Effects of recombinant human adenovirus-p53 on the regression of hepatic fibrosis

Targeting tumor suppressor p53 for organ fibrosis therapy

Fibrosis is a reparative and progressive process characterized by abnormal extracellular matrix deposition, contributing to organ dysfunction in chronic diseases. The tumor suppressor p53 (p53), known for its regulatory roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, aging, and metabolism across diverse tissues, appears to play a pivotal role in aggravating biological processes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell apoptosis, and cell senescence. These processes are closely intertwined with the pathogenesis of fibrotic disease. In this review, we briefly introduce the background and specific mechanism of p53, investigate the pathogenesis of fibrosis, and further discuss p53's relationship and role in fibrosis affecting the kidney, liver, lung, and heart. In summary, targeting p53 represents a promising and innovative therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of organ fibrosis.

Structural characterization of an inulin neoseries-type fructan from Ophiopogonis Radix and the therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis in vivo

Ophiopogonis Radix is a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine and functional food that is rich in polysaccharides and has fructan as a characteristic component. In this study, an inulin neoseries-type fructan designated as OJP-W2 was obtained and characterized from Ophiopogonis Radix, and its potential therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis in vivo were investigated. Structural studies revealed that OJP-W2 had a molecular weight of 5.76 kDa and was composed of glucose and fructose with a molar ratio of 1.00:30.87. Further analysis revealed OJP-W2 has a predominantly lineal (1-2)-linked β-D-fructosyl units linked to the glucose moiety of the sucrose molecule with (2-6)-linked β-D-fructosyl side chains. Pharmacological studies revealed that OJP-W2 exerted a marked hepatoprotective effect against liver fibrosis, the mechanism of action was involved in regulating collagen deposition (α-SMA, COL1A1 and liver Hyp contents) and TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway, alleviating liver inflammation (IL-1β, IL-6, CCL5 and F4/80) and MAPK signaling pathway, and inhibiting hepatic apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-2, ATF4 and Caspase 3). These data provide evidence for expanding Ophiopogonis Radix-acquired fructan types and advancing our understanding of the specific role of inulin neoseries-type fructan in liver fibrosis therapy.

Dasatinib plus quercetin prevents uterine age-related dysfunction and fibrosis in mice

The uterine fibrosis contributes to gestational outcomes. Collagen deposition in the uterus is related to uterine aging. Senolytic therapies are an option for reducing health complications related to aging. We investigated effects of aging and the senolytic drug combination of dasatinib plus quercetin (D+Q) on uterine fibrosis. Forty mice, 20 young females (03-months) and 20 old females (18-months), were analyzed. Young (Y) and old (O) animals were divided into groups of 10 mice, with one treatment (T) group (YT and OT) and another control © group (YC and OC). Comparative analysis of Pi3k/Akt1/mTor and p53 gene expression and related microRNAs (miR34a, miR34b, miR34c, miR146a, miR449a, miR21a, miR126a, and miR181b) among groups was performed to test effects of age and treatment on collagen deposition pathways. Aging promoted downregulation of the Pi3k/Akt1/mTor signaling pathway (P = 0.005, P = 0.031, and P = 0.028, respectively) as well as a reduction in expression of miR34c (P = 0.029), miR126a (P = 0.009), and miR181b (P = 0.007). D+Q treatment increased p53 gene expression (P = 0.041) and decreased miR34a (P = 0.016). Our results demonstrate a role for the Pi3k/Akt1/mTor signaling pathway in uterine aging and suggest for the first time a possible anti-fibrotic effect in the uterus of D+Q senolytic therapy.

MiR-27a as a predictor for the activation of hepatic stellate cells and hepatitis B virus-induced liver cirrhosis

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) can be employed as biomarkers to diagnose liver and other diseases. Noninvasive approaches are needed to complement and improve the current strategies for screening for biomarkers liver cirrhosis. We determined whether the serum levels of miRNAs can distinguish between chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and CHB-induced cirrhosis (HBC) and investigated the potential mechanisms involved. We found that serum miR-27a was significantly up-regulated in HBC, distinguishing HBC from CHB and healthy controls (Ctrl) (P<0.0001, the area of under the curve (AUC) =0.82 and 0.87, respectively). Specifically, when miR-27a was combined with miR-122, HBC was differentiated from CHB with an AUC=0.94. The serum miR-27a level in HBC patients with hepatic decompensation was significantly higher than that in patients with compensated HBC (P=0.0009). MiR-27a was also significantly up-regulated in the serum of rats with DMN-induced liver cirrhosis compared to that in saline-treated rats (P<0.0001). Furthermore, the down-regulation of miR-27a inhibited the proliferation and overexpression of miR-27a in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) through the up-regulation of α-SMA and COL1A2 expression by targeting PPARγ, FOXO1, APC, P53 and RXRα. Our study demonstrated that circulating miR-27a can be used as a predictor for the activation of HSCs and the occurrence and development of HBC.

Recombinant truncated TGF‑β receptor II attenuates carbon tetrachloride‑induced epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and liver fibrosis in rats

Liver fibrosis is a pathological process of chronic liver diseases. In particular, epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major source of myofibroblast structure in liver fibrosis. The present study investigated the effects of recombinant truncated transforming growth factor‑ß receptor II (rtTGFβRII) on EMT and liver fibrosis in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‑induced rat model. A total of 24 rats were randomly separated into three groups: Normal control (NC), model (CCl4) and treatment (CCl4 + rtTGFβRII) groups. Histological methods, including hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome and Sirius red staining were conducted. The activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The mRNA expression levels of fibroblast specific protein‑1 (FSP‑1), α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA), fibronectin, collagen I, vimentin and E‑cadherin were detected using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The protein levels of fibronectin, collagen I, E‑cadherin, Smad2/3 and phosphorylated (p)‑Smad2/3 were detected using western blot analysis. The expression of α‑SMA, fibronectin, vimentin and E‑cadherin in the liver tissue was detected using immunofluorescence staining. The results demonstrated that in vivo, rtTGFβRII significantly reduced the degree of liver injury, serum ALT and AST activities and liver fibrosis. These factors were associated with reduced expression of FSP‑1, α‑SMA, fibronectin, collagen I, vimentin and p‑Smad2/3, and increased expression of E‑cadherin. The results of the present study suggest that rtTGFβRII may inhibit EMT processes in CCl4‑induced liver fibrosis in rats and alter the expression of epithelial and myofibroblast markers. Therefore, rtTGFβRII may be considered a possible treatment for preventing liver fibrosis via EMT processes.