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Li Y, Xiao Y, Han Y, Zhu H, Han J, Wang H. Blocking the MIR155HG/miR-155 axis reduces CTGF-induced inflammatory cytokine production and α-SMA expression via upregulating AZGP1 in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts. Cell Signal 2024; 120:111202. [PMID: 38729323 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111202] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Hypertrophic scarring (HS) is a pathological condition characterized by excessive fibrosis and inflammation, resulting in excessive extracellular matrix formation in the skin. MIR155HG, a long non-coding RNA, is abnormally upregulated in fibrotic tissues; however, its underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Using single-cell sequencing data, we analyzed connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression in various cell types in HS and normal skin tissues and MIR155HG expression in clinical samples. To investigate the mechanism of fibrosis, an in vitro model using CTGF-treated hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFBs) was established and qRT-PCR, western blotting and ELISA assays were performed to investigate the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and mesenchymal markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). CTGF stimulates MIR155HG level through phosphorylated STAT3 binding to the MIR155HG promoter. We analyzed the methylation of MIR155HG, assessed the levels of miR-155-5p/-3p in CTGF-treated HSFBs and identified differentially expressed genes among HS and NS samples using the Gene Expression Omnibus RNA sequencing data. The binding between miR-155-5p/-3p and AZGP1 was confirmed using a dual-luciferase assay and inflammatory cytokine production and α-SMA expression were investigated in rescue experiments. The findings revealed that CTGF elevated inflammatory cytokine production, α-SMA and MIR155HG expression in HSFBs. MIR155HG is upregulated in HS tissues due to low DNA methylation. Mechanistically, miR-155-5p/-3p was directly bound to MIR155HG 3'UTR. MIR155HG silencing inhibited cytokine production and α-SMA expression by repressing the generation of miR-155-5p/-3p in CTGF-treated HSFBs. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays revealed that miR-155-5p/-3p targets AZGP1. In addition, transfection with plasmids carrying AZGP1 cDNA significantly inhibited the signaling activity of miR-155-5p/-3 p-overexpressing HSFBs. Our findings highlight the importance of the MIR155HG/miR-155/AZGP1 axis in regulating cytokine production and α-SMA in HS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yize Li
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Yujie Xiao
- Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Yongfeng Han
- Department of Ultrasound, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Huayu Zhu
- Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China.
| | - Juntao Han
- Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China.
| | - Hongtao Wang
- Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China.
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Fan Y, Gao L, Huang Y, Zhao L, Zhao Y, Wang X, Mo D, Lu H, Wang D. Effects and Significance of Dicliptera chinensis Polysaccharide on the Expression of Transforming Growth Factor β1/Connective Tissue Growth Factor Pathway in the Masseter and Head and Neck Skin of Rats With Radiation-Induced Fibrosis. Int Dent J 2024:S0020-6539(24)00163-1. [PMID: 38991877 DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2024.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether Dicliptera chinensis polysaccharide (DCP) can alleviate radiation-induced fibrosis of masseter and head and neck skin. METHODS SD rats were divided into the control, the irradiation (IR), the IR + low dose DCP (200 mg/kg), and the IR + high dose DCP (400 mg/kg) groups. The head and neck of rats in the last 3 groups received a single dose of 18 Gy X-ray. At 1st, 2nd, 4th week (w) after radiation, haematoxylin and eosin staining were performed on masseter and skin to observe the histopathological changes; immunohistochemistry staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of the skin; Masson staining was performed on masseter and skin to observe the collagen deposition; western blot analysis was used on masseter to calculate the relative transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expressions; ELISA was used to detect the contents of TGF-β1 and CTGF in skin and the contents of type I and type III collagens in masseter and skin. RESULTS In terms of skin, compared to the IR group, the IR + high-dose DCP group exhibited relatively smaller changes in skin structure, lower levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF; thinner skin thickness was observed at the 4th w after radiation; and the positive rates of collagen fibre and the optical densities of type I and type III collagens were lower at the 2nd and 4th w. For the masseter, compared to the IR group, the morphological changes were improved and the expression levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF proteins decreased in the 2 DCP dose groups at 2nd and 4th w. CONCLUSION DCP can reduce the formation and accumulation of type I and type III collagens after IR and ameliorate radiation-induced fibrosis of masseter and skin by down-regulating the expressions of TGF-β1 and CTGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Fan
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for Oral and Maxillofacial Research, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Craniofacial Deformity, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Deformity, Nanning, China; Yichang Central People's Hospital, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Linjing Gao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yude Huang
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for Oral and Maxillofacial Research, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Craniofacial Deformity, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Deformity, Nanning, China
| | - Lixiang Zhao
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for Oral and Maxillofacial Research, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Craniofacial Deformity, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Deformity, Nanning, China
| | - Yanfei Zhao
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for Oral and Maxillofacial Research, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Craniofacial Deformity, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Deformity, Nanning, China
| | - Xian Wang
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for Oral and Maxillofacial Research, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Craniofacial Deformity, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Deformity, Nanning, China
| | - Dongqin Mo
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for Oral and Maxillofacial Research, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Craniofacial Deformity, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Deformity, Nanning, China
| | - Haoyu Lu
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for Oral and Maxillofacial Research, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Craniofacial Deformity, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Deformity, Nanning, China
| | - Daiyou Wang
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for Oral and Maxillofacial Research, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Craniofacial Deformity, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Deformity, Nanning, China.
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van Riet S, Julien A, Atanasov A, Nordling Å, Ingelman-Sundberg M. The role of sinusoidal endothelial cells and TIMP1 in the regulation of fibrosis in a novel human liver 3D NASH model. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0374. [PMID: 38358377 PMCID: PMC10871795 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of NAFLD is rapidly increasing. NAFLD can progress to NASH, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC, which will soon become the main causes of liver transplantation. To date, no effective drug for NASH has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This is partly due to the lack of reliable human in vitro models. Here, we present a novel human liver spheroid model that can be used to study the mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis formation and degradation. METHODS AND RESULTS Such spheroids, which contain hepatocytes, stellate cells, KC, and LSECs, spontaneously develop fibrosis that is exacerbated by treatment with free fatty acids. Conditioned medium from activated LSECs caused similar activation of fibrosis in spheroids containing primary human hepatocyte and NPCs, indicating the action of soluble mediators from the LSECs. Spheroids containing LSECs treated with free fatty acids produced tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases inhibitor 1, a matrix metalloproteinases inhibitor important for fibrosis progression. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases inhibitor 1 knockdown using siRNA led to a reduction in collagen and procollagen accumulation, which could be partially rescued using a potent matrix metalloproteinases inhibitor. Interestingly, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases inhibitor 1 was found to be expressed at higher levels, specifically in a subtype of endothelial cells in the pericentral region of human fibrotic livers, than in control livers. CONCLUSION Potential anti-NASH drugs and compounds were evaluated for their efficacy in reducing collagen accumulation, and we found differences in specificity between spheroids with and without LSECs. This new human NASH model may reveal novel mechanisms for the regulation of liver fibrosis and provide a more appropriate model for screening drugs against NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander van Riet
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section of Pharmacogenetics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anais Julien
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrea Atanasov
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section of Pharmacogenetics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Åsa Nordling
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section of Pharmacogenetics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Ingelman-Sundberg
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section of Pharmacogenetics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Boo YC. Therapeutic Potential and Mechanisms of Rosmarinic Acid and the Extracts of Lamiaceae Plants for the Treatment of Fibrosis of Various Organs. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:146. [PMID: 38397744 PMCID: PMC10886237 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13020146] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis, which causes structural hardening and functional degeneration in various organs, is characterized by the excessive production and accumulation of connective tissue containing collagen, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), etc. In traditional medicine, extracts of medicinal plants or herbal prescriptions have been used to treat various fibrotic diseases. The purpose of this narrative review is to discuss the antifibrotic effects of rosmarinic acid (RA) and plant extracts that contain RA, as observed in various experimental models. RA, as well as the extracts of Glechoma hederacea, Melissa officinalis, Elsholtzia ciliata, Lycopus lucidus, Ocimum basilicum, Prunella vulgaris, Salvia rosmarinus (Rosmarinus officinalis), Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Perilla frutescens, have been shown to attenuate fibrosis of the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, and abdomen in experimental animal models. Their antifibrotic effects were associated with the attenuation of oxidative stress, inflammation, cell activation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and fibrogenic gene expression. RA treatment activated peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) while suppressing the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and Wnt signaling pathways. Interestingly, most plants that are reported to contain RA and exhibit antifibrotic activity belong to the family Lamiaceae. This suggests that RA is an active ingredient for the antifibrotic effect of Lamiaceae plants and that these plants are a useful source of RA. In conclusion, accumulating scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of RA and Lamiaceae plant extracts in alleviating fibrosis and maintaining the structural architecture and normal functions of various organs under pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Chool Boo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea;
- BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, Department of Biomedical Science, The Graduate School, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea
- Cell and Matrix Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea
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Redenšek Trampuž S, van Riet S, Nordling Å, Ingelman-Sundberg M. Mechanisms of 5-HT receptor antagonists in the regulation of fibrosis in a 3D human liver spheroid model. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1396. [PMID: 38228622 PMCID: PMC10792007 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49240-9] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a major health problem leading to liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, among other diseases, and for which there is still no approved drug treatment. Previous studies in animal models and in LX-2 cells have indicated a role for serotonin (5-HT) and 5-HT receptors in stellate cell activation and the development of NASH. In the current study, we investigated the extent to which these findings are applicable to a human NASH in vitro model consisting of human liver spheroids containing hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells. Treatment of the spheroids with 5-HT or free fatty acids (FFA) induced fibrosis, whereas treatment of the spheroids with the 5-HT receptor antagonists ketanserin, pimavanserin, sarpogrelate, and SB269970 inhibited FFA-induced fibrosis via a reduction in stellate cell activation as determined by the expression of vimentin, TGF-β1 and COL1A1 production. siRNA-based silencing of 5-HT2A receptor expression reduced the anti-fibrotic properties of ketanserin, suggesting a role for 5-HT receptors in general and 5-HT2A receptors in particular in the FFA-mediated increase in fibrosis in the human liver spheroid model. The results suggest a contribution of the 5-HT receptors in the development of FFA-induced human liver fibrosis with implications for further efforts in drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Redenšek Trampuž
- Section of Pharmacogenetics, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sander van Riet
- Section of Pharmacogenetics, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Åsa Nordling
- Section of Pharmacogenetics, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Ingelman-Sundberg
- Section of Pharmacogenetics, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Brenner DA. Alternatives to animal testing to assess MASH drugs and hepatotoxicity. Hepatology 2023:01515467-990000000-00632. [PMID: 37934631 PMCID: PMC11070445 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Modernization Act 2.0 "allows for alternatives to animal testing for purposes of drug and biological product applications." This provides an opportunity to develop and improve alternatives to animal studies to assess drugs in the liver. Two-dimensional cultures of liver cells fail to maintain their differentiated state and fail to reproduce liver disease phenotypes. Therefore, several platforms using human liver cells are being developed either to (1) assess hepatotoxicity of drugs or (2) create "diseases in a dish" to assess the effectiveness of drugs in treating liver diseases, primarily focused on treating MASH. The technological approaches include precision cut liver slices, human liver spheroids, human liver organoids, bioprinted human liver tissues, and microphysiological systems. This review evaluates each of these technologies and their role in providing alternatives to testing in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Brenner
- Sanford Burnham Prebys and UC San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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Li X, Chen R, Kemper S, Brigstock DR. Production, Exacerbating Effect, and EV-Mediated Transcription of Hepatic CCN2 in NASH: Implications for Diagnosis and Therapy of NASH Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12823. [PMID: 37629004 PMCID: PMC10454308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612823] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, and inflammation and may progress to include increasingly severe fibrosis, which portends more serious disease and is predictive of patient mortality. Diagnostic and therapeutic options for NASH fibrosis are limited, and the underlying fibrogenic pathways are under-explored. Cell communication network factor 2 (CCN2) is a well-characterized pro-fibrotic molecule, but its production in and contribution to NASH fibrosis requires further study. Hepatic CCN2 expression was significantly induced in NASH patients with F3-F4 fibrosis and was positively correlated with hepatic Col1A1, Col1A2, Col3A1, or αSMA expression. When wild-type (WT) or transgenic (TG) Swiss mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of the CCN2 promoter were fed up to 7 weeks with control or choline-deficient, amino-acid-defined diet with high (60%) fat (CDAA-HF), the resulting NASH-like hepatic pathology included a profound increase in CCN2 or EGFP immunoreactivity in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and in fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells of the vasculature, with little or no induction of CCN2 in other liver cell types. In the context of CDAA-HF diet-induced NASH, Balb/c TG mice expressing human CCN2 under the control of the albumin promoter exhibited exacerbated deposition of interstitial hepatic collagen and activated HSC compared to WT mice. In vitro, palmitic acid-treated hepatocytes produced extracellular vesicles (EVs) that induced CCN2, Col1A1, and αSMA in HSC. Hepatic CCN2 may aid the assessment of NASH fibrosis severity and, together with pro-fibrogenic EVs, is a therapeutic target for reducing NASH fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Li
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.C.); (S.K.); (D.R.B.)
| | - Ruju Chen
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.C.); (S.K.); (D.R.B.)
| | - Sherri Kemper
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.C.); (S.K.); (D.R.B.)
| | - David R. Brigstock
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.C.); (S.K.); (D.R.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212, USA
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Fan JH, Luo N, Liu GF, Xu XF, Li SQ, Lv XP. Mechanism of annexin A1/N-formylpeptide receptor regulation of macrophage function to inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation through Wnt/β-catenin pathway. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:3422-3439. [PMID: 37389234 PMCID: PMC10303517 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i22.3422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic fibrosis is a common pathological process of chronic liver diseases with various causes, which can progress to cirrhosis.
AIM To evaluate the effect and mechanism of action annexin (Anx)A1 in liver fibrosis and how this could be targeted therapeutically.
METHODS CCl4 (20%) and active N-terminal peptide of AnxA1 (Ac2-26) and N-formylpeptide receptor antagonist N-Boc-Phe-Leu-Phe-Leu-Phe (Boc2) were injected intraperitoneally to induce liver fibrosis in eight wild-type mice/Anxa1 knockout mice, and to detect expression of inflammatory factors, collagen deposition, and the role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in hepatic fibrosis.
RESULTS Compared with the control group, AnxA1, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 expression in the liver of mice with hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4 was significantly increased, which promoted collagen deposition and expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and increased progressively with time. CCl4 induced an increase in TGF-β1, IL-1β and IL-6 in liver tissue of AnxA1 knockout mice, and the degree of liver inflammation and fibrosis and expression of α-SMA, collagen I and CTGF were significantly increased compared with in wild-type mice. After treatment with Ac2-26, expression of liver inflammatory factors, degree of collagen deposition and expression of a-SMA, collagen I and CTGF were decreased compared with before treatment. Boc2 inhibited the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects of Ac2-26. AnxA1 downregulated expression of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis. In vitro, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced hepatocyte and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) expression of AnxA1. Ac2-26 inhibited LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell activation and HSC proliferation, decreased expression of α-SMA, collagen I and CTGF in HSCs, and inhibited expression of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway after HSC activation. These therapeutic effects were inhibited by Boc2.
CONCLUSION AnxA1 inhibited liver fibrosis in mice, and its mechanism may be related to inhibition of HSC Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation by targeting formylpeptide receptors to regulate macrophage function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Hua Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Na Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Geng-Feng Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xiao-Fang Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Shi-Quan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Lv
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
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Sisto M, Lisi S. Towards a Unified Approach in Autoimmune Fibrotic Signalling Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109060. [PMID: 37240405 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmunity is a chronic process resulting in inflammation, tissue damage, and subsequent tissue remodelling and organ fibrosis. In contrast to acute inflammatory reactions, pathogenic fibrosis typically results from the chronic inflammatory reactions characterizing autoimmune diseases. Despite having obvious aetiological and clinical outcome distinctions, most chronic autoimmune fibrotic disorders have in common a persistent and sustained production of growth factors, proteolytic enzymes, angiogenic factors, and fibrogenic cytokines, which together stimulate the deposition of connective tissue elements or epithelial to mesenchymal transformation (EMT) that progressively remodels and destroys normal tissue architecture leading to organ failure. Despite its enormous impact on human health, there are currently no approved treatments that directly target the molecular mechanisms of fibrosis. The primary goal of this review is to discuss the most recent identified mechanisms of chronic autoimmune diseases characterized by a fibrotic evolution with the aim to identify possible common and unique mechanisms of fibrogenesis that might be exploited in the development of effective antifibrotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Sisto
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience (DiBraiN), Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 1, I-70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Sabrina Lisi
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience (DiBraiN), Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 1, I-70124 Bari, Italy
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Kolaric TO, Kuna L, Covic M, Roguljic H, Matic A, Sikora R, Hefer M, Petrovic A, Mihaljevic V, Smolic R, Bilic-Curcic I, Vcev A, Smolic M. Preclinical Models and Promising Pharmacotherapeutic Strategies in Liver Fibrosis: An Update. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:4246-4260. [PMID: 37232739 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45050270] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis represents one of the greatest challenges in medicine. The fact that it develops with the progression of numerous diseases with high prevalence (NAFLD, viral hepatitis, etc.) makes liver fibrosis an even greater global health problem. Accordingly, it has received much attention from numerous researchers who have developed various in vitro and in vivo models to better understand the mechanisms underlying fibrosis development. All these efforts led to the discovery of numerous agents with antifibrotic properties, with hepatic stellate cells and the extracellular matrix at the center of these pharmacotherapeutic strategies. This review focuses on the current data on numerous in vivo and in vitro models of liver fibrosis and on various pharmacotherapeutic targets in the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Omanovic Kolaric
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Lucija Kuna
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marina Covic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Hrvoje Roguljic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Anita Matic
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pathophysiology and Physiology with Immunology, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Renata Sikora
- Department of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marija Hefer
- Department of Physics, Biophysics, and Chemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ana Petrovic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vjera Mihaljevic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Robert Smolic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ines Bilic-Curcic
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Aleksandar Vcev
- Department of Pathophysiology and Physiology with Immunology, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Martina Smolic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
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