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Cardoso-Lezama I, Ramos-Tovar E, Arellanes-Robledo J, Vargas-Pozada EE, Vásquez-Garzón VR, Villa-Treviño S, Muriel P. Serum α-SMA is a potential noninvasive biomarker of liver fibrosis. Toxicol Mech Methods 2024; 34:13-19. [PMID: 37528633 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2023.2244061] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
The severity of fibrosis is central to the therapeutic course for patients with chronic liver disease; therefore, early detection of liver fibrosis is critical for timely therapeutic interventions. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis; however, it is contraindicated in several pathological conditions. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main cells for fibrotic tissue synthesis, such as that of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). This study aimed to determine whether serum α-SMA levels are a suitable noninvasive, sensitive, and reliable liver fibrosis marker. Fibrosis was induced in male Wistar rats via chronic CCl4 administration. Fibrosis was determined in the liver tissues by quantifying the hydroxyproline content and visualized using Masson's trichrome staining. Rats chronically administered CCl4 exhibited a progressive increment in the hepatic collagen content, as well as both hepatic and serum α-SMA levels in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, serum levels of α-SMA significantly correlated with hepatic α-SMA levels (p ≤ 0.001), as well as with the severity of liver fibrosis (p ≤ 0.001). These findings suggest that increased levels of serum α-SMA can be considered a potential reliable and noninvasive biomarker for early liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Cardoso-Lezama
- Departamento de Farmacología, Laboratorio de Hepatología Experimental, Centro de Investigación y de estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Erika Ramos-Tovar
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Jaime Arellanes-Robledo
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Hepáticas, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Ciudad de México, México. Dirección de Cátedras, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Eduardo E Vargas-Pozada
- Departamento de Farmacología, Laboratorio de Hepatología Experimental, Centro de Investigación y de estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Verónica Rocío Vásquez-Garzón
- CONACYT-Facultad de Medicina y Cirugía, Universidad Autónoma 'Benito Juárez' de Oaxaca, Ex Hacienda de Aguilera S/N, Oaxaca, México
| | - Saúl Villa-Treviño
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Pablo Muriel
- Departamento de Farmacología, Laboratorio de Hepatología Experimental, Centro de Investigación y de estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
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Sun Y, Weng J, Chen X, Ma S, Zhang Y, Zhang F, Zhang Z, Wang F, Shao J, Zheng S. Oroxylin A activates ferritinophagy to induce hepatic stellate cell senescence against hepatic fibrosis by regulating cGAS-STING pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114653. [PMID: 37086511 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent study, the pathological mechanism of liver fibrosis has been associated with hepatic stellate cell (HSC) senescence. Targeted induction of HSC senescence is considered as a new strategy to remove activated HSC. Nevertheless, little is known about the role of ferritinophagy in cell senescence. In this study, we reported that Oroxylin A from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi can regulate HSC senescence induced by ferritinophagy through the cGAS-STING pathway to reduce liver fibrosis. We first found that Oroxylin A treatment alleviated the pathological changes of liver fibrosis, reduced collagen deposition, and significantly inhibited liver fibrosis. Interestingly, Oroxylin A treatment can activate HSC ferritinophagy and further induce HSC senescence. It is noteworthy that ferritinophagy is mediated by nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4), an important selective mediator for ferritin degradation. NCOA4 siRNA causes Oroxylin A to reduce the degree of telomerase activity in HSCs and induce the expression of senescence markers, such as SA-β-Gal and related marker proteins. Importantly, the cGAS-STING pathway is crucial to the activation of HSC ferritinophagy by Oroxylin A. Specifically, Oroxylin A can promote the secretion of cytokines like IFN-β by the cGAS-STING pathway to regulate ferritinophagy. cGAS siRNA resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the expression of NCOA4, a significant reduction in the expression level of autophagy-related phenotype, and a decrease in the content of ROS and iron ions in HSCs. In conclusion, we identified the new role of ferritinophagy and the GAS-STING pathway in Oroxylin A -mediated anti-hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingdan Weng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaolei Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuyao Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxin Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zili Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Feixia Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
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Predictive Power of Tissue and Circulating Biomarkers for the Severity of Biopsy-Validated Chronic Liver Diseases. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11205985. [PMID: 36294318 PMCID: PMC9604565 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11205985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Although liver biopsy remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and the monitoring of liver disease, non-invasive biomarkers have been recently suggested to predict liver disease severity, progression, and response to therapy. We investigated multiple tissue and circulating markers of angiogenesis in predicting the severity of biopsy-validated chronic liver diseases in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and in NAFLD/NASH patients. Methods: We studied samples from forty-six patients with HCV and/or NAFLD who underwent liver biopsy, liver ultrasonography, and liver stiffness measurement. Ishak and Brunt scores were calculated. Expression of selective genes and luminex analyses of 17 different circulating pro-angiogenic factors were performed. Results: The phenotype of NAFLD/NASH or HCV subjects was similar, except for insulin, which was expressed at higher levels in NAFLD/NASH patients. A Mann−Whitney test showed significant differences for the circulating levels of HB-EGF and for follistatin between HCV and NAFLD/NASH patients. In HCV patients, we found an inverse correlation between disease stage and BMP-9 and VEGF-A circulating levels, while in NASH/NAFLD direct correlations between stage and BMP-9 and VEGF-A circulating levels were noted. The K-means algorithm divided HCV and NASH/NAFLD patients in two clusters with significant differences between them. Logistic regression models showed a positive relationship with BMP-9 levels for NASH/NAFLD and with HB-EGF circulating concentrations for HCV. ROC analysis showed for BMP-9 > 1188 pg/mL a worse disease in NASH/NAFLD, whereas for HB-EGF < 61 pg/mL a higher severity of disease in HCV. Conclusion: Our data show that circulating biomarker profiles can identify the severity of chronic liver disease of NAFLD/NASH or HCV origin.
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Bowman WS, Newton CA, Linderholm AL, Neely ML, Pugashetti JV, Kaul B, Vo V, Echt GA, Leon W, Shah RJ, Huang Y, Garcia CK, Wolters PJ, Oldham JM. Proteomic biomarkers of progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease: a multicentre cohort analysis. THE LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2022; 10:593-602. [DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(21)00503-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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5
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Factors influencing circulating microRNAs as biomarkers for liver diseases. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:4999-5016. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07170-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a challenging disease caused by multiple factors, which may partly explain why it still remains an orphan of adequate therapies. This review highlights the interaction between oxidative stress (OS) and disturbed lipid metabolism. Several reactive oxygen species generators, including those produced in the gastrointestinal tract, contribute to the lipotoxic hepatic (and extrahepatic) damage by fatty acids and a great variety of their biologically active metabolites in a “multiple parallel-hit model”. This leads to inflammation and fibrogenesis and contributes to NAFLD progression. The alterations of the oxidant/antioxidant balance affect also metabolism-related organelles, leading to lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This OS-induced damage is at least partially counteracted by the physiological antioxidant response. Therefore, modulation of this defense system emerges as an interesting target to prevent NAFLD development and progression. For instance, probiotics, prebiotics, diet, and fecal microbiota transplantation represent new therapeutic approaches targeting the gut microbiota dysbiosis. The OS and its counter-regulation are under the influence of individual genetic and epigenetic factors as well. In the near future, precision medicine taking into consideration genetic or environmental epigenetic risk factors, coupled with new OS biomarkers, will likely assist in noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring of NAFLD progression and in further personalizing treatments.
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Tao S, Duan R, Xu T, Hong J, Gu W, Lin A, Lian L, Huang H, Lu J, Li T. Salvianolic acid B inhibits the progression of liver fibrosis in rats via modulation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 2022; 23:116. [PMID: 34970339 PMCID: PMC8713182 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.11039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) has previously reported anti-hepatic fibrosis effects, though it is not clear if it can inhibit hepatic fibrosis by regulating the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. The aim of the present study was to explore the roles and mechanism of Sal B in preventing and treating liver fibrosis in rats. The study also aimed to determine the role of the Hh signaling pathway in this process. A rat model of liver fibrosis was induced through the subcutaneous injection of 50% carbon tetrachloride, followed by treatment with Sal B. After gavage, blood was collected to detect serum markers of liver injury. The degree of liver fibrosis and tissue damage was assessed using histopathological analysis. Western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR were used to detect the expression levels of TGF-β1 and Hh signaling pathway-related genes, including Sonic hedgehog (Shh) protein, membrane protein receptor protein patched homolog 1 (Ptch1), membrane protein receptor Smoothened (Smo) and transcription factor glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1). Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels were decreased, whilst levels of albumin were increased in rats with liver fibrosis that were treated with Sal B (P<0.05). Additionally, significant increases in TGF-β1, Shh, Ptch1, Smo, Gli1 and α-smooth muscle actin expression levels were observed in the liver tissues of rats with hepatic fibrosis (P<0.05). However, Sal B treatment significantly reduced the expression levels of these proteins (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that the Hh signaling pathway may be activated during the process of rat liver fibrosis. Thus, Sal B may exert its anti-hepatic fibrosis effects, at least in part, by inhibiting the activation of the Hh signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanjun Tao
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, P.R. China.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, P.R. China
| | - Renjie Duan
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, P.R. China
| | - Tong Xu
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, P.R. China
| | - Jiao Hong
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, P.R. China
| | - Wenjie Gu
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, P.R. China
| | - Aiqin Lin
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, P.R. China
| | - Likai Lian
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, P.R. China
| | - Haoyu Huang
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, P.R. China
| | - Jiangtao Lu
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, P.R. China
| | - Tiechen Li
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Preclinical Medicine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, P.R. China
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Schyman P, Printz RL, Pannala VR, AbdulHameed MDM, Estes SK, Shiota C, Boyd KL, Shiota M, Wallqvist A. Genomics and metabolomics of early-stage thioacetamide-induced liver injury: An interspecies study between guinea pig and rat. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021; 430:115713. [PMID: 34492290 PMCID: PMC8511347 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
To study the complex processes involved in liver injuries, researchers rely on animal investigations, using chemically or surgically induced liver injuries, to extrapolate findings and infer human health risks. However, this presents obvious challenges in performing a detailed comparison and validation between the highly controlled animal models and development of liver injuries in humans. Furthermore, it is not clear whether there are species-dependent and -independent molecular initiating events or processes that cause liver injury before they eventually lead to end-stage liver disease. Here, we present a side-by-side study of rats and guinea pigs using thioacetamide to examine the similarities between early molecular initiating events during an acute-phase liver injury. We exposed Sprague Dawley rats and Hartley guinea pigs to a single dose of 25 or 100 mg/kg thioacetamide and collected blood plasma for metabolomic analysis and liver tissue for RNA-sequencing. The subsequent toxicogenomic analysis identified consistent liver injury trends in both genomic and metabolomic data within 24 and 33 h after thioacetamide exposure in rats and guinea pigs, respectively. In particular, we found species similarities in the key injury phenotypes of inflammation and fibrogenesis in our gene module analysis for liver injury phenotypes. We identified expression of several common genes (e.g., SPP1, TNSF18, SERPINE1, CLDN4, TIMP1, CD44, and LGALS3), activation of injury-specific KEGG pathways, and alteration of plasma metabolites involved in amino acid and bile acid metabolism as some of the key molecular processes that changed early upon thioacetamide exposure and could play a major role in the initiation of acute liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patric Schyman
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, USA; The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard L Printz
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Venkat R Pannala
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, USA; The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Mohamed Diwan M AbdulHameed
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, USA; The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shanea K Estes
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Chiyo Shiota
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kelli Lynn Boyd
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Comparative Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Masakazu Shiota
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Anders Wallqvist
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, USA.
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Identification of miR-199a-5p, miR-214-3p and miR-99b-5p as Fibrosis-Specific Extracellular Biomarkers and Promoters of HSC Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189799. [PMID: 34575957 PMCID: PMC8464755 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) resulting in the formation of fibrous scars. In the clinic, liver biopsies are the standard diagnostic method despite the potential for clinical complications. miRNAs are single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that can be detected in tissues, body fluids and cultured cells. The regulation of many miRNAs has been linked to tissue damage, including liver fibrosis in patients, resulting in aberrant miRNA expression/release. Experimental evidence also suggests that miRNAs are regulated in a similar manner in vitro and could thus serve as translational in vitro–in vivo biomarkers. In this work, we set out to identify and characterize biomarkers for liver fibrosis that could be used in vitro and clinically for research and diagnostic purposes. We focused on miRNAs released from hepatic 3D cultures exposed to methotrexate (MTX), which causes fibrosis, and acetaminophen (APAP), an acute hepatotoxicant with no clinically relevant association to liver fibrosis. Using a 3D in vitro model, we corroborated compound-specific responses as we show MTX induced a fibrotic response, and APAP did not. Performing miRNA-seq of cell culture supernatants, we identified potential miRNA biomarkers (miR-199a-5p, miR-214-3p, niRNA-125a-5p and miR-99b-5p) that were associated with a fibrotic phenotype and not with hepatocellular damage alone. Moreover, transfection of HSC with miR-199a-5p led to decreased expression of caveolin-1 and increased α-SMA expression, suggesting its role in HSC activation. In conclusion, we propose that extracellular miR-214-3p, miR-99b-5p, miR-125a-5p and specifically miR-199a-5p could contribute towards a panel of miRNAs for identifying liver fibrosis and that miR-199a-5p, miR-214-3p and miR-99b-5p are promoters of HSC activation.
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10
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Koshiol J, Argirion I, Liu Z, Kim Lam T, O'Brien TR, Yu K, McGlynn KA, Petrick JL, Pinto L, Chen CJ, Hildesheim A, Pfeiffer RM, Lee MH, Yang HI. Immunologic markers and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B virus- and hepatitis C virus-infected individuals. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2021; 54:833-842. [PMID: 34286851 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical and experimental studies suggest immunologic proteins contribute to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. AIM To evaluate circulating immunologic markers and HCC risk. METHODS From a Taiwanese cohort of chronically hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected individuals followed over time (REVEAL-HBV), we sampled 175 who developed HCC, 117 cirrhosis only, and 165 non-cirrhotic controls. From a similar Taiwanese cohort of chronically hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected individuals (REVEAL-HCV), we included 94 individuals who developed HCC, 68 cirrhosis only and 100 non-cirrhotic controls. We compared pre-diagnostic plasma levels of 102 markers in HCC cases to non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic controls using polytomous logistic regression. A priori markers included insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). P-values for other markers were corrected for multiple testing (false discovery rate = 10%). RESULTS In both REVEAL-HBV and REVEAL-HCV, increasing levels of ICAM-1 were associated with increased risk of HCC compared to non-cirrhotic controls (P-trend 0.02 and 0.001, respectively). In both REVEAL-HBV and REVEAL-HCV, two novel markers [C-X-C motif chemokine 11 (CXCL11) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)] were positively associated [strongest odds ratioquartile 4 versus 1 (OR) 4.55 for HGF in HCV], while two [complement factor H related 5 (CFHR5) and stem cell factor (SCF)] were negatively associated (strongest ORQ4vQ1 0.14 for SCF in HCV) with development of HCC compared to non-cirrhotic controls. CONCLUSIONS We confirmed the association for ICAM-1 and identified 4 additional proteins associated with HBV- and HCV-related HCC. These findings highlight the importance of immunologic processes in HBV- and HCV-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Koshiol
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ilona Argirion
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zhiwei Liu
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tram Kim Lam
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Thomas R O'Brien
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kelly Yu
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Katherine A McGlynn
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jessica L Petrick
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.,School of Medicine, Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ligia Pinto
- HPV Immunology Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos, Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Chien-Jen Chen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Allan Hildesheim
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ruth M Pfeiffer
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mei-Hsuan Lee
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hwai-I Yang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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11
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Comparison between galectin-3 and YKL-40 levels for the assessment of liver fibrosis in cirrhotic patients. Arab J Gastroenterol 2021; 22:187-192. [PMID: 34088622 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajg.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS The circulatory levels of Galectin-3 and YKL-40 are considered as candidate biomarkers for the noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis. This study aimed to evaluate the plasma protein profiles of Galectin-3 and YKL-40 in patients with cirrhosis (with and without hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]) who underwent deceased-donor liver transplantation (LT), before and after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS The plasma levels of Galectin-3 and YKL-40 were assessed in 46 subjects, including 24 liver graft recipients (before, 1 day after, and 1 month after LT) and 22 healthy controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS The levels of Galectin-3 and YKL-40 in the LT recipients before the transplant were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). YKL-40 levels returned to normal within 1 day after LT, whereas those of Galectin-3 decreased 1 day after LT and returned to normal levels after 1 month. The levels of both proteins did not differ between patients with and without HCC. Unlike YKL-40, the pre-transplant levels of Galectin-3 were directly correlated to that of aspartate aminotransferase (AST; r = 0.473, p = 0.01), alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.395, p = 0.04), total bilirubin (r = 0.545, p = 0.003), and lactate dehydrogenase (r = 0.452, p = 0.02) and to the AST to platelet ratio index (APRI; r = 0.411, p = 0.03) and Child-Pugh score (r = 0.601, p < 0.001). Galectin-3 levels increased significantly according to the severity of cirrhosis (25.9 ± 2.7; 57.4 ± 29.6; and 81 ± 27 ng/mL in Class A, B, and C cirrhosis, respectively), whereas those of YKL-40 tended to be higher in the Class C patients compared to the Class A patients (8.9 ± 2.6 vs. 7.4 ± 0.8 ng/mL). CONCLUSION Circulating levels of Galectin-3 could be an indicator of liver damage and inflammation that are correlated with fibrosis.
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12
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Bellan M, Piccinino C, Tonello S, Minisini R, Giubertoni A, Sola D, Pedrazzoli R, Gagliardi I, Zecca E, Calzaducca E, Mazzoleni F, Piffero R, Patti G, Pirisi M, Sainaghi PP. Role of Osteopontin as a Potential Biomarker of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and Other Connective Tissue Diseases (CTDs). Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14050394. [PMID: 33919476 PMCID: PMC8143460 DOI: 10.3390/ph14050394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe complication of connective tissue diseases (CTD). Its early diagnosis is essential to start effective treatment. In the present paper, we aimed to evaluate the role of plasma osteopontin (OPN) as a candidate biomarker of PAH in a cohort of CTD patients. OPN is a pleiotropic protein involved in inflammation and fibrogenesis and, therefore, potentially promising in this specific clinical context. We performed a cross-sectional observational study on a cohort of 113 CTD patients (females N = 101, 89.4%) affected by systemic sclerosis N = 88 (77.9%), mixed connective tissue disease N = 10 (8.8%), overlap syndrome N = 10 (8.8%) or undifferentiated connective tissue disease N = 5 (4.4%). CTD-PAH patients showed significantly higher OPN plasma values than patients with CTD alone (241.0 (188.8–387.2) vs. 200.7 (133.5–281.6) ng/mL; p = 0.03). Although OPN levels were directly correlated with age and inversely with glomerular filtration rate, they remained associated with PAH at multivariate analysis. In conclusion, OPN was significantly associated with PAH among patients with CTD, suggesting it may have a role as a non-invasive disease biomarker of PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Bellan
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.T.); (R.M.); (A.G.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (R.P.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (P.P.S.)
- Division of Cardoilogy, “AOU Maggiore della Carità” Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy; (C.P.); (D.S.); (R.P.)
- CAAD (Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Disease), Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Cristina Piccinino
- Division of Cardoilogy, “AOU Maggiore della Carità” Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy; (C.P.); (D.S.); (R.P.)
| | - Stelvio Tonello
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.T.); (R.M.); (A.G.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (R.P.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (P.P.S.)
| | - Rosalba Minisini
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.T.); (R.M.); (A.G.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (R.P.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (P.P.S.)
| | - Ailia Giubertoni
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.T.); (R.M.); (A.G.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (R.P.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (P.P.S.)
| | - Daniele Sola
- Division of Cardoilogy, “AOU Maggiore della Carità” Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy; (C.P.); (D.S.); (R.P.)
| | - Roberta Pedrazzoli
- Division of Cardoilogy, “AOU Maggiore della Carità” Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy; (C.P.); (D.S.); (R.P.)
| | - Ileana Gagliardi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.T.); (R.M.); (A.G.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (R.P.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (P.P.S.)
| | - Erika Zecca
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.T.); (R.M.); (A.G.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (R.P.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (P.P.S.)
| | - Elisa Calzaducca
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.T.); (R.M.); (A.G.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (R.P.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (P.P.S.)
| | - Federica Mazzoleni
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.T.); (R.M.); (A.G.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (R.P.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (P.P.S.)
| | - Roberto Piffero
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.T.); (R.M.); (A.G.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (R.P.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (P.P.S.)
| | - Giuseppe Patti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.T.); (R.M.); (A.G.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (R.P.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (P.P.S.)
- Division of Cardoilogy, “AOU Maggiore della Carità” Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy; (C.P.); (D.S.); (R.P.)
| | - Mario Pirisi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.T.); (R.M.); (A.G.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (R.P.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (P.P.S.)
- Division of Cardoilogy, “AOU Maggiore della Carità” Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy; (C.P.); (D.S.); (R.P.)
- CAAD (Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Disease), Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Sainaghi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale UPO, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.T.); (R.M.); (A.G.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (E.C.); (F.M.); (R.P.); (G.P.); (M.P.); (P.P.S.)
- Division of Cardoilogy, “AOU Maggiore della Carità” Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy; (C.P.); (D.S.); (R.P.)
- CAAD (Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Disease), Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
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Proteomic screening of plasma identifies potential noninvasive biomarkers associated with significant/advanced fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:221652. [PMID: 31860081 PMCID: PMC6944676 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20190395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive biomarkers are clinically useful for evaluating liver fibrosis stage in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of the present study was to compare plasma proteins in patients with early nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (F0-F1) versus NASH with significant/advanced fibrosis (F2–F4) to determine whether candidate proteins could be used as potential noninvasive biomarkers. Nineteen biopsy-proven NAFLD patients including ten early NASH patients and nine NASH patients with significant/advanced fibrosis were enrolled in the present study. High-resolution proteomics screening of plasma was performed with the SCIEX TripleTOF 5600 System. Proteins were quantified using two different software platforms, Progenesis Qi and Scaffold Q+, respectively. Progenesis Qi analysis resulted in the discovery of 277 proteins compared with 235 proteins in Scaffold Q+. Five consensus proteins (i.e. Complement component C7; α-2-macroglobulin; Complement component C8 γ chain; Fibulin-1; α-1-antichymotrypsin) were identified. Complement component C7 was three-fold higher in the NASH group with significant/advanced fibrosis (F2–F4) compared with the early NASH (F0-F1) group (q-value = 3.6E-6). Complement component C7 and Fibulin-1 are positively correlated with liver stiffness (P=0.000, P=0.002, respectively); whereas, Complement component C8 γ chain is negatively correlated (P=0.009). High levels of Complement C7 are associated with NASH with significant/advanced fibrosis and Complement C7 is a perfect classifier of patients included in this pilot study. Further studies will be needed in a larger validation cohort to confirm the utility of complement proteins as biomarkers or mechanistic determinants of NASH with significant/advanced fibrosis.
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14
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Role of the Gas6/TAM System as a Disease Marker and Potential Drug Target. DISEASE MARKERS 2021; 2021:2854925. [PMID: 33532004 PMCID: PMC7834835 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2854925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a life-threatening illness that continues to have an in-hospital mortality rate of patients with AKI ranges from 20% to 50% or greater, depending on underlying conditions. However, it has only marginally declined over the past 25 years. Previous authoritative publications have been pointed out that the lack of useful biomarkers for AKI has limited progress in improving the outcomes of this disorder. The purpose of this paper is to review the recent biomarkers involved in the early detection of AKI and main reasons for the failure to identify new AKI biomarkers. So far, several new AKI biomarkers have been discovered and validated to improve early diagnosis, degree of severity, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, prediction for major kidney adverse events (MAKE, risk groups for progressive renal failure, need for renal replacement therapy [RRT], or death). These biomarkers can be classified into functional, damage and pre-injury phase biomarkers. However, the clinical use of the studied biomarkers in AKI prediction remains unclear because large prospective multicenter trials have failed to demonstrate troponin-like diagnostic performance. Reasons for the failure to identify AKI biomarkers are the heterogeneity of AKI itself, biomarker limitations and long roads to the validation of candidates for new AKI biomarkers. In an effort to overcome these barriers to identifying new AKI biomarkers, kidney biopsy specimens should be obtained and assessed in human AKI populations. Research in this field should be carried out in a pan-social approach rather than conducted by just a few medical institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Jin Oh
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
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16
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Ehrlich A, Duche D, Ouedraogo G, Nahmias Y. Challenges and Opportunities in the Design of Liver-on-Chip Microdevices. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2020; 21:219-239. [PMID: 31167098 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-060418-052305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The liver is the central hub of xenobiotic metabolism and consequently the organ most prone to cosmetic- and drug-induced toxicity. Failure to detect liver toxicity or to assess compound clearance during product development is a major cause of postmarketing product withdrawal, with disastrous clinical and financial consequences. While small animals are still the preferred model in drug development, the recent ban on animal use in the European Union created a pressing need to develop precise and efficient tools to detect human liver toxicity during cosmetic development. This article includes a brief review of liver development, organization, and function and focuses on the state of the art of long-term cell culture, including hepatocyte cell sources, heterotypic cell-cell interactions, oxygen demands, and culture medium formulation. Finally, the article reviews emerging liver-on-chip devices and discusses the advantages and pitfalls of individual designs. The goal of this review is to provide a framework to design liver-on-chip devices and criteria with which to evaluate this emerging technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avner Ehrlich
- Grass Center for Bioengineering, Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Daniel Duche
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Aulnay-sous-Bois 93600, France
| | | | - Yaakov Nahmias
- Grass Center for Bioengineering, Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.,Tissue Dynamics Ltd., Jerusalem 91904, Israel
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17
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Role of Gas6 and TAM Receptors in the Identification of Cardiopulmonary Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis and Scleroderma Spectrum Disorders. DISEASE MARKERS 2020; 2020:2696173. [PMID: 32454903 PMCID: PMC7240795 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2696173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Few biomarkers are available for early identification of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SS) and scleroderma spectrum disorders (SSD). Aims To evaluate Gas6, sAxl, and sMer as biomarkers for cardiopulmonary complications of SS and SSD. Methods In a cross-sectional observational study, we recruited 125 consecutive patients, affected by SS and SSD and referred to a tertiary-level pulmonary hypertension outpatient clinic. All patients underwent a comprehensive evaluation for identification of PAH and ILD. Gas6, sMer, and sAxl concentrations were measured with ELISA protocols, and concentrations were compared according to PAH or ILD. Results Nineteen subjects had pulmonary hypertension (PH) (14 PAH), and 39 had ILD (6 severe). Plasma sMer was increased in PAH (18.6 ng/ml IQR [11.7-20.3]) with respect to the absence (12.4 [8.0-15.8]) or other form of pulmonary hypertension (9.6 [7.4-12.5]; K–W variance p < 0.04). Conversely, Gas6 and sAxl levels were slightly increased in mild ILD (25.8 ng/ml [19.5-32.1] and 24.6 [20.1-32.5]) and reduced in severe ILD (16.6 [15.0-22.1] and 15.5 [14.9-22.4]) in comparison to no evidence of ILD (23.4 [18.8-28.1] and 21.6 [18.1-28.4]; K–W, p ≤ 0.05). Plasma sMer ≥ 19 ng/ml has 50% sensitivity and 92% specificity in PAH identification (area under the ROC curve (AUC) 0.697, p < 0.03). Values of Gas6 ≤ 24.5 ng/ml and of sAxl ≤ 15.5 ng/ml have 100% and 67% sensitivity and 47% and 86% specificity, respectively, in identifying severe ILD (Gas6 AUC 0.787, p < 0.001; sAxl AUC 0.705, p < 0.05). Conclusions The assay of Gas6 sAxl and sMer may be useful to help in the identification of PAH and ILD in SS and SSD patients. The Gas6/TAM system seems to be relevant in cardiopulmonary complications of SS and SSD and merits further investigations.
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18
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Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a reparative response of diffuse over-deposition and abnormal distribution of extracellular matrix (collagen, glycoprotein and proteoglycans) after exposure to various kinds of liver injuries, and is a key step in the developmental process of various chronic liver diseases leading to cirrhosis. Recently, many advances in our understanding of hepatic fibrosis have been obtained through basic and clinical research. Therefore, this consensus summarizes and offers 15 evidence-based recommendations on the diagnosis and evaluation of hepatic fibrosis, its treatment, drug development and applications.
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Novel Biomarkers of Hepatitis B and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical Significance of HBcrAg and M2BPGi. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030949. [PMID: 32023902 PMCID: PMC7037346 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) cannot be removed completely from infected hepatocytes, owing to the presence of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). As chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), predicting HCC development in high-risk patients with high viral replicative activity or advanced fibrosis is important. Novel serological biomarkers reflect intrahepatic viral replicative activity or the progression of liver fibrosis, indicating non-invasive alternatives to liver biopsy: (1) Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) correlates with serum HBV DNA and intrahepatic cccDNA. In CHB patients, a decrease in HBcrAg is associated with favorable outcomes. HBcrAg can predict HCC occurrence or recurrence. (2) Measurement of the Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) has been introduced for the evaluation of liver fibrosis. An increase in M2BPGi in CHB patients is related to the progression of liver fibrosis and high potential (risk) of HCC development. Here, we describe the clinical applications of HBcrAg and M2BPGi in CHB patients. Additionally, because new potential therapeutic agents that eliminate intrahepatic cccDNA are being developed, monitoring of HBcrAg or M2BPGi might be suitable for evaluating therapeutic effects and the clinical outcomes. In conclusion, these would be appropriate surrogate markers for predicting disease progression.
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Novel Biomarkers of Hepatitis B and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical Significance of HBcrAg and M2BPGi. Int J Mol Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030949
expr 921756688 + 899694353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) cannot be removed completely from infected hepatocytes, owing to the presence of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). As chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), predicting HCC development in high-risk patients with high viral replicative activity or advanced fibrosis is important. Novel serological biomarkers reflect intrahepatic viral replicative activity or the progression of liver fibrosis, indicating non-invasive alternatives to liver biopsy: (1) Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) correlates with serum HBV DNA and intrahepatic cccDNA. In CHB patients, a decrease in HBcrAg is associated with favorable outcomes. HBcrAg can predict HCC occurrence or recurrence. (2) Measurement of the Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) has been introduced for the evaluation of liver fibrosis. An increase in M2BPGi in CHB patients is related to the progression of liver fibrosis and high potential (risk) of HCC development. Here, we describe the clinical applications of HBcrAg and M2BPGi in CHB patients. Additionally, because new potential therapeutic agents that eliminate intrahepatic cccDNA are being developed, monitoring of HBcrAg or M2BPGi might be suitable for evaluating therapeutic effects and the clinical outcomes. In conclusion, these would be appropriate surrogate markers for predicting disease progression.
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21
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Mohammadzadeh N, Melleby AO, Palmero S, Sjaastad I, Chakravarti S, Engebretsen KVT, Christensen G, Lunde IG, Tønnessen T. Moderate Loss of the Extracellular Matrix Proteoglycan Lumican Attenuates Cardiac Fibrosis in Mice Subjected to Pressure Overload. Cardiology 2020; 145:187-198. [PMID: 31968347 DOI: 10.1159/000505318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The heart undergoes myocardial remodeling during progression to heart failure following pressure overload. Myocardial remodeling is associated with structural and functional changes in cardiac myocytes, fibroblasts, and the extracellular matrix (ECM) and is accompanied by inflammation. Cardiac fibrosis, the accumulation of ECM molecules including collagens and collagen cross-linking, contributes both to impaired systolic and diastolic function. Insufficient mechanistic insight into what regulates cardiac fibrosis during pathological conditions has hampered therapeutic so-lutions. Lumican (LUM) is an ECM-secreted proteoglycan known to regulate collagen fibrillogenesis. Its expression in the heart is increased in clinical and experimental heart failure. Furthermore, LUM is important for survival and cardiac remodeling following pressure overload. We have recently reported that total lack of LUM increased mortality and left ventricular dilatation, and reduced collagen expression and cross-linking in LUM knockout mice after aortic banding (AB). Here, we examined the effect of LUM on myocardial remodeling and function following pressure overload in a less extreme mouse model, where cardiac LUM level was reduced to 50% (i.e., moderate loss of LUM). METHODS AND RESULTS mRNA and protein levels of LUM were reduced to 50% in heterozygous LUM (LUM+/-) hearts compared to wild-type (WT) controls. LUM+/- mice were subjected to AB. There was no difference in survival between LUM+/- and WT mice post-AB. Echocardiography revealed no striking differences in cardiac geometry between LUM+/- and WT mice 2, 4, and 6 weeks post-AB, although markers of diastolic dysfunction indicated better function in LUM+/- mice. LUM+/- hearts revealed reduced cardiac fibrosis assessed by histology. In accordance, the expression of collagen I and III, the main fibrillar collagens in the heart, and other ECM molecules central to fibrosis, i.e. including periostin and fibronectin, was reduced in the hearts of LUM+/- compared to WT 6 weeks post-AB. We found no differences in collagen cross-linking between LUM+/- and WT mice post-AB, as assessed by histology and qPCR. CONCLUSIONS Moderate lack of LUM attenuated cardiac fibrosis and improved diastolic dysfunction following pressure overload in mice, adding to the growing body of evidence suggesting that LUM is a central profibrotic molecule in the heart that could serve as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiyereh Mohammadzadeh
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research and Center for Heart Failure Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arne Olav Melleby
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research and Center for Heart Failure Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sheryl Palmero
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research and Center for Heart Failure Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ivar Sjaastad
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research and Center for Heart Failure Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Shukti Chakravarti
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology and Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Geir Christensen
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research and Center for Heart Failure Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ida G Lunde
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research and Center for Heart Failure Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Center for Molecular Medicine Norway, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Theis Tønnessen
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway, .,KG Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research and Center for Heart Failure Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway, .,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway,
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Gas6/TAM System: A Key Modulator of the Interplay between Inflammation and Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20205070. [PMID: 31614787 PMCID: PMC6834320 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is the result of an overly abundant deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) due to the fact of repetitive tissue injuries and/or dysregulation of the repair process. Fibrogenesis is a pathogenetic phenomenon which is involved in different chronic human diseases, accounting for a high burden of morbidity and mortality. Despite being triggered by different causative factors, fibrogenesis follows common pathways, the knowledge of which is, however, still unsatisfactory. This represents a significant limit for the development of effective antifibrotic drugs. In the present paper, we aimed to review the current evidence regarding the potential role played in fibrogenesis by growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6) and its receptors Tyro3 protein tyrosine kinase (Tyro3), Axl receptor tyrosine kinase (Axl), and Mer tyrosine kinase protooncogene (MerTK) (TAM). Moreover, we aimed to review data about the pathogenetic role of this system in the development of different human diseases characterized by fibrosis. Finally, we aimed to explore the potential implications of these findings in diagnosis and treatment.
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Gas6/TAM Signaling Components as Novel Biomarkers of Liver Fibrosis. DISEASE MARKERS 2019; 2019:2304931. [PMID: 31583026 PMCID: PMC6754881 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2304931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis consists in the accumulation of extracellular matrix components mainly derived from activated hepatic stellate cells. This is commonly the result of chronic liver injury repair and represents an important health concern. As liver biopsy is burdened with many drawbacks, not surprisingly there is great interest to find new reliable noninvasive methods. Among the many are new potential fibrosis biomarkers under study, some of the most promising represented by the growth arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6) serum protein and its family of tyrosine kinase receptors, namely, Tyro3, Axl, and MERTK (TAM). Gas6/TAM system (mainly, Axl and MERTK) has in fact recently emerged as an important player in the progression of liver fibrosis. This review is aimed at giving an overall perspective of the roles played by these molecules in major chronic liver diseases. The most promising findings up to date acknowledge that both Gas6 and its receptor serum levels (such as sAxl and, probably, sMERTK) have been shown to potentially allow for easy and accurate measurement of hepatic fibrosis progression, also providing indicative parameters of hepatic dysfunction. Although most of the current scientific evidence is still preliminary and there are no in vivo validation studies on large patient series, it still looks very promising to imagine a possible future prognostic role for these biomarkers in the multidimensional assessment of a liver patient. One may also speculate on a potential role for this system targeting (e.g., with small molecule inhibitors against Axl) as a therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis management, always bearing in mind that any such therapeutic approach might face toxicity.
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Castello LM, Baldrighi M, Molinari L, Salmi L, Cantaluppi V, Vaschetto R, Zunino G, Quaglia M, Bellan M, Gavelli F, Navalesi P, Avanzi GC, Chiocchetti A. The Role of Osteopontin as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker in Sepsis and Septic Shock. Cells 2019; 8:cells8020174. [PMID: 30781721 PMCID: PMC6407102 DOI: 10.3390/cells8020174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host-response to infections. Osteopontin (OPN) is an extracellular matrix protein involved in the inflammatory response. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic performance in sepsis of a single OPN determination in the Emergency Department (ED). We conducted a single-centre prospective observational study in an Italian ED where we enrolled 102 consecutive patients presenting with suspected infection and qSOFA ≥ 2. OPN plasma concentration was found to be an independent predictor of sepsis (OR = 1.020, 95% CI 1.002–1.039, p = 0.031) and the diagnostic receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.878. OPN levels were positively correlated to plasma creatinine (r = 0.401 with p = 0.0001), but this relation was not explained by the development of acute kidney injury (AKI), since no difference was found in OPN concentration between AKI and non-AKI patients. The analysis of 30-days mortality showed no significant difference in OPN levels between alive and dead patients (p = 0.482). In conclusion, a single determination of OPN concentration helped to identify patients with sepsis in the ED, but it was not able to predict poor prognosis in our cohort of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Mario Castello
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
- Emergency Department, "Maggiore della Carità" University Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
| | - Marco Baldrighi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
- Emergency Department, "Maggiore della Carità" University Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
| | - Luca Molinari
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
- Emergency Department, "Maggiore della Carità" University Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
| | - Livia Salmi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Cantaluppi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
- CAAD, IRCAD, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Corso Trieste 15, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
- Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, "Maggiore della Carità" University Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
| | - Rosanna Vaschetto
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
- Division of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, "Maggiore della Carità" University Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
| | - Greta Zunino
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
| | - Marco Quaglia
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
- CAAD, IRCAD, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Corso Trieste 15, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
- Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, "Maggiore della Carità" University Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
| | - Mattia Bellan
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
- CAAD, IRCAD, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Corso Trieste 15, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
- Division of Internal Medicine, "Sant'Andrea" Hospital, Corso Abbiate 21, 13100 Vercelli (VC), Piedmont, Italy.
| | - Francesco Gavelli
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
- Emergency Department, "Maggiore della Carità" University Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
| | - Paolo Navalesi
- Division of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Università degli Studi Magna Grecia, 88100 Catanzaro (CZ), Calabria, Italy.
| | - Gian Carlo Avanzi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
- Emergency Department, "Maggiore della Carità" University Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
| | - Annalisa Chiocchetti
- CAAD, IRCAD, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, Corso Trieste 15, 28100 Novara (NO), Piedmont, Italy.
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George J, Tsuchishima M, Tsutsumi M. Molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of N-nitrosodimethylamine induced hepatic fibrosis. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:18. [PMID: 30622238 PMCID: PMC6325159 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-1272-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is marked by excessive synthesis and deposition of connective tissue proteins, especially interstitial collagens in the extracellular matrix of the liver. It is a result of an abnormal wound healing in response to chronic liver injury from various causes such as ethanol, viruses, toxins, drugs, or cholestasis. The chronic stimuli involved in the initiation of fibrosis leads to oxidative stress and generation of reactive oxygen species that serve as mediators of molecular events involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. These processes lead to cellular injury and initiate inflammatory responses releasing a variety of cytokines and growth factors that trigger activation and transformation of resting hepatic stellate cells into myofibroblast like cells, which in turn start excessive synthesis of connective tissue proteins, especially collagens. Uncontrolled and extensive fibrosis results in distortion of lobular architecture of the liver leading to nodular formation and cirrhosis. The perpetual injury and regeneration process could also results in genomic aberrations and mutations that lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. This review covers most aspects of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis with special emphasize on N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA; Dimethylnitorsmaine, DMN) as the inducing agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph George
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Department of Hepatology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan.
| | - Mutsumi Tsuchishima
- Department of Hepatology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Mikihiro Tsutsumi
- Department of Hepatology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan
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