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Erdenebileg S, Kim M, Nam Y, Cha KH, Le TT, Jung SH, Nho CW. Artemisia argyi ethanol extract ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-induced liver fibrosis by modulating gut microbiota and hepatic signaling. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 333:118415. [PMID: 38848971 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Artemisia argyi (AA), a herbal medicine traditionally used in Asian countries, to treat inflammatory conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, arthritis, allergic asthma and colitis. However, the mechanism of action of this plant with regard to hepatitis and other liver-related diseases is still unclear. AIM This study aimed to investigate the effects of AA ethanol extract on NASH-related fibrosis and gut microbiota in a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD)-induced mouse model. METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice were fed CDAHFD, with or without AA ethanol extract treatment. Biochemical markers, lipid profiles, hepatic mRNA expression levels of key genes, and the fibrosis area were assessed. In vitro, TGF-β-stimulated human hepatic stellate LX-2 cells and mouse primary hepatic stellate cells (mHSCs) were used to elucidate the effects of AA ethanol extract on fibrosis and steatosis. 16S rRNA sequencing, QIIME2, and PICRUST2 were employed to analyze gut microbial diversity, composition, and functional pathways. RESULTS Treatment with the AA ethanol extract improved plasma and liver lipid profiles, modulated hepatic mRNA expression levels of antioxidant, lipolytic, and fibrosis-related genes, and significantly reduced CDAHFD-induced hepatic fibrosis. Gut microbiota analysis revealed a marked decrease in Acetivibrio ethanolgignens abundance upon treatment with the AA ethanol extract, and its functional pathways were significantly correlated with NASH/fibrosis markers. The AA ethanol extract and its active components (jaceosidin, eupatilin, and chlorogenic acid) inhibited fibrosis-related markers in LX-2 and mHSC. CONCLUSION The AA ethanol extract exerted therapeutic effects on CDAHFD-induced liver disease by modulating NASH/fibrosis-related factors and gut microbiota composition. Notably, AA treatment reduced the abundance of the potentially profibrotic bacterium (A. ethanolgignens). These findings suggest that AA is a promising candidate for treating NASH-induced fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saruul Erdenebileg
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea; Natural Product Applied Science, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Myungsuk Kim
- Natural Product Applied Science, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea; Natural Product Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea; Department of Convergence Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju, Gangwon-do, 26426, South Korea
| | - Yunseong Nam
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea; Natural Product Applied Science, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Kwang Hyun Cha
- Natural Product Applied Science, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea; Department of Convergence Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju, Gangwon-do, 26426, South Korea; Natural Product Informatics Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Tam Thi Le
- Natural Product Applied Science, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea; Natural Product Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Jung
- Natural Product Applied Science, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea; Natural Product Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Chu Won Nho
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea; Natural Product Applied Science, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea.
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2
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Akkız H, Gieseler RK, Canbay A. Liver Fibrosis: From Basic Science towards Clinical Progress, Focusing on the Central Role of Hepatic Stellate Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7873. [PMID: 39063116 PMCID: PMC11277292 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147873] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The burden of chronic liver disease is globally increasing at an alarming rate. Chronic liver injury leads to liver inflammation and fibrosis (LF) as critical determinants of long-term outcomes such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, and mortality. LF is a wound-healing process characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins due to the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In the healthy liver, quiescent HSCs metabolize and store retinoids. Upon fibrogenic activation, quiescent HSCs transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts; lose their vitamin A; upregulate α-smooth muscle actin; and produce proinflammatory soluble mediators, collagens, and inhibitors of ECM degradation. Activated HSCs are the main effector cells during hepatic fibrogenesis. In addition, the accumulation and activation of profibrogenic macrophages in response to hepatocyte death play a critical role in the initiation of HSC activation and survival. The main source of myofibroblasts is resident HSCs. Activated HSCs migrate to the site of active fibrogenesis to initiate the formation of a fibrous scar. Single-cell technologies revealed that quiescent HSCs are highly homogenous, while activated HSCs/myofibroblasts are much more heterogeneous. The complex process of inflammation results from the response of various hepatic cells to hepatocellular death and inflammatory signals related to intrahepatic injury pathways or extrahepatic mediators. Inflammatory processes modulate fibrogenesis by activating HSCs and, in turn, drive immune mechanisms via cytokines and chemokines. Increasing evidence also suggests that cellular stress responses contribute to fibrogenesis. Recent data demonstrated that LF can revert even at advanced stages of cirrhosis if the underlying cause is eliminated, which inhibits the inflammatory and profibrogenic cells. However, despite numerous clinical studies on plausible drug candidates, an approved antifibrotic therapy still remains elusive. This state-of-the-art review presents cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in hepatic fibrogenesis and its resolution, as well as comprehensively discusses the drivers linking liver injury to chronic liver inflammation and LF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikmet Akkız
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Bahçeşehir, Beşiktaş, Istanbul 34353, Turkey
| | - Robert K. Gieseler
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, In der Schornau 23–25, 44892 Bochum, Germany; (R.K.G.); (A.C.)
| | - Ali Canbay
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, In der Schornau 23–25, 44892 Bochum, Germany; (R.K.G.); (A.C.)
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3
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Liu XY, Zhang W, Ma BF, Sun MM, Shang QH. Advances in Research on the Effectiveness and Mechanism of Active Ingredients from Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Hepatic Stellate Cells Autophagy Against Hepatic Fibrosis. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:2715-2727. [PMID: 38974122 PMCID: PMC11227309 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s467480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a pathological process of structural and functional impairment of the liver and is a key component in the progression of chronic liver disease. There are no specific anti-hepatic fibrosis (anti-HF) drugs, and HF can only be improved or prevented by alleviating the cause. Autophagy of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is closely related to the development of HF. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has achieved good therapeutic effects in the prevention and treatment of HF. Several active ingredients from TCM (AITCM) can regulate autophagy in HSCs to exert anti-HF effects through different pathways, but relevant reviews are lacking. This paper reviewed the research progress of AITCM regulating HSCs autophagy against HF, and also discussed the relationship between HSCs autophagy and HF, pointing out the problems and limitations of the current study, in order to provide references for the development of anti-HF drugs targeting HSCs autophagy in TCM. By reviewing the literature in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI and other databases, we found that the relationship between autophagy of HSCs and HF is currently controversial. HSCs autophagy may promote HF by consuming lipid droplets (LDs) to provide energy for their activation. However, in contrast, inducing autophagy in HSCs can exert the anti-HF effect by stimulating their apoptosis or senescence, reducing type I collagen accumulation, inhibiting the extracellular vesicles release, degrading pro-fibrotic factors and other mechanisms. Some AITCM inhibit HSCs autophagy to resist HF, with the most promising direction being to target LDs. While, others induce HSCs autophagy to resist HF, with the most promising direction being to target HSCs apoptosis. Future research needs to focus on cell targeting research, autophagy targeting research and in vivo verification research, and to explore the reasons for the contradictory effects of HSCs autophagy on HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yu Liu
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Liver Disease, The 960th Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Jinan, Shandong, 250000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bao-Feng Ma
- The third department of encephalopathy, Jinan Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, 271100, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mi-Mi Sun
- Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Liver Diseases, Tai’an 88 Hospital, Tai’an, Shandong, 271000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qing-Hua Shang
- Department of Liver Disease, The 960th Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Jinan, Shandong, 250000, People’s Republic of China
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4
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Maroto-García J, Moreno Álvarez A, Sanz de Pedro MP, Buño-Soto A, González Á. Serum biomarkers for liver fibrosis assessment. ADVANCES IN LABORATORY MEDICINE 2024; 5:115-130. [PMID: 38939201 PMCID: PMC11206202 DOI: 10.1515/almed-2023-0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the result of chronic liver injury of different etiologies produced by an imbalance between the synthesis and degeneration of the extracellular matrix and dysregulation of physiological mechanisms. Liver has a high regenerative capacity in the early stage of chronic diseases so a prompt liver fibrosis detection is important. Consequently, an easy and economic tool that could identify patients with liver fibrosis at the initial stages is needed. To achieve this, many non-invasive serum direct, such as hyaluronic acid or metalloproteases, and indirect biomarkers have been proposed to evaluate liver fibrosis. Also, there have been developed formulas that combine these biomarkers, some of them also introduce clinical and/or demographic parameters, like FIB-4, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS), enhance liver fibrosis (ELF) or Hepamet fibrosis score (HFS). In this manuscript we critically reviewed different serum biomarkers and formulas for their utility in the diagnosis and progression of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Moreno Álvarez
- Biochemistry Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Buño-Soto
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPaz), Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro González
- Biochemistry Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
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5
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Maroto-García J, Moreno-Álvarez A, Sanz de Pedro MP, Buño-Soto A, González Á. Biomarcadores séricos para la evaluación de la fibrosis hepática. ADVANCES IN LABORATORY MEDICINE 2024; 5:131-147. [PMID: 38939202 PMCID: PMC11206201 DOI: 10.1515/almed-2023-0172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
La fibrosis hepática se desarrolla como respuesta a la presencia de daño hepático crónico de diferentes etiologías, provocando un desequilibrio entre la síntesis y degeneración de la matriz extracelular y la desregulación de diversos mecanismos fisiológicos. En los estadios iniciales de las patologías crónicas, el hígado posee una elevada capacidad de regeneración, por lo que la detección temprana de la fibrosis hepática resulta esencial. En este contexto, es preciso contar con herramientas sencillas y económicas que permitan detectar la fibrosis hepática en sus fases iniciales. Para evaluar la fibrosis hepática, se han propuesto multitud de biomarcadores séricos no invasivos, tanto directos, como el ácido hialurónico o las metaloproteasas, como indirectos. Así mismo, se han desarrollado diversas fórmulas que combinan dichos biomarcadores junto con parámetros demográficos, como el índice FIB-4, el índice de fibrosis en la enfermedad de hígado graso no alcohólico (NFS, por sus siglas en inglés), la prueba ELF o el score de fibrosis Hepamet (HFS, por sus siglas en inglés). En el presente manuscrito, realizamos una revisión crítica del valor diagnóstico y pronóstico de los diferentes biomarcadores séricos y fórmulas actualmente existentes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Maroto-García
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España
| | - Ana Moreno-Álvarez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España
| | | | - Antonio Buño-Soto
- Departamento de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España
- Instituto de investigación en salud del Hospital La (IdiPaz), Madrid, España
| | - Álvaro González
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España
- Instituto Navarro de investigación en salud (IdiSNA), Pamplona, España
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Wegrzyniak O, Lechi F, Mitran B, Cheung P, Bitzios A, Persson J, Löfblom J, Nordström H, Eriksson J, Frejd FY, Korsgren O, Zhang B, Eriksson O. Non-invasive PET imaging of liver fibrogenesis using a RESCA-conjugated Affibody molecule. iScience 2024; 27:109688. [PMID: 38660405 PMCID: PMC11039342 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive assessment of fibrogenic activity, rather than fibrotic scars, could significantly improve the management of fibrotic diseases and the development of anti-fibrotic drugs. This study explores the potential of an Affibody molecule (Z09591) labeled with the Al(18)F-restrained complexing agent (RESCA) method as a tracer for the non-invasive detection of fibrogenic cells. Z09591 was functionalized with the RESCA chelator for direct labeling with [18F]AlF. In vivo positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging scans on U-87 tumor-bearing mice exhibited high selectivity of the resulting radiotracer, [18F]AlF-RESCA-Z09591, for platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ), with minimal non-specific background uptake. Evaluation in a mouse model with carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrotic liver followed by a disease regression phase, revealed the radiotracer's high affinity and specificity for fibrogenic cells in fibrotic livers (standardized uptake value [SUV] 0.43 ± 0.05), with uptake decreasing during recovery (SUV 0.29 ± 0.03) (p < 0.0001). [18F]AlF-RESCA-Z09591 accurately detects PDGFRβ, offering non-invasive assessment of fibrogenic cells and promising applications in precise liver fibrogenesis diagnosis, potentially contributing significantly to anti-fibrotic drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Wegrzyniak
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Francesco Lechi
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Antaros Medical AB, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Pierre Cheung
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Athanasios Bitzios
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jonas Persson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Protein Science, Division of Protein Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Löfblom
- Department of Protein Science, Division of Protein Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Nordström
- Science for Life Laboratory, Drug Discovery & Development Platform, Department of Chemistry-BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jonas Eriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- PET Center, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Y. Frejd
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Affibody AB, Solna, Sweden
| | - Olle Korsgren
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bo Zhang
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Olof Eriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Antaros Medical AB, Mölndal, Sweden
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Kong M, Zhou J, Kang A, Kuai Y, Xu H, Li M, Miao X, Guo Y, Fan Z, Xu Y, Li Z. Histone methyltransferase Suv39h1 regulates hepatic stellate cell activation and is targetable in liver fibrosis. Gut 2024; 73:810-824. [PMID: 38176898 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-329671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Liver fibrosis is a prelude to a host of end-stage liver diseases. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), switching from a quiescent state to myofibroblasts, are the major source for excessive production of extracellular matrix proteins. In the present study, we investigated the role of Suv39h1, a lysine methyltransferase, in HSC-myofibroblast transition and the implication in liver fibrosis. DESIGN HSC-specific or myofibroblast-specific Suv39h1 deletion was achieved by crossbreeding the Suv39h1 f/f mice to the Lrat-Cre mice or the Postn-CreERT2 mice. Liver fibrosis was induced by CCl4 injection or bile duct ligation. RESULTS We report that Suv39h1 expression was universally upregulated during HSC-myofibroblast transition in different cell and animal models of liver fibrosis and in human cirrhotic liver tissues. Consistently, Suv39h1 knockdown blocked HSC-myofibroblast transition in vitro. HSC-specific or myofibroblast-specific deletion of Suv39h1 ameliorated liver fibrosis in mice. More importantly, Suv39h1 inhibition by a small-molecule compound chaetocin dampened HSC-myofibroblast transition in cell culture and mitigated liver fibrosis in mice. Mechanistically, Suv39h1 bound to the promoter of heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) and repressed HMOX1 transcription. HMOX1 depletion blunted the effects of Suv39h1 inhibition on HSC-myofibroblast transition in vitro and liver fibrosis in vivo. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that HMOX1 might contribute to HSC-myofibroblast transition by modulating retinol homeostasis. Finally, myofibroblast-specific HMOX1 overexpression attenuated liver fibrosis in both a preventive scheme and a therapeutic scheme. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate a previously unrecognised role for Suv39h1 in liver fibrosis and offer proof-of-concept of its targetability in the intervention of cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjing Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of JiangnanUniversity, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Aoqi Kang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yameng Kuai
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Huihui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiulian Miao
- Institute of Biomedical Research and College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Guo
- Institute of Biomedical Research and College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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Osna NA, Tikhanovich I, Ortega-Ribera M, Mueller S, Zheng C, Mueller J, Li S, Sakane S, Weber RCG, Kim HY, Lee W, Ganguly S, Kimura Y, Liu X, Dhar D, Diggle K, Brenner DA, Kisseleva T, Attal N, McKillop IH, Chokshi S, Mahato R, Rasineni K, Szabo G, Kharbanda KK. Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease Outcomes: Critical Mechanisms of Liver Injury Progression. Biomolecules 2024; 14:404. [PMID: 38672422 PMCID: PMC11048648 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040404] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and represents a spectrum of liver injury beginning with hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) progressing to inflammation and culminating in cirrhosis. Multiple factors contribute to ALD progression and disease severity. Here, we overview several crucial mechanisms related to ALD end-stage outcome development, such as epigenetic changes, cell death, hemolysis, hepatic stellate cells activation, and hepatic fatty acid binding protein 4. Additionally, in this review, we also present two clinically relevant models using human precision-cut liver slices and hepatic organoids to examine ALD pathogenesis and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A. Osna
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
| | - Irina Tikhanovich
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA;
| | - Martí Ortega-Ribera
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (M.O.-R.); (G.S.)
| | - Sebastian Mueller
- Center for Alcohol Research, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (S.M.); (C.Z.); (J.M.); (S.L.)
- Viscera AG Bauchmedizin, 83011 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Chaowen Zheng
- Center for Alcohol Research, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (S.M.); (C.Z.); (J.M.); (S.L.)
| | - Johannes Mueller
- Center for Alcohol Research, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (S.M.); (C.Z.); (J.M.); (S.L.)
| | - Siyuan Li
- Center for Alcohol Research, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (S.M.); (C.Z.); (J.M.); (S.L.)
| | - Sadatsugu Sakane
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (S.S.); (R.C.G.W.); (H.Y.K.); (W.L.); (S.G.); (Y.K.); (X.L.); (D.D.); (K.D.); (D.A.B.)
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Raquel Carvalho Gontijo Weber
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (S.S.); (R.C.G.W.); (H.Y.K.); (W.L.); (S.G.); (Y.K.); (X.L.); (D.D.); (K.D.); (D.A.B.)
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Hyun Young Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (S.S.); (R.C.G.W.); (H.Y.K.); (W.L.); (S.G.); (Y.K.); (X.L.); (D.D.); (K.D.); (D.A.B.)
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Wonseok Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (S.S.); (R.C.G.W.); (H.Y.K.); (W.L.); (S.G.); (Y.K.); (X.L.); (D.D.); (K.D.); (D.A.B.)
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Souradipta Ganguly
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (S.S.); (R.C.G.W.); (H.Y.K.); (W.L.); (S.G.); (Y.K.); (X.L.); (D.D.); (K.D.); (D.A.B.)
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Yusuke Kimura
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (S.S.); (R.C.G.W.); (H.Y.K.); (W.L.); (S.G.); (Y.K.); (X.L.); (D.D.); (K.D.); (D.A.B.)
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (S.S.); (R.C.G.W.); (H.Y.K.); (W.L.); (S.G.); (Y.K.); (X.L.); (D.D.); (K.D.); (D.A.B.)
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Debanjan Dhar
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (S.S.); (R.C.G.W.); (H.Y.K.); (W.L.); (S.G.); (Y.K.); (X.L.); (D.D.); (K.D.); (D.A.B.)
| | - Karin Diggle
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (S.S.); (R.C.G.W.); (H.Y.K.); (W.L.); (S.G.); (Y.K.); (X.L.); (D.D.); (K.D.); (D.A.B.)
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
| | - David A. Brenner
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (S.S.); (R.C.G.W.); (H.Y.K.); (W.L.); (S.G.); (Y.K.); (X.L.); (D.D.); (K.D.); (D.A.B.)
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Neha Attal
- Department of Surgery, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA; (N.A.); (I.H.M.)
| | - Iain H. McKillop
- Department of Surgery, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA; (N.A.); (I.H.M.)
| | - Shilpa Chokshi
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London SE59NT, UK;
- School of Microbial Sciences, King’s College, London SE59NT, UK
| | - Ram Mahato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA;
| | - Karuna Rasineni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA;
| | - Gyongyi Szabo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (M.O.-R.); (G.S.)
| | - Kusum K. Kharbanda
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA;
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
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9
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Diwan R, Gaytan SL, Bhatt HN, Pena-Zacarias J, Nurunnabi M. Liver fibrosis pathologies and potentials of RNA based therapeutics modalities. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s13346-024-01551-8. [PMID: 38446352 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-024-01551-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis (LF) occurs when the liver tissue responds to injury or inflammation by producing excessive amounts of scar tissue, known as the extracellular matrix. This buildup stiffens the liver tissue, hinders blood flow, and ultimately impairs liver function. Various factors can trigger this process, including bloodborne pathogens, genetic predisposition, alcohol abuse, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. While some existing small-molecule therapies offer limited benefits, there is a pressing need for more effective treatments that can truly cure LF. RNA therapeutics have emerged as a promising approach, as they can potentially downregulate cytokine levels in cells responsible for liver fibrosis. Researchers are actively exploring various RNA-based therapeutics, such as mRNA, siRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, and oligonucleotides, to assess their efficacy in animal models. Furthermore, targeted drug delivery systems hold immense potential in this field. By utilizing lipid nanoparticles, exosomes, nanocomplexes, micelles, and polymeric nanoparticles, researchers aim to deliver therapeutic agents directly to specific biomarkers or cytokines within the fibrotic liver, increasing their effectiveness and reducing side effects. In conclusion, this review highlights the complex nature of liver fibrosis, its underlying causes, and the promising potential of RNA-based therapeutics and targeted delivery systems. Continued research in these areas could lead to the development of more effective and personalized treatment options for LF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimpy Diwan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Samantha Lynn Gaytan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA
- Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA
| | - Himanshu Narendrakumar Bhatt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Jacqueline Pena-Zacarias
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA
| | - Md Nurunnabi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA.
- Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA.
- Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA.
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10
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Imaduddin UK, Berbudi A, Rohmawaty E. The Effect of Physalis angulata L. Administration on Gene Expressions Related to Lung Fibrosis Resolution in Mice-Induced Bleomycin. J Exp Pharmacol 2024; 16:49-60. [PMID: 38317831 PMCID: PMC10840535 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s439932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To explore the potential therapeutic effects of Physalis angulata L. (Ciplukan) extract on lung fibrosis resolution in a Bleomycin-induced mouse model, researchers conducted a comprehensive study. The study focused on key genes associated with fibrosis progression, including Nox4, Mmp8, Klf4, and FAS, and assessed their mRNA expression levels following the administration of Ciplukan extract. Methods A Bleomycin-induced mice model was divided into seven groups to investigate the effects of ciplukan extract on fibrosis-related gene expressions. Mice were induced with subcutaneously injected Bleomycin to generate lung fibrosis and given different doses of the Ciplukan extract for four weeks. Lung fibrosis mRNA expression was analyzed by semi-quantitative PCR for Nox4, Klf4, Mmp8, and FAS. Results The administration of ciplukan extract resulted in a significant decrease in mRNA expression of Nox4 with p-value=0.000, Mmp8 with p-value =0.002, and Klf4 with p-value =0.007, indicating potential antifibrotic effects. However, FAS expression remained unchanged (p-value=0.127). Conclusion Ciplukan extract exhibited promising effects on fibrosis-related gene expressions, particularly Nox4, Mmp8, and Klf4. This study suggests that the extract has the potential to intervene in fibrosis progression, offering a potential avenue for therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ummul Khair Imaduddin
- Graduate School of Master Program in Anti Aging and Aesthetic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Afiat Berbudi
- Parasitology Division, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Enny Rohmawaty
- Pharmacology & Therapy Division, Departement of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
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11
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Choi HJ, Kim YA, Ryu J, Park KK, Lee SJ, Kim BS, Song JE, Kim JD. STAT3 Decoy Oligodeoxynucleotides Suppress Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis in Liver Cancer Cells and a DDC-Induced Liver Injury Mouse Model. Molecules 2024; 29:593. [PMID: 38338338 PMCID: PMC10856653 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29030593] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver damage caused by various factors results in fibrosis and inflammation, leading to cirrhosis and cancer. Fibrosis results in the accumulation of extracellular matrix components. The role of STAT proteins in mediating liver inflammation and fibrosis has been well documented; however, approved therapies targeting STAT3 inhibition against liver disease are lacking. This study investigated the anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects of STAT3 decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) in hepatocytes and liver fibrosis mouse models. STAT3 decoy ODN were delivered into cells using liposomes and hydrodynamic tail vein injection into 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC)-fed mice in which liver injury was induced. STAT3 target gene expression changes were verified using qPCR and Western blotting. Liver tissue fibrosis and bile duct proliferation were assessed in animal experiments using staining techniques, and macrophage and inflammatory cytokine distribution was verified using immunohistochemistry. STAT3 decoy ODN reduced fibrosis and inflammatory factors in liver cancer cell lines and DDC-induced liver injury mouse model. These results suggest that STAT3 decoy ODN may effectively treat liver fibrosis and must be clinically investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Jin Choi
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea;
| | - Young-Ah Kim
- Seoul Clinical Laboratories of Daegu, Daegu 41238, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghwa Ryu
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea;
| | - Kwan-Kyu Park
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea; (K.-K.P.)
| | - Sun-Jae Lee
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea; (K.-K.P.)
| | - Byung Seok Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea; (B.S.K.)
| | - Jeong-En Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea; (B.S.K.)
| | - Joo Dong Kim
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea;
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12
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Wells RG. Liver fibrosis: Our evolving understanding. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2024; 23:e0243. [PMID: 38961878 PMCID: PMC11221862 DOI: 10.1097/cld.0000000000000243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
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13
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Gong L, Zhou H, Zhang Y, Wang C, Fu K, Ma C, Li Y. Preparation of Phillygenin-Hyaluronic acid composite milk-derived exosomes and its anti-hepatic fibrosis effect. Mater Today Bio 2023; 23:100804. [PMID: 37753374 PMCID: PMC10518489 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis remains a serious problem affecting the health of millions of people worldwide. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main effector cells in liver fibrosis and their activation could lead to extracellular matrix deposition, which may aggravate the development of liver fibrosis and inflammation. Previous studies have reported the potential of Phillygenin (PHI) as a hepatoprotective agent to inhibit HSCs activation and fibrosis development. However, the poor water solubility of PHI hinders its clinical application as a potential anti-liver fibrosis therapy. Milk-derived exosomes (mEXO) serve as scalable nanocarriers for delivering chemotherapeutic agents due to their excellent biocompatibility. Here, we developed a PHI-Hyaluronic acid (HA) composite mEXO (PHI-HA-mEXO) drug delivery system, in which DSPE-PEG2000-HA was conjugated to the surface of mEXO to prepare HA-mEXO, and PHI was encapsulated into HA-mEXO to form PHI-HA-mEXO. As a specific receptor for HA, CD44 is frequently over-expressed during liver fibrosis and highly expressed on the surface of activated HSCs (aHSCs). PHI-HA-mEXO can bind to CD44 and enter aHSCs through endocytosis and release PHI. PHI-HA-mEXO drug delivery system can significantly induce aHSCs death without affecting quiescent HSCs (qHSCs) and hepatocytes. Furthermore, we carried out in vitro and in vivo experiments and found that PHI-HA-mEXO could alleviate liver fibrosis through aHSCs-targeted mechanism. In conclusion, the favorable biosafety and superior anti-hepatic fibrosis effects suggest a promising potential of PHI-HA-mEXO in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis. However, detailed pharmokinetics and dose-responsive experiments of PHI-HA-mEXO and the mechanism of mEXO loading drugs are still required before PHI-HA-mEXO can be applied clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yafang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of StandardizatAion for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of StandardizatAion for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Ke Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of StandardizatAion for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Cheng Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of StandardizatAion for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Yunxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of StandardizatAion for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
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14
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Brennan PN, Elsharkawy AM, Kendall TJ, Loomba R, Mann DA, Fallowfield JA. Antifibrotic therapy in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: time for a human-centric approach. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 20:679-688. [PMID: 37268740 PMCID: PMC10236408 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00796-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) might soon become the leading cause of end-stage liver disease and indication for liver transplantation worldwide. Fibrosis severity is the only histological predictor of liver-related morbidity and mortality in NASH identified to date. Moreover, fibrosis regression is associated with improved clinical outcomes. However, despite numerous clinical trials of plausible drug candidates, an approved antifibrotic therapy remains elusive. Increased understanding of NASH susceptibility and pathogenesis, emerging human multiomics profiling, integration of electronic health record data and modern pharmacology techniques hold enormous promise in delivering a paradigm shift in antifibrotic drug development in NASH. There is a strong rationale for drug combinations to boost efficacy, and precision medicine strategies targeting key genetic modifiers of NASH are emerging. In this Perspective, we discuss why antifibrotic effects observed in NASH pharmacotherapy trials have been underwhelming and outline potential approaches to improve the likelihood of future clinical success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul N Brennan
- Institute for Regeneration & Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Ahmed M Elsharkawy
- Liver Unit and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Timothy J Kendall
- Institute for Regeneration & Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rohit Loomba
- NAFLD Research Centre, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UC San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Derek A Mann
- Fibrosis Research Group, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK.
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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15
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Kim HY, Sakane S, Eguileor A, Carvalho Gontijo Weber R, Lee W, Liu X, Lam K, Ishizuka K, Rosenthal SB, Diggle K, Brenner DA, Kisseleva T. The Origin and Fate of Liver Myofibroblasts. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:93-106. [PMID: 37743012 PMCID: PMC10665929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.09.008] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis of different etiologies is a serious health problem worldwide. There is no effective therapy available for liver fibrosis except the removal of the underlying cause of injury or liver transplantation. Development of liver fibrosis is caused by fibrogenic myofibroblasts that are not present in the normal liver, but rather activate from liver resident mesenchymal cells in response to chronic toxic or cholestatic injury. Many studies indicate that liver fibrosis is reversible when the causative agent is removed. Regression of liver fibrosis is associated with the disappearance of activated myofibroblasts and resorption of the fibrous scar. In this review, we discuss the results of genetic tracing and cell fate mapping of hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts, their specific characteristics, and potential phenotypes. We summarize research progress in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and reversibility of liver fibrosis, including activation, apoptosis, and inactivation of myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Young Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Sadatsugu Sakane
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Alvaro Eguileor
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Raquel Carvalho Gontijo Weber
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California; Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Wonseok Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California; Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Kevin Lam
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Kei Ishizuka
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Sara Brin Rosenthal
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Karin Diggle
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California; Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - David A Brenner
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California; Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California.
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California.
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16
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Abubakr S, Hazem NM, Sherif RN, Elhawary AA, Botros KG. Correlation between SDF-1α, CD34 positive hematopoietic stem cells and CXCR4 expression with liver fibrosis in CCl4 rat model. BMC Gastroenterol 2023; 23:323. [PMID: 37730560 PMCID: PMC10512633 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02932-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the most frequent disorders is liver fibrosis. An improved understanding of the different events during the process of liver fibrosis & its reversibility could be helpful in its staging and in finding potential therapeutic agents. AIM The goal of this research was to evaluate the relationship among CD34 + HPSCs, SDF-1α, and CXCR4 receptor expression with the percentage of the area of hepatic fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into the control group, liver injury group & spontaneous reversion group. The liver injury was induced by using 2 ml/kg CCl4 twice a week. Flow cytometric examination of CD34 + cells in the blood & liver was performed. Bone marrow & liver samples were taken for evaluation of the SDF-1α mRNA by PCR. Liver specimens were stained for histopathological and CXCR4 immuno-expression evaluation. RESULTS In the liver injury group, the hepatic enzymes, fibrosis area percentage, CXCR4 receptor expression in the liver, CD34 + cells in the blood and bone marrow & the level SDF-1α in the liver and its concentration gradient were statistically significantly elevated with the progression of the liver fibrosis. On the contrary, SDF-1α in the bone marrow was statistically significantly reduced with the development of liver fibrosis. During the spontaneous reversion group, all the studied parameters apart from SDF-1α in the bone marrow were statistically substantially decreased compared with the liver injury group. We found a statistically substantial positive correlation between fibrosis area and all of the following: liver enzymes, CXCR4 receptor expression in the liver, CD34 + cells in the blood and liver, and SDF- 1α in the liver and its concentration gradient. In conclusion, in CCl4 rat model, the fibrosis area is significantly correlated with many parameters in the blood, bone marrow, and liver, which can be used during the process of follow-up during the therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Abubakr
- Human Anatomy & Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Noha M Hazem
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Medical Experimental Research Center (MERC), Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Algomhoria Street, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
- Pathological Sciences Department, Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - R N Sherif
- Human Anatomy & Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Adel Abdelmohdy Elhawary
- Human Anatomy & Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Kamal G Botros
- Human Anatomy & Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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17
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Zhang C, Teng Y, Li F, Ho W, Bai X, Xu X, Zhang XQ. Nanoparticle-Mediated RNA Therapy Attenuates Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Related Fibrosis by Targeting Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells. ACS NANO 2023; 17:14852-14870. [PMID: 37490628 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c03217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Chronic liver injury and inflammation triggered by metabolic abnormalities initiate the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), driving fibrosis and parenchymal dysfunction, culminating in disorders such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Unfortunately, there are currently no approved drugs capable of effectively treating NASH due to the challenges in addressing fibrosis and restoring extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis. We discovered a significant up-regulation of interleukin-11 (IL-11) in fibrotic livers using two well-established murine models of NASH. To leverage this signaling pathway, we developed a nanoparticle (NP)-assisted RNA interfering approach that specifically targets activated HSCs (aHSCs), blocking IL-11/ERK signaling to regulate HSC transdifferentiation along with fibrotic remodeling. The most potent NP, designated NP-AEAA, showed enhanced accumulation in fibrotic livers with NASH and was primarily enriched in aHSCs. We further investigated the therapeutic efficacy of aHSC-targeting NP-AEAA encapsulating small interfering RNA (siRNA) against IL11 or its cognate receptor IL11ra1 (termed siIL11@NP-AEAA or siIL11ra1@NP-AEAA, respectively) for resolving fibrosis and NASH. Our results demonstrate that both siIL11@NP-AEAA and siIL11ra1@NP-AEAA effectively inhibit HSC activation and resolve fibrosis and inflammation in two well-established murine models of NASH. Notably, siIL11ra1@NP-AEAA exhibits a superior therapeutic effect over siIL11@NP-AEAA, in terms of reducing liver steatosis and fibrosis as well as recovering liver function. These results constitute a targeted nanoparticulate siRNA therapeutic approach against the IL-11 signaling pathway of aHSCs in the fibrotic liver, offering a promising therapeutic intervention for NASH and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenshuang Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmacy, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Yilong Teng
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmacy, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | | | | | - Xin Bai
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmacy, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | | | - Xue-Qing Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmacy, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
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18
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Jia X, Li R, Zhang X, Zhou T, Sun D, Yang N, Luo Z. Increased age, bilirubin, international normalized ratio, and creatinine score to triglyceride ratio are associated with alcohol-associated primary liver carcinoma: a single-centered retrospective study. Lipids Health Dis 2023; 22:117. [PMID: 37537579 PMCID: PMC10401853 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-023-01888-y] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study analyzed the clinical features and biomarkers of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) to investigate the diagnostic value of age, bilirubin, international normalized ratio (INR), and creatinine (ABIC) score to triglyceride (TG) ratio (ABIC/TG) in ALD-associated primary liver carcinoma (PLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were collected from 410 participants with ALD, and the epidemiological and clinical records of 266 participants were analyzed. Participants were divided into ALD-without-PLC and ALD-associated-PLC groups. Relationships between clinical characteristics, biomarkers and ALD-associated PLC were estimated. Serum lipid levels and liver function were compared between ALD patients without PLC and patients with ALD-associated PLC. Scoring systems were calculated to investigate ALD severity. The robustness of the relationship was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS Age and dyslipidemia were more strongly associated with ALD-associated PLC than with ALD-without PLC, with AORs of 2.39 and 0.25, respectively, with P less than 0.05. Drinking time and average daily intake, ABIC score, and ABIC/TG ratio were significantly higher in the ALD-associated-PLC group than in the ALD-without-PLC group. The AUC for the ABIC/TG ratio predicting the incidence of PLC was 0.80 (P < 0.01), which was higher than that of the ABIC and TG scores alone; additionally, the specificity and Youden index for the ABIC/TG ratio were also higher, and the cutoff value was 6.99. CONCLUSIONS In ALD patients, age, drinking time, and average daily intake were risk factors for PLC. Drinking time, average daily intake, TG and ABIC score have diagnostic value for ALD-associated PLC. The ABIC/TG ratio had a higher AUC value and Youden index than the ABIC score and TG level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Jia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, 250010, P.R. China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, 250010, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoting Zhang
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, 250010, P.R. China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, 250010, P.R. China
| | - Dalong Sun
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, 250010, P.R. China
| | - Na Yang
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, 250010, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Luo
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, 250010, P.R. China.
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Toya K, Tomimaru Y, Kobayashi S, Harada A, Sasaki K, Iwagami Y, Yamada D, Noda T, Takahashi H, Kado T, Imamura H, Takaichi S, Chijimatsu R, Asaoka T, Tanemura M, Miyagawa S, Doki Y, Eguchi H. Efficacy of Autologous Skeletal Myoblast Cell Sheet Transplantation for Liver Regeneration in Liver Failure. Transplantation 2023; 107:e190-e200. [PMID: 37046371 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No effective therapies have yet been established for liver regeneration in liver failure. Autologous skeletal myoblast cell sheet transplantation has been proven to improve cardiac function in patients with heart failure, and one of the mechanisms has been reported to be a paracrine effect by various growth factors associated with liver regeneration. Therefore, the present study focused on the effect of myoblast cells on liver regeneration in vitro and in vivo. METHODS We assessed the effect of myoblast cells on the cells comprising the liver in vitro in association with liver regeneration. In addition, we examined in vivo effect of skeletal myoblast cell sheet transplantation in C57/BL/6 mouse models of liver failure, such as liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide and hepatectomy. RESULTS In vitro, the myoblast cells exhibited a capacity to promote the proliferation of hepatic epithelial cells and the angiogenesis of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and suppress the activation of hepatic stellate cells. In vivo, sheet transplantation significantly suppressed liver fibrosis in the induced liver fibrosis model and accelerated liver regeneration in the hepatectomy model. CONCLUSIONS Autologous skeletal myoblast cell sheet transplantation significantly improved the liver failure in the in vitro and in vivo models. Sheet transplantation is expected to have the potential to be a clinically therapeutic option for liver regeneration in liver failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Toya
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshito Tomimaru
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shogo Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akima Harada
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuki Sasaki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Iwagami
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisaku Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takehiro Noda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidenori Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kado
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroki Imamura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shohei Takaichi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryota Chijimatsu
- Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Tadafumi Asaoka
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiro Tanemura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shigeru Miyagawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Doki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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20
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Han Y, Akhtar J, Liu G, Li C, Wang G. Early warning and diagnosis of liver cancer based on dynamic network biomarker and deep learning. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:3478-3489. [PMID: 38213892 PMCID: PMC10782000 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Early detection of complex diseases like hepatocellular carcinoma remains challenging due to their network-driven pathology. Dynamic network biomarkers (DNB) based on monitoring changes in molecular correlations may enable earlier predictions. However, DNB analysis often overlooks disease heterogeneity. Methods We integrated DNB analysis with graph convolutional neural networks (GCN) to identify critical transitions during hepatocellular carcinoma development in a mouse model. A DNB-GCN model was constructed using transcriptomic data and gene expression levels as node features. Results DNB analysis identified a critical transition point at 7 weeks of age despite histological examinations being unable to detect cancerous changes at that time point. The DNB-GCN model achieved 100% accuracy in classifying healthy and cancerous mice, and was able to accurately predict the health status of newly introduced mice. Conclusion The integration of DNB analysis and GCN demonstrates potential for the early detection of complex diseases by capturing network structures and molecular features that conventional biomarker discovery methods overlook. The approach warrants further development and validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Han
- Institute of Modern Biology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Computational Science and Material Design, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Javed Akhtar
- Biomedical Science and Engineering, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Center for Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Computational Science and Material Design, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Guozhen Liu
- Biomedical Science and Engineering, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Chenzhong Li
- Biomedical Science and Engineering, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Guanyu Wang
- Biomedical Science and Engineering, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Center for Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Computational Science and Material Design, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
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21
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Li L, Diao S, Chen Z, Zhang J, Chen W, Wang T, Chen X, Zhao Y, Xu T, Huang C, Li J. DNMT3a-mediated methylation of TCF21/hnRNPA1 aggravates hepatic fibrosis by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Pharmacol Res 2023; 193:106808. [PMID: 37268177 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is caused by liver damage as a consequence of wound healing response. Recent studies have shown that hepatic fibrosis could be effectively reversed, partly through regression of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Transcription factor 21 (TCF21), a member of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in various diseases. However, the mechanism by which TCF21 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in hepatic fibrosis has not been elucidated. In this research, we found that hnRNPA1, the downstream binding protein of TCF21, accelerates hepatic fibrosis reversal by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, the combination of DNMT3a with TCF21 promoter results in TCF21 hypermethylation. Our results suggest that DNMT3a regulation of TCF21 is a significant event in reversing hepatic fibrosis. In conclusion, this research identifies a novel signaling axis, DNMT3a-TCF21-hnRNPA1, that regulates HSCs activation and hepatic fibrosis reversal, providing a novel treatment strategy for hepatic fibrosis. The clinical trial was registered in the Research Registry (researchregistry9079).
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangyun Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Shaoxi Diao
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Zixiang Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jintong Zhang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Wei Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Tianqi Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Yuxin Zhao
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Tao Xu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Cheng Huang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University.
| | - Jun Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University.
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22
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McElhinney K, Irnaten M, O’Brien C. p53 and Myofibroblast Apoptosis in Organ Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076737. [PMID: 37047710 PMCID: PMC10095465 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ fibrosis represents a dysregulated, maladaptive wound repair response that results in progressive disruption of normal tissue architecture leading to detrimental deterioration in physiological function, and significant morbidity/mortality. Fibrosis is thought to contribute to nearly 50% of all deaths in the Western world with current treatment modalities effective in slowing disease progression but not effective in restoring organ function or reversing fibrotic changes. When physiological wound repair is complete, myofibroblasts are programmed to undergo cell death and self-clearance, however, in fibrosis there is a characteristic absence of myofibroblast apoptosis. It has been shown that in fibrosis, myofibroblasts adopt an apoptotic-resistant, highly proliferative phenotype leading to persistent myofibroblast activation and perpetuation of the fibrotic disease process. Recently, this pathological adaptation has been linked to dysregulated expression of tumour suppressor gene p53. In this review, we discuss p53 dysregulation and apoptotic failure in myofibroblasts and demonstrate its consistent link to fibrotic disease development in all types of organ fibrosis. An enhanced understanding of the role of p53 dysregulation and myofibroblast apoptosis may aid in future novel therapeutic and/or diagnostic strategies in organ fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kealan McElhinney
- UCD Clinical Research Centre, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, D07 R2WY Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mustapha Irnaten
- UCD Clinical Research Centre, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, D07 R2WY Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colm O’Brien
- UCD Clinical Research Centre, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, D07 R2WY Dublin, Ireland
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23
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Zhao W, Lei M, Li J, Zhang H, Zhang H, Han Y, Ba Z, Zhang M, Li D, Liu C. Yes-associated protein inhibition ameliorates liver fibrosis and acute and chronic liver failure by decreasing ferroptosis and necroptosis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15075. [PMID: 37151632 PMCID: PMC10161368 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/aims This study aims to determine which cell death modes contribute most in the progression of cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), and to investigate whether Yes associated protein (YAP) affects the disease process by regulating cell death. Materials and methods 30C57BL/6 male mice were divided into five groups: control, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis model, CCl4+verteporfin, CCl4+lipopolysaccharides (LPS) combined with the D-(+)-Galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN)-induced ACLF model, and ACLF + verteporfin. Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), hepatitis B virus (HBV) related liver cirrhosis or ACLF were enrolled. Histology, immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy, Western blot and ELISA were conducted to assess the roles of YAP and cell death in liver cirrhosis and ACLF, and to explore the effect of YAP inhibition on cell deaths. Results YAP was markedly increased in mice with liver fibrosis and ACLF, along with ferroptosis and necroptosis. Furthermore, YAP inhibition significantly suppressed fibrosis in CCl4-mediated liver fibrosis and ACLF-associated liver injury. Notably, CCl4 induced up-regulation of ACSL4 and RIPK3 and down-regulation of SLC7A11, key factors in ferroptosis and necroptosis. This was significantly abrogated by verteporfin treatment. Similar changes in ferroptosis and necroptosis were found in ACLF and ACLF + verteporfin groups. Consistent with the above findings in mice, we found that plasma YAP levels were gradually increased with the development of HBV-related liver fibrosis and ACLF. Conclusion Ferroptosis and necroptosis are involved in the development of liver cirrhosis and ACLF. Inhibition of YAP improved liver fibrosis and liver damage in ACLF through a reduction in ferroptosis and necroptosis. Our findings may help better understanding the role of YAP in liver fibrosis and ACLF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
- Core Cooperative Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, China
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Anhui Province, China
| | - Miao Lei
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
- Core Cooperative Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, China
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Anhui Province, China
| | - Jinfeng Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
- Core Cooperative Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, China
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Anhui Province, China
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
- Core Cooperative Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, China
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Anhui Province, China
| | - Hongkun Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
- Core Cooperative Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, China
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Anhui Province, China
| | - Yuxin Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
- Core Cooperative Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, China
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Anhui Province, China
| | - Zhiwei Ba
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
- Core Cooperative Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, China
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Anhui Province, China
| | - Manli Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
- Core Cooperative Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, China
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Anhui Province, China
| | - Dongdong Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
- Core Cooperative Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, China
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Anhui Province, China
| | - Chuanmiao Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
- Core Cooperative Unit of National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, China
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Anhui Province, China
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24
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Cheng M, Li JJ, Niu XN, Zhu L, Liu JY, Jia PC, Zhu S, Meng HW, Lv XW, Huang C, Li J. BRD4 promotes hepatic stellate cells activation and hepatic fibrosis via mediating P300/H3K27ac/PLK1 axis. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 210:115497. [PMID: 36907496 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a reversible wound-healing response characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and secondary to persistent chronic injury. Bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4) commonly functions as a "reader" to regulate epigenetic modifications involved in various biological and pathological events, but the mechanism of HF remains unclear. In this study, we established a CCl4-induced HF model and spontaneous recovery model in mice and found aberrant BRD4 expression, which was consistent with the results in human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs)- LX2 cells in vitro. Subsequently, we found that distriction and inhibition of BRD4 restrained TGFβ-induced trans-differentiation of LX2 cells into activated, proliferative myofibroblasts and accelerated apoptosis, and BRD4 overexpression blocked MDI-induced LX2 cells inactivation and promoted the proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of inactivated cells. Additionally, adeno-associated virus serotype 8-loaded short hairpin RNA-mediated BRD4 knockdown in mice significantly attenuated CCl4-induced fibrotic responses including HSCs activation and collagen deposition. Mechanistically, BRD4 deficiency inhibited PLK1 expression in activated LX2 cells, and ChIP and Co-IP assays revealed that BRD4 regulation of PLK1 was dependent on P300-mediated acetylation modification for H3K27 on the PLK1 promoter. In conclusion, BRD4 deficiency in the liver alleviates CCl4-induced HF in mice, and BRD4 participates in the activation and reversal of HSCs through positively regulating the P300/H3K27ac/PLK1 axis, providing a potential insight for HF therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Cheng
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Juan-Juan Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xue-Ni Niu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jin-Yu Liu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Peng-Cheng Jia
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Sai Zhu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Hong-Wu Meng
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xiong-Wen Lv
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Cheng Huang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Jun Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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25
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Li Y, Guha C, Asp P, Wang X, Tchaikovskya TL, Kim K, Mendel M, Cost GJ, Perlmutter DH, Roy-Chowdhury N, Fox IJ, Conway A, Roy-Chowdhury J. Resolution of hepatic fibrosis after ZFN-mediated gene editing in the PiZ mouse model of human α1-antitrypsin deficiency. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0070. [PMID: 36848094 PMCID: PMC9974076 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND α1-antitrypsin deficiency is most commonly caused by a mutation in exon-7 of SERPINA1 (SA1-ATZ), resulting in hepatocellular accumulation of a misfolded variant (ATZ). Human SA1-ATZ-transgenic (PiZ) mice exhibit hepatocellular ATZ accumulation and liver fibrosis. We hypothesized that disrupting the SA1-ATZ transgene in PiZ mice by in vivo genome editing would confer a proliferative advantage to the genome-edited hepatocytes, enabling them to repopulate the liver. METHODS To create a targeted DNA break in exon-7 of the SA1-ATZ transgene, we generated 2 recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) expressing a zinc-finger nuclease pair (rAAV-ZFN), and another rAAV for gene correction by targeted insertion (rAAV-TI). PiZ mice were injected i.v. with rAAV-TI alone or the rAAV-ZFNs at a low (7.5×1010vg/mouse, LD) or a high dose (1.5×1011vg/mouse, HD), with or without rAAV-TI. Two weeks and 6 months after treatment, livers were harvested for molecular, histological, and biochemical analyses. RESULTS Two weeks after treatment, deep sequencing of the hepatic SA1-ATZ transgene pool showed 6%±3% or 15%±4% nonhomologous end joining in mice receiving LD or HD rAAV-ZFN, respectively, which increased to 36%±12% and 36%±12%, respectively, 6 months after treatment. Two weeks postinjection of rAAV-TI with LD or HD of rAAV-ZFN, repair by targeted insertion occurred in 0.10%±0.09% and 0.25%±0.14% of SA1-ATZ transgenes, respectively, which increased to 5.2%±5.0% and 33%±13%, respectively, 6 months after treatment. Six months after rAAV-ZFN administration, there was a marked clearance of ATZ globules from hepatocytes, and resolution of liver fibrosis, along with reduction of hepatic TAZ/WWTR1, hedgehog ligands, Gli2, a TIMP, and collagen content. CONCLUSIONS ZFN-mediated SA1-ATZ transgene disruption provides a proliferative advantage to ATZ-depleted hepatocytes, enabling them to repopulate the liver and reverse hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfeng Li
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chandan Guha
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Patrik Asp
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Tatyana L. Tchaikovskya
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kenneth Kim
- Sangamo Therapeutics, Richmond, California, USA
| | | | | | - David H. Perlmutter
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Namita Roy-Chowdhury
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ira J. Fox
- Department of Surgery, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Jayanta Roy-Chowdhury
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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26
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Hildreth AD, Padilla ET, Tafti RY, Legala AR, O'Sullivan TE. Sterile liver injury induces a protective tissue-resident cDC1-ILC1 circuit through cDC1-intrinsic cGAS-STING-dependent IL-12 production. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112141. [PMID: 36807146 PMCID: PMC10435668 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112141] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue-resident immune cells are critical to the initiation and potentiation of inflammation. However, the tissue-protective cellular communication networks initiated by resident immunity during sterile inflammation are not well understood. Using single-cell transcriptomic analysis, we show the liver-resident cell connectome and signalome during acute liver injury. These analyses identify Il12b as a central regulator of liver injury-associated changes in gene expression. Interleukin (IL)-12 produced by conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) is required for protection during acute injury through activation of interferon (IFN)-γ production by liver-resident type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s). Using a targeted in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 screen of innate immune sensing pathways, we find that cDC1-intrinsic cGAS-STING signaling acts upstream of IL-12 production to initiate early protective immune responses. Our study identifies the core communication hubs initiated by tissue-resident innate immune cells during sterile inflammation in vivo and implicates cDC1-derived IL-12 as an important regulator of this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Hildreth
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Eddie T Padilla
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rana Yakhshi Tafti
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Akshara R Legala
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Timothy E O'Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Iwanaga T, Chiba T, Nakamura M, Kaneko T, Ao J, Qiang N, Ma Y, Zhang J, Kogure T, Yumita S, Ishino T, Ogawa K, Kan M, Nakagawa M, Fujiwara K, Fujita N, Sakuma T, Kanzaki H, Koroki K, Kusakabe Y, Inoue M, Kobayashi K, Kanogawa N, Kiyono S, Kondo T, Nakagawa R, Ogasawara S, Nakamoto S, Muroyama R, Kato J, Kanda T, Maruyama H, Mimura N, Honda T, Murayama T, Nakamura H, Kato N. Miglustat, a glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor, mitigates liver fibrosis through TGF-β/Smad pathway suppression in hepatic stellate cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 642:192-200. [PMID: 36586187 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, a condition characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagen in response to chronic inflammation. It has been reported that ceramide regulates collagen production through TGF-β/Smad pathway activation. In this study, we examined whether miglustat, an inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase, can suppress liver fibrosis by reducing TGF-β/Smad pathway activity. Human hepatic stellate cells (HHSteCs) were cultured with TGF-β and multiple miglustat concentrations to examine dose-dependent effects on the expression levels of ECM-related genes and Smad proteins. To evaluate the efficacy of miglustat for fibrosis mitigation, C57BL/6 mice were treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 4 weeks to induce liver fibrosis, followed by combined CCl4 plus miglustat for a further 2 weeks. To examine if miglustat can also prevent fibrosis, mice were treated with CCl4 for 2 weeks, followed by CCl4 plus miglustat for 2 weeks. Miglustat dose-dependently downregulated expression of α-smooth muscle actin and ECM components in TGF-β-treated HHSteCs. Both phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2 and Smad3 were also suppressed by miglustat treatment. Sirius-Red staining and hydroxyproline assays of model mouse liver samples revealed that miglustat reduced fibrosis, an effect accompanied by decreased expression of ECM. Our findings suggest that miglustat can both prevent and reverse liver fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β/Smad pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terunao Iwanaga
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tetsuhiro Chiba
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Masato Nakamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Junjie Ao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Na Qiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yaojia Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tadayoshi Kogure
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sae Yumita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takamasa Ishino
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Keita Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Motoyasu Kan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Miyuki Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kisako Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoto Fujita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takafumi Sakuma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kanzaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Keisuke Koroki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuko Kusakabe
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masanori Inoue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazufumi Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoya Kanogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Soichiro Kiyono
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kondo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sadahisa Ogasawara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shingo Nakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Muroyama
- Department of Molecular Virology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jun Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Kanda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Maruyama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoya Mimura
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takuya Honda
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Murayama
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nakamura
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoya Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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Reolizo L, Matsuda M, Seki E. Experimental Workflow for Preclinical Studies of Human Antifibrotic Therapies. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2669:285-306. [PMID: 37247068 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3207-9_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases accompanied by liver fibrosis have caused significant morbidity and mortality in the world with increasing prevalence. Nonetheless, there are no approved antifibrotic therapies. Although numerous preclinical studies showed satisfactory results in targeting fibrotic pathways, these animal studies have not led to success in humans. In this chapter, we summarize the experimental approaches currently available, including in vitro cell culture models, in vivo animal models, and new experimental tools relevant to humans, and discuss how we translate laboratory results to clinical trials. We will also address the obstacles in transitioning promising therapies from preclinical studies to human antifibrotic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Reolizo
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michitaka Matsuda
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ekihiro Seki
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Secretin alleviates biliary and liver injury during late-stage primary biliary cholangitis via restoration of secretory processes. J Hepatol 2023; 78:99-113. [PMID: 35987275 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is characterised by ductopenia, ductular reaction, impairment of anion exchanger 2 (AE2) and the 'bicarbonate umbrella'. Ductulo-canalicular junction (DCJ) derangement is hypothesised to promote PBC progression. The secretin (Sct)/secretin receptor (SR) axis regulates cystic fibrosis transmembrane receptor (CFTR) and AE2, thus promoting choleresis. We evaluated the role of Sct/SR signalling on biliary secretory processes and subsequent injury in a late-stage PBC mouse model and human samples. METHODS At 32 weeks of age, female and male wild-type and dominant-negative transforming growth factor beta receptor II (late-stage PBC model) mice were treated with Sct for 1 or 8 weeks. Bulk RNA-sequencing was performed in isolated cholangiocytes from mouse models. RESULTS Biliary Sct/SR/CFTR/AE2 expression and bile bicarbonate levels were reduced in late-stage PBC mouse models and human samples. Sct treatment decreased bile duct loss, ductular reaction, inflammation, and fibrosis in late-stage PBC models. Sct reduced hepatic bile acid levels, modified bile acid composition, and restored the DCJ and 'bicarbonate umbrella'. RNA-sequencing identified that Sct promoted mature epithelial marker expression, specifically anterior grade protein 2 (Agr2). Late-stage PBC models and human samples exhibited reduced biliary mucin 1 levels, which were enhanced by Sct treatment. CONCLUSION Loss of Sct/SR signalling in late-stage PBC results in a faulty 'bicarbonate umbrella' and reduced Agr2-mediated mucin production. Sct restores cholangiocyte secretory processes and DCJ formation through enhanced mature cholangiocyte phenotypes and bile duct growth. Sct treatment may be beneficial for individuals with late-stage PBC. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Secretin (Sct) regulates biliary proliferation and bicarbonate secretion in cholangiocytes via its receptor, SR, and in mouse models and human samples of late-stage primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), the Sct/SR axis is blunted along with loss of the protective 'bicarbonate umbrella'. We found that both short- and long-term Sct treatment ameliorated ductular reaction, immune cell influx, and liver fibrosis in late-stage PBC mouse models. Importantly, Sct treatment promoted bicarbonate and mucin secretion and hepatic bile acid efflux, thus reducing cholestatic and toxic bile acid-associated injury in late-stage PBC mouse models. Our work perpetuates the hypothesis that PBC pathogenesis hinges on secretory defects, and restoration of secretory processes that promote the 'bicarbonate umbrella' may be important for amelioration of PBC-associated damage.
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Sharma A, Kudira R, Wang J, Miethke A, Gandhi CR. Differential recruitment of monocyte-derived macrophages in control and stellate cell-depleted mice during recurrent carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:4215-4225. [PMID: 36098042 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30877] [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: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Liver depleted of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is resistant to ischemia/reperfusion-, concanavalin A-, and acetaminophen-induced acute injury. Whether HSCs regulate carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced acute liver injury is not known. CCl4 treatment damages pericentral hepatocytes that express CCl4 -metabolizing Cyp2E1 and activates HSCs. We investigated whether HSC-depletion in mice transgenic for thymidine kinase under the glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter (GFAP-TK-Tg) confers resistance to injury and inflammation due to CCl4 rechallenge. GFAP-TK-Tg or wild type (WT) mice were administered 0.16 ml/kg CCl4 (3× at 3 days intervals), then 40 μg/g/day ganciclovir for 10 days. The treatment depletes ~70%-75% HSCs from GFAP-TK-Tg but not WT mice while the liver recovers from earlier CCl4 -induced injury. Mice were then administered CCl4 , and liver injury and inflammation were determined at 24 h. HSC-depleted and HSC-sufficient mice showed similar CCl4 -induced hepatocyte necrosis and oxidative stress. However, increase in F4/80+ macrophages, but not CD68+ cells, was greater in CCl4 rechallenged HSC-depleted compared to HSC-sufficient mice. Expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), CCL2, and CXCL1 increased similarly, whereas increase in interleukin-6 (IL6), IL1β, and IL10 expression was higher in CCl4 rechallenged HSC-depleted compared to HSC-sufficient mice. CCl4 rechallenge of HSC-sufficient mice rapidly activated HSCs causing significant fibrosis with increased expression of Col1a1, transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1); increase in TIPM1 was much lower and metalloproteinases 13 (MMP13) greater in CCl4 rechallenged HSC-depleted mice. Interestingly, hepatic recruitment of both profibrogenic (Ly6Chi ) and antifibrogenic restorative (Ly6Clo ) macrophages, and neutrophils was significantly greater in CCl4 rechallenged HSC-depleted mice. These data suggest that CCl4 directly damages hepatocytes but HSCs regulate inflammation. Rapid fibrogenesis in CCl4 rechallenged HSC-sufficient mice recovered from earlier injury indicates that even transiently activated HSCs that had reverted to the quiescent phenotype remain primed to become reactivated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Sharma
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Ramesh Kudira
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jiang Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Alexander Miethke
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Chandrashekhar R Gandhi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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31
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Yu S, Ji G, Zhang L. The role of p53 in liver fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1057829. [PMID: 36353498 PMCID: PMC9637836 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1057829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor p53 is the central hub of a molecular network, which controls cell proliferation and death, and also plays an important role in the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis. The abundant post-translational processing and modification endow the functional diversity of p53. Considering the relationship between p53 and liver fibrosis, drug intervention targeting p53 or management of p53 regulation might be effective strategies to treat liver fibrosis. Here, we systematically discuss the regulation of p53 in different liver cells (hepatocytes, immune cells, HSCs, etc) and the role of p53 in the development of liver fibrosis, and propose possible interventions to prevent the pathogenic processes of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guang Ji
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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32
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Niu X, Meng Y, Wang Y, Li G. Established new compound IMB16-4 self-emulsifying drug delivery systems for increasing oral bioavailability and enhancing anti-hepatic fibrosis effect. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 154:113657. [PMID: 36942601 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis results from the chronic liver injury and no specific medical therapy is approved so far. Recently, new compound, N-(3,4,5-trichlorophenyl) - 2 (3-nitrobenzenesulfonamido) benzamide, referred to as IMB16-4, was developed to resist liver fibrosis. However, IMB16-4 displays poor aqueous solubility and poor oral bioavailability. To increase the dissolution rate, improve the oral bioavailability and enhance the anti-hepatic fibrosis action of IMB16-4, IMB16-4 self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) with negative charge or positive charge were prepared using simple stirring, respectively. Their stability, oral bioavailability and anti-liver fibrosis effect were evaluated. The results showed IMB16-4 SEDDS in simulated gastric juice were nearly spherical with the diameter of 100~200 nm and possessed good stability in 30 days. The oral bioavailability of IMB16-4 SEDDS with negative charge and positive charge were increased to 33 folds and 58 folds compared with that of pure IMB16-4, respectively. In bile duct ligation (BDL) rats, IMB16-4 SEDDS attenuated the degree of liver damage and decreased collagen accumulation. In addition, IMB16-4 SEDDS with negative charge easily accumulated in the liver and alleviated hepatic fibrosis by TGF-β/Smad signaling. These findings indicate that IMB16- 4 SEDDS may be a potential therapy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Niu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yanan Meng
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yucheng Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Guiling Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
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Shao J, Ge T, Tang C, Wang G, Pang L, Chen Z. Synergistic anti-inflammatory effect of gut microbiota and lithocholic acid on liver fibrosis. Inflamm Res 2022; 71:1389-1401. [DOI: 10.1007/s00011-022-01629-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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López-Torres CD, Torres-Mena JE, Castro-Gil MP, Villa-Treviño S, Arellanes-Robledo J, Del Pozo-Yauner L, Pérez-Carreón JI. Downregulation of Indolethylamine N-methyltransferase is an early event in the rat hepatocarcinogenesis and is associated with poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. J Gene Med 2022; 24:e3439. [PMID: 35816441 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3439] [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: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, often preceded by cirrhosis and usually diagnosed at advanced stages; therefore, identifying molecular changes at early stages is an attractive strategy for detection and timely treatment. Here, we investigated the progressive transcriptomic changes during experimental hepatocarcinogenesis to identify novel early tumor markers in an HCC model induced by chronic administration of sublethal doses of diethylnitrosamine. An analysis of differentially expressed genes showed that four processes associated with oxidation-reduction and detoxification were significantly overrepresented during hepatocarcinogenesis progression, of which the Nuclear Factor, Erythroid 2 Like 2 (NRF2) pathway showed several dysregulated genes. Interestingly, we also identified 91 genes dysregulated at early HCC stages, but the expression of the indolethylamine N-methyltransferase gene (Inmt), as well as the level of its encoding protein, were strongly downregulated. INMT was increased in perivenular hepatocytes of normal livers but decreased in livers of experimental HCC. Furthermore, a gene expression and survival analysis performed using data from the liver hepatocellular carcinoma project of The Cancer Genome Atlas Program revealed that INMT is also significantly downregulated in human HCC and is associated with poor overall survival. In conclusion, by performing a transcriptome analysis of the HCC progression, we identified that INMT is early downregulated in the rat hepatocarcinogenesis and is associated with poor prognosis in human HCC, suggesting that INMT downregulation may be a promising prognostic marker for HCC in high-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos David López-Torres
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Hepáticas. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica. Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - María Paulette Castro-Gil
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Hepáticas. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica. Ciudad de México, México
| | - Saúl Villa-Treviño
- Departamento de Biología Celular. Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Ciudad de México, México
| | - Jaime Arellanes-Robledo
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Hepáticas. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica. Ciudad de México, México.,Dirección de Cátedras. Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología. Ciudad de México, México
| | - Luis Del Pozo-Yauner
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama. Alabama, USA
| | - Julio Isael Pérez-Carreón
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Hepáticas. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica. Ciudad de México, México
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Established Liposome-Coated IMB16-4 Polymeric Nanoparticles (LNPs) for Increasing Cellular Uptake and Anti-Fibrotic Effects In Vitro. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27123738. [PMID: 35744862 PMCID: PMC9230879 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123738] [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: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
As a global health problem, liver fibrosis still does not have approved treatment. It was proved that N-(3,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-2(3-nitrobenzenesulfonamide) benzamide (IMB16-4) has anti-hepatic fibrosis activity. However, IMB16-4 displays poor water solubility and poor bioavailability. We are devoted to developing biodegraded liposome-coated polymeric nanoparticles (LNPs) as IMB16-4 delivery systems for improving aqueous solubility, cellular uptake, and anti-fibrotic effects. The physical states of IMB16-4−LNPs were analyzed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The results show that IMB16-4−LNPs increased the drug loading compared to liposomes and enhanced cellular uptake behavior compared with IMB16-4−NPs. In addition, IMB16-4−LNPs could repress the expression of hepatic fibrogenesis-associated proteins, indicating that IMB16-4−LNPs exhibited evident anti-fibrotic effects.
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36
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Kamm DR, McCommis KS. Hepatic stellate cells in physiology and pathology. J Physiol 2022; 600:1825-1837. [PMID: 35307840 PMCID: PMC9012702 DOI: 10.1113/jp281061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) comprise a minor cell population in the liver but serve numerous critical functions in the normal liver and in response to injury. HSCs are primarily known for their activation upon liver injury and for producing the collagen-rich extracellular matrix in liver fibrosis. In the absence of liver injury, HSCs reside in a quiescent state, in which their main function appears to be the storage of retinoids or vitamin A-containing metabolites. Less appreciated functions of HSCs include amplifying the hepatic inflammatory response and expressing growth factors that are critical for liver development and both the initiation and termination of liver regeneration. Recent single-cell RNA sequencing studies have corroborated earlier studies indictaing that HSC activation involves a diverse array of phenotypic alterations and identified unique HSC populations. This review serves to highlight these many functions of HSCs, and to briefly describe the recent genetic tools that will help to thoroughly investigate the role of HSCs in hepatic physiology and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota R. Kamm
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis MO
| | - Kyle S. McCommis
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis MO
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Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell infusion for liver cirrhosis after the Kasai operation in children with biliary atresia. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:108. [PMID: 35287722 PMCID: PMC8919575 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02762-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim To evaluate the safety and early outcomes of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMNC) infusion for liver cirrhosis due to biliary atresia (BA) after Kasai operation.
Methods An open-label clinical trial was performed from January 2017 to December 2019. Nineteen children with liver cirrhosis due to BA after Kasai operation were included. Bone marrow was harvested through anterior iliac crest puncture under general anesthesia. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated by Ficoll gradient centrifugation and then infused into the hepatic artery. The same procedure was repeated 6 months later. Serum bilirubin, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and prothrombin time were monitored at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the first transplantation. Esophagoscopies and liver biopsies were performed in patients whose parents provided consent. Mixed-effect analysis was used to evaluate the changes in Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease (PELD) scores.
Results The average MNC and CD34+ cell counts per kg body weight were 50.1 ± 58.5 × 106/kg and 3.5 ± 2.8 × 106 for the first transplantation and 57.1 ± 42.0 × 106/kg and 3.7 ± 2.7 × 106 for the second transplantation. No severe adverse events associated with the cell therapy were observed in the patients. One patient died 5 months after the first infusion at a provincial hospital due to the rupture of esophageal varices, while 18 patients survived. Liver function was maintained or improved after infusion, as assessed by biochemical tests. The severity of the disease reduced markedly, with a significant reduction in PELD scores.
Conclusion Autologous BMMNC administration for liver cirrhosis due to BA is safe and may maintain or improve liver function. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03468699. Name of the registry: Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03468699?cond=biliary+atresia&cntry=VN&draw=2&rank=2. Registered on March 16, 2018. The trial results will also be published according to the CONSORT statement at conferences and reported in peer-reviewed journals.
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Wang FD, Zhou J, Chen EQ. Molecular Mechanisms and Potential New Therapeutic Drugs for Liver Fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:787748. [PMID: 35222022 PMCID: PMC8874120 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.787748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the pathological process of excessive extracellular matrix deposition after liver injury and is a precursor to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is essentially a wound healing response to liver tissue damage. Numerous studies have shown that hepatic stellate cells play a critical role in this process, with various cells, cytokines, and signaling pathways engaged. Currently, the treatment targeting etiology is considered the most effective measure to prevent and treat liver fibrosis, but reversal fibrosis by elimination of the causative agent often occurs too slowly or too rarely to avoid life-threatening complications, especially in advanced fibrosis. Liver transplantation is the only treatment option in the end-stage, leaving us with an urgent need for new therapies. An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of liver fibrosis could identify new targets for the treatment. Most of the drugs targeting critical cells and cytokines in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis are still in pre-clinical trials and there are hardly any definitive anti-fibrotic chemical or biological drugs available for clinical use. In this review, we will summarize the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, focusing on the role of key cells, associated mechanisms, and signaling pathways, and summarize various therapeutic measures or drugs that have been trialed in clinical practice or are in the research stage.
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Friedman SL, Pinzani M. Hepatic fibrosis 2022: Unmet needs and a blueprint for the future. Hepatology 2022; 75:473-488. [PMID: 34923653 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Steady progress over four decades toward understanding the pathogenesis and clinical consequences of hepatic fibrosis has led to the expectation of effective antifibrotic drugs, yet none has been approved. Thus, an assessment of the field is timely, to clarify priorities and accelerate progress. Here, we highlight the successes to date but, more importantly, identify gaps and unmet needs, both experimentally and clinically. These include the need to better define cell-cell interactions and etiology-specific elements of fibrogenesis and their link to disease-specific drivers of portal hypertension. Success in treating viral hepatitis has revealed the remarkable capacity of the liver to degrade scar in reversing fibrosis, yet we know little of the mechanisms underlying this response. Thus, there is an exigent need to clarify the cellular and molecular mechanisms of fibrosis regression in order for therapeutics to mimic the liver's endogenous capacity. Better refined and more predictive in vitro and animal models will hasten drug development. From a clinical perspective, current diagnostics are improving but not always biologically plausible or sufficiently accurate to supplant biopsy. More urgently, digital pathology methods that leverage machine learning and artificial intelligence must be validated in order to capture more prognostic information from liver biopsies and better quantify the response to therapies. For more refined treatment of NASH, orthogonal approaches that integrate genetic, clinical, and pathological data sets may yield treatments for specific subphenotypes of the disease. Collectively, these and other advances will strengthen and streamline clinical trials and better link histologic responses to clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Massimo Pinzani
- Institute for Liver and Digestive HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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Farooq M, Hameed H, Dimanche-Boitrel MT, Piquet-Pellorce C, Samson M, Le Seyec J. Switching to Regular Diet Partially Resolves Liver Fibrosis Induced by High-Fat, High-Cholesterol Diet in Mice. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14020386. [PMID: 35057565 PMCID: PMC8778944 DOI: 10.3390/nu14020386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The globally prevalent disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is characterized by a steatotic and inflammatory liver. In NASH patients, tissue repair mechanisms, activated by the presence of chronic liver damage, lead to the progressive onset of hepatic fibrosis. This scar symptom is a key prognostic risk factor for liver-related morbidity and mortality. Conflicting reports discuss the efficiency of dietary interventions on the reversibility of advanced fibrosis established during NASH. In the present study, the effect of dietary interventions was investigated in the outcome of the fibrosis settled in livers of C57BL/6J mice on a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFHCD) for 5 or 12 consecutive weeks. Various clinico-pathological investigations, including a histological analysis of the liver, measurement of plasma transaminases, steatosis and fibrosis, were performed. To assess the effectiveness of the dietary intervention on established symptoms, diseased mice were returned to a standard diet (SD) for 4 or 12 weeks. This food management resulted in a drastic reduction in steatosis, liver injuries, inflammatory markers, hepatomegaly and oxidative stress and a gradual improvement in the fibrotic state of the liver tissue. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that dietary intervention can partially reverse liver fibrosis induced by HFHCD feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Farooq
- Inserm, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, Univ Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (M.F.); (H.H.); (M.-T.D.-B.); (C.P.-P.); (J.L.S.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang 35200, Pakistan
| | - Huma Hameed
- Inserm, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, Univ Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (M.F.); (H.H.); (M.-T.D.-B.); (C.P.-P.); (J.L.S.)
| | - Marie-Thérèse Dimanche-Boitrel
- Inserm, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, Univ Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (M.F.); (H.H.); (M.-T.D.-B.); (C.P.-P.); (J.L.S.)
| | - Claire Piquet-Pellorce
- Inserm, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, Univ Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (M.F.); (H.H.); (M.-T.D.-B.); (C.P.-P.); (J.L.S.)
| | - Michel Samson
- Inserm, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, Univ Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (M.F.); (H.H.); (M.-T.D.-B.); (C.P.-P.); (J.L.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-2-23-23-69-11
| | - Jacques Le Seyec
- Inserm, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, Univ Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (M.F.); (H.H.); (M.-T.D.-B.); (C.P.-P.); (J.L.S.)
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Niu X, Wang X, Niu B, Wang Y, He H, Li G. New IMB16-4 Nanoparticles Improved Oral Bioavailability and Enhanced Anti-Hepatic Fibrosis on Rats. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15010085. [PMID: 35056142 PMCID: PMC8781400 DOI: 10.3390/ph15010085] [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: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is challenging to treat because of the lack of effective agents worldwide. Recently, we have developed a novel compound, N-(3,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-2(3-nitrobenzenesulfonamido) benzamide referred to as IMB16-4. However, its poor aqueous solubility and poor oral bioavailability obstruct the drug discovery programs. To increase the dissolution, improve the oral bioavailability and enhance the antifibrotic activity of IMB16-4, PVPK30 was selected to establish the IMB16-4 nanoparticles. Drug release behavior, oral bioavailability, and anti-hepatic fibrosis effects of IMB16-4 nanoparticles were evaluated. The results showed that IMB16-4 nanoparticles greatly increased the dissolution rate of IMB16-4. The oral bioavailability of IMB16-4 nanoparticles was improved 26-fold compared with that of pure IMB16-4. In bile duct ligation rats, IMB16-4 nanoparticles significantly repressed hepatic fibrogenesis and improved the liver function. These findings indicate that IMB16-4 nanoparticles will provide information to expand a novel anti-hepatic fibrosis agent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Hongwei He
- Correspondence: (H.H.); (G.L.); Tel.: +86-10-67022156 (G.L.)
| | - Guiling Li
- Correspondence: (H.H.); (G.L.); Tel.: +86-10-67022156 (G.L.)
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Gu L, Surolia R, Larson-Casey JL, He C, Davis D, Kang J, Antony VB, Carter AB. Targeting Cpt1a-Bcl-2 interaction modulates apoptosis resistance and fibrotic remodeling. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:118-132. [PMID: 34413485 PMCID: PMC8738732 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-021-00840-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) regulates metabolic reprogramming in lung macrophages and the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Fibrosis progression is associated with apoptosis resistance in lung macrophages; however, the mechanism(s) by which apoptosis resistance occurs is poorly understood. Here, we found a marked increase in mitochondrial B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in lung macrophages from subjects with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Similar findings were seen in bleomycin-injured wild-type (WT) mice, whereas Bcl-2 was markedly decreased in mice expressing a dominant-negative mitochondrial calcium uniporter (DN-MCU). Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (Cpt1a), the rate-limiting enzyme for fatty acid β-oxidation, directly interacted with Bcl-2 by binding to its BH3 domain, which anchored Bcl-2 in the mitochondria to attenuate apoptosis. This interaction was dependent on Cpt1a activity. Lung macrophages from IPF subjects had a direct correlation between CPT1A and Bcl-2, whereas the absence of binding induced apoptosis. The deletion of Bcl-2 in macrophages protected mice from developing pulmonary fibrosis. Moreover, mice had resolution when Bcl-2 was deleted or was inhibited with ABT-199 after fibrosis was established. These observations implicate an interplay between macrophage fatty acid β-oxidation, apoptosis resistance, and dysregulated fibrotic remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Gu
- grid.265892.20000000106344187Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - Ranu Surolia
- grid.265892.20000000106344187Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - Jennifer L. Larson-Casey
- grid.265892.20000000106344187Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - Chao He
- grid.265892.20000000106344187Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - Dana Davis
- grid.265892.20000000106344187Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - Jungsoon Kang
- grid.265892.20000000106344187Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - Veena B. Antony
- grid.265892.20000000106344187Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - A. Brent Carter
- grid.265892.20000000106344187Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA ,grid.280808.a0000 0004 0419 1326Birmingham VAMC, Birmingham, AL USA
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Lafoz E, Campreciós G, García-Calderó H, Anton A, Vilaseca M, Ruart M, Guasch E, Garrabou G, Delgado TC, Martínez-Chantar ML, García-Martínez R, Gracia-Sancho J, Hernández-Gea V, García-Pagán JC. Impact of lifestyle interventions targeting physical exercise and caloric intake on cirrhosis regression in rats. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 321:G603-G616. [PMID: 34585619 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00191.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In patients, advanced cirrhosis only regresses partially once the etiological agent is withdrawn. Animal models for advanced cirrhosis regression are missing. Lifestyle interventions (LIs) have been shown to improve steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and portal pressure (PP) in liver disease. We aimed at characterizing cirrhosis regression after etiological agent removal in experimental models of advanced cirrhosis and to study the impact of different LI on it. Advanced cirrhosis was induced in rats either by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or by thioacetamide (TAA) administration. Systemic and hepatic hemodynamics, liver fibrosis, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, hepatic macrophage infiltration, and metabolic profile were evaluated after 48 h, 4 wk or 8 wk of etiological agent removal. The impact of LI consisting in caloric restriction (CR) or moderate endurance exercise (MEE) during the 8-wk regression process was analyzed. The effect of MEE was also evaluated in early cirrhotic and in healthy rats. A significant reduction in portal pressure (PP), liver fibrosis, and HSC activation was observed during regression. However, these parameters remained above those in healthy animals. During regression, animals markedly worsened their metabolic profile. CR although preventing those metabolic disturbances did not further reduce PP, hepatic fibrosis, or HSC activation. MEE also prevented metabolic disturbances, without enhancing, but even attenuating the reduction of PP, hepatic fibrosis, and HSC activation achieved by regression. MEE also worsened hepatic fibrosis in early-TAA cirrhosis and in healthy rats.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We have developed two advanced cirrhosis regression experimental models with persistent relevant fibrosis and portal hypertension and an associated deteriorated metabolism that mimic what happens in patients. LI, despite improving metabolism, did not enhance the regression process in our cirrhotic models. CR did not further reduce PP, hepatic fibrosis, or HSC activation. MEE exhibited a profibrogenic effect in the liver blunting cirrhosis regression. One of the potential explanations of this worsening could be ammonia accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Lafoz
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Genís Campreciós
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Héctor García-Calderó
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aina Anton
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Vilaseca
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Ruart
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Guasch
- Institut Clínic Cardiovascular, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Glòria Garrabou
- Muscle Research and Mitochondrial Function Laboratory, CELLEX-IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERER-Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Rare Diseases, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa C Delgado
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Spain
| | - María-Luz Martínez-Chantar
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Spain
| | - Rita García-Martínez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Virginia Hernández-Gea
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos García-Pagán
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Wu L, Huang XQ, Li N, Xie C, Rao SX, Chen SY, Li F. A magnetic resonance imaging modality for non-invasively distinguishing progression of liver fibrosis by visualizing hepatic platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta expression in mice. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 36:3448-3456. [PMID: 34278598 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the most critical cells responsible for liver fibrosis, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is the most prominent mitogen for HSCs in fibrogenesis. This study aimed to explore the potential of gadolinium (Gd)-labeled cyclic peptides (pPB) targeting PDGF receptor-β (PDGFR-β) as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiotracer to identify the progression of liver fibrosis by imaging hepatic PDGFR-β expression. METHODS Mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) were used to mimic hepatic fibrosis in vivo. The binding activity of FITC-labeled pPB to PDGFR-β was assessed in cultured human HSCs (HSC-LX2). MRI was performed to visualize hepatic PDGFR-β expression in mice with different degrees of liver fibrosis after Gd-labeled pPB was injected. RESULTS Hepatic PDGFR-β expression level was correlated with the severity of liver fibrosis, and the majority of cells expressing PDGFR-β were found to be activated HSCs in fibrotic livers. Culture-activated human HSCs expressed abundant PDGFR-β, and FITC-labeled pPB could bind to these cells in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. With Gd-labeled pPB as a tracer, an MRI modality demonstrated that the relative hepatic T1-weighted MRI signal value progressively increased with the severity of hepatic fibrosis and reduced with remission. CONCLUSIONS Hepatic PDGFR-β expression reflects the progression of hepatic fibrosis, and MRI using Gd-labeled pPB as a tracer exhibits potential for distinguishing liver fibrosis staging in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Quan Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Infection, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cao Xie
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education and PLA, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng-Xiang Rao
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Yao Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Caligiuri A, Gentilini A, Pastore M, Gitto S, Marra F. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Liver Fibrosis Regression. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102759. [PMID: 34685739 PMCID: PMC8534788 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver injury of different etiologies may result in hepatic fibrosis, a scar formation process consisting in altered deposition of extracellular matrix. Progression of fibrosis can lead to impaired liver architecture and function, resulting in cirrhosis and organ failure. Although fibrosis was previous thought to be an irreversible process, recent evidence convincingly demonstrated resolution of fibrosis in different organs when the cause of injury is removed. In the liver, due to its high regenerative ability, the extent of fibrosis regression and reversion to normal architecture is higher than in other tissues, even in advanced disease. The mechanisms of liver fibrosis resolution can be recapitulated in the following main points: removal of injurious factors causing chronic hepatic damage, elimination, or inactivation of myofibroblasts (through various cell fates, including apoptosis, senescence, and reprogramming), inactivation of inflammatory response and induction of anti-inflammatory/restorative pathways, and degradation of extracellular matrix. In this review, we will discuss the major cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the regression of fibrosis/cirrhosis and the potential therapeutic approaches aimed at reversing the fibrogenic process.
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Kutlu T, Özkan H, Güvenç M. Tyrosol retards induction of fibrosis in rats. J Food Biochem 2021; 45:e13965. [PMID: 34636053 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.13965] [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: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, which still does not have a standard treatment due to its complex pathogenesis, is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. In this study, it was aimed to examine the possible protective and antifibrotic effects of tyrosol on the liver through histopathologic, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and molecular methods in rats with chronic liver damage induced by thioacetamide (TAA). The study was carried out in four groups with eight rats in each group. Created groups are, respectively, control, TAA, tyrosol and TAA +tyrosol. Chronic liver damage was induced in the TAA and TAA +tyrosol groups by the addition of TAA (200 mg/L) to drinking water. Tyrosol (20 mg/kg/b.w./daily) was administered by oral gavage to tyrosol and TAA +tyrosol groups for 10 weeks. The results of this study demonstrate that the consumption of tyrosol alleviated the histopathologic changes such as inflammation, degeneration, and especially fibrosis induced by TAA in the liver. In addition, administration of tyrosol significantly attenuated alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and apoptosis expression. Biochemically, it was determined that tyrosol increased glutathione (GSH) level, glutathione peroxidase (GSH.Px), and catalase (CAT) activities and showed antioxidant efficacy by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Moreover, it reduced inflammation and fibrosis by decreasing gene expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β1). Western blot analysis also revealed similar results in TGF-β1 expression. As a result, tyrosol suppressed fibrogenesis thanks to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects and showed an antifibrotic effect in the liver. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: It is stated that tyrosol, a natural phenolic antioxidant found in olive oil, has neuroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. In this study, tyrosol suppressed fibrogenesis thanks to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects and showed an antifibrotic effect in the liver. Olive oil has an important place in the Mediterranean diet, which reduces the incidence of chronic diseases. It is thought that the anti-fibrotic effect of tyrosol plays a role in this feature. As a result, it is thought that tyrosol can be used to prevent or slow down chronic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuncer Kutlu
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Özkan
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Güvenç
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
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Udomsinprasert W, Sobhonslidsuk A, Jittikoon J, Honsawek S, Chaikledkaew U. Cellular senescence in liver fibrosis: Implications for age-related chronic liver diseases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:799-813. [PMID: 34632912 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1992385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION New insights indicate a causative link between cellular senescence and liver fibrosis. Senescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) facilitate fibrosis resolution, while senescence in hepatocytes and cholangiocytes acts as a potent mechanism driving liver fibrogenesis. In many clinical studies, telomeres and mitochondrial DNA contents, which are both aging biomarkers, were reportedly associated with a degree of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs); this highlights their potential as biomarkers for liver fibrogenesis. A deeper understanding of mechanisms underlying multi-step progression of senescence may yield new therapeutic strategies for age-related chronic liver pathologies. AREAS COVERED This review examines the recent findings from preclinical and clinical studies on mechanisms of senescence in liver fibrogenesis and its involvement in liver fibrosis. A comprehensive literature search in electronic databases consisting of PubMed and Scopus from inception to 31 August 2021 was performed. EXPERT OPINION Cellular senescence has diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential in progressive liver complications, especially liver fibrosis. Stimulating or reinforcing the immune response against senescent cells may be a promising and forthright biotherapeutic strategy. This approach will need a deeper understanding of the immune system's ability to eliminate senescent cells and the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abhasnee Sobhonslidsuk
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jiraphun Jittikoon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sittisak Honsawek
- Department of Biochemistry, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeleton Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Usa Chaikledkaew
- Social and Administrative Pharmacy Division, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Mahidol University Health Technology Assessment (MUHTA) Graduate Program, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Costunolide Loaded in pH-Responsive Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Increased Stability and an Enhanced Anti-Fibrotic Effect. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14100951. [PMID: 34681175 PMCID: PMC8539632 DOI: 10.3390/ph14100951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis remains a significant public health problem. However, few drugs have yet been validated. Costunolide (COS), as a monomeric component of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Saussurea Lappa, has shown excellent anti-fibrotic efficacy. However, COS displays very poor aqueous solubility and poor stability in gastric juice, which greatly limits its application via an oral administration. To increase the stability, improve the dissolution rate and enhance the anti-liver fibrosis of COS, pH-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were selected as a drug carrier. Methacrylic acid copolymer (MAC) as a pH-sensitive material was used to coat the surface of MSNs. The drug release behavior and anti-liver fibrosis effects of MSNs-COS-MAC were evaluated. The results showed that MSNs-COS-MAC prevented a release in the gastric fluid and enhanced the dissolution rate of COS in the intestinal juice. At half the dose of COS, MSNs-COS-MAC still effectively ameliorated parenchymal necrosis, bile duct proliferation and excessive collagen. MSNs-COS-MAC significantly repressed hepatic fibrogenesis by decreasing the expression of hepatic fibrogenic markers in LX-2 cells and liver tissue. These results suggest that MSNs-COS-MAC shows great promise for anti-liver fibrosis treatment.
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Sousa-Lima I, Kim HJ, Jones J, Kim YB. Rho-Kinase as a Therapeutic Target for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases. Diabetes Metab J 2021; 45:655-674. [PMID: 34610720 PMCID: PMC8497927 DOI: 10.4093/dmj.2021.0197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major public health problem and the most common form of chronic liver disease, affecting 25% of the global population. Although NAFLD is closely linked with obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, knowledge on its pathogenesis remains incomplete. Emerging data have underscored the importance of Rho-kinase (Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing kinase [ROCK]) action in the maintenance of normal hepatic lipid homeostasis. In particular, pharmacological blockade of ROCK in hepatocytes or hepatic stellate cells prevents the progression of liver diseases such as NAFLD and fibrosis. Moreover, mice lacking hepatic ROCK1 are protected against obesity-induced fatty liver diseases by suppressing hepatic de novo lipogenesis. Here we review the roles of ROCK as an indispensable regulator of obesity-induced fatty liver disease and highlight the key cellular pathway governing hepatic lipid accumulation, with focus on de novo lipogenesis and its impact on therapeutic potential. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of the metabolic milieu linking to liver dysfunction triggered by ROCK activation may help identify new targets for treating fatty liver diseases such as NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Sousa-Lima
- CEDOC-Chronic Disease Research Center, NOVA Medical School/ Faculty of Medical Sciences, New University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hyun Jeong Kim
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John Jones
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Marquis of Pombal Square, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Young-Bum Kim
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Corresponding author: Young-Bum Kim https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9471-6330 Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA E-mail:
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Campana L, Esser H, Huch M, Forbes S. Liver regeneration and inflammation: from fundamental science to clinical applications. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:608-624. [PMID: 34079104 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00373-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Liver regeneration is a complex process involving the crosstalk of multiple cell types, including hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, endothelial cells and inflammatory cells. The healthy liver is mitotically quiescent, but following toxic damage or resection the cells can rapidly enter the cell cycle to restore liver mass and function. During this process of regeneration, epithelial and non-parenchymal cells respond in a tightly coordinated fashion. Recent studies have described the interaction between inflammatory cells and a number of other cell types in the liver. In particular, macrophages can support biliary regeneration, contribute to fibrosis remodelling by repressing hepatic stellate cell activation and improve liver regeneration by scavenging dead or dying cells in situ. In this Review, we describe the mechanisms of tissue repair following damage, highlighting the close relationship between inflammation and liver regeneration, and discuss how recent findings can help design novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Campana
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Hannah Esser
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Meritxell Huch
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stuart Forbes
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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