PDGF signaling pathway in hepatic fibrosis pathogenesis and therapeutics (Review)

Key regulators of hepatic stellate cell activation in alcohol liver Disease: A comprehensive review

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a broad category of disorders that begin with liver injury, lead to liver fibrosis, and ultimately conclude in alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis, the most chronic and irreversible liver damage. Liver fibrosis (LF) is a common pathological characteristic observed in most chronic liver inflammatory conditions that involve prolonged inflammation. In this review, we have summarized ethanol-mediated hepatic stellate cell (HSCs) activation and its role in liver fibrosis progression. We highlight important molecular mechanisms that are modulated by ethanol, play a role in the activation of HSCs and the progression of liver fibrosis and identifying potential targets to ameliorate liver fibrosis.

Biliary fibrosis is an important but neglected pathological feature in hepatobiliary disorders: from molecular mechanisms to clinical implications

Fibrosis resulting from pathological repair secondary to recurrent or persistent tissue damage often leads to organ failure and mortality. Biliary fibrosis is a crucial but easily neglected pathological feature in hepatobiliary disorders, which may promote the development and progression of benign and malignant biliary diseases through pathological healing mechanisms secondary to biliary tract injuries. Elucidating the etiology and pathogenesis of biliary fibrosis is beneficial to the prevention and treatment of biliary diseases. In this review, we emphasized the importance of biliary fibrosis in cholangiopathies and summarized the clinical manifestations, epidemiology, and aberrant cellular composition involving the biliary ductules, cholangiocytes, immune system, fibroblasts, and the microbiome. We also focused on pivotal signaling pathways and offered insights into ongoing clinical trials and proposing a strategic approach for managing biliary fibrosis-related cholangiopathies. This review will offer a comprehensive perspective on biliary fibrosis and provide an important reference for future mechanism research and innovative therapy to prevent or reverse fibrosis.

Revealing the Potency of Growth Factors in Bovine Colostrum

Colostrum is a nutritious milk synthesized by mammals during the postpartum period, and its rich bioactive components has led to a global increase in the consumption of bovine colostrum as a supplement. Bovine colostrum contains key components such as immunoglobulins, oligosaccharides, lactoferrin and lysozyme. It is a special supplement source due to its natural, high bioavailability and high concentrations of growth factors. Growth factors are critical to many physiological functions, and considering its presence in the colostrum, further research must be conducted on its safe application in many bodily disorders. Growth factors contribute to wound healing, muscle and bone development, and supporting growth in children. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms have been explored, highlighting the growth factors roles in cell proliferation, tissue regeneration, and the regulation of immune responses. These findings are crucial for understanding the potential health effects of bovine colostrum, ensuring its safe use, and forming a basis for future clinical applications. This review article examines the growth factors concentration in bovine colostrum, their benefits, clinical studies, and molecular mechanisms.

TGF-β signaling: critical nexus of fibrogenesis and cancer

The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway is a vital regulator of cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix production. It functions through canonical SMAD-mediated processes and noncanonical pathways involving MAPK cascades, PI3K/AKT, Rho-like GTPases, and NF-κB signaling. This intricate signaling system is finely tuned by interactions between canonical and noncanonical pathways and plays key roles in both physiologic and pathologic conditions including tissue homeostasis, fibrosis, and cancer progression. TGF-β signaling is known to have paradoxical actions. Under normal physiologic conditions, TGF-β signaling promotes cell quiescence and apoptosis, acting as a tumor suppressor. In contrast, in pathological states such as inflammation and cancer, it triggers processes that facilitate cancer progression and tissue remodeling, thus promoting tumor development and fibrosis. Here, we detail the role that TGF-β plays in cancer and fibrosis and highlight the potential for future theranostics targeting this pathway.

SERPINE1: Role in Cholangiocarcinoma Progression and a Therapeutic Target in the Desmoplastic Microenvironment

A heterogenous population of inflammatory elements, other immune and nonimmune cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are evident in solid malignancies where they coexist with the growing tumor mass. In highly desmoplastic malignancies, CAFs are the prominent mesenchymal cell type in the tumor microenvironment (TME), where their presence and abundance signal a poor prognosis. CAFs play a major role in the progression of various cancers by remodeling the supporting stroma into a dense, fibrotic matrix while secreting factors that promote the maintenance of cancer stem-like characteristics, tumor cell survival, aggressive growth and metastasis and reduced sensitivity to chemotherapeutics. Tumors with high stromal fibrotic signatures are more likely to be associated with drug resistance and eventual relapse. Identifying the molecular underpinnings for such multidirectional crosstalk among the various normal and neoplastic cell types in the TME may provide new targets and novel opportunities for therapeutic intervention. This review highlights recent concepts regarding the complexity of CAF biology in cholangiocarcinoma, a highly desmoplastic cancer. The discussion focuses on CAF heterogeneity, functionality in drug resistance, contributions to a progressively fibrotic tumor stroma, the involved signaling pathways and the participating genes.

Mimicking chronic alcohol effects through a controlled and sustained ethanol release device

Alcohol consumption, a pervasive societal issue, poses considerable health risks and socioeconomic consequences. Alcohol-induced hepatic disorders, such as fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis, underscore the need for comprehensive research. Existing challenges in mimicking chronic alcohol exposure in cellular systems, attributed to ethanol evaporation, necessitate innovative approaches. In this study, we developed a simple, reusable, and controllable device for examining the physiological reactions of hepatocytes to long-term alcohol exposure. Our approach involved a novel device designed to continuously release ethanol into the culture medium, maintaining a consistent ethanol concentration over several days. We evaluated device performance by examining gene expression patterns and cytokine secretion alterations during long-term exposure to ethanol. These patterns were correlated with those observed in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Our results suggest that our ethanol-releasing device can be used as a valuable tool to study the mechanisms of chronic alcohol-mediated hepatic diseases at the cellular level. Our device offers a practical solution for studying chronic alcohol exposure, providing a reliable platform for cellular research. This innovative tool holds promise for advancing our understanding of the molecular processes involved in chronic alcohol-mediated hepatic diseases. Future research avenues should explore broader applications and potential implications for predicting and treating alcohol-related illnesses.

Effects of pulsed electrical stimulation on α-smooth muscle actin and type I collagen expression in human dermal fibroblasts

Pulsed electrical stimulation (PES) is known to affect cellular activities. We previously found PES to human dermal fibroblasts (HFs) promoted platelet-derived growth factor subunit A (PDGFA) gene expression, which enhanced proliferation. In this study, we investigated PES effects on fibroblast collagen production and differentiation into myofibroblasts. HFs were electrically stimulated at 4800 Hz and 5 V for 60 min. Imatinib, a specific inhibitor of PDGF receptors, was treated before PES. After 6 h of PES, PDGFA, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen type I α1 chain gene expressions were upregulated in PES group. Imatinib suppressed the promoted expression except for PDGFA. Immunofluorescence staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed the production of α-SMA and collagen I was enhanced in PES group but suppressed in PES + imatinib group at 48 h after PES. Therefore, PES promotes the production of α-SMA and collagen I in fibroblasts, which is triggered by PDGFA that is upregulated early after PES.

The "Domino effect" in MASLD: The inflammatory cascade of steatohepatitis

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an increasingly common complication of obesity, affecting over a quarter of the global adult population. A key event in the pathophysiology of MASLD is the development of metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which greatly increases the chances of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The underlying cause of MASH is multifactorial, but accumulating evidence indicates that the inflammatory process in the hepatic microenvironment typically follows a pattern that can be roughly divided into three stages: (1) Detection of hepatocyte stress by tissue-resident immune cells including γδ T cells and CD4-CD8- double-negative T cells, followed by their secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators, most notably IL-17A. (2) Recruitment of pro-inflammatory cells, mostly of the myeloid lineage, and initiation of inflammation through secretion of effector-type cytokines such as TNF, TGF-β, and IL-1β. (3) Escalation of the inflammatory response by recruitment of lymphocytes including Th17, CD8 T, and B cells leading to chronic inflammation, hepatic stellate cell activation, and fibrosis. Here we will discuss these three stages and how they are consecutively linked like falling domino tiles to the pathophysiology of MASH. Moreover, we will highlight the clinical potential of inflammation as a biomarker and therapeutic target for the treatment of MASLD.

Differential DNA methylation landscape of miRNAs genes in mice liver fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic liver disease were found nearly all to have liver fibrosis, which is characterized by excess accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. While ECM accumulation can prevent liver infection and injury, it can destroy normal liver function and architecture. miRNA's own regulation was involved in DNA methylation change. The purpose of this study is to detect DNA methylation landscape of miRNAs genes in mice liver fibrosis tissues.

METHODS

Male mice (10-12 weeks) were injected CCl4 from abdominal cavity to induced liver fibrosis. 850 K BeadChips were used to examine DNA methylation change in whole genome. The methylation change of 16 CpG dinucleotides located in promoter regions of 4 miRNA genes were detected by bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (BSP) to verify chip data accuracy, and these 4 miRNA genes' expressions were detected by RT-qPCR methods.

RESULTS

There are 769 differential methylation sites (DMS) in total between fibrotic liver tissue and normal mice liver tissue, which were related with 148 different miRNA genes. Chips array data were confirmed by bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (R = 0.953; P < 0.01). GO analysis of the target genes of 2 miRNA revealed that protein binding, cytoplasm and chromatin binding activity were commonly enriched; KEGG pathway enrichment analysis displayed that TGF-beta signaling pathway was commonly enriched.

CONCLUSION

The DNA of 148 miRNA genes was found to have methylation change in liver fibrosis tissue. These discoveries in miRNA genes are beneficial to future miRNA function research in liver fibrosis.

In vivo investigation of the anti-liver fibrosis impact of Balanites aegyptiaca/ chitosan nanoparticles

Balanites aegyptiaca (B. aegyptiaca) is an African herb with traditional medical applications. Various pathogenic factors cause hepatic fibrosis and require novel treatment alternatives. Nanoformulation-based natural products can overcome the available drug problems by increasing the efficacy of natural products targeting disease markers. The current study investigated B. aegyptiaca methanolic extract using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), and B. aegyptiaca/chitosan nanoparticles were prepared. In vivo, evaluation tests were performed to assess the curative effect of the successfully prepared B. aegyptiaca/chitosan nanoparticles. For 30 days, the rats were divided into six groups, typical and fibrosis groups, where the liver fibrosis groups received B. aegyptiaca extract, silymarin, chitosan nanoparticles, and B. aegyptiaca/chitosan nanoparticles daily. In the current investigation, phenolic molecules are the major compounds detected in B. aegyptiaca extract. UV showed that the prepared B. aegyptiaca /chitosan nanoparticles had a single peak at 280 nm, a particle size of 35.0 ± 6.0 nm, and a negative charge at - 8.3 mV. The animal studies showed that the synthetic B. aegyptiaca/chitosan nanoparticles showed substantial anti-fibrotic protective effects against CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats when compared with other groups through optimization of biochemical and oxidative markers, improved histological changes, and modulated the expression of Col1a1, Acta2 and Cxcl9 genes, which manage liver fibrosis. In conclusion, the current research indicated that the prepared B. aegyptiaca/chitosan nanoparticles improved histological structure and significantly enhanced the biochemical and genetic markers of liver fibrosis in an animal model.

Mitochondrial quality control in liver fibrosis: Epigenetic hallmarks and therapeutic strategies

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Mitochondrial quality control (MQC) plays a significant role in the progression of liver fibrosis, with key processes such as mitochondrial fission, fusion, mitophagy and biogenesis maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying epigenetic regulation of mitochondrial quality control in liver fibrosis, with the aim of uncovering novel therapeutic targets for treating, mitigating, and potentially reversing liver fibrosis, in light of the most recent advances in this field.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for published manuscripts using terms "mitochondrial quality control" "mitochondrial fission" "mitochondrial fusion" "mitochondrial biogenesis" "mitophagy" "liver fibrosis" "epigenetic regulation" "DNA methylation" "RNA methylation" "histone modification" and "non-coding RNA". Manuscripts were collated, studied and carried forward for discussion where appropriate.

RESULTS

Mitochondrial fission, fusion, biogenesis, and mitophagy regulate the homeostasis of mitochondria, and the imbalance of mitochondrial homeostasis can induce liver fibrosis. Epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation, RNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, plays a significant role in regulating the processes of mitochondrial homeostasis.

CONCLUSION

Mitochondrial quality control and epigenetic mechanisms are intricately linked to the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Understanding these molecular interactions provides insight into potential therapeutic strategies. Further research is necessary to translate these findings into clinical applications, with a focus on developing epigenetic drugs to ameliorate liver fibrosis by modulating MQC and epigenetic pathways.

Liver fibrosis: pathological features, clinical treatment and application of therapeutic nanoagents

Liver fibrosis is a reversible damage-repair response, the pathological features of which mainly include damage to hepatocytes, sinusoid capillarization, hepatic stellate cells activation, excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix and inflammatory response. Although some treatments (including drugs and stem cell therapy) for these pathological features have been shown to be effective, more clinical trials are needed to confirm their effectiveness. In recent years, nanomaterials-based therapies have emerged as an innovative and promising alternative to traditional drugs, being explored for the treatment of liver fibrosis diseases. Natural nanomaterials (including extracellular vesicles) and synthetic nanomaterials (including inorganic nanomaterials and organic nanomaterials) are developed to facilitate drug targeting delivery and combination therapy. In this review, the pathological features of liver fibrosis and the current anti-fibrosis drugs in clinical trials are briefly introduced, followed by a detailed introduction of the therapeutic nanoagents for the precise delivery of anti-fibrosis drugs. Finally, the future development trend in this field is discussed.

Crosstalk between fibroblasts and immunocytes in fibrosis: From molecular mechanisms to clinical trials

BACKGROUND

The impact of fibroblasts on the immune system provides insight into the function of fibroblasts. In various tissue microenvironments, multiple fibroblast subtypes interact with immunocytes by secreting growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines, leading to wound healing, fibrosis, and escape of cancer immune surveillance. However, the specific mechanisms involved in the fibroblast-immunocyte interaction network have not yet been fully elucidated.

MAIN BODY AND CONCLUSION

Therefore, we systematically reviewed the molecular mechanisms of fibroblast-immunocyte interactions in fibrosis, from the history of cellular evolution and cell subtype divisions to the regulatory networks between fibroblasts and immunocytes. We also discuss how these communications function in different tissue and organ statuses, as well as potential therapies targeting the reciprocal fibroblast-immunocyte interplay in fibrosis. A comprehensive understanding of these functional cells under pathophysiological conditions and the mechanisms by which they communicate may lead to the development of effective and specific therapies targeting fibrosis.

Yohimbine ameliorates liver inflammation and fibrosis by regulating oxidative stress and Wnt/β-catenin pathway

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Chronic liver injury, caused by various aetiologies, causes recurrent tissue damage, culminating in decreased liver regenerative ability and resulting in fibrosis followed by cirrhosis. In this study, the anti-fibrotic activity of Yohimbine hydrochloride (YHC) was investigated using various in vitro models and in vivo models.

METHODS

To assess the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic effects of YHC, lipopolysaccharide or TGF-β induced differentiation or lipid-induced oxidative-stress models were employed using HLECs, HSC-LX2, and HepG2 cells. Further, thioacetamide (TAA) induced hepatic inflammation/fibrosis models were utilized to validate the YHC's anti-fibrotic activity in rats.

RESULTS

Inflammation/differentiation experiments in HLECs and HSC-LX2 revealed that YHC treatment significantly (p < 0.001) mitigated the lipopolysaccharide or TGF-β induced upregulation of inflammatory and fibrotic markers expression respectively. In addition, YHC dose-dependently reduced the TGF-β induced migration and palmitic acid-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Further, TAA administration (5 weeks) in vivo rat model showed increased inflammatory marker levels/expression, oxidative stress, and pathological abnormalities. Additionally, TAA administration (9 weeks) elevated the fibrotic marker expression, collagen deposition in liver tissues, and shortened longevity in rats. Treatment with YHC dose-dependently mitigated the TAA-induced abnormalities in both inflammation and fibrosis models and improved the survival of the rats. Further mechanistic approaches revealed that TAA administration elevated the JNK, Wnt components and β-catenin expression in hepatic stellate cells and animal tissues. Further treatment with YHC significantly modulated the JNK/Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Moreover, the β-catenin nuclear translocation results showed that β-catenin levels were significantly elevated in the nuclear fraction of TAA control samples and reduced in YHC-treated samples.

CONCLUSION

Yohimbine treatment significantly improved inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting differentiation, oxidative stress, and collagen deposition by partly modulating the JNK/Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These results might serve as a foundation for proposing yohimbine as a potential lead compound for liver fibrosis.

Natural Products in Liver Fibrosis Management: A Five-year Review

Liver fibrosis, characterized by the overproduction of extracellular matrix proteins within liver tissue, poses a rising global health concern. However, no approved antifibrotic drugs are currently available, highlighting the critical need for understanding the molecular mechanisms of liver fibrosis. This knowledge could not only aid in developing therapies but also enable early intervention, enhance disease prediction, and improve our understanding of the interaction between various underlying conditions and the liver. Notably, natural products used in traditional medicine systems worldwide and demonstrating diverse biochemical and pharmacological activities are increasingly recognized for their potential in treating liver fibrosis. This review aims to comprehensively understand liver fibrosis, emphasizing the molecular mechanisms and advancements in exploring natural products' antifibrotic potential over the past five years. It also acknowledges the challenges in their development and seeks to underscore their potency in enhancing patient prognosis and reducing the global burden of liver disease.

Pathological granuloma fibrosis induced by agar-embedded Mycobacterium abscessus in C57BL/6JNarl mice

Introduction

Pulmonary granuloma diseases caused by Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) have increased in past decades, and drug-resistance in this pathogen is a growing public health concern. Therefore, an animal model of chronic granuloma disease is urgently needed.

Methods

In this study, M. abscessus embedded within agar beads (agar-AB) was used to develop such a model in C57BL/6JNarl mice.

Results

Chronic infection was sustained for at least 3 months after agar-AB infection, visible granulomas spread in the lungs, and giant cells and foamy cells appeared in the granulomas. More importantly, pulmonary fibrosis progressed for 3 months, and collagen fibers were detected by Masson trichrome staining. Further, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was highly expressed within the alveolar space, and the fibrosis-mediator transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) began to be expressed at 1 month. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) expression also increased, which aided in normalizing oxygen partial pressure.

Discussion

Although the transient fibrosis persisted for only 3 months, and the pulmonary structure resolved when the pathogen was cleard, this pulmonary fibrosis model for M. abscessus infection will provide a novel test platform for development of new drugs, regimens, and therapies.

Single-cell transcriptomics stratifies organoid models of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing cause of morbidity with limited treatment options. Thus, accurate in vitro systems to test new therapies are indispensable. While recently, human liver organoid models have emerged to assess steatotic liver disease, a systematic evaluation of their translational potential is still missing. Here, we evaluated human liver organoid models of MASLD, comparatively testing disease induction in three conditions: oleic acid, palmitic acid, and TGF-β1. Through single-cell analyses, we find that all three models induce inflammatory signatures, but only TGF-β1 promotes collagen production, fibrosis, and hepatic stellate cell expansion. In striking contrast, oleic acid ameliorates fibrotic signatures and reduces the hepatic stellate cell population. Linking data from each model to gene expression signatures associated with MASLD disease progression further demonstrates that palmitic acid and TGF-β1 more robustly model inflammation and fibrosis. Our findings highlight the importance of stratifying MASLD organoid models by signatures of clinical disease progression, provide a single-cell reference to benchmark future organoid injury models, and allow us to study evolving steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and HSC susceptibility to injury in a dynamic, multi-lineage human in vitro system.

Sex Drives Functional Changes in the Progression and Regression of Liver Fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is a common and reversible feature of liver damage associated with many chronic liver diseases, and its onset is influenced by sex. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of liver fibrosis and regeneration, focusing on understanding the mechanistic gaps between females and males. We injected increasing doses of carbon tetrachloride into female and male mice and maintained them for a washout period of eight weeks to allow for liver regeneration. We found that male mice were more prone to developing severe liver fibrosis as a consequence of early chronic liver damage, supported by the recruitment of a large number of Ly6Chigh MoMφs and neutrophils. Although prolonged liver damage exacerbated the fibrosis in mice of both sexes, activated HSCs and Ly6Chigh MoMφs were more numerous and active in the livers of female mice than those of male mice. After eight weeks of washout, only fibrotic females reported no activated HSCs, and a phenotype switching of Ly6Chigh MoMφs to anti-fibrogenic Ly6Clow MoMφs. The early stages of liver fibrosis mostly affected males rather than females, while long-term chronic liver damage was not influenced by sex, at least for liver fibrosis. Liver repair and regeneration were more efficient in females than in males.

Chronic liver diseases: From development to novel pharmacological therapies: IUPHAR Review 37

Chronic liver diseases comprise a broad spectrum of burdensome diseases that still lack effective pharmacological therapies. Our research group focuses on fibrosis, which is a major precursor of liver cirrhosis. Fibrosis consists in a progressive disturbance of liver sinusoidal architecture characterised by connective tissue deposition as a reparative response to tissue injury. Multifactorial events and several types of cells participate in fibrosis initiation and progression, and the process still needs to be completely understood. The development of experimental models of liver fibrosis alongside the identification of critical factors progressing fibrosis to cirrhosis will facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic approaches for such condition. This review provides an overlook of the main process leading to hepatic fibrosis and therapeutic approaches that have emerged from a deep knowledge of the molecular regulation of fibrogenesis in the liver. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Translational Advances in Fibrosis as a Therapeutic Target. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v180.22/issuetoc.

Hepatic inflammatory responses in liver fibrosis

Chronic liver diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or viral hepatitis are characterized by persistent inflammation and subsequent liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis critically determines long-term morbidity (for example, cirrhosis or liver cancer) and mortality in NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Inflammation represents the concerted response of various hepatic cell types to hepatocellular death and inflammatory signals, which are related to intrahepatic injury pathways or extrahepatic mediators from the gut-liver axis and the circulation. Single-cell technologies have revealed the heterogeneity of immune cell activation concerning disease states and the spatial organization within the liver, including resident and recruited macrophages, neutrophils as mediators of tissue repair, auto-aggressive features of T cells as well as various innate lymphoid cell and unconventional T cell populations. Inflammatory responses drive the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and HSC subsets, in turn, modulate immune mechanisms via chemokines and cytokines or transdifferentiate into matrix-producing myofibroblasts. Current advances in understanding the pathogenesis of inflammation and fibrosis in the liver, mainly focused on NAFLD or NASH owing to the high unmet medical need, have led to the identification of several therapeutic targets. In this Review, we summarize the inflammatory mediators and cells in the diseased liver, fibrogenic pathways and their therapeutic implications.

Integrated analysis of proteomics, epigenomics and metabolomics data revealed divergent pathway activation patterns in the recent versus chronic post-traumatic stress disorder

Metabolomics, proteomics and DNA methylome assays, when done in tandem from the same blood sample and analyzed together, offer an opportunity to evaluate the molecular basis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) course and pathogenesis. We performed separate metabolomics, proteomics, and DNA methylome assays on blood samples from two well-characterized cohorts of 159 active duty male participants with relatively recent onset PTSD (<1.5 years) and 300 male veterans with chronic PTSD (>7 years). Analyses of the multi-omics datasets from these two independent cohorts were used to identify convergent and distinct molecular profiles that might constitute potential signatures of severity and progression of PTSD and its comorbid conditions. Molecular signatures indicative of homeostatic processes such as signaling and metabolic pathways involved in cellular remodeling, neurogenesis, molecular safeguards against oxidative stress, metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids, regulation of normal immune response, post-transcriptional regulation, cellular maintenance and markers of longevity were significantly activated in the active duty participants with recent PTSD. In contrast, we observed significantly altered multimodal molecular signatures associated with chronic inflammation, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, and cellular attritions in the veterans with chronic PTSD. Activation status of signaling and metabolic pathways at the early and late timepoints of PTSD demonstrated the differential molecular changes related to homeostatic processes at its recent and multi-system syndromes at its chronic phase. Molecular alterations in the recent PTSD seem to indicate some sort of recalibration or compensatory response, possibly directed in mitigating the pathological trajectory of the disorder.

Hepatocyte CYR61 polarizes profibrotic macrophages to orchestrate NASH fibrosis

Obesity is increasing worldwide and leads to a multitude of metabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR61) is associated with the progression of NASH, but it has been described to have anti- and proinflammatory properties. We sought to examine the role of liver CYR61 in NASH progression. CYR61 liver-specific knockout mice on a NASH diet showed improved glucose tolerance, decreased liver inflammation, and reduced fibrosis. CYR61 polarized infiltrating monocytes promoting a proinflammatory/profibrotic phenotype through an IRAK4/SYK/NF-κB signaling cascade. In vitro, CYR61 activated a profibrotic program, including PDGFa/PDGFb expression in macrophages, in an IRAK4/SYK/NF-κB-dependent manner. Furthermore, targeted-antibody blockade reduced CYR61-driven signaling in macrophages in vitro and in vivo, reducing fibrotic development. This study demonstrates that CYR61 is a key driver of liver inflammation and fibrosis in NASH.

Salvianolic acid B inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis by targeting PDGFRβ

Liver fibrosis is a reversible pathological process and a wound healing response to liver injury. As an early stage of various liver diseases, liver fibrosis can develop into cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer if not controlled in time. Salvia miltiorrhiza is a medicinal plant with hepatoprotective effects. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) is the representative component of S. miltiorrhiza. Many studies have reported the anti-liver fibrosis effects and mechanisms of Sal B. However, the direct anti-fibrotic targets of Sal B have not yet been reported. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) is one of the most classical targets in liver fibrosis, which is closely related to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activated. Previously, we established and applied a PDGFRβ affinity chromatography model, and found that Sal B binds well to PDGFRβ. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the direct targets of Sal B against liver fibrosis. We confirmed the binding ability of Sal B to PDGFRβ by molecular docking and a surface plasmon resonance biosensor. Our findings indicated that Sal B targeted PDGFRβ to inhibit the activation, migration and proliferation of HSCs and suppressed the PDGF-BB-induced PDGFRβ signaling pathway. Annexin V-FITC/PI assay showed that Sal B reversed the PDGF-BB-induced decrease in HSC apoptosis rate. In the mouse liver fibrosis model, Sal B inhibited the PDGFRβ signaling pathway, HSC activation and reduced inflammatory response, ultimately improved CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. In summary, the direct anti-fibrotic targets of Sal B may be PDGFRβ, and this study clarified the anti-liver fibrosis effects and mechanism of Sal B.

The Fidelity of Rheumatoid Arthritis Multivariate Diagnostic Biomarkers Using Discriminant Analysis and Binary Logistic Regression

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that causes multi-articular synovitis. The illness is characterized by worsening inflammatory synovitis, which causes joint swelling and pain. Synovitis erodes articular cartilage and marginal bone, resulting in joint deterioration. This bone injury is expected to be permanent. Cytokines play a prominent role in the etiology of RA and could be useful as early diagnostic biomarkers. This research was carried out at Riyadh's King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH). Patients were enrolled from the Rheumatology unit. Seventy-eight RA patients were recruited (67 (85.9%) females and 11 (14.1%) males). Patients were selected for participation by convenience sampling. Demographic data were collected, and disease activity measurements at 28 joints were recorded using the disease activity score (DAS-28). Age- and sex-matched controls from the general population were included in the study. A panel of 27 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors was determined in patient and control sera. Binary logistic regression (BLR) and discriminant analysis (DA) were used to analyze the data. We show that multiple cytokine biomarker profiles successfully distinguished RA patients from healthy controls. IL-17, IL-4, and RANTES were among the most predictive variables and were the only biomarkers incorporated into both BLR and DA predictive models for pooled participants (men and women). In the women-only models, the significant cytokines incorporated in the model were IL-4, IL-17, MIP-1b, and RANTES for the BLR model and IL-4, IL-1Ra, GM-CSF, IL-17, and eotaxin for the DA model. The BLR and DA men-only models contained one cytokine each, eotaxin for BLR and platelet-derived growth factor-bb (PDGF-BB) for DA. We show that BLR has a higher fidelity in identifying RA patients than DA. We also found that the use of gender-specific models marginally improves detection fidelity, indicating a possible benefit in clinical diagnosis. More research is needed to determine whether this conclusion will hold true in various and larger patient populations.

Advantages of the Combinatorial Molecular Targeted Therapy of Head and Neck Cancer-A Step before Anakoinosis-Based Personalized Treatment

The molecular initiators of Head and Heck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) are complex. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is linked to an increasing number of HNSCC cases, but HPV-positive tumors generally have a good prognosis. External factors that promote the development of HPV-negative HNSCC include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and proinflammatory poor oral hygiene. On a molecular level, several events, including the well-known overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) and related downstream signaling pathways, contribute to the development of HNSCC. Conventional chemotherapy is insufficient for many patients. Thus, molecular-based therapy for HNSCC offers patients a better chance at a cure. The first molecular target for therapy of HNSCC was EGFR, inhibited by monoclonal antibody cetuximab, but its use in monotherapy is insufficient and induces resistance. This article describes attempts at combinatorial molecular targeted therapy of HNSCC based on several molecular targets and exemplary drugs/drug candidates. The new concept of anakoinosis-based therapy, which means treatment that targets the intercellular and intracellular communication of cancer cells, is thought to be the way to improve the clinical outcome for HNSCC patients. The identification of a link between molecular targeted therapy and anakoinosis raises the potential for further progress in HPV-negative HNSCC therapy.

Oxidative Stress in Liver Pathophysiology and Disease

The liver is an organ that is particularly exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which not only arise during metabolic functions but also during the biotransformation of xenobiotics. The disruption of redox balance causes oxidative stress, which affects liver function, modulates inflammatory pathways and contributes to disease. Thus, oxidative stress is implicated in acute liver injury and in the pathogenesis of prevalent infectious or metabolic chronic liver diseases such as viral hepatitis B or C, alcoholic fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Moreover, oxidative stress plays a crucial role in liver disease progression to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we provide an overview on the effects of oxidative stress on liver pathophysiology and the mechanisms by which oxidative stress promotes liver disease.

Retinol-binding protein-hijacking nanopolyplex delivering siRNA to cytoplasm of hepatic stellate cell for liver fibrosis alleviation

Activated hepatic stellate cell (aHSC) is mainly responsible for deposition of extracellular collagen matrix that causes liver fibrosis. Although several siRNAs adequately inhibited HSC activation in vitro, they were demonstrated poor RNAi efficiency in vivo. Developing HSC-targeting and cytoplasmic delivery nanocarrier is highly essential to acquire a desirable siRNA therapeutic index for anti-liver fibrosis. Here, we developed a unique crosslinking nanopolyplex (called T-C-siRNA) modified by vitamin A (VA) with the well-designed natures, including the negative charge, retinol-binding protein (RBP) hijacking, and cytoplasmic siRNA release in response to ROS and cis diol molecules. The nanopolyplex was given a yolk-shell-like shape, camouflage ability in blood, and HSC-targeting capability by hijacking the endogenous ligand RBP via surface VA. PDGFR-β siRNA (siPDGFR-β) supplied via T-C-siPDGFR-β nanopolyplex dramatically reduced HSC activation and its production of pro-fibrogenic proteins in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, T-C-siPDGFR-β nanopolyplex effectively alleviated CCl4-induced liver injury, decreased hepatic collagen sediment, and recovered liver function in mice. This study provides a sophisticated method for HSC-targeting cytoplasmic RNA delivery using endogenous ligand hijacking and dual sensitivity of ROS and cis diol compounds.

Characterization of human stem cell-derived hepatic stellate cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells during extended in vitro culture

Background: There is a significant need for predictive and stable in vitro human liver representations for disease modeling and drug testing. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are important non-parenchymal cell components of the liver and are hence of relevance in a variety of disease models, including hepatic fibrosis. Pluripotent stem cell- (PSC-) derived HSCs (scHSCs) and LSECs (scLSECs) offer an attractive alternative to primary human material; yet, the suitability of scHSCs and scLSECs for extended in vitro modeling has not been characterized. Methods: In this study, we describe the phenotypic and functional development of scHSCs and scLSECs during 14 days of 2D in vitro culture. Cell-specific phenotypes were evaluated by cell morphology, immunofluorescence, and gene- and protein expression. Functionality was assessed in scHSCs by their capacity for intracellular storage of vitamin A and response to pro-fibrotic stimuli induced by TGF-β. scLSECs were evaluated by nitric oxide- and factor VIII secretion as well as endocytic uptake of bioparticles and acetylated low-density lipoprotein. Notch pathway inhibition and co-culturing scHSCs and scLSECs were separately tested as options for enhancing long-term stability and maturation of the cells. Results and Conclusion: Both scHSCs and scLSECs exhibited a post-differentiation cell type-specific phenotype and functionality but deteriorated during extended culture with PSC line-dependent variability. Therefore, the choice of PSC line and experimental timeframe is crucial when designing in vitro platforms involving scHSCs and scLSECs. Notch inhibition modestly improved long-term monoculture in a cell line-dependent manner, while co-culturing scHSCs and scLSECs provides a strategy to enhance phenotypic and functional stability.

Oxoglaucine Suppresses Hepatic Fibrosis by Inhibiting TGFβ-Induced Smad2 Phosphorylation and ROS Generation

Hepatic fibrosis is the first stage of liver disease, and can progress to a chronic status, such as cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Excessive production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components plays an important role in the development of fibrosis. Mechanistically, transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)-induced phosphorylation of Smad is thought to be a key signaling pathway in the development of liver fibrosis. Although the natural isoquinoline alkaloid oxoglaucine (1,2,9,10-tetramethoxy-7H-dibenzo(de,g)quinolin-7-one) exerts numerous beneficial effects, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-osteoarthritic effects in diverse cell types, the effects of oxoglaucine on liver fibrosis and fibrogenic gene expression have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the signaling pathway and antifibrotic activity of isoquinoline alkaloid oxoglaucine in TFGβ-induced hepatic fibrosis in vitro. Using Hepa1c1c7 cells and primary hepatocytes, we demonstrated that oxoglaucine treatment resulted in inhibition of the expression of fibrosis markers such as collagen, fibronectin, and alpha-SMA. Subsequent experiments showed that oxoglaucine suppressed TGFβ-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, without altering cell proliferation. We further determined that the increase in Smad7 by oxoglaucine treatment is responsible for the inhibition of Smad2 phosphorylation and the anti-fibrogenic effects. These findings indicate that oxoglaucine plays a crucial role in suppression of fibrosis in hepatocytes, thereby making it a potential drug candidate for treatment of liver fibrosis.

Liver Fibrosis Resolution: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Opportunities

The liver is a critical system for metabolism in human beings, which plays an essential role in an abundance of physiological processes and is vulnerable to endogenous or exogenous injuries. After the damage to the liver, a type of aberrant wound healing response known as liver fibrosis may happen, which can result in an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and then cause cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), seriously endangering human health and causing a great economic burden. However, few effective anti-fibrotic medications are clinically available to treat liver fibrosis. The most efficient approach to liver fibrosis prevention and treatment currently is to eliminate its causes, but this approach's efficiency is too slow, or some causes cannot be fully eliminated, which causes liver fibrosis to worsen. In cases of advanced fibrosis, the only available treatment is liver transplantation. Therefore, new treatments or therapeutic agents need to be explored to stop the further development of early liver fibrosis or to reverse the fibrosis process to achieve liver fibrosis resolution. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to the development of liver fibrosis is necessary to find new therapeutic targets and drugs. The complex process of liver fibrosis is regulated by a variety of cells and cytokines, among which hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the essential cells, and their continued activation will lead to further progression of liver fibrosis. It has been found that inhibiting HSC activation, or inducing apoptosis, and inactivating activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) can reverse fibrosis and thus achieve liver fibrosis regression. Hence, this review will concentrate on how HSCs become activated during liver fibrosis, including intercellular interactions and related signaling pathways, as well as targeting HSCs or liver fibrosis signaling pathways to achieve the resolution of liver fibrosis. Finally, new therapeutic compounds targeting liver fibrosis are summarized to provide more options for the therapy of liver fibrosis.

Oral Targeted Delivery of Imatinib by pH Responsive Copolymer Modulates Liver Fibrosis in the Mice Model

Liver fibrosis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality without approved treatment. The therapeutic effects of Imatinib as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor on reversing liver fibrosis have already been shown. However, considering the conventional route of Imatinib administration, the amount of drug to be used is very high, and its side effects are raised. Therefore, we designed an efficient pH-sensitive polymer for the targeted delivery of Imatinib in treating a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. This nanotherapeutic system-based Vitamin A (VA)-modified Imatinib-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)/Eudragit S100 (PLGA-ES100) has been successfully fabricated by adapting the solvent evaporation technique. The applying ES100 on the surface of our desired nanoparticles (NPs) protects drug release at the acidic pH of the gastric and guarantees the effective release of Imatinib at a higher pH of the intestine. Besides, VA-functionalized NPs could be an ideal efficient drug delivery system due to the high capacity of hepatic cell lines to absorb VA. For induction of liver fibrosis, CCL4 was intraperitoneally (IP) injected twice a week for six weeks in BALB/c mice. Oral administration of VA-targeted PLGA-ES100 NPs loaded with Rhodamine Red™ by live animal imaging showed a preferential accumulation of the selected NPs in the liver of mice. Besides, administrating targeted Imatinib-loaded NPs significantly decreased serum levels of ALT, and AST, and also reduced the expression of extracellular matrix components, including collagen I, collagen III, and α-SMA, considerably. Interestingly, histopathological evaluation of liver tissues through H&E and Masson's trichrome staining showed that oral administration of targeted Imatinib-loaded NPs reduced hepatic damage by enhancing hepatic structure condition. Also, the Sirius-red staining indicated a reduction in collagen expression during treatment with targeted NP containing Imatinib. The immunohistochemistry result on liver tissue shows a significant decrease in the expression of α-SMA in groups treated with targeted NP. In the meantime, administration of a very scarce dose of Imatinib via targeted NP caused a substantial decline in the expression of fibrosis marker genes (Collagen I, Collagen III, α-SMA). Our results confirmed that novel pH-sensitive VA-targeted PLGA-ES100 NPs could efficiently deliver Imatinib to the liver cells. Loading Imatinib in the PLGA-ES100/VA might overcome many challenges facing conventional Imatinib therapy, including gastrointestinal pH, the low concentration at the target region, and toxicity.

Towards a Unified Approach in Autoimmune Fibrotic Signalling Pathways

Autoimmunity is a chronic process resulting in inflammation, tissue damage, and subsequent tissue remodelling and organ fibrosis. In contrast to acute inflammatory reactions, pathogenic fibrosis typically results from the chronic inflammatory reactions characterizing autoimmune diseases. Despite having obvious aetiological and clinical outcome distinctions, most chronic autoimmune fibrotic disorders have in common a persistent and sustained production of growth factors, proteolytic enzymes, angiogenic factors, and fibrogenic cytokines, which together stimulate the deposition of connective tissue elements or epithelial to mesenchymal transformation (EMT) that progressively remodels and destroys normal tissue architecture leading to organ failure. Despite its enormous impact on human health, there are currently no approved treatments that directly target the molecular mechanisms of fibrosis. The primary goal of this review is to discuss the most recent identified mechanisms of chronic autoimmune diseases characterized by a fibrotic evolution with the aim to identify possible common and unique mechanisms of fibrogenesis that might be exploited in the development of effective antifibrotic therapies.

Gene Polymorphisms and Biological Effects of Vitamin D Receptor on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Development and Progression

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, with increasing prevalence worldwide. The genetic and molecular background of NAFLD pathogenesis is not yet clear. The vitamin D/vitamin D receptor (VDR) axis is significantly associated with the development and progression of NAFLD. Gene polymorphisms may influence the regulation of the VDR gene, although their biological significance remains to be elucidated. VDR gene polymorphisms are associated with the presence and severity of NAFLD, as they may influence the regulation of adipose tissue activity, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Vitamin D binds to the hepatic VDR to exert its biological functions, either by activating VDR transcriptional activity to regulate gene expression associated with inflammation and fibrosis or by inducing intracellular signal transduction through VDR-mediated activation of Ca²⁺ channels. VDR activity has protective and detrimental effects on hepatic steatosis, a characteristic feature of NAFLD. Vitamin D-VDR signaling may control the progression of NAFLD by regulating immune responses, lipotoxicity, and fibrogenesis. Elucidation of the genetic and molecular background of VDR in the pathophysiology of NAFLD will provide new therapeutic targets for this disease through the development of VDR agonists, which already showed promising results in vivo.

Identification of circular dorsal ruffles as signal platforms for the AKT pathway in glomerular podocytes

Circular dorsal ruffles (CDRs) are rounded membrane ruffles induced by growth factors to function as precursors of the large-scale endocytosis called macropinocytosis. In addition to their role in cellular uptake, recent research using cell line systems has shown that CDRs/macropinocytosis regulate the canonical AKT-mTORC1 growth factor signaling pathway. However, as CDRs have not been observed in tissues, their physiological relevance has remained unclear. Here, utilizing ultrahigh-resolution scanning electron microscopy, we first report that CDRs are expressed in glomerular podocytes ex vivo and in vivo, and we visually captured the transformation process to macropinocytosis. Moreover, through biochemical and imaging analyses, we show that AKT phosphorylation localized to CDRs upstream of mTORC1 activation in podocyte cell lines and isolated glomeruli. These results demonstrate the physiological role of CDRs as signal platforms for the AKT-mTORC1 pathway in glomerular podocytes at the tissue level. As mTORC1 plays critical roles in podocyte metabolism, and aberrant activation of mTORC1 triggers podocytopathies, our results strongly suggest that targeting CDR formation could represent a potential therapeutic approach for these diseases.

Hepatic Stellate Cells: Dictating Outcome in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a fast growing, chronic liver disease affecting ∼25% of the global population. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity ranges from the less severe simple hepatic steatosis to the more advanced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The presence of NASH predisposes individuals to liver fibrosis, which can further progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This makes hepatic fibrosis an important indicator of clinical outcomes in patients with NASH. Hepatic stellate cell activation dictates fibrosis development during NASH. Here, we discuss recent advances in the analysis of the profibrogenic pathways and mediators of hepatic stellate cell activation and inactivation, which ultimately determine the course of disease in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/NASH.

Gomisin D alleviates liver fibrosis through targeting PDGFRβ in hepatic stellate cells

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) plays an important role in hepatic fibrosis and is closely associated with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation. Previously, by modeling PDGFRβ affinity chromatography, we found that gomisin D can target PDGFRβ. However, whether gomisin D has anti-fibrosis effects through targeting PDGFRβ remained unclear. In this study, the effect of gomisin D on hepatic fibrosis was evaluated in vivo and vitro. HSC cell lines and primary HSC were cultured and functionally we found that gomisin D promotes HSC apoptosis, inhibits HSCs activation and proliferation. A male BALB/c mouse liver fibrosis model was established to comfirm gomisin D (especially in 50 mg/kg) could improve liver fibrosis by inhibiting HSCs activation. In addition, gomisin D had a good binding ability with PDGFRβ (KD = 3.3e^-5 M). Mechanically, gomisin D regulated PDGF-BB/PDGFRβ signaling pathway by targeting PDGFRβ, further more inhibited HSC activation, subsequently inhibited inflammatory factors, ultimately improved CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis. Overall, gomisin D could inhibit HSC proliferation and activation, promote HSC apoptosis, and alleviate CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis by targeting PDGFRβ and regulating PDGF-BB/PDGFRβ signaling pathway. This study provides a new drug for anti-liver firbosis therapy, and elucidates the deeper mechanism of gomisin D against HSCs activation by targeting PDGFRβ.

Biochanin A in murine Schistosoma mansoni infection: effects on inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis

Biochanin A (BCA) is a multifunctional natural compound that possesses anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective effects. The aim of the study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of BCA on Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. Fifty mice were divided into six different groups as non-infected, non-infected BCA-treated, infected untreated, early infected BCA-treated (seven days post-infection (dpi)), late infected BCA-treated 60 dpi and infected praziquantel (PZQ)-treated groups. Parasitological, histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) were investigated in liver sections. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) gene expression of S. mansoni was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A single dose of BCA significantly reduced worm burden in early (82.14%) and late infection (77.74%), mean tissue egg load in early (7.27 ± 0.495) and late BCA administration (7.63 ± 0.435) and decreased granuloma size. CYP450 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in early BCA treatment as compared to late treatment which emphasizes that early administration of BCA had more pronounced effects on worms than late administration. Both early and late BCA administration led to significant reduction in inflammatory cytokines as TGF and iNOS. Although the reduction of TGF and iNOS in BCA-treated mice was superior to PZQ, no statistically significant differences were noted. However, a significant downregulation of COX2 was noted in hepatocytes as compared to both infected control and PZQ-treated mice. BCA has schistosomicidal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-fibrotic effects and could be regarded as a potential drug in schistosomiasis treatment.

Therapeutic interventions of acute and chronic liver disorders: A comprehensive review

Liver disorders are one of the most common pathological problems worldwide. It affects more than 1.5 billion worldwide. Many types of hepatic cells have been reported to be involved in the initiation and propagation of both acute and chronic liver diseases, including hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, sinusoidal endothelial cells, and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In addition, oxidative stress, cytokines, fibrogenic factors, microRNAs, and autophagy are also involved. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of liver diseases leads to discovering new therapeutic interventions that can be used in clinics. Recently, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-HSCs therapy, gene therapy, cell therapy, gut microbiota, and nanoparticles have great potential for preventing and treating liver diseases. Here, we explored the recent possible molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic liver diseases. Besides, we overviewed the recent therapeutic interventions that targeted liver diseases and summarized the recent studies concerning liver disorders therapy.

Regulatory Functions and Mechanisms of Circular RNAs in Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Liver Fibrosis

Chronic liver injury induces the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblasts, which produce excessive amounts of extracellular matrix (ECM), resulting in tissue fibrosis. If the injury persists, these fibrous scars could be permanent and disrupt liver architecture and function. Currently, effective anti-fibrotic therapies are lacking; hence, understanding molecular mechanisms that control HSC activation could hold a key to the development of new treatments. Recently, emerging studies have revealed roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs that was initially assumed to be the result of splicing errors, as new regulators in HSC activation. These circRNAs can modulate the activity of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their interacting protein partners involved in regulating fibrogenic signaling cascades. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge of this class of non-coding RNAs for their molecular function in HSC activation and liver fibrosis progression.

Imatinib suppresses activation of hepatic stellate cells by targeting STAT3/IL-6 pathway through miR-124

The activation of hepatic stellate cells is the primary function of facilitating liver fibrosis. Interfering with the coordinators of different signaling pathways in activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) could be a potential approach in ameliorating liver fibrosis. Regarding the illustrated anti-fibrotic effect of imatinib in liver fibrosis, we investigated the imatinib's potential role in inhibiting HSC activation through miR-124 and its interference with the STAT3/hepatic leukemia factor (HLF)/IL-6 circuit. The anti-fibrotic effect of imatinib was investigated in the LX-2 cell line and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄ )-induced Sprague-Dawley rat. The expression of IL-6, STAT3, HLF, miR-124, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and the protein level of α-SMA and STAT3 was measured by western blot analysis both in vitro and in vivo. The LX-2 cells were subjected to immunocytochemistry (ICC) for α-SMA expression. After administering imatinib in the liver fibrosis model, histopathological examinations were done, and hepatic function serum markers were checked. Imatinib administration alleviated mentioned liver fibrosis markers. The expression of miR-124 was downregulated, while IL-6/HLF/STAT3 circuit agents were upregulated in vitro and in vivo. Notably, imatinib intervention decreased the expression of IL-6, STAT3, and HLF. Elevated expression of miR-124 suppressed the expression of STAT3 and further inhibited HSCs activation. Our results demonstrated that imatinib not only ameliorated hepatic fibrosis through tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) activity but also interfered with the miR-124 and STAT3/HLF/IL-6 pathway. Considering the important role of miR-124 in regulating liver fibrosis and HSCs activation, imatinib may exert its anti-fibrotic activity through miR-124.

To Investigate Growth Factor Receptor Targets and Generate Cancer Targeting Inhibitors

Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) regulates multiple pathways, including Mitogenactivated protein kinases (MAPKs), PI3/AKT, JAK/STAT pathway, etc. which has a significant role in the progression and metastasis of tumor. As RTK activation regulates numerous essential bodily processes, including cell proliferation and division, RTK dysregulation has been identified in many types of cancers. Targeting RTK is a significant challenge in cancer due to the abnormal upregulation and downregulation of RTK receptors subfamily EGFR, FGFR, PDGFR, VEGFR, and HGFR in the progression of cancer, which is governed by multiple RTK receptor signalling pathways and impacts treatment response and disease progression. In this review, an extensive focus has been carried out on the normal and abnormal signalling pathways of EGFR, FGFR, PDGFR, VEGFR, and HGFR and their association with cancer initiation and progression. These are explored as potential therapeutic cancer targets and therefore, the inhibitors were evaluated alone and merged with additional therapies in clinical trials aimed at combating global cancer.

Hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects of trans-chalcone against bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats

Objectives

Several lines of research have shown that hepatic fibrosis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Trans-chalcone is a flavonoid precursor with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study was conducted to examine the antifibrotic properties of trans-chalcone on bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver cholestasis in rats.

Materials and Methods

Following the BDL operation, trans-chalcone at doses of 12, 24, and 50 mg/kg was administered orally once a day for 45 consecutive days. Serum levels of liver indices, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total and direct bilirubin, and lipid profile in addition to blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, were measured. Additionally, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were assessed in liver homogenates. Histopathological evaluations were performed using Masson trichrome (MT) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.

Results

The elevated levels of liver enzymes, total and direct bilirubin, BUN, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) induced by BDL were significantly reduced following trans-chalcone administration; while serum level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased. Besides, treatment with trans-chalcone elevated the activities of CAT and SOD in the liver tissues of the animals with BDL surgery. According to MT and H&E staining, BDL-induced histopathological changes, including infiltration of inflammatory cells, hepatocyte necrosis, ductal hyperplasia, and collagen deposition were ameliorated using trans-chalcone administration.

Conclusion

It can be concluded from the present study that trans-chalcone, possibly by its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may exert hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects in BDL-induced liver fibrosis.

Genome-wide DNA methylation dynamics in carbon tetrachloride-induced mice liver fibrosis

Objectives

Many persistent harmful stimuli can result in chronic liver diseases, which lead to about 2 million deaths per year in the whole world. Liver fibrosis was found to exist in all kinds of chronic liver diseases. Many studies suggested that DNA methylation was associated with the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. This study aimed to quantitatively detect DNA methylation changes in the whole genome in fibrotic liver tissues of mice.

Materials and Methods

Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) for 4 weeks. A genome-wide methylome analysis was performed using 850K BeadChips assays. The methylation status of 27 CpG dinucleotides located in 3 genes was detected by pyrosequencing to confirm chip data accuracy, and mRNA expressions of these 3 genes were examined by RT-qPCR methods.

Results

A total of 130,068 differentially methylated sites (DMS, 58,474 hypermethylated, and 71,594 hypomethylated) between fibrotic liver tissues and control mice liver tissues were identified by the 850k BeadChips array. Consistency between pyrosequencing data and 850k BeadChips array data was observed (R=0.928; P<0.01). Apoptosis, positive regulation of transcription of Notch receptor target, and negative regulation of p38MAPK signal cascade activities were significantly enriched in the Gene Ontology (GO) analyses. Cholesterol metabolism, bile secretion, and more biosynthesis and metabolism pathways were enriched in KEGG pathway analyses. Ten key genes were identified by the Cytoscape plugin cytoHubba.

Conclusion

7850 genes were found to have methylation change in fibrotic liver tissues of mice, which facilitates future research for clinical application.

Self-homing nanocarriers for mRNA delivery to the activated hepatic stellate cells in liver fibrosis

Herein, we report on the development of a platform for the selective delivery of mRNA to the hard-to-transfect Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells (aHSCs), the fundamental player in the progression of liver fibrosis. Using a microfluidic device (iLiNP), we prepared a series of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) based on a diverse library of pH-sensitive lipids. After an in-depth in vivo optimization of the LNPs, their mRNA delivery efficiency, selectivity, potency, robustness, and biosafety were confirmed. Furthermore, some mechanistic aspects of their selective delivery to aHSCs were investigated. We identified a promising lipid candidate, CL15A6, that has a high affinity to aHSCs. Tweaking the composition and physico-chemical properties of the LNPs enabled the robust and ligand-free mRNA delivery to aHSCs in vivo post intravenous administration, with a high biosafety at mRNA doses of up to 2 mg/Kg, upon either acute or chronic administrations. The mechanistic investigation suggested that CL15A6 LNPs were taken up by aHSCs via Clathrin-mediated endocytosis through the Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) and showed a pKa-dependent cellular uptake. The novel and scalable platform reported in this study is highly promising for clinical applications.

Sulfatase-2 from Cancer Associated Fibroblasts: An Environmental Target for Hepatocellular Carcinoma?

Introduction

Heparin sulphate proteoglycans in the liver tumour microenvironment (TME) are key regulators of cell signalling, modulated by sulfatase-2 (SULF2). SULF2 overexpression occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aims were to define the nature and impact of SULF2 in the HCC TME.

Methods

In liver biopsies from 60 patients with HCC, expression and localization of SULF2 were analysed associated with clinical parameters and outcome. Functional and mechanistic impacts were assessed with immunohistochemistry (IHC), in silico using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TGCA), in primary isolated cancer activated fibroblasts, in monocultures, in 3D spheroids, and in an independent cohort of 20 patients referred for sorafenib. IHC targets included αSMA, glypican-3, β-catenin, RelA-P-ser536, CD4, CD8, CD66b, CD45, CD68, and CD163. SULF2 impact of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was assessed by migration assays, with characterization of immune cell phenotype using fluorescent activated cell sorting.

Results

We report that while SULF2 was expressed in tumour cells in 15% (9/60) of cases, associated with advanced tumour stage and type 2 diabetes, SULF2 was more commonly expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) (52%) and independently associated with shorter survival (7.2 vs. 29.2 months, p = 0.003). Stromal SULF2 modulated glypican-3/β-catenin signalling in vitro, although in vivo associations suggested additional mechanisms underlying the CAF-SULF2 impact on prognosis. Stromal SULF2 was released by CAFS isolated from human HCC. It was induced by TGFβ1, promoted HCC proliferation and sorafenib resistance, with CAF-SULF2 linked to TGFβ1 and immune exhaustion in TGCA HCC patients. Autocrine activation of PDGFRβ/STAT3 signalling was evident in stromal cells, with the release of the potent monocyte/macrophage chemoattractant CCL2 in vitro. In human PBMCs, SULF2 preferentially induced the migration of macrophage precursors (monocytes), inducing a phenotypic change consistent with immune exhaustion. In human HCC tissues, CAF-SULF2 was associated with increased macrophage recruitment, with tumouroid studies showing stromal-derived SULF2-induced paracrine activation of the IKKβ/NF-κB pathway, tumour cell proliferation, invasion, and sorafenib resistance.

Conclusion

SULF2 derived from CAFs modulates glypican-3/β-catenin signalling but also the HCC immune TME, associated with tumour progression and therapy resistance via activation of the TAK1/IKKβ/NF-κB pathway. It is an attractive target for combination therapies for patients with HCC.

Discussing the role of circular RNA in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its complications

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are class of non-coding RNA, which are characterized by a covalently closed loop structure. Functionally they can act on cellular physiology, notably by sponging microRNAs (miR), regulating gene expression or interacting with binding protein. To date, circRNAs might represent an interesting, underexploited avenue for new target discovery for therapeutic applications, especially in the liver. The first characteristic of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is hepatic cholesterol accumulation, followed by its advanced form of the affection, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), due to the occurrence of lobular inflammation, irreversible fibrosis, and in some cases hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, studies have investigated the importance of the dysregulation of circRNAs in the onset of metabolic disorders. In this review, we summarize the potential role of circRNAs in the development of metabolic diseases associated with the liver such as NAFLD or NASH, and their potential to become therapeutic strategies for these pathologies.

Melatonin promotes the proliferation of primordial germ cell-like cells derived from porcine skin-derived stem cells: A mechanistic analysis

In vitro differentiation of stem cells into functional gametes remains of great interest in the biomedical field. Skin-derived stem cells (SDSCs) are an adult stem cells that provides a wide range of clinical applications without inherent ethical restrictions. In this paper, porcine SDSCs were successfully differentiated into primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) in conditioned media. The PGCLCs were characterized in terms of cell morphology, marker gene expression, and epigenetic properties. Furthermore, we also found that 25 μM melatonin (MLT) significantly increased the proliferation of the SDSC-derived PGCLCs while acting through the MLT receptor type 1 (MT1). RNA-seq results found the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was more active when PGCLCs were cultured with MLT. Moreover, the effect of MLT was attenuated by the use of S26131 (MT1 antagonist), crenolanib (platelet-derived growth factor receptor inhibitor), U0126 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor), or CCG-1423 (serum response factor transcription inhibitor), suggesting that MLT promotes the proliferation processes through the MAPK pathway. Taken together, this study highlights the role of MLT in promoting PGCLCs proliferation. Importantly, this study provides a suitable in vitro model for use in translational studies and could help to answer numerous remaining questions related to germ cell physiology.

Anti-liver fibrosis activity of curcumin/chitosan-coated green silver nanoparticles

Liver fibrosis results from the hepatic accumulation of the extracellular matrix accompanied by a failure of the mechanisms responsible for matrix dissolution. Pathogenesis of liver fibrosis is associated with many proteins from different cell types. In the present study, in silico molecular docking analysis revealed that curcumin may inhibit the fibrosis-mediating proteins PDGF, PDGFRB, TIMP-1, and TLR-9 by direct binding. Nano-formulation can overcome curcumin problems, increasing the efficacy of curcumin as a drug by maximizing its solubility and bioavailability, enhancing its membrane permeability, and improving its pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and biodistribution. Therefore, green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized in the presence of sunlight by means of the metabolite of Streptomyces malachiticus, and coated with curcumin-chitosan mixture to serve as a drug delivery tool for curcumin to target CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model. Fibrosis induction significantly increased hepatic gene expression of COL1A1, α-SMA, PDGFRB, and TIMP1, elevated hepatic enzymes, increased histopathological findings, and increased collagen deposition as determined by Mason's trichrome staining. Treatment with naked AgNPs tended to increase these inflammatory effects, while their coating with chitosan, similar to treatment with curcumin only, did not prevent the fibrogenic effect of CCl4. The induction of liver fibrosis was reversed by concurrent treatment with curcumin/chitosan-coated AgNPs. In this nano form, curcumin was found to be efficient as anti-liver fibrosis drug, maintaining the hepatic architecture and function during fibrosis development. This efficacy can be attributed to its inhibitory role through a direct binding to fibrosis-mediating proteins such as PDGFRB, TIMP-1, TLR-9 and TGF-β.

Cellular heterogeneity and transcriptomic profiles during intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma initiation and progression

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is not fully investigated, and how stromal cells contribute to ICC formation is poorly understood. We aimed to uncover ICC origin, cellular heterogeneity, and critical modulators during ICC initiation/progression, and to decipher how fibroblast and endothelial cells in the stromal compartment favor ICC progression.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) using AKT/Notch intracellular domain-induced mouse ICC tissues at early, middle, and late stages. We analyzed the transcriptomic landscape, cellular classification and evolution, and intercellular communication during ICC initiation/progression. We confirmed the findings using quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence, and gene knockout/knockdown analysis. We identified stress-responding and proliferating subpopulations in late-stage mouse ICC tissues and validated them using human scRNA-seq data sets. By integrating weighted correlation network analysis and protein-protein interaction through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, we identified zinc finger, MIZ-type containing 1 (Zmiz1) and Y box protein 1 (Ybx1) as core transcription factors required by stress-responding and proliferating ICC cells, respectively. Knockout of either one led to the blockade of ICC initiation/progression. Using two other ICC mouse models (YAP/AKT, KRAS/p19) and human ICC scRNA-seq data sets, we confirmed the orchestrating roles of Zmiz1 and Ybx1 in ICC occurrence and development. In addition, hes family bHLH transcription factor 1, cofilin 1, and inhibitor of DNA binding 1 were identified as driver genes for ICC. Moreover, periportal liver sinusoidal endothelial cells could differentiate into tip endothelial cells to promote ICC development, and this was Dll4-Notch4-Efnb2 signaling-dependent.

CONCLUSIONS

Stress-responding and ICC proliferating subtypes were identified, and Zmiz1 and Ybx1 were revealed as core transcription factors in these subtypes. Fibroblast-endothelial cell interaction promotes ICC development.

Genetic Factors for Coronary Heart Disease and Their Mechanisms: A Meta-Analysis and Comprehensive Review of Common Variants from Genome-Wide Association Studies

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have discovered 163 loci related to coronary heart disease (CHD). Most GWAS have emphasized pathways related to single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that reached genome-wide significance in their reports, while identification of CHD pathways based on the combination of all published GWAS involving various ethnicities has yet to be performed. We conducted a systematic search for articles with comprehensive GWAS data in the GWAS Catalog and PubMed, followed by a meta-analysis of the top recurring SNPs from ≥2 different articles using random or fixed-effect models according to Cochran Q and I2 statistics, and pathway enrichment analysis. Meta-analyses showed significance for 265 of 309 recurring SNPs. Enrichment analysis returned 107 significant pathways, including lipoprotein and lipid metabolisms (rs7412, rs6511720, rs11591147, rs1412444, rs11172113, rs11057830, rs4299376), atherogenesis (rs7500448, rs6504218, rs3918226, rs7623687), shared cardiovascular pathways (rs72689147, rs1800449, rs7568458), diabetes-related pathways (rs200787930, rs12146487, rs6129767), hepatitis C virus infection/hepatocellular carcinoma (rs73045269/rs8108632, rs56062135, rs188378669, rs4845625, rs11838776), and miR-29b-3p pathways (rs116843064, rs11617955, rs146092501, rs11838776, rs73045269/rs8108632). In this meta-analysis, the identification of various genetic factors and their associated pathways associated with CHD denotes the complexity of the disease. This provides an opportunity for the future development of novel CHD genetic risk scores relevant to personalized and precision medicine.