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Jiang M, Guo R, Ai Y, Wang G, Tang P, Jia X, He B, Yuan Q, Xie X. Small molecule drugs promote repopulation of transplanted hepatocytes by stimulating cell dedifferentiation. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100670. [PMID: 36873420 PMCID: PMC9976449 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Hepatocyte transplantation has emerged as a possible treatment option for end-stage liver disease. However, an important obstacle to therapeutic success is the low level of engraftment and proliferation of transplanted hepatocytes, which do not survive long enough to exert therapeutic effects. Thus, we aimed to explore the mechanisms of hepatocyte proliferation in vivo and find a way to promote the growth of transplanted hepatocytes. Methods Hepatocyte transplantation was performed in Fah -/- mice to explore the mechanisms of hepatocyte proliferation in vivo. Guided by in vivo regeneration mechanisms, we identified compounds that promote hepatocyte proliferation in vitro. The in vivo effects of these compounds on transplanted hepatocytes were then evaluated. Results The transplanted mature hepatocytes were found to dedifferentiate into hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs), which proliferate and then convert back to a mature state at the completion of liver repopulation. The combination of two small molecules Y-27632 (Y, ROCK inhibitor) and CHIR99021 (C, Wnt agonist) could convert mouse primary hepatocytes into HPCs, which could be passaged for more than 30 passages in vitro. Moreover, YC could stimulate the proliferation of transplanted hepatocytes in Fah -/- livers by promoting their conversion into HPCs. Netarsudil (N) and LY2090314 (L), two clinically used drugs which target the same pathways as YC, could also promote hepatocyte proliferation in vitro and in vivo, by facilitating HPC conversion. Conclusions Our work suggests drugs promoting hepatocyte dedifferentiation may facilitate the growth of transplanted hepatocytes in vivo and may facilitate the application of hepatocyte therapy. Impact and implications Hepatocyte transplantation may be a treatment option for patients with end-stage liver disease. However, one important obstacle to hepatocyte therapy is the low level of engraftment and proliferation of the transplanted hepatocytes. Herein, we show that small molecule compounds which promote hepatocyte proliferation in vitro by facilitating dedifferentiation, could promote the growth of transplanted hepatocytes in vivo and may facilitate the application of hepatocyte therapy.
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Key Words
- (i)HPCs, (induced) hepatic progenitor cells
- A, A-83-01
- ALP, alkaline phosphatase
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- AST, aspartate aminotransferase
- C, CHIR99021
- DDC, 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine
- Dedifferentiation
- HMM, hepatic maturation medium
- Hepatocyte expansion
- Hepatocyte progenitor cells
- Hepatocyte transplantation
- L, LY2090314
- N, netarsudil
- NTBC, 2-(2-nitro-4-trifluoro-methylbenzoyl)-1,3-cyclo-hexanedione
- PHx, partial hepatectomy
- RT-PCR, reverse-transcription PCR
- Small molecule compounds
- Y, Y27632
- iMHs, induced mature hepatocytes
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Jiang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ren Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yan Ai
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Peilan Tang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, PR China
| | - Xiaohui Jia
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bingqing He
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qianting Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xin Xie
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China.,State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
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Gao Y, Fan S, Li H, Jiang Y, Yao X, Zhu S, Yang X, Wang R, Tian J, Gonzalez FJ, Huang M, Bi H. Constitutive androstane receptor induced-hepatomegaly and liver regeneration is partially via yes-associated protein activation. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:727-37. [PMID: 33777678 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR3I1) belongs to nuclear receptor superfamily. It was reported that CAR agonist TCPOBOP induces hepatomegaly but the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a potent regulator of organ size. The aim of this study is to explore the role of YAP in CAR activation-induced hepatomegaly and liver regeneration. TCPOBOP-induced CAR activation on hepatomegaly and liver regeneration was evaluated in wild-type (WT) mice, liver-specific YAP-deficient mice, and partial hepatectomy (PHx) mice. The results demonstrate that TCPOBOP can increase the liver-to-body weight ratio in wild-type mice and PHx mice. Hepatocytes enlargement around central vein (CV) area was observed, meanwhile hepatocytes proliferation was promoted as evidenced by the increased number of KI67+ cells around portal vein (PV) area. The protein levels of YAP and its downstream targets were upregulated in TCPOBOP-treated mice and YAP translocation can be induced by CAR activation. Co-immunoprecipitation results suggested a potential protein–protein interaction of CAR and YAP. However, CAR activation-induced hepatomegaly can still be observed in liver-specific YAP-deficient (Yap–/–) mice. In summary, CAR activation promotes hepatomegaly and liver regeneration partially by inducing YAP translocation and interaction with YAP signaling pathway, which provides new insights to further understand the physiological functions of CAR.
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Key Words
- ALB, albumin
- ALP, alkaline phosphatase
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- ANKRD1, ankyrin repeat domain 1
- AST, aspartate transaminase
- AhR, aryl hydrocarbon receptor
- CAR, constitutive androstane receptor
- CCNA1, cyclin A1
- CCND1, cyclin D1
- CCNE1, cyclin E1
- CITCO, 6-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazole-5-carbaldehyde O-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)oxime
- CTGF, connective tissue growth factor
- CTNNB1, β-catenin
- CV, central vein
- CYR61, cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61
- Co-IP, co-immunoprecipitation
- Constitutive androstane receptor
- EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor
- FOXM1, forkhead box M1
- FXR, farnesoid X receptor
- H&E, haematoxylin and eosin
- Hepatomegaly
- Liver enlargement
- Liver regeneration
- Nuclear receptors
- PHx, partial hepatectomy
- PPARα, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor alpha
- PV, portal vein
- Partial hepatectomy
- Protein–protein interaction
- TBA, total bile acid
- TBIL, total bilirubin
- TCPOBOP, 1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene
- TEAD, TEA domain family member
- YAP, yes-associated protein
- Yes-associated protein
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Mathur B, Arif W, Patton ME, Faiyaz R, Liu J, Yeh J, Harpavat S, Schoonjans K, Kalsotra A, Wheatley AM, Anakk S. Transcriptomic analysis across liver diseases reveals disease-modulating activation of constitutive androstane receptor in cholestasis. JHEP Rep 2020; 2:100140. [PMID: 32875282 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2020.100140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Liver diseases are caused by many factors, such as genetics, nutrition, and viruses. Therefore, it is important to delineate transcriptomic changes that occur in various liver diseases. Methods We performed high-throughput sequencing of mouse livers with diverse types of injuries, including cholestasis, diet-induced steatosis, and partial hepatectomy. Comparative analysis of liver transcriptome from mice and human samples of viral infections (HBV and HCV), alcoholic hepatitis (AH), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and biliary atresia revealed distinct and overlapping gene profiles associated with liver diseases. We hypothesised that discrete molecular signatures could be utilised to assess therapeutic outcomes. We focused on cholestasis to test and validate the hypothesis using pharmacological approaches. Results Here, we report significant overlap in the expression of inflammatory and proliferation-related genes across liver diseases. However, cholestatic livers were unique and displayed robust induction of genes involved in drug metabolism. Consistently, we found that constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) activation is crucial for the induction of the drug metabolic gene programme in cholestasis. When challenged, cholestatic mice were protected against zoxazolamine-induced paralysis and acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. These protective effects were diminished upon inhibition of CAR activity. Further, drug metabolic genes were also induced in the livers from a subset of biliary atresia patients, but not in HBV and HCV infections, AH, or NASH. We also found a higher expression of CYP2B6, a CAR target, in the livers of biliary atresia patients, underscoring the clinical importance of our findings. Conclusions Comparative transcriptome analysis of different liver disorders revealed specific induction of phase I and II metabolic genes in cholestasis. Our results demonstrate that CAR activation may lead to variations in drug metabolism and clinical outcomes in biliary atresia. Lay summary Transcriptomic analysis of diverse liver diseases revealed alterations in common and distinct pathways. Specifically, in cholestasis, we found that detoxification genes and their activity are increased. Thus, cholestatic patients may have an unintended consequence on drug metabolism and not only have a beneficial effect against liver toxicity, but also may require adjustments to their therapeutic dosage. Cell cycle, inflammation, and glucose homeostasis are some of the common pathways altered in a variety of liver disorders. Phase I and II metabolic genes are induced in Fxr−/−Shp−/− double knockouts (DKOs) and bile-acid-fed control mice. Activation of xeno-sensor, constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), is observed in cholestasis. Inhibiting CAR activity in DKO mice exacerbates zoxazolamine-induced paralysis and acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. A subset of patients with biliary atresia display increased expression of CAR target protein CYP2B6.
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Key Words
- AH, alcoholic hepatitis
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- APAP, acetaminophen
- AST, aspartate aminotransferase
- Bile acids
- CA, cholic acid
- CAR, constitutive androstane receptor
- Cholestasis
- Cytochrome p450
- DKO, double knockout
- Drug metabolism
- FXRKO, FXR knockout
- Fxr, farnesoid X receptor
- GGT, gamma-glutamyl transferase
- GSH, glutathione disulphide
- Liver diseases
- NAPQI, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine
- NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- Nuclear receptors
- PCN, pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile
- PHx, partial hepatectomy
- PXR, pregnane X receptor
- SHPKO, SHP knockout
- Shp, small heterodimer partner
- Transcriptomics
- WT, wild type
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