1
|
Xu C, Fang X, Song Y, Xiang Z, Xu X, Wei X. Transcriptional Control: A Directional Sign at the Crossroads of Adult Hepatic Progenitor Cells' Fates. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:3544-3556. [PMID: 38993564 PMCID: PMC11234216 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.93739] [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: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) have a bidirectional potential to differentiate into hepatocytes and bile duct epithelial cells and constitute a second barrier to liver regeneration in the adult liver. They are usually located in the Hering duct in the portal vein region where various cells, extracellular matrix, cytokines, and communication signals together constitute the niche of HPCs in homeostasis to maintain cellular plasticity. In various types of liver injury, different cellular signaling streams crosstalk with each other and point to the inducible transcription factor set, including FoxA1/2/3, YB-1, Foxl1, Sox9, HNF4α, HNF1α, and HNF1β. These transcription factors exert different functions by binding to specific target genes, and their products often interact with each other, with diverse cascades of regulation in different molecular events that are essential for homeostatic regulation, self-renewal, proliferation, and selective differentiation of HPCs. Furthermore, the tumor predisposition of adult HPCs is found to be significantly increased under transcriptional factor dysregulation in transcriptional analysis, and the altered initial commitment of the differentiation pathway of HPCs may be one of the sources of intrahepatic tumors. Related transcription factors such as HNF4α and HNF1 are expected to be future targets for tumor treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenhao Xu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xixi Fang
- Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Yisu Song
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Ze Xiang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xuyong Wei
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ambrosio EMG, Bailey CSL, Unterweger IA, Christensen JB, Bruchez MP, Lundegaard PR, Ober EA. LiverZap: a chemoptogenetic tool for global and locally restricted hepatocyte ablation to study cellular behaviours in liver regeneration. Development 2024; 151:dev202217. [PMID: 38381702 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202217] [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: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The liver restores its mass and architecture after injury. Yet, investigating morphogenetic cell behaviours and signals that repair tissue architecture at high spatiotemporal resolution remains challenging. We developed LiverZap, a tuneable chemoptogenetic liver injury model in zebrafish. LiverZap employs the formation of a binary FAP-TAP photosensitiser followed by brief near-infrared illumination inducing hepatocyte-specific death and recapitulating mammalian liver injury types. The tool enables local hepatocyte ablation and extended live imaging capturing regenerative cell behaviours, which is crucial for studying cellular interactions at the interface of healthy and damaged tissue. Applying LiverZap, we show that targeted hepatocyte ablation in a small region of interest is sufficient to trigger local liver progenitor-like cell (LPC)-mediated regeneration, challenging the current understanding of liver regeneration. Surprisingly, the LPC response is also elicited in adjacent uninjured tissue, at up to 100 µm distance to the injury. Moreover, dynamic biliary network rearrangement suggests active cell movements from uninjured tissue in response to substantial hepatocyte loss as an integral step of LPC-mediated liver regeneration. This precisely targetable liver cell ablation tool will enable the discovery of key molecular and morphogenetic regeneration paradigms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M G Ambrosio
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Charlotte S L Bailey
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Iris A Unterweger
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Jens B Christensen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 1NQ, UK
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Marcel P Bruchez
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, USA
| | - Pia R Lundegaard
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Elke A Ober
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Iqbal A, Van Hul N, Belicova L, Corbat AA, Hankeova S, Andersson ER. Spatially segregated defects and IGF1-responsiveness of hilar and peripheral biliary organoids from a model of Alagille syndrome. Liver Int 2024; 44:541-558. [PMID: 38014627 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Alagille syndrome (ALGS) manifests with peripheral intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD) paucity, which can spontaneously resolve. In a model for ALGS, Jag1Ndr/Ndr mice, this occurs with distinct architectural mechanisms in hilar and peripheral IHBDs. Here, we investigated region-specific IHBD characteristics and addressed whether IGF1, a cholangiocyte mitogen that is downregulated in ALGS and in Jag1Ndr/Ndr mice, can improve biliary outcomes. METHODS Intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids (ICOs) were derived from hilar and peripheral adult Jag1+/+ and Jag1Ndr/Ndr livers (hICOs and pICOs, respectively). ICOs were grown in Matrigel or microwell arrays, and characterized using bulk RNA sequencing, immunofluorescence, and high throughput analyses of nuclear sizes. ICOs were treated with IGF1, followed by analyses of growth, proliferation, and death. CellProfiler and Python scripts were custom written for image analyses. Key results were validated in vivo by immunostaining. RESULTS Cell growth assays and transcriptomics demonstrated that Jag1Ndr/Ndr ICOs were less proliferative than Jag1+/+ ICOs. IGF1 specifically rescued survival and growth of Jag1Ndr/Ndr pICOs. Jag1Ndr/Ndr hICOs were the least proliferative, with lower Notch signalling and an enrichment of hepatocyte signatures and IGF uptake/transport pathways. In vitro (Jag1Ndr/Ndr hICOs) and in vivo (Jag1Ndr/Ndr hilar portal tracts) analyses revealed ectopic HNF4a+ hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS Hilar and peripheral Jag1Ndr/Ndr ICOs exhibit differences in Notch signalling status, proliferation, and cholangiocyte commitment which may result in cholangiocyte-to-hepatocyte transdifferentiation. While Jag1Ndr/Ndr pICOs can be rescued by IGF1, hICOs are unresponsive, perhaps due to their hepatocyte-like state and/or expression of IGF transport components. IGF1 represents a potential therapeutic for peripheral bile ducts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afshan Iqbal
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Noemi Van Hul
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lenka Belicova
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agustin A Corbat
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simona Hankeova
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emma R Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yadav P, Singh SK, Rajput S, Allawadhi P, Khurana A, Weiskirchen R, Navik U. Therapeutic potential of stem cells in regeneration of liver in chronic liver diseases: Current perspectives and future challenges. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 253:108563. [PMID: 38013053 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The deposition of extracellular matrix and hyperplasia of connective tissue characterizes chronic liver disease called hepatic fibrosis. Progression of hepatic fibrosis may lead to hepatocellular carcinoma. At this stage, only liver transplantation is a viable option. However, the number of possible liver donors is less than the number of patients needing transplantation. Consequently, alternative cell therapies based on non-stem cells (e.g., fibroblasts, chondrocytes, keratinocytes, and hepatocytes) therapy may be able to postpone hepatic disease, but they are often ineffective. Thus, novel stem cell-based therapeutics might be potentially important cutting-edge approaches for treating liver diseases and reducing patient' suffering. Several signaling pathways provide targets for stem cell interventions. These include pathways such as TGF-β, STAT3/BCL-2, NADPH oxidase, Raf/MEK/ERK, Notch, and Wnt/β-catenin. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) stimulate interleukin (IL)-10, which inhibits T-cells and converts M1 macrophages into M2 macrophages, producing an anti-inflammatory environment. Furthermore, it inhibits the action of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and reduces the activity of TNF-α and interferon cytokines by enhancing IL-4 synthesis. Consequently, the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capabilities of MSCs make them an attractive therapeutic approach. Importantly, MSCs can inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells, causing their apoptosis and subsequent promotion of hepatocyte proliferation, thereby replacing dead hepatocytes and reducing liver fibrosis. This review discusses the multidimensional therapeutic role of stem cells as cell-based therapeutics in liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Yadav
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India
| | - Sumeet Kumar Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India
| | - Sonu Rajput
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India
| | - Prince Allawadhi
- Department of Pharmacy, Vaish Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (VIPER), Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences (Pt. B. D. S. UHS), Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
| | - Amit Khurana
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India; Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Umashanker Navik
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India; Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jiang M, Ren J, Belmonte JCI, Liu GH. Hepatocyte reprogramming in liver regeneration: Biological mechanisms and applications. FEBS J 2023; 290:5674-5688. [PMID: 37556833 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The liver is one of the few organs that retain the capability to regenerate in adult mammals. This regeneration process is mainly facilitated by the dynamic behavior of hepatocytes, which are the major functional constituents in the liver. In response to liver injury, hepatocytes undergo remarkable alterations, such as reprogramming, wherein they lose their original identity and acquire properties from other cells. This phenomenon of hepatocyte reprogramming, coupled with hepatocyte expansion, plays a central role in liver regeneration, and its underlying mechanisms are complex and multifaceted. Understanding the fate of reprogrammed hepatocytes and the mechanisms of their conversion has significant implications for the development of innovative therapeutics for liver diseases. Herein, we review the plasticity of hepatocytes in response to various forms of liver injury, with a focus on injury-induced hepatocyte reprogramming. We provide a comprehensive summary of current knowledge on the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing hepatocyte reprogramming, specifically in the context of liver regeneration, providing insight into potential applications of this process in the treatment of liver disorders, including chronic liver diseases and liver cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of RNA Science and Engineering, CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, China
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Aging Biomarker Consortium, Beijing, China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Guang-Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- Aging Biomarker Consortium, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Aging Translational Medicine Center, International Center for Aging and Cancer, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Unterweger IA, Klepstad J, Hannezo E, Lundegaard PR, Trusina A, Ober EA. Lineage tracing identifies heterogeneous hepatoblast contribution to cell lineages and postembryonic organ growth dynamics. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002315. [PMID: 37792696 PMCID: PMC10550115 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To meet the physiological demands of the body, organs need to establish a functional tissue architecture and adequate size as the embryo develops to adulthood. In the liver, uni- and bipotent progenitor differentiation into hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells (BECs), and their relative proportions, comprise the functional architecture. Yet, the contribution of individual liver progenitors at the organ level to both fates, and their specific proportion, is unresolved. Combining mathematical modelling with organ-wide, multispectral FRaeppli-NLS lineage tracing in zebrafish, we demonstrate that a precise BEC-to-hepatocyte ratio is established (i) fast, (ii) solely by heterogeneous lineage decisions from uni- and bipotent progenitors, and (iii) independent of subsequent cell type-specific proliferation. Extending lineage tracing to adulthood determined that embryonic cells undergo spatially heterogeneous three-dimensional growth associated with distinct environments. Strikingly, giant clusters comprising almost half a ventral lobe suggest lobe-specific dominant-like growth behaviours. We show substantial hepatocyte polyploidy in juveniles representing another hallmark of postembryonic liver growth. Our findings uncover heterogeneous progenitor contributions to tissue architecture-defining cell type proportions and postembryonic organ growth as key mechanisms forming the adult liver.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iris. A. Unterweger
- University of Copenhagen, NNF Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), Copenhagen N, Denmark
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Julie Klepstad
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Andalusian Center for Developmental Biology, CSIC, University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Edouard Hannezo
- Institute of Science and Technology, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Pia R. Lundegaard
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Ala Trusina
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elke A. Ober
- University of Copenhagen, NNF Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), Copenhagen N, Denmark
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Song Y, Lu Z, Shu W, Xiang Z, Wang Z, Wei X, Xu X. Arouse potential stemness: Intrinsic and acquired stem cell therapeutic strategies for advanced liver diseases. CELL INSIGHT 2023; 2:100115. [PMID: 37719773 PMCID: PMC10502372 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellin.2023.100115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Liver diseases are a major health issue, and prolonged liver injury always progresses. Advanced liver disorders impair liver regeneration. Millions of patients die yearly worldwide, even with the available treatments of liver transplantation and artificial liver support system. With its abundant cell resources and significant differentiative potential, stem cell therapy is a viable treatment for various disorders and offers hope to patients waiting for orthotopic liver transplantation. Considering such plight, stem cell therapeutic strategies deliver hope to the patients. Moreover, we conclude intrinsic and acquired perspectives based on stem cell sources. The properties and therapeutic uses of these stem cells' specific types or sources were then reviewed. Owing to the recent investigations of the above cells, a safe and effective therapy will emerge for advanced liver diseases soon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yisu Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Zhengyang Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310006, China
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, PR China
| | - Wenzhi Shu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Ze Xiang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhengxin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Xuyong Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310006, China
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tao H, Liu Q, Zeng A, Song L. Unlocking the potential of Mesenchymal stem cells in liver Fibrosis: Insights into the impact of autophagy and aging. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 121:110497. [PMID: 37329808 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver disease characterized by extracellular matrix protein accumulation, potentially leading to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver cell damage, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis due to various reasons induce liver fibrosis. Although several treatments, such as antiviral drugs and immunosuppressive therapies, are available for liver fibrosis, they only provide limited efficacy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become a promising therapeutic option for liver fibrosis, because they can modulate the immune response, promote liver regeneration, and inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells that contribute to disease development. Recent studies have suggested that the mechanisms through which MSCs gain their antifibrotic properties involve autophagy and senescence. Autophagy, a vital cellular self-degradation process, is critical for maintaining homeostasis and protecting against nutritional, metabolic, and infection-mediated stress. The therapeutic effects of MSCs depend on appropriate autophagy levels, which can improve the fibrotic process. Nonetheless, aging-related autophagic damage is associated with a decline in MSC number and function, which play a crucial role in liver fibrosis development. This review summarizes the recent advancements in the understanding of autophagy and senescence in MSC-based liver fibrosis treatment, presenting the key findings from relevant studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Tao
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Qianglin Liu
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China
| | - Anqi Zeng
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology and Clinical Application, Sichuan Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
| | - Linjiang Song
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kim M, Rizvi F, Shin D, Gouon-Evans V. Update on Hepatobiliary Plasticity. Semin Liver Dis 2023; 43:13-23. [PMID: 36764306 PMCID: PMC10005859 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1760306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
The liver field has been debating for decades the contribution of the plasticity of the two epithelial compartments in the liver, hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells (BECs), to derive each other as a repair mechanism. The hepatobiliary plasticity has been first observed in diseased human livers by the presence of biphenotypic cells expressing hepatocyte and BEC markers within bile ducts and regenerative nodules or budding from strings of proliferative BECs in septa. These observations are not surprising as hepatocytes and BECs derive from a common fetal progenitor, the hepatoblast, and, as such, they are expected to compensate for each other's loss in adults. To investigate the cell origin of regenerated cell compartments and associated molecular mechanisms, numerous murine and zebrafish models with ability to trace cell fates have been extensively developed. This short review summarizes the clinical and preclinical studies illustrating the hepatobiliary plasticity and its potential therapeutic application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minwook Kim
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Fatima Rizvi
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology Section, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Donghun Shin
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Valerie Gouon-Evans
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology Section, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhao C, Matalonga J, Lancman JJ, Liu L, Xiao C, Kumar S, Gates KP, He J, Graves A, Huisken J, Azuma M, Lu Z, Chen C, Ding BS, Dong PDS. Regenerative failure of intrahepatic biliary cells in Alagille syndrome rescued by elevated Jagged/Notch/Sox9 signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2201097119. [PMID: 36469766 PMCID: PMC9897440 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201097119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the robust healing capacity of the liver, regenerative failure underlies numerous hepatic diseases, including the JAG1 haploinsufficient disorder, Alagille syndrome (ALGS). Cholestasis due to intrahepatic duct (IHD) paucity resolves in certain ALGS cases but fails in most with no clear mechanisms or therapeutic interventions. We find that modulating jag1b and jag2b allele dosage is sufficient to stratify these distinct outcomes, which can be either exacerbated or rescued with genetic manipulation of Notch signaling, demonstrating that perturbations of Jag/Notch signaling may be causal for the spectrum of ALGS liver severities. Although regenerating IHD cells proliferate, they remain clustered in mutants that fail to recover due to a blunted elevation of Notch signaling in the distal-most IHD cells. Increased Notch signaling is required for regenerating IHD cells to branch and segregate into the peripheral region of the growing liver, where biliary paucity is commonly observed in ALGS. Mosaic loss- and-gain-of-function analysis reveals Sox9b to be a key Notch transcriptional effector required cell autonomously to regulate these cellular dynamics during IHD regeneration. Treatment with a small-molecule putative Notch agonist stimulates Sox9 expression in ALGS patient fibroblasts and enhances hepatic sox9b expression, rescues IHD paucity and cholestasis, and increases survival in zebrafish mutants, thereby providing a proof-of-concept therapeutic avenue for this disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chengjian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan, 610041People’s Republic of China
- Human Genetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Jonathan Matalonga
- Human Genetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Joseph J. Lancman
- Human Genetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Lu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan, 610041People’s Republic of China
| | - Chaoxin Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan, 610041People’s Republic of China
| | - Shiv Kumar
- Human Genetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Keith P. Gates
- Human Genetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Jiaye He
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI53715
| | | | - Jan Huisken
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI53715
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI53706
| | - Mizuki Azuma
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS66045
| | - Zhenghao Lu
- Chengdu Organoidmed Medical Laboratory Ltd., Sichuan, 610041People’s Republic of China
| | - Chong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan, 610041People’s Republic of China
| | - Bi-Sen Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan, 610041People’s Republic of China
| | - P. Duc Si Dong
- Human Genetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Shokouhian B, Aboulkheyr Es H, Negahdari B, Tamimi A, Shahdoust M, Shpichka A, Timashev P, Hassan M, Vosough M. Hepatogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis: Alignment of the main signaling pathways. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:3984-4000. [PMID: 36037302 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30862] [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: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Development is a symphony of cells differentiation in which different signaling pathways are orchestrated at specific times and periods to form mature and functional cells from undifferentiated cells. The similarity of the gene expression profile in malignant and undifferentiated cells is an interesting topic that has been proposed for many years and gave rise to the differentiation-therapy concept, which appears a rational insight and should be reconsidered. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as the sixth common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide, is one of the health-threatening complications in communities where hepatotropic viruses are endemic. Sedentary lifestyle and high intake of calories are other risk factors. HCC is a complex condition in which various dimensions must be addressed, including heterogeneity of cells in the tumor mass, high invasiveness, and underlying diseases that limit the treatment options. Under these restrictions, recognizing, and targeting common signaling pathways during liver development and HCC could expedite to a rational therapeutic approach, reprograming malignant cells to well-differentiated ones in a functional state. Accordingly, in this review, we highlighted the commonalities of signaling pathways in hepatogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis, and comprised an update on the current status of targeting these pathways in laboratory studies and clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bahare Shokouhian
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Babak Negahdari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atena Tamimi
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Shahdoust
- School of Biological Science, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, Iran
| | - Anastasia Shpichka
- World-Class Research Center "Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare", Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia.,Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Peter Timashev
- World-Class Research Center "Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare", Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia.,Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Moustapha Hassan
- Experimental Cancer Medicine, Institution for Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Clinical Research Center (KFC) and Center for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (CAST), Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,Experimental Cancer Medicine, Institution for Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Clinical Research Center (KFC) and Center for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (CAST), Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Hrncir HR, Gracz AD. Cellular and transcriptional heterogeneity in the intrahepatic biliary epithelium. GASTRO HEP ADVANCES 2022; 2:108-120. [PMID: 36593993 PMCID: PMC9802653 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastha.2022.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial tissues comprise heterogeneous cellular subpopulations, which often compartmentalize specialized functions like absorption and secretion to distinct cell types. In the liver, hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells (BECs; also called cholangiocytes) are the two major epithelial lineages and play distinct roles in (1) metabolism, protein synthesis, detoxification, and (2) bile transport and modification, respectively. Recent technological advances, including single cell transcriptomic assays, have shed new light on well-established heterogeneity among hepatocytes, endothelial cells, and immune cells in the liver. However, a "ground truth" understanding of molecular heterogeneity in BECs has remained elusive, and the field currently lacks a set of consensus biomarkers for identifying BEC subpopulations. Here, we review long-standing definitions of BEC heterogeneity as well as emerging studies that aim to characterize BEC subpopulations using next generation single cell assays. Understanding cellular heterogeneity in the intrahepatic bile ducts holds promise for expanding our foundational mechanistic knowledge of BECs during homeostasis and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R. Hrncir
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Adam D. Gracz
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tel2 regulates redifferentiation of bipotential progenitor cells via Hhex during zebrafish liver regeneration. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110596. [PMID: 35385752 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Upon extensive hepatocyte loss or impaired hepatocyte proliferation, liver regeneration occurs via biliary epithelial cell (BEC) transdifferentiation, which includes dedifferentiation of BECs into bipotential progenitor cells (BP-PCs) and then redifferentiation of BP-PCs to nascent hepatocytes and BECs. This BEC-driven liver regeneration involves reactivation of hepatoblast markers, but the underpinning mechanisms and their effects on liver regeneration remain largely unknown. Using a zebrafish extensive hepatocyte ablation model, we perform an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) forward genetic screen and identify a liver regeneration mutant, liver logan (lvl), in which the telomere maintenance 2 (tel2) gene is mutated. During liver regeneration, the tel2 mutation specifically inhibits transcriptional activation of a hepatoblast marker, hematopoietically expressed homeobox (hhex), in BEC-derived cells, which blocks BP-PC redifferentiation. Mechanistic studies show that Tel2 associates with the hhex promoter region and promotes hhex transcription. Our results reveal roles of Tel2 in the BP-PC redifferentiation process of liver regeneration by activating hhex.
Collapse
|
14
|
DNA methylation maintenance at the p53 locus initiates biliary-mediated liver regeneration. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:21. [PMID: 35351894 PMCID: PMC8964678 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-022-00217-8] [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: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In cases of extensive liver injury, biliary epithelial cells (BECs) dedifferentiate into bipotential progenitor cells (BPPCs), then redifferentiate into hepatocytes and BECs to accomplish liver regeneration. Whether epigenetic regulations, particularly DNA methylation maintenance enzymes, play a role in this biliary-mediated liver regeneration remains unknown. Here we show that in response to extensive hepatocyte damages, expression of dnmt1 is upregulated in BECs to methylate DNA at the p53 locus, which represses p53 transcription, and in turn, derepresses mTORC1 signaling to activate BEC dedifferentiation. After BEC dedifferentiation and BPPC formation, DNA methylation at the p53 locus maintains in BPPCs to continue blocking p53 transcription, which derepresses Bmp signaling to induce BPPC redifferentiation. Thus, this study reveals promotive roles and mechanisms of DNA methylation at the p53 locus in both dedifferentiation and redifferentiation stages of biliary-mediated liver regeneration, implicating DNA methylation and p53 as potential targets to stimulate regeneration after extensive liver injury.
Collapse
|
15
|
Arboleda-Bustan JE, Ribalta T, Albert A, Cuadras D, Martín-Solé O. Expression of Protein SOX9 in Biliary Atresia. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2022; 74:e21-e26. [PMID: 34789667 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000003356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Biliary atresia (BA) is still an enigmatic disease. Deeper knowledge of its pathophysiology could help develop better treatments. SOX9 regulates bile duct development, liver regeneration and fibrosis; therefore, it could be determinant in characterizing BA liver damage. Aim: To study if there is a SOX9 expression pattern in liver biopsies from BA patients. METHODS Liver biopsies from BA patients (group BA), from age-matched infants without primary hepatic disease (group Control), and from patients with other liver conditions (group OLC) were compared. Expression of SOX9 was checked for: amount, intensity of immunoreaction, localization within ductular structures, perifibrotic epithelial cells, and lobular cells. The scores were added to create a scale from 0 to 11 that allowed group comparison. SOX9 Scale and liver survival were also looked for a correlation. RESULTS All BA cases had a score >4, while all controls scored <4. OLC livers scored 1 to 8 (3.5 ± 2.0) (P < 0.001 between all groups). A cut-off at 4 had 100% sensitivity and 88.24% specificity to differentiate BA from Controls and from OLC (area under receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.9989 (95% confidence interval: 0.9964-1.000). Strong expression of SOX9 was observed mainly in the nuclei of proliferated ductules of portal spaces and fibrotic bridges. SOX9 Scale score could not be related to liver survival in this study. CONCLUSION In BA livers, SOX9 is mainly expressed in reactive ductular epithelium, following a pattern significantly different from that seen in non-BA patients; thus, SOX9 Scale may have a role in the diagnosis of BA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Teresa Ribalta
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, and Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Asteria Albert
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Cuadras
- Department of Statistics, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oriol Martín-Solé
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sun Q, Shen Z, Liang X, He Y, Kong D, Midgley AC, Wang K. Progress and Current Limitations of Materials for Artificial Bile Duct Engineering. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14237468. [PMID: 34885623 PMCID: PMC8658964 DOI: 10.3390/ma14237468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Bile duct injury (BDI) and bile tract diseases are regarded as prominent challenges in hepatobiliary surgery due to the risk of severe complications. Hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal surgery can inadvertently cause iatrogenic BDI. The commonly utilized clinical treatment of BDI is biliary-enteric anastomosis. However, removal of the Oddi sphincter, which serves as a valve control over the unidirectional flow of bile to the intestine, can result in complications such as reflux cholangitis, restenosis of the bile duct, and cholangiocarcinoma. Tissue engineering and biomaterials offer alternative approaches for BDI treatment. Reconstruction of mechanically functional and biomimetic structures to replace bile ducts aims to promote the ingrowth of bile duct cells and realize tissue regeneration of bile ducts. Current research on artificial bile ducts has remained within preclinical animal model experiments. As more research shows artificial bile duct replacements achieving effective mechanical and functional prevention of biliary peritonitis caused by bile leakage or obstructive jaundice after bile duct reconstruction, clinical translation of tissue-engineered bile ducts has become a theoretical possibility. This literature review provides a comprehensive collection of published works in relation to three tissue engineering approaches for biomimetic bile duct construction: mechanical support from scaffold materials, cell seeding methods, and the incorporation of biologically active factors to identify the advancements and current limitations of materials and methods for the development of effective artificial bile ducts that promote tissue regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Sun
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Q.S.); (D.K.)
| | - Zefeng Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China; (Z.S.); (X.L.)
| | - Xiao Liang
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China; (Z.S.); (X.L.)
| | - Yingxu He
- School of Computing, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore;
| | - Deling Kong
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Q.S.); (D.K.)
| | - Adam C. Midgley
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Q.S.); (D.K.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.M.); (K.W.)
| | - Kai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Q.S.); (D.K.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.M.); (K.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Martinez Lyons A, Boulter L. The developmental origins of Notch-driven intrahepatic bile duct disorders. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm048413. [PMID: 34549776 PMCID: PMC8480193 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.048413] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Notch signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of cell-cell communication that mediates cellular proliferation, cell fate specification, and maintenance of stem and progenitor cell populations. In the vertebrate liver, an absence of Notch signaling results in failure to form bile ducts, a complex tubular network that radiates throughout the liver, which, in healthy individuals, transports bile from the liver into the bowel. Loss of a functional biliary network through congenital malformations during development results in cholestasis and necessitates liver transplantation. Here, we examine to what extent Notch signaling is necessary throughout embryonic life to initiate the proliferation and specification of biliary cells and concentrate on the animal and human models that have been used to define how perturbations in this signaling pathway result in developmental liver disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Luke Boulter
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
He Y, Guo X, Lan T, Xia J, Wang J, Li B, Peng C, Chen Y, Hu X, Meng Z. Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells improve the function of liver in rats with acute-on-chronic liver failure via downregulating Notch and Stat1/Stat3 signaling. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:396. [PMID: 34256837 PMCID: PMC8278604 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02468-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Effective treatments for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) are lacking. Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have been applied in tissue regeneration and repair, acting through paracrine effects, cell fusion, and actual transdifferentiation. The present study was designed to investigate the therapeutic potential of hUC-MSCs in acute-on-chronic liver injury (ACLI) and ACLF rat models. Methods Wistar rats aged 6 weeks were intraperitoneally administered porcine serum (PS) at a dose of 0.5 mL twice per week for 11 weeks to generate an immune liver fibrosis model. After 11 weeks, rats with immune liver fibrosis were injected intravenously with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an ACLI model or combined LPS and D-galactosamine (D-GalN) to induce an ACLF model. The rats with ACLI or ACLF were injected intravenously with 2×106 hUC-MSCs, 4×106 hUC-MSCs, or 0.9% sodium chloride as a control. The rats were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks (ACLI rats) or 4, 12, and 24 h (ACLF rats). The blood and liver tissues were collected for biochemical and histological investigation. Results The application of hUC-MSCs in rats with ACLI and ACLF led to a significant decrease in the serum levels of ALT, AST, TBil, DBil, ALP, ammonia, and PT, with ALB gradually returned to normal levels. Inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition in liver tissues were significantly attenuated in ACLI rats that received hUC-MSCs. Inflammatory cell infiltration and apoptosis in liver tissues of ACLF rats that received hUC-MSCs were significantly attenuated. Compared with those in the rats that received 0.9% sodium chloride, a significant reduction in proinflammatory cytokine levels and elevated serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were found in ACLF rats that received hUC-MSCs. Furthermore, Notch, IFN-γ/Stat1, and IL-6/Stat3 signaling were inhibited in ACLI/ACLF rats that received hUC-MSCs. Conclusions hUC-MSC transplantation can improve liver function, the degree of fibrosis, and liver damage and promote liver repair in rats with ACLI or ACLF, mediated most likely by inhibiting Notch signaling and reversing the imbalance of the Stat1/Stat3 pathway. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02468-6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yulin He
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Cancer, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.,Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Research Institute, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Xingrong Guo
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Cancer, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.,Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Research Institute, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Tingyu Lan
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Cancer, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.,Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Research Institute, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518057, China.,Postgraduate Training Basement of Jinzhou Medical University, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Jianbo Xia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Jinsong Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Bei Li
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Cancer, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.,Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Research Institute, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Chunyan Peng
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Cancer, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.,Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Research Institute, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Yue Chen
- Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Research Institute, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518057, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Xiang Hu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
| | - Zhongji Meng
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Cancer, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China. .,Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Research Institute, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518057, China. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Minnis-Lyons SE, Ferreira-González S, Aleksieva N, Man TY, Gadd VL, Williams MJ, Guest RV, Lu WY, Dwyer BJ, Jamieson T, Nixon C, Van Hul N, Lemaigre FP, McCafferty J, Leclercq IA, Sansom OJ, Boulter L, Forbes SJ. Notch-IGF1 signaling during liver regeneration drives biliary epithelial cell expansion and inhibits hepatocyte differentiation. Sci Signal 2021; 14:eaay9185. [PMID: 34158399 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aay9185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In the adult liver, a population of facultative progenitor cells called biliary epithelial cells (BECs) proliferate and differentiate into cholangiocytes and hepatocytes after injury, thereby restoring liver function. In mammalian models of chronic liver injury, Notch signaling is essential for bile duct formation from these cells. However, the continual proliferation of BECs and differentiation of hepatocytes in these models have limited their use for determining whether Notch signaling is required for BECs to replenish hepatocytes after injury in the mammalian liver. Here, we used a temporally restricted model of hepatic repair in which large-scale hepatocyte injury and regeneration are initiated through the acute loss of Mdm2 in hepatocytes, resulting in the rapid, coordinated proliferation of BECs. We found that transient, early activation of Notch1- and Notch3-mediated signaling and entrance into the cell cycle preceded the phenotypic expansion of BECs into hepatocytes. Notch inhibition reduced BEC proliferation, which resulted in failure of BECs to differentiate into hepatocytes, indicating that Notch-dependent expansion of BECs is essential for hepatocyte regeneration. Notch signaling increased the abundance of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) in BECs, and activating IGFR signaling increased BEC numbers but suppressed BEC differentiation into hepatocytes. These results suggest that different signaling mechanisms control BEC expansion and hepatocyte differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Minnis-Lyons
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Niya Aleksieva
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tak Yung Man
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Victoria L Gadd
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michael J Williams
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rachel V Guest
- Clinical Surgery, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Wei-Yu Lu
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Benjamin J Dwyer
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tam Jamieson
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, UK
| | - Colin Nixon
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, UK
| | - Noemi Van Hul
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | | | - John McCafferty
- IONTAS Ltd., Iconix Park, London Road, Pampisford, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Isabelle A Leclercq
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Owen J Sansom
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, UK
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, UK
| | - Luke Boulter
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Stuart J Forbes
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Gao J, Fan L, Zhao L, Su Y. The interaction of Notch and Wnt signaling pathways in vertebrate regeneration. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2021; 10:11. [PMID: 33791915 PMCID: PMC8012441 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-020-00072-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Regeneration is an evolutionarily conserved process in animal kingdoms, however, the regenerative capacities differ from species and organ/tissues. Mammals possess very limited regenerative potential to replace damaged organs, whereas non-mammalian species usually have impressive abilities to regenerate organs. The regeneration process requires proper spatiotemporal regulation from key signaling pathways. The canonical Notch and Wnt signaling pathways, two fundamental signals guiding animal development, have been demonstrated to play significant roles in the regeneration of vertebrates. In recent years, increasing evidence has implicated the cross-talking between Notch and Wnt signals during organ regeneration. In this review, we summarize the roles of Notch signaling and Wnt signaling during several representative organ regenerative events, emphasizing the functions and molecular bases of their interplay in these processes, shedding light on utilizing these two signaling pathways to enhance regeneration in mammals and design legitimate therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junying Gao
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China.,College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Lixia Fan
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China.,College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Long Zhao
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China. .,College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China.
| | - Ying Su
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China. .,College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
So J, Kim M, Lee SH, Ko S, Lee DA, Park H, Azuma M, Parsons MJ, Prober D, Shin D. Attenuating the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase-Sex-Determining Region Y-Box 9 Axis Promotes Liver Progenitor Cell-Mediated Liver Regeneration in Zebrafish. Hepatology 2021; 73:1494-1508. [PMID: 32602149 PMCID: PMC7769917 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The liver is a highly regenerative organ, but its regenerative capacity is compromised in severe liver injury settings. In chronic liver diseases, the number of liver progenitor cells (LPCs) correlates proportionally to disease severity, implying that their inefficient differentiation into hepatocytes exacerbates the disease. Moreover, LPCs secrete proinflammatory cytokines; thus, their prolonged presence worsens inflammation and induces fibrosis. Promoting LPC-to-hepatocyte differentiation in patients with advanced liver disease, for whom liver transplantation is currently the only therapeutic option, may be a feasible clinical approach because such promotion generates more functional hepatocytes and concomitantly reduces inflammation and fibrosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS Here, using zebrafish models of LPC-mediated liver regeneration, we present a proof of principle of such therapeutics by demonstrating a role for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway in differentiation of LPCs into hepatocytes. We found that suppression of EGFR signaling promoted LPC-to-hepatocyte differentiation through the mitogen-activated ERK kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-sex-determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9) cascade. Pharmacological inhibition of EGFR or MEK/ERK promoted LPC-to-hepatocyte differentiation as well as genetic suppression of the EGFR-ERK-SOX9 axis. Moreover, Sox9b overexpression in LPCs blocked their differentiation into hepatocytes. In the zebrafish liver injury model, both hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells contributed to LPCs. EGFR inhibition promoted the differentiation of LPCs regardless of their origin. Notably, short-term treatment with EGFR inhibitors resulted in better liver recovery over the long term. CONCLUSIONS The EGFR-ERK-SOX9 axis suppresses LPC-to-hepatocyte differentiation during LPC-mediated liver regeneration. We suggest EGFR inhibitors as a proregenerative therapeutic drug for patients with advanced liver disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juhoon So
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Minwook Kim
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Seung-Hoon Lee
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Sungjin Ko
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Present address: Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Daniel A. Lee
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Hyewon Park
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Mizuki Azuma
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Michael J. Parsons
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - David Prober
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Donghun Shin
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Zhang W, Chen J, Ni R, Yang Q, Luo L, He J. Contributions of biliary epithelial cells to hepatocyte homeostasis and regeneration in zebrafish. iScience 2021; 24:102142. [PMID: 33665561 PMCID: PMC7900353 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether transdifferentiation of the biliary epithelial cells (BECs) to hepatocytes occurs under physiological conditions and contributes to liver homeostasis remains under long-term debate. Similar questions have been raised under pathological circumstances if a fibrotic liver is suffered from severe injuries. To address these questions in zebrafish, we established a sensitive lineage tracing system specific for the detection of BEC-derived hepatocytes. The BEC-to-hepatocyte transdifferentiation occurred and became minor contributors to hepatocyte homeostasis in a portion of adult individuals. The BEC-derived hepatocytes distributed in clusters in the liver. When a fibrotic liver underwent extreme hepatocyte damages, BEC-to-hepatocyte transdifferentiation acted as the major origin of regenerating hepatocytes. In contrast, partial hepatectomy failed to induce the BEC-to-hepatocyte conversion. In conclusion, based on a sensitive lineage tracing system, our results suggest that BECs are able to transdifferentiate into hepatocytes and contribute to both physiological hepatocyte homeostasis and pathological regeneration. Developed sensitivity system to trace BECs derived hepatocytes in liver homeostasis BECs convert to hepatocytes in liver homeostasis but are individually heterogeneous BECs are the primary regeneration sources in the extreme injury of the fibrotic liver BECs fail to contribute to new hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Zhang
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei, 400715 Chongqing, China
| | - Jingying Chen
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei, 400715 Chongqing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chongqing), Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beibei, 400714 Chongqing, China
| | - Rui Ni
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei, 400715 Chongqing, China
| | - Qifen Yang
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei, 400715 Chongqing, China
| | - Lingfei Luo
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei, 400715 Chongqing, China
| | - Jianbo He
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei, 400715 Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
Intrahepatic ductular reaction is a pathologic proliferation of phenotypical biliary channels. Ductular reactions aim to restore compromised physiological function after liver injury and are one of the archetypal responses of the liver to a wide variety of etiologies, among them are parenchymal loss, biliary tract disease, neoplasms, after liver transplantation, and several pediatric liver diseases. The types and extent of ductular reactions can vary, according to the etiological insult. In this review, the authors will first consider the different mechanisms for ductular reactions and their relevance for liver regeneration. After, the authors will discuss our approach to differential diagnosis for ductular reactions in different patient groups, taking into account clinical history and potential pitfalls. The authors provide an algorithmic approach for practicing pathologists and trainees when confronted by a ductular reaction in a liver biopsy.
Collapse
|
24
|
Gao C, Peng J. All routes lead to Rome: multifaceted origin of hepatocytes during liver regeneration. CELL REGENERATION 2021; 10:2. [PMID: 33403526 PMCID: PMC7785766 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-020-00063-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Liver is the largest internal organ that serves as the key site for various metabolic activities and maintenance of homeostasis. Liver diseases are great threats to human health. The capability of liver to regain its mass after partial hepatectomy has widely been applied in treating liver diseases either by removing the damaged part of a diseased liver in a patient or transplanting a part of healthy liver into a patient. Vast efforts have been made to study the biology of liver regeneration in different liver-damage models. Regarding the sources of hepatocytes during liver regeneration, convincing evidences have demonstrated that different liver-damage models mobilized different subtype hepatocytes in contributing to liver regeneration. Under extreme hepatocyte ablation, biliary epithelial cells can undergo dedifferentiation to liver progenitor cells (LPCs) and then LPCs differentiate to produce hepatocytes. Here we will focus on summarizing the progresses made in identifying cell types contributing to producing new hepatocytes during liver regeneration in mice and zebrafish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ce Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Molecular Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jinrong Peng
- MOE Key Laboratory for Molecular Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Freeburg SH, Goessling W. Hepatobiliary Differentiation: Principles from Embryonic Liver Development. Semin Liver Dis 2020; 40:365-372. [PMID: 32526786 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1709679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells (BECs), the two endodermal cell types of the liver, originate from progenitor cells called hepatoblasts. Based principally on in vitro data, hepatoblasts are thought to be bipotent stem cells with the potential to produce both hepatocytes and BECs. However, robust in vivo evidence for this model has only recently emerged. We examine the molecular mechanisms that stimulate hepatoblast differentiation into hepatocytes or BECs. In the absence of extrinsic cues, the default fate of hepatoblasts is hepatocyte differentiation. Inductive cues from the hepatic portal vein, however, initiate transcription factor expression in hepatoblasts, driving biliary specification. Defining the mechanisms of hepatobiliary differentiation provides important insights into congenital disorders, such as Alagille syndrome, and may help to better characterize the poorly understood hepatic lineage relationships observed during regeneration from liver injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott H Freeburg
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Wolfram Goessling
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abo-Al-Ela HG, Burgos-Aceves MA. Exploring the role of microRNAs in axolotl regeneration. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:839-850. [PMID: 32638401 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, is used extensively for research in developmental biology, particularly for its ability to regenerate and restore lost organs, including in the nervous system, to full functionality. Regeneration in mammals typically depends on the healing process and scar formation with limited replacement of lost tissue. Other organisms, such as spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus), salamanders, and zebrafish, are able to regenerate some damaged body components. Blastema is a tissue that is formed after tissue injury in such organisms and is composed of progenitor cells or dedifferentiated cells that differentiate into various cell types during regeneration. Thus, identifying the molecules responsible for initiation of blastema formation is an important aspect for understanding regeneration. Introns, a major source of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), have characteristic sizes in the axolotl, particularly in genes associated with development. These ncRNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), exhibit dynamic regulation during regeneration. These miRNAs play an essential role in timing and control of gene expression to order and organize processes necessary for blastema creation. Master keys or molecules that underlie the remarkable regenerative abilities of the axolotl remain to be fully explored and exploited. Further and ongoing research on regeneration promises new knowledge that may allow improved repair and renewal of human tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haitham G Abo-Al-Ela
- Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fish Resources, Suez University, Suez, Egypt
| | - Mario A Burgos-Aceves
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Brandt ZJ, Echert AE, Bostrom JR, North PN, Link BA. Core Hippo pathway components act as a brake on Yap and Taz in the development and maintenance of the biliary network. Development 2020; 147:dev184242. [PMID: 32439761 PMCID: PMC7328147 DOI: 10.1242/dev.184242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The development of the biliary system is a complex yet poorly understood process, with relevance to multiple diseases, including biliary atresia, choledochal cysts and gallbladder agenesis. We present here a crucial role for Hippo-Yap/Taz signaling in this context. Analysis of sav1 mutant zebrafish revealed dysplastic morphology and expansion of both intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary cells, and ultimately larval lethality. Biliary dysgenesis, but not larval lethality, is driven primarily by Yap signaling. Re-expression of Sav1 protein in sav1-/- hepatocytes is able to overcome these initial deficits and allows sav1-/- fish to survive, suggesting cell non-autonomous signaling from hepatocytes. Examination of sav1-/- rescued adults reveals loss of gallbladder and formation of dysplastic cell masses expressing biliary markers, suggesting roles for Hippo signaling in extrahepatic biliary carcinomas. Deletion of stk3 revealed that the phenotypes observed in sav1 mutant fish function primarily through canonical Hippo signaling and supports a role for phosphatase PP2A, but also suggests Sav1 has functions in addition to facilitating Stk3 activity. Overall, this study defines a role for Hippo-Yap signaling in the maintenance of both intra- and extrahepatic biliary ducts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J Brandt
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa, WI 53226, USA
| | - Ashley E Echert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa, WI 53226, USA
| | - Jonathan R Bostrom
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa, WI 53226, USA
| | - Paula N North
- Department of Pediatric Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa, WI 53226, USA
| | - Brian A Link
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa, WI 53226, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Macchi F, Sadler KC. Unraveling the Epigenetic Basis of Liver Development, Regeneration and Disease. Trends Genet 2020; 36:587-597. [PMID: 32487496 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A wealth of studies over several decades has revealed an epigenetic prepattern that determines the competence of cellular differentiation in the developing liver. More recently, studies focused on the impact of epigenetic factors during liver regeneration suggest that an epigenetic code in the quiescent liver may establish its regenerative potential. We review work on the pioneer factors and other chromatin remodelers that impact the gene expression patterns instructing hepatocyte and biliary cell specification and differentiation, along with the requirement of epigenetic regulatory factors for hepatic outgrowth. We then explore recent studies involving the role of epigenetic regulators, Arid1a and Uhrf1, in efficient activation of proregenerative genes during liver regeneration, thus highlighting the epigenetic mechanisms of liver disease and tumor development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Macchi
- Program in Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Kirsten C Sadler
- Program in Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Adams JM, Jafar-Nejad H. The Roles of Notch Signaling in Liver Development and Disease. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9100608. [PMID: 31615106 PMCID: PMC6843177 DOI: 10.3390/biom9100608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Notch signaling pathway plays major roles in organ development across animal species. In the mammalian liver, Notch has been found critical in development, regeneration and disease. In this review, we highlight the major advances in our understanding of the role of Notch activity in proper liver development and function. Specifically, we discuss the latest discoveries on how Notch, in conjunction with other signaling pathways, aids in proper liver development, regeneration and repair. In addition, we review the latest in the role of Notch signaling in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and chronic liver disease. Finally, recent evidence has shed light on the emerging connection between Notch signaling and glucose and lipid metabolism. We hope that highlighting the major advances in the roles of Notch signaling in the liver will stimulate further research in this exciting field and generate additional ideas for therapeutic manipulation of the Notch pathway in liver diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M Adams
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Hamed Jafar-Nejad
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|