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Nouri K, Piryaei A, Seydi H, Zarkesh I, Ghoytasi I, Shokouhian B, Najimi M, Vosough M. Fibrotic liver extracellular matrix induces cancerous phenotype in biomimetic micro-tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma model. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2024:S1499-3872(24)00115-2. [PMID: 39289044 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2024.09.003] [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: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite considerable advancements in identifying factors contributing to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the pathogenesis of HCC remains unclear. In many cases, HCC is a consequence of prolonged liver fibrosis, resulting in the formation of an intricate premalignant microenvironment. The accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) is a hallmark of premalignant microenvironment. Given the critical role of different matrix components in regulating cell phenotype and function, this study aimed to elucidate the interplay between the fibrotic matrix and malignant features in HCC. METHODS Liver tissues from both control (normal) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced fibrotic rats were decellularized using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Triton X-100. The resulting hydrogel from decellularized ECM was processed into micro-particles via the water-in-oil emulsion method. Micro-particles were subsequently incorporated into three-dimensional liver biomimetic micro-tissues (MTs) comprising Huh-7 cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and LX-2 cells. The MTs were evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay at day 11, immunofluorescence staining, immunoblotting, and spheroid migration assay at day 14 after co-culture. RESULTS Fibrotic matrix from CCl4-treated rat livers significantly enhanced the growth rate of the MTs and their expression of CCND1 as compared to the normal one. Fibrotic matrix, also induced the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated genes such as TWIST1, ACTA2, MMP9, CDH2, and VIMENTIN in the MTs as compared to the normal matrix. Conversely, the expression of CDH1 and hepatic maturation genes HNF4A, ALB, CYP3A4 was decreased in the MTs when the fibrotic matrix was used. Furthermore, the fibrotic matrix increased the migration of the MTs and their secretion of alpha-fetoprotein. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a regulatory role for the fibrotic matrix in promoting cancerous phenotype, which could potentially accelerate the progression of malignancy in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosar Nouri
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, ACECR 14155-4364 Tehran, Iran; Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR 14155-4364 Tehran, Iran; Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR 14155-4364 Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Piryaei
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homeyra Seydi
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, ACECR 14155-4364 Tehran, Iran; Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR 14155-4364 Tehran, Iran; Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR 14155-4364 Tehran, Iran
| | - Ibrahim Zarkesh
- Department of Cell Engineering, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR 14155-4364 Tehran, Iran
| | - Ibrahim Ghoytasi
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR 14155-4364 Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahare Shokouhian
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR 14155-4364 Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mustapha Najimi
- Laboratory of Pediatric Hepatology and Cell Therapy, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR 14155-4364 Tehran, Iran; Experimental Cancer Medicine, Institution for Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Youssef KK, Nieto MA. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tissue repair and degeneration. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:720-739. [PMID: 38684869 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00733-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) are the epitome of cell plasticity in embryonic development and cancer; during EMT, epithelial cells undergo dramatic phenotypic changes and become able to migrate to form different tissues or give rise to metastases, respectively. The importance of EMTs in other contexts, such as tissue repair and fibrosis in the adult, has become increasingly recognized and studied. In this Review, we discuss the function of EMT in the adult after tissue damage and compare features of embryonic and adult EMT. Whereas sustained EMT leads to adult tissue degeneration, fibrosis and organ failure, its transient activation, which confers phenotypic and functional plasticity on somatic cells, promotes tissue repair after damage. Understanding the mechanisms and temporal regulation of different EMTs provides insight into how some tissues heal and has the potential to open new therapeutic avenues to promote repair or regeneration of tissue damage that is currently irreversible. We also discuss therapeutic strategies that modulate EMT that hold clinical promise in ameliorating fibrosis, and how precise EMT activation could be harnessed to enhance tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Angela Nieto
- Instituto de Neurociencias (CSIC-UMH), Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain.
- CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
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3
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Harrison SA, Rolph T, Knott M, Dubourg J. FGF21 agonists: An emerging therapeutic for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and beyond. J Hepatol 2024; 81:562-576. [PMID: 38710230 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.04.034] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The worldwide epidemics of obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)/metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) represent a major economic burden on healthcare systems. Patients with at-risk MASH, defined as MASH with moderate or significant fibrosis, are at higher risk of comorbidity/mortality, with a significant risk of cardiovascular diseases and/or major adverse liver outcomes. Despite a high unmet medical need, there is only one drug approved for MASH. Several drug candidates have reached the phase III development stage and could lead to several potential conditional drug approvals in the coming years. Within the armamentarium of future treatment options, FGF21 analogues hold an interesting position thanks to their pleiotropic effects in addition to their significant effect on both MASH resolution and fibrosis improvement. In this review, we summarise preclinical and clinical data from FGF21 analogues for MASH and explore additional potential therapeutic indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Harrison
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU UK; Pinnacle Clinical Research, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Tim Rolph
- Akero Therapeutics, South San Francisco, California, USA
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Dubois V, Lefebvre P, Staels B, Eeckhoute J. Nuclear receptors: pathophysiological mechanisms and drug targets in liver disease. Gut 2024; 73:1562-1569. [PMID: 38862216 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-331741] [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: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are ligand-dependent transcription factors required for liver development and function. As a consequence, NRs have emerged as attractive drug targets in a wide range of liver diseases. However, liver dysfunction and failure are linked to loss of hepatocyte identity characterised by deficient NR expression and activities. This might at least partly explain why several pharmacological NR modulators have proven insufficiently efficient to improve liver functionality in advanced stages of diseases such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). In this perspective, we review the most recent advances in the hepatic NR field and discuss the contribution of multiomic approaches to our understanding of their role in the molecular organisation of an intricated transcriptional regulatory network, as well as in liver intercellular dialogues and interorgan cross-talks. We discuss the potential benefit of novel therapeutic approaches simultaneously targeting multiple NRs, which would not only reactivate the hepatic NR network and restore hepatocyte identity but also impact intercellular and interorgan interplays whose importance to control liver functions is further defined. Finally, we highlight the need of considering individual parameters such as sex and disease stage in the development of NR-based clinical strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Dubois
- Basic and Translational Endocrinology (BaTE), Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Philippe Lefebvre
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Bart Staels
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
| | - Jerome Eeckhoute
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, Lille, France
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5
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Yin K, Büttner M, Deligiannis IK, Strzelecki M, Zhang L, Talavera-López C, Theis F, Odom DT, Martinez-Jimenez CP. Polyploidisation pleiotropically buffers ageing in hepatocytes. J Hepatol 2024; 81:289-302. [PMID: 38583492 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.03.043] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Polyploidy in hepatocytes has been proposed as a genetic mechanism to buffer against transcriptional dysregulation. Here, we aim to demonstrate the role of polyploidy in modulating gene regulatory networks in hepatocytes during ageing. METHODS We performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing in hepatocyte nuclei of different ploidy levels isolated from young and old wild-type mice. Changes in the gene expression and regulatory network were compared to three independent strains that were haploinsufficient for HNF4A, CEBPA or CTCF, representing non-deleterious perturbations. Phenotypic characteristics of the liver section were additionally evaluated histologically, whereas the genomic allele composition of hepatocytes was analysed by BaseScope. RESULTS We observed that ageing in wild-type mice results in nuclei polyploidy and a marked increase in steatosis. Haploinsufficiency of liver-specific master regulators (HFN4A or CEBPA) results in the enrichment of hepatocytes with tetraploid nuclei at a young age, affecting the genomic regulatory network, and dramatically suppressing ageing-related steatosis tissue wide. Notably, these phenotypes are not the result of subtle disruption to liver-specific transcriptional networks, since haploinsufficiency in the CTCF insulator protein resulted in the same phenotype. Further quantification of genotypes of tetraploid hepatocytes in young and old HFN4A-haploinsufficient mice revealed that during ageing, tetraploid hepatocytes lead to the selection of wild-type alleles, restoring non-deleterious genetic perturbations. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest a model whereby polyploidisation leads to fundamentally different cell states. Polyploid conversion enables pleiotropic buffering against age-related decline via non-random allelic segregation to restore a wild-type genome. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS The functional role of hepatocyte polyploidisation during ageing is poorly understood. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing and BaseScope approaches, we have studied ploidy dynamics during ageing in murine livers with non-deleterious genetic perturbations. We have identified that hepatocytes present different cellular states and the ability to buffer ageing-associated dysfunctions. Tetraploid nuclei exhibit robust transcriptional networks and are better adapted to genomically overcome perturbations. Novel therapeutic interventions aimed at attenuating age-related changes in tissue function could be exploited by manipulation of ploidy dynamics during chronic liver conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin Yin
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus (HPC), Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Maren Büttner
- Institute of Computational Biology, Computational Health Department, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Liwei Zhang
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus (HPC), Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Carlos Talavera-López
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität Klinikum, Germany
| | - Fabian Theis
- Institute of Computational Biology, Computational Health Department, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Department of Mathematics, 85748 Garching. Munich, Germany; German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Duncan T Odom
- German Cancer Research Center, Division of Regulatory Genomics and Cancer Evolution (B270), Heidelberg, Germany; Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, CB20RE, United Kingdom.
| | - Celia P Martinez-Jimenez
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus (HPC), Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain.
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Wang J, Fang Y, Luo Z, Wang J, Zhao Y. Emerging mRNA Technology for Liver Disease Therapy. ACS NANO 2024; 18:17378-17406. [PMID: 38916747 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c02987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Liver diseases have consistently posed substantial challenges to global health. It is crucial to find innovative methods to effectively prevent and treat these diseases. In recent times, there has been an increasing interest in the use of mRNA formulations that accumulate in liver tissue for the treatment of hepatic diseases. In this review, we start by providing a detailed introduction to the mRNA technology. Afterward, we highlight types of liver diseases, discussing their causes, risks, and common therapeutic strategies. Additionally, we summarize the latest advancements in mRNA technology for the treatment of liver diseases. This includes systems based on hepatocyte growth factor, hepatitis B virus antibody, left-right determination factor 1, human hepatocyte nuclear factor α, interleukin-12, methylmalonyl-coenzyme A mutase, etc. Lastly, we provide an outlook on the potential of mRNA technology for the treatment of liver diseases, while also highlighting the various technical challenges that need to be addressed. Despite these difficulties, mRNA-based therapeutic strategies may change traditional treatment methods, bringing hope to patients with liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yile Fang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhiqiang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Transplantation Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
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7
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Xu C, Fang X, Song Y, Xiang Z, Xu X, Wei X. Transcriptional Control: A Directional Sign at the Crossroads of Adult Hepatic Progenitor Cells' Fates. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:3544-3556. [PMID: 38993564 PMCID: PMC11234216 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.93739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) have a bidirectional potential to differentiate into hepatocytes and bile duct epithelial cells and constitute a second barrier to liver regeneration in the adult liver. They are usually located in the Hering duct in the portal vein region where various cells, extracellular matrix, cytokines, and communication signals together constitute the niche of HPCs in homeostasis to maintain cellular plasticity. In various types of liver injury, different cellular signaling streams crosstalk with each other and point to the inducible transcription factor set, including FoxA1/2/3, YB-1, Foxl1, Sox9, HNF4α, HNF1α, and HNF1β. These transcription factors exert different functions by binding to specific target genes, and their products often interact with each other, with diverse cascades of regulation in different molecular events that are essential for homeostatic regulation, self-renewal, proliferation, and selective differentiation of HPCs. Furthermore, the tumor predisposition of adult HPCs is found to be significantly increased under transcriptional factor dysregulation in transcriptional analysis, and the altered initial commitment of the differentiation pathway of HPCs may be one of the sources of intrahepatic tumors. Related transcription factors such as HNF4α and HNF1 are expected to be future targets for tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhao Xu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xixi Fang
- Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Yisu Song
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Ze Xiang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xuyong Wei
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
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Ehle C, Iyer-Bierhoff A, Wu Y, Xing S, Kiehntopf M, Mosig AS, Godmann M, Heinzel T. Downregulation of HNF4A enables transcriptomic reprogramming during the hepatic acute-phase response. Commun Biol 2024; 7:589. [PMID: 38755249 PMCID: PMC11099168 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06288-1] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The hepatic acute-phase response is characterized by a massive upregulation of serum proteins, such as haptoglobin and serum amyloid A, at the expense of liver homeostatic functions. Although the transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A) has a well-established role in safeguarding liver function and its cistrome spans around 50% of liver-specific genes, its role in the acute-phase response has received little attention so far. We demonstrate that HNF4A binds to and represses acute-phase genes under basal conditions. The reprogramming of hepatic transcription during inflammation necessitates loss of HNF4A function to allow expression of acute-phase genes while liver homeostatic genes are repressed. In a pre-clinical liver organoid model overexpression of HNF4A maintained liver functionality in spite of inflammation-induced cell damage. Conversely, HNF4A overexpression potently impaired the acute-phase response by retaining chromatin at regulatory regions of acute-phase genes inaccessible to transcription. Taken together, our data extend the understanding of dual HNF4A action as transcriptional activator and repressor, establishing HNF4A as gatekeeper for the hepatic acute-phase response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Ehle
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Aishwarya Iyer-Bierhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Yunchen Wu
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
| | - Shaojun Xing
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
| | - Michael Kiehntopf
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Jena University Hospital, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander S Mosig
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Maren Godmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Thorsten Heinzel
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07745, Jena, Germany.
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Mekala S, Rai R, Reed SL, Bowen B, Michalopoulos GK, Locker J, Raeman R, Oertel M. Antagonizing Activin A/p15 INK4b Signaling as Therapeutic Strategy for Liver Disease. Cells 2024; 13:649. [PMID: 38607090 PMCID: PMC11011318 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070649] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Activin A is involved in the pathogenesis of human liver diseases, but its therapeutic targeting is not fully explored. Here, we tested the effect of novel, highly specific small-molecule-based activin A antagonists (NUCC-474/555) in improving liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy and halting fibrosis progression in models of chronic liver diseases (CLDs). METHODS Cell toxicity of antagonists was determined in rat hepatocytes and Huh-7 cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were treated with activin A and NUCC-555 and analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Partial hepatectomized Fisher (F)344 rats were treated with NUCC-555, and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation was determined at 18/24/36/120/240 h. NUCC-555 was administered into thioacetamide- or carbon tetrachloride-treated F344 rats or C57BL/6 mice, and the fibrosis progression was studied. RESULTS NUCC-474 showed higher cytotoxicity in cultured hepatic cells; therefore, NUCC-555 was used in subsequent studies. Activin A-stimulated overexpression of cell cycle-/senescence-related genes (e.g., p15INK4b, DEC1, Glb1) was near-completely reversed by NUCC-555 in hepatocytes. Activin A-mediated HSC activation was blocked by NUCC-555. In partial hepatectomized rats, antagonizing activin A signaling resulted in a 1.9-fold and 2.3-fold increase in BrdU+ cells at 18 and 24 h, respectively. Administration of NUCC-555 in rats and mice with progressing fibrosis significantly reduced collagen accumulation (7.9-fold), HSC activation indicated by reduced alpha smooth muscle actin+ and vimentin+ cells, and serum aminotransferase activity. CONCLUSIONS Our studies demonstrate that activin A antagonist NUCC-555 promotes liver regeneration and halts fibrosis progression in CLD models, suggesting that blocking activin A signaling may represent a new approach to treating people with CLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sowmya Mekala
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
| | - Ravi Rai
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
| | - Samantha Loretta Reed
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
| | - Bill Bowen
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
| | - George K. Michalopoulos
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center (PLRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Joseph Locker
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center (PLRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Reben Raeman
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center (PLRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Michael Oertel
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street—BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA (R.R.); (G.K.M.); (R.R.)
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center (PLRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
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10
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Liu F, Peng Y, Qian H, Xiao MC, Ding CH, Zhang X, Xie WF. Abrogating K458 acetylation enhances hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α)-induced differentiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Dig Dis 2024; 25:255-265. [PMID: 38837552 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.13272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In this study we aimed to assess the impact of acetylation of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) on lysine 458 on the differentiation therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, Dil-acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Dil-Ac-LDL) uptake, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity analysis were performed to assess the differentiation of HCC cells. HNF4α protein was detected by western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The effects of HNF4α-K458 acetylation on HCC malignancy were evaluated in HCC cell lines, a Huh-7 xenograft mouse model, and an orthotopic model. The differential expression genes in Huh-7 xenograft tumors were screened by RNA-sequencing analysis. RESULTS K458R significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of HNF4α on the malignancy of HCC cells, whereas K458Q reduced the inhibitory effects of HNF4α. Moreover, K458R promoted, while K458Q decreased, HNF4α-induced HCC cell differentiation. K458R stabilized HNF4α, while K458Q accelerated the degradation of HNF4α via the ubiquitin proteasome system. K458R also enhanced the ability of HNF4α to inhibit cell growth of HCC in the Huh-7 xenograft mouse model and the orthotopic model. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that inhibiting K458 acetylation enhanced the transcriptional activity of HNF4α without altering the transcriptome induced by HNF4α in HCC. CONCLUSION Our data revealed that inhibiting K458 acetylation of HNF4α might provide a more promising candidate for differential therapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Qian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Chao Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Hong Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Fen Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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11
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Adesanya O, Das D, Kalsotra A. Emerging roles of RNA-binding proteins in fatty liver disease. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2024; 15:e1840. [PMID: 38613185 PMCID: PMC11018357 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
A rampant and urgent global health issue of the 21st century is the emergence and progression of fatty liver disease (FLD), including alcoholic fatty liver disease and the more heterogenous metabolism-associated (or non-alcoholic) fatty liver disease (MAFLD/NAFLD) phenotypes. These conditions manifest as disease spectra, progressing from benign hepatic steatosis to symptomatic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and, ultimately, hepatocellular carcinoma. With numerous intricately regulated molecular pathways implicated in its pathophysiology, recent data have emphasized the critical roles of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in the onset and development of FLD. They regulate gene transcription and post-transcriptional processes, including pre-mRNA splicing, capping, and polyadenylation, as well as mature mRNA transport, stability, and translation. RBP dysfunction at every point along the mRNA life cycle has been associated with altered lipid metabolism and cellular stress response, resulting in hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Here, we discuss the current understanding of the role of RBPs in the post-transcriptional processes associated with FLD and highlight the possible and emerging therapeutic strategies leveraging RBP function for FLD treatment. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diptatanu Das
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Auinash Kalsotra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Cancer Center @ Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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12
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Feng R, Tong C, Lin T, Liu H, Shao C, Li Y, Sticht C, Kan K, Li X, Liu R, Wang S, Wang S, Munker S, Niess H, Meyer C, Liebe R, Ebert MP, Dooley S, Wang H, Ding H, Weng HL. Insulin Determines Transforming Growth Factor β Effects on Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α Transcription in Hepatocytes. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:52-70. [PMID: 37820926 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Loss of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) expression is frequently observed in end-stage liver disease and associated with loss of vital liver functions, thus increasing mortality. Loss of HNF4α expression is mediated by inflammatory cytokines, such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. However, details of how HNF4α is suppressed are largely unknown to date. Herein, TGF-β did not directly inhibit HNF4α but contributed to its transcriptional regulation by SMAD2/3 recruiting acetyltransferase CREB-binding protein/p300 to the HNF4α promoter. The recruitment of CREB-binding protein/p300 is indispensable for CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) binding, another essential requirement for constitutive HNF4α expression in hepatocytes. Consistent with the in vitro observation, 67 of 98 patients with hepatic HNF4α expressed both phospho-SMAD2 and C/EBPα, whereas 22 patients without HNF4α expression lacked either phospho-SMAD2 or C/EBPα. In contrast to the observed induction of HNF4α, SMAD2/3 inhibited C/EBPα transcription. Long-term TGF-β incubation resulted in C/EBPα depletion, which abrogated HNF4α expression. Intriguingly, SMAD2/3 inhibitory binding to the C/EBPα promoter was abolished by insulin. Two-thirds of patients without C/EBPα lacked membrane glucose transporter type 2 expression in hepatocytes, indicating insulin resistance. Taken together, these data indicate that hepatic insulin sensitivity is essential for hepatic HNF4α expression in the condition of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rilu Feng
- Section Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Chenhao Tong
- Section Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Tao Lin
- Section Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Pathology, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Shao
- Department of Pathology, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yujia Li
- Section Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Carsten Sticht
- NGS Core Facility, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Kejia Kan
- Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Sai Wang
- Section Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Stefan Munker
- Department of Medicine II, Liver Centre Munich, University Hospital, Campus Großhadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany; Liver Centre Munich, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hanno Niess
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany; Biobank of the Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Meyer
- Section Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Roman Liebe
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Matthias P Ebert
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Healthy Metabolism, Center of Preventive Medicine and Digital Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Steven Dooley
- Section Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Huiguo Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Lei Weng
- Section Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
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13
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Apte U. Modulation of Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha (HNF4α): A Critical Mechanism of Disease Progression in Liver Cirrhosis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:505-506. [PMID: 38158194 PMCID: PMC10884551 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
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14
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Lin P, Bai Y, Nian X, Chi J, Chen T, Zhang J, Zhang W, Zhou B, Liu Y, Zhao Y. Chemically induced revitalization of damaged hepatocytes for regenerative liver repair. iScience 2023; 26:108532. [PMID: 38144457 PMCID: PMC10746372 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In prolonged liver injury, hepatocytes undergo partial identity loss with decreased regenerative capacity, resulting in liver failure. Here, we identified a five compound (5C) combination that could restore hepatocyte identity and reverse the damage-associated phenotype (e.g., dysfunction, senescence, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, growth arrest, and pro-inflammatory gene expression) in damaged hepatocytes (dHeps) from CCl4-induced mice with chronic liver injury, resembling a direct chemical reprogramming approach. Systemic administration of 5C in mice with chronic liver injury promoted hepatocyte regeneration, improved liver function, and ameliorated liver fibrosis. The hepatocyte-associated transcriptional networks were reestablished with chemical treatment as revealed by motif analysis of ATAC-seq, and a hepatocyte-enriched transcription factor, Foxa2, was found to be essential for hepatocyte revitalization. Overall, our findings indicate that the phenotype and transcriptional program of dHeps can be reprogrammed to generate functional and regenerative hepatocytes by using only small molecules, as an alternative approach to liver repair and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
| | - Yunfei Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
| | - Xinxin Nian
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jun Chi
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
| | - Tianzhe Chen
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
| | - Wenpeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Plastech Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210043, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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15
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Rizvi F, Lee YR, Diaz-Aragon R, Bawa PS, So J, Florentino RM, Wu S, Sarjoo A, Truong E, Smith AR, Wang F, Everton E, Ostrowska A, Jung K, Tam Y, Muramatsu H, Pardi N, Weissman D, Soto-Gutierrez A, Shin D, Gouon-Evans V. VEGFA mRNA-LNP promotes biliary epithelial cell-to-hepatocyte conversion in acute and chronic liver diseases and reverses steatosis and fibrosis. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:1640-1657.e8. [PMID: 38029740 PMCID: PMC10843608 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The liver is known for its remarkable regenerative ability through proliferation of hepatocytes. Yet, during chronic injury or severe hepatocyte death, proliferation of hepatocytes is exhausted. To overcome this hurdle, we propose vascular-endothelial-growth-factor A (VEGFA) as a therapeutic means to accelerate biliary epithelial-cell (BEC)-to-hepatocyte conversion. Investigation in zebrafish establishes that blocking VEGF receptors abrogates BEC-driven liver repair, while VEGFA overexpression promotes it. Delivery of VEGFA via nonintegrative and safe nucleoside-modified mRNA encapsulated into lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNPs) in acutely or chronically injured mouse livers induces robust BEC-to-hepatocyte conversion and elimination of steatosis and fibrosis. In human and murine diseased livers, we further identified VEGFA-receptor KDR-expressing BECs associated with KDR-expressing cell-derived hepatocytes. This work defines KDR-expressing cells, most likely being BECs, as facultative progenitors. This study reveals unexpected therapeutic benefits of VEGFA delivered via nucleoside-modified mRNA-LNP, whose safety is widely validated with COVID-19 vaccines, for harnessing BEC-driven repair to potentially treat liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Rizvi
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Yu-Ri Lee
- Department of Developmental Biology, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Ricardo Diaz-Aragon
- Department of Pathology, Center for Transcriptional Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Pushpinder S Bawa
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Juhoon So
- Department of Developmental Biology, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Rodrigo M Florentino
- Department of Pathology, Center for Transcriptional Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Susan Wu
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Arianna Sarjoo
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Emily Truong
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Anna R Smith
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Feiya Wang
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Elissa Everton
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Alina Ostrowska
- Department of Pathology, Center for Transcriptional Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kyounghwa Jung
- Department of Developmental Biology, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Ying Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Hiromi Muramatsu
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Norbert Pardi
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 10104, USA
| | - Alejandro Soto-Gutierrez
- Department of Pathology, Center for Transcriptional Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Donghun Shin
- Department of Developmental Biology, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Valerie Gouon-Evans
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
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16
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Melis M, Marino R, Tian J, Johnson C, Sethi R, Oertel M, Fox IJ, Locker J. Mechanism and Effect of HNF4α Decrease in a Rat Model of Cirrhosis and Liver Failure. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:453-479. [PMID: 37993018 PMCID: PMC10837635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS HNF4α, a master regulator of liver development and the mature hepatocyte phenotype, is down-regulated in chronic and inflammatory liver disease. We used contemporary transcriptomics and epigenomics to study the cause and effects of this down-regulation and characterized a multicellular etiology. METHODS Progressive changes in the rat carbon tetrachloride model were studied by deep RNA sequencing and genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis of transcription factor (TF) binding and chromatin modification. Studies compared decompensated cirrhosis with liver failure after 26 weeks of treatment with earlier compensated cirrhosis and with additional rat models of chronic fibrosis. Finally, to resolve cell-specific responses and intercellular signaling, we compared transcriptomes of liver, nonparenchymal, and inflammatory cells. RESULTS HNF4α was significantly lower in 26-week cirrhosis, part of a general reduction of TFs that regulate metabolism. Nevertheless, increased binding of HNF4α contributed to strong activation of major phenotypic genes, whereas reduced binding to other genes had a moderate phenotypic effect. Decreased Hnf4a expression was the combined effect of STAT3 and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) activation, which similarly reduced expression of other metabolic TFs. STAT/NFκB also induced de novo expression of Osmr by hepatocytes to complement induced expression of Osm by nonparenchymal cells. CONCLUSIONS Liver decompensation by inflammatory STAT3 and NFκB signaling was not a direct consequence of progressive cirrhosis. Despite significant reduction of Hnf4a expression, residual levels of this abundant TF still stimulated strong new gene expression. Reduction of HNF4α was part of a broad hepatocyte transcriptional response to inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Melis
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Rebecca Marino
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jianmin Tian
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Carla Johnson
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Rahil Sethi
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael Oertel
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ira J Fox
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Joseph Locker
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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17
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Dubois‐Chevalier J, Gheeraert C, Berthier A, Boulet C, Dubois V, Guille L, Fourcot M, Marot G, Gauthier K, Dubuquoy L, Staels B, Lefebvre P, Eeckhoute J. An extended transcription factor regulatory network controls hepatocyte identity. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e57020. [PMID: 37424431 PMCID: PMC10481658 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202357020] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell identity is specified by a core transcriptional regulatory circuitry (CoRC), typically limited to a small set of interconnected cell-specific transcription factors (TFs). By mining global hepatic TF regulons, we reveal a more complex organization of the transcriptional regulatory network controlling hepatocyte identity. We show that tight functional interconnections controlling hepatocyte identity extend to non-cell-specific TFs beyond the CoRC, which we call hepatocyte identity (Hep-ID)CONNECT TFs. Besides controlling identity effector genes, Hep-IDCONNECT TFs also engage in reciprocal transcriptional regulation with TFs of the CoRC. In homeostatic basal conditions, this translates into Hep-IDCONNECT TFs being involved in fine tuning CoRC TF expression including their rhythmic expression patterns. Moreover, a role for Hep-IDCONNECT TFs in the control of hepatocyte identity is revealed in dedifferentiated hepatocytes where Hep-IDCONNECT TFs are able to reset CoRC TF expression. This is observed upon activation of NR1H3 or THRB in hepatocarcinoma or in hepatocytes subjected to inflammation-induced loss of identity. Our study establishes that hepatocyte identity is controlled by an extended array of TFs beyond the CoRC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Céline Gheeraert
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
| | - Alexandre Berthier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
| | - Clémence Boulet
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
| | - Vanessa Dubois
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
- Basic and Translational Endocrinology (BaTE), Department of Basic and Applied Medical SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Loïc Guille
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
| | - Marie Fourcot
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41 – UAR 2014 – PLBSLilleFrance
| | - Guillemette Marot
- Univ. Lille, Inria, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 – METRICS: Évaluation des technologies de santé et des pratiques médicalesLilleFrance
| | - Karine Gauthier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon (IGFL), CNRS UMR 5242, INRAE USC 1370, École Normale Supérieure de LyonLyonFrance
| | - Laurent Dubuquoy
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 – INFINITE – Institute for Translational Research in InflammationLilleFrance
| | - Bart Staels
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
| | - Philippe Lefebvre
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
| | - Jérôme Eeckhoute
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011‐EGIDLilleFrance
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18
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Abstract
The field of hepatology has made impressive progress over its ~75 years of existence. Advances in understanding liver function and its dysregulation in disease, genetic determinants of disease, antiviral therapy, and transplantation have transformed the lives of patients. However, there are still significant challenges that require ongoing creativity and discipline, particularly with the emergence of fatty liver diseases, as well as managing autoimmune disease, cancer, and liver disease in children. Diagnostic advances are urgently needed to accelerate risk stratification and efficient testing of new agents with greater precision in enriched populations. Integrated, holistic care models should be extended beyond liver cancer to diseases like NAFLD with systemic manifestations or extrahepatic comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, addiction, and depressive disorders. To meet the growing burden of asymptomatic liver disease, the workforce will need to be expanded by incorporating more advanced practice providers and educating other specialists. The training of future hepatologists will benefit from incorporating emerging skills in data management, artificial intelligence, and precision medicine. Continued investment in basic and translational science is crucial for further progress. The challenges ahead are significant, but with collective effort, the field of hepatology will continue to make progress and overcome obstacles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Arun J Sanyal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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19
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Yao Y, Zhang L, Cheng F, Jiang Q, Ye Y, Ren Y, He Y, Su D, Cheng L, Shi G, Dai L, Deng H. PPARγ-dependent hepatic macrophage switching acts as a central hub for hUCMSC-mediated alleviation of decompensated liver cirrhosis in rats. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:184. [PMID: 37501214 PMCID: PMC10375757 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03416-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decompensated liver cirrhosis (DLC), a terminal-stage complication of liver disease, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hepatopathies. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUCMSC) therapy has emerged as a novel treatment alternative for the treatment of DLC. However, optimized therapy protocols and the associated mechanisms are not entirely understood. METHODS We constructed a DLC rat model consistent with the typical clinical characteristics combined use of PB and CCL4. Performing dynamic detection of liver morphology and function in rats for 11 weeks, various disease characteristics of DLC and the therapeutic effect of hUCMSCs on DLC in experimental rats were thoroughly investigated, according to ascites examination, histopathological, and related blood biochemical analyses. Flow cytometry analysis of rat liver, immunofluorescence, and RT-qPCR was performed to examine the changes in the liver immune microenvironment after hucMSCs treatment. We performed RNA-seq analysis of liver and primary macrophages and hUCMSCs co-culture system in vitro to explore possible signaling pathways. PPARγ antagonist, GW9662, and clodronate liposomes were used to inhibit PPAR activation and pre-exhaustion of macrophages in DLC rats' livers, respectively. RESULTS We found that changing the two key issues, the frequency and initial phase of hUCMSCs infusion, can affect the efficacy of hUCMSCs, and the optimal hUCMSCs treatment schedule is once every week for three weeks at the early stage of DLC progression, providing the best therapeutic effect in reducing mortality and ascites, and improving liver function in DLC rats. hUCMSCs treatment skewed the macrophage phenotype from M1-type to M2-type by activating the PPARγ signaling pathway in the liver, which was approved by primary macrophages and hUCMSCs co-culture system in vitro. Both inhibition of PPARγ activation with GW9662 and pre-exhaustion of macrophages in DLC rats' liver abolished the regulation of hUCMSCs on macrophage polarization, thus attenuating the beneficial effect of hUCMSCs treatment in DLC rats. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrated that the optimal hUCMSCs treatment effectively inhibits the ascites formation, prolongs survival and significantly improves liver structure and function in DLC rats through the activation of the PPARγ signaling pathway within liver macrophages. Our study compared the efficacy of different hUCMSCs infusion regimens for DLC, providing new insights on cell-based therapies for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunqi Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No.1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No.1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuyi Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No.1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingyuan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics, Sichuan Provincial Hospital for Women and Children, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yixin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No.1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yushuang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No.1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuting He
- Laboratory of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongsheng Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No.1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No.1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No.1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No.1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No.1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
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20
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Xu X, Xia T. Recent Advances in Site-Specific Lipid Nanoparticles for mRNA Delivery. ACS NANOSCIENCE AU 2023; 3:192-203. [PMID: 37360845 PMCID: PMC10288611 DOI: 10.1021/acsnanoscienceau.2c00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The success of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly accelerated the development of mRNA therapy. mRNA is a negatively charged nucleic acid that serves as a template for protein synthesis in the ribosome. Despite its utility, the instability of mRNA requires suitable carriers for in vivo delivery. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are employed to protect mRNA from degradation and enhance its intracellular delivery. To further optimize the therapeutic efficacy of mRNA, site-specific LNPs have been developed. Through local or systemic administration, these site-specific LNPs can accumulate in specific organs, tissues, or cells, allowing for the intracellular delivery of mRNA to specific cells and enabling the exertion of local or systemic therapeutic effects. This not only improves the efficiency of mRNA therapy but also reduces off-target adverse effects. In this review, we summarize recent site-specific mRNA delivery strategies, including different organ- or tissue-specific LNP after local injection, and organ-specific or cell-specific LNP after intravenous injection. We also provide an outlook on the prospects of mRNA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Xu
- Division
of NanoMedicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Tian Xia
- Division
of NanoMedicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- California
NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
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21
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Park H, Lee EJ, Moon D, Yun H, Cha A, Hwang I, Kim HS. Discovery of 3,7-dimethoxyflavone that inhibits liver fibrosis based on dual mechanisms of antioxidant and inhibitor of activated hepatic stellate cell. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 204:195-206. [PMID: 37146699 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The important pathway toward liver fibrosis is the TGF-β1-induced activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). To discover chemicals to inhibit liver fibrosis, we screened 3000 chemicals using cell array system where human HSCs line LX2 cells are activated with TGF-β1. We discovered 3,7-dimethoxyflavone (3,7-DMF) as a chemical to inhibit TGF-β1-induced activation of HSCs. In the thioacetamide (TAA)-induced mouse liver fibrosis model, 3,7-DMF treatment via intraperitoneal or oral administration prevented liver fibrosis as well as reversed the established fibrosis in the separate experiments. It also reduced liver enzyme elevation, suggesting protective effect on hepatocytes because it has antioxidant effect. Treatment with 3,7-DMF induced antioxidant genes, quenches ROS away, and improved the hepatocyte condition that was impaired by H2O2 as reflected by restoration of HNF-4α and albumin. In the TAA-mouse liver injury model also, TAA significantly increased ROS in the liver which led to decrease of albumin and nuclear expression of HNF-4α, increase of TGF-β1 and hepatocytes death, accumulation of lipid, and extra-nuclear localization of HMGB1. Treatment of 3,7-DMF normalized all these pathologic findings and prevented or resolved liver fibrosis. In conclusion, we discovered 3,7-DMF that inhibits liver fibrosis based on dual actions; antioxidant and inhibitor of TGF-β1-induced activation of HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyomin Park
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eun Ju Lee
- Interdisciplinary Program in Stem Cell Biology, Seoul National University of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dodam Moon
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyunji Yun
- Interdisciplinary Program in Stem Cell Biology, Seoul National University of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Areum Cha
- Interdisciplinary Program in Stem Cell Biology, Seoul National University of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Injoo Hwang
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyo-Soo Kim
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea; Interdisciplinary Program in Stem Cell Biology, Seoul National University of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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22
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Abstract
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 α (HNF4α) is a highly conserved member of the nuclear receptor superfamily expressed at high levels in the liver, kidney, pancreas, and gut. In the liver, HNF4α is exclusively expressed in hepatocytes, where it is indispensable for embryonic and postnatal liver development and for normal liver function in adults. It is considered a master regulator of hepatic differentiation because it regulates a significant number of genes involved in hepatocyte-specific functions. Loss of HNF4α expression and function is associated with the progression of chronic liver disease. Further, HNF4α is a target of chemical-induced liver injury. In this review, we discuss the role of HNF4α in liver pathophysiology and highlight its potential use as a therapeutic target for liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Dakota R Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
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23
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Hu S, Cao C, Poddar M, Delgado E, Singh S, Singh-Varma A, Stolz DB, Bell A, Monga SP. Hepatocyte β-catenin loss is compensated by Insulin-mTORC1 activation to promote liver regeneration. Hepatology 2023; 77:1593-1611. [PMID: 35862186 PMCID: PMC9859954 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Liver regeneration (LR) following partial hepatectomy (PH) occurs via activation of various signaling pathways. Disruption of a single pathway can be compensated by activation of another pathway to continue LR. The Wnt-β-catenin pathway is activated early during LR and conditional hepatocyte loss of β-catenin delays LR. Here, we study mechanism of LR in the absence of hepatocyte-β-catenin. APPROACH AND RESULTS Eight-week-old hepatocyte-specific Ctnnb1 knockout mice (β-catenin ΔHC ) were subjected to PH. These animals exhibited decreased hepatocyte proliferation at 40-120 h and decreased cumulative 14-day BrdU labeling of <40%, but all mice survived, suggesting compensation. Insulin-mediated mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) activation was uniquely identified in the β-catenin ΔHC mice at 72-96 h after PH. Deletion of hepatocyte regulatory-associated protein of mTOR (Raptor), a critical mTORC1 partner, in the β-catenin ΔHC mice led to progressive hepatic injury and mortality by 30 dys. PH on early stage nonmorbid Raptor ΔHC -β-catenin ΔHC mice led to lethality by 12 h. Raptor ΔHC mice showed progressive hepatic injury and spontaneous LR with β-catenin activation but died by 40 days. PH on early stage nonmorbid Raptor ΔHC mice was lethal by 48 h. Temporal inhibition of insulin receptor and mTORC1 in β-catenin ΔHC or controls after PH was achieved by administration of linsitinib at 48 h or rapamycin at 60 h post-PH and completely prevented LR leading to lethality by 12-14 days. CONCLUSIONS Insulin-mTORC1 activation compensates for β-catenin loss to enable LR after PH. mTORC1 signaling in hepatocytes itself is critical to both homeostasis and LR and is only partially compensated by β-catenin activation. Dual inhibition of β-catenin and mTOR may have notable untoward hepatotoxic side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikai Hu
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Catherine Cao
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Minakshi Poddar
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Evan Delgado
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Sucha Singh
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Anya Singh-Varma
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Donna Beer Stolz
- Center for Biologic Imaging, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Aaron Bell
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Satdarshan P. Monga
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
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24
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Rizvi F, Lee YR, Diaz-Aragon R, So J, Florentino RM, Smith AR, Everton E, Ostrowska A, Jung K, Tam Y, Muramatsu H, Pardi N, Weissman D, Soto-Gutierrez A, Shin D, Gouon-Evans V. VEGFA mRNA-LNP promotes biliary epithelial cell-to-hepatocyte conversion in acute and chronic liver diseases and reverses steatosis and fibrosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.17.537186. [PMID: 37131823 PMCID: PMC10153196 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.17.537186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The liver is known for its remarkable regenerative ability through proliferation of hepatocytes. Yet, during chronic injury or severe hepatocyte death, proliferation of hepatocytes is exhausted. To overcome this hurdle, we propose vascular-endothelial-growth-factor A (VEGFA) as a therapeutic means to accelerate biliary epithelial cell (BEC)-to-hepatocyte conversion. Investigation in zebrafish establishes that blocking VEGF receptors abrogates BEC-driven liver repair, while VEGFA overexpression promotes it. Delivery of VEGFA via non-integrative and safe nucleoside-modified mRNA encapsulated into lipid-nanoparticles (mRNA-LNP) in acutely or chronically injured mouse livers induces robust BEC-to-hepatocyte conversion and reversion of steatosis and fibrosis. In human and murine diseased livers, we further identified VEGFA-receptor KDR-expressing BECs associated with KDR-expressing cell-derived hepatocytes. This defines KDR-expressing cells, most likely being BECs, as facultative progenitors. This study reveals novel therapeutic benefits of VEGFA delivered via nucleoside-modified mRNA-LNP, whose safety is widely validated with COVID-19 vaccines, for harnessing BEC-driven repair to potentially treat liver diseases. Highlights Complementary mouse and zebrafish models of liver injury demonstrate the therapeutic impact of VEGFA-KDR axis activation to harness BEC-driven liver regeneration.VEGFA mRNA LNPs restore two key features of the chronic liver disease in humans such as steatosis and fibrosis.Identification in human cirrhotic ESLD livers of KDR-expressing BECs adjacent to clusters of KDR+ hepatocytes suggesting their BEC origin.KDR-expressing BECs may represent facultative adult progenitor cells, a unique BEC population that has yet been uncovered.
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25
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Huppert SS, Schwartz RE. Multiple Facets of Cellular Homeostasis and Regeneration of the Mammalian Liver. Annu Rev Physiol 2023; 85:469-493. [PMID: 36270290 PMCID: PMC9918695 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-032822-094134] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Liver regeneration occurs in response to diverse injuries and is capable of functionally reestablishing the lost parenchyma. This phenomenon has been known since antiquity, encapsulated in the Greek myth where Prometheus was to be punished by Zeus for sharing the gift of fire with humanity by having an eagle eat his liver daily, only to have the liver regrow back, thus ensuring eternal suffering and punishment. Today, this process is actively leveraged clinically during living donor liver transplantation whereby up to a two-thirds hepatectomy (resection or removal of part of the liver) on a donor is used for transplant to a recipient. The donor liver rapidly regenerates to recover the lost parenchymal mass to form a functional tissue. This astonishing regenerative process and unique capacity of the liver are examined in further detail in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey S Huppert
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Robert E Schwartz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA;
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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26
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Berasain C, Arechederra M, Argemí J, Fernández-Barrena MG, Avila MA. Loss of liver function in chronic liver disease: An identity crisis. J Hepatol 2023; 78:401-414. [PMID: 36115636 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Adult hepatocyte identity is constructed throughout embryonic development and fine-tuned after birth. A multinodular network of transcription factors, along with pre-mRNA splicing regulators, define the transcriptome, which encodes the proteins needed to perform the complex metabolic and secretory functions of the mature liver. Transient hepatocellular dedifferentiation can occur as part of the regenerative mechanisms triggered in response to acute liver injury. However, persistent downregulation of key identity genes is now accepted as a strong determinant of organ dysfunction in chronic liver disease, a major global health burden. Therefore, the identification of core transcription factors and splicing regulators that preserve hepatocellular phenotype, and a thorough understanding of how these networks become disrupted in diseased hepatocytes, is of high clinical relevance. In this context, we review the key players in liver differentiation and discuss in detail critical factors, such as HNF4α, whose impairment mediates the breakdown of liver function. Moreover, we present compelling experimental evidence demonstrating that restoration of core transcription factor expression in a chronically injured liver can reset hepatocellular identity, improve function and ameliorate structural abnormalities. The possibility of correcting the phenotype of severely damaged and malfunctional livers may reveal new therapeutic opportunities for individuals with cirrhosis and advanced liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Berasain
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Maria Arechederra
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Josepmaria Argemí
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain; Liver Unit, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite G Fernández-Barrena
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matías A Avila
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.
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27
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Liu SQ, Deng X, Zhu CP, Cui YL, Xie WF, Zhang X. Depletion of Tgfbr2 in hepatocytes alleviates liver fibrosis and restores hepatic function in fibrotic mice. J Dig Dis 2023; 24:39-50. [PMID: 36967587 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.13161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previous studies have demonstrated the pivotal role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling in activating hepatic stellate cells during liver fibrosis. In this study we aimed to demonstrate the effects and underlying mechanism of TGF-β signaling in hepatocytes on hepatic fibrogenesis. METHODS Hepatocyte-specific Tgfbr2-knockout (Tgfbr2HKO ) mice were generated by AAV8-TBG-Cre injection via the tail vein of Tgfbr2f/f mice. CCl4 was injected intraperitoneally twice a week for 4 weeks to establish the fibrotic mouse model. The expression of the fibrogenesis markers was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, western blot, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RNA-seq analysis was used to detect the transcriptional profiles of primary hepatocytes isolated from Tgfbr2HKO mice and control mice. RESULTS The expression of TβR2 (Tgfbr2) was markedly upregulated in hepatocytes of the fibrotic liver. Tgfbr2 depletion in hepatocytes decreased the expressions of profibrogenic markers (Col1a1 and Acta2) in the CCl4 -treated fibrotic liver. RNA-seq analysis revealed that Tgfbr2 deletion in hepatocytes significantly reduced the inflammatory response and suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocytes accompanied by upregulation of the metabolic pathways during liver fibrosis. Moreover, the expressions of hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNFs), including Hnf4α, Foxa1, Foxa2, and Foxa3, which are important for maintaining liver metabolism and homeostasis, were decreased in fibrotic livers and significantly increased after Tgfbr2 blockade. CONCLUSION Blocking the TGF-β signaling pathway in hepatocytes reduces hepatic fibrosis and improves hepatic function in fibrotic livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Qing Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xing Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang Peng Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya Lu Cui
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Fen Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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28
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Transcription networks in liver development and acute liver failure. LIVER RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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29
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Gunewardena S, Huck I, Walesky C, Robarts D, Weinman S, Apte U. Progressive loss of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha activity in chronic liver diseases in humans. Hepatology 2022; 76:372-386. [PMID: 35006629 PMCID: PMC9762158 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) is indispensable for hepatocyte differentiation and critical for maintaining liver health. Here, we demonstrate that loss of HNF4α activity is a crucial step in the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases (CLDs) that lead to development of HCC. APPROACH AND RESULTS We developed an HNF4α target gene signature, which can accurately determine HNF4α activity, and performed an exhaustive in silico analysis using hierarchical and K-means clustering, survival, and rank-order analysis of 30 independent data sets containing over 3500 individual samples. The association of changes in HNF4α activity to CLD progression of various etiologies, including HCV- and HBV-induced liver cirrhosis (LC), NAFLD/NASH, and HCC, was determined. Results revealed a step-wise reduction in HNF4α activity with each progressive stage of pathogenesis. Cluster analysis of LC gene expression data sets using the HNF4α signature showed that loss of HNF4α activity was associated with progression of Child-Pugh class, faster decompensation, incidence of HCC, and lower survival with and without HCC. A moderate decrease in HNF4α activity was observed in NAFLD from normal liver, but a further significant decline was observed in patients from NAFLD to NASH. In HCC, loss of HNF4α activity was associated with advanced disease, increased inflammatory changes, portal vein thrombosis, and substantially lower survival. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, these data indicate that loss of HNF4α function is a common event in the pathogenesis of CLDs leading to HCC and is important from both diagnostic and therapeutic standpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumedha Gunewardena
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Ian Huck
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Chad Walesky
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Dakota Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Steven Weinman
- Department of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
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30
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Faccioli LA, Dias ML, Paranhos BA, dos Santos Goldenberg RC. Liver cirrhosis: An overview of experimental models in rodents. Life Sci 2022; 301:120615. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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31
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Liu A, Han N, Munoz-Muriedas J, Bender A. Deriving time-concordant event cascades from gene expression data: A case study for Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI). PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010148. [PMID: 35687583 PMCID: PMC9292124 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Adverse event pathogenesis is often a complex process which compromises multiple events ranging from the molecular to the phenotypic level. In toxicology, Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) aim to formalize this as temporal sequences of events, in which event relationships should be supported by causal evidence according to the tailored Bradford-Hill criteria. One of the criteria is whether events are consistently observed in a certain temporal order and, in this work, we study this time concordance using the concept of “first activation” as data-driven means to generate hypotheses on potentially causal mechanisms. As a case study, we analysed liver data from repeat-dose studies in rats from the TG-GATEs database which comprises measurements across eight timepoints, ranging from 3 hours to 4 weeks post-treatment. We identified time-concordant gene expression-derived events preceding adverse histopathology, which serves as surrogate readout for Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI). We find known mechanisms in DILI to be time-concordant, and show further that significance, frequency and log fold change (logFC) of differential expression are metrics which can additionally prioritize events although not necessary to be mechanistically relevant. Moreover, we used the temporal order of transcription factor (TF) expression and regulon activity to identify transcriptionally regulated TFs and subsequently combined this with prior knowledge on functional interactions to derive detailed gene-regulatory mechanisms, such as reduced Hnf4a activity leading to decreased expression and activity of Cebpa. At the same time, also potentially novel events are identified such as Sox13 which is highly significantly time-concordant and shows sustained activation over time. Overall, we demonstrate how time-resolved transcriptomics can derive and support mechanistic hypotheses by quantifying time concordance and how this can be combined with prior causal knowledge, with the aim of both understanding mechanisms of toxicity, as well as potential applications to the AOP framework. We make our results available in the form of a Shiny app (https://anikaliu.shinyapps.io/dili_cascades), which allows users to query events of interest in more detail. Understanding mechanisms from systems-scale biological data is of great relevance in toxicology as well as drug discovery; however how to generate causal hypotheses instead of correlations is by no means clear. In this work, we study the conserved temporal order of events and present an automatable framework to quantify and characterize time concordance across a large set of time-series. We apply this concept to events derived from time-resolved gene expression and histopathology from the TG-GATEs in vivo liver data as a case study. We were able to recover known events involved in the pathogenesis of Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI), and identify potentially novel pathway and transcription factors (TFs) which precede adverse histopathology. As complementary sources of evidence for causality, we additionally show how time concordance and prior knowledge on plausible interactions between TFs can be combined to derive causal hypotheses on the TFs’ mode of regulation and interaction partners. Overall, the results derived in our case study can serve as valuable hypothesis-free starting points for the development of Adverse Outcome Pathways for DILI, and demonstrate that our approach provides a novel angle to prioritize mechanistically relevant events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Liu
- Milner Therapeutics Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Systems Modelling and Translational Biology, Data and Computational Sciences, GSK, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Molecular Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (AL); (AB)
| | - Namshik Han
- Milner Therapeutics Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Centre for AI in Medicine, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jordi Munoz-Muriedas
- Systems Modelling and Translational Biology, Data and Computational Sciences, GSK, London, United Kingdom
- Computer-Aided Drug Design, UCB, Slough, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Bender
- Centre for Molecular Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (AL); (AB)
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Dam TV, Toft NI, Grøntved L. Cell-Type Resolved Insights into the Cis-Regulatory Genome of NAFLD. Cells 2022; 11:870. [PMID: 35269495 PMCID: PMC8909044 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050870] [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: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing rapidly, and unmet treatment can result in the development of hepatitis, fibrosis, and liver failure. There are difficulties involved in diagnosing NAFLD early and for this reason there are challenges involved in its treatment. Furthermore, no drugs are currently approved to alleviate complications, a fact which highlights the need for further insight into disease mechanisms. NAFLD pathogenesis is associated with complex cellular changes, including hepatocyte steatosis, immune cell infiltration, endothelial dysfunction, hepatic stellate cell activation, and epithelial ductular reaction. Many of these cellular changes are controlled by dramatic changes in gene expression orchestrated by the cis-regulatory genome and associated transcription factors. Thus, to understand disease mechanisms, we need extensive insights into the gene regulatory mechanisms associated with tissue remodeling. Mapping cis-regulatory regions genome-wide is a step towards this objective and several current and emerging technologies allow detection of accessible chromatin and specific histone modifications in enriched cell populations of the liver, as well as in single cells. Here, we discuss recent insights into the cis-regulatory genome in NAFLD both at the organ-level and in specific cell populations of the liver. Moreover, we highlight emerging technologies that enable single-cell resolved analysis of the cis-regulatory genome of the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lars Grøntved
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark; (T.V.D.); (N.I.T.)
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Higashi H, Yagi H, Kuroda K, Tajima K, Kojima H, Nishi K, Morisaku T, Hirukawa K, Fukuda K, Matsubara K, Kitago M, Shinoda M, Obara H, Adachi S, Nishimura K, Natsume T, Tomi M, Soto-Gutierrez A, Kitagawa Y. Transplantation of bioengineered liver capable of extended function in a preclinical liver failure model. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:731-744. [PMID: 34932270 PMCID: PMC9008767 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Unlimited organ availability would represent a paradigm shift in transplantation. Long-term in vivo engraftment and function of scaled-up bioengineered liver grafts have not been previously reported. In this study, we describe a human-scale transplantable liver graft engineered on a porcine liver-derived scaffold. We repopulated the scaffold parenchyma with primary hepatocytes and the vascular system with endothelial cells. For in vivo functional testing, we performed auxiliary transplantation of the repopulated scaffold in pigs with induced liver failure. It was observed that the auxiliary bioengineered liver graft improved liver function for 28 days and exhibited upregulation of liver-specific genes. This study is the first of its kind to present 28 days of posttransplant evaluation of a bioengineered liver graft using a preclinical large animal model. Furthermore, it provides definitive evidence for the feasibility of engineering human-scale transplantable liver grafts for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisanobu Higashi
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yagi
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohei Kuroda
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuki Tajima
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan,Department of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - Hideaki Kojima
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kotaro Nishi
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshinori Morisaku
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuya Hirukawa
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Fukuda
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Matsubara
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Kitago
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Shinoda
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideaki Obara
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shungo Adachi
- Molecular Profiling Research Center for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Koto, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kumiko Nishimura
- Molecular Profiling Research Center for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Koto, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tohru Natsume
- Molecular Profiling Research Center for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Koto, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Tomi
- Division of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Alejandro Soto-Gutierrez
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA,McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yuko Kitagawa
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
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Di Ciaula A, Bonfrate L, Krawczyk M, Frühbeck G, Portincasa P. Synergistic and Detrimental Effects of Alcohol Intake on Progression of Liver Steatosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052636. [PMID: 35269779 PMCID: PMC8910376 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic liver disease (ALD) are the most common liver disorders worldwide and the major causes of non-viral liver cirrhosis in the general population. In NAFLD, metabolic abnormalities, obesity, and metabolic syndrome are the driving factors for liver damage with no or minimal alcohol consumption. ALD refers to liver damage caused by excess alcohol intake in individuals drinking more than 5 to 10 daily units for years. Although NAFLD and ALD are nosologically considered two distinct entities, they show a continuum and exert synergistic effects on the progression toward liver cirrhosis. The current view is that low alcohol use might also increase the risk of advanced clinical liver disease in NAFLD, whereas metabolic factors increase the risk of cirrhosis among alcohol risk drinkers. Therefore, special interest is now addressed to individuals with metabolic abnormalities who consume small amounts of alcohol or who binge drink, for the role of light-to-moderate alcohol use in fibrosis progression and clinical severity of the liver disease. Evidence shows that in the presence of NAFLD, there is no liver-safe limit of alcohol intake. We discuss the epidemiological and clinical features of NAFLD/ALD, aspects of alcohol metabolism, and mechanisms of damage concerning steatosis, fibrosis, cumulative effects, and deleterious consequences which include hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Di Ciaula
- Clinica Medica “Augusto Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School—Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.B.)
| | - Leonilde Bonfrate
- Clinica Medica “Augusto Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School—Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.B.)
| | - Marcin Krawczyk
- Department of Medicine II Saarland University Medical Center, Saarland University, 66424 Homburg, Germany;
- Laboratory of Metabolic Liver Diseases, Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Gema Frühbeck
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), ISCIII, 31009 Pamplona, Spain
- Obesity and Adipobiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31009 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica “Augusto Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School—Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence:
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Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. It refers to a range of liver conditions affecting people who drink little or no alcohol. NAFLD comprises non-alcoholic fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the more aggressive form of NAFLD. NASH is featured by steatosis, lobular inflammation, hepatocyte injury, and various degrees of fibrosis. Although much progress has been made over the past decades, the pathogenic mechanism of NAFLD remains to be fully elucidated. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) is a nuclear hormone receptor that is highly expressed in hepatocytes. Hepatic HNF4α expression is markedly reduced in NAFLD patients and mouse models of NASH. HNF4α has been shown to regulate bile acid, lipid, glucose, and drug metabolism. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of NAFLD with a focus on the regulation of HNF4α and the role of hepatic HNF4α in NAFLD. Several lines of evidence have shown that hepatic HNF4α plays a key role in the initiation and progression of NAFLD. Recent data suggest that hepatic HNF4α may be a promising target for treatment of NAFLD.
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Yang T, Poenisch M, Khanal R, Hu Q, Dai Z, Li R, Song G, Yuan Q, Yao Q, Shen X, Taubert R, Engel B, Jaeckel E, Vogel A, Falk CS, Schambach A, Gerovska D, Araúzo-Bravo MJ, Vondran FWR, Cantz T, Horscroft N, Balakrishnan A, Chevessier F, Ott M, Sharma AD. Therapeutic HNF4A mRNA attenuates liver fibrosis in a preclinical model. J Hepatol 2021; 75:1420-1433. [PMID: 34453962 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Therapeutic targeting of injuries that require transient restoration of proteins by mRNA delivery is an attractive approach that, until recently, has remained poorly explored. In this study, we examined the therapeutic utility of mRNA delivery for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Specifically, we aimed to demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of human hepatocyte nuclear factor alpha (HNF4A) mRNA in mouse models of fibrosis and cirrhosis. METHODS We investigated restoration of hepatocyte functions by HNF4A mRNA transfection in vitro, and analyzed the attenuation of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in multiple mouse models, by delivering hepatocyte-targeted biodegradable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) encapsulating HNF4A mRNA. To identify potential mechanisms of action, we performed microarray-based gene expression profiling, single-cell RNA sequencing, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. We used primary liver cells and human liver buds for additional functional validation. RESULTS Expression of HNF4A mRNA led to restoration of the metabolic activity of fibrotic primary murine and human hepatocytes in vitro. Repeated in vivo delivery of LNP-encapsulated HNF4A mRNA induced a robust inhibition of fibrogenesis in 4 independent mouse models of hepatotoxin- and cholestasis-induced liver fibrosis. Mechanistically, we discovered that paraoxonase 1 is a direct target of HNF4A and it contributes to HNF4A-mediated attenuation of liver fibrosis via modulation of liver macrophages and hepatic stellate cells. CONCLUSION Collectively, our findings provide the first direct preclinical evidence of the applicability of HNF4A mRNA therapeutics for the treatment of fibrosis in the liver. LAY SUMMARY Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis remain unmet medical needs and contribute to high mortality worldwide. Herein, we take advantage of a promising therapeutic approach to treat liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. We demonstrate that restoration of a key gene, HNF4A, via mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles decreased injury in multiple mouse models of fibrosis and cirrhosis. Our study provides proof-of-concept that mRNA therapy is a promising strategy for reversing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taihua Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Research Group Liver Regeneration, REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Present address of TY, Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, , China
| | | | - Rajendra Khanal
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Research Group Liver Regeneration, REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Qingluan Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Zhen Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Research Group Liver Regeneration, REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ruomeng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Research Group Liver Regeneration, REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Guangqi Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qinggong Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Qunyan Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xizhong Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Richard Taubert
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bastian Engel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Elmar Jaeckel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Arndt Vogel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine S Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Daniela Gerovska
- Group of Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Marcos J Araúzo-Bravo
- Group of Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastián, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Florian W R Vondran
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery Regenerative Medicine and Experimental Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig Hannover, Germany
| | - Tobias Cantz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nigel Horscroft
- CureVac AG, Tübingen, Germany; Present address of NH, MRM Health NV Technologie park-Zwijnaarde 94, 9052 Gent, Belgium
| | - Asha Balakrishnan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Michael Ott
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Amar Deep Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Research Group Liver Regeneration, REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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Nkx2.9 Contributes to Mid-Hindbrain Patterning by Regulation of mdDA Neuronal Cell-Fate and Repression of a Hindbrain-Specific Cell-Fate. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312663. [PMID: 34884468 PMCID: PMC8658040 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312663] [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: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nkx2.9 is a member of the NK homeobox family and resembles Nkx2.2 both in homology and expression pattern. However, while Nkx2.2 is required for development of serotonergic neurons, the role of Nkx2.9 in the mid-hindbrain region is still ill-defined. We have previously shown that Nkx2.9 expression is downregulated upon loss of En1 during development. Here, we determined whether mdDA neurons require Nkx2.9 during their development. We show that Nkx2.9 is strongly expressed in the IsO and in the VZ and SVZ of the embryonic midbrain, and the majority of mdDA neurons expressed Nkx2.9 during their development. Although the expression of Dat and Cck are slightly affected during development, the overall development and cytoarchitecture of TH-expressing neurons is not affected in the adult Nkx2.9-depleted midbrain. Transcriptome analysis at E14.5 indicated that genes involved in mid- and hindbrain development are affected by Nkx2.9-ablation, such as Wnt8b and Tph2. Although the expression of Tph2 extends more rostral into the isthmic area in the Nkx2.9 mutants, the establishment of the IsO is not affected. Taken together, these data point to a minor role for Nkx2.9 in mid-hindbrain patterning by repressing a hindbrain-specific cell-fate in the IsO and by subtle regulation of mdDA neuronal subset specification.
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Tafaleng EN, Mukherjee A, Bell A, Morita K, Guzman-Lepe J, Haep N, Florentino RM, Diaz-Aragon R, Frau C, Ostrowska A, Schultz JR, Martini PGV, Soto-Gutierrez A, Fox IJ. Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 alpha 2 Messenger RNA Reprograms Liver-Enriched Transcription Factors and Functional Proteins in End-Stage Cirrhotic Human Hepatocytes. Hepatol Commun 2021; 5:1911-1926. [PMID: 34558820 PMCID: PMC8557308 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The only definitive therapy for end-stage liver disease is whole-organ transplantation. The success of this intervention is severely limited by the complexity of the surgery, the cost of patient care, the need for long-term immunosuppression, and the shortage of donor organs. In rodents and humans, end-stage degeneration of hepatocyte function is associated with disruption of the liver-specific transcriptional network and a nearly complete loss of promoter P1-driven hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha (P1-HNF4α) activity. Re-expression of HNF4α2, the predominant P1-HNF4α, reinstates the transcriptional network, normalizes the genes important for hepatocyte function, and reverses liver failure in rodents. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of supplementary expression of human HNF4α2 messenger RNA (mRNA) in primary human hepatocytes isolated from explanted livers of patients who underwent transplant for end-stage irreversibly decompensated liver failure (Child-Pugh B, C) resulting from alcohol-mediated cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Re-expression of HNF4α2 in decompensated cirrhotic human hepatocytes corrects the disrupted transcriptional network and normalizes the expression of genes important for hepatocyte function, improving liver-specific protein expression. End-stage liver disease in humans is associated with both loss of P1-HNF4α expression and failure of its localization to the nucleus. We found that while HNF4α2 re-expression increased the amount of P1-HNF4α protein in hepatocytes, it did not alter the ability of hepatocytes to localize P1-HNF4α to their nuclei. Conclusion: Re-expression of HNF4α2 mRNA in livers of patients with end-stage disease may be an effective therapy for terminal liver failure that would circumvent the need for organ transplantation. The efficacy of this strategy may be enhanced by discovering the cause for loss of nuclear P1-HNF4α localization in end-stage cirrhosis, a process not found in rodent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar N Tafaleng
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Amitava Mukherjee
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Aaron Bell
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
| | - Kazutoyo Morita
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Jorge Guzman-Lepe
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Nils Haep
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Rodrigo M Florentino
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Ricardo Diaz-Aragon
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Carla Frau
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Alina Ostrowska
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
| | | | | | - Alejandro Soto-Gutierrez
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA.,McGowan Institute for Regenerative MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Ira J Fox
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA.,McGowan Institute for Regenerative MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
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Gárate-Rascón M, Recalde M, Jimenez M, Elizalde M, Azkona M, Uriarte I, Latasa MU, Urtasun R, Bilbao I, Sangro B, Garcia-Ruiz C, Fernandez-Checa JC, Corrales FJ, Esquivel A, Pineda-Lucena A, Fernández-Barrena MG, Ávila MA, Arechederra M, Berasain C. Splicing Factor SLU7 Prevents Oxidative Stress-Mediated Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α Degradation, Preserving Hepatic Differentiation and Protecting From Liver Damage. Hepatology 2021; 74:2791-2807. [PMID: 34170569 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatocellular dedifferentiation is emerging as an important determinant in liver disease progression. Preservation of mature hepatocyte identity relies on a set of key genes, predominantly the transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) but also splicing factors like SLU7. How these factors interact and become dysregulated and the impact of their impairment in driving liver disease are not fully understood. APPROACH AND RESULTS Expression of SLU7 and that of the adult and oncofetal isoforms of HNF4α, driven by its promoter 1 (P1) and P2, respectively, was studied in diseased human and mouse livers. Hepatic function and damage response were analyzed in wild-type and Slu7-haploinsufficient/heterozygous (Slu7+/- ) mice undergoing chronic (CCl4 ) and acute (acetaminophen) injury. SLU7 expression was restored in CCl4 -injured mice using SLU7-expressing adeno-associated viruses (AAV-SLU7). The hepatocellular SLU7 interactome was characterized by mass spectrometry. Reduced SLU7 expression in human and mouse diseased livers correlated with a switch in HNF4α P1 to P2 usage. This response was reproduced in Slu7+/- mice, which displayed increased sensitivity to chronic and acute liver injury, enhanced oxidative stress, and marked impairment of hepatic functions. AAV-SLU7 infection prevented liver injury and hepatocellular dedifferentiation. Mechanistically we demonstrate a unique role for SLU7 in the preservation of HNF4α1 protein stability through its capacity to protect the liver against oxidative stress. SLU7 is herein identified as a key component of the stress granule proteome, an essential part of the cell's antioxidant machinery. CONCLUSIONS Our results place SLU7 at the highest level of hepatocellular identity control, identifying SLU7 as a link between stress-protective mechanisms and liver differentiation. These findings emphasize the importance of the preservation of hepatic functions in the protection from liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miriam Recalde
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maddalen Jimenez
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - María Elizalde
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - María Azkona
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iker Uriarte
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Uxue Latasa
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Raquel Urtasun
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Idoia Bilbao
- Hepatology Unit, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Bruno Sangro
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Hepatology Unit, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carmen Garcia-Ruiz
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain.,Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS and CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José C Fernandez-Checa
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain.,Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS and CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando J Corrales
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Functional Proteomics Laboratory, National Center for Biotechnology, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Argitxu Esquivel
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Maite G Fernández-Barrena
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matías A Ávila
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - María Arechederra
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carmen Berasain
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
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40
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Hu S, Russell JO, Liu S, Cao C, McGaughey J, Rai R, Kosar K, Tao J, Hurley E, Poddar M, Singh S, Bell A, Shin D, Raeman R, Singhi AD, Nejak-Bowen K, Ko S, Monga SP. β-Catenin-NF-κB-CFTR interactions in cholangiocytes regulate inflammation and fibrosis during ductular reaction. eLife 2021; 10:71310. [PMID: 34609282 PMCID: PMC8555990 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Expansion of biliary epithelial cells (BECs) during ductular reaction (DR) is observed in liver diseases including cystic fibrosis (CF), and associated with inflammation and fibrosis, albeit without complete understanding of underlying mechanism. Using two different genetic mouse knockouts of β-catenin, one with β-catenin loss is hepatocytes and BECs (KO1), and another with loss in only hepatocytes (KO2), we demonstrate disparate long-term repair after an initial injury by 2-week choline-deficient ethionine-supplemented diet. KO2 show gradual liver repopulation with BEC-derived β-catenin-positive hepatocytes and resolution of injury. KO1 showed persistent loss of β-catenin, NF-κB activation in BECs, progressive DR and fibrosis, reminiscent of CF histology. We identify interactions of β-catenin, NFκB, and CF transmembranous conductance regulator (CFTR) in BECs. Loss of CFTR or β-catenin led to NF-κB activation, DR, and inflammation. Thus, we report a novel β-catenin-NFκB-CFTR interactome in BECs, and its disruption may contribute to hepatic pathology of CF. The liver has an incredible capacity to repair itself or ‘regenerate’ – that is, it has the ability to replace damaged tissue with new tissue. In order to do this, the organ relies on hepatocytes (the cells that form the liver) and bile duct cells (the cells that form the biliary ducts) dividing and transforming into each other to repair and replace damaged tissue, in case the insult is dire. During long-lasting or chronic liver injury, bile duct cells undergo a process called ‘ductular reaction’, which causes the cells to multiply and produce proteins that stimulate inflammation, and can lead to liver scarring (fibrosis). Ductular reaction is a hallmark of severe liver disease, and different diseases exhibit ductular reactions with distinct features. For example, in cystic fibrosis, a unique type of ductular reaction occurs at late stages, accompanied by both inflammation and fibrosis. Despite the role that ductular reaction plays in liver disease, it is not well understood how it works at the molecular level. Hu et al. set out to investigate how a protein called β-catenin – which can cause many types of cells to proliferate – is involved in ductular reaction. They used three types of mice for their experiments: wild-type mice, which were not genetically modified; and two strains of genetically modified mice. One of these mutant mice did not produce β-catenin in biliary duct cells, while the other lacked β-catenin both in biliary duct cells and in hepatocytes. After a short liver injury – which Hu et al. caused by feeding the mice a specific diet – the wild-type mice were able to regenerate and repair the liver without exhibiting any ductular reaction. The mutant mice that lacked β-catenin in hepatocytes showed a temporary ductular reaction, and ultimately repaired their livers by turning bile duct cells into hepatocytes. On the other hand, the mutant mice lacking β-catenin in both hepatocytes and bile duct cells displayed sustained ductular reactions, inflammation and fibrosis, which looked like that seen in patients with liver disease associated to cystic fibrosis. Further probing showed that β-catenin interacts with a protein called CTFR, which is involved in cystic fibrosis. When bile duct cells lack either of these proteins, another protein called NF-B gets activated, which causes the ductular reaction, leading to inflammation and fibrosis. The findings of Hu et al. shed light on the role of β-catenin in ductular reaction. Further, the results show a previously unknown interaction between β-catenin, CTFR and NF-B, which could lead to better treatments for cystic fibrosis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikai Hu
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Jacquelyn O Russell
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Silvia Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States.,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Catherine Cao
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Jackson McGaughey
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Ravi Rai
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Karis Kosar
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Junyan Tao
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Edward Hurley
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Minakshi Poddar
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Sucha Singh
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Aaron Bell
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Donghun Shin
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States.,Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Reben Raeman
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States.,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Aatur D Singhi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States.,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Kari Nejak-Bowen
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States.,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Sungjin Ko
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States.,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Satdarshan P Monga
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States.,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, United States
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41
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Diaz-Aragon R, Coard MC, Amirneni S, Faccioli L, Haep N, Malizio MR, Motomura T, Kocas-Kilicarslan ZN, Ostrowska A, Florentino RM, Frau C. Therapeutic Potential of HNF4α in End-stage Liver Disease. Organogenesis 2021; 17:126-135. [PMID: 35114889 DOI: 10.1080/15476278.2021.1994273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of end-stage liver disease (ESLD) in the US is increasing at an alarming rate. It can be caused by several factors; however, one of the most common routes begins with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). ESLD is diagnosed by the presence of irreversible damage to the liver. Currently, the only definitive treatment for ESLD is orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Nevertheless, OLT is limited due to a shortage of donor livers. Several promising alternative treatment options are under investigation. Researchers have focused on the effect of liver-enriched transcription factors (LETFs) on disease progression. Specifically, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha (HNF4α) has been reported to reset the liver transcription network and possibly play a role in the regression of fibrosis and cirrhosis. In this review, we describe the function of HNF4α, along with its regulation at various levels. In addition, we summarize the role of HNF4α in ESLD and its potential as a therapeutic target in the treatment of ESLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Diaz-Aragon
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael C Coard
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sriram Amirneni
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lanuza Faccioli
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nils Haep
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michelle R Malizio
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Takashi Motomura
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Alina Ostrowska
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rodrigo M Florentino
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Carla Frau
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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42
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Haep N, Florentino RM, Squires JE, Bell A, Soto-Gutierrez A. The Inside-Out of End-Stage Liver Disease: Hepatocytes are the Keystone. Semin Liver Dis 2021; 41:213-224. [PMID: 33992030 PMCID: PMC8996333 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1725023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Chronic liver injury results in cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease (ESLD) which represents a leading cause of death worldwide, affecting people in their most productive years of life. Medical therapy can extend life, but the only definitive treatment is liver transplantation (LT). However, LT remains limited by access to quality donor organs and suboptimal long-term outcomes. The degeneration from healthy-functioning livers to cirrhosis and ESLD involves a dynamic process of hepatocyte damage, diminished hepatic function, and adaptation. However, the mechanisms responsible for deterioration of hepatocyte function and ultimately hepatic failure in man are poorly understood. We review the current understanding of cirrhosis and ESLD as a dynamic process and outline the current mechanisms associated with the development of hepatic failure from the clinical manifestations to energy adaptations, regeneration, and regulation of nuclear transcription factors. A new generation of therapeutics could target stabilization of hepatocyte differentiation and function to avoid the need for transplantation in patients with cirrhosis and ESLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Haep
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - James E. Squires
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Aaron Bell
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Alejandro Soto-Gutierrez
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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43
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Fallowfield JA, Jimenez-Ramos M, Robertson A. Emerging synthetic drugs for the treatment of liver cirrhosis. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2021; 26:149-163. [PMID: 33856246 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2021.1918099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The number of deaths and prevalent cases of cirrhosis are increasing worldwide, but there are no licensed antifibrotic or pro-regenerative medicines and liver transplantation is a limited resource. Cirrhosis is characterized by extreme liver fibrosis, organ dysfunction, and complications related to portal hypertension. Advances in our understanding of liver fibrosis progression and regression following successful etiological therapy betray vulnerabilities in common and disease-specific mechanisms that could be targeted pharmacologically.Area covered: This review summarizes the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of cirrhosis as a preface to discussion of the current drug development landscape. The dominant indication for global pharma R&D pipelines is cirrhosis related to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We searched Clinicaltrials.gov, GlobalData, Pharmaprojects and PubMed for pertinent information on emerging synthetic drugs for cirrhosis, with a focus on compounds listed in phase 2 and phase 3 trials.Expert opinion: Although cirrhosis can regress following successful etiological treatment, there are no specific antifibrotic or pro-regenerative drugs approved for this condition. Obstacles to drug development in cirrhosis include intrinsic biological factors, a heterogeneous patient population, and lack of acceptable surrogate endpoints. Nevertheless, several synthetic drugs are being evaluated in clinical trials and the NASH field is rapidly embracing a drug combination approach.
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44
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Rockey DC, Friedman SL. Fibrosis Regression After Eradication of Hepatitis C Virus: From Bench to Bedside. Gastroenterology 2021; 160:1502-1520.e1. [PMID: 33529675 PMCID: PMC8601597 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.09.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its complications have been the major cause of cirrhosis and its complications for several decades in the Western world. Until recently, treatment for HCV with interferon-based regimens was associated with moderate success but was difficult to tolerate. More recently, however, an arsenal of novel and highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs has transformed the landscape by curing HCV in a broad range of patients, including those with established advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, comorbidities, and even those with complications of cirrhosis. Fibrosis is a dynamic process comprising both extracellular matrix deposition, as well as its degradation. With almost universal sustained virologic response (SVR) (ie, elimination of HCV), it is timely to explore whether HCV eradication can reverse fibrosis and cirrhosis. Indeed, fibrosis in several types of liver disease is reversible, including HCV. However, we do not know with certainty in whom fibrosis regression can be expected after HCV elimination, how quickly it occurs, and whether antifibrotic therapies will be indicated in those with persistent cirrhosis. This review summarizes the evidence for reversibility of fibrosis and cirrhosis after HCV eradication, its impact on clinical outcomes, and therapeutic prospects for directly promoting fibrosis regression in patients whose fibrosis persists after SVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don C Rockey
- The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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45
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Chembazhi UV, Bangru S, Hernaez M, Kalsotra A. Cellular plasticity balances the metabolic and proliferation dynamics of a regenerating liver. Genome Res 2021; 31:576-591. [PMID: 33649154 DOI: 10.1101/2020.05.29.124263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The adult liver has an exceptional ability to regenerate, but how it maintains its specialized functions during regeneration is unclear. Here, we used partial hepatectomy (PHx) in tandem with single-cell transcriptomics to track cellular transitions and heterogeneities of ∼22,000 liver cells through the initiation, progression, and termination phases of mouse liver regeneration. Our results uncovered that, following PHx, a subset of hepatocytes transiently reactivates an early-postnatal-like gene expression program to proliferate, while a distinct population of metabolically hyperactive cells appears to compensate for any temporary deficits in liver function. Cumulative EdU labeling and immunostaining of metabolic, portal, and central vein-specific markers revealed that hepatocyte proliferation after PHx initiates in the midlobular region before proceeding toward the periportal and pericentral areas. We further demonstrate that portal and central vein proximal hepatocytes retain their metabolically active state to preserve essential liver functions while midlobular cells proliferate nearby. Through combined analysis of gene regulatory networks and cell-cell interaction maps, we found that regenerating hepatocytes redeploy key developmental regulons, which are guided by extensive ligand-receptor-mediated signaling events between hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells. Altogether, our study offers a detailed blueprint of the intercellular crosstalk and cellular reprogramming that balances the metabolic and proliferative requirements of a regenerating liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ullas V Chembazhi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Sushant Bangru
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Cancer Center@Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Mikel Hernaez
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| | - Auinash Kalsotra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Cancer Center@Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
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46
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Huang WJ, Zhou X, Fu GB, Ding M, Wu HP, Zeng M, Zhang HD, Xu LY, Gao Y, Wang HY, Yan HX. The combined induction of liver progenitor cells and the suppression of stellate cells by small molecules reverts chronic hepatic dysfunction. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:5539-5552. [PMID: 33859762 PMCID: PMC8039967 DOI: 10.7150/thno.54457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: We developed a cocktail of soluble molecules mimicking the in vivo milieu supporting liver regeneration that could convert mature hepatocytes to expandable liver progenitor-like cells in vitro. This study aimed to induce endogenous liver progenitor cells by the administration of the soluble molecules to provide an alternative approach for the resolution of liver fibrosis. Methods: In vitro cultured hepatocyte-derived liver progenitor-like cells (HepLPCs) were transplanted into CCL4-treated mice to investigate the therapeutic effect against liver fibrosis. Next, we used HGF in combination with a cocktail of small molecules (Y-27632, A-83-01, and CHIR99021 (HACY)) to induce endogenous CD24+ liver progenitor cells and to inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) during CCL4-induced hepatic injury. RNA sequencing was performed to further clarify the features of HACY-induced CD24+ cells compared with CCL4-induced CD24+ cells and in vitro derived HepLPCs. Finally, we evaluated the expansion of HACY-induced CD24+ cells in human hepatocyte-spheroids from fibrotic liver tissues. Results: HepLPCs exhibited the capacity to alleviate liver fibrosis after transplantation into CCL4-treated mice. The in vivo administration of HACY not only induced the conversion of mature hepatocytes (MHs) to CD24+ progenitor cells but prevented the activation of HSCs, thus leading to enhanced improvement of liver fibrosis in CCL4-treated mice. Compared to CD24+ cells induced by CCL4 alone, HACY-induced CD24+ cells retained an enhanced level of hepatic function and could promote the restoration of liver function that exhibited comparable gene expression profiles with HepLPCs. CD24+ cells were also observed in human liver fibrotic tissues and were expanded in three-dimensional (3D) hepatic spheroids in the presence of HACY in vitro. Conclusions: Hepatocyte-derived liver progenitor-like cells are crucial for liver regeneration during chronic hepatic injuries. The administration of HACY, which allowed the induction of endogenous CD24+ progenitor cells and the inactivation of HSCs, exerts beneficial effects in the treatment of liver fibrosis by re-establishing a balance favoring liver regeneration while preventing fibrotic responses.
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47
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Pradhan-Sundd T, Liu S, Singh S, Poddar M, Ko S, Bell A, Franks J, Huck I, Stolz D, Apte U, Ranganathan S, Nejak-Bowen K, Monga SP. Dual β-Catenin and γ-Catenin Loss in Hepatocytes Impacts Their Polarity through Altered Transforming Growth Factor-β and Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α Signaling. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:885-901. [PMID: 33662348 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocytes are highly polarized epithelia. Loss of hepatocyte polarity is associated with various liver diseases, including cholestasis. However, the molecular underpinnings of hepatocyte polarization remain poorly understood. Loss of β-catenin at adherens junctions is compensated by γ-catenin and dual loss of both catenins in double knockouts (DKOs) in mice liver leads to progressive intrahepatic cholestasis. However, the clinical relevance of this observation, and further phenotypic characterization of the phenotype, is important. Herein, simultaneous loss of β-catenin and γ-catenin was identified in a subset of liver samples from patients of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Hepatocytes in DKO mice exhibited defects in apical-basolateral localization of polarity proteins, impaired bile canaliculi formation, and loss of microvilli. Loss of polarity in DKO livers manifested as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, increased hepatocyte proliferation, and suppression of hepatocyte differentiation, which was associated with up-regulation of transforming growth factor-β signaling and repression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α expression and activity. In conclusion, concomitant loss of the two catenins in the liver may play a pathogenic role in subsets of cholangiopathies. The findings also support a previously unknown role of β-catenin and γ-catenin in the maintenance of hepatocyte polarity. Improved understanding of the regulation of hepatocyte polarization processes by β-catenin and γ-catenin may potentially benefit development of new therapies for cholestasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirthadipa Pradhan-Sundd
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| | - Silvia Liu
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sucha Singh
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Minakshi Poddar
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sungjin Ko
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Aaron Bell
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jonathan Franks
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ian Huck
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Donna Stolz
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Sarangarajan Ranganathan
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kari Nejak-Bowen
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Satdarshan P Monga
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Serum transferrin as a biomarker of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha activity and hepatocyte function in liver diseases. BMC Med 2021; 19:39. [PMID: 33593348 PMCID: PMC7887823 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-021-01917-6] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serum transferrin levels represent an independent predictor of mortality in patients with liver failure. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) is a master regulator of hepatocyte functions. The aim of this study was to explore whether serum transferrin reflects HNF4α activity. METHODS Factors regulating transferrin expression in alcoholic hepatitis (AH) were assessed via transcriptomic/methylomic analysis as well as chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to DNA sequencing. The findings were corroborated in primary hepatocytes. Serum and liver samples from 40 patients with advanced liver disease of multiple etiologies were also studied. RESULTS In patients with advanced liver disease, serum transferrin levels correlated with hepatic transferrin expression (r = 0.51, p = 0.01). Immunohistochemical and biochemical tests confirmed reduced HNF4α and transferrin protein levels in individuals with cirrhosis. In AH, hepatic gene-gene correlation analysis in liver transcriptome revealed an enrichment of HNF4α signature in transferrin-correlated transcriptome while transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) negatively associated with transferrin signature. A key regulatory region in transferrin promoter was hypermethylated in patients with AH. In primary hepatocytes, treatment with TGFβ1 or the HNF4α inhibitor BI6015 suppressed transferrin production, while exposure to TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 had no effect. The correlation between hepatic HNF4A and transferrin mRNA levels was also seen in advanced liver disease. CONCLUSIONS Serum transferrin levels constitute a prognostic and mechanistic biomarker. Consequently, they may serve as a surrogate of impaired hepatic HNF4α signaling and liver failure.
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Deguise MO, Pileggi C, De Repentigny Y, Beauvais A, Tierney A, Chehade L, Michaud J, Llavero-Hurtado M, Lamont D, Atrih A, Wishart TM, Gillingwater TH, Schneider BL, Harper ME, Parson SH, Kothary R. SMN Depleted Mice Offer a Robust and Rapid Onset Model of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 12:354-377.e3. [PMID: 33545428 PMCID: PMC8257458 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered a health epidemic with potential devastating effects on the patients and the healthcare systems. Current preclinical models of NAFLD are invariably imperfect and generally take a long time to develop. A mouse model of survival motor neuron (SMN) depletion (Smn2B/- mice) was recently shown to develop significant hepatic steatosis in less than 2 weeks from birth. The rapid onset of fatty liver in Smn2B/- mice provides an opportunity to identify molecular markers of NAFLD. Here, we investigated whether Smn2B/- mice display typical features of NAFLD/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS Biochemical, histologic, electron microscopy, proteomic, and high-resolution respirometry were used. RESULTS The Smn2B/- mice develop microvesicular steatohepatitis within 2 weeks, a feature prevented by AAV9-SMN gene therapy. Although fibrosis is not overtly apparent in histologic sections of the liver, there is molecular evidence of fibrogenesis and presence of stellate cell activation. The consequent liver damage arises from mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and results in hepatic dysfunction in protein output, complement, coagulation, iron homeostasis, and insulin-like growth factor-1 metabolism. The NAFLD phenotype is likely due to non-esterified fatty acid overload from peripheral lipolysis subsequent to hyperglucagonemia compounded by reduced muscle use and insulin resistance. Despite the low hepatic mitochondrial content, isolated mitochondria show enhanced β-oxidation, likely as a compensatory response, resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species. In contrast to typical NAFLD/NASH, the Smn2B/- mice lose weight because of their associated neurological condition (spinal muscular atrophy) and develop hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS The Smn2B/- mice represent a good model of microvesicular steatohepatitis. Like other models, it is not representative of the complete NAFLD/NASH spectrum. Nevertheless, it offers a reliable, low-cost, early-onset model that is not dependent on diet to identify molecular players in NAFLD pathogenesis and can serve as one of the very few models of microvesicular steatohepatitis for both adult and pediatric populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Olivier Deguise
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chantal Pileggi
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yves De Repentigny
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ariane Beauvais
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexandra Tierney
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lucia Chehade
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean Michaud
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maica Llavero-Hurtado
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom,The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas Lamont
- FingerPrints Proteomics Facility, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Abdelmadjid Atrih
- FingerPrints Proteomics Facility, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas M. Wishart
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom,The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas H. Gillingwater
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom,College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Bernard L. Schneider
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland,Bertarelli Foundation Gene Therapy Platform, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mary-Ellen Harper
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon H. Parson
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Rashmi Kothary
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Rashmi Kothary, PhD, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1H 8L6. fax: (613) 737-8803.
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50
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Fontes P, Komori J, Lopez R, Marsh W, Lagasse E. Development of Ectopic Livers by Hepatocyte Transplantation Into Swine Lymph Nodes. Liver Transpl 2020; 26:1629-1643. [PMID: 32810371 PMCID: PMC7756213 DOI: 10.1002/lt.25872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Orthotopic liver transplantation continues to be the only effective therapy for patients with end-stage liver disease. Unfortunately, many of these patients are not considered transplant candidates, lacking effective therapeutic options that would address both the irreversible progression of their hepatic failure and the control of their portal hypertension. In this prospective study, a swine model was exploited to induce subacute liver failure. Autologous hepatocytes, isolated from the left hepatic lobe, were transplanted into the mesenteric lymph nodes (LNs) by direct cell injection. At 30-60 days after transplantation, hepatocyte engraftment in LNs was successfully identified in all transplanted animals with the degree of ectopic liver mass detected being proportional to the induced native liver injury. These ectopic livers developed within the LNs showed remarkable histologic features of swine hepatic lobules, including the formation of sinusoids and bile ducts. On the basis of our previous tyrosinemic mouse model and the present pig models of induced subacute liver failure, the generation of auxiliary liver tissue using the LNs as hepatocyte engraftment sites represents a potential therapeutic approach to supplement declining hepatic function in the treatment of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Fontes
- WVU MedicineDepartment of SurgerySchool of MedicineWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWV,LyGenesis, Inc.PittsburghPA
| | - Junji Komori
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative MedicineDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPA,Department of SurgeryTakamatsu Red Cross HospitalKagawaJapan
| | - Roberto Lopez
- WVU MedicineDepartment of SurgerySchool of MedicineWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWV,LyGenesis, Inc.PittsburghPA
| | - Wallis Marsh
- WVU MedicineDepartment of SurgerySchool of MedicineWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWV
| | - Eric Lagasse
- LyGenesis, Inc.PittsburghPA,McGowan Institute for Regenerative MedicineDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPA
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