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Yang L, Han B, Zhang M, Wang YH, Tao K, Zhu MX, He K, Zhang ZG, Hou S. Activation of BK Channels Prevents Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Liver Fibrosis Through the Suppression of TGFβ1/SMAD3 and JAK/STAT3 Profibrotic Signaling Pathways. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:165. [PMID: 32210801 PMCID: PMC7068464 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Large-conductance and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels are expressed in human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), where they have roles in normal hepatic microcirculation, as well as in portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis through the regulation of contractility in activated HSCs. Nevertheless, whether BK channel activity exerts protective effects against aberrant HSC activation and hepatic fibrosis is unknown. Here, we report that BK channels are expressed in activated primary rat HSCs as well as in a human HSC line. Moreover, whole-cell K+ currents recorded from activated HSCs were markedly increased by exposure to rottlerin, a BK channel-specific activator, but were inhibited by treatment with the BK channel-specific inhibitor, paxilline, suggesting that BK channels are functional in activated HSCs. Overexpression but not downregulation of the BK channel pore-forming alpha subunit, KCNMA1, led to reduced migration and collagen expression in activated HSCs. Consistently, rottlerin treatment suppressed the fibrogenic cell function both in vitro and in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in vivo. Microarray and pathway analysis, combined with a luciferase reporter assay and western blotting, further showed that rottlerin treatment led to a significant downregulation of the profibrotic TGFβ1/SMAD3 and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways, both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings not only link BK channel function to profibrotic signaling pathways, but also provide evidence that BK channel activation represents a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linli Yang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Han
- Department of General Surgery, Key Laboratory for Translational Research and Innovative Therapeutics of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Man Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Tao
- Department of Pathology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Michael X Zhu
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kunyan He
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shangwei Hou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Key Laboratory for Translational Research and Innovative Therapeutics of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Hu Z, Jepps TA, Zhou L, Liu J, Li M, Abbott GW. Kcne4 deletion sex dependently inhibits the RISK pathway response and exacerbates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2019; 316:R552-R562. [PMID: 30758982 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00251.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Activation of antiapoptotic signaling cascades, such as the reperfusion injury salvage kinase (RISK) and survivor activating factor enhancement (SAFE) pathways, is protective in a variety of tissues in the context of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Hepatic IR injury causes clinically significant hepatocellular damage in surgical procedures, including liver transplantation and hepatic resection, increasing associated morbidity and mortality. We previously found that the cardiovascular-expressed K+ voltage-gated channel ancillary subunit KCNE4 sex specifically influences the cardiac RISK/SAFE pathway response to IR and that Kcne4 deletion testosterone dependently exacerbates cardiac IR injury. Here, we discovered that germline Kcne4 deletion exacerbates hepatic IR injury damage in 13-mo-old male mice, despite a lack of Kcne4 expression in male mouse liver. Examining RISK/SAFE pathway induction, we found that Kcne4 deletion prevents the hepatic ERK1/2 phosphorylation response to IR injury. Conversely, in 13-mo-old female mice, Kcne4 deletion increased both baseline and post-IR GSK-3β inhibitory phosphorylation, and pharmacological GSK-3β inhibition was hepatoprotective. Finally, castration of male mice restored normal hepatic RISK/SAFE pathway responses in Kcne4-/- mice, eliminated Kcne4 deletion-dependent serum alanine aminotransferase elevation, and genotype independently augmented the hepatic post-IR GSK-3β phosphorylation response. These findings support a role for KCNE4 as a systemic modulator of IR injury response and uncover hormonally influenced, sex-specific, KCNE4-dependent and -independent RISK/SAFE pathway induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyang Hu
- Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, Sichuan , China
| | - Thomas A Jepps
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Leng Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, Sichuan , China
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, Sichuan , China
| | - Mufeng Li
- Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, Sichuan , China
| | - Geoffrey W Abbott
- Bioelectricity Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine, California
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Ion Channels and Oxidative Stress as a Potential Link for the Diagnosis or Treatment of Liver Diseases. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2016; 2016:3928714. [PMID: 26881024 PMCID: PMC4736365 DOI: 10.1155/2016/3928714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Revised: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress results from a disturbed balance between oxidation and antioxidant systems. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) may be either harmful or beneficial to the cells. Ion channels are transmembrane proteins that participate in a large variety of cellular functions and have been implicated in the development of a variety of diseases. A significant amount of the available drugs in the market targets ion channels. These proteins have sulfhydryl groups of cysteine and methionine residues in their structure that can be targeted by ROS and RNS altering channel function including gating and conducting properties, as well as the corresponding signaling pathways associated. The regulation of ion channels by ROS has been suggested to be associated with some pathological conditions including liver diseases. This review focuses on understanding the role and the potential association of ion channels and oxidative stress in liver diseases including fibrosis, alcoholic liver disease, and cancer. The potential association between ion channels and oxidative stress conditions could be used to develop new treatments for major liver diseases.
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Freise C, Heldwein S, Erben U, Hoyer J, Köhler R, Jöhrens K, Patsenker E, Ruehl M, Seehofer D, Stickel F, Somasundaram R. K⁺-channel inhibition reduces portal perfusion pressure in fibrotic rats and fibrosis associated characteristics of hepatic stellate cells. Liver Int 2015; 35:1244-52. [PMID: 25212242 DOI: 10.1111/liv.12681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS In liver fibrosis, activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) secrete excess extracellular matrix, thus, represent key targets for antifibrotic treatment strategies. Intermediate-conductance Ca(2) (+) -activated K(+) -channels (KCa3.1) are expressed in non-excitable tissues affecting proliferation, migration and vascular resistance rendering KCa3.1 potential targets in liver fibrosis. So far, no information about KCa3.1 expression and their role in HSC exists. Aim was to quantify the KCa3.1 expression in HSC depending on HSC activation and investigation of antifibrotic properties of the specific KCa3.1 inhibitor TRAM-34 in vitro and in vivo. METHODS KCa3.1 expression and functionality were studied in TGF-β1-activated HSC by quantitative real time PCR, western-blot and patch-clamp analysis respectively. Effects of TRAM-34 on HSC proliferation, cell cycle and fibrosis-related gene expression were assessed by [(3) H]-thymidine incorporation, FACS-analysis and RT-PCR respectively. In vivo, vascular resistance and KCa3.1 gene and protein expression were determined in bile duct ligated rats by in situ liver perfusion, Taqman PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively. RESULTS Fibrotic tissues and TGF-β1-activated HSC exhibited higher KCa3.1-expressions than normal tissue and untreated cells. KCa3.1 inhibition with TRAM-34 reduced HSC proliferation by induction of cell cycle arrest and reduced TGF-β1-induced gene expression of collagen I, alpha-smooth muscle actin and TGF-β1 itself. Furthermore, TRAM-34 blocked TGF-β1-induced activation of TGF-β signalling in HSC. In vivo, TRAM-34 reduced the thromboxane agonist-induced portal perfusion pressure. CONCLUSION Inhibition of KCa3.1 with TRAM-34 downregulates fibrosis-associated gene expression in vitro, and reduces portal perfusion pressure in vivo. Thus, KCa3.1 may represent novel targets for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Freise
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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Rosado E, Rodríguez-Vilarrupla A, Gracia-Sancho J, Tripathi D, García-Calderó H, Bosch J, García-Pagán JC. Terutroban, a TP-receptor antagonist, reduces portal pressure in cirrhotic rats. Hepatology 2013; 58:1424-35. [PMID: 23703868 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2012] [Revised: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Increased production of vasoconstrictive prostanoids, such as thromboxane A2 (TXA2 ), contributes to endothelial dysfunction and increased hepatic vascular tone in cirrhosis. TXA2 induces vasoconstriction by way of activation of the thromboxane-A2 /prostaglandin-endoperoxide (TP) receptor. This study investigated whether terutroban, a specific TP receptor blocker, decreases hepatic vascular tone and portal pressure in rats with cirrhosis due to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) or bile duct ligation (BDL). Hepatic and systemic hemodynamics, endothelial dysfunction, liver fibrosis, hepatic Rho-kinase activity (a marker of hepatic stellate cell contraction), and the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling pathway were measured in CCl4 and BDL cirrhotic rats treated with terutroban (30 mg/kg/day) or its vehicle for 2 weeks. Terutroban reduced portal pressure in both models without producing significant changes in portal blood flow, suggesting a reduction in hepatic vascular resistance. Terutroban did not significantly change arterial pressure in CCl4 -cirrhotic rats but decreased it significantly in BDL-cirrhotic rats. In livers from CCl4 and BDL-cirrhotic terutroban-treated rats, endothelial dysfunction was improved and Rho-kinase activity was significantly reduced. In CCl4 -cirrhotic rats, terutroban reduced liver fibrosis and decreased alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen-I, and transforming growth factor beta messenger RNA (mRNA) expression without significant changes in the eNOS pathway. In contrast, no change in liver fibrosis was observed in BDL-cirrhotic rats but an increase in the eNOS pathway. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that TP-receptor blockade with terutroban decreases portal pressure in cirrhosis. This effect is due to decreased hepatic resistance, which in CCl4 -cirrhotic rats was linked to decreased hepatic fibrosis, but not in BDL rats, in which the main mediator appeared to be an enhanced eNOS-dependent vasodilatation, which was not liver-selective, as it was associated with decreased arterial pressure. The potential use of terutroban for portal hypertension requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Rosado
- Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, IMDIM, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) and Ciberehd, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Di Pascoli M, Diví M, Rodríguez-Vilarrupla A, Rosado E, Gracia-Sancho J, Vilaseca M, Bosch J, García-Pagán JC. Resveratrol improves intrahepatic endothelial dysfunction and reduces hepatic fibrosis and portal pressure in cirrhotic rats. J Hepatol 2013; 58:904-10. [PMID: 23262250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2012.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Revised: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in a variety of fruits, exerts a wide range of beneficial effects on the endothelium, regulates multiple vasoactive substances and decreases oxidative stress, factors involved in the pathophysiology of portal hypertension. Our study aimed at evaluating the effects of resveratrol on hepatic and systemic hemodynamics, hepatic endothelial dysfunction, and hepatic fibrosis in CCl₄ cirrhotic rats. METHODS Resveratrol (10 and 20 mg/kg/day) or its vehicle was administered to cirrhotic rats for two weeks and hepatic and systemic hemodynamics were measured. Moreover, we evaluated endothelial function by dose-relaxation curves to acetylcholine, hepatic NO bioavailability and TXA2 production. We also evaluated liver fibrosis by Sirius Red staining of liver sections, collagen-1, NFκB, TGFβ mRNA expression, and desmin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein expression, as a surrogate of hepatic stellate cell activation. RESULTS Resveratrol administration significantly decreased portal pressure compared to vehicle (12.1 ± 0.9 vs. 14.3 ± 2.2 mmHg; p <0.05) without significant changes in systemic hemodynamics. Reduction in portal pressure was associated with an improved vasodilatory response to acetylcholine, with decreased TXA2 production, increased endothelial NO, and with a significant reduction in liver fibrosis. The decrease in hepatic fibrosis was associated with a reduced collagen-1, TGFβ, NFκB mRNA expression and desmin and α-SMA protein expression. CONCLUSIONS Resveratrol administration reduces portal pressure, hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis, and improves hepatic endothelial dysfunction in cirrhotic rats, suggesting it may be a useful dietary supplement in the treatment of portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Di Pascoli
- Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer and Ciberehd, University of Barcelona, Spain
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