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Pu TY, Chuang KC, Tung MC, Yen CC, Chen YH, Cidem A, Ko CH, Chen W, Chen CM. Lactoferrin as a therapeutic agent for attenuating hepatic stellate cell activation in thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116490. [PMID: 38554526 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver disease caused by prolonged liver injuries. Excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix replaces the damaged hepatocytes, leading to fibrous scar formation and fibrosis induction. Lactoferrin (LF) is a glycoprotein with a conserved, monomeric signal polypeptide chain, exhibiting diverse physiological functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antitumoral activities. Previous study has shown LF's protective role against chemically-induced liver fibrosis in rats. However, the mechanisms of LF in liver fibrosis are still unclear. In this study, we investigated LF's mechanisms in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in rats and TGF-β1-treated HSC-T6 cells. Using ultrasonic imaging, H&E, Masson's, and Sirius Red staining, we demonstrated LF's ability to improve liver tissue damage and fibrosis induced by TAA. LF reduced the levels of ALT, AST, and hydroxyproline in TAA-treated liver tissues, while increasing catalase levels. Additionally, LF treatment decreased mRNA expression of inflammatory factors such as Il-1β and Icam-1, as well as fibrogenic factors including α-Sma, Collagen I, and Ctgf in TAA-treated liver tissues. Furthermore, LF reduced TAA-induced ROS production and cell death in FL83B cells, and decreased α-SMA, Collagen I, and p-Smad2/3 productions in TGF-β1-treated HSC-T6 cells. Our study highlights LF's ability to ameliorate TAA-induced hepatocyte damage, oxidative stress, and liver fibrosis in rats, potentially through its inhibitory effect on HSC activation. These findings suggest LF's potential as a therapeutic agent for protecting against liver injuries and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Yu Pu
- Department of Life Sciences, and Doctorial Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Cheng Chuang
- Department of Life Sciences, and Doctorial Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Min-Che Tung
- Department of Life Sciences, and Doctorial Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Department of Surgery, Tungs' Taichung Metro Harbor Hospital, Taichung 435, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ching Yen
- Department of Life Sciences, and Doctorial Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, and College of Health Care, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsuan Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, and Doctorial Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Abdulkadir Cidem
- Department of Life Sciences, and Doctorial Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum 25250, Turkey
| | - Chu-Hsun Ko
- Department of Life Sciences, and Doctorial Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Wei Chen
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Mu Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, and Doctorial Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center, and Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
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Hu Z, Kurihara T, Sun Y, Cetin Z, Florentino RM, Faccioli LAP, Liu Z, Yang B, Ostrowska A, Soto-Gutierrez A, Delgado ER. A rat model of cirrhosis with well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma induced by thioacetamide. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.18.590120. [PMID: 38712079 PMCID: PMC11071316 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.18.590120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and commonly associated with hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis. This study aims to establish a rat model mimicking the progression from liver fibrosis to cirrhosis and subsequently to HCC using thioacetamide (TAA). We utilized male Lewis rats, treating them with intra-peritoneal injections of TAA. These rats received bi-weekly injections of either 200 mg/kg TAA or saline (as a control) over a period of 34 weeks. The development of cirrhosis and hepatocarcinogenesis was monitored through histopathological examinations, biochemical markers, and immunohistochemical analyses. Our results demonstrated that chronic TAA administration induced cirrhosis and well-differentiated HCC, characterized by increased fibrosis, altered liver architecture, and enhanced hepatocyte proliferation. Biochemical analyses revealed significant alterations in liver function markers, including elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, without affecting kidney function or causing significant weight loss or mortality in rats. This TAA-induced cirrhosis and HCC rat model successfully replicates the clinical progression of human HCC, including liver function impairment and early-stage liver cancer characteristics. It presents a valuable tool for future research on the mechanisms of antitumor drugs in tumor initiation and development.
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Luo J, Liu H, Xu Y, Yu N, Steiner RA, Wu X, Si S, Jin ZG. Hepatic Sirt6 activation abrogates acute liver failure. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:283. [PMID: 38649362 PMCID: PMC11035560 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06537-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Acute liver failure (ALF) is a deadly illness due to insufficient detoxification in liver induced by drugs, toxins, and other etiologies, and the effective treatment for ALF is very limited. Among the drug-induced ALF, acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the most common cause. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying APAP hepatoxicity remain incompletely understood. Sirtuin 6 (Sirt6) is a stress responsive protein deacetylase and plays an important role in regulation of DNA repair, genomic stability, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Here, we report that genetic and pharmacological activation of Sirt6 protects against ALF in mice. We first observed that Sirt6 expression was significantly reduced in the liver tissues of human patients with ALF and mice treated with an overdose of APAP. Then we developed an inducible Sirt6 transgenic mice for Cre-mediated overexpression of the human Sirt6 gene in systemic (Sirt6-Tg) and hepatic-specific (Sirt6-HepTg) manners. Both Sirt6-Tg mice and Sirt6-HepTg mice exhibited the significant protection against APAP hepatoxicity. In contrast, hepatic-specific Sirt6 knockout mice exaggerated APAP-induced liver damages. Mechanistically, Sirt6 attenuated APAP-induced hepatocyte necrosis and apoptosis through downregulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, the stress-activated kinase JNK activation, and apoptotic caspase activation. Moreover, Sirt6 negatively modulated the level and activity of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) in APAP-treated mouse liver tissues. Importantly, the specific Sirt6 activator MDL-800 exhibited better therapeutic potential for APAP hepatoxicity than the current drug acetylcysteine. Furthermore, in the model of bile duct ligation induced ALF, hepatic Sirt6-KO exacerbated, but Sirt6-HepTg mitigated liver damage. Collectively, our results demonstrate that Sirt6 protects against ALF and suggest that targeting Sirt6 activation could be a new therapeutic strategy to alleviate ALF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinque Luo
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box CVRI, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), No. 1 Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of the Research and Development of Novel Pharmaceutical Preparations, "The 14th Five-Year Plan" Application Characteristic Discipline of Hunan Province (Pharmaceutical Science), College of Pharmacy, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410219, Hunan, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box CVRI, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Yanni Xu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), No. 1 Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Nanhui Yu
- The 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Rebbeca A Steiner
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box CVRI, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Xiaoqian Wu
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box CVRI, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuyi Si
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), No. 1 Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Zheng Gen Jin
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box CVRI, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
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Mavila N, Siraganahalli Eshwaraiah M, Kennedy J. Ductular Reactions in Liver Injury, Regeneration, and Disease Progression-An Overview. Cells 2024; 13:579. [PMID: 38607018 PMCID: PMC11011399 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Ductular reaction (DR) is a complex cellular response that occurs in the liver during chronic injuries. DR mainly consists of hyper-proliferative or reactive cholangiocytes and, to a lesser extent, de-differentiated hepatocytes and liver progenitors presenting a close spatial interaction with periportal mesenchyme and immune cells. The underlying pathology of DRs leads to extensive tissue remodeling in chronic liver diseases. DR initiates as a tissue-regeneration mechanism in the liver; however, its close association with progressive fibrosis and inflammation in many chronic liver diseases makes it a more complicated pathological response than a simple regenerative process. An in-depth understanding of the cellular physiology of DRs and their contribution to tissue repair, inflammation, and progressive fibrosis can help scientists develop cell-type specific targeted therapies to manage liver fibrosis and chronic liver diseases effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmala Mavila
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (M.S.E.); (J.K.)
- Division of Applied Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Mallikarjuna Siraganahalli Eshwaraiah
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (M.S.E.); (J.K.)
| | - Jaquelene Kennedy
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (M.S.E.); (J.K.)
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Diwan R, Gaytan SL, Bhatt HN, Pena-Zacarias J, Nurunnabi M. Liver fibrosis pathologies and potentials of RNA based therapeutics modalities. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s13346-024-01551-8. [PMID: 38446352 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-024-01551-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis (LF) occurs when the liver tissue responds to injury or inflammation by producing excessive amounts of scar tissue, known as the extracellular matrix. This buildup stiffens the liver tissue, hinders blood flow, and ultimately impairs liver function. Various factors can trigger this process, including bloodborne pathogens, genetic predisposition, alcohol abuse, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. While some existing small-molecule therapies offer limited benefits, there is a pressing need for more effective treatments that can truly cure LF. RNA therapeutics have emerged as a promising approach, as they can potentially downregulate cytokine levels in cells responsible for liver fibrosis. Researchers are actively exploring various RNA-based therapeutics, such as mRNA, siRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, and oligonucleotides, to assess their efficacy in animal models. Furthermore, targeted drug delivery systems hold immense potential in this field. By utilizing lipid nanoparticles, exosomes, nanocomplexes, micelles, and polymeric nanoparticles, researchers aim to deliver therapeutic agents directly to specific biomarkers or cytokines within the fibrotic liver, increasing their effectiveness and reducing side effects. In conclusion, this review highlights the complex nature of liver fibrosis, its underlying causes, and the promising potential of RNA-based therapeutics and targeted delivery systems. Continued research in these areas could lead to the development of more effective and personalized treatment options for LF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimpy Diwan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Samantha Lynn Gaytan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA
- Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA
| | - Himanshu Narendrakumar Bhatt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Jacqueline Pena-Zacarias
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA
| | - Md Nurunnabi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA.
- Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, Texas, 79968, USA.
- Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA.
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Montero-Vallejo R, Maya-Miles D, Ampuero J, Martín F, Romero-Gómez M, Gallego-Durán R. Novel insights into metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease preclinical models. Liver Int 2024; 44:644-662. [PMID: 38291855 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) encompasses a wide spectrum of metabolic conditions associated with an excess of fat accumulation in the liver, ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Finding appropriate tools to study its development and progression is essential to address essential unmet therapeutic and staging needs. This review discusses advantages and shortcomings of different dietary, chemical and genetic factors that can be used to mimic this disease and its progression in mice from a hepatic and metabolic point of view. Also, this review will highlight some additional factors and considerations that could have a strong impact on the outcomes of our model to end up providing recommendations and a checklist to facilitate the selection of the appropriate MASLD preclinical model based on clinical aims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Montero-Vallejo
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Douglas Maya-Miles
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Ampuero
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
- Digestive Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Franz Martín
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine-CABIMER, University Pablo Olavide-University of Seville-CSIC, Seville, Spain
- Biomedical Research Network on Diabetes and Related Metabolic Diseases-CIBERDEM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Romero-Gómez
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
- Digestive Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rocío Gallego-Durán
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
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Carvalho AM, Bansal R, Barrias CC, Sarmento B. The Material World of 3D-Bioprinted and Microfluidic-Chip Models of Human Liver Fibrosis. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2307673. [PMID: 37961933 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Biomaterials are extensively used to mimic cell-matrix interactions, which are essential for cell growth, function, and differentiation. This is particularly relevant when developing in vitro disease models of organs rich in extracellular matrix, like the liver. Liver disease involves a chronic wound-healing response with formation of scar tissue known as fibrosis. At early stages, liver disease can be reverted, but as disease progresses, reversion is no longer possible, and there is no cure. Research for new therapies is hampered by the lack of adequate models that replicate the mechanical properties and biochemical stimuli present in the fibrotic liver. Fibrosis is associated with changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix that directly influence cell behavior. Biomaterials could play an essential role in better emulating the disease microenvironment. In this paper, the recent and cutting-edge biomaterials used for creating in vitro models of human liver fibrosis are revised, in combination with cells, bioprinting, and/or microfluidics. These technologies have been instrumental to replicate the intricate structure of the unhealthy tissue and promote medium perfusion that improves cell growth and function, respectively. A comprehensive analysis of the impact of material hints and cell-material interactions in a tridimensional context is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Margarida Carvalho
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal
| | - Ruchi Bansal
- Translational Liver Research, Department of Medical Cell Biophysics, Technical Medical Center, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina C Barrias
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal
| | - Bruno Sarmento
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal
- IUCS - Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde, CESPU, Rua Central de Gandra 1317, Gandra, 4585-116, Portugal
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Wu Y, Song L, Kong J, Wen Q, Jiao J, Wang X, Li G, Xu X, Zhan L. Scribble promotes fibrosis-dependent mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis by p53/PUMA-mediated glycolysis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166823. [PMID: 37632981 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS Liver cancer is the sixth most common type of cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Scribble has been shown to function as a neoplastic tumor suppressor gene in most tumors. Our previous studies reported that down-regulation or mislocalization of Scribble was sufficient to initiate mammary tumorigenesis and NSCLC. Recently, it was reported that Scribble was highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aim to study how it was up-regulated and the contradictory role of Scribble in HCC. METHODS AND RESULTS Using a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis system, we showed that Scribble was over-expressed and which may protect the mice against hepatic fibrosis. Unexpectedly, we found out the potential for Scribble to act as a tumor driver at the advanced stage of N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) plus CCl4 induced HCC mice model in vivo. In addition, we observed even higher expression of Scribble in HCC tumors harboring elevated levels of wild-type p53. Most importantly, nuclear translocated Scribble could interact with p53, which lead to enhanced stability and transcriptional activity of p53. Mechanistically, our data suggested that Scribble might drive HCC progression by promoting metabolic regulation of p53 through p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA)-mediated Warburg effect. CONCLUSIONS Our data identified the molecular basis of hepatic fibrosis-specific gene expression of polarity gene, such as Scribble. Interestingly, with the progression from fibrosis to cirrhosis to HCC, its nuclear translocation promoted a wild-type p53-mediated cancer metabolic switch and tumor progression in HCC. Taken together, we demonstrated that Scribble was up-regulated and served a protective role in liver fibrosis, while also apparently acting as a tumor driver in fibrosis-dependent hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Lele Song
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jingwen Kong
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Qian Wen
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jiazheng Jiao
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
| | - Lixing Zhan
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
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Fendt R, Ghallab A, Myllys M, Hofmann U, Hassan R, Hobloss Z, González D, Brackhagen L, Marchan R, Edlund K, Seddek AL, Abdelmageed N, Blank LM, Schlender JF, Holland CH, Hengstler JG, Kuepfer L. Increased sinusoidal export of drug glucuronides is a compensative mechanism in liver cirrhosis of mice. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1279357. [PMID: 38053838 PMCID: PMC10694292 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1279357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Liver cirrhosis is known to affect drug pharmacokinetics, but the functional assessment of the underlying pathophysiological alterations in drug metabolism is difficult. Methods: Cirrhosis in mice was induced by repeated treatment with carbon tetrachloride for 12 months. A cocktail of six drugs was administered, and parent compounds as well as phase I and II metabolites were quantified in blood, bile, and urine in a time-dependent manner. Pharmacokinetics were modeled in relation to the altered expression of metabolizing enzymes. In discrepancy with computational predictions, a strong increase of glucuronides in blood was observed in cirrhotic mice compared to vehicle controls. Results: The deviation between experimental findings and computational simulations observed by analyzing different hypotheses could be explained by increased sinusoidal export and corresponded to increased expression of export carriers (Abcc3 and Abcc4). Formation of phase I metabolites and clearance of the parent compounds were surprisingly robust in cirrhosis, although the phase I enzymes critical for the metabolism of the administered drugs in healthy mice, Cyp1a2 and Cyp2c29, were downregulated in cirrhotic livers. RNA-sequencing revealed the upregulation of numerous other phase I metabolizing enzymes which may compensate for the lost CYP isoenzymes. Comparison of genome-wide data of cirrhotic mouse and human liver tissue revealed similar features of expression changes, including increased sinusoidal export and reduced uptake carriers. Conclusion: Liver cirrhosis leads to increased blood concentrations of glucuronides because of increased export from hepatocytes into the sinusoidal blood. Although individual metabolic pathways are massively altered in cirrhosis, the overall clearance of the parent compounds was relatively robust due to compensatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Fendt
- Institute for Systems Medicine with Focus on Organ Interaction, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ahmed Ghallab
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Maiju Myllys
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ute Hofmann
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and University of Tübingen, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Reham Hassan
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Zaynab Hobloss
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Daniela González
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Lisa Brackhagen
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Rosemarie Marchan
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Karolina Edlund
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Abdel-Latif Seddek
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Noha Abdelmageed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Lars M. Blank
- Institute of Applied Microbiology—iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology—ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jan-Frederik Schlender
- Pharmacometrics, Research and Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany
| | - Christian H. Holland
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jan G. Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Lars Kuepfer
- Institute for Systems Medicine with Focus on Organ Interaction, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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10
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Ibrahim MY, Alamri ZZ, Juma ASM, Hamood SA, Shareef SH, Abdulla MA, Jayash SN. Hepatoprotective Effects of Biochanin A on Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Cirrhosis in Experimental Rats. Molecules 2023; 28:7608. [PMID: 38005330 PMCID: PMC10674479 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28227608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The protective effect of biochanin A (BCA) on the histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and biochemistry of thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver cirrhosis in vivo was investigated. There was a significant reduction in liver weight and hepatocyte propagation, with much lower cell injury in rat groups treated with BCA (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) following a TAA induction. These groups had significantly lower levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The liver homogenates showed increased antioxidant enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The serum biomarkers associated with liver function, namely alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma glutamyl transaminase (GGT), returned to normal levels, comparable to those observed in both the normal control group and the reference control group. Taken together, the normal microanatomy of hepatocytes, the inhibition of PCNA and α-SMA, improved antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx), and condensed MDA with repairs of liver biomarkers validated BCA's hepatoprotective effect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zaenah Zuhair Alamri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ameena S. M. Juma
- Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Science, Cihan University-Erbil, Erbil 44001, Iraq; (A.S.M.J.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Sarah Ashour Hamood
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Al-Essra University College, Baghdad 10011, Iraq;
| | - Suhayla Hamad Shareef
- Department of Biology, College of Education, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil 44001, Iraq;
| | - Mahmood Ameen Abdulla
- Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Science, Cihan University-Erbil, Erbil 44001, Iraq; (A.S.M.J.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Soher Nagi Jayash
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
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11
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Balaji A, Bell CA, Houston ZH, Bridle KR, Genz B, Fletcher NL, Ramm GA, Thurecht KJ. Exploring the impact of severity in hepatic fibrosis disease on the intrahepatic distribution of novel biodegradable nanoparticles targeted towards different disease biomarkers. Biomaterials 2023; 302:122318. [PMID: 37708659 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (DDS) have shown promising results in reversing hepatic fibrosis, a common pathological basis of chronic liver diseases (CLDs), in preclinical animal models. However, none of these nanoparticle formulations has transitioned to clinical usage and there are currently no FDA-approved drugs available for liver fibrosis. This highlights the need for a better understanding of the challenges faced by nanoparticles in this complex disease setting. Here, we have systematically studied the impact of targeting strategy, the degree of macrophage infiltration during fibrosis, and the severity of fibrosis, on the liver uptake and intrahepatic distribution of nanocarriers. When tested in mice with advanced liver fibrosis, we demonstrated that the targeting ligand density plays a significant role in determining the uptake and retention of the nanoparticles in the fibrotic liver whilst the type of targeting ligand modulates the trafficking of these nanoparticles into the cell population of interest - activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs). Engineering the targeting strategy indeed reduced the uptake of nanoparticles in typical mononuclear phagocyte (MPS) cell populations, but not the infiltrated macrophages. Meanwhile, additional functionalization may be required to enhance the efficacy of DDS in end-stage fibrosis/cirrhosis compared to early stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunpandian Balaji
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Craig A Bell
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, Australia; Australian Research Council Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Zachary H Houston
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Kim R Bridle
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland 4120, Australia
| | - Berit Genz
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia; QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
| | - Nicholas L Fletcher
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, Australia; Australian Research Council Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Grant A Ramm
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
| | - Kristofer J Thurecht
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, Australia; Australian Research Council Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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12
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Kandhi R, Yeganeh M, Yoshimura A, Menendez A, Ramanathan S, Ilangumaran S. Hepatic stellate cell-intrinsic role of SOCS1 in controlling hepatic fibrogenic response and the pro-inflammatory macrophage compartment during liver fibrosis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1259246. [PMID: 37860002 PMCID: PMC10582746 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1259246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) become activated, differentiate to myofibroblasts and produce extracellular fibrillar matrix during liver fibrosis. The hepatic fibrogenic response is orchestrated by reciprocal interactions between HSCs and macrophages and their secreted products. SOCS1 can regulate several cytokines and growth factors implicated in liver fibrosis. Here we investigated the role of SOCS1 in regulating HSC activation. Methods Mice lacking SOCS1 in HSCs (Socs1ΔHSC) were generated by crossing Socs1fl/fl and LratCre mice. Liver fibrosis was induced by carbon tetrachloride and evaluated by Sirius red staining, hydroxyproline content and immunostaining of myofibroblasts. Gene expression of pro-fibrogenic factors, cytokines, growth factors and chemokines were quantified by RT-qPCR. The phenotype and the numbers of intrahepatic leukocyte subsets were studied by flow cytometry. The impact of fibrosis on the development of diethyl nitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma was evaluated. Results Socs1ΔHSC mice developed more severe liver fibrosis than control Socs1fl/fl mice that was characterized by increased collagen deposition and myofibroblast differentiation. Socs1ΔHSC mice showed a significant increase in the expression of smooth muscle actin, collagens, matrix metalloproteases, cytokines, growth factors and chemokines in the liver following fibrosis induction. The fibrotic livers of Socs1ΔHSC mice displayed heightened inflammatory cell infiltration with increased proportion and numbers of Ly6ChiCCR2+ pro-inflammatory macrophages. This macrophage population contained elevated numbers of CCR2+CX3CR1+ cells, suggesting impaired transition towards restorative macrophages. Fibrosis induction following exposure to diethyl nitrosamine resulted in more numerous and larger liver tumor nodules in Socs1ΔHSC mice than in Socs1fl/fl mice. Discussion Our findings indicate that (i) SOCS1 expression in HSCs is a critical to control liver fibrosis and development of hepatocaellular carcinoma, and (ii) attenuation of HSC activation by SOCS1 regulates pro-inflammatory macrophage recruitment and differentiation during liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajani Kandhi
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Mehdi Yeganeh
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Akihiko Yoshimura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Alfredo Menendez
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Sheela Ramanathan
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Subburaj Ilangumaran
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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13
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Farid A, Michael V, Safwat G. Melatonin loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles reduce inflammation, inhibit apoptosis and protect rat's liver from the hazardous effects of CCL4. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16424. [PMID: 37777583 PMCID: PMC10543381 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43546-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver is an important organ that carries out major important functions including the detoxification of harmful chemicals. Numerous studies have lately focused on the impact of various substances, such as chemical pollutants and pharmaceutical drugs, on the liver. Melatonin (Mel) has been reported for the protection against liver injury. In order to enhance Mel therapeutic benefits and prevent any potential negative effects, Mel has to be delivered to the injured liver. Therefore, the goal of the current investigation was to create Mel-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (Mel-PLGA NPs) to alleviate carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-induced liver damage in male Sprague Dawley rats. The prepared Mel-PLGA NPs were physically characterized to determine its size and charge. Moreover, Mel-PLGA NPs were examined, in vitro, to determine its antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity effects before being used in vivo. The effect of NPs on liver injury was evaluated through biochemical, immunological, histopathological examination and flow cytometry technique. Mel-PLGA NPs were smooth and spherical with no signs of aggregation and have in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant effects. NPs varied in size from 87 to 96 nm in transmission electron microscope images, while their hydrodynamic diameter was 41 nm and their zeta potential was -6 mV. Mel-PLGA NPs had encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and drug loading (DL%) of 59.9 and 12.5%, respectively. Treatment with Mel-PLGA NPs ameliorated all histopathological changes, in liver sections, that resulted from CCL4 administration; where, liver sections of treated groups were similar to those of healthy control GI. NPs administration were superior to free Mel and reversed the elevated levels of liver function enzymes, inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases to their normal levels. Moreover, liver sections of groups treated with NPs showed negative immunostaining for nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and C-reactive protein indicating their anti-inflammatory behavior. Mel-PLGA NPs significantly protected liver from the toxicity of CCL4. The effective dose of NPs was 5 mg/kg indicating a reduction in the required Mel dose and its associated adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyaa Farid
- Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Valina Michael
- Faculty of Biotechnology, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), Giza, Egypt
| | - Gehan Safwat
- Faculty of Biotechnology, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), Giza, Egypt
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14
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Wegrzyniak O, Zhang B, Rokka J, Rosestedt M, Mitran B, Cheung P, Puuvuori E, Ingvast S, Persson J, Nordström H, Löfblom J, Pontén F, Frejd FY, Korsgren O, Eriksson J, Eriksson O. Imaging of fibrogenesis in the liver by [ 18F]TZ-Z09591, an Affibody molecule targeting platelet derived growth factor receptor β. EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem 2023; 8:23. [PMID: 37733133 PMCID: PMC10513984 DOI: 10.1186/s41181-023-00210-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) is a receptor overexpressed on activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs). Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of PDGFRβ could potentially allow the quantification of fibrogenesis in fibrotic livers. This study aims to evaluate a fluorine-18 radiolabeled Affibody molecule ([18F]TZ-Z09591) as a PET tracer for imaging liver fibrogenesis. RESULTS In vitro specificity studies demonstrated that the trans-Cyclooctenes (TCO) conjugated Z09591 Affibody molecule had a picomolar affinity for human PDGFRβ. Biodistribution performed on healthy rats showed rapid clearance of [18F]TZ-Z09591 through the kidneys and low liver background uptake. Autoradiography (ARG) studies on fibrotic livers from mice or humans correlated with histopathology results. Ex vivo biodistribution and ARG revealed that [18F]TZ-Z09591 binding in the liver was increased in fibrotic livers (p = 0.02) and corresponded to binding in fibrotic scars. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights [18F]TZ-Z09591 as a specific tracer for fibrogenic cells in the fibrotic liver, thus offering the potential to assess fibrogenesis clearly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Wegrzyniak
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 14C, 3tr, 751 83, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bo Zhang
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 14C, 3tr, 751 83, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johanna Rokka
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Rosestedt
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 14C, 3tr, 751 83, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Mitran
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 14C, 3tr, 751 83, Uppsala, Sweden
- Antaros Medical AB, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Pierre Cheung
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 14C, 3tr, 751 83, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emmi Puuvuori
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 14C, 3tr, 751 83, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sofie Ingvast
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jonas Persson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 14C, 3tr, 751 83, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Protein Science, Division of Protein Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Nordström
- Science for Life Laboratory, Drug Discovery and Development Platform, Department of Chemistry-BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - John Löfblom
- Department of Protein Science, Division of Protein Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Pontén
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Y Frejd
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Affibody AB, Solna, Sweden
| | - Olle Korsgren
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jonas Eriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 14C, 3tr, 751 83, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Uppsala University Hospital PET Center, Entrance 85, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 21, 752 37, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Olof Eriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 14C, 3tr, 751 83, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Antaros Medical AB, Uppsala, Sweden.
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15
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Kim J, Lee C, Noh SG, Kim S, Chung HY, Lee H, Moon JO. Integrative Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Upregulated Apoptotic Signaling in Wound-Healing Pathway in Rat Liver Fibrosis Models. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1588. [PMID: 37627582 PMCID: PMC10451232 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12081588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, defined by the aberrant accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in liver tissue due to chronic inflammation, represents a pressing global health issue. In this study, we investigated the transcriptomic signatures of three independent liver fibrosis models induced by bile duct ligation, carbon tetrachloride, and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) to unravel the pathological mechanisms underlying hepatic fibrosis. We observed significant changes in gene expression linked to key characteristics of liver fibrosis, with a distinctive correlation to the burn-wound-healing pathway. Building on these transcriptomic insights, we further probed the p53 signaling pathways within the DMN-induced rat liver fibrosis model, utilizing western blot analysis. We observed a pronounced elevation in p53 protein levels and heightened ratios of BAX/BCL2, cleaved/pro-CASPASE-3, and cleaved/full length-PARP in the livers of DMN-exposed rats. Furthermore, we discovered that orally administering oligonol-a polyphenol, derived from lychee, with anti-oxidative properties-effectively countered the overexpressions of pivotal apoptotic genes within these fibrotic models. In conclusion, our findings offer an in-depth understanding of the molecular alterations contributing to liver fibrosis, spotlighting the essential role of the apoptosis pathway tied to the burn-wound-healing process. Most importantly, our research proposes that regulating this pathway, specifically the balance of apoptosis, could serve as a potential therapeutic approach for treating liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihyun Kim
- BIT Convergence-Based Innovative Drug Development Targeting Mate-Inflammation, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea;
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (C.L.); (S.G.N.); (S.K.); (H.Y.C.)
| | - Changyong Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (C.L.); (S.G.N.); (S.K.); (H.Y.C.)
| | - Sang Gyun Noh
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (C.L.); (S.G.N.); (S.K.); (H.Y.C.)
| | - Seungwoo Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (C.L.); (S.G.N.); (S.K.); (H.Y.C.)
| | - Hae Young Chung
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (C.L.); (S.G.N.); (S.K.); (H.Y.C.)
| | - Haeseung Lee
- BIT Convergence-Based Innovative Drug Development Targeting Mate-Inflammation, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea;
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (C.L.); (S.G.N.); (S.K.); (H.Y.C.)
| | - Jeon-Ok Moon
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (C.L.); (S.G.N.); (S.K.); (H.Y.C.)
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16
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Moreno-Lanceta A, Medrano-Bosch M, Fundora Y, Perramón M, Aspas J, Parra-Robert M, Baena S, Fondevila C, Edelman ER, Jiménez W, Melgar-Lesmes P. RNF41 orchestrates macrophage-driven fibrosis resolution and hepatic regeneration. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabq6225. [PMID: 37437019 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abq6225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic inflammation is a common trigger of chronic liver disease. Macrophage activation is a predictive parameter for survival in patients with cirrhosis. Ring finger protein 41 (RNF41) negatively regulates proinflammatory cytokines and receptors; however, the precise involvement of macrophage RNF41 in liver cirrhosis remains unknown. Here, we sought to understand how RNF41 dictates macrophage fate in hepatic fibrosis and repair within the inflammatory milieu. We found that RNF41 expression is down-regulated in CD11b+ macrophages recruited to mouse fibrotic liver and to patient cirrhotic liver regardless of cirrhosis etiology. Prolonged inflammation with TNF-α progressively reduced macrophage RNF41 expression. We designed a macrophage-selective gene therapy with dendrimer-graphite nanoparticles (DGNPs) to explore the influence of macrophage RNF41 restoration and depletion in liver fibrosis and regeneration. RNF41 expression induced in CD11b+ macrophages by DGNP-conjugated plasmids ameliorated liver fibrosis, reduced liver injury, and stimulated hepatic regeneration in fibrotic mice with or without hepatectomy. This therapeutic effect was mainly mediated by the induction of insulin-like growth factor 1. Conversely, depletion of macrophage RNF41 worsened inflammation, fibrosis, hepatic damage, and survival. Our data reveal implications of macrophage RNF41 in the control of hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and regeneration and provide a rationale for therapeutic strategies in chronic liver disease and potentially other diseases characterized by inflammation and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alazne Moreno-Lanceta
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi-Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Mireia Medrano-Bosch
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Yilliam Fundora
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi-Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Liver Transplant Unit, Institut Clínic de Malalties Digestives I Metabòliques, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Meritxell Perramón
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi-Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic Universitari, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Jessica Aspas
- Liver Transplant Unit, Institut Clínic de Malalties Digestives I Metabòliques, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Marina Parra-Robert
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic Universitari, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Sheila Baena
- Liver Transplant Unit, Institut Clínic de Malalties Digestives I Metabòliques, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Constantino Fondevila
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi-Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Liver Transplant Unit, Institut Clínic de Malalties Digestives I Metabòliques, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Elazer R Edelman
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wladimiro Jiménez
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi-Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic Universitari, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Pedro Melgar-Lesmes
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi-Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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17
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Culver A, Hamang M, Wang Y, Jiang H, Yanum J, White E, Gawrieh S, Vuppalanchi RK, Chalasani NP, Dai G, Yaden BC. GDF8 Contributes to Liver Fibrogenesis and Concomitant Skeletal Muscle Wasting. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1909. [PMID: 37509548 PMCID: PMC10377408 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with end-stage liver disease exhibit progressive skeletal muscle atrophy, highlighting a negative crosstalk between the injured liver and muscle. Our study was to determine whether TGFβ ligands function as the mediators. Acute or chronic liver injury was induced by a single or repeated administration of carbon tetrachloride. Skeletal muscle injury and repair was induced by intramuscular injection of cardiotoxin. Activin type IIB receptor (ActRIIB) ligands and growth differentiation factor 8 (Gdf8) were neutralized with ActRIIB-Fc fusion protein and a Gdf8-specific antibody, respectively. We found that acute hepatic injury induced rapid and adverse responses in muscle, which was blunted by neutralizing ActRIIB ligands. Chronic liver injury caused muscle atrophy and repair defects, which were prevented or reversed by inactivating ActRIIB ligands. Furthermore, we found that pericentral hepatocytes produce excessive Gdf8 in injured mouse liver and cirrhotic human liver. Specific inactivation of Gdf8 prevented liver injury-induced muscle atrophy, similar to neutralization of ActRIIB ligands. Inhibition of Gdf8 also reversed muscle atrophy in a treatment paradigm following chronic liver injury. Direct injection of exogenous Gdf8 protein into muscle along with acute focal muscle injury recapitulated similar dysregulated muscle regeneration as that observed with liver injury. The results indicate that injured liver negatively communicate with the muscle largely via Gdf8. Unexpectedly, inactivation of Gdf8 simultaneously ameliorated liver fibrosis in mice following chronic liver injury. In vitro, Gdf8 induced human hepatic stellate (LX-2) cells to form a septa-like structure and stimulated expression of profibrotic factors. Our findings identified Gdf8 as a novel hepatomyokine contributing to injured liver-muscle negative crosstalk along with liver injury progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Culver
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Matthew Hamang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Huaizhou Jiang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jennifer Yanum
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Emily White
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 46202, USA
| | - Samer Gawrieh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Raj K Vuppalanchi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Naga P Chalasani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Guoli Dai
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Benjamin C Yaden
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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18
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Jones AK, Chen H, Ng KJ, Villalona J, McHugh M, Zeveleva S, Wilks J, Brilisauer K, Bretschneider T, Qian HS, Fryer RM. Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Activator BI 685509 Reduces Portal Hypertension and Portosystemic Shunting in a Rat Thioacetamide-Induced Cirrhosis Model. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 386:70-79. [PMID: 37230799 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Portal hypertension (PT) commonly occurs in cirrhosis. Nitric oxide (NO) imbalance contributes to PT via reduced soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) activation and cGMP production, resulting in vasoconstriction, endothelial cell dysfunction, and fibrosis. We assessed the effects of BI 685509, an NO-independent sGC activator, on fibrosis and extrahepatic complications in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced cirrhosis and PT model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received TAA twice-weekly for 15 weeks (300-150 mg/kg i.p.). BI 685509 was administered daily for the last 12 weeks (0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg p.o.; n = 8-11 per group) or the final week only (Acute, 3 mg/kg p.o.; n = 6). Rats were anesthetized to measure portal venous pressure. Pharmacokinetics and hepatic cGMP (target engagement) were measured by mass spectrometry. Hepatic Sirius Red morphometry (SRM) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) were measured by immunohistochemistry; portosystemic shunting was measured using colored microspheres. BI 685509 dose-dependently increased hepatic cGMP at 1 and 3 mg/kg (3.92 ± 0.34 and 5.14 ± 0.44 versus 2.50 ± 0.19 nM in TAA alone; P < 0.05). TAA increased hepatic SRM, αSMA, PT, and portosystemic shunting. Compared with TAA, 3 mg/kg BI 685509 reduced SRM by 38%, αSMA area by 55%, portal venous pressure by 26%, and portosystemic shunting by 10% (P < 0.05). Acute BI 685509 reduced SRM and PT by 45% and 21%, respectively (P < 0.05). BI 685509 improved hepatic and extrahepatic cirrhosis pathophysiology in TAA-induced cirrhosis. These data support the clinical investigation of BI 685509 for PT in patients with cirrhosis. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: BI 685509 is an NO-independent sGC activator that was tested in a preclinical rat model of TAA-induced nodular, liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and portal systemic shunting. BI 685509 reduced liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and portal-systemic shunting in a dose-dependent manner, supporting its clinical assessment to treat portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K Jones
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Hongxing Chen
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Khing Jow Ng
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Jorge Villalona
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Mark McHugh
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Svetlana Zeveleva
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - James Wilks
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Klaus Brilisauer
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Tom Bretschneider
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Hu Sheng Qian
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Ryan M Fryer
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
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Zhang H, Zeng SL, Wu YZ, Zhang RX, Liu LJ, Xue Q, Chen JQ, Wong KKY, Xu JF, Ren YG, Fang CH, Liu CB. Handheld photoacoustic imaging of indocyanine green clearance for real-time quantitative evaluation of liver reserve function. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 14:3610-3621. [PMID: 37497492 PMCID: PMC10368033 DOI: 10.1364/boe.493538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Preoperative assessment of liver function reserve (LFR) is essential for determining the extent of liver resection and predicting the prognosis of patients with liver disease. In this paper, we present a real-time, handheld photoacoustic imaging (PAI) system-based noninvasive approach for rapid LFR assessment. A linear-array ultrasound transducer was sealed in a housing filled with water; its front end was covered with a plastic wrap. This PAI system was first implemented on phantoms to confirm that the photoacoustic (PA) intensity of indocyanine green (ICG) in blood reflects the concentration of ICG in blood. In vivo studies on normal rabbits and rabbits with liver fibrosis were carried out by recording the dynamic PA signal of ICG in their jugular veins. By analyzing the PA intensity-time curve, a clear difference was identified in the pharmacokinetic behavior of ICG between the two groups. In normal rabbits, the mean ICG clearance rate obtained by PAI at 15 min after administration (PAI-R15) was below 21.6%, whereas in rabbits with liver fibrosis, PAI-R15 exceeded 62.0% because of poor liver metabolism. The effectiveness of the proposed method was further validated by the conventional ICG clearance test and pathological examination. Our findings suggest that PAI is a rapid, noninvasive, and convenient method for LFR assessment and has immense potential for assisting clinicians in diagnosing and managing patients with liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Si-Lue Zeng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery I, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
- Research Laboratory for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, CAS Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yun-Zhu Wu
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, China
- Research Laboratory for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, CAS Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, SiChuan 610044, China
| | - Ruo-Xin Zhang
- Shen Zhen Bay Laboratory, Guang Ming, ShenZhen,518000, China
| | - Liang-Jian Liu
- Research Laboratory for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, CAS Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qiang Xue
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, China
- Research Laboratory for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, CAS Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jing-Qin Chen
- Research Laboratory for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, CAS Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Kenneth K Y Wong
- The University of Hong Kong, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jin-Feng Xu
- Department of Ultrasound, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Ya-Guang Ren
- Research Laboratory for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, CAS Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Chi-Hua Fang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery I, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Cheng-Bo Liu
- Research Laboratory for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, CAS Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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20
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Al-Najjar AH, Ayob AR, Awad AS. Role of Lactoferrin in Treatment of Bile Duct Ligation-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats: Impact on Inflammation and TGF-β1/Smad2/α SMA Signaling Pathway. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2023; 13:428-436. [PMID: 37250877 PMCID: PMC10213847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2022.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatic fibrosis is a major health issue that might lead to hepatic cirrhosis and cancer. One of its main causes is cholestasis, which has been stimulated by bile duct ligation (BDL) to block the bile flow from the liver. As for the treatment, lactoferrin (LF), the iron-binding glycoprotein, has been evaluated in various studies for the treatment of infections, inflammation, and cancer. The current study aims to investigate the curative effects of LF on BDL-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. Methods Rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups: (1) Control sham, (2) BDL: that have been subjected to a surgery of BDL, (3) BDL + LF: 14 days later after surgery; they have been subjected to LF treatment (300 mg/kg/day, po) for two weeks, and (4) LF group has been administered (300 mg/kg/day, po) for two weeks. Results BDL elevated inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin -1beta (IL-1β) by 635% and 250% (P ≤ 0.05), respectively, as sham group), beside it decreased the anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin- 10 (IL-10) by 47.7% (P ≤ 0.05) as sham group, causing inflammation, and fibrosis of the liver by the up-regulation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)/Smad2/α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) signaling pathway. LF treatment ameliorated these effects through its anti-inflammatory action (it significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1β by 166% and 159% (P ≤ 0.05), respectively, as sham group, while increased IL-10 by 86.8% (P ≤ 0.05), as sham group) and anti-fibrotic effect by the down-regulation of TGF-β1/Smad2/α-SMA signaling pathway. These results were confirmed by histopathological examination. Conclusion lactoferrin shows promising results for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis via attenuating the TGF-β1/Smad2/α-SMA pathway and through its properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya H. Al-Najjar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aya R. Ayob
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, 6th of October University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Azza S. Awad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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21
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Torres S, Ortiz C, Bachtler N, Gu W, Grünewald LD, Kraus N, Schierwagen R, Hieber C, Meier C, Tyc O, Joseph Brol M, Uschner FE, Nijmeijer B, Welsch C, Berres M, Garcia‐Ruiz C, Fernandez‐Checa JC, Trautwein C, Vogl TJ, Zeuzem S, Trebicka J, Klein S. Janus kinase 2 inhibition by pacritinib as potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis. Hepatology 2023; 77:1228-1240. [PMID: 35993369 PMCID: PMC10026969 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) signaling is increased in human and experimental liver fibrosis with portal hypertension. JAK2 inhibitors, such as pacritinib, are already in advanced clinical development for other indications and might also be effective in liver fibrosis. Here, we investigated the antifibrotic role of the JAK2 inhibitor pacritinib on activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro and in two animal models of liver fibrosis in vivo . APPROACH AND RESULTS Transcriptome analyses of JAK2 in human livers and other targets of pacritinib have been shown to correlate with profibrotic factors. Although transcription of JAK2 correlated significantly with type I collagen expression and other profibrotic genes, no correlation was observed for interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase and colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor. Pacritinib decreased gene expression of fibrosis markers in mouse primary and human-derived HSCs in vitro . Moreover, pacritinib decreased the proliferation, contraction, and migration of HSCs. C 57 BL/6J mice received ethanol in drinking water (16%) or Western diet in combination with carbon tetrachloride intoxication for 7 weeks to induce alcoholic or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Pacritinib significantly reduced liver fibrosis assessed by gene expression and Sirius red staining, as well as HSC activation assessed by alpha-smooth muscle actin immunostaining in fibrotic mice. Furthermore, pacritinib decreased the gene expression of hepatic steatosis markers in experimental alcoholic liver disease. Additionally, pacritinib protected against liver injury as assessed by aminotransferase levels. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that the JAK2 inhibitor pacritinib may be promising for the treatment of alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver fibrosis and may be therefore relevant for human pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Torres
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Instituto Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit‐IDIBAPS and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Ortiz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nadine Bachtler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Wenyi Gu
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Leon D. Grünewald
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Universit+y Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nico Kraus
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Schierwagen
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christoph Hieber
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Caroline Meier
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Olaf Tyc
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Maximilian Joseph Brol
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Erhard Uschner
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Bart Nijmeijer
- Research and Development Department, Linxis BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christoph Welsch
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Marie‐Luise Berres
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Carmen Garcia‐Ruiz
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Instituto Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit‐IDIBAPS and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Research Center for Alcoholic Liver and Pancreatic Diseases and Cirrhosis, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jose Carlos Fernandez‐Checa
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Instituto Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit‐IDIBAPS and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Research Center for Alcoholic Liver and Pancreatic Diseases and Cirrhosis, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas J. Vogl
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Universit+y Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Zeuzem
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure – EF Clif, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sabine Klein
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Krueger JC, Habigt MA, Helmedag MJ, Uhlig M, Moss M, Bleich A, Tolba RH, Rossaint R, Hein M, Mechelinck M. Evaluation of score parameters for severity assessment of surgery and liver cirrhosis in rats. Anim Welf 2023; 32:e29. [PMID: 38487427 PMCID: PMC10936376 DOI: 10.1017/awf.2023.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Severity assessment in animals is an ongoing field of research. In particular, the question of objectifiable and meaningful parameters of score-sheets, as well as their best combination, arise. This retrospective analysis investigates the suitability of a score-sheet for assessing severity and seeks to optimise it for predicting survival in 89 male Sprague Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus), during an experiment evaluating the influence of liver cirrhosis by bile duct ligation (BDL) on vascular healing. The following five parameters were compared for their predictive power: (i) overall score; (ii) relative weight loss; (iii) general condition score; (iv) spontaneous behaviour score; and (v) the observer's assessment whether pain might be present. Suitable cut-off values of these individual parameters and the combination of multiple parameters were investigated. A total of ten rats (11.2%; 10/89) died or had to be sacrificed at an early stage due to pre-defined humane endpoints. Neither the overall score nor any individual parameter yielded satisfactory results for predicting survival. Using retrospectively calculated cut-off values and combining the overall score with the observer's assessment of whether the animal required analgesia (dipyrone) for pain relief resulted in an improved prediction of survival on the second post-operative day. This study demonstrates that combining score parameters was more suitable than using single ones and that experienced human judgement of animals can be useful in addition to objective parameters in the assessment of severity. By optimising the score-sheet and better understanding the burden of the model on rats, this study contributes to animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanne C Krueger
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Experimental Surgery, RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine, Aachen 52074, Germany
- Animal Welfare Unit, University of Bonn, Bonn 53113, Germany
| | - Moriz A Habigt
- Department of Anaesthesiology, RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Marius J Helmedag
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Moritz Uhlig
- Department of Anaesthesiology, RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Michaela Moss
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Experimental Surgery, RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - André Bleich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - René H Tolba
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Experimental Surgery, RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Rolf Rossaint
- Department of Anaesthesiology, RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Marc Hein
- Department of Anaesthesiology, RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Mare Mechelinck
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Experimental Surgery, RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine, Aachen 52074, Germany
- Department of Anaesthesiology, RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen 52074, Germany
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Filipović A, Mašulović D, Gopčević K, Galun D, Igić A, Bulatović D, Zakošek M, Filipović T. Effect of Percutaneous Biliary Drainage on Enzyme Activity of Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Patients with Malignant Hilar Obstructive Hyperbilirubinemia. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59020336. [PMID: 36837539 PMCID: PMC9958900 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59020336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives. Cholestasis activates complex mechanisms of liver injury and as a result has an increased production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). Depending on the stage of liver disease, different matrix metalloproteinases expressions have been detected and could serve as indirect biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets. MMP-9 proteolytic activity has a proven role in both liver regeneration and neoplastic cell invasion in various malignancies. The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the effect of external biliary drainage on enzyme activity of MMP-9 in the serum of patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction. Materials and Methods. Between November 2020 and April 2021, 45 patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction underwent percutaneous biliary drainage following determination of serum MMP-9 enzyme activity (before treatment and 4 weeks after the treatment) by gelatin zymography. Results. MMP-9 values decreased statistically significantly 4 weeks after percutaneous biliary drainage (p = 0.028) as well as the value of total bilirubin (p < 0.001), values of direct bilirubin (p < 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p < 0.001), alanine transaminase (ALT) (p < 0.001), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (p < 0.001). Conclusions. In patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction treated by external percutaneous biliary drainage for cholestasis resolution, a significant reduction in MMP-9 serum values was noted 4 weeks after the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Filipović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Center for Radiology, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragan Mašulović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Center for Radiology, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Kristina Gopčević
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute for Chemistry in Medicine, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danijel Galun
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- HPB Unit, Clinic for Digestive Surgery, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksa Igić
- Center for Radiology, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dušan Bulatović
- Center for Radiology, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miloš Zakošek
- Center for Radiology, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tamara Filipović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute for Rehabilitation, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence:
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Ede S, Özbeyli D, Erdoğan Ö, Çevik Ö, Kanpalta F, Ercan F, Yanardağ R, Saçan Ö, Ertik O, Yüksel M, Şener G. Hepatoprotective effects of parsley (Petroselinum Crispum) extract in rats with bile duct ligation. Arab J Gastroenterol 2023; 24:45-51. [PMID: 36379859 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajg.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS This study aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of parsley extract (Petroselinum Crispum; PC) against oxidative liver damage caused by bile obstruction in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Bile duct ligation (BDL) method was used to induce liver injury in rats. The rats were divided into the three groups each consisting of 8 rats; Sham-operated control (C), bile duct ligated + saline treated (BDL), and BDL + PC treated groups. PC extract was given at a dose of 2 g/kg orally for 28 days. Aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanin amino transferase (ALT), and bilirubin levels were analyzed in sera. In order to determine free radicals in liver injury, luminol and lucigenin chemiluminescence tests used. Oxidative stress was evaluated through superoxide dismutase, glutathione, malondialdehyde, Na+/K+-ATPase and 8-hydroxy guanosine levels. Furthermore, inflammation marker myeloperoxidase, apoptosis marker caspase-3, and fibrosis markers TGF- β and hydoxyproline were investigated. The liver tissues were also examined for histological evaluations. RESULTS While PC treatment decreased AST and ALT levels which increased with BDL, oxidant damage parameters also decreased with this treatment. CONCLUSION The present study, which is the first research for PC extract on cholestasis induced liver damage, demonstrated that PC extract could be a potential therapeutic agent against liver fibrosis and need further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seren Ede
- Marmara University, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Dilek Özbeyli
- Marmara University, Vocational School of Health Services, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ömer Erdoğan
- Adnan Menderes University, School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Özge Çevik
- Adnan Menderes University, School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Fatma Kanpalta
- Marmara University, School of Medicine, Department of Histology & Embriology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Feriha Ercan
- Marmara University, School of Medicine, Department of Histology & Embriology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Refiye Yanardağ
- İstanbul University-Cerrahpasa Faculty of Engineering Department of Chemistry, Avcilar-Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Özlem Saçan
- İstanbul University-Cerrahpasa Faculty of Engineering Department of Chemistry, Avcilar-Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Onur Ertik
- İstanbul University-Cerrahpasa Faculty of Engineering Department of Chemistry, Avcilar-Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Meral Yüksel
- Marmara University, Vocational School of Health Services, Department of Biochemistry, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Göksel Şener
- Fenerbahçe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul, Turkey.
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25
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Little A, Medford A, O'Brien A, Childs J, Pan S, Machado J, Chakraborty S, Glaser S. Recent Advances in Intrahepatic Biliary Epithelial Heterogeneity. Semin Liver Dis 2023; 43:1-12. [PMID: 36522162 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1758833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Biliary epithelium (i.e., cholangiocytes) is a heterogeneous population of epithelial cells in the liver, which line small and large bile ducts and have individual responses and functions dependent on size and location in the biliary tract. We discuss the recent findings showing that the intrahepatic biliary tree is heterogeneous regarding (1) morphology and function, (2) hormone expression and signaling (3), response to injury, and (4) roles in liver regeneration. This review overviews the significant characteristics and differences of the small and large cholangiocytes. Briefly, it outlines the in vitro and in vivo models used in the heterogeneity evaluation. In conclusion, future studies addressing biliary heterogeneity's role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases characterized by ductular reaction may reveal novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh Little
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
| | - Abigail Medford
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
| | - April O'Brien
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
| | - Jonathan Childs
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
| | - Sharon Pan
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
| | - Jolaine Machado
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
| | - Sanjukta Chakraborty
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
| | - Shannon Glaser
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
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26
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Nevzorova YA, Weiskirchen R, Liedtke C. Mouse Models for Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Liver Fibrosis Initiation. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2669:177-191. [PMID: 37247060 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3207-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a severe health problem worldwide with increasing incidence. However, specific drugs for treatment of hepatic fibrosis are currently not available. Accordingly, there is a strong need to conduct intensive basic research, which also includes the necessity to use animal models to evaluate new anti-fibrotic therapy concepts. Numerous mouse models of liver fibrogenesis have been described. This involves chemical, nutritional, surgical, and genetic mouse models, which involve also activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). However, for many investigators, it may be challenging to identify the most suitable model for a specific question on liver fibrosis research. In this chapter, we will provide a brief overview about the most common mouse models of HSC activation and liver fibrogenesis and thereafter provide detailed step-by-step protocols of two selected mouse fibrosis models based on own experience, which in our opinion are best suited to cover many current scientific issues. On the one hand, there is the classical carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) model; this model of toxic liver fibrogenesis is still one of the best suited and most reproducible models for basic features of hepatic fibrogenesis. On the other hand, we also introduce the novel DUAL model of alcohol plus metabolic/alcoholic fatty liver disease developed in our laboratory, which mimics all histological, metabolic, and transcriptomic gene signatures of human advanced steatohepatitis and related liver fibrosis. We describe all the information required for proper preparation and detailed implementation of both models including animal welfare aspects, thereby serving as a useful laboratory guide for mouse experimentation in liver fibrosis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia A Nevzorova
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Complutense University Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institut für Molekulare Pathobiochemie, Experimentelle Gentherapie und Klinische Chemie (IFMPEGKC), Universitätsklinikum Aachen AöR, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Liedtke
- Department of Medicine III, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
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27
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Cai J, Choi K, Li H, Pulgar Prieto KD, Zheng Y, Pan D. YAP-VGLL4 antagonism defines the major physiological function of the Hippo signaling effector YAP. Genes Dev 2022; 36:1119-1128. [PMID: 36522128 PMCID: PMC9851404 DOI: 10.1101/gad.350127.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The Hippo-YAP signaling pathway plays a critical role in development, homeostasis, regeneration, and tumorigenesis by converging on YAP, a coactivator for the TEAD family DNA-binding transcription factors, to regulate downstream transcription programs. Given its pivotal role as the nuclear effector of the Hippo pathway, YAP is indispensable in multiple developmental and tissue contexts. Here we report that the essentiality of YAP in liver and lung development can be genetically bypassed by simultaneous inactivation of the TEAD corepressor VGLL4. This striking antagonistic epistasis suggests that the major physiological function of YAP is to antagonize VGLL4. We further show that the YAP-VGLL4 antagonism plays a widespread role in regulating Hippo pathway output beyond normal development, as inactivation of Vgll4 dramatically enhanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma formation in Nf2-deficient livers and ameliorated CCl4-induced damage in normal livers. Interestingly, Vgll4 expression is temporally regulated in development and regeneration and, in certain contexts, provides a better indication of overall Hippo pathway output than YAP phosphorylation. Together, these findings highlight the central importance of VGLL4-mediated transcriptional repression in Hippo pathway regulation and inform potential strategies to modulate Hippo signaling in cancer and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Cai
- Department of Physiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Kyungsuk Choi
- Department of Physiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Hongde Li
- Department of Physiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Katiuska Daniela Pulgar Prieto
- Department of Physiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Yonggang Zheng
- Department of Physiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Duojia Pan
- Department of Physiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
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28
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Ikewaki N, Levy GA, Kurosawa G, Iwasaki M, Dedeepiya VD, Vaddi S, Senthilkumar R, Preethy S, Abraham SJ. Hepatoprotective Effects of Aureobasidium pullulans Derived β 1,3-1,6 Glucans in a Murine Model of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2022; 12:1428-1437. [PMID: 36340302 PMCID: PMC9630018 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are highly prevalent conditions characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the liver, which can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma if left untreated. Conventional modalities are mainly symptomatic, with no definite solution. Beta-glucan-based biological response modifiers are a potential strategy in lieu of their beneficial metabolic effects. Aureobasidium pullulans strains AFO-202 and N-163 beta-glucans were evaluated for anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory hepatoprotective potentials in a NASH animal model in this study. Methods In the STAM™ murine model of NASH, five groups were studied for 8 weeks: (1) vehicle (RO water), (2) AFO-202 beta-glucan; (3) N-163 beta-glucan, (4) AFO-202+N-163 beta-glucan, and (5) telmisartan (standard pharmacological intervention). Evaluation of biochemical parameters in plasma and hepatic histology including Sirius red staining and F4/80 immunostaining were performed. Results AFO-202 beta-glucan significantly decreased inflammation-associated hepatic cell ballooning and steatosis. N-163 beta-glucan decreased fibrosis and inflammation significantly (P value < 0.05). The combination of AFO-202 with N-163 significantly decreased the NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) compared with other groups. Conclusion This preclinical study supports the potential of N-163 and AFO-202 beta-glucans alone or in combination as potential preventive and therapeutic agent(s), for NASH.
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Key Words
- ALT, Alanine aminotransferase
- ARRIVE, Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments
- IL, Interleukin
- MCP-1, Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1
- NAFLD, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NAS, NAFLD Activity Score
- NASH, Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- PPAR, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
- STAM, Stelic Animal Model
- TGF-β, Transforming growth factor beta
- TIMPs, Tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases
- TNF-α, Tumor necrosis factor alpha
- anti-fibrotic
- anti-inflammatory
- beta-glucans
- hepatoprotective
- non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- telmisartan
- αSMA, Smooth muscle alpha-actin
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobunao Ikewaki
- Department of Medical Life Science, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, Japan
- Institute of Immunology, Junsei Educational Institute, Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Gary A. Levy
- Medicine and Immunology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gene Kurosawa
- Department of Academic Research Support Promotion Facility, Center for Research Promotion and Support, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
- MabGenesis KK, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masaru Iwasaki
- Centre for Advancing Clinical Research (CACR), University of Yamanashi - School of Medicine, Chuo, Japan
| | - Vidyasagar D. Dedeepiya
- Mary-Yoshio Translational Hexagon (MYTH), Nichi-In Centre for Regenerative Medicine (NCRM), Chennai, India
| | | | - Rajappa Senthilkumar
- Fujio-Eiji Academic Terrain (FEAT), Nichi-In Centre for Regenerative Medicine (NCRM), Chennai, India
| | - Senthilkumar Preethy
- Fujio-Eiji Academic Terrain (FEAT), Nichi-In Centre for Regenerative Medicine (NCRM), Chennai, India
| | - Samuel J.K. Abraham
- Centre for Advancing Clinical Research (CACR), University of Yamanashi - School of Medicine, Chuo, Japan
- Mary-Yoshio Translational Hexagon (MYTH), Nichi-In Centre for Regenerative Medicine (NCRM), Chennai, India
- Antony- Xavier Interdisciplinary Scholastics (AXIS), GN Corporation Co. Ltd., Kofu, Japan
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29
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The Role of Praziquantel in the Prevention and Treatment of Fibrosis Associated with Schistosomiasis: A Review. J Trop Med 2022; 2022:1413711. [PMID: 36313856 PMCID: PMC9616668 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1413711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis remains a major global public health concern. Currently, the control of this neglected tropical disease still depends on chemotherapy to reduce the prevalence and intensity of the parasite infection. It has been widely accepted that praziquantel is highly effective against all species of Schistosoma, and this agent is virtually the only drug of choice for the treatment of human schistosomiasis. Mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel has been shown to be effective in greatly reducing the prevalence and morbidity due to schistosomiasis worldwide. In addition to antischistosomal activity, a large number of experiential and clinical evidence has demonstrated the action of praziquantel against fibrosis caused by S. mansoni and S. japonicum infections through decreasing the expression of fibrotic biomarkers such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP), and inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, as well as chemokines, and similar antifibrotic activity was observed in mouse models of fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and concanavalin A (Con-A). In this review, we discuss the role of praziquantel in the prevention and treatment of fibrosis associated with schistosomiasis and the possible mechanisms. We call for randomized, controlled clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of praziquantel in the treatment of schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis, and further studies to investigate the potential of praziquantel against fibrosis associated with alcohol consumption, viruses, and toxins seem justified.
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30
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Gao CC, Bai J, Han H, Qin HY. The versatility of macrophage heterogeneity in liver fibrosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:968879. [PMID: 35990625 PMCID: PMC9389038 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.968879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a highly conserved wound healing response to liver injury, characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the liver which might lead to loss of normal functions. In most cases, many types of insult could damage hepatic parenchymal cells like hepatocytes and/or cholangiocytes, and persistent injury might lead to initiation of fibrosis. This process is accompanied by amplified inflammatory responses, with immune cells especially macrophages recruited to the site of injury and activated, in order to orchestrate the process of wound healing and tissue repair. In the liver, both resident macrophages and recruited macrophages could activate interstitial cells which are responsible for ECM synthesis by producing a variety of cytokines and chemokines, modulate local microenvironment, and participate in the regulation of fibrosis. In this review, we will focus on the main pathological characteristics of liver fibrosis, as well as the heterogeneity on origin, polarization and functions of hepatic macrophages in the setting of liver fibrosis and their underlying mechanisms, which opens new perspectives for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Chen Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jian Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hua Han
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hong-Yan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Hong-Yan Qin,
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31
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Zhang P, Li X, Chen JY, Abate A. Controlled fabrication of functional liver spheroids with microfluidic flow cytometric printing. Biofabrication 2022; 14. [PMID: 35917810 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac8622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Multicellular liver spheroids are 3D culture models useful in the development of therapies for liver fibrosis. While these models can recapitulate fibrotic disease, current methods for generating them via random aggregation are uncontrolled, yielding spheroids of variable size, function, and utility. Here, we report fabrication of precision liver spheroids with microfluidic flow cytometric printing. Our approach fabricates spheroids cell-by-cell, yielding structures with exact numbers of different cell types. Because spheroid function depends on composition, our precision spheroids have superior functional uniformity, allowing more accurate and statistically significant screens compared to randomly generated spheroids. The approach produces thousands of spheroids per hour, and thus affords a scalable platform by which to manufacture single-cell precision spheroids for disease modeling and high throughput drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Zhang
- University of California San Francisco, 1700 4th St, San Francisco, California, 94143, UNITED STATES
| | - Xiangpeng Li
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 1700 4th St, San Francisco, 94143, UNITED STATES
| | - Jennifer Y Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 555 Mission Bay Blvd South, San Francisco, 94143, UNITED STATES
| | - Adam Abate
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 1700 4th St, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94158, UNITED STATES
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Induced Endothelial Cell-Integrated Liver Assembloids Promote Hepatic Maturation and Therapeutic Effect on Cholestatic Liver Fibrosis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142242. [PMID: 35883684 PMCID: PMC9317515 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The transplantation of pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived liver organoids has been studied to solve the current donor shortage. However, the differentiation of unintended cell populations, difficulty in generating multi-lineage organoids, and tumorigenicity of PSC-derived organoids are challenges. However, direct conversion technology has allowed for the generation lineage-restricted induced stem cells from somatic cells bypassing the pluripotent state, thereby eliminating tumorigenic risks. Here, liver assembloids (iHEAs) were generated by integrating induced endothelial cells (iECs) into the liver organoids (iHLOs) generated with induced hepatic stem cells (iHepSCs). Liver assembloids showed enhanced functional maturity compared to iHLOs in vitro and improved therapeutic effects on cholestatic liver fibrosis animals in vivo. Mechanistically, FN1 expressed from iECs led to the upregulation of Itgα5/β1 and Hnf4α in iHEAs and were correlated to the decreased expression of genes related to hepatic stellate cell activation such as Lox and Spp1 in the cholestatic liver fibrosis animals. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the possibility of generating transplantable iHEAs with directly converted cells, and our results evidence that integrating iECs allows iHEAs to have enhanced hepatic maturation compared to iHLOs.
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Kandhi R, Variya B, Ramanathan S, Ilangumaran S. An improved method for isolation and flow cytometric characterization of intrahepatic leukocytes from fatty and fibrotic liver tissues. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2022; 306:1011-1030. [PMID: 35848859 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Flow cytometry is an imperative tool to characterize alterations in a wide range of immune cell populations during inflammatory conditions and disease states that affect the liver such as the obesity-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis. Identification and quantification of immune cell subsets from the liver is critically dependent on efficient isolation of intrahepatic leukocytes. The isolation of leukocytes from fatty and fibrotic livers and processing the cells for flow cytometry can be challenging with respect to cell yields, purity and most importantly, the level of autofluorescence resulting from fat deposition. Here, we describe an efficient method for isolating intrahepatic leukocytes from mice fed with high fat diet and propose a strategy to alleviate autofluorescence during phenotyping by multicolor flowcytometry. We also describe a gating strategy for robust identification of granulocytes, pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory and transitional state monocyte subsets, dendritic cells, B cell, T lymphocyte subpopulations and NK cell subsets. Overall, the procedures described here will allow simultaneous processing of several samples while ensuring reproducible cell isolation and efficient noise reduction required for reliable characterization of intrahepatic leukocytes from the fatty liver tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajani Kandhi
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Bhavesh Variya
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Sheela Ramanathan
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Subburaj Ilangumaran
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
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34
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Faccioli LA, Dias ML, Paranhos BA, dos Santos Goldenberg RC. Liver cirrhosis: An overview of experimental models in rodents. Life Sci 2022; 301:120615. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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35
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Genetic and Molecular Characterization of the Immortalized Murine Hepatic Stellate Cell Line GRX. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091504. [PMID: 35563813 PMCID: PMC9102025 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The murine cell line GRX has been introduced as an experimental tool to study aspects of hepatic stellate cell biology. It was established from livers of C3H/HeN mice that were infected with cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. Although these cells display a myofibroblast phenotype, they can accumulate intracellular lipids and acquire a fat-storing lipocyte phenotype when treated with retinol, insulin, and indomethacin. We have performed genetic characterization of GRX and established a multi-loci short tandem repeat (STR) signature for this cell line that includes 18 mouse STR markers. Karyotyping further revealed that this cell line has a complex genotype with various chromosomal aberrations. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that GRX cells produce large quantities of viral particles belonging to the gammaretroviral genus of the Retroviridae family as assessed by next generation mRNA sequencing and Western blot analysis. Rolling-circle-enhanced-enzyme-activity detection (REEAD) revealed the absence of retroviral integrase activity in cell culture supernatants, most likely as a result of tetherin-mediated trapping of viral particles at the cell surface. Furthermore, staining against schistosome gut-associated circulating anodic antigens and cercarial O- and GSL-glycans showed that the cell line lacks S. mansoni-specific glycostructures. Our findings will now help to fulfill the recommendations for cellular authentications required by many granting agencies and scientific journals when working with GRX cells. Moreover, the definition of a characteristic STR profile will increase the value of GRX cells in research and provides an important benchmark to identify intra-laboratory cell line heterogeneity, discriminate between different mouse cell lines, and to avoid misinterpretation of experimental findings by usage of misidentified or cross-contaminated cells.
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He X, Tolosa MF, Zhang T, Goru SK, Ulloa Severino L, Misra PS, McEvoy CM, Caldwell L, Szeto SG, Gao F, Chen X, Atin C, Ki V, Vukosa N, Hu C, Zhang J, Yip C, Krizova A, Wrana JL, Yuen DA. Myofibroblast YAP/TAZ activation is a key step in organ fibrogenesis. JCI Insight 2022; 7:146243. [PMID: 35191398 PMCID: PMC8876427 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.146243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases account for nearly half of all deaths in the developed world. Despite its importance, the pathogenesis of fibrosis remains poorly understood. Recently, the two mechanosensitive transcription cofactors YAP and TAZ have emerged as important profibrotic regulators in multiple murine tissues. Despite this growing recognition, a number of important questions remain unanswered, including which cell types require YAP/TAZ activation for fibrosis to occur and the time course of this activation. Here, we present a detailed analysis of the role that myofibroblast YAP and TAZ play in organ fibrosis and the kinetics of their activation. Using analyses of cells, as well as multiple murine and human tissues, we demonstrated that myofibroblast YAP and TAZ were activated early after organ injury and that this activation was sustained. We further demonstrated the critical importance of myofibroblast YAP/TAZ in driving progressive scarring in the kidney, lung, and liver, using multiple transgenic models in which YAP and TAZ were either deleted or hyperactivated. Taken together, these data establish the importance of early injury-induced myofibroblast YAP and TAZ activation as a key event driving fibrosis in multiple organs. This information should help guide the development of new antifibrotic YAP/TAZ inhibition strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin He
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Monica F Tolosa
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Tianzhou Zhang
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Santosh Kumar Goru
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Luisa Ulloa Severino
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Paraish S Misra
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Caitríona M McEvoy
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Lauren Caldwell
- Center for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen G Szeto
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Feng Gao
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and.,Department of Pathology, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolan Chen
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and.,Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Cassandra Atin
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Victoria Ki
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Noah Vukosa
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Catherine Hu
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Johnny Zhang
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Christopher Yip
- Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adriana Krizova
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffrey L Wrana
- Center for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Darren A Yuen
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
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Rahimi S, Angaji SA, Majd A, Hatami B, Baghaei K. A fast and accurate mouse model for inducing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY FROM BED TO BENCH 2022; 15:406-414. [PMID: 36762217 PMCID: PMC9876774 DOI: 10.22037/ghfbb.v15i4.2593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Aim This study aimed to perform a head-to-head comparison of changes during NASH progression throughout 6-11 weeks of an experiment to supply a faster nutritional model in mimicking NASH to decrease the duration and cost of in vivo studies. Background New therapies are urgently needed because of the growing prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and the lack of an effective treatment approach. Currently, dietary interventions are the most efficient options. Methods This study compared features of NASH in a murine model using protocol that combined special nutritional regimes based on the combination of 21.1% fat, 41% sucrose, and 1.25% cholesterol with weekly intraperitoneal injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Male C57BL/6J mice received either special compositions + CCl4 (NASH group) or standard chow diet (healthy control group) for 11 weeks. Liver histopathology based on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's Trichrome (TC) staining and biochemical analyses were used to assess disease progression. Results In C57BL/6J mice administered a high fat, high cholesterol, high sucrose diet and CCl4 for 8 weeks, steatohepatitis with pronounced hepatocyte ballooning, inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis was observed. According to the NAFLD activity scoring system, the maximum NAS score was manifested after 8-9 weeks (NAS score: 6.75). Following this protocol also led to a significant increase in AST and ALT, total cholesterol, and total triglyceride serum levels in the NASH group. Conclusion Following the special nutritional regime based on high fat, cholesterol, and sucrose in combination with CCL4 injections resulted in a NASH model using C57BL/6J mice in a shorter time compared to similar studies. The obtained histopathological NASH features can be advantageous for preclinical drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahrzad Rahimi
- Department of Genetic, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyyed Abdolhamid Angaji
- Department of Genetic, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran , Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Majd
- Department of Biology, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behzad Hatami
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kaveh Baghaei
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Analyzing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Bis-Choline-Tetrathiomolybdate in the Atp7b-/- Copper Overload Mouse Model. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9121861. [PMID: 34944677 PMCID: PMC8698685 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121861] [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: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bis-choline-tetrathiomolybdate, introduced as WTX101 (now known as ALXN1840), is a first-in-class copper-protein-binding agent for oral therapy of Wilson’s disease. In contrast to other decoppering agents such as trientine or D-penicillamine it acts by forming a tripartite complex with copper and albumin, thereby detoxifying excess liver and blood copper through biliary excretion. Preclinical animal experimentation with this drug was typically done with the alternative ammonium salt of tetrathiomolybdate, which is expected to have identical properties in terms of copper binding. Here, we comparatively analyzed the therapeutic efficacy of ALXN1840, D-penicillamine and trientine in lowering hepatic copper content in Atp7b−/− mouse. Liver specimens were subjected to laser ablation inductively conductively plasma mass spectrometry and electron microscopic analysis. We found that ALXN1840 caused a massive increase of hepatic copper and molybdenum during early stages of therapy. Prolonged treatment with ALXN1840 reduced hepatic copper to an extent that was similar to that observed after administration of D-penicillamine and trientine. Electron microscopic analysis showed a significant increase of lysosomal electron-dense particles in the liver confirming the proposed excretory pathway of ALXN1840. Ultrastructural analysis of mice treated with dosages comparable to the bis-choline-tetrathiomolybdate dosage used in an ongoing phase III trial in Wilson’s disease patients, as well as D-penicillamine and trientine, did not show relevant mitochondrial damage. In contrast, a high dose of ALXN1840 applied for four weeks triggered dramatic structural changes in mitochondria, which were notably characterized by the formation of holes with variable sizes. Although these experimental results may not be applicable to patients with Wilson’s disease, the data suggests that ALXN1840 should be administered at low concentrations to prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and overload of hepatic excretory pathways.
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Landerer S, Kalthoff S, Strassburg CP. UDP-glucuronosyltransferases mediate coffee-associated reduction of liver fibrosis in bile duct ligated humanized transgenic UGT1A mice. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2021; 10:766-781. [PMID: 35004944 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn-20-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coffee consumption has been shown to reduce the risk of liver fibrosis and is capable of inducing human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A genes. UGT1A enzymes act as indirect antioxidants catalyzing the elimination of reactive metabolites, which in turn are potent initiators of profibrotic mechanisms. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of UGT1A genes as effectors of the protective properties of coffee in bile duct ligation (BDL) induced liver fibrosis. METHODS Fourteen days BDL with and without coffee pre- and co-treatment was performed in htgUGT1A-WT and htgUGT1A-SNP mice. Hepatic UGT1A mRNA expression levels, serum bilirubin and aminotransferase activities were determined. Liver fibrosis was assessed by collagen deposition, computational analysis of Sirius red tissue staining and expression of profibrotic marker genes. Oxidative stress was measured by hepatic peroxidase concentrations and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS UGT1A transcription was differentially activated in the livers of htgUGT1A-WT mice after BDL, in contrast to a reduced or absent induction in the presence of SNPs. Co-treated (coffee + BDL) htgUGT1A-WT-mice showed significantly increased UGT1A expression and protein levels and a considerably higher induction compared to water drinking WT mice (BDL), whereas in co-treated htgUGT1A-SNP mice absolute expression levels remained below those observed in htgUGT1A-WT mice. Collagen deposition, oxidative stress and the expression of profibrotic markers inversely correlated with UGT1A expression levels in htgUGT1A-WT and SNP mice after BDL and coffee + BDL co-treatment. CONCLUSIONS Coffee exerts hepatoprotective and antioxidative effects via activation of UGT1A enzymes. Attenuated hepatic fibrosis as a result of coffee-mediated UGT1A induction during cholestasis was detected, while the protective action of coffee was lower in a common low-function UGT1A SNP haplotype present in 10% of the Caucasian population. This study suggests that coffee consumption might constitute a potential strategy to support the conventional treatment of cholestasis-related liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Landerer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sandra Kalthoff
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian P Strassburg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
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de Souza Basso B, Haute GV, Ortega-Ribera M, Luft C, Antunes GL, Bastos MS, Carlessi LP, Levorse VG, Cassel E, Donadio MVF, Santarém ER, Gracia-Sancho J, Rodrigues de Oliveira J. Methoxyeugenol deactivates hepatic stellate cells and attenuates liver fibrosis and inflammation through a PPAR-ɣ and NF-kB mechanism. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 280:114433. [PMID: 34280502 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Studies have shown interest in nutraceuticals for the prevention of liver diseases. Methoxyeugenol, is a molecule found in foods, such as nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) and Brazilian red propolis. These two sources of methoxyeugenol, propolis and nutmeg, are used in folk medicine for the treatment of hepatic and gastrointestinal disorders, although little is known about their effects on the prevention of liver fibrosis. Natural PPAR (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) agonists would represent unique molecules for therapy, considering the lack of therapeutics to treat liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease. Thus, investigation on new alternatives are necessary, including the search for natural compounds from renewable and sustainable sources. Liver fibrosis is a pathological process characterized by an exacerbated cicatricial response in the hepatic tissue, which compromises liver function. Therefore, inhibition of HSC (hepatic stellate cell) activation and hepatocyte damage are considered major strategies for the development of new anti-fibrotic treatments. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to investigate the effects of methoxyeugenol treatment on HSC phenotype modulation in human and murine cells, hepatocyte damage prevention, and protective effects in vivo, in order to evaluate its therapeutic potential for liver fibrosis prevention. METHODS We investigated the effects of methoxyeugenol in (i) in vitro models using human and murine HSC and hepatocytes, and (ii) in vivo models of CCl4 (carbon tetrachloride) -induced liver fibrosis in mice. RESULTS We herein report that methoxyeugenol decreases HSC activation through the activation of PPAR-ɣ, ultimately inducing a quiescent phenotype highlighted by an increase in lipid droplets, loss of contraction ability, and a decrease in the proliferative rate and mRNA expression of fibroblast markers. In addition, methoxyeugenol prevented hepatocytes from oxidative stress damage. Moreover, in mice submitted to chronic liver disease through CCl4 administration, methoxyeugenol decreased the inflammatory profile, liver fibrosis, mRNA expression of fibrotic genes, and the inflammatory pathway signaled by NF-kB (Nuclear factor kappa B). CONCLUSION We propose methoxyeugenol as a novel and potential therapeutic approach to treat chronic liver disease and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno de Souza Basso
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela Viegas Haute
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Martí Ortega-Ribera
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute - CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina Luft
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Géssica Luana Antunes
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Matheus Scherer Bastos
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Pfeiff Carlessi
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Vitor Giancarlo Levorse
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Cassel
- School of Technology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Márcio Vinícius Fagundes Donadio
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Eliane Romanato Santarém
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute - CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jarbas Rodrigues de Oliveira
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Quenum AJI, Shukla A, Rexhepi F, Cloutier M, Ghosh A, Kufer TA, Ramanathan S, Ilangumaran S. NLRC5 Deficiency Deregulates Hepatic Inflammatory Response but Does Not Aggravate Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:749646. [PMID: 34712238 PMCID: PMC8546206 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.749646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat-containing receptor (NLR) family protein-5 (NLRC5) controls NF-κB activation and production of inflammatory cytokines in certain cell types. NLRC5 is considered a potential regulator of hepatic fibrogenic response due to its ability to inhibit hepatic stellate activation in vitro. To test whether NLRC5 is critical to control liver fibrosis, we treated wildtype and NLRC5-deficient mice with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and assessed pathological changes in the liver. Serum alanine transaminase levels and histopathology examination of liver sections revealed that NLRC5 deficiency did not exacerbate CCl4-induced liver damage or inflammatory cell infiltration. Sirius red staining of collagen fibers and hydroxyproline content showed comparable levels of liver fibrosis in CCl4-treated NLRC5-deficient and control mice. Myofibroblast differentiation and induction of collagen genes were similarly increased in both groups. Strikingly, the fibrotic livers of NLRC5-deficient mice showed reduced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (Mmp3) and tissue inhibitor of MMPs-1 (Timp1) but not Mmp2 or Timp2. Fibrotic livers of NLRC5-deficient mice had increased expression of TNF but similar induction of TGFβ compared to wildtype mice. CCl4-treated control and NLRC5-deficient mice displayed similar upregulation of Cx3cr1, a monocyte chemoattractant receptor gene, and the Cd68 macrophage marker. However, the fibrotic livers of NLRC5-deficient mice showed increased expression of F4/80 (Adgre1), a marker of tissue-resident macrophages. NLRC5-deficient livers showed increased phosphorylation of the NF-κB subunit p65 that remained elevated following fibrosis induction. Taken together, NLRC5 deficiency deregulates hepatic inflammatory response following chemical injury but does not significantly aggravate the fibrogenic response, showing that NLRC5 is not a critical regulator of liver fibrosis pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akouavi Julite I. Quenum
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Akhil Shukla
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Fjolla Rexhepi
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Maryse Cloutier
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Amit Ghosh
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Thomas A. Kufer
- Department of Immunology (180b), Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sheela Ramanathan
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CR-CHUS), Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Subburaj Ilangumaran
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CR-CHUS), Sherbrooke, Canada
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Al-Hashem F, Al Humayed S, Haidara MA, Abdel Latif NS, Al-Ani B. Captopril suppresses hepatic mammalian target of rapamycin cell signaling and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Arch Physiol Biochem 2021; 127:414-421. [PMID: 31364422 DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2019.1647249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The potential inhibitory effects of captopril, the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), liver injury enzymes, blood pressure, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress have not been investigated before. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rats were either injected with TAA (200 mg/kg; twice a week for 8 weeks) before being sacrificed after 10 weeks (model group) or were pretreated with captopril (150 mg/kg) daily for two weeks prior to TAA injections and continued receiving both agents until the end of the experiment (protective group). RESULTS Captopril significantly (p < .05) inhibited TAA-induced hypertension, liver tissue levels of mTOR, TIMP-1, TNF-α, IL-6, MDA; and blood levels of lipids, ALT, and AST. We further demonstrated a significant (p < .01) positive correlation between mTOR scoring and the levels of inflammatory, oxidative and liver injury biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS Captopril protects against TAA-induced mTOR, liver injury enzymes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahaid Al-Hashem
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suliman Al Humayed
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed A Haidara
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physiology, Kasr Al-Aini Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Noha S Abdel Latif
- Medical Pharmacology Department, Kasr Al-Aini Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Bahjat Al-Ani
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
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Campana L, Esser H, Huch M, Forbes S. Liver regeneration and inflammation: from fundamental science to clinical applications. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:608-624. [PMID: 34079104 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00373-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Liver regeneration is a complex process involving the crosstalk of multiple cell types, including hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, endothelial cells and inflammatory cells. The healthy liver is mitotically quiescent, but following toxic damage or resection the cells can rapidly enter the cell cycle to restore liver mass and function. During this process of regeneration, epithelial and non-parenchymal cells respond in a tightly coordinated fashion. Recent studies have described the interaction between inflammatory cells and a number of other cell types in the liver. In particular, macrophages can support biliary regeneration, contribute to fibrosis remodelling by repressing hepatic stellate cell activation and improve liver regeneration by scavenging dead or dying cells in situ. In this Review, we describe the mechanisms of tissue repair following damage, highlighting the close relationship between inflammation and liver regeneration, and discuss how recent findings can help design novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Campana
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Hannah Esser
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Meritxell Huch
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stuart Forbes
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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Huang T, Sun G, Zhao L, Zhang N, Zhong R, Peng Y. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) Studies on the Toxic Effects of Nitroaromatic Compounds (NACs): A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8557. [PMID: 34445263 PMCID: PMC8395302 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) are ubiquitous in the environment due to their extensive industrial applications. The recalcitrance of NACs causes their arduous degradation, subsequently bringing about potential threats to human health and environmental safety. The problem of how to effectively predict the toxicity of NACs has drawn public concern over time. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) is introduced as a cost-effective tool to quantitatively predict the toxicity of toxicants. Both OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) and REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals) legislation have promoted the use of QSAR as it can significantly reduce living animal testing. Although numerous QSAR studies have been conducted to evaluate the toxicity of NACs, systematic reviews related to the QSAR modeling of NACs toxicity are less reported. The purpose of this review is to provide a thorough summary of recent QSAR studies on the toxic effects of NACs according to the corresponding classes of toxic response endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental and Viral Oncology, College of Life Science and Chemistry, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (T.H.); (L.Z.); (N.Z.); (R.Z.)
| | - Guohui Sun
- Key Laboratory of Environmental and Viral Oncology, College of Life Science and Chemistry, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (T.H.); (L.Z.); (N.Z.); (R.Z.)
| | - Lijiao Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental and Viral Oncology, College of Life Science and Chemistry, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (T.H.); (L.Z.); (N.Z.); (R.Z.)
| | - Na Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental and Viral Oncology, College of Life Science and Chemistry, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (T.H.); (L.Z.); (N.Z.); (R.Z.)
| | - Rugang Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental and Viral Oncology, College of Life Science and Chemistry, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (T.H.); (L.Z.); (N.Z.); (R.Z.)
| | - Yongzhen Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, College of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China;
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45
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Auranofin prevents liver fibrosis by system Xc-mediated inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome. Commun Biol 2021. [PMID: 34193972 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02345-1.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Demand for a cure of liver fibrosis is rising with its increasing morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is an urgent issue to investigate its therapeutic candidates. Liver fibrosis progresses following 'multi-hit' processes involving hepatic stellate cells, macrophages, and hepatocytes. The NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is emerging as a therapeutic target in liver fibrosis. Previous studies showed that the anti-rheumatic agent auranofin inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome; thus, this study evaluates the antifibrotic effect of auranofin in vivo and explores the underlying molecular mechanism. The antifibrotic effect of auranofin is assessed in thioacetamide- and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis models. Moreover, hepatic stellate cell (HSC), bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM), kupffer cell, and hepatocyte are used to examine the underlying mechanism of auranofin. Auranofin potently inhibits activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in BMDM and kupffer cell. It also reduces the migration of HSC. The underlying molecular mechanism was inhibition of cystine-glutamate antiporter, system Xc. Auranofin inhibits system Xc activity and instantly induced oxidative burst, which mediated inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages and HSCs. Therefore, to the best of our knowledge, we propose the use of auranofin as an anti-liver fibrotic agent.
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Kim HY, Choi YJ, Kim SK, Kim H, Jun DW, Yoon K, Kim N, Hwang J, Kim YM, Lim SC, Kang KW. Auranofin prevents liver fibrosis by system Xc-mediated inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome. Commun Biol 2021; 4:824. [PMID: 34193972 PMCID: PMC8245406 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02345-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Demand for a cure of liver fibrosis is rising with its increasing morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is an urgent issue to investigate its therapeutic candidates. Liver fibrosis progresses following 'multi-hit' processes involving hepatic stellate cells, macrophages, and hepatocytes. The NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is emerging as a therapeutic target in liver fibrosis. Previous studies showed that the anti-rheumatic agent auranofin inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome; thus, this study evaluates the antifibrotic effect of auranofin in vivo and explores the underlying molecular mechanism. The antifibrotic effect of auranofin is assessed in thioacetamide- and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis models. Moreover, hepatic stellate cell (HSC), bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM), kupffer cell, and hepatocyte are used to examine the underlying mechanism of auranofin. Auranofin potently inhibits activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in BMDM and kupffer cell. It also reduces the migration of HSC. The underlying molecular mechanism was inhibition of cystine-glutamate antiporter, system Xc. Auranofin inhibits system Xc activity and instantly induced oxidative burst, which mediated inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages and HSCs. Therefore, to the best of our knowledge, we propose the use of auranofin as an anti-liver fibrotic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Young Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jae Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Kyum Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunsung Kim
- Department of Pathology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Won Jun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungrok Yoon
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Nayoun Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungwook Hwang
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Mi Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Chul Lim
- College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Keon Wook Kang
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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ShamsEldeen AM, Al-Ani B, Ebrahim HA, Rashed L, Badr AM, Attia A, Farag AM, Kamar SS, Haidara MA, Al Humayed S, Ali Eshra M. Resveratrol suppresses cholestasis-induced liver injury and fibrosis in rats associated with the inhibition of TGFβ1-Smad3-miR21 axis and profibrogenic and hepatic injury biomarkers. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2021; 48:1402-1411. [PMID: 34157155 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cholestasis caused by slowing or blockage of bile flow is a serious liver disease that can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. The link between transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1), Smad family member 3 (Smad3), and microRNA 21 (miR21) in bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis in the presence and absence of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound, resveratrol (RSV), has not been previously studied. Therefore, we tested whether RSV can protect against BDL-induced liver fibrosis associated with the inhibition of the TGFβ1-Smad3-miR21 axis and profibrogenic and hepatic injury biomarkers. The model group of rats had their bile duct ligated (BDL) for 3 weeks before being killed, whereas, the BDL-treated rats were separated into three groups that received 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg RSV daily until the end of the experiment. Using light microscopy and ultrasound examinations, we documented in the BDL group, the development of hepatic injury and fibrosis as demonstrated by hepatocytes necrosis, bile duct hyperplasia, collagen deposition, enlarged liver with increased echogenicity, irregular nodular border and dilated common bile duct, which were more effectively inhibited by the highest used RSV dosage. In addition, RSV significantly (p ≤ 0.0027) inhibited BDL-induced hepatic TGFβ1, Smad3, miR21, the profibrogenic biomarker tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-17a (IL-17a), and blood levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin. These findings show that RSV at 30 mg/kg substantially protects against BDL-induced liver injuries, which is associated with the inhibition of TGFβ1-Smad3-miR21 axis, and biomarkers of profibrogenesis, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa M ShamsEldeen
- Departments of Physiology, Kasr Al-Aini Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Bahjat Al-Ani
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hasnaa A Ebrahim
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Laila Rashed
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kasr Al-Aini Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amul M Badr
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kasr Al-Aini Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abeer Attia
- Public Health, Kasr Al-Aini Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ayman M Farag
- Radiology Department, Military Medical Academy, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Samaa S Kamar
- Histology and Cell Biology, Kasr Al-Aini Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Haidara
- Departments of Physiology, Kasr Al-Aini Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Suliman Al Humayed
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Ali Eshra
- Departments of Physiology, Kasr Al-Aini Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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48
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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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Gratte FD, Pasic S, Abu Bakar NDB, Gogoi-Tiwari J, Liu X, Carlessi R, Kisseleva T, Brenner DA, Ramm GA, Olynyk JK, Tirnitz-Parker JEE. Previous liver regeneration induces fibro-protective mechanisms during thioacetamide-induced chronic liver injury. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2021; 134:105933. [PMID: 33540107 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.105933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Chronic liver injury is characterised by continuous or repeated epithelial cell loss and inflammation. Hepatic wound healing involves matrix deposition through activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the expansion of closely associated Ductular Reactions and liver progenitor cells (LPCs), which are thought to give rise to new epithelial cells. In this study, we used the murine thioacetamide (TAA) model to reliably mimic these injury and regeneration dynamics and assess the impact of a recovery phase on subsequent liver injury and fibrosis. Age-matched naïve or 6-week TAA-treated/4-week recovered mice (C57BL/6 J, n = 5-9) were administered TAA for six weeks (C57BL/6 J, n = 5-9). Sera and liver tissues were harvested at key time points to assess liver injury biochemically, by real-time PCR for fibrotic mediators, Sirius Red staining and hydroxyproline assessment for collagen deposition as well as immunofluorescence for inflammatory, HSC and LPC markers. In addition, primary HSCs and the HSC cell line LX-2 were co-cultured with the well-characterised LPC line BMOL and analysed for potential changes in expression of fibrogenic mediators. Our data demonstrate that recovery from a previous TAA insult, with LPCs still present on day 0 of the second treatment, led to a reduced TAA-induced disease progression with less severe fibrosis than in naïve TAA-treated animals. Importantly, primary activated HSCs significantly reduced pro-fibrogenic gene expression when co-cultured with LPCs. Taken together, previous TAA injury established a fibro-protective molecular and cellular microenvironment. Our proof-of principle HSC/LPC co-culture data demonstrate that LPCs communicate with HSCs to regulate fibrogenesis, highlighting a key role for LPCs as regulatory cells during chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis D Gratte
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia; Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
| | - Sara Pasic
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
| | - N Dianah B Abu Bakar
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
| | - Jully Gogoi-Tiwari
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia; Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Rodrigo Carlessi
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - David A Brenner
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Grant A Ramm
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - John K Olynyk
- Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospital Group, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Janina E E Tirnitz-Parker
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
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50
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Pivovarova-Ramich O, Loske J, Hornemann S, Markova M, Seebeck N, Rosenthal A, Klauschen F, Castro JP, Buschow R, Grune T, Lange V, Rudovich N, Ouwens DM. Hepatic Wnt1 Inducible Signaling Pathway Protein 1 (WISP-1/CCN4) Associates with Markers of Liver Fibrosis in Severe Obesity. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051048. [PMID: 33946738 PMCID: PMC8146455 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a critical complication of obesity-induced fatty liver disease. Wnt1 inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1/CCN4), a novel adipokine associated with visceral obesity and insulin resistance, also contributes to lung and kidney fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of CCN4 in liver fibrosis in severe obesity. For this, human liver biopsies were collected from 35 severely obese humans (BMI 42.5 ± 0.7 kg/m2, age 46.7 ± 1.8 y, 25.7% males) during bariatric surgery and examined for the expression of CCN4, fibrosis, and inflammation markers. Hepatic stellate LX-2 cells were treated with human recombinant CCN4 alone or in combination with LPS or transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and examined for fibrosis and inflammation markers. CCN4 mRNA expression in the liver positively correlated with BMI and expression of fibrosis markers COL1A1, COL3A1, COL6A1, αSMA, TGFB1, extracellular matrix turnover enzymes TIMP1 and MMP9, and the inflammatory marker ITGAX/CD11c. In LX-2 cells, the exposure to recombinant CCN4 caused dose-dependent induction of MMP9 and MCP1. CCN4 potentiated the TGF-β-mediated induction of COL3A1, TIMP1, and MCP1 but showed no interaction with LPS treatment. Our results suggest a potential contribution of CCN4 to the early pathogenesis of obesity-associated liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Pivovarova-Ramich
- Research Group Molecular Nutritional Medicine, Department of Molecular Toxicology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany;
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany; (S.H.); (M.M.); (N.S.); (N.R.)
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), 85764 Munich-Neuherberg, Germany; (T.G.); (D.M.O.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Jennifer Loske
- Research Group Molecular Nutritional Medicine, Department of Molecular Toxicology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany;
| | - Silke Hornemann
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany; (S.H.); (M.M.); (N.S.); (N.R.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), 85764 Munich-Neuherberg, Germany; (T.G.); (D.M.O.)
| | - Mariya Markova
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany; (S.H.); (M.M.); (N.S.); (N.R.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), 85764 Munich-Neuherberg, Germany; (T.G.); (D.M.O.)
| | - Nicole Seebeck
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany; (S.H.); (M.M.); (N.S.); (N.R.)
- Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
| | | | - Frederick Klauschen
- Institute of Pathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany;
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - José Pedro Castro
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
- Aging and Aneuploidy Laboratory, IBMC, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - René Buschow
- Department of Microscopy & Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Tilman Grune
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), 85764 Munich-Neuherberg, Germany; (T.G.); (D.M.O.)
- Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
- Department of Molecular Toxicology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), 13347 Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker Lange
- Centre for Obesity and Metabolic Surgery, Vivantes Hospital, 13509 Berlin, Germany;
- Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Natalia Rudovich
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE), 14558 Nuthetal, Germany; (S.H.); (M.M.); (N.S.); (N.R.)
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), 85764 Munich-Neuherberg, Germany; (T.G.); (D.M.O.)
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, Spital Bülach, 8180 Bülach, Switzerland
| | - D. Margriet Ouwens
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), 85764 Munich-Neuherberg, Germany; (T.G.); (D.M.O.)
- German Diabetes Center, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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