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Cao L, Gao W, Yang H, Zeng R, Yin Z. Adipocyte enhancer binding protein 1 knockdown alleviates osteoarthritis through inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway-mediated inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation. J Cell Commun Signal 2024; 18:e12022. [PMID: 38946719 PMCID: PMC11208125 DOI: 10.1002/ccs3.12022] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation promotes the degradation of the extracellular matrix, which contributes to the development of osteoarthritis (OA). Adipocyte enhancer binding protein 1 (AEBP1) participates in multiple pathological processes related to inflammatory diseases. However, the role of AEBP1 in OA development is unknown. We found a higher AEBP1 expression in articular cartilage of OA patients (n = 20) compared to their normal controls (n = 10). Thus, we inferred that AEBP1 might affect OA progression. Then mice with destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery and chondrocytes with IL-1β treatment (10 ng/mL) were used to mimic OA. The increased AEBP1 expression was observed in models of OA. AEBP1 knockdown in chondrocytes reversed IL-1β-induced inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation, which was mediated by the inactivation of NF-κB signaling pathway and the increased IκBα activity. Co-immunoprecipitation assay indicated the interaction between AEBP1 and IκBα. Importantly, IκBα knockdown depleted the protective role of AEBP1 knockdown in OA. Moreover, AEBP1 knockdown in mice with OA showed similar results to those in chondrocytes. Collectively, our findings suggest that AEBP1 knockdown alleviates the development of OA, providing a novel strategy for OA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Cao
- Department of OrthopedicsThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiAnhuiChina
- Department of OrthopedicsFuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityFuyangAnhuiChina
| | - Weilu Gao
- Department of OrthopedicsThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Haitao Yang
- Department of OrthopedicsFuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityFuyangAnhuiChina
| | - Ran Zeng
- Department of Intensive Care UnitFuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityFuyangAnhuiChina
| | - Zongsheng Yin
- Department of OrthopedicsThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiAnhuiChina
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2
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Song Y, Wang L, Zhang Y. Identification of central genes for endometriosis through integration of single-cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36707. [PMID: 38115253 PMCID: PMC10727599 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to identify the key genes involved in the development of endometriosis and construct an accurate predictive model to provide new directions for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. Using bioinformatics analysis, we employed the single-cell cell communication method to identify the key cell subtypes. By combining chip data and integrating differential analysis, WGCNA analysis, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) model, key genes were identified for immune infiltration and functional enrichment analyses. Cell communication analysis identified tissue stem cells as the key subtype. Differential analysis revealed 1879 differentially expressed genes, whereas WGCNA identified 357 module genes. The LASSO model further selects 4 key genes: Adipocyte Enhancer Binding Protein 1(AEBP1), MBNL1, GREM1, and DES. All 4 key genes showed significant correlations with immune cell content. Moreover, these genes were significantly expressed in single cells. The predictive model demonstrated good diagnostic performance. Through scRNA-seq, WGCNA, and LASSO methodologies, DES, GREM1, MBNL1, and AEBP1 emerged as crucial core genes linked to tissue stem cell markers in endometriosis. These genes have promising applications as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Song
- Department of obstetrics and gynecology, Qinhuangdao Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Le Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710068, China
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3
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Kattih B, Boeckling F, Shumliakivska M, Tombor L, Rasper T, Schmitz K, Hoffmann J, Nicin L, Abplanalp WT, Carstens DC, Arsalan M, Emrich F, Holubec T, Walther T, Puntmann VO, Nagel E, John D, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler S. Single-nuclear transcriptome profiling identifies persistent fibroblast activation in hypertrophic and failing human hearts of patients with longstanding disease. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:2550-2562. [PMID: 37648651 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Cardiac fibrosis drives the progression of heart failure in ischaemic and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Therefore, the development of specific anti-fibrotic treatment regimens to counteract cardiac fibrosis is of high clinical relevance. Hence, this study examined the presence of persistent fibroblast activation during longstanding human heart disease at a single-cell resolution to identify putative therapeutic targets to counteract pathological cardiac fibrosis in patients. METHODS AND RESULTS We used single-nuclei RNA sequencing with human tissues from two samples of one healthy donor, and five hypertrophic and two failing hearts. Unsupervised sub-clustering of 7110 nuclei led to the identification of 7 distinct fibroblast clusters. De-convolution of cardiac fibroblast heterogeneity revealed a distinct population of human cardiac fibroblasts with a molecular signature of persistent fibroblast activation and a transcriptional switch towards a pro-fibrotic extra-cellular matrix composition in patients with established cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. This sub-cluster was characterized by high expression of POSTN, RUNX1, CILP, and a target gene adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 (AEBP1) (all P < 0.001). Strikingly, elevated circulating AEBP1 blood level were also detected in a validation cohort of patients with confirmed cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (P < 0.01). Since endogenous AEBP1 expression was increased in patients with established cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, we assessed the functional consequence of siRNA-mediated AEBP1 silencing in human cardiac fibroblasts. Indeed, AEBP1 silencing reduced proliferation, migration, and fibroblast contractile capacity and α-SMA gene expression, which is a hallmark of fibroblast activation (all P < 0.05). Mechanistically, the anti-fibrotic effects of AEBP1 silencing were linked to transforming growth factor-beta pathway modulation. CONCLUSION Together, this study identifies persistent fibroblast activation in patients with longstanding heart disease, which might be detected by circulating AEBP1 and therapeutically modulated by its targeted silencing in human cardiac fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Badder Kattih
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Rhine-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Felicitas Boeckling
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Rhine-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mariana Shumliakivska
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Rhine-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lukas Tombor
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tina Rasper
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Katja Schmitz
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Rhine-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jedrzej Hoffmann
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Rhine-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Centre for Cardiovascular Imaging, Institute of Experimental and Translational Cardiovascular Imaging, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Luka Nicin
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Wesley T Abplanalp
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Daniel C Carstens
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Rhine-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mani Arsalan
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Frankfurt 60590, Germany
| | - Fabian Emrich
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Frankfurt 60590, Germany
| | - Tomas Holubec
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Frankfurt 60590, Germany
| | - Thomas Walther
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Frankfurt 60590, Germany
| | - Valentina O Puntmann
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Rhine-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Centre for Cardiovascular Imaging, Institute of Experimental and Translational Cardiovascular Imaging, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Eike Nagel
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Rhine-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Centre for Cardiovascular Imaging, Institute of Experimental and Translational Cardiovascular Imaging, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - David John
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Rhine-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas M Zeiher
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Rhine-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Rhine-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Corano Scheri K, Lavine JA, Tedeschi T, Thomson BR, Fawzi AA. Single-cell transcriptomics analysis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy fibrovascular membranes reveals AEBP1 as fibrogenesis modulator. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e172062. [PMID: 37917183 PMCID: PMC10896003 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.172062] [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: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of preretinal fibrovascular membranes, a devastating complication of advanced diabetic retinopathy (DR), remains challenging. We characterized the molecular profile of cell populations in these fibrovascular membranes to identify potentially new therapeutic targets. Preretinal fibrovascular membranes were surgically removed from patients and submitted for single-cell RNA-Seq (scRNA-Seq). Differential gene expression was implemented to define the transcriptomics profile of these cells and revealed the presence of endothelial, inflammatory, and stromal cells. Endothelial cell reclustering identified subclusters characterized by noncanonical transcriptomics profile and active angiogenesis. Deeper investigation of the inflammatory cells showed a subcluster of macrophages expressing proangiogenic cytokines, presumably contributing to angiogenesis. The stromal cell cluster included a pericyte-myofibroblast transdifferentiating subcluster, indicating the involvement of pericytes in fibrogenesis. Differentially expressed gene analysis showed that Adipocyte Enhancer-binding Protein 1, AEBP1, was significantly upregulated in myofibroblast clusters, suggesting that this molecule may have a role in transformation. Cell culture experiments with human retinal pericytes (HRP) in high-glucose condition confirmed the molecular transformation of pericytes toward myofibroblastic lineage. AEBP1 siRNA transfection in HRP reduced the expression of profibrotic markers in high glucose. In conclusion, AEBP1 signaling modulates pericyte-myofibroblast transformation, suggesting that targeting AEBP1 could prevent scar tissue formation in advanced DR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Benjamin R Thomson
- Department of Ophthalmology and
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Center for Kidney Research and Therapeutics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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5
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Kendall TJ, Jimenez-Ramos M, Turner F, Ramachandran P, Minnier J, McColgan MD, Alam M, Ellis H, Dunbar DR, Kohnen G, Konanahalli P, Oien KA, Bandiera L, Menolascina F, Juncker-Jensen A, Alexander D, Mayor C, Guha IN, Fallowfield JA. An integrated gene-to-outcome multimodal database for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Nat Med 2023; 29:2939-2953. [PMID: 37903863 PMCID: PMC10667096 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02602-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the commonest cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and represents an unmet precision medicine challenge. We established a retrospective national cohort of 940 histologically defined patients (55.4% men, 44.6% women; median body mass index 31.3; 32% with type 2 diabetes) covering the complete MASLD severity spectrum, and created a secure, searchable, open resource (SteatoSITE). In 668 cases and 39 controls, we generated hepatic bulk RNA sequencing data and performed differential gene expression and pathway analysis, including exploration of gender-specific differences. A web-based gene browser was also developed. We integrated histopathological assessments, transcriptomic data and 5.67 million days of time-stamped longitudinal electronic health record data to define disease-stage-specific gene expression signatures, pathogenic hepatic cell subpopulations and master regulator networks associated with adverse outcomes in MASLD. We constructed a 15-gene transcriptional risk score to predict future hepatic decompensation events (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.86, 0.81 and 0.83 for 1-, 3- and 5-year risk, respectively). Additionally, thyroid hormone receptor beta regulon activity was identified as a critical suppressor of disease progression. SteatoSITE supports rational biomarker and drug development and facilitates precision medicine approaches for patients with MASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Kendall
- Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Maria Jimenez-Ramos
- Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Frances Turner
- Edinburgh Genomics (Bioinformatics), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Jessica Minnier
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute Biostatistics Shared Resource, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Michael D McColgan
- Precision Medicine Scotland-Innovation Centre (PMS-IC), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Masood Alam
- Precision Medicine Scotland-Innovation Centre (PMS-IC), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Harriet Ellis
- Precision Medicine Scotland-Innovation Centre (PMS-IC), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Donald R Dunbar
- Edinburgh Genomics (Bioinformatics), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gabriele Kohnen
- Pathology Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Karin A Oien
- Pathology Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lucia Bandiera
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Engineering Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Filippo Menolascina
- School of Engineering, Institute of Bioengineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Engineering Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Charlie Mayor
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Safe Haven, Glasgow, UK
| | - Indra Neil Guha
- National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Zhang W, Li YJ, Zhang N, Chen SY, Tong XF, Wang BQ, Huang T, You H, Chen W. Fibroblast-specific adipocyte enhancer binding protein 1 is a potential pathological trigger and prognostic marker for liver fibrosis independent of etiology. J Dig Dis 2023; 24:550-561. [PMID: 37776122 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.13230] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein (ACLP) is an extracellular protein involved in adipogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, epithelial cell hyperplasia, and collagen fibrogenesis. This study mainly aimed to analyze the potential role of adipocyte enhancer binding protein 1 (AEBP1), the ACLP-encoding gene, as a pathological target or prognostic marker for liver fibrosis regardless of etiology. METHODS Dysregulation pattern, clinical relevance, and biological significance of AEBP1 gene in liver fibrosis were analyzed using publicly available transcriptomic profiles, different liver fibrosis mouse models, biological databases, and AEBP1 gene silencing followed by RNA sequencing in human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). RESULTS AEBP1 gene expression was upregulated and positively correlated with liver fibrogenesis independent of etiology, the protein of which was further verified in liver fibrosis mouse models induced by different pathogenic factors. A higher expression of liver AEBP1 gene had the potential to predict poor prognosis in liver fibrosis. Systematic bioinformatic analyses revealed that AEBP1 expression was HSCs-specific and associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and its downstream mechanical-chemical signaling transition. AEBP1 knockdown by specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in HSCs inhibited ECM-receptor interaction and immune-related pathways as well as HSC proliferation or activation. CONCLUSION A high expression of AEBP1 was specifically associated with liver fibrosis and was related to a poor prognosis and predicted the role of AEBP1 in HSCs, providing a new insight for understanding AEBP1 in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zhang
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Jia Li
- Emory National primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ning Zhang
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Shu Yan Chen
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Fei Tong
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Qiong Wang
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, China
- Experimental and Translational Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hong You
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, China
- Experimental and Translational Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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7
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Morishita A, Oura K, Tadokoro T, Fujita K, Tani J, Kobara H, Ono M, Himoto T, Masaki T. MicroRNAs and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14482. [PMID: 37833930 PMCID: PMC10572537 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914482] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinicopathologic syndrome caused by fat deposition in hepatocytes. Patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an advanced form of NAFLD with severe fibrosis, are at high risk for liver-related complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism of progression from simple fat deposition to NASH is complex, and previous reports have linked NAFLD to gut microbiota, bile acids, immunity, adipokines, oxidative stress, and genetic or epigenetic factors. NASH-related liver injury involves multiple cell types, and intercellular signaling is thought to be mediated by extracellular vesicles. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, noncoding RNAs that play important roles as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Recently, many reports have implicated microRNAs in the pathogenesis of NALFD/NASH, suggesting that exosomal miRNAs are potential non-invasive and sensitive biomarkers and that the microRNAs involved in the mechanism of the progression of NASH may be potential therapeutic target molecules. We are interested in which miRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of NASH and which are potential target molecules for therapy. We summarize targeted miRNAs associated with the etiology and progression of NASH and discuss each miRNA in terms of its pathophysiology, potential therapeutic applications, and efficacy as a NASH biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tomoko Tadokoro
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun 761-0793, Japan; (A.M.); (K.O.); (K.F.); (J.T.); (H.K.); (M.O.); (T.H.); (T.M.)
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8
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Xu J, Liu X, Wu S, Zhang D, Liu X, Xia P, Ling J, Zheng K, Xu M, Shen Y, Zhang J, Yu P. RNA-binding proteins in metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD): From mechanism to therapy. Biosci Trends 2023; 17:21-37. [PMID: 36682800 DOI: 10.5582/bst.2022.01473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease globally and seriously increases the public health burden, affecting approximately one quarter of the world population. Recently, RNA binding proteins (RBPs)-related pathogenesis of MAFLD has received increasing attention. RBPs, vividly called the gate keepers of MAFLD, play an important role in the development of MAFLD through transcription regulation, alternative splicing, alternative polyadenylation, stability and subcellular localization. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of different RBPs in the occurrence and development of MAFLD, as well as list some drugs that can improve MAFLD by targeting RBPs. Considering the important role of RBPs in the development of MAFLD, elucidating the RNA regulatory networks involved in RBPs will facilitate the design of new drugs and biomarkers discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Xu
- The Second Clinical Medical College / The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xingyu Liu
- The Second Clinical Medical College / The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shuqin Wu
- The Second Clinical Medical College / The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Deju Zhang
- Food and Nutritional Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Panpan Xia
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jitao Ling
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Kai Zheng
- Medical Care Strategic Customer Department, China Merchants Bank Shenzhen Branch, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Guangdong, China
| | - Minxuan Xu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yunfeng Shen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medical College / The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Peng Yu
- The Second Clinical Medical College / The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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9
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Liu N, Liu D, Cao S, Lei J. Silencing of adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 (AEBP1) alleviates renal fibrosis in vivo and in vitro via inhibition of the β-catenin signaling pathway. Hum Cell 2023; 36:972-986. [PMID: 36738398 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-023-00859-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is the common final pathway in many renal diseases regardless of the underlying etiology. Adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 (AEBP1) was reported to play a vital role in the development of organ fibrosis, but its role in renal fibrosis has not been reported. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible function of AEBP1 in renal fibrosis and the mechanism associated with the β-catenin signaling pathway. A total of 83 genes upregulated after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) were screened from two Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Among them, AEBP1 was enriched in collagen binding and the regulation of collagen fibril organization and was confirmed to be upregulated in UUO kidneys and TGF-β1-induced cells. Knockdown of AEBP1 ameliorated renal fibrosis via reducing collagen accumulation, inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and fibroblast transformation, as evidenced by decreases in the expression of collagen I and III, Col1a1, Col3a1, fibronectin, Snail, α-SMA, as well as collagen-specific staining of kidney tissues, whereas the E-cadherin was increased. Besides, AEBP1 silencing inhibited the expression of β-catenin in nucleus and β-catenin downstream proteins (Axin2, Myc, and Ccnd1). Continuously active β-catenin-S33Y further restored the inhibitory effect of AEBP1 silencing on renal fibrosis. These findings indicate that knockdown of AEBP1 could potentially slow down renal fibrosis by blocking the β-catenin signaling pathway, highlighting the potential of AEBP1 as a therapeutic target for renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiquan Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39#, Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, 110022, China
| | - Dajun Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39#, Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, 110022, China.
| | - Shiyu Cao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Class of 2018, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jing Lei
- Department of Nephrology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39#, Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, 110022, China
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Li Y, Yuan SL, Yin JY, Yang K, Zhou XG, Xie W, Wang Q. Differences of core genes in liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma: Evidence from integrated bioinformatics and immunohistochemical analysis. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 14:1265-1280. [PMID: 36051101 PMCID: PMC9305567 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i7.1265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are common adverse consequences of chronic liver injury. The interaction of various risk factors may cause them to happen. Identification of specific biomarkers is of great significance for understanding the occurrence, development mechanisms, and determining the novel tools for diagnosis and treatment of both liver fibrosis and HCC.
AIM To identify liver fibrosis-related core genes, we analyzed the differential expression pattern of core genes in liver fibrosis and HCC.
METHODS Gene expression profiles of three datasets, GSE14323, GSE36411, and GSE89377, obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, were analyzed, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between patients with liver cirrhosis and healthy controls were identified by screening via R software packages and online tool for Venn diagrams. The WebGestalt online tool was used to identify DEGs enriched in biological processes, molecular functions, cellular components, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. The protein–protein interactions of DEGs were visualized using Cytoscape with STRING. Next, the expression pattern of core genes was analyzed using Western blot and immunohistochemistry in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver cirrhosis mouse model and in patient liver samples. Finally, Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier plotter online server.
RESULTS Forty-five DEGs (43 upregulated and 2 downregulated genes) associated with liver cirrhosis were identified from three GEO datasets. Ten hub genes were identified, which were upregulated in liver cirrhosis. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses of the three core genes, decorin (DCN), dermatopontin (DPT), and SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9), revealed that they were highly expressed in the CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis mouse model. The expression levels of DCN and SOX 9 were positively correlated with the degree of fibrosis, and SOX 9 level in HCC patients was significantly higher than that in fibrosis patients. However, high expression of DPT was observed only in patients with liver fibrosis, and its expression in HCC was low. The gene expression profiling interactive analysis server (GEPIA) showed that SOX9 was significantly upregulated whereas DCN and DPT were significantly downregulated in patients with HCC. In addition, the Kaplan-Meier curves showed that HCC patients with higher SOX9 expression had significantly lower 5-year survival rate, while patients with higher expression of DCN or DPT had significantly higher 5-year survival rates.
CONCLUSION The expression levels of DCN, DPT, and SOX9 were positively correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis but showed different correlations with the 5-year survival rates of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Shou-Li Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jing-Ya Yin
- Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Kun Yang
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Xin-Gang Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Wen Xie
- Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
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11
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Hardesty J, Day L, Warner J, Warner D, Gritsenko M, Asghar A, Stolz A, Morgan T, McClain C, Jacobs J, Kirpich I. Hepatic Protein and Phosphoprotein Signatures of Alcohol-Associated Cirrhosis and Hepatitis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2022; 192:1066-1082. [PMID: 35490715 PMCID: PMC9253914 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease is a global health care burden, with alcohol-associated cirrhosis (AC) and alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) being two clinical manifestations with poor prognosis. The limited efficacy of standard of care for AC and AH highlights a need for therapeutic targets and strategies. The current study aimed to address this need through the identification of hepatic proteome and phosphoproteome signatures of AC and AH. Proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses were conducted on explant liver tissue (test cohort) and liver biopsies (validation cohort) from patients with AH. Changes in protein expression across AH severity and similarities and differences in AH and AC hepatic proteome were analyzed. Significant alterations in multiple proteins involved in various biological processes were observed in both AC and AH, including elevated expression of transcription factors involved in fibrogenesis (eg, Yes1-associated transcriptional regulator). Another finding was elevated levels of hepatic albumin (ALBU) concomitant with diminished ALBU phosphorylation, which may prevent ALBU release, leading to hypoalbuminemia. Furthermore, altered expression of proteins related to neutrophil function and chemotaxis, including elevated myeloperoxidase, cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, complement C3, and complement C5 were observed in early AH, which declined at later stages. Finally, a loss in expression of mitochondria proteins, including enzymes responsible for the synthesis of cardiolipin was observed. The current study identified hepatic protein signatures of AC and AH as well as AH severity, which may facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiah Hardesty
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Alcohol Center, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Le Day
- Biological Sciences Division and Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington
| | - Jeffrey Warner
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Alcohol Center, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Dennis Warner
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Marina Gritsenko
- Biological Sciences Division and Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington
| | - Aliya Asghar
- Gastroenterology, VA Long Beach Healthcare, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California
| | - Andrew Stolz
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Timothy Morgan
- Gastroenterology, VA Long Beach Healthcare, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California
| | - Craig McClain
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Alcohol Center, Louisville, Kentucky; Robley Rex Veterans Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky; University of Louisville Alcohol Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky; University of Louisville Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Jon Jacobs
- Biological Sciences Division and Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington
| | - Irina Kirpich
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Alcohol Center, Louisville, Kentucky; University of Louisville Alcohol Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky; University of Louisville Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky.
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12
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Yeh MM, Shi X, Yang J, Li M, Fung KM, Daoud SS. Perturbation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and sexual dimorphism in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepatol Res 2022; 52:433-448. [PMID: 35120274 PMCID: PMC10874498 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is higher in postmenopausal women than men. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying this sexual dimorphism in NAFLD. METHODS A total of 24 frozen liver samples of both sexes (normal and NAFLD/NASH) were used in this study. Total RNAseq was first used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between samples. Enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Reactome were used to analyze biological pathways. RT2 profiler polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays were used to identify genes associated with the biological pathways. Immunoblotting was used to validate protein expression of certain genes. RESULTS We identified 4362 genes that are differentially expressed between NAFLD/NASH and normal samples; of those 745 genes were characterized as sex specific in NAFLD/NASH. Multiple pathway analysis platforms showed that Wnt-signaling is a candidate shared for a common biological pathway-associated with NAFLD/NASH. Using Wnt pathway focused PCR array we identified many genes involved in canonical pathway (Wnt/β-catenin activation) such as CTNNB1, c-Myc and CCND2 are overexpressed in female cases, whereas these genes are either not detected or downregulated in male cases. Immunoblot analysis validated the expression of CTNNB1 in female cases but not in male protein samples. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests, for the first time, that the activation of canonical Wnt signaling could be one of the main pathways associated with sexual dimorphism in NAFLD and NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Yeh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Xiuhui Shi
- Department of Medicine and Department of Surgery, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Jingxuan Yang
- Department of Medicine and Department of Surgery, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Min Li
- Department of Medicine and Department of Surgery, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Kar-Ming Fung
- Department of Pathology and Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Sayed S. Daoud
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University Health Sciences, Spokane, Washington, USA
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13
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Madill-Thomsen KS, Abouljoud M, Bhati C, Ciszek M, Durlik M, Feng S, Foroncewicz B, Francis I, Grąt M, Jurczyk K, Klintmalm G, Krasnodębski M, McCaughan G, Miquel R, Montano-Loza A, Moonka D, Mucha K, Myślak M, Pączek L, Perkowska-Ptasińska A, Piecha G, Reichman T, Sanchez-Fueyo A, Tronina O, Wawrzynowicz-Syczewska M, Więcek A, Zieniewicz K, Halloran PF. The molecular phenotypes of injury, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis in liver transplant biopsies in the INTERLIVER study. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:909-926. [PMID: 34780106 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
To extend previous molecular analyses of rejection in liver transplant biopsies in the INTERLIVER study (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT03193151), the present study aimed to define the gene expression selective for parenchymal injury, fibrosis, and steatohepatitis. We analyzed genome-wide microarray measurements from 337 liver transplant biopsies from 13 centers. We examined expression of genes previously annotated as increased in injury and fibrosis using principal component analysis (PCA). PC1 reflected parenchymal injury and related inflammation in the early posttransplant period, slowly regressing over many months. PC2 separated early injury from late fibrosis. Positive PC3 identified a distinct mildly inflamed state correlating with histologic steatohepatitis. Injury PCs correlated with liver function and histologic abnormalities. A classifier trained on histologic steatohepatitis predicted histologic steatohepatitis with cross-validated AUC = 0.83, and was associated with pathways reflecting metabolic abnormalities distinct from fibrosis. PC2 predicted histologic fibrosis (AUC = 0.80), as did a molecular fibrosis classifier (AUC = 0.74). The fibrosis classifier correlated with matrix remodeling pathways with minimal overlap with those selective for steatohepatitis, although some biopsies had both. Genome-wide assessment of liver transplant biopsies can not only detect molecular changes induced by rejection but also those correlating with parenchymal injury, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis, offering potential insights into disease mechanisms for primary diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chandra Bhati
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Michał Ciszek
- Department of Immunology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Durlik
- Department of Transplant Medicine, Nephrology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sandy Feng
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Bartosz Foroncewicz
- Department of Immunology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Michał Grąt
- Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Jurczyk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | | | - Maciej Krasnodębski
- Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Geoff McCaughan
- Centenary Research Institute, Australian National Liver Transplant Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Krzysztof Mucha
- Department of Immunology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.,Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Myślak
- Department of Clinical Interventions, Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation SPWSZ Hospital, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Leszek Pączek
- Department of Immunology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Grzegorz Piecha
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | | | | | - Olga Tronina
- Department of Transplant Medicine, Nephrology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Wawrzynowicz-Syczewska
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Więcek
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Zieniewicz
- Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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14
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Dai Y, Guo M, Jiang L, Gao J. Network pharmacology-based identification of miRNA expression of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e28747. [PMID: 35119030 PMCID: PMC8812605 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common microvascular complication of diabetic patients, along with hypertension, hyperlipemia, proteinuria, edema, and other clinical manifestations. Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is a traditional Chinese medicine and has shown significant clinical efficacy against DN. However, the overall molecular mechanism of this therapeutic effect has not been entirely elucidated. Using network pharmacology, we aimed to identify the key active ingredients and potential pharmacological mechanisms of AM in treating DN and provide scientific evidence of its clinical efficacy.The active ingredients of AM were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database, and the potential targets of AM were identified using the therapeutic target database. DN-related target genes were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus microarray dataset GSE1009 and 3 widely used databases-DisGeNET, GeneCards, and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. The DN-AM common target protein interaction network was established by using the STRING database. Active ingredients candidate targets proteins networks were constructed using Cytoscape software for visualization. Additionally, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analyses were performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery database. Target-regulating microRNAs (miRNAs) of these hub genes were obtained from the therapeutic target database, which could then be used for further identification of AM-regulated key miRNAs.A total of 17 active ingredients and 214 target proteins were screened from AM. 61 candidate co-expressed genes with therapeutic effects against DN were obtained and considered as potential therapeutic targets. GO and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in inflammatory response, angiogenesis, oxidative stress reaction, HIF signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and VEGF signaling pathway. In all, 636 differentially expressed genes were identified between the DN patients and control group by using microarray data, GSE1009. Lastly, VEGFA, epidermal growth factor receptor, STAT1, and GJA1 were screened as hub genes. The relationships between miRNAs and hub genes were constructed, which showed that miR-302-3p, miR-372-3p, miR-373-3p, and miR-520-3p were regulated by VEGFA and epidermal growth factor receptor. Meanwhile, VEGFA also influenced miR-15-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-20-5p, miR-93-5p, miR-106-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-424-5p, miR-497-5p, and miR-519-3p. In addition, miR-1-3p and miR-206 were regulated by VEGFA and GJA1, and miR-23-3p was regulated by STAT1 and GJA1.To our knowledge, this study revealed for the first time the characteristic multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways of AM that seem to be the underlying mechanisms of action of AM in the treatment of DN with respect to miRNAs.Private information from individuals will not be published. This systematic review also does not involve endangering participant rights. Ethical approval will not be required. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated at relevant conferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaji Dai
- Department of Pharmacy, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Mingfei Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jiarong Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
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15
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Wang H, Zheng S, Jiang H, Wang X, Zhou F, Weng Z. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals a novel cell state and switching genes during hepatic stellate cell activation in vitro. J Transl Med 2022; 20:53. [PMID: 35093101 PMCID: PMC8800312 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03263-4] [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: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The transformation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) to myofibroblast is a key event during liver fibrogenesis. However, the differentiation trajectory of HSC-to-myofibroblast transition and the switching genes during this process remains not well understood. Methods We applied single-cell sequencing data to reconstruct a single-lineage pseudotime trajectory of HSC transdifferentiation in vitro and analyzed the gene expression patterns along the trajectory. GeneSwitches was used to identify the order of critical gene expression and functional events during HSC activation. Results A novel cell state during HSC activation was revealed and the HSCs belonging to this state may be an important origin of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Combining single-cell transcriptomics with GeneSwitches analyses, we identified some distinct switching genes and the order at which these switches take place for the new state of HSC and the classic culture-activated HSC, respectively. Based on the top switching genes, we established a four-gene combination which exhibited highly diagnostic accuracy in predicting advanced liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or hepatitis B (HBV). Conclusion Our study revealed a novel cell state during HSC activation which may be relevant to CAFs, and identified switching genes that may play key roles in HSC transdifferentiation and serve as predictive markers of advanced fibrosis in patients with chronic liver diseases. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03263-4.
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16
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Wang ZY, Keogh A, Waldt A, Cuttat R, Neri M, Zhu S, Schuierer S, Ruchti A, Crochemore C, Knehr J, Bastien J, Ksiazek I, Sánchez-Taltavull D, Ge H, Wu J, Roma G, Helliwell SB, Stroka D, Nigsch F. Single-cell and bulk transcriptomics of the liver reveals potential targets of NASH with fibrosis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19396. [PMID: 34588551 PMCID: PMC8481490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98806-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is characterized by the excessive production of collagen and other extracellular matrix (ECM) components and represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Previous studies of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with fibrosis were largely restricted to bulk transcriptome profiles. Thus, our understanding of this disease is limited by an incomplete characterization of liver cell types in general and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in particular, given that activated HSCs are the major hepatic fibrogenic cell population. To help fill this gap, we profiled 17,810 non-parenchymal cells derived from six healthy human livers. In conjunction with public single-cell data of fibrotic/cirrhotic human livers, these profiles enable the identification of potential intercellular signaling axes (e.g., ITGAV-LAMC1, TNFRSF11B-VWF and NOTCH2-DLL4) and master regulators (e.g., RUNX1 and CREB3L1) responsible for the activation of HSCs during fibrogenesis. Bulk RNA-seq data of NASH patient livers and rodent models for liver fibrosis of diverse etiologies allowed us to evaluate the translatability of candidate therapeutic targets for NASH-related fibrosis. We identified 61 liver fibrosis-associated genes (e.g., AEBP1, PRRX1 and LARP6) that may serve as a repertoire of translatable drug target candidates. Consistent with the above regulon results, gene regulatory network analysis allowed the identification of CREB3L1 as a master regulator of many of the 61 genes. Together, this study highlights potential cell-cell interactions and master regulators that underlie HSC activation and reveals genes that may represent prospective hallmark signatures for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Yi Wang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Adrian Keogh
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annick Waldt
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rachel Cuttat
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marilisa Neri
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shanshan Zhu
- China Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Sven Schuierer
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Ruchti
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Judith Knehr
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julie Bastien
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Iwona Ksiazek
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Sánchez-Taltavull
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hui Ge
- China Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jing Wu
- China Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Guglielmo Roma
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephen B Helliwell
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
- Rejuveron Life Sciences AG, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Deborah Stroka
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Florian Nigsch
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
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17
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Tao Y, Wei X, Yue Y, Wang J, Li J, Shen L, Lu G, He Y, Zhao S, Zhao F, Weng Z, Shen X, Zhou L. Extracellular vesicle-derived AEBP1 mRNA as a novel candidate biomarker for diabetic kidney disease. J Transl Med 2021; 19:326. [PMID: 34332599 PMCID: PMC8325821 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03000-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A novel and improved methodology is still required for the diagnosis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The aim of the present study was to identify novel biomarkers using extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived mRNA based on kidney tissue microarray data. METHODS Candidate genes were identified by intersecting the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and eGFR-correlated genes using the GEO datasets GSE30528 and GSE96804, followed by clinical parameter correlation and diagnostic efficacy assessment. RESULTS Fifteen intersecting genes, including 8 positively correlated genes, B3GALT2, CDH10, MIR3916, NELL1, OCLM, PRKAR2B, TREM1 and USP46, and 7 negatively correlated genes, AEBP1, CDH6, HSD17B2, LUM, MS4A4A, PTN and RASSF9, were confirmed. The expression level assessment results revealed significantly increased levels of AEBP1 in DKD-derived EVs compared to those in T2DM and control EVs. Correlation analysis revealed that AEBP1 levels were positively correlated with Cr, 24-h urine protein and serum CYC and negatively correlated with eGFR and LDL, and good diagnostic efficacy for DKD was also found using AEBP1 levels to differentiate DKD patients from T2DM patients or controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirmed that the AEBP1 level from plasma EVs could differentiate DKD patients from T2DM patients and control subjects and was a good indication of the function of multiple critical clinical parameters. The AEBP1 level of EVs may serve as a novel and efficacious biomarker for DKD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiying Tao
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Xing Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Yue Yue
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Jianzhong Li
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Lei Shen
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Guoyuan Lu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Yang He
- MOE Engineering Center of Hematological Disease, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
- MOH Key Lab of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Shidi Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Fan Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Zhen Weng
- MOE Engineering Center of Hematological Disease, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Xiahong Shen
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
| | - Ling Zhou
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
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Tadokoro T, Morishita A, Masaki T. Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management of Liver Fibrosis by MicroRNA. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158139. [PMID: 34360904 PMCID: PMC8347497 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Remarkable progress has been made in the treatment and control of hepatitis B and C viral infections. However, fundamental treatments for diseases in which liver fibrosis is a key factor, such as cirrhosis, alcoholic/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis, are still under development and remain an unmet medical need. To solve this problem, it is essential to elucidate the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in detail from a molecular and cellular perspective and to develop targeted therapeutic agents based on this information. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs), functional RNAs of 22 nucleotides, have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. In addition, extracellular vesicles called “exosomes” have been attracting attention, and research is being conducted to establish noninvasive and extremely sensitive biomarkers using miRNAs in exosomes. In this review, we summarize miRNAs directly involved in liver fibrosis, miRNAs associated with diseases leading to liver fibrosis, and miRNAs related to complications of cirrhosis. We will also discuss the efficacy of each miRNA as a biomarker of liver fibrosis and pathology, and its potential application as a therapeutic agent.
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19
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Yang L, Qin Y, Jian C. Screening for Core Genes Related to Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:668738. [PMID: 33968940 PMCID: PMC8101499 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.668738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a nervous system disease, lacks effective therapies at present. RNA expression is the basic way to regulate life activities, and identifying related characteristics in AD patients may aid the exploration of AD pathogenesis and treatment. This study developed a classifier that could accurately classify AD patients and healthy people, and then obtained 3 core genes that may be related to the pathogenesis of AD. To this end, RNA expression data of the middle temporal gyrus of AD patients were firstly downloaded from GEO database, and the data were then normalized using limma package following a supplementation of missing data by k-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) algorithm. Afterwards, the top 500 genes of the most feature importance were obtained through Max-Relevance and Min-Redundancy (mRMR) analysis, and based on these genes, a series of AD classifiers were constructed through Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and KNN algorithms. Then, the KNN classifier with the highest Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) value composed of 14 genes in incremental feature selection (IFS) analysis was identified as the best AD classifier. As analyzed, the 14 genes played a pivotal role in determination of AD and may be core genes associated with the pathogenesis of AD. Finally, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and Random Walk with Restart (RWR) analysis were applied to obtain core gene-associated genes, and key pathways related to AD were further analyzed. Overall, this study contributed to a deeper understanding of AD pathogenesis and provided theoretical guidance for related research and experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longxiu Yang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yuan Qin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Chongdong Jian
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
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20
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Piras IS, Gerhard GS, DiStefano JK. Palmitate and Fructose Interact to Induce Human Hepatocytes to Produce Pro-Fibrotic Transcriptional Responses in Hepatic Stellate Cells Exposed to Conditioned Media. Cell Physiol Biochem 2021; 54:1068-1082. [PMID: 33095528 PMCID: PMC8265013 DOI: 10.33594/000000288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Excessive consumption of dietary fat and sugar is associated with an elevated risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hepatocytes exposed to saturated fat or sugar exert effects on nearby hepatic stellate cells (HSCs); however, the mechanisms by which this occurs are poorly understood. We sought to determine whether paracrine effects of hepatocytes exposed to palmitate and fructose produced profibrotic transcriptional responses in HSCs. METHODS We performed expression profiling of mRNA and lncRNA from HSCs treated with conditioned media (CM) from human hepatocytes treated with palmitate (P), fructose (F), or both (PF). RESULTS In HSCs exposed to CM from palmitate-treated hepatocytes, we identified 374 mRNAs and 607 lncRNAs showing significant differential expression (log2 foldchange ≥ |1|; FDR ≤0.05) compared to control cells. In HSCs exposed to CM from PF-treated hepatocytes, the number of differentially expressed genes was much higher (1198 mRNAs and 3348 lncRNAs); however, CM from fructose-treated hepatocytes elicited no significant changes in gene expression. Pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes showed enrichment for hepatic fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell activation in P- (FDR =1.30E-04) and PF-(FDR =9.24E-06)
groups. We observed 71 lncRNA/nearby mRNA pairs showing differential expression under PF conditions. There were 90 mRNAs and 264 lncRNAs strongly correlated between the PF group and differentially expressed transcripts from a comparison of activated and quiescent HSCs, suggesting that some of the transcriptomic changes occurring in response to PF overlap with HSC activation. CONCLUSION The results reported here have implications for dietary modifications in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Glenn S Gerhard
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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21
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Wang D, Rabhi N, Yet SF, Farmer SR, Layne MD. Aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein regulates vascular adventitial progenitor and fibroblast differentiation through myocardin related transcription factor A. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3948. [PMID: 33597582 PMCID: PMC7889889 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82941-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The vascular adventitia contains numerous cell types including fibroblasts, adipocytes, inflammatory cells, and progenitors embedded within a complex extracellular matrix (ECM) network. In response to vascular injury, adventitial progenitors and fibroblasts become activated and exhibit increased proliferative capacity and differentiate into contractile cells that remodel the ECM. These processes can lead to vascular fibrosis and disease progression. Our previous work established that the ECM protein aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein (ACLP) promotes fibrotic remodeling in the lung and is activated by vascular injury. It is currently unknown what controls vascular adventitial cell differentiation and if ACLP has a role in this process. Using purified mouse aortic adventitia Sca1+ progenitors, ACLP repressed stem cell markers (CD34, KLF4) and upregulated smooth muscle actin (SMA) and collagen I expression. ACLP enhanced myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTFA) activity in adventitial cells by promoting MRTFA nuclear translocation. Sca1 cells from MRTFA-null mice exhibited reduced SMA and collagen expression induced by ACLP, indicating Sca1 cell differentiation is regulated in part by the ACLP-MRTFA axis. We determined that ACLP induced vessel contraction and increased adventitial collagen in an explant model. Collectively these studies identified ACLP as a mediator of adventitial cellular differentiation, which may result in pathological vessel remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahai Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.,Department of Hematology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nabil Rabhi
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Shaw-Fang Yet
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Stephen R Farmer
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Matthew D Layne
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
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22
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AEBP1 Promotes Glioblastoma Progression and Activates the Classical NF- κB Pathway. Behav Neurol 2020; 2020:8890452. [PMID: 33224311 PMCID: PMC7665936 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8890452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Our study was aimed at investigating the mechanistic consequences of the upregulation of adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 (AEBP1) in glioblastoma (GBM). Methods The expression of AEBP1 in GBM was assessed by bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR; the effects of AEBP1 on GBM cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo were detected by a CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, scratch assay, Transwell assay, and subcutaneous tumor formation, respectively. The activation of related signaling pathways was monitored using western blot. Results Tumor-related databases and bioinformatics analysis revealed that AEBP1 was highly expressed in GBM and indicated poor outcome of patients; its high expression that was also confirmed in GBM tissues and cell lines was closely related to the tumor size. The results of in vitro experiments showed that AEBP1 could significantly promote GBM cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; in vivo experiments suggested that AEBP1 could contribute to the growth of GBM tumors. AEBP1 could upregulate the level of IκBα phosphorylation, decrease IκBα expression, activate the NF-κB signaling pathway, and promote the expression of downstream oncogenes. Conclusion Upregulated AEBP1 in GBM promotes GBM cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and facilitates tumor growth in vivo by activating the classical NF-κB pathway.
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Transcriptional Regulation in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Metabolites 2020; 10:metabo10070283. [PMID: 32660130 PMCID: PMC7408131 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10070283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is the primary risk factor for the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the worldwide prevalence of which continues to increase dramatically. The liver plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of whole-body lipid and glucose homeostasis. This is mainly mediated by the transcriptional activation of hepatic pathways that promote glucose and lipid production or utilization in response to the nutritional state of the body. However, in the setting of chronic excessive nutrition, the dysregulation of hepatic transcriptional machinery promotes lipid accumulation, inflammation, metabolic stress, and fibrosis, which culminate in NAFLD. In this review, we provide our current understanding of the transcription factors that have been linked to the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD. Using publicly available transcriptomic data, we outline the altered activity of transcription factors among humans with NAFLD. By expanding this analysis to common experimental mouse models of NAFLD, we outline the relevance of mouse models to the human pathophysiology at the transcriptional level.
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24
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Vishwanath N, Monis WJ, Hoffmann GA, Ramachandran B, DiGiacomo V, Wong JY, Smith ML, Layne MD. Mechanisms of aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein secretion and identification of an intracellularly retained variant associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:9725-9735. [PMID: 32482891 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein (ACLP) is a collagen-binding extracellular matrix protein that has important roles in wound healing and fibrosis. ACLP contains thrombospondin repeats, a collagen-binding discoidin domain, and a catalytically inactive metallocarboxypeptidase domain. Recently, mutations in the ACLP-encoding gene, AE-binding protein 1 (AEBP1), have been discovered, leading to the identification of a new variant of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome causing connective tissue disruptions in multiple organs. Currently, little is known about the mechanisms of ACLP secretion or the role of post-translational modifications in these processes. We show here that the secreted form of ACLP contains N-linked glycosylation and that inhibition of glycosylation results in its intracellular retention. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we determined that glycosylation of Asn-471 and Asn-1030 is necessary for ACLP secretion and identified a specific N-terminal proteolytic ACLP fragment. To determine the contribution of secreted ACLP to extracellular matrix mechanical properties, we generated and mechanically tested wet-spun collagen ACLP composite fibers, finding that ACLP enhances the modulus (or stiffness), toughness, and tensile strength of the fibers. Some AEBP1 mutations were null alleles, whereas others resulted in expressed proteins. We tested the hypothesis that a recently discovered 40-amino acid mutation and insertion in the ACLP discoidin domain regulates collagen binding and assembly. Interestingly, we found that this protein variant is retained intracellularly and induces endoplasmic reticulum stress identified with an XBP1-based endoplasmic reticulum stress reporter. Our findings highlight the importance of N-linked glycosylation of ACLP for its secretion and contribute to our understanding of ACLP-dependent disease pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neya Vishwanath
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - William J Monis
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gwendolyn A Hoffmann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bhavana Ramachandran
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vincent DiGiacomo
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joyce Y Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael L Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew D Layne
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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25
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Vorstandlechner V, Laggner M, Kalinina P, Haslik W, Radtke C, Shaw L, Lichtenberger BM, Tschachler E, Ankersmit HJ, Mildner M. Deciphering the functional heterogeneity of skin fibroblasts using single-cell RNA sequencing. FASEB J 2020; 34:3677-3692. [PMID: 31930613 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902001rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Though skin fibroblasts (FB) are the main cell population within the dermis, the different skin FB subsets are not well characterized and the traditional classification into reticular and papillary FBs has little functional relevance. To fill the gap of knowledge on FB diversity in human skin, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing. Investigation of marker genes for the different skin cell subtypes revealed a heterogeneous picture of FBs. When mapping reticular and papillary FB markers, we could not detect cluster specificity, suggesting that these two populations show a higher transcriptional heterogeneity than expected. This finding was further confirmed by in situ hybridization, showing that DPP4 was expressed in both dermal layers. Our analysis identified six FB clusters with distinct transcriptional signatures. Importantly, we could demonstrate that in human skin DPP4+ FBs are the main producers of factors involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) assembly. In conclusion, we provide evidence that hitherto considered FB markers are not ideal to characterize skin FB subpopulations in single-cell sequencing analyses. The identification of DPP4+ FBs as the main ECM-producing cells in human skin will foster the development of anti-fibrotic treatments for the skin and other organs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Laggner
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Polina Kalinina
- Research Division of Biology and Pathobiology of the Skin, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Werner Haslik
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Radtke
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Shaw
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Beate Maria Lichtenberger
- Skin and Endothelium Research Division, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Erwin Tschachler
- Research Division of Biology and Pathobiology of the Skin, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Michael Mildner
- Research Division of Biology and Pathobiology of the Skin, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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