1
|
Raoufinia R, Arabnezhad A, Keyhanvar N, Abdyazdani N, Saburi E, Naseri N, Niazi F, Niazi F, Namdar AB, Rahimi HR. Leveraging stem cells to combat hepatitis: a comprehensive review of recent studies. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:459. [PMID: 38551743 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09391-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis is a significant global public health concern, with viral infections being the most common cause of liver inflammation. Antiviral medications are the primary treatments used to suppress the virus and prevent liver damage. However, the high cost of these drugs and the lack of awareness and stigma surrounding the disease create challenges in managing hepatitis. Stem cell therapy has arisen as a promising therapeutic strategy for hepatitis by virtue of its regenerative and immunomodulatory characteristics. Stem cells have the exceptional capacity to develop into numerous cell types and facilitate tissue regeneration, rendering them a highly promising therapeutic avenue for hepatitis. In animal models, stem cell therapy has demonstrated worthy results by reducing liver inflammation and improving liver function. Furthermore, clinical trials have been undertaken to assess the safety and effectiveness of stem cell therapy in individuals with hepatitis. This review aims to explore the involvement of stem cells in treating hepatitis and highlight the findings from studies conducted on both animals and humans. The objective of this review is to primarily concentrate on the ongoing and future clinical trials that assess the application of stem cell therapy in the context of hepatitis, including the transplantation of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells, human induced pluripotent stem cells, and other mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, this review will explore the potential merits and constraints linked to stem cell therapy for hepatitis, as well as its prospective implications in the management of this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramin Raoufinia
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Ali Arabnezhad
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Neda Keyhanvar
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94107, USA
| | - Nima Abdyazdani
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Saburi
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nima Naseri
- Department of Biochemistry, School of medicine, Hamadan University of medical sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Niazi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Faezeh Niazi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Beheshti Namdar
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Rahimi
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kumar V, Sethi B, Staller DW, Xin X, Ma J, Dong Y, Talmon GA, Mahato RI. Anti-miR-96 and Hh pathway inhibitor MDB5 synergistically ameliorate alcohol-associated liver injury in mice. Biomaterials 2023; 295:122049. [PMID: 36827892 PMCID: PMC9998370 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and its complications are significant health problems worldwide. Several pathways in ALD are influenced by alcohol that drives inflammation, fatty acid metabolism, and fibrosis. Although miR-96 has become a key regulator in several liver diseases, its function in ALD remains unclear. In contrast, sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling has a well-defined role in liver disease through influencing the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the inducement of liver fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the expression patterns of miR-96 and Hh molecules in mouse and human liver samples. We showed that miR-96 and Shh were upregulated in ethanol-fed mice. Furthermore, alcoholic hepatitis (AH) patient specimens also showed upregulated FOXO3a, TGF-β1, SHH, and GLI2 proteins. We then examined the effects of Hh inhibitor MDB5 and anti-miR-96 on inflammatory and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes. We identified FOXO3 and SMAD7 as direct target genes of miR-96. Inhibition of miR-96 decreased the expression of these genes in vitro in AML12 cells, HSC-T6 cells, and in vivo in ALD mice. Furthermore, MDB5 decreased HSCs activation and the expression of ECM-related genes, such as Gli1, Tgf-β1, and collagen. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) loaded with the combination of MDB5, and anti-miR-96 ameliorated ALD in mice. Our study demonstrated that this combination therapy could serve as a new therapeutic target for ALD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virender Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Bharti Sethi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Dalton W Staller
- Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Xiaofei Xin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jingyi Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Yuxiang Dong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Geoffrey A Talmon
- Department of Pathology & Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ram I Mahato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen J, Cheng NC, Boland JA, Liu K, Kench JG, Watkins DN, Ferreira-Gonzalez S, Forbes SJ, McCaughan GW. Deletion of kif3a in CK19 positive cells leads to primary cilia loss, biliary cell proliferation and cystic liver lesions in TAA-treated mice. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1868:166335. [PMID: 34973373 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Loss of primary cilia in epithelial cells is known to cause cystic diseases of the liver and kidney. We have previously shown that during experimental and human cirrhosis that primary cilia were predominantly expressed on biliary cells in the ductular reaction. However, the role of primary cilia in the pathogenesis of the ductular reaction is not fully understood. METHODS Primary cilia were specifically removed in biliary epithelial cells (BECs) by the administration of tamoxifen to Kif3af/f;CK19CreERT mice at week 2 of a 20-week course of TAA treatment. Biliary progenitor cells were isolated and grown as organoids from gallbladders. Cells and tissue were analysed using histology, immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays. RESULTS At the end of 20 weeks TAA administration, primary cilia loss in liver BECs resulted in multiple microscopic cystic lesions within an unaltered ductular reaction. These were not seen in control mice who did not receive TAA. There was no effect of biliary primary cilia loss on the development of cirrhosis. Increased cellular proliferation was seen within the cystic structures associated with a decrease in hepatocyte lobular proliferation. Loss of primary cilia within biliary organoids was initially associated with reduced cell passage survival but this inhibitory effect was diminished in later passages. ERK but not WNT signalling was enhanced in primary cilia loss-induced cystic lesions in vivo and its inhibition reduced the expansion of primary cilia deficient biliary progenitor cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS TAA-treated kif3a BEC-specific knockout mice had an unaltered progression to cirrhosis, but developed cystic lesions that showed increased proliferation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinbiao Chen
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program, Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Ngan Ching Cheng
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program, Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Jade A Boland
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program, Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Ken Liu
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program, Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; A.W. Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Australian Liver Transplant Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - James G Kench
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; Department of Tissue Pathology & Diagnostic Oncology, NSW Health Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - D Neil Watkins
- Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Department of Internal Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Sofia Ferreira-Gonzalez
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, EH16 4UU Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart J Forbes
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, EH16 4UU Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Geoffrey W McCaughan
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program, Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; A.W. Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Australian Liver Transplant Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jin L, Huang H, Ni J, Shen J, Liu Z, Li L, Fu S, Yan J, Hu B. Shh-Yap signaling controls hepatic ductular reactions in CCl 4 -induced liver injury. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2021; 36:194-203. [PMID: 32996673 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) exposure can induce hepatic ductular reactions. To date, however, the related mechanism remains largely unknown. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Yes-associated protein (Yap) signaling are correlated with liver injury and regeneration. Herein, we investigated the role of Shh and Yap signaling in the fate of ductular reaction cells in CCl4 -treated livers and the possible mechanisms. Wild-type and Shh-EGFP-Cre male mice were exposed to CCl4 (2 mL/kg), and then treated with or without the Shh signaling inhibitor Gant61. The level of liver injury, proliferation of ductular reaction cells, and expression levels of mRNA and protein related to the Shh and Yap signaling components were assessed. Results showed that CCl4 treatment induced liver injury and promoted activation and proliferation of ductular reaction cells. In addition, CCl4 induced the expression of Shh ligands in hepatocytes, accompanied by activation of Shh and Yap1 signaling in the liver. Furthermore, administration of Gant61 ameliorated liver regeneration, inhibited hepatic ductular reactions, and decreased Shh and Yap1 signaling activity. Thus, Shh-Yap1 signaling appears to play an integral role in the proliferation of ductular reaction cells in CCl4 -induced liver injury. This study should improve our understanding of the mechanism of CCl4 -induced liver injury and ductular reactions and provide support for future investigations on liver disease therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Jin
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huarong Huang
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Ni
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiayuan Shen
- Department of pathology, affiliated hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zuping Liu
- Department of pathology, affiliated hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lijing Li
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shengmin Fu
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junyan Yan
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Baowei Hu
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nevi L, Costantini D, Safarikia S, Di Matteo S, Melandro F, Berloco PB, Cardinale V. Cholest-4,6-Dien-3-One Promote Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Biliary Tree Stem/Progenitor Cell Cultures In Vitro. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111443. [PMID: 31731674 PMCID: PMC6912632 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human biliary tree stem/progenitor cells (hBTSCs), reside in peribiliary glands, are mainly stimulated by primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and cholangiocarcinoma. In these pathologies, hBTSCs displayed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), senescence characteristics, and impaired differentiation. Here, we investigated the effects of cholest-4,6-dien-3-one, an oxysterol involved in cholangiopathies, on hBTSCs biology. hBTSCs were isolated from donor organs, cultured in self-renewal control conditions, differentiated in mature cholangiocytes by specifically tailored medium, or exposed for 10 days to concentration of cholest-4,6-dien-3-one (0.14 mM). Viability, proliferation, senescence, EMT genes expression, telomerase activity, interleukin 6 (IL6) secretion, differentiation capacity, and HDAC6 gene expression were analyzed. Although the effect of cholest-4,6-dien-3-one was not detected on hBTSCs viability, we found a significant increase in cell proliferation, senescence, and IL6 secretion. Interestingly, cholest-4.6-dien-3-one impaired differentiation in mature cholangiocytes and, simultaneously, induced the EMT markers, significantly reduced the telomerase activity, and induced HDAC6 gene expression. Moreover, cholest-4,6-dien-3-one enhanced bone morphogenic protein 4 (Bmp-4) and sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathways in hBTSCs. The same pathways activated by human recombinant proteins induced the expression of EMT markers in hBTSCs. In conclusion, we demonstrated that chronic exposition of cholest-4,6-dien-3-one induced cell proliferation, EMT markers, and senescence in hBTSC, and also impaired the differentiation in mature cholangiocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Nevi
- Department of Translation and Precision Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.C.); (S.S.); (S.D.M.)
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (V.C.); Tel.: +39-3392335294 (L.N.); +39-3495601492 (V.C.)
| | - Daniele Costantini
- Department of Translation and Precision Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.C.); (S.S.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Samira Safarikia
- Department of Translation and Precision Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.C.); (S.S.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Sabina Di Matteo
- Department of Translation and Precision Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.C.); (S.S.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Fabio Melandro
- Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Sapienza University of Rome, 0016 Rome, Italy; (F.M.); (P.B.B.)
| | - Pasquale Bartolomeo Berloco
- Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Sapienza University of Rome, 0016 Rome, Italy; (F.M.); (P.B.B.)
| | - Vincenzo Cardinale
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Polo Pontino, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (V.C.); Tel.: +39-3392335294 (L.N.); +39-3495601492 (V.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Carpino G, Cardinale V, Folseraas T, Overi D, Grzyb K, Costantini D, Berloco PB, Di Matteo S, Karlsen TH, Alvaro D, Gaudio E. Neoplastic Transformation of the Peribiliary Stem Cell Niche in Cholangiocarcinoma Arisen in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Hepatology 2019; 69:622-638. [PMID: 30102768 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic inflammatory cholangiopathy frequently complicated by cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Massive proliferation of biliary tree stem/progenitor cells (BTSCs), expansion of peribiliary glands (PBGs), and dysplasia were observed in PSC. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the involvement of PBGs and BTSCs in CCA which emerged in PSC patients. Specimens from normal liver (n = 5), PSC (n = 20), and PSC-associated CCA (n = 20) were included. Samples were processed for histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. In vitro experiments were performed on human BTSCs, human mucinous primary CCA cell cultures, and human cholangiocyte cell lines (H69). Our results indicated that all CCAs emerging in PSC patients were mucin-producing tumors characterized by PBG involvement and a high expression of stem/progenitor cell markers. Ducts with neoplastic lesions showed higher inflammation, wall thickness, and PBG activation compared to nonneoplastic PSC-affected ducts. CCA showed higher microvascular density and higher expression of nuclear factor kappa B, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, transforming growth factor β, and vascular endothelial growth factor-1 compared to nonneoplastic ducts. CCA cells were characterized by a higher expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) traits and by the absence of primary cilia compared to bile ducts and PBG cells in controls and patients with PSC. Our in vitro study demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide and oxysterols (PSC-related stressors) induced the expression of EMT traits, the nuclear factor kappa B pathway, autophagy, and the loss of primary cilia in human BTSCs. Conclusion: CCA arising in patients with PSC is characterized by extensive PBG involvement and by activation of the BTSC niche in these patients, the presence of duct lesions at different stages suggests a progressive tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guido Carpino
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cardinale
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Latina, Italy
| | - Trine Folseraas
- Norwegian PSC Research Center, Department of Transplantation Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Medicine and Transplantation, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Medicine and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, K.G. Jebsen Inflammation Research Centre, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Diletta Overi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Krzysztof Grzyb
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Daniele Costantini
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Sabina Di Matteo
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tom Hemming Karlsen
- Norwegian PSC Research Center, Department of Transplantation Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Medicine and Transplantation, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Medicine and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, K.G. Jebsen Inflammation Research Centre, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Domenico Alvaro
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Verdelho Machado M, Diehl AM. The hedgehog pathway in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 53:264-278. [PMID: 29557675 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2018.1448752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of obesity-associated liver diseases and it has become the major cause of cirrhosis in the Western world. The high prevalence of NAFLD-associated advanced liver disease reflects both the high prevalence of obesity-related fatty liver (hepatic steatosis) and the lack of specific treatments to prevent hepatic steatosis from progressing to more serious forms of liver damage, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and primary liver cancer. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex, and not fully understood. However, compelling evidence demonstrates that dysregulation of the hedgehog (Hh) pathway is involved in both the pathogenesis of hepatic steatosis and the progression from hepatic steatosis to more serious forms of liver damage. Inhibiting hedgehog signaling enhances hepatic steatosis, a condition which seldom results in liver-related morbidity or mortality. In contrast, excessive Hh pathway activation promotes development of NASH, cirrhosis, and primary liver cancer, the major causes of liver-related deaths. Thus, suppressing excessive Hh pathway activity is a potential approach to prevent progressive liver damage in NAFLD. Various pharmacologic agents that inhibit Hh signaling are available and approved for cancer therapeutics; more are being developed to optimize the benefits and minimize the risks of inhibiting this pathway. In this review we will describe the Hh pathway, summarize the evidence for its role in NAFLD evolution, and discuss the potential role for Hh pathway inhibitors as therapies to prevent NASH, cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Verdelho Machado
- a Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine , Duke University Medical Center , Durham , NC , USA.,b Department of Gastroenterology , Hospital de Santa Maria, CHLN , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - Anna Mae Diehl
- a Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine , Duke University Medical Center , Durham , NC , USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Machado MV, Diehl AM. Hedgehog signalling in liver pathophysiology. J Hepatol 2018; 68:550-562. [PMID: 29107151 PMCID: PMC5957514 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver disease remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide despite recent successes in the field of viral hepatitis, because increases in alcohol consumption and obesity are fuelling an epidemic of chronic fatty liver disease for which there are currently no effective medical therapies. About 20% of individuals with chronic liver injury ultimately develop end-stage liver disease due to cirrhosis. Hence, treatments to prevent and reverse cirrhosis in individuals with ongoing liver injury are desperately needed. The development of successful treatments requires an improved understanding of the mechanisms controlling liver disease progression. The liver responds to diverse insults with a conserved wound healing response, suggesting that it might be generally beneficial to optimise pathways that are crucial for effective liver repair. The Hedgehog pathway has emerged as a potential target based on compelling preclinical and clinical data, which demonstrate that it critically regulates the liver's response to injury. Herein, we will summarise evidence of the Hedgehog pathway's role in liver disease and discuss how modulating pathway activity might be applied to improve liver disease outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Verdelho Machado
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Gastroenterology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, CHLN, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anna Mae Diehl
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| |
Collapse
|