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Pallozzi M, De Gaetano V, Di Tommaso N, Cerrito L, Santopaolo F, Stella L, Gasbarrini A, Ponziani FR. Role of Gut Microbial Metabolites in the Pathogenesis of Primary Liver Cancers. Nutrients 2024; 16:2372. [PMID: 39064815 PMCID: PMC11280141 DOI: 10.3390/nu16142372] [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: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatobiliary malignancies, which include hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), are the sixth most common cancers and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Hepatic carcinogenesis is highly stimulated by chronic inflammation, defined as fibrosis deposition, and an aberrant imbalance between liver necrosis and nodular regeneration. In this context, the gut-liver axis and gut microbiota have demonstrated a critical role in the pathogenesis of HCC, as dysbiosis and altered intestinal permeability promote bacterial translocation, leading to chronic liver inflammation and tumorigenesis through several pathways. A few data exist on the role of the gut microbiota or bacteria resident in the biliary tract in the pathogenesis of CCA, and some microbial metabolites, such as choline and bile acids, seem to show an association. In this review, we analyze the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on HCC and CCA development and the role of gut dysbiosis as a biomarker of hepatobiliary cancer risk and of response during anti-tumor therapy. We also discuss the future application of gut microbiota in hepatobiliary cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pallozzi
- Liver Unit, Centro Malattie dell’Apparato Digerente (CEMAD), Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (V.D.G.); (N.D.T.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Valeria De Gaetano
- Liver Unit, Centro Malattie dell’Apparato Digerente (CEMAD), Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (V.D.G.); (N.D.T.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Natalia Di Tommaso
- Liver Unit, Centro Malattie dell’Apparato Digerente (CEMAD), Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (V.D.G.); (N.D.T.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Lucia Cerrito
- Liver Unit, Centro Malattie dell’Apparato Digerente (CEMAD), Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (V.D.G.); (N.D.T.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Francesco Santopaolo
- Liver Unit, Centro Malattie dell’Apparato Digerente (CEMAD), Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (V.D.G.); (N.D.T.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Leonardo Stella
- Liver Unit, Centro Malattie dell’Apparato Digerente (CEMAD), Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (V.D.G.); (N.D.T.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Liver Unit, Centro Malattie dell’Apparato Digerente (CEMAD), Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (V.D.G.); (N.D.T.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Ponziani
- Liver Unit, Centro Malattie dell’Apparato Digerente (CEMAD), Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (V.D.G.); (N.D.T.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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2
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Kotulkar M, Paine-Cabrera D, Apte U. Role of Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha in Liver Cancer. Semin Liver Dis 2024. [PMID: 38901435 DOI: 10.1055/a-2349-7236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent primary liver cancer and the incidence of HCC is on the rise. Liver cancers in general and HCC in particular do not respond to chemotherapy. Radiological ablation, surgical resection, and liver transplantation are the only medical therapies currently available. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 α (HNF4α) is an orphan nuclear receptor expressed only in hepatocytes in the liver. HNF4α is considered the master regulator of hepatic differentiation because it regulates a significant number of genes involved in various liver-specific functions. In addition to maintaining hepatic differentiation, HNF4α also acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting hepatocyte proliferation by suppressing the expression of promitogenic genes and inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition in hepatocytes. Loss of HNF4α expression and function is associated with rapid progression of chronic liver diseases that ultimately lead to liver cirrhosis and HCC, including metabolism-associated steatohepatitis, alcohol-associated liver disease, and hepatitis virus infection. This review summarizes the role of HNF4α in liver cancer pathogenesis and highlights its potential as a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Diego Paine-Cabrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
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Golonka RM, Yeoh BS, Saha P, Tian Y, Chiang JYL, Patterson AD, Gewirtz AT, Joe B, Vijay-Kumar M. Sex Dimorphic Effects of Bile Acid Metabolism in Liver Cancer in Mice. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 17:719-735. [PMID: 38262588 PMCID: PMC10966305 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a male-dominant disease, but targeted sex hormone therapies have not been successful. Bile acids are a potential liver carcinogen and are biomolecules with hormone-like effects. A few studies highlight their potential sex dimorphism in physiology and disease. We hypothesized that bile acids could be a potential molecular signature that explains sex disparity in HCC. METHODS & RESULTS We used the farnesoid X receptor knockout (FxrKO) mouse model to study bile acid-dependent HCC. Temporal tracking of circulating bile acids determined more than 80% of FxrKO females developed spontaneous cholemia (ie, serum total bile acids ≥40 μmol/L) as early as 8 weeks old. Opposingly, FxrKO males were highly resistant to cholemia, with ∼23% incidence even when 26 weeks old. However, FxrKO males demonstrated higher levels of deoxycholate than females. Compared with males, FxrKO females had more severe cholestatic liver injury and further aberrancies in bile acid metabolism. Yet, FxrKO females expressed more detoxification transcripts and had greater renal excretion of bile acids. Intervention with CYP7A1 (rate limiting enzyme for bile acid biosynthesis) deficiency or taurine supplementation either completely or partially normalized bile acid levels and liver injury in FxrKO females. Despite higher cholemia prevalence in FxrKO females, their tumor burden was less compared with FxrKO males. An exception to this sex-dimorphic pattern was found in a subset of male and female FxrKO mice born with congenital cholemia due to portosystemic shunt, where both sexes had comparable robust HCC. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights bile acids as sex-dimorphic metabolites in HCC except in the case of portosystemic shunt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Golonka
- UT Microbiome Consortium, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio
| | - Beng San Yeoh
- UT Microbiome Consortium, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio
| | - Piu Saha
- UT Microbiome Consortium, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - John Y L Chiang
- Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio
| | - Andrew D Patterson
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrew T Gewirtz
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bina Joe
- UT Microbiome Consortium, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio
| | - Matam Vijay-Kumar
- UT Microbiome Consortium, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio.
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Nenkov M, Shi Y, Ma Y, Gaßler N, Chen Y. Targeting Farnesoid X Receptor in Tumor and the Tumor Microenvironment: Implication for Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:6. [PMID: 38203175 PMCID: PMC10778939 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010006] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The farnesoid-X receptor (FXR), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, can be activated by bile acids (BAs). BAs binding to FXR activates BA signaling which is important for maintaining BA homeostasis. FXR is differentially expressed in human organs and exists in immune cells. The dysregulation of FXR is associated with a wide range of diseases including metabolic disorders, inflammatory diseases, immune disorders, and malignant neoplasm. Recent studies have demonstrated that FXR influences tumor cell progression and development through regulating oncogenic and tumor-suppressive pathways, and, moreover, it affects the tumor microenvironment (TME) by modulating TME components. These characteristics provide a new perspective on the FXR-targeted therapeutic strategy in cancer. In this review, we have summarized the recent research data on the functions of FXR in solid tumors and its influence on the TME, and discussed the mechanisms underlying the distinct function of FXR in various types of tumors. Additionally, the impacts on the TME by other BA receptors such as takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2), and muscarinic receptors (CHRM2 and CHRM3), have been depicted. Finally, the effects of FXR agonists/antagonists in a combination therapy with PD1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors and other anti-cancer drugs have been addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miljana Nenkov
- Section Pathology of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; (M.N.); (Y.M.); (N.G.)
| | - Yihui Shi
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, Sutter Bay Hospitals, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA;
| | - Yunxia Ma
- Section Pathology of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; (M.N.); (Y.M.); (N.G.)
| | - Nikolaus Gaßler
- Section Pathology of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; (M.N.); (Y.M.); (N.G.)
| | - Yuan Chen
- Section Pathology of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; (M.N.); (Y.M.); (N.G.)
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5
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Gilbert MC, Setayesh T, Wan YJY. The contributions of bacteria metabolites to the development of hepatic encephalopathy. LIVER RESEARCH 2023; 7:296-303. [PMID: 38221945 PMCID: PMC10786625 DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Over 20% of mortality during acute liver failure is associated with the development of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Thus, HE is a complication of acute liver failure with a broad spectrum of neuropsychiatric abnormalities ranging from subclinical alterations to coma. HE is caused by the diversion of portal blood into systemic circulation through portosystemic collateral vessels. Thus, the brain is exposed to intestinal-derived toxic substances. Moreover, the strategies to prevent advancement and improve the prognosis of such a liver-brain disease rely on intestinal microbial modulation. This is supported by the findings that antibiotics such as rifaximin and laxative lactulose can alleviate hepatic cirrhosis and/or prevent HE. Together, the significance of the gut-liver-brain axis in human health warrants attention. This review paper focuses on the roles of bacteria metabolites, mainly ammonia and bile acids (BAs) as well as BA receptors in HE. The literature search conducted for this review included searches for phrases such as BA receptors, BAs, ammonia, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1 or TGR5), sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2), and cirrhosis in conjunction with the phrase hepatic encephalopathy and portosystemic encephalopathy. PubMed, as well as Google Scholar, was the search engines used to find relevant publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Claire Gilbert
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Tahereh Setayesh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Yu-Jui Yvonne Wan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
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6
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Liu HM, Chang ZY, Yang CW, Chang HH, Lee TY. Farnesoid X Receptor Agonist GW4064 Protects Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function and Colorectal Tumorigenesis Signaling through the αKlotho/βKlotho/FGFs Pathways in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16932. [PMID: 38069256 PMCID: PMC10706872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The farnesoid X receptor (FXR)/βKlotho/fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) pathway is crucial for maintaining the intestinal barrier and preventing colorectal cancer (CRC). We used an FXR agonist, GW4064, and FXR-knockout (FXR-KO) mice to investigate the role of FXR/Klothos/FGFs pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and colon carcinogenesis. The results showed that upregulation of FXR in enterocytes effectively ameliorated intestinal tight-junction markers (claudin1 and zonula occludens-1), inflammation, and bile acid levels, thereby protecting mice from intestinal barrier dysfunction and colon carcinogenesis. GW4064 treatment increased FXR, αKlotho, βKlotho, FGF19, FGF21, and FGF23 in wild-type mice exposed to LPS, while FXR-KO mice had decreased levels. FXR-KO mice exhibited elevated colon cancer markers (β-catenin, LGR5, CD44, CD34, and cyclin D1) under LPS, underscoring the pivotal role of FXR in inhibiting the development of colon tumorigenesis. The varying gut microbiota responses in FXR-KO mice versus wild-type mice post LPS exposure emphasize the pivotal role of FXR in preserving intestinal microbial health, involving Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides acidifaciens, and Helicobacter hepaticus. Our study validates the effectiveness of GW4064 in alleviating LPS-induced disruptions to the intestinal barrier and colon carcinogenesis, emphasizing the importance of the FXR/αKlotho/βKlotho/FGFs pathway and the interplay between bile acids and gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan-Miao Liu
- Graduate Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan;
| | - Zi-Yu Chang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 20401, Taiwan;
| | - Ching-Wei Yang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan;
- Division of Internal and Pediatric Chinese Medicine, Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou 333423, Taiwan
| | - Hen-Hong Chang
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Tzung-Yan Lee
- Graduate Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan;
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 20401, Taiwan;
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7
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Meadows V, Yang Z, Basaly V, Guo GL. FXR Friend-ChIPs in the Enterohepatic System. Semin Liver Dis 2023; 43:267-278. [PMID: 37442156 PMCID: PMC10620036 DOI: 10.1055/a-2128-5538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases encompass a wide spectrum of hepatic maladies that often result in cholestasis or altered bile acid secretion and regulation. Incidence and cost of care for many chronic liver diseases are rising in the United States with few Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs available for patient treatment. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is the master regulator of bile acid homeostasis with an important role in lipid and glucose metabolism and inflammation. FXR has served as an attractive target for management of cholestasis and fibrosis; however, global FXR agonism results in adverse effects in liver disease patients, severely affecting quality of life. In this review, we highlight seminal studies and recent updates on the FXR proteome and identify gaps in knowledge that are essential for tissue-specific FXR modulation. In conclusion, one of the greatest unmet needs in the field is understanding the underlying mechanism of intestinal versus hepatic FXR function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vik Meadows
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
- Environmental and Occupational Health Science Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Zhenning Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
- Environmental and Occupational Health Science Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Veronia Basaly
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
- Environmental and Occupational Health Science Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Grace L. Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
- Environmental and Occupational Health Science Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
- Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, New Jersey
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8
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Collins SL, Stine JG, Bisanz JE, Okafor CD, Patterson AD. Bile acids and the gut microbiota: metabolic interactions and impacts on disease. Nat Rev Microbiol 2023; 21:236-247. [PMID: 36253479 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-022-00805-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 210.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of bile acid research, diverse biological roles for bile acids have been discovered recently due to developments in understanding the human microbiota. As additional bacterial enzymes are characterized, and the tools used for identifying new bile acids become increasingly more sensitive, the repertoire of bile acids metabolized and/or synthesized by bacteria continues to grow. Additionally, bile acids impact microbiome community structure and function. In this Review, we highlight how the bile acid pool is manipulated by the gut microbiota, how it is dependent on the metabolic capacity of the bacterial community and how external factors, such as antibiotics and diet, shape bile acid composition. It is increasingly important to understand how bile acid signalling networks are affected in distinct organs where the bile acid composition differs, and how these networks impact infectious, metabolic and neoplastic diseases. These advances have enabled the development of therapeutics that target imbalances in microbiota-associated bile acid profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Collins
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Jonathan G Stine
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
- Penn State Health Liver Center, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Jordan E Bisanz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - C Denise Okafor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Andrew D Patterson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
- Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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9
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Repurposing FDA-approved drugs as FXR agonists: a structure based in silico pharmacological study. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:231090. [PMID: 35348180 PMCID: PMC9977715 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20212791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) modulates the expression of genes involved in lipid and carbohydrate homeostasis and inflammatory processes. This nuclear receptor is likely a tumor suppressor in several cancers, but its molecular mechanism of suppression is still under study. Several studies reported that FXR agonism increases the survival of colorectal, biliary tract, and liver cancer patients. In addition, FXR expression was shown to be down-regulated in many diseases such as obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, glomerular inflammation, diabetes, proteinuria, and ulcerative colitis. Therefore, development of novel FXR agonists may have significant potential in the prevention and treatment of these diseases. In this scenario, computer-aided drug design procedures can be resourcefully applied for the rapid identification of promising drug candidates. In the present study, we applied the molecular docking method in conjunction with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to find out potential agonists for FXR based on structural similarity with the drug that is currently used as FXR agonist, obeticholic acid. Our results showed that alvimopan and montelukast could be used as potent FXR activators and outperform the binding affinity of obeticholic acid by forming stable conformation with the protein in silico. However, further investigational studies and validations of the selected drugs are essential to figure out their suitability for preclinical and clinical trials.
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10
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Wu X, Ni Z, Song T, Lv W, Chen Y, Huang D, Xie Y, Huang W, Niu Y. C-Terminal Truncated HBx Facilitates Oncogenesis by Modulating Cell Cycle and Glucose Metabolism in FXR-Deficient Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065174. [PMID: 36982249 PMCID: PMC10048952 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear receptor known to play protective roles in anti-hepatocarcinogenesis and regulation of the basal metabolism of glucose, lipids, and bile acids. FXR expression is low or absent in HBV-associated hepatocarcinogenesis. Full-length HBx and HBx C-terminal truncation are frequently found in clinical HCC samples and play distinct roles in hepatocarcinogenesis by interacting with FXR or FXR signaling. However, the impact of C-terminal truncated HBx on the progression of hepatocarcinogenesis in the absence of FXR is unclear. In this study, we found that one known FXR binding protein, a C-terminal truncated X protein (HBx C40) enhanced obviously and promoted tumor cell proliferation and migration by altering cell cycle distribution and inducing apoptosis in the absence of FXR. HBx C40 enhanced the growth of FXR-deficient tumors in vivo. In addition, RNA-sequencing analysis showed that HBx C40 overexpression could affect energy metabolism. Overexpressed HSPB8 aggravated the metabolic reprogramming induced by down-regulating glucose metabolism-associated hexokinase 2 genes in HBx C40-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Overall, our study suggests that C-terminal truncated HBx C40 synergizes with FXR deficiency by altering cell cycle distribution as well as disturbing glucose metabolism to promote HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejun Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Zhengzhong Ni
- School of Public Health, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Tiantian Song
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Wenya Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Danmei Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Yangmin Xie
- Department of Experimental Animal Center, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Weiyi Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Yongdong Niu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +86-0754-88900432
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Epidemiologic, Genetic, Pathogenic, Metabolic, Epigenetic Aspects Involved in NASH-HCC: Current Therapeutic Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010023. [PMID: PMID: 36612019 PMCID: PMC9818030 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and is the sixth most frequent cancer in the world, being the third cause of cancer-related deaths. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by fatty infiltration, oxidative stress and necroinflammation of the liver, with or without fibrosis, which can progress to advanced liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and HCC. Obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and diabetes exacerbates the course of NASH, which elevate the risk of HCC. The growing prevalence of obesity are related with increasing incidence of NASH, which may play a growing role in HCC epidemiology worldwide. In addition, HCC initiation and progression is driven by reprogramming of metabolism, which indicates growing appreciation of metabolism in the pathogenesis of this disease. Although no specific preventive pharmacological treatments have recommended for NASH, dietary restriction and exercise are recommended. This review focuses on the molecular connections between HCC and NASH, including genetic and risk factors, highlighting the metabolic reprogramming and aberrant epigenetic alterations in the development of HCC in NASH. Current therapeutic aspects of NASH/HCC are also reviewed.
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12
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NOX as a Therapeutic Target in Liver Disease. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11102038. [PMID: 36290761 PMCID: PMC9598239 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11102038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen oxidase (NADPH oxidase or NOX) plays a critical role in the inflammatory response and fibrosis in several organs such as the lungs, pancreas, kidney, liver, and heart. In the liver, NOXs contribute, through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), to hepatic fibrosis by acting through multiple pathways, including hepatic stellate cell activation, proliferation, survival, and migration of hepatic stellate cells; hepatocyte apoptosis, enhancement of fibrogenic mediators, and mediation of an inflammatory cascade in both Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells. ROS are overwhelmingly produced during malignant transformation and hepatic carcinogenesis (HCC), creating an oxidative microenvironment that can cause different and various types of cellular stress, including DNA damage, ER stress, cell death of damaged hepatocytes, and oxidative stress. NOX1, NOX2, and NOX4, members of the NADPH oxidase family, have been linked to the production of ROS in the liver. This review will analyze some diseases related to an increase in oxidative stress and its relationship with the NOX family, as well as discuss some therapies proposed to slow down or control the disease's progression.
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13
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Feng S, Xie X, Chen C, Zuo S, Zhao X, Li H. Alpha-linolenic acid inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth through Farnesoid X receptor/β-catenin signaling pathway. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2022; 19:57. [PMID: 35999582 PMCID: PMC9396762 DOI: 10.1186/s12986-022-00693-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Altered lipid profiles are frequently present in cancer, and it is necessary to elucidate the role of changed lipid profiles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We conducted this study to investigate the changed lipid profile in HCC tissues and discover some remarkably changed lipid components, and to explore the function of changed lipid components in HCC development. Methods Gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS analysis) was employed to measure the abundance of fatty acids between HCC tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues. The proliferative ability of HCC cells was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 and EdU assays. Transwell and wound healing assays were employed to determine the migratory ability of HCC cells. Protein expression was assessed by western blot assay. Results GC/MS analysis revealed that alpha-linolenic acid was present at lower levels in HCC tissues than that in the adjacent noncancerous tissues. Alpha-linolenic acid inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells in vitro. Western blotting showed that alpha-linolenic acid treatment increased Farnesoid X receptor expression and decreased β-catenin and cyclinD1 expression. Conclusions Alpha-linolenic acid suppresses HCC progression through the FXR/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Rational use of alpha-linolenic acid may prevent the occurrence of liver cancer in the future. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12986-022-00693-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Feng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 28 Guiyi Road, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingming Xie
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 28 Guiyi Road, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaochun Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 28 Guiyi Road, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi Zuo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 28 Guiyi Road, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueke Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 28 Guiyi Road, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Haiyang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 28 Guiyi Road, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Liu Y, Liu T, Zhao X, Gao Y. New insights into the bile acid-based regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives in alcohol-related liver disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:486. [PMID: 35978227 PMCID: PMC11073206 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04509-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cholestasis is a key causative factor in alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and variable degrees of cholestasis occur in all stages of ALD. However, the pathogenetic mechanisms and biomarkers associated with cholestasis are not well characterized. Cholestatic disease is marked by the disruption of bile acids (BA) transport and homeostasis. Consequently, in both human and experimental ALD, the disease shows a direct correlation with an imbalance in BA equilibrium, which in turn may also affect the severity of the disease. Modulation of BA metabolism or signaling pathways is increasingly considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for ALD in humans. In this paper, we highlight the key advances made in the past two decades in characterizing the molecular regulatory mechanisms of BA synthesis, enterohepatic circulation, and BA homeostasis. We summarize recent insights into the nature of the linkage between BA dysregulation and ALD, including the abnormal expression of genes involved in BA metabolism, abnormal changes in receptors that regulate BA metabolism, and disturbance in the gut flora engaged in BA metabolism caused by alcohol consumption. Additionally, we provide novel perspectives on the changes in BAs in various stages of ALD. Finally, we propose potential pharmacological therapies for ALD targeting BA metabolism and signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Liu
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Xu Zhao
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Yanhang Gao
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
- Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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15
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Vitale G, Mattiaccio A, Conti A, Turco L, Seri M, Piscaglia F, Morelli MC. Genetics in Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis: Clinical Patterns and Development of Liver and Biliary Cancers: A Review of the Literature. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143421. [PMID: 35884482 PMCID: PMC9322180 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The family of inherited intrahepatic cholestasis includes autosomal recessive cholestatic rare diseases of childhood involved in bile acids secretion or bile transport defects. Specific genetic pathways potentially cause many otherwise unexplained cholestasis or hepatobiliary tumours in a healthy liver. Lately, next-generation sequencing and whole-exome sequencing have improved the diagnostic procedures of familial intrahepatic cholestasis (FIC), as well as the discovery of several genes responsible for FIC. Moreover, mutations in these genes, even in the heterozygous status, may be responsible for cryptogenic cholestasis in both young and adults. Mutations in FIC genes can influence serum and hepatic levels of bile acids. Experimental studies on the NR1H4 gene have shown that high bile acids concentrations cause excessive production of inflammatory cytokines, resistance to apoptosis, and increased cell regeneration, all risk conditions for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). NR1H4 gene encodes farnesoid X-activated receptor having a pivotal role in bile salts synthesis. Moreover, HCC and CCA can emerge in patients with several FIC genes such as ABCB11, ABCB4 and TJP2. Herein, we reviewed the available data on FIC-related hepatobiliary cancers, reporting on genetics to the pathophysiology, the risk factors and the clinical presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Vitale
- Internal Medicine Unit for the Treatment of Severe Organ Failure, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.T.); (M.C.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Alessandro Mattiaccio
- U.O. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.M.); (A.C.); (M.S.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum-University di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Amalia Conti
- U.O. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.M.); (A.C.); (M.S.)
| | - Laura Turco
- Internal Medicine Unit for the Treatment of Severe Organ Failure, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.T.); (M.C.M.)
| | - Marco Seri
- U.O. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.M.); (A.C.); (M.S.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum-University di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Piscaglia
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary and Immunoallergic Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Maria Cristina Morelli
- Internal Medicine Unit for the Treatment of Severe Organ Failure, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.T.); (M.C.M.)
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16
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Role of bile acids and their receptors in gastrointestinal and hepatic pathophysiology. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 19:432-450. [PMID: 35165436 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-021-00566-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bile acids (BAs) can regulate their own metabolism and transport as well as other key aspects of metabolic homeostasis via dedicated (nuclear and G protein-coupled) receptors. Disrupted BA transport and homeostasis results in the development of cholestatic disorders and contributes to a wide range of liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular and cholangiocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, impaired BA homeostasis can also affect the intestine, contributing to the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal and oesophageal cancer. Here, we provide a summary of the role of BAs and their disrupted homeostasis in the development of gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders and present novel insights on how targeting BA pathways might contribute to novel treatment strategies for these disorders.
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17
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Guo Y, Peng Q, Hao L, Ji J, Zhang Z, Xue Y, Liu Y, Gao Y, Li C, Shi X. Dihydroartemisinin promoted FXR expression independent of YAP1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22361. [PMID: 35616366 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200171r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Loss of FXR, one of bile acid receptors, enlarged livers. Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), a dominant oncogene, promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the relationship between FXR and YAP1 was unspecified in bile acid homeostasis in HCC. Here, we used TIMER2.0, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Database, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter Database and discovered that FXR was positively correlated with better prognosis in liver cancer patients. Our previous research showed that dihydroartemisinin (DHA) inhibited cell proliferation in HepG2 and HepG22215 cells. However, the relationship of YAP1 and the bile acid receptor FXR remains elusive during DHA treatment. Furthermore, we showed that DHA improved FXR and reduced YAP1 in the liver cancer cells and mice. Additionally, the expression of nucleus protein FXR was enhanced in Yap1LKO mice with liver cancer. DHA promoted the expression level of whole and nuclear protein FXR independent of YAP1 in Yap1LKO mice with liver cancer. DHA declined cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, but not sterol 27-hydroxylase, and depressed cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid of liver tissue in Yap1LKO mice with liver cancer. Generally, our results suggested that DHA improved FXR and declined YAP1 to suppress bile acid metabolism. Thus, we suggested that FXR acted as a potential therapeutic target in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglin Guo
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Qing Peng
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Liyuan Hao
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jingmin Ji
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhiqin Zhang
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yu Xue
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yiwei Liu
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuting Gao
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Caige Li
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xinli Shi
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
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18
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Targeting Nuclear Receptors in Lung Cancer—Novel Therapeutic Prospects. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15050624. [PMID: 35631448 PMCID: PMC9145966 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer, the second most commonly diagnosed cancer, is the major cause of fatalities worldwide for both men and women, with an estimated 2.2 million new incidences and 1.8 million deaths, according to GLOBOCAN 2020. Although various risk factors for lung cancer pathogenesis have been reported, controlling smoking alone has a significant value as a preventive measure. In spite of decades of extensive research, mechanistic cues and targets need to be profoundly explored to develop potential diagnostics, treatments, and reliable therapies for this disease. Nuclear receptors (NRs) function as transcription factors that control diverse biological processes such as cell growth, differentiation, development, and metabolism. The aberrant expression of NRs has been involved in a variety of disorders, including cancer. Deregulation of distinct NRs in lung cancer has been associated with numerous events, including mutations, epigenetic modifications, and different signaling cascades. Substantial efforts have been made to develop several small molecules as agonists or antagonists directed to target specific NRs for inhibiting tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion and inducing apoptosis in lung cancer, which makes NRs promising candidates for reliable lung cancer therapeutics. The current work focuses on the importance of various NRs in the development and progression of lung cancer and highlights the different small molecules (e.g., agonist or antagonist) that influence NR expression, with the goal of establishing them as viable therapeutics to combat lung cancer.
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19
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Luo W, Guo S, Zhou Y, Zhao J, Wang M, Sang L, Chang B, Wang B. Hepatocellular Carcinoma: How the Gut Microbiota Contributes to Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Therapy. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:873160. [PMID: 35572649 PMCID: PMC9092458 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.873160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota is gaining increasing attention, and the concept of the "gut-liver axis" is gradually being recognized. Leaky gut resulting from injury and/or inflammation can cause the translocation of flora to the liver. Microbiota-associated metabolites and components mediate the activation of a series of signalling pathways, thereby playing an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For this reason, targeting the gut microbiota in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of HCC holds great promise. In this review, we summarize the gut microbiota and the mechanisms by which it mediates HCC development, and the characteristic alterations in the gut microbiota during HCC pathogenesis. Furthermore, we propose several strategies to target the gut microbiota for the prevention and treatment of HCC, including antibiotics, probiotics, faecal microbiota transplantation, and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyu Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- The Second Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shiqi Guo
- The Second Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- The Second Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jingwen Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mengyao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lixuan Sang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bing Chang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bingyuan Wang
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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20
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Yu J, Yang K, Zheng J, Zhao P, Xia J, Sun X, Zhao W. Activation of FXR and inhibition of EZH2 synergistically inhibit colorectal cancer through cooperatively accelerating FXR nuclear location and upregulating CDX2 expression. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:388. [PMID: 35449124 PMCID: PMC9023572 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04745-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Our previous study indicated that colon cancer cells varied in sensitivity to pharmacological farnesoid X receptor (FXR) activation. Herein, we explore the regulatory mechanism of FXR in colorectal cancer (CRC) development and aim to design effective strategies of combined treatment based on the regulatory axis. We found that the expression of FXR was negatively correlated with enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in colon cancer tissues. EZH2 transcriptionally suppressed FXR via H3K27me3. The combination of FXR agonist OCA plus EZH2 inhibitor GSK126 acted in a synergistic manner across four colon cancer cells, efficiently inhibiting clonogenic growth and invasion in vitro, retarding tumor growth in vivo, preventing the G0/G1 to S phase transition, and inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis. Benign control cells FHC were growth-arrested without apoptosis induction, but retained long-term proliferation and invasion capacity. Mechanistically, the drug combination dramatically accelerated FXR nuclear location and cooperatively upregulated caudal-related homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) expression. The depletion of CDX2 antagonized the synergistic effects of the drug combination on tumor inhibition. In conclusion, our study demonstrated histone modification-mediated FXR silencing by EZH2 in colorectal tumorigenesis, which offers useful evidence for the clinical use of FXR agonists combined with EZH2 inhibitors in combating CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Yu
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 710061 Xi’an, PR China
| | - Kui Yang
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 710061 Xi’an, PR China
| | - Jianbao Zheng
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 710061 Xi’an, PR China
| | - Pengwei Zhao
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 710061 Xi’an, PR China
| | - Jie Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Department of New Drug Research and Development, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100050, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Xuejun Sun
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, PR China.
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, PR China.
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21
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Režen T, Rozman D, Kovács T, Kovács P, Sipos A, Bai P, Mikó E. The role of bile acids in carcinogenesis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:243. [PMID: 35429253 PMCID: PMC9013344 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04278-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AbstractBile acids are soluble derivatives of cholesterol produced in the liver that subsequently undergo bacterial transformation yielding a diverse array of metabolites. The bulk of bile acid synthesis takes place in the liver yielding primary bile acids; however, other tissues have also the capacity to generate bile acids (e.g. ovaries). Hepatic bile acids are then transported to bile and are subsequently released into the intestines. In the large intestine, a fraction of primary bile acids is converted to secondary bile acids by gut bacteria. The majority of the intestinal bile acids undergo reuptake and return to the liver. A small fraction of secondary and primary bile acids remains in the circulation and exert receptor-mediated and pure chemical effects (e.g. acidic bile in oesophageal cancer) on cancer cells. In this review, we assess how changes to bile acid biosynthesis, bile acid flux and local bile acid concentration modulate the behavior of different cancers. Here, we present in-depth the involvement of bile acids in oesophageal, gastric, hepatocellular, pancreatic, colorectal, breast, prostate, ovarian cancer. Previous studies often used bile acids in supraphysiological concentration, sometimes in concentrations 1000 times higher than the highest reported tissue or serum concentrations likely eliciting unspecific effects, a practice that we advocate against in this review. Furthermore, we show that, although bile acids were classically considered as pro-carcinogenic agents (e.g. oesophageal cancer), the dogma that switch, as lower concentrations of bile acids that correspond to their serum or tissue reference concentration possess anticancer activity in a subset of cancers. Differences in the response of cancers to bile acids lie in the differential expression of bile acid receptors between cancers (e.g. FXR vs. TGR5). UDCA, a bile acid that is sold as a generic medication against cholestasis or biliary surge, and its conjugates were identified with almost purely anticancer features suggesting a possibility for drug repurposing. Taken together, bile acids were considered as tumor inducers or tumor promoter molecules; nevertheless, in certain cancers, like breast cancer, bile acids in their reference concentrations may act as tumor suppressors suggesting a Janus-faced nature of bile acids in carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadeja Režen
- Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damjana Rozman
- Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tünde Kovács
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1., Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
- MTA-DE Lendület Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Patrik Kovács
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1., Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Adrienn Sipos
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1., Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Péter Bai
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1., Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
- MTA-DE Lendület Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
| | - Edit Mikó
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1., Debrecen, 4032, Hungary.
- MTA-DE Lendület Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary.
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22
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Jiang HY, Zheng HM, Xia C, Li X, Wang G, Zhao T, Cui XN, Wang RY, Liu Y. The Research Progress of Bufalin in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2022; 15:291-298. [PMID: 35345394 PMCID: PMC8957335 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s333233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers in the world with a five-year survival rate of less than 20%. Nonetheless, selecting an appropriate therapeutic agent to inhibit the development of hepatoma cells is still a challenge. Bufalin, a component of the traditional Chinese medicine Chansu, has been shown to inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of HCC through various signaling pathways. In addition, bufalin and sorafenib demonstrate a synergistic effect in cancer therapeutics. This review highlighted on several focal signaling pathways involved in the inhibitory effects of bufalin on HCC and its synergistic mechanisms with sorafenib. The immunotherapy effect of bufalin has also been discussed as a novel property.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Yu Jiang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, 116001, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Min Zheng
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, 116001, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Xia
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, 116001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, 116001, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, 116001, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, 116001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Nan Cui
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116011, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruo-Yu Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, 116001, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Biomarker High Throughput Screening and Target Translation of Breast and Gastrointestinal Tumor, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, 116001, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Biomarker High Throughput Screening and Target Translation of Breast and Gastrointestinal Tumor, Dalian, People's Republic of China
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23
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Huang X, Fan M, Huang W. Pleiotropic roles of FXR in liver and colorectal cancers. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 543:111543. [PMID: 34995680 PMCID: PMC8818033 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is generally considered a cell protector of enterohepatic tissues and a suppressor of liver cancer and colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Loss or reduction of FXR expression occurs during carcinogenesis, and the FXR level is inversely associated with the aggressive behaviors of the malignancy. Global deletion of FXR and tissue-specific deletion of FXR display distinct effects on tumorigenesis. Epigenetic silencing and inflammatory context are two main contributors to impaired FXR expression and activity. FXR exerts its antitumorigenic function via the following mechanisms: 1) FXR regulates multiple metabolic processes, notably bile acid homeostasis; 2) FXR antagonizes hepatic and enteric inflammation; 3) FXR impedes aberrant activation of some cancer-related pathways; and 4) FXR downregulates a number of oncogenes while upregulating some tumor suppressor genes. Restoring FXR functions via its agonists provides a therapeutic approach for patients with liver cancer and CRC. However, an in-depth understanding of the species-specific pharmacological effects is a prerequisite for assessing the clinical safety and efficacy of FXR agonists in human cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiongfei Huang
- Department of Pathology and Institute of Oncology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350004, PR China; Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, PR China.
| | - Mingjie Fan
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Wendong Huang
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
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Ji G, Si X, Dong S, Xu Y, Li M, Yang B, Tang Z, Fang X, Huang L, Song W, Chen X. Manipulating Liver Bile Acid Signaling by Nanodelivery of Bile Acid Receptor Modulators for Liver Cancer Immunotherapy. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:6781-6791. [PMID: 34382807 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c01360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Gut bacteria and their metabolites influence the immune microenvironment of liver through the gut-liver axis, thus representing emerging therapeutic targets for liver cancer therapy. However, directly manipulating gut microbiota or their metabolites is not practical in clinic since the safety concerns and the complicated mechanism of action. Considering the dysregulated bile acid profiles associated with liver cancer, here we propose a strategy that directly manipulates the primary and secondary bile acid receptors through nanoapproach as an alternative and more precise way for liver cancer therapy. We show that nanodelivery of bile acid receptor modulators elicited robust antitumor immune responses and significantly changed the immune microenvironment in the murine hepatic tumor. In addition, ex vivo stimulation on both murine and patient hepatic tumor tissues suggests the observation here may be meaningful for clinical practice. This study elucidates a novel and precise strategy for liver cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guofeng Ji
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Xinghui Si
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- Jilin Biomedical Polymers Engineering Laboratory, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Si Dong
- College of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Yajun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Mingqiang Li
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Zhaohui Tang
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- Jilin Biomedical Polymers Engineering Laboratory, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Xuedong Fang
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Colorectal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Leaf Huang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Wantong Song
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- Jilin Biomedical Polymers Engineering Laboratory, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Xuesi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- Jilin Biomedical Polymers Engineering Laboratory, Changchun 130022, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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25
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Wang L, Luo Q, Zeng S, Lou Y, Li X, Hu M, Lu L, Liu Z. Disordered farnesoid X receptor signaling is associated with liver carcinogenesis in Abcb11-deficient mice. J Pathol 2021; 255:412-424. [PMID: 34410012 DOI: 10.1002/path.5780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
ABCB11 encodes the bile salt export pump (BSEP), a key regulator in maintaining bile acid (BA) homeostasis. Although inherited ABCB11 mutations have previously been linked to primary liver cancer, whether ABCB11 deficiency leads to liver cancer remains unknown. Here, we analyzed ABCB11 mRNA expression levels in liver tumor specimens [29 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), and one with mixed HCC/ICC] with adjacent normal specimens and published human datasets. Liver tissues obtained from Abcb11-deficient (Abcb11-/- ) mice and wild-type mice at different ages were compared by histologic, RNA-sequencing, and BA analyses. ABCB11 was significantly downregulated in human liver tumors compared with normal controls. Abcb11-/- mice demonstrated progressive intrahepatic cholestasis and liver fibrosis, and spontaneously developed HCC and ICC over 12 months of age. Abcb11 deficiency increased BAs in the liver and serum in mice, most of which are farnesoid X receptor (FXR) antagonists/non-agonists. Accordingly, the hepatic expression and transcriptional activity of FXR were downregulated in Abcb11-/- mouse livers. Administration of the FXR agonist obeticholic acid reduced liver injury and tumor incidence in Abcb11-/- mice. In conclusion, ABCB11 is aberrantly downregulated and plays a vital role in liver carcinogenesis. The cholestatic liver injury and liver tumors developed in Abcb11-/- mice are associated with increased FXR antagonist BAs and thereby decreased activation of FXR. FXR activation might be a therapeutic strategy in ABCB11 deficiency diseases. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Wang
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Qing Luo
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Sijing Zeng
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Yanmei Lou
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Ming Hu
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China.,Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Linlin Lu
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Zhongqiu Liu
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), PR China
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26
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Petrescu AD, DeMorrow S. Farnesoid X Receptor as Target for Therapies to Treat Cholestasis-Induced Liver Injury. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081846. [PMID: 34440614 PMCID: PMC8392259 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies on liver disease burden worldwide estimated that cirrhosis is the 11th most common cause of death globally, and there is a great need for new therapies to limit the progression of liver injuries in the early stages. Cholestasis is caused by accumulation of hydrophobic bile acids (BA) in the liver due to dysfunctional BA efflux or bile flow into the gall bladder. Therefore, strategies to increase detoxification of hydrophobic BA and downregulate genes involved in BA production are largely investigated. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) has a central role in BA homeostasis and recent publications revealed that changes in autophagy due to BA-induced reactive oxygen species and increased anti-oxidant response via nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2), result in dysregulation of FXR signaling. Several mechanistic studies have identified new dysfunctions of the cholestatic liver at cellular and molecular level, opening new venues for developing more performant therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca D. Petrescu
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Sharon DeMorrow
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX 78712, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-512-495-5779
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Orabi D, Berger NA, Brown JM. Abnormal Metabolism in the Progression of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease to Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Mechanistic Insights to Chemoprevention. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3473. [PMID: 34298687 PMCID: PMC8307710 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is on the rise and becoming a major contributor to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Reasons for this include the rise in obesity and metabolic syndrome in contrast to the marked advances in prevention and treatment strategies of viral HCC. These shifts are expected to rapidly propel this trend even further in the coming decades, with NAFLD on course to become the leading etiology of end-stage liver disease and HCC. No Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are currently available for the treatment of NAFLD, and advances are desperately needed. Numerous medications with varying mechanisms of action targeting liver steatosis and fibrosis are being investigated including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists. Additionally, drugs targeting components of metabolic syndrome, such as antihyperglycemics, have been found to affect NAFLD progression and are now being considered in the treatment of these patients. As NAFLD drug discovery continues, special attention should be given to their relationship to HCC. Several mechanisms in the pathogenesis of NAFLD have been implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis, and therapies aimed at NAFLD may additionally harbor independent antitumorigenic potential. This approach may provide novel prevention and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny Orabi
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute of the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Center for Microbiome and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute of the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Department of General Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Nathan A. Berger
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - J. Mark Brown
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute of the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Center for Microbiome and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute of the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
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28
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Girisa S, Henamayee S, Parama D, Rana V, Dutta U, Kunnumakkara AB. Targeting Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) for developing novel therapeutics against cancer. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2021; 2:21. [PMID: 35006466 PMCID: PMC8607382 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-021-00035-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the lethal diseases that arise due to the molecular alterations in the cell. One of those alterations associated with cancer corresponds to differential expression of Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a nuclear receptor regulating bile, cholesterol homeostasis, lipid, and glucose metabolism. FXR is known to regulate several diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases, the two highly reported causes of mortality globally. Recent studies have shown the association of FXR overexpression with cancer development and progression in different types of cancers of breast, lung, pancreas, and oesophagus. It has also been associated with tissue-specific and cell-specific roles in various cancers. It has been shown to modulate several cell-signalling pathways such as EGFR/ERK, NF-κB, p38/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, and JAK/STAT along with their targets such as caspases, MMPs, cyclins; tumour suppressor proteins like p53, C/EBPβ, and p-Rb; various cytokines; EMT markers; and many more. Therefore, FXR has high potential as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of cancer. Thus, the present review focuses on the diverse role of FXR in different cancers and its agonists and antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sosmitha Girisa
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Sahu Henamayee
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Dey Parama
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Varsha Rana
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Uma Dutta
- Cell and Molecular Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam, 781001, India.
| | - Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India.
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Jung K, Kim M, So J, Lee SH, Ko S, Shin D. Farnesoid X Receptor Activation Impairs Liver Progenitor Cell-Mediated Liver Regeneration via the PTEN-PI3K-AKT-mTOR Axis in Zebrafish. Hepatology 2021; 74:397-410. [PMID: 33314176 PMCID: PMC8605479 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Following mild liver injury, pre-existing hepatocytes replicate. However, if hepatocyte proliferation is compromised, such as in chronic liver diseases, biliary epithelial cells (BECs) contribute to hepatocytes through liver progenitor cells (LPCs), thereby restoring hepatic mass and function. Recently, augmenting innate BEC-driven liver regeneration has garnered attention as an alternative to liver transplantation, the only reliable treatment for patients with end-stage liver diseases. Despite this attention, the molecular basis of BEC-driven liver regeneration remains poorly understood. APPROACH AND RESULTS By performing a chemical screen with the zebrafish hepatocyte ablation model, in which BECs robustly contribute to hepatocytes, we identified farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists as inhibitors of BEC-driven liver regeneration. Here we show that FXR activation blocks the process through the FXR-PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog)-PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)-AKT-mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) axis. We found that FXR activation blocked LPC-to-hepatocyte differentiation, but not BEC-to-LPC dedifferentiation. FXR activation also suppressed LPC proliferation and increased its death. These defects were rescued by suppressing PTEN activity with its chemical inhibitor and ptena/b mutants, indicating PTEN as a critical downstream mediator of FXR signaling in BEC-driven liver regeneration. Consistent with the role of PTEN in inhibiting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, FXR activation reduced the expression of pS6, a marker of mTORC1 activation, in LPCs of regenerating livers. Importantly, suppressing PI3K and mTORC1 activities with their chemical inhibitors blocked BEC-driven liver regeneration, as did FXR activation. CONCLUSIONS FXR activation impairs BEC-driven liver regeneration by enhancing PTEN activity; the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway controls the regeneration process. Given the clinical trials and use of FXR agonists for multiple liver diseases due to their beneficial effects on steatosis and fibrosis, the detrimental effects of FXR activation on LPCs suggest a rather personalized use of the agonists in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyounghwa Jung
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Minwook Kim
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Juhoon So
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Seung-Hoon Lee
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Sungjin Ko
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA;,Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Donghun Shin
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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The role of farnesoid X receptor in metabolic diseases, and gastrointestinal and liver cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 18:335-347. [PMID: 33568795 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-020-00404-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in the control of bile acid (BA) synthesis and enterohepatic circulation. FXR can influence glucose and lipid homeostasis. Hepatic FXR activation by obeticholic acid is currently used to treat primary biliary cholangitis. Late-stage clinical trials investigating the use of obeticholic acid in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are underway. Mouse models of metabolic disease have demonstrated that inhibition of intestinal FXR signalling reduces obesity, insulin resistance and fatty liver disease by modulation of hepatic and gut bacteria-mediated BA metabolism, and intestinal ceramide synthesis. FXR also has a role in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal and liver cancers. Studies using tissue-specific and global Fxr-null mice have revealed that FXR acts as a suppressor of hepatocellular carcinoma, mainly through regulating BA homeostasis. Loss of whole-body FXR potentiates progression of spontaneous colorectal cancer, and obesity-induced BA imbalance promotes intestinal stem cell proliferation by suppressing intestinal FXR in Apcmin/+ mice. Owing to altered gut microbiota and FXR signalling, changes in overall BA levels and specific BA metabolites probably contribute to enterohepatic tumorigenesis. Modulating intestinal FXR signalling and altering BA metabolites are potential strategies for gastrointestinal and liver cancer prevention and treatment. In this Review, studies on the role of FXR in metabolic diseases and gastrointestinal and liver cancer are discussed, and the potential for development of targeted drugs are summarized.
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31
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Wu L, Feng J, Li J, Yu Q, Ji J, Wu J, Dai W, Guo C. The gut microbiome-bile acid axis in hepatocarcinogenesis. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 133:111036. [PMID: 33378947 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with few effective therapeutic options. Bile acids (BAs) are synthesized from cholesterol in the liver and can be modulated by farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and G-protein coupled BA receptor 1 (GPBAR1/TGR5). Alterations in BAs can affect hepatic metabolic homeostasis and contribute to the pathogenesis of liver cancer. Increasing evidence points to the key role of bacterial microbiota in the promotion and development of liver cancer. They are also involved in the regulation of BA synthesis and metabolism. The purpose of this review is to integrate related articles involving gut microbiota, BAs and HCC, and review how the gut microbiota-BA signaling axis can possibly influence the development of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwei Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200060, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Jiao Feng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200060, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Qiang Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Jie Ji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Jianye Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200060, China.
| | - Weiqi Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200060, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Shanghai Institute of Liver Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200336, China.
| | - Chuanyong Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200060, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China.
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32
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Li S, Xu Z, Guo J, Zheng J, Sun X, Yu J. Farnesoid X receptor activation induces antitumour activity in colorectal cancer by suppressing JAK2/STAT3 signalling via transactivation of SOCS3 gene. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:14549-14560. [PMID: 33164339 PMCID: PMC7754034 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR, encoded by NR1H4), a bile acid‐activated nuclear receptor, is widely implicated in human tumorigenesis. The FXR agonist obeticholic acid (OCA) has preliminarily displayed tumour suppressor potential. However, the anticancer effects of this agent on colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. In this study, the treatment of colon cancer cells with OCA inhibited cell proliferation and invasion in vitro, retarded tumour growth in vivo and prevented the G0/G1 to S phase transition. Moreover, the expression of active caspase‐3, p21 and E‐cadherin was up‐regulated and the expression of cyclin D1, c‐Myc, vimentin, N‐cadherin and MMP9 was down‐regulated in OCA‐treated colon cancer cells. Mechanistic studies indicated that OCA treatment suppressed the activity of JAK2/STAT3 pathway by up‐regulating SOCS3 expression. Colivelin, an agonist of JAK2/STAT3 pathway, antagonized the tumour‐suppressive effect of OCA on colon cancer cells. Dual‐luciferase reporter and quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation (qChIP) assays further confirmed that OCA promoted SOCS3 transcription by enhancing the binding of FXR to the FXRE/IR9 of the SOCS3 promoter. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that targeting FXR and improving its function might be a promising strategy for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhengshui Xu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianbao Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuejun Sun
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Junhui Yu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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33
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Synergistic tumor inhibition of colon cancer cells by nitazoxanide and obeticholic acid, a farnesoid X receptor ligand. Cancer Gene Ther 2020; 28:590-601. [PMID: 33046820 PMCID: PMC8203497 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-020-00239-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The tumor-suppressive role of Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in colorectal tumorigenesis supports restoring FXR expression as a novel therapeutic strategy. However, the complicated signaling network and tumor heterogeneity hinder the effectiveness of FXR agonists in the clinical setting. These difficulties highlight the importance of identifying drug combinations with potency and specificity to enhance the antitumor effects of FXR agonists. In this study, we found that the β-catenin level affected the antitumor effects of the FXR agonist OCA on colon cancer cells. Mechanistic studies identified a novel FXR/β-catenin complex in colon cancer cells. Furthermore, the depletion of β-catenin expedited FXR nuclear localization and enhanced its occupancy of the SHP promoter and thereby sensitized colon cancer cells to OCA. Furthermore, we utilized a drug combination study and identified that the antiparasitic drug nitazoxanide (NTZ) abrogated β-catenin expression and acted synergistically with OCA in colon cancer cells. The combination of OCA plus NTZ exerts synergistic tumor inhibition in CRC both in vitro and in vivo by cooperatively upregulating SHP expression. In conclusion, our study offers useful evidence for the clinical use of FXR agonists combined with β-catenin inhibitors in combating CRC.
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Enhanced alcoholic liver disease in mice with intestine-specific farnesoid X receptor deficiency. J Transl Med 2020; 100:1158-1168. [PMID: 32404932 PMCID: PMC8487140 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-020-0439-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) is one of the major causes of liver morbidity and mortality worldwide. We have previously shown that whole-body, but not hepatocyte-specific, deficiency of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in mice worsens AFLD, suggesting that extrahepatic FXR deficiency is critical for AFLD development. Intestinal FXR is critical in suppressing hepatic bile acid (BA) synthesis by inducing fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15) in mice and FGF19 in humans. We hypothesized that intestinal FXR is critical for reducing AFLD development in mice. To test this hypothesis, we compared the AFLD severity in wild type (WT) and intestine-specific Fxr knockout (FXRInt-/-) mice following treatment with control or ethanol-containing diet. We found that FXRInt-/- mice were more susceptible to ethanol-induced liver steatosis and inflammation, compared with WT mice. Ethanol treatment altered the expression of hepatic genes involved in lipid and BA homeostasis, and ethanol detoxification. Gut FXR deficiency increased intestinal permeability, likely due to reduced mucosal integrity, as revealed by decreased secretion of Mucin 2 protein and lower levels of E-cadherin protein. In summary, intestinal FXR may protect AFLD development by maintaining gut integrity.
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Li Q, Li N, Zeng Y, Wang X, Li J, Su H, Gao M, Huang X. Nuclear receptor FXR impairs SK-Hep-1 cell migration and invasion by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:161. [PMID: 32934729 PMCID: PMC7471648 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) has been considered to be a liver tumor suppressor. However, the role of FXR in liver cancer invasion and metastasis remains unclear. The results of the current study demonstrated that FXR suppressed the migratory and invasive capacities of SK-Hep-1 cells in vitro and that FXR overexpression inhibited local invasion and lung metastasis of SK-Hep-1 ×enografts in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis of the gene expression profile of SK-Hep-1 cells with different FXR levels indicated that FXR may regulate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Compared with controls, FXR-overexpressing SK-Hep-1 cells exhibited decreased expression of β-catenin target genes and reduced nuclear translocation of β-catenin proteins in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, these results indicated that FXR may suppress SK-Hep-1 cell invasion and metastasis by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The current study provided novel insight into the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Li
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China.,Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230036, P.R. China
| | - Ningbo Li
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China.,Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Yeting Zeng
- Department of Pathology, The 900th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force, People's Liberation Army, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, P.R. China
| | - Xinrui Wang
- Medical Research Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, P.R. China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Hongying Su
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Meiqin Gao
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Xiongfei Huang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P.R. China
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Farnesoid X receptor antagonizes Wnt/β-catenin signaling in colorectal tumorigenesis. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:640. [PMID: 32807788 PMCID: PMC7431544 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02819-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR, encoded by NR1H4), a critical regulator of bile acid homeostasis, is widely implicated in human tumorigenesis. However, the functional role of FXR in colorectal cancer (CRC) and the precise molecular mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that FXR expression was downregulated in colon cancer tissues and decreased expression of FXR predicted a poor prognosis. Knockdown of FXR promoted colon cancer cell growth and invasion in vitro, and facilitated xenograft tumor formation and distant metastasis in vivo, whereas ectopic expression of FXR had the reserved change. Mechanistic studies indicated that FXR exerted its tumor suppressor functions by antagonizing Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Furthermore, we identified an FXR/β-catenin interaction in colon cancer cells. The FXR/β-catenin interaction impaired β-catenin/TCF4 complex formation. In addition, our study suggested a reciprocal relationship between FXR and β-catenin, since loss of β-catenin increased the transcriptional activation of SHP by FXR. Altogether, these data indicated that FXR functions a tumor-suppressor role in CRC by antagonizing Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
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An P, Wei G, Huang P, Li W, Qi X, Lin Y, Vaid KA, Wang J, Zhang S, Li Y, Or YS, Jiang L, Popov YV. A novel non-bile acid FXR agonist EDP-305 potently suppresses liver injury and fibrosis without worsening of ductular reaction. Liver Int 2020; 40:1655-1669. [PMID: 32329946 PMCID: PMC7384094 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND EDP-305 is a novel and potent farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, with no/minimal cross-reactivity to TGR5 or other nuclear receptors. Herein we report therapeutic efficacy of EDP-305, in direct comparison with the first-in-class FXR agonist obeticholic acid (OCA), in mouse models of liver disease. METHODS EDP-305 (10 and 30 mg/kg/day) or OCA (30mg/kg/day) was tested in mouse models of pre-established biliary fibrosis (BALBc.Mdr2-/-, n = 9-12/group) and steatohepatitis induced by methionine/choline-deficient diet (MCD, n = 7-12/group). Effects on biliary epithelium were evaluated in vivo and in primary EpCAM + hepatic progenitor cell (HPC) cultures. RESULTS In a BALBc.Mdr2-/- model, EDP-305 reduced serum transaminases by up to 53% and decreased portal pressure, compared to untreated controls. Periportal bridging fibrosis was suppressed by EDP-305 at both doses, with up to a 39% decrease in collagen deposition in high-dose EDP-305. In MCD-fed mice, EDP-305 treatment reduced serum ALT by 62% compared to controls, and profoundly inhibited perisinusoidal 'chicken wire' fibrosis, with over 80% reduction in collagen deposition. In both models, treatment with 30mg/kg OCA reduced serum transaminases up to 30%, but did not improve fibrosis. The limited impact on fibrosis was mediated by cholestasis-independent worsening of ductular reaction by OCA in both disease models; OCA but not EDP-305 at therapeutic doses promoted ductular proliferation in healthy mice and favoured differentiation of primary HPC towards cholangiocyte lineage in vitro. CONCLUSIONS EDP-305 potently improved pre-established liver injury and hepatic fibrosis in murine biliary and metabolic models of liver disease, supporting the clinical evaluation of EDP-305 in fibrotic liver diseases including cholangiopathies and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping An
- Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA,Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyRenmin HospitalWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Guangyan Wei
- Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA,Department of Radiation OncologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Pinzhu Huang
- Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA,Department of Colon and Rectum SurgeryThe Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Wenda Li
- Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA,Department of Hepatobiliary SurgerSun Yat-sen Memorial HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaolong Qi
- Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA,Institute of Portal HypertensionThe First Hospital of Lanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
| | - Yi Lin
- Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Kahini A. Vaid
- Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Jun Wang
- Division of NeurosurgeryRenmin HospitalWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | | | - Yang Li
- Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.WatertownMAUSA
| | - Yat Sun Or
- Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.WatertownMAUSA
| | | | - Yury V. Popov
- Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
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Saeedi BJ, Liu KH, Owens JA, Hunter-Chang S, Camacho MC, Eboka RU, Chandrasekharan B, Baker NF, Darby TM, Robinson BS, Jones RM, Jones DP, Neish AS. Gut-Resident Lactobacilli Activate Hepatic Nrf2 and Protect Against Oxidative Liver Injury. Cell Metab 2020; 31:956-968.e5. [PMID: 32213347 PMCID: PMC7329068 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2020.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Many studies have suggested a role for gut-resident microbes (the "gut microbiome") in modulating host health; however, the mechanisms by which they impact systemic physiology remain largely unknown. In this study, metabolomic and transcriptional profiling of germ-free and conventionalized mouse liver revealed an upregulation of the Nrf2 antioxidant and xenobiotic response in microbiome-replete animals. Using a Drosophila-based screening assay, we identified members of the genus Lactobacillus capable of stimulating Nrf2. Indeed, the human commensal Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) potently activated Nrf2 in the Drosophila liver analog and the murine liver. This activation was sufficient to protect against two models of oxidative liver injury, acetaminophen overdose and acute ethanol toxicity. Characterization of the portal circulation of LGG-treated mice by tandem mass spectrometry identified a small molecule activator of Nrf2, 5-methoxyindoleacetic acid, produced by LGG. Taken together, these data demonstrate a mechanism by which intestinal microbes modulate hepatic susceptibility to oxidative injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bejan J Saeedi
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Ken H Liu
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Joshua A Owens
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Sarah Hunter-Chang
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Mary C Camacho
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Richard U Eboka
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Bindu Chandrasekharan
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Nusaiba F Baker
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Trevor M Darby
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Brian S Robinson
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Rheinallt M Jones
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dean P Jones
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Andrew S Neish
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Jia ET, Liu ZY, Pan M, Lu JF, Ge QY. Regulation of bile acid metabolism-related signaling pathways by gut microbiota in diseases. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2020; 20:781-792. [PMID: 31489798 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1900073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, there has been increasing attention on the interaction between microbiota and bile acid metabolism. Bile acids are not only involved in the metabolism of nutrients, but are also important in signal transduction for the regulation of host physiological activities. Microbial-regulated bile acid metabolism has been proven to affect many diseases, but there have not been many studies of disease regulation by microbial receptor signaling pathways. This review considers findings of recent research on the core roles of farnesoid X receptor (FXR), G protein-coupled bile acid receptor (TGR5), and vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling pathways in microbial-host interactions in health and disease. Studying the relationship between these pathways can help us understand the pathogenesis of human diseases, and lead to new solutions for their treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Er-Teng Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Zhi-Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Min Pan
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210097, China
| | - Jia-Feng Lu
- Center of Reproduction and Genetics, Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou 215002, China
| | - Qin-Yu Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
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40
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Meadows V, Kennedy L, Kundu D, Alpini G, Francis H. Bile Acid Receptor Therapeutics Effects on Chronic Liver Diseases. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:15. [PMID: 32064266 PMCID: PMC7000431 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past ten years, our understanding of the importance of bile acids has expanded from fat absorption and glucose/lipid/energy homeostasis into potential therapeutic targets for amelioration of chronic cholestatic liver diseases. The discovery of important bile acid signaling mechanisms, as well as their role in metabolism, has increased the interest in bile acid/bile acid receptor research development. Bile acid levels and speciation are dysregulated during liver injury/damage resulting in cytotoxicity, inflammation, and fibrosis. An increasing focus to target bile acid receptors, responsible for bile acid synthesis and circulation, such as Farnesoid X receptor and apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter to reduce bile acid synthesis have resulted in clinical trials for treatment of previously untreatable chronic liver diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. This review focuses on current bile acid receptor mediators and their effects on parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells. Attention will also be brought to the gut/liver axis during chronic liver damage and its treatment with bile acid receptor modulators. Overall, these studies lend evidence to the importance of bile acids and their receptors on liver disease establishment and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vik Meadows
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Debjyoti Kundu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Heather Francis
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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Huck I, Gunewardena S, Espanol-Suner R, Willenbring H, Apte U. Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha Activation Is Essential for Termination of Liver Regeneration in Mice. Hepatology 2019; 70:666-681. [PMID: 30520062 PMCID: PMC6551324 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) is critical for hepatic differentiation. Recent studies have highlighted its role in inhibition of hepatocyte proliferation and tumor suppression. However, the role of HNF4α in liver regeneration (LR) is not known. We hypothesized that hepatocytes modulate HNF4α activity when navigating between differentiated and proliferative states during LR. Western blotting analysis revealed a rapid decline in nuclear and cytoplasmic HNF4α protein levels, accompanied with decreased target gene expression, within 1 hour after two-thirds partial hepatectomy (post-PH) in C57BL/6J mice. HNF4α protein expression did not recover to pre-PH levels until day 3. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of HNF4α (HNF4α-KO [knockout]) in mice resulted in 100% mortality post-PH, despite increased proliferative marker expression throughout regeneration. Sustained loss of HNF4α target gene expression throughout regeneration indicated that HNF4α-KO mice were unable to compensate for loss of HNF4α transcriptional activity. Deletion of HNF4α resulted in sustained proliferation accompanied by c-Myc and cyclin D1 overexpression and a complete deficiency of hepatocyte function after PH. Interestingly, overexpression of degradation-resistant HNF4α in hepatocytes delayed, but did not prevent, initiation of regeneration after PH. Finally, adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8)-mediated reexpression of HNF4α in hepatocytes of HNF4α-KO mice post-PH restored HNF4α protein levels, induced target gene expression, and improved survival of HNF4α-KO mice post-PH. Conclusion: In conclusion, these data indicate that HNF4α reexpression following initial decrease is critical for hepatocytes to exit from cell cycle and resume function during the termination phase of LR. These results indicate the role of HNF4α in LR and have implications for therapy of liver failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Huck
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Sumedha Gunewardena
- Department of Biostatistics University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | | | - Holger Willenbring
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research,Liver Center, Division of Transplantation, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA,Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
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Glycochenodeoxycholate promotes hepatocellular carcinoma invasion and migration by AMPK/mTOR dependent autophagy activation. Cancer Lett 2019; 454:215-223. [PMID: 30980867 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis and recurrence severely impact the treatment effect of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC complicated with cholestasis is more prone to recurrence and metastasis. Previous studies have implicated pathogenesis of HCC by bile acid; however, the underlying mechanism is unknown yet. Glycochenodeoxycholate (GCDC) is one of most important component of bile acid (BA). In the present study, the role of GCDC in HCC cells invasion was detected by in vitro and in vivo assays. GCDC was found to significantly enhance the invasive potential of HCC cells; Further studies showed that GCDC could induce autophagy activation and higher invasive capability in HCC cells. Interestingly, inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine (CQ) reversed this phenomenon. Subsequently, the correlation between TBA expression level and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed in HCC patients. Clinically, high TBA level in HCC tissue was found to be associated with more invasive and poor survival in HCC patients. Mechanistic study showed that bile acid induced autophagy by targeting the AMPK/mTOR pathway in HCC cells. Therefore, our results suggest that bile acid may promote HCC invasion via activation of autophagy and the level of bile acid may serve as a potential useful indicator for prognosis of HCC patients.
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43
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Kovač U, Skubic C, Bohinc L, Rozman D, Režen T. Oxysterols and Gastrointestinal Cancers Around the Clock. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:483. [PMID: 31379749 PMCID: PMC6653998 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the role of oxidized sterols in three major gastrointestinal cancers (hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic, and colon cancer) and how the circadian clock affects the carcinogenesis by regulating the lipid metabolism and beyond. While each field of research (cancer, oxysterols, and circadian clock) is well-studied within their specialty, little is known about the intertwining mechanisms and how these influence the disease etiology in each cancer type. Oxysterols are involved in pathology of these cancers, but final conclusions about their protective or damaging effects are elusive, since the effect depends on the type of oxysterol, concentration, and the cell type. Oxysterol concentrations, the expression of key regulators liver X receptors (LXR), farnesoid X receptor (FXR), and oxysterol-binding proteins (OSBP) family are modulated in tumors and plasma of cancer patients, exposing these proteins and selected oxysterols as new potential biomarkers and drug targets. Evidence about how cholesterol/oxysterol pathways are intertwined with circadian clock is building. Identified key contact points are different forms of retinoic acid receptor related orphan receptors (ROR) and LXRs. RORs and LXRs are both regulated by sterols/oxysterols and the circadian clock and in return also regulate the same pathways, representing a complex interplay between sterol metabolism and the clock. With this in mind, in addition to classical therapies to modulate cholesterol in gastrointestinal cancers, such as the statin therapy, the time is ripe also for therapies where time and duration of the drug application is taken as an important factor for successful therapies. The final goal is the personalized approach with chronotherapy for disease management and treatment in order to increase the positive drug effects.
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Abstract
Many receptors can be activated by bile acids (BAs) and their derivatives. These include nuclear receptors farnesoid X receptor (FXR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), and vitamin D receptor (VDR), as well as membrane receptors Takeda G protein receptor 5 (TGR5), sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2), and cholinergic receptor muscarinic 2 (CHRM2). All of them are implicated in the development of metabolic and immunological diseases in response to endobiotic and xenobiotic exposure. Because epigenetic regulation is critical for organisms to adapt to constant environmental changes, this review article summarizes epigenetic regulation as well as post-transcriptional modification of bile acid receptors. In addition, the focus of this review is on the liver and digestive tract although these receptors may have effects on other organs. Those regulatory mechanisms are implicated in the disease process and critically important in uncovering innovative strategy for prevention and treatment of metabolic and immunological diseases.
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45
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Hu M, Xiong S, Chen Q, Zhu S, Zhou X. Novel role of microRNA-126 in digestive system cancers: From bench to bedside. Oncol Lett 2018; 17:31-41. [PMID: 30655735 PMCID: PMC6313097 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ubiquitously expressed, small, non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of approximately 30% of the human genes at the post-transcriptional level. miRNAs have emerged as crucial modulators in the initiation and progression of various diseases, including numerous cancer types. The high incidence rate of cancer and the large number of cancer-associated cases of mortality are mostly due to a lack of effective treatments and biomarkers for early diagnosis. Therefore there is an urgent requirement to further understand the underlying mechanisms of tumorigenesis. MicroRNA-126 (miR-126) is significantly downregulated in a number of tumor types and is commonly identified as a tumor suppressor in digestive system cancers (DSCs). miR-126 downregulates various oncogenes, including disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 9, v-crk sarcoma virus CT10 oncogene homolog and phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 2. These genes are involved in a number of tumor-associated signaling pathways, including angiogenesis, epithelial-mensenchymal transition and metastasis pathways. The aim of the current review was to summarize the role of miR-126 in DSCs, in terms of its dysregulation, target genes and associated signaling pathways. In addition, the current review has discussed the potential clinical application of miR-126 as a biomarker and therapeutic target for DSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingli Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330000, P.R. China
| | - Shengwei Xiong
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330000, P.R. China
| | - Qiaofeng Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330000, P.R. China
| | - Shixuan Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaodong Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330000, P.R. China
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Takahashi S, Tanaka N, Fukami T, Xie C, Yagai T, Kim D, Velenosi TJ, Yan T, Krausz KW, Levi M, Gonzalez FJ. Role of Farnesoid X Receptor and Bile Acids in Hepatic Tumor Development. Hepatol Commun 2018; 2:1567-1582. [PMID: 30556042 PMCID: PMC6287584 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and an association between altered bile acid (BA) metabolism, down‐regulation of farnesoid X receptor (FXR), which is a master regulator of BA metabolism, and hepatocarcinogenesis has been documented. While global FXR deficiency in mice results in spontaneous HCC with aging, the contribution of tissue‐specific FXR deficiency to hepatocarcinogenesis remains unclear. In this study, the prevalence of hepatic tumors, expression of genes related to tumorigenesis, and serum/liver BA levels were compared among male whole‐body Fxr‐null, hepatocyte‐specific Fxr‐null (Fxr∆Hep), and enterocyte‐specific Fxr‐null (Fxr∆IE) mice at the age of 3, 14, and 20 months. More than 90% of 20‐month‐old whole‐body Fxr‐null mice had hepatic tumors with enhanced hepatic expression of myelocytomatosis oncogene (Myc) and cyclin‐dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and elevated serum taurocholate (TCA) and tauromuricholate (TMCA) and their respective unconjugated derivatives. The incidence of hepatic tumors was significantly lower in Fxr∆Hep and Fxr∆IE mice (20% and 5%, respectively), and the increases in Myc and Cdk4 mRNA or serum BA concentrations were not detected in these mice compared to Fxrfloxed [fl]/fl mice; a similar tendency was observed in 14‐month‐old mice. However, increased hepatic c‐Myc protein expression was found only in Fxr‐null mice at the age of 3, 14, and 20 months. Treatment with TCA induced Myc expression in Fxr‐null cultured primary mouse hepatocytes but not in wild‐type (WT) mouse hepatocytes, demonstrating that the combination of hepatocyte FXR disruption with elevated TCA is required for Myc induction and ensuing age‐dependent hepatocarcinogenesis in Fxr‐null mice. Conclusion: There is a relatively low risk of hepatic tumors by inhibition of FXR in enterocytes, likely due to the lack of increased TCA and Myc induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Takahashi
- Laboratory of Metabolism National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology Georgetown University Washington DC
| | - Naoki Tanaka
- Department of Metabolic Regulation Shinshu University School of Medicine Matsumoto Japan.,International Research Center for Agricultural Food Industry Shinshu University Matsumoto Japan
| | - Tatsuki Fukami
- Laboratory of Metabolism National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD.,Present address: Department of Drug Metabolism and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Kanazawa University Kanazawa Japan
| | - Cen Xie
- Laboratory of Metabolism National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD
| | - Tomoki Yagai
- Laboratory of Metabolism National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD
| | - Donghwan Kim
- Laboratory of Metabolism National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD
| | - Thomas J Velenosi
- Laboratory of Metabolism National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD
| | - Tingting Yan
- Laboratory of Metabolism National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD
| | - Kristopher W Krausz
- Laboratory of Metabolism National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD
| | - Moshe Levi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology Georgetown University Washington DC
| | - Frank J Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Metabolism National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD
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47
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Huck I, Beggs K, Apte U. Paradoxical Protective Effect of Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid Against High-Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Mice. Int J Toxicol 2018; 37:383-392. [PMID: 30134762 PMCID: PMC6150807 DOI: 10.1177/1091581818790934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a persistent organic pollutant with worldwide bioaccumulation due to a very long half-life. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid exposure results in significant hepatic effects including steatosis, proliferation, hepatomegaly, and in rodents, carcinogenesis. The objective of this study was to determine whether PFOS exposure exacerbates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis pathogenesis. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 J mice (n = 5 per group) were fed ad libitum normal chow diet (ND) alone, 60% high-fat diet (HFD) alone, ND + PFOS, and HFD + PFOS (0.0001% w/w (1 mg/kg) of PFOS) for 6 weeks. Both HFD alone and the ND + PFOS treatment induced significant adiposity and hepatomegaly, but the HFD + PFOS treatment showed a marked protection. Oil Red O staining and quantitative analysis of hepatic lipid content revealed increased hepatic steatosis in ND + PFOS and in HFD alone fed mice, which was prevented in HFD + PFOS treatment. Further studies revealed that ND + PFOS treatment significantly affected expression of lipid trafficking genes to favor steatosis, but these changes were absent in HFD + PFOS group. Specifically, expression of CD36, the major lipid importer in the cells, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), its major regulator, were induced in HFD + no treatment (NT) and ND + PFOS-fed mice but remained unchanged in HFD + PFOS mice. In conclusion, these data indicate that coadministration of PFOS with HFD mitigates steatosis and hepatomegaly induced by HFD and that by PFOS fed in ND diet via regulation of cellular lipid import machinery. These findings suggest dietary lipid content be considered when performing risk management of PFOS in humans and the elucidation of PFOS-induced hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Huck
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Kevin Beggs
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Udayan Apte
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
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48
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Borude P, Bhushan B, Apte U. DNA Damage Response Regulates Initiation of Liver Regeneration Following Acetaminophen Overdose. Gene Expr 2018; 18:115-123. [PMID: 29540258 PMCID: PMC5954624 DOI: 10.3727/105221618x15205260749346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the leading cause of acute liver failure (ALF) with limited treatment options. It is known that liver regeneration following APAP-induced ALF is a deciding factor in the final outcome. Previous studies from our laboratory using an incremental dose model involving a regenerating (300 mg/kg, APAP300) and a nonregenerating (600 mg/kg, APAP600) dose of APAP in mice have revealed several proregenerative pathways that regulate regeneration after APAP overdose. Here we report that DNA damage and repair mechanisms regulate initiation of liver regeneration following APAP overdose. Mice treated with nonregenerating APAP600 dose showed prolonged expression of pH2AX, a marker of the DNA double-strand break (DSB), compared with APAP300. In regenerating APAP300 dose-treated mice, H2AX was rapidly dephosphorylated at Tyr142, indicating timely DNA repair. Expression of several DNA repair proteins was substantially lower with APAP600. Poly(ADP) ribose polymerase (PARP) activation, involved in DNA repair, was significantly higher in the APAP300 group compared to the APAP600 group. Activation of p53, the major cell cycle checkpoint protein, was significantly higher with APAP600 as demonstrated by substantially higher expression of its target genes. Taken together, these data show that massive DNA DSB occurs in high-dose APAP toxicity, and lack of prompt DSB repair after APAP overdose leads to prolonged growth arrest and proliferative senescence, resulting in inhibited liver regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachi Borude
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Bharat Bhushan
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
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Tsumura-Suzuki obese diabetic mice-derived hepatic tumors closely resemble human hepatocellular carcinomas in metabolism-related genes expression and bile acid accumulation. Hepatol Int 2018; 12:254-261. [PMID: 29651702 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-018-9860-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Tsumura-Suzuki obese diabetic (TSOD) is a good model of metabolic syndrome showing typical lesions found in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and develops spontaneous hepatic tumors with a high frequency. Majority of the developing tumors overexpress glutamine synthetase (GS), which is used as a marker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study is to assess the status of expression of metabolism-related genes and the level of bile acids in the TSOD mice-derived tumors and to determine the association with metabolic dysregulation between human HCC and TSOD mice-derived tumors. METHODS GS-positive hepatic tumors or adjacent normal tissues from 71-week-old male TSOD mice were subjected to immunohistochemical staining, quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), quantitation of cholic acid and taurocholic acid. RESULTS We found that downregulation of the rate-limiting enzyme for betaine synthesis (BADH), at both mRNA and protein levels in GS-positive TSOD mice-derived tumors. Furthermore, the bile acid receptor FXR and the bile acid excretion pump BSEP (Abcb11) were found to be downregulated, whereas BAAT and Akr1c14, involved in primary bile acid synthesis and bile acid conjugation, were found to be upregulated at mRNA level in GS-positive TSOD mice-derived tumors. BAAT and Akr1c14 were also overexpressed at protein levels. Total cholic acid was found to be increased in GS-positive TSOD mice-derived tumors. CONCLUSION Our results strongly support the significance of TSOD mice as a model of spontaneously developing HCC.
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50
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McGreal SR, Bhushan B, Walesky C, McGill MR, Lebofsky M, Kandel SE, Winefield RD, Jaeschke H, Zachara NE, Zhang Z, Tan EP, Slawson C, Apte U. Modulation of O-GlcNAc Levels in the Liver Impacts Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury by Affecting Protein Adduct Formation and Glutathione Synthesis. Toxicol Sci 2018; 162:599-610. [PMID: 29325178 PMCID: PMC6012490 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) results in acute liver failure. We have investigated the role of a posttranslational modification of proteins called O-GlcNAcylation, where the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) adds and O-GlcNAcase (OGA) removes a single β-D-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) moiety, in the pathogenesis of APAP-induced liver injury. Hepatocyte-specific OGT knockout mice (OGT KO), which have reduced O-GlcNAcylation, and wild-type (WT) controls were treated with 300 mg/kg APAP and the development of injury was studied over a time course from 0 to 24 h. OGT KO mice developed significantly lower liver injury as compared with WT mice. Hepatic CYP2E1 activity and glutathione (GSH) depletion following APAP treatment were not different between WT and OGT KO mice. However, replenishment of GSH and induction of GSH biosynthesis genes were significantly faster in the OGT KO mice. Next, male C57BL/6 J mice were treated Thiamet-G (TMG), a specific inhibitor of OGA to induce O-GlcNAcylation, 1.5 h after APAP administration and the development of liver injury was studied over a time course of 0-24 h. TMG-treated mice exhibited significantly higher APAP-induced liver injury. Treatment with TMG did not affect hepatic CYP2E1 levels, GSH depletion, APAP-protein adducts, and APAP-induced mitochondrial damage. However, GSH replenishment and GSH biosynthesis genes were lower in TMG-treated mice after APAP overdose. Taken together, these data indicate that induction in cellular O-GlcNAcylation exacerbates APAP-induced liver injury via dysregulation of hepatic GSH replenishment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R McGreal
- The Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Bharat Bhushan
- The Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Chad Walesky
- The Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Mitchell R McGill
- The Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Margitta Lebofsky
- The Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Sylvie E Kandel
- The Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Robert D Winefield
- The Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Hartmut Jaeschke
- The Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Natasha E Zachara
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The John Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Ee Phie Tan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Chad Slawson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Udayan Apte
- The Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
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