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Goand UK, Patel I, Verma S, Yadav S, Maity D, Singh N, Vishwakarma S, Rathaur S, Garg R, Gayen JR. Immunometabolic impact of pancreastatin inhibitor PSTi8 in MCD induced mouse model of oxidative stress and steatohepatitis. Cytokine 2023; 171:156354. [PMID: 37672864 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
AIM Pancreastatin, a dysglycemic hormone that encourages inflammation and steatosis in a variety of metabolic disorder animal models. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the pancreastatin inhibitor PSTi8 on immunometabolic changes in the liver of MCD-induced NASH mice. MAIN METHODS Methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet was used for the development of NASH. Liver enzymes like SGOT, SGPT, and ALP and lipid profiles were also performed in the serum. Further, immunophenotyping study was performed in the liver through flowcytometer. Subsequently, Hematoxylin and Eosin, Picro Sirius Red and Masson's Trichrome staining were done to check the liver morphology and collagen staining, respectively. Inflammatory cytokines were measured through ELISA and gene expression through RT-PCR. The expression of α-SMA was examined using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. KEY FINDINGS PSTi8 inhibited the expression of lipogenic genes in the liver and attenuated bad cholesterol, SGOT, SGPT, and ALP in the serum. PSTi8 improved the liver morphology and attenuated collagen deposition. Subsequently, PSTi8 attenuated inflammatory M1-macrophages, CD8+T, CD4+T cells and increased anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, T-reg and eosinophil populations in the liver. It also attenuated the expression of pro-inflammatory genes like Mcp1, Tnfα, and Il6. Apart from this, PSTi8 attenuated the oxidative stress marker, like ROS, and MDA and fibrosis marker α-SMA in the liver. It also decreased the apoptosis and ROS and MDA level in the liver. SIGNIFICANCE Overall, these compressive studies revealed that PSTi8 exhibited beneficial effect on the liver of MCD-induced NASH mice by attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umesh K Goand
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Inklisan Patel
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Saurabh Verma
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Shubhi Yadav
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Debalina Maity
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Naveen Singh
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Sachin Vishwakarma
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Shivam Rathaur
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Richa Garg
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Jiaur R Gayen
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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Tang C, Cen L, Zeng H, Zhang X, Liu P, Chen Y, Song X, Lin B, Zhang X, Yu C, Xu C. Inhibiting Hepatocyte Uric Acid Synthesis and Reabsorption Ameliorates Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:251-265. [PMID: 37879407 PMCID: PMC10765060 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the most common cause of drug-induced liver injury worldwide. Uric acid (UA) is involved in sterile inflammation in many organs, but its role in APAP-induced liver injury remains elusive. METHODS We quantified the concentration of UA in the serum and liver tissues of APAP-overdosed mice and explored the changes in proteins involved in UA synthesis, absorption, and degeneration on APAP stimulation. We also examined the effects of inhibiting hepatocyte UA synthesis or reabsorption on APAP-induced liver injury in mice. Furthermore, we explored the process of UA clearance by peripheral macrophages. RESULTS APAP overdose significantly increased intrahepatic UA contents, which occurred earlier than apparent hepatocyte injury in APAP-overdosed mice. APAP overdose induced significant DNA leakage and may thereby increase the substrate of UA synthesis. APAP overdose also significantly increased the enzymatic activity of xanthine oxidase and urate oxidase and decreased the expression of the UA reabsorption transporter GLUT9 in hepatocytes. Inhibiting hepatocyte UA synthesis by febuxostat or reabsorption by hepatic-specific knockout of GLUT9 alleviated APAP-induced liver injury. Further experiments showed that monosodium urate but not soluble UA may be a major form of UA mediating hepatocyte injury. Additionally, monosodium urate further recruited circulating macrophages into the liver and then aggravated inflammation by increasing the levels of inflammatory factors and reactive oxygen species. Deletion of macrophages significantly ameliorated APAP-induced liver injury in mice. CONCLUSIONS APAP overdose induces excessive UA production and leads to local high concentrations in the liver, which further injures cells and induces liver inflammation. Inhibiting the production of UA may be a potential therapeutic option for treating APAP-induced liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Cen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hang Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofen Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peihao Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yishu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bingru Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuequn Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chaohui Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Chengfu Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Liu Y, He CY, Yang XM, Chen WC, Zhang MJ, Zhong XD, Chen WG, Zhong BL, He SQ, Sun HT. Paeoniflorin Coordinates Macrophage Polarization and Mitigates Liver Inflammation and Fibrogenesis by Targeting the NF-[Formula: see text]B/HIF-1α Pathway in CCl 4-Induced Liver Fibrosis. Am J Chin Med 2023:1-19. [PMID: 37317554 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x2350057x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a disease largely driven by resident and recruited macrophages. The phenotypic switch of hepatic macrophages can be achieved by chemo-attractants and cytokines. During a screening of plants traditionally used to treat liver diseases in China, paeoniflorin was identified as a potential drug that affects the polarization of macrophages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of paeoniflorin in an animal model of liver fibrosis and explore its underlying mechanisms. Liver fibrosis was induced in Wistar rats via an intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. In addition, the RAW264.7 macrophages were cultured in the presence of CoCl2 to simulate a hypoxic microenvironment of fibrotic livers in vitro. The modeled rats were treated daily with either paeoniflorin (100, 150, and 200[Formula: see text]mg/kg) or YC-1 (2[Formula: see text]mg/kg) for 8 weeks. Hepatic function, inflammation and fibrosis, activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were assessed in the in vivo and in vitro models. The expression levels of M1 and M2 macrophage markers and the NF-[Formula: see text]B/HIF-1[Formula: see text] pathway factors were measured using standard assays. Paeoniflorin significantly alleviated hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, as well as hepatocyte necrosis in the CCl4-induced fibrosis model. Furthermore, paeoniflorin also inhibited HSC activation and reduced ECM deposition both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, paeoniflorin restrained M1 macrophage polarization and induced M2 polarization in the fibrotic liver tissues as well as in the RAW264.7 cells grown under hypoxic conditions by inactivating the NF-[Formula: see text]B/HIF-1[Formula: see text] signaling pathway. In conclusion, paeoniflorin exerts its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in the liver by coordinating macrophage polarization through the NF-[Formula: see text]B/HIF-1[Formula: see text] pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Nanfang Hospital, P. R. China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Chun-Yu He
- Nanfang Hospital, P. R. China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Xue-Mei Yang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Cong Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Ming-Jia Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Dan Zhong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Guang Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Bing-Lian Zhong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Song-Qi He
- Nanfang Hospital, P. R. China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
| | - Hai-Tao Sun
- Nanfang Hospital, P. R. China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China
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Yang Y, Ni M, Zong R, Yu M, Sun Y, Li J, Chen P, Li C. Targeting Notch1-YAP Circuit Reprograms Macrophage Polarization and Alleviates Acute Liver Injury in Mice. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 15:1085-1104. [PMID: 36706917 PMCID: PMC10036742 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatic immune system disorder plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of acute liver injury. The intrinsic signaling mechanisms responsible for dampening excessive activation of liver macrophages are not completely understood. The Notch and Hippo-YAP signaling pathways have been implicated in immune homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the interactive cell signaling networks of Notch1/YAP pathway during acute liver injury. METHODS Myeloid-specific Notch1 knockout (Notch1M-KO) mice and the floxed Notch1 (Notch1FL/FL) mice were subjected to lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine toxicity. Some mice were injected via the tail vein with bone marrow-derived macrophages transfected with lentivirus-expressing YAP. Some mice were injected with YAP siRNA using an in vivo mannose-mediated delivery system. RESULTS We found that the activated Notch1 and YAP signaling in liver macrophages were closely related to lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced acute liver injury. Macrophage/neutrophil infiltration, proinflammatory mediators, and hepatocellular apoptosis were markedly ameliorated in Notch1M-KO mice. Importantly, myeloid Notch1 deficiency depressed YAP signaling and facilitated M2 macrophage polarization in the injured liver. Furthermore, YAP overexpression in Notch1M-KO livers exacerbated liver damage and shifted macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype. Mechanistically, macrophage Notch1 signaling could transcriptionally activate YAP gene expression. Reciprocally, YAP transcriptionally upregulated the Notch ligand Jagged1 gene expression and was essential for Notch1-mediated macrophage polarization. Finally, dual inhibition of Notch1 and YAP in macrophages further promoted M2 polarization and alleviated liver damage. CONCLUSIONS Our findings underscore a novel molecular insight into the Notch1-YAP circuit for controlling macrophage polarization in acute liver injury, raising the possibility of targeting macrophage Notch1-YAP circuit as an effective strategy for liver inflammation-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yang
- Department of Physiology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China; Tissue Engineering and Organ Manufacturing (TEOM) Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China
| | - Ming Ni
- Hepatobiliary Center of The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Research Unit of Liver Transplantation and Transplant Immunology, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruobin Zong
- Department of Physiology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China
| | - Mengxue Yu
- Department of Physiology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China
| | - Yishuang Sun
- Department of Physiology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- Department of Physiology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China
| | - Pu Chen
- Tissue Engineering and Organ Manufacturing (TEOM) Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China.
| | - Changyong Li
- Department of Physiology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China.
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Kaufmann B, Kui L, Reca A, Leszczynska A, Kim AD, Booshehri LM, Wree A, Friess H, Hartmann D, Broderick L, Hoffman HM, Feldstein AE. Cell-specific Deletion of NLRP3 Inflammasome Identifies Myeloid Cells as Key Drivers of Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis in Murine Steatohepatitis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:751-767. [PMID: 35787975 PMCID: PMC9424559 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. The NLRP3 inflammasome, a platform for caspase-1 activation and release of interleukin 1β, is increasingly recognized in the induction of inflammation and liver fibrosis during NAFLD. However, the cell-specific contribution of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in NAFLD remains unknown. METHODS To investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and myeloid cells, a conditional Nlrp3 knock-out mouse was generated and bred to cell-specific Cre mice. Both acute and chronic liver injury models were used: lipopolysaccharide/adenosine-triphosphate to induce in vivo NLRP3 activation, choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined high-fat diet, and Western-type diet to induce fibrotic nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In vitro co-culture studies were performed to dissect the crosstalk between myeloid cells and HSCs. RESULTS Myeloid-specific deletion of Nlrp3 blunted the systemic and hepatic increase in interleukin 1β induced by lipopolysaccharide/adenosine-triphosphate injection. In the choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined high-fat diet model of fibrotic NASH, myeloid-specific Nlrp3 knock-out but not hepatocyte- or HSC-specific knock-out mice showed significant reduction in inflammation independent of steatosis development. Moreover, myeloid-specific Nlrp3 knock-out mice showed ameliorated liver fibrosis and decreased HSC activation. These results were validated in the Western-type diet model. In vitro co-cultured studies with human cell lines demonstrated that HSC can be activated by inflammasome stimulation in monocytes, and this effect was significantly reduced if NLRP3 was downregulated in monocytes. CONCLUSIONS The study provides new insights in the cell-specific role of NLRP3 in liver inflammation and fibrosis. NLRP3 inflammasome activation in myeloid cells was identified as crucial for the progression of NAFLD to fibrotic NASH. These results may have implications for the development of cell-specific strategies for modulation of NLRP3 activation for treatment of fibrotic NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Kaufmann
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; Department of Surgery, TUM School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Lin Kui
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Agustina Reca
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Andrea D Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Laela M Booshehri
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Alexander Wree
- Charité, Campus Virchow Klinikum and Charité, Campus Mitte, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helmut Friess
- Department of Surgery, TUM School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Hartmann
- Department of Surgery, TUM School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Lori Broderick
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Hal M Hoffman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Ariel E Feldstein
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
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Ganguly S, Muench GA, Shang L, Rosenthal SB, Rahman G, Wang R, Wang Y, Kwon HC, Diomino AM, Kisseleva T, Soorosh P, Hosseini M, Knight R, Schnabl B, Brenner DA, Dhar D. Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and HCC in a Hyperphagic Mouse Accelerated by Western Diet. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 12:891-920. [PMID: 34062281 PMCID: PMC8342972 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS How benign liver steatosis progresses to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. NASH progression entails diverse pathogenic mechanisms and relies on complex cross-talk between multiple tissues such as the gut, adipose tissues, liver, and the brain. Using a hyperphagic mouse fed with a Western diet (WD), we aimed to elucidate the cross-talk and kinetics of hepatic and extrahepatic alterations during NASH-HCC progression, as well as regression. METHODS Hyperphagic mice lacking a functional Alms1 gene (Foz/Foz) and wild-type littermates were fed WD or standard chow for 12 weeks for NASH/fibrosis and for 24 weeks for HCC development. NASH regression was modeled by switching back to normal chow after NASH development. RESULTS Foz+WD mice were steatotic within 1 to 2 weeks, developed NASH by 4 weeks, and grade 3 fibrosis by 12 weeks, accompanied by chronic kidney injury. Foz+WD mice that continued on WD progressed to cirrhosis and HCC within 24 weeks and had reduced survival as a result of cardiac dysfunction. However, NASH mice that were switched to normal chow showed NASH regression, improved survival, and did not develop HCC. Transcriptomic and histologic analyses of Foz/Foz NASH liver showed strong concordance with human NASH. NASH was preceded by an early disruption of gut barrier, microbial dysbiosis, lipopolysaccharide leakage, and intestinal inflammation. This led to acute-phase liver inflammation in Foz+WD mice, characterized by neutrophil infiltration and increased levels of several chemokines/cytokines. The liver cytokine/chemokine profile evolved as NASH progressed, with subsequent predominance by monocyte recruitment. CONCLUSIONS The Foz+WD model closely mimics the pathobiology and gene signature of human NASH with fibrosis and subsequent HCC. Foz+WD mice provide a robust and relevant preclinical model of NASH, NASH-associated HCC, chronic kidney injury, and heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souradipta Ganguly
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Linshan Shang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Sara Brin Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California,Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Gibraan Rahman
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Ruoyu Wang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Yanhan Wang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Hyeok Choon Kwon
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National Medical Center, Jung-Gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Anthony M. Diomino
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Mojgan Hosseini
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Rob Knight
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California,Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Bernd Schnabl
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - David A. Brenner
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California,Correspondence Address correspondence to: David A. Brenner, MD, or Debanjan Dhar, PhD, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC0063, La Jolla, California 92093. fax: (858) 246-1788.
| | - Debanjan Dhar
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California,Correspondence Address correspondence to: David A. Brenner, MD, or Debanjan Dhar, PhD, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC0063, La Jolla, California 92093. fax: (858) 246-1788.
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7
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Tutusaus A, de Gregorio E, Cucarull B, Cristóbal H, Aresté C, Graupera I, Coll M, Colell A, Gausdal G, Lorens JB, García de Frutos P, Morales A, Marí M. A Functional Role of GAS6/TAM in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Progression Implicates AXL as Therapeutic Target. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 9:349-368. [PMID: 31689560 PMCID: PMC7013198 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2019.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS GAS6 signaling, through the TAM receptor tyrosine kinases AXL and MERTK, participates in chronic liver pathologies. Here, we addressed GAS6/TAM involvement in Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis (NASH) development. METHODS GAS6/TAM signaling was analyzed in cultured primary hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and Kupffer cells (KCs). Axl-/-, Mertk-/- and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were fed with Chow, High Fat Choline-Deficient Methionine-Restricted (HFD) or methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet. HSC activation, liver inflammation and cytokine/chemokine production were measured by qPCR, mRNA Array analysis, western blotting and ELISA. GAS6, soluble AXL (sAXL) and MERTK (sMERTK) levels were analyzed in control individuals, steatotic and NASH patients. RESULTS In primary mouse cultures, GAS6 or MERTK activation protected primary hepatocytes against lipid toxicity via AKT/STAT-3 signaling, while bemcentinib (small molecule AXL inhibitor BGB324) blocked AXL-induced fibrogenesis in primary HSCs and cytokine production in LPS-treated KCs. Accordingly; bemcentinib diminished liver inflammation and fibrosis in MCD- and HFD-fed mice. Upregulation of AXL and ADAM10/ADAM17 metalloproteinases increased sAXL in HFD-fed mice. Transcriptome profiling revealed major reduction in fibrotic- and inflammatory-related genes in HFD-fed mice after bemcentinib administration. HFD-fed Mertk-/- mice exhibited enhanced NASH, while Axl-/- mice were partially protected. In human serum, sAXL levels augmented even at initial stages, whereas GAS6 and sMERTK increased only in cirrhotic NASH patients. In agreement, sAXL increased in HFD-fed mice before fibrosis establishment, while bemcentinib prevented liver fibrosis/inflammation in early NASH. CONCLUSION AXL signaling, increased in NASH patients, promotes fibrosis in HSCs and inflammation in KCs, while GAS6 protects cultured hepatocytes against lipotoxicity via MERTK. Bemcentinib, by blocking AXL signaling and increasing GAS6 levels, reduces experimental NASH, revealing AXL as an effective therapeutic target for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Tutusaus
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona-Spanish Council of Scientific Research, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain,Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Estefanía de Gregorio
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona-Spanish Council of Scientific Research, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Blanca Cucarull
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona-Spanish Council of Scientific Research, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain,Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Helena Cristóbal
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona-Spanish Council of Scientific Research, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Aresté
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona-Spanish Council of Scientific Research, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Graupera
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Coll
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Colell
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona-Spanish Council of Scientific Research, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - James B. Lorens
- BerGenBio AS, Bergen, Norway,Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Pablo García de Frutos
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona-Spanish Council of Scientific Research, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Montserrat Marí, PhD, Albert Morales, PhD, or Pablo García de Frutos, PhD, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), C/ Rosselló 161, 6th Floor, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. fax: +34-93-3638301.
| | - Albert Morales
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona-Spanish Council of Scientific Research, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain,Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases, Barcelona, Spain,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Montserrat Marí, PhD, Albert Morales, PhD, or Pablo García de Frutos, PhD, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), C/ Rosselló 161, 6th Floor, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. fax: +34-93-3638301.
| | - Montserrat Marí
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona-Spanish Council of Scientific Research, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Montserrat Marí, PhD, Albert Morales, PhD, or Pablo García de Frutos, PhD, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), C/ Rosselló 161, 6th Floor, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. fax: +34-93-3638301.
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Kurahashi T, Yoshida Y, Ogura S, Egawa M, Furuta K, Hikita H, Kodama T, Sakamori R, Kiso S, Kamada Y, Wang IC, Eguchi H, Morii E, Doki Y, Mori M, Kalinichenko VV, Tatsumi T, Takehara T. Forkhead Box M1 Transcription Factor Drives Liver Inflammation Linking to Hepatocarcinogenesis in Mice. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 9:425-446. [PMID: 31669262 PMCID: PMC7016284 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2019.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Liver inflammation has been recognized as a hallmark of hepatocarcinogenesis. Although Forkhead Box M1 (FoxM1) is a well-defined oncogenic transcription factor that is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), its role in liver inflammation has never been explored. METHODS We generated hepatocyte-specific FoxM1 conditional transgenic (TG) mice by using the Cre-loxP and Tetracycline (Tet)-on systems to induce FoxM1 expression in a hepatocyte-specific and time-dependent manner. RESULTS After treatment of Tet-derivatives doxycycline (DOX) to induce FoxM1, TG mice exhibited spontaneous development of hepatocyte death with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels and hepatic infiltration of macrophages. The removal of DOX in TG mice completely removed this effect, suggesting that spontaneous inflammation in TG mice occurs in a hepatocyte FoxM1-dependent manner. In addition, liver inflammation in TG mice was associated with increased levels of hepatic and serum chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2). In vitro transcriptional analysis confirmed that CCL2 is a direct target of FoxM1 in murine hepatocytes. After receiving FoxM1 induction since birth, all TG mice exhibited spontaneous HCC with liver fibrosis at 12 months of age. Hepatic expression of FoxM1 was significantly increased in liver injury models. Finally, pharmacologic inhibition of FoxM1 reduced liver inflammation in models of liver injury. CONCLUSIONS Hepatocyte FoxM1 acts as a crucial regulator to orchestrate liver inflammation linking to hepatocarcinogenesis. Thus, hepatocyte FoxM1 may be a potential target not only for the treatment of liver injury but also for the prevention toward HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohide Kurahashi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuichi Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Ogura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mayumi Egawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kunimaro Furuta
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hayato Hikita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Sakamori
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shinichi Kiso
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kamada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Clinical Investigation, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - I-Ching Wang
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Divisions of Pulmonary Biology and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, College of Medicine of the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Eiichi Morii
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Doki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaki Mori
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Vladimir V Kalinichenko
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Divisions of Pulmonary Biology and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, College of Medicine of the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Tomohide Tatsumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
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