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Soltani F, Kaartinen MT. Transglutaminases in fibrosis-overview and recent advances. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C885-C894. [PMID: 37642242 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00322.2023] [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: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Transglutaminases (TGs) are a family of protein cross-linking enzymes that are capable of stiffening and insolubilizing proteins and creating protein networks, and thereby altering biological functions of proteins. Their role in fibrosis progression has been widely investigated with a focus on kidney, lung, liver, and heart where activity is triggered by various stimuli including hypoxia, inflammation, and hyperglycemia. TG2 has been considered one of the key enzymes in the pathogenesis of fibrosis mainly through transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling and matrix cross-linking mechanisms. Although TG2 has been most widely studied in this context, the involvement of other TGs, TG1 and Factor XIII-A (FXIII-A), is beginning to emerge. This mini-review highlights the major steps taken in the TG and fibrosis research and summarizes the most recent advances and contributions of TG2, TG1, and FXIII-A to the progression of fibrosis in various animal models. Also, their mechanisms of action as well as therapeutic prospects are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Soltani
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mari T Kaartinen
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences (Biomedical Sciences), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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da Rosa DP, Forgiarini LF, e Silva MB, Fiori CZ, Andrade CF, Martinez D, Marroni NP. Antioxidants inhibit the inflammatory and apoptotic processes in an intermittent hypoxia model of sleep apnea. Inflamm Res 2014; 64:21-9. [PMID: 25380745 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-014-0778-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sleep apnea causes intermittent hypoxia (IH). We aimed to investigate the proteins related to oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in liver tissue subjected to IH as a simulation of sleep apnea in conjunction with the administration of either melatonin (MEL, 200 μL/kg) or N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 10 mg/kg). METHODS Seventy-two adult male Balb-C mice were divided: simulation of IH (SIH), SIH + MEL, SIH + NAC, IH, IH + MEL and IH + NAC. The animals were subjected to simulations of sleep apnea for 8 h a day for 35 days. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey tests with the significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS In IH, there was a significant increase in oxidative stress and expression of HIF-1a. In addition, we observed increase in the activation levels of NF-kB. This increase may be responsible for the increased expression of TNF-alpha and iNOS as well as the significant increase of VEGF signaling and expression of caspase-3 and caspase-6, which suggests an increase in apoptosis. In the groups treated with antioxidants, the analysis showed that the enzyme activity and protein levels were similar to those of the non-simulated group. CONCLUSIONS Thus, we show that IH causes liver inflammation and apoptosis, which may be protected with either MEL or NAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darlan Pase da Rosa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Medicina, Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90670-001, Brazil,
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El-Sayed NM, Fathy GM, Abdel-Rahman SAR, El-Shafei MAA. Cytokine patterns in experimental schistosomiasis mansoni infected mice treated with silymarin. J Parasit Dis 2014; 40:922-9. [PMID: 27605811 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-014-0606-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine cytokine patterns in experimental schistosomiasis mansoni infected mice treated with silymarin. The study was conducted upon 100 mice that were divided into five groups; 20 each: uninfected control group, Schistosoma mansoni infected untreated mice (infected control), infected mice treated with praziquantel (PZQ), infected mice treated with silymarin and infected mice treated with both praziquantel and silymarin. 10 mice from each group were sacrificed at 10th and 18th weeks post infection respectively. Histopathological investigations were performed. Liver sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome stain to evaluate changes of granuloma sizes and numbers. Serum levels of the cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4 and TGF-β1) were assessed in the sera of all groups by immunoassay. The measured levels of cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, TNF-α, TGF-β1) were found to be significantly increased in infected mice compared to normal control. At the same time, treated groups with silymarin alone or combined with PZQ showed significant decrease in IL-4, TNF-α and TGF-β1 levels compared to infected control. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in IFN-γ level observed in all treated groups compared to infected control. In addition, the histopathological examination of the liver in the group treated with PZQ showed a reduction in the number of livers eggs granuloma at all periods of sacrification compared with the infected untreated group. However, there was more decrease in granulomas diameter in both silymarin treated group or combined with PZQ at all periods of sacrification when compared to infected untreated group. In conclusion; treatment with silymarin combined with PZQ in murine schistosomiasis could reduce hepatic fibrosis by their action on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagwa Mostafa El-Sayed
- Parasitology Department, Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Ministry of Scientific Research & Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ghada Mahmoud Fathy
- Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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Zan Y, Zhang Y, Tien P. Hepatitis B virus e antigen induces activation of rat hepatic stellate cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 435:391-6. [PMID: 23665329 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.04.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a major cause of hepatic fibrosis, leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg) is an accessory protein of HBV, not required for viral replication but important for natural infection in vivo. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major producers of excessive extracellular matrix during liver fibrogenesis. Therefore, we examined the influence of HBeAg on HSCs. The rat HSC line HSC-T6 was transfected with HBeAg plasmids, and expression of α-smooth muscle actin, collagen I, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) was investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. The proliferation of HSCs was determined by MTS analysis. HBeAg transduction induced up-regulation of these fibrogenic genes and proliferation of HSCs. We found that HBeAg induced TGF-β secretion in HSCs, and the activation of HSCs was prevented by a neutralizing anti-TGF-β antibody. Depletion and addition of HBeAg protein in conditioned medium from HSC-T6 cells transduced with HBeAg indicated that HBeAg directly induced the activation and proliferation of rat primary HSCs. Taken together, HBeAg induces the activation and proliferation of HSCs, mainly mediated by TGF-β, and HBeAg protein purified from cell medium can directly activate HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlu Zan
- Center for Molecular Virology, CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
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Caldas IR, Campi-Azevedo AC, Oliveira LFA, Silveira AMS, Oliveira RC, Gazzinelli G. Human schistosomiasis mansoni: immune responses during acute and chronic phases of the infection. Acta Trop 2008; 108:109-17. [PMID: 18577364 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2008.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2007] [Revised: 05/12/2008] [Accepted: 05/29/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni infection may occur either as an acute infection in individuals who have recently visited an endemic area, with no previous contact with the parasite, or as a lasting chronic disease, if not interrupted by specific chemotherapy. The acute phase is characterized by symptoms such as fever, cough, diarrhea, anorexia, and arthralgias in combination with leukocytosis and eosinophilia, and a high cellular immune response to schistosome antigens especially those from the parasite's eggs. In the chronic phase, most patients living in endemic areas are asymptomatic, and their immune responses to egg antigens are modulated. A few develop periportal fibrosis of the liver, which may result in the hepatosplenic form of the disease. The humoral response (IgG, IgM and IgE) in acute patients to egg and worm antigens does not differ from the chronic phase. However, a high level of IgG and IgM antibodies to KLH were detected in acute patients. Acute patients express a considerably higher in vitro cellular responsiveness than do chronic patients, especially to egg antigens. They present a mixed profile of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Ultrasound examinations of endemic population reveal a high heterogeneity between the patients as regards the presence and intensity of periportal fibrosis. Most patients are asymptomatic and their immune responses to schistosoma egg antigens (SEA) are modulated. In contrast, a high percentage of patients with incipient fibrosis (early stage of hepatosplenic) responded strongly to SEA. Patients with advanced hepatosplenic disease were likely to be non-responders to SEA. Most of the chronic patients presented a Th2 profile with low production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The intensity of infection favors the production of interleukin (IL)-10. After adjusting for age, sex, and intensity of infection, a strong correlation was observed between the production of IL-13 and the degree of fibrosis. Chronic asymptomatic patients and those with incipient fibrosis expressed very high levels of heterogeneity of their antibody responses. IgG response to soluble worm antigen preparation (SWAP) was distinct and significantly higher in hepatosplenic patients than in those asymptomatic or with incipient fibrosis. Levels of IgG4 to SEA were significantly higher in sera from patients with incipient fibrosis as compared to uninfected and hepatosplenic groups. Polyclonal idiotypic antibodies and their fragments F(ab')2, directly stimulate in culture T cells of schistosomiasis patients in presence of IL-1. Polyclonal idiotypic antibodies are able to modulate in vitro granuloma formation around SEA-polyacrylamide. The importance of idiotypes for protection or pathology in schistosomiasis is still not clear.
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Alves Oliveira LF, Moreno EC, Gazzinelli G, Martins-Filho OA, Silveira AMS, Gazzinelli A, Malaquias LCC, LoVerde P, Leite PM, Correa-Oliveira R. Cytokine production associated with periportal fibrosis during chronic schistosomiasis mansoni in humans. Infect Immun 2006; 74:1215-21. [PMID: 16428771 PMCID: PMC1360316 DOI: 10.1128/iai.74.2.1215-1221.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Volunteers living in an area where schistosomiasis mansoni is endemic were subjected to ultrasound examination and classified into groups according to the levels of fibrosis diagnosed, namely, absence of indications of fibrosis (group 0), incipient fibrosis (group 1), and moderate/severe fibrosis (group 2). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) collected from the volunteers were stimulated with soluble antigens from adult schistosomes or from schistosome eggs, and the production of the cytokines gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10, and IL-13 was determined. Potential associations of the level of fibrosis with age, sex, intensity of infection, and cytokine production were investigated between the three groups. Univariate analysis identified associations of age (>50), gender (male), and absence of eggs/g of feces with moderate/severe fibrosis and an association of intensity of infection (>100 eggs) with incipient fibrosis. When cytokine production in PBMC cultures stimulated by soluble egg antigens was categorized as low or high, significant differences in the distribution of IL-13 levels were established between groups 0 and 2. No significant differences were detected between the groups in the cytokines produced by PBMC cultures stimulated with soluble antigens from adult schistosomes. When all variables were tested in multivariate analyses, only IL-13 was strongly associated with fibrosis (odds ratio = 5.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1 to 30.5). While high levels of TGF-beta appeared to be associated with protection against fibrosis, the strength of the association was low.
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Affiliation(s)
- L F Alves Oliveira
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Imunologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Vale Do Rio Doce, Gov. Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Abdel Aziz MT, El-Asmar MF, Atta HM, Nassar YH, Shaker OG, El-Fattah MMA, El-Ansary AK, Fouad HH, Roshdy NK, Hosni HA, Rashed LA, Sabry DA. Gene Expression of Heme Oxygenase-1: Relationship to Fibrogenic and Apoptotic Factors in Murine Schistosomiasis. J Clin Biochem Nutr 2005; 36:67-78. [DOI: 10.3164/jcbn.36.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
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Dang SS, Jia XL, Cheng YA, Chen YR, Liu EQ, Li ZF. Inhibitory effect of Huangqi Zhechong decoction on liver fibrosis in rat. World J Gastroenterol 2004; 10:2295-8. [PMID: 15259087 PMCID: PMC4724985 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i15.2295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM: To assess the inhibitory effect of Huangqi Zhechong decoction on hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by CCl4 plus alcohol and high fat low protein diet.
METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into hepatic fibrosis model group, control group and 3 treatment groups consisting of 12 rats in each group. Except for the normal control group, all the rats were subcutaneously injected with CCl4 at a dosage of 3 mL/kg. In 3 treated groups, either high-dose group (9 mL/kg), or medium-dose group (6 mL/kg), or low-dose group (3 mL/kg) was daily gavaged with Huangqi Zhechong decoction, and saline vehicle was given to model and normal control rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and biochemical examinations were used to determine the changes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type-III-procollagen-N- peptide (PIIIP), and type IV collagen content in serum, and hydroxyproline (Hyp) content in liver after sacrificing the rats. Pathologic changes, particularly fibrosis were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Van Gieson staining.
RESULTS: Compared with the model control group, serum ALT, AST, HA, LN, PIIIP and type IV collagen levels dropped markedly in Huangqi Zhechong decoction groups, especially in the medium-dose Huangqi Zhechong decoction group (1 954 ± 576 U/L vs 759 ± 380 U/L, 2 735 ± 786 U/L vs 1 259 ± 829 U/L, 42.74 ± 7.04 ng/mL vs 20.68 ± 5.85 ng/mL, 31.62 ± 5.84 ng/mL vs 14.87 ± 1.45 ng/mL, 3.26 ± 0.69 ng/mL vs 1.47 ± 0.46 ng/mL, 77.68 ± 20.23 ng/mL vs 25.64 ± 4.68 ng/mL, respectively) (P < 0.05). The Hyp content in liver tissue was also markedly decreased (26.47 ± 11.24 mg/mgprot vs 9.89 ± 3.74 mg/mgprot) (P < 0.01). Moreover, the stage of the rat liver fibrosis in Huangqi Zhechong decoction groups was lower than that in model group, and more dramatic drop was observed in medium-dose Huangqi Zhechong decoction group (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: Huangqi Zhechong decoction can inhibit hepatic fibrosis resulted from chronic liver injure, retard the development of cirrhosis, and notably ameliorate the liver function. It may be a safe and effective therapeutic drug for patients with fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang-Suo Dang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Second Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China.
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de Jesus AR, Magalhães A, Miranda DG, Miranda RG, Araújo MI, de Jesus AA, Silva A, Santana LB, Pearce E, Carvalho EM. Association of type 2 cytokines with hepatic fibrosis in human Schistosoma mansoni infection. Infect Immun 2004; 72:3391-7. [PMID: 15155645 PMCID: PMC415716 DOI: 10.1128/iai.72.6.3391-3397.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of cytokines in hepatic fibrosis in the prehepatosplenic and early hepatosplenic stages of schistosomiasis mansoni. Hepatic fibrosis was classified by ultrasonography of 94 patients. Immunological evaluation was performed by the measurement of secreted cytokines (interleukin-5 [IL-5], IL-10, IL-13, gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and transforming growth factor beta) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated by Schistosoma mansoni antigens. Significantly, higher levels of IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 were found in supernatants of soluble egg antigen-stimulated PBMC from subjects with degree III hepatic fibrosis compared to patients with degree I or II fibrosis. Significant increases in IL-5 and IL-13 levels were also observed in some of the subjects who remained untreated for 1 year following initial assessment and developed more serious fibrosis during this period. The data suggest a role for type 2 cytokines in hepatic fibrosis in human schistosomiasis mansoni.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélia Ribeiro de Jesus
- Serviço de Imunologia, Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
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