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Teng KY, Barajas JM, Hu P, Jacob ST, Ghoshal K. Role of B Cell Lymphoma 2 in the Regulation of Liver Fibrosis in miR-122 Knockout Mice. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9070157. [PMID: 32650615 PMCID: PMC7408427 DOI: 10.3390/biology9070157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) has been identified as a marker of various liver injuries, including hepatitis- virus-infection-, alcoholic-, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-induced liver fibrosis. Here, we report that the extracellular miR-122 from hepatic cells can be delivered to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to modulate their proliferation and gene expression. Our published Argonaute crosslinking immunoprecipitation (Ago-CLIP) data identified several pro-fibrotic genes, including Ctgf, as miR-122 targets in mice livers. However, treating Ctgf as a therapeutic target failed to rescue the fibrosis developed in the miR-122 knockout livers. Alternatively, we compared the published datasets of human cirrhotic livers and miR-122 KO livers, which revealed upregulation of BCL2, suggesting its potential role in regulating fibrosis. Notably, ectopic miR-122 expression inhibited BCL2 expression in human HSC (LX-2) cells). Publicly available ChIP-seq data in human hepatocellular cancer (HepG2) cells and mice livers suggested miR-122 could regulate BCL2 expression indirectly through c-MYC, which was confirmed by siRNA-mediated depletion of c-MYC in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. Importantly, Venetoclax, a potent BCL2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of leukemia, showed promising anti-fibrotic effects in miR-122 knockout mice. Collectively, our data demonstrate that miR-122 suppresses liver fibrosis and implicates anti-fibrotic potential of Venetoclax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Yu Teng
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (J.M.B.); (S.T.J.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Juan M. Barajas
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (J.M.B.); (S.T.J.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Peng Hu
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Samson T. Jacob
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (J.M.B.); (S.T.J.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Kalpana Ghoshal
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (J.M.B.); (S.T.J.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +614-292-8865; Fax: +614-688-4245
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Jiang ZJ, Shen QH, Chen HY, Yang Z, Shuai MQ, Zheng SS. Galectin-1 gene silencing inhibits the activation and proliferation but induces the apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells from mice with liver fibrosis. Int J Mol Med 2018; 43:103-116. [PMID: 30365068 PMCID: PMC6257862 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a serious threat to human health, and there is currently no effective clinical drug for treatment of the disease. Although Galectin-1 is effective, its role in liver function, inflammation, matrix metalloproteinases and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effect of Galectin-1 on the activation, proliferation and apoptosis of HSCs in a mouse model of liver fibrosis. Following successful model establishment and tissue collection, mouse HSCs (mHSCs) were identified and an mHSC line was constructed. Subsequently, to determine the role of Galectin-1 in liver fibrosis, the expression levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) pre- and post-transfection were evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. In addition, the effects of Galectin-1 on the biological behavior and mitochondrial function of mHSCs were determined using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry and a scratch test. It was first observed that the expression levels of Galectin-1, TGF-β1, CTGF and α-SMA were downregulated by silencing the gene expression of Galectin-1. Additionally, silencing the gene expression of Galectin-1 inhibited cell cycle progression, proliferation and migration but induced the apoptosis of mHSCs from mice with liver fibrosis. Furthermore, the in vivo experimental results suggested that silencing the gene expression of Galectin-1 improved liver fibrosis. Collectively, it was concluded that silencing the gene expression of Galectin-1 ameliorates liver fibrosis and that functionally suppressing Galectin-1 may be a future therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Jun Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Qing-Hua Shen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Jinyun Branch), Jinyun, Zhejiang 321400, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Yong Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Ming-Qi Shuai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Shu-Sen Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
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TIMP-1 Inhibits Apoptosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells via Interaction with Bcl-2. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137673. [PMID: 26366732 PMCID: PMC4569297 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are multifaceted molecules that exhibit properties beyond their classical proteinase inhibitory function. Although TIMP-1 is a known inhibitor of apoptosis in mammalian cells, the mechanisms by which it exerts its effects are not well-established. Our earlier studies using H2009 lung adenocarcinoma cells, implanted in the CNS, showed that TIMP-1 overexpressing H2009 cells (HB-1), resulted in more aggressive tumor kinetics and increased vasculature. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the role of TIMP-1 in the context of apoptosis, using the same lung cancer cell lines. Overexpressing TIMP-1 in a lung adenocarcinoma cell line H2009 resulted in an approximately 3-fold increased expression of Bcl-2, with a marked reduction in apoptosis upon staurosporine treatment. This was an MMP-independent function as a clone expressing TIMP-1 mutant T2G, lacking MMP inhibition activity, inhibited apoptosis as strongly as TIMP1 overexpressing clones, as determined by inhibition of PARP cleavage. Immunoprecipitation of Bcl-2 from cell lysates also co-immunoprecipitated TIMP-1, indicative of an interaction between these two proteins. This interaction was specific for TIMP-1 as TIMP-2 was not present in the Bcl-2 pull-down. Additionally, we show a co-dependency of TIMP-1 and Bcl-2 RNA and protein levels, such that abrogating Bcl-2 causes a downregulation of TIMP-1 but not TIMP-2. Finally, we demonstrate that TIMP-1 dependent inhibition of apoptosis occurs through p90RSK, with phosphorylation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD at serine 112, ultimately reducing Bax levels and increasing mitochondrial permeability. Together, these studies define TIMP-1 as an important cancer biomarker and demonstrate the potential TIMP-1 as a crucial therapeutic target.
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Abstract
Sex differences in the incidence of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension have been reported by epidemiological studies. Previous studies have indicated that estrogen therapy improved hepatic fibrosis, inhibited the activation of hepatic stellate cells, and reduced portal pressure, whereas the administration of exogenous estrogens resulted in some potential risks, limiting their clinical use. However, the biological actions of estrogens are mediated by three subtypes of estrogen receptors (ERs): ERα, ERβ, and G-protein-coupled ER. These ER subtypes act in distinct ways and exert different biological effects that mediate genomic and nongenomic events, resulting in tissue-specific responses. In addition, active estrogen metabolites, with little or no affinity for ERs, could mediate the fibrosuppressive effect of estrogens through an ER-independent pathway. Taken together, such specific estrogen derivatives as ER selective agonists, or active estrogen metabolites, would provide novel therapeutic opportunities, stratifying this hormonal treatment, thereby reducing undesired side-effects in the treatment of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.
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Hydroxysafflor yellow A induces apoptosis in activated hepatic stellate cells through ERK1/2 pathway in vitro. Eur J Pharm Sci 2012; 46:397-404. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2012.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2011] [Revised: 02/09/2012] [Accepted: 03/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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