1
|
Gao F, Mu W, Fan J, Shen J. β-arrestin2 promotes angiogenesis of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells through the VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway to aggravate cirrhosis. Toxicol Lett 2024; 401:1-12. [PMID: 39197505 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2024.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
Excessive extracellular matrix deposition and increased intrahepatic angiogenesis are prominent features of cirrhosis. β-arrestin2 is thought to be involved in the pathological processes of various fibrotic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role and possible mechanism of β-arrestin2 in the angiogenesis of cirrhosis. Firstly, β-arrestin2 expression in liver tissues of cirrhotic patients was detected, and the correlation between β-arrestin2 and α-SMA, CD-31, PDGF, and VEGF indexes was analyzed. Then, after liver cirrhosis induced by CCL4 in Arrb2-KO mice (β-arrestin2 coding gene), liver histopathological changes were observed, and the expressions of α-SMA, CD-31, PDGF, VEGF, and VEGFR2 were detected. Finally, VEGF-A was used to treat human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) to simulate pathological conditions. After transfection with si-ARRB2, the cell activity, MDA and GSH-PX activities, cell invasion, angiogenesis, and the expressions of α-SMA, CD-31, and VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway were detected. Results showed that β-arrestin2 expression in the liver increased significantly during cirrhosis and was positively correlated with angiogenesis. In vivo, Arrb2-KO significantly inhibited fibrosis and angiogenesis in cirrhotic mice, and decreased the expressions of α-SMA, CD31, PDGF, VEGF, and VEGFR2. Studies using LSECs in vitro showed that after intervention of ARRB2, the activity of LSECs and the number of invasions and tubule formations were significantly reduced. Similarly, after transfection with si-ARRB2, the expressions of α-SMA, CD31, PDGF, VEGF, and VEGFR2 in LSECs were significantly decreased. Collectively, β-arrestin2 aggravated cirrhosis by promoting the angiogenesis of LSECs. Blocking β-arrestin2 may be an important target against angiogenesis and fibrosis in cirrhosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Gao
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan 030012, China
| | - Wei Mu
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan 030012, China
| | - Jiangbo Fan
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan 030012, China
| | - Jing Shen
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan 030012, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
He Q, He W, Dong H, Guo Y, Yuan G, Shi X, Wang D, Lu F. Role of liver sinusoidal endothelial cell in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:346. [PMID: 38943171 PMCID: PMC11214243 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01720-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are highly specialized endothelial cells that represent the interface between blood cells on one side and hepatocytes on the other side. LSECs not only form a barrier within the hepatic sinus, but also play important physiological functions such as regulating hepatic vascular pressure, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic. Pathologically, pathogenic factors can induce LSECs capillarization, that is, loss of fenestra and dysfunction, which are conducive to early steatosis, lay the foundation for the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and accelerate metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and liver fibrosis. The unique localization, phenotype, and function of LSECs make them potential candidates for reducing liver injury, inflammation, and preventing or reversing fibrosis in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiongyao He
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Wu He
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yujin Guo
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Gang Yuan
- Department of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoli Shi
- Department of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Dingkun Wang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Fuer Lu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tian SP, Ge JY, Song YM, Yu XQ, Chen WH, Chen YY, Ye D, Zheng YW. A novel efficient strategy to generate liver sinusoidal endothelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13831. [PMID: 38879647 PMCID: PMC11180100 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64195-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are highly specialized endothelial cells (ECs) that play an important role in liver development and regeneration. Additionally, it is involved in various pathological processes, including steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the rapid dedifferentiation of LSECs after culture greatly limits their use in vitro modeling for biomedical applications. In this study, we developed a highly efficient protocol to induce LSEC-like cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in only 8 days. Using single-cell transcriptomic analysis, we identified several novel LSEC-specific markers, such as EPAS1, LIFR, and NID1, as well as several previously revealed markers, such as CLEC4M, CLEC1B, CRHBP and FCN3. These LSEC markers are specifically expressed in our LSEC-like cells. Furthermore, hiPSC-derived cells expressed LSEC-specific proteins and exhibited LSEC-related functions, such as the uptake of acetylated low density lipoprotein (ac-LDL) and immune complex endocytosis. Overall, this study confirmed that our novel protocol allowed hiPSCs to rapidly acquire an LSEC-like phenotype and function in vitro. The ability to generate LSECs efficiently and rapidly may help to more precisely mimic liver development and disease progression in a liver-specific multicellular microenvironment, offering new insights into the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shang-Ping Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian-Yun Ge
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu-Mu Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-Hao Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu-Ying Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Di Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yun-Wen Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China.
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Medical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan.
- Institute of Medical Science, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yap KK, Schröder J, Gerrand YW, Dobric A, Kong AM, Fox AM, Knowles B, Banting SW, Elefanty AG, Stanley EG, Yeoh GC, Lockwood GP, Cogger VC, Morrison WA, Polo JM, Mitchell GM. Liver specification of human iPSC-derived endothelial cells transplanted into mouse liver. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:101023. [PMID: 38681862 PMCID: PMC11046210 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are important in liver development, regeneration, and pathophysiology, but the differentiation process underlying their tissue-specific phenotype is poorly understood and difficult to study because primary human cells are scarce. The aim of this study was to use human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived LSEC-like cells to investigate the differentiation process of LSECs. Methods hiPSC-derived endothelial cells (iECs) were transplanted into the livers of Fah-/-/Rag2-/-/Il2rg-/- mice and assessed over a 12-week period. Lineage tracing, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, plasma human factor VIII measurement, and bulk and single cell transcriptomic analysis were used to assess the molecular and functional changes that occurred following transplantation. Results Progressive and long-term repopulation of the liver vasculature occurred as iECs expanded along the sinusoids between hepatocytes and increasingly produced human factor VIII, indicating differentiation into LSEC-like cells. To chart the developmental profile associated with LSEC specification, the bulk transcriptomes of transplanted cells between 1 and 12 weeks after transplantation were compared against primary human adult LSECs. This demonstrated a chronological increase in LSEC markers, LSEC differentiation pathways, and zonation. Bulk transcriptome analysis suggested that the transcription factors NOTCH1, GATA4, and FOS have a central role in LSEC specification, interacting with a network of 27 transcription factors. Novel markers associated with this process included EMCN and CLEC14A. Additionally, single cell transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that transplanted iECs at 4 weeks contained zonal subpopulations with a region-specific phenotype. Conclusions Collectively, this study confirms that hiPSCs can adopt LSEC-like features and provides insight into LSEC specification. This humanised xenograft system can be applied to further interrogate LSEC developmental biology and pathophysiology, bypassing current logistical obstacles associated with primary human LSECs. Impact and implications Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are important cells for liver biology, but better model systems are required to study them. We present a pluripotent stem cell xenografting model that produces human LSEC-like cells. A detailed and longitudinal transcriptomic analysis of the development of LSEC-like cells is included, which will guide future studies to interrogate LSEC biology and produce LSEC-like cells that could be used for regenerative medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiryu K. Yap
- O’Brien Department of St Vincent’s Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Jan Schröder
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Doherty Institute & University of Melbourne Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Yi-Wen Gerrand
- O’Brien Department of St Vincent’s Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Aleksandar Dobric
- O’Brien Department of St Vincent’s Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Anne M. Kong
- O’Brien Department of St Vincent’s Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Adrian M. Fox
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Unit, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Brett Knowles
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Unit, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Simon W. Banting
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Unit, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew G. Elefanty
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Eduoard G. Stanley
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - George C. Yeoh
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Glen P. Lockwood
- ANZAC Research Institute and University of Sydney, Concord, NSW, Australia
| | - Victoria C. Cogger
- ANZAC Research Institute and University of Sydney, Concord, NSW, Australia
| | - Wayne A. Morrison
- O’Brien Department of St Vincent’s Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Jose M. Polo
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Geraldine M. Mitchell
- O’Brien Department of St Vincent’s Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang LF, Deng WQ, Huang QW, Zhang JJ, Wang Y, Zhou TJ, Xing L, Jiang HL. Vicious Cycle-Breaking Lipid Nanoparticles Remodeling Multicellular Crosstalk to Reverse Liver Fibrosis. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2311474. [PMID: 38194906 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
During liver fibrogenesis, the reciprocal crosstalk among capillarized liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and dysfunctional hepatocytes constructs a self-amplifying vicious cycle, greatly exacerbating the disease condition and weakening therapeutic effect. Limited by the malignant cellular interactions, the previous single-cell centric treatment approaches show unsatisfactory efficacy and fail to meet clinical demand. Herein, a vicious cycle-breaking strategy is proposed to target and repair pathological cells separately to terminate the malignant progression of liver fibrosis. Chondroitin sulfate-modified and vismodegib-loaded nanoparticles (CS-NPs/VDG) are designed to efficiently normalize the fenestrae phenotype of LSECs and restore HSCs to quiescent state by inhibiting Hedgehog signaling pathway. In addition, glycyrrhetinic acid-modified and silybin-loaded nanoparticles (GA-NPs/SIB) are prepared to restore hepatocytes function by relieving oxidative stress. The results show successful interruption of vicious cycle as well as distinct fibrosis resolution in two animal models through multiregulation of the pathological cells. This work not only highlights the significance of modulating cellular crosstalk but also provides a promising avenue for developing antifibrotic regimens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Wen-Qi Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qing-Wen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Tian-Jiao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Lei Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Hu-Lin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hu Y, Bao X, Zhang Z, Chen L, Liang Y, Qu Y, Zhou Q, Zhou X, Fang J, Xiao Z, Fu Y, Yang H, Liu W, Lv Y, Cao H, Chen G, Ping J, Zhang H, Mu Y, Liu C, Lin CP, Wu J, Liu P, Chen J. Hepatic progenitor cell-originated ductular reaction facilitates liver fibrosis through activation of hedgehog signaling. Theranostics 2024; 14:2379-2395. [PMID: 38646644 PMCID: PMC11024850 DOI: 10.7150/thno.91572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: It is poorly understood what cellular types participate in ductular reaction (DR) and whether DR facilitates recovery from injury or accelerates hepatic fibrosis. The aim of this study is to gain insights into the role of hepatic progenitor cell (HPC)-originated DR during fibrotic progression. Methods: DR in liver specimens of PBC, chronic HBV infection (CHB) or NAFLD, and four rodent fibrotic models by different pathogenic processes was evaluated. Gli1 expression was inhibited in rodent models or cell culture and organoid models by AAV-shGli1 or treating with GANT61. Results: Severity of liver fibrosis was positively correlated with DR extent in patients with PBC, CHB or NAFLD. HPCs were activated, expanded, differentiated into reactive cholangiocytes and constituted "HPC-originated DR", accompanying with exacerbated fibrosis in rodent models of HPC activation & proliferation (CCl4/2-AAF-treated), Μdr2-/- spontaneous PSC, BDL-cholestatic fibrosis or WD-fed/CCl4-treated NASH-fibrosis. Gli1 expression was significantly increased in enriched pathways in vivo and in vitro. Enhanced Gli1 expression was identified in KRT19+-reactive cholangiocytes. Suppressing Gli1 expression by administration of AAV-shGli1 or GANT61 ameliorated HPC-originated DR and fibrotic extent. KRT19 expression was reduced after GANT61 treatment in sodium butyrate-stimulated WB-F344 cells or organoids or in cells transduced with Gli1 knockdown lentiviral vectors. In contrast, KRT19 expression was elevated after transducing Gli1 overexpression lentiviral vectors in these cells. Conclusions: During various modes of chronic injury, Gli1 acted as an important mediator of HPC activation, expansion, differentiation into reactive cholangiocytes that formed DR, and subsequently provoked hepatic fibrogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yonghong Hu
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Institute of Surgery of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xinyu Bao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Long Chen
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yue Liang
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yan Qu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qun Zhou
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaoxi Zhou
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jing Fang
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhun Xiao
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yadong Fu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hailin Yang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ying Lv
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hongyan Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shanghai TCM - Integrated hospital, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Gaofeng Chen
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jian Ping
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yongping Mu
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chenghai Liu
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chao-Po Lin
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Institute of Liver Diseases, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiamei Chen
- Institute of Liver diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Minciuna I, Taru MG, Procopet B, Stefanescu H. The Interplay between Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells, Platelets, and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in the Development and Progression of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1406. [PMID: 38592258 PMCID: PMC10932189 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represents a societal burden due to the lack of effective treatment and incomplete pathophysiology understanding. This review explores the intricate connections among liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), platelets, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and coagulation disruptions in MASLD pathogenesis. In MASLD's early stages, LSECs undergo capillarization and dysfunction due to excessive dietary macronutrients and gut-derived products. Capillarization leads to ischemic changes in hepatocytes, triggering pro-inflammatory responses in Kupffer cells (KCs) and activating hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Capillarized LSECs show a pro-inflammatory phenotype through adhesion molecule overexpression, autophagy loss, and increased cytokines production. Platelet interaction favors leucocyte recruitment, NETs formation, and liver inflammatory foci. Liver fibrosis is facilitated by reduced nitric oxide, HSC activation, profibrogenic mediators, and increased angiogenesis. Moreover, platelet attachment, activation, α-granule cargo release, and NETs formation contribute to MASLD progression. Platelets foster fibrosis and microthrombosis, leading to parenchymal extinction and fibrotic healing. Additionally, platelets promote tumor growth, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and tumor cell metastasis. MASLD's prothrombotic features are exacerbated by insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity, manifesting as increased von Willebrand factor, platelet hyperaggregability, hypo-fibrinolysis, and a prothrombotic fibrin clot structure. Improving LSEC health and using antiplatelet treatment appear promising for preventing MASLD development and progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iulia Minciuna
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor”, 400394 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (H.S.)
- Deaprtment IV, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Madalina Gabriela Taru
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor”, 400394 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (H.S.)
- Deaprtment IV, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Bogdan Procopet
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor”, 400394 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (H.S.)
- Deaprtment IV, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Horia Stefanescu
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor”, 400394 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (H.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li JZ, Chen N, Ma N, Li MR. Mechanism and Progress of Natural Products in the Treatment of NAFLD-Related Fibrosis. Molecules 2023; 28:7936. [PMID: 38067665 PMCID: PMC10707854 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237936] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the most prevalent chronic liver disorder worldwide, with liver fibrosis (LF) serving as a pivotal juncture in NAFLD progression. Natural products have demonstrated substantial antifibrotic properties, ushering in novel avenues for NAFLD treatment. This study provides a comprehensive review of the potential of natural products as antifibrotic agents, including flavonoids, polyphenol compounds, and terpenoids, with specific emphasis on the role of Baicalin in NAFLD-associated fibrosis. Mechanistically, these natural products have exhibited the capacity to target a multitude of signaling pathways, including Hedgehog, Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β1, and NF-κB. Moreover, they can augment the activities of antioxidant enzymes, inhibit pro-fibrotic factors, and diminish fibrosis markers. In conclusion, this review underscores the considerable potential of natural products in addressing NAFLD-related liver fibrosis through multifaceted mechanisms. Nonetheless, it underscores the imperative need for further clinical investigation to authenticate their effectiveness, offering invaluable insights for future therapeutic advancements in this domain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Zhong Li
- Division of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ning Chen
- General Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Nan Ma
- Center for Bioactive Natural Molecules and Innovative Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Min-Ran Li
- Division of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dutta RK, Jun J, Du K, Diehl AM. Hedgehog Signaling: Implications in Liver Pathophysiology. Semin Liver Dis 2023; 43:418-428. [PMID: 37802119 DOI: 10.1055/a-2187-3382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge about the role of the Hedgehog signaling pathway in liver homeostasis and disease. Hedgehog is a morphogenic signaling pathway that is active in development. In most healthy tissues, pathway activity is restricted to stem and/or stromal cell compartments, where it enables stem cell self-renewal and tissue homeostasis. Aberrant over-activation of Hedgehog signaling occurs in many cancers, including hepatocellular and cholangio-carcinoma. The pathway is also activated transiently in stromal cells of injured tissues and orchestrates normal wound healing responses, including inflammation, vascular remodeling, and fibrogenesis. In liver, sustained Hedgehog signaling in stromal cells plays a major role in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis. Hedgehog signaling was thought to be silenced in healthy hepatocytes. However, recent studies show that targeted disruption of the pathway in hepatocytes dysregulates lipid, cholesterol, and bile acid metabolism, and promotes hepatic lipotoxicity, insulin resistance, and senescence. Hepatocytes that lack Hedgehog activity also produce a secretome that activates Hedgehog signaling in cholangiocytes and neighboring stromal cells to induce inflammatory and fibrogenic wound healing responses that drive progressive fibrosis. In conclusion, Hedgehog signaling must be precisely controlled in adult liver cells to maintain liver health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - JiHye Jun
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kuo Du
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Anna Mae Diehl
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Velliou RI, Legaki AI, Nikolakopoulou P, Vlachogiannis NI, Chatzigeorgiou A. Liver endothelial cells in NAFLD and transition to NASH and HCC. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:314. [PMID: 37798474 PMCID: PMC11072568 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04966-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, which is characterised by obesity, insulin resistance, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. NAFLD is the most frequent liver disease worldwide and more than 10% of NAFLD patients progress to the inflammatory and fibrotic stage of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can lead to end-stage liver disease including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most frequent primary malignant liver tumor. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) are strategically positioned at the interface between blood and hepatic parenchyma. LSECs are highly specialized cells, characterised by the presence of transcellular pores, called fenestrae, and exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic characteristics under physiological conditions. However, during NAFLD development they undergo capillarisation and acquire a phenotype similar to vascular endothelial cells, actively promoting all pathophysiological aspects of NAFLD, including steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. LSEC dysfunction is critical for the progression to NASH and HCC while restoring LSEC homeostasis appears to be a promising approach to prevent NAFLD progression and its complications and even reverse tissue damage. In this review we present current information on the role of LSEC throughout the progressive phases of NAFLD, summarising in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence and data from human studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rallia-Iliana Velliou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str., 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Aigli-Ioanna Legaki
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str., 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Polyxeni Nikolakopoulou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str., 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos I Vlachogiannis
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str., 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Chatzigeorgiou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str., 11527, Athens, Greece.
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wilhelmsen I, Amirola Martinez M, Stokowiec J, Wang C, Aizenshtadt A, Krauss S. Characterization of human stem cell-derived hepatic stellate cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells during extended in vitro culture. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1223737. [PMID: 37560536 PMCID: PMC10408301 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1223737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: There is a significant need for predictive and stable in vitro human liver representations for disease modeling and drug testing. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are important non-parenchymal cell components of the liver and are hence of relevance in a variety of disease models, including hepatic fibrosis. Pluripotent stem cell- (PSC-) derived HSCs (scHSCs) and LSECs (scLSECs) offer an attractive alternative to primary human material; yet, the suitability of scHSCs and scLSECs for extended in vitro modeling has not been characterized. Methods: In this study, we describe the phenotypic and functional development of scHSCs and scLSECs during 14 days of 2D in vitro culture. Cell-specific phenotypes were evaluated by cell morphology, immunofluorescence, and gene- and protein expression. Functionality was assessed in scHSCs by their capacity for intracellular storage of vitamin A and response to pro-fibrotic stimuli induced by TGF-β. scLSECs were evaluated by nitric oxide- and factor VIII secretion as well as endocytic uptake of bioparticles and acetylated low-density lipoprotein. Notch pathway inhibition and co-culturing scHSCs and scLSECs were separately tested as options for enhancing long-term stability and maturation of the cells. Results and Conclusion: Both scHSCs and scLSECs exhibited a post-differentiation cell type-specific phenotype and functionality but deteriorated during extended culture with PSC line-dependent variability. Therefore, the choice of PSC line and experimental timeframe is crucial when designing in vitro platforms involving scHSCs and scLSECs. Notch inhibition modestly improved long-term monoculture in a cell line-dependent manner, while co-culturing scHSCs and scLSECs provides a strategy to enhance phenotypic and functional stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Wilhelmsen
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Hybrid Technology Hub—Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mikel Amirola Martinez
- Hybrid Technology Hub—Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Justyna Stokowiec
- Hybrid Technology Hub—Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Chencheng Wang
- Hybrid Technology Hub—Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Aleksandra Aizenshtadt
- Hybrid Technology Hub—Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stefan Krauss
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Hybrid Technology Hub—Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yi Q, Yang J, Wu Y, Wang Y, Cao Q, Wen W. Immune microenvironment changes of liver cirrhosis: emerging role of mesenchymal stromal cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1204524. [PMID: 37539053 PMCID: PMC10395751 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1204524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cirrhosis is a progressive and diffuse liver disease characterized by liver tissue fibrosis and impaired liver function. This condition is brought about by several factors, including chronic hepatitis, hepatic steatosis, alcohol abuse, and other immunological injuries. The pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis is a complex process that involves the interaction of various immune cells and cytokines, which work together to create the hepatic homeostasis imbalance in the liver. Some studies have indicated that alterations in the immune microenvironment of liver cirrhosis are closely linked to the development and prognosis of the disease. The noteworthy function of mesenchymal stem cells and their paracrine secretion lies in their ability to promote the production of cytokines, which in turn enhance the self-repairing capabilities of tissues. The objective of this review is to provide a summary of the alterations in liver homeostasis and to discuss intercellular communication within the organ. Recent research on MSCs is yielding a blueprint for cell typing and biomarker immunoregulation. Hopefully, as MSCs researches continue to progress, novel therapeutic approaches will emerge to address cirrhosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyun Yi
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Jinxian Yang
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Qiqi Cao
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Wen
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ortega-Ribera M, Gibert-Ramos A, Abad-Jordà L, Magaz M, Téllez L, Paule L, Castillo E, Pastó R, de Souza Basso B, Olivas P, Orts L, Lozano JJ, Villa R, Bosch J, Albillos A, García-Pagán JC, Gracia-Sancho J. Increased sinusoidal pressure impairs liver endothelial mechanosensing, uncovering novel biomarkers of portal hypertension. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100722. [PMID: 37151732 PMCID: PMC10154975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Portal hypertension (PH) is a frequent and severe clinical syndrome associated with chronic liver disease. Considering the mechanobiological effects of hydrostatic pressure and shear stress on endothelial cells, we hypothesised that PH might influence the phenotype of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) during disease progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of increased hydrodynamic pressure on LSECs and to identify endothelial-derived biomarkers of PH. Methods Primary LSECs were cultured under normal or increased hydrodynamic pressure within a pathophysiological range (1 vs. 12 mmHg) using a microfluidic liver-on-a-chip device. RNA sequencing was used to identify pressure-sensitive genes, which were validated in liver biopsies from two independent cohorts of patients with chronic liver disease with PH (n = 73) and participants without PH (n = 23). Biomarker discovery was performed in two additional independent cohorts of 104 patients with PH and 18 patients without PH. Results Transcriptomic analysis revealed marked deleterious effect of pathological pressure in LSECs and identified chromobox 7 (CBX7) as a key transcription factor diminished by pressure. Hepatic CBX7 downregulation was validated in patients with PH and significantly correlated with hepatic venous pressure gradient. MicroRNA 181a-5p was identified as pressure-induced upstream regulator of CBX7. Two downstream targets inhibited by CBX7, namely, E-cadherin (ECAD) and serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 1 (SPINK1), were found increased in the bloodstream of patients with PH and were highly predictive of PH and clinically significant PH. Conclusions We characterise the detrimental effects of increased hydrodynamic pressure on the sinusoidal endothelium, identify CBX7 as a pressure-sensitive transcription factor, and propose the combination of two of its reported products as biomarkers of PH. Impact and Implications Increased pressure in the portal venous system that typically occurs during chronic liver disease (called portal hypertension) is one of the main drivers of related clinical complications, which are linked to a higher risk of death. In this study, we found that pathological pressure has a harmful effect on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and identified CBX7 as a key protein involved in this process. CBX7 regulates the expression of E-cadherin and SPINK1, and consequently, measuring these proteins in the blood of patients with chronic liver disease allows the prediction of portal hypertension and clinically significant portal hypertension.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martí Ortega-Ribera
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Gibert-Ramos
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Abad-Jordà
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Magaz
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Téllez
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, Instituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigacion Biosanitaria (IRYCIS), Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lorena Paule
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, Instituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigacion Biosanitaria (IRYCIS), Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Castillo
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, Instituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigacion Biosanitaria (IRYCIS), Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raül Pastó
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bruno de Souza Basso
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- PUCRS, Escola de Ciências, Laboratório de Pesquisa em Biofísica Celular e Inflamação, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Pol Olivas
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lara Orts
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan José Lozano
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Villa
- Grupo de Aplicaciones Biomédicas, Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Esfera UAB, Bellaterra, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBERBBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Bosch
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Agustín Albillos
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, Instituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigacion Biosanitaria (IRYCIS), Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan Carles García-Pagán
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Corresponding author. Address: IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Rosselló 149, 08036, Barcelona, Spain. Tel.: +34 932275400 #4306
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Vyas K, Patel MM. Insights on drug and gene delivery systems in liver fibrosis. Asian J Pharm Sci 2023; 18:100779. [PMID: 36845840 PMCID: PMC9950450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2023.100779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Complications of the liver are amongst the world's worst diseases. Liver fibrosis is the first stage of liver problems, while cirrhosis is the last stage, which can lead to death. The creation of effective anti-fibrotic drug delivery methods appears critical due to the liver's metabolic capacity for drugs and the presence of insurmountable physiological impediments in the way of targeting. Recent breakthroughs in anti-fibrotic agents have substantially assisted in fibrosis; nevertheless, the working mechanism of anti-fibrotic medications is not fully understood, and there is a need to design delivery systems that are well-understood and can aid in cirrhosis. Nanotechnology-based delivery systems are regarded to be effective but they have not been adequately researched for liver delivery. As a result, the capability of nanoparticles in hepatic delivery was explored. Another approach is targeted drug delivery, which can considerably improve efficacy if delivery systems are designed to target hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). We have addressed numerous delivery strategies that target HSCs, which can eventually aid in fibrosis. Recently genetics have proved to be useful, and methods for delivering genetic material to the target place have also been investigated where different techniques are depicted. To summarize, this review paper sheds light on the most recent breakthroughs in drug and gene-based nano and targeted delivery systems that have lately shown useful for the treatment of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Collapse
|
15
|
Wu X, Fan X, Miyata T, Kim A, Cajigas-Du Ross CK, Ray S, Huang E, Taiwo M, Arya R, Wu J, Nagy LE. Recent Advances in Understanding of Pathogenesis of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 18:411-438. [PMID: 36270295 PMCID: PMC10060166 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-031521-030435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is one of the major diseases arising from chronic alcohol consumption and is one of the most common causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality. ALD includes asymptomatic liver steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and alcohol-associated hepatitis and its complications. The progression of ALD involves complex cell-cell and organ-organ interactions. We focus on the impact of alcohol on dysregulation of homeostatic mechanisms and regulation of injury and repair in the liver. In particular, we discuss recent advances in understanding the disruption of balance between programmed cell death and prosurvival pathways, such as autophagy and membrane trafficking, in the pathogenesis of ALD. We also summarize current understanding of innate immune responses, liver sinusoidal endothelial cell dysfunction and hepatic stellate cell activation, and gut-liver and adipose-liver cross talk in response to ethanol. In addition,we describe the current potential therapeutic targets and clinical trials aimed at alleviating hepatocyte injury, reducing inflammatory responses, and targeting gut microbiota, for the treatment of ALD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Wu
- Northern Ohio Alcohol Center, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
| | - Xiude Fan
- Northern Ohio Alcohol Center, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
| | - Tatsunori Miyata
- Northern Ohio Alcohol Center, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
| | - Adam Kim
- Northern Ohio Alcohol Center, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
| | - Christina K Cajigas-Du Ross
- Northern Ohio Alcohol Center, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
| | - Semanti Ray
- Northern Ohio Alcohol Center, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
| | - Emily Huang
- Northern Ohio Alcohol Center, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
| | - Moyinoluwa Taiwo
- Northern Ohio Alcohol Center, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
| | - Rakesh Arya
- Northern Ohio Alcohol Center, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
| | - Jianguo Wu
- Northern Ohio Alcohol Center, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Laura E Nagy
- Northern Ohio Alcohol Center, Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ezhilarasan D, Najimi M. Intercellular communication among liver cells in the perisinusoidal space of the injured liver: Pathophysiology and therapeutic directions. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:70-81. [PMID: 36409708 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in the perisinusoidal space are surrounded by hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, and other resident immune cells. In the normal liver, HSCs communicate with these cells to maintain normal liver functions. However, after chronic liver injury, injured hepatocytes release several proinflammatory mediators, reactive oxygen species, and damage-associated molecular patterns into the perisinusoidal space. Consequently, such alteration activates quiescent HSCs to acquire a myofibroblast-like phenotype and express high amounts of transforming growth factor-β1, angiopoietins, vascular endothelial growth factors, interleukins 6 and 8, fibril forming collagens, laminin, and E-cadherin. These phenotypic and functional transdifferentiation lead to hepatic fibrosis with a typical abnormal extracellular matrix synthesis and disorganization of the perisinusoidal space of the injured liver. Those changes provide a favorable environment that regulates tumor cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and survival in the perisinusoidal space. Such tumor cells by releasing transforming growth factor-β1 and other cytokines, will, in turn, activate and deeply interact with HSCs via a bidirectional loop. Furthermore, hepatocellular carcinoma-derived mediators convert HSCs and macrophages into protumorigenic cell populations. Thus, the perisinusoidal space serves as a critical hub for activating HSCs and their interactions with other cell types, which cause a variety of liver diseases such as hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and their complications, such as portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, targeting the crosstalk between activated HSCs and tumor cells/immune cells in the tumor microenvironment may also support a promising therapeutic strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, Molecular Medicine and Toxicology Lab, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mustapha Najimi
- Laboratory of Pediatric Hepatology and Cell Therapy, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chen T, Dalton G, Oh SH, Maeso-Diaz R, Du K, Meyers RA, Guy C, Abdelmalek MF, Henao R, Guarnieri P, Pullen SS, Gregory S, Locker J, Brown JM, Diehl AM. Hepatocyte Smoothened Activity Controls Susceptibility to Insulin Resistance and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 15:949-970. [PMID: 36535507 PMCID: PMC9957752 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.12.008] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a leading cause of cirrhosis, strongly associates with the metabolic syndrome, an insulin-resistant proinflammatory state that disrupts energy balance and promotes progressive liver degeneration. We aimed to define the role of Smoothened (Smo), an obligatory component of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, in controlling hepatocyte metabolic homeostasis and, thereby, susceptibility to NASH. METHODS We conditionally deleted Smo in hepatocytes of healthy chow-fed mice and performed metabolic phenotyping, coupled with single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), to characterize the role of hepatocyte Smo in regulating basal hepatic and systemic metabolic homeostasis. Liver RNA-seq datasets from 2 large human cohorts were also analyzed to define the relationship between Smo and NASH susceptibility in people. RESULTS Hepatocyte Smo deletion inhibited the Hedgehog pathway and promoted fatty liver, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance. We identified a plausible mechanism whereby inactivation of Smo stimulated the mTORC1-SREBP1c signaling axis, which promoted lipogenesis while inhibiting the hepatic insulin cascade. Transcriptomics of bulk and single Smo-deficient hepatocytes supported suppression of insulin signaling and also revealed molecular abnormalities associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Analysis of human bulk RNA-seq data revealed that Smo expression was (1) highest in healthy livers, (2) lower in livers with NASH than in those with simple steatosis, (3) negatively correlated with markers of insulin resistance and liver injury, and (4) declined progressively as fibrosis severity worsened. CONCLUSIONS The Hedgehog pathway controls insulin sensitivity and energy homeostasis in adult livers. Loss of hepatocyte Hedgehog activity induces hepatic and systemic metabolic stress and enhances susceptibility to NASH by promoting hepatic lipoxicity and insulin resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Chen
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - George Dalton
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Seh-Hoon Oh
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Kuo Du
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Rachel A Meyers
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Cynthia Guy
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Ricardo Henao
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Paolo Guarnieri
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut
| | - Steven S Pullen
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut
| | - Simon Gregory
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Joseph Locker
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - J Mark Brown
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Anna Mae Diehl
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kim HJ, Kim G, Chi KY, Kim JH. In Vitro Generation of Luminal Vasculature in Liver Organoids: From Basic Vascular Biology to Vascularized Hepatic Organoids. Int J Stem Cells 2022; 16:1-15. [PMID: 36310029 PMCID: PMC9978835 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc22154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver organoids have gained much attention in recent years for their potential applications to liver disease modeling and pharmacologic drug screening. Liver organoids produced in vitro reflect some aspects of the in vivo physiological and pathological conditions of the liver. However, the generation of liver organoids with perfusable luminal vasculature remains a major challenge, hindering precise and effective modeling of liver diseases. Furthermore, vascularization is required for large organoids or assembloids to closely mimic the complexity of tissue architecture without cell death in the core region. A few studies have successfully generated liver organoids with endothelial cell networks, but most of these vascular networks produced luminal structures after being transplanted into tissues of host animals. Therefore, formation of luminal vasculature is an unmet need to overcome the limitation of liver organoids as an in vitro model investigating different acute and chronic liver diseases. Here, we provide an overview of the unique features of hepatic vasculature under pathophysiological conditions and summarize the biochemical and biophysical cues that drive vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in vitro. We also highlight recent progress in generating vascularized liver organoids in vitro and discuss potential strategies that may enable the generation of perfusable luminal vasculature in liver organoids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Jin Kim
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gyeongmin Kim
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyun Yoo Chi
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong-Hoon Kim
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea,Correspondence to Jong-Hoon Kim, Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea, Tel: +82-2-3290-3007, Fax: +82-2-3290-3040, E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Chen T, Shi Z, Zhao Y, Meng X, Zhao S, Zheng L, Han X, Hu Z, Yao Q, Lin H, Du X, Zhang K, Han T, Hong W. LncRNA Airn maintains LSEC differentiation to alleviate liver fibrosis via the KLF2-eNOS-sGC pathway. BMC Med 2022; 20:335. [PMID: 36171606 PMCID: PMC9520944 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02523-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important regulators in a variety of human diseases. The dysregulation of liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) phenotype is a critical early event in the fibrotic process. However, the biological function of lncRNAs in LSEC still remains unclear. METHODS The expression level of lncRNA Airn was evaluated in both human fibrotic livers and serums, as well as mouse fibrotic livers. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were performed to detect the effect of Airn on LSEC differentiation and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation in liver fibrosis. Furthermore, RIP, RNA pull-down-immunoblotting, and ChIP experiments were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms of Airn. RESULTS We have identified Airn was significantly upregulated in liver tissues and LSEC of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis mouse model. Moreover, the expression of AIRN in fibrotic human liver tissues and serums was remarkably increased compared with healthy controls. In vivo studies showed that Airn deficiency aggravated CCl4- and bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis, while Airn over-expression by AAV8 alleviated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Furthermore, we revealed that Airn maintained LSEC differentiation in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, Airn inhibited HSC activation indirectly by regulating LSEC differentiation and promoted hepatocyte (HC) proliferation by increasing paracrine secretion of Wnt2a and HGF from LSEC. Mechanistically, Airn interacted with EZH2 to maintain LSEC differentiation through KLF2-eNOS-sGC pathway, thereby maintaining HSC quiescence and promoting HC proliferation. CONCLUSIONS Our work identified that Airn is beneficial to liver fibrosis by maintaining LSEC differentiation and might be a serum biomarker for liver fibrogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhemin Shi
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanmian Zhao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Meng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Sicong Zhao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lina Zheng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaohui Han
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhimei Hu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingbin Yao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Huajiang Lin
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Union Medical Center affiliated to Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Du
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Tao Han
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Union Medical Center affiliated to Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Wei Hong
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Guo Q, Furuta K, Islam S, Caporarello N, Kostallari E, Dielis K, Tschumperlin DJ, Hirsova P, Ibrahim SH. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cell expressed vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 promotes liver fibrosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:983255. [PMID: 36091042 PMCID: PMC9453231 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.983255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During liver injury, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) dysfunction and capillarization promote liver fibrosis. We have previously reported that the LSEC vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) plays a key role in liver inflammation in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and we now aim to uncover its role in LSEC capillarization and liver fibrosis. Methods Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were fed either chow or high fat, fructose and cholesterol diet to induce NASH and treated with either anti-VCAM1 neutralizing antibody or control isotype antibody. Inducible endothelial cell-specific Vcam1 deleted mice (Vcam1Δend ) and control mice (Vcam1fl/fl ) were fed choline-deficient high-fat diet (CD-HFD) to induce NASH or injected with carbon tetrachloride to induce liver fibrosis. LSECs isolated from Vcam1fl/fl or Vcam1Δend and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) isolated from wild-type mice were cocultured in a 3-D system or a μ-Slide 2 well co-culture system. Results Immunostaining for Lyve1 (marker of differentiated LSECs) was reduced in Vcam1fl/fl mice and restored in Vcam1Δend mice in both NASH and liver fibrosis models. Co-immunostaining showed increased α-smooth muscle actin in the livers of Vcam1fl/fl mice in areas lacking Lyve1. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy showed reduced LSEC fenestrae in the Vcam1fl/fl mice but not Vcam1Δend mice in both injury models, suggesting that VCAM1 promotes LSEC capillarization during liver injury. HSCs profibrogenic markers were reduced when cocultured with LSECs from CD-HFD fed Vcam1Δend mice compared to Vcam1fl/fl mice. Furthermore, recombinant VCAM1 activated the Yes-associated protein 1 pathway and induced a fibrogenic phenotype in HSCs in vitro, supporting the profibrogenic role of LSEC VCAM1. Conclusion VCAM1 is not just a scaffold for leukocyte adhesion during liver injury, but also a modulator of LSEC capillarization and liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Guo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Kunimaro Furuta
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shahidul Islam
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Nunzia Caporarello
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Enis Kostallari
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Kobe Dielis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Daniel J Tschumperlin
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Petra Hirsova
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Samar H Ibrahim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hou L, Zhang M, Liu L, Zhong Q, Xie M, Zhao G. Therapeutic Applications of Nanomedicine in Metabolic Diseases by Targeting the Endothelium. QJM 2022:6692319. [PMID: 36063067 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcac210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelial cells not only constitute the barrier between the blood and interstitial space, but also actively regulate vascular tone, blood flow, and the function of adjacent parenchymal cells. The close anatomical relationship between endothelial cells and highly vascularized metabolic organs suggests that the crosstalk between these units is vital for systemic metabolic homeostasis. Here, we review recent studies about the pivotal role of endothelial cells in metabolic diseases. Specifically, we discuss how the dysfunction of endothelial cells directly contributes to the development of insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), atherosclerosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) via communication with parenchymal cells. Furthermore, although many biological macromolecules have been shown to ameliorate the progression of metabolic diseases by improving endothelial function, the low solubility, poor bioavailability, or lack of specificity of these molecules limit their clinical application. Given the advantages in drug delivery of nanomedicine, we focus on summarizing the reports that improving endothelial dysfunction through nanomedicine-based therapies provides an opportunity for preventing metabolic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lianjie Hou
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan City People's Hospital, Qingyuan, 511518, Guangdong, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan City People's Hospital, Qingyuan, 511518, Guangdong, China
| | - Lili Liu
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan City People's Hospital, Qingyuan, 511518, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiong Zhong
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan City People's Hospital, Qingyuan, 511518, Guangdong, China
| | - Meiying Xie
- Guangdong Eco-Engineering Polytechnic, 297 Guangshan First Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510520, China
| | - Guojun Zhao
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan City People's Hospital, Qingyuan, 511518, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Olmesartan Improves Hepatic Sinusoidal Remodeling in Mice with Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:4710993. [PMID: 36060127 PMCID: PMC9439923 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4710993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Aim In mice with liver fibrosis produced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), the effects of olmesartan on intrahepatic angiogenesis and sinusoidal remodeling will be evaluated. Methods By injecting CCl4 into the peritoneal cavity, we established a mouse model of liver fibrosis. Using Sirius red and Masson trichrome staining, the extent of liver fibrosis in the animals was determined. Using immunohistochemical labeling and western blotting, the level of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, a characteristic of hepatic stellate cell activation, was assessed. Electron microscopy was used to determine the effect of olmesartan on hepatic sinusoidal capillarization, and immunohistochemical labeling was used to determine the expression levels of endothelial and basement membrane proteins in mouse liver tissues. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiotensin II levels in mouse serum were measured by Luminex multifactor analysis and ELISA. Olmesartan's effect on the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and the VEGF receptor (VEGFR) was evaluated using western blotting. Results Olmesartan reduced CCl4-induced inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition to alleviate liver fibrosis. α-SMA expression was decreased, and HSC activation was inhibited in mouse liver tissues by olmesartan treatment. In addition, hepatic sinusoidal capillarization was improved under the action of olmesartan. The expression of collagen IV, fibronectin, CD31, and von Willebrand factor (VWF) in the olmesartan group was also markedly downregulated. In fibrotic mice, olmesartan medication decreased the levels of PDGF, VEGF, and angiotensin II, but it increased the level of IL-10. Moreover, olmesartan reduced the expression of VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and AT1R relative to CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Conclusions In mice with CCl4-induced fibrosis, olmesartan lowers angiogenesis and improves hepatic sinusoidal remodeling, according to our findings. By acting on the angiotensin II-AT1R-VEGF axis, this is achieved.
Collapse
|
23
|
Kawai H, Osawa Y, Matsuda M, Tsunoda T, Yanagida K, Hishikawa D, Okawara M, Sakamoto Y, Shimagaki T, Tsutsui Y, Yoshida Y, Yoshikawa S, Hashi K, Doi H, Mori T, Yamazoe T, Yoshio S, Sugiyama M, Okuzaki D, Komatsu H, Inui A, Tamura-Nakano M, Oyama C, Shindou H, Kusano H, Kage M, Ikegami T, Yanaga K, Kanto T. Sphingosine-1-phosphate promotes tumor development and liver fibrosis in mouse model of congestive hepatopathy. Hepatology 2022; 76:112-125. [PMID: 34855990 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Chronic liver congestion reflecting right-sided heart failure (RHF), Budd-Chiari syndrome, or Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) is involved in liver fibrosis and HCC. However, molecular mechanisms of fibrosis and HCC in chronic liver congestion remain poorly understood. APPROACH AND RESULTS Here, we first demonstrated that chronic liver congestion promoted HCC and metastatic liver tumor growth using murine model of chronic liver congestion by partial inferior vena cava ligation (pIVCL). As the initial step triggering HCC promotion and fibrosis, gut-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) appeared to induce LSECs capillarization in mice and in vitro. LSEC capillarization was also confirmed in patients with FALD. Mitogenic factor, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), was increased in congestive liver and expression of sphingosine kinase 1, a major synthetase of S1P, was increased in capillarized LSECs after pIVCL. Inhibition of S1P receptor (S1PR) 1 (Ex26) and S1PR2 (JTE013) mitigated HCC development and liver fibrosis, respectively. Antimicrobial treatment lowered portal blood LPS concentration, LSEC capillarization, and liver S1P concentration accompanied by reduction of HCC development and fibrosis in the congestive liver. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, chronic liver congestion promotes HCC development and liver fibrosis by S1P production from LPS-induced capillarized LSECs. Careful treatment of both RHF and liver cancer might be necessary for patients with RHF with primary or metastatic liver cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hironari Kawai
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan.,Department of Surgery, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yosuke Osawa
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Nasushiobara, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Michitaka Matsuda
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Tsunoda
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Yokohama-shi Tobu Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Keisuke Yanagida
- Department of Lipid Signaling, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Hishikawa
- Department of Lipid Signaling, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miku Okawara
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Sakamoto
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tomonari Shimagaki
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuriko Tsutsui
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuichi Yoshida
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shiori Yoshikawa
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kana Hashi
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Doi
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Taizo Mori
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Taiji Yamazoe
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sachiyo Yoshio
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masaya Sugiyama
- Genome Medical Sciences Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Daisuke Okuzaki
- Genome information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial Disease, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruki Komatsu
- Department of Pediatrics, Toho University Medical Center, Sakura hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ayano Inui
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Yokohama-shi Tobu Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Miwa Tamura-Nakano
- Communal Laboratory, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chinatsu Oyama
- Communal Laboratory, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideo Shindou
- Department of Lipid Signaling, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Lipid Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hironori Kusano
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Kage
- Kurume University Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Toru Ikegami
- Department of Surgery, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Yanaga
- Department of Surgery, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kanto
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Brozat JF, Brandt EF, Stark M, Fischer P, Wirtz TH, Flaßhove A, Rodenhausen AN, Vajen T, Heinzmann ACA, Schmitz SMT, Abu Jhaisha S, Röth AA, Koenen RR, Sahin H, Trautwein C, Berres ML. JAM-A is a multifaceted regulator in hepatic fibrogenesis, supporting LSEC integrity and stellate cell quiescence. Liver Int 2022; 42:1185-1203. [PMID: 35129269 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Leukocyte infiltration is a hallmark of hepatic inflammation. The Junctional Adhesion Molecule A (JAM-A) is a crucial regulator of leukocyte extravasation and is upregulated in human viral fibrosis. Reduced shear stress within hepatic sinusoids and the specific phenotype of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) cumulate in differing adhesion characteristics during liver fibrosis. The aim of this study was to define the functional role of cell-specific adhesion molecule JAM-A during hepatic fibrogenesis. METHODS Complete, conditional (intestinal epithelial; endothelial) and bone marrow chimeric Jam-a knockout animals and corresponding C57Bl/6 wild-type animals were treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 , 6 weeks). For functional analyses of JAM-A, comprehensive in vivo studies, co-culture models and flow-based adhesion assays were performed. RESULTS Complete and bone marrow-derived Jam-a-/- animals showed aggravated fibrosis with increased non-sinusoidal, perivascular accumulation of CD11b+ F4/80+ monocyte-derived macrophages in contrast to wild-type mice. Despite being associated with disturbed epithelial barrier function, an intestinal epithelial Jam-a knockout did not affect fibrogenesis. In endothelial-specific Jam-a-/- animals, liver fibrosis was aggravated alongside sinusoid capillarization and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. HSC activation is induced via Jam-a-/- LSEC-derived secretion of soluble factors. Sinusoid CD31 expression and hedgehog gene signalling were increased, but leukocyte infiltration and adhesion to LSECs remained unaffected. CONCLUSIONS Our models decipher cell-specific JAM-A to exert crucial functions during hepatic fibrogenesis. JAM-A on bone marrow-derived cells regulates non-sinusoidal vascular immune cell recruitment, while endothelial JAM-A controls liver sinusoid capillarization and HSC quiescence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan F Brozat
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Elisa F Brandt
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Myriam Stark
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Petra Fischer
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Theresa H Wirtz
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Alexander Flaßhove
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Aaron N Rodenhausen
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tanja Vajen
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexandra C A Heinzmann
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sophia M-T Schmitz
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Samira Abu Jhaisha
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anjali A Röth
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rory R Koenen
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Hacer Sahin
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marie-Luise Berres
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Li H. Intercellular crosstalk of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Dig Liver Dis 2022; 54:598-613. [PMID: 34344577 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intercellular crosstalk among various liver cells plays an important role in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) precedes fibrosis and accumulating evidence suggests that the crosstalk between LSECs and other liver cells is critical in the development and progression of liver fibrosis. LSECs dysfunction, a key event in the progression from fibrosis to cirrhosis, and subsequently obstruction of hepatic sinuses and increased intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR) contribute to development of portal hypertension (PHT) and cirrhosis. More importantly, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which is closely related to the crosstalk between LSECs and immune liver cells like CD8+ T cells, promotes advances tumorigenesis, especially HCC. However, the connections within the crosstalk between LSECs and other liver cells during the progression from liver fibrosis to cirrhosis to HCC have yet to be discussed. In this review, we first summarize the current knowledge of how different crosstalk between LSECs and other liver cells, including hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), macrophoges, immune cells in liver and extra cellular matrix (ECM) contribute to the physiological function and the progrssion from liver fibrosis to cirrhosis, or even to HCC. Then we examine current treatment strategies for LSECs crosstalk in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Central Laboratory, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, NO. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Muranyi W, Schwerk C, Herold R, Stump-Guthier C, Lampe M, Fallier-Becker P, Weiß C, Sticht C, Ishikawa H, Schroten H. Immortalized human choroid plexus endothelial cells enable an advanced endothelial-epithelial two-cell type in vitro model of the choroid plexus. iScience 2022; 25:104383. [PMID: 35633941 PMCID: PMC9133638 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The choroid plexus (CP) is a highly vascularized structure containing endothelial and epithelial cells located in the ventricular system of the central nervous system (CNS). The role of the fenestrated CP endothelium is under-researched and requires the generation of an immortalized CP endothelial cell line with preserved features. Transduction of primary human CP endothelial cells (HCPEnC) with the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) resulted in immortalized HCPEnC (iHCPEnC), which grew as monolayer with contact inhibition, formed capillary-like tubes in Matrigel, and showed no colony growth in soft agar. iHCPEnC expressed pan-endothelial markers and presented characteristic plasmalemma vesicle-associated protein-containing structures. Cultivation of iHCPEnC and human epithelial CP papilloma (HIBCPP) cells on opposite sides of cell culture filter inserts generated an in vitro model with a consistently enhanced barrier function specifically by iHCPEnC. Overall, iHCPEnC present a tool that will contribute to the understanding of CP organ functions, especially endothelial-epithelial interplay. Generation of an immortalized human choroid plexus endothelial cell line (iHCPEnC) iHCPEnC immortalized by telomerase maintain essential endothelial properties The mRNA expression profile distinguishes iHCPEnC from other endothelial cell types iHCPEnC enhance the barrier function of a choroid plexus epithelium in coculture
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Walter Muranyi
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- European Center for Angioscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Corresponding author
| | - Christian Schwerk
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- European Center for Angioscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rosanna Herold
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- European Center for Angioscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Carolin Stump-Guthier
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- European Center for Angioscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marko Lampe
- Advanced Light Microscopy Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Petra Fallier-Becker
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christel Weiß
- Department of Medical Statistics and Biomathematics, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Sticht
- Core Facility Next Generation Sequencing, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hiroshi Ishikawa
- Laboratory of Clinical Regenerative Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Horst Schroten
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- European Center for Angioscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
The Hepatic Sinusoid in Chronic Liver Disease: The Optimal Milieu for Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225719. [PMID: 34830874 PMCID: PMC8616349 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary During the development of chronic liver disease, the hepatic sinusoid undergoes major changes that further compromise the hepatic function, inducing persistent inflammation and the formation of scar tissue, together with alterations in liver hemodynamics. This diseased background may induce the formation and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the most common form of primary liver cancer and a major cause of mortality. In this review, we describe the ways in which the dysregulation of hepatic sinusoidal cells—including liver sinusoidal cells, Kupffer cells, and hepatic stellate cells—may have an important role in the development of HCC. Our review summarizes all of the known sinusoidal processes in both health and disease, and possible treatments focusing on the dysregulation of the sinusoid; finally, we discuss how some of these alterations occurring during chronic injury are shared with the pathology of HCC and may contribute to its development. Abstract The liver sinusoids are a unique type of microvascular beds. The specialized phenotype of sinusoidal cells is essential for their communication, and for the function of all hepatic cell types, including hepatocytes. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) conform the inner layer of the sinusoids, which is permeable due to the fenestrae across the cytoplasm; hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) surround LSECs, regulate the vascular tone, and synthetize the extracellular matrix, and Kupffer cells (KCs) are the liver-resident macrophages. Upon injury, the harmonic equilibrium in sinusoidal communication is disrupted, leading to phenotypic alterations that may affect the function of the whole liver if the damage persists. Understanding how the specialized sinusoidal cells work in coordination with each other in healthy livers and chronic liver disease is of the utmost importance for the discovery of new therapeutic targets and the design of novel pharmacological strategies. In this manuscript, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of sinusoidal cells and their communication both in health and chronic liver diseases, and their potential pharmacologic modulation. Finally, we discuss how alterations occurring during chronic injury may contribute to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, which is usually developed in the background of chronic liver disease.
Collapse
|
28
|
Campreciós G, Ruart M, Anton A, Suárez-Herrera N, Montironi C, Martínez C, Jiménez N, Lafoz E, García-Calderó H, Vilaseca M, Magaz M, Coll M, Graupera I, Friedman SL, García-Pagán JC, Hernández-Gea V. Spermidine Supplementation Protects the Liver Endothelium from Liver Damage in Mice. Nutrients 2021; 13:3700. [PMID: 34835956 PMCID: PMC8617984 DOI: 10.3390/nu13113700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases are multifactorial and the need to develop effective therapies is high. Recent studies have shown the potential of ameliorating liver disease progression through protection of the liver endothelium. Polyamine spermidine (SPD) is a caloric restriction mimetic with autophagy-enhancing properties capable of prolonging lifespan and with a proven beneficial effect in cardiovascular disease in mice and humans. We evaluated the use of dietary supplementation with SPD in two models of liver disease (CCl4 and CDAAH diet). We analyzed the effect of SPD on endothelial dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. C57BL/6J mice were supplemented with SPD in the drinking water prior and concomitantly with CCl4 and CDAAH treatments. Endothelial autophagy deficient (Atg7endo) mice were also evaluated. Liver tissue was used to evaluate the impact of SPD prophylaxis on liver damage, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, mitochondrial status, inflammation and liver fibrosis. SPD improved the endothelial response to oxidative injury in vitro and improved the liver endothelial phenotype and protected against liver injury in vivo. SPD reduced the overall liver oxidative stress and improved mitochondrial fitness. The absence of benefits in the Atg7endo mice suggests an autophagy-dependent effect of SPD. This study suggests SPD diet supplementation in early phases of disease protects the liver endothelium from oxidative stress and may be an attractive approach to modify the chronic liver disease course and halt fibrosis progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Genís Campreciós
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Hospital Clínic, Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver Disorders (ERN-Liver), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.C.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (N.S.-H.); (E.L.); (H.G.-C.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (J.C.G.-P.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (M.C.); (I.G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Ruart
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Hospital Clínic, Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver Disorders (ERN-Liver), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.C.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (N.S.-H.); (E.L.); (H.G.-C.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (J.C.G.-P.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (M.C.); (I.G.)
| | - Aina Anton
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Hospital Clínic, Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver Disorders (ERN-Liver), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.C.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (N.S.-H.); (E.L.); (H.G.-C.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (J.C.G.-P.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (M.C.); (I.G.)
| | - Nuria Suárez-Herrera
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Hospital Clínic, Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver Disorders (ERN-Liver), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.C.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (N.S.-H.); (E.L.); (H.G.-C.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (J.C.G.-P.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (M.C.); (I.G.)
| | - Carla Montironi
- Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
- Liver Cancer Translational Research Group, Liver Unit, IDIBAPS-Hospital Clínic, UB, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Celia Martínez
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (M.C.); (I.G.)
| | - Natalia Jiménez
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Erica Lafoz
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Hospital Clínic, Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver Disorders (ERN-Liver), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.C.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (N.S.-H.); (E.L.); (H.G.-C.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (J.C.G.-P.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (M.C.); (I.G.)
| | - Héctor García-Calderó
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Hospital Clínic, Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver Disorders (ERN-Liver), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.C.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (N.S.-H.); (E.L.); (H.G.-C.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (J.C.G.-P.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (M.C.); (I.G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina Vilaseca
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Hospital Clínic, Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver Disorders (ERN-Liver), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.C.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (N.S.-H.); (E.L.); (H.G.-C.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (J.C.G.-P.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (M.C.); (I.G.)
| | - Marta Magaz
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Hospital Clínic, Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver Disorders (ERN-Liver), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.C.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (N.S.-H.); (E.L.); (H.G.-C.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (J.C.G.-P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Mar Coll
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (M.C.); (I.G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Graupera
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (M.C.); (I.G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
- Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Scott L. Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn Medical School at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Joan Carles García-Pagán
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Hospital Clínic, Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver Disorders (ERN-Liver), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.C.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (N.S.-H.); (E.L.); (H.G.-C.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (J.C.G.-P.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (M.C.); (I.G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
- Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Virginia Hernández-Gea
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Hospital Clínic, Health Care Provider of the European Reference Network on Rare Liver Disorders (ERN-Liver), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (G.C.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (N.S.-H.); (E.L.); (H.G.-C.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (J.C.G.-P.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (M.C.); (I.G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Szafranska K, Kruse LD, Holte CF, McCourt P, Zapotoczny B. The wHole Story About Fenestrations in LSEC. Front Physiol 2021; 12:735573. [PMID: 34588998 PMCID: PMC8473804 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.735573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The porosity of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) ensures bidirectional passive transport of lipoproteins, drugs and solutes between the liver capillaries and the liver parenchyma. This porosity is realized via fenestrations - transcellular pores with diameters in the range of 50-300 nm - typically grouped together in sieve plates. Aging and several liver disorders severely reduce LSEC porosity, decreasing their filtration properties. Over the years, a variety of drugs, stimulants, and toxins have been investigated in the context of altered diameter or frequency of fenestrations. In fact, any change in the porosity, connected with the change in number and/or size of fenestrations is reflected in the overall liver-vascular system crosstalk. Recently, several commonly used medicines have been proposed to have a beneficial effect on LSEC re-fenestration in aging. These findings may be important for the aging populations of the world. In this review we collate the literature on medicines, recreational drugs, hormones and laboratory tools (including toxins) where the effect LSEC morphology was quantitatively analyzed. Moreover, different experimental models of liver pathology are discussed in the context of fenestrations. The second part of this review covers the cellular mechanisms of action to enable physicians and researchers to predict the effect of newly developed drugs on LSEC porosity. To achieve this, we discuss four existing hypotheses of regulation of fenestrations. Finally, we provide a summary of the cellular mechanisms which are demonstrated to tune the porosity of LSEC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Szafranska
- Vascular Biology Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Larissa D Kruse
- Vascular Biology Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Christopher Florian Holte
- Vascular Biology Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Peter McCourt
- Vascular Biology Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Bartlomiej Zapotoczny
- Vascular Biology Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Yang L, Xu X, Chen Z, Zhang Y, Chen H, Wang X. miR-511-3p promotes hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome by activating hedgehog pathway via targeting Ptch1. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 321:G344-G354. [PMID: 34287088 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00081.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
As a major complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the incidence of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) is as high as 70%. Previous evidence has demonstrated that miR-511-3p was involved in HSOS, but the mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to examine the mechanism underlying miR-511-3p regulating HSOS. Monocrotaline (MCT) was used to create an HSOS rat model and to treat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). Hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and Masson staining were used to detect pathological changes in liver tissue. The expression of miR-511-3p and Hedgehog pathway-related proteins was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. The effect of miR-511-3p in regulating HSOS was investigated by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo-2)-3,5-diphenytetrazoliumromide (MTT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay, and flow cytometry. Finally, the interaction between miR-511-3p and patched1 (Ptch1) was determined by luciferase reporter assay. The rats showed a typical HSOS phenotype, including LSEC damage, liver injury, and fibrosis after MCT administration. miR-511-3p was upregulated in hepatic tissue of rat HSOS model and MCT-induced LSECs. miR-511-3p directly targeted Ptch1 and suppressed Ptch1 expression to activate the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Depletion of miR-511-3p showed a protective effect against MCT-induced HSOS, as evidenced by decreased HSOS pathogenesis factors, matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin 1 β (IL-1β), and decreased LSEC apoptosis rates. Nevertheless, knockdown of Ptch1 reversed the protective effect of miR-511-3p depletion against MCT-induced LSEC injury and apoptosis. miR-511-3p aggravates HSOS by activating the Hedgehog signaling pathway through targeting Ptch1, and miR-511-3p may develop as the potential therapy for the treatment of HSOS.NEW & NOTEWORTHY miR-511-3p is upregulated in HSOS in vivo and in vitro models. miR-511-3p activates the Hedgehog pathway by directly targeting Ptch1. Knockdown of miR-511-3p shows a protective effect against LSEC injury and apoptosis via Hedgehog signaling pathway. Inhibition of Ptch1 reserves the effect of miR-511-3p knockdown on LSEC damage and apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoping Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyuan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangyang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Kumar S, Duan Q, Wu R, Harris EN, Su Q. Pathophysiological communication between hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells in liver injury from NAFLD to liver fibrosis. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 176:113869. [PMID: 34280515 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial disease that encompasses a spectrum of pathological conditions, ranging from simple steatosis (NAFL), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis/cirrhosis which can further progress to hepatocellular carcinoma and liver failure. The progression of NAFL to NASH and liver fibrosis is closely associated with a series of liver injury resulting from lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, redox imbalance (excessive nitric oxide), ER stress, inflammation and apoptosis that occur sequentially in different liver cells which ultimately leads to the activation of liver regeneration and fibrogenesis, augmenting collagen and extracellular matrix deposition and promoting liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Type 2 diabetes is a significant risk factor in NAFLD development by accelerating liver damage. Here, we overview recent findings from human study and animal models on the pathophysiological communication among hepatocytes (HCs), Kupffer cells (KCs), hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) during the disease development. The mechanisms of crucial signaling pathways, including Toll-like receptor, TGFβ and hedgehog mediated hepatic injury are also discussed. We further highlight the potentials of precisely targeting hepatic individual cell-type using nanotechnology as therapeutic strategy for the treatment of NASH and liver fibrosis.
Collapse
|
32
|
Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) form the wall of the hepatic sinusoids. Unlike other capillaries, they lack an organized basement membrane and have cytoplasm that is penetrated by open fenestrae, making the hepatic microvascular endothelium discontinuous. LSECs have essential roles in the maintenance of hepatic homeostasis, including regulation of the vascular tone, inflammation and thrombosis, and they are essential for control of the hepatic immune response. On a background of acute or chronic liver injury, LSECs modify their phenotype and negatively affect neighbouring cells and liver disease pathophysiology. This Review describes the main functions and phenotypic dysregulations of LSECs in liver diseases, specifically in the context of acute injury (ischaemia-reperfusion injury, drug-induced liver injury and bacterial and viral infection), chronic liver disease (metabolism-associated liver disease, alcoholic steatohepatitis and chronic hepatotoxic injury) and hepatocellular carcinoma, and provides a comprehensive update of the role of LSECs as therapeutic targets for liver disease. Finally, we discuss the open questions in the field of LSEC pathobiology and future avenues of research.
Collapse
|
33
|
Wu X, Shu L, Zhang Z, Li J, Zong J, Cheong LY, Ye D, Lam KSL, Song E, Wang C, Xu A, Hoo RLC. Adipocyte Fatty Acid Binding Protein Promotes the Onset and Progression of Liver Fibrosis via Mediating the Crosstalk between Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells and Hepatic Stellate Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2003721. [PMID: 34105268 PMCID: PMC8188197 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202003721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Development of liver fibrosis results in drastic changes in the liver microenvironment, which in turn accelerates disease progression. Although the pathological function of various hepatic cells in fibrogenesis is identified, the crosstalk between them remains obscure. The present study demonstrates that hepatic expression of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) is induced especially in the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) in mice after bile duct ligation (BDL). Genetic ablation and pharmacological inhibition of A-FABP attenuate BDL- or carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in mice associating with reduced collagen accumulation, LSEC capillarization, and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Mechanistically, elevated A-FABP promotes LSEC capillarization by activating Hedgehog signaling, thus impairs the gatekeeper function of LSEC on HSC activation. LSEC-derived A-FABP also acts on HSCs in paracrine manner to potentiate the transactivation of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) by activating c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/c-Jun signaling. Elevated TGFβ1 subsequently exaggerates liver fibrosis. These findings uncover a novel pathological mechanism of liver fibrosis in which LSEC-derived A-FABP is a key regulator modulating the onset and progression of the disease. Targeting A-FABP may represent a potential approach against liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
- Department of Pharmacology and PharmacyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
| | - Lingling Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
- Department of MedicineLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Zixuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
- Department of Pharmacology and PharmacyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Pharmacology and PharmacyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
| | - Jiuyu Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
- Department of Pharmacology and PharmacyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
| | - Lai Yee Cheong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
- Department of MedicineLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
| | - Dewei Ye
- Joint Laboratory of Guangdong and Hong Kong on Metabolic DiseasesGuangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityGuangzhou510000China
| | - Karen S. L. Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
- Department of MedicineLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
| | - Erfei Song
- Department of Metabolic and Bariatric SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510630China
| | - Cunchuan Wang
- Department of Metabolic and Bariatric SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong510630China
| | - Aimin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
- Department of Pharmacology and PharmacyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
- Department of MedicineLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
| | - Ruby L. C. Hoo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
- Department of Pharmacology and PharmacyLKS Faculty of Medicinethe University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
- HKU‐Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU‐SIRI)Shenzhen518057China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Cai J, Hu M, Chen Z, Ling Z. The roles and mechanisms of hypoxia in liver fibrosis. J Transl Med 2021; 19:186. [PMID: 33933107 PMCID: PMC8088569 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-02854-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis occurs in response to any etiology of chronic liver injury. Lack of appropriate clinical intervention will lead to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), seriously affecting the quality of life of patients, but the current clinical treatments of liver fibrosis have not been developed yet. Recent studies have shown that hypoxia is a key factor promoting the progression of liver fibrosis. Hypoxia can cause liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis can, in turn, profoundly further deepen the degree of hypoxia. Therefore, exploring the role of hypoxia in liver fibrosis will help to further understand the process of liver fibrosis, and provide the theoretical basis for its diagnosis and treatment, which is of great significance to avoid further deterioration of liver diseases and protect the life and health of patients. This review highlights the recent advances in cellular and molecular mechanisms of hypoxia in developments of liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyao Cai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhiyang Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zeng Ling
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Wang XK, Peng ZG. Targeting Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells: An Attractive Therapeutic Strategy to Control Inflammation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:655557. [PMID: 33935770 PMCID: PMC8082362 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.655557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially its advanced stage nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), has become a threatened public health problem worldwide. However, no specific drug has been approved for clinical use to treat patients with NASH, though there are many promising candidates against NAFLD in the drug development pipeline. Recently, accumulated evidence showed that liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) play an essential role in the occurrence and development of liver inflammation in patients with NAFLD. LSECs, as highly specialized endothelial cells with unique structure and anatomical location, contribute to the maintenance of liver homeostasis and could be a promising therapeutic target to control liver inflammation of NAFLD. In this review, we outline the pathophysiological roles of LSECs related to inflammation of NAFLD, highlight the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects of LSECs, and discuss the potential drug development strategies against NAFLD based on targeting to LSECs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Kai Wang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zong-Gen Peng
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Angiodiversity and organotypic functions of sinusoidal endothelial cells. Angiogenesis 2021; 24:289-310. [PMID: 33745018 PMCID: PMC7982081 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-021-09780-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
‘Angiodiversity’ refers to the structural and functional heterogeneity of endothelial cells (EC) along the segments of the vascular tree and especially within the microvascular beds of different organs. Organotypically differentiated EC ranging from continuous, barrier-forming endothelium to discontinuous, fenestrated endothelium perform organ-specific functions such as the maintenance of the tightly sealed blood–brain barrier or the clearance of macromolecular waste products from the peripheral blood by liver EC-expressed scavenger receptors. The microvascular bed of the liver, composed of discontinuous, fenestrated liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC), is a prime example of organ-specific angiodiversity. Anatomy and development of LSEC have been extensively studied by electron microscopy as well as linage-tracing experiments. Recent advances in cell isolation and bulk transcriptomics or single-cell RNA sequencing techniques allowed the identification of distinct LSEC molecular programs and have led to the identification of LSEC subpopulations. LSEC execute homeostatic functions such as fine tuning the vascular tone, clearing noxious substances from the circulation, and modulating immunoregulatory mechanisms. In recent years, the identification and functional analysis of LSEC-derived angiocrine signals, which control liver homeostasis and disease pathogenesis in an instructive manner, marks a major change of paradigm in the understanding of liver function in health and disease. This review summarizes recent advances in the understanding of liver vascular angiodiversity and the functional consequences resulting thereof.
Collapse
|
37
|
Ma H, Liu X, Zhang M, Niu J. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells are implicated in multiple fibrotic mechanisms. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:2803-2815. [PMID: 33730288 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06269-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases are attributed to liver injury. Development of fibrosis from chronic liver diseases is a dynamic process that involves multiple molecular and cellular processes. As the first to be impacted by injury, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are involved in the pathogenesis of liver diseases caused by a variety of etiologies. Moreover, capillarization of LSECs has been recognized as an important event in the development of chronic liver diseases and fibrosis. Studies have reported that various cytokines (such as vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor-β), and pathways (such as hedgehog, and Notch), as well as epigenetic and metabolic factors are involved in the development of LSEC-mediated liver fibrosis. This review describes the complexity and plasticity of LSECs in fibrotic liver diseases from several perspectives, including the cross-talk between LSECs and other intra-hepatic cells. Moreover, it summarizes the mechanisms of several kinds of LSECs-targeting anti-fibrosis chemicals, and provides a theoretical basis for future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heming Ma
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, NO. 71, Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, NO. 71, Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Mingyuan Zhang
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, NO. 71, Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Junqi Niu
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, NO. 71, Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Wu Z, Huang S, Zheng X, Gu S, Xu Q, Gong Y, Zhang J, Fu B, Tang L. Regulatory long non-coding RNAs of hepatic stellate cells in liver fibrosis (Review). Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:351. [PMID: 33732324 PMCID: PMC7903415 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis (LF) is a continuous wound healing process caused by numerous chronic hepatic diseases and poses a major threat to human health. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a critical event in the development of hepatic fibrosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that are involved in HSC activation, participate in the development of LF and are likely to be therapeutic targets for LF. In the present review, the cellular signaling pathways of LF with respect to HSCs were discussed. In particular, this present review highlighted the current knowledge on the role of lncRNAs in activating or inhibiting LF, revealing lncRNAs that are likely to be biomarkers or therapeutic targets for LF. Additional studies should be performed to elucidate the potential of lncRNAs in the diagnosis and prognosis of LF and to provide novel therapeutic approaches for the reversion of LF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjie Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Shunmei Huang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Silan Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Qiaomai Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Yiwen Gong
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Jiaying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Bin Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Lingling Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Gao L, Yang X, Liang B, Jia Y, Tan S, Chen A, Cao P, Zhang Z, Zheng S, Sun L, Zhang F, Shao J. Autophagy-induced p62 accumulation is required for curcumol to regulate KLF5-mediated angiogenesis in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Toxicology 2021; 452:152707. [PMID: 33549628 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver pathological angiogenesis is considered to be one of the key events in the development of liver fibrosis. Autophagy is a defense and stress regulation mechanism. However, whether autophagy regulates pathological angiogenesis in liver fibrosis is still questionable. Here, we aimed to study how curcumol regulated liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) angiogenesis through autophagy. We found that curcumol (10, 20 and 40 μM) could inhibit the expression of angiogenesis markers in the LSECs. Importantly, we showed that curcumol might influence LSEC pathological angiogenesis by regulating autophagy level. Furthermore, we indicated that the transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) was considered as a key target for curcumol to regulate LSEC angiogenesis. Interestingly, we also suggested that autophagy was as a potential mechanism for curcumol to restrain KLF5 expression. Increased autophagy level could impair the suppression effect of curcumol on KLF5. Fascinatingly, our results indicated that curcumol inhibited autophagy and led to p62 accumulation, which might be a regulation mechanism of KLF5 degradation. Finally, in mice liver fibrosis model, we unanimously showed that curcumol (30 mg/kg) inhibited pathological angiogenesis by reducing LSEC autophagy level and suppressing KLF5 expression. Collectively, these results provided a deeper insight into the molecular mechanism of curcumol to inhibit LSEC pathological angiogenesis during liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang Yang
- Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Baoyu Liang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Jia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shanzhong Tan
- Department of Integrated TCM and Western Medicine, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Anping Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St Louis, USA
| | - Peng Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zili Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lixia Sun
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Gao L, Yang X, Li Y, Wang Z, Wang S, Tan S, Chen A, Cao P, Shao J, Zhang Z, Zhang F, Zheng S. Curcumol inhibits KLF5-dependent angiogenesis by blocking the ROS/ERK signaling in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Life Sci 2021; 264:118696. [PMID: 33157090 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Liver fibrosis is a difficult problem in the medical field. We previously reported that curcumol, a bioactive substance, may inhibit the pathological angiogenesis of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and play a good anti-hepatic fibrosis effect. However, the mechanism of curcumol inhibiting angiogenesis in LSEC needs to be further clarified. Here, we focus on how curcumol inhibits LSEC angiogenesis in liver fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Primary rat LSECs were cultured in vitro, and various molecular experiments including real-time PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, tube formation assay and transwell migration assay were used to clarify the potential mechanism of curcumol. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was applied to create a mouse liver fibrosis model. Blood and livers were taken to elucidate the efficacy of curcumol in vivo. KEY FINDINGS We found that curcumol could effectively inhibit LSEC angiogenesis in vitro. Interestingly, this process may depend on curcumol's inhibition of the expression of transcription factor KLF5. Mice experiment also showed that curcumol could alleviate chronic liver injury by reducing KLF5 expression. In addition, we suggested that curcumol could reduce the production of mitochondrial ROS and improve mitochondrial morphology in LSEC. More importantly, we proved that curcumol could suppress KLF5-mediated LSEC angiogenesis by inhibiting ROS/ERK signaling. SIGNIFICANCE We suggested that transcription factor KLF5 could be considered as a new target molecule of curcumol in improving liver fibrosis, and pointed out that curcumol targeted ROS/ERK-mediated KLF5 expression could inhibit LSEC angiogenesis. This provided a new theoretical basis for curcumol to ameliorate liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenyi Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shijun Wang
- Shandong Co-innovation Center of TCM Formula, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Shanzhong Tan
- Department of Integrated TCM and Western Medicine, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Anping Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St Louis, USA
| | - Peng Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zili Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Ramos-Tovar E, Muriel P. Molecular Mechanisms That Link Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Fibrosis in the Liver. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:E1279. [PMID: 33333846 PMCID: PMC7765317 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9121279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and myofibroblasts are the main producers of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that form the fibrotic tissue that leads to hepatic fibrosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can directly activate HSCs or induce inflammation or programmed cell death, especially pyroptosis, in hepatocytes, which in turn activates HSCs and fibroblasts to produce ECM proteins. Therefore, antioxidants and the nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 signaling pathway play critical roles in modulating the profibrogenic response. The master proinflammatory factors nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome may coordinate to produce and activate profibrogenic molecules such as interleukins 1β and 18, which effectively activate HSCs, to produce large amounts of fibrotic proteins. Furthermore, the NLRP3 inflammasome activates pro-caspase 1, which is upregulated by NF-κB, to produce caspase 1, which induces pyroptosis via gasdermin and the activation of HSCs. ROS play central roles in the activation of the NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways via IκB (an inhibitor of NF-κB) and thioredoxin-interacting protein, respectively, thereby linking the molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis. Elucidating these molecular pathways may pave the way for the development of therapeutic tools to interfere with specific targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Ramos-Tovar
- Postgraduate Studies and Research Section, School of Higher Education in Medicine-IPN, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Casco de Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico;
| | - Pablo Muriel
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Apartado Postal 14-740, Mexico City 07000, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Emerging Roles of Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9110395. [PMID: 33198153 PMCID: PMC7697091 DOI: 10.3390/biology9110395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. With the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes, NAFLD is becoming the most common liver disorder worldwide. More than 10% of NAFLD patients progress to an inflammatory and fibrotic form called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can lead to end-stage liver disease. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) are highly specialized cells located at the interface between the flowing blood in the liver and the other liver cells. The current review highlights the recent knowledge of the role of LSEC in the development of NASH, and how LSEC change their structure and function during NAFLD progression. Moreover, the review discusses the pathogenic role of nanometer-sized particles called extracellular vesicles that mediate intercellular communication in the NASH liver. The current manuscript has a special emphasis on the role of adhesion molecules expressed on the LSEC surface in the recruitment of circulating leukocytes to the liver, a critical step in liver inflammation in NASH. Furthermore, the review shed some lights on LSEC-targeted potential therapeutic strategies in NASH. Abstract Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has become a growing public health problem worldwide, yet its pathophysiology remains unclear. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) have unique morphology and function, and play a critical role in liver homeostasis. Emerging literature implicates LSEC in many pathological processes in the liver, including metabolic dysregulation, inflammation, angiogenesis, and carcinogenesis. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge of the role of LSEC in each of the progressive phases of NASH pathophysiology (steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma). We discuss processes that have important roles in NASH progression including the detrimental transformation of LSEC called “capillarization”, production of inflammatory and profibrogenic mediators by LSEC as well as LSEC-mediated angiogenesis. The current review has a special emphasis on LSEC adhesion molecules, and their key role in the inflammatory response in NASH. Moreover, we discuss the pathogenic role of extracellular vesicles and their bioactive cargos in liver intercellular communication, inflammation, and fibrosis. Finally, we highlight LSEC-adhesion molecules and derived bioactive product as potential therapeutic targets for human NASH.
Collapse
|
43
|
Barberá A, Raurell I, García-Lezana T, Torres-Arauz M, Bravo M, Hide D, Gil M, Salcedo MT, Genescà J, Martell M, Augustin S. Steatosis as main determinant of portal hypertension through a restriction of hepatic sinusoidal area in a dietary rat nash model. Liver Int 2020; 40:2732-2743. [PMID: 32770818 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Portal hypertension (PH) can be present in pre-cirrhotic stages, even in absence of fibrosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients. Liver endothelial dysfunction (ED) has been shown as responsible for this effect in short-term dietary animal models. We evaluated the persistence of PH and underlying mechanisms in a long-term rat model of NASH. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 8 or 36 weeks with control diet or high-fat high-glucose/fructose diet. Metabolic parameters, histology, ED and haemodynamics were characterized. Structural characteristics of liver sections were analysed using image analysis. RESULTS Both interventions reproduced NASH histological hallmarks (with steatosis being particularly increased at 36 weeks), but neither induced fibrosis. The 36-week intervention induced a significant increase in portal pressure (PP) compared to controls (12.1 vs 8.7 mmHg, P < .001) and the 8-week model (10.7 mmHg, P = .006), but all features of ED were normalized at 36 weeks. Image analysis revealed that the increased steatosis at 36-week was associated to an increase in hepatocyte area and a significant decrease in the sinusoidal area, which was inversely correlated with PP. The analysis provided a critical sinusoidal area above which animals were protected from developing PH and below which sinusoidal flux was compromised and PP started to increase. CONCLUSION Liver steatosis per se (in absence of fibrosis) can induce PH through a decrease in the sinusoidal area secondary to the increase in hepatocyte area in a long-term diet-induced rat model of NASH. Image analysis of the sinusoidal area might predict the presence of PH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Barberá
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Imma Raurell
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Manuel Torres-Arauz
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miren Bravo
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diana Hide
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Gil
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Teresa Salcedo
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d´Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Genescà
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro De Investigación Biomédica En Red De Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto De Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Martell
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro De Investigación Biomédica En Red De Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto De Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvador Augustin
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro De Investigación Biomédica En Red De Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto De Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Thomann S, Weiler SME, Marquard S, Rose F, Ball CR, Tóth M, Wei T, Sticht C, Fritzsche S, Roessler S, De La Torre C, Ryschich E, Ermakova O, Mogler C, Kazdal D, Gretz N, Glimm H, Rempel E, Schirmacher P, Breuhahn K. YAP Orchestrates Heterotypic Endothelial Cell Communication via HGF/c-MET Signaling in Liver Tumorigenesis. Cancer Res 2020; 80:5502-5514. [PMID: 33087321 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The oncogene yes-associated protein (YAP) controls liver tumor initiation and progression via cell extrinsic functions by creating a tumor-supporting environment in conjunction with cell autonomous mechanisms. However, how YAP controls organization of the microenvironment and in particular the vascular niche, which contributes to liver disease and hepatocarcinogenesis, is poorly understood. To investigate heterotypic cell communication, we dissected murine and human liver endothelial cell (EC) populations into liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) and continuous endothelial cells (CEC) through histomorphological and molecular characterization. In YAPS127A-induced tumorigenesis, a gradual replacement of LSECs by CECs was associated with dynamic changes in the expression of genes involved in paracrine communication. The formation of new communication hubs connecting CECs and LSECs included the hepatocyte growth factor (Hgf)/c-Met signaling pathway. In hepatocytes and tumor cells, YAP/TEA domain transcription factor 4 (TEAD4)-dependent transcriptional induction of osteopontin (Opn) stimulated c-Met expression in EC with CEC phenotype, which sensitized these cells to the promigratory effects of LSEC-derived Hgf. In human hepatocellular carcinoma, the presence of a migration-associated tip-cell signature correlated with poor clinical outcome and the loss of LSEC marker gene expression. The occurrence of c-MET-expressing CECs in human liver cancer samples was confirmed at the single-cell level. In summary, YAP-dependent changes of the liver vascular niche comprise the formation of heterologous communication hubs in which tumor cell-derived factors modify the cross-talk between LSECs and CECs via the HGF/c-MET axis. SIGNIFICANCE: YAP-dependent changes of the liver vascular niche comprise the formation of heterologous communication hubs in which tumor cell-derived factors modify the cross-talk between EC subpopulations. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/80/24/5502/F1.large.jpg.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Thomann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Sofia M E Weiler
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simone Marquard
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabian Rose
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia R Ball
- Department of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcell Tóth
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Teng Wei
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Sticht
- Medical Research Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sarah Fritzsche
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Roessler
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Eduard Ryschich
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olga Ermakova
- Center for Organismal Studies, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carolin Mogler
- Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Kazdal
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Gretz
- Medical Research Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hanno Glimm
- Department of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Translational Functional Cancer Genomics, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Center for Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Germany.,German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eugen Rempel
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Schirmacher
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kai Breuhahn
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Wilkinson AL, Qurashi M, Shetty S. The Role of Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells in the Axis of Inflammation and Cancer Within the Liver. Front Physiol 2020; 11:990. [PMID: 32982772 PMCID: PMC7485256 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) form a unique barrier between the liver sinusoids and the underlying parenchyma, and thus play a crucial role in maintaining metabolic and immune homeostasis, as well as actively contributing to disease pathophysiology. Whilst their endocytic and scavenging function is integral for nutrient exchange and clearance of waste products, their capillarisation and dysfunction precedes fibrogenesis. Furthermore, their ability to promote immune tolerance and recruit distinct immunosuppressive leukocyte subsets can allow persistence of chronic viral infections and facilitate tumour development. In this review, we present the immunological and barrier functions of LSEC, along with their role in orchestrating fibrotic processes which precede tumourigenesis. We also summarise the role of LSEC in modulating the tumour microenvironment, and promoting development of a pre-metastatic niche, which can drive formation of secondary liver tumours. Finally, we summarise closely inter-linked disease pathways which collectively perpetuate pathogenesis, highlighting LSEC as novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shishir Shetty
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Özkan A, Stolley D, Cressman ENK, McMillin M, DeMorrow S, Yankeelov TE, Rylander MN. The Influence of Chronic Liver Diseases on Hepatic Vasculature: A Liver-on-a-chip Review. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:E487. [PMID: 32397454 PMCID: PMC7281532 DOI: 10.3390/mi11050487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma, the cells and extracellular matrix of the liver undergo significant alteration in response to chronic injury. Recent literature has highlighted the critical, but less studied, role of the liver vasculature in the progression of chronic liver diseases. Recent advancements in liver-on-a-chip systems has allowed in depth investigation of the role that the hepatic vasculature plays both in response to, and progression of, chronic liver disease. In this review, we first introduce the structure, gradients, mechanical properties, and cellular composition of the liver and describe how these factors influence the vasculature. We summarize state-of-the-art vascularized liver-on-a-chip platforms for investigating biological models of chronic liver disease and their influence on the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells of the hepatic vasculature. We conclude with a discussion of how future developments in the field may affect the study of chronic liver diseases, and drug development and testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alican Özkan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Danielle Stolley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Erik N K Cressman
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Matthew McMillin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA
- Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX 76504, USA
| | - Sharon DeMorrow
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA
- Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX 76504, USA
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Thomas E Yankeelov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Departments of Diagnostic Medicine, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Department of Oncology, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Marissa Nichole Rylander
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Lafoz E, Ruart M, Anton A, Oncins A, Hernández-Gea V. The Endothelium as a Driver of Liver Fibrosis and Regeneration. Cells 2020; 9:E929. [PMID: 32290100 PMCID: PMC7226820 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a common feature of sustained liver injury and represents a major public health problem worldwide. Fibrosis is an active research field and discoveries in the last years have contributed to the development of new antifibrotic drugs, although none of them have been approved yet. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) are highly specialized endothelial cells localized at the interface between the blood and other liver cell types. They lack a basement membrane and display open channels (fenestrae), making them exceptionally permeable. LSEC are the first cells affected by any kind of liver injury orchestrating the liver response to damage. LSEC govern the regenerative process initiation, but aberrant LSEC activation in chronic liver injury induces fibrosis. LSEC are also main players in fibrosis resolution. They maintain liver homeostasis and keep hepatic stellate cell and Kupffer cell quiescence. After sustained hepatic injury, they lose their phenotype and protective properties, promoting angiogenesis and vasoconstriction and contributing to inflammation and fibrosis. Therefore, improving LSEC phenotype is a promising strategy to prevent liver injury progression and complications. This review focuses on changes occurring in LSEC after liver injury and their consequences on fibrosis progression, liver regeneration, and resolution. Finally, a synopsis of the available strategies for LSEC-specific targeting is provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica Lafoz
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Maria Ruart
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Aina Anton
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Anna Oncins
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Virginia Hernández-Gea
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Yang X, Wang Z, Kai J, Wang F, Jia Y, Wang S, Tan S, Shen X, Chen A, Shao J, Zhang F, Zhang Z, Zheng S. Curcumol attenuates liver sinusoidal endothelial cell angiogenesis via regulating Glis-PROX1-HIF-1α in liver fibrosis. Cell Prolif 2020; 53:e12762. [PMID: 32119185 PMCID: PMC7106966 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12762] [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: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatic sinusoidal angiogenesis owing to dysfunctional liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) accompanied by an abnormal angioarchitecture is a symbol related to liver fibrogenesis, which indicates a potential target for therapeutic interventions. However, there are few researches connecting angiogenesis with liver fibrosis, and the deeper mechanism remains to be explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cell angiogenesis and angiogenic protein were examined in primary LSECs of rats, and multifarious cellular and molecular assays revealed the efficiency of curcumol intervention in fibrotic mice. RESULTS We found that curcumol inhibited angiogenic properties through regulating their upstream mediator hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). The transcription activation of HIF-1α was regulated by hedgehog signalling on the one hand, and the protein stabilization of HIF-1α was under the control of Prospero-related homeobox 1 (PROX1) on the other. A deubiquitinase called USP19 could be recruited by PROX1 and involved in ubiquitin-dependent degradation of HIF-1α. Furthermore, our researches revealed that hedgehog signalling participated in the activation of PROX1 transcription probably in vitro. Besides, curcumol was found to ameliorate liver fibrosis and sinusoid angiogenesis via hedgehog pathway in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) induced liver fibrotic mice. The protein expression of key regulatory factors, PROX1 and HIF-1α, was consistent with the Smo, the marker protein of Hh signalling pathway. CONCLUSIONS In this article, we evidenced that curcumol controlling LSEC-mediated angiogenesis could be a promising therapeutic approach for liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhimin Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Kai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Feixia Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Jia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shijun Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Shanzhong Tan
- Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xikun Shen
- Suzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Anping Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zili Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Material of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Kumar V, Dong Y, Kumar V, Almawash S, Mahato RI. The use of micelles to deliver potential hedgehog pathway inhibitor for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:7537-7555. [PMID: 31695785 PMCID: PMC6831471 DOI: 10.7150/thno.38913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Hedgehog (Hh) pathway plays an essential role in liver fibrosis by promoting the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) by enhancing their metabolism via yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1). Despite the presence of several inhibitors, Hh signaling cannot be controlled exclusively due to their poor efficacy and the lack of a suitable delivery system to the injury site. Therefore, it is rationale to develop new potent Hh inhibitors and suitable delivery carriers. Methods: Based on the structure and activity of Hh inhibitor GDC-0449, we replaced its sulfonamide group with two methylpyridine-2yl at amide nitrogen to synthesize MDB5. We compared the Hh pathway inhibition and anti-fibrotic effect of MDB5 with GDC-0449 in vitro. Next, we developed MDB5 loaded micelles using our methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-blockpoly(2-methyl-2-carboxyl-propylene carbonate-graft-dodecanol (PEG-PCC-g-DC) copolymer and characterized for physicochemical properties. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of MDB5 loaded micelles in common bile duct ligation (CBDL) induced liver fibrosis, mouse model. We also determined the intrahepatic distribution of fluorescently labeled micelles after MDB5 treatment. Results: Our results show that MDB5 was more potent in inhibiting Hh pathway components and HSC proliferation in vitro. We successfully developed MDB5 loaded micelles with particle size of 40 ± 10 nm and drug loading up to 10% w/w. MDB5 loaded micelles at the dose of 10 mg/kg were well tolerated by mice, without visible sign of toxicity. The serum enzyme activities elevated by CBDL was significantly decreased by MDB5 loaded micelles compared to GDC-0449 loaded micelles. MDB5 loaded micelles further decreased collagen deposition, HSC activation, and Hh activity and its target genes in the liver. MDB5 loaded micelles also prevented liver sinusoidal endothelial capillarization (LSEC) and therefore restored perfusion between blood and liver cells. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence that MDB5 was more potent in inhibiting Hh pathway in HSC-T6 cells and showed better hepatoprotection in CBDL mice compared to GDC-0449.
Collapse
|
50
|
Wu Y, Li Z, Xiu AY, Meng DX, Wang SN, Zhang CQ. Carvedilol attenuates carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis and hepatic sinusoidal capillarization in mice. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2019; 13:2667-2676. [PMID: 31534314 PMCID: PMC6681906 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s210797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Aim To investigate the effect of carvedilol on liver fibrosis and hepatic sinusoidal capillarization in mice with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced fibrosis. Methods A liver fibrosis mouse model was induced by intraperitoneal CCl4 injection for 8 weeks. The mice were divided into five experimental groups: the normal group, the oil group, the CCl4 group, the CCl4+carvedilol (5 mg/kg/d) group, and the CCl4+carvedilol (10 mg/kg/d) group. The extent of liver fibrosis was evaluated by histopathological staining, and the changes in fenestrations of hepatic sinus endothelial cells were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vascular endothelial markers was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays. The effect of carvedilol on cell apoptosis was studied via Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) assay, and the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiopoietin-2 were detected through a Luminex assay. Results Liver fibrosis in CCl4-treated mice was attenuated by reduced accumulation of collagen and the reaction of inflammation with carvedilol treatment. Carvedilol reduced the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and increased the number of apoptotic cells. The expression of α-SMA, CD31, CD34 and VWF (von Willebrand factor) was significantly decreased after carvedilol treatment. In addition, the number of fenestrae in the hepatic sinusoid showed notable differences between the groups, and the serum levels of MMP-8, VEGF and angiopoietin-2 were increased in the mice with liver fibrosis and reduced by carvedilol treatment. Conclusion The study demonstrated that carvedilol could prevent further development of liver fibrosis and hepatic sinusoidal capillarization in mice with CCl4-induced fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Health Digestion, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ai-Yuan Xiu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-Xiao Meng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Si-Ning Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Qing Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|