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Fan Q, Liang R, Chen M, Li Z, Tao X, Ren H, Sheng Y, Li J, Lin R, Zhao C, She G. Metabolic characteristics of evodiamine were associated with its hepatotoxicity via PPAR/PI3K/AKT/NF-кB/tight junction pathway-mediated apoptosis in zebrafish. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 279:116448. [PMID: 38754199 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Evodiae Fructus (EF), an herbal medicine, possesses remarkable anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It exhibits insecticidal activity as a potent insecticide candidate. However, the toxic characteristics of EF and the underlying mechanisms have not been comprehensively elucidated comprehensively. Thus, we comprehensively explored the toxic components of EF and established the relationship between the therapeutic and toxic effects of EF, encouraging its therapeutic use. We found that evodiamine (EVO), one of the main ingredients of EF, can truly reflect its analgesic properties. In phenotype observation trials, low doses of EVO (< 35 ng/mL) exhibited distinct analgesic activity without any adverse effects in zebrafish. However, EVO dose-dependently led to gross morphological abnormalities in the liver, followed by pericardial edema, and increased myocardial concentrations. Furthermore, the toxic effects of EVO decreased after processing in liver microsomes but increased after administering CYP450 inhibitors in zebrafish, highlighting the prominent effect of CYP450s in EVO-mediated hepatotoxicity. EVO significantly changed the expression of genes enriched in multiple pathways and biological processes, including lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, tight junction damage, and cell apoptosis. Importantly, the PPAR/PI3K/AKT/NF-кB/tight junction-mediated apoptosis pathway was confirmed as a critical functional signaling pathway inducing EVO-mediated hepatotoxicity. This study provided a typical example of the overall systematic evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its active ingredients with significant therapeutic effects and simultaneous toxicities, especially metabolic toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Fan
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102,China; Beijing Key laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Ruiqiang Liang
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Meilin Chen
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102,China; Beijing Key laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Zhiqi Li
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102,China; Beijing Key laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Xiaoyu Tao
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102,China; Beijing Key laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Hongmin Ren
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102,China; Beijing Key laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Yuhan Sheng
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102,China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102,China; Beijing Key laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Ruichao Lin
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102,China; Beijing Key laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing 100102, China.
| | - Chongjun Zhao
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102,China; Beijing Key laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing 100102, China.
| | - Gaimei She
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102,China.
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Li W, Deng Z, Xiao S, Du Q, Zhang M, Song H, Zhao C, Zheng L. Protective effect of vitexin against high fat-induced vascular endothelial inflammation through inhibiting trimethylamine N-oxide-mediated RNA m6A modification. Food Funct 2024; 15:6988-7002. [PMID: 38855818 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo04743a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
A high-fat diet (HFD) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the specific effects of a HFD on vascular inflammation and the protective role of vitexin, a bioactive compound derived from food, require further research. This study investigated the protective effects of vitexin intervention against HFD-induced vascular inflammation and its underlying mechanism. The results demonstrated that vitexin intervention significantly reduced body weight, serum total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in HFD-fed mice. Vitexin also improved vascular pathological changes and the inflammatory status in the mice. Furthermore, vitexin intervention reduced serum TMAO levels in HFD-fed mice by altering the gut microbiota composition. The HFD significantly increased N6-methyladenosine (m6A) levels in aorta tissues, while vitexin intervention reversed this abnormal m6A level. Through metabolite affinity responsive target fluorescence quenching and molecular docking assays, it was found that vitexin could directly bind to fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), potentially promoting m6A demethylation. The dose-response relationship between TMAO and inflammation/m6A was further validated in HUVEC cells and in vivo mouse experiments. Specifically, TMAO increased m6A levels and inflammation, while vitexin inhibited TMAO-mediated m6A modification, exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the protective role of vitexin against HFD-induced vascular inflammation by inhibiting TMAO-mediated RNA m6A modification, laying the foundation for the development of functional foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Zeyuan Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, Jiangxi, China.
- International Institute of Food Innovation, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330051, Jiangxi, China
- Institute for Advanced Study, University of Nanchang, Nanchang 330031, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shuang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Qian Du
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Mengru Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Hailing Song
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Caidong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Liufeng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, Jiangxi, China.
- International Institute of Food Innovation, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330051, Jiangxi, China
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Yang X, Chang Q, Wang Y, Dong S, Qu K. Bezafibrate protects blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity against traumatic brain injury mediated by AMPK. Neuropeptides 2024; 107:102450. [PMID: 39002285 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2024.102450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Bezafibrate (BEZ) has displayed a wide range of neuroprotective effects in different types of neurological diseases. However, its pharmacological function in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is still unknown. In the current study, a TBI model was constructed in mice to examine the potential beneficial roles of BEZ. After TBI, mice were daily dieted with BEZ or vehicle solution. The motor function, learning and memory, brain edema, vascular inflammatory factors, the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and the expression of the tight junction zona occludens 1 (ZO-1) were assessed. The findings demonstrate that after TBI, BEZ treatment significantly promoted the recovery of motor function and cognitive function deficits. Moreover, BEZ attenuated brain edema by reducing the levels of brain water content. We also found that administration of BEZ alleviated cerebral vascular pro-inflammation by suppressing the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin. Notably, BEZ improved the impaired BBB integrity in TBI mice by restoring the expression of the tight junction (TJ) protein ZO-1. Further in vitro experiments show that treatment with BEZ prevented the aggravation of endothelial permeability and restored the reduction of trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) as well as the expression of ZO-1 in TBI-exposed brain bEnd.3 cells. Mechanistically, we prove that the protective effects of BEZ are mediated by AMPK. Based on these findings, we conclude that BEZ improves TBI-induced BBB injury and it might be considered for the treatment or management of TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiubao Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian City, Liaoning Province 116001, China
| | - Qingyong Chang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian City, Liaoning Province 116001, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian City, Liaoning Province 116001, China
| | - Shicang Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian City, Liaoning Province 116001, China
| | - Kai Qu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian City, Liaoning Province 116001, China.
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Saviano A, Roehlen N, Baumert TF. Tight Junction Proteins as Therapeutic Targets to Treat Liver Fibrosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Semin Liver Dis 2024; 44:180-190. [PMID: 38648796 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1785646] [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] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
In the last decade tight junction proteins exposed at the surface of liver or cancer cells have been uncovered as mediators of liver disease biology: Claudin-1 and Occludin are host factors for hepatitis C virus entry and Claudin-1 has been identified as a driver for liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Moreover, Claudins have emerged as therapeutic targets for liver disease and HCC. CLDN1 expression is upregulated in liver fibrosis and HCC. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting Claudin-1 have completed preclinical proof-of-concept studies for treatment of liver fibrosis and HCC and are currently in clinical development for advanced liver fibrosis. Claudin-6 overexpression is associated with an HCC aggressive phenotype and treatment resistance. Claudin-6 mAbs or chimeric antigen receptor-T cells therapies are currently being clinically investigated for Claudin-6 overexpressing tumors. In conclusion, targeting Claudin proteins offers a novel clinical opportunity for the treatment of patients with advanced liver fibrosis and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Saviano
- Inserm, U1110, Institute of Translational Medicine and Liver Disease, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Service d'hépato-gastroentérologie, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Institut-Hospitalo-Universitaire, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Natascha Roehlen
- Department of Medicine II, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Infectious Diseases, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Berta-Ottenstein-Programme, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Inserm, U1110, Institute of Translational Medicine and Liver Disease, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Service d'hépato-gastroentérologie, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Institut-Hospitalo-Universitaire, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
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Tokito F, Kiyofuji M, Choi H, Nishikawa M, Takezawa T, Sakai Y. Modulation of hepatic cellular tight junctions via coculture with cholangiocytes enables non-destructive bile recovery. J Biosci Bioeng 2024; 137:403-411. [PMID: 38413317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2024.01.017] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Estimation of the biliary clearance of drugs and their metabolites in humans is crucial for characterizing hepatobiliary disposition and potential drug-drug interactions. Sandwich-cultured hepatocytes, while useful for in vitro bile analysis, require cell destruction for bile recovery, limiting long-term or repeated dose drug effect evaluations. To overcome this limitation, we investigated the feasibility of coculturing a human hepatic carcinoma cell line (HepG2-NIAS cells) and a human cholangiocarcinoma cell line (TFK-1 cells) using the collagen vitrigel membrane in a variety of coculture configurations. The coculture configuration with physiological bile flow increased the permeability of fluorescein-labeled bile acids (CLF) across the HepG2-NIAS cell layer by approximately 1.2-fold compared to the HepG2-NIAS monoculture. This enhancement was caused by paracellular leakage due to the loosened tight junctions of HepG2-NIAS, confirmed by the use of an inhibitor for bile acid transporters, the increase of permeability of dextran, and the decrease of the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value. Based on the results of loosening hepatic tight junctions via coculture with TFK-1 in the CLF permeability assay, we next attempted to collect the CLF accumulated in the bile canaliculi of HepG2-NIAS. The recovery of the CLF accumulated in the bile canaliculi was increased 1.4 times without disrupting hepatic tight junctions by the coculture of HepG2-NIAS cells and TFK-1 cells compared to the monoculture of HepG2-NIAS cells. This non-destructive bile recovery has the potential as a tool for estimating the biliary metabolite and provides valuable insights to improve in vitro bile analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiya Tokito
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Mikito Kiyofuji
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Hyunjin Choi
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Masaki Nishikawa
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Takezawa
- Department of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba Institute of Science, 15-8 Shiomicho, Choshi, Chiba 288-0025, Japan; Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Sakai
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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Li L, Ye H, Chen Q, Wei L. COL28 promotes proliferation, migration, and EMT of renal tubular epithelial cells. Ren Fail 2023; 45:2187236. [PMID: 36883360 PMCID: PMC10013395 DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2023.2187236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Type XXVIII collagen (COL28) is involved in cancer and lung fibrosis. COL28 polymorphisms and mutations might be involved in kidney fibrosis, but the exact role of COL28 in renal fibrosis is unknown. This study explored the function of COL28 in renal tubular cells by examining the expression of COL28 mRNA and the effects of COL28 overexpression in human tubular cells. COL28 mRNA expression and localization were observed in normal and fibrotic kidney tissues from humans and mice using real-time PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. The consequences of COL28 overexpression on cell proliferation, migration, cell polarity, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by TGF-β1 were examined in human tubular HK-2 cells. COL28 expression was low in human normal renal tissues, mainly observed in the renal tubular epithelial cells and especially in proximal renal tubules. COL28 protein expression in human and mouse obstructive kidney disease was higher than in normal tissues (p < 0.05) and more significant in the UUO2-Week than the UUO1-Week group. The overexpression of COL28 promoted HK-2 cell proliferation and enhanced their migration ability (all p < 0.05). TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) induced COL28 mRNA expression in HK-2 cells, decreased E-cadherin and increased α-SMA in the COL28-overexpression group compared with controls (p < 0.05). ZO-1 expression decreased while COL6 increased in the COL28-overexpression group compared with controls (p < 0.05). In conclusion, COL28 overexpression promotes the migration and proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells. The EMT could also be involved. COL28 could be a therapeutic target against renal- fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Li
- Department of nephrology, Fujian Medical University, Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Hong Ye
- Department of nephrology, Fujian Medical University, Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Qiaoling Chen
- Department of nephrology, Fujian Medical University, Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Lixin Wei
- Department of nephrology, Fujian Medical University, Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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Jiang XS, Fu BL, Yang XX, Qin HY. TNF-α Mediated the Disruption of Hepatic Tight Junction Expression in Blood-Biliary Barrier of Colitis via Downregulating PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway. Biol Pharm Bull 2023; 46:1769-1777. [PMID: 37899248 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocyte tight junctions (TJ) constituted blood-biliary barrier is the most important hepatic barrier for separating bile from the bloodstream, disruption or dysfunction of TJ barrier is involved in hepatobiliary manifestations of colitis, but the underlying mechanism is still not clear. This study aims to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) on hepatic TJ protein expression in blood-biliary barrier and identify its role in the pathogenesis of acute colitis-related cholestasis. Acute colitis rat model was induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) intra-colonic administration. TJs expression of blood-biliary barrier was tested in colitis rats, the serum TNF-α level was also determined in order to elucidate the correlation of TNF-α and TJs. HepaRG cells were used to investigate the effect of TNF-α on TJs, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway were also evaluated in rats and TNF-α treated HepaRG cells. Acute colitis was induced in rats at 5 d post TNBS, which is accompanied with cholestasis-like alteration. Serum TNF-α level was increased in colitis rats and positively correlated with the alteration of total bile acids and bilirubin, marked decrease in TJs was found in TNF-α treated HepaRG cells and the rats, down-regulated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were also identified in TNF-α treated HepaRG cells and the rats. The study concluded that serum TNF-α mediated the down-regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which contributed to the reduction of TJ protein expression in acute colitis-related intrahepatic cholestasis. These findings suggest that TNF-α plays an important role in the pathogenesis of intrahepatic cholestasis of colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bi-le Fu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University
- College of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University
| | - Xin-Xin Yang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University
| | - Hong-Yan Qin
- Department of Pharmacy, First Hospital of Lanzhou University
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Wu YJ, Wang L, Wang KX, Du JR, Long FY. Modulation of Xiongdanjiuxin pills on the gut-liver axis in high-fat diet rats. Life Sci 2023; 333:122134. [PMID: 37778415 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122134] [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: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
AIM Xiongdanjiuxin pill (XP) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia (HLP) and related complications. In this study, the gut-liver axis was used as the breakthrough point to analyze the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of XP on HLP model rats and related complications. MAIN METHODS We used high-fat diet (HFD) to establish the HLP model of rats and treated them with XP. The 16S rRNA sequencing method was used to explore the effect of XP on the gut microbiota of HFD rats, and the effects of XP on ileum pathology, intestinal barrier and circulatory inflammation in HFD rats were also investigated. We further explored the molecular mechanism of XP treating liver inflammation in rats with HFD by regulating toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling. KEY FINDINGS We found that XP could regulate the imbalance of gut microbiota in HFD rats, and up-regulate the expression of tight junction protein in intestinal epithelium of HFD rats, thereby improving the intestinal barrier damage and intestinal inflammatory response. In addition, XP could significantly reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines in HFD rats, and inhibit TLR4 signaling pathway, thereby reducing liver inflammation in HFD rats. SIGNIFICANCE XP can effectively improve the imbalance of gut-liver axis in hyperlipidemic rats and alleviate the inflammatory damage of liver. Its mechanism may be related to regulating the disorder of gut microbiota and inhibiting TLR4 signal pathway, so as to achieve the therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemic fatty liver in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Jin Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Liu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ke-Xin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jun-Rong Du
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Fang-Yi Long
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Laboratory Medicine Center, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Affiliated Women's and Children's Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Wang H, Mazzocca A, Gao P. Cadherin dysregulation in gastric cancer: insights into gene expression, pathways, and prognosis. J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 14:2064-2082. [PMID: 37969819 PMCID: PMC10643585 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-23-700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Cadherin gene family holds immense significance in maintaining the integrity and functionality of stomach tissues, playing crucial roles in cell-cell adhesion, cell migration and differentiation. Dysregulation of cadherin expression and function has been closely associated with various gastric diseases, particularly gastric cancer (GC). Understanding the regulation and clinical implications of cadherin genes in GC is essential to improve our knowledge and to identify new potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. Methods In this study, we provide an overview on the role of cadherin family genes in GC using bioinformatics analysis. We analyzed the expression, mutational status, and prognostic value of these genes based on available public datasets. Our methodology involved data mining, differential expression analysis, functional enrichment analysis, and survival analysis to explore the association between cadherin gene expression and clinical outcomes in GC patients. Additionally, we investigated the relationship between cadherin expression and immune cell infiltration to gain insights into the tumor microenvironment's role in GC progression. Results Our bioinformatics analysis revealed significant differential expression of 16 cadherin genes in GC samples compared to normal tissues. Approximately up to 52% of the analyzed cancer samples exhibited genomic alterations in these cadherins, indicating their potential relevance in GC development. Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that these differentially expressed cadherins were closely associated with critical cellular processes, including cell adhesion and immune-modulation. Remarkably, lower expression levels of most cadherin genes were linked to improved prognosis in GC patients, suggesting their potential importance as valuable prognostic biomarkers. Conclusions The findings deriving from our comprehensive study provide important insights into the dysregulation of cadherin genes in GC and their impact on gene expression, molecular pathways, and prognosis. The associations with clinical outcomes and immune cell infiltration highlight the potential role of cadherin genes as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | | | - Puyue Gao
- Department of Digestive Medicine, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
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Grama A, Mititelu A, Sîrbe C, Benţa G, Pop TL. Immune-mediated cholangiopathies in children: the need to better understand the pathophysiology for finding the future possible treatment targets. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1206025. [PMID: 37928553 PMCID: PMC10623351 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1206025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiopathies are defined as focal or extensive damage of the bile ducts. According to the pathogenetic mechanism, it may be immune-mediated or due to genetic, infectious, toxic, vascular, and obstructive causes. Their chronic evolution is characterized by inflammation, obstruction of bile flow, cholangiocyte proliferation, and progression toward fibrosis and cirrhosis. Immune-mediated cholangiopathies comprise primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), autoimmune cholangitis and IgG4-associated cholangitis in adults and biliary atresia (BA), neonatal sclerosing cholangitis (NSC) in children. The main purpose of this narrative review was to highlight the similarities and differences among immune-mediated cholangiopathies, especially those frequent in children in which cholangiocyte senescence plays a key role (BA, NSC, and PSC). These three entities have many similarities in terms of clinical and histopathological manifestations, and the distinction between them can be hard to achieve. In BA, bile duct destruction occurs due to aggression of the biliary cells due to viral infections or toxins during the intrauterine period or immediately after birth. The consequence is the activation of the immune system leading to severe inflammation and fibrosis of the extrahepatic biliary tract, lumen stenosis, and impairment of the biliary flow. PSC is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts, leading to secondary biliary cirrhosis. It is a multifactorial disease that occurs because of genetic predisposition [human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and non-HLA haplotypes], autoimmunity (cellular immune response, autoantibodies, association with inflammatory bowel disease), environmental factors (infections or toxic bile), and host factors (intestinal microbiota). NSC seems to be a distinct subgroup of childhood PSC that appears due to the interaction between genetic predisposition (HLA B8 and DR3) and the disruption of the immune system, validated by elevated IgG levels or specific antibodies [antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-smooth muscle antibody (ASMA)]. Currently, the exact mechanism of immune cholangiopathy is not fully understood, and further data are required to identify individuals at high risk of developing these conditions. A better understanding of the immune mechanisms and pathophysiology of BA, NSC, and PSC will open new perspectives for future treatments and better methods of preventing severe evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Grama
- 2Pediatric Discipline, Department of Mother and Child, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- 2Pediatric Clinic and Center of Expertise in Pediatric Liver Rare Disorders, Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandra Mititelu
- 2Pediatric Discipline, Department of Mother and Child, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- 2Pediatric Clinic and Center of Expertise in Pediatric Liver Rare Disorders, Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Claudia Sîrbe
- 2Pediatric Discipline, Department of Mother and Child, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- 2Pediatric Clinic and Center of Expertise in Pediatric Liver Rare Disorders, Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gabriel Benţa
- 2Pediatric Discipline, Department of Mother and Child, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- 2Pediatric Clinic and Center of Expertise in Pediatric Liver Rare Disorders, Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Tudor Lucian Pop
- 2Pediatric Discipline, Department of Mother and Child, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- 2Pediatric Clinic and Center of Expertise in Pediatric Liver Rare Disorders, Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Nathani S, Das N, Katiyar P, Waghmode B, Sircar D, Roy P. Consumption of honey ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction via upregulation of tight junction proteins. Eur J Nutr 2023; 62:3033-3054. [PMID: 37493680 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03203-y] [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: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The leaky gut barrier is an important factor leading to various inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders. The nutritional value of honey and variety of its health benefits have long been recognized. This study was undertaken to assess the role of Indian mustard honey in preventing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction using a combination of in vitro and in vivo experimental model systems. METHODS LPS was used to induce intestinal barrier damage in a trans-well model of Caco-2 cells (1 µg/ml) and in Swiss albino mice (5 mg/kg body weight). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were used to analyse sugar and phenolic components in honey samples. The Caco-2 cell monolayer integrity was evaluated by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and paracellular permeability assays. The histopathology of intestinal tissue was analysed by haematoxylin and eosin dual staining. The quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to quantify the transcription of genes. The protein expression was analysed by immunofluorescence, western blot and ELISA-based techniques. RESULTS The in vitro data showed that honey prevented LPS-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction dose dependently as was measured by TEER and paracellular flux of FITC-dextran dye. Further, the in vivo data showed a prophylactic effect of orally administered honey as it prevented the loss of intestinal barrier integrity and villus structure. The cellular localization and expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins were upregulated along with downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to the administration of honey with LPS. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest a propitious role of honey in the maintenance of TJ protein integrity, thereby preventing LPS-induced intestinal barrier disintegration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandip Nathani
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247 667, India
| | - Neeladrisingha Das
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247 667, India
| | - Parul Katiyar
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247 667, India
| | - Bhairavnath Waghmode
- Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247 667, India
| | - Debabrata Sircar
- Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247 667, India
| | - Partha Roy
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247 667, India.
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12
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Wu Y, Deng X, Wu Z, Liu D, Fu X, Tang L, He S, Lv J, Wang J, Li Q, Zhan T, Tang Z. Multilayer omics reveals the molecular mechanism of early infection of Clonorchis sinensis juvenile. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:285. [PMID: 37587524 PMCID: PMC10428567 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05891-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clonorchiasis remains a non-negligible global zoonosis, causing serious socioeconomic burdens in endemic areas. Clonorchis sinensis infection typically elicits Th1/Th2 mixed immune responses during the course of biliary injury and periductal fibrosis. However, the molecular mechanism by which C. sinensis juvenile initially infects the host remains poorly understood. METHODS The BALB/c mouse model was established to study early infection (within 7 days) with C. sinensis juveniles. Liver pathology staining and observation as well as determination of biochemical enzymes, blood routine and cytokines in blood were conducted. Furthermore, analysis of liver transcriptome, proteome and metabolome changes was performed using multi-omics techniques. Statistical analyses were performed using Student's t-test. RESULTS Histopathological analysis revealed that liver injury, characterized by collagen deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration, occurred as early as 24 h of infection. Blood indicators including ALT, AST, WBC, CRP and IL-6 indicated that both liver injury and systemic inflammation worsened as the infection progressed. Proteomic data showed that apoptosis and junction-related pathways were enriched within 3 days of infection, indicating the occurrence of liver injury. Furthermore, proteomic and transcriptomic analysis jointly verified that the detoxification and antioxidant defense system was activated by enrichment of glutathione metabolism and cytochrome P450-related pathways in response to acute liver injury. Proteomic-based GO analysis demonstrated that biological processes such as cell deformation, proliferation, migration and wound healing occurred in the liver during the early infection. Correspondingly, transcriptomic results showed significant enrichment of cell cycle pathway on day 3 and 7. In addition, the KEGG analysis of multi-omics data demonstrated that numerous pathways related to immunity, inflammation, tumorigenesis and metabolism were enriched in the liver. Besides, metabolomic screening identified several metabolites that could promote inflammation and hepatobiliary periductal fibrosis, such as CA7S. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that acute inflammatory injury was rapidly triggered by initial infection by C. sinensis juveniles in the host, accompanied by the enrichment of detoxification, inflammation, fibrosis, tumor and metabolism-related pathways in the liver, which provides a new perspective for the early intervention and therapy of clonorchiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Wu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xueling Deng
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Zhanshuai Wu
- Department of Immunology, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Treating High-Incidence Infectious Diseases With Integrative Medicine, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Dengyu Liu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-Related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Regional Diseases (Guangxi Medical University), Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiaoyin Fu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-Related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Regional Diseases (Guangxi Medical University), Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Lili Tang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-Related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Regional Diseases (Guangxi Medical University), Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Shanshan He
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-Related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Regional Diseases (Guangxi Medical University), Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Jiahui Lv
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Jilong Wang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-Related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
- Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Regional Diseases (Guangxi Medical University), Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, China.
| | - Tingzheng Zhan
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-Related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
- Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Regional Diseases (Guangxi Medical University), Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, China.
| | - Zeli Tang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-Related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
- Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Regional Diseases (Guangxi Medical University), Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, China.
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13
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Zhou YJ, Ying GX, Dong SL, Xiang B, Jin QF. Gut microbial profile of treatment-naive patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1126117. [PMID: 37223092 PMCID: PMC10200865 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1126117] [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: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims The pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is associated with alterations of gut microbiota. We compared the gut microbiota of PBC patients and healthy controls from Zhejiang Province and assessed the use of these data for the diagnosis of PBC. Methods First, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to characterize the gut microbiota of treatment-naive PBC patients (n=25) and matched healthy controls (n=25). Then, the value of gut microbiota composition for the diagnosis of PBC and assessment of PBC severity was determined. Results The gut microbiota of PBC patients had lower diversity based on three different metrics of alpha-diversity (ace, Chao1, and observed features) and fewer overall genera (all p<0.01). PBC patients had significant enrichment of four genera and significant depletion of eight genera. We identified six amplicon sequence variants (Serratia, Oscillospirales, Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium, Sutterellaceae, and Coprococcus) as optimal biomarkers to distinguish PBC patients from controls based on receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.824). PBC patients who were anti-gp210-positive had lower levels of Oscillospiraceae than those who were anti-gp210-negative. KEGG functional annotation suggested the major changes in the gut microbiota of PBC patients were related to lipid metabolism and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Conclusion We characterized the gut microbiota of treatment-naive PBC patients and healthy controls from Zhejiang Province. The PBC patients had significant alterations in their gut microbiota, suggesting that gut microbiota composition could be useful as a non-invasive tool for the diagnosis of PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-jun Zhou
- Department of Hepatology, Affiliated Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gao-xiang Ying
- Department of Hepatology, Affiliated Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shi-lei Dong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bo Xiang
- Department of Hepatology, Affiliated Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiao-fei Jin
- Department of Hepatology, Affiliated Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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14
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Tight Junction Protein Signaling and Cancer Biology. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020243. [PMID: 36672179 PMCID: PMC9857217 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Tight junctions (TJs) are intercellular protein complexes that preserve tissue homeostasis and integrity through the control of paracellular permeability and cell polarity. Recent findings have revealed the functional role of TJ proteins outside TJs and beyond their classical cellular functions as selective gatekeepers. This is illustrated by the dysregulation in TJ protein expression levels in response to external and intracellular stimuli, notably during tumorigenesis. A large body of knowledge has uncovered the well-established functional role of TJ proteins in cancer pathogenesis. Mechanistically, TJ proteins act as bidirectional signaling hubs that connect the extracellular compartment to the intracellular compartment. By modulating key signaling pathways, TJ proteins are crucial players in the regulation of cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, all of which being essential cancer hallmarks crucial for tumor growth and metastasis. TJ proteins also promote the acquisition of stem cell phenotypes in cancer cells. These findings highlight their contribution to carcinogenesis and therapeutic resistance. Moreover, recent preclinical and clinical studies have used TJ proteins as therapeutic targets or prognostic markers. This review summarizes the functional role of TJ proteins in cancer biology and their impact for novel strategies to prevent and treat cancer.
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15
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Van Campenhout R, Cogliati B, Vinken M. Effects of acute and chronic disease on cell junctions in mouse liver. EXCLI JOURNAL 2023; 22:1-11. [PMID: 36660194 PMCID: PMC9837383 DOI: 10.17179/excli2022-5559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cell junctions, including anchoring, occluding and communicating junctions, play an indispensable role in tissue architecture and homeostasis. Consequently, malfunctioning of cell junctions is linked with a wide range of disorders, including in liver. The present study was set up to investigate the effects of acute and chronic disease induced by chemical compounds on hepatic cell junctions in mice. Mice were either overdosed with paracetamol or repeatedly administered carbon tetrachloride followed by sampling at 24 hours or 8 weeks, respectively. mRNA and protein expression levels of adherens, gap and tight junction components were measured in liver using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunoblot techniques, respectively. It was found that protein levels of the adherens junction building blocks β-catenin and γ-catenin, the gap junction components Cx26 and Cx32, and the tight junction constituent zonula occludens 2 were decreased, while mRNA levels of the adherens junction building block E-cadherin, and the tight junction constituent zonula occludens 2 and claudin 1 were upregulated following paracetamol overdosing. Repeated administration of carbon tetrachloride increased protein levels of E-cadherin, β-catenin, Cx26, Cx32, Cx43 and claudin 1. The latter was reflected at the mRNA level. In conclusion, acute and chronic liver disease have different effects on cell junctions in liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raf Van Campenhout
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bruno Cogliati
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,*To whom correspondence should be addressed: Mathieu Vinken, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Entity of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium; Tel: +32-2-4774587, Fax: +32-2-4774582, E-mail:
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16
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Gezdirici A, Kalaycik Şengül Ö, Doğan M, Özgüven BY, Akbulut E. Biallelic Novel USP53 Splicing Variant Disrupting the Gene Function that Causes Cholestasis Phenotype and Review of the Literature. Mol Syndromol 2023; 13:471-484. [PMID: 36660033 PMCID: PMC9843568 DOI: 10.1159/000523937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hereditary cholestasis is a heterogeneous group of liver diseases that mostly show autosomal recessive inheritance. The phenotype of cholestasis is highly variable. Molecular genetic testing offers an useful approach to differentiate different types of cholestasis because some symptoms and findings overlap. Biallelic variants in USP53 have recently been reported in cholestasis phenotype. Methods In this study, we aimed to characterize clinical findings and biological insights on a novel USP53 splice variant causing cholestasis phenotype and provided a review of the literature. We performed whole-exome sequencing and then confirmed it with Sanger sequencing. In addition, as a result of in silico analyses and cDNA analysis, we showed that the USP53 protein in our patient was shortened. Results We report a novel splice variant (NM_019050.2:c.238-1G>C) in the USP53 gene via whole-exome sequencing in a patient with cholestasis phenotype. This variant was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and was a result of family segregation analysis; it was found to be in a heterozygous state in the parents and the other healthy elder brother of our patient. According to in silico analyses, the change in the splice region resulted in an increase in the length of exon 2, whereas the stop codon after the additional 3 amino acids (VTF) caused the protein to terminate prematurely. Thus, the mature USP53 protein, consisting of 1,073 amino acids, has been reduced to a small protein of 82 amino acids. Conclusion We propose a model for the tertiary structure of USP53 for the first time, and together with all these data, we support the association of biallelic variants of the USP53 gene with cholestasis phenotype. We also present a comparison of previously reported patients with USP53-associated cholestasis phenotype to contribute to the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alper Gezdirici
- Department of Medical Genetics, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey,*Alper Gezdirici,
| | - Özlem Kalaycik Şengül
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Doğan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Banu Y. Özgüven
- Department of Pathology, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ekrem Akbulut
- Department of Bioengineering, Malatya Turgut Ozal University, Malatya, Turkey
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17
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Su D, Lei A, Nie C, Chen Y. The protective effect of Ganoderma atrum polysaccharide on intestinal barrier function damage induced by acrylamide in mice through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB based on the iTRAQ analysis. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 171:113548. [PMID: 36502997 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113548] [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: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The potential mechanism for the protective effect of Ganoderma atrum (G. atrum) polysaccharide (PSG-1) on acrylamide (AA) induced intestinal damage in mice was explored. Results showed that PSG-1 pretreatment prevented AA-induced injury by decreasing intestinal permeability and serum D-lactate acid (D-Lac) levels and increasing the number of small intestinal goblet cells and IgA secreting cells. In addition, PSG-1 pretreatment effectively reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) level and raised superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) activities in the intestine. Furthermore, PSG-1 administration decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory factors including IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, while the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 was elevated. Meanwhile, PSG-1 could increase the performance of tight junction (TJ) proteins such as Occludin, Claudin-1 and ZO-1. Moreover, according to the isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and Western blot results, PSG-1 could reduce AA-induced intestinal injury through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Overall, the present study suggested that PSG-1 protected intestinal permeability and barrier function in mice via reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and effectively prevented AA-induced intestinal injury in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang, 330047, People's Republic of China
| | - Aitong Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang, 330047, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunchao Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang, 330047, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang, 330047, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Mohamad J, Samuelov L, Assaf S, Malki L, Malovitski K, Meijers O, Adir N, Granot E, Pavlovsky M, Sarig O, Sprecher E. Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis caused by a pathogenic missense variant in CLDN1. Am J Med Genet A 2022; 188:2879-2887. [PMID: 35920354 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) refers to a large and genetically heterogenous group of non-syndromic disorders of cornification featuring diffuse scaling. Ichthyosis, leukocyte vacuoles, alopecia, and sclerosing cholangitis (ILVASC) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive syndromic form of ichthyosis. The disease usually results from premature termination codon-causing pathogenic variants in CLDN1 encoding CLAUDIN-1 (CLDN1). We used whole exome sequencing (WES), Sanger sequencing, 3D protein modeling, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy to delineate the genetic basis of ichthyosis in two siblings with ichthyosis but no other ectodermal abnormalities. One of the two siblings underwent liver transplantation in early childhood due to biliary atresia. Both patients were found to carry a homozygous missense pathogenic variant, c.242G>A (p.Arg81His), in CLDN1. The variant resulted in decreased CLDN1 expression in patient skin. 3D protein modeling predicted that p.Arg81His induces deleterious conformational changes. Accordingly, HaCaT cells transfected with a construct expressing the mutant CLDN1 cDNA featured decreased levels and mislocation of CLDN1 as compared with cells expressing the wildtype cDNA. In conclusion, we describe the first pathogenic missense variant in CLDN1 shown to result in ARCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janan Mohamad
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Liat Samuelov
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sari Assaf
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Liron Malki
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Kiril Malovitski
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Odile Meijers
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Noam Adir
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Mor Pavlovsky
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofer Sarig
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eli Sprecher
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Wang Y, Lei B, Pan Y, Su C, Wang W, Zhang H, Xia F, Zhu P, He S, Cheng Q. α-Connexin Carboxyl Terminal Peptide 1 Attenuates Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Liver Transplantation With Extended Cold Preservation by Stabilizing Cell Junctions in Mice. Transplant Proc 2022; 54:2364-2373. [PMID: 36184342 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2022.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuefan Wang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Biao Lei
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yonglong Pan
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chen Su
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Weijian Wang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Haoquan Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Feng Xia
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Peng Zhu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Songqing He
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
| | - Qi Cheng
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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20
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Wang W, Chen D, Wang J, Wen L. Cellular Homeostasis and Repair in the Biliary Tree. Semin Liver Dis 2022; 42:271-282. [PMID: 35672015 DOI: 10.1055/a-1869-7714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
During biliary tree homeostasis, BECs are largely in a quiescent state and their turnover is slow for maintaining normal tissue homeostasis. BTSCs continually replenish new BECs in the luminal surface of EHBDs. In response to various types of biliary injuries, distinct cellular sources, including HPCs, BTSCs, hepatocytes, and BECs, repair or regenerate the injured bile duct. BEC, biliary epithelial cell; BTSC, biliary tree stem/progenitor cell; EHBD, extrahepatic bile ducts; HPC, hepatic progenitor cell.The biliary tree comprises intrahepatic bile ducts and extrahepatic bile ducts lined with epithelial cells known as biliary epithelial cells (BECs). BECs are a common target of various cholangiopathies for which there is an unmet therapeutic need in clinical hepatology. The repair and regeneration of biliary tissue may potentially restore the normal architecture and function of the biliary tree. Hence, the repair and regeneration process in detail, including the replication of existing BECs, expansion and differentiation of the hepatic progenitor cells and biliary tree stem/progenitor cells, and transdifferentiation of the hepatocytes, should be understood. In this paper, we review biliary tree homeostasis, repair, and regeneration and discuss the feasibility of regenerative therapy strategies for cholangiopathy treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongfeng Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liangzhi Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Park CG, Ryu CS, Sung B, Manz A, Kong H, Kim YJ. Transcriptomic and physiological analysis of endocrine disrupting chemicals Impacts on 3D Zebrafish liver cell culture system. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 245:106105. [PMID: 35151072 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, extensive efforts have focused on developing in vitro platforms mimicking fish livers to better understand the acute or chronic effects of toxicants on lower aquatic vertebrates. Fish liver cell lines have emerged as a promising culture system for these in vitro platforms because they complement the currently limited in vitro tools that mostly consist of mammalian cell lines and adhere to the 3Rs: replacement, reduction, and refinement of living animal tests. However, monolayer cell lines have lower transcriptional and physiological responses upon exposure to toxic chemicals than freshly isolated primary cells. To overcome this challenge, we utilized a three-dimensional (3D) spheroid-based in vitro platform, in which hepatocyte cells had self-organized into spheroid forms via E-cadherin bonds. This platform exhibited augmented transcriptomic and phenotypic regulation of liver cells in comparison to monolayer cells. We examined the organoid platform using the zebrafish liver (ZFL) cell line as a model system. ZFL cells spontaneously clustered into 3D spheroids with long-term viability by optimizing cell seeding density on a non-adherent substrate. Interestingly, 3D ZFL spheroids treated with estrogenic chemicals were activated to synthesize a higher level of vitellogenin (Vtg) than monolayer cells. Whole-transcriptome sequencing analysis confirmed that 3D ZFL spheroids had greater transcriptional regulation of genes related to reproductive toxicological response and liver functions, such as the urea cycle, estrogen receptors, and vitellogenin, compared to monolayer cells. These results may contribute to the engineering of novel 3D in vitro platforms for screening harmful chemicals and improving understanding of the underlying liver toxicity mechanisms at the molecular and cellular levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Gyun Park
- Environmental Safety Group, KIST Europe Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Department of Systems Engineering, Universität des Saarlandes, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Chang Seon Ryu
- Environmental Safety Group, KIST Europe Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Baeckkyoung Sung
- Environmental Safety Group, KIST Europe Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Division of Energy & Environment Technology, University of Science & Technology, 34113 Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Andreas Manz
- Environmental Safety Group, KIST Europe Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Department of Systems Engineering, Universität des Saarlandes, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Hyunjoon Kong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| | - Young Jun Kim
- Environmental Safety Group, KIST Europe Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Division of Energy & Environment Technology, University of Science & Technology, 34113 Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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22
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Yang Y, Chen Y, Zhao Y, Ji F, Zhang L, Tang S, Zhang S, Hu Q, Li Z, Zhang F, Li Q, Li L. Human menstrual blood-derived stem cell transplantation suppresses liver injury in DDC-induced chronic cholestasis. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:57. [PMID: 35123555 PMCID: PMC8817575 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02734-1] [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: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cholestatic liver injury can lead to serious symptoms and prognoses in the clinic. Currently, an effective medical treatment is not available for cholestatic liver injury. Human menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) are considered as an emerging treatment in various diseases. This study aimed to explore the treatment effect of MenSCs in cholestatic liver injury. Methods The treatment effect of MenSCs on chronic cholestatic liver injury was verified in 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydroxychollidine (DDC)-induced C57/BL6 mice. Pathological, fibrosis area in the liver tissue and serum liver enzymes were tested. Proteomics and western blot were used to explore the related targets and molecular mechanisms. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) 9-infected mice were applied for verification. Results MenSCs markedly improved the survival rate of the DDC-treated mice (60% vs. 100%), and decreased the mouse serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (169.4 vs. 108.0 U/L, p < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (279.0 vs. 228.9 U/L, p < 0.01), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (45.6 vs. 10.6 U/L, p < 0.0001), direct bilirubin (DBIL) (108.3 vs. 14.0 μmol/L, p < 0.0001) and total bilirubin (TBIL) (179.2 vs. 43.3 μmol/L, p < 0.0001) levels as well as intrahepatic cholestasis, bile duct dilation and fibrotic areas (16.12 vs. 6.57%, p < 0.05). The results further indicated that MenSCs repaired the DDC-induced liver tight junction (TJ) pathway and bile transporter (OATP2, BSEP and NTCP1) injury, thereby inhibiting COL1A1, α-SMA and TGF-β1 activation by upregulating liver β-catenin expression. Conclusions MenSC transplantation could be an effective treatment method for cholestatic liver injury in mice. MenSCs may exhibit therapeutic effects by regulating β-catenin expression.
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Induction of gut leakage in young broiler chickens fed a diet with low rye inclusion. Heliyon 2021; 7:e08547. [PMID: 34917817 PMCID: PMC8665344 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess the absence of a non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) enzyme in a broiler diet containing a low level (10%) of rye inclusion. Two experimental groups with 40 Ross broilers each, were fed a diet containing 10% rye. One group was supplemented with a NSP enzyme, and the other was not supplemented with the enzyme to increase intestinal viscosity. The birds were fed the respective diets for 14 or 28 days. Intestinal sections were submitted to morphological, morphometric and mRNA-level gene expression analyses. To assess gut leakage, 150 min before euthanasia, broilers had no access to feed and received an oral gavage with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled dextran (FITC-d). Serum levels of FITC-d, D-lactate, tight-junction-associated protein 1 (TJAP1), citrulline and ovotransferrin were determined. A significant increase in FITC-d levels was observed in the 14-day-old birds fed the non-supplemented rye diet, and no other serum markers were affected. These birds presented a decreased villus height/crypt depth (VH:CD) ratio and an increased degree of damage in the jejunum. The ileum VH:CD increased, and the goblet cell number decreased in 28-day-old birds fed the non-supplemented rye diet. When broilers were fed the non-supplemented rye diet, the mRNA expression of the tight-junction zona occludens 1 (ZO1) was significantly decreased in the jejunum of 14-day-old broilers, whereas a significant decrease in jejunum mRNA expression of ZO2 and mucin-2 (MUC2) was observed in the jejunum of 28-day-old broilers. In contrast, a significant increase in the mRNA expression of ZO2 was observed in the ileum from 28-day-old broilers fed the non-supplemented rye diet. In conclusion, a 10% rye diet causes intestinal stress in young broiler chickens when the feed is not supplemented with a NSP enzyme. This study may be applied as experimental model of mild gut leakage of broiler chickens.
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Bull LN, Ellmers R, Foskett P, Strautnieks S, Sambrotta M, Czubkowski P, Jankowska I, Wagner B, Deheragoda M, Thompson RJ. Cholestasis Due to USP53 Deficiency. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2021; 72:667-673. [PMID: 33075013 PMCID: PMC8549450 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000002926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although a number of genetic forms of cholestasis have been identified, the genetic etiology of disease remains unidentified in a subset of cholestasis patients. METHODS Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed in DNA from patients diagnosed with cholestasis, at different points on the continuum from progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis to benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis, in whom no disease mutations in known cholestasis genes had been identified. Candidate genes were then assessed in a larger patient sample, by targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). Disease features at presentation and follow-up were collected from available medical records. RESULTS By WES, we identified 3 patients with homozygous mutations in USP53. Screening of USP53 in a larger set of patients identified 4 additional patients with homozygous mutations in USP53. Six of the 7 patients had deletion mutations, and 1 had a missense mutation; 3 of the patients were siblings, all bearing a deletion that also disrupted neighboring MYOZ2. Age of onset ranged from early infancy to adolescence. Cholestasis tended to be biochemically mild and intermittent, and responsive to medication. Liver fibrosis was, however, present in all 4 patients who were biopsied, and splenomegaly was apparent in 5 of 7 at last ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS Two groups recently identified patients with liver disease and mutation in USP53. We have now identified biallelic mutation in USP53 in 7 further patients with cholestasis, from 5 families. Most individuals had evidence of chronic liver disease, and long-term follow-up is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura N. Bull
- Liver Center Laboratory, Department of Medicine and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | | | | | | | | | - Piotr Czubkowski
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutritional Disturbances and Pediatrics, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Irena Jankowska
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutritional Disturbances and Pediatrics, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bart Wagner
- Histopathology Department, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Richard J. Thompson
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London, London, UK
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25
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Baier FA, Sánchez-Taltavull D, Yarahmadov T, Castellà CG, Jebbawi F, Keogh A, Tombolini R, Odriozola A, Dias MC, Deutsch U, Furuse M, Engelhardt B, Zuber B, Odermatt A, Candinas D, Stroka D. Loss of Claudin-3 Impairs Hepatic Metabolism, Biliary Barrier Function, and Cell Proliferation in the Murine Liver. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 12:745-767. [PMID: 33866021 PMCID: PMC8273426 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Tight junctions in the liver are essential to maintain the blood-biliary barrier, however, the functional contribution of individual tight junction proteins to barrier and metabolic homeostasis remains largely unexplored. Here, we describe the cell type-specific expression of tight junction genes in the murine liver, and explore the regulation and functional importance of the transmembrane protein claudin-3 in liver metabolism, barrier function, and cell proliferation. METHODS The cell type-specific expression of hepatic tight junction genes is described using our mouse liver single-cell sequencing data set. Differential gene expression in Cldn3-/- and Cldn3+/+ livers was assessed in young and aged mice by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and hepatic tissue was analyzed for lipid content and bile acid composition. A surgical model of partial hepatectomy was used to induce liver cell proliferation. RESULTS Claudin-3 is a highly expressed tight junction protein found in the liver and is expressed predominantly in hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. The histology of Cldn3-/- livers showed no overt phenotype, and the canalicular tight junctions appeared intact. Nevertheless, by RNA-seq we detected a down-regulation of metabolic pathways in the livers of Cldn3-/- young and aged mice, as well as a decrease in lipid content and a weakened biliary barrier for primary bile acids, such as taurocholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid, and taurine-conjugated muricholic acid. Coinciding with defects in the biliary barrier and lower lipid metabolism, there was a diminished hepatocyte proliferative response in Cldn3-/- mice after partial hepatectomy. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that, in the liver, claudin-3 is necessary to maintain metabolic homeostasis, retention of bile acids, and optimal hepatocyte proliferation during liver regeneration. The RNA-seq data set can be accessed at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE159914.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Alexander Baier
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Sánchez-Taltavull
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tural Yarahmadov
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Gómez Castellà
- Division of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fadi Jebbawi
- Division of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Keogh
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Riccardo Tombolini
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Urban Deutsch
- Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mikio Furuse
- Division of Cell Structure, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | | | - Benoît Zuber
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alex Odermatt
- Division of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Candinas
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Deborah Stroka
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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Pradhan-Sundd T, Liu S, Singh S, Poddar M, Ko S, Bell A, Franks J, Huck I, Stolz D, Apte U, Ranganathan S, Nejak-Bowen K, Monga SP. Dual β-Catenin and γ-Catenin Loss in Hepatocytes Impacts Their Polarity through Altered Transforming Growth Factor-β and Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α Signaling. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:885-901. [PMID: 33662348 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocytes are highly polarized epithelia. Loss of hepatocyte polarity is associated with various liver diseases, including cholestasis. However, the molecular underpinnings of hepatocyte polarization remain poorly understood. Loss of β-catenin at adherens junctions is compensated by γ-catenin and dual loss of both catenins in double knockouts (DKOs) in mice liver leads to progressive intrahepatic cholestasis. However, the clinical relevance of this observation, and further phenotypic characterization of the phenotype, is important. Herein, simultaneous loss of β-catenin and γ-catenin was identified in a subset of liver samples from patients of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Hepatocytes in DKO mice exhibited defects in apical-basolateral localization of polarity proteins, impaired bile canaliculi formation, and loss of microvilli. Loss of polarity in DKO livers manifested as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, increased hepatocyte proliferation, and suppression of hepatocyte differentiation, which was associated with up-regulation of transforming growth factor-β signaling and repression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α expression and activity. In conclusion, concomitant loss of the two catenins in the liver may play a pathogenic role in subsets of cholangiopathies. The findings also support a previously unknown role of β-catenin and γ-catenin in the maintenance of hepatocyte polarity. Improved understanding of the regulation of hepatocyte polarization processes by β-catenin and γ-catenin may potentially benefit development of new therapies for cholestasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirthadipa Pradhan-Sundd
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| | - Silvia Liu
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sucha Singh
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Minakshi Poddar
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sungjin Ko
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Aaron Bell
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jonathan Franks
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ian Huck
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Donna Stolz
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Sarangarajan Ranganathan
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kari Nejak-Bowen
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Satdarshan P Monga
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Boucher M, Jordan TW. Primary Impacts of the Fungal Toxin Sporidesmin on HepG2 Cells: Altered Cell Adhesion without Oxidative Stress or Cell Death. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13030179. [PMID: 33670922 PMCID: PMC7997482 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13030179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungal metabolite sporidesmin is responsible for severe necrotizing inflammation of biliary tract and liver of livestock grazing on pasture containing spores of Pithomyces chartarum that synthesizes the toxin. The toxin is secreted into bile causing the erosion of the biliary epithelium accompanied by inflammation and damage to surrounding tissues. Toxicity has been suggested to be due to cycles of reduction and oxidation of sporidesmin leading to oxidative damage from the formation of reactive oxygen species. The current work is the first test of the oxidative stress hypothesis using cultured cells. Oxidative stress could not be detected in HepG2 cells incubated with sporidesmin using a dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay or by use of two-dimensional electrophoresis to search for oxidized peroxiredoxins. There was also no evidence for necrosis or apoptosis, although there was a loss of cell adhesion that was accompanied by the disruption of intracellular actin microfilaments that have known roles in cell adhesion. The results are consistent with a model in which altered contact between cells in situ leads to altered permeability and subsequent inflammation and necrosis, potentially from the leakage of toxic bile into surrounding tissues. There is now a need for the further characterization of the damage processes in vivo, including the investigation of altered permeability and mechanisms of cell death in the biliary tract and other affected organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magalie Boucher
- Centre for Biodiscovery and School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington PO Box 600, New Zealand;
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - T. William Jordan
- Centre for Biodiscovery and School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington PO Box 600, New Zealand;
- Correspondence:
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Ultrastructural Features of Gold Nanoparticles Interaction with HepG2 and HEK293 Cells in Monolayer and Spheroids. NANOMATERIALS 2020; 10:nano10102040. [PMID: 33081137 PMCID: PMC7650816 DOI: 10.3390/nano10102040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Use of multicellular spheroids in studies of nanoparticles (NPs) has increased in the last decade, however details of NPs interaction with spheroids are poorly known. We synthesized AuNPs (12.0 ± 0.1 nm in diameter, transmission electron microscopy (TEM data) and covered them with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI). Values of hydrodynamic diameter were 17.4 ± 0.4; 35.9 ± 0.5 and ±125.9 ± 2.8 nm for AuNPs, AuBSA-NPs and AuPEI-NPs, and Z-potential (net charge) values were −33.6 ± 2.0; −35.7 ± 1.8 and 39.9 ± 1.3 mV, respectively. Spheroids of human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) and human embryo kidney (HEK293) cells (Corning ® spheroid microplates CLS4515-5EA), and monolayers of these cell lines were incubated with all NPs for 15 min–4 h, and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde solution. Samples were examined using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. HepG2 and HEK2893 spheroids showed tissue-specific features and contacted with culture medium by basal plasma membrane of the cells. HepG2 cells both in monolayer and spheroids did not uptake of the AuNPs, while AuBSA-NPs and AuPEI-NPs readily penetrated these cells. All studied NPs penetrated HEK293 cells in both monolayer and spheroids. Thus, two different cell cultures maintained a type of the interaction with NPs in monolayer and spheroid forms, which not depended on NPs Z-potential and size.
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Siti Sarah CO, Md Shukri N, Mohd Ashari NS, Wong KK. Zonula occludens and nasal epithelial barrier integrity in allergic rhinitis. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9834. [PMID: 32953271 PMCID: PMC7476493 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disease affecting 400 million of the population worldwide. Nasal epithelial cells form a barrier against the invasion of environmental pathogens. These nasal epithelial cells are connected together by tight junction (TJ) proteins including zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), ZO-2 and ZO-3. Impairment of ZO proteins are observed in AR patients whereby dysfunction of ZOs allows allergens to pass the nasal passage into the subepithelium causing AR development. In this review, we discuss ZO proteins and their impairment leading to AR, regulation of their expression by Th1 cytokines (i.e., IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ), Th2 cytokines (i.e., IL-4 and IL-13) and histone deacetylases (i.e., HDAC1 and HDAC2). These findings are pivotal for future development of targeted therapies by restoring ZO protein expression and improving nasal epithelial barrier integrity in AR patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che Othman Siti Sarah
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Norasnieda Md Shukri
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Noor Suryani Mohd Ashari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Kah Keng Wong
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
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Huang L, Cui K, Mao W, Du Y, Yao N, Li Z, Zhao H, Ma W. Weissella cibaria Attenuated LPS-Induced Dysfunction of Intestinal Epithelial Barrier in a Caco-2 Cell Monolayer Model. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:2039. [PMID: 33013748 PMCID: PMC7509449 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The dysfunction of the intestinal epithelial barrier contributes to local or systemic infection and inflammation. Some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains had been shown to improve the conditions of barrier function and, for this reason, are recognized as probiotics. Weissella cibaria, a species belonging to the LAB group, is known to promote several health benefits. However, the role of W. cibaria in regulating the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier has not yet been investigated. In this study, W. cibaria MW01 was isolated from Chinese sauerkraut and was selected based on its functional features, such as gastric juice and bile salt tolerance, besides antagonistic activity against pathogenic bacteria. In a cellular model of the intestinal barrier, it was observed that W. cibaria was able to adhere more efficiently than Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in Caco-2 cells. Moreover, the LPS-induced inflammation in Caco-2 cells was attenuated by the treatment with W. cibaria MW01, which reduced the synthesis of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8. In addition, it was noted that the treatment with W. cibaria MW01 recovered the integrity of the Caco-2 cell monolayer exposed to LPS. Furthermore, W. cibaria MW01 significantly alleviated LPS-induced downregulation of tight junction proteins (TJP) (claudin, occludin, and tight junction protein-1). Mechanistically, W. cibaria MW01 inhibited the translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus and deactivated the MLCK-pMLC pathway during LPS exposure. Thus, W. cibaria MW01, as a potential probiotic, can protect intestinal epithelial barrier function by regulating inflammation and expression of TJP via the NF-κB-mediated MLCK-pMLC pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Huang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kang Cui
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenhao Mao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yurong Du
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ning Yao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Microbiome Laboratory, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huan Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wang Ma
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Special Issue on "The Tight Junction and Its Proteins: More than Just a Barrier". Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21134612. [PMID: 32610530 PMCID: PMC7370070 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
For a long time, the tight junction (TJ) was known to form and regulate the paracellular barrier between epithelia and endothelial cell sheets. Starting shortly after the discovery of the proteins forming the TJ—mainly, the two families of claudins and TAMPs—several other functions have been discovered, a striking one being the surprising finding that some claudins form paracellular channels for small ions and/or water. This Special Issue covers numerous dedicated topics including pathogens affecting the TJ barrier, TJ regulation via immune cells, the TJ as a therapeutic target, TJ and cell polarity, the function of and regulation by proteins of the tricellular TJ, the TJ as a regulator of cellular processes, organ- and tissue-specific functions, TJs as sensors and reactors to environmental conditions, and last, but not least, TJ proteins and cancer. It is not surprising that due to this diversity of topics and functions, the still-young field of TJ research is growing fast. This Editorial gives an introduction to all 43 papers of the Special Issue in a structured topical order.
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