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Amengual J, Alay A, Vaquero J, Gonzalez-Sanchez E, Bertran E, Sánchez A, Herrera B, Meyer K, Maus M, Serrano M, Martínez-Chantar ML, Fabregat I. Iron chelation as a new therapeutic approach to prevent senescence and liver fibrosis progression. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:680. [PMID: 39289337 PMCID: PMC11408630 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-07063-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
Iron overload and cellular senescence have been implicated in liver fibrosis, but their possible mechanistic connection has not been explored. To address this, we have delved into the role of iron and senescence in an experimental model of chronic liver injury, analyzing whether an iron chelator would prevent liver fibrosis by decreasing hepatocyte senescence. The model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice was used as an experimental model of liver fibrosis. Results demonstrated that during the progression of liver fibrosis, accumulation of iron occurs, concomitant with the appearance of fibrotic areas and cells undergoing senescence. Isolated parenchymal hepatocytes from CCl4-treated mice present a gene transcriptomic signature compatible with iron accumulation and senescence, which correlates with induction of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-related genes, activation of the Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) pathway and inhibition of oxidative metabolism. Analysis of the iron-related gene signature in a published single-cell RNA-seq dataset from CCl4-treated livers showed iron accumulation correlating with senescence in other non-parenchymal liver cells. Treatment with deferiprone, an iron chelator, attenuated iron accumulation, fibrosis and senescence, concomitant with relevant changes in the senescent-associated secretome (SASP), which switched toward a more anti-inflammatory profile of cytokines. In vitro experiments in human hepatocyte HH4 cells demonstrated that iron accumulates in response to a senescence-inducing reagent, doxorubicin, being deferiprone able to prevent senescence and SASP, attenuating growth arrest and cell death. However, deferiprone did not significantly affect senescence induced by two different agents (doxorubicin and deoxycholic acid) or activation markers in human hepatic stellate LX-2 cells. Transcriptomic data from patients with different etiologies demonstrated the relevance of iron accumulation in the progression of liver chronic damage and fibrosis, correlating with a SASP-related gene signature and pivotal hallmarks of fibrotic changes. Altogether, our study establishes iron accumulation as a clinically exploitable driver to attenuate pathological senescence in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Amengual
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ania Alay
- Unit of Bioinformatics for Precision Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Preclinical and Experimental Research in Thoracic Tumors (PReTT), Oncobell Program, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Vaquero
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
- HepatoBiliary Tumours Lab, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, 37007, Spain
| | - Ester Gonzalez-Sanchez
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
- HepatoBiliary Tumours Lab, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, 37007, Spain
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Esther Bertran
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Sánchez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the "Hospital Clínico San Carlos" (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Blanca Herrera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the "Hospital Clínico San Carlos" (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Kathleen Meyer
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Altos Labs, Cambridge Institute of Science, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mate Maus
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Serrano
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Altos Labs, Cambridge Institute of Science, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Luz Martínez-Chantar
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Disease and Liver Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE-BRTA (Basque Research & Technology Alliance), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Isabel Fabregat
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain.
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Tagliaferro M, Marino M, Basile V, Pocino K, Rapaccini GL, Ciasca G, Basile U, Carnazzo V. New Biomarkers in Liver Fibrosis: A Pass through the Quicksand? J Pers Med 2024; 14:798. [PMID: 39201990 PMCID: PMC11355846 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14080798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases (CLD) stem from various causes and lead to a gradual progression that ultimately may result in fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis. This process is typically prolonged and asymptomatic, characterized by the complex interplay among various cell types, signaling pathways, extracellular matrix components, and immune responses. With the prevalence of CLD increasing, diagnoses are often delayed, which leads to poor prognoses and in some cases, the need for liver transplants. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of novel, non-invasive methods for the diagnosis and monitoring of CLD. In this context, serum biomarkers-safer, repeatable, and more acceptable alternatives to tissue biopsies-are attracting significant research interest, although their clinical implementation is not yet widespread. This review summarizes the latest advancements in serum biomarkers for detecting hepatic fibrogenesis and advocates for concerted efforts to consolidate current knowledge, thereby providing patients with early, effective, and accessible diagnoses that facilitate personalized therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Tagliaferro
- Dipartimento di Patologia Clinica, Ospedale Santa Maria Goretti, A.U.S.L. Latina, 04100 Latina, Italy; (M.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Mariapaola Marino
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.L.R.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Valerio Basile
- Clinical Pathology Unit and Cancer Biobank, Department of Research and Advanced Technologies, I.R.C.C.S. Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Krizia Pocino
- Clinical Pathology Unit, San Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gian Ludovico Rapaccini
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Gabriele Ciasca
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Umberto Basile
- Dipartimento di Patologia Clinica, Ospedale Santa Maria Goretti, A.U.S.L. Latina, 04100 Latina, Italy; (M.T.); (V.C.)
| | - Valeria Carnazzo
- Dipartimento di Patologia Clinica, Ospedale Santa Maria Goretti, A.U.S.L. Latina, 04100 Latina, Italy; (M.T.); (V.C.)
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Elbaset MA, Mohamed BMSA, Hessin A, Abd El‐Rahman SS, Esatbeyoglu T, Afifi SM, Fayed HM. Nrf2/HO-1, NF-κB and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways decipher the therapeutic mechanism of pitavastatin in early phase liver fibrosis in rats. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18116. [PMID: 38214394 PMCID: PMC10844702 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a common chronic hepatic disease. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pitavastatin (Pit) against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis. Rats were divided into four groups: (1) control group; (2) TAA group (100 mg/kg, i.p.) three times weekly for 2 weeks; (3 and 4) TAA/Pit-treated group, in which Pit was administered orally (0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks following TAA injections. TAA caused liver damage manifested by elevated serum transaminases, reduced albumin and histological alterations. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased, and glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were decreased in TAA-administered rats. TAA upregulated the inflammatory markers NF-κB, NF-κB p65, TNF-α and IL-6. Treatment with Pit ameliorated serum transaminases, elevated serum albumin and prevented histopathological changes in TAA-intoxicated rats. Pit suppressed MDA, NF-κB, NF-κB p65, the inflammatory cytokines and PI3K mRNA in TAA-intoxicated rats. In addition, Pit enhanced hepatic antioxidants and boosted the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA. Moreover, immunohistological studies supported the ability of Pit to reduce liver fibrosis via suppressing p-AKT expression. In conclusion, Pit effectively prevents TAA-induced liver fibrosis by attenuating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. The hepatoprotective efficacy of Pit was associated with the upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1 and downregulation of NF-κB and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marawan A. Elbaset
- Department of PharmacologyMedical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research CentreGizaEgypt
| | - Bassim M. S. A. Mohamed
- Department of PharmacologyMedical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research CentreGizaEgypt
| | - Alyaa Hessin
- Department of PharmacologyMedical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research CentreGizaEgypt
| | | | - Tuba Esatbeyoglu
- Department of Molecular Food Chemistry and Food Development, Institute of Food Science and Human NutritionGottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University HannoverHannoverGermany
| | - Sherif M. Afifi
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of PharmacyUniversity of Sadat CitySadat CityEgypt
| | - Hany M. Fayed
- Department of PharmacologyMedical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research CentreGizaEgypt
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Elbaset MA, Mohamed BMSA, Moustafa PE, Esatbeyoglu T, Afifi SM, Hessin AF, Abdelrahman SS, Fayed HM. Renoprotective Effect of Pitavastatin against TAA-Induced Renal Injury: Involvement of the miR-93/PTEN/AKT/mTOR Pathway. Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci 2024; 2024:6681873. [PMID: 38293706 PMCID: PMC10827367 DOI: 10.1155/2024/6681873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
This research investigated if pitavastatin (Pita) might protect rats' kidneys against thioacetamide (TAA). By altering the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway, pitavastatin may boost kidney antioxidant capacity and minimize oxidative damage. Statins have several benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. The principal hypothesis of this study was that Pita can regulate the miR-93/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathways, which is thought to be responsible for its renoprotective effects. The experiment divided male rats into four groups. Group 1 included untreated rats as the control. Group 2 included rats which received TAA (100 mg/kg intraperitoneally thrice a week for two weeks) to destroy their kidneys. Groups 3 and 4 included rats which received Pita orally at 0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg for 14 days after TAA injections. Renal injury increased BUN, creatinine, and MDA levels and decreased glutathione (GSH) levels. Pitavastatin prevented these alterations. TAA decreased PTEN and increased miR-93, Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, and Stat3 in the kidneys. Pitavastatin also regulated the associated culprit pathway, miR-93/PTEN/Akt/mTOR. In addition, TAA induced adverse effects on the kidney tissue, which were significantly ameliorated by pitavastatin treatment. The findings suggest that pitavastatin can attenuate renal injury, likely by regulating the miR-93/PTEN/Akt/mTOR pathway. This modulation of the pathway appears to contribute to the protective effects of pitavastatin against TAA-induced renal injury, adding to the growing evidence of the pleiotropic benefits of statins in renal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marawan A. Elbaset
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Bassim M. S. A. Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Passant E. Moustafa
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Tuba Esatbeyoglu
- Department of Molecular Food Chemistry and Food Development, Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University Hannover, Am Kleinen Felde 30, Hannover 30167, Germany
| | - Sherif M. Afifi
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, Sadat City 32897, Egypt
| | - Alyaa F. Hessin
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Sahar S. Abdelrahman
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hany M. Fayed
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
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Awad H, Ajalik R, Alenchery R, Linares I, Wright T, Miller B, McGrath J. Human tendon-on-a-chip for modeling vascular inflammatory fibrosis. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3722255. [PMID: 38168335 PMCID: PMC10760304 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3722255/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Understanding vascular inflammation and myofibroblast crosstalk is critical to developing therapies for fibrotic diseases. Here we report the development of a novel human Tendon-on-a-Chip (hToC) to model this crosstalk in peritendinous adhesions, a debilitating fibrotic condition affecting flexor tendon, which currently lacks biological therapies. The hToC enables cellular and paracrine interactions between a vascular compartment harboring endothelial cells and monocytes with a tissue hydrogel compartment containing tendon fibroblasts and macrophages. We find that the hToC replicates in vivo inflammatory and fibrotic phenotypes in preclinical and clinical samples, including myofibroblast differentiation and tissue contraction, excessive ECM deposition, and inflammatory cytokines secretion. We further show that the fibrotic phenotypes are driven by the transmigration of monocytes from the vascular to the tissue compartments of the chip. We demonstrate significant overlap in fibrotic transcriptional signatures in the hToC with human tenolysis samples, including mTOR signaling, a regulatory nexus of fibrosis across various organs. Treatment with rapamycin suppressed the fibrotic phenotype on the hToC, which validates the hToC as a preclinical alternative for investigating fibrosis and testing therapeutics.
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