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Huang F, Ding G, Yuan Y, Zhao L, Ding W, Wu S. PTEN Overexpression Alters Autophagy Levels and Slows Sodium Arsenite-Induced Hepatic Stellate Cell Fibrosis. TOXICS 2023; 11:578. [PMID: 37505544 PMCID: PMC10386595 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11070578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to inorganic arsenic remains a global public health problem. The liver is the main target organ, leading to arsenic-induced liver fibrosis. Phosphatase and tensin homology deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) may participate in arsenic-induced liver fibrosis by regulating autophagy, but the exact mechanisms remain unclear. We established a mouse model of arsenic poisoning through their drinking water and a fibrosis model using the human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 through NaAsO2 exposure for 24 h. Masson staining measured liver fibrosis. The cells were transfected with a PTEN overexpression plasmid. Western blot and qRT-PCR determined the levels of protein/mRNA expression. Fibrosis was evident in both the mouse model and arsenic-exposed LX-2 cells. NaAsO2 upregulated expression of autophagic markers microtubule-associated protein light chain A/B (LC3), recombinant human autophagy effector protein (Beclin-1), and hairy and enhancer of split homolog-1 (HES1), but downregulated PTEN. Alongside this, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression was significantly upregulated by NaAsO2. PTEN overexpression altered NaAsO2-induced autophagy and downregulated LC3 and Beclin-1. While Notch1, HES1, α-SMA, and collagen I expression were all downregulated in the NaAsO2 groups. Therefore, PTEN overexpression might decrease autophagy and inhibit fibrosis progression caused by arsenic, and the NOTCH1/HES1 pathway is likely involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, No. 567 Shangde North Road, Shuimogou District, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Guanxin Ding
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, No. 567 Shangde North Road, Shuimogou District, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Yanjie Yuan
- The First Division Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, No. 4, Jiankang Road, Aksu City 843000, China
| | - Lijun Zhao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, No. 567 Shangde North Road, Shuimogou District, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Wenmeng Ding
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, No. 567 Shangde North Road, Shuimogou District, Urumqi 830011, China
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Wu YY, Xu YM, Lau ATY. Epigenetic effects of herbal medicine. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:85. [PMID: 37179342 PMCID: PMC10183144 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01481-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic memory is essential for life that governs the predefined functional features of cells. Recent evidence has indicated that the epigenetic modification provides a potential link to gene expression changes that may be involved in the development of various chronic diseases, and targeting the epigenome becomes a plausible method for treating diseases. Traditional herbal medicine has gradually entered the vision of researchers due to its low toxicity and its effectiveness in treating diseases. As a matter of fact, researchers found that the possessed epigenetic modification capacity of herbal medicine had the ability to combat the progression of the disease, such as various types of cancer, diabetes, inflammation, amnesia, liver fibrosis, asthma, and hypertension-induced renal injury. Studies on the epigenetic effects of herbal medicine will provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of human diseases, which may lead to new therapeutic approaches and diagnoses. Thus, this review summarized the impact of herbal medicine and its bioactive components on disease epigenome as examples of how utilization of epigenetic plasticity could be useful as the basis for the future development of targeted therapies in chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Yao Wu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Ming Xu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Andy T Y Lau
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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3
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New advances of DNA/RNA methylation modification in liver fibrosis. Cell Signal 2021; 92:110224. [PMID: 34954394 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a complex pathological process caused by multiple pathogenic factors,such as ethanol, viruses, toxins, drugs or cholestasis, and it can eventually develop into liver cirrhosis without effective treatment. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a pivotal cellular event in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. However, the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis has not been fully elucidated. DNA/RNA methylation can regulate gene expression without alteration in its sequence, and numerous studies have shown the involvement of DNA methylation in the activation of HSCs and then promote the progression of liver fibrosis. In addition, RNA methylation has recently been reported to play a regulatory role in this process. In this review, we focus on the aberrant DNA/RNA methylation of selected genes and explore their functional mechanism in regulating HSCs activation and liver fibrogenesis. All of these findings will enhance our understanding of DNA/RNA methylation and their roles in liver fibrosis and provide the basis to identify effective therapeutic targets.
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Lai CY, Yeh KY, Lin CY, Hsieh YW, Lai HH, Chen JR, Hsu CC, Her GM. MicroRNA-21 Plays Multiple Oncometabolic Roles in the Process of NAFLD-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma via PI3K/AKT, TGF-β, and STAT3 Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:940. [PMID: 33668153 PMCID: PMC7956552 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13050940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is one of the most frequently upregulated miRNAs in liver diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, mechanistic pathways that connect NAFLD and HCC remain elusive. We developed a doxycycline (Dox)-inducible transgenic zebrafish model (LmiR21) which exhibited an upregulation of miR-21 in the liver, which in turn induced the full spectrum of NAFLD, including steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and HCC, in the LmiR21 fish. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) treatment led to accelerated liver tumor formation and exacerbated their aggressiveness. Moreover, prolonged miR-21 expression for up to ten months induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related HCC (NAHCC). Immunoblotting and immunostaining confirmed the presence of miR-21 regulatory proteins (i.e., PTEN, SMAD7, p-AKT, p-SMAD3, and p-STAT3) in human nonviral HCC tissues and LmiR21 models. Thus, we demonstrated that miR-21 can induce NAHCC via at least three mechanisms: First, the occurrence of hepatic steatosis increases with the decrease of ptenb, pparaa, and activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway; second, miR-21 induces hepatic inflammation (or NASH) through an increase in inflammatory gene expression via STAT3 signaling pathways, and induces liver fibrosis through hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and collagen deposition via TGF-β/Smad3/Smad7 signaling pathways; finally, oncogenic activation of Smad3/Stat3 signaling pathways induces HCC. Our LmiR21 models showed similar molecular pathology to the human cancer samples in terms of initiation of lipid metabolism disorder, inflammation, fibrosis and activation of the PI3K/AKT, TGF-β/SMADs and STAT3 (PTS) oncogenic signaling pathways. Our findings indicate that miR-21 plays critical roles in the mechanistic perspectives of NAHCC development via the PTS signaling networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Yu Lai
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202, Taiwan; (C.-Y. L.); (C.-Y. L.); (Y.-W.H.)
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Yun Yeh
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 204, Taiwan;
| | - Chiu-Ya Lin
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202, Taiwan; (C.-Y. L.); (C.-Y. L.); (Y.-W.H.)
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Yang-Wen Hsieh
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202, Taiwan; (C.-Y. L.); (C.-Y. L.); (Y.-W.H.)
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hung Lai
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Jim-Ray Chen
- Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 204, Taiwan;
| | - Chia-Chun Hsu
- Department of Radiology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Taichung Branch, Taichung 427, Taiwan;
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
| | - Guor Mour Her
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
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Azar F, Courtet K, Dekky B, Bonnier D, Dameron O, Colige A, Legagneux V, Théret N. Integration of miRNA-regulatory networks in hepatic stellate cells identifies TIMP3 as a key factor in chronic liver disease. Liver Int 2020; 40:2021-2033. [PMID: 32306499 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) is a critical process involved in liver fibrosis. Several miRNAs are implicated in gene regulation during this process but their exact and respective contribution is still incompletely understood. Here we propose an integrative approach of miRNA-regulatory networks to predict new targets. METHODS miRNA regulatory networks in activated HSCs were built using lists of validated miRNAs and the CyTargetLinker tool. The resulting graphs were filtered according to public transcriptomic data and the reduced graphs were analysed through GO annotation. A miRNA network regulating the expression of TIMP3 was further studied in human liver samples, isolated hepatic cells and mouse model of liver fibrosis. RESULTS Within the up-regulated miRNAs, we identified a subnetwork of five miRNAs (miR-21-5p, miR-222-3p, miR-221-3p miR-181b-5p and miR-17-5p) that target TIMP3. We demonstrated that TIMP3 expression is inversely associated with inflammatory activity and IL1-ß expression in vivo. We further showed that IL1-ß inhibits TIMP3 expression in HSC-derived LX-2 cells. Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we showed that, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), TIMP3 expression is associated with survival (P < .001), while miR-221 (P < .05), miR-222 (P < .01) and miR-181b (P < .01) are markers for a poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Several miRNAs targeting TIMP3 are up-regulated in activated HSCs and down-regulation of TIMP3 expression is associated with inflammatory activity in liver fibrosis and poor prognosis in HCC. The regulatory network including specific miRNAs and TIMP3 is therefore central for the evolution of chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fida Azar
- University Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, Rennes, France
| | - Kevin Courtet
- University Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, Rennes, France.,University Rennes, CNRS, IRISA (Institut de recherche en informatique et système aléatoire, Rennes, France
| | - Bassil Dekky
- University Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, Rennes, France
| | - Dominique Bonnier
- University Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, Rennes, France
| | - Olivier Dameron
- University Rennes, CNRS, IRISA (Institut de recherche en informatique et système aléatoire, Rennes, France
| | - Alain Colige
- Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, GIGA-R, University of Liege, Sart Tilman, Belgium
| | - Vincent Legagneux
- University Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, Rennes, France
| | - Nathalie Théret
- University Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, Rennes, France.,University Rennes, CNRS, IRISA (Institut de recherche en informatique et système aléatoire, Rennes, France
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6
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Liang H, Wang X, Si C, Duan Y, Chen B, Liang H, Yang D. Downregulation of miR‑141 deactivates hepatic stellate cells by targeting the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway. Int J Mol Med 2020; 46:406-414. [PMID: 32319536 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) caused by stimulating factors or fibrogenic cytokines is the critical stage of liver fibrosis. Recent studies have demonstrated the influence of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) on HSC activation and transformation; however, the function and underlying mechanisms of miRNAs in HSC activation have not yet been completely clarified. In the present study, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‑β1) was used to treat human HSC lines (HSC‑T6 and LX2 cells) to simulate the activation of HSCs in vivo and whether the expression of miRNAs in HSCs was affected by TGF‑β1 treatment was examined using a miRNA microarray. It was observed that miR‑141 was one of the most upregulated miRNAs during HSC activation. Functional analyses revealed that miR‑141 knockdown suppressed the viability of HSCs and inhibited the expression levels of pro‑fibrotic markers. In addition, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a well‑known suppressor of the AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, was found to be directly targeted by miR‑141 in HSCs. More importantly, the knockdown of PTEN markedly reversed the suppressive effects of miR‑141 inhibition on the viability of and the expression levels of pro‑fibrotic markers during HSC activation. Finally, it was observed that the downregulation of miR‑141 blocked the TGF‑β1‑induced activation of the AKT/mTOR pathway in HSCs. On the whole, the findings of the present study indicate that miR‑141 inhibition suppresses HSC activation via the AKT/mTOR pathway by targeting PTEN, highlighting that miR‑141 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijun Liang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Xinwei Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Changyun Si
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Yuxiu Duan
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Baoxin Chen
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Haixia Liang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Daokun Yang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
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7
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Zhang X, Jin T, Huang X, Liu X, Liu Z, Jia Y, Hao J. Effects of the tumor suppressor PTEN on biological behaviors of activated pancreatic stellate cells in pancreatic fibrosis. Exp Cell Res 2018; 373:132-144. [PMID: 30321515 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), when activated, are characterized by proliferation and collagen synthesis, and contribute to extracellular matrix deposition in pancreatic fibrosis. Concomitantly, fibrosis is linked with the loss of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) protein in several organs. This study investigated the association between PTEN protein levels and the activated or apoptotic status of PSCs in a rat model of chronic pancreatitis. In addition, the activation status and biological behaviors of culture-activated PSCs were analyzed after lentiviral transfection with wildtype or mutant (G129E) PTEN for upregulation, or PTEN short hairpin RNA for downregulation, of PTEN. In vivo, PTEN levels gradually decreased during pancreatic fibrosis, which positively correlated with apoptosis of activated PSCs, but negatively with PSC activation. In vitro, activated PSCs with wildtype PTEN showed less proliferation, migration, and collagen synthesis compared with control PSCs, and greater numbers were apoptotic; activated PSCs with mutant PTEN showed similar, but weaker, effects. Furthermore, AKT and FAK/ERK signaling was involved in this process. In summary, activated PSCs during pancreatic fibrosis in vivo have lower levels of PTEN. In vitro, PTEN appears to prevent PSCs from further activation and promotes apoptosis through regulation of the AKT and FAK/ERK pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Tong Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xiaoxi Huang
- Department of Medical Research, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xinjuan Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Medical Research, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Yanjun Jia
- Department of Medical Research, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Jianyu Hao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
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Kumar P, Raeman R, Chopyk DM, Smith T, Verma K, Liu Y, Anania FA. Adiponectin inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation by targeting the PTEN/AKT pathway. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2018; 1864:3537-3545. [PMID: 30293572 PMCID: PMC6529190 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Adiponectin inhibits hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and subsequent development of liver fibrosis via multiple mechanisms. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deletion 10 (PTEN) plays a crucial role in suppression of HSC activation, but its regulation by adiponectin is not fully understood. Here, we investigated the effect of adiponectin on PTEN in LX-2 cells, a human cell line and examined the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in adiponectin-mediated upregulation of PTEN activity during fibrosis. PTEN expression was found to be significantly reduced in the livers of mice treated with CCl4, whereas its expression was rescued by adiponectin treatment. The DNA methylation proteins DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B are all highly expressed in activated primary HSCs compared to quiescent HSCs, and thus represent additional regulatory targets during liver fibrogenesis. Expression of DNMT proteins was significantly induced in the presence of fibrotic stimuli; however, only DNMT3B expression was reduced in the presence of adiponectin. Adiponectin-induced suppression of DNMT3B was found to be mediated by enhanced miR-29b expression. Furthermore, PTEN expression was significantly increased by overexpression of miR-29b, whereas its expression was markedly reduced by a miR-29b inhibitor in LX-2 cells. These findings suggest that adiponectin-induced upregulation of miR-29b can suppress DNMT3B transcription in LX-2 cells, thus resulting in reduced methylation of PTEN CpG islands and ultimately suppressing the PI3K/AKT pathway. Together, these data suggest a possible new explanation for the inhibitory effect of adiponectin on HSC activation and liver fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Kumar
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Reben Raeman
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Daniel M Chopyk
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tekla Smith
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kiran Verma
- Labratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yunshan Liu
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Frank A Anania
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Zhang GZ, Sun HC, Zheng LB, Guo JB, Zhang XL. In vivo hepatic differentiation potential of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells: Therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:8152-8168. [PMID: 29290652 PMCID: PMC5739922 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i46.8152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the hepatic differentiation potential of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) and to evaluate their therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis/cirrhosis.
METHODS A CCl4-induced liver fibrotic/cirrhotic rat model was used to assess the effect of hUC-MSCs. Histopathology was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson trichrome and Sirius red staining. The liver biochemical profile was measured using a Beckman Coulter analyzer. Expression analysis was performed using immunofluorescent staining, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and real-time PCR.
RESULTS We demonstrated that the infused hUC-MSCs could differentiate into hepatocytes in vivo. Functionally, the transplantation of hUC-MSCs to CCl4-treated rats improved liver transaminases and synthetic function, reduced liver histopathology and reversed hepatobiliary fibrosis. The reversal of hepatobiliary fibrosis was likely due to the reduced activation state of hepatic stellate cells, decreased collagen deposition, and enhanced extracellular matrix remodeling via the up-regulation of MMP-13 and down-regulation of TIMP-1.
CONCLUSION Transplanted hUC-MSCs could differentiate into functional hepatocytes that improved both the biochemical and histopathologic changes in a CCl4-induced rat liver fibrosis model. hUC-MSCs may offer therapeutic opportunities for treating hepatobiliary diseases, including cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Zun Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
- First Department of Gastroenterology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061001, Hebei Province, China
| | - Hui-Cong Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ningbo Women and Children’s Hospital, Ningbo 315012, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Li-Bo Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jin-Bo Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Xiao-Lan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
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Xie SR, An JY, Zheng LB, Huo XX, Guo J, Shih D, Zhang XL. Effects and mechanism of adenovirus-mediated phosphatase and tension homologue deleted on chromosome ten gene on collagen deposition in rat liver fibrosis. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:5904-5912. [PMID: 28932082 PMCID: PMC5583575 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i32.5904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the effects of phosphatase and tension homologue deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) gene on collagen metabolism in hepatic fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms.
METHODS Rat primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and human LX-2 cells were transfected with adenovirus containing cDNA constructs encoding wild-type PTEN (Ad-PTEN), PTEN mutant G129E gene (Ad-G129E), and RNA interference constructs targeting the PTEN sequence PTEN short hairpin RNA to up-regulate and down-regulate the expression of PTEN. HSCs were assayed using fluorescent microscopy, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. Moreover, a CCl4-induced rat hepatic fibrosis model was established to investigate the in vivo effects. Hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson’s trichrome were used to assess the histological changes. The expression of collagen I and III was assessed using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis.
RESULTS Elevated expression of PTEN gene reduced serum levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase, decreased collagen deposition in the liver, and reduced hepatocyte necrosis. In contrast, knockdown of PTEN expression had an opposite effect, such as increased collagen deposition in the liver, and was molecularly characterized by the increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 (P < 0.01) and MMP-2 (P < 0.01), as well as decreased expression of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 (P < 0.01) and TIMP-2 (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION These data indicated that gene therapy using recombinant adenovirus encoding PTEN might be a novel way of treating hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Rui Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xingtai People's Hospital, Xingtai 054031, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jun-Yan An
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Li-Bo Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Huo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jian Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
| | - David Shih
- Inflammatory Bowel and Immunobiology Research Institute, F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States
| | - Xiao-Lan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
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The role of PTEN in regulation of hepatic macrophages activation and function in progression and reversal of liver fibrosis. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2017; 317:51-62. [PMID: 28095306 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Activation of Kupffer cells (KCs) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. The progression and reversal of CCl4-induced mouse liver fibrosis showed a mixed induction of hepatic classical (M1) and alternative (M2) macrophage markers. Although the role of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) in modulating myeloid cell activation has recently been identified, its function in macrophage activation during hepatic fibrosis remains to be fully appreciated. In our study, PTEN expression of KCs was remarkably decreased in CCl4-induced mice but increased to a near-normal level in reversed mice. Moreover, PTEN was significantly decreased in IL4-induced RAW 264.7 cells in vitro and lower expression of PTEN was observed in M2 macrophages in vivo. In addition, loss- and gain-of-function studies suggested that PTEN regulates M2 macrophages polarization via activation of PI3K/Akt/STAT6 signaling, but had a limited effect on M1 macrophages polarization in vitro. Additionally, Ly294002, a chemical inhibitor of PI3K/Akt, could dramatically down-regulate the hallmarks of M2 macrophages. In conclusion, PTEN mediates macrophages activation by PI3K/Akt/STAT6 signaling pathway, which provides novel compelling evidences on the potential of PTEN in liver injury and opens new cellular target for the pharmacological therapy of liver fibrosis.
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Effect of Phosphatase and Tensin Homologue on Chromosome 10 on Angiotensin II-Mediated Proliferation, Collagen Synthesis, and Akt/P27 Signaling in Neonatal Rat Cardiac Fibroblasts. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:2860516. [PMID: 27747225 PMCID: PMC5055941 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2860516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) play a key role in cardiac fibrosis by regulating the balance between extracellular matrix synthesis and breakdown. Although phosphatase and tensin homologue on chromosome 10 (PTEN) has been found to play an important role in cardiovascular disease, it is not clear whether PTEN is involved in functional regulation of CFs. In the present study, PTEN was overexpressed in neonatal rat CFs via recombinant adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. The effects of PTEN overexpression on cell-cycle progression and angiotensin II- (Ang II-) mediated regulation of collagen metabolism, synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases, and Akt/P27 signaling were investigated. Compared with uninfected cells and cells infected with green fluorescent protein-expressing adenovirus (Ad-GFP), cells infected with PTEN-expressing adenovirus (Ad-PTEN) significantly increased PTEN protein and mRNA levels in CFs (P < 0.05). The proportion of CFs in the G1/S cell-cycle phase was significantly higher for PTEN-overexpressing cells. In addition, Ad-PTEN decreased mRNA expression and the protein synthesis rate of collagen types I and III and antagonized Ang II-induced collagen synthesis. Overexpression of PTEN also decreased Ang II-induced matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) production as well as gelatinase activity. Moreover, Ad-PTEN decreased Akt expression and increased P27 expression independent of Ang II stimulation. These results suggest that PTEN could regulate its functional effects in neonatal rat CFs partially via the Akt/P27 signaling pathway.
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Sanchez-Pareja A, Clément S, Peyrou M, Spahr L, Negro F, Rubbia-Brandt L, Foti M. Phosphatase and tensin homolog is a differential diagnostic marker between nonalcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver disease. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:3735-3745. [PMID: 27076758 PMCID: PMC4814736 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i14.3735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the protein expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in human liver biopsies of patients with alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease.
METHODS: PTEN protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver sections of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (n = 44) or alcoholic liver disease (ALD) (n = 25). Liver resections obtained from 3 healthy subjects candidate for partial liver donation served as controls. Histological evaluations were performed by two experienced pathologists, and diagnoses established based on international criteria. The intensity of the PTEN staining in nuclei was compared between steatotic and non-steatotic areas of each liver fragment analyzed. For each liver specimen, the antibody-stained sections were examined and scored blindly by three independent observers, who were unaware of the patients’ clinical history.
RESULTS: In healthy individuals, PTEN immunostaining was intense in both the cytoplasm and nuclei of all hepatocytes. However, PTEN was strongly downregulated in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm of hepatocytes from steatotic areas in patients with NAFLD, independently of the disease stage. In contrast, no changes in PTEN protein expression were observed in patients with ALD, regardless of the presence of steatosis or the stage of the disease. The degree of PTEN downregulation in hepatocytes of patients with NAFLD correlated with the percentage of steatosis (r = 0.3061, P = 0.0459) and the BMI (r = 0.4268, P = 0.0043). Hovewer, in patients with ALD, PTEN expression was not correlated with the percentage of steatosis with or without obesity as a confounding factor (P = 0.5574). Finally, PTEN expression level in steatotic areas of ALD patients was significantly different from that seen in steatotic areas of NAFLD patients (P < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION: PTEN protein expression is downregulated early in NAFLD, but not in ALD. PTEN immunohistochemical detection could help in the differential diagnosis of NAFLD and ALD.
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An J, Zheng L, Xie S, Yin F, Huo X, Guo J, Zhang X. Regulatory Effects and Mechanism of Adenovirus-Mediated PTEN Gene on Hepatic Stellate Cells. Dig Dis Sci 2016; 61:1107-20. [PMID: 26660904 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-015-3976-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tension homology deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) is important in liver fibrosis. AIMS The purpose of this study was to evaluate the PTEN gene effects and mechanism of action on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS The rat primary HSCs and human LX-2 cells were transfected by an adenovirus containing cDNA constructs encoding the wild-type PTEN (Ad-PTEN), the PTEN mutant G129E gene (Ad-G129E) and RNA interference targeting the PTEN sequence PTEN short hairpin RNA (PTEN shRNA), to up-regulate and down-regulate PTEN expression, respectively. The HSCs were assayed with a fluorescent microscope, real time PCR, Western blot, MTT, flow cytometry and Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling. In addition, the CCl4 induced rat hepatic fibrosis model was also established to check the in vivo effects of the recombinant adenovirus with various levels of PTEN expression. RESULTS The data have shown that the over-expressed PTEN gene led to reduced HSCs activation and viability, caspase-3 activity and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 and G2/M phases, as well as negative regulation of the PI3K/Akt and FAK/ERK signaling pathways in vitro. The over-expressed PTEN gene improved liver function, inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of HSCs both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS These data have shown that gene therapy using the recombinant adenovirus encoding wild-type PTEN inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of HSCs, which is a potential treatment option for hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyan An
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, 215 West Heping Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, China
| | - Libo Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, 215 West Heping Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, China
| | - Shurui Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, 215 West Heping Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, China
| | - Fengrong Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, 215 West Heping Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaoxia Huo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, 215 West Heping Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, China
| | - Jian Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, 215 West Heping Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaolan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Hebei Institute of Gastroenterology, 215 West Heping Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, China.
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Li N, Wang Z, Lin J. Up-regulated expression of PTEN after splenetomy may prevent the progression of liver fibrosis in rats. JOURNAL OF HEPATO-BILIARY-PANCREATIC SCIENCES 2015; 23:50-56. [PMID: 26545563 DOI: 10.1002/jhbp.300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE To investigate the mechanisms of delaying progression of liver fibrosis by splenectomy. METHODS Liver fibrosis was induced by common bile duct ligation. Rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: group A with common bile duct ligation and splenectomy (n = 45), group B with common bile duct ligation and spleen sham operation (n = 45), group C with sham common bile duct ligation and spleen sham operation (n = 45). Liver samples were collected at the 1st, 3rd and 5th week. H&E staining and Sirius staining were used to evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis, immunohistochemical staining was used to measure the expression of α-SMA and PTEN. PTEN mRNA and protein expression was measured by real-time PCR and Western-blot. RESULTS Over time, liver fibrosis developed gradually in group A and B. The expression of PTEN mRNA and protein in group A was higher than that in group B (P < 0.05), while the expression of α-SMA was higher in group B (P < 0.05). The expression of PTEN was negatively correlated with α-SMA (r = -0.86, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In this study, splenectomy can up-regulate the expression of PTEN and reduce the secretion of α-SMA, thereby deterring the progression of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naishu Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ziming Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianhua Lin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Yao HW, Li J. Epigenetic Modifications in Fibrotic Diseases: Implications for Pathogenesis and Pharmacological Targets. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2014; 352:2-13. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.219816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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