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Park JH, Kwon S, Choi SY, Kim B, Oh J. Optimizing the Amino Acid Sequence Enhances the Productivity and Bioefficacy of the RBP-Albumin Fusion Protein. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:617. [PMID: 38927853 PMCID: PMC11200973 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11060617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The significant growth of the global protein drug market, including fusion proteins, emphasizes the crucial role of optimizing amino acid sequences to enhance the productivity and bioefficacy. Among these fusion proteins, RBP-IIIA-IB, comprising retinol-binding protein in conjunction with the albumin domains, IIIA and IB, has displayed efficacy in alleviating liver fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). This study aimed to address the issue of the low productivity in RBP-IIIA-IB. To induce structural changes, the linking sequence, EVDD, between domain IIIA and IB in RBP-IIIA-IB was modified to DGPG, AAAA, and GGPA. Among these, RBP-IIIA-AAAA-IB demonstrated an increase in yield (>4-fold) and a heightened inhibition of HSC activation. Furthermore, we identified amino acid residues that could form disulfide bonds when substituted with cysteine. Through the mutation of N453S-V480S in RBP-IIIA-AAAA-IB, the productivity further increased by over 9-fold, accompanied by an increase in anti-fibrotic activity. Overall, there was a more than 30-fold increase in the fusion protein's yield. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of modifying linker sequences and introducing extra disulfide bonds to improve both the production yield and biological efficacy of fusion proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hoon Park
- New Drug Development Center, Osong Medical Innovation Foundation, Osong 28160, Republic of Korea; (J.H.P.); (S.-Y.C.)
| | - Sohyun Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea;
| | - So-Young Choi
- New Drug Development Center, Osong Medical Innovation Foundation, Osong 28160, Republic of Korea; (J.H.P.); (S.-Y.C.)
| | - Bongcheol Kim
- Senelix Co. Ltd., 25, Beobwon-ro 11-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05836, Republic of Korea;
| | - Junseo Oh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea;
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2
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Choi J, Son Y, Moon JW, Park DW, Kim YS, Oh J. Fusion Protein of RBP and Albumin Domain III Reduces Lung Fibrosis by Inactivating Lung Stellate Cells. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2007. [PMID: 37509646 PMCID: PMC10377390 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11072007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Activated stellate cells play a role in fibrosis development in the liver, pancreas, and kidneys. The fusion protein R-III, which consists of retinol-binding protein and albumin domain III, has been demonstrated to attenuate liver and renal fibrosis by suppressing stellate cell activation. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of R-III against bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice. R-III reduced lung fibrosis and primarily localized in autofluorescent cells in the lung tissue. Furthermore, we isolated lung stellate cells (LSCs) from rat lungs using the isolation protocol employed for hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). LSCs shared many characteristics with HSCs, including the presence of vitamin A-containing lipid droplets and the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and collagen type I, markers for activated HSCs/myofibroblasts. LSCs spontaneously transdifferentiated into myofibroblasts in in vitro culture, which was inhibited by R-III. These findings suggest that R-III may reduce lung fibrosis by inactivating LSCs and could be a promising treatment for extrahepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeho Choi
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuna Son
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Wook Moon
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Won Park
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Sik Kim
- Department of Pathology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - Junseo Oh
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
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3
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Vyas K, Patel MM. Insights on drug and gene delivery systems in liver fibrosis. Asian J Pharm Sci 2023; 18:100779. [PMID: 36845840 PMCID: PMC9950450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2023.100779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Complications of the liver are amongst the world's worst diseases. Liver fibrosis is the first stage of liver problems, while cirrhosis is the last stage, which can lead to death. The creation of effective anti-fibrotic drug delivery methods appears critical due to the liver's metabolic capacity for drugs and the presence of insurmountable physiological impediments in the way of targeting. Recent breakthroughs in anti-fibrotic agents have substantially assisted in fibrosis; nevertheless, the working mechanism of anti-fibrotic medications is not fully understood, and there is a need to design delivery systems that are well-understood and can aid in cirrhosis. Nanotechnology-based delivery systems are regarded to be effective but they have not been adequately researched for liver delivery. As a result, the capability of nanoparticles in hepatic delivery was explored. Another approach is targeted drug delivery, which can considerably improve efficacy if delivery systems are designed to target hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). We have addressed numerous delivery strategies that target HSCs, which can eventually aid in fibrosis. Recently genetics have proved to be useful, and methods for delivering genetic material to the target place have also been investigated where different techniques are depicted. To summarize, this review paper sheds light on the most recent breakthroughs in drug and gene-based nano and targeted delivery systems that have lately shown useful for the treatment of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
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4
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Wang Y, Hamang M, Culver A, Jiang H, Yanum J, Garcia V, Lee J, White E, Kusumanchi P, Chalasani N, Liangpunsakul S, Yaden BC, Dai G. Activin B promotes the initiation and progression of liver fibrosis. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:2812-2826. [PMID: 35866567 PMCID: PMC9512478 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.2037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of activin B, a transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily cytokine, in liver health and disease is largely unknown. We aimed to investigate whether activin B modulates liver fibrogenesis. Liver and serum activin B, along with its analog activin A, were analyzed in patients with liver fibrosis from different etiologies and in mouse acute and chronic liver injury models. Activin B, activin A, or both was immunologically neutralized in mice with progressive or established carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced liver fibrosis. Hepatic and circulating activin B was increased in human patients with liver fibrosis caused by several liver diseases. In mice, hepatic and circulating activin B exhibited persistent elevation following the onset of several types of liver injury, whereas activin A displayed transient increases. The results revealed a close correlation of activin B with liver injury regardless of etiology and species. Injured hepatocytes produced excessive activin B. Neutralizing activin B largely prevented, as well as improved, CCl4 -induced liver fibrosis, which was augmented by co-neutralizing activin A. Mechanistically, activin B mediated the activation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and the maintenance of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) expression in injured livers. Moreover, activin B directly induced a profibrotic expression profile in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and stimulated these cells to form a septa structure. Conclusions: We demonstrate that activin B, cooperating with activin A, mediates the activation or expression of JNK, iNOS, and PARP1 and the activation of HSCs, driving the initiation and progression of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Matthew Hamang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Alexander Culver
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Huaizhou Jiang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Jennifer Yanum
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Veronica Garcia
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Joonyong Lee
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Emily White
- College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Praveen Kusumanchi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Naga Chalasani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Suthat Liangpunsakul
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Benjamin C Yaden
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Guoli Dai
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Fibrogenic Pathways in Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23136996. [PMID: 35805998 PMCID: PMC9266719 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23136996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently also re-defined as metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), is rapidly increasing, affecting ~25% of the world population. MALFD/NAFLD represents a spectrum of liver pathologies including the more benign hepatic steatosis and the more advanced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is associated with enhanced risk for liver fibrosis and progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) activation underlies NASH-related fibrosis. Here, we discuss the profibrogenic pathways, which lead to HSC activation and fibrogenesis, with a particular focus on the intercellular hepatocyte–HSC and macrophage–HSC crosstalk.
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Liu XY, Li D, Li TY, Wu YL, Piao JS, Piao MG. Vitamin A - modified Betulin polymer micelles with hepatic targeting capability for hepatic fibrosis protection. Eur J Pharm Sci 2022; 174:106189. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2022.106189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Zhou L, Li Y, Liang Q, Liu J, Liu Y. Combination therapy based on targeted nano drug co-delivery systems for liver fibrosis treatment: A review. J Drug Target 2022; 30:577-588. [PMID: 35179094 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2022.2044485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the hallmark of liver disease and occurs prior to the stages of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Any type of liver damage or inflammation can result in fibrosis. Fibrosis does not develop overnight, but rather as a result of the long-term action of injury factors. At present, however, there are no good treatment methods or specific drugs other than removing the pathogenic factors. Drug application is still limited, which means that drugs with good performance in vitro cannot achieve good therapeutic effects in vivo, owing to various factors such as poor drug targeting, large side effects, and strong hydrophobicity. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are the primary effector cells in liver fibrosis. The nano-drug delivery system is a new and safe drug delivery system that has many advantages which are widely used in the field of liver fibrosis. Drug resistance and side effects can be reduced when two or more drugs are used in combination drug delivery. Combination therapy of drugs with different targets has emerged as a novel approach to treating liver fibrosis, and the nano co-delivery system enhances the benefits of combination therapy. While nano co-delivery systems can maximize benefits while avoiding drug side effects, this is precisely the advantage of the nano co-delivery system. This review briefly described the pathogenesis and current treatment strategies, the different co-delivery systems of combination drugs in the nano delivery system, and targeting strategies for nano delivery systems on liver fibrosis therapy. Because of their superior performance, nano delivery systems and targeting drug delivery systems have received a lot of attention in the new drug delivery system. The new delivery systems offer a new pathway in the treatment of liver fibrosis, and it is believed that it can be a new treatment for fibrosis in the future. Nano co-delivery system of combination drugs and targeting strategies has proven the effectiveness of anti-fibrosis at the experimental level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyue Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yifan Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Qiangwei Liang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yanhua Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Hui Ethnic Medicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
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8
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Kang MJ, Lee S, Jung U, Mandal C, Park H, Stetler-Stevenson WG, Kim YS, Moon JW, Park SH, Oh J. Inhibition of Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation Suppresses Tumorigenicity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Mice. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:2219-2230. [PMID: 34428424 PMCID: PMC8747013 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Transdifferentiation (or activation) of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to myofibroblasts is a key event in liver fibrosis. Activated HSCs in the tumor microenvironment reportedly promote tumor progression. This study analyzed the effect of an inhibitor of HSC activation, retinol-binding protein–albumin domain III fusion protein (R-III), on protumorigenic functions of HSCs. Although conditioned medium collected from activated HSCs enhanced the migration, invasion, and proliferation of the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Hepa-1c1c7, this effect was not observed in Hepa-1c1c7 cells treated with conditioned medium from R-III–exposed HSCs. In a subcutaneous tumor model, larger tumors with increased vascular density were formed in mice transplanted with Hepa-1c1c7+HSC than in mice transplanted with Hepa-1c1c7 cells alone. Intriguingly, when Hepa-1c1c7+HSC–transplanted mice were injected intravenously with R-III, a reduction in vascular density and extended tumor necrosis were observed. In an orthotopic tumor model, co-transplantation of HSCs enhanced tumor growth, angiogenesis, and regional metastasis accompanied by increased peritumoral lymphatic vessel density, which was abolished by R-III. In vitro study showed that R-III treatment affected the synthesis of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in activated HSCs, which might be the potential mechanism underlying the R-III effect. These findings suggest that the inhibition of HSC activation abrogates HSC-induced tumor angiogenesis and growth, which represents an attractive therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Jung Kang
- Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soovin Lee
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Usuk Jung
- Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chanchal Mandal
- Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
| | - Heekyung Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
| | - William G Stetler-Stevenson
- Extracellular Matrix Pathology Section, Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Young-Sik Kim
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Wook Moon
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun-Hwa Park
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Junseo Oh
- Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea; Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
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9
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You DG, Oh BH, Nguyen VQ, Lim GT, Um W, Jung JM, Jeon J, Choi JS, Choi YC, Jung YJ, Lee J, Jo DG, Cho YW, Park JH. Vitamin A-coupled stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles regulate the fibrotic cascade by targeting activated hepatic stellate cells in vivo. J Control Release 2021; 336:285-295. [PMID: 34174353 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic transplantation of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) offers great potential for treating liver fibrosis. However, owing to their intrinsic surface characteristics, bare EVs are non-specifically distributed in the liver tissue after systemic administration, leading to limited therapeutic efficacy. To target activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are responsible for hepatic fibrogenesis, vitamin A-coupled small EVs (V-EVs) were prepared by incorporating vitamin A derivative into the membrane of bare EVs. No significant differences were found in the particle size and morphology between bare and V-EVs. In addition, surface engineering of EVs did not affect the expression of surface marker proteins (e.g., CD63 and CD9), as demonstrated by flow cytometry. Owing to the surface incorporation of vitamin A, V-EVs were selectively taken up by activated HSCs via receptor-mediated endocytosis. When systemically administered to mice with liver fibrosis, V-EVs effectively targeted activated HSCs in the liver tissue, resulting in reversal of the fibrotic cascade. Consequently, even at a 10-fold lower dose, V-EVs exhibited comparable anti-fibrotic effects to those of bare EVs, substantiating their therapeutic potential for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Gil You
- School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong Hoon Oh
- School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Van Quy Nguyen
- School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeong Taek Lim
- School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Wooram Um
- School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Min Jung
- School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jueun Jeon
- School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Suk Choi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea; ExoStemTech Inc., 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Chan Choi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea; ExoStemTech Inc., 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn Jae Jung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea; ExoStemTech Inc., 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungmi Lee
- School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Gyu Jo
- ExoStemTech Inc., 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea; School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU (BICS), , Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Woo Cho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea; ExoStemTech Inc., 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hyung Park
- School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; ExoStemTech Inc., 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU (BICS), , Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.
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10
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Park JH, Kim J, Choi SY, Lee B, Lee JE, Park H, Moon JW, Park SH, Lee JM, Lee HS, Oh J. Albumin inhibits the nuclear translocation of Smad3 via interleukin-1beta signaling in hepatic stellate cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3196. [PMID: 33542418 PMCID: PMC7862402 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82758-4] [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: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to myofibroblasts plays a key role in liver fibrosis. We had previously shown that albumin and its derivative, R-III (a retinol-binding protein—albumin domain III fusion protein), inhibited HSC activation by sequestering retinoic acid (RA) and that R-III administration reduced carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism of action of albumin downstream of RA sequestration. Nuclear factor-κB p65 was evenly distributed in the cytoplasm in activated mouse HSCs, whereas albumin expression or R-III treatment (albumin/R-III) caused the nuclear translocation of p65, probably via RA sequestration, resulting in a dramatic increase in interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) expression. Albumin/R-III in turn induced the phosphorylation of Smad3 at the linker region, inhibiting its nuclear import in an IL-1β-dependent manner. Consistent with the in vitro results, the level of IL-1β mRNA expression was higher in CCl4/R-III-treated livers than in CCl4-treated livers. These findings reveal that albumin/R-III inhibits the transforming growth factor-β-Smad3 signaling as well as the retinoic acid receptor-mediated pathway, which probably contributes to the inhibition of HSC activation, and suggest that R-III may be an anti-fibrotic drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hoon Park
- Protein Drug Team at New Drug Development Center, Osong Medical Innovation Foundation, Osong, 28160, Korea
| | - Janghyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - So-Young Choi
- Protein Drug Team at New Drug Development Center, Osong Medical Innovation Foundation, Osong, 28160, Korea
| | - Boram Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Heekyung Park
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Ji Wook Moon
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Sun-Hwa Park
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Jae Min Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Hong Sik Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Junseo Oh
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea. .,Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, 02841, Korea.
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11
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Cha JJ, Mandal C, Ghee JY, Yoo JA, Lee MJ, Kang YS, Hyun YY, Lee JE, Kim HW, Han SY, Han JY, Chung AY, Yoon DW, Rhyu IJ, Oh J, Cha DR. Inhibition of Renal Stellate Cell Activation Reduces Renal Fibrosis. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8100431. [PMID: 33086608 PMCID: PMC7603238 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8100431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Interstitial fibrosis is a common feature of chronic kidney disease, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β)-positive mesenchymal cells are reportedly the major source of scar-producing myofibroblasts. We had previously demonstrated that albumin and its derivative R-III (a retinol-binding protein-albumin domain III fusion protein) inhibited the transdifferentiation/activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to myofibroblasts and that R-III administration reduced liver fibrosis. In this study, we isolated cells (referred to as renal stellate cells, RSCs) from rat kidney tissues using the HSC isolation protocol and compared their morphological and biochemical characteristics with those of HSCs. RSCs shared many characteristics with HSCs, such as storage of vitamin A-containing lipid droplets and expression of HSC markers as well as pericyte markers. RSCs underwent spontaneous transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts in in vitro culture, which was inhibited by albumin expression or R-III treatment. We also evaluated the therapeutic effects of R-III in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis in mice. Injected R-III localized predominantly in cytoglobin/stellate cell activation-associated protein (Cygb/STAP)-positive cells in the kidney and reduced renal fibrosis. These findings suggest that RSCs can be recognized as the renal counterparts of HSCs and that RSCs represent an attractive therapeutic target for anti-fibrotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Joo Cha
- Department of Nephrology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan 15355, Korea; (J.J.C.); (J.Y.G.); (J.A.Y.); (M.J.L.); (Y.S.K.)
| | - Chanchal Mandal
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea; (C.M.); (A.Y.C.); (D.W.Y.); (I.J.R.)
| | - Jung Yeon Ghee
- Department of Nephrology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan 15355, Korea; (J.J.C.); (J.Y.G.); (J.A.Y.); (M.J.L.); (Y.S.K.)
| | - Ji Ae Yoo
- Department of Nephrology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan 15355, Korea; (J.J.C.); (J.Y.G.); (J.A.Y.); (M.J.L.); (Y.S.K.)
| | - Mi Jin Lee
- Department of Nephrology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan 15355, Korea; (J.J.C.); (J.Y.G.); (J.A.Y.); (M.J.L.); (Y.S.K.)
| | - Young Sun Kang
- Department of Nephrology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan 15355, Korea; (J.J.C.); (J.Y.G.); (J.A.Y.); (M.J.L.); (Y.S.K.)
| | - Young Youl Hyun
- Department of Nephrology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 03181, Korea;
| | - Ji Eun Lee
- Department of Nephrology, Wonkwang University Sanbon Hospital, Gunpo 15865, Korea; (J.E.L.); (H.W.K.)
| | - Hyun Wook Kim
- Department of Nephrology, Wonkwang University Sanbon Hospital, Gunpo 15865, Korea; (J.E.L.); (H.W.K.)
| | - Sang Youb Han
- Department of Nephrology, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Ilsan 10380, Korea;
| | - Jee Young Han
- Department of Pathology, Inha University Hospital, Incheon 22332, Korea;
| | - Ah Young Chung
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea; (C.M.); (A.Y.C.); (D.W.Y.); (I.J.R.)
| | - Dae Wui Yoon
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea; (C.M.); (A.Y.C.); (D.W.Y.); (I.J.R.)
| | - Im Joo Rhyu
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea; (C.M.); (A.Y.C.); (D.W.Y.); (I.J.R.)
| | - Junseo Oh
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea; (C.M.); (A.Y.C.); (D.W.Y.); (I.J.R.)
- Correspondence: (J.O.); (D.R.C.); Tel.: +82-2-2286-1389 (J.O.); +82-31-412-5572 (D.R.C.)
| | - Dae Ryong Cha
- Department of Nephrology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan 15355, Korea; (J.J.C.); (J.Y.G.); (J.A.Y.); (M.J.L.); (Y.S.K.)
- Correspondence: (J.O.); (D.R.C.); Tel.: +82-2-2286-1389 (J.O.); +82-31-412-5572 (D.R.C.)
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12
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Xing P, Niu Y, Mu R, Wang Z, Xie D, Li H, Dong L, Wang C. A pocket-escaping design to prevent the common interference with near-infrared fluorescent probes in vivo. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1573. [PMID: 32218438 PMCID: PMC7099068 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15323-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes are among the most attractive chemical tools for biomedical imaging. However, their in vivo applications are hindered by albumin binding, generating unspecific fluorescence that masks the specific signal from the analyte. Here, combining experimental and docking methods, we elucidate that the reason for this problem is an acceptor (A) group-mediated capture of the dyes into hydrophobic pockets of albumin. This pocket-capturing phenomenon commonly applies to dyes designed under the twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) principle and, therefore, represents a generic but previously unidentified backdoor problem. Accordingly, we create a new A group that avoids being trapped into the albumin pockets (pocket-escaping) and thereby construct a NIR probe, BNLBN, which effectively prevents this backdoor problem with increased imaging accuracy for liver fibrosis in vivo. Overall, our study explains and overcomes a fundamental problem for the in vivo application of a broad class of bioimaging tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panfei Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, China
| | - Yiming Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, China
| | - Ruoyu Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, China
| | - Zhenzhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
| | - Daping Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, China
| | - Huanling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, China.
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13
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Mining TCGA Database for Tumor Microenvironment-Related Genes of Prognostic Value in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:2408348. [PMID: 31828095 PMCID: PMC6885833 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2408348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and lethal malignancies. Recent studies reveal that tumor microenvironment (TME) components significantly affect HCC growth and progression, particularly the infiltrating stromal and immune cells. Thus, mining of TME-related biomarkers is crucial to improve the survival of patients with HCC. Public access of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database allows convenient performance of gene expression-based analysis of big data, which contributes to the exploration of potential association between genes and prognosis of a variety of malignancies, including HCC. The "Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumors using Expression data" algorithm renders the quantification of the stromal and immune components in TME possible by calculating the stromal and immune scores. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by dividing the HCC cohort of TCGA database into high- and low-score groups according to stromal and immune scores. Further analyses of functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction networks show that the DEGs are mainly involved in immune response, cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix. Finally, seven DEGs have significant association with HCC poor outcomes. These genes contain FABP3, GALNT5, GPR84, ITGB6, MYEOV, PLEKHS1, and STRA6 and may be candidate biomarkers for HCC prognosis.
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14
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Jain A, Barve A, Zhao Z, Fetse JP, Liu H, Li Y, Cheng K. Targeted Delivery of an siRNA/PNA Hybrid Nanocomplex Reverses Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2019; 2. [PMID: 33072857 DOI: 10.1002/adtp.201900046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a wound healing process with excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in the liver. We recently discovered a PCBP2 siRNA that reverses fibrogenesis in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are the key players in liver fibrogenesis. However, targeted delivery of siRNAs to HSCs still remains a challenge. Herein, we developed a new strategy to fabricate a multicomponent nanocomplex using siRNA/PNA hybrid instead of chemically conjugated siRNA, thus increasing the scalability and feasibility of the siRNA nanocomplex for animal studies. We modified the nanocomplex with an insulin growth factor 2 receptor (IGF2R)-specific peptide, which specifically binds to activated HSCs. The siRNA nanocomplex shows a controllable size and high serum stability. The nanocomplex also demonstrates high cellular uptake in activated HSCs in vitro and in vivo. Anti-fibrotic activity of the siRNA nanocomplex was evaluated in rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis. Treatment with the PCBP2 siRNA nanocomplex significantly inhibits the mRNA expressions of PCBP2 and type I collagen in fibrotic liver. Histology study revealed that the siRNA nanocomplex efficiently reduces the protein level of type I collagen and reverses liver fibrosis. Our data suggest that the nanocomplex efficiently delivers the siRNA to fibrotic liver and produces a potent anti-fibrotic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Jain
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Ashutosh Barve
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - John Peter Fetse
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Hao Liu
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Yuanke Li
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Kun Cheng
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
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15
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Chen Z, Jain A, Liu H, Zhao Z, Cheng K. Targeted Drug Delivery to Hepatic Stellate Cells for the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 370:695-702. [PMID: 30886124 PMCID: PMC6806344 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.118.256156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is caused by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix during chronic liver injuries. Although clinical evidence suggests that liver fibrosis can be reversed, there is no standard therapy for liver fibrosis. Moreover, there is a lack of diagnostic tools to detect early-stage liver fibrosis. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key step during liver fibrogenesis, and its mechanism has been extensively studied by various cell culture and animal models. Targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to activated HSCs is therefore critical for the successful treatment of liver fibrosis. A number of protein markers have been found to be overexpressed in activated HSCs, and their ligands have been used to specifically deliver various antifibrotic agents. In this review, we summarize these HSC-specific protein markers and their ligands for targeted delivery of antifibrotic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijin Chen
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Akshay Jain
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Hao Liu
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Kun Cheng
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
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16
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Jiang ZJ, Shen QH, Chen HY, Yang Z, Shuai MQ, Zheng SS. Galectin-1 gene silencing inhibits the activation and proliferation but induces the apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells from mice with liver fibrosis. Int J Mol Med 2018; 43:103-116. [PMID: 30365068 PMCID: PMC6257862 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a serious threat to human health, and there is currently no effective clinical drug for treatment of the disease. Although Galectin-1 is effective, its role in liver function, inflammation, matrix metalloproteinases and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effect of Galectin-1 on the activation, proliferation and apoptosis of HSCs in a mouse model of liver fibrosis. Following successful model establishment and tissue collection, mouse HSCs (mHSCs) were identified and an mHSC line was constructed. Subsequently, to determine the role of Galectin-1 in liver fibrosis, the expression levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) pre- and post-transfection were evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. In addition, the effects of Galectin-1 on the biological behavior and mitochondrial function of mHSCs were determined using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry and a scratch test. It was first observed that the expression levels of Galectin-1, TGF-β1, CTGF and α-SMA were downregulated by silencing the gene expression of Galectin-1. Additionally, silencing the gene expression of Galectin-1 inhibited cell cycle progression, proliferation and migration but induced the apoptosis of mHSCs from mice with liver fibrosis. Furthermore, the in vivo experimental results suggested that silencing the gene expression of Galectin-1 improved liver fibrosis. Collectively, it was concluded that silencing the gene expression of Galectin-1 ameliorates liver fibrosis and that functionally suppressing Galectin-1 may be a future therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Jun Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Qing-Hua Shen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Jinyun Branch), Jinyun, Zhejiang 321400, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Yong Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Ming-Qi Shuai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Shu-Sen Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
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17
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Wang X, Sheng W, Wang Y, Li L, Li Y, Zhang S, Liu X, Chen S, Zhen Y. A Macropinocytosis-Intensifying Albumin Domain-Based scFv Antibody and Its Conjugate Directed against K-Ras Mutant Pancreatic Cancer. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:2403-2412. [PMID: 29757658 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Enhanced macropinocytosis has been found in K-Ras mutant pancreatic cancer cells, through which albumin can massively enter into the K-Ras-driven cancer cells, suggesting its role in serving as a macropinocytosis-intensifying drug delivery carrier. In the present study, a novel recombinant protein Fv-LDP-D3 and its reconstituted analogue Fv-LDP-D3-AE were designed and prepared. Fv is the fragment of an anti-EGFR antibody, D3 is the domain III of human serum albumin (HSA), LDP is the apoprotein of the antitumor antibiotic lidamycin (LDM), and AE is an extremely cytotoxic enediyne chromophore derived from LDM. As shown, the recombinant protein Fv-LDP-D3 presented intensive and selective binding capacity to pancreatic cancer cells and inhibited cell proliferation by blocking EGFR signaling. Moreover, Fv-LDP-D3 showed prominent tumor imaging in pancreatic carcinoma xenograft. The reconstituted, enediyne-integrated analogue Fv-LDP-D3-AE displayed highly potent cytotoxicity to pancreatic cancer cells through apoptosis induction and G2/M arrest. Fv-LDP-D3 and Fv-LDP-D3-AE markedly inhibited the tumor growth of the pancreatic carcinoma AsPC-1 xenograft. Study results indicated that the novel recombinant protein displays both EGFR-targeting and macropinocytosis-intensifying attributes, presenting a new format of scFv antibody that integrates with albumin domain III. It might be a feasible strategy to develop targeted drugs for K-Ras mutant pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , No. 1 Tiantanxili , Beijing 100050 , China
| | - Weijin Sheng
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , No. 1 Tiantanxili , Beijing 100050 , China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , No. 1 Tiantanxili , Beijing 100050 , China
| | - Liang Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , No. 1 Tiantanxili , Beijing 100050 , China
| | - Yi Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , No. 1 Tiantanxili , Beijing 100050 , China
| | - Shenghua Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , No. 1 Tiantanxili , Beijing 100050 , China
| | - Xiujun Liu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , No. 1 Tiantanxili , Beijing 100050 , China
| | - Shuzhen Chen
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , No. 1 Tiantanxili , Beijing 100050 , China
| | - Yongsu Zhen
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , No. 1 Tiantanxili , Beijing 100050 , China
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18
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Liu Y, Liu Q, Hesketh J, Huang D, Gan F, Hao S, Tang S, Guo Y, Huang K. Protective effects of selenium-glutathione-enriched probiotics on CCl 4-induced liver fibrosis. J Nutr Biochem 2018; 58:138-149. [PMID: 29933196 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a common pathological basis of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinomas. So, prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis is one of the crucial therapeutic goals in hepatology. Organic selenium, glutathione or probiotics supplementation could ameliorate hepatic fibrosis, respectively. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel selenium-glutathione-enriched probiotics (SGP) and to investigate its protective effect on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Yeast strains with the high-yield glutathione were isolated and identified by analysis of 26S ribosomal DNA sequences. The fermentation parameters of SGP were optimized through single-factor, Plackett-Burman (PB) design and response surface methodology (RSM). The final SGP contained 38.4 μg/g of organic selenium, 34.1 mg/g of intracellular glutathione, approximately 1×1010 CFU/g live Saccharomyces cerevisiae and 1×1012 CFU/g live Lactobacillus acidophilus. SGP had better protective effects on liver fibrosis than selenium, glutathione or probiotics, respectively. The hepatic silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) level was down-regulated and oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, inflammation and phosphorylated MAPK was increased in CCl4-treated rats. However, SGP can significantly reverse these changes caused by CCl4. Our findings suggest that SGP was effective in attenuating liver fibrosis by the activation of SIRT1 signaling and attenuating hepatic oxidative stress, ER stress, inflammation and MAPK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhuan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Qing Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - John Hesketh
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Da Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Laboratory for Nanophotonics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States
| | - Fang Gan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shu Hao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shan Tang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yanxia Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kehe Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China.
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19
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Agudelo D, Bourassa P, Bariyanga J, Tajmir-Riahi H. Loading efficacy and binding analysis of retinoids with milk proteins: a short review. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2017; 36:4246-4254. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2017.1411833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- D. Agudelo
- Département de Chemistry-Biochemistry, Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, C. P. 500, Trois-Rivières G9A 5H7, Québec, Canada
| | - P. Bourassa
- Département de Chemistry-Biochemistry, Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, C. P. 500, Trois-Rivières G9A 5H7, Québec, Canada
| | - J. Bariyanga
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii-West O’ahu, 96-129 Ala Ike, Pearl City 96782, HI, USA
| | - H.A. Tajmir-Riahi
- Département de Chemistry-Biochemistry, Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, C. P. 500, Trois-Rivières G9A 5H7, Québec, Canada
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20
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Dong S, Chen QL, Song YN, Sun Y, Wei B, Li XY, Hu YY, Liu P, Su SB. Mechanisms of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis with combined transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. J Toxicol Sci 2016; 41:561-72. [PMID: 27452039 DOI: 10.2131/jts.41.561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The classic toxicity of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is to induce liver lesion and liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis is a consequence of chronic liver lesion, which can progress into liver cirrhosis even hepatocarcinoma. However, the toxicological mechanisms of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis remain not fully understood. We combined transcriptomic and proteomic analysis and biological network technology, predicted toxicological targets and regulatory networks of CCl4 in liver fibrosis. Wistar rats were treated with CCl4 for 9 weeks. Histopathological changes, hydroxyproline (Hyp) contents, serum ALT and AST in the CCl4-treated group were significantly higher than that of CCl4-untreated group. CCl4-treated and -untreated liver tissues were examined by microarray and iTRAQ. The results showed that 3535 genes (fold change ≥ 1.5, P < 0.05) and 1412 proteins (fold change ≥ 1.2, P < 0.05) were differentially expressed. Moreover, the integrative analysis of transcriptomics and proteomics data showed 523 overlapped proteins, enriched in 182 GO terms including oxidation reduction, response to oxidative stress, inflammatory response, extracellular matrix organization, etc. Furthermore, KEGG pathway analysis showed that 36 pathways including retinol metabolism, PPAR signaling pathway, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450 and drug metabolism. Network of protein-protein interaction (PPI) and key function with their related targets were performed and the degree of network was calculated with Cytoscape. The expression of key targets such as CYP4A3, ALDH2 and ALDH7A1 decreased after CCl4 treatment. Therefore, the toxicological mechanisms of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis may be related with multi biological process, pathway and targets which may provide potential protection reaction mechanism for CCl4 detoxication in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Dong
- Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Complexity System, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
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21
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Pan TL, Wang PW, Hung CF, Aljuffali IA, Dai YS, Fang JY. The impact of retinol loading and surface charge on the hepatic delivery of lipid nanoparticles. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2016; 141:584-594. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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22
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Mortezaee K, Sabbaghziarani F, Omidi A, Dehpour AR, Omidi N, Ghasemi S, Pasbakhsh P, Ragerdi Kashani I. Therapeutic value of melatonin post-treatment on CCl4-induced fibrotic rat liver. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2016; 94:119-130. [DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2015-0266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin is known for being beneficial in targeting liver diseases. This study aimed to investigate whether melatonin post-treatment is capable of rat carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis reduction. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: normal; fibrosis with CCl4 injection (1 mL/kg) twice weekly for 8 weeks; phosphate-buffered saline (PBS); and melatonin (20 mg/kg) for a further 4 weeks on cessation of CCl4. At the beginning of week 13, liver tissue samples were used for hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Masson’s trichrome (MT), and Oil Red O staining, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), MMP-13, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Bcl-2, and Bax genes as well as immunofluorescence (IF) of the first 3, and sera for measurement of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, and hydroxyproline. Chronic administration of CCl4 followed by considerable increase in tissue disruption, macro- and micro-vesicles, collagen, lipid droplets (LDs), AST, ALT, hydroxyproline, TGF-β1, and Bax, and decrease in glycogen depository, albumin, Bcl-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13; however, the pattern was reverse when it comes to melatonin treatment (for all p < 0.05). Our results reveal the beneficial aspects of melatonin in treatment of liver fibrosis probably via inhibition of TGF-β1expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poursina Street, Tehran, Iran, 1417613151
| | - Fatemeh Sabbaghziarani
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poursina Street, Tehran, Iran, 1417613151
| | - Ameneh Omidi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poursina Street, Tehran, Iran, 1417613151
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negar Omidi
- Department of Surgery, Ziaian Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soudabeh Ghasemi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poursina Street, Tehran, Iran, 1417613151
| | - Parichehr Pasbakhsh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poursina Street, Tehran, Iran, 1417613151
| | - Iraj Ragerdi Kashani
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poursina Street, Tehran, Iran, 1417613151
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Yang JJ, Tao H, Deng ZY, Lu C, Li J. Non-coding RNA-mediated epigenetic regulation of liver fibrosis. Metabolism 2015; 64:1386-94. [PMID: 26362725 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) activation plays a key role in liver fibrosis. Numerous studies have indicated that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) control liver fibrosis and fibroblasts proliferation. Greater knowledge of the role of the ncRNAs-mediated epigenetic mechanism in liver fibrosis could improve understanding of the liver fibrosis pathogenesis. The aim of this review is to describe the present knowledge about the ncRNAs significantly participating in liver fibrosis and HSC activation, and look ahead on new perspectives of ncRNAs-mediated epigenetic mechanism research. Moreover, we will discuss examples of non-coding RNAs that interact with histone modification or DNA methylation to regulate gene expression in liver fibrosis. Diverse classes of ncRNAs, ranging from microRNAs (miRs) to long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), have emerged as key regulators of several important aspects of function, including cell proliferation, activation, etc. In addition, recent advances suggest the important role of ncRNAs transcripts in epigenetic gene regulation. Targeting the miRs and LncRNAs can be a promising direction in liver fibrosis treatment. We discuss new perspectives of miRs and LncRNAs in liver fibrosis and HSC activation, mainly including interaction with histone modification or DNA methylation to regulate gene expression. These epigenetic mechanisms form powerful ncRNAs surveillance systems that may represent new targets for liver fibrosis therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China, 230601
| | - Hui Tao
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China, 230601
| | - Zi-Yu Deng
- Department of Scientific and Educational, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China, 230601.
| | - Chao Lu
- Department of Scientific and Educational, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China, 230601
| | - Jun Li
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China, 230032.
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