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Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor reduces biliary fibrosis and ductular reaction in a mouse model of chronic cholestasis. LIVER RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
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Łotowska JM, Sobaniec-Łotowska ME, Bobrus-Chociej A, Sobaniec P. The Ultrastructure of Hepatic Stellate Cell-Macrophage Intercellular Crosstalk as a New Morphological Insight into Phenomenon of Fibrogenesis in Pediatric Autoimmune Hepatitis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12031024. [PMID: 36769672 PMCID: PMC9917971 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12031024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was the pioneering retrospective ultrastructural evaluation of respective forms of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and analysis of their crosstalk with other adjacent nonparenchymal cells (NPCs), especially Kupffer cells/macrophages (KCs/MPs), in pediatric autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). METHODS Ultrastructural assessment of the HSC population and NPCs was performed in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using pretreatment liver biopsies from 25 children (8 boys and 17 girls) aged 4-17 with clinic-pathologically diagnosed untreated AIH. RESULTS Submicroscopic evaluation allowed easy identification of numerous HSCs in the form of transitory cells, i.e., T-HSCs, accompanied by signs of fibrosis. T-HSCs included cells with features of activation initiation (iHSCs) and activation perpetuation (pHSCs), indicating high HSC activation plasticity. The pHSCs were markedly elongated and mainly showed a distinct loss of lipid cytoplasmic material, expanded and dilated channels of granular endoplasmic reticulum, and linear bundles of microfilaments beneath the cell membrane. They were surrounded by usually mature collagen fibers. Frequently activated KCs/MPs adhered directly to T-HSCs. Between them, tight intercellular junctions were formed by means of point desmosomes. CONCLUSIONS Our qualitative TEM observations indicate a key role of T-HSCs in liver fibrogenesis in pediatric AIH, with the essential involvement of activated KCs/MPs that directly adhere to them. Tight intercellular junctions, being the ultrastructural exponent of the specific cellular mechanisms of the crosstalk between NPCs, can play a vital role in hepatic collagen fibroplasia. A better understanding of HSC population morphology at the ultrastructural level in AIH seems important not only to improve the disease morphological diagnostics but to also provide new insights into therapeutic interventions for the phenomenon of liver fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Maria Łotowska
- Department of Medical Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry and Division of Medical Education in English, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
- Correspondence: (J.M.Ł.); (P.S.)
| | - Maria Elżbieta Sobaniec-Łotowska
- Department of Medical Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry and Division of Medical Education in English, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Anna Bobrus-Chociej
- Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutrition and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry and Division of Medical Education in English, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Piotr Sobaniec
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Faculty of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry and Division of Medical Education in English, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
- Correspondence: (J.M.Ł.); (P.S.)
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Ultrastructural Profile Combined with Immunohistochemistry of a Hepatic Progenitor Cell Line in Pediatric Autoimmune Hepatitis: New Insights into the Morphological Pattern of the Disease. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081899. [PMID: 34440668 PMCID: PMC8392671 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering that the heterogenic population of a hepatic progenitor cell line (HPCL) can play a vital role in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), we decided to conduct pioneering retrospective evaluation of these cells in pediatric AIH by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The aim of the study was to assess the ultrastructure of the HPCL in children with untreated AIH. Ultrastructural analysis of the HPCL population, preceded by immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin 7 (CK7), was performed using pretreatment liver biopsies from 23 children with clinicopathologically diagnosed AIH. Immunohistochemical assessment for CK7 allowed detection of proliferating immature epithelial cells differentiating towards periportal and intralobular intermediate hepatocytes without marked formation of ductular reactions in AIH children. Using TEM, we distinguished three morphological types of HPCs: I—the most undifferentiated progenitor cells; III—intermediate hepatocyte-like cells; II—intermediate bile duct cells. Most frequent were the cells differentiating towards hepatocytes, most rare—those differentiating towards cholangiocytes. The results indicate that an HPCL may be an important source of hepatocyte regeneration. Ultrastructural analyses of the HPCL population, combined with immunohistochemistry for CK7, might be a useful tool to evaluate liver cell regeneration, including fibrogenesis, and may help better understand the morphological pattern of the disease, in pediatric AIH. Frequent appearance of an HPCL in the vicinity of fibrotic foci, often accompanied by hyperactive Kupffer cells and transitional hepatic stellate cells, may indicate their significant involvement in liver fibrogenesis.
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Current and Emerging Approaches for Hepatic Fibrosis Treatment. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2021; 2021:6612892. [PMID: 34326871 PMCID: PMC8310447 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6612892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis resulting from chronic liver injury is a key factor to develop liver cirrhosis and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) which are major health burden worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary for antifibrotic therapies to prevent chronic liver disease progression and HCC development. There has been tremendous progress in understanding the mechanisms of liver fibrosis in the last decade, which has created new opportunities for the treatment of this condition. In this review, we aim to make an overview on information of different potential therapies (drug treatment, cell therapy, and liver transplantation) for the liver fibrosis and hope to provide the therapeutic options available for the treatment of liver fibrosis and discuss novel approaches.
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Cooreman A, Van Campenhout R, Crespo Yanguas S, Gijbels E, Leroy K, Pieters A, Tabernilla A, Van Brantegem P, Annaert P, Cogliati B, Vinken M. Cholestasis Differentially Affects Liver Connexins. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6534. [PMID: 32906817 PMCID: PMC7116118 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins are goal keepers of tissue homeostasis, including in the liver. As a result, they are frequently involved in disease. The current study was set up to investigate the effects of cholestatic disease on the production of connexin26, connexin32 and connexin43 in the liver. For this purpose, bile duct ligation, a well-known trigger of cholestatic liver injury, was applied to mice. In parallel, human hepatoma HepaRG cell cultures were exposed to cholestatic drugs and bile acids. Samples from both the in vivo and in vitro settings were subsequently subjected to assessment of mRNA and protein quantities as well as to in situ immunostaining. While the outcome of cholestasis on connexin26 and connexin43 varied among experimental settings, a more generalized repressing effect was seen for connexin32. This has also been observed in many other liver pathologies and could suggest a role for connexin32 as a robust biomarker of liver disease and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axelle Cooreman
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (R.V.C.); (S.C.Y.); (E.G.); (K.L.); (A.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Raf Van Campenhout
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (R.V.C.); (S.C.Y.); (E.G.); (K.L.); (A.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Sara Crespo Yanguas
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (R.V.C.); (S.C.Y.); (E.G.); (K.L.); (A.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Eva Gijbels
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (R.V.C.); (S.C.Y.); (E.G.); (K.L.); (A.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Kaat Leroy
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (R.V.C.); (S.C.Y.); (E.G.); (K.L.); (A.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Alanah Pieters
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (R.V.C.); (S.C.Y.); (E.G.); (K.L.); (A.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Andrés Tabernilla
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (R.V.C.); (S.C.Y.); (E.G.); (K.L.); (A.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Pieter Van Brantegem
- Drug Delivery and Disposition, KU Leuven Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (P.V.B.); (P.A.)
| | - Pieter Annaert
- Drug Delivery and Disposition, KU Leuven Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (P.V.B.); (P.A.)
| | - Bruno Cogliati
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil;
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (R.V.C.); (S.C.Y.); (E.G.); (K.L.); (A.P.); (A.T.)
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Shi J, Han G, Wang J, Han X, Zhao M, Duan X, Mi L, Li N, Yin X, Shi H, Li C, Xu J, Yin F. Matrine promotes hepatic oval cells differentiation into hepatocytes and alleviates liver injury by suppression of Notch signalling pathway. Life Sci 2020; 261:118354. [PMID: 32866517 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Recent studies have shown that the hyperactive Notch pathway is involved in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development by regulating differentiation of hepatic oval cells (HOCs) into cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether matrine can alleviate liver injury and promote HOC differentiation into hepatocytes by suppression of Notch pathway. MAIN METHODS We evaluated the expression of Notch-1, Jagged-1, and Hes-1 in HCC tissue by immunohistochemistry. Stem cell characteristics of HOCs were evaluated by CCK-8, cell cycle, and apoptosis. The expression of Notch pathway, HOC markers and albumin (ALB) was detected by immunohistochemistry, QRT-PCR and western blotting. The effects of matrine in protecting liver in vivo were investigated in a rat Solt-Farber precancerous model. KEY FINDINGS We found an abnormal activated Notch pathway in HCC tissue, and the hyperactive Notch pathway was strongly associated with poor liver function in patients with cirrhosis with HCC. Using siNotch-1 to inhibit Notch pathway confirmed that Notch pathway could maintain stem cell characteristics of HOCs. Matrine inhibited stem cell characteristics of HOCs, the expression of Notch pathway and HOC markers but upregulated ALB. Matrine in combined with siNotch-1 RNA decreased the more potently inhibited HOC markers and Notch pathway. In rat Solt-Farber precancerous model, prophylactic application of matrine alleviated liver injury, downregulated Notch pathway and HOC markers, and upregulated ALB in a dose-dependent manner. SIGNIFICANCE Matrine could promote the differentiation of HOCs into hepatocytes by inhibiting the Notch signalling pathway and alleviate liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, ShiJiaZhuang, PR China
| | - Guangjie Han
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, ShiJiaZhuang, PR China
| | - Jinfeng Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, ShiJiaZhuang, PR China
| | - Xin Han
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, ShiJiaZhuang, PR China
| | - Man Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, ShiJiaZhuang, PR China
| | - Xiaoling Duan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, ShiJiaZhuang, PR China
| | - Lili Mi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, ShiJiaZhuang, PR China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, ShiJiaZhuang, PR China
| | - Xiaolei Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, ShiJiaZhuang, PR China
| | - Huacun Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, ShiJiaZhuang, PR China
| | - Cuizhen Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, ShiJiaZhuang, PR China
| | - Jinsheng Xu
- Department of Nephrology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, ShiJiaZhuang, PR China.
| | - Fei Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, ShiJiaZhuang, PR China.
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Qian J, Jiao Y, Wang G, Liu H, Cao X, Yang H. Mechanism of TGF-β1 inhibiting Kupffer cell immune responses in cholestatic cirrhosis. Exp Ther Med 2020; 20:1541-1549. [PMID: 32742385 PMCID: PMC7388376 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.8826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Effect of exogenous transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) on cholestatic mice by inhibiting Kupffer cell immune responses in liver was investigated. To induce cholestasis, BALB/c mice received a sham operation (Mock group), or underwent a bile duct ligation (BDL group) and then were subcutaneously injected with TGF-β1 at multiple sites (TGF group). Liver functions were evaluated according to the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase AST and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT) in serum samples. Expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was detected. Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and arginase-1 (Arg-1) in Kupffer cells (KCs) of the liver was detected. The isolated KCs were divided into control group, LPS group, TGF group and Galunisertib group and western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of NF-κB, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS and Arg-1. The percentage of CD40, CD86, CD204 and CD206 as macrophage cell surface antigens were measured by flow cytometry. The indexes of liver function and liver fibrosis of the mice in the TGF group were significantly lower than those in the BDL group (P<0.05). The levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the liver were lower than those in the BDL group, while the level of IL-10 was significantly increased (P<0.05). M2-type transformation occurred in liver Kupffer cells of mice in the TGF group. In cell experiments, TGF treatment downregulated the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and NF-κB, increased the expression of IL-10, and induced M2-type transformation in macrophages (P<0.05). In conclusion, TGF-ß1 diminished the progression of cholestasis in mice by inhibiting the inflammatory response of KCs and regulating KC polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Qian
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Yuwen Jiao
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Guangyao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Hanyang Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Cao
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Haojun Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
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Obesity, Bioactive Lipids, and Adipose Tissue Inflammation in Insulin Resistance. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12051305. [PMID: 32375231 PMCID: PMC7284998 DOI: 10.3390/nu12051305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The exact mechanism by which adipose tissue induces insulin resistance is still unclear. It has been demonstrated that obesity is associated with the adipocyte dysfunction, macrophage infiltration, and low-grade inflammation, which probably contributes to the induction of insulin resistance. Adipose tissue synthesizes and secretes numerous bioactive molecules, namely adipokines and cytokines, which affect the metabolism of both lipids and glucose. Disorders in the synthesis of adipokines and cytokines that occur in obesity lead to changes in lipid and carbohydrates metabolism and, as a consequence, may lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Obesity is also associated with the accumulation of lipids. A special group of lipids that are able to regulate the activity of intracellular enzymes are biologically active lipids: long-chain acyl-CoAs, ceramides, and diacylglycerols. According to the latest data, the accumulation of these lipids in adipocytes is probably related to the development of insulin resistance. Recent studies indicate that the accumulation of biologically active lipids in adipose tissue may regulate the synthesis/secretion of adipokines and proinflammatory cytokines. Although studies have revealed that inflammation caused by excessive fat accumulation and abnormalities in lipid metabolism can contribute to the development of obesity-related insulin resistance, further research is needed to determine the exact mechanism by which obesity-related insulin resistance is induced.
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Pinheiro D, Dias I, Ribeiro Silva K, Stumbo AC, Thole A, Cortez E, de Carvalho L, Weiskirchen R, Carvalho S. Mechanisms Underlying Cell Therapy in Liver Fibrosis: An Overview. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111339. [PMID: 31671842 PMCID: PMC6912561 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a common feature in most pathogenetic processes in the liver, and usually results from a chronic insult that depletes the regenerative capacity of hepatocytes and activates multiple inflammatory pathways, recruiting resident and circulating immune cells, endothelial cells, non-parenchymal hepatic stellate cells, and fibroblasts, which become activated and lead to excessive extracellular matrix accumulation. The ongoing development of liver fibrosis results in a clinically silent and progressive loss of hepatocyte function, demanding the constant need for liver transplantation in clinical practice, and motivating the search for other treatments as the chances of obtaining compatible viable livers become scarcer. Although initially cell therapy has emerged as a plausible alternative to organ transplantation, many factors still challenge the establishment of this technique as a main or even additional therapeutic tool. Herein, the authors discuss the most recent advances and point out the corners and some controversies over several protocols and models that have shown promising results as potential candidates for cell therapy for liver fibrosis, presenting the respective mechanisms proposed for liver regeneration in each case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Pinheiro
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil.
| | - Isabelle Dias
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil.
| | - Karina Ribeiro Silva
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil.
| | - Ana Carolina Stumbo
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil.
| | - Alessandra Thole
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil.
| | - Erika Cortez
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil.
| | - Lais de Carvalho
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil.
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Simone Carvalho
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil.
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Mahmoud HM, Osman M, Elshabrawy O, Abdallah HMI, Khairallah A. AM-1241 CB2 Receptor Agonist Attenuates Inflammation, Apoptosis and Stimulate Progenitor Cells in Bile Duct Ligated Rats. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2019; 7:925-936. [PMID: 30976335 PMCID: PMC6454175 DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) plays a pleiotropic role in the innate immunity and is considered a crucial mediator of liver disease. Cannabinoid CB2 receptor activation has been reported to attenuate liver fibrosis in CCl4 exposed mice and also plays a potential role in liver regeneration in a mouse model of I/R and protection against alcohol-induced liver injury. AIM: In this study, we investigated the impact of CB2 receptors on the antifibrotic and regenerative process associated with cholestatic liver injury. METHODS: Twenty-six rats had bile duct ligation co-treated with silymarin and AM1241 for 3 consecutive weeks. Serum hepatotoxicity markers were determined, and histopathological evaluation was performed. RESULTS: Following bile duct ligation (BDL) for 3 weeks, there was increased aminotransferase levels, marked inflammatory infiltration and hepatocyte apoptosis with induced oxidative stress, as reflected by increased lipid peroxidation. Conversely, following treatment with the CB2 agonist, AM-1241, BDL rats displayed a reduction in liver injury and attenuation of fibrosis as reflected by expression of hydroxyproline and α-smooth muscle actin. AM1241 treatment also significantly attenuated lipid peroxidation end-products, p53-dependent apoptosis and also attenuated inflammatory process by stimulating IL-10 production. Moreover, AM1241 treated rats were associated with significant expression of hepatic progenitor/oval cell markers. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study points out that CB2 receptors reduce liver injury and promote liver regeneration via distinct mechanisms including IL-10 dependent inhibition of inflammation, reduction of p53-reliant apoptosis and through stimulation of oval/progenitor cells. These results suggest that CB2 agonists display potent hepatoregenrative properties, in addition to their antifibrogenic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesham M Mahmoud
- Cairo University Kasr Alainy, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacology, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mona Osman
- Cairo University Kasr Alainy, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacology, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | | | - Ahmed Khairallah
- Pharmacology Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo 11211, Egypt
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Lotowska JM, Sobaniec-Lotowska ME, Lebensztejn DM. Ultrastructural characteristics of the respective forms of hepatic stellate cells in chronic hepatitis B as an example of high fibroblastic cell plasticity. The first assessment in children. Adv Med Sci 2018; 63:127-133. [PMID: 29120853 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), mainly responsible for extracellular matrix synthesis, is assumed to be central event in the process of liver fibrogenesis. The major objective of the research was to analyze the ultrastructural profile of activated HSCs in children with chronic hepatitis B (chB), with respect to fibrosis intensity. MATERIALS/METHODS Ultrastructural investigations of HSCs were conducted on liver bioptates from 70 children with clinicopathologically diagnosed chB before antiviral treatment. Biopsy material, fixed in paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde solution, was routinely processed for electron-microscopic analysis. RESULTS In children with intensive liver fibrosis (S-2 and S-3), the ultrastructural picture showed almost total replacement of quiescent HSCs (Q-HSCs) by activated, i.e. transitional HSCs (T-HSCs). Among T-HSCs, two types of cells were distinguished: cells exhibiting initiation of HSC activation (Ti-HSCs), never before described in chB, that were frequently accompanied by activated Kupffer cells, and cells with features of perpetuation of activation (Tp-HSCs). Tp-HSCs were elongated and characterized by substantial loss of cytoplasmic lipid material; they contained an increased number of cytoskeletal components, extremely dilated channels of granular endoplasmic reticulum and activated Golgi apparatus, which indicated their marked involvement in intensive synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins. Many collagen fibers were found to adhere directly to Tp-HSCs. CONCLUSIONS The current study showed T-HSCs to be an important link between Q-HSCs and myofibroblastic HSCs (Mf-HSCs). Transformation of HSCs into new morphological variations (Ti-HSCs; Tp-HSCs and Mf-HSCs), observed along with growing fibrosis, indicates their high plasticity and a key role in fibrogenesis in pediatric chB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Maria Lotowska
- Department of Medical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Waszyngtona Str. 13, Poland.
| | | | - Dariusz Marek Lebensztejn
- Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Allergology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-274 Waszyngtona Str. 17, Poland
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