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Braczkowski MJ, Kufel KM, Kulińska J, Czyż DŁ, Dittmann A, Wiertelak M, Młodzik MS, Braczkowski R, Soszyński D. Pleiotropic Action of TGF-Beta in Physiological and Pathological Liver Conditions. Biomedicines 2024; 12:925. [PMID: 38672279 PMCID: PMC11048627 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to review and analyze the pleiotropic effects of TGF-β in physiological and pathological conditions of the liver, with particular emphasis on its role in immune suppression, wound healing, regulation of cell growth and differentiation, and liver cell apoptosis. A literature review was conducted, including 52 studies, comprising review articles, in vitro and in vivo studies, and meta-analyses. Only studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals were included in the analysis. TGF-β is a pleiotropic growth factor that is crucial for the liver, both in physiology and pathophysiology. Although its functions are complex and diverse, TGF-β plays a constant role in immune suppression, wound healing, and the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. In concentrations exceeding the norm, it can induce the apoptosis of liver cells. Increased TGF-β levels are observed in many liver diseases, such as fibrosis, inflammation, and steatosis. TGF-β has been shown to play a key role in many physiological and pathological processes of the liver, and its concentration may be a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker in liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Jakub Braczkowski
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland;
| | - Klaudia Maria Kufel
- Student Scientific Society of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland; (K.M.K.); (J.K.); (A.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Julia Kulińska
- Student Scientific Society of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland; (K.M.K.); (J.K.); (A.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Daniel Łukasz Czyż
- Student Scientific Society of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland; (K.M.K.); (J.K.); (A.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Aleksander Dittmann
- Student Scientific Society of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland; (K.M.K.); (J.K.); (A.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Michał Wiertelak
- Student Scientific Society of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland; (K.M.K.); (J.K.); (A.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Marcin Sławomir Młodzik
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland;
| | | | - Dariusz Soszyński
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, 45040 Opole, Poland;
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87100 Torun, Poland
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2
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Li J, Sato T, Hernández-Tejero M, Beier JI, Sayed K, Benos PV, Wilkey DW, Humar A, Merchant ML, Duarte-Rojo A, Arteel GE. The plasma degradome reflects later development of NASH fibrosis after liver transplant. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9965. [PMID: 37340062 PMCID: PMC10282030 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36867-x] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Although liver transplantation (LT) is an effective therapy for cirrhosis, the risk of post-LT NASH is alarmingly high and is associated with accelerated progression to fibrosis/cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease and decreased survival. Lack of risk stratification strategies hampers early intervention against development of post-LT NASH fibrosis. The liver undergoes significant remodeling during inflammatory injury. During such remodeling, degraded peptide fragments (i.e., 'degradome') of the ECM and other proteins increase in plasma, making it a useful diagnostic/prognostic tool in chronic liver disease. To investigate whether liver injury caused by post-LT NASH would yield a unique degradome profile that is predictive of severe post-LT NASH fibrosis, a retrospective analysis of 22 biobanked samples from the Starzl Transplantation Institute (12 with post-LT NASH after 5 years and 10 without) was performed. Total plasma peptides were isolated and analyzed by 1D-LC-MS/MS analysis using a Proxeon EASY-nLC 1000 UHPLC and nanoelectrospray ionization into an Orbitrap Elite mass spectrometer. Qualitative and quantitative peptide features data were developed from MSn datasets using PEAKS Studio X (v10). LC-MS/MS yielded ~ 2700 identifiable peptide features based on the results from Peaks Studio analysis. Several peptides were significantly altered in patients that later developed fibrosis and heatmap analysis of the top 25 most significantly changed peptides, most of which were ECM-derived, clustered the 2 patient groups well. Supervised modeling of the dataset indicated that a fraction of the total peptide signal (~ 15%) could explain the differences between the groups, indicating a strong potential for representative biomarker selection. A similar degradome profile was observed when the plasma degradome patterns were compared being obesity sensitive (C57Bl6/J) and insensitive (AJ) mouse strains. The plasma degradome profile of post-LT patients yielded stark difference based on later development of post-LT NASH fibrosis. This approach could yield new "fingerprints" that can serve as minimally-invasive biomarkers of negative outcomes post-LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Thomas E. Starzl Biomedical Science Tower, West 1143, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Toshifumi Sato
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Thomas E. Starzl Biomedical Science Tower, West 1143, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - María Hernández-Tejero
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Thomas E. Starzl Biomedical Science Tower, West 1143, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Juliane I Beier
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Thomas E. Starzl Biomedical Science Tower, West 1143, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Khaled Sayed
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science, University of New Haven, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Daniel W Wilkey
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Abhinav Humar
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Andres Duarte-Rojo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Northwestern Medicine and Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Northwestern Medicine and Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gavin E Arteel
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Thomas E. Starzl Biomedical Science Tower, West 1143, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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3
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Li J, Sato T, Hernández-Tejero M, Beier JI, Sayed K, Benos PV, Wilkey DW, Humar A, Merchant ML, Duarte-Rojo A, Arteel GE. The plasma degradome reflects later development of NASH fibrosis after liver transplant. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.30.526241. [PMID: 36778394 PMCID: PMC9915514 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.30.526241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Although liver transplantation (LT) is an effective therapy for cirrhosis, the risk of post-LT NASH is alarmingly high and is associated with accelerated progression to fibrosis/cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease, and decreased survival. Lack of risk stratification strategies hamper liver undergoes significant remodeling during inflammatory injury. During such remodeling, degraded peptide fragments (i.e., 'degradome') of the ECM and other proteins increase in plasma, making it a useful diagnostic/prognostic tool in chronic liver disease. To investigate whether inflammatory liver injury caused by post-LT NASH would yield a unique degradome profile, predictive of severe post-LT NASH fibrosis, we performed a retrospective analysis of 22 biobanked samples from the Starzl Transplantation Institute (12 with post-LT NASH after 5 years and 10 without). Total plasma peptides were isolated and analyzed by 1D-LC-MS/MS analysis using a Proxeon EASY-nLC 1000 UHPLC and nanoelectrospray ionization into an Orbitrap Elite mass spectrometer. Qualitative and quantitative peptide features data were developed from MSn datasets using PEAKS Studio X (v10). LC-MS/MS yielded ∼2700 identifiable peptide features based on the results from Peaks Studio analysis. Several peptides were significantly altered in patients that later developed fibrosis and heatmap analysis of the top 25 most significantly-changed peptides, most of which were ECM-derived, clustered the 2 patient groups well. Supervised modeling of the dataset indicated that a fraction of the total peptide signal (∼15%) could explain the differences between the groups, indicating a strong potential for representative biomarker selection. A similar degradome profile was observed when the plasma degradome patterns were compared being obesity sensitive (C57Bl6/J) and insensitive (AJ) mouse strains. Both The plasma degradome profile of post-LT patients yields stark difference based on later development of post-LT NASH fibrosis. This approach could yield new "fingerprints" that can serve as minimally-invasive biomarkers of negative outcomes post-LT.
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4
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Sato T, Head KZ, Li J, Dolin CE, Wilkey D, Skirtich N, Smith K, McCreary DD, Liu S, Beier JI, Singhi AD, McEnaney RM, Merchant ML, Arteel GE. Fibrosis resolution in the mouse liver: Role of Mmp12 and potential role of calpain 1/2. Matrix Biol Plus 2023; 17:100127. [PMID: 36632559 PMCID: PMC9826883 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2022.100127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Although most work has focused on resolution of collagen ECM, fibrosis resolution involves changes to several ECM proteins. The purpose of the current study was twofold: 1) to examine the role of MMP12 and elastin; and 2) to investigate the changes in degraded proteins in plasma (i.e., the "degradome") in a preclinical model of fibrosis resolution. Fibrosis was induced by 4 weeks carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) exposure, and recovery was monitored for an additional 4 weeks. Some mice were treated with daily MMP12 inhibitor (MMP408) during the resolution phase. Liver injury and fibrosis was monitored by clinical chemistry, histology and gene expression. The release of degraded ECM peptides in the plasma was analyzed using by 1D-LC-MS/MS, coupled with PEAKS Studio (v10) peptide identification. Hepatic fibrosis and liver injury rapidly resolved in this mouse model. However, some collagen fibrils were still present 28d after cessation of CCl4. Despite this persistent collagen presence, expression of canonical markers of fibrosis were also normalized. The inhibition of MMP12 dramatically delayed fibrosis resolution under these conditions. LC-MS/MS analysis identified that several proteins were being degraded even at late stages of fibrosis resolution. Calpains 1/2 were identified as potential new proteases involved in fibrosis resolution. CONCLUSION. The results of this study indicate that remodeling of the liver during recovery from fibrosis is a complex and highly coordinated process that extends well beyond the degradation of the collagenous scar. These results also indicate that analysis of the plasma degradome may yield new insight into the mechanisms of fibrosis recovery, and by extension, new "theragnostic" targets. Lastly, a novel potential role for calpain activation in the degradation and turnover of proteins was identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshifumi Sato
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, United States
| | - Kimberly Z. Head
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Jiang Li
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, United States
| | - Christine E. Dolin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
| | - Daniel Wilkey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
| | - Nolan Skirtich
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Katelyn Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Dylan D. McCreary
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Sylvia Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Juliane I. Beier
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, United States
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Aatur D. Singhi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Ryan M. McEnaney
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Michael L. Merchant
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
| | - Gavin E. Arteel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, United States
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
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Mahmoudi A, Atkin SL, Jamialahmadi T, Banach M, Sahebkar A. Effect of Curcumin on Attenuation of Liver Cirrhosis via Genes/Proteins and Pathways: A System Pharmacology Study. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14204344. [PMID: 36297027 PMCID: PMC9609422 DOI: 10.3390/nu14204344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Liver cirrhosis is a life-threatening seqsuel of many chronic liver disorders of varying etiologies. In this study, we investigated protein targets of curcumin in liver cirrhosis based on a bioinformatics approach. Methods: Gene/protein associations with curcumin and liver cirrhosis were probed in drug−gene and gene−diseases databases including STITCH/DGIdb/DisGeNET/OMIM/DISEASES/CTD/Pharos and SwissTargetPrediction. Critical clustering groups (MCODE), hub candidates and critical hub genes in liver cirrhosis were identified, and connections between curcumin and liver cirrhosis-related genes were analyzed via Venn diagram. Interaction of hub genes with curcumin by molecular docking using PyRx-virtual screening tools was performed. Results: MCODE analysis indicated three MCODEs; the cluster (MCODE 1) comprised 79 nodes and 881 edges (score: 22.59). Curcumin database interactions recognized 318 protein targets. Liver cirrhosis genes and curcumin protein targets analysis demonstrated 96 shared proteins, suggesting that curcumin may influence 20 candidate and 13 hub genes, covering 81% of liver cirrhosis critical genes and proteins. Thirteen shared proteins affected oxidative stress regulation, RNA, telomerase activity, cell proliferation, and cell death. Molecular docking analysis showed the affinity of curcumin binding hub genes (Binding affinity: ΔG < −4.9 kcal/mol). Conclusions: Curcumin impacted on several critical liver cirrhosis genes mainly involved in extracellular matrix communication, focal adhesion, and the response to oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Mahmoudi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Stephen L. Atkin
- School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, Busaiteen, Bahrain
| | - Tannaz Jamialahmadi
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maciej Banach
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology, Medical University of Lodz (MUL), 93-338 Lodz, Poland
- Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Zielona Gora, 65-417 Zielona Gora, Poland
- Correspondence: (M.B.); or (A.S.); Tel.: +98-513-180-1239 (A.S.); Fax: +98-513-800-2287 (A.S.)
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Correspondence: (M.B.); or (A.S.); Tel.: +98-513-180-1239 (A.S.); Fax: +98-513-800-2287 (A.S.)
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Li H. Intercellular crosstalk of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Dig Liver Dis 2022; 54:598-613. [PMID: 34344577 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intercellular crosstalk among various liver cells plays an important role in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) precedes fibrosis and accumulating evidence suggests that the crosstalk between LSECs and other liver cells is critical in the development and progression of liver fibrosis. LSECs dysfunction, a key event in the progression from fibrosis to cirrhosis, and subsequently obstruction of hepatic sinuses and increased intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR) contribute to development of portal hypertension (PHT) and cirrhosis. More importantly, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which is closely related to the crosstalk between LSECs and immune liver cells like CD8+ T cells, promotes advances tumorigenesis, especially HCC. However, the connections within the crosstalk between LSECs and other liver cells during the progression from liver fibrosis to cirrhosis to HCC have yet to be discussed. In this review, we first summarize the current knowledge of how different crosstalk between LSECs and other liver cells, including hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), macrophoges, immune cells in liver and extra cellular matrix (ECM) contribute to the physiological function and the progrssion from liver fibrosis to cirrhosis, or even to HCC. Then we examine current treatment strategies for LSECs crosstalk in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Central Laboratory, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, NO. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, PR China.
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Stecco A, Cowman M, Pirri N, Raghavan P, Pirri C. Densification: Hyaluronan Aggregation in Different Human Organs. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:159. [PMID: 35447719 PMCID: PMC9028708 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9040159] [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: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyaluronan (HA) has complex biological roles that have catalyzed clinical interest in several fields of medicine. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of HA aggregation, also called densification, in human organs. The literature suggests that HA aggregation can occur in the liver, eye, lung, kidney, blood vessel, muscle, fascia, skin, pancreatic cancer and malignant melanoma. In all these organs, aggregation of HA leads to an increase in extracellular matrix viscosity, causing stiffness and organ dysfunction. Fibrosis, in some of these organs, may also occur as a direct consequence of densification in the long term. Specific imaging evaluation, such dynamic ultrasonography, elasto-sonography, elasto-MRI and T1ρ MRI can permit early diagnosis to enable the clinician to organize the treatment plan and avoid further progression of the pathology and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Stecco
- Rusk Rehabilitation, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA;
| | - Mary Cowman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY 10016, USA;
| | - Nina Pirri
- Department of Medicine—DIMED, School of Radiology, Radiology Institute, University of Padua, 35122 Padova, Italy;
| | - Preeti Raghavan
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Carmelo Pirri
- Department of Neurosciences, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
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Schnabl B, Arteel GE, Stickel F, Hengstler J, Vartak N, Ghallab A, Dooley S, Li Y, Schwabe RF. Liver specific, systemic and genetic contributors to alcohol-related liver disease progression. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2022; 60:36-44. [PMID: 35042252 PMCID: PMC8941985 DOI: 10.1055/a-1714-9330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) impacts millions of patients worldwide each year and the numbers are increasing. Disease stages range from steatosis via steatohepatitis and fibrosis to cirrhosis, severe alcohol-associated hepatitis and liver cancer. ALD is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage of progression with no effective therapies. A major research goal is to improve diagnosis, prognosis and also treatments for early ALD. This however needs prioritization of this disease for financial investment in basic and clinical research to more deeply investigate mechanisms and identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets for early detection and intervention. Topics of interest are communication of the liver with other organs of the body, especially the gut microbiome, the individual genetic constitution, systemic and liver innate inflammation, including bacterial infections, as well as fate and number of hepatic stellate cells and the composition of the extracellular matrix in the liver. Additionally, mechanical forces and damaging stresses towards the sophisticated vessel system of the liver, including the especially equipped sinusoidal endothelium and the biliary tract, work together to mediate hepatocytic import and export of nutritional and toxic substances, adapting to chronic liver disease by morphological and functional changes. All the aforementioned parameters contribute to the outcome of alcohol use disorder and the risk to develop advanced disease stages including cirrhosis, severe alcoholic hepatitis and liver cancer. In the present collection, we summarize current knowledge on these alcohol-related liver disease parameters, excluding the aspect of inflammation, which is presented in the accompanying review article by Lotersztajn and colleagues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Schnabl
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,Department of Medicine, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Gavin E. Arteel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Felix Stickel
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jan Hengstler
- Systems Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Nachiket Vartak
- Systems Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ahmed Ghallab
- Systems Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Steven Dooley
- Department of Medicine II, Section Molecular Hepatology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Yujia Li
- Department of Medicine II, Section Molecular Hepatology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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9
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Ashour AA, El-Kamel AH, Abdelmonsif DA, Khalifa HM, Ramadan AA. Modified Lipid Nanocapsules for Targeted Tanshinone IIA Delivery in Liver Fibrosis. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:8013-8033. [PMID: 34916792 PMCID: PMC8671377 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s331690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Liver fibrosis represents a serious global disease with no approved treatment. Tanshinone IIA (TSIIA) is a phytomedicine with documented activity in treating many hepatic disorders. TSIIA has been reported to have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can also induce apoptosis for activated hepatic stellate cells, and is thereby considered as a promising herbal remedy for treating fibrotic liver. However, its poor aqueous solubility, short half-life, exposure to the first-pass effect, and low concentration reaching targeted cells constitute the major barriers hindering its effective therapeutic potential. Therefore, this work aimed at enhancing TSIIA systemic bioavailability together with achieving active targeting potential to fibrotic liver via its incorporation into novel modified lipid nanocapsules (LNCs). Methods Blank and TSIIA-loaded LNCs modified with either hyaluronate sodium or phosphatidyl serine were successfully prepared, optimized, and characterized both in vitro and in vivo. Results The developed LNCs showed good colloidal properties (size ≤100 nm and PDI ≤0.2), high drug-entrapment efficiency (>97%) with sustained-release profile for 24 hours, high storage stability up to 6 months, and good in vitro serum stability. After a single intraperitoneal injection, the administered LNCs exhibited a 2.4-fold significant increase in AUC0–∞ compared with the TSIIA suspension (p≤0.01). Biodistribution-study results proved the liver-targeting ability of the prepared modified LNCs, with a significant ~1.5-fold increase in hepatic accumulation compared with the unmodified formulation (p≤0.05). Moreover, the modified formulations had an improved antifibrotic effect compared with both unmodified LNCs and TSIIA suspension, as evidenced by the results of biochemical and histopathological evaluation. Conclusion The modified TSIIA-LNCs could be regarded as promising novel targeted nanomedicines for effective management of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa A Ashour
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21521, Egypt
| | - Amal H El-Kamel
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21521, Egypt
| | - Doaa A Abdelmonsif
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21131, Egypt.,Center of Excellence for Research in Regenerative Medicine and Applications (CERRMA), Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21131, Egypt
| | - Hoda M Khalifa
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21131, Egypt
| | - Alyaa A Ramadan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21521, Egypt
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10
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Ghanim AMH, Younis NS, Metwaly HA. Vanillin augments liver regeneration effectively in Thioacetamide induced liver fibrosis rat model. Life Sci 2021; 286:120036. [PMID: 34637793 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study has been designed to investigate the role of vanillin either as prophylaxis or treatment in liver regeneration augmentation and liver fibrosis regression in thioacetamide (TAA) induced liver damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS Animals were injected with TAA to induce liver injury (200mg/kg twice weekly) for 8 weeks. In vanillin prophylaxis group; rats were administered vanillin (100 mg/Kg; IP, daily) from day 1 of TAA injection for 8 weeks. In vanillin treatment group; rats were confronted with the same dose of TAA injection for 8 weeks then treated with vanillin (100 mg/Kg, IP, daily) for 4 weeks. ALT, AST activities, serum albumin, hepatic GSH, MDA, HGF, VEGF, IL-6 and TNF-α levels were measured and also, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and cyclin D gene expression were determined. Liver sections were stained with H&E and Sirius red and immunostained for Ki-67 and α-SMA for histological and immunohistological changes analysis. KEY FINDINGS Vanillin improved liver function and histology. Also, showed a remarkable increase in hepatic HGF and VEGF level, and up-regulation of cyclin D1 expression accompanied by a significant up-regulation of MMP-2 and down- regulation of TIMP-1. All these effects were accompanied by TNF-α, IL-6 and oxidative stress significant attenuation. SIGNIFICANCE In conclusion, vanillin enhanced liver regeneration in TAA induced liver damage model; targeting growth factors (HGF, VEGF) and cellular proliferation marker cyclin D1. As well as stimulating fibrosis regression by inhibition of ECM accumulation and enhancing its degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal M H Ghanim
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Fayoum University, Fayoum 63514, Egypt.
| | - Nancy S Younis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pharmacology, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
| | - Heba A Metwaly
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21500, Egypt.
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11
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Li S, Wang C, Zhang X, Su W. Cytochrome P450 Omega-Hydroxylase 4a14 Attenuates Cholestatic Liver Fibrosis. Front Physiol 2021; 12:688259. [PMID: 34135776 PMCID: PMC8201794 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.688259] [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: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cholestasis is a pathological condition involving obstruction of bile secretion and excretion that results in hepatotoxicity, inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually liver failure. Common bile duct ligation (BDL) model is a well-established murine model to mimic cholestatic liver fibrosis. We previously reported that cytochrome P450 omega-hydroxylase 4a14 (Cyp4a14) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related fibrosis. The goal of this study was to determine the role of Cyp4a14 in cholestatic-induced liver fibrosis. Methods C57BL/6 mice were subjected to BDL for 14 days, and Cyp4a14 mRNA and protein levels were examined and compared with those of the sham group. Cyp4a14 knockout mice and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated overexpression of Cyp4a14 in C57BL/6 mice underwent BDL and liver histology, and key fibrosis markers were examined. Results Both hepatic Cyp4a14 mRNA and protein levels were markedly reduced in BDL liver compared with the time-matched sham group. Cyp4a14 gene-deficient mice aggravates whereas its overexpression alleviates BDL-induced hepatic fibrosis, which were determined by liver function, liver histology, and levels of key fibrotic markers including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and collagen 1a2 (Col1a2). Conclusion Cyp4a14 exerts a contrasting role in different hepatic fibrosis models. Strategies that enhance Cyp4a14 activity may be potential strategies to cholestatic related liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Li
- Medical College, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Applied Basic Research of Blood Purification, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan, China.,Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chenghai Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Applied Basic Research of Blood Purification, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan, China
| | - Xiaxia Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Handan Central Hospital, Handan, China
| | - Wen Su
- Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Cardiovascular Homeostasis, Shenzhen, China
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12
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Plaikner M, Kremser C, Viveiros A, Zoller H, Henninger B. [Magnetic resonance elastography of the liver : Worth knowing for clinical routine]. Radiologe 2020; 60:966-978. [PMID: 32399783 DOI: 10.1007/s00117-020-00690-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a noninvasive, quantitative, MRI-based method to evaluate liver stiffness. Beside biopsy and ultrasound elastography, this imaging method plays in many places a significant role in the detection and additive characterization of chronic liver disease. OBJECTIVES, MATERIALS AND METHODS Based on the literature, a brief review of the underlying method and the commercially available products is given. Furthermore, the practical procedure, the analysis, and the interpretation of clinically relevant questions are illustrated and a comparison with ultrasound elastography is provided. RESULTS This relative "young" MRI method allows extensive evaluation of mechanical properties of the liver and is an important diagnostic tool especially in follow-up examinations. The MRE of the liver is with a maximum technical failure rate of 5.8% a robust technique with high accuracy and an excellent re-test reliability as well as intra- and interobserver reproducibility. There is a high diagnostic certainty within the framework of most important clinical indications, the quantification of fibrosis, and with a very good correlation with the "gold standard" biopsy. CONCLUSION Based on its rising clinical relevance and the broad usage, MRE of the liver is increasingly used in many centers and in routine liver protocols. Therefore, basic knowledge of this method is essential for every radiologist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Plaikner
- Radiologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich.
| | - Christian Kremser
- Radiologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - André Viveiros
- Innere Medizin I, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - Heinz Zoller
- Innere Medizin I, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - Benjamin Henninger
- Radiologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich
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13
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Arteel GE, Naba A. The liver matrisome - looking beyond collagens. JHEP Rep 2020; 2:100115. [PMID: 32637906 PMCID: PMC7330160 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2020.100115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a diverse microenvironment that maintains bidirectional communication with surrounding cells to regulate cell and tissue homeostasis. The classical definition of the ECM has more recently been extended to include non-fibrillar proteins that either interact or are structurally affiliated with the ECM, termed the 'matrisome.' In addition to providing the structure and architectural support for cells and tissue, the matrisome serves as a reservoir for growth factors and cytokines, as well as a signaling hub via which cells can communicate with their environment and vice-versa. The matrisome is a master regulator of tissue homeostasis and organ function, which can dynamically and appropriately respond to any stress or injury. Failure to properly regulate these responses can lead to changes in the matrisome that are maladaptive. Hepatic fibrosis is a canonical example of ECM dyshomeostasis, leading to accumulation of predominantly collagenous ECM; indeed, hepatic fibrosis is considered almost synonymous with collagen accumulation. However, the qualitative and quantitative alterations of the hepatic matrisome during fibrosis are much more diverse than simple accumulation of collagens and occur long before fibrosis is histologically detected. A deeper understanding of the hepatic matrisome and its response to injury could yield new mechanistic insights into disease progression and regression, as well as potentially identify new biomarkers for both. In this review, we discuss the role of the ECM in liver diseases and look at new "omic" approaches to study this compartment.
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Key Words
- AUROC, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve
- CCl4, carbon tetrachloride
- ECM
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- Extracellular matrix
- Fibrosis
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- Liver disease
- MMP, matrix metalloproteinase
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NPV, negative predictive value
- POSTN, periostin
- PPV, positive predictive values
- Proteomics
- Regeneration
- TGFβ, transforming growth factor beta
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin E. Arteel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alexandra Naba
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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14
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Roles of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α in the pathogenesis of ethanol-induced liver disease. Chem Biol Interact 2020; 327:109176. [PMID: 32534989 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2020.109176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a progressively aggravated liver disease with high incidence in alcoholics. Ethanol-induced fat accumulation and the subsequent lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-driven inflammation bring liver from reversible steatosis, to irreversible hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors and plays pivotal roles in the regulation of fatty acid homeostasis as well as the inflammation control in the liver. It has been well documented that PPARα activity and/or expression are downregulated in liver of mice exposed to ethanol, which is thought to be one of the prime contributors to ethanol-induced steatosis, hepatitis and fibrosis. This article summarizes the current evidences from in vitro and animal models for the critical roles of PPARα in the onset and progression of ALD. Importantly, it should be noted that the expression of PPARα in human liver is reported to be similar to that in mice, and PPARα expression is downregulated in the liver of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a disease sharing many similarities with ALD. Therefore, clinical trials investigating the expression of PPARα in the liver of ALD patients and the efficacy of strong PPARα agonists for the prevention and treatment of ALD are warranted.
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15
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Abstract
Chronic fatty liver disease is common worldwide. This disease is a spectrum of disease states, ranging from simple steatosis (fat accumulation) to inflammation, and eventually to fibrosis and cirrhosis if untreated. The fibrotic stage of chronic liver disease is primarily characterized by robust accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (collagens) that ultimately impairs the function of the organ. The role of the ECM in early stages of chronic liver disease is less well-understood, but recent research has demonstrated that several changes in the hepatic ECM in prefibrotic liver disease are not only present but may also contribute to disease progression. The purpose of this review is to summarize the established and proposed changes to the hepatic ECM that may contribute to inflammation during earlier stages of disease development, and to discuss potential mechanisms by which these changes may mediate the progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E. Dolin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Gavin E. Arteel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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16
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Sha M, Gao Y, Deng C, Wan Y, Zhuang Y, Hu X, Wang Y. Therapeutic effects of AdipoRon on liver inflammation and fibrosis induced by CCl 4 in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 79:106157. [PMID: 31911372 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.106157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present work aimed to investigate the effects of AdipoRon against acute hepatitis and liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: control, model, AdipoRon groups (three different dosages), CCl4 was administered to induce acute hepatitis or liver fibrosis except for control group. The liver function, inflammatory and fibrotic profiles were evaluated by histology, immunohistochemistry and expression analysis, respectively. RESULTS AdipoRon pretreatment effectively attenuated oxidative stress and hepatocellular damage in acute CCl4 intoxication, demonstrated by marked reduction in peroxidation indexes [hepatic malonaldehyde (MDA), total nitric oxide synthase (tNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)] and serum transaminases [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST)]. Moreover, AdipoRon attenuated the severity of fibrosis induced by sustaining CCl4 challenge, with the alleviation of fibrous deposit and architecture distortion. The levels of canonical fibrosis markers (aminotransferases, hydroxyproline, hyaluronic acid, laminin) were also dose-dependently modulated by AdipoRon. Immunochemistry and expression analysis showed AdipoRon restrained the proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines (TNF-α, TGF-β1, α-SMA, COL1A1), which somehow, ascribed the anti-fibrotic action to inhibiting hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation and quenching specific inflammation-fibrogenesis pathways. CONCLUSIONS AdipoRon demonstrates a remedial capacity against hepatitis and fibrosis induced by CCl4, potentially by inflammation restraint and HSC deactivation, which might pave the way for its therapeutical application in hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Sha
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yaru Gao
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Can Deng
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuemeng Wan
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuan Zhuang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiaochuan Hu
- Department of Occupational Disease, Qingdao Central Hospital, Shandong, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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17
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Estrogen Deficiency Potentiates Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis in Sprague-Dawley Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20153709. [PMID: 31362375 PMCID: PMC6696236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is characterized by persistent deposition of extracellular matrix proteins and occurs in chronic liver diseases. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether estrogen deficiency (ED) potentiates hepatic fibrosis in a thioacetamide (TAA)-treated rat model. Fibrosis was induced via intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of TAA (150 mg/kg/day) for four weeks in ovariectomized (OVX) female, sham-operated female, or male rats. In TAA-treated OVX rats, the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were significantly increased compared to those in TAA-treated sham-operated OVX rats or TAA-treated male rats. Furthermore, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression was significantly increased compared to that in TAA-treated sham-operated rats. This was accompanied by the appearance of fibrosis biomarkers including vimentin, collagen-I, and hydroxyproline, in the liver of TAA-treated OVX rats. In addition, ED markedly reduced total glutathione (GSH) levels, as well as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in TAA-treated OVX rats. In contrast, hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were elevated in TAA-treated OVX rats. Apoptosis significantly increased in TAA-treated OVX rats, as reflected by elevated p53, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase 3 levels. Significant increases in interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations were exhibited in TAA-treated OVX rats, and this further aggravated fibrosis through the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad pathway. Our data suggest that ED potentiates TAA-induced oxidative damage in the liver, suggesting that ED may enhance the severity of hepatic fibrosis in menopausal women.
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18
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Lai C, Feng T, Wei L, Zhang T, Zhou G, Yang Q, Lan T, Xiang G, Yao Y, Zhou L, Huang X. Development and validation of a primate model for liver fibrosis. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2019; 100:106600. [PMID: 31247307 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2019.106600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many liver diseases involve liver fibrosis. Most preclinical studies of liver fibrosis are carried out in small animals such as rodents, and thus lack direct potential for extrapolation to human diseases. The aim of the current study was to develop a primate model for liver fibrosis with greater relevance to translational research. METHODS Liver fibrosis was induced in adult male healthy rhesus monkeys using repeated CCl4 treatment (40% in olive oil, 1.5 ml/kg once every 3 days via peritoneal injection, subcutaneous injection or gastric gavage). Liver biopsy was conducted at various time points for histologic examination. Blood samples were taken for standard liver function test. RESULTS Gastric gavage was the optimal approach for establishing stably liver fibrosis without animal loss due to toxicity. The progression of fibrosis appeared to involve epithelial to mesenchymal transition and hepatic ductular reaction. CONCLUSION Repeated CCl4 gavage in rhesus monkeys results in stable liver fibrosis. Such a model may be an effective platform for future studies of human liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyou Lai
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Tianhang Feng
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lingling Wei
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Tianying Zhang
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Guo Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Qinyan Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Tao Lan
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Guangming Xiang
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yutong Yao
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiaolun Huang
- Hepatabiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Center, Cell Transplantation Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
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19
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El Awdan SA, Abdel Rahman RF, Ibrahim HM, Hegazy RR, El Marasy SA, Badawi M, Arbid MS. Regression of fibrosis by cilostazol in a rat model of thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis: Up regulation of hepatic cAMP, and modulation of inflammatory, oxidative stress and apoptotic biomarkers. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216301. [PMID: 31067255 PMCID: PMC6505801 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In liver fibrosis, conversion of fibroblasts to profibrogenic myofibroblasts significantly drives the development of the disease. A crucial role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in regulation of fibroblast function has been reported. Increase in cAMP levels has been found to decrease fibroblast proliferation, inhibit their conversion to myofibroblast, and stimulate their death. cAMP is generated by adenyl cyclase (AC), and degraded by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE). In this study, the antifibrotic effect of a PDE inhibitor, cilostazol (Cilo), on a rat model of liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide (TAA) was investigated. Four groups of rats were used; the first group received the vehicles and served as the normal control group, while liver fibrosis was induced in the other groups using (TAA, 200 mg/kg/biweekly for 8 successive weeks, ip). The last two groups were treated with Cilo (50 and 100 mg/kg/day, po, respectively). Induction of liver fibrosis in TAA-treated rats was observed as evidenced by the biochemical and histopathological findings. On the other hand, a potent antifibrotic effect was observed in the groups treated with Cilo, with preference to the higher dose. In these groups, a significant increase in the liver content of cAMP was demonstrated that was accompanied by reduction in the hepatic expression of key fibrogenic cytokines, growth factors, and inflammatory biomarkers, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nuclear factor kappa B, and transforming growth factor-beta as compared to TAA group. Moreover, amelioration of TAA-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the liver has been observed. These findings reveal the antifibrotic effect of Cilo against TAA-induced liver fibrosis in rats, and suggest regulation of cAMP pathway, together with the modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis as mechanistic cassette underlines this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A. El Awdan
- Pharmacology Department, Medical Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Heba M. Ibrahim
- Pharmacology Department, Medical Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Rehab R. Hegazy
- Pharmacology Department, Medical Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Salma A. El Marasy
- Pharmacology Department, Medical Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Manal Badawi
- Pathology Department, Medical Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud S. Arbid
- Pharmacology Department, Medical Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
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20
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Akkaya HE, Erden A, Kuru Öz D, Ünal S, Erden İ. Magnetic resonance elastography: basic principles, technique, and clinical applications in the liver. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 24:328-335. [PMID: 30272563 DOI: 10.5152/dir.2018.18186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a constantly advancing technique for assessment of stiffness of tissues with newer technology and sequences. It is being increasingly used for the assessment of liver fibrosis. In this article, we discuss the advantages of MRE over biopsy and noninvasive methods such as US elastography in the assessment of liver fibrosis. Image acquisition and interpretation of liver MRE is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ayşe Erden
- Department of Radiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Diğdem Kuru Öz
- Department of Radiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sena Ünal
- Department of Radiology, Erzurum Local Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - İlhan Erden
- Department of Radiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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21
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Tsukada T, Isowa Y, Kito K, Yoshida S, Toneri S, Horiguchi K, Fujiwara K, Yashiro T, Kato T, Kato Y. Identification of TGFβ-induced proteins in non-endocrine mouse pituitary cell line TtT/GF by SILAC-assisted quantitative mass spectrometry. Cell Tissue Res 2019; 376:281-293. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-02989-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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22
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George J, Tsuchishima M, Tsutsumi M. Molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of N-nitrosodimethylamine induced hepatic fibrosis. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:18. [PMID: 30622238 PMCID: PMC6325159 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-1272-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is marked by excessive synthesis and deposition of connective tissue proteins, especially interstitial collagens in the extracellular matrix of the liver. It is a result of an abnormal wound healing in response to chronic liver injury from various causes such as ethanol, viruses, toxins, drugs, or cholestasis. The chronic stimuli involved in the initiation of fibrosis leads to oxidative stress and generation of reactive oxygen species that serve as mediators of molecular events involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. These processes lead to cellular injury and initiate inflammatory responses releasing a variety of cytokines and growth factors that trigger activation and transformation of resting hepatic stellate cells into myofibroblast like cells, which in turn start excessive synthesis of connective tissue proteins, especially collagens. Uncontrolled and extensive fibrosis results in distortion of lobular architecture of the liver leading to nodular formation and cirrhosis. The perpetual injury and regeneration process could also results in genomic aberrations and mutations that lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. This review covers most aspects of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis with special emphasize on N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA; Dimethylnitorsmaine, DMN) as the inducing agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph George
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Department of Hepatology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan.
| | - Mutsumi Tsuchishima
- Department of Hepatology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Mikihiro Tsutsumi
- Department of Hepatology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan
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23
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Aquaporin 11-Dependent Inhibition of Proliferation by Deuterium Oxide in Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23123209. [PMID: 30563120 PMCID: PMC6321126 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23123209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Deuterium oxide (D2O) has been reported to be active toward various in vitro cell lines in combination with phytochemicals. Our objective was to describe, for the first time, the effect of D2O on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). After D2O treatment, the p53-cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) pathway was stimulated, leading to inhibition of the proliferation of HSCs and an increase in the [ATP]/[ADP] ratio. We also evaluated the role of aquaporin (AQP) 11 in activated HSCs. We found that D2O treatment decreased AQP11 expression levels. Of note, AQP11 levels elevated by a genetic approach counteracted the D2O-mediated inhibition of proliferation. In addition, the expression levels of AQP11 negatively correlated with those of p53. On the other hand, cells transfected with an AQP11-targeted small interfering RNA (siRNA) showed enhanced inhibition of proliferation. These findings suggest that the inhibition of cell proliferation by D2O in activated HSCs could be AQP11 dependent. Our previous studies have documented that bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) induces apoptosis by regulating heme oxygenase (HO)-1 protein expression in activated HSCs. In the current study, we tested whether cotreatment with BDMC and D2O can modulate the AQP11-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation effectively. We observed that D2O cotreatment with BDMC significantly decreased cell proliferation compared to treatment with D2O alone, and this effect was accompanied by downregulation of HO-1 and an increase in p53 levels.
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Alpha Mangostin Inhibits the Proliferation and Activation of Acetaldehyde Induced Hepatic Stellate Cells through TGF- β and ERK 1/2 Pathways. J Toxicol 2018; 2018:5360496. [PMID: 30538742 PMCID: PMC6261236 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5360496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in chronic liver injury. Alcohol-induced fibrosis may develop into cirrhosis, one of the major causes of liver disease mortality. Previous studies have shown that alpha mangostin can decrease ratio of pSmad/Smad and pAkt/Akt in TGF-β-induced liver fibrosis model in vitro. Further investigation of the mechanism of action of alpha mangostin in liver fibrosis model still needs to be done. The present study aimed to analyze the mechanism of action of alpha mangostin on acetaldehyde induced liver fibrosis model on TGF-β and ERK 1/2 pathways. Immortalized HSCs, LX-2 cells, were incubated with acetaldehyde, acetaldehyde with alpha mangostin (10 and 20 μM), or alpha mangostin only (10 μM). Sorafenib 10 μM was used as positive control. LX-2 viability was counted using trypan blue exclusion method. The effect of alpha mangostin on hepatic stellate cells proliferation and activation markers and its possible mechanism of action via TGF-β and ERK1/2 were studied. Acetaldehyde was shown to increase proliferation and expression of profibrogenic and migration markers on HSC, while alpha mangostin treatment resulted in a reduced proliferation and migration of HSC and decreased Ki-67 and pERK 1/2 expressions. These findings were followed with decreased expressions and concentrations of TGF-β; decreased expression of Col1A1, TIMP1, and TIMP3; increased expression of MnSOD and GPx; and reduction in intracellular reactive oxygen species. These effects were shown to be dose dependent. Therefore, we conclude that alpha mangostin inhibits hepatic stellate cells proliferation and activation through TGF-β and ERK 1/2 pathways.
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25
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Vicentino ARR, Carneiro VC, Allonso D, Guilherme RDF, Benjamim CF, Dos Santos HAM, Xavier F, Pyrrho ADS, Gomes JDAS, Fonseca MDC, de Oliveira RC, Pereira TA, Ladislau L, Lambertucci JR, Fantappié MR. Emerging Role of HMGB1 in the Pathogenesis of Schistosomiasis Liver Fibrosis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1979. [PMID: 30258438 PMCID: PMC6143665 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In chronic schistosomiasis, liver fibrosis is linked to portal hypertension, which is a condition associated with high mortality and morbidity. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) was originally described as a nuclear protein that functions as a structural co-factor in transcriptional regulation. However, HMGB1 can also be secreted into the extracellular milieu under appropriate signal stimulation. Extracellular HMGB1 acts as a multifunctional cytokine that contributes to infection, injury, inflammation, and immune responses by binding to specific cell-surface receptors. HMGB1 is involved in fibrotic diseases. From a clinical perspective, HMGB1 inhibition may represent a promising therapeutic approach for treating tissue fibrosis. In this study, we demonstrate elevated levels of HMGB1 in the sera in experimental mice or in patients with schistosomiasis. Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated that HMGB1 trafficking in the hepatocytes of mice suffering from acute schistosomiasis was inhibited by Glycyrrhizin, a well-known HMGB1 direct inhibitor, as well as by DIC, a novel and potential anti-HMGB1 compound. HMGB1 inhibition led to significant downregulation of IL-6, IL4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17A, which are involved in the exacerbation of the immune response and liver fibrogenesis. Importantly, infected mice that were treated with DIC or GZR to inhibit HMGB1 pro-inflammatory activity showed a significant increase in survival and a reduction of over 50% in the area of liver fibrosis. Taken together, our findings indicate that HMGB1 is a key mediator of schistosomotic granuloma formation and liver fibrosis and may represent an outstanding target for the treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R R Vicentino
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vitor C Carneiro
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Diego Allonso
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael de Freitas Guilherme
- Departamento de Farmacologia Básica e Clínica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia F Benjamim
- Departamento de Farmacologia Básica e Clínica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hílton A M Dos Santos
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabíola Xavier
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Dos Santos Pyrrho
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana de Assis Silva Gomes
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Thiago A Pereira
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Leandro Ladislau
- Departamento de Farmacologia Básica e Clínica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José R Lambertucci
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marcelo R Fantappié
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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26
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Nallagangula KS, Shashidhar KN, Lakshmaiah V, Muninarayana. Evolution of proteomic biomarker for chronic liver disease: Promise into reality. J Circ Biomark 2018; 7:1849454418777186. [PMID: 29854010 PMCID: PMC5971380 DOI: 10.1177/1849454418777186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver is the vital organ for synthesis of proteins whose concentration in blood reflects liver dysfunction. Variations in protein domain can generate clinically significant biomarkers. Biomarker pipeline includes discovery of candidates, qualification, verification, assay optimization, and validation. Advances in proteomic approach can discover protein biomarker candidates based on “up-or-down” regulation or fold change in expression which is correlated with disease state. Despite numerous biomarker candidates been discovered, only few are useful in clinical practice which indicates the need for well-established validation regimen. Hence, the main purpose of this review is to understand the protein biomarker development and pitfalls. Companion diagnostics provide insights into potential cost-effective diagnosis for chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - K N Shashidhar
- Department of Biochemistry, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, SDUAHER, Karnataka, India
| | - V Lakshmaiah
- Department of Medicine, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, SDUAHER, Karnataka, India
| | - Muninarayana
- Department of Community Medicine, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, SDUAHER, Karnataka, India
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27
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Zeng XY, Zhang YQ, He XM, Wan LY, Wang H, Ni YR, Wang J, Wu JF, Liu CB. Suppression of hepatic stellate cell activation through downregulation of gremlin1 expression by the miR-23b/27b cluster. Oncotarget 2018; 7:86198-86210. [PMID: 27863390 PMCID: PMC5349907 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The imbalance between transforming growth factor β and bone morphogenetic protein 7 signaling pathways is a critical step in promoting hepatic stellate cell activation during hepatic fibrogenesis. Gremlin1 may impair the balance. Something remains unclear about the regulatory mechanisms of gremlin1 action on hepatic stellate cell activation and hepatic fibrosis. In the current study, gremlin1 overexpression promotes activation of hepatic stellate cells. Knockdown of gremlin1 with siRNAs suppresses hepatic stellate cell activation and attenuates hepatic fibrosis in rat model. Our results also show that miR-23b/27b cluster members bind to 3'-untranslated region of gremlin1 resulting in reduction of transforming growth factor β, α-smooth muscle actin and collagenI α1/2 gene expression. Our findings suggest that gremlin1 promotes hepatic stellate cell activation and hepatic fibrogenesis through impairment of the balance between transforming growth factor β and bone morphogenetic protein 7 signaling pathways. The miR-23b/27b cluster suppresses activation of hepatic stellate cells through binding gremlin1 to rectify the imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Yi Zeng
- The Institute of Cell Therapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, China.,Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Yan-Qiong Zhang
- Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,Institute of Liver Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Xiao-Min He
- Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Lin-Yan Wan
- The Institute of Cell Therapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, China.,Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,The First People's Hospital of Yichang, Hubei Yichang, 443000, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,Institute of Liver Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Hu Wang
- The Institute of Cell Therapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, China.,Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,The First People's Hospital of Yichang, Hubei Yichang, 443000, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Yi-Ran Ni
- Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Jiang-Feng Wu
- The Institute of Cell Therapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, China.,Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,The First People's Hospital of Yichang, Hubei Yichang, 443000, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,Institute of Liver Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Chang-Bai Liu
- The Institute of Cell Therapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, China.,Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,The First People's Hospital of Yichang, Hubei Yichang, 443000, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,Institute of Liver Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
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28
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Nallagangula KS, Nagaraj SK, Venkataswamy L, Chandrappa M. Liver fibrosis: a compilation on the biomarkers status and their significance during disease progression. Future Sci OA 2018; 4:FSO250. [PMID: 29255622 PMCID: PMC5729599 DOI: 10.4155/fsoa-2017-0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis occurs in response to different etiologies of chronic liver injury. Diagnosing degree of liver fibrosis is a crucial step in evaluation of severity of the disease. An invasive liver biopsy is the gold standard method associated with pain and complications. Biomarkers to detect liver fibrosis include direct markers of extracellular matrix turnover and indirect markers as a reflection of liver dysfunction. Although a single marker may not be useful for successful management, a mathematical equation combining tests might be effective. The main purpose of this review is to understand the diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers and scoring systems for liver fibrosis. Advances in -omics approach have generated clinically significant biomarker candidates for liver fibrosis that need further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shashidhar Kurpad Nagaraj
- Department of Biochemistry, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, SDUAHER, Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka, India
| | - Lakshmaiah Venkataswamy
- Department of Medicine, Sri Devaraj Urs MedicalCollege, SDUAHER, Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka, India
| | - Muninarayana Chandrappa
- Department of Community Medicine, Sri DevarajUrs Medical College, SDUAHER, Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka, India
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29
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Jia Z, Gong Y, Pi Y, Liu X, Gao L, Kang L, Wang J, Yang F, Tang J, Lu W, Li Q, Zhang W, Yan Z, Yu L. pPB Peptide-Mediated siRNA-Loaded Stable Nucleic Acid Lipid Nanoparticles on Targeting Therapy of Hepatic Fibrosis. Mol Pharm 2017; 15:53-62. [PMID: 29148802 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.7b00709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a necessary process in the development of liver diseases such as hepatic cirrhosis and its complications, which has become a serious threat to human health. Currently, antifibrotic drug treatment is ineffective, and one reason should be the lack of liver targeting ability. In this report, polypeptide pPB-modified stable nucleic acid lipid nanoparticles (pPB-SNALPs) were prepared to selectively deliver siRNAs against heat shock protein 47 to the liver for targeted therapy of hepatic fibrosis. First, siRNA sequences with high silencing efficiency were screened based on siRNA transfection efficacy. Then, pPB-SNALPs were prepared, which showed a narrow size distribution with a diameter in the range of 110-130 nm and a neutral z-potential of 0 mV. As evidenced by the in vitro and in vivo targeting study, compared with unmodified SNALP, pPB-SNALP showed increased uptake by LX-2 cells and primary hepatic stellate cells (HSC) of mice in vitro and showed increased liver distribution and HSC uptake in vivo. In addition, pPB-SNALP also exhibited an enhanced inhibitory effect on TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis mice with high gp46 mRNA expression in vivo. In summary, our results demonstrated that pPB-SNALP is an effective liver-targeted delivery system. This study could lay a good foundation for the targeted gene therapy of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongxiang Jia
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
| | - Yan Gong
- Department of Geriatrics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University , Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Yufang Pi
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
| | - Xueying Liu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
| | - Lipeng Gao
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
| | - Liqing Kang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
| | - Fan Yang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
| | - Jie Tang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
| | - Weiyue Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Fudan University, Ministry of Education , Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
| | - Qinghua Li
- Department of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University , Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, School of Life Science, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Yan
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
| | - Lei Yu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
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30
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Grgurevic L, Erjavec I, Grgurevic I, Dumic-Cule I, Brkljacic J, Verbanac D, Matijasic M, Paljetak HC, Novak R, Plecko M, Bubic-Spoljar J, Rogic D, Kufner V, Pauk M, Bordukalo-Niksic T, Vukicevic S. Systemic inhibition of BMP1-3 decreases progression of CCl 4-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Growth Factors 2017; 35:201-215. [PMID: 29482391 DOI: 10.1080/08977194.2018.1428966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a progressive pathological process resulting in an accumulation of excess extracellular matrix proteins. We discovered that bone morphogenetic protein 1-3 (BMP1-3), an isoform of the metalloproteinase Bmp1 gene, circulates in the plasma of healthy volunteers and its neutralization decreases the progression of chronic kidney disease in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. Here, we investigated the potential role of BMP1-3 in a chronic liver disease. Rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis were treated with monoclonal anti-BMP1-3 antibodies. Treatment with anti-BMP1-3 antibodies dose-dependently lowered the amount of collagen type I, downregulated the expression of Tgfb1, Itgb6, Col1a1, and Acta2 and upregulated the expression of Ctgf, Itgb1, and Dcn. Mehanistically, BMP1-3 inhibition decreased the plasma levels of transforming growth factor beta 1(TGFβ1) by prevention of its activation and lowered the prodecorin production further suppressing the TGFβ1 profibrotic effect. Our results suggest that BMP1-3 inhibitors have significant potential for decreasing the progression of fibrosis in liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lovorka Grgurevic
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
- b Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Igor Erjavec
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Ivica Grgurevic
- c Department of Gastroenterology , University Hospital Dubrava, Center for Scientific Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Ivo Dumic-Cule
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Jelena Brkljacic
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Donatella Verbanac
- b Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Mario Matijasic
- b Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Hana Cipcic Paljetak
- b Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Rudjer Novak
- b Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Mihovil Plecko
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Jadranka Bubic-Spoljar
- b Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Dunja Rogic
- d Department of Laboratory Diagnosis , University Hospital Centre , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Vera Kufner
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Martina Pauk
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Tatjana Bordukalo-Niksic
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Slobodan Vukicevic
- a Laboratory for Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
- c Department of Gastroenterology , University Hospital Dubrava, Center for Scientific Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine , Zagreb , Croatia
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31
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Bansal R, Nakagawa S, Yazdani S, van Baarlen J, Venkatesh A, Koh AP, Song WM, Goossens N, Watanabe H, Beasley MB, Powell CA, Storm G, Kaminski N, van Goor H, Friedman SL, Hoshida Y, Prakash J. Integrin alpha 11 in the regulation of the myofibroblast phenotype: implications for fibrotic diseases. Exp Mol Med 2017; 49:e396. [PMID: 29147013 PMCID: PMC5704196 DOI: 10.1038/emm.2017.213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue fibrosis, characterized by excessive accumulation of aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by myofibroblasts, is a growing cause of mortality worldwide. Understanding the factors that induce myofibroblastic differentiation is paramount to prevent or reverse the fibrogenic process. Integrin-mediated interaction between the ECM and cytoskeleton promotes myofibroblast differentiation. In the present study, we explored the significance of integrin alpha 11 (ITGA11), the integrin alpha subunit that selectively binds to type I collagen during tissue fibrosis in the liver, lungs and kidneys. We showed that ITGA11 was co-localized with α-smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblasts and was correlatively induced with increasing fibrogenesis in mouse models and human fibrotic organs. Furthermore, transcriptome and protein expression analysis revealed that ITGA11 knockdown in hepatic stellate cells (liver-specific myofibroblasts) markedly reduced transforming growth factor β-induced differentiation and fibrotic parameters. Moreover, ITGA11 knockdown dramatically altered the myofibroblast phenotype, as indicated by the loss of protrusions, attenuated adhesion and migration, and impaired contractility of collagen I matrices. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ITGA11 was regulated by the hedgehog signaling pathway, and inhibition of the hedgehog pathway reduced ITGA11 expression and fibrotic parameters in human hepatic stellate cells in vitro, in liver fibrosis mouse model in vivo and in human liver slices ex vivo. Therefore, we speculated that ITGA11 might be involved in fibrogenic signaling and might act downstream of the hedgehog signaling pathway. These findings highlight the significance of the ITGA11 receptor as a highly promising therapeutic target in organ fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi Bansal
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Shigeki Nakagawa
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Saleh Yazdani
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Joop van Baarlen
- Laboratorium Pathologie Oost-Nederland, Hengelo, The Netherlands
| | - Anu Venkatesh
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna P Koh
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Won-Min Song
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicolas Goossens
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hideo Watanabe
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mary B Beasley
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles A Powell
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gert Storm
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Naftali Kaminski
- Yale School of Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Harry van Goor
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jai Prakash
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.,Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,ScarTec Therapeutics BV, Enschede, The Netherlands
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32
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El-Mezayen NS, El-Hadidy WF, El-Refaie WM, Shalaby T, Khattab MM, El-Khatib AS. Hepatic stellate cell-targeted imatinib nanomedicine versus conventional imatinib: A novel strategy with potent efficacy in experimental liver fibrosis. J Control Release 2017; 266:226-237. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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MicroRNA-195 Activates Hepatic Stellate Cells In Vitro by Targeting Smad7. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:1945631. [PMID: 28929107 PMCID: PMC5591989 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1945631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aim Aberrant activation of the TGF-β1/Smad pathway contributes to the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). MicroRNA-195 has been shown to regulate the activation of HSCs. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miRNA-195 in HSCs activation. Methods A liver fibrotic rat model induced by diethylnitrosamine was established. Dual luciferase reporter assays were performed to verify that Smad7 was the target of miRNA-195. The expression levels of miR-195, Smad7, and α-SMA in HSC-T6 transfected, respectively, with miR-195 mimic, inhibitor, or control were measured by qRT-PCR. The protein expression of Smad7 was detected by Western blot analysis. Results Enhanced miR-195 and decreased Smad7 were observed in diethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrotic rats (P < 0.05). Dual luciferase reporter assays showed that the miR-195 mimic significantly suppressed the luciferase activity of a reporter plasmid carrying the binding site of miR-195 on the 3′UTR of Smad7 (P < 0.05). The miR-195 mimics activated HSCs, further elevated miR-195 and α-SMA (P < 0.01), and reduced the Smad7 level (P < 0.05). The miR-195 inhibitors blocked the activation of HSCs, reduced the expression of miR-195 and α-SMA (P < 0.01), and upregulated the expression of Smad7 (P < 0.05). Conclusion Collectively, we demonstrated that miRNA-195 activated HSCs by targeting Smad7.
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Zhang YQ, Wan LY, He XM, Ni YR, Wang C, Liu CB, Wu JF. Gremlin1 Accelerates Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation Through Upregulation of TGF-Beta Expression. DNA Cell Biol 2017; 36:603-610. [PMID: 28467108 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2017.3707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Gremlin1, the antagonist of bone morphogenetic protein-7 and one of the target genes of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signal pathway, plays an important role in embryonic development and its expression decreases along with aging. To explore the expression of gremlin1 in liver fibrosis and the causal link between gremlin1 and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, we detected the expression of gremlin1 in mice with hepatic fibrosis induced by porcine serum using real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemical staining. The hepatic fibrosis mice were evaluated by the external feature of the liver, histology, hepatic function, collagen deposition, and the expression of fibrosis-related genes (genes COLIα2 and COLIVα2) in the liver. In the HSC-T6, western blotting was used to analyze the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), COL1α, and TGF-β1 in conditions of overexpression of gremlin1 or gremlin1 being knocked down by specific siRNA, respectively. The results showed that the mRNA expression of the gremlin1 gene was significantly increased consistent with increased expression of COLIα2 and COLIVα2 in the liver tissue of the hepatic fibrosis mice. Increased expression of gremlin1 coincided with the same area of the collagen deposition. Furthermore, the results also showed that the expression of α-SMA, COLIα1, and TGF-β1 was consistent with the expression of gremlin1 not only in the HSC-T6 overexpressing gremlin1 but also in the HSC-T6 that gremlin1 is knocked down by specific siRNA. The findings suggest that gremlin1 might play an important role in the progression of hepatic fibrosis and that it modulates HSC activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Qiong Zhang
- 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University , Yichang, China
| | - Lin-Yan Wan
- 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University , Yichang, China
- 2 Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University , Yichang, China
- 3 Digestive Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yichang , Hubei, China
| | - Xiao-Min He
- 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University , Yichang, China
- 2 Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University , Yichang, China
| | - Yi-Ran Ni
- 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University , Yichang, China
| | - Chang Wang
- 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University , Yichang, China
- 2 Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University , Yichang, China
| | - Chang-Bai Liu
- 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University , Yichang, China
- 2 Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University , Yichang, China
| | - Jiang-Feng Wu
- 1 Department of Anatomy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University , Yichang, China
- 2 Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University , Yichang, China
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Klungboonkrong V, Das D, McLennan G. Molecular Mechanisms and Targets of Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2017; 28:949-955. [PMID: 28416267 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2017.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. HCC develops through a multistep process that involves the local tumor microenvironment, intracellular signaling pathways, and altered metabolic system that allows the cancer proliferation. Understanding the mechanisms of tumor development and progression is critical to developing improved therapies aimed at better survival. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms of HCC development and highlights the potential therapeutic targets for treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Klungboonkrong
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Imaging Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195; Department of Radiology, KhonKaen University, KhonKaen, Thailand
| | - Dola Das
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195
| | - Gordon McLennan
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Imaging Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195.
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Öztürk Akcora B, Storm G, Prakash J, Bansal R. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor BIBF1120 ameliorates inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrosis in CCl 4-induced liver fibrogenesis mouse model. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44545. [PMID: 28291245 PMCID: PMC5349608 DOI: 10.1038/srep44545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis, a progressive chronic disease mainly caused by hepatitis viral infections, alcohol abuse or metabolic syndrome leading to liver dysfunction and is the growing cause of mortality worldwide. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor BIBF1120 (Nintedanib) has been evaluated in clinical trials for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and advanced Hepatocellular carcinoma, but has not been explored for liver fibrosis yet. In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanism of BIBF1120 in liver fibrogenesis. The effects of BIBF1120 were evaluated in TGFβ-activated mouse 3T3 fibroblasts, LX2 cells, primary human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and CCl4-induced liver fibrogenesis mouse model. Fibroblasts-conditioned medium studies were performed to assess the paracrine effects on macrophages and endothelial cells. In-vitro in TGFβ-activated fibroblasts, BIBF1120 significantly inhibited expression of major fibrotic parameters, wound-healing and contractility. In vivo in CCl4-induced acute liver injury model, post-disease BIBF1120 administration significantly attenuated collagen accumulation and HSC activation. Interestingly, BIBF1120 drastically inhibited intrahepatic inflammation and angiogenesis. To further elucidate the mechanism of action, 3T3-conditioned medium studies demonstrated increased 3T3-mediated macrophage chemotaxis and endothelial cells tube formation and activation, which was significantly decreased by BIBF1120. These results suggests that BIBF1120 can be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Büsra Öztürk Akcora
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Storm
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jai Prakash
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Ruchi Bansal
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
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Massey VL, Dolin CE, Poole LG, Hudson SV, Siow DL, Brock GN, Merchant ML, Wilkey DW, Arteel GE. The hepatic "matrisome" responds dynamically to injury: Characterization of transitional changes to the extracellular matrix in mice. Hepatology 2017; 65:969-982. [PMID: 28035785 PMCID: PMC5319876 DOI: 10.1002/hep.28918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of diverse components that work bidirectionally with surrounding cells to create a responsive microenvironment. In some contexts (e.g., hepatic fibrosis), changes to the ECM are well recognized and understood. However, it is becoming increasingly accepted that the hepatic ECM proteome (i.e., matrisome) responds dynamically to stress well before fibrosis. The term "transitional tissue remodeling" describes qualitative and quantitative ECM changes in response to injury that do not alter the overall architecture of the organ; these changes in ECM may contribute to early disease initiation and/or progression. The nature and magnitude of these changes to the ECM in liver injury are poorly understood. The goals of this work were to validate analysis of the ECM proteome and compare the impact of 6 weeks of ethanol diet and/or acute lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Liver sections were processed in a series of increasingly rigorous extraction buffers to separate proteins by solubility. Extracted proteins were identified using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Both ethanol and LPS dramatically increased the number of matrisome proteins ∼25%. The enhancement of LPS-induced liver damage by ethanol preexposure was associated with unique protein changes. CONCLUSION An extraction method to enrich the hepatic ECM was characterized. The results demonstrate that the hepatic matrisome responds dynamically to both acute (LPS) and chronic (ethanol) stresses, long before more-dramatic fibrotic changes to the liver occur. The changes to the mastrisome may contribute, at least in part, to the pathological responses to these stresses. It is also interesting that several ECM proteins responded similarly to both stresses, suggesting a common mechanism in both models. Nevertheless, there were responses that were unique to the individual and combined exposures. (Hepatology 2017;65:969-982).
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica L. Massey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY
| | - Christine E. Dolin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY
| | - Lauren G. Poole
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY
| | - Shanice V. Hudson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY
| | - Deanna L. Siow
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY
| | - Guy N. Brock
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY
| | - Michael L. Merchant
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY,Department of Medicine, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY
| | - Daniel W. Wilkey
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY,Department of Medicine, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY
| | - Gavin E. Arteel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY
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Natarajan V, Harris EN, Kidambi S. SECs (Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells), Liver Microenvironment, and Fibrosis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:4097205. [PMID: 28293634 PMCID: PMC5331310 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4097205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing response to chronic liver injury such as alcoholic/nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and viral hepatitis with no FDA-approved treatments. Liver fibrosis results in a continual accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and paves the way for replacement of parenchyma with nonfunctional scar tissue. The fibrotic condition results in drastic changes in the local mechanical, chemical, and biological microenvironment of the tissue. Liver parenchyma is supported by an efficient network of vasculature lined by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). These nonparenchymal cells are highly specialized resident endothelial cell type with characteristic morphological and functional features. Alterations in LSECs phenotype including lack of LSEC fenestration, capillarization, and formation of an organized basement membrane have been shown to precede fibrosis and promote hepatic stellate cell activation. Here, we review the interplay of LSECs with the dynamic changes in the fibrotic liver microenvironment such as matrix rigidity, altered ECM protein profile, and cell-cell interactions to provide insight into the pivotal changes in LSEC physiology and the extent to which it mediates the progression of liver fibrosis. Establishing the molecular aspects of LSECs in the light of fibrotic microenvironment is valuable towards development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic targets of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishaali Natarajan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Edward N. Harris
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Srivatsan Kidambi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Mary and Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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Ameliorative effects of Compound K and ginsenoside Rh1 on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41144. [PMID: 28106137 PMCID: PMC5247696 DOI: 10.1038/srep41144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease, which has no standard treatment available. Panax notoginseng saponines (PNS) have recently been reported to protect liver against hepatocyte injury induced by ethanol or high fat diet (HFD) in rats. Compound K and ginsenoside Rh1 are the main metabolites of PNS. In this study, we evaluated the effects of CK and Rh1 on NAFLD. Rats fed HFD showed significant elevations in liver function markers, lipids, glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance. Treatment with CK or Rh1 either alone or in combination dramatically ameliorated the liver function impairment induced by HFD. Histologically, CK and Rh1 significantly reversed HFD-induced hepatocyte injury and liver fibrosis. In vitro experiments demonstrated that treatment with CK or Rh1 alone or in combination markedly induced cell apoptosis, and inhibited cell proliferation and activation in HSC-T6 cells. Additionally, CK and Rh1, either alone or in combination, also repressed the expression of fibrotic factors TIMP-1, PC-I, and PC-III. Taken together, our results demonstrate that CK and Rh1 have positive effects on NAFLD via the anti-fibrotic and hepatoprotective activity.
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40
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Clinical Advancements in the Targeted Therapies against Liver Fibrosis. Mediators Inflamm 2016; 2016:7629724. [PMID: 27999454 PMCID: PMC5143744 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7629724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis, characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins leading to liver dysfunction, is a growing cause of mortality worldwide. Hepatocellular damage owing to liver injury leads to the release of profibrotic factors from infiltrating inflammatory cells that results in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Upon activation, HSCs undergo characteristic morphological and functional changes and are transformed into proliferative and contractile ECM-producing myofibroblasts. Over recent years, a number of therapeutic strategies have been developed to inhibit hepatocyte apoptosis, inflammatory responses, and HSCs proliferation and activation. Preclinical studies have yielded numerous targets for the development of antifibrotic therapies, some of which have entered clinical trials and showed improved therapeutic efficacy and desirable safety profiles. Furthermore, advancements have been made in the development of noninvasive markers and techniques for the accurate disease assessment and therapy responses. Here, we focus on the clinical developments attained in the field of targeted antifibrotics for the treatment of liver fibrosis, for example, small molecule drugs, antibodies, and targeted drug conjugate. We further briefly highlight different noninvasive diagnostic technologies and will provide an overview about different therapeutic targets, clinical trials, endpoints, and translational efforts that have been made to halt or reverse the progression of liver fibrosis.
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41
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The alterations in the extracellular matrix composition guide the repair of damaged liver tissue. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27398. [PMID: 27264108 PMCID: PMC4893701 DOI: 10.1038/srep27398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
While the cellular mechanisms of liver regeneration have been thoroughly studied, the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) in liver regeneration is still poorly understood. We utilized a proteomics-based approach to identify the shifts in ECM composition after CCl4 or DDC treatment and studied their effect on the proliferation of liver cells by combining biophysical and cell culture methods. We identified notable alterations in the ECM structural components (eg collagens I, IV, V, fibronectin, elastin) as well as in non-structural proteins (eg olfactomedin-4, thrombospondin-4, armadillo repeat-containing x-linked protein 2 (Armcx2)). Comparable alterations in ECM composition were seen in damaged human livers. The increase in collagen content and decrease in elastic fibers resulted in rearrangement and increased stiffness of damaged liver ECM. Interestingly, the alterations in ECM components were nonhomogenous and differed between periportal and pericentral areas and thus our experiments demonstrated the differential ability of selected ECM components to regulate the proliferation of hepatocytes and biliary cells. We define for the first time the alterations in the ECM composition of livers recovering from damage and present functional evidence for a coordinated ECM remodelling that ensures an efficient restoration of liver tissue.
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Masserdotti C, Bertazzolo W. Cytologic features of hepatic fibrosis in dogs: a retrospective study on 22 cases. Vet Clin Pathol 2016; 45:361-7. [PMID: 27159883 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Liver cytology has diagnostic value for the identification of neoplastic and nonneoplastic hepatic diseases. However, so far the diagnosis of fibrotic changes has traditionally been restricted to histopathology. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to describe the cytologic features that may help in the recognition of hepatic fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cytologic smears from the liver of dogs histologically diagnosed with hepatic fibrosis (Group A) were selected and compared to liver smears from dogs without hepatic fibrosis (Group B). A differential count of hepatocytes, spindle cells, mast cells, granulocytes, lymphocytes/plasma cells, and macrophages was documented for each case, and means for the fibrosis and nonfibrosis group were compared. RESULTS The relative and total numbers of spindle cells and mast cells were significantly higher in the fibrosis group than in the nonfibrosis group. The optimal cutoff point for the spindle cells to hepatocytes ratio was 0.107 (ie, one spindle cell per 10 hepatocytes), with 95.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity for the cytologic diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis. The optimal cutoff point for the ratio mast cells to hepatocytes was 0.04 (ie, 4 mast cells per 100 hepatocytes) with 86.4% sensitivity and 90% specificity. DISCUSSION The presence of relatively and absolutely increased numbers of spindle and mast cells in hepatic cytology provides a rational basis to identify fibrosis of hepatic parenchyma. Based on a reasonable sensitivity and specificity, the cytologic diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis seems feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Walter Bertazzolo
- Laboratorio Analisi - Ospedale Veterinario Città di Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Laboratorio Veterinario LaVallonea, Alessano, Italy
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Sakiyama H, Fujiwara N, Yoneoka Y, Yoshihara D, Eguchi H, Suzuki K. Cu,Zn-SOD deficiency induces the accumulation of hepatic collagen. Free Radic Res 2016; 50:666-77. [PMID: 26981929 DOI: 10.3109/10715762.2016.1164856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases, and results in the development of fibrosis. Oxidative stress is thought to be one of the underlying causes of NAFLD. Copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is a primary antioxidative enzyme that scavenges superoxide anion radicals. Although SOD1 knockout (KO) mice have been reported to develop fatty livers, it is not known whether this lack of SOD1 leads to the development of fibrosis. Since the accumulation of collagen typically precedes liver fibrosis, we assessed the balance between the synthesis and degradation of collagen in liver tissue from SOD1 KO mice. We found a higher accumulation of collagen in the livers of SOD1 KO mice compared to wild type mice. The level of expression of HSP47, a chaperone of collagen, and a tissue inhibitor (TIMP1) of matrix metalloproteinases (a collagen degradating enzyme) was also increased in SOD1 KO mice livers. These results indicate that collagen synthesis is increased but that its degradation is inhibited in SOD1 KO mice livers. Moreover, SOD1 KO mice liver sections were extensively modified by advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which suggest that collagen in SOD1 KO mice liver might be also modified with AGEs and then would be more resistant to the action of collagen degrading enzymes. These findings clearly show that oxidative stress plays an important role in the progression of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruhiko Sakiyama
- a Department of Biochemistry, Hyogo College of Medicine , Nishinomiya , Hyogo , Japan
| | - Noriko Fujiwara
- a Department of Biochemistry, Hyogo College of Medicine , Nishinomiya , Hyogo , Japan
| | - Yuka Yoneoka
- a Department of Biochemistry, Hyogo College of Medicine , Nishinomiya , Hyogo , Japan
| | - Daisaku Yoshihara
- a Department of Biochemistry, Hyogo College of Medicine , Nishinomiya , Hyogo , Japan
| | - Hironobu Eguchi
- a Department of Biochemistry, Hyogo College of Medicine , Nishinomiya , Hyogo , Japan
| | - Keiichiro Suzuki
- a Department of Biochemistry, Hyogo College of Medicine , Nishinomiya , Hyogo , Japan
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Zoheiry MM, Hasan SA, El-Ahwany E, Nagy FM, Taleb HA, Nosseir M, Magdy M, Meshaal S, El-Talkawy MD, Raafat I. Serum Markers of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition as Predictors of HCV-induced Liver Fibrosis, Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Electron Physician 2015; 7:1626-37. [PMID: 26816590 PMCID: PMC4725417 DOI: 10.19082/1626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease in Egypt, leading to hepatic fibrosis, liver cirrhosis (LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). Newly-recognized pathogenic mechanisms point to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of hepatocytes to matrix synthesizing (myo-) fibroblasts. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β1), bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-7, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) are biomarkers reflecting the EMT process. YKL-40 is a glycoprotein member of ECM and plays a role in cancer cell proliferation. The purpose of this study was to determine the serum biomarkers of EMT and its impact on the fibrogenic process and tumorigenesis in HCV-genotype 4 patients. Methods In this case-control study that was conducted in 2013–2014, 97 HCV-infected patients were subjected to clinical examination, laboratory investigations, and liver biopsy. According to the histopathologic examination, they were classified to F0 (14 cases), F1 (17 cases), F2 (15 cases), F3 (18 cases), F4 (22 cases), and HCC (11 cases). Fifteen age- and gender-matched subjects were included as normal controls. Serum levels of TGF-β1, BMP-7, CTGF, YKL-40 were assessed, and the TGF-β1/BMP-7 ratios were calculated. The data were analyzed by plotting the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (Spearman’s rho). Results Serum levels of TGF-β1, BMP-7, CTGF, and YKL-40 were significantly increased in all patient groups compared to controls (p < 0.001). LC exhibited the highest CTGF level and YKL-40 was highest in HCC. The TGF-β1/ BMP-7 ratios reflected the progression of EMT from CHC to LC, however, there was no significant difference between LC and HCC. TGF-β1/ BMP-7 ratio is considered to reflect positive correlation with CTGF in LC group (r = 0.629; p < 0.03) and YKL-40 in HCC group (r = 0.504; p < 0.04). Conclusion Increased TGF-β1/BMP-7 ratio and CTGF levels reflect the rate of EMT and provide information about fibrogenic activity. Also, this ratio, in association with YKL-40, can be used to predict malignant transformation in HCV-genotype 4 Egyptian patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona M Zoheiry
- Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa Aa Hasan
- Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Eman El-Ahwany
- Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Faten M Nagy
- Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hoda Abu Taleb
- Environmental Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mona Nosseir
- Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mona Magdy
- Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Safa Meshaal
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Darwish El-Talkawy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Inas Raafat
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
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Bansal R, van Baarlen J, Storm G, Prakash J. The interplay of the Notch signaling in hepatic stellate cells and macrophages determines the fate of liver fibrogenesis. Sci Rep 2015; 5:18272. [PMID: 26658360 PMCID: PMC4677309 DOI: 10.1038/srep18272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) known as "master producers" and macrophages as "master regulators", are the key cell types that strongly contribute to the progression of liver fibrosis. Since Notch signaling regulates multiple cellular processes, we aimed to study the role of Notch signaling in HSCs differentiation and macrophages polarization and to evaluate its implication in liver fibrogenesis. Notch pathway components were found to be significantly upregulated in TGFβ-activated HSCs, inflammatory M1 macrophages, and in mouse and human fibrotic livers. Interestingly, inhibition of Notch using a selective γ-secretase inhibitor, Avagacestat, significantly inhibited TGFβ-induced HSC activation and contractility, and suppressed M1 macrophages. Additionally, Avagacestat inhibited M1 driven-fibroblasts activation and fibroblasts-driven M1 polarization (nitric oxide release) in fibroblasts and macrophages co-culture, and conditioned medium studies. In vivo, post-disease treatment with Avagacestat significantly attenuated fibrogenesis in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model. These effects were attributed to the reduction in HSCs activation, and inhibition of inflammatory M1 macrophages and upregulation of suppressive M2 macrophages. These findings suggest that Notch signaling plays a crucial role in HSC activation and M1/M2 polarization of macrophages in liver fibrosis. These results provide new insights for the development of novel therapies against liver fibrosis through modulation of Notch signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi Bansal
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, 7522NB, The Netherlands
| | - Joop van Baarlen
- Laboratorium Pathologie Oost-Nederland, Hengelo, 7555 BB, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Storm
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, 7522NB, The Netherlands.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Jai Prakash
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, 7522NB, The Netherlands
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Wang Y, Zhang X, Yang Y, Yang X, Ye B. Study on the Antifibrotic Effects of Recombinant Shark Hepatical Stimulator Analogue (r-sHSA) in Vitro and in Vivo. Mar Drugs 2015; 13:5201-18. [PMID: 26295240 PMCID: PMC4557020 DOI: 10.3390/md13085201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is an effusive wound healing process, characterized by an excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), as the consequence of chronic liver injury of any etiology. Current therapeutic repertoire for hepatic fibrosis is limited to withdrawal of the noxious agent, which is not always feasible. Hence, in this article, the antifibrotic effects and possible mechanisms of r-sHSA, a recombinant protein with hepatoprotection potential, were investigated. Using NIH/3T3 (mouse embro-fibroblast cell line), skin fibroblasts (human skin fibroblasts, SFBs) and HSC-T6 (rat hepatic stellate cell line), the in vitro effect of r-sHSA was evaluated by measuring the expression levels of alpha-1 Type I collagen (Col1A1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). It turned out those fibrosis indicators were typically inhibited by r-sHSA, suggesting its capacity in HSCs inactivation. The antifibrotic activity of r-sHSA was further investigated in vivo on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis, in view of significant improvement of the biochemical and histological indicators. More specifically, CCl4-intoxication induced a significant increase in serological biomarkers, e.g., transaminase (AST, ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as disturbed hepatic antioxidative status; most of the parameters were spontaneously ameliorated to a large extent by withdrawal of CCl4, although the fibrotic lesion was observed histologically. In contrast, r-sHSA treatment markedly eliminated fibrous deposits and restored architecture of the liver in a dose dependent manner, concomitantly with the phenomena of inflammation relief and HSCs deactivation. To sum up, these findings suggest a therapeutic potential for r-sHSA in hepatic fibrosis, though further studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Xiaoyuan Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Xiaohong Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Boping Ye
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Stiedl P, McMahon R, Blaas L, Stanek V, Svinka J, Grabner B, Zollner G, Kessler SM, Claudel T, Müller M, Mikulits W, Bilban M, Esterbauer H, Eferl R, Haybaeck J, Trauner M, Casanova E. Growth hormone resistance exacerbates cholestasis-induced murine liver fibrosis. Hepatology 2015; 61:613-26. [PMID: 25179284 PMCID: PMC4986903 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Growth hormone (GH) resistance has been associated with liver cirrhosis in humans but its contribution to the disease remains controversial. In order to elucidate whether GH resistance plays a causal role in the establishment and development of liver fibrosis, or rather represents a major consequence thereof, we challenged mice lacking the GH receptor gene (Ghr(-/-), a model for GH resistance) by crossing them with Mdr2 knockout mice (Mdr2(-/-)), a mouse model of inflammatory cholestasis and liver fibrosis. Ghr(-/-);Mdr2(-/-) mice showed elevated serum markers associated with liver damage and cholestasis, extensive bile duct proliferation, and increased collagen deposition relative to Mdr2(-/-) mice, thus suggesting a more severe liver fibrosis phenotype. Additionally, Ghr(-/-);Mdr2(-/-) mice had a pronounced down-regulation of hepatoprotective genes Hnf6, Egfr, and Igf-1, and significantly increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis in hepatocytes, compared to control mice. Moreover, single knockout mice (Ghr(-/-)) fed with a diet containing 1% cholic acid displayed an increase in hepatocyte ROS production, hepatocyte apoptosis, and bile infarcts compared to their wild-type littermates, indicating that loss of Ghr renders hepatocytes more susceptible to toxic bile acid accumulation. Surprisingly, and despite their severe fibrotic phenotype, Ghr(-/-);Mdr2(-/-) mice displayed a significant decrease in tumor incidence compared to Mdr2(-/-) mice, indicating that loss of Ghr signaling may slow the progression from fibrosis/cirrhosis to cancer in the liver. CONCLUSION GH resistance dramatically exacerbates liver fibrosis in a mouse model of inflammatory cholestasis, therefore suggesting that GH resistance plays a causal role in the disease and provides a novel target for the development of liver fibrosis treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Stiedl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert McMahon
- Hans Popper Laboratory of Molecular Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Leander Blaas
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Victoria Stanek
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jasmin Svinka
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center CCC, Institute for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Gernot Zollner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sonja M. Kessler
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Thierry Claudel
- Hans Popper Laboratory of Molecular Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Müller
- Biomodels Austria, Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Mikulits
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center CCC, Institute for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Bilban
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Esterbauer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Eferl
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center CCC, Institute for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Michael Trauner
- Hans Popper Laboratory of Molecular Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Emilio Casanova
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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48
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Lee PJ, Woo SJ, Jee JG, Sung SH, Kim HP. Bisdemethoxycurcumin Induces apoptosis in activated hepatic stellate cells via cannabinoid receptor 2. Molecules 2015; 20:1277-92. [PMID: 25594342 PMCID: PMC6272607 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20011277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSCs), major fibrogenic cells in the liver, undergo apoptosis when liver injuries cease, which may contribute to the resolution of fibrosis. Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) is a natural derivative of curcumin with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. The therapeutic potential of BDMC in hepatic fibrosis has not been studied thus far in the context of the apoptosis in activated HSCs. In the current study, we compared the activities of BDMC and curcumin in the HSC-T6 cell line and demonstrated that BDMC relatively induced a potent apoptosis. BDMC-induced apoptosis was mediated by a combinatory inhibition of cytoprotective proteins, such as Bcl2 and heme oxygenase-1 and increased generation of reactive oxygen species. Intriguingly, BDMC-induced apoptosis was reversed with co-treatment of sr144528, a cannabinoid receptor (CBR) 2 antagonist, which was confirmed with genetic downregulation of the receptor using siCBR2. Additionally, incubation with BDMC increased the formation of death-induced signaling complex in HSC-T6 cells. Treatment with BDMC significantly diminished total intracellular ATP levels and upregulated ATP inhibitory factor-1. Collectively, the results demonstrate that BDMC induces apoptosis in activated HSCs, but not in hepatocytes, by impairing cellular energetics and causing a downregulation of cytoprotective proteins, likely through a mechanism that involves CBR2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phil Jun Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Korea.
| | - Seung Je Woo
- School of Pharmacy, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Korea.
| | - Jun-Goo Jee
- College of Pharmacy, Kyungbuk National University, Daegu 702-701, Korea.
| | - Sang Hyun Sung
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
| | - Hong Pyo Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Korea.
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49
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Trovato FM, Catalano D, Musumeci G, Trovato GM. 4Ps medicine of the fatty liver: the research model of predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory medicine-recommendations for facing obesity, fatty liver and fibrosis epidemics. EPMA J 2014; 5:21. [PMID: 25937854 PMCID: PMC4417534 DOI: 10.1186/1878-5085-5-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Relationship between adipose tissue and fatty liver, and its possible evolution in fibrosis, is supported by clinical and research experience. Given the multifactorial pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), treatments for various contributory risk factors have been proposed; however, there is no single validated therapy or drug association recommended for all cases which can stand alone. Mechanisms, diagnostics, prevention and treatment of obesity, fatty liver and insulin resistance are displayed along with recommendations and position points. Evidences and practice can get sustainable and cost-benefit valuable outcomes by participatory interventions. These recommendations can be enhanced by comprehensive research projects, addressed to societal issues and innovation, market appeal and industry development, cultural acceptance and sustainability. The basis of participatory medicine is a greater widespread awareness of a condition which is both a disease and an easy documented and inclusive clue for associated diseases and unhealthy lifestyle. This model is suitable for addressing prevention and useful for monitoring improvement, worsening and adherence with non-invasive imaging tools which allow targeted approaches. The latter include health psychology and nutritional and physical exercise prescription expertise disseminated by continuous medical education but, more important, by concrete curricula for training undergraduate and postgraduate students. It is possible and recommended to do it by early formal teaching of ultrasound imaging procedures and of practical lifestyle intervention strategies, including approaches aimed to healthier fashion suggestions. Guidelines and requirements of research project funding calls should be addressed also to NAFLD and allied conditions and should encompass the goal of training by research and the inclusion of participatory medicine topics. A deeper awareness of ethics of competences in health professionals and the articulation of knowledge, expertise and skills of medical doctors, dieticians, health psychologists and sport and physical exercise graduates are the necessary strategy for detectin a suboptimal health status and achieving realistically beneficial lifestyle changes. “The devil has put a penalty on all things we enjoy in life. Either we suffer in health or we suffer in soul or we get fat” (Albert Einstein); the task of medical research and intervention is to make possible to enjoy life also without things that make sufferance in health and souls and which excessively increase body fat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Maria Trovato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine Division, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 78-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Daniela Catalano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine Division, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 78-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Musumeci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Guglielmo M Trovato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine Division, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 78-95123 Catania, Italy
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50
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Kim KS, Yang HJ, Lee JY, Na YC, Kwon SY, Kim YC, Lee JH, Jang HJ. Effects of β-sitosterol derived from Artemisia capillaris on the activated human hepatic stellate cells and dimethylnitrosamine-induced mouse liver fibrosis. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 14:363. [PMID: 25262005 PMCID: PMC4193130 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background β-sitosterol is a cholesterol-like phytosterol, which widely distributed in the plant kingdom. Here, anti-fibrotic effect of the β-sitosterol was studied using the activated human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) model and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced mouse hepatic fibrosis model. Method HSCs were activated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and the collagen-1 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expressions were measured at the mRNA and protein level. We also studied the effect β-sitosterol using DMN-induced mouse hepatic fibrosis model. We then measured the collagen-1 and α-SMA expression levels in vivo to investigate anti-hepatofibrotic effect of β-sitosterol, at both of the mRNA and protein level. Results β-sitosterol down regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of collagen-1 and α-SMA in activated HSC. Oral administration of the β-sitosterol successfully alleviated the DMN-induced mouse liver damage and prevented collagen accumulation. The mRNA and protein expression levels of collagen-1 and α-SMA were also down regulated in β-sitosterol treated mouse group. Conclusions This study shows the effect of β-sitosterol on the TGF-β -or DMN-induced hepatofibrosis. Hence, we demonstrate the β-sitosterol as a potential therapeutic agent for the hepatofibrosis.
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