Ubiquitin--a common denominator in intermediate filament pathology of brain and liver?

Early perturbations in keratin and actin gene expression and fibrillar organisation in griseofulvin-fed mouse liver

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Long-term feeding of mice with a diet containing griseofulvin results in the formation of Mallory bodies, keratin K8 and K18 containing aggregates in hepatocytes. These bodies are biochemically and morphologically identical to the Mallory bodies that emerge in several human liver disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of K8 and K18 and actin to Mallory body formation.

METHODS

Mice were fed griseofulvin over a period ranging from 1 day to 20 months. Hepatocyte morphology was monitored by immunocytochemistry, gene expression by Northern and run-off transcription assays, and protein level by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Griseofulvin feeding induced a series of morphological alterations in hepatocytes that could be grouped into 3 phases: appearance of cholestasis during the first week (phase I), partial hepatocyte recovery at 3 months (phase II), and development of typical Mallory bodies after 3 to 5 months (phase III). All these cellular alterations were associated with perturbations in keratin and actin fibrillar status, coupled with increases in K8, K18 and actin mRNA steady-state level and, in K8 and K18 protein content. The transcriptional activity of the genes was not affected.

CONCLUSIONS

Perturbations in keratin and actin gene expression and fibrillar organisation constitute early events in the griseofulvin-induced pathological process that in the long-term leads to Mallory body formation. The higher keratin and actin mRNA levels reflect significant increases in mRNA stability taking place at the early phase of griseofulvin intoxication in hepatocytes.

Alteration in molecular structure of cytoskeleton proteins in griseofulvin-treated mouse liver: a pressure tuning infrared spectroscopy study

Different liver diseases are associated with modifications in hepatocyte cytoskeletal organization and formation of Mallory bodies (MBs). Since the structure of a protein is critical for its function, we studied the changes in the molecular structure of the cytoskeletal protein in the liver from mice fed griseofulvin (GF), which is a good animal model for studying liver disease. Using pressure-tuning infrared spectroscopy we compared the infrared spectra of the cytoskeletal proteins from control liver and griseofulvin treated liver. The results show that the overall structure of the cytoskeletal protein was modified by the griseofulvin treatment. A relative increase in the amount of alpha-helices to beta-sheets was observed in the liver cytoskeleton from the GF-treated mice. Moreover, the random coil and the turn segments were dramatically decreased compared to controls. Pressure-induced modifications including denaturation were irreversible in the control samples whereas they were reversible in the griseofulvin-treated samples. These changes reflect important fundamental modifications in the molecular structure of the cytoskeletal proteins in the griseofulvin-treated hepatocytes. We suggest that these changes are related to the modification of the organization of intermediate filaments and the formation of MBs that occur in the GF-treated liver.

Cellular intermediate filament networks and their derangement in alcoholic hepatitis

Intermediate filaments are major components of most eukaryotic cells that form from the polymerization of protein subunits that are expressed in tissue and development specific fashions. The interactions of intermediate filaments with a myriad of other cellular proteins and structures give rise to a complex overall cellular architecture that is likely responsible for cellular well-being. The mature 10-nm filaments are relatively stable cellular structures, but the intermediate filaments undergo major morphological and biochemical changes, especially during mitosis, differentiation, and in response to certain drugs. Evidence exists that hepatocyte intermediate filaments (keratin filaments) are deranged in alcoholic hepatitis, an inflammatory liver disease of alcoholics and heavy spree drinkers. The classical and characteristic pathological hepatocyte inclusion bodies of alcoholic hepatitis, Mallory bodies, are composed in part of normal keratins that likely derive from the pre-existing hepatocyte intermediate filament network. It is unclear if intermediate filament network derangement in alcoholic hepatitis is directly caused by the actions of ethanol or its metabolites on intermediate filaments or their associated structures, or whether alcohol causes a cellular insult or injury elsewhere and a subsequent response (e.g., immune) causes intermediate filament network derangement. The precise mechanisms responsible for intermediate filament derangement remain to be elucidated; however, experimental data exist that support and refute several hypotheses. Hopefully, further studies will help determine a better overall understanding of the abnormalities of intermediate filaments and their relationship to the pathophysiology of alcoholic hepatitis and other diseases.