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Liu QQ, Chen J, Ma T, Huang W, Lu CH. DCDC2 inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation and ameliorates CCl 4-induced liver fibrosis by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9425. [PMID: 38658618 PMCID: PMC11043443 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59698-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, as a consequence of chronic liver disease, involves the activation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) caused by various chronic liver injuries. Emerging evidence suggests that activation of HSC during an inflammatory state can lead to abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Investigating novel strategies to inhibit HSC activation and proliferation holds significant importance for the treatment of liver fibrosis. As a member of the doublecortin domain-containing family, doublecortin domain containing 2 (DCDC2) mutations can lead to neonatal sclerosing cholangitis, but its involvement in liver fibrosis remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the role of DCDC2 in liver fibrosis. Our findings revealed a reduction in DCDC2 expression in both human fibrotic liver tissues and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced mouse liver fibrotic tissues. Furthermore, exposure to transforming growth factor beta-1(TGF-β1) stimulation resulted in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in DCDC2 expression. The overexpression of DCDC2 inhibited the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen alpha 1 (Col1α1), and reduced the activation of HSC stimulated with TGF-β1. Additionally, we provided evidence that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was involved in this process, wherein DCDC2 was observed to inhibit β-catenin activation, thereby preventing its nuclear translocation. Furthermore, our findings demonstrated that DCDC2 could attenuate the proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like processes of HSC. In vivo, exogenous DCDC2 could ameliorate CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. In summary, DCDC2 was remarkably downregulated in liver fibrotic tissues of both humans and mice, as well as in TGF-β1-activated HSC. DCDC2 inhibited the activation of HSC induced by TGF-β1 in vitro and fibrogenic changes in vivo, suggesting that it is a promising therapeutic target for liver fibrosis and warrants further investigation in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qing Liu
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Tao Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
| | - Cui-Hua Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
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Wang H, Cui X, Wang L, Fan N, Yu M, Qin H, Liu S, Yan Q. α1,3-fucosylation of MEST promotes invasion potential of cytotrophoblast cells by activating translation initiation. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:651. [PMID: 37798282 PMCID: PMC10556033 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06166-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Embryo implantation into the uterus is the gateway for successful pregnancy. Proper migration and invasion of embryonic trophoblast cells are the key for embryo implantation, and dysfunction causes pregnancy failure. Protein glycosylation plays crucial roles in reproduction. However, it remains unclear whether the glycosylation of trophoblasts is involved in trophoblast migration and invasion processes during embryo implantation failure. By Lectin array, we discovered the decreased α1,3-fucosylation, especially difucosylated Lewis Y (LeY) glycan, in the villus tissues of miscarriage patients when compared with normal pregnancy women. Downregulating LeY biosynthesis by silencing the key enzyme fucosyltransferase IV (FUT4) inhibited migration and invasion ability of trophoblast cells. Using proteomics and translatomics, the specific LeY scaffolding glycoprotein of mesoderm-specific transcript (MEST) with glycosylation site at Asn163 was identified, and its expression enhanced migration and invasion ability of trophoblast cells. The results also provided novel evidence showing that decreased LeY modification on MEST hampered the binding of MEST with translation factor eIF4E2, and inhibited implantation-related gene translation initiation, which caused pregnancy failure. The α1,3-fucosylation of MEST by FUT4 may serve as a new biomarker for evaluating the functional state of pregnancy, and a target for infertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Xinyuan Cui
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Luyao Wang
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Ningning Fan
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Ming Yu
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Huamin Qin
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116011, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China.
| | - Qiu Yan
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Dalian, 116044, China.
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3
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Hou X, Li Y, Song J, Peng L, Zhang W, Liu R, Yuan H, Feng T, Li J, Li W, Zhu C. METTL14 reverses liver fibrosis by inhibiting NOVA2 through an m6A-YTHDF2-dependent mechanism. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0199. [PMID: 37534933 PMCID: PMC10409442 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent internal RNA modification in eukaryotic cells, is dynamically regulated in response to a wide range of physiological and pathological states. Nonetheless, the involvement of METTL14-induced m6A in liver fibrosis (LF) has yet to be established. METHODS In vitro, HSC cell lines with knock-down and overexpression of METTL14 were constructed, and the effects of METTL14 gene on the phenotypic function of activated HSCs were observed. The proliferation rate was measured by CCK8 and EDU, the cell proliferation cycle was measured by flow detector, the migration rate was measured by Transwell, and the contractility of F-actin was observed after phalloidin staining. The downstream target gene NOVA2 of METTL14 was screened by combined sequencing of MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq, combined with signal analysis. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was injected into the tail vein in vivo to knock down the expression of METTL14, so as to further observe the role of METTL14 in the progress of LF. RESULTS our research showed that the methylase METTL14 content was decreased in hepatic tissue from patients with LF, leading to a lowered degree of m6A modification. Functionally, we discovered that knocking down m6A methyltransferase METTL14 led to increased HSC activation and a substantial worsening of LF. Mechanically, as shown in a multiomics study of HSCs, depleting METTL14 levels decreased m6A deposition onNOVA2 mRNA transcripts, which prompted the activation of YTHDF2 to detect and degrade the decrease of NOVA2 mRNA. CONCLUSIONS METTL14 functioned as a profibrotic gene by suppressing NOVA2 activity in a mechanism dependent on m6A-YTHDF2. Moreover, knocking down METTL14 exacerbated LF, while NOVA2 prevented its development and partly reversed the damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Hou
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuwen Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiali Song
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Linya Peng
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Tropical Diseases of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Hui Yuan
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tiantong Feng
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jieying Li
- Department of Tropical Diseases of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Wenting Li
- Department of Tropical Diseases of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Chuanlong Zhu
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Tropical Diseases of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
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Shree Harini K, Ezhilarasan D. Wnt/beta-catenin signaling and its modulators in nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2023; 22:333-345. [PMID: 36448560 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health concern associated with significant morbidity and mortality. NAFLD is a spectrum of diseases originating from simple steatosis, progressing through nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and cirrhosis that may lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathogenesis of NAFLD is mediated by the triglyceride accumulation followed by proinflammatory cytokines expression leading to inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction denoted as "two-hit hypothesis", advancing with a "third hit" of insufficient hepatocyte proliferation, leading to the increase in hepatic progenitor cells contributing to fibrosis and HCC. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is responsible for normal liver development, regeneration, hepatic metabolic zonation, ammonia and drug detoxification, hepatobiliary development, etc., maintaining the overall liver homeostasis. The key regulators of canonical Wnt signaling such as LRP6, Wnt1, Wnt3a, β-catenin, GSK-3β, and APC are abnormally regulated in NAFLD. Many experimental studies have shown the aberrated Wnt/β-catenin signaling during the NAFLD progression and NASH to hepatic fibrosis and HCC. Therefore, in this review, we have emphasized the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and its modulators that can potentially aid in the inhibition of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Shree Harini
- Department of Pharmacology, Molecular Medicine and Toxicology Lab, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 077, India
| | - Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, Molecular Medicine and Toxicology Lab, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 077, India.
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Wang C, Liu Y, Gong L, Xue X, Fu K, Ma C, Li Y. Phillygenin Ameliorates Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis: Suppression of Inflammation and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway. Inflammation 2023:10.1007/s10753-023-01826-1. [PMID: 37219693 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-023-01826-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis (LF) is caused by the chronic wound healing response to liver injury from various origins. Among the causes, inflammatory response is the central trigger of LF. Phillygenin (PHI) is a lignan derived from Forsythia suspensa, which has significant anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of PHI on improving LF and the underlying mechanism have rarely been studied. In this study, we used carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) to establish a mouse model of LF. Through histological analysis of liver tissue, and measurement of the levels of hepatocyte damage markers (ALT, AST, TBIL, TBA) and four indicators of LF (Col IV, HA, LN, PC-III) in serum, it was shown that PHI improved liver function and reduced the progress of LF. Subsequently, the detection of fibrogenic biomarkers in liver tissue showed that PHI inhibited the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Next, the expression of inflammatory markers in liver tissue/serum was detected by immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, and ELISA, suggesting that PHI inhibited inflammation during LF. Similarly, in vitro experiments also confirmed that PHI could inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells, which showed strong anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, the results of network pharmacology, molecular docking, RT-qPCR and western blot confirmed that PHI could alleviate CCl4-induced LF by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In conclusion, our research showed that PHI curbed LF through inhibition of HSC activation and collagen accumulation via inhibiting multiple profibrogenic factors, modulating a variety of inflammatory factors, and suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanfang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Lihong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Xinyan Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Ke Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Cheng Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Yunxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China.
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6
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Zhao YQ, Deng XW, Xu GQ, Lin J, Lu HZ, Chen J. Mechanical homeostasis imbalance in hepatic stellate cells activation and hepatic fibrosis. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1183808. [PMID: 37152902 PMCID: PMC10157180 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1183808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver disease or repeated damage to hepatocytes can give rise to hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a pathological process of excessive sedimentation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagens, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans (PGs) in the hepatic parenchyma. Changes in the composition of the ECM lead to the stiffness of the matrix that destroys its inherent mechanical homeostasis, and a mechanical homeostasis imbalance activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblasts, which can overproliferate and secrete large amounts of ECM proteins. Excessive ECM proteins are gradually deposited in the Disse gap, and matrix regeneration fails, which further leads to changes in ECM components and an increase in stiffness, forming a vicious cycle. These processes promote the occurrence and development of hepatic fibrosis. In this review, the dynamic process of ECM remodeling of HF and the activation of HSCs into mechanotransduction signaling pathways for myofibroblasts to participate in HF are discussed. These mechanotransduction signaling pathways may have potential therapeutic targets for repairing or reversing fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Quan Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xi-Wen Deng
- Graduate School of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Guo-Qi Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Jie Lin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Hua-Ze Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
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Yang Y, Chen Y, Zhao Y, Ji F, Zhang L, Tang S, Zhang S, Hu Q, Li Z, Zhang F, Li Q, Li L. Human menstrual blood-derived stem cell transplantation suppresses liver injury in DDC-induced chronic cholestasis. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:57. [PMID: 35123555 PMCID: PMC8817575 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02734-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cholestatic liver injury can lead to serious symptoms and prognoses in the clinic. Currently, an effective medical treatment is not available for cholestatic liver injury. Human menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) are considered as an emerging treatment in various diseases. This study aimed to explore the treatment effect of MenSCs in cholestatic liver injury. Methods The treatment effect of MenSCs on chronic cholestatic liver injury was verified in 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydroxychollidine (DDC)-induced C57/BL6 mice. Pathological, fibrosis area in the liver tissue and serum liver enzymes were tested. Proteomics and western blot were used to explore the related targets and molecular mechanisms. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) 9-infected mice were applied for verification. Results MenSCs markedly improved the survival rate of the DDC-treated mice (60% vs. 100%), and decreased the mouse serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (169.4 vs. 108.0 U/L, p < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (279.0 vs. 228.9 U/L, p < 0.01), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (45.6 vs. 10.6 U/L, p < 0.0001), direct bilirubin (DBIL) (108.3 vs. 14.0 μmol/L, p < 0.0001) and total bilirubin (TBIL) (179.2 vs. 43.3 μmol/L, p < 0.0001) levels as well as intrahepatic cholestasis, bile duct dilation and fibrotic areas (16.12 vs. 6.57%, p < 0.05). The results further indicated that MenSCs repaired the DDC-induced liver tight junction (TJ) pathway and bile transporter (OATP2, BSEP and NTCP1) injury, thereby inhibiting COL1A1, α-SMA and TGF-β1 activation by upregulating liver β-catenin expression. Conclusions MenSC transplantation could be an effective treatment method for cholestatic liver injury in mice. MenSCs may exhibit therapeutic effects by regulating β-catenin expression.
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Duspara K, Bojanic K, Pejic JI, Kuna L, Kolaric TO, Nincevic V, Smolic R, Vcev A, Glasnovic M, Curcic IB, Smolic M. Targeting the Wnt Signaling Pathway in Liver Fibrosis for Drug Options: An Update. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2021; 9:960-971. [PMID: 34966659 PMCID: PMC8666372 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2021.00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a life-threatening disease, with challenging morbidity and mortality for healthcare systems worldwide. It imparts an enormous economic burden to societies, making continuous research and informational updates about its pathogenesis and treatment crucial. This review's focus is on the current knowledge about the Wnt signaling pathway, serving as an important pathway in liver fibrosis development and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Two types of Wnt pathways are distinguished, namely the ß-catenin-dependent canonical and non-canonical Ca2+ or planar cell polarity (PCP)-dependent pathway. The dynamic balance of physiologically healthy liver and hepatocytes is disturbed by repeated liver injuries. Activation of the ß-catenin Wnt pathway prevents the regeneration of hepatocytes by the replacement of extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to the appearance of scar tissue and the formation of regenerated nodular hepatocytes, lacking the original function of healthy hepatocytes. Therefore, liver function is reduced due to the severely advanced disease. Selective inhibition of ß-catenin inhibits inflammatory processes (since chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines are produced during Wnt activation), reduces growth of activated HSCs and reduces collagen synthesis and angiogenesis, thereby reducing the progression of liver fibrosis in vivo. While the canonical Wnt pathway is usually inactive in a physiologically healthy liver, it shows activity during cell regeneration or renewal and in certain pathophysiological conditions, such as liver diseases and cancer. Targeted blocking of some of the basic components of the Wnt pathway is a therapeutic approach. These include the frizzled transmembrane receptor (Fz) receptors using the secreted frizzled-related protein family (sFRP), Fz-coreceptors low-density LRP 5/6 through dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) or niclosamide, glycogen kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) using SB-216763, cyclic-AMP response element-binding protein (CBP) using PRI-724 and ICG-001, the lymphoid enhancer binding factor (LEF)/T cell-specific transcription factor (TCF) system as well as Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF1) and miR-17-5p using pinostilbene hydrate (PSH). Significant progress has been made in inhibiting Wnt and thus stopping the progression of liver fibrosis by diminishing key components for its action. Comprehending the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in liver fibrosis may lead to discovery of novel targets in liver fibrosis therapeutic strategies' development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Duspara
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Kristina Bojanic
- Department of Biophysics and Radiology, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Biophysics and Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Radiology, Health Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Josipa Ivanusic Pejic
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Lucija Kuna
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Tea Omanovic Kolaric
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vjera Nincevic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Robert Smolic
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, University Hospital Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pathophysiology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Aleksandar Vcev
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, University Hospital Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pathophysiology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marija Glasnovic
- Department of Medicine, Family Medicine and History of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ines Bilic Curcic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University Hospital Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Martina Smolic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Correspondence to: Martina Smolic, University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, J. Huttlera 4, Osijek 31000, Croatia. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6867-826X. Tel: + 385-31-512-800, Fax: +385-31-512-833, E-mail:
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Zhang W, Conway SJ, Liu Y, Snider P, Chen H, Gao H, Liu Y, Isidan K, Lopez KJ, Campana G, Li P, Ekser B, Francis H, Shou W, Kubal C. Heterogeneity of Hepatic Stellate Cells in Fibrogenesis of the Liver: Insights from Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis in Liver Injury. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082129. [PMID: 34440898 PMCID: PMC8391930 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims: Liver fibrosis is a pathological healing process resulting from hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and the generation of myofibroblasts from activated HSCs. The precise underlying mechanisms of liver fibrogenesis are still largely vague due to lack of understanding the functional heterogeneity of activated HSCs during liver injury. Approach and Results: In this study, to define the mechanism of HSC activation, we performed the transcriptomic analysis at single-cell resolution (scRNA-seq) on HSCs in mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). By employing LRAT-Cre:Rosa26mT/mG mice, we were able to isolate an activated GFP-positive HSC lineage derived cell population by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). A total of 8 HSC subpopulations were identified based on an unsupervised analysis. Each HSC cluster displayed a unique transcriptomic profile, despite all clusters expressing common mouse HSC marker genes. We demonstrated that one of the HSC subpopulations expressed high levels of mitosis regulatory genes, velocity, and monocle analysis indicated that these HSCs are at transitioning and proliferating phases at the beginning of HSCs activation and will eventually give rise to several other HSC subtypes. We also demonstrated cell clusters representing HSC-derived mature myofibroblast populations that express myofibroblasts hallmark genes with unique contractile properties. Most importantly, we found a novel HSC cluster that is likely to be critical in liver regeneration, immune reaction, and vascular remodeling, in which the unique profiles of genes such as Rgs5, Angptl6, and Meg3 are highly expressed. Lastly, we demonstrated that the heterogeneity of HSCs in the injured mouse livers is closely similar to that of cirrhotic human livers. Conclusions: Collectively, our scRNA-seq data provided insight into the landscape of activated HSC populations and the dynamic transitional pathway from HSC to myofibroblasts in response to liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Zhang
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Simon J Conway
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Paige Snider
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Hanying Chen
- Genome Editing Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Hongyu Gao
- The Center for Medical Genomics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Yunlong Liu
- The Center for Medical Genomics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Kadir Isidan
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Kevin J Lopez
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Gonzalo Campana
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Ping Li
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Burcin Ekser
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Heather Francis
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Weinian Shou
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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10
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Guarnieri G, Sarchielli E, Comeglio P, Herrera-Puerta E, Piaceri I, Nacmias B, Benelli M, Kelsey G, Maggi M, Gallina P, Vannelli GB, Morelli A. Tumor Necrosis Factor α Influences Phenotypic Plasticity and Promotes Epigenetic Changes in Human Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neuroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6128. [PMID: 32854421 PMCID: PMC7504606 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
TNFα is the main proinflammatory cytokine implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, but it also modulates physiological functions in both the developing and adult brain. In this study, we investigated a potential direct role of TNFα in determining phenotypic changes of a recently established cellular model of human basal forebrain cholinergic neuroblasts isolated from the nucleus basalis of Meynert (hfNBMs). Exposing hfNBMs to TNFα reduced the expression of immature markers, such as nestin and β-tubulin III, and inhibited primary cilium formation. On the contrary, TNFα increased the expression of TNFα receptor TNFR2 and the mature neuron marker MAP2, also promoting neurite elongation. Moreover, TNFα affected nerve growth factor receptor expression. We also found that TNFα induced the expression of DNA-methylation enzymes and, accordingly, downregulated genes involved in neuronal development through epigenetic mechanisms, as demonstrated by methylome analysis. In summary, TNFα showed a dual role on hfNBMs phenotypic plasticity, exerting a negative influence on neurogenesis despite a positive effect on differentiation, through mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. Our results help to clarify the complexity of TNFα effects in human neurons and suggest that manipulation of TNFα signaling could provide a potential therapeutic approach against neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Guarnieri
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.S.); (G.B.V.)
| | - Erica Sarchielli
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.S.); (G.B.V.)
| | - Paolo Comeglio
- Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | | | - Irene Piaceri
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.P.); (B.N.)
| | - Benedetta Nacmias
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.P.); (B.N.)
| | - Matteo Benelli
- Bioinformatics Unit, Hospital of Prato, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, 50122 Prato, Italy;
| | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK;
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Mario Maggi
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Pasquale Gallina
- Neurosurgical Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Gabriella Barbara Vannelli
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.S.); (G.B.V.)
| | - Annamaria Morelli
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.S.); (G.B.V.)
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11
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Chen L, Xie Y, Ma X, Zhang Y, Li X, Zhang F, Gao Y, Fan Y, Gu L, Wang L, Zhang X, Fu B. SOX6 represses tumor growth of clear cell renal cell carcinoma by HMG domain-dependent regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Mol Carcinog 2020; 59:1159-1173. [PMID: 32794610 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Sex-determining region Y box (SOXs) are expressed in various cells and control cell fate and differentiation in a multitude of physiologic processes. SOX6, a main representative of SOXs, is involved in the regulation of carcinogenesis in various human malignancies. However, the role of SOX6 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unclear. In this study, SOX6 expression in ccRCC and its clinical significance were investigated. In vitro and in vivo assays were used to explore the tumor-related function and the underlying molecular mechanism of SOX6 in ccRCC. We confirmed that SOX6 was frequently downregulated in ccRCC tissues and cell lines. Besides, downregulation of SOX6 was significantly associated with larger tumor sizes, advanced tumor stage, higher Fuhrman grades, and its expression could act as an independent prognostic factor for ccRCC (hazards ratio = 0.590, P = .026). Gain/loss-of-function experiments demonstrated that SOX6 could remarkably inhibit tumor cell growth and foci formation in vitro and xenograft tumorigenesis in vivo, respectively. Mechanistically, SOX6 could influence cell cycle by regulating the G1/the S phase transition and had an inhibitory effect on Wnt/β-catenin signaling as well as its target genes, c-Myc and cyclin D1. Interesting, the tumor-suppressive function of SOX6 was proved to be dependent on its specific high-mobility-group (HMG) domain. In general, our findings indicated that SOX6 was a novel tumor suppressor and prognostic biomarker in ccRCC. SOX6 could inhibit tumor growth by negatively regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in an HMG domain-dependent manner in ccRCC, which might provide a novel therapeutic approach for ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Chen
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yongpeng Xie
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Ma
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xintao Li
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA Air Force General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Fan
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liangyou Gu
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Fu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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12
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Bone marrow stromal cells-derived microRNA-181-containing extracellular vesicles inhibit ovarian cancer cell chemoresistance by downregulating MEST via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Cancer Gene Ther 2020; 28:785-798. [PMID: 32632270 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-020-0195-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cisplatin (DDP)-based strategies are the first-line treatment for cancers; however, resistance to DDP remains a major obstacle to cancer treatment. The current study set out to investigate the effects of microRNA-181c (miR-181c) on the resistance of ovarian cancer cells to DDP. Ovarian cancer-associated miRs as well as the target messenger RNAs were screened using microarray-based analysis followed by determining the expression patterns of miR-181c and mesoderm-specific transcript (MEST) in ovarian cancer tissues with RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. Subsequently, dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to confirm the targeting relation between miR-181c and MEST. Through gain- or loss-of-function experiments, the study explored the mechanism by which miR-181 regulated MEST to influence the resistance of ovarian cancer cells to DDP via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Afterwards, extracellular vesicles (EVs) were isolated from bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and co-cultured with ovarian cancer cells to further investigate the effects of overexpressed miR-181 delivered by BMSCs-derived EVs on ovarian cancer cell resistance to DDP. miR-181c was significantly downregulated, while MEST was up-regulated in ovarian cancer. miR-181c was verified to specifically bind to MEST. Overexpressed miR-181c depleted the expression of MEST to attenuate the resistance of ovarian cancer cells to DDP by inactivating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, the delivery of overexpressed miR-181c by BMSCs-derived EVs was found to suppress the resistance of ovarian cancer cells to DDP. These findings demonstrate that miR-181c delivered by BMSCs-derived EVs down-regulates MEST, to inactivate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thus repressing the resistance of ovarian cancer cells to DDP.
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13
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Kim BH, Jung SH, Jung S. Beet root (Beta vulgaris) protects lipopolysaccharide and alcohol-induced liver damage in rat. Toxicol Res 2020; 36:275-282. [PMID: 32685432 DOI: 10.1007/s43188-019-00030-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of beet root (Beta vulgaris var. rubra) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and alcohol induced liver damage. Beta vulgaris ethanol extract (BVEE) showed good antioxidant activity in the contents of polyphenol and flavonoid compounds, and the electron-donating ability and ABTS+ radical scavenging activity. As for anti-inflammatory effect in RAW 264.7 cells, inhibition rate of nitric oxide production was increased in dose dependent manner. In hepatotoxicity model induced by LPS and alcohol in rat, BVEE significantly decreased serum AST, ALT and γ-GTP concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. The histopathological changes after H&E staining showed that fat accumulation and inflammatory cell infiltration were decreased by BVEE. The collagen fibers around the central lobule observed by Masson's trichrome staining were also decreased by BVEE. In addition, as for the immunohistochemical staining and Transmission electron microscopy, BVEE improved morphological characteristics of damaged liver lesion. The increased mRNA expressions of NF-κB, MAPK1, MAPK3, CYP2E1, and α-SMA were significantly decreased in BVEE treated group. These results indicated that BVEE would have protective effects in hepatotoxicity by altering various indicators related to the liver damage induced by LPS or alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bae-Hwan Kim
- Department of Public Health, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Se-Hoon Jung
- Department of Public Health, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea.,Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Jinju Health College, Jinju, Korea
| | - Suryun Jung
- Department of Public Health, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea
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14
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Reggio A, Rosina M, Krahmer N, Palma A, Petrilli LL, Maiolatesi G, Massacci G, Salvatori I, Valle C, Testa S, Gargioli C, Fuoco C, Castagnoli L, Cesareni G, Sacco F. Metabolic reprogramming of fibro/adipogenic progenitors facilitates muscle regeneration. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:3/3/e202000646. [PMID: 32019766 PMCID: PMC7003708 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
High-fat diet ameliorates muscle dystrophic phenotype by promoting the FAP-dependent myogenesis of satellite cells. In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the absence of the dystrophin protein causes a variety of poorly understood secondary effects. Notably, muscle fibers of dystrophic individuals are characterized by mitochondrial dysfunctions, as revealed by a reduced ATP production rate and by defective oxidative phosphorylation. Here, we show that in a mouse model of DMD (mdx), fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are characterized by a dysfunctional mitochondrial metabolism which correlates with increased adipogenic potential. Using high-sensitivity mass spectrometry–based proteomics, we report that a short-term high-fat diet (HFD) reprograms dystrophic FAP metabolism in vivo. By combining our proteomic dataset with a literature-derived signaling network, we revealed that HFD modulates the β-catenin–follistatin axis. These changes are accompanied by significant amelioration of the histological phenotype in dystrophic mice. Transplantation of purified FAPs from HFD-fed mice into the muscles of dystrophic recipients demonstrates that modulation of FAP metabolism can be functional to ameliorate the dystrophic phenotype. Our study supports metabolic reprogramming of muscle interstitial progenitor cells as a novel approach to alleviate some of the adverse outcomes of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Reggio
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Rosina
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Natalie Krahmer
- Department Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max-Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Alessandro Palma
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Giorgia Massacci
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Illari Salvatori
- Fondazione Santa Lucia Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Valle
- Fondazione Santa Lucia Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Testa
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Cesare Gargioli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Fuoco
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Castagnoli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianni Cesareni
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy .,Fondazione Santa Lucia Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Sacco
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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15
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Yang J, Tao Q, Zhou Y, Chen Q, Li L, Hu S, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Shu J, Zhang X, Zhang L, Zhang L. MicroRNA-708 represses hepatic stellate cells activation and proliferation by targeting ZEB1 through Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 871:172927. [PMID: 31962101 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.172927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is caused by a sustained wound healing response to chronic liver injury, and the activation of insubstantial hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key process involved. The progression of liver fibrosis may be attenuated by suppressing activation and proliferation of the HSCs. MicroRNA (miRNA) have emerged as major players in governing fundamental biological processes through multiple mechanisms MiR-708 is known to inhibit the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, whether miR-708 can function as a transcriptional regulator in liver fibrosis remains unclear. Our study demonstrated that miR-708 expression was inhibited in fibrotic liver tissues and in activated HSCs, accompanied by an increase of the Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) level. Besides, overexpression of miR-708 and silencing of ZEB1 inhibited the activation and proliferation of LX-2 cells. While knockdown of miR-708 or overexpression of ZEB1 showed reversed results. Further, dual luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-708 directly targeted ZEB1 in vitro. Interestingly, ZEB1 was found to be involved in HSCs by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Together, our data showed that miR-708 may be a potential therapeutic target in liver fibrosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfa Yang
- Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Qing Tao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Anhui Medical University, China
| | - Yiwen Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- Clinic Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Liangyun Li
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Shuang Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yumin Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jinling Shu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xianzheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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16
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Zhang R, Kikuchi AT, Nakao T, Russell JO, Preziosi ME, Poddar M, Singh S, Bell AW, England SG, Monga SP. Elimination of Wnt Secretion From Stellate Cells Is Dispensable for Zonation and Development of Liver Fibrosis Following Hepatobiliary Injury. Gene Expr 2019; 19:121-136. [PMID: 30236172 PMCID: PMC6466178 DOI: 10.3727/105221618x15373858350141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in the Wnt signaling pathway including those impacting hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have been implicated in liver fibrosis. In the current study, we first examined the expression of Wnt genes in human HSC (HHSCs) after treatment with a profibrogenic factor TGF-β1. Next, we generated HSC-specific Wntless (Wls) knockout (KO) using the Lrat-cre and Wls-floxed mice. KO and littermate controls (CON) were characterized for any basal phenotype and subjected to two liver fibrosis protocols. In vitro, TGF-β1 induced expression of Wnt2, 5a and 9a while decreasing Wnt2b, 3a, 4, and 11 in HHSC. In vivo, KO and CON mice were born at normal Mendelian ratio and lacked any overt phenotype. Loss of Wnt secretion from HSCs had no effect on liver weight and did not impact β-catenin activation in the pericentral hepatocytes. After 7 days of bile duct ligation (BDL), KO and CON showed comparable levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total and direct bilirubin. Comparable histology, Sirius red staining, and immunohistochemistry for α-SMA, desmin, Ki-67, F4/80, and CD45 indicated similar proliferation, inflammation, and portal fibrosis in both groups. Biweekly administration of carbon tetrachloride for 4 or 8 weeks also led to comparable serum biochemistry, inflammation, and fibrosis in KO and CON. Specific Wnt genes were altered in HHSCs in response to TGF-β1; however, eliminating Wnt secretion from HSC did not impact basal β-catenin activation in normal liver nor did it alter the injury-repair response during development of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alexander T Kikuchi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Toshimasa Nakao
- Department of Organ Transplantation and General Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medical School, Hirokoji, Kawaramachi, Kamikyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jacquelyn O Russell
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Morgan E Preziosi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Minakshi Poddar
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sucha Singh
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Aaron W Bell
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Steven G England
- Future Therapeutics and Technologies, Abbvie, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Satdarshan P Monga
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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17
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Lin IY, Chiou YS, Wu LC, Tsai CY, Chen CT, Chuang WC, Lee MC, Lin CC, Lin TT, Chen SC, Pan MH, Ma N. CCM111 prevents hepatic fibrosis via cooperative inhibition of TGF-β, Wnt and STAT3 signaling pathways. J Food Drug Anal 2019; 27:184-194. [PMID: 30648571 PMCID: PMC9298635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- In-Yu Lin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Institute of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, National Central University, Taoyuan,
Taiwan
| | - Yi-Shiou Chiou
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei,
Taiwan
| | - Li-Ching Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Institute of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, National Central University, Taoyuan,
Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yu Tsai
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei,
Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Tong Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli,
Taiwan
| | | | - Ming-Chung Lee
- Brion Research Institute of Taiwan, New Taipei City,
Taiwan
| | - Ching-Che Lin
- Brion Research Institute of Taiwan, New Taipei City,
Taiwan
| | - Ting-Ting Lin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Institute of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, National Central University, Taoyuan,
Taiwan
| | - Ssu-Ching Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan,
Taiwan
| | - Min-Hsiung Pan
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei,
Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402,
Taiwan
- Department of Health and Nutrition Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung,
Taiwan
- Corresponding author. Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. E-mail addresses: (M.-H. Pan), (N. Ma)
| | - Nianhan Ma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Institute of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, National Central University, Taoyuan,
Taiwan
- Corresponding author. Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, College of Health Sciences and Technology, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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18
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Lv J, Bai R, Wang L, Gao J, Zhang H. Artesunate may inhibit liver fibrosis via the FAK/Akt/β-catenin pathway in LX-2 cells. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2018; 19:64. [PMID: 30326962 PMCID: PMC6192352 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-018-0255-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing number of studies are investigating the effects of Chinese medicine on hepatic fibrosis, but only few studies have examined the anti-fibrogenic properties of Artesunate (ART). The aim of the present study was to explore the anti-fibrotic effects of ART on LX-2 cells, the human HSC cell line, and to determine potential molecular mechanisms via the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/ protein kinase B (Akt)/ β-catenin pathway. METHODS LX-2 cells were stimulated with different concentration of ART (0, 12.5, 25 and 50 μg/ml) for 12, 24, 48 or 72 h, their proliferation was analyzed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. LX-2 cells were treated with different doses of ART (0, 12.5, 25 and 50 μg/ml) for 24 h, their apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry, the levels of mRNAs encoding collagen I or α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the levels of key proteins in the FAK/Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway were assessed by western blotting. Specific inhibitors of FAK were added to the LX-2 cells cultures to explore the potential signaling. RESULTS Exposing LX-2 cells to ART efficiently inhibited their proliferation, significantly promoted early apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, and markedly downregulated the mRNA expression of α-SMA and collagen I. In addition, ART, similar to FAK inhibitor PF562271 significantly inhibited the FAK/Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway by reducing the levels of phosphorylated FAK, Akt and GSK-3β. CONCLUSIONS Our present study shows that ART could regulate the proliferation, apoptosis and activation of LX-2. Meanwhile, the anti-fibrogenic mechanisms of ART was correlated with FAK/Akt/β-catenin pathway. Future research should verify and extend these findings, as well as explore other molecules and therefore serve as useful therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Lv
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruidan Bai
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiefang Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China.
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Octreotide attenuates hepatic fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells proliferation and activation by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, c-Myc and cyclin D1. Int Immunopharmacol 2018; 63:183-190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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20
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Huang GR, Wei SJ, Huang YQ, Xing W, Wang LY, Liang LL. Mechanism of combined use of vitamin D and puerarin in anti-hepatic fibrosis by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:4178-4185. [PMID: 30271082 PMCID: PMC6158481 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i36.4178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To reveal the protective mechanism of the combined use of vitamin D and puerarin in the progression of hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).
METHODS Eight-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control group (C group), a CCl4 group (CCl4 group), a vitamin D group (V group), a puerarin group (P group), and a combined group of vitamin D and puerarin (V + P group), each of which contained ten rats. In this way, we built a rat model of CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis with intervention by vitamin D, puerarin, or a combination of the two. After eight weeks, the mice were sacrificed to collect serum and liver specimens. Blood was collected to detect the hyaluronic acid (HA). We also measured hydroxyproline (Hyp) and prepared paraffin sections of liver. After Sirius red staining, the liver specimens were observed under a microscope. RT-PCR and western blot analysis were adopted to detect the mRNA and the protein levels of Collagen I, Collagen III, Wnt1, and β-catenin in the liver tissues, respectively.
RESULTS Hepatic fibrosis was observed in the CCl4 group. In comparison, hepatic fibrosis was attenuated in the V, P, and V + P groups: the HA level in blood and the Hyp level in liver were reduced, and the mRNA levels of Collagen I, Collagen III, Wnt, and β-catenin in liver were also decreased, as well as the protein levels of Wnt1 and β-catenin. Among these groups, the V + P group demonstrated the greatest amelioration of hepatic fibrosis.
CONCLUSION The combined application of vitamin D and puerarin is capable of alleviating CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis of rats. As to the mechanism, it is probably because the combined use is able to silence the Wnt1/β-catenin pathway, suppress the activation of hepatic stellate cells, and reduce the secretion of collagen fibers, therefore improving the anti-hepatic fibrosis effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gan-Rong Huang
- Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Si-Jun Wei
- Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yan-Qiang Huang
- Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Wei Xing
- Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Lu-Yao Wang
- Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Ling-Ling Liang
- Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
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21
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Emerging role and therapeutic implication of Wnt signaling pathways in liver fibrosis. Gene 2018; 674:57-69. [PMID: 29944952 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a pivotal cellular event in liver fibrosis. Therefore, improving our understanding of the molecular pathways that are involved in these processes is essential to generate new therapies for liver fibrosis. Greater knowledge of the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in liver fibrosis could improve understanding of the liver fibrosis pathogenesis. The aim of this review is to describe the present knowledge about the Wnt signaling pathway, which significantly participates in liver fibrosis and HSC activation, and look ahead on new perspectives of Wnt signaling pathway research. Moreover, we will discuss the different interactions with Wnt signaling pathway-regulated liver fibrosis. The Wnt signaling pathway modulates several important aspects of function, including cell proliferation, activation and differentiation. Targeting the Wnt signaling pathway can be a promising direction in liver fibrosis treatment. We discuss new perspectives of Wnt signaling pathway activation in liver fibrosis. For example, antagonist to Wnt and Wnt ligands could inhibit liver fibrosis by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These findings identify the Wnt signaling pathway as a potentially important for therapeutic targets in liver fibrosis. Future studies are needed in order to find safer and more effective Wnt-based drugs.
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22
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Sun H, Chen G, Wen B, Sun J, An H, Pang J, Xu W, Yang X, He S. Oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation and ameliorates CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis by suppressing NF-κB signaling and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. J Pharmacol Sci 2018; 136:133-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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23
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Ji L, Bishayee K, Sadra A, Choi S, Choi W, Moon S, Jho EH, Huh SO. Defective neuronal migration and inhibition of bipolar to multipolar transition of migrating neural cells by Mesoderm-Specific Transcript, Mest, in the developing mouse neocortex. Neuroscience 2017; 355:126-140. [PMID: 28501506 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Brain developmental disorders such as lissencephaly can result from faulty neuronal migration and differentiation during the formation of the mammalian neocortex. The cerebral cortex is a modular structure, where developmentally, newborn neurons are generated as a neuro-epithelial sheet and subsequently differentiate, migrate and organize into their final positions in the cerebral cortical plate via a process involving both tangential and radial migration. The specific role of Mest, an imprinted gene, in neuronal migration has not been previously studied. In this work, we reduced expression of Mest with in utero electroporation of neuronal progenitors in the developing embryonic mouse neocortex. Reduction of Mest levels by shRNA significantly reduced the number of neurons migrating to the cortical plate. Also, Mest-knockdown disrupted the transition of bipolar neurons into multipolar neurons migrating out of the sub-ventricular zone region. The migrating neurons also adopted a more tangential migration pattern upon knockdown of the Mest message, losing their potential to attach to radial glia cells, required for radial migration. The differentiation and migration properties of neurons via Wnt-Akt signaling were affected by Mest changes. In addition, miR-335, encoded in a Mest gene intron, was identified as being responsible for blocking the default tangential migration of the neurons. Our results suggest that Mest and its intron product, miR-335, play important roles in neuronal migration with Mest regulating the morphological transition of primary neurons required in the formation of the mammalian neocortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liting Ji
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
| | - Kausik Bishayee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
| | - Ali Sadra
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
| | - Seunghyuk Choi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
| | - Wooyul Choi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
| | - Sungho Moon
- Department of Life Science, University of Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eek-Hoon Jho
- Department of Life Science, University of Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung-Oh Huh
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea.
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24
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Zhang CY, Yuan WG, He P, Lei JH, Wang CX. Liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells: Etiology, pathological hallmarks and therapeutic targets. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:10512-10522. [PMID: 28082803 PMCID: PMC5192262 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i48.10512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 391] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a reversible wound-healing process aimed at maintaining organ integrity, and presents as the critical pre-stage of liver cirrhosis, which will eventually progress to hepatocellular carcinoma in the absence of liver transplantation. Fibrosis generally results from chronic hepatic injury caused by various factors, mainly viral infection, schistosomiasis, and alcoholism; however, the exact pathological mechanisms are still unknown. Although numerous drugs have been shown to have antifibrotic activity in vitro and in animal models, none of these drugs have been shown to be efficacious in the clinic. Importantly, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a key role in the initiation, progression, and regression of liver fibrosis by secreting fibrogenic factors that encourage portal fibrocytes, fibroblasts, and bone marrow-derived myofibroblasts to produce collagen and thereby propagate fibrosis. These cells are subject to intricate cross-talk with adjacent cells, resulting in scarring and subsequent liver damage. Thus, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of liver fibrosis and their relationships with HSCs is essential for the discovery of new therapeutic targets. This comprehensive review outlines the role of HSCs in liver fibrosis and details novel strategies to suppress HSC activity, thereby providing new insights into potential treatments for liver fibrosis.
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25
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Zhang CY, Yuan WG, He P, Lei JH, Wang CX. Liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells: Etiology, pathological hallmarks and therapeutic targets. World J Gastroenterol 2016. [PMID: 28082803 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i48.10512.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a reversible wound-healing process aimed at maintaining organ integrity, and presents as the critical pre-stage of liver cirrhosis, which will eventually progress to hepatocellular carcinoma in the absence of liver transplantation. Fibrosis generally results from chronic hepatic injury caused by various factors, mainly viral infection, schistosomiasis, and alcoholism; however, the exact pathological mechanisms are still unknown. Although numerous drugs have been shown to have antifibrotic activity in vitro and in animal models, none of these drugs have been shown to be efficacious in the clinic. Importantly, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a key role in the initiation, progression, and regression of liver fibrosis by secreting fibrogenic factors that encourage portal fibrocytes, fibroblasts, and bone marrow-derived myofibroblasts to produce collagen and thereby propagate fibrosis. These cells are subject to intricate cross-talk with adjacent cells, resulting in scarring and subsequent liver damage. Thus, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of liver fibrosis and their relationships with HSCs is essential for the discovery of new therapeutic targets. This comprehensive review outlines the role of HSCs in liver fibrosis and details novel strategies to suppress HSC activity, thereby providing new insights into potential treatments for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong-Yang Zhang
- Chong-Yang Zhang, Jia-Hui Lei, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wei-Gang Yuan
- Chong-Yang Zhang, Jia-Hui Lei, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Pei He
- Chong-Yang Zhang, Jia-Hui Lei, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jia-Hui Lei
- Chong-Yang Zhang, Jia-Hui Lei, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Chun-Xu Wang
- Chong-Yang Zhang, Jia-Hui Lei, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
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26
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Lu C, Xu W, Zhang F, Shao J, Zheng S. Nrf2 knockdown attenuates the ameliorative effects of ligustrazine on hepatic fibrosis by targeting hepatic stellate cell transdifferentiation. Toxicology 2016; 365:35-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2016.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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27
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JIA YUJIE, YUAN LIJUN, XU TINGTING, LI HANSHU, YANG GUANG, JIANG MIAONA, ZHANG CAIHUA, LI CONG. Herbal medicine Gan-fu-kang downregulates Wnt/Ca2+ signaling to attenuate liver fibrogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Mol Med Rep 2016; 13:4705-14. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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28
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Leow SC, Poschmann J, Too PG, Yin J, Joseph R, McFarlane C, Dogra S, Shabbir A, Ingham PW, Prabhakar S, Leow MKS, Lee YS, Ng KL, Chong YS, Gluckman PD, Stünkel W. The transcription factor SOX6 contributes to the developmental origins of obesity by promoting adipogenesis. Development 2016; 143:950-61. [PMID: 26893351 DOI: 10.1242/dev.131573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
An association between impaired fetal growth and the postnatal development of obesity has been established. Here, by comparing adipocytes differentiated from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) taken from the umbilical cord and derived from normal and growth-restricted neonates, we identified the transcription factor SOX6 as highly expressed only in growth-restricted individuals. We found that SOX6 regulates adipogenesis in vertebrate species by activating adipogenic regulators including PPARγ, C/EBPα and MEST. We further show that SOX6 interacts with β-catenin in adipocytes, suggesting an inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signaling, thereby promoting adipogenesis. The upstream regulatory region of the MEST gene in MSCs from growth-restricted subjects harbors hypomethylated CpGs next to SOX6 binding motifs, and we found that SOX6 binding is impaired by adjacent CpG methylation. In summary, we report that SOX6 is a novel regulator of adipogenesis synergizing with epigenetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Chi Leow
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Medical Drive, Singapore, Singapore 117609
| | - Jeremie Poschmann
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore 138672
| | - Peh Gek Too
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Medical Drive, Singapore, Singapore 117609
| | - Juan Yin
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore 636921
| | - Roy Joseph
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Medical Drive, Singapore, Singapore 117609
| | - Craig McFarlane
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Medical Drive, Singapore, Singapore 117609
| | - Shaillay Dogra
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Medical Drive, Singapore, Singapore 117609
| | - Asim Shabbir
- Department of Surgery, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074
| | - Philip W Ingham
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore 636921 Developmental and Biomedical Genetics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore 138673
| | - Shyam Prabhakar
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore 138672
| | - Melvin K S Leow
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Medical Drive, Singapore, Singapore 117609 Department of Endocrinology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore 308433
| | - Yung Seng Lee
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Medical Drive, Singapore, Singapore 117609 Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228
| | - Kai Lyn Ng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228
| | - Yap Seng Chong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Medical Drive, Singapore, Singapore 117609 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228
| | - Peter D Gluckman
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Medical Drive, Singapore, Singapore 117609 Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Walter Stünkel
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Medical Drive, Singapore, Singapore 117609
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29
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Burza MA, Motta BM, Mancina RM, Pingitore P, Pirazzi C, Lepore SM, Spagnuolo R, Doldo P, Russo C, Lazzaro V, Fischer J, Berg T, Aghemo A, Cheroni C, De Francesco R, Fargion S, Colombo M, Datz C, Stickel F, Valenti L, Romeo S. DEPDC5 variants increase fibrosis progression in Europeans with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Hepatology 2016; 63:418-27. [PMID: 26517016 PMCID: PMC4737289 DOI: 10.1002/hep.28322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, two genetic variants, DEPDC5 rs1012068 and MICA rs2596542, were associated with the onset of HCC in Asian subjects with chronic HCV infection. The aim of the present study was to analyze whether DEPDC5 and MICA genetic variants were associated with liver disease progression in European subjects with chronic HCV infection. In a Northern Italian discovery cohort (n = 477), neither DEPDC5 rs1012068 nor MICA rs2596542 were associated with HCC (n = 150). However, DEPDC5 rs1012068 was independently associated with cirrhosis (n = 300; P = 0.049). The association of rs1012068 with moderate to severe fibrosis was confirmed in an independent cross-sectional German cohort (n = 415; P = 0.006). Furthermore, DEPDC5 rs1012068 predicted faster fibrosis progression in a prospective cohort (n = 247; P = 0.027). Next, we examined the distribution of nonsynonymous DEPDC5 variants in the overall cross-sectional cohort (n = 912). The presence of at least one variant increased the risk of moderate/severe fibrosis by 54% (P = 0.040). To understand the molecular mechanism underlying the genetic association of DEPDC5 variants with fibrosis progression, we performed in vitro studies on immortalized hepatic stellate cells (LX-2). In these cells, down-regulation of DEPDC5 resulted in increased expression of β-catenin and production of its target matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), a secreted enzyme involved in fibrosis progression. CONCLUSION DEPDC5 variants increase fibrosis progression in European subjects with chronic HCV infection. Our findings suggest that DEPDC5 down-regulation may contribute to HCV-related fibrosis by increasing MMP2 synthesis through the β-catenin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonella Burza
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Benedetta Maria Motta
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | | | - Piero Pingitore
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Carlo Pirazzi
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Saverio Massimo Lepore
- Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical SciencesMagna Graecia UniversityCatanzaroItaly
| | - Rocco Spagnuolo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineMagna Graecia UniversityCatanzaroItaly
| | - Patrizia Doldo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineMagna Graecia UniversityCatanzaroItaly
| | - Cristina Russo
- Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical SciencesMagna Graecia UniversityCatanzaroItaly
| | - Veronica Lazzaro
- Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical SciencesMagna Graecia UniversityCatanzaroItaly
| | - Janett Fischer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Section of HepatologyUniversity HospitalLeipzigGermany
| | - Thomas Berg
- Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Section of HepatologyUniversity HospitalLeipzigGermany
| | - Alessio Aghemo
- Department of GastroenterologyFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Policlinico MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Cristina Cheroni
- Virology ProgramINGM‐Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”MilanItaly
| | - Raffaele De Francesco
- Virology ProgramINGM‐Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”MilanItaly
| | - Silvia Fargion
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca'Granda Ospedale Policlinico Milano, Department of Pathophysiology and TransplantationMilanItaly
| | - Massimo Colombo
- Department of GastroenterologyFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Policlinico MilanoMilanItaly,Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca'Granda Ospedale Policlinico Milano, Department of Pathophysiology and TransplantationMilanItaly
| | - Christian Datz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital OberndorfTeaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Private University of SalzburgOberndorfAustria
| | - Felix Stickel
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity Hospital of Zürich, Rämistrasse 100, CH‐8091ZürichSwitzerland
| | - Luca Valenti
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca'Granda Ospedale Policlinico Milano, Department of Pathophysiology and TransplantationMilanItaly
| | - Stefano Romeo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden,Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical SciencesMagna Graecia UniversityCatanzaroItaly,Department of CardiologySahlgrenska University HospitalGothenburgSweden
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30
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van den Bosch MH, Gleissl TA, Blom AB, van den Berg WB, van Lent PL, van der Kraan PM. Wnts talking with the TGF-β superfamily: WISPers about modulation of osteoarthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2015; 55:1536-47. [PMID: 26667213 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kev402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signalling pathway is gaining increasing attention in the field of joint pathologies, attributable to its role in the development and homeostasis of the tissues found in the joint, including bone and cartilage. Imbalance in this pathway has been implicated in the development and progression of OA, and interference with the pathway might therefore depict an effective treatment strategy. Though offering multiple opportunities, it is yet to be decided which starting point will bring forth the most promising results. The complexity of the pathway and its interaction with other pathways (such as the TGF-β signalling pathway, which also has a central role in the maintenance of joint homeostasis) means that acting directly on proteins in this signalling cascade entails a high risk of undesired side effects. Therefore, interference with Wnt-induced proteins, such as WISP1, might be an overall more effective and safer therapeutic approach to inhibit the pathological events that take place during OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn H van den Bosch
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Teresa A Gleissl
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arjen B Blom
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wim B van den Berg
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter L van Lent
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter M van der Kraan
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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31
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Xiao YF, Yong X, Tang B, Qin Y, Zhang JW, Zhang D, Xie R, Yang SM. Notch and Wnt signaling pathway in cancer: Crucial role and potential therapeutic targets (Review). Int J Oncol 2015; 48:437-49. [PMID: 26648421 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.3280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
There is no radical cure for all cancer types. The most frequently used therapies are surgical treatment, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, recrudescence, radiation resistance and chemotherapy resistance are the most challenging issues in clinical practice. To address these issues, they should be further studied at the molecular level, and the signaling pathways involved represent a promising avenue for this research. In the present review, we mainly discuss the components and mechanisms of activation of the Notch and Wnt signaling pathways, and we summarize the recent research efforts on these two pathways in different cancers. We also evaluate the ideal drugs that could target these two signaling pathways for cancer therapy, summarize alterations in the Notch and Wnt signaling pathways in cancer, and discuss potential signaling inhibitors as effective drugs for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Feng Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Xin Yong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Bo Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Yong Qin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Wei Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Rui Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Ming Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
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32
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Monga SP. β-Catenin Signaling and Roles in Liver Homeostasis, Injury, and Tumorigenesis. Gastroenterology 2015; 148:1294-310. [PMID: 25747274 PMCID: PMC4494085 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2015.02.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 498] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Revised: 02/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
β-catenin (encoded by CTNNB1) is a subunit of the cell surface cadherin protein complex that acts as an intracellular signal transducer in the WNT signaling pathway; alterations in its activity have been associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and other liver diseases. Other than WNT, additional signaling pathways also can converge at β-catenin. β-catenin also interacts with transcription factors such as T-cell factor, forkhead box protein O, and hypoxia inducible factor 1α to regulate the expression of target genes. We discuss the role of β-catenin in metabolic zonation of the adult liver. β-catenin also regulates the expression of genes that control metabolism of glucose, nutrients, and xenobiotics; alterations in its activity may contribute to the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Alterations in β-catenin signaling may lead to activation of hepatic stellate cells, which is required for fibrosis. Many hepatic tumors such as hepatocellular adenomas, hepatocellular cancers, and hepatoblastomas have mutations in CTNNB1 that result in constitutive activation of β-catenin, so this molecule could be a therapeutic target. We discuss how alterations in β-catenin activity contribute to liver disease and how these might be used in diagnosis and prognosis, as well as in the development of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satdarshan Pal Monga
- Department of Pathology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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33
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Ma ZG, Chen L, Zhan LL, Lv XP. Regulation of activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells through the Wnt signaling pathway: Implications for treatment of liver fibrosis. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2014; 22:3048-3055. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v22.i21.3048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, a reversible pathological condition occurring after chronic liver injury, is closely associated with the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Several studies have demonstrated that the Wnt signaling pathway is involved in the activation of HSCs, and then contributes to the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis. Thus, the Wnt signaling pathway and HSCs are considered to be the valid targets for the treatment of liver fibrosis. In recent years, domestic and international scholars have carried on many studies on the regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway and HSCs, trying to find out effective antifibrotic therapies. A large number of studies have shown that regulating HSCs can play a positive role in the treatment of liver fibrosis through the Wnt signaling pathway. On the basis of the relationship among the Wnt signaling pathway, HSCs and liver fibrosis, this review mainly summarizes the latest progress in the study of strategies for regulating HSCs through the Wnt signaling pathway and discusses the implications for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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