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Wang B, Zhu X, Yu S, Xue H, Deng L, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Liu Y. Roflumilast ameliorates GAN diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by reducing hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in ob/ob mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 722:150170. [PMID: 38797152 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150170] [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: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent progressive liver disease. Currently, there is only one drug for NAFLD treatment, and the options are limited. Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitors have potential in treating NAFLD. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of roflumilast on NAFLD. Here, we fed ob/ob mice to induce the NAFLD model by GAN diet. Roflumilast (1 mg/kg) was administered orally once daily. Semaglutide (20 nmol/kg), used as a positive control, was injected subcutaneously once daily. Our findings showed that roflumilast has beneficial effects on NAFLD. Roflumilast prevented body weight gain and improved lipid metabolism in ob/ob-GAN NAFLD mice. In addition, roflumilast decreased hepatic steatosis by down-regulating the expression of hepatic fatty acid synthesis genes (SREBP1c, FASN, and CD36) and improving oxidative stress. Roflumilast not only reduced liver injury by decreasing serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, but also ameliorated hepatic inflammation by reducing the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6). Roflumilast lessened liver fibrosis by inhibiting the expression of fibrosis mRNA (TGFβ1, α-SMA, COL1a1, and TIMP-1). Collectively, roflumilast could ameliorate NAFLD, especially in reducing hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Our findings suggested a PDE-4 inhibitor roflumilast could be a potential drug for NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China; Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaochan Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Siting Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Huan Xue
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Lijiao Deng
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Yushan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China; Department of Pharmacy, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China; Medicinal Basic Research Innovation Center of Chronic Kidney Disease, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
| | - Yunfeng Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
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2
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Vacca M, Kamzolas I, Harder LM, Oakley F, Trautwein C, Hatting M, Ross T, Bernardo B, Oldenburger A, Hjuler ST, Ksiazek I, Lindén D, Schuppan D, Rodriguez-Cuenca S, Tonini MM, Castañeda TR, Kannt A, Rodrigues CMP, Cockell S, Govaere O, Daly AK, Allison M, Honnens de Lichtenberg K, Kim YO, Lindblom A, Oldham S, Andréasson AC, Schlerman F, Marioneaux J, Sanyal A, Afonso MB, Younes R, Amano Y, Friedman SL, Wang S, Bhattacharya D, Simon E, Paradis V, Burt A, Grypari IM, Davies S, Driessen A, Yashiro H, Pors S, Worm Andersen M, Feigh M, Yunis C, Bedossa P, Stewart M, Cater HL, Wells S, Schattenberg JM, Anstee QM, Tiniakos D, Perfield JW, Petsalaki E, Davidsen P, Vidal-Puig A. An unbiased ranking of murine dietary models based on their proximity to human metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Nat Metab 2024:10.1038/s42255-024-01043-6. [PMID: 38867022 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-01043-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, encompasses steatosis and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Preclinical MASLD research is mainly performed in rodents; however, the model that best recapitulates human disease is yet to be defined. We conducted a wide-ranging retrospective review (metabolic phenotype, liver histopathology, transcriptome benchmarked against humans) of murine models (mostly male) and ranked them using an unbiased MASLD 'human proximity score' to define their metabolic relevance and ability to induce MASH-fibrosis. Here, we show that Western diets align closely with human MASH; high cholesterol content, extended study duration and/or genetic manipulation of disease-promoting pathways are required to intensify liver damage and accelerate significant (F2+) fibrosis development. Choline-deficient models rapidly induce MASH-fibrosis while showing relatively poor translatability. Our ranking of commonly used MASLD models, based on their proximity to human MASLD, helps with the selection of appropriate in vivo models to accelerate preclinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Vacca
- TVP Lab, WT/MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
- Laboratory of Liver Metabolism and MASLD, Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, London, UK.
| | - Ioannis Kamzolas
- TVP Lab, WT/MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lea Mørch Harder
- Research and Early Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fiona Oakley
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Hatting
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Trenton Ross
- Internal Medicine research Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Barbara Bernardo
- Internal Medicine research Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anouk Oldenburger
- CardioMetabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | | | - Iwona Ksiazek
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Lindén
- Bioscience Metabolism, Research and Early Development Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), AstraZeneca BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Detlef Schuppan
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immunotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Maria Manuela Tonini
- Luxembourg Institute of Health, Translational Medicine Operations Hub, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Tamara R Castañeda
- R&D Diabetes & Portfolio Innovation and Excellence, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Industriepark Hoechst, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Aimo Kannt
- R&D Diabetes, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Industriepark Hoechst, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Fraunhofer Innovation Center TheraNova and Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Cecília M P Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Simon Cockell
- Bioinformatics Support Unit, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Olivier Govaere
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ann K Daly
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Michael Allison
- Liver Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & Cambridge NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Yong Ook Kim
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immunotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anna Lindblom
- Bioscience Metabolism, Research and Early Development Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), AstraZeneca BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stephanie Oldham
- Bioscience Metabolism, Research and Early Development Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), AstraZeneca BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Anne-Christine Andréasson
- Bioscience Cardiovascular, Research and Early Development Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), AstraZeneca BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Franklin Schlerman
- Inflammation and Immunology Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Arun Sanyal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Marta B Afonso
- Research Institute for Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ramy Younes
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Yuichiro Amano
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shuang Wang
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dipankar Bhattacharya
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric Simon
- Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Valérie Paradis
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Université Paris Diderot and Hôpital Beaujon, Paris, France
| | - Alastair Burt
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Newcastle NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ioanna Maria Grypari
- Department of Pathology, Aretaeion Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Susan Davies
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ann Driessen
- Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- Department of Molecular Imaging, Pathology, Radiotherapy, Oncology. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Hiroaki Yashiro
- Research, Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company Limited, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Carla Yunis
- Pfizer, Inc.; Internal Medicine and Hospital, Pfizer Research and Development, Lake Mary, FL, USA
| | - Pierre Bedossa
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- LiverPat, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Sara Wells
- Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell, Harwell Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Jörn M Schattenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Centre, Homburg, Germany
| | - Quentin M Anstee
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Newcastle NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Dina Tiniakos
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
- Department of Pathology, Aretaeion Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - James W Perfield
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Evangelia Petsalaki
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Peter Davidsen
- Research and Early Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S, International PharmaScience Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Antonio Vidal-Puig
- TVP Lab, WT/MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Centro de Investigacion Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain.
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Canali S, Fischer AW, Nguyen M, Anderson K, Wu L, Graham AR, Hsiao CJ, Bankar C, Dussault N, Ritchie V, Goodridge M, Sparrow T, Pannoni A, Tse SW, Woo V, Klovdahl K, Iacovelli J, Huang E. Lipid-encapsulated mRNA encoding an extended serum half-life interleukin-22 ameliorates metabolic disease in mice. Mol Metab 2024:101965. [PMID: 38871178 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101965] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Interleukin (IL)-22 is a potential therapeutic protein for the treatment of metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease due to its involvement in multiple cellular pathways and observed hepatoprotective effects. The short serum half-life of IL-22 has previously limited its use in clinical applications; however, the development of mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology offers a novel therapeutic approach that uses a host-generated IL-22 fusion protein. In the present study, the effects of administration of an mRNA-LNP encoding IL-22 on metabolic disease parameters was investigated in various mouse models. METHODS C57BL/6NCrl mice were used to confirm mouse serum albumin (MSA)-IL-22 protein expression prior to assessments in C57BL/6NTac and CETP/ApoB transgenic mouse models of metabolic disease. Mice were fed either regular chow or a modified amylin liver nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-inducing diet prior to receiving either LNP-encapsulated MSA-IL-22 or MSA mRNA via intravenous or intramuscular injection. Metabolic markers were monitored for the duration of the experiments, and postmortem histology assessment and analysis of metabolic gene expression pathways were performed. RESULTS MSA-IL-22 was detectable for ≥8 days following administration. Improvements in body weight, lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, and lipogenic and fibrotic marker gene expression in the liver were observed in the MSA-IL-22-treated mice, and these effects were shown to be durable. CONCLUSIONS These results support the application of mRNA-encoded IL-22 as a promising treatment strategy for metabolic syndrome and associated comorbidities in human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Canali
- Moderna, Inc., 325 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | | | - Mychael Nguyen
- Moderna, Inc., 325 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Karl Anderson
- Moderna, Inc., 325 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Lorna Wu
- Moderna, Inc., 325 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Nancy Dussault
- Moderna, Inc., 325 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | | | | | - Todd Sparrow
- Moderna, Inc., 325 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | | | - Sze-Wah Tse
- Moderna, Inc., 325 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Vivienne Woo
- Moderna, Inc., 325 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | | | | | - Eric Huang
- Moderna, Inc., 325 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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4
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Xiao MY, Pei WJ, Li S, Li FF, Xie P, Luo HT, Hyun Yoo H, Piao XL. Gypenoside L inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting the SREBP2-HMGCS1 axis and enhancing immune response. Bioorg Chem 2024; 150:107539. [PMID: 38861912 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107539] [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: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor that occurs in the liver, with a high degree of malignancy and relatively poor prognosis. Gypenoside L has inhibitory effects on liver cancer cells. However, its mechanism of action is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effects of gypenoside L on HCC in vitro and in vivo, and explore its potential mechanisms. The results showed that gypenoside L reduced the cholesterol and triglyceride content in HepG2 and Huh-7 cells, inhibited cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, arrested cell cycle at G0/G1 phase, promoted cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, it targeted the transcription factor SREPB2 to inhibit the expression of HMGCS1 protein and inhibited the downstream proteins HMGCR and MVK, thereby regulating the mevalonate (MVA) pathway. Overexpression HMGCS1 led to significant alterations in the cholesterol metabolism pathway of HCC, which mediated HCC cell proliferation and conferred resistance to the therapeutic effect of gypenoside L. In vivo, gypenoside L effectively suppressed HCC growth in tumor-bearing mice by reducing cholesterol production, exhibiting favorable safety profiles and minimal toxic side effects. Gypenoside L modulated cholesterol homeostasis, enhanced expression of inflammatory factors by regulating MHC I pathway-related proteins to augment anticancer immune responses. Clinical samples from HCC patients also exhibited high expression levels of MVA pathway-related genes in tumor tissues. These findings highlight gypenoside L as a promising agent for targeting cholesterol metabolism in HCC while emphasizing the effectiveness of regulating the SREBP2-HMGCS1 axis as a therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Yu Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wen-Jing Pei
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Si Li
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Fang-Fang Li
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Peng Xie
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hao-Tian Luo
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hye Hyun Yoo
- Pharmacomicrobiomics Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do 15588, Republic of Korea.
| | - Xiang-Lan Piao
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China; School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China.
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5
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Shankar K, Metzger NP, Lawrence C, Gupta D, Osborne-Lawrence S, Varshney S, Singh O, Richard CP, Zaykov AN, Rolfts R, DuBois BN, Perez-Tilve D, Mani BK, Hammer STG, Zigman JM. A long-acting LEAP2 analog reduces hepatic steatosis and inflammation and causes marked weight loss in mice. Mol Metab 2024; 84:101950. [PMID: 38697291 PMCID: PMC11103953 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The number of individuals affected by metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease [1] is on the rise, yet hormonal contributors to the condition remain incompletely described and only a single FDA-approved treatment is available. Some studies suggest that the hormones ghrelin and LEAP2, which act as agonist and antagonist/inverse agonist, respectively, for the G protein coupled receptor GHSR, may influence the development of MAFLD. For instance, ghrelin increases hepatic fat whereas synthetic GHSR antagonists do the opposite. Also, hepatic steatosis is less prominent in standard chow-fed ghrelin-KO mice but more prominent in 42% high-fat diet-fed female LEAP2-KO mice. METHODS Here, we sought to determine the therapeutic potential of a long-acting LEAP2 analog (LA-LEAP2) to treat MAFLD in mice. LEAP2-KO and wild-type littermate mice were fed a Gubra-Amylin-NASH (GAN) diet for 10 or 40 wks, with some randomized to an additional 28 or 10 days of GAN diet, respectively, while treated with LA-LEAP2 vs Vehicle. Various metabolic parameters were followed and biochemical and histological assessments of MAFLD were made. RESULTS Among the most notable metabolic effects, daily LA-LEAP2 administration to both LEAP2-KO and wild-type littermates during the final 4 wks of a 14 wk-long GAN diet challenge markedly reduced liver weight, hepatic triglycerides, plasma ALT, hepatic microvesicular steatosis, hepatic lobular inflammation, NASH activity scores, and prevalence of higher-grade fibrosis. These changes were accompanied by prominent reductions in body weight, without effects on food intake, and reduced plasma total cholesterol. Daily LA-LEAP2 administration during the final 10 d of a 41.5 wk-long GAN diet challenge also reduced body weight, plasma ALT, and plasma total cholesterol in LEAP2-KO and wild-type littermates and prevalence of higher grade fibrosis in LEAP2-KO mice. CONCLUSIONS Administration of LA-LEAP2 to mice fed a MAFLD-prone diet markedly improves several facets of MAFLD, including hepatic steatosis, hepatic lobular inflammation, higher-grade hepatic fibrosis, and transaminitis. These changes are accompanied by prominent reductions in body weight and lowered plasma total cholesterol. Taken together, these data suggest that LEAP2 analogs such as LA-LEAP2 hold promise for the treatment of MAFLD and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kripa Shankar
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Nathan P Metzger
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Connor Lawrence
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Deepali Gupta
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Sherri Osborne-Lawrence
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Salil Varshney
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Omprakash Singh
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Corine P Richard
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | | | - Rebecca Rolfts
- Novo Nordisk Lexington, 33 Hayden Ave, Lexington, MA 02421, USA
| | - Barent N DuBois
- Novo Nordisk Lexington, 33 Hayden Ave, Lexington, MA 02421, USA
| | - Diego Perez-Tilve
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Bharath K Mani
- Novo Nordisk Lexington, 33 Hayden Ave, Lexington, MA 02421, USA
| | - Suntrea T G Hammer
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Zigman
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, USA; Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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6
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Yan Y, Chen Q, Dai X, Xiang Z, Long Z, Wu Y, Jiang H, Zou J, Wang M, Zhu Z. Amino acid metabolomics and machine learning for assessment of post-hepatectomy liver regeneration. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1345099. [PMID: 38855741 PMCID: PMC11157015 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1345099] [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: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Amino acid (AA) metabolism plays a vital role in liver regeneration. However, its measuring utility for post-hepatectomy liver regeneration under different conditions remains unclear. We aimed to combine machine learning (ML) models with AA metabolomics to assess liver regeneration in health and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods The liver index (liver weight/body weight) was calculated following 70% hepatectomy in healthy and NASH mice. The serum levels of 39 amino acids were measured using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. We used orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis to determine differential AAs and disturbed metabolic pathways during liver regeneration. The SHapley Additive exPlanations algorithm was performed to identify potential AA signatures, and five ML models including least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, random forest, K-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector regression, and extreme gradient boosting were utilized to assess the liver index. Results Eleven and twenty-two differential AAs were identified in the healthy and NASH groups, respectively. Among these metabolites, arginine and proline metabolism were commonly disturbed metabolic pathways related to liver regeneration in both groups. Five AA signatures were identified, including hydroxylysine, L-serine, 3-methylhistidine, L-tyrosine, and homocitrulline in healthy group, and L-arginine, 2-aminobutyric acid, sarcosine, beta-alanine, and L-cysteine in NASH group. The KNN model demonstrated the best evaluation performance with mean absolute error, root mean square error, and coefficient of determination values of 0.0037, 0.0047, 0.79 and 0.0028, 0.0034, 0.71 for the healthy and NASH groups, respectively. Conclusion The KNN model based on five AA signatures performed best, which suggests that it may be a valuable tool for assessing post-hepatectomy liver regeneration in health and NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Yan
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianping Chen
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoming Dai
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Zhiqiang Xiang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Zhangtao Long
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yachen Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jianjun Zou
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing First Hospital, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mu Wang
- The NanHua Affiliated Hospital, Clinical Research Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Zhu Zhu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
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7
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Jones AK, Bajrami B, Campbell MK, Erzurumluoglu AM, Guo Q, Chen H, Zhang X, Zeveleva S, Kvaskoff D, Brunner AD, Muller S, Gathey V, Dave RM, Tanner JW, Rixen S, Struwe MA, Phoenix K, Klumph KJ, Robinson H, Veyel D, Muller A, Noyvert B, Bartholdy BA, Steixner-Kumar AA, Stutzki J, Drichel D, Omland S, Sheehan R, Hill J, Bretschneider T, Gottschling D, Scheidig AJ, Clement B, Giera M, Ding Z, Broadwater J, Warren CR. mARC1 in MASLD: Modulation of lipid accumulation in human hepatocytes and adipocytes. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0365. [PMID: 38619429 PMCID: PMC11019821 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in the gene MTARC1 (mitochondrial amidoxime-reducing component 1) protect carriers from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and cirrhosis. MTARC1 encodes the mARC1 enzyme, which is localized to the mitochondria and has no known MASH-relevant molecular function. Our studies aimed to expand on the published human genetic mARC1 data and to observe the molecular effects of mARC1 modulation in preclinical MASH models. METHODS AND RESULTS We identified a novel human structural variant deletion in MTARC1, which is associated with various biomarkers of liver health, including alanine aminotransferase levels. Phenome-wide Mendelian Randomization analyses additionally identified novel putatively causal associations between MTARC1 expression, and esophageal varices and cardiorespiratory traits. We observed that protective MTARC1 variants decreased protein accumulation in in vitro overexpression systems and used genetic tools to study mARC1 depletion in relevant human and mouse systems. Hepatocyte mARC1 knockdown in murine MASH models reduced body weight, liver steatosis, oxidative stress, cell death, and fibrogenesis markers. mARC1 siRNA treatment and overexpression modulated lipid accumulation and cell death consistently in primary human hepatocytes, hepatocyte cell lines, and primary human adipocytes. mARC1 depletion affected the accumulation of distinct lipid species and the expression of inflammatory and mitochondrial pathway genes/proteins in both in vitro and in vivo models. CONCLUSIONS Depleting hepatocyte mARC1 improved metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease-related outcomes. Given the functional role of mARC1 in human adipocyte lipid accumulation, systemic targeting of mARC1 should be considered when designing mARC1 therapies. Our data point to plasma lipid biomarkers predictive of mARC1 abundance, such as Ceramide 22:1. We propose future areas of study to describe the precise molecular function of mARC1, including lipid trafficking and subcellular location within or around the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K. Jones
- Department of Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Besnik Bajrami
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Morgan K. Campbell
- Department of Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Abdullah Mesut Erzurumluoglu
- Department of Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Qiusha Guo
- Department of Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Hongxing Chen
- Department of Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- Department of Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Svetlana Zeveleva
- Department of Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - David Kvaskoff
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Andreas-David Brunner
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Stefanie Muller
- Department of Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Vasudha Gathey
- Department of Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Rajvee M. Dave
- Department of Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - James W. Tanner
- Department of Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sophia Rixen
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Institute, Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Michel A. Struwe
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Institute, Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
- Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology-Structural Biology, Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Kathryn Phoenix
- Department of Biotherapeutics Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kaitlyn J. Klumph
- Department of Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Heather Robinson
- Department of Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Daniel Veyel
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Annkatrin Muller
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Boris Noyvert
- Department of Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Boris Alexander Bartholdy
- Department of Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Agnes A. Steixner-Kumar
- Department of Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Jan Stutzki
- Department of Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
- Data Science Chapter, BI X GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Dmitriy Drichel
- Department of Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
- Data Science Chapter, BI X GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Steffen Omland
- Department of Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
- Data Science Chapter, BI X GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Ryan Sheehan
- Department of Immunology and Respiratory Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jon Hill
- Department of Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Tom Bretschneider
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Dirk Gottschling
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Axel J. Scheidig
- Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology-Structural Biology, Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Bernd Clement
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Institute, Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Martin Giera
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
- The Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Zhihao Ding
- Department of Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - John Broadwater
- Department of Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Curtis R. Warren
- Department of Cardiometabolic Disease Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
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Ji Y, Duan Y, Li Y, Lu Q, Liu D, Yang Y, Chang R, Tian J, Yao W, Yin J, Gao X. A long-acting FGF21 attenuates metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis-related fibrosis by modulating NR4A1-mediated Ly6C phenotypic switch in macrophages. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38679486 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Because of the absence of effective therapies for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), there is a rising interest in fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analogues due to their potential anti-fibrotic activities in MASH treatment. PsTag-FGF21, a long-acting FGF21 analogue, has demonstrated promising therapeutic effects in several MASH mouse models. However, its efficacy and mechanism against MASH-related fibrosis remain less well defined, compared with the specific mechanisms through which FGF21 improves glucose and lipid metabolism. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The effectiveness of PsTag-FGF21 was evaluated in two MASH-fibrosis models. Co-culture systems involving macrophages and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were employed for further assessment. Hepatic macrophages were selectively depleted by administering liposome-encapsulated clodronate via tail vein injections. RNA sequencing and cytokine profiling were conducted to identify key factors involved in macrophage-HSC crosstalk. KEY RESULTS We first demonstrated the significant attenuation of hepatic fibrosis by PsTag-FGF21 in two MASH-fibrosis models. Furthermore, we highlighted the crucial role of macrophage phenotypic switch in PsTag-FGF21-induced HSC deactivation. FGF21 was demonstrated to regulate macrophages in a PsTag-FGF21-like manner. NR4A1, a nuclear factor which is notably down-regulated in human livers with MASH, was identified as a mediator responsible for PsTag-FGF21-induced phenotypic switch. Transcriptional control over insulin-like growth factor 1, a crucial factor in macrophage-HSC crosstalk, was exerted by the intrinsically disordered region domain of NR4A1. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our results have elucidated the previously unclear mechanisms through which PsTag-FGF21 treats MASH-related fibrosis and identified NR4A1 as a potential therapeutic target for fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Draggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yiliang Duan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Draggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Draggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qingzhou Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Draggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dingkang Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Draggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yifan Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Draggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruilong Chang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Draggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Tian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Draggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenbing Yao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Draggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Draggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangdong Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Draggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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9
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Adorini L, Rigbolt K, Feigh M, Roth J, Erickson M. Increased hepatoprotective effects of the novel farnesoid X receptor agonist INT-787 versus obeticholic acid in a mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300809. [PMID: 38662778 PMCID: PMC11045142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a master regulator of bile acid and metabolic homeostasis, is a key target for treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This study compared efficacy of FXR agonists obeticholic acid (OCA) and INT-787 by liver histopathology, plasma biomarkers of liver damage, and hepatic gene expression profiles in the Amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet-induced and biopsy-confirmed Lepob/ob mouse model of NASH. Lepob/ob mice were fed the AMLN diet for 12 weeks before liver biopsy and subsequent treatment with vehicle, OCA, or INT-787 for 8 weeks. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis (liver lipids, galectin-3, and collagen 1a1 [Col1a1], respectively), as well as plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels, were assessed. Hepatic gene expression was assessed in Lepob/ob mice that were fed the AMLN diet for 14 weeks then treated with vehicle, OCA, or INT-787 for 2 weeks. INT-787, which is equipotent to OCA but more hydrophilic, significantly reduced liver lipids, galectin-3, and Col1a1 compared with vehicle, and to a greater extent than OCA. INT-787 significantly reduced plasma ALT and AST levels, whereas OCA did not. INT-787 modulated a substantially greater number of genes associated with FXR signaling, lipid metabolism, and stellate cell activation relative to OCA in hepatic tissue. These findings demonstrate greater efficacy of INT-787 treatment compared with OCA in improving liver histopathology, decreasing liver enzyme levels, and enhancing gene regulation, suggesting superior clinical potential of INT-787 for the treatment of NASH and other chronic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Adorini
- Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
| | | | | | - Jonathan Roth
- Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Mary Erickson
- Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
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10
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Montero-Vallejo R, Maya-Miles D, Ampuero J, Martín F, Romero-Gómez M, Gallego-Durán R. Novel insights into metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease preclinical models. Liver Int 2024; 44:644-662. [PMID: 38291855 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) encompasses a wide spectrum of metabolic conditions associated with an excess of fat accumulation in the liver, ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Finding appropriate tools to study its development and progression is essential to address essential unmet therapeutic and staging needs. This review discusses advantages and shortcomings of different dietary, chemical and genetic factors that can be used to mimic this disease and its progression in mice from a hepatic and metabolic point of view. Also, this review will highlight some additional factors and considerations that could have a strong impact on the outcomes of our model to end up providing recommendations and a checklist to facilitate the selection of the appropriate MASLD preclinical model based on clinical aims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Montero-Vallejo
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Douglas Maya-Miles
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Ampuero
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
- Digestive Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Franz Martín
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine-CABIMER, University Pablo Olavide-University of Seville-CSIC, Seville, Spain
- Biomedical Research Network on Diabetes and Related Metabolic Diseases-CIBERDEM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Romero-Gómez
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
- Digestive Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rocío Gallego-Durán
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/CSIC/Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Sevilla, Spain
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11
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Flensted-Jensen M, Oró D, Rørbeck EA, Zhang C, Madsen MR, Madsen AN, Norlin J, Feigh M, Larsen S, Hansen HH. Dietary intervention reverses molecular markers of hepatocellular senescence in the GAN diet-induced obese and biopsy-confirmed mouse model of NASH. BMC Gastroenterol 2024; 24:59. [PMID: 38308212 PMCID: PMC10835988 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03141-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular senescence may be a causal factor in the development and progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The most effective currently available treatment for NASH is lifestyle intervention, including dietary modification. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary intervention on hallmarks of NASH and molecular signatures of hepatocellular senescence in the Gubra-Amylin NASH (GAN) diet-induced obese (DIO) and biopsy-confirmed mouse model of NASH. METHODS GAN DIO-NASH mice with liver biopsy-confirmed NASH and fibrosis received dietary intervention by switching to chow feeding (chow reversal) for 8, 16 or 24 weeks. Untreated GAN DIO-NASH mice and chow-fed C57BL/6J mice served as controls. Pre-to-post liver biopsy histology was performed for within-subject evaluation of NAFLD Activity Score and fibrosis stage. Terminal endpoints included blood/liver biochemistry, quantitative liver histology, mitochondrial respiration and RNA sequencing. RESULTS Chow-reversal promoted substantial benefits on metabolic outcomes and liver histology, as demonstrated by robust weight loss, complete resolution of hepatomegaly, hypercholesterolemia, elevated transaminase levels and hepatic steatosis in addition to attenuation of inflammatory markers. Notably, all DIO-NASH mice demonstrated ≥ 2 point significant improvement in NAFLD Activity Score following dietary intervention. While not improving fibrosis stage, chow-reversal reduced quantitative fibrosis markers (PSR, collagen 1a1, α-SMA), concurrent with improved liver mitochondrial respiration, complete reversal of p21 overexpression, lowered γ-H2AX levels and widespread suppression of gene expression markers of hepatocellular senescence. CONCLUSIONS Dietary intervention (chow reversal) substantially improves metabolic, biochemical and histological hallmarks of NASH and fibrosis in GAN DIO-NASH mice. These benefits were reflected by progressive clearance of senescent hepatocellular cells, making the model suitable for profiling potential senotherapeutics in preclinical drug discovery for NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Flensted-Jensen
- Gubra, Hørsholm Kongevej 11B, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
- Xlab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Denise Oró
- Gubra, Hørsholm Kongevej 11B, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | | | - Chen Zhang
- Gubra, Hørsholm Kongevej 11B, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
- Present address: Novo Nordisk A/S, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Jenny Norlin
- Liver Disease Research, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
| | - Michael Feigh
- Gubra, Hørsholm Kongevej 11B, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Steen Larsen
- Xlab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
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12
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Panyod S, Wu WK, Hu MY, Huang HS, Chen RA, Chen YH, Shen TCD, Ho CT, Liu CJ, Chuang HL, Huang CC, Wu MS, Sheen LY. Healthy diet intervention reverses the progression of NASH through gut microbiota modulation. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0186823. [PMID: 38018983 PMCID: PMC10782987 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01868-23] [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: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The link between gut microbiota and diet is crucial in the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This study underscores the essential role of a healthy diet in preventing and treating NASH by reversing obesity, lipidemia, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Moreover, the supplementation of functional food or drug to the diet can provide additional advantages by inhibiting hepatic inflammation through the modulation of the hepatic inflammasome signaling pathway and partially mediating the gut microbiota and lipopolysaccharide signaling pathway. This study highlights the importance of adopting healthy dietary habits in treating NASH and proposes that supplementing with ginger essential oil or obeticholic acid may offer additional benefits. Nonetheless, further clinical studies are necessary to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraphan Panyod
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Kai Wu
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Yun Hu
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huai-Syuan Huang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Rou-An Chen
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsun Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Chin David Shen
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chi-Tang Ho
- Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Chun-Jen Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Li Chuang
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chang Huang
- Graduate Institute of Sports Science, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shiang Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lee-Yan Sheen
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Taiwan University, National Center for Food Safety Education and Research, Taipei, Taiwan
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13
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Hansen HH, Pors S, Andersen MW, Vyberg M, Nøhr-Meldgaard J, Nielsen MH, Oró D, Madsen MR, Lewinska M, Møllerhøj MB, Madsen AN, Feigh M. Semaglutide reduces tumor burden in the GAN diet-induced obese and biopsy-confirmed mouse model of NASH-HCC with advanced fibrosis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:23056. [PMID: 38155202 PMCID: PMC10754821 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50328-5] [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: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is emerging as a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, it is not resolved if compounds in late-stage clinical development for NASH may have additional therapeutic benefits in NASH-driven HCC (NASH-HCC). Here, we profiled monotherapy with semaglutide (glucagon-like-receptor-1 receptor agonist) and lanifibranor (pan-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonist) in a diet-induced obese (DIO) mouse model of NASH-HCC. Disease progression was characterized in male C57BL/6 J mice fed the GAN (Gubra Amylin NASH) diet high in fat, fructose and cholesterol for 12-72 weeks (n = 15 per group). Other GAN DIO-NASH-HCC mice fed the GAN diet for 54 weeks and with biopsy-confirmed NASH (NAFLD Activity Score ≥ 5) and advanced fibrosis (stage F3) received vehicle (n = 16), semaglutide (30 nmol/kg, s.c., n = 15), or lanifibranor (30 mg/kg, p.o., n = 15) once daily for 14 weeks. GAN DIO-NASH-HCC mice demonstrated progressive NASH, fibrosis and HCC burden. Tumors presented with histological and molecular signatures of poor prognostic HCC. Consistent with clinical trial outcomes in NASH patients, both lanifibranor and semaglutide improved NASH while only lanifibranor reduced fibrosis in GAN DIO-NASH-HCC mice. Notably, only semaglutide reduced tumor burden in GAN DIO-NASH-HCC mice. In conclusion, the GAN DIO-NASH-HCC mouse is a clinical translational model of NASH-HCC. Semaglutide improves both NASH and tumor burden in GAN DIO-NASH-HCC mice, highlighting the suitability of this preclinical model for profiling novel drug therapies targeting NASH-HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susanne Pors
- Gubra, Hørsholm Kongevej 11B, DK-2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | | | - Mogens Vyberg
- Center for RNA Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Denise Oró
- Gubra, Hørsholm Kongevej 11B, DK-2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael Feigh
- Gubra, Hørsholm Kongevej 11B, DK-2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
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14
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Itoh M, Tamura A, Kanai S, Tanaka M, Kanamori Y, Shirakawa I, Ito A, Oka Y, Hidaka I, Takami T, Honda Y, Maeda M, Saito Y, Murata Y, Matozaki T, Nakajima A, Kataoka Y, Ogi T, Ogawa Y, Suganami T. Lysosomal cholesterol overload in macrophages promotes liver fibrosis in a mouse model of NASH. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20220681. [PMID: 37725372 PMCID: PMC10506914 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20220681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of lipotoxic lipids, such as free cholesterol, induces hepatocyte death and subsequent inflammation and fibrosis in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We have previously reported that hepatocyte death locally induces phenotypic changes in the macrophages surrounding the corpse and remnant lipids, thereby promoting liver fibrosis in a murine model of NASH. Here, we demonstrated that lysosomal cholesterol overload triggers lysosomal dysfunction and profibrotic activation of macrophages during the development of NASH. β-cyclodextrin polyrotaxane (βCD-PRX), a unique supramolecule, is designed to elicit free cholesterol from lysosomes. Treatment with βCD-PRX ameliorated cholesterol accumulation and profibrotic activation of macrophages surrounding dead hepatocytes with cholesterol crystals, thereby suppressing liver fibrosis in a NASH model, without affecting the hepatic cholesterol levels. In vitro experiments revealed that cholesterol-induced lysosomal stress triggered profibrotic activation in macrophages predisposed to the steatotic microenvironment. This study provides evidence that dysregulated cholesterol metabolism in macrophages would be a novel mechanism of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiko Itoh
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Bioelectronics, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
- Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Kawasaki, Japan
- Department of Metabolic Syndrome and Nutritional Science, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tamura
- Department of Organic Biomaterials, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sayaka Kanai
- Department of Bioelectronics, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
- Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Miyako Tanaka
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Immunometabolism, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute of Nano-Life-Systems, Institutes of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yohei Kanamori
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ibuki Shirakawa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ayaka Ito
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Immunometabolism, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuyoshi Oka
- Department of Genetics, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Isao Hidaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Taro Takami
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Yasushi Honda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Mitsuyo Maeda
- Multi-Modal Microstructure Analysis Unit, RIKEN-JEOL Collaboration Center, Kobe, Japan
- Laboratory for Cellular Function Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Saito
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yoji Murata
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takashi Matozaki
- Division of Biosignal Regulation, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakajima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yosky Kataoka
- Multi-Modal Microstructure Analysis Unit, RIKEN-JEOL Collaboration Center, Kobe, Japan
- Laboratory for Cellular Function Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
| | - Tomoo Ogi
- Department of Genetics, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ogawa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Suganami
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Immunometabolism, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute of Nano-Life-Systems, Institutes of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research, Gifu University Institute for Advanced Study, Gifu, Japan
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15
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Wang S, Friedman SL. Found in translation-Fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadi0759. [PMID: 37792957 PMCID: PMC10671253 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi0759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a severe form of liver disease that poses a global health threat because of its potential to progress to advanced fibrosis, leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Recent advances in single-cell methodologies, refined disease models, and genetic and epigenetic insights have provided a nuanced understanding of MASH fibrogenesis, with substantial cellular heterogeneity in MASH livers providing potentially targetable cell-cell interactions and behavior. Unlike fibrogenesis, mechanisms underlying fibrosis regression in MASH are still inadequately understood, although antifibrotic targets have been recently identified. A refined antifibrotic treatment framework could lead to noninvasive assessment and targeted therapies that preserve hepatocellular function and restore the liver's architectural integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wang
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Scott L. Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
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16
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Hui ST, Gong L, Swichkow C, Blencowe M, Kaminska D, Diamante G, Pan C, Dalsania M, French SW, Magyar CE, Pajukanta P, Pihlajamäki J, Boström KI, Yang X, Lusis AJ. Role of Matrix Gla Protein in Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 16:943-960. [PMID: 37611662 PMCID: PMC10632746 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a complex disease involving both genetic and environmental factors in its onset and progression. We analyzed NASH phenotypes in a genetically diverse cohort of mice, the Hybrid Mouse Diversity Panel, to identify genes contributing to disease susceptibility. METHODS A "systems genetics" approach, involving integration of genetic, transcriptomic, and phenotypic data, was used to identify candidate genes and pathways in a mouse model of NASH. The causal role of Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) was validated using heterozygous MGP knockout (Mgp+/-) mice. The mechanistic role of MGP in transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling was examined in the LX-2 stellate cell line by using a loss of function approach. RESULTS Local cis-acting regulation of MGP was correlated with fibrosis, suggesting a causal role in NASH, and this was validated using loss of function experiments in 2 models of diet-induced NASH. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, Mgp was found to be primarily expressed in hepatic stellate cells and dendritic cells in mice. Knockdown of MGP expression in stellate LX-2 cells led to a blunted response to TGF-β stimulation. This was associated with reduced regulatory SMAD phosphorylation and TGF-β receptor ALK1 expression as well as increased expression of inhibitory SMAD6. Hepatic MGP expression was found to be significantly correlated with the severity of fibrosis in livers of patients with NASH, suggesting relevance to human disease. CONCLUSIONS MGP regulates liver fibrosis and TGF-β signaling in hepatic stellate cells and contributes to NASH pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon T Hui
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Lili Gong
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chantle Swichkow
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Montgomery Blencowe
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Dorota Kaminska
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Graciel Diamante
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Calvin Pan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Meet Dalsania
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Samuel W French
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Clara E Magyar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Päivi Pajukanta
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jussi Pihlajamäki
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Medicine, Endocrinology, and Clinical Nutrition, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kristina I Boström
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Xia Yang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Aldons J Lusis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
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17
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Wu R, Prachyathipsakul T, Zhuang J, Liu H, Han Y, Liu B, Gong S, Qiu J, Wong S, Ribbe A, Medeiros J, Bhagabati J, Gao J, Wu P, Dutta R, Herrera R, Faraci S, Xiao H, Thayumanavan S. Conferring liver selectivity to a thyromimetic using a novel nanoparticle increases therapeutic efficacy in a diet-induced obesity animal model. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad252. [PMID: 37649581 PMCID: PMC10465086 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Optimization of metabolic regulation is a promising solution for many pathologies, including obesity, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory liver disease. Synthetic thyroid hormone mimics-based regulation of metabolic balance in the liver showed promise but was hampered by the low biocompatibility and harmful effects on the extrahepatic axis. In this work, we show that specifically directing the thyromimetic to the liver utilizing a nanogel-based carrier substantially increased therapeutic efficacy in a diet-induced obesity mouse model, evidenced by the near-complete reversal of body weight gain, liver weight and inflammation, and cholesterol levels with no alteration in the thyroxine (T4) / thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) axis. Mechanistically, the drug acts by binding to thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ), a ligand-inducible transcription factor that interacts with thyroid hormone response elements and modulates target gene expression. The reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) pathway is specifically implicated in the observed therapeutic effect. Overall, the study demonstrates a unique approach to restoring metabolic regulation impacting obesity and related metabolic dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiling Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Theeraphop Prachyathipsakul
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Jiaming Zhuang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Hongxu Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Yanhui Han
- Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Shuai Gong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Jingyi Qiu
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Siu Wong
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Alexander Ribbe
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Jewel Medeiros
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Jayashree Bhagabati
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Jingjing Gao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Peidong Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Ranit Dutta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | | | | | - Hang Xiao
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - S Thayumanavan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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18
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Miyagawa S, Horie T, Nishino T, Koyama S, Watanabe T, Baba O, Yamasaki T, Sowa N, Otani C, Matsushita K, Kojima H, Kimura M, Nakashima Y, Obika S, Kasahara Y, Kotera J, Oka K, Fujita R, Sasaki T, Takemiya A, Hasegawa K, Kimura T, Ono K. Inhibition of microRNA-33b in humanized mice ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202301902. [PMID: 37263777 PMCID: PMC10235800 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202301902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in their advanced stages; however, there are currently no approved therapies. Here, we show that microRNA (miR)-33b in hepatocytes is critical for the development of NASH. miR-33b is located in the intron of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 and is abundantly expressed in humans, but absent in rodents. miR-33b knock-in (KI) mice, which have a miR-33b sequence in the same intron of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 as humans and express miR-33b similar to humans, exhibit NASH under high-fat diet feeding. This condition is ameliorated by hepatocyte-specific miR-33b deficiency but unaffected by macrophage-specific miR-33b deficiency. Anti-miR-33b oligonucleotide improves the phenotype of NASH in miR-33b KI mice fed a Gubra Amylin NASH diet, which induces miR-33b and worsens NASH more than a high-fat diet. Anti-miR-33b treatment reduces hepatic free cholesterol and triglyceride accumulation through up-regulation of the lipid metabolism-related target genes. Furthermore, it decreases the expression of fibrosis marker genes in cultured hepatic stellate cells. Thus, inhibition of miR-33b using nucleic acid medicine is a promising treatment for NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawa Miyagawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiro Horie
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Nishino
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi Koyama
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshimitsu Watanabe
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Osamu Baba
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Yamasaki
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naoya Sowa
- Division of Translational Research, National Hospital Organization, Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chiharu Otani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuki Matsushita
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hidenori Kojima
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kimura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Nakashima
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi Obika
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuuya Kasahara
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jun Kotera
- Sohyaku. Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Shonan Health Innovation Park, Fujisawa-shi, Japan
| | - Kozo Oka
- Sohyaku. Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Shonan Health Innovation Park, Fujisawa-shi, Japan
| | - Ryo Fujita
- Sohyaku. Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Shonan Health Innovation Park, Fujisawa-shi, Japan
| | - Takashi Sasaki
- Sohyaku. Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Shonan Health Innovation Park, Fujisawa-shi, Japan
| | - Akihiro Takemiya
- Sohyaku. Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Shonan Health Innovation Park, Fujisawa-shi, Japan
| | - Koji Hasegawa
- Division of Translational Research, National Hospital Organization, Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kimura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Koh Ono
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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19
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Li X, Lu Y, Liang X, Zhou X, Li D, Zhang Z, Niu Y, Liu S, Ye L, Zhang R. A new NASH model in aged mice with rapid progression of steatohepatitis and fibrosis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286257. [PMID: 37228085 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a high prevalence worldwide, with a significant proportion of patients progressing into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and further into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most of the current animal models of NASH have limitations, such as incompatibility with human pathogenesis characteristics or long induction periods, which severely limit the development of new drugs and preclinical studies for NASH. We investigated the progression of NASH and fibrosis, as well as metabolic indicators, at different time points in aged mice induced by the Gubra Amylin NASH (GAN) diet, a high-fat, high-sugar, high-cholesterol diet, and attempted to establish a rapid and useful mouse model of NASH. Young and aged C57BL/6 mice were induced on a normal chow or GAN diet for 12 and 21 weeks, respectively. After 12 weeks of induction, aged mice developed NASH, including hepatic steatosis, lobular inflammation and hepatic ballooning, and the phenotype was more severe compared with young mice. After 21 weeks of induction, aged mice developed hepatic fibrosis, which greatly shortened the induction time compared with young mice. Furthermore, analysis of immune cell infiltration in the liver by flow cytometry elucidated the changes of multiple immune cells during the pathogenesis of NASH. These findings suggest that aged mice may develop NASH and fibrosis more rapidly under GAN diet induction, which may significantly shorten the period for preclinical studies of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuecheng Li
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Liang
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Xiaofei Zhou
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Dirui Li
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Zan Zhang
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Yunchao Niu
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Shuaishuai Liu
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Ling Ye
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
| | - Rufeng Zhang
- Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, Daxing District, China
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20
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Panyod S, Wu WK, Peng SY, Tseng YJ, Hsieh YC, Chen RA, Huang HS, Chen YH, Chuang HL, Hsu CC, Shen TCD, Yang KC, Ho CT, Wu MS, Sheen LY. Ginger essential oil and citral ameliorates atherosclerosis in ApoE -/- mice by modulating trimethylamine-N-oxide and gut microbiota. NPJ Sci Food 2023; 7:19. [PMID: 37210385 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-023-00196-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the role of the gut microbiota in diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), has gained considerable research attention. Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), which is formed during ʟ-carnitine metabolism, promotes the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, causing thrombosis. Here, we elucidated the anti-atherosclerotic effect and mechanism of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) essential oil (GEO) and its bioactive compound citral in Gubra Amylin NASH (GAN) diet with ʟ-carnitine-induced atherosclerosis female ApoE-/- mice. Treatment with GEO at both low and high doses and citral inhibited the formation of aortic atherosclerotic lesions, improved plasma lipid profile, reduced blood sugar, improved insulin resistance, decreased plasma TMAO levels, and inhibited plasma inflammatory cytokines, especially interleukin-1β. Additionally, GEO and citral treatment modulated gut microbiota diversity and composition by increasing the abundance of beneficial microbes and decreasing the abundance of CVD-related microbes. Overall, these results showed that GEO and citral may serve as potential dietary supplements for CVD prevention by improving gut microbiota dysbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraphan Panyod
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wei-Kai Wu
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Sin-Yi Peng
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yea-Jing Tseng
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ya-Chi Hsieh
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Rou-An Chen
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Huai-Syuan Huang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Hsun Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsiao-Li Chuang
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Cheng-Chih Hsu
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ting-Chin David Shen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Kai-Chien Yang
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chi-Tang Ho
- Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Ming-Shiang Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Lee-Yan Sheen
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
- Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
- National Center for Food Safety Education and Research, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
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21
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Saenz M, McDonough JC, Bloom-Saldana E, Irimia JM, Cauble EL, Castillo A, Fueger PT, Treviño LS. Longitudinal analysis of a dietary mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.19.540989. [PMID: 37293034 PMCID: PMC10245692 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.19.540989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and resultant non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), incidence and prevalence are rising globally due to increasing rates of obesity and diabetes. Currently, there are no approved pharmacological treatments for NAFLD, highlighting a need for additional mechanistic studies to develop prevention and/or therapeutic strategies. Diet-induced preclinical models of NAFLD can be used to examine the dynamic changes that occur during NAFLD development and progression throughout the lifespan. To date, most studies utilizing such models have focused exclusively on terminal time points and have likely missed critical early and late changes that are important for NAFLD progression (i.e, worsening). We performed a longitudinal analysis of histopathological, biochemical, transcriptomic, and microbiome changes that occurred in adult male mice fed either a control diet or a NASH-promoting diet (high in fat, fructose, and cholesterol) for up to 30 weeks. We observed progressive development of NAFLD in mice fed the NASH diet compared to the control diet. Differential expression of immune-related genes was observed at an early stage of diet-induced NAFLD development (10 weeks) and persisted into the later stages of the disease (20 and 30 weeks). Differential expression of xenobiotic metabolism related genes was observed at the late stage of diet-induced NAFLD development (30 weeks). Microbiome analysis revealed an increased abundance of Bacteroides at an early stage (10 weeks) that persisted into the later stages of the disease (20 and 30 weeks). These data provide insight into the progressive changes that occur during NAFLD/NASH development and progression in the context of a typical Western diet. Furthermore, these data are consistent with what has been reported in patients with NAFLD/NASH, supporting the preclinical use of this diet-induced model for development of strategies to prevent or treat the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Saenz
- Center for Comparative Medicine, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Jillian C. McDonough
- Division of Health Inequities, Department of Population Sciences, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Elizabeth Bloom-Saldana
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
- Comprehensive Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Jose M. Irimia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
- Comprehensive Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Emily L. Cauble
- Division of Health Inequities, Department of Population Sciences, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Ashly Castillo
- Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy, Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Patrick T. Fueger
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
- Comprehensive Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
| | - Lindsey S. Treviño
- Division of Health Inequities, Department of Population Sciences, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
- Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
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22
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Camacho RC, Polidori D, Chen T, Chen B, Hsu HH, Gao B, Marella M, Lubomirski M, Beavers T, Cabrera J, Wong P, Nawrocki AR. Validation of a diet-induced Macaca fascicularis model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with dietary and pioglitazone interventions. Diabetes Obes Metab 2023; 25:1068-1079. [PMID: 36546607 DOI: 10.1111/dom.14955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIM To develop an obese, insulin-resistant cynomolgus monkey model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with fibrosis with a high fat/high cholesterol (HFHC) diet (with or without high fructose) and test its responsiveness to caloric restriction or pioglitazone. METHODS First, two groups of monkeys (n = 24/group) with histologically proven NASH and fibrosis were fed the HFHC diet for 17 weeks. The treatment group was subjected to a 40% caloric restriction (CR) and had their diet switched from the HFHC diet to a chow diet (DSCR). Paired liver biopsies were taken before and 17 weeks after DSCR. Subsets of monkeys (nine/group) had whole liver fat content assessed by MRI. Next, two groups of monkeys with histologically proven NASH and fibrosis were treated with vehicle (n = 9) or pioglitazone (n = 20) over 24 weeks. RESULTS The HFHC and DSCR groups lost 0.9% and 11.4% of body weight, respectively. After 17 weeks, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) improvement was observed in 66.7% of the DSCR group versus 12.5% of the HFHC group (P < .001). Hepatic fat was reduced to 5.2% in the DSCR group versus 23.0% in the HFHC group (P = .0001). After 24 weeks, NAS improvement was seen in 30% of the pioglitazone group versus 0% of the vehicle group (P = .08). CONCLUSIONS Both weight loss induced by DSCR and treatment with pioglitazone improve the histological features of NASH in a diet-induced cynomolgus monkey model. This model provides a translational preclinical model for testing novel NASH therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul C Camacho
- Cardiovascular Metabolism, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Polidori
- Cardiovascular Metabolism, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tao Chen
- Preclincial Sciences and Translational Safety, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Preclincial Sciences and Translational Safety, Shanghai, China
| | - Helen Han Hsu
- Preclincial Sciences and Translational Safety, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Translational Medicine and Early Development Statistics, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Mariusz Lubomirski
- Translational Medicine and Early Development Statistics, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Traymon Beavers
- Translational Medicine and Early Development Statistics, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Javier Cabrera
- Translational Medicine and Early Development Statistics, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peggy Wong
- Quantitative Sciences, Janssen R&D, Raritan, New Jersey, USA
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23
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Wang X, Wang L, Geng L, Tanaka N, Ye B. Resmetirom Ameliorates NASH-Model Mice by Suppressing STAT3 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways in an RGS5-Dependent Manner. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065843. [PMID: 36982915 PMCID: PMC10058113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Resmetirom, a liver-directed, orally active agonist of THR-β, could play a favorable role in treating NASH, but little is known about the underlying mechanism. A NASH cell model was established to test the preventive effect of resmetirom on this disease in vitro. RNA-seq was used for screening, and rescue experiments were performed to validate the target gene of the drug. A NASH mouse model was used to further elucidate the role and the underlying mechanism of resmetirom. Resmetirom effectively eliminated lipid accumulation and decreased triglyceride (TG) levels. In addition, repressed RGS5 in the NASH model could be recovered by resmetirom treatment. The silencing of RGS5 effectively impaired the role of resmetirom. In the NASH mouse model, obvious gray hepatization, liver fibrosis and inflammation, and increased macrophage infiltration were observed in liver tissues, while resmetirom almost returned them to normal conditions as observed in the control group. Pathological experimental data also confirmed that resmetirom has great potential in NASH treatment. Finally, RGS5 expression was suppressed in the NASH mouse model, but it was upregulated by resmetirom treatment, while the STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways were activated in NASH but inhibited by the agent. Resmetirom could improve NASH by recovering RGS5 expression and subsequently inactivating the STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/The Central Hospital of Lishui, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Liangjing Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Lin Geng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/The Central Hospital of Lishui, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Naoki Tanaka
- Department of Global Medical Research Promotion, Shinshu University Graduate School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
- International Relations Office, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
- Research Center for Social Systems, Shinshu University, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
| | - Bin Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/The Central Hospital of Lishui, Lishui 323000, China
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24
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Oates JR, Sawada K, Giles DA, Alarcon PC, Damen MS, Szabo S, Stankiewicz TE, Moreno-Fernandez ME, Divanovic S. Thermoneutral housing shapes hepatic inflammation and damage in mouse models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1095132. [PMID: 36875069 PMCID: PMC9982161 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1095132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Inflammation is a common unifying factor in experimental models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression. Recent evidence suggests that housing temperature-driven alterations in hepatic inflammation correlate with exacerbated hepatic steatosis, development of hepatic fibrosis, and hepatocellular damage in a model of high fat diet-driven NAFLD. However, the congruency of these findings across other, frequently employed, experimental mouse models of NAFLD has not been studied. Methods Here, we examine the impact of housing temperature on steatosis, hepatocellular damage, hepatic inflammation, and fibrosis in NASH diet, methionine and choline deficient diet, and western diet + carbon tetrachloride experimental models of NAFLD in C57BL/6 mice. Results We show that differences relevant to NAFLD pathology uncovered by thermoneutral housing include: (i) augmented NASH diet-driven hepatic immune cell accrual, exacerbated serum alanine transaminase levels and increased liver tissue damage as determined by NAFLD activity score; (ii) augmented methionine choline deficient diet-driven hepatic immune cell accrual and increased liver tissue damage as indicated by amplified hepatocellular ballooning, lobular inflammation, fibrosis and overall NAFLD activity score; and (iii) dampened western diet + carbon tetrachloride driven hepatic immune cell accrual and serum alanine aminotransferase levels but similar NAFLD activity score. Discussion Collectively, our findings demonstrate that thermoneutral housing has broad but divergent effects on hepatic immune cell inflammation and hepatocellular damage across existing experimental NAFLD models in mice. These insights may serve as a foundation for future mechanistic interrogations focused on immune cell function in shaping NAFLD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarren R. Oates
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Immunology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Keisuke Sawada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Immunology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Daniel A. Giles
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Immunology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Pablo C. Alarcon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Immunology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Michelle S.M.A. Damen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Sara Szabo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Pathology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Traci E. Stankiewicz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Maria E. Moreno-Fernandez
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Senad Divanovic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Immunology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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25
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Luukkonen PK, Sakuma I, Gaspar RC, Mooring M, Nasiri A, Kahn M, Zhang XM, Zhang D, Sammalkorpi H, Penttilä AK, Orho-Melander M, Arola J, Juuti A, Zhang X, Yimlamai D, Yki-Järvinen H, Petersen KF, Shulman GI. Inhibition of HSD17B13 protects against liver fibrosis by inhibition of pyrimidine catabolism in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2217543120. [PMID: 36669104 PMCID: PMC9942818 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217543120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, in which prognosis is determined by liver fibrosis. A common variant in hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13, rs72613567-A) is associated with a reduced risk of fibrosis in NAFLD, but the underlying mechanism(s) remains unclear. We investigated the effects of this variant in the human liver and in Hsd17b13 knockdown in mice by using a state-of-the-art metabolomics approach. We demonstrate that protection against liver fibrosis conferred by the HSD17B13 rs72613567-A variant in humans and by the Hsd17b13 knockdown in mice is associated with decreased pyrimidine catabolism at the level of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase. Furthermore, we show that hepatic pyrimidines are depleted in two distinct mouse models of NAFLD and that inhibition of pyrimidine catabolism by gimeracil phenocopies the HSD17B13-induced protection against liver fibrosis. Our data suggest pyrimidine catabolism as a therapeutic target against the development of liver fibrosis in NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panu K. Luukkonen
- aDepartment of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven06520, CT
- bAbdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki00290, Finland
- cMinerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki00290, Finland
| | - Ikki Sakuma
- aDepartment of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven06520, CT
| | - Rafael C. Gaspar
- aDepartment of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven06520, CT
| | - Meghan Mooring
- dDepartment of Pediatrics, The Yale Liver Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven06520, CT
| | - Ali Nasiri
- aDepartment of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven06520, CT
| | - Mario Kahn
- aDepartment of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven06520, CT
| | - Xian-Man Zhang
- aDepartment of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven06520, CT
| | - Dongyan Zhang
- aDepartment of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven06520, CT
| | - Henna Sammalkorpi
- eDepartment of Abdominal Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki00290, Finland
| | - Anne K. Penttilä
- eDepartment of Abdominal Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki00290, Finland
| | - Marju Orho-Melander
- fDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Diabetes and Endocrinology, University Hospital Malmö, Lund University, Malmö21428, Sweden
| | - Johanna Arola
- gDepartment of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki00290, Finland
| | - Anne Juuti
- eDepartment of Abdominal Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki00290, Finland
| | - Xuchen Zhang
- hDepartment of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven06520, CT
| | - Dean Yimlamai
- dDepartment of Pediatrics, The Yale Liver Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven06520, CT
| | - Hannele Yki-Järvinen
- cMinerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki00290, Finland
- iDepartment of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki00290, Finland
| | - Kitt Falk Petersen
- aDepartment of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven06520, CT
| | - Gerald I. Shulman
- aDepartment of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven06520, CT
- jDepartment of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven06520, CT
- 1To whom correspondence may be addressed.
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26
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Lee SM, Muratalla J, Karimi S, Diaz-Ruiz A, Frutos MD, Guzman G, Ramos-Molina B, Cordoba-Chacon J. Hepatocyte PPARγ contributes to the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in male and female obese mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:39. [PMID: 36629912 PMCID: PMC10082675 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04629-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with obesity and increased expression of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). However, the relevance of hepatocyte PPARγ in NASH associated with obesity is still poorly understood. In this study, hepatocyte PPARγ was knocked out (PpargΔHep) in male and female mice after the development of high-fat diet-induced obesity. The diet-induced obese mice were then maintained on their original diet or switched to a high fat, cholesterol, and fructose (HFCF) diet to induce NASH. Hepatic PPARγ expression was mostly derived from hepatocytes and increased by high fat diets. PpargΔHep reduced HFCF-induced NASH progression without altering steatosis, reduced the expression of key genes involved in hepatic fibrosis in HFCF-fed male and female mice, and decreased the area of collagen-stained fibrosis in the liver of HFCF-fed male mice. Moreover, transcriptomic and metabolomic data suggested that HFCF-diet regulated hepatic amino acid metabolism in a hepatocyte PPARγ-dependent manner. PpargΔHep increased betaine-homocysteine s-methyltransferase expression and reduced homocysteine levels in HFCF-fed male mice. In addition, in a cohort of 102 obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery with liver biopsies, 16 cases were scored with NASH and were associated with increased insulin resistance and hepatic PPARγ expression. Our study shows that hepatocyte PPARγ expression is associated with NASH in mice and humans. In male mice, hepatocyte PPARγ negatively regulates methionine metabolism and contributes to the progression of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel M Lee
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 S. Wolcott Ave (North Entrance) Suite E625, M/C 640, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jose Muratalla
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 S. Wolcott Ave (North Entrance) Suite E625, M/C 640, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Saman Karimi
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Maria Dolores Frutos
- Department of General and Digestive System Surgery, Virgen de La Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
| | - Grace Guzman
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Bruno Ramos-Molina
- Obesity and Metabolism Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), Murcia, Spain
| | - Jose Cordoba-Chacon
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 S. Wolcott Ave (North Entrance) Suite E625, M/C 640, Chicago, IL, USA.
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27
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Xue H, Xing HJ, Wang B, Fu C, Zhang YS, Qiao X, Guo C, Zhang XL, Hu B, Zhao X, Deng LJ, Zhu XC, Zhang Y, Liu YF. Cinchonine, a Potential Oral Small-Molecule Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist, Lowers Blood Glucose and Ameliorates Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis. Drug Des Devel Ther 2023; 17:1417-1432. [PMID: 37197367 PMCID: PMC10184894 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s404055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is an effective therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Research has focused on small-molecule GLP-1R agonists because of their ease of use in oral formulations and improved patient compliance. However, no small-molecule GLP-1R agonists are currently available in the market. We aimed to screen for a potential oral small-molecule GLP-1R agonist and evaluated its effect on blood glucose and NASH. Methods The Connectivity map database was used to screen for candidate small-molecule compounds. Molecular docking was performed using SYBYL software. Rat pancreatic islets were incubated in different concentrations glucose solutions, with cinchonine or Exendin (9-39) added to determine insulin secretion levels. C57BL/6 mice, GLP-1R-/- mice and hGLP-1R mice were used to conduct oral glucose tolerance test. In addition, we fed ob/ob mice with the GAN diet to induce the NASH model. Cinchonine (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) was administered orally twice daily to the mice. Serum liver enzymes were measured using biochemical analysis. Liver tissues were examined using Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Oil Red O staining and Sirius Red staining. Results Based on the small intestinal transcriptome of geniposide, a recognized small-molecule GLP-1R agonist, we identified that cinchonine exerted GLP-1R agonist-like effects. Cinchonine had a good binding affinity for GLP-1R. Cinchonine promoted glucose-dependent insulin secretion, which could be attenuated significantly by Exendin (9-39), a specific GLP-1R antagonist. Moreover, cinchonine could reduce blood glucose in C57BL/6 and hGLP-1R mice, an effect that could be inhibited with GLP-1R knockout. In addition, cinchonine reduced body weight gain and food intake in ob/ob-GAN NASH mice dose-dependently. 100 mg/kg cinchonine significantly improved liver function by reducing the ALT, ALP and LDH levels. Importantly, 100 mg/kg cinchonine ameliorated hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in NASH mice. Conclusion Cinchonine, a potential oral small-molecule GLP-1R agonist, could reduce blood glucose and ameliorate NASH, providing a strategy for developing small-molecule GLP-1R agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Xue
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao-Jie Xing
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Fu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu-Shan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi Qiao
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Li Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li-Jiao Deng
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Chan Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Yi Zhang; Yun-Feng Liu, Tel +86-18835102847; +86-18703416169, Email ;
| | - Yun-Feng Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China
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28
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Pharmacological inhibition of Lin28 promotes ketogenesis and restores lipid homeostasis in models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7940. [PMID: 36572670 PMCID: PMC9792516 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35481-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Lin28 RNA-binding proteins are stem-cell factors that play key roles in development. Lin28 suppresses the biogenesis of let-7 microRNAs and regulates mRNA translation. Notably, let-7 inhibits Lin28, establishing a double-negative feedback loop. The Lin28/let-7 axis resides at the interface of metabolic reprogramming and oncogenesis and is therefore a potential target for several diseases. In this study, we use compound-C1632, a drug-like Lin28 inhibitor, and show that the Lin28/let-7 axis regulates the balance between ketogenesis and lipogenesis in liver cells. Hence, Lin28 inhibition activates synthesis and secretion of ketone bodies whilst suppressing lipogenesis. This occurs at least partly via let-7-mediated inhibition of nuclear receptor co-repressor 1, which releases ketogenesis gene expression mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha. In this way, small-molecule Lin28 inhibition protects against lipid accumulation in multiple cellular and male mouse models of hepatic steatosis. Overall, this study highlights Lin28 inhibitors as candidates for the treatment of hepatic disorders of abnormal lipid deposition.
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29
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Coassolo L, Liu T, Jung Y, Taylor NP, Zhao M, Charville GW, Nissen SB, Yki-Jarvinen H, Altman RB, Svensson KJ. Mapping transcriptional heterogeneity and metabolic networks in fatty livers at single-cell resolution. iScience 2022; 26:105802. [PMID: 36636354 PMCID: PMC9830221 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a heterogeneous disease with unclear underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we perform single-cell RNA sequencing of hepatocytes and hepatic non-parenchymal cells to map the lipid signatures in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We uncover previously unidentified clusters of hepatocytes characterized by either high or low srebp1 expression. Surprisingly, the canonical lipid synthesis driver Srebp1 is not predictive of hepatic lipid accumulation, suggestive of other drivers of lipid metabolism. By combining transcriptional data at single-cell resolution with computational network analyses, we find that NAFLD is associated with high constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) expression. Mechanistically, CAR interacts with four functional modules: cholesterol homeostasis, bile acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and estrogen response. Nuclear expression of CAR positively correlates with steatohepatitis in human livers. These findings demonstrate significant cellular differences in lipid signatures and identify functional networks linked to hepatic steatosis in mice and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Coassolo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,Stanford Diabetes Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA
| | - Tianyun Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yunshin Jung
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,Stanford Diabetes Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nikki P. Taylor
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Meng Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,Stanford Diabetes Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA
| | - Gregory W. Charville
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Silas Boye Nissen
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Hannele Yki-Jarvinen
- Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland,Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Russ B. Altman
- Departments of Bioengineering, Genetics & Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Katrin J. Svensson
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,Stanford Diabetes Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA,Corresponding author
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Flessa CM, Nasiri-Ansari N, Kyrou I, Leca BM, Lianou M, Chatzigeorgiou A, Kaltsas G, Kassi E, Randeva HS. Genetic and Diet-Induced Animal Models for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Research. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415791. [PMID: 36555433 PMCID: PMC9780957 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A rapidly increasing incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is noted worldwide due to the adoption of western-type lifestyles and eating habits. This makes the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive the pathogenesis of this chronic disease and the development of newly approved treatments of utmost necessity. Animal models are indispensable tools for achieving these ends. Although the ideal mouse model for human NAFLD does not exist yet, several models have arisen with the combination of dietary interventions, genetic manipulations and/or administration of chemical substances. Herein, we present the most common mouse models used in the research of NAFLD, either for the whole disease spectrum or for a particular disease stage (e.g., non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each model, along with the challenges facing the researchers who aim to develop and use animal models for translational research in NAFLD. Based on these characteristics and the specific study aims/needs, researchers should select the most appropriate model with caution when translating results from animal to human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina-Maria Flessa
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Narjes Nasiri-Ansari
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Kyrou
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
- Aston Medical School, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Bianca M. Leca
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Maria Lianou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Chatzigeorgiou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Gregory Kaltsas
- Endocrine Unit, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Eva Kassi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Endocrine Unit, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (H.S.R.)
| | - Harpal S. Randeva
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (H.S.R.)
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Gallage S, Avila JEB, Ramadori P, Focaccia E, Rahbari M, Ali A, Malek NP, Anstee QM, Heikenwalder M. A researcher's guide to preclinical mouse NASH models. Nat Metab 2022; 4:1632-1649. [PMID: 36539621 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00700-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its inflammatory form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), have quickly risen to become the most prevalent chronic liver disease in the Western world and are risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is not only one of the most common cancers but is also highly lethal. Nevertheless, there are currently no clinically approved drugs for NAFLD, and NASH-induced HCC poses a unique metabolic microenvironment that may influence responsiveness to certain treatments. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the pathogenesis of this rampant disease to devise new therapies. In this line, preclinical mouse models are crucial tools to investigate mechanisms as well as novel treatment modalities during the pathogenesis of NASH and subsequent HCC in preparation for human clinical trials. Although, there are numerous genetically induced, diet-induced and toxin-induced models of NASH, not all of these models faithfully phenocopy and mirror the human pathology very well. In this Perspective, we shed some light onto the most widely used mouse models of NASH and highlight some of the key advantages and disadvantages of the various models with an emphasis on 'Western diets', which are increasingly recognized as some of the best models in recapitulating the human NASH pathology and comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchira Gallage
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- The M3 Research Institute, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Jose Efren Barragan Avila
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pierluigi Ramadori
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Enrico Focaccia
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mohammad Rahbari
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Adnan Ali
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nisar P Malek
- The M3 Research Institute, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department Internal Medicine I, Eberhard-Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Quentin M Anstee
- Newcastle NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- The M3 Research Institute, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
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Chua D, Low ZS, Cheam GX, Ng AS, Tan NS. Utility of Human Relevant Preclinical Animal Models in Navigating NAFLD to MAFLD Paradigm. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314762. [PMID: 36499091 PMCID: PMC9737809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty liver disease is an emerging contributor to disease burden worldwide. The past decades of work established the heterogeneous nature of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) etiology and systemic contributions to the pathogenesis of the disease. This called for the proposal of a redefinition in 2020 to that of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) to better reflect the current understanding of the disease. To date, several clinical cohort studies comparing NAFLD and MAFLD hint at the relevancy of the new nomenclature in enriching for patients with more severe hepatic injury and extrahepatic comorbidities. However, the underlying systemic pathogenesis is still not fully understood. Preclinical animal models have been imperative in elucidating key biological mechanisms in various contexts, including intrahepatic disease progression, interorgan crosstalk and systemic dysregulation. Furthermore, they are integral in developing novel therapeutics against MAFLD. However, substantial contextual variabilities exist across different models due to the lack of standardization in several aspects. As such, it is crucial to understand the strengths and weaknesses of existing models to better align them to the human condition. In this review, we consolidate the implications arising from the change in nomenclature and summarize MAFLD pathogenesis. Subsequently, we provide an updated evaluation of existing MAFLD preclinical models in alignment with the new definitions and perspectives to improve their translational relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Chua
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232, Singapore
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (N.S.T.); Tel.: +65-63162941 (N.S.T.); Fax: +65-67913856 (N.S.T.)
| | - Zun Siong Low
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Guo Xiang Cheam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Aik Seng Ng
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Nguan Soon Tan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (N.S.T.); Tel.: +65-63162941 (N.S.T.); Fax: +65-67913856 (N.S.T.)
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Vesting AJ, Jais A, Klemm P, Steuernagel L, Wienand P, Fog-Tonnesen M, Hvid H, Schumacher AL, Kukat C, Nolte H, Georgomanolis T, Altmüller J, Pasparakis M, Schmidt A, Krüger M, Supprian MS, Waisman A, Straub BK, Raschzok N, Bernier M, Birkenfeld AL, Hövelmeyer N, Brüning JC, Wunderlich FT. NIK/MAP3K14 in hepatocytes orchestrates NASH to hepatocellular carcinoma progression via JAK2/STAT5 inhibition. Mol Metab 2022; 66:101626. [PMID: 36356831 PMCID: PMC9676392 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranges from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which often progresses to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through a largely undefined mechanism. NASH and HCC depend on inflammatory signaling, whose master regulator is the NFκB transcription factor family, activated by canonical and non-canonical pathways. METHODS Here, we investigated non-canonical NFκB-inducing kinase (NIK/MAP3K14) in metabolic NASH, NASH to HCC transition, and DEN-induced HCC. To this end, we performed dietary and chemical interventions in mice that were analyzed via single nucleus sequencing, gene expression and histochemical methods. Ultimately, we verified our mouse results in human patient samples. RESULTS We revealed that hepatocyte-specific NIK deficiency (NIKLKO) ameliorated metabolic NASH complications and reduced hepatocarcinogenesis, independent of its role in the NFκB pathway. Instead, hepatic NIK attenuated hepatoprotective JAK2/STAT5 signaling that is a prerequisite for NASH and NASH to HCC progression in mice and humans. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest NIK-mediated inhibitory JAK2 phosphorylation at serine 633 that might be amenable for future therapeutic interventions in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Juliane Vesting
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany, Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924 Cologne, Germany, Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexander Jais
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany, Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924 Cologne, Germany, Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paul Klemm
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany, Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924 Cologne, Germany, Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lukas Steuernagel
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany, Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924 Cologne, Germany, Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Wienand
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany, Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924 Cologne, Germany, Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Morten Fog-Tonnesen
- Global Drug Discovery, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Maaloev, Denmark
| | - Henning Hvid
- Pathology & Imaging, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, DK-2760 Maaloev, Denmark
| | - Anna-Lena Schumacher
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9b, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Christian Kukat
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9b, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Hendrik Nolte
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9b, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Janine Altmüller
- University of Cologne, Cologne Center for Genomics, Cologne, Germany
| | - Manolis Pasparakis
- Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Andreas Schmidt
- Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Marc Schmidt Supprian
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, TranslaTUM, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, 81675 Munich, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ari Waisman
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Beate Katharina Straub
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Nathanael Raschzok
- General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, Charité-University School of Medicine, 13353 Berlin, Germany- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery, Campus Charité Mitte | Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany and Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Academy, Clinician Scientist Program, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michel Bernier
- Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andreas L Birkenfeld
- Internal Medicine IV, Clinic of Diabetology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Internal medicine IV, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine of the Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72016 Tübingen, Germany and Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases, Helmholtz Zentrum München an der Uniklinik Tübingen, Deutsches Zentrum für Diabetesforschung (DZD), Germany
| | - Nadine Hövelmeyer
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jens C Brüning
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany, Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924 Cologne, Germany, Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - F Thomas Wunderlich
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany, Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924 Cologne, Germany, Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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Phung HH, Lee CH. Mouse models of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and their application to new drug development. Arch Pharm Res 2022; 45:761-794. [DOI: 10.1007/s12272-022-01410-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Heredia JE, Sorenson C, Flanagan S, Nunez V, Jones C, Martzall A, Leong L, Martinez AP, Scherl A, Brightbill HD, Ghilardi N, Ding N. IL-23 signaling is not an important driver of liver inflammation and fibrosis in murine non-alcoholic steatohepatitis models. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274582. [PMID: 36107926 PMCID: PMC9477333 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), represents an unmet medical need that can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which, without intervention, can result in the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Inflammation is a pathological hallmark of NASH, and targeting key inflammatory mediators of NASH may lead to potential therapeutics for the disease. Herein, we aimed to investigate the role of IL-23 signaling in NASH progression in murine models. We showed that recombinant IL-23 can promote IL-17 producing cell expansion in the liver and that these cells are predominately γδ T cells and Mucosal Associated Invariant T cells (MAITs). Reciprocally, we found that IL-23 signaling is necessary for the expansion of γδ T cells and MAIT cells in the western diet (WD) diet induced NASH model. However, we did not observe any significant differences in liver inflammation and fibrosis between wild type and Il23r-/- mice in the same NASH model. Furthermore, we found that Il23r deletion does not impact liver inflammation and fibrosis in the choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined and high-fat diet (CDA-HFD) induced NASH model. Based on these findings, we therefore propose that IL-23 signaling is not necessary for NASH pathogenesis in preclinical models and targeting this pathway alone may not be an effective therapeutic approach to ameliorate the disease progression in NASH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose E. Heredia
- Department of Discovery Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Clara Sorenson
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Sean Flanagan
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Victor Nunez
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Charles Jones
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Angela Martzall
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Laurie Leong
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Andres Paler Martinez
- Department of Discovery Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Alexis Scherl
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Hans D. Brightbill
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Nico Ghilardi
- Department of Discovery Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Ning Ding
- Department of Discovery Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Phillips BE, Lantier L, Engman C, Garciafigueroa Y, Singhi A, Trucco M, Mantzoros C, Wasserman D, Giannoukakis N. Improvement in insulin sensitivity and prevention of high fat diet-induced liver pathology using a CXCR2 antagonist. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2022; 21:130. [PMID: 35831885 PMCID: PMC9277870 DOI: 10.1186/s12933-022-01564-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver pathology (LP) characteristic of non-alcoholic fatty acid disease (NAFLD)/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a prevalent co-morbidity of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Accumulating evidence indicates that neutrophils driving insulin resistance (IR), including hepatic IR, precipitate T2D-associated NAFLD/NASH. We hypothesized that targeting neutrophil accumulation into insulin-sensitive tissues in mice using a CXCR2 antagonist under T2D-precipitating high fat diet (HFD) could improve insulin sensitivity and prevent the progression towards liver pathology reminiscent of NAFLD/NASH. METHODS Mice were age-matched and on standard rodent chow prior to 1:1 randomization into control and HFD formulated with the CXCR2 antagonist AZD5069 or with biologically inactive substitute. They were monitored for metabolic changes including insulin sensitivity using the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and hepatic histopathologic evaluation in H&E-stained sections as well as via immunofluorescence microscopy of liver sections for leukocyte markers, collagen 1A1 formation, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), and galectin-3 expression, for 16 weeks. Statistical tests used to determine significant differences among study groups and outcomes include Student's t-test, one-way ANOVA, repeated measures two-way ANOVA, and Fisher's exact test, depending on the analytical question. RESULTS Compared to mice on HFD, mice in the AZD5069-formulated HFD exhibited improved insulin sensitivity, a modest reduction in weight gain, and a significant improvement in LP and markers related to NAFLD/NASH. Mice in the AZD5069-formulated HFD also exhibited reduced neutrophil accumulation into the liver at the end of the 16 week study period. CONCLUSIONS These results show, for the first time, the effectiveness of a selective CXCR2 antagonist to improve insulin sensitivity, concomitantly preventing the progression towards LP characteristic of NAFLD/NASH. This represents a novel approach to target IR and developing LP under T2D-susceptible conditions using a single agent. Furthermore, our data extend the growing evidence in support of neutrophils as a leukocyte population that imprints and maintains a chronic inflammatory state in the progression of dysregulated metabolism in liver-specific co-morbid conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett E. Phillips
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network, 11th Floor South Tower, 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA S15212 USA
| | - Louise Lantier
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University., Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Carl Engman
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network, 11th Floor South Tower, 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA S15212 USA
| | - Yesica Garciafigueroa
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network, 11th Floor South Tower, 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA S15212 USA
| | - Aatur Singhi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Room A616.2, UPMC Presbyterian, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
| | - Massimo Trucco
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network, 11th Floor South Tower, 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA S15212 USA
| | - Christos Mantzoros
- Section of Endocrinology, VA Boston Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - David Wasserman
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University., Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Nick Giannoukakis
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network, 11th Floor South Tower, 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA S15212 USA
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Cao Y, Shi J, Song L, Xu J, Lu H, Sun J, Hou J, Chen J, Wu W, Gong L. Multi-Omics Integration Analysis Identifies Lipid Disorder of a Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Mouse Model Improved by Zexie–Baizhu Decoction. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:858795. [PMID: 35795562 PMCID: PMC9251488 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.858795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly epidemic metabolic disease with complex pathogenesis. Multi-target therapy may be an effective strategy for NAFLD treatment, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) characterized by multi-ingredients and multi-targets has unique advantages in long-term clinical practice. Zexie–Baizhu (ZXBZ) decoction is a Chinese classical formula to treat body fluid disorders initially. Although many bioactive monomers from Zexie and Baizhu had been discovered to improve lipid disorders, limited research studies were focused on the aqueous decoction of ZXBZ, the original clinical formulation. In the current study, we identified 94% chemical composition of ZXBZ decoction and first discovered its hepaprotective effect in a gubra-amylin NASH (GAN) diet-induced NAFLD mouse model. Based on metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses, we speculated that lipid and glucose metabolisms might be regulated by ZXBZ decoction, which was further confirmed by improved dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis in ZXBZ groups. Consistently with cross-omics analysis, we discovered ZXBZ decoction could influence two energy sensors, Sirt1 and AMPK, and subsequently affect related proteins involved in lipid biosynthesis, catabolism, and transport. In conclusion, ZXBZ decoction regulated energy sensors, consequently impeded lipogenesis, and promoted fatty acid oxidation (FAO) to alleviate lipid disorders and protect the liver in NAFLD models, which suggested ZXBZ decoction might be a promising treatment for NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jingying Shi
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Luyao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junjiu Xu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Henglei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianhua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinjun Hou
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Likun Gong, ; Wanying Wu, ; Jing Chen, ; Jinjun Hou,
| | - Jing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Likun Gong, ; Wanying Wu, ; Jing Chen, ; Jinjun Hou,
| | - Wanying Wu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Research Center of TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Likun Gong, ; Wanying Wu, ; Jing Chen, ; Jinjun Hou,
| | - Likun Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Likun Gong, ; Wanying Wu, ; Jing Chen, ; Jinjun Hou,
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38
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Yang W, Guo R, Pi A, Ding Q, Hao L, Song Q, Chen L, Dou X, Na L, Li S. Long non-coding RNA-EN_181 potentially contributes to the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice. Br J Nutr 2022; 129:1-15. [PMID: 35710106 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114522001829] [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: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) possesses a strong capability to ameliorate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice, but the underlying mechanism is still unknown. Our study aimed to clarify the involvement of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in the beneficial effects of NAC on HFD-induced NAFLD. C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal-fat diet (10 % fat), a HFD (45 % fat) or a HFD plus NAC (2 g/l). After 14-week of intervention, NAC rescued the deleterious alterations induced by HFD, including the changes in body and liver weights, hepatic TAG, plasma alanine aminotransferase, plasma aspartate transaminase and liver histomorphology (haematoxylin and eosin and Oil red O staining). Through whole-transcriptome sequencing, 52 167 (50 758 known and 1409 novel) hepatic lncRNA were detected. Our cross-comparison data revealed the expression of 175 lncRNA was changed by HFD but reversed by NAC. Five of those lncRNA, lncRNA-NONMMUT148902·1 (NO_902·1), lncRNA-XR_001781798·1 (XR_798·1), lncRNA-NONMMUT141720·1 (NO_720·1), lncRNA-XR_869907·1 (XR_907·1), and lncRNA-ENSMUST00000132181 (EN_181), were selected based on an absolute log2 fold change value of greater than 4, P-value < 0·01 and P-adjusted value < 0·01. Further qRT-PCR analysis showed the levels of lncRNA-NO_902·1, lncRNA-XR_798·1, and lncRNA-EN_181 were decreased by HFD but restored by NAC, consistent with the RNA sequencing. Finally, we constructed a ceRNA network containing lncRNA-EN_181, 3 miRNA, and 13 mRNA, which was associated with the NAC-ameliorated NAFLD. Overall, lncRNA-EN_181 might be a potential target in NAC-ameliorated NAFLD. This finding enhanced our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial role of NAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Yang
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Guo
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Aiwen Pi
- School of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinchao Ding
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Liuyi Hao
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Song
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Chen
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobing Dou
- School of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixin Na
- Public Health College, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai201318, People's Republic of China
| | - Songtao Li
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou310053, People's Republic of China
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310053, People's Republic of China
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Hamada S, Takata T, Yamada K, Yamamoto M, Mae Y, Iyama T, Ikeda S, Kanda T, Sugihara T, Isomoto H. Steatosis is involved in the progression of kidney disease in a high-fat-diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis mouse model. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265461. [PMID: 35294499 PMCID: PMC8926260 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are major health issues associated with the metabolic syndrome. Although NASH is a known risk factor of CKD, the mechanisms linking these two diseases remain poorly understood. We aimed to investigate alterations in the kidney complicated with dyslipidemia in an established NASH mouse model. Male C57BL6/J mice were fed with control diet or high-fat diet (HFD), containing 40% fat, 22% fructose, and 2% cholesterol for 16 weeks. Metabolic characteristics, histological changes in the kidney, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, apoptosis, and fibrosis were evaluated by histological analysis, immunoblotting, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkali-phosphatase, total cholesterol, and urinary albumin were significantly higher in mice fed with HFD. Remarkable steatosis, glomerular hypertrophy, and interstitial fibrosis were also shown in in the kidney by leveraging HFD. Furthermore, HFD increased the mRNA expression levels of Casp3, Tgfb1, and Nfe2l2 and the protein level of BiP. We observed the early changes of CKD and speculate that the underlying mechanisms that link CKD and NASH are the induction of ER stress and apoptosis. Further, we observed the activation of Nfe2l2 in the steatosis-induced CKD mouse model. This NASH model holds implications in investigating the mechanisms linking dyslipidemia and CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shintaro Hamada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Takata
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Kentaro Yamada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Marie Yamamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Yukari Mae
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Takuji Iyama
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Suguru Ikeda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kanda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Takaaki Sugihara
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Hajime Isomoto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
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Griffett K, Hayes ME, Boeckman MP, Burris TP. The role of REV-ERB in NASH. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:1133-1140. [PMID: 35217816 PMCID: PMC9061770 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-00883-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
REV-ERBs are atypical nuclear receptors as they function as ligand-regulated transcriptional repressors. The natural ligand for the REV-ERBs (REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ) is heme, and heme-binding results in recruitment of transcriptional corepressor proteins such as N-CoR that mediates repression of REV-ERB target genes. These two receptors regulate a large range of physiological processes including several important in the pathophysiology of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). These include carbohydrate and lipid metabolism as well as inflammatory pathways. A number of synthetic REV-ERB agonists have been developed as chemical tools and they show efficacy in animal models of NASH. Here, we will review the functions of REV-ERB with regard to their relevance to NASH as well as the potential to target REV-ERB for treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Griffett
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University in St. Louis and University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Matthew E Hayes
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Michael P Boeckman
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University in St. Louis and University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Thomas P Burris
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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41
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Tsukahara Y, Ferran B, Minetti ET, Chong BSH, Gower AC, Bachschmid MM, Matsui R. Administration of Glutaredoxin-1 Attenuates Liver Fibrosis Caused by Aging and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:867. [PMID: 35624731 PMCID: PMC9138033 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11050867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a sign of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression towards steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis and is accelerated by aging. Glutaredoxin-1 (Glrx) controls redox signaling by reversing protein S-glutathionylation, induced by oxidative stress, and its deletion causes fatty liver in mice. Although Glrx regulates various pathways, including metabolism and apoptosis, the impact of Glrx on liver fibrosis has not been studied. Therefore, we evaluated the role of Glrx in liver fibrosis induced by aging or by a high-fat, high-fructose diet. We found that: (1) upregulation of Glrx expression level inhibits age-induced hepatic apoptosis and liver fibrosis. In vitro studies indicate that Glrx regulates Fas-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes; (2) diet-induced NASH leads to reduced expression of Glrx and higher levels of S-glutathionylated proteins in the liver. In the NASH model, hepatocyte-specific adeno-associated virus-mediated Glrx overexpression (AAV-Hep-Glrx) suppresses fibrosis and apoptosis and improves liver function; (3) AAV-Hep-Glrx significantly inhibits transcription of Zbtb16 and negatively regulates immune pathways in the NASH liver. In conclusion, the upregulation of Glrx is a potential therapeutic for the reversal of NASH progression by attenuating inflammatory and fibrotic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Tsukahara
- Vascular Biology Section, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Y.T.); (B.F.); (E.T.M.); (B.S.H.C.); (M.M.B.)
| | - Beatriz Ferran
- Vascular Biology Section, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Y.T.); (B.F.); (E.T.M.); (B.S.H.C.); (M.M.B.)
| | - Erika T. Minetti
- Vascular Biology Section, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Y.T.); (B.F.); (E.T.M.); (B.S.H.C.); (M.M.B.)
| | - Brian S. H. Chong
- Vascular Biology Section, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Y.T.); (B.F.); (E.T.M.); (B.S.H.C.); (M.M.B.)
| | - Adam C. Gower
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
| | - Markus M. Bachschmid
- Vascular Biology Section, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Y.T.); (B.F.); (E.T.M.); (B.S.H.C.); (M.M.B.)
| | - Reiko Matsui
- Vascular Biology Section, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Y.T.); (B.F.); (E.T.M.); (B.S.H.C.); (M.M.B.)
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42
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Nestor JJ, Parkes D, Feigh M, Suschak JJ, Harris MS. Effects of ALT-801, a GLP-1 and glucagon receptor dual agonist, in a translational mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6666. [PMID: 35461369 PMCID: PMC9035150 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10577-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Body weight loss of ≥ 10% improves the metabolic derangements and liver disease in the majority of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients, suggesting metabolic modulators may be effective in controlling disease. The pharmacodynamics of ALT-801, a GLP-1/glucagon receptor dual agonist optimized for NASH and weight loss, were compared to semaglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist) and elafibranor (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, PPAR-α/δ, agonist) in a biopsy-confirmed, diet-induced obese (DIO) mouse model of NASH (DIO-NASH). Male C57BL/6J mice were fed Amylin Liver NASH (AMLN) diet for 32 weeks. Animals with biopsy-confirmed steatosis and fibrosis received ALT-801, semaglutide, elafibranor, or vehicle daily for 12 weeks while maintained on the AMLN diet. Study endpoints included body and liver weight, liver and plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides, plasma aminotransferases, histological analysis of liver steatosis, inflammation (galectin-3) and fibrosis (collagen type 1 alpha 1), and evaluation of individual animal changes in composite Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Activity Score (NAS), and fibrosis stage. ALT-801 demonstrated significant reductions in body weight (approx. 25%), plasma aminotransferases, plasma total cholesterol and liver triglycerides/total cholesterol in conjunction with improved liver steatosis, with greater reductions (p < 0.05) compared to semaglutide and elafibranor. ALT-801 significantly reduced the inflammation marker galectin-3 and the fibrosis marker collagen type 1 alpha 1 vs. vehicle (p < 0.05), with ALT-801 producing greater reductions in galectin-3 vs. elafibranor (p < 0.05). Importantly, all animals treated with ALT-801 significantly improved composite NAS compared to the active controls. This study provides evidence for a potential role for ALT-801 in the therapeutic treatment of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Nestor
- Altimmune Inc, 910 Clopper Road, Suite 201S, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - David Parkes
- DGP Scientific Inc., 156 Melanie Way, Del Mar, CA, 92014, USA
| | - Michael Feigh
- Gubra Aps, Hørsholm Kongevej 11B, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - John J Suschak
- Altimmune Inc, 910 Clopper Road, Suite 201S, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - M Scott Harris
- Altimmune Inc, 910 Clopper Road, Suite 201S, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA.
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43
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Gosis BS, Wada S, Thorsheim C, Li K, Jung S, Rhoades JH, Yang Y, Brandimarto J, Li L, Uehara K, Jang C, Lanza M, Sanford NB, Bornstein MR, Jeong S, Titchenell PM, Biddinger SB, Arany Z. Inhibition of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice by selective inhibition of mTORC1. Science 2022; 376:eabf8271. [PMID: 35420934 PMCID: PMC9811404 DOI: 10.1126/science.abf8271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remain without effective therapies. The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway is a potential therapeutic target, but conflicting interpretations have been proposed for how mTORC1 controls lipid homeostasis. We show that selective inhibition of mTORC1 signaling in mice, through deletion of the RagC/D guanosine triphosphatase-activating protein folliculin (FLCN), promotes activation of transcription factor E3 (TFE3) in the liver without affecting other mTORC1 targets and protects against NAFLD and NASH. Disease protection is mediated by TFE3, which both induces lipid consumption and suppresses anabolic lipogenesis. TFE3 inhibits lipogenesis by suppressing proteolytic processing and activation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and by interacting with SREBP-1c on chromatin. Our data reconcile previously conflicting studies and identify selective inhibition of mTORC1 as a potential approach to treat NASH and NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget S Gosis
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shogo Wada
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chelsea Thorsheim
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kristina Li
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sunhee Jung
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Joshua H Rhoades
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yifan Yang
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Brandimarto
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Li Li
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kahealani Uehara
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Cholsoon Jang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Matthew Lanza
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nathan B Sanford
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marc R Bornstein
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sunhye Jeong
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Paul M Titchenell
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sudha B Biddinger
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zoltan Arany
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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44
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Martin-Grau M, Marrachelli VG, Monleon D. Rodent models and metabolomics in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: What can we learn? World J Hepatol 2022; 14:304-318. [PMID: 35317178 PMCID: PMC8891675 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i2.304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevalence has increased drastically in recent decades, affecting up to 25% of the world’s population. NAFLD is a spectrum of different diseases that starts with asymptomatic steatosis and continues with development of an inflammatory response called steatohepatitis, which can progress to fibrosis. Several molecular and metabolic changes are required for the hepatocyte to finally vary its function; hence a “multiple hit” hypothesis seems a more accurate proposal. Previous studies and current knowledge suggest that in most cases, NAFLD initiates and progresses through most of nine hallmarks of the disease, although the triggers and mechanisms for these can vary widely. The use of animal models remains crucial for understanding the disease and for developing tools based on biological knowledge. Among certain requirements to be met, a good model must imitate certain aspects of the human NAFLD disorder, be reliable and reproducible, have low mortality, and be compatible with a simple and feasible method. Metabolism studies in these models provides a direct reflection of the workings of the cell and may be a useful approach to better understand the initiation and progression of the disease. Metabolomics seems a valid tool for studying metabolic pathways and crosstalk between organs affected in animal models of NAFLD and for the discovery and validation of relevant biomarkers with biological understanding. In this review, we provide a brief introduction to NAFLD hallmarks, the five groups of animal models available for studying NAFLD and the potential role of metabolomics in the study of experimental NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Martin-Grau
- Department of Pathology, University of Valencia, Valencia 46010, Spain
| | - Vannina G Marrachelli
- Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, Valencia 46010, Spain
- Health Research Institute INCLIVA, Valencia 46010, Spain
| | - Daniel Monleon
- Department of Pathology, University of Valencia, Valencia 46010, Spain
- Health Research Institute INCLIVA, Valencia 46010, Spain
- CIBER de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERfes), Madrid 28029, Spain
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Møllerhøj MB, Veidal SS, Thrane KT, Oró D, Overgaard A, Salinas CG, Madsen MR, Pfisterer L, Vyberg M, Simon E, Broermann A, Vrang N, Jelsing J, Feigh M, Hansen HH. Hepatoprotective effects of semaglutide, lanifibranor and dietary intervention in the GAN diet‐induced obese and biopsy‐confirmed mouse model of NASH. Clin Transl Sci 2022; 15:1167-1186. [PMID: 35143711 PMCID: PMC9099137 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has emerged as a major challenge for public health because of high global prevalence and lack of evidence‐based therapies. Most animal models of NASH lack sufficient validation regarding disease progression and pharmacological treatment. The Gubra‐Amylin NASH (GAN) diet‐induced obese (DIO) mouse demonstrate clinical translatability with respect to disease etiology and hallmarks of NASH. This study aimed to evaluate disease progression and responsiveness to clinically effective interventions in GAN DIO‐NASH mice. Disease phenotyping was performed in male C57BL/6J mice fed the GAN diet high in fat, fructose, and cholesterol for 28–88 weeks. GAN DIO‐NASH mice with biopsy‐confirmed NASH and fibrosis received low‐caloric dietary intervention, semaglutide (30 nmol/kg/day, s.c.) or lanifibranor (30 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. Within‐subject change in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Activity Score (NAS) and fibrosis stage was evaluated using automated deep learning‐based image analysis. GAN DIO‐NASH mice showed clear and reproducible progression in NASH, fibrosis stage, and tumor burden with high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Consistent with clinical trial outcomes, semaglutide and lanifibranor improved NAS, whereas only lanifibranor induced regression in the fibrosis stage. Dietary intervention also demonstrated substantial benefits on metabolic outcomes and liver histology. Differential therapeutic efficacy of semaglutide, lanifibranor, and dietary intervention was supported by quantitative histology, RNA sequencing, and blood/liver biochemistry. In conclusion, the GAN DIO‐NASH mouse model recapitulates various histological stages of NASH and faithfully reproduces histological efficacy profiles of compounds in advanced clinical development for NASH. Collectively, these features highlight the utility of GAN DIO‐NASH mice in preclinical drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Denise Oró
- Gubra, Hørsholm Kongevej 11B, DK‐2970 Hørsholm Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Larissa Pfisterer
- Boehringer‐Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Str. 65, 88397, Biberach an der Riss Germany
| | - Mogens Vyberg
- Center for RNA Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Eric Simon
- Boehringer‐Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Str. 65, 88397, Biberach an der Riss Germany
| | - Andre Broermann
- Boehringer‐Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Str. 65, 88397, Biberach an der Riss Germany
| | - Niels Vrang
- Gubra, Hørsholm Kongevej 11B, DK‐2970 Hørsholm Denmark
| | - Jacob Jelsing
- Gubra, Hørsholm Kongevej 11B, DK‐2970 Hørsholm Denmark
| | - Michael Feigh
- Gubra, Hørsholm Kongevej 11B, DK‐2970 Hørsholm Denmark
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Li H, Wang Q, Chen P, Zhou C, Zhang X, Chen L. Ursodeoxycholic Acid Treatment Restores Gut Microbiota and Alleviates Liver Inflammation in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitic Mouse Model. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:788558. [PMID: 34938193 PMCID: PMC8685972 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.788558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota dysbiosis plays an important role in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and no approved drugs are available for NAFLD treatment. In this study, we aimed to explore the dynamic changes of gut microbiota at the different stages of NAFLD and determine whether ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) could improve liver histopathological features of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mice induced by a high-fat high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet and its impact on gut microbiota. 6-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed with a HFHC or normal diet for 12, 18, and 24 weeks, respectively, to simulate the different stages of NAFLD. 16s ribosomal RNA genes from mice fecal samples at the different time points were sequenced to evaluate the dynamic changes of the gut microbiota. Then, C57BL/6 mice were fed with a HFHC diet for 24 weeks to establish the NASH model. Different doses of UDCA were administered intragastrically for additional 4 weeks. Normal diet-fed mice were taken as control. Serum samples, liver, and intestine tissues were harvested for biochemical tests and histopathological examinations. 16s ribosomal RNA genes from mice fecal samples were sequenced to assess the structural changes of gut microbiota. HFHC diet-fed mice developed simple steatosis, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis at 12, 18, and 24 weeks, respectively. The profile of gut microbiota dynamically changed with the different stages of NAFLD. NASH mice had significantly higher abundance of Fecalibaculum, Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002, and Enterorhabdus, and lower abundance of norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Bacteroides, and Alistipes, which were partially restored by UDCA treatment. UDCA treatment significantly attenuated hepatic inflammation of NASH mice as indicated by the sum of ballooning and lobular inflammation of the NALFD activity score (3.2 ± 0.8 vs 1.8 ± 0.8, p = 0.029), and partially restored gut microbiota dysbiosis, and increased the expression of Claudin-1 and ZO-1 in the intestine, but did not activate the suppressed Farnesoid X receptor signal pathway. Conclusions: The gut microbiota dynamically changes with the different stages of NAFLD. UDCA treatment (120 mg/kg) could partially restore gut microbiota, repair gut barrier integrity, and attenuate hepatic inflammation in the NASH mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Infectious Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People`s Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingling Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Infectious Disease, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Peizhan Chen
- Central Laboratory, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenghua Zhou
- Central Laboratory, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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47
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Zhou F, Sun X. Cholesterol Metabolism: A Double-Edged Sword in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:762828. [PMID: 34869352 PMCID: PMC8635701 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.762828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The rising incidence of metabolic syndrome and its hepatic manifestation, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), have emerged as the fastest-growing cause of HCC in recent years. Cholesterol, a major lipid component of the cell membrane and lipoprotein particles, is primarily produced and metabolized by the liver. Numerous studies have revealed an increased cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake, reduced cholesterol exportation and excretion in HCC, which all contribute to lipotoxicity, inflammation, and fibrosis, known HCC risk factors. In contrast, some clinical studies have shown that higher cholesterol is associated with a reduced risk of HCC. These contradictory observations imply that the relationship between cholesterol and HCC is far more complex than initially anticipated. Understanding the role of cholesterol and deciphering the underlying molecular events in HCC development is highly relevant to developing new therapies. Here, we discuss the current understanding of cholesterol metabolism in the pathogenesis of NAFLD-associated HCC, and the underlying mechanisms, including the roles of cholesterol in the disruption of normal function of specific cell types and signaling transduction. We also review the clinical progression in evaluating the association of cholesterol with HCC. The therapeutic effects of lowering cholesterol will also be summarized. We also interpret reasons for the contradictory observations from different preclinical and human studies of the roles of cholesterol in HCC, aiming to provide a critical assessment of the potential of cholesterol as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangli Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoli Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Mays Cancer Center, Transplant Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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Radhakrishnan S, Yeung SF, Ke JY, Antunes MM, Pellizzon MA. Considerations When Choosing High-Fat, High-Fructose, and High-Cholesterol Diets to Induce Experimental Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Laboratory Animal Models. Curr Dev Nutr 2021; 5:nzab138. [PMID: 34993389 PMCID: PMC8718327 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzab138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is intricately linked to metabolic disease (including obesity, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance) and encompasses a spectrum of disorders including steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and fibrosis. Rodents consuming high-fat (HF; ∼40 kcal% fat including fats containing higher concentrations of saturated and trans fats), high-fructose (HFr), and high-cholesterol (HC) diets display many clinically relevant characteristics of NASH, along with other metabolic disorders. C57BL/6 mice are the most commonly used animal model because they can develop significant metabolic disorders including severe NASH with fibrosis after months of feeding, but other models also are susceptible. The significant number of diets that contain these different factors (i.e., HF, HFr, and HC), either alone or in combination, makes the choice of diet difficult. This methodology review describes the efficacy of these nutrient manipulations on the NAFLD phenotype in mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, and nonhuman primates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jia-Yu Ke
- Research Diets, Inc., New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Maísa M Antunes
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Holzner LMW, Murray AJ. Hypoxia-Inducible Factors as Key Players in the Pathogenesis of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:753268. [PMID: 34692739 PMCID: PMC8526542 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.753268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more severe form non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are a major public health concern with high and increasing global prevalence, and a significant disease burden owing to its progression to more severe forms of liver disease and the associated risk of cardiovascular disease. Treatment options, however, remain scarce, and a better understanding of the pathological and physiological processes involved could enable the development of new therapeutic strategies. One process implicated in the pathology of NAFLD and NASH is cellular oxygen sensing, coordinated largely by the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) family of transcription factors. Activation of HIFs has been demonstrated in patients and mouse models of NAFLD and NASH and studies of activation and inhibition of HIFs using pharmacological and genetic tools point toward important roles for these transcription factors in modulating central aspects of the disease. HIFs appear to act in several cell types in the liver to worsen steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, but may nevertheless improve insulin sensitivity. Moreover, in liver and other tissues, HIF activation alters mitochondrial respiratory function and metabolism, having an impact on energetic and redox homeostasis. This article aims to provide an overview of current understanding of the roles of HIFs in NAFLD, highlighting areas where further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz M W Holzner
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Murray
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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50
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Han J, Guo X, Koyama T, Kawai D, Zhang J, Yamaguchi R, Zhou X, Motoo Y, Satoh T, Yamada S. Zonarol Protected Liver from Methionine- and Choline-Deficient Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a Mouse Model. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13103455. [PMID: 34684455 PMCID: PMC8537643 DOI: 10.3390/nu13103455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases with no approved treatment. Zonarol, an extract from brown algae, has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we investigated the role of zonarol in the progression of methionine- and choline-deficiency (MCD) diet-induced NAFLD in mice. After oral treatment with zonarol, a lighter body weight was observed in zonarol group (ZG) mice in comparison to control group (CG) mice. The NAFLD scores of ZG mice were lower than those of CG mice. Hepatic and serum lipid levels were also lower in ZG mice with the reduced expression of lipid metabolism-related factors. Furthermore, ZG mice showed less lipid deposition, less inflammatory cell infiltration and lower inflammatory cytokine levels in comparison to CG mice. Moreover, the numbers of 8-hydroxy-20-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)-positive hepatocytes and levels of hepatic and serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly lower in comparison to CG mice. The expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), as well as its upstream and downstream molecules, changed in ZG mice. Zonarol could prevent the progression of NAFLD by decreasing inflammatory responses, oxidative stress and improving lipid metabolism. Meanwhile the Nrf2 pathway may play an important role in these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Han
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan; (J.H.); (J.Z.); (S.Y.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan;
| | - Xin Guo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan; (J.H.); (J.Z.); (S.Y.)
- Department of Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-76-218-8021; Fax: +81-76-286-1207
| | - Tomoyuki Koyama
- Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods Science, Graduate School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan; (T.K.); (D.K.)
| | - Daichi Kawai
- Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods Science, Graduate School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan; (T.K.); (D.K.)
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan; (J.H.); (J.Z.); (S.Y.)
| | - Reimon Yamaguchi
- Department of Dermatology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan;
| | - Xiaolei Zhou
- College of Bioscience & Bioengineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China;
| | - Yoshiharu Motoo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan;
| | - Takumi Satoh
- Department of Anti-Aging Food Research, School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Technology, Tokyo 192-0982, Japan;
| | - Sohsuke Yamada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan; (J.H.); (J.Z.); (S.Y.)
- Department of Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan
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