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Gerrits T, Dijkstra KL, Bruijn JA, Scharpfenecker M, Bijkerk R, Baelde HJ. Antisense oligonucleotide-mediated terminal intron retention of endoglin: A potential strategy to inhibit renal interstitial fibrosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167186. [PMID: 38642778 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167186] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
TGF-β is considered an important cytokine in the development of interstitial fibrosis in chronic kidney disease. The TGF-β co-receptor endoglin (ENG) tends to be upregulated in kidney fibrosis. ENG has two membrane bound isoforms generated via alternative splicing. Long-ENG was shown to enhance the extent of renal fibrosis in an unilateral ureteral obstruction mouse model, while short-ENG inhibited renal fibrosis. Here we aimed to achieve terminal intron retention of endoglin using antisense-oligo nucleotides (ASOs), thereby shifting the ratio towards short-ENG to inhibit the TGF-β1-mediated pro-fibrotic response. We isolated mRNA from kidney biopsies of patients with chronic allograft disease (CAD) (n = 12) and measured total ENG and short-ENG mRNA levels. ENG mRNA was upregulated 2.3 fold (p < 0.05) in kidneys of CAD patients compared to controls, while the percentage short-ENG of the total ENG mRNA was significantly lower (1.8 fold; p < 0.05). Transfection of ASOs that target splicing regulatory sites of ENG into TK173 fibroblasts led to higher levels of short-ENG (2 fold; p < 0.05). In addition, we stimulated these cells with TGF-β1 and measured a decrease in upregulation of ACTA2, COL1A1 and FN1 mRNA levels, and protein expression of αSMA, collagen type I, and fibronectin. These results show a potential for ENG ASOs as a therapy to reduce interstitial fibrosis in CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Gerrits
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands.
| | - Kyra L Dijkstra
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jan Anthonie Bruijn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marion Scharpfenecker
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Roel Bijkerk
- Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Hans J Baelde
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
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2
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Eissazadeh S, Mohammadi S, Faradonbeh FA, Rathouska JU, Nemeckova I, Tripska K, Vitverova B, Dohnalkova E, Vasinova M, Fikrova P, Sa ICI, Micuda S, Nachtigal P. Endoglin and soluble endoglin in liver sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction in vivo. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:166990. [PMID: 38110128 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166990] [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: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) play a crucial role in regulating the hepatic function. Endoglin (ENG), a transmembrane glycoprotein, was shown to be related to the development of endothelial dysfunction. In this study, we hypothesized the relationship between changes in ENG expression and markers of liver sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction (LSED) during liver impairment. Male C57BL/6J mice aged 9-12 weeks were fed with 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet (intrahepatic cholestasis) or choline-deficient l-amino acid defined high-fat diet (CDAA-HFD) (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)). Significant increases in liver enzymes, fibrosis, and inflammation biomarkers were observed in both cholestasis and NASH. Decreased p-eNOS/eNOS and VE-cadherin protein expression and a significant increase in VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression were detected, indicating LSED in both mouse models of liver damage. A significant reduction of ENG in the DDC-fed mice, while a significant increase of ENG in the CDAA-HFD group was observed. Both DDC and CDAA-HFD-fed mice showed a significant increase in MMP-14 protein expression, which is related to significantly increased levels of soluble endoglin (sENG) in the plasma. In conclusion, we demonstrated that intrahepatic cholestasis and NASH result in an altered ENG expression, predominantly in LSECs, suggesting a critical role of ENG expression for the proper function of liver sinusoids. Both pathologies resulted in elevated sENG levels, cleaved by MMP-14 expressed predominantly from LSECs, indicating sENG as a liver injury biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Eissazadeh
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - SeyedehNiloufar Mohammadi
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Fatemeh Alaei Faradonbeh
- Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Urbankova Rathouska
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Nemeckova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Katarina Tripska
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vitverova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Ester Dohnalkova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Vasinova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Fikrova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Ivone Cristina Igreja Sa
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Stanislav Micuda
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Nachtigal
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic.
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Yao C, Wu S, Kong J, Sun Y, Bai Y, Zhu R, Li Z, Sun W, Zheng L. Angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma: mechanisms and anti-angiogenic therapies. Cancer Biol Med 2023; 20:j.issn.2095-3941.2022.0449. [PMID: 36647777 PMCID: PMC9843448 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2022.0449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. Angiogenesis, the process of formation of new blood vessels, is required for cancer cells to obtain nutrients and oxygen. HCC is a typical hypervascular solid tumor with an aberrant vascular network and angiogenesis that contribute to its growth, progression, invasion, and metastasis. Current anti-angiogenic therapies target mainly tyrosine kinases, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and are considered effective strategies for HCC, particularly advanced HCC. However, because the survival benefits conferred by these anti-angiogenic therapies are modest, new anti-angiogenic targets must be identified. Several recent studies have determined the underlying molecular mechanisms, including pro-angiogenic factors secreted by HCC cells, the tumor microenvironment, and cancer stem cells. In this review, we summarize the roles of pro-angiogenic factors; the involvement of endothelial cells, hepatic stellate cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and tumor-associated neutrophils present in the tumor microenvironment; and the regulatory influence of cancer stem cells on angiogenesis in HCC. Furthermore, we discuss some of the clinically approved anti-angiogenic therapies and potential novel therapeutic targets for angiogenesis in HCC. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying angiogenesis may lead to the development of more optimized anti-angiogenic treatment modalities for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changyu Yao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Shilun Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Yiwen Sun
- Department of Pathology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Yannan Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Ruhang Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Zhuxin Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Wenbing Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China
- Correspondence to: Wenbing Sun and Lemin Zheng, E-mail: and
| | - Lemin Zheng
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education, Health Sciences Center, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, China National Clinical Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
- Correspondence to: Wenbing Sun and Lemin Zheng, E-mail: and
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Gerrits T, Brouwer IJ, Dijkstra KL, Wolterbeek R, Bruijn JA, Scharpfenecker M, Baelde HJ. Endoglin Is an Important Mediator in the Final Common Pathway of Chronic Kidney Disease to End-Stage Renal Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010646. [PMID: 36614087 PMCID: PMC9820946 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010646] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a slow-developing, progressive deterioration of renal function. The final common pathway in the pathophysiology of CKD involves glomerular sclerosis, tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) stimulates the differentiation of fibroblasts towards myofibroblasts and the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, and thereby interstitial fibrosis. It has been shown that endoglin (ENG, CD105), primarily expressed in endothelial cells and fibroblasts, can function as a co-receptor of TGF signaling. In several human organs, endoglin tends to be upregulated when chronic damage and fibrosis is present. We hypothesize that endoglin is upregulated in renal interstitial fibrosis and plays a role in the progression of CKD. We first measured renal endoglin expression in biopsy samples obtained from patients with different types of CKD, i.e., IgA nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), diabetic nephropathy (DN) and patients with chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD). We showed that endoglin is upregulated in CAD patients (p < 0.001) and patients with DN (p < 0.05), compared to control kidneys. Furthermore, the amount of interstitial endoglin expression correlated with eGFR (p < 0.001) and the amount of interstitial fibrosis (p < 0.001), independent of the diagnosis of the biopsies. Finally, we investigated in vitro the effect of endoglin overexpression in TGF-β stimulated human kidney fibroblasts. Overexpression of endoglin resulted in an enhanced ACTA2, CCN2 and SERPINE1 mRNA response (p < 0.05). It also increased the mRNA and protein upregulation of the ECM components collagen type I (COL1A1) and fibronectin (FN1) (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that endoglin is an important mediator in the final common pathway of CKD and could be used as a possible new therapeutic target to counteract the progression towards end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Gerrits
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Isabella J. Brouwer
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kyra L. Dijkstra
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ron Wolterbeek
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Medical Statistics, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan A. Bruijn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marion Scharpfenecker
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans J. Baelde
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-(0)-71-526-4788
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5
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Zhang J, Guo J, Yang N, Huang Y, Hu T, Rao C. Endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated cell death in liver injury. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:1051. [PMID: 36535923 PMCID: PMC9763476 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05444-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum is an important intracellular organelle that plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and unfolded protein response (UPR) are induced when the body is exposed to adverse external stimuli. It has been established that ERS can induce different cell death modes, including autophagy, apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis, through three major transmembrane receptors on the ER membrane, including inositol requirement enzyme 1α, protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase and activating transcription factor 6. These different modes of cell death play an important role in the occurrence and development of various diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, metabolic diseases, and liver injury. As the largest metabolic organ, the liver is rich in enzymes, carries out different functions such as metabolism and secretion, and is the body's main site of protein synthesis. Accordingly, a well-developed endoplasmic reticulum system is present in hepatocytes to help the liver perform its physiological functions. Current evidence suggests that ERS is closely related to different stages of liver injury, and the death of hepatocytes caused by ERS may be key in liver injury. In addition, an increasing body of evidence suggests that modulating ERS has great potential for treating the liver injury. This article provided a comprehensive overview of the relationship between ERS and four types of cell death. Moreover, we discussed the mechanism of ERS and UPR in different liver injuries and their potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XSchool of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137 China ,grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XR&D Center for Efficiency, Safety and Application in Chinese Materia Medica with Medical and Edible Values, School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137 China
| | - Jiafu Guo
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XSchool of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137 China ,grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XR&D Center for Efficiency, Safety and Application in Chinese Materia Medica with Medical and Edible Values, School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137 China
| | - Nannan Yang
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XSchool of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137 China ,grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XR&D Center for Efficiency, Safety and Application in Chinese Materia Medica with Medical and Edible Values, School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137 China
| | - Yan Huang
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XSchool of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137 China ,grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XR&D Center for Efficiency, Safety and Application in Chinese Materia Medica with Medical and Edible Values, School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137 China
| | - Tingting Hu
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XSchool of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137 China ,grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XR&D Center for Efficiency, Safety and Application in Chinese Materia Medica with Medical and Edible Values, School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137 China
| | - Chaolong Rao
- grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XSchool of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137 China ,grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XR&D Center for Efficiency, Safety and Application in Chinese Materia Medica with Medical and Edible Values, School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137 China ,grid.411304.30000 0001 0376 205XState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137 China
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6
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Guo Z, Wang Y, Wen X, Xu X, Yan L. β-Klotho Promotes the Development of Intrauterine Adhesions via the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911294. [PMID: 36232594 PMCID: PMC9569898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) refers to injury to the basal layer of the endometrium, which can be caused by various factors. It is often accompanied by clinical symptoms such as abnormal menstruation, infertility, recurrent abortion, and periodic abdominal pain. In recent years, a number of studies have reported the effects of β-Klotho (KLB) on the occurrence and development of human tumors and fibrotic diseases, but its relationship with endometrial fibroblasts and endometrial fibrosis has not been elucidated. In this study, we compared the expression of KLB in endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) from patients with IUA and normal controls. We constructed animal and cell models of IUA and conducted expression verification and functional experiments on KLB. We found that the expression of KLB was significantly increased in the ESCs of IUA patients and rat models compared with the controls. The overexpression of KLB could promote the proliferation and fibrosis of ESCs. In addition, the overexpression of KLB activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in ESCs. Our study shows that KLB protein is highly expressed in the ESCs of patients with IUA and can enhance stromal cell proliferation and cell fibrosis by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, thus promoting the development of IUA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhen Guo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
- The First Clinical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Center of Integrative Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Xiaoyang Wen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Xinxin Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan 250000, China
- Correspondence:
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7
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Li L, Zhong L, Tang C, Gan L, Mo T, Na J, He J, Huang Y. CD105: tumor diagnosis, prognostic marker and future tumor therapeutic target. Clin Transl Oncol 2022; 24:1447-1458. [PMID: 35165838 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-02792-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the diseases with the highest morbidity and mortality rates worldwide, and its therapeutic options are inadequate. The endothelial glycoprotein, also known as CD105, is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein located on the surface of the cell membranes and it is one of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor complexes. It regulates the responses associated with binding to transforming growth factor β1 egg (Activin-A), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), and bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7). Additionally, it is involved in the regulation of angiogenesis. This glycoprotein is indispensable in the treatment of tumor angiogenesis, and it also plays a leading role in tumor angiogenesis therapy. Therefore, CD105 is considered to be a novel therapeutic target. In this study, we explored the significance of CD105 in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of various tumors, and provided evidence for the effect and mechanism of CD105 on tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Li
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Liping Zhong
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Chao Tang
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Lu Gan
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Tong Mo
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jintong Na
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jian He
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yong Huang
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
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8
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Yang N, Ma W, Ke Y, Liu H, Chu J, Sun L, Lü G, Bi X, Lin R. Transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells ameliorates Echinococcus multilocularis-induced liver fibrosis in mice. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010175. [PMID: 35100287 PMCID: PMC8830670 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) can cause severe liver fibrosis and could be fatal if left untreated. Currently, there are no effective therapeutic options for AE-induced liver fibrosis. In view of the therapeutic potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), we investigated whether ADSCs transplantation has the ability to control or reverse fibrosis progression in the liver of Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis) infected mice. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS C57BL/6 mice infected with E. multilocularis through portal vein inoculation were intravenously injected with ADSCs isolated from inguinal adipose tissues of 6-8 weeks old mice. Histopathological analysis including heamatoxylin & eosin staining as well as Masson's trichrome staining, and Sirius red staining were performed to access the degree of liver fibrosis. Histopathological examination 30 days after ADSCs transplantation revealed that ADSCs significantly decreased the degree of liver fibrosis in E. multilocularis infected mice by inhibiting the expressions of α-SMA and type 1 collagen deposition. In addition, compared to the non-transplanted group, ADSCs transplantation reduced fibrotic areas in E. multilocularis infected mice. We also found that ADSCs transplantation significantly down-regulated TGF-β1 and TGF-βR expressions, while up-regulating Smad7 expression in the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS ADSCs can alleviate Echinococcus multilocularis infection-induced liver fibrosis by modulating the activity level of the TGF-β/Smad7 signaling pathway and provide a potential therapeutic approach for E. multilocularis-induced fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Wenmei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Pathology department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ying Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Graduate School, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Li Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Guodong Lü
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xiaojuan Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Renyong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
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9
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Ruiz-Llorente L, Vega MC, Fernández FJ, Langa C, Morrell NW, Upton PD, Bernabeu C. Generation of a Soluble Form of Human Endoglin Fused to Green Fluorescent Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011282. [PMID: 34681942 PMCID: PMC8539536 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Endoglin (Eng, CD105) is a type I membrane glycoprotein that functions in endothelial cells as an auxiliary receptor for transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family members and as an integrin ligand, modulating the vascular pathophysiology. Besides the membrane-bound endoglin, there is a soluble form of endoglin (sEng) that can be generated by the action of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-14 or -12 on the juxtamembrane region of its ectodomain. High levels of sEng have been reported in patients with preeclampsia, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis and cancer. In addition, sEng is a marker of cardiovascular damage in patients with hypertension and diabetes, plays a pathogenic role in preeclampsia, and inhibits angiogenesis and tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion in cancer. However, the mechanisms of action of sEng have not yet been elucidated, and new tools and experimental approaches are necessary to advance in this field. To this end, we aimed to obtain a fluorescent form of sEng as a new tool for biological imaging. Thus, we cloned the extracellular domain of endoglin in the pEGFP-N1 plasmid to generate a fusion protein with green fluorescent protein (GFP), giving rise to pEGFP-N1/Eng.EC. The recombinant fusion protein was characterized by transient and stable transfections in CHO-K1 cells using fluorescence microscopy, SDS-PAGE, immunodetection, and ELISA techniques. Upon transfection with pEGFP-N1/Eng.EC, fluorescence was readily detected in cells, indicating that the GFP contained in the recombinant protein was properly folded into the cytosol. Furthermore, as evidenced by Western blot analysis, the secreted fusion protein yielded the expected molecular mass and displayed a specific fluorescent signal. The fusion protein was also able to bind to BMP9 and BMP10 in vitro. Therefore, the construct described here could be used as a tool for functional in vitro studies of the extracellular domain of endoglin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Ruiz-Llorente
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.R.-L.); (M.C.V.); (F.J.F.); (C.L.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of System Biology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28871 Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Cristina Vega
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.R.-L.); (M.C.V.); (F.J.F.); (C.L.)
| | - Francisco J. Fernández
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.R.-L.); (M.C.V.); (F.J.F.); (C.L.)
| | - Carmen Langa
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.R.-L.); (M.C.V.); (F.J.F.); (C.L.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicholas W. Morrell
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (N.W.M.); (P.D.U.)
| | - Paul D. Upton
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (N.W.M.); (P.D.U.)
| | - Carmelo Bernabeu
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.R.-L.); (M.C.V.); (F.J.F.); (C.L.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
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10
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Cantiga-Silva C, Estrela C, Segura-Egea JJ, Azevedo JP, de Oliveira PHC, Cardoso CBM, Pinheiro TN, Ervolino E, Sivieri-Araújo G, Cintra LTA. Inflammatory profile of apical periodontitis associated with liver fibrosis in rats: histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Int Endod J 2021; 54:1353-1361. [PMID: 33733459 DOI: 10.1111/iej.13519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the effects of liver fibrosis (LF) on the pro-inflammatory mediators and periapical bone resorption of apical periodontitis (AP) in rats. METHODOLOGY Forty male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: C - control, AP - rats with AP, LF - rats with LF, AP + LF - rats with AP and LF. LF was induced by carbon tetrachloride administration for 8 weeks and surgical bile duct ligation for 4 weeks; AP was induced in the teeth of rats by dental pulp exposure to the oral environment for 30 days. Jaws and livers were removed after euthanasia. Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Picrosirius Red (PSR) staining were used to confirm fibrosis in the livers. The jaws were analysed using H&E staining, immunohistochemical assays of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney's U-test were used for statistical analysis (P < 0.05). RESULTS Inflammatory infiltrate was moderate in the AP group and severe in the AP + LF group (P < 0.05). Periapical bone resorption was significantly larger in the AP + LF group compared with the AP group (P < 0.05). IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in AP + LF group when compared to the AP group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION More intense inflammatory infiltrate, greater amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased periapical bone resorption were observed in the presence of liver fibrosis in rats with exposed pulps.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Cantiga-Silva
- Endodontic Section, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - C Estrela
- Department of Stomatologic Sciences, School of Dentistry, UFG - Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - J J Segura-Egea
- Endodontic Section, Department of Stomatology, School of Dentistry, University of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - J P Azevedo
- Endodontic Section, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - P H C de Oliveira
- Endodontic Section, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - C B M Cardoso
- Endodontic Section, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - T N Pinheiro
- Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, Dental School of Amazonas State University, Manaus, Brazil
| | - E Ervolino
- Department of Basic Science, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - G Sivieri-Araújo
- Endodontic Section, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - L T A Cintra
- Endodontic Section, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, Brazil.,Dental Assistance Center for Disabled Persons (CAOE), School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, Brazil
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11
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Jeng KS, Sheen IS, Lin SS, Leu CM, Chang CF. The Role of Endoglin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063208. [PMID: 33809908 PMCID: PMC8004096 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Endoglin (CD105) is a type-1 integral transmembrane glycoprotein and coreceptor for transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) ligands. The endoglin/TGF-β signaling pathway regulates hemostasis, cell proliferation/migration, extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and angiogenesis. Angiogenesis contributes to early progression, invasion, postoperative recurrence, and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most widespread malignancies globally. Endoglin is overexpressed in newly formed HCC microvessels. It increases microvessel density in cirrhotic and regenerative HCC nodules. In addition, circulating endoglin is present in HCC patients, suggesting potential for use as a diagnostic or prognostic factor. HCC angiogenesis is dynamic and endoglin expression varies by stage. TRC105 (carotuximab) is an antibody against endoglin, and three of its clinical trials were related to liver diseases. A partial response was achieved when combining TRC105 with sorafenib. Although antiangiogenic therapy still carries some risks, combination therapy with endoglin inhibitors or other targeted therapies holds promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Shyang Jeng
- Division of General Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei 22060, Taiwan; (K.-S.J.); (S.-S.L.)
| | - I-Shyan Sheen
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan city 33305, Taiwan;
| | - Shu-Sheng Lin
- Division of General Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei 22060, Taiwan; (K.-S.J.); (S.-S.L.)
| | - Chuen-Miin Leu
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei city 11221, Taiwan;
| | - Chiung-Fang Chang
- Division of General Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei 22060, Taiwan; (K.-S.J.); (S.-S.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-7728-4564
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12
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Vicen M, Igreja Sá IC, Tripská K, Vitverová B, Najmanová I, Eissazadeh S, Micuda S, Nachtigal P. Membrane and soluble endoglin role in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders related to metabolic syndrome. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:2405-2418. [PMID: 33185696 PMCID: PMC11072708 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03701-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Membrane endoglin (Eng, CD105) is a transmembrane glycoprotein essential for the proper function of vascular endothelium. It might be cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases to form soluble endoglin (sEng), which is released into the circulation. Metabolic syndrome comprises conditions/symptoms that usually coincide (endothelial dysfunction, arterial hypertension, hyperglycemia, obesity-related insulin resistance, and hypercholesterolemia), and are considered risk factors for cardiometabolic disorders such as atherosclerosis, type II diabetes mellitus, and liver disorders. The purpose of this review is to highlight current knowledge about the role of Eng and sEng in the disorders mentioned above, in vivo and in vitro extent, where we can find a wide range of contradictory results. We propose that reduced Eng expression is a hallmark of endothelial dysfunction development in chronic pathologies related to metabolic syndrome. Eng expression is also essential for leukocyte transmigration and acute inflammation, suggesting that Eng is crucial for the regulation of endothelial function during the acute phase of vascular defense reaction to harmful conditions. sEng was shown to be a circulating biomarker of preeclampsia, and we propose that it might be a biomarker of metabolic syndrome-related symptoms and pathologies, including hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as well, despite the fact that some contradictory findings have been reported. Besides, sEng can participate in the development of endothelial dysfunction and promote the development of arterial hypertension, suggesting that high levels of sEng promote metabolic syndrome symptoms and complications. Therefore, we suggest that the treatment of metabolic syndrome should take into account the importance of Eng in the endothelial function and levels of sEng as a biomarker and risk factor of related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Vicen
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Ivone Cristina Igreja Sá
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Katarína Tripská
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vitverová
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Iveta Najmanová
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Samira Eissazadeh
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Stanislav Micuda
- Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Department of Pharmacology, Charles University, Simkova 870, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Nachtigal
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic.
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13
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Liu Y, Wu X, Wang Y, Guo Y. Endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy are involved in adipocyte-induced fibrosis in hepatic stellate cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2021; 476:2527-2538. [PMID: 33638026 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-020-03990-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, with the characterization of progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), is the common pathologic feature in the process of chronic liver disease. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) which are activated and differentiate into proliferative and contractile myofibroblasts are recognized as the main drivers of fibrosis. Obesity-related adipocytokine dysregulation is known to accelerate liver fibrosis progression, but the direct fibrogenic effect of mature adipocytes on HSCs has been rarely reported. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the fibrogenic effect of adipocyte 3T3-L1 cells on hepatic stellate LX-2 cells. The results showed that incubating LX-2 cells with the supernatant of 3T3-L1 adipocytes triggered the expression of ECM related proteins, such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), type I collagen (CO-I), and activated TGF β/Smad2/3 signaling pathway in LX-2 cells. In addition, 3T3-L1 cells inhibited insulin sensitivity, activated endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy to promote the development of fibrosis. These results supported the notion that mature adipocytes can directly activate hepatic stellate cells, and the establishment of an in vitro model of adipocytes on HSCs provides an insight into screening of drugs for liver diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjuan Liu
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.,Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xiaolin Wu
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yunliang Guo
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China. .,Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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14
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Igreja Sá IC, Tripska K, Hroch M, Hyspler R, Ticha A, Lastuvkova H, Schreiberova J, Dolezelova E, Eissazadeh S, Vitverova B, Najmanova I, Vasinova M, Pericacho M, Micuda S, Nachtigal P. Soluble Endoglin as a Potential Biomarker of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Development, Participating in Aggravation of NASH-Related Changes in Mouse Liver. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9021. [PMID: 33261044 PMCID: PMC7731045 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by hepatic steatosis with inflammation and fibrosis. Membrane endoglin (Eng) expression is shown to participate in fibrosis, and plasma concentrations of soluble endoglin (sEng) are increased in patients with hypercholesterolemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We hypothesize that NASH increases both hepatic Eng expression and sEng in blood and that high levels of sEng modulate cholesterol and bile acid (BA) metabolism and affect NASH progression. Three-month-old transgenic male mice overexpressing human sEng and their wild type littermates are fed for six months with either a high-saturated fat, high-fructose high-cholesterol (FFC) diet or a chow diet. Evaluation of NASH, Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis of BA, hepatic expression of Eng, inflammation, fibrosis markers, enzymes and transporters involved in hepatic cholesterol and BA metabolism are assessed using Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The FFC diet significantly increases mouse sEng levels and increases hepatic expression of Eng. High levels of human sEng results in increased hepatic deposition of cholesterol due to reduced conversion into BA, as well as redirects the metabolism of triglycerides (TAG) to its accumulation in the liver, via reduced TAG elimination by β-oxidation combined with reduced hepatic efflux. We propose that sEng might be a biomarker of NASH development, and the presence of high levels of sEng might support NASH aggravation by impairing the essential defensive mechanism protecting NASH liver against excessive TAG and cholesterol accumulation, suggesting the importance of high sEng levels in patients prone to develop NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivone Cristina Igreja Sá
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Katarina Tripska
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Milos Hroch
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic;
| | - Radomir Hyspler
- Centrum for Research and Development University Hospital, Hradec Kralove, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (R.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Alena Ticha
- Centrum for Research and Development University Hospital, Hradec Kralove, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (R.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Hana Lastuvkova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (H.L.); (J.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Jolana Schreiberova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (H.L.); (J.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Eva Dolezelova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (H.L.); (J.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Samira Eissazadeh
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Barbora Vitverova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Iveta Najmanova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Martina Vasinova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Miguel Pericacho
- Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca and Renal and Cardiovascular Physiopathology Unit, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Salamanca, 370 06 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Stanislav Micuda
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (H.L.); (J.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Petr Nachtigal
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
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15
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Schoonderwoerd MJA, Goumans MJTH, Hawinkels LJAC. Endoglin: Beyond the Endothelium. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10020289. [PMID: 32059544 PMCID: PMC7072477 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Keywords: endoglin; CD105 TGF-β; BMP9; ALK-1; TRC105; tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J. A. Schoonderwoerd
- Department of Gastrenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Lukas J. A. C. Hawinkels
- Department of Gastrenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-71-526-6736
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16
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Application Value of Magnetic Resonance Perfusion Imaging in the Early Diagnosis of Rat Hepatic Fibrosis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:5095934. [PMID: 31950040 PMCID: PMC6949670 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5095934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective To assess the application value of perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) in early diagnosis, quantitation, and hepatic fibrosis staging by analyzing the related parameters in hepatic fibrosis. Methods A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into the hepatic fibrosis and control groups, and carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) was used to establish the liver fibrosis model. All rats underwent PWI examination, and the trend of the time-signal intensity curve (TIC, automatically generated by the software) was observed. Also, the perfusion parameters, maximum signal reduction ratio (SRRmax), time to peak (TTP), and mean transit time (MTT), were analyzed and compared with pathological staging. Results The TIC curve was characterized by slow wash-in and wash-out with a low and wide peak. The PWI perfusion parameters were statistically significant in specific groups (P < 0.05): SRRmax values (control group and F3, F4), TTP, and MTT values (control group and F2–F4, F1 and F3, F1 and F4, and F2 and F4 in addition to TTP values for F1 and F2). Pearson's correlation analysis showed a negative correlation of SRRmax with hepatic fibrosis stage (r = −0.439, P < 0.05), while TTP and MTT values were positively correlated with hepatic fibrosis stage (TTP, r = 0.798; MTT, r = 0.647; all P < 0.001). Conclusions PWI perfusion parameters reflect the degree of hepatic fibrosis, especially TTP and MTT, and PWI is recommended for the early diagnosis of liver fibrosis for timely intervention and treatment of the disease and delaying its progression.
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17
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About F, Bibert S, Jouanguy E, Nalpas B, Lorenzo L, Rattina V, Zarhrate M, Hanein S, Munteanu M, Müllhaupt B, Semela D, Semmo N, Casanova JL, Theodorou I, Sultanik P, Poynard T, Pol S, Bochud PY, Cobat A, Abel L. Identification of an Endoglin Variant Associated With HCV-Related Liver Fibrosis Progression by Next-Generation Sequencing. Front Genet 2019; 10:1024. [PMID: 31749832 PMCID: PMC6844190 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the astonishing progress in treating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with direct-acting antiviral agents, liver fibrosis remains a major health concern in HCV infected patients, in particular due to the treatment cost and insufficient HCV screening in many countries. Only a fraction of patients with chronic HCV infection develop liver fibrosis. While there is evidence that host genetic factors are involved in the development of liver fibrosis, the common variants identified so far, in particular by genome-wide association studies, were found to have limited effects. Here, we conducted an exome association study in 88 highly selected HCV-infected patients with and without fibrosis. A strategy focusing on TGF-β pathway genes revealed an enrichment in rare variants of the endoglin gene (ENG) in fibrosis patients. Replication studies in additional cohorts (617 patients) identified one specific ENG variant, Thr5Met, with an overall odds ratio for fibrosis development in carriers of 3.04 (1.39-6.69). Our results suggest that endoglin, a key player in TGF-β signaling, is involved in HCV-related liver fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédégonde About
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Bibert
- Infectious Diseases Service, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Emmanuelle Jouanguy
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Bertrand Nalpas
- Inserm Scientific Information and Communication Department, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Lazaro Lorenzo
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Vimel Rattina
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Mohammed Zarhrate
- Genomics Core Facility, Imagine Institute, Research Federative Structure Necker, Inserm U1163 and Inserm US24/CNRS UMS3633, Paris Descartes Sorbonne Paris Cite University, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Hanein
- Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France.,Translational Genetics Platform, Inserm U1163, Imagine Institute, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | | | - Beat Müllhaupt
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Service, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David Semela
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kantonsspital Sankt Gallen, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Nasser Semmo
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Department of Hepatology, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Laurent Casanova
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France.,St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, United States.,Pediatric Hematology-Immunology Unit, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Ioannis Theodorou
- Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Inserm UMR S 1135, Pierre et Marie Curie University, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Sultanik
- Université Paris Centre; U1223, Institut Pasteur; Liver Department, Hôpital Cochin, APHP; Paris, France
| | - Thierry Poynard
- Hepatology Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Pitié-Salpétrière Hospital, Paris, France.,Saint-Antoine Research Center & Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Inserm, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Stanislas Pol
- Université Paris Centre; U1223, Institut Pasteur; Liver Department, Hôpital Cochin, APHP; Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Bochud
- Infectious Diseases Service, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Cobat
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Abel
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France.,St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
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18
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Meurer S, Wimmer AE, Leur EVD, Weiskirchen R. Endoglin Trafficking/Exosomal Targeting in Liver Cells Depends on N-Glycosylation. Cells 2019; 8:cells8090997. [PMID: 31466384 PMCID: PMC6769735 DOI: 10.3390/cells8090997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Injury of the liver involves a wound healing partial reaction governed by hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts. Individual members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily including TGF-β itself and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) exert diverse and partially opposing effects on pro-fibrogenic responses. Signaling by these ligands is mediated through binding to membrane integral receptors type I/type II. Binding and the outcome of signaling is critically modulated by Endoglin (Eng), a type III co-receptor. In order to learn more about trafficking of Eng in liver cells, we investigated the membranal subdomain localization of full-length (FL)-Eng. We could show that FL-Eng is enriched in Caveolin-1-containing sucrose gradient fractions. Since lipid rafts contribute to the pool of exosomes, we could consequently demonstrate for the first time that exosomes isolated from cultured primary hepatic stellate cells and its derivatives contain Eng. Moreover, via adenoviral overexpression, we demonstrate that all liver cells have the capacity to direct Eng to exosomes, irrespectively whether they express endogenous Eng or not. Finally, we demonstrate that block of N-glycosylation does not interfere with dimerization of the receptor, but abrogates the secretion of soluble Eng (sol-Eng) and prevents exosomal targeting of FL-Eng.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Meurer
- RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Almut Elisabeth Wimmer
- RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Eddy van de Leur
- RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
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19
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Dattaroy D, Seth RK, Sarkar S, Kimono D, Albadrani M, Chandrashekaran V, Al Hasson F, Singh UP, Fan D, Nagarkatti M, Nagarkatti P, Diehl AM, Chatterjee S. Sparstolonin B (SsnB) attenuates liver fibrosis via a parallel conjugate pathway involving P53-P21 axis, TGF-beta signaling and focal adhesion that is TLR4 dependent. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 841:33-48. [PMID: 30194936 PMCID: PMC7193950 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
SsnB previously showed a promising role to lessen liver inflammation observed in a mouse model of NAFLD. Since NAFLD can progress to fibrosis, studies were designed to unravel its role in attenuating NAFLD associated fibrosis. Using both in vivo and in vitro approaches, the study probed the possible mechanisms that underlined the role of SsnB in mitigating fibrosis. Mechanistically, SsnB, a TLR4 antagonist, decreased TLR4-PI3k akt signaling by upregulating PTEN protein expression. It also decreased MDM2 protein activation and increased p53 and p21 gene and protein expression. SsnB also downregulated pro-fibrogenic hedgehog signaling pathway, inhibited hepatic stellate cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in hepatic stellate cells, a mechanism that was LPS dependent. Further, SsnB decreased fibrosis by antagonizing TLR4 induced TGFβ signaling pathway. Alternatively, SsnB augmented BAMBI (a TGFβ pseudo-receptor) expression in mice liver by inhibiting TLR4 signaling pathway and thus reduced TGFβ signaling, resulting in decreased hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition. In vitro experiments on human hepatic stellate cell line showed that SsnB increased gene and protein expression of BAMBI. It also decreased nuclear co-localization of phospho SMAD2/3 and SMAD4 protein and thus attenuated TGFβ signaling in vitro. We also observed a significant decrease in phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 protein, decreased STAT3 activation, alteration of focal adhesion protein and stress fiber disassembly upon SsnB administration in hepatic stellate cells which further confirmed the antagonistic effect of SsnB on TLR4-induced fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diptadip Dattaroy
- Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Ratanesh Kumar Seth
- Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Sutapa Sarkar
- Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Diana Kimono
- Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Muayad Albadrani
- Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Varun Chandrashekaran
- Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Firas Al Hasson
- Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Udai P. Singh
- Department of Pathology Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Daping Fan
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, USC, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Prakash Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Anna Mae Diehl
- Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University, Durham 27707, United States
| | - Saurabh Chatterjee
- Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States.
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20
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Kasprzak A, Adamek A. Role of Endoglin (CD105) in the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Anti-Angiogenic Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E3887. [PMID: 30563158 PMCID: PMC6321450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is perfused by both arterial and venous blood, with a resulting abnormal microenvironment selecting for more-aggressive malignancies. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary liver cancer, the sixth most common cancer globally, and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. HCC is characterized by its hypervascularization. Improving the efficiency of anti-angiogenic treatment and mitigation of anti-angiogenic drug resistance are the top priorities in the development of non-surgical HCC therapies. Endoglin (CD105), a transmembrane glycoprotein, is one of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) co-receptors. Involvement of that protein in angiogenesis of solid tumours is well documented. Endoglin is a marker of activated endothelial cells (ECs), and is preferentially expressed in the angiogenic endothelium of solid tumours, including HCC. HCC is associated with changes in CD105-positive ECs within and around the tumour. The large spectrum of endoglin effects in the liver is cell-type- and HCC- stage-specific. High expression of endoglin in non-tumour tissue suggests that this microenvironment might play an especially important role in the progression of HCC. Evaluation of tissue expression, as well as serum concentrations of this glycoprotein in HCC, tends to confirm its role as an important biomarker in HCC diagnosis and prognosis. The role of endoglin in liver fibrosis and HCC progression also makes it an attractive therapeutic target. Despite these facts, the exact molecular mechanisms of endoglin functioning in hepatocarcinogenesis are still poorly understood. This review summarizes the current data concerning the role and signalling pathways of endoglin in hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression, and provides an overview of the strategies available for a specific targeting of CD105 in anti-angiogenic therapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldona Kasprzak
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań 60-781, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Adamek
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań 61-285, Poland.
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