no effective treatment for MASH has been developed so far. In this study, we performed a longitudinal detailed analysis of mitochondria in the livers of choline-deficient, methionine-defined, high-fat-diet (CDAHFD)-fed mice, which exhibited a MASH-like pathology. We found that FoF1-ATPase activity began to decrease in the mitochondria of CDAHFD-fed mice prior to alterations in the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex, almost at the time of onset of liver fibrosis. In addition, the decrease in FoF1-ATPase activity coincided with the accelerated opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP), for which FoF1-ATPase might be a major component or regulator. As fibrosis progressed, mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) induced in CDAHFD-fed mice became less sensitive to cyclosporine A, a specific PT inhibitor. These results suggest that episodes of fibrosis might be related to the disruption of mitochondrial function via PTP opening, which is triggered by functional changes in FoF1-ATPase. These novel findings could help elucidate the pathogenesis of MASH and lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Yamada
- Department of Pathology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8310, Japan
| | - Akira Watanabe
- Institute for Genome Research, Tokushima University, Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Shomachi, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nara
- Institute for Genome Research, Tokushima University, Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Shomachi, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Naozumi Ishimaru
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan
| | - Kosuke Maeda
- Institute for Genome Research, Tokushima University, Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Shomachi, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ido
- Institute for Genome Research, Tokushima University, Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Shomachi, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Kotake
- Institute for Genome Research, Tokushima University, Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Shomachi, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Masatake Asano
- Department of Pathology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8310, Japan
| | - Yasuo Shinohara
- Institute for Genome Research, Tokushima University, Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Shomachi, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Takenori Yamamoto
- Institute for Genome Research, Tokushima University, Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Shomachi, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
- Division of Molecular Target and Gene Therapy Products, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki-ku, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
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4
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Miyamoto Y, Kikuta J, Matsui T, Hasegawa T, Fujii K, Okuzaki D, Liu YC, Yoshioka T, Seno S, Motooka D, Uchida Y, Yamashita E, Kobayashi S, Eguchi H, Morii E, Tryggvason K, Shichita T, Kayama H, Atarashi K, Kunisawa J, Honda K, Takeda K, Ishii M. Periportal macrophages protect against commensal-driven liver inflammation. Nature 2024; 629:901-909. [PMID: 38658756 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07372-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The liver is the main gateway from the gut, and the unidirectional sinusoidal flow from portal to central veins constitutes heterogenous zones, including the periportal vein (PV) and the pericentral vein zones1-5. However, functional differences in the immune system in each zone remain poorly understood. Here intravital imaging revealed that inflammatory responses are suppressed in PV zones. Zone-specific single-cell transcriptomics detected a subset of immunosuppressive macrophages enriched in PV zones that express high levels of interleukin-10 and Marco, a scavenger receptor that sequesters pro-inflammatory pathogen-associated molecular patterns and damage-associated molecular patterns, and consequently suppress immune responses. Induction of Marco+ immunosuppressive macrophages depended on gut microbiota. In particular, a specific bacterial family, Odoribacteraceae, was identified to induce this macrophage subset through its postbiotic isoallolithocholic acid. Intestinal barrier leakage resulted in inflammation in PV zones, which was markedly augmented in Marco-deficient conditions. Chronic liver inflammatory diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) showed decreased numbers of Marco+ macrophages. Functional ablation of Marco+ macrophages led to PSC-like inflammatory phenotypes related to colitis and exacerbated steatosis in NASH in animal experimental models. Collectively, commensal bacteria induce Marco+ immunosuppressive macrophages, which consequently limit excessive inflammation at the gateway of the liver. Failure of this self-limiting system promotes hepatic inflammatory disorders such as PSC and NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Miyamoto
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Life-omics Research Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiative, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Junichi Kikuta
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Life-omics Research Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiative, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Drug Discovery, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Matsui
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Hasegawa
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kentaro Fujii
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Life-omics Research Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiative, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Okuzaki
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Genome Information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yu-Chen Liu
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Genome Information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takuya Yoshioka
- Laboratory of Vaccine Materials, Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shigeto Seno
- Department of Bioinformatic Engineering, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Motooka
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Genome Information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yutaka Uchida
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Life-omics Research Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiative, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Drug Discovery, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Erika Yamashita
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Life-omics Research Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiative, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shogo Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Eiichi Morii
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Karl Tryggvason
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Takashi Shichita
- Laboratory for Neuroinflammation and Repair, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hisako Kayama
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koji Atarashi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Kunisawa
- Laboratory of Vaccine Materials, Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenya Honda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Takeda
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaru Ishii
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- Life-omics Research Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiative, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Drug Discovery, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan.
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5
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Fu JT, Liu J, Wu WB, Chen YT, Lu GD, Cao Q, Meng HB, Tong J, Zhu JH, Wang XJ, Liu Y, Zhuang C, Sheng C, Shen FM, Liu X, Wang H, Yu Y, Zhang Y, Liang HY, Zhang JB, Li DJ, Li X, Wang ZB, Wang P. Targeting EFHD2 Inhibits Interferon-γ Signaling and Ameliorates Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)00277-0. [PMID: 38670321 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.04.009] [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] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The precise pathomechanisms underlying the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, also known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis [MASH]) remain incompletely understood. This study investigates the potential role of EF-hand domain family member D2 (EFHD2), a novel molecule specific to immune cells, in NASH pathogenesis. METHODS Hepatic EFHD2 expression was characterized in NASH patients and two diet-induced NASH mouse models. Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and double-immunohistochemistry were employed to explore EFHD2 expression patterns in NASH livers. The effects of global and myeloid-specific EFHD2 deletion on NASH and NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were assessed. Molecular mechanisms underlying EFHD2 function were investigated, along with its potential as a therapeutic target by chemical and genetic means. RESULTS EFHD2 expression was significantly elevated in liver tissue macrophages/monocytes in both NASH patients and mice. Deletion of EFHD2, either globally or specifically in myeloid cells, improved hepatic steatosis, reduced immune cell infiltration, inhibited lipid peroxidation-induced ferroptosis, and attenuated fibrosis in NASH. Additionally, it hindered the development of NASH-related HCC. Specifically, deletion of myeloid EFHD2 prevented the replacement of TIM4+ resident Kupffer cells by infiltrated monocytes and reversed the decreases in patrolling monocytes and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio in NASH. Mechanistically, our investigation revealed that EFHD2 in myeloid cells interacts with cytosolic YWHAZ (14-3-3ζ), facilitating the translocation of interferon-γ receptor-2 (IFNγR2) onto the plasma membrane. This interaction mediates IFNγ signaling, which triggers immune and inflammatory responses in macrophages during NASH. Finally, a developed stapled α-helical peptide targeting EFHD2 demonstrated its efficacy in protecting against NASH pathology in mice. CONCLUSION Our study reveals a pivotal immunomodulatory and inflammatory role of EFHD2 in NASH, underscoring EFHD2 as a promising druggable target for NASH treatment. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) represents an advanced stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, not all NAFLD patients progress to NASH. A key challenge is identifying the factors triggering inflammation, which propels the transition from simple fatty liver to NASH. Our research pinpointed EFHD2 as a pivotal driver of NASH, orchestrating the over-activation of IFNγ signaling within the liver during NASH progression. A stapled peptide designed to target EFHD2 exhibited therapeutic promise in NASH mice. These findings suggest EFHD2 as a promising target for drug development aimed at NASH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Tao Fu
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Biliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Bin Wu
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Ting Chen
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo-Dong Lu
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Cao
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Pharmaceutical Education, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Bo Meng
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Tong
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Hui Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu-Jie Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunlin Zhuang
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Pharmaceutical Education, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Pharmaceutical Education, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fu-Ming Shen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingguang Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yongsheng Yu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuefan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai-Yan Liang
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Pharmaceutical Education, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Bao Zhang
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Pharmaceutical Education, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong-Jie Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Li
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Pharmaceutical Education, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhi-Bin Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Pei Wang
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Pharmaceutical Education, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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6
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Wu S, Ren W, Hong J, Yang Y, Lu Y. Ablation of histone methyltransferase Suv39h2 in hepatocytes attenuates NASH in mice. Life Sci 2024; 343:122524. [PMID: 38401627 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122524] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by aberrant lipid metabolism in hepatocytes. We investigated the involvement of a histone H3K9 methyltransferase Suv39h2 in the pathogenesis of NASH. METHODS AND MATERIALS NASH is induced by feeding the mice with a high-fat high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet or a high-fat choline-deficient amino acid defined (HFD-CDAA) diet. The Suv39h2f/f mice were crossbred with the Alb-Cre mice to specifically delete Suv39h2 in hepatocytes. KEY FINDINGS Ablation of Suv39h2 in hepatocytes improved insulin sensitivity of the mice fed either the HFHC diet or the CDAA-HFD diet. Importantly, Suv39h2 deletion significantly ameliorated NAFLD as evidenced by reduced lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver. RNA-seq uncovered Vanin-1 (Vnn1) as a novel transcriptional target for Suv39h2. Mechanistically, Suv39h2 repressed Vnn1 transcription in hepatocytes exposed to free fatty acids. Consistently, Vanin-1 knockdown normalized lipid accumulation in Suv39h2-null hepatocytes. Importantly, a significant correlation between Suv39h2, Vanin-1, and hepatic triglyceride levels was identified in NASH patients. SIGNIFICANCE Our study uncovers a novel mechanism whereby Suv39h2 may contribute to NASH pathogenesis and suggests that targeting the Suv39h2-Vanin-1 axis may yield novel therapeutic solutions against NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqiang Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjing Ren
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiameng Hong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuyu Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yunjie Lu
- Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China; Africa Hepatopancreatobiliary Cancer Consortium, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, USA.
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7
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Yang J, Dai M, Wang Y, Yan Z, Mao S, Liu A, Lu C. A CDAHFD-induced mouse model mimicking human NASH in the metabolism of hepatic phosphatidylcholines and acyl carnitines. Food Funct 2024; 15:2982-2995. [PMID: 38411344 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo05111k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the hepatic manifestation of a cluster of conditions associated with lipid metabolism disorders. Ideal animal models mimicking the human NASH need to be explored to better understand the pathogenesis. A choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) has recently been used to induce the NASH model, but the advantages are not established. NASH models were induced using the well-known traditional methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet for 5 weeks and the recently used CDAHFD for 3 weeks. Liver phenotypes were analyzed to evaluate the differences in markers related to NASH. Lipidomics and metabolism analyses were used to investigate the effects of dietary regimens on the lipidome of the liver. The CDAHFD induced stronger NASH responses than the MCD, including lipid deposition, liver injury, inflammation, bile acid overload and hepatocyte proliferation. A significant difference in the hepatic lipidome was revealed between the CDAHFD and MCD-induced NASH models. In particular, the CDAHFD reduced the hepatic levels of phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and acylcarnitines (ACs), which was supported by the metabolism analysis and in line with the tendency of human NASH. Pathologically, the CDAHFD could effectively induce a more human-like NASH model over the traditional MCD. The hepatic PCs, ACs and their metabolism in CDAHFD-treated mice were down-regulated, similar to those in human NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315040, China.
| | - Manyun Dai
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Health Science Centre, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Ying Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Health Science Centre, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Zheng Yan
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Health Science Centre, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Shuqi Mao
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315040, China.
| | - Aiming Liu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Health Science Centre, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Caide Lu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315040, China.
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8
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Kawano Y, Tanaka M, Satoh Y, Sugino S, Suzuki J, Fujishima M, Okumura E, Takekoshi H, Uehara O, Sugita S, Abiko Y, Tomonari T, Tanaka H, Takeda H, Takayama T. Acanthopanax senticosus ameliorates steatohepatitis through HNF4 alpha pathway activation in mice. Sci Rep 2024; 14:110. [PMID: 38167633 PMCID: PMC10762184 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50625-z] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a common liver disease worldwide, and is associated with dysregulation of lipid metabolism, leading to inflammation and fibrosis. Acanthopanax senticosus Harms (ASH) is widely used in traditional medicine as an adaptogen food. We examined the effect of ASH on steatohepatitis using a high-fat diet mouse model. Mice were fed a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet with ASH extract (ASHE). After 6 weeks, liver RNA transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed, followed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Our findings revealed that mice fed a high-fat diet with 5% ASHE exhibited significantly reduced liver steatosis. These mice also demonstrated alleviated inflammation and reduced fibrosis in the liver. IPA of RNA-Seq indicated that hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4 alpha), a transcription factor, was the activated upstream regulator (P-value 0.00155, z score = 2.413) in the liver of ASHE-fed mice. Adenosine triphosphate binding cassette transporter 8 and carboxylesterase 2, downstream targets of HNF4 alpha pathway, were upregulated. Finally, ASHE-treated HepG2 cells exposed to palmitate exhibited significantly decreased lipid droplet contents. Our study provides that ASHE can activate HNF4 alpha pathway and promote fat secretion from hepatocytes, thereby serving as a prophylactic treatment for steatohepatitis in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Kawano
- Department of Community Medicine and Medical Science, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Tokushima, 770-0042, Japan.
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, 770-0042, Japan.
| | - Maki Tanaka
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, School of Medical Technology, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 002-8072, Japan
| | - Yasushi Satoh
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, 770-0042, Japan
| | - Shigekazu Sugino
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Jun Suzuki
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Masaki Fujishima
- Production and Development Department, Sun Chlorella Co., Ltd, Kyoto, 600-8177, Japan
| | - Eri Okumura
- Production and Development Department, Sun Chlorella Co., Ltd, Kyoto, 600-8177, Japan
| | - Hideo Takekoshi
- Production and Development Department, Sun Chlorella Co., Ltd, Kyoto, 600-8177, Japan
| | - Osamu Uehara
- Division of Disease Control and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Oral Growth and Development, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Shintaro Sugita
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8543, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Abiko
- Division of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Department of Human Biology and Pathophysiology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Tetsu Tomonari
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, 770-0042, Japan
| | - Hironori Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, 770-0042, Japan
| | - Hidekatsu Takeda
- Department of Physical Therapy, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8543, Japan
| | - Tetsuji Takayama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Oncology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, 770-0042, Japan
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9
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Li S, Motiño O, Lambertucci F, Chen H, Anagnostopoulos G, Montégut L, Nogueira-Recalde U, Maiuri MC, Kroemer G, Martins I. A Mouse Model of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Induced by Western Diet and Carbon Tetrachloride. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2769:57-65. [PMID: 38315388 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3694-7_4] [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] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Obesity is a known risk factor of NASH, which, in turn, increases the risk of developing cirrhosis (liver scarring) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition to being a potentially life-threatening condition, public health concerns surrounding NASH are amplified by the lack of FDA-approved treatments. Although various preclinical models reflecting both the histopathology and the pathophysiological progression of human NASH exist, most of these models are diet-based and require 6-13 months for NASH symptom manifestation. Here, we describe a simple and rapid-progression model of NASH and NASH-driven HCC in mice. Mice received a western diet equivalent (WD; i.e., a high-fat, high-fructose, and high-cholesterol diet), high-sugar water (23.1 g/L fructose and 18.9 g/L glucose), and weekly intraperitoneal injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) at a dose of 0.2 μL/g of body weight. The resulting phenotype, consisting in liver fibrosis and HCC, appeared within 24 weeks of diet/treatment initiation and presented similar histological and transcriptomic features as human NASH and NASH-driven HCC, thereby supporting the adequacy of this preclinical model for the development and evaluation of drugs that can prevent or reverse these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijing Li
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Inserm U1138, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMMICa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris Saclay, Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Omar Motiño
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Inserm U1138, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMMICa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Flavia Lambertucci
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Inserm U1138, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMMICa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Hui Chen
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Inserm U1138, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMMICa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris Saclay, Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Gerasimos Anagnostopoulos
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMMICa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Inserm U1138, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Léa Montégut
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Inserm U1138, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMMICa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris Saclay, Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Uxía Nogueira-Recalde
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Inserm U1138, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMMICa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Rheumatology Research Group (GIR), Biomedical Research Institute of A Coruña (INIBIC), Professor Novoa Santos Foundation, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Maria Chiara Maiuri
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Inserm U1138, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMMICa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Inserm U1138, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMMICa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Department of Biology, Institut du Cancer Paris CARPEM, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Martins
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Inserm U1138, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, UMS AMMICa, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
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10
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Liu Z, Louwe PA, Scott CL. Studying Macrophages in the Murine Steatotic Liver Using Flow Cytometry and Confocal Microscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2713:207-230. [PMID: 37639126 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3437-0_15] [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] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The study of macrophage functions in the context of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH) has been hampered by the fact that until recently all macrophages in the liver were thought to be Kupffer cells, the resident macrophages of the liver. With the advent of single-cell technologies, it is now clear that the steatotic liver harbors many distinct populations of macrophages, likely each with their own unique functions as well as subsets of monocytes and dendritic cells which can be difficult to discriminate from one another. Here, we detail the protocols we utilize to (i) induce MASLD/MASH in mice, (ii) isolate cells from the steatotic liver, and (iii) describe reliable gating strategies, which can be used to identify the different subsets of myeloid cells. Finally, we also discuss the issue of increased autofluorescence in the steatotic liver and the techniques we use to minimize this both for flow cytometry and confocal microscopy analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuangzhuang Liu
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Biology in Tissue Damage and Inflammation, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter A Louwe
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Biology in Tissue Damage and Inflammation, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Biology in Tissue Homeostasis and Regeneration, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Charlotte L Scott
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Biology in Tissue Damage and Inflammation, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
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11
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Cuesta ÁM, Palao N, Bragado P, Gutierrez-Uzquiza A, Herrera B, Sánchez A, Porras A. New and Old Key Players in Liver Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17152. [PMID: 38138981 PMCID: PMC10742790 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417152] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer represents a major health problem worldwide with growing incidence and high mortality, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most frequent. Hepatocytes are likely the cellular origin of most HCCs through the accumulation of genetic alterations, although hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) might also be candidates in specific cases, as discussed here. HCC usually develops in a context of chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, although the role of fibrosis is controversial. The interplay between hepatocytes, immune cells and hepatic stellate cells is a key issue. This review summarizes critical aspects of the liver tumor microenvironment paying special attention to platelets as new key players, which exert both pro- and anti-tumor effects, determined by specific contexts and a tight regulation of platelet signaling. Additionally, the relevance of specific signaling pathways, mainly HGF/MET, EGFR and TGF-β is discussed. HGF and TGF-β are produced by different liver cells and platelets and regulate not only tumor cell fate but also HPCs, inflammation and fibrosis, these being key players in these processes. The role of C3G/RAPGEF1, required for the proper function of HGF/MET signaling in HCC and HPCs, is highlighted, due to its ability to promote HCC growth and, regulate HPC fate and platelet-mediated actions on liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel M. Cuesta
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Palao
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Bragado
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Gutierrez-Uzquiza
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Blanca Herrera
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD-ISCIII), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Sánchez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD-ISCIII), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Porras
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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12
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VanSant-Webb C, Low HK, Kuramoto J, Stanley CE, Qiang H, Su A, Ross AN, Cooper CG, Cox JE, Summers SA, Evason KJ, Ducker GS. Phospholipid isotope tracing reveals β-catenin-driven suppression of phosphatidylcholine metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.12.562134. [PMID: 37904922 PMCID: PMC10614757 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.12.562134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Background and Aims Activating mutations in the CTNNB1 gene encoding β-catenin are among the most frequently observed oncogenic alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC with CTNNB1 mutations show profound alterations in lipid metabolism including increases in fatty acid oxidation and transformation of the phospholipidome, but it is unclear how these changes arise and whether they contribute to the oncogenic program in HCC. Methods We employed untargeted lipidomics and targeted isotope tracing to quantify phospholipid production fluxes in an inducible human liver cell line expressing mutant β-catenin, as well as in transgenic zebrafish with activated β-catenin-driven HCC. Results In both models, activated β-catenin expression was associated with large changes in the lipidome including conserved increases in acylcarnitines and ceramides and decreases in triglycerides. Lipid flux analysis in human cells revealed a large reduction in phosphatidylcholine (PC) production rates as assayed by choline tracer incorporation. We developed isotope tracing lipid flux analysis for zebrafish and observed similar reductions in phosphatidylcholine synthesis flux accomplished by sex-specific mechanisms. Conclusions The integration of isotope tracing with lipid abundances highlights specific lipid class transformations downstream of β-catenin signaling in HCC and suggests future HCC-specific lipid metabolic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad VanSant-Webb
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine. Salt Lake City UT, 84112, USA
| | - Hayden K Low
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine. Salt Lake City UT, 84112, USA
| | - Junko Kuramoto
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine. Salt Lake City UT, 84112, USA
- Department of Pathology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Claire E Stanley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine. Salt Lake City UT, 84112, USA
| | - Hantao Qiang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine. Salt Lake City UT, 84112, USA
| | - Audrey Su
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine. Salt Lake City UT, 84112, USA
| | - Alexis N Ross
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine. Salt Lake City UT, 84112, USA
| | - Chad G Cooper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine. Salt Lake City UT, 84112, USA
| | - James E Cox
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine. Salt Lake City UT, 84112, USA
| | - Scott A Summers
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah College of Health. Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
| | - Kimberley J Evason
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine. Salt Lake City UT, 84112, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah. Salt Lake City UT, 84112 USA
| | - Gregory S Ducker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine. Salt Lake City UT, 84112, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah. Salt Lake City UT, 84112 USA
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13
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Yamaji K, Iwabuchi S, Tokunaga Y, Hashimoto S, Yamane D, Toyama S, Kono R, Kitab B, Tsukiyama-Kohara K, Osawa Y, Hayashi Y, Hishima T, Tateno C, Kimura K, Okanoue T, Kohara M. Molecular insights of a CBP/β-catenin-signaling inhibitor on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-induced liver fibrosis and disorder. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115379. [PMID: 37647690 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115379] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive fibrotic disease associated with an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma; at present, no efficient therapeutic strategy has been established. Herein, we examined the efficacy of PRI-724, a potent inhibitor of CBP/β-catenin signaling, for treating NASH-related liver fibrosis and disorder and characterized its mechanism. Choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD)-fed mice exhibited NASH-induced liver fibrosis that is characterized by steatosis, lobular inflammation, hepatocellular injury and collagen fibrils. To examine the therapeutic effect, CDAHFD-fed mice were administered PRI-724. Serum levels of ALT and pro-fibrotic molecule, i.e. Mac-2 bp, alpha smooth muscle actin, type I and type III collagens, decreased significantly. mRNA levels of the matrix metalloproteinases Mmp8 and Mmp9 in the liver were significantly increased, and increases in the abundance of MMP9-producing neutrophils and macrophages were observed. Marco+Mmp9+Cd68+ Kupffer cells were only observed in the livers of mice treated with PRI-724, and Mmp9 expression in Marco+Cd68+ Kupffer cells increased 4.3-fold. Moreover, hepatic expression of the lipid metabolism regulator, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 and liver lipid droplets also decreased significantly. PRI-724-treated NASH mice not only recovered from NASH-related liver fibrosis through the effect of PRI-724 down-regulating the expression of pro-fibrotic genes and up-regulating the expression of anti-fibrotic genes, but they also recovered from NASH-induced liver disorder. PRI-724, a selective CBP/β-catenin inhibitor, thus shows a potent therapeutic effect for NASH-related liver fibrosis and for decreasing adipose tissue in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenzaburo Yamaji
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Sadahiro Iwabuchi
- Department of Molecular Pathophysiology, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan
| | - Yuko Tokunaga
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Shinichi Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular Pathophysiology, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yamane
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Sakiko Toyama
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Risa Kono
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Bouchra Kitab
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
| | - Yosuke Osawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Nasushiobara 324-8501, Japan
| | - Yukiko Hayashi
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo 113-8677, Japan
| | - Tsunekazu Hishima
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo 113-8677, Japan
| | - Chise Tateno
- R&D Department, PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., 3-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-0046, Japan
| | - Kiminori Kimura
- Department of Hepatology, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo 113-8677, Japan
| | - Takeshi Okanoue
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Saiseikai Suita Hospital, Osaka 564-0013, Japan
| | - Michinori Kohara
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan.
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14
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Suzuki-Kemuriyama N, Abe A, Nakane S, Yuki M, Miyajima K, Nakae D. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-associated hepatocarcinogenesis in mice fed a modified choline-deficient, methionine-lowered, L-amino acid-defined diet and the role of signal changes. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287657. [PMID: 37535625 PMCID: PMC10399772 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can progress to cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The incidence of NASH-associated HCC is increasing, posing a serious public health threat. Unfortunately, the underlying pathological mechanisms, including the possible differences between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions, remain largely unknown. Previously, we reported a dietary mouse NASH model with a choline-deficient, methionine-lowered, L-amino-acid-defined, high-fat diet containing shortening without trans fatty acids (CDAA-HF-T[-]), which rapidly induces fibrosis and proliferative lesions in the liver. This study aimed to develop a mouse CDAA-HF-T(-) model capable of assessing NASH-associated hepatocarcinogenesis and identifying key signaling factors involved in its underlying mechanisms. Multiple large masses, histopathologically hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas, and hemangiosarcomas were detected in the liver samples of mice fed CDAA-HF-T(-) for 52 or 63 weeks, along with highly advanced fibrosis and numerous foamy, phagocytic macrophages in the adjacent nontumoral area. Multiple metastatic nodules were found in the lungs of one of the animals, and lymphoid clusters were found in all CDAA-HF-T(-) group mice. In the Ingenuity Pathways Analysis of RNA expression data, the CDAA-HF-T(-) feeding revealed common signal changes in nontumoral and tumoral liver tissues, including increased IL-8 and RhoGTPases signaling and decreased lipid metabolism. Meanwhile, macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) expression levels were upregulated in nontumoral liver tissue from the end of Week 13 of CDAA-HF-T(-) feeding to the end of Week 63. On the other hand, MIP-2 was expressed on macrophages in non-tumor areas and hepatocytes in tumor areas. Therefore, the CDAA-HF-T(-) mouse model is useful for assessing NASH and NASH-associated hepatocarcinogenesis, and IL-8 signaling plays important roles in NASH-associated carcinogenesis and cirrhosis, but it may also play different roles in nontumoral liver tissue and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Suzuki-Kemuriyama
- Faculty of Applied Bioscience, Department of Nutritional Science and Food Safety, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akari Abe
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Safety, Graduate School of Applied Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sae Nakane
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Safety, Graduate School of Applied Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Megumi Yuki
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Safety, Graduate School of Applied Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Miyajima
- Faculty of Applied Bioscience, Department of Nutritional Science and Food Safety, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Safety, Graduate School of Applied Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Dai Nakae
- Faculty of Applied Bioscience, Department of Nutritional Science and Food Safety, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Safety, Graduate School of Applied Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
- Faculty of Health Care and Medical Sports, Department of Medical Sports, Teikyo Heisei University, Ichihara, Chiba, Japan
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15
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Zheng Q, Kawaguchi M, Mikami H, Diao P, Zhang X, Zhang Z, Nakajima T, Iwadare T, Kimura T, Nakayama J, Tanaka N. Establishment of Novel Mouse Model of Dietary NASH Rapidly Progressing into Liver Cirrhosis and Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3744. [PMID: 37509405 PMCID: PMC10378543 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143744] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is the most severe manifestation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has been recognized as a major hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) catalyst. However, the molecular mechanism of NASH-liver fibrosis-HCC sequence remains unclear and a specific and effective treatment for NASH has not yet been established. The progress in this field depends on the availability of reliable preclinical models which show the steady progression to NASH, liver cirrhosis, and HCC. However, most of the NASH mouse models that have been described to date develop NASH generally for more than 24 weeks and there is an uncertainty of HCC development. To overcome such shortcomings of experimental NASH studies, we established a novel NASH-HCC mouse model with very high reproducibility, generality, and convenience. We treated male C57BL/6J mice with a newly developed choline-deficient and methionine-restricted high-fat diet, named OYC-NASH2 diet, for 60 weeks. Treatment of OYC-NASH2 diet for 3 weeks revealed marked steatosis, lobular inflammation, and fibrosis, histologically diagnosed as NASH. Liver cirrhosis was observed in all mice with 48-week treatment. Liver nodules emerged at 12 weeks of the treatment, > 2 mm diameter liver tumors developed in all mice at 24 weeks of the treatment and HCC appeared after 36-week treatment. In conclusion, our rapidly progressive and highly reproducible NASH-liver cirrhosis-HCC model is helpful for preclinical development and research on the pathogenesis of human NAFLD-NASH-HCC. Our mouse model would be useful for the development of novel chemicals for NASH-HCC-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Zheng
- Department of Metabolic Regulation, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
| | | | - Hayato Mikami
- Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd., Itabashi, Tokyo 174-8505, Japan
| | - Pan Diao
- Department of Metabolic Regulation, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
| | - Xuguang Zhang
- Department of Metabolic Regulation, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Metabolic Regulation, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
| | - Takero Nakajima
- Department of Metabolic Regulation, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
| | - Takanobu Iwadare
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
| | - Takefumi Kimura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
| | - Jun Nakayama
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
| | - Naoki Tanaka
- Department of Global Medical Research Promotion, Shinshu University Graduate School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
- International Relations Office, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
- Research Center for Social Systems, Shinshu University, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
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16
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Fang J, Celton-Morizur S, Desdouets C. NAFLD-Related HCC: Focus on the Latest Relevant Preclinical Models. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3723. [PMID: 37509384 PMCID: PMC10377912 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Despite extensive research, the biological mechanisms underlying HCC's development and progression remain only partially understood. Chronic overeating and/or sedentary-lifestyle-associated obesity, which promote Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), have recently emerged as worrying risk factors for HCC. NAFLD is characterized by excessive hepatocellular lipid accumulation (steatosis) and affects one quarter of the world's population. Steatosis progresses in the more severe inflammatory form, Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), potentially leading to HCC. The incidence of NASH is expected to increase by up to 56% over the next 10 years. Better diagnoses and the establishment of effective treatments for NAFLD and HCC will require improvements in our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of the disease's development. This review describes the pathogenesis of NAFLD and the mechanisms underlying the transition from NAFL/NASH to HCC. We also discuss a selection of appropriate preclinical models of NAFLD for research, from cellular models such as liver-on-a-chip models to in vivo models, focusing particularly on mouse models of dietary NAFLD-HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Fang
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France
- Genomic Instability, Metabolism, Immunity and Liver Tumorigenesis Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Séverine Celton-Morizur
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France
- Genomic Instability, Metabolism, Immunity and Liver Tumorigenesis Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Chantal Desdouets
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 75006 Paris, France
- Genomic Instability, Metabolism, Immunity and Liver Tumorigenesis Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 75005 Paris, France
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17
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Yamada K, Tanaka T, Kai K, Matsufuji S, Ito K, Kitajima Y, Manabe T, Noshiro H. Suppression of NASH-Related HCC by Farnesyltransferase Inhibitor through Inhibition of Inflammation and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Expression. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11546. [PMID: 37511305 PMCID: PMC10380354 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory processes play major roles in carcinogenesis and the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) derived from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). But, there are no therapies for NASH-related HCC, especially focusing on these critical steps. Previous studies have reported that farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. However, the influence of FTIs on NASH-related HCC has not been elucidated. In hepatoblastoma and HCC cell lines, HepG2, Hep3B, and Huh-7, we confirmed the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, an accelerator of tumor aggressiveness and the inflammatory response. We established NASH-related HCC models under inflammation and free fatty acid burden and confirmed that HIF-1α expression was increased under both conditions. Tipifarnib, which is an FTI, strongly suppressed increased HIF-1α, inhibited cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis. Simultaneously, intracellular interleukin-6 as an inflammation marker was increased under both conditions and significantly suppressed by tipifarnib. Additionally, tipifarnib suppressed the expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB and transforming growth factor-β. Finally, in a NASH-related HCC mouse model burdened with diethylnitrosamine and a high-fat diet, tipifarnib significantly reduced tumor nodule formation in association with decreased serum interleukin-6. In conclusion, tipifarnib has anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects in a NASH-related HCC model and may be a promising new agent to treat this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Yamada
- Department of Surgery, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Tanaka
- Department of Surgery, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Keita Kai
- Department of Pathology, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Shohei Matsufuji
- Department of Surgery, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Kotaro Ito
- Department of Surgery, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Kitajima
- Department of Surgery, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan
- Department of Surgery, National Hospital Organization Higashisaga Hospital, Saga 849-0101, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Manabe
- Department of Surgery, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Noshiro
- Department of Surgery, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan
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18
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Fujinuma S, Nakatsumi H, Shimizu H, Sugiyama S, Harada A, Goya T, Tanaka M, Kohjima M, Takahashi M, Izumi Y, Yagi M, Kang D, Kaneko M, Shigeta M, Bamba T, Ohkawa Y, Nakayama KI. FOXK1 promotes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by mediating mTORC1-dependent inhibition of hepatic fatty acid oxidation. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112530. [PMID: 37209098 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by overnutrition and can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The transcription factor Forkhead box K1 (FOXK1) is implicated in regulation of lipid metabolism downstream of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), but its role in NAFLD-NASH pathogenesis is understudied. Here, we show that FOXK1 mediates nutrient-dependent suppression of lipid catabolism in the liver. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of Foxk1 in mice fed a NASH-inducing diet ameliorates not only hepatic steatosis but also associated inflammation, fibrosis, and tumorigenesis, resulting in improved survival. Genome-wide transcriptomic and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses identify several lipid metabolism-related genes, including Ppara, as direct targets of FOXK1 in the liver. Our results suggest that FOXK1 plays a key role in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism and that its inhibition is a promising therapeutic strategy for NAFLD-NASH, as well as for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Fujinuma
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Nakatsumi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Shimizu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shigeaki Sugiyama
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Akihito Harada
- Division of Transcriptomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Goya
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masatake Tanaka
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Kohjima
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masatomo Takahashi
- Division of Metabolomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Izumi
- Division of Metabolomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mikako Yagi
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; Department of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Dongchon Kang
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mari Kaneko
- Laboratory for Animal Resources and Genetic Engineering, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
| | - Mayo Shigeta
- Laboratory for Animal Resources and Genetic Engineering, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takeshi Bamba
- Division of Metabolomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Ohkawa
- Division of Transcriptomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keiichi I Nakayama
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
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19
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Wong WJ, Emdin C, Bick AG, Zekavat SM, Niroula A, Pirruccello JP, Dichtel L, Griffin G, Uddin MM, Gibson CJ, Kovalcik V, Lin AE, McConkey ME, Vromman A, Sellar RS, Kim PG, Agrawal M, Weinstock J, Long MT, Yu B, Banerjee R, Nicholls RC, Dennis A, Kelly M, Loh PR, McCarroll S, Boerwinkle E, Vasan RS, Jaiswal S, Johnson AD, Chung RT, Corey K, Levy D, Ballantyne C, Ebert BL, Natarajan P. Clonal haematopoiesis and risk of chronic liver disease. Nature 2023; 616:747-754. [PMID: 37046084 PMCID: PMC10405350 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05857-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Chronic liver disease is a major public health burden worldwide1. Although different aetiologies and mechanisms of liver injury exist, progression of chronic liver disease follows a common pathway of liver inflammation, injury and fibrosis2. Here we examined the association between clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and chronic liver disease in 214,563 individuals from 4 independent cohorts with whole-exome sequencing data (Framingham Heart Study, Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, UK Biobank and Mass General Brigham Biobank). CHIP was associated with an increased risk of prevalent and incident chronic liver disease (odds ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) [1.46, 2.79]; P < 0.001). Individuals with CHIP were more likely to demonstrate liver inflammation and fibrosis detectable by magnetic resonance imaging compared to those without CHIP (odds ratio = 1.74, 95% CI [1.16, 2.60]; P = 0.007). To assess potential causality, Mendelian randomization analyses showed that genetic predisposition to CHIP was associated with a greater risk of chronic liver disease (odds ratio = 2.37, 95% CI [1.57, 3.6]; P < 0.001). In a dietary model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, mice transplanted with Tet2-deficient haematopoietic cells demonstrated more severe liver inflammation and fibrosis. These effects were mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome and increased levels of expression of downstream inflammatory cytokines in Tet2-deficient macrophages. In summary, clonal haematopoiesis is associated with an elevated risk of liver inflammation and chronic liver disease progression through an aberrant inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waihay J Wong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Connor Emdin
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander G Bick
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Seyedeh M Zekavat
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abhishek Niroula
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - James P Pirruccello
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Cardiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laura Dichtel
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriel Griffin
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Md Mesbah Uddin
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Christopher J Gibson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Veronica Kovalcik
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy E Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marie E McConkey
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amelie Vromman
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rob S Sellar
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Peter G Kim
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mridul Agrawal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua Weinstock
- Department of Biostatistics, Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Michelle T Long
- Section of Gastroenterology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bing Yu
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Po-Ru Loh
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steve McCarroll
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ramachandran S Vasan
- The University of Texas School of Public Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Framingham Heart Study of the NHLBI and Boston University School of Medicine, Framingham, MA, USA
- The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Siddhartha Jaiswal
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Andrew D Johnson
- Population Sciences Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Raymond T Chung
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen Corey
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Levy
- Framingham Heart Study of the NHLBI and Boston University School of Medicine, Framingham, MA, USA
- Population Sciences Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christie Ballantyne
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin L Ebert
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Pradeep Natarajan
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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20
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Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinoma: pathogenesis and treatment. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023:10.1038/s41575-023-00754-7. [PMID: 36932227 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00754-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including its more severe manifestation, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), has a global prevalence of 20-25% and is a major public health problem. Its incidence is increasing in parallel to the rise in obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Progression from NASH to NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (~2% of cases per year) is influenced by many factors, including the tissue and immune microenvironment, germline mutations in PNPLA3, and the microbiome. NASH-HCC has unique molecular and immune traits compared with other aetiologies of HCC and is equally prevalent in men and women. Comorbidities associated with NASH, such as obesity and diabetes mellitus, can prevent the implementation of potentially curative therapies in certain patients; nonetheless, outcomes are similar in patients who receive treatment. NASH-HCC at the early to intermediate stages is managed with surgery and locoregional therapies, whereas advanced HCC is treated with systemic therapies, including anti-angiogenic therapies and immune-checkpoint inhibitors. In this Review, we present the latest knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms and clinical management of NASH-HCC. We discuss data highlighting the controversy over varying responses to immune-checkpoint inhibitors according to underlying aetiology and suggest that the future of NASH-HCC management lies in improved surveillance, targeted combination therapies to overcome immune evasion, and identifying biomarkers to recognize treatment responders.
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21
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Suoangbaji T, Zhang VX, Ng IOL, Ho DWH. Single-Cell Analysis of Primary Liver Cancer in Mouse Models. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030477. [PMID: 36766817 PMCID: PMC9914042 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030477] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC), consisting mainly of hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, is one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The curative therapy for PLC is surgical resection and liver transplantation, but most PLCs are inoperable at diagnosis. Even after surgery, there is a high rate of tumor recurrence. There is an unmet clinical need to discover more effective treatment options for advanced PLCs. Pre-clinical mouse models in PLC research have played a critical role in identifying key oncogenic drivers and signaling pathways in hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) have provided an unprecedented degree of resolution in such characterization. In this review, we will summarize the recent studies that utilized pre-clinical mouse models with the combination of scRNA-seq to provide an understanding of different aspects of PLC. We will focus particularly on the potentially actionable targets regarding the cellular and molecular components. We anticipate that the findings in mouse models could complement those in patients. With more defined etiological background, mouse models may provide valuable insights.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Irene Oi-Lin Ng
- Correspondence: (I.O.-L.N.); (D.W.-H.H.); Fax: +852-28872-5197 (I.O.-L.N.); +852-2819-5375 (D.W.-H.H.)
| | - Daniel Wai-Hung Ho
- Correspondence: (I.O.-L.N.); (D.W.-H.H.); Fax: +852-28872-5197 (I.O.-L.N.); +852-2819-5375 (D.W.-H.H.)
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22
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Gallage S, Avila JEB, Ramadori P, Focaccia E, Rahbari M, Ali A, Malek NP, Anstee QM, Heikenwalder M. A researcher's guide to preclinical mouse NASH models. Nat Metab 2022; 4:1632-1649. [PMID: 36539621 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00700-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its inflammatory form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), have quickly risen to become the most prevalent chronic liver disease in the Western world and are risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is not only one of the most common cancers but is also highly lethal. Nevertheless, there are currently no clinically approved drugs for NAFLD, and NASH-induced HCC poses a unique metabolic microenvironment that may influence responsiveness to certain treatments. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the pathogenesis of this rampant disease to devise new therapies. In this line, preclinical mouse models are crucial tools to investigate mechanisms as well as novel treatment modalities during the pathogenesis of NASH and subsequent HCC in preparation for human clinical trials. Although, there are numerous genetically induced, diet-induced and toxin-induced models of NASH, not all of these models faithfully phenocopy and mirror the human pathology very well. In this Perspective, we shed some light onto the most widely used mouse models of NASH and highlight some of the key advantages and disadvantages of the various models with an emphasis on 'Western diets', which are increasingly recognized as some of the best models in recapitulating the human NASH pathology and comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchira Gallage
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- The M3 Research Institute, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Jose Efren Barragan Avila
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pierluigi Ramadori
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Enrico Focaccia
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mohammad Rahbari
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Adnan Ali
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nisar P Malek
- The M3 Research Institute, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department Internal Medicine I, Eberhard-Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Quentin M Anstee
- Newcastle NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- The M3 Research Institute, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
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23
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Liu S, Huang F, Ru G, Wang Y, Zhang B, Chen X, Chu L. Mouse Models of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Classification, Advancement, and Application. Front Oncol 2022; 12:902820. [PMID: 35847898 PMCID: PMC9279915 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.902820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the subtype of liver cancer with the highest incidence, which is a heterogeneous malignancy with increasing incidence rate and high mortality. For ethical reasons, it is essential to validate medical clinical trials for HCC in animal models before further consideration on humans. Therefore, appropriate models for the study of the pathogenesis of the disease and related treatment methods are necessary. For tumor research, mouse models are the most commonly used and effective in vivo model, which is closer to the real-life environment, and the repeated experiments performed on it are closer to the real situation. Several mouse models of HCC have been developed with different mouse strains, cell lines, tumor sites, and tumor formation methods. In this review, we mainly introduce some mouse HCC models, including induced model, gene-edited model, HCC transplantation model, and other mouse HCC models, and discuss how to choose the appropriate model according to the purpose of the experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Liu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Huang
- Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoqing Ru
- Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yigang Wang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bixiang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liang Chu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Liang Chu,
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24
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Downregulation of miR-122-5p Activates Glycolysis via PKM2 in Kupffer Cells of Rat and Mouse Models of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095230. [PMID: 35563621 PMCID: PMC9101520 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095230] [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: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has pathological characteristics similar to those of alcoholic hepatitis, despite the absence of a drinking history. The greatest threat associated with NASH is its progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathophysiology of NASH is not fully understood to date. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiology of NASH from the perspective of glycolysis and the Warburg effect, with a particular focus on microRNA regulation in liver-specific macrophages, also known as Kupffer cells. We established NASH rat and mouse models and evaluated various parameters including the liver-to-body weight ratio, blood indexes, and histopathology. A quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis of the NASH rat model livers revealed the activation of glycolysis. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry results indicated that the expression of pyruvate kinase muscle 2 (PKM2), a rate-limiting enzyme of glycolysis, was upregulated in the liver tissues of both NASH models. Moreover, increases in PKM2 and p-PKM2 were observed in the early phase of NASH. These observations were partially induced by the downregulation of microRNA122-5p (miR-122-5p) and occurred particularly in the Kupffer cells. Our results suggest that the activation of glycolysis in Kupffer cells during NASH was partially induced by the upregulation of PKM2 via miR-122-5p suppression.
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Heo YJ, Lee N, Choi SE, Jeon JY, Han SJ, Kim DJ, Kang Y, Lee KW, Kim HJ. Empagliflozin Reduces the Progression of Hepatic Fibrosis in a Mouse Model and Inhibits the Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells via the Hippo Signalling Pathway. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051032. [PMID: 35625768 PMCID: PMC9138578 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is the excessive production and deposition of the extracellular matrix, resulting in the activation of the fibrogenic phenotype of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP) signalling pathway is a highly conserved kinase cascade that is critical in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival, and controls stellate cell activation. Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter type-2 inhibitor, is an antidiabetic drug that may prevent fibrotic progression by reducing hepatic steatosis and inflammation. However, little is known about its mechanism of action in liver fibrosis. In this study, we used male C57 BL/6 J mice fed a choline-deficient, l-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) as a model for hepatic fibrosis. For 5 weeks, the mice received either a vehicle or empagliflozin based on their assigned group. Empagliflozin attenuated CDAHFD-induced liver fibrosis. Thereafter, we identified the Hippo pathway, along with its effector, YAP, as a key pathway in the mouse liver. Hippo signalling is inactivated in the fibrotic liver, but empagliflozin treatment activated Hippo signalling and decreased YAP activity. In addition, empagliflozin downregulated the expression of pro-fibrogenic genes and activated Hippo signalling in HSCs. We identified a mechanism by which empagliflozin ameliorates liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jung Heo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; (Y.-J.H.); (N.L.); (J.-Y.J.); (S.-J.H.); (D.-J.K.); (K.-W.L.)
| | - Nami Lee
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; (Y.-J.H.); (N.L.); (J.-Y.J.); (S.-J.H.); (D.-J.K.); (K.-W.L.)
| | - Sung-E Choi
- Department of Physiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; (S.-E.C.); (Y.K.)
| | - Ja-Young Jeon
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; (Y.-J.H.); (N.L.); (J.-Y.J.); (S.-J.H.); (D.-J.K.); (K.-W.L.)
| | - Seung-Jin Han
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; (Y.-J.H.); (N.L.); (J.-Y.J.); (S.-J.H.); (D.-J.K.); (K.-W.L.)
| | - Dae-Jung Kim
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; (Y.-J.H.); (N.L.); (J.-Y.J.); (S.-J.H.); (D.-J.K.); (K.-W.L.)
| | - Yup Kang
- Department of Physiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; (S.-E.C.); (Y.K.)
| | - Kwan-Woo Lee
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; (Y.-J.H.); (N.L.); (J.-Y.J.); (S.-J.H.); (D.-J.K.); (K.-W.L.)
| | - Hae-Jin Kim
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; (Y.-J.H.); (N.L.); (J.-Y.J.); (S.-J.H.); (D.-J.K.); (K.-W.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-219-4498
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26
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Kawamura S, Matsushita Y, Kurosaki S, Tange M, Fujiwara N, Hayata Y, Hayakawa Y, Suzuki N, Hata M, Tsuboi M, Kishikawa T, Kinoshita H, Nakatsuka T, Sato M, Kudo Y, Hoshida Y, Umemura A, Eguchi A, Ikenoue T, Hirata Y, Uesugi M, Tateishi R, Tateishi K, Fujishiro M, Koike K, Nakagawa H. Inhibiting SCAP/SREBP exacerbates liver injury and carcinogenesis in murine nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:151895. [PMID: 35380992 PMCID: PMC9151706 DOI: 10.1172/jci151895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhanced de novo lipogenesis mediated by sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) is thought to be involved in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) pathogenesis. In this study, we assessed the impact of SREBP inhibition on NASH and liver cancer development in murine models. Unexpectedly, SREBP inhibition via deletion of the SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) in the liver exacerbated liver injury, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis, despite markedly reduced hepatic steatosis. These phenotypes were ameliorated by restoring SREBP function. Transcriptome and lipidome analyses revealed that SCAP-SREBP pathway inhibition altered the fatty acid (FA) composition of phosphatidylcholines due to both impaired FA synthesis and disorganized FA incorporation into phosphatidylcholine via lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 (LPCAT3) downregulation, which led to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and hepatocyte injury. Supplementation of phosphatidylcholines significantly improved liver injury and ER stress induced by SCAP deletion. The activity of SCAP-SREBP-LPCAT3 axis was found inversely associated with liver fibrosis severity in human NASH. SREBP inhibition also cooperated with impaired autophagy to trigger liver injury. Thus, excessively strong and broad lipogenesis inhibition was counterproductive for NASH therapy, which will have important clinical implications in NASH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Kawamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Matsushita
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Mizuki Tange
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoto Fujiwara
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States of America
| | - Yuki Hayata
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoku Hayakawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobumi Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hata
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mayo Tsuboi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Hiroto Kinoshita
- Division of Gastroenterology, Institute for Adult Diseases, Asahi Life Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuma Nakatsuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaya Sato
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yotaro Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States of America
| | - Atsushi Umemura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akiko Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mie University, Tsu, Japan
| | - Tsuneo Ikenoue
- Division of Clinical Genome Research, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hirata
- Division of Advanced Genome Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motonari Uesugi
- Institute for Chemical Research and Institute for Integrated Cell-Material , Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Tateishi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tateishi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Kazuhiko Koike
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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27
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Lee C, Kim J, Han J, Oh D, Kim M, Jeong H, Kim TJ, Kim SW, Kim JN, Seo YS, Suzuki A, Kim JH, Jung Y. Formyl peptide receptor 2 determines sex-specific differences in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:578. [PMID: 35102146 PMCID: PMC8803937 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28138-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important health concern worldwide and progresses into nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although prevalence and severity of NAFLD/NASH are higher in men than premenopausal women, it remains unclear how sex affects NAFLD/NASH pathophysiology. Formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) modulates inflammatory responses in several organs; however, its role in the liver is unknown. Here we show that FPR2 mediates sex-specific responses to diet-induced NAFLD/NASH. NASH-like liver injury was induced in both sexes during choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) feeding, but compared with females, male mice had more severe hepatic damage. Fpr2 was more highly expressed in hepatocytes and healthy livers from females than males, and FPR2 deletion exacerbated liver damage in CDAHFD-fed female mice. Estradiol induced Fpr2 expression, which protected hepatocytes and the liver from damage. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that FPR2 mediates sex-specific responses to diet-induced NAFLD/NASH, suggesting a novel therapeutic target for NAFLD/NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanbin Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jieun Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinsol Han
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayoung Oh
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Minju Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hayeong Jeong
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Jin Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Woo Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Nam Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Su Seo
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Ayako Suzuki
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jae Ho Kim
- Department of Physiology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngmi Jung
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea.
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28
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Tang H, Li J, Zinker B, Boehm S, Mauer A, Rex-Rabe S, Glaser KJ, Fronheiser M, Bradstreet T, Nakao Y, Petrone T, Pena A, Villano M, Chow P, Malhi H, Charles ED, Hayes W, Ehman RL, Du S, Yin M. Evaluation of a PEGylated Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Variant Using Novel Preclinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Elastography in a Mouse Model of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. J Magn Reson Imaging 2022; 56:712-724. [PMID: 35092323 PMCID: PMC9533307 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Treatments for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are urgently needed. Hepatic fat fraction and shear stiffness quantified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI‐HFF) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE‐SS), respectively, are biomarkers for hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Purpose This study assessed the longitudinal effects of fibroblast growth factor 21 variant (polyethylene glycol [PEG]‐FGF21v) on MRI‐HFF and MRE‐SS in a NASH mouse model. Study Type Preclinical. Animal Model This study included a choline‐deficient, amino acid‐defined, high‐fat diet (CDAHFD) model and 6‐week‐old, male C57BL/6J mice (N = 78). Field Strength/Sequence This study was performed using: 3T: gradient‐echo two‐point Dixon and spin‐echo (SE) echo‐planar imaging elastography (200 Hz) and 7T: SE two‐point Dixon and SE elastography (200 Hz). Assessment MRI and MRE were performed before control diet (CD) or CDAHFD (BD), before PEG‐FGF21v dosing (baseline), and after PEG‐FGF21v treatment (WK4/8). Regions of interest for MRI‐HFF and MRE‐SS were delineated by J.L. and H.T. (>5 years of experience each). Fibrosis and steatosis were measured histologically after picrosirius red and H&E staining. Alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, bile acids, and triglycerides (TGs) were measured. Statistical Tests Two‐tailed Dunnett's tests were used for statistical analysis; untreated CDAHFD or baseline was used for comparisons. Imaging and histology/biochemistry data were determined using Spearman correlations. Bayesian posterior distributions for MRE‐SS at WK8, posterior means, and 95% credible intervals were presented. Results CDAHFD significantly increased baseline MRI‐HFF (3T: 21.97% ± 0.29%; 7T: 40.12% ± 0.35%) and MRE‐SS (3T: 1.25 ± 0.02; 7T: 1.78 ± 0.06 kPa) vs. CD (3T: 3.45% ± 0.7%; 7T: 12.06% ± 1.4% and 3T: 1.01 ± 0.02; 7T: 0.89 ± 0.06 kPa). At 7T, PEG‐FGF21v significantly decreased MRI‐HFF (WK4: 28.97% ± 1.22%; WK8: 20.93% ± 1.15%) and MRE‐SS (WK4: 1.57 ± 0.04; WK8: 1.36 ± 0.05 kPa) vs. untreated (WK4: 36.36% ± 0.62%; WK8: 30.58% ± 0.81% and WK4: 2.03 ± 0.06; WK8: 2.01 ± 0.04 kPa); 3T trends were similar. WK8 SS posterior mean percent attenuation ratios (RDI) were −68% (−90%, −44%; 3T) and −64% (−78%, −52%; 7T). MRI‐HFF was significantly correlated with H&E (3T, r = 0.93; 7T, r = 0.94) and TGs (both, r = 0.92). Data Conclusions MRI‐HFF and MRE‐SS showed PEG‐FGF21v effects on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis across 3 and 7T, consistent with histological and biochemical data. Level of Evidence 1 Technical Efficacy Stage 2
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Tang
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jiahui Li
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | - Amy Mauer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Kevin J Glaser
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | - Yasuhiko Nakao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | | | - Patrick Chow
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Harmeet Malhi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Wendy Hayes
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Richard L Ehman
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Shuyan Du
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Meng Yin
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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29
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Hymel E, Vlock E, Fisher KW, Farazi PA. Differential progression of unhealthy diet-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in obese and non-obese mice. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272623. [PMID: 35994501 PMCID: PMC9394802 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranks first among liver diseases in Western countries. NAFLD is typically associated with obesity and diabetes, however it also develops in lean individuals without metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of lean NAFLD is 7 percent in the U.S. and 25-30 percent in some Asian countries. NAFLD starts with excess liver fat accumulation (NAFL), progresses to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathogenesis of lean NASH-HCC and how it differs from obese NASH-HCC is not well understood. METHODS In this work, we generated a mouse model of lean and obese NASH-HCC using a choline deficient/high trans-fat/fructose/cholesterol diet and a choline supplemented/high trans-fat/fructose/cholesterol diet, respectively, to compare progression to NASH-HCC in lean versus obese mice. Comparisons were made at the organismal, histological, and molecular level by investigating fatty acid metabolism in the plasma of these mice. RESULTS Obese mice showed more pronounced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, higher levels of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides, and higher penetrance of NASH compared to lean mice. Despite the abnormal metabolic profile of obese mice, male obese and lean mice developed HCC with similar penetrance (53.3% and 53.8%, respectively), albeit lean mice showed faster tumor progression as evidenced by the larger tumor size and lower HCC-free survival. None of the female lean mice developed HCC, while 50% of female obese mice developed HCC. Both groups of mice showed a reduction in plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), however, the levels were higher towards the endpoint in obese mice compared to lean mice. CONCLUSIONS Unhealthy diet composition appears to drive progression to NASH-HCC rather than the organismal effects of obesity. PUFA levels may increase due to systemic inflammation in obese mice and act as suppressors of tumor progression, thus delaying HCC progression in obese mice compared to lean mice. These models could be used to further dissect the molecular pathogenesis of lean and obese NASH-HCC and address the mechanisms whereby PUFAs may be implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Hymel
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Vlock
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States of America
- Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases through Dietary Molecules, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States of America
| | - Kurt W. Fisher
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States of America
| | - Paraskevi A. Farazi
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States of America
- Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases through Dietary Molecules, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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30
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Gu CY, Lee TKW. Preclinical mouse models of hepatocellular carcinoma: An overview and update. Exp Cell Res 2022; 412:113042. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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31
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Kisoh K, Sugahara G, Ogawa Y, Furukawa S, Ishida Y, Okanoue T, Kohara M, Tateno C. Estimating Drug Efficacy with a Diet-Induced NASH Model in Chimeric Mice with Humanized Livers. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1647. [PMID: 34829876 PMCID: PMC8615377 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111647] [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: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH) is the most common liver disorder in developed countries. Although many new therapeutics for NASH are present in the drug development pipeline, there are still no approved drugs. One of the reasons that makes NASH drug development challenging is the lack of appropriate animal NASH models that resolve issues arising from inter-species differences between humans and rodents. In the present study, we developed a choline-deficient, L-amino-acid-defined, high-fat-diet (CDAHFD)-induced human NASH model using human liver chimeric mice. We demonstrated human hepatocyte injury by an elevation of plasma human alanine aminotransferase 1 in mice fed CDAHFD. Histological analysis showed that CDAHFD feeding induced similar histological changes to human NASH patients, including ballooning, inflammation, apoptosis, regeneration of human hepatocytes, and pericellular and perisinusoidal fibrosis. The chimeric mice fed CDAHFD were treated with a peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor α/δ agonist, Elafibranor. Elafibranor ameliorated steatosis, ballooning of hepatocytes, and preserved fibrosis progression. We developed a novel humanized NASH model that can elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms and predict therapeutic efficacy in human NASH. This model will be useful in exploring new drugs and biomarkers in the early stages of human NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keishi Kisoh
- Research and Development Department, PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., 3-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima 739-0046, Japan; (K.K.); (G.S.); (Y.O.); (S.F.); (Y.I.)
| | - Go Sugahara
- Research and Development Department, PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., 3-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima 739-0046, Japan; (K.K.); (G.S.); (Y.O.); (S.F.); (Y.I.)
| | - Yuko Ogawa
- Research and Development Department, PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., 3-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima 739-0046, Japan; (K.K.); (G.S.); (Y.O.); (S.F.); (Y.I.)
| | - Suzue Furukawa
- Research and Development Department, PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., 3-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima 739-0046, Japan; (K.K.); (G.S.); (Y.O.); (S.F.); (Y.I.)
| | - Yuji Ishida
- Research and Development Department, PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., 3-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima 739-0046, Japan; (K.K.); (G.S.); (Y.O.); (S.F.); (Y.I.)
- Research Center for Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Takeshi Okanoue
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Saiseikai Suita Hospital, 1-2 Kawazonocho, Suita 564-0013, Japan;
| | - Michinori Kohara
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan;
| | - Chise Tateno
- Research and Development Department, PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., 3-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima 739-0046, Japan; (K.K.); (G.S.); (Y.O.); (S.F.); (Y.I.)
- Research Center for Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
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Romualdo GR, Leroy K, Costa CJS, Prata GB, Vanderborght B, da Silva TC, Barbisan LF, Andraus W, Devisscher L, Câmara NOS, Vinken M, Cogliati B. In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Strategies for Translational Modeling. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5583. [PMID: 34771745 PMCID: PMC8582701 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related death globally. HCC is a complex multistep disease and usually emerges in the setting of chronic liver diseases. The molecular pathogenesis of HCC varies according to the etiology, mainly caused by chronic hepatitis B and C virus infections, chronic alcohol consumption, aflatoxin-contaminated food, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease associated with metabolic syndrome or diabetes mellitus. The establishment of HCC models has become essential for both basic and translational research to improve our understanding of the pathophysiology and unravel new molecular drivers of this disease. The ideal model should recapitulate key events observed during hepatocarcinogenesis and HCC progression in view of establishing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to be translated into clinical practice. Despite considerable efforts currently devoted to liver cancer research, only a few anti-HCC drugs are available, and patient prognosis and survival are still poor. The present paper provides a state-of-the-art overview of in vivo and in vitro models used for translational modeling of HCC with a specific focus on their key molecular hallmarks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Ribeiro Romualdo
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (G.R.R.); (C.J.S.C.); (T.C.d.S.)
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (G.B.P.); (L.F.B.)
- Department of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Kaat Leroy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (M.V.)
| | - Cícero Júlio Silva Costa
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (G.R.R.); (C.J.S.C.); (T.C.d.S.)
| | - Gabriel Bacil Prata
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (G.B.P.); (L.F.B.)
- Department of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Bart Vanderborght
- Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Hepatology Research Unit, Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Tereza Cristina da Silva
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (G.R.R.); (C.J.S.C.); (T.C.d.S.)
| | - Luís Fernando Barbisan
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (G.B.P.); (L.F.B.)
| | - Wellington Andraus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinics Hospital, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (HC-FMUSP), São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil;
| | - Lindsey Devisscher
- Hepatology Research Unit, Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Niels Olsen Saraiva Câmara
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences IV, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil;
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (M.V.)
| | - Bruno Cogliati
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (G.R.R.); (C.J.S.C.); (T.C.d.S.)
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Yang M, Kimchi ET, Staveley-O’Carroll KF, Li G. Astaxanthin Prevents Diet-Induced NASH Progression by Shaping Intrahepatic Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011037. [PMID: 34681695 PMCID: PMC8541356 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dietary change leads to a precipitous increase in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) from simple steatosis to the advanced form of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), affecting approximately 25% of the global population. Although significant efforts greatly advance progress in clarifying the pathogenesis of NAFLD and identifying therapeutic targets, no therapeutic agent has been approved. Astaxanthin (ASTN), a natural antioxidant product, exerts an anti-inflammation and anti-fibrotic effect in mice induced with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and bile duct ligation (BDL); thus, we proposed to further investigate the potential effect of ASTN on a diet-induced mouse NASH and liver fibrosis, as well as the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. By treating pre-development of NASH in mice induced with a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD), we have demonstrated that oral administration ASTN preventively ameliorated NASH development and liver fibrosis by modulating the hepatic immune response, liver inflammation, and oxidative stress. Specifically, ASTN treatment led to the reduction in liver infiltration of monocyte-derived macrophages, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, oxidative stress response, and hepatocyte death, accompanied by the decreased hepatic gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, TGF-β1, and IL-1β. In vitro studies also demonstrated that ASTN significantly inhibited the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokine CCL2 in macrophages in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Overall, in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that ASTN functions as a promising therapeutic agent to suppress NASH and liver fibrosis via modulating intrahepatic immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (M.Y.); (E.T.K.)
| | - Eric T. Kimchi
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (M.Y.); (E.T.K.)
- Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Kevin F. Staveley-O’Carroll
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (M.Y.); (E.T.K.)
- Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Correspondence: (K.F.S.-O.); (G.L.)
| | - Guangfu Li
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (M.Y.); (E.T.K.)
- Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Correspondence: (K.F.S.-O.); (G.L.)
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Hyun J, Al Abo M, Dutta RK, Oh SH, Xiang K, Zhou X, Maeso-Díaz R, Caffrey R, Sanyal AJ, Freedman JA, Patierno SR, Moylan CA, Abdelmalek MF, Diehl AM. Dysregulation of the ESRP2-NF2-YAP/TAZ axis promotes hepatobiliary carcinogenesis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Hepatol 2021; 75:623-633. [PMID: 33964370 PMCID: PMC8380690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the hepatic correlate of the metabolic syndrome, is a major risk factor for hepatobiliary cancer (HBC). Although chronic inflammation is thought to be the root cause of all these diseases, the mechanism whereby it promotes HBC in NAFLD remains poorly understood. Herein, we aim to evaluate the hypothesis that inflammation-related dysregulation of the ESRP2-NF2-YAP/TAZ axis promotes HB carcinogenesis. METHODS We use murine NAFLD models, liver biopsies from patients with NAFLD, human liver cancer registry data, and studies in liver cancer cell lines. RESULTS Our results confirm the hypothesis that inflammation-related dysregulation of the ESRP2-NF2-YAP/TAZ axis promotes HB carcinogenesis, supporting a model whereby chronic inflammation suppresses hepatocyte expression of ESRP2, an RNA splicing factor that directly targets and activates NF2, a tumor suppressor that is necessary to constrain YAP/TAZ activation. The resultant loss of NF2 function permits sustained YAP/TAZ activity that drives hepatocyte proliferation and de-differentiation. CONCLUSION Herein, we report on a novel mechanism by which chronic inflammation leads to sustained activation of YAP/TAZ activity; this imposes a selection pressure that favors liver cells with mutations enabling survival during chronic oncogenic stress. LAY SUMMARY Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increases the risk of hepatobiliary carcinogenesis. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Our study demonstrates that chronic inflammation suppresses hepatocyte expression of ESRP2, an adult RNA splicing factor that activates NF2. Thus, inactive (fetal) NF2 loses the ability to activate Hippo kinases, leading to the increased activity of downstream YAP/TAZ and promoting hepatobiliary carcinogenesis in chronically injured livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongeun Hyun
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA; Regeneration Next, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, South Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, South Korea; Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, South Korea
| | - Muthana Al Abo
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rajesh Kumar Dutta
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Seh Hoon Oh
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kun Xiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Xiyou Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Raquel Maeso-Díaz
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Arun J Sanyal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jennifer A Freedman
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA; Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Steven R Patierno
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA; Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Cynthia A Moylan
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Manal F Abdelmalek
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Anna Mae Diehl
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA.
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One Week of CDAHFD Induces Steatohepatitis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction with Oxidative Stress in Liver. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115851. [PMID: 34072586 PMCID: PMC8198552 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been rapidly increasing worldwide. A choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) has been used to create a mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). There are some reports on the effects on mice of being fed a CDAHFD for long periods of 1 to 3 months. However, the effect of this diet over a short period is unknown. Therefore, we examined the effect of 1-week CDAHFD feeding on the mouse liver. Feeding a CDAHFD diet for only 1-week induced lipid droplet deposition in the liver with increasing activity of liver-derived enzymes in the plasma. On the other hand, it did not induce fibrosis or cirrhosis. Additionally, it was demonstrated that CDAHFD significantly impaired mitochondrial respiration with severe oxidative stress to the liver, which is associated with a decreasing mitochondrial DNA copy number and complex proteins. In the gene expression analysis of the liver, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were significantly increased by CDAHFD. These results demonstrated that 1 week of feeding CDAHFD to mice induces steatohepatitis with mitochondrial dysfunction and severe oxidative stress, without fibrosis, which can partially mimic the early stage of NASH in humans.
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Kurosaki S, Nakagawa H, Hayata Y, Kawamura S, Matsushita Y, Yamada T, Uchino K, Hayakawa Y, Suzuki N, Hata M, Tsuboi M, Kinoshita H, Tanaka Y, Nakatsuka T, Hirata Y, Tateishi K, Koike K. Cell fate analysis of zone 3 hepatocytes in liver injury and tumorigenesis. JHEP Rep 2021; 3:100315. [PMID: 34345813 PMCID: PMC8319533 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Liver lobules are typically subdivided into 3 metabolic zones: zones 1, 2, and 3. However, the contribution of zonal differences in hepatocytes to liver regeneration, as well as to carcinogenic susceptibility, remains unclear. Methods We developed a new method for sustained genetic labelling of zone 3 hepatocytes and performed fate tracing to monitor these cells in multiple mouse liver tumour models. Results We first examined changes in the zonal distribution of the Wnt target gene Axin2 over time using Axin2-CreERT2;Rosa26-Lox-Stop-Lox-tdTomato mice (Axin2;tdTomato). We found that following tamoxifen administration at 3 weeks of age, approximately one-third of total hepatocytes that correspond to zone 3 were labelled in Axin2;tdTomato mice; the tdTomato+ cell distribution closely matched that of the zone 3 marker CYP2E1. Cell fate analysis revealed that zone 3 hepatocytes maintained their own lineage but rarely proliferated beyond their liver zonation during homoeostasis; this indicated that our protocol enabled persistent genetic labelling of zone 3 hepatocytes. Using this system, we found that zone 3 hepatocytes generally had high neoplastic potential, which was promoted by constitutive activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in the pericentral area. However, the frequency of zone 3 hepatocyte-derived tumours varied depending on the regeneration pattern of the liver parenchyma in response to liver injury. Notably, Axin2-expressing hepatocytes undergoing chronic liver injury significantly contributed to liver regeneration and possessed high neoplastic potential. Additionally, we revealed that the metabolic phenotypes of liver tumours were acquired during tumorigenesis, irrespective of their spatial origin. Conclusions Hepatocytes receiving Wnt/β-catenin signalling from their microenvironment have high neoplastic potential, and Wnt/β-catenin signalling is a potential drug target for the prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma. Lay summary Lineage tracing revealed that zone 3 hepatocytes residing in the pericentral niche have high neoplastic potential. Under chronic liver injury, hepatocytes receiving Wnt/β-catenin signalling broadly exist across all hepatic zones and significantly contribute to liver tumorigenesis as well as liver regeneration. Wnt/β-catenin signalling is a potential drug target for the prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma. We developed a new method for sustained genetic labelling of Zone 3 hepatocytes. Lineage tracing revealed that Zone 3 hepatocytes generally have high neoplastic potential. The frequency of Zone 3 hepatocyte-derived tumours varied depending on the regeneration pattern of liver parenchyma. Under chronic liver injury, hepatocytes receiving Wnt/β-catenin signalling significantly contributed to tumorigenesis. Wnt/β-catenin signalling is a potential drug target for the prevention of HCC.
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Key Words
- CDAHFD, choline-deficient l-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet
- CPS1, carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1
- CYP2E1, cytochrome P450 subfamily 2E1
- DEN, diethylnitrosamine
- GS, glutamine synthetase
- HAL, histidine ammonia lyase
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HFD, high-fat diet
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- IF, immunofluorescence
- ISH, in situ hybridisation
- Liver regeneration
- MAFLD, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
- MUP, major urinary protein
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
- Metabolic zonation
- ND, normal diet
- PIK3CATg, hepatocyte-specific transgenic mice harbouring mutant PIK3CA variant
- PP, periportal
- PV, perivenous
- RFP, red fluorescent protein
- TAM, tamoxifen
- TUNEL, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labelling
- WT, wild-type
- Wnt/β-catenin signal
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hayato Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Hayata
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kawamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Matsushita
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Uchino
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoku Hayakawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobumi Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hata
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mayo Tsuboi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroto Kinoshita
- Division of Gastroenterology, Institute for Adult Diseases, Asahi Life Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuo Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuma Nakatsuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hirata
- Division of Advanced Genome Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tateishi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Koike
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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The Gene Signature Associated with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2021; 2021:6630535. [PMID: 33868403 PMCID: PMC8035011 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6630535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a critical risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As both NAFLD and HCC are heterogeneous diseases, this study aims to identify the similarity between the subtypes of NAFLD and HCC based on gene modules. Methods Coexpressed gene modules were extracted for both NAFLD and HCC. The association between the coexpressed gene modules of NAFLD and HCC was evaluated by Fisher's exact test. The overlapping coexpressed gene module was validated in three independent human NAFLD datasets. Furthermore, the preserved gene module was assessed in four independent NAFLD mouse datasets. The significantly enriched motifs within the gene module were inferred from upstream sequences. Results Four coexpressed gene modules were extracted from NAFLD. Of the four coexpressed gene modules, one was significantly overlapping with a module of HCC. This overlapping gene module was regarded as the HCC-associated NAFLD gene module (HANM). Enrichment analysis of biological processes revealed inflammatory response in HANM. Specifically, within the inflammatory response biological process, IL-17, TNF-α, and NF-κB signaling pathways were enriched. HANM was found to be strongly or moderately conserved across four mouse NAFLD datasets. Motif analysis of the upstream genomic sequences of HANM revealed nine transcription factors (FLI1, NRF1, ZBTB33, ELK1, YY1, ZNF143, TAF1, SF1, and E2F1), of which three transcription factors (YY1, E2F1, and ZNF143) were significantly highly expressed in the NAFLD patients and exhibited survival significance in HCC. Conclusion This study demonstrated a robust way to identify the sharing gene signature between subtypes of NAFLD and HCC, which contributed to a comprehensive understanding of pathogenesis from NAFLD to HCC.
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Noichi J, Ishiakawa T, Ichi I, Fujiwara Y. Effect of tocotrienol on the primary progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in a mouse model. J Clin Biochem Nutr 2021; 70:140-146. [PMID: 35400820 PMCID: PMC8921727 DOI: 10.3164/jcbn.21-69] [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: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tocotrienol (T3), a vitamin E (Vit E) isoform, is known to have both biological and antioxidant effects. Although alpha-tocopherol (α-Toc), another isoform of Vit E is suggested to be a useful treatment against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the effect of T3 on NASH is unclear. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the effects of T3 and α-Toc on NASH in the early stage of NASH progression, using a recently established NASH mouse model induced by a choline-deficient l-amino acid-defined high-fat diet (CDAHFD). Six-week-old male mice were divided into four groups (n = 6 per group) and fed the CDAHFD for 1 week. The first group was given no other treatment (Pre). The other three groups continued the CDAHFD plus daily oral administration of Vit E-free corn oil (Control), corn oil containing α-Toc, or corn oil containing T3 for additional 2 weeks. Neither Vit E treatment changed the histologic features of NASH, but T3 significantly reduced the mRNA expression of several genes related to inflammation and fibrosis and α-Toc did not. These results suggested that oral T3 treatment was more effective than α-Toc at suppressing hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in the early stage of NASH progression in CDAHFD model mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Noichi
- Food and Nutritional Sciences, Graduate Course of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University
| | | | - Ikuyo Ichi
- Food and Nutritional Sciences, Graduate Course of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University
| | - Yoko Fujiwara
- Institute for Human Life Innovation, Ochanomizu University
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Berardo C, Di Pasqua LG, Cagna M, Richelmi P, Vairetti M, Ferrigno A. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: Current Issues and Future Perspectives in Preclinical and Clinical Research. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249646. [PMID: 33348908 PMCID: PMC7766139 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a continuum of liver abnormalities often starting as simple steatosis and to potentially progress into nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Because of its increasing prevalence, NAFLD is becoming a major public health concern, in parallel with a worldwide increase in the recurrence rate of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. It has been estimated that NASH cirrhosis may surpass viral hepatitis C and become the leading indication for liver transplantation in the next decades. The broadening of the knowledge about NASH pathogenesis and progression is of pivotal importance for the discovery of new targeted and more effective therapies; aim of this review is to offer a comprehensive and updated overview on NAFLD and NASH pathogenesis, the most recommended treatments, drugs under development and new drug targets. The most relevant in vitro and in vivo models of NAFLD and NASH will be also reviewed, as well as the main molecular pathways involved in NAFLD and NASH development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrea Ferrigno
- Correspondence: (L.G.D.P.); (A.F.); Tel.: +39-0382-986-451 (L.G.D.P.)
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Bashyam A, Frangieh CJ, Raigani S, Sogo J, Bronson RT, Uygun K, Yeh H, Ausiello DA, Cima MJ. A portable single-sided magnetic-resonance sensor for the grading of liver steatosis and fibrosis. Nat Biomed Eng 2020; 5:240-251. [PMID: 33257853 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-020-00638-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Low-cost non-invasive diagnostic tools for staging the progression of non-alcoholic chronic liver failure from fatty liver disease to steatohepatitis are unavailable. Here, we describe the development and performance of a portable single-sided magnetic-resonance sensor for grading liver steatosis and fibrosis using diffusion-weighted multicomponent T2 relaxometry. In a diet-induced mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the sensor achieved overall accuracies of 92% (Cohen's kappa, κ = 0.89) and 86% (κ = 0.78) in the ex vivo grading of steatosis and fibrosis, respectively. Localization of the measurements in living mice through frequency-dependent spatial encoding led to an overall accuracy of 87% (κ = 0.81) for the grading of steatosis. In human liver samples, the sensor graded steatosis with an overall accuracy of 93% (κ = 0.88). The use of T2 relaxometry as a sensitive measure in fully automated low-cost magnetic-resonance devices at the point of care would alleviate the accessibility and cost limits of magnetic-resonance imaging for diagnosing liver disease and assessing liver health before liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashvin Bashyam
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Chris J Frangieh
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Siavash Raigani
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeremy Sogo
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Roderick T Bronson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Division of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Korkut Uygun
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heidi Yeh
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dennis A Ausiello
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Assessment Technology and Continuous Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael J Cima
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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41
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Yasuda D, Torii H, Shimizu R, Hiraoka Y, Kume N. Reduced Serum Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels in a Choline-Deficient L-Amino Acid-Defined High-Fat Diet (CDAHFD)-Induced Mouse Model of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Biol Pharm Bull 2020; 43:616-618. [PMID: 32238704 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b19-00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic seatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the major health problems world wide, because of increased abdominal obesity. To date, specific and effective medications to treat or prevent NAFLD/NASH have not been established. To identify appropriate molecular targets for that purpose, suitable animal models of NAFLD/NASH have been explored. A choline-deficient amino acid-defined high fat diet (CDAHFD)-induced mouse model of NASH has been developed. However, its relevance to human NASH, including serum lipid profiles, have not been clearly defined. In this study, we have revealed that mice fed CDAHFD showed significantly lowerd serum total cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels, in addition to reduced body weight (BW). Furthermore, hepatic microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) expression was significantly downregulated in CDAHFD-fed mice. Thus, the current CDAHFD-fed mouse model has points that are distinct from human NAFLD/NASH, in general, which is based upon abdominal obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Yasuda
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
| | - Haruki Torii
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
| | - Rumiko Shimizu
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
| | - Yoshinori Hiraoka
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
| | - Noriaki Kume
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
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42
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Liu ZY, Zhang DM, Yishake D, Luo Y, Fang AP, Zhu HL. Dietary choline, rather than betaine intake, is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma mortality. Food Funct 2020; 11:7866-7877. [PMID: 32812611 DOI: 10.1039/d0fo01890b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The dietary intakes of choline and betaine have been related to the mortality of some neoplasms, but their effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mortality are still unknown. We examined the associations between dietary choline, five choline-containing compounds, different choline forms, betaine intake and HCC mortality. In total, 905 newly diagnosed HCC patients were enrolled in the Guangdong Liver Cancer Cohort study. Dietary intake was assessed by a valid food frequency questionnaire. Liver cancer-specific mortality (LCSM) and all-cause mortality (ACM) were calculated. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed by Cox proportional hazards models. It was found that a higher total choline intake was associated with lower ACM, Q4 vs. Q1: HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.53-0.97, Ptrend = 0.012 in the fully adjusted model. The associations between total choline intake and LCSM were not significant. Similar associations were found between water-soluble choline intake and HCC mortality, where the fully adjusted HR for ACM was 0.72, 95% CI: 0.53-0.98, Ptrend = 0.017. However, null associations were found between neither phosphatidylcholine (the most abundant lipid-soluble choline) nor total lipid-soluble choline intake and HCC mortality. These results implied that the favorable associations between the total choline intake and ACM were more attributed to water-soluble choline. Furthermore, no significant associations were observed between betaine intake and HCC mortality. Future human intervention trials regarding choline supplementation and liver disease recovery should take the forms into consideration rather than just the total amount alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Yan Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dao-Ming Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dinuerguli Yishake
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yun Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ai-Ping Fang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hui-Lian Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, People's Republic of China.
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43
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Longo L, Tonin Ferrari J, Rampelotto PH, Hirata Dellavia G, Pasqualotto A, P Oliveira C, Thadeu Schmidt Cerski C, Reverbel da Silveira T, Uribe-Cruz C, Álvares-da-Silva MR. Gut Dysbiosis and Increased Intestinal Permeability Drive microRNAs, NLRP-3 Inflammasome and Liver Fibrosis in a Nutritional Model of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Adult Male Sprague Dawley Rats. Clin Exp Gastroenterol 2020; 13:351-368. [PMID: 32982365 PMCID: PMC7509481 DOI: 10.2147/ceg.s262879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aim The interactions between the gut and liver have been described in the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The aim of this study was to develop an experimental nutritional model of NASH simulating metabolic changes occurring in humans. Materials and Methods Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into two groups: controls (standard diet) and intervention (high-fat and choline-deficient diet) for 16 weeks, each experimental group with 10 animals. Biochemical analysis, hepatic lipid content, microRNAs, inflammatory, gut permeability markers and gut microbiota were measured. Results Animals in the intervention group showed significantly higher delta Lee index (p=0.017), abdominal circumference (p<0.001), abdominal adipose tissue (p<0.001) and fresh liver weight (p<0.001), as well as higher serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (p=0.010), glucose (p=0.013), total cholesterol (p=0.033), LDL cholesterol (p=0.011), and triglycerides (p=0.011), and lower HDL cholesterol (p=0.006) compared to the control group. Higher TLR4 (p=0.041), TLR9 (p=0.033), MyD88 (p=0.001), Casp1 (p<0.001), NLPR3 (p=0.019), liver inflammation index interleukin (IL)-1β/IL10 (p<0.001), IL6/IL10 (p=0.002) and TNFα/IL10 (p=0.001) were observed in the intervention group, and also lower permeability markers Ocln (p=0.003) and F11r (p=0.041). Gene expression of miR-122 increased (p=0.041) and miR-145 (p=0.010) decreased in the intervention group. Liver steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis, along with collagen fiber deposition increment (p<0.001), were seen in the intervention group. Regarding gut microbiota, Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index and number of operational taxonomic units were significantly different (p<0.001) between the groups. Composition of the gut microbiota showed a significant correlation with histopathological score of NAFLD (r=0.694) and index IL-1β/IL-10 (r=0.522). Conclusion This experimental model mimicking human NASH demonstrated gut and liver interaction, with gut microbiota and intestinal permeability changes occurring in parallel with systemic and liver inflammation, miRNAs regulation and liver tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisse Longo
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,Experimental Laboratory of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Tonin Ferrari
- Experimental Laboratory of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Pabulo Henrique Rampelotto
- Experimental Laboratory of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Hirata Dellavia
- School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Amanda Pasqualotto
- Experimental Laboratory of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Claudia P Oliveira
- Department of Gastroenterology (LIM07), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Thadeu Schmidt Cerski
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,Unit of Surgical Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Themis Reverbel da Silveira
- Experimental Laboratory of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carolina Uribe-Cruz
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,Experimental Laboratory of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Mário Reis Álvares-da-Silva
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,Experimental Laboratory of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,Division of Gastroenterology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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44
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Liao K, Pellicano AJ, Jiang K, Prakash N, Li J, Bhutkar S, Hu Z, Ali Q, Goldberg ID, Narayan P. Glycerol-3-phosphate Acyltransferase1 Is a Model-Agnostic Node in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Implications for Drug Development and Precision Medicine. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:18465-18471. [PMID: 32743224 PMCID: PMC7391940 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c02350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Left untreated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The observed failure of clinical trials in NASH may suggest that current model systems do not fully recapitulate human disease, and/or hallmark pathological features of NASH may not be driven by the same pathway in every animal model let alone in each patient. Identification of a model-agnostic disease-associated node can spur the development of effective drugs for the treatment of liver disease. Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase1 (GPAT1) plays a pivotal role in lipid accumulation by shunting fats away from oxidation. In the present study, hepatic GPAT1 expression was evaluated in three etiologically different models of NAFLD. Compared to the sham cohort, hepatic GPAT1 mRNA levels were elevated by ∼5-fold in steatosis and NASH with fibrosis with immunofluorescent staining revealing increased GPAT1 in the fatty liver. A significant and direct correlation (r = 0.88) was observed between hepatic GPAT1 mRNA expression and severity of the liver disease. Picrosirius red staining revealed a logarithmic relation between hepatic GPAT1 mRNA expression and scar. These data suggest that hepatic GPAT1 is an early disease-associated model-agnostic node in NAFLD and form the basis for the development of a potentially successful therapeutic against NASH.
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45
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Vlock EM, Karanjit S, Talmon G, Farazi PA. Reduction of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids with Tumor Progression in a Lean Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mouse Model. J Cancer 2020; 11:5536-5546. [PMID: 32913449 PMCID: PMC7477439 DOI: 10.7150/jca.48495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in Western countries. While obesity and diabetes are the hallmarks of NAFLD, it also develops in lean individuals in the absence of metabolic syndrome, with a prevalence of 7 percent in the U.S. and 25-30 percent in some Asian countries. NAFLD represents the spectrum of liver disease, starting with excess liver fat accumulation (NAFL) that can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To date, the pathogenesis of lean NASH-HCC is poorly understood and a mouse model is lacking. We aimed to develop a mouse model of lean NASH-HCC using a choline deficient and high trans-fat/sucrose/cholesterol diet to enable better understanding of its molecular pathogenesis. Methods: C57BL/6N mice were fed this diet starting at 4 weeks of age for 52 weeks and were compared to mice fed an isocaloric low fat control diet for the same duration. C57BL/6N mice were chosen instead of the C57BL/6J mice due to the high susceptibility of C57BL/6J mice to diet-induced obesity. The plasma and tumor fatty acid profile of these mice was also investigated. Results: Nearly 61% of the mice developed lean NASH-HCC. These mice showed reduction of plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (linolenic acids (α and γ, ω-3 and ω-6, respectively), eicosapentanoic acid (ω-3), docosahexanoic acid (ω-3), and linoleic acid (ω-6)) and increasing levels over time in mice with pre-malignant lesions. Conclusions: We developed a novel high penetrance diet-induced lean NASH-HCC mouse model. Plasma PUFA levels were reduced with tumor progression in parallel with reduced expression of genes controlling desaturase expression suggesting their potential use as biomarkers for lean NASH-HCC progression as well as chemopreventive molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Vlock
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases through Dietary Molecules, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Shilpa Karanjit
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Geoffrey Talmon
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Paraskevi A Farazi
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases through Dietary Molecules, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
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46
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Ipsen DH, Lykkesfeldt J, Tveden-Nyborg P. Animal Models of Fibrosis in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Do They Reflect Human Disease? Adv Nutr 2020; 11:1696-1711. [PMID: 33191435 PMCID: PMC7666900 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmaa081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases in the world, yet no pharmacotherapies are available. The lack of translational animal models is a major barrier impeding elucidation of disease mechanisms and drug development. Multiple preclinical models of NASH have been proposed and can broadly be characterized as diet-induced, deficiency-induced, toxin-induced, genetically induced, or a combination of these. However, very few models develop advanced fibrosis while still reflecting human disease etiology or pathology, which is problematic since fibrosis stage is considered the best prognostic marker in patients and an important endpoint in clinical trials of NASH. While mice and rats predominate the NASH research, several other species have emerged as promising models. This review critically evaluates animal models of NASH, focusing on their ability to develop advanced fibrosis while maintaining their relevance to the human condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Ipsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Jens Lykkesfeldt
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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47
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Liver-specific knockout of B cell lymphoma 6 suppresses progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9704. [PMID: 32546802 PMCID: PMC7297717 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66539-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) rapidly increases with metabolic disorders such as dyslipidaemia, high blood pressure, and hyperglycaemia. B cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl6), a transcriptional repressor, is essential for the formation of germinal centre B cells. In this study, we analysed the role of Bcl6 in NASH progression-associated pathological changes, such as hepatic lipid accumulation, liver fibrosis, and hepatocarcinogenesis. The roles of Bcl6 in NASH were analysed using liver-specific Bcl6 knockout (Bcl6-LKO) and control wild-type (WT) mice. The murine NASH model was established by feeding the mice with choline-deficient, L-amino-acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD). Feeding the WT mice with CDAHFD for 7 weeks induced the formation of histopathological features resembling human NASH, such as hepatic lipid accumulation, hepatocellular injury, and fibrosis. These histopathological changes were significantly attenuated in Bcl6-LKO mice. Additionally, feeding the male WT mice with CDAHFD for 38 weeks induced the formation of liver tumours, which was suppressed in Bcl6-LKO mice. These findings indicate that Bcl6 is involved in the progression of NASH and NASH-derived tumours.
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48
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Radhakrishnan S, Ke JY, Pellizzon MA. Targeted Nutrient Modifications in Purified Diets Differentially Affect Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Disease Development in Rodent Models. Curr Dev Nutr 2020; 4:nzaa078. [PMID: 32494762 PMCID: PMC7250583 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex spectrum of disorders ranging from simple benign steatosis to more aggressive forms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. Although not every patient with NAFLD/NASH develops liver complications, if left untreated it may eventually lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Purified diets formulated with specific nutritional components can drive the entire spectrum of NAFLD in rodent models. Although they may not perfectly replicate the clinical and histological features of human NAFLD, they provide a model to gain further understanding of disease progression in humans. Owing to the growing demand of diets for NAFLD research, and for our further understanding of how manipulation of dietary components can alter disease development, we outlined several commonly used dietary approaches for rodent models, including mice, rats, and hamsters, time frames required for disease development and whether other metabolic diseases commonly associated with NAFLD in humans occur.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jia-Yu Ke
- Research Diets, Inc., New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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49
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Guarino M, Kumar P, Felser A, Terracciano LM, Guixé-Muntet S, Humar B, Foti M, Nuoffer JM, St-Pierre MV, Dufour JF. Exercise Attenuates the Transition from Fatty Liver to Steatohepatitis and Reduces Tumor Formation in Mice. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1407. [PMID: 32486073 PMCID: PMC7352494 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) leads to steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. For sedentary patients, lifestyle interventions combining exercise and dietary changes are a cornerstone of treatment. However, the benefit of exercise alone when dietary changes have failed is uncertain. We query whether exercise alone arrests the progression of NASH and tumorigenesis in a choline-deficient, high-fat diet (CD-HFD) murine model. Male C57Bl/6N mice received a control diet or CD-HFD for 12 weeks. CD-HFD mice were randomized further for 8 weeks of sedentariness (SED) or treadmill exercise (EXE). CD-HFD for 12 weeks produced NAFL. After 20 weeks, SED mice developed NASH and hepatic adenomas. Exercise attenuated the progression to NASH. EXE livers showed lower triglycerides and tumor necrosis factor-α expression, less fibrosis, less ballooning, and a lower NAFLD activity score than did SED livers. Plasma transaminases and triglycerides were lower. Exercise activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) with inhibition of mTORC1 and decreased S6 phosphorylation, reducing hepatocellular adenoma. Exercise activated autophagy with increased LC3-II/LC3-I and mitochondrial recruitment of phosphorylated PTEN-induced kinase. Therefore, exercise attenuates the transition from NAFL to NASH, improves biochemical and histological parameters of NAFLD, and impedes the progression of fibrosis and tumorigenesis associated with enhanced activation of AMPK signaling and favors liver autophagy. Our work supports the benefits of exercise independently of dietary changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Guarino
- Hepatology, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (M.G.); (P.K.); (S.G.-M.); (M.V.S.-P.)
- Gastroenterology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Pavitra Kumar
- Hepatology, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (M.G.); (P.K.); (S.G.-M.); (M.V.S.-P.)
| | - Andrea Felser
- University Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; (A.F.); (J.-M.N.)
| | | | - Sergi Guixé-Muntet
- Hepatology, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (M.G.); (P.K.); (S.G.-M.); (M.V.S.-P.)
| | - Bostjan Humar
- Laboratory of the Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) and Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Michelangelo Foti
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Jean-Marc Nuoffer
- University Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; (A.F.); (J.-M.N.)
| | - Marie V. St-Pierre
- Hepatology, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (M.G.); (P.K.); (S.G.-M.); (M.V.S.-P.)
| | - Jean-François Dufour
- Hepatology, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (M.G.); (P.K.); (S.G.-M.); (M.V.S.-P.)
- University Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
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50
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Nakamoto K, Tokuyama S. [Involvement of the Free Fatty Acid Receptor GPR120/FFAR4 in the Development of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2020; 139:1169-1175. [PMID: 31474633 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.19-00011-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by the pathological accumulation of fat in the liver in the absence of any other disease related to liver steatosis, which includes a wide spectrum ranging from mild asymptomatic fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. However, the pathogenesis of NASH has not been established. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the G-protein-coupled receptor 120/free fatty acid receptor 4 (GPR120/FFAR4) in the pathogenesis of NASH. Mice fed a 0.1% methionine- and choline-deficient l-amino acid-defined, high-fat (CDAHF) diet showed a significant increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, fatty deposition, inflammatory cell infiltration, and slight fibrosis. Docosahexanoic acid (DHA, a GPR120/FFAR4 agonist) suppressed the inflammatory cytokines in hepatic tissues and prevented liver fibrosis. On the other hand, GPR120/FFAR4-deficient CDAHF-fed mice showed increments in the number of hepatic crown-like structures and immunoreactivity to F4/80-positive cells compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, the levels of hepatic TNF-α mRNA expression increased in GPR120-deficient mice. These findings suggest that the GPR120/FFAR4-mediating system could be a key signaling pathway to prevent the development of NASH. In this review, we describe our recent data showing that GPR120/FFAR4 could be a therapeutic target in NASH/NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Nakamoto
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutucal Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
| | - Shogo Tokuyama
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutucal Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
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