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Yang Y, Yuan W, He K, Lin C, Du S, Kou Y, Nie B. Inhibition of ACOX1 enhances the therapeutic efficacy of obeticholic acid in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and mitigates its lipotoxicity. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1366479. [PMID: 38595921 PMCID: PMC11003388 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1366479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and aims High-dose Obeticholic acid exhibits promise for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) treatment but can induce lipotoxicity. Our study sought to understand this mechanism and propose a solution. Approach and Results In a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model induced by a high-fat diet in FXR-/- mice, we pinpointed that FXR regulated the expression of ACOX1 through RNA-Seq analysis. In the livers of FXR-/- mice, both ACOX1 mRNA and protein expression notably decreased. In both HL-7702 and HEP-G2 cells, the silencing of FXR through shRNA plasmids decreased ACOX1 expression, while FXR activation with GW4064 increased it. These effects were reversible with the ACOX1-specific inhibitor, 10,12-Tricosadiynoic acid. In the NAFLD model of FXR-/- mice, The activation of ACOX1 is correlated with elevated serum LDL, triglycerides, and aggravated hepatic steatosis. However, the combination of 10,12-Tricosadiynoic acid with low-dose obeticholic acid effectively treated hepatic steatosis, reducing LDL levels in the NAFLD model of wild-type mice. This combination therapy demonstrated efficacy comparable to high-dose obeticholic acid alone. Notably, the combined drug regimen treats hepatic steatosis by inhibiting the IL-1β and α-SMA pathways in NAFLD. Conclusion Combining ACOX1-specific inhibitors with low-dose obeticholic acid effectively treats high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis and reduces serum LDL. This approach enhances the therapeutic effects of obeticholic acid and mitigates its lipotoxicity by inhibiting the IL-1β and α-SMA pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuping Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weinan Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kun He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuangzhen Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shenshen Du
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanqi Kou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Biao Nie
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Thilakarathna WPDW, Rupasinghe HPV. Proanthocyanidins-Based Synbiotics as a Novel Strategy for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Risk Reduction. Molecules 2024; 29:709. [PMID: 38338453 PMCID: PMC10856248 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29030709] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common liver disease worldwide, is a spectrum of liver abnormalities ranging from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) characterized by excessive lipid accumulation. The prevalence of NAFLD is predicted to increase rapidly, demanding novel approaches to reduce the global NAFLD burden. Flavonoids, the most abundant dietary polyphenols, can reduce the risk of NAFLD. The majority of dietary flavonoids are proanthocyanidins (PACs), which are oligomers and polymers of the flavonoid sub-group flavan-3-ols. The efficacy of PAC in reducing the NAFLD risk can be significantly hindered by low bioavailability. The development of synbiotics by combining PAC with probiotics may increase effectiveness against NAFLD by biotransforming PAC into bioavailable metabolites. PAC and probiotic bacteria are capable of mitigating steatosis primarily through suppressing de novo lipogenesis and promoting fatty acid β-oxidation. PAC and probiotic bacteria can reduce the progression of steatosis to NASH mainly through ameliorating hepatic damage and inflammation induced by hepatic oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Synbiotics of PAC are superior in reducing the risk of NAFLD compared to independent administration of PAC and probiotics. The development of PAC-based synbiotics can be a novel strategy to mitigate the increasing incidence of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasitha P. D. W. Thilakarathna
- Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada;
| | - H. P. Vasantha Rupasinghe
- Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada;
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4H7, Canada
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Sorour A, Aly RG, Ragab HM, Wahid A. Structure Modification Converts the Hepatotoxic Tacrine into Novel Hepatoprotective Analogs. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:2491-2503. [PMID: 38250371 PMCID: PMC10795119 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The liver is responsible for critical functions such as metabolism, secretion, storage, detoxification, and the excretion of various compounds. However, there is currently no approved drug treatment for liver fibrosis. Hence, this study aimed to explore the potential hepatoprotective effects of chlorinated and nonchlorinated 4-phenyl-tetrahydroquinoline derivatives. Originally developed as tacrine analogs with reduced hepatotoxicity, these compounds not only lacked hepatotoxicity but also displayed a remarkable hepatoprotective effect. Treatment with these derivatives notably prevented the chemically induced elevation of hepatic indicators associated with liver injury. Additionally, the compounds restored the activities of defense antioxidant enzymes as well as levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-6), apoptotic proteins (Bax and Bcl2), and fibrogenic mediators (α-SMA and TGF-β) to normal levels. Histopathologic analysis confirmed the hepatoprotective activity of tetrahydroquinolines. Furthermore, computer-assisted simulation docking results were highly consistent with those of the observed in vivo activities. In conclusion, the designed tacrine analogs exhibited a hepatoprotective role in acute liver damage, possibly through their antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amani
A. Sorour
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
| | - Rania G. Aly
- Department
of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria
University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
| | - Hanan M. Ragab
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Wahid
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
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4
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de Souza Basso B, Bastos MS, Antunes GL, Matzenbacher LS, Rodrigues KF, Garcia MCR, de Sousa AC, Levorse VG, Luft C, Tonial GV, Pavanato GM, Astarita LV, da Silva Melo DA, Donadio MVF, Santarém ER, de Oliveira JR. Baccharis anomala DC. extract reduces inflammation and attenuates hepatic fibrosis in vivo by decreasing NF-kB and extracellular matrix compounds. Toxicon 2024; 237:107560. [PMID: 38092194 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107560] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Baccharis anomala DC. (BA) is a plant species found in the tropical regions of South America and is widely used for its hepatoprotective effects, as well as for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Studies have recently reported its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. BA extract can reverse the activated phenotype of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), which plays a central role in extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in the development of liver fibrosis. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of the treatment with BA extract on liver fibrosis in a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model in BALB/c mice. Methanolic extract was obtained from BA leaves, a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to detect the compounds present was performed, and then administered by intraperitoneal injection in Balb/C mice at a concentration of 50 and 100 mg/kg together with the administration of CCl4 for inducing liver fibrosis. After 10 weeks, blood analysis, histopathology, oxidative stress, as well as protein and gene expression in the hepatic tissue were performed. Treatment with BA extract was able to reduce profibrotic markers by reducing the expression of α-SMA and Col-1 proteins, as well as reducing the formation of free radicals and lipid peroxidation. (BA extract showed anti-inflammatory effects in the liver by suppressing NF-kB activation and reducing gene expression of signaling targets (IL-6 and iNOS). The data obtained showed that BA extract has antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno de Souza Basso
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Matheus Scherer Bastos
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Géssica Luana Antunes
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lucas Strassburger Matzenbacher
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Kétlin Fernanda Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Maria Claudia Rosa Garcia
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Arieli Cruz de Sousa
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 3, Brazil
| | - Vitor Giancarlo Levorse
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carolina Luft
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Giovana Vivan Tonial
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Mezzomo Pavanato
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Leandro Vieira Astarita
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Denizar Alberto da Silva Melo
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Márcio Vinícius Fagundes Donadio
- Laboratory of Pediatric Physical Activity, Infant Center, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Eliane Romanato Santarém
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jarbas Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics and Inflammation. School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Hijazi N, Shi Z, Rockey DC. Paxillin regulates liver fibrosis via actin polymerization and ERK activation in hepatic stellate cells. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs261122. [PMID: 37667902 PMCID: PMC10560551 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261122] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver injury leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis. The primary mechanism underlying the fibrogenic response is the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are 'quiescent' in normal liver but become 'activated' after injury by transdifferentiating into extracellular matrix (ECM)-secreting myofibroblasts. Given that integrins are important in HSC activation and fibrogenesis, we hypothesized that paxillin, a key downstream effector in integrin signaling, might be critical in the fibrosis pathway. Using a cell-culture-based model of HSC activation and in vivo models of liver injury, we found that paxillin is upregulated in activated HSCs and fibrotic livers. Overexpression of paxillin (both in vitro and in vivo) led to increased ECM protein expression, and depletion of paxillin in a novel conditional mouse injury model reduced fibrosis. The mechanism by which paxillin mediated this effect appeared to be through the actin cytoskeleton, which signals to the ERK pathway and induces ECM protein production. These data highlight a novel role for paxillin in HSC biology and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Hijazi
- Digestive Disease Research Center Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Zengdun Shi
- Digestive Disease Research Center Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Don C. Rockey
- Digestive Disease Research Center Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Kundu D, Kennedy L, Zhou T, Ekser B, Meadows V, Sybenga A, Kyritsi K, Chen L, Ceci L, Wu N, Wu C, Glaser S, Carpino G, Onori P, Gaudio E, Alpini G, Francis H. p16 INK4A drives nonalcoholic fatty liver disease phenotypes in high fat diet fed mice through biliary E2F1/FOXO1/IGF-1 signaling. Hepatology 2023; 78:243-257. [PMID: 36799449 PMCID: PMC10410572 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS NAFLD is characterized by steatosis, hepatic inflammation, and fibrosis, which can develop into NASH. Patients with NAFLD/NASH have increased ductular reaction (DR) and biliary senescence. High fat/high cholesterol diet feeding increases biliary senescence, DR, and biliary insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) expression in mice. p16/IGF-1 converges with fork-head box transcription factor O1 (FOXO1) through E2F1. We evaluated p16 inhibition on NAFLD phenotypes and biliary E2F1/FOXO1/IGF-1 signaling. APPROACH AND RESULTS 4-week wild-type (C57BL/6J) male mice were fed a control diet (CD) or high fat/high cholesterol diet and received either p16 or control Vivo Morpholino (VM) by tail vein injection 2× during the 16th week of feeding. We confirmed p16 knockdown and examined: (i) NAFLD phenotypes; (ii) DR and biliary senescence; (iii) serum metabolites; and (iv) biliary E2F1/FOXO1/IGF-1 signaling. Human normal, NAFLD, and NASH liver samples and isolated cholangiocytes treated with control or p16 VM were evaluated for p16/E2F1/FOXO1/IGF-1 signaling. p16 VM treatment reduced cholangiocyte and hepatocyte p16. In wild-type high fat/high cholesterol diet mice with control VM, there were increased (i) NAFLD phenotypes; (ii) DR and biliary senescence; (iii) serum metabolites; and (iv) biliary E2F1/FOXO1/IGF-1 signaling; however, p16 VM treatment reduced these parameters. Biliary E2F1/FOX-O1/IGF-1 signaling increased in human NAFLD/NASH but was blocked by p16 VM. In vitro , p16 VM reduced biliary E2f1 and Foxo1 transcription by inhibiting RNA pol II binding and E2F1 binding at the Foxo1 locus, respectively. Inhibition of E2F1 reduced biliary FOXO1 in vitro. CONCLUSION Attenuating hepatic p16 expression may be a therapeutic approach for improving NAFLD/NASH phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debjyoti Kundu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine Research
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine Research
| | - Tianhao Zhou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine Research
| | - Burcin Ekser
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Vik Meadows
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine Research
| | | | - Konstantina Kyritsi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine Research
| | - Lixian Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine Research
| | - Ludovica Ceci
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine Research
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nan Wu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine Research
| | - Chaodong Wu
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | | | - Guido Carpino
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Onori
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine Research
| | - Heather Francis
- Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine Research
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7
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Sayed AA, Soliman AM, Marzouk M, Mohammed FF, Desouky S. Bromelain mitigates liver fibrosis via targeting hepatic stellate cells in vitro and in vivo. Tissue Cell 2023; 82:102118. [PMID: 37269556 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Various therapeutic approaches are conducted for regression of liver fibrosis and prevent possible further carcinogenic transformation. This study was aimed to assess the prospective therapeutic potential of bromelain against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis using in-vitro and in vivo approaches. In vitro study, HSC-T6 cell line was used to evaluate the effect of bromelain on HSC-T6 cell viability and apoptosis. In vivo, Rats were treated by TAA for 6 weeks for induction of hepatic fibrosis followed by post treatment by different doses of bromelain and silymarin for further 4 weeks to assess the regression of hepatic fibrosis. The in-vitro findings indicated that bromelain hindered the proliferation of HSCs in concentration dependent manner compared with the untreated cells. The in vivo study revealed that treatment of TAA fibrotic rats with different doses of bromelain and silymarin induced a significant restoration in liver function biomarkers, attenuation of oxidative stress, upregulation of total antioxidant capacity and thereby decline of fibrotic biomarkers and improving histopathological and immunohistochemical changes. In conclusion, This study indicates that bromelain can regress TAA induced hepatic fibrosis in rats via inhibiting HSCs activation, α-SMA expression and the ECM deposition in hepatic tissue in addition to its antioxidants pathway, these findings prove the promising therapeutic potential of bromelain as a novel therapeutic approach for chronic hepatic fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amany A Sayed
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Amel M Soliman
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Marzouk
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Faten F Mohammed
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt.
| | - Shreen Desouky
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
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8
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Lv H, Wang Y, Liu J, Zhen C, Zhang X, Liu Y, Lou C, Guo H, Wei Y. Exposure to a static magnetic field attenuates hepatic damage and function abnormality in obese and diabetic mice. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166719. [PMID: 37116230 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Static magnetic fields (SMFs) exhibit significant effect on health care. However, the effect of SMF on hepatic metabolism and function in obesity and diabetes are still unknown. Liver is not only the main site for glucolipid metabolism but also the core part for iron metabolism regulation. Dysregulations of iron metabolism and redox status are risk factors for the development of hepatic injury and affect glucolipid metabolism in obesity and diabetes. Mice of HFD-induced obesity and HFD/streptozocin-induced diabetes were exposed to a moderate-intensity SMF (0.4-0.7 T, direction: upward, 4 h/day, 8 weeks). Results showed that SMF attenuated hepatic damage by decreasing inflammation and fibrosis in obese and diabetic mice. SMF had no effects on improving glucose/insulin tolerance but regulated proteins (GLUT1 and GLUT4) and genes (G6pc, Pdk4, Gys2 and Pkl) participating in glucose metabolism with phosphorylation of Akt/AMPK/GSK3β. SMF also reduced lipid droplets accumulation through decreasing Plin2 and Plin5 and regulated lipid metabolism with elevated hepatic expressions of PPARγ and C/EBPα in obese mice. In addition, SMF decreased hepatic iron deposition with lower FTH1 expression and modulated systematic iron homeostasis via BMP6-mediated regulation of hepcidin. Moreover, SMF balanced hepatic redox status with regulation on mitochondrial function and MAPKs/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Finally, we found that SMF activated hepatic autophagy and enhanced lipophagy by upregulating PNPLA2 expression in obese and diabetic mice. Our results demonstrated that SMF significantly ameliorated the development of hepatic injury in obese and diabetic mice by inhibiting inflammatory level, improving glycolipid metabolism, regulating iron metabolism, balancing redox level and activating autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Lv
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Yijia Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junyu Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chenxiao Zhen
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xinyi Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuetong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chenge Lou
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Huijie Guo
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yunpeng Wei
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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Shi B, Qian J, Miao H, Zhang S, Hu Y, Liu P, Xu L. Mulberroside A ameliorates CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis in mice via inhibiting pro‐inflammatory response. Food Sci Nutr 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
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10
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Kimura Y, Koyama Y, Taura K, Kudoh A, Echizen K, Nakamura D, Li X, Nam NH, Uemoto Y, Nishio T, Yamamoto G, Seo S, Iwaisako K, Watanabe A, Hatano E. Characterization and role of collagen gene expressing hepatic cells following partial hepatectomy in mice. Hepatology 2023; 77:443-455. [PMID: 35603471 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The mechanism underlying liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy (PH) is not fully elucidated. We aimed to characterize collagen gene expressing hepatic cells following PH and examine their contribution to liver regeneration. APPROACH AND RESULTS Col-GFP mice, which express GFP under the control of the collagen gene promoter, were used to detect collagen gene expressing cells following PH. The GFP-expressing cells were analyzed via single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Additionally, Col-ER Cre/RFP and Col-ER Cre/DTA mice were utilized to examine the cell fates and functional roles of collagen gene expressing cells in liver regeneration, respectively. The number of collagen gene expressing cells was found to be increased on day 3 and subsequently decreased on day 7 following PH. ScRNA-seq analysis of sorted collagen gene expressing cells showed that the regenerating liver was characterized by three distinct hepatic stellate cell (HSC) clusters, including one representing classic myofibroblasts. The other HSC clusters included an intermediately activated HSC cluster and a proliferating HSC cluster. Of these, the latter cluster was absent in the CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis model. Cell fate tracing analysis using Col-ER Cre/RFP mice demonstrated that the collagen gene expressing cells escaped death during regeneration and remained in an inactivated state in the liver. Further, depletion of these cells using Col-ER Cre/DTA mice resulted in impaired liver regeneration. CONCLUSIONS Heterogeneous HSC clusters, one of which was a unique proliferating cluster, were found to appear in the liver following PH. Collagen gene expressing cells, including HSCs, were found to promote liver regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Kimura
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation , Department of Surgery , Graduate school of Medicine, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Yukinori Koyama
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation , Department of Surgery , Graduate school of Medicine, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Kojiro Taura
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation , Department of Surgery , Graduate school of Medicine, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Aoi Kudoh
- Department of Medical Innovation Center , Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Kanae Echizen
- Department of Medical Innovation Center , Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Daichi Nakamura
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation , Department of Surgery , Graduate school of Medicine, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Xuefeng Li
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation , Department of Surgery , Graduate school of Medicine, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Nguyen Hai Nam
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation , Department of Surgery , Graduate school of Medicine, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Yusuke Uemoto
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation , Department of Surgery , Graduate school of Medicine, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Takahiro Nishio
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation , Department of Surgery , Graduate school of Medicine, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Gen Yamamoto
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation , Department of Surgery , Graduate school of Medicine, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Satoru Seo
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation , Department of Surgery , Graduate school of Medicine, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Keiko Iwaisako
- Department of Medical Life Systems , Doshisha University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Akira Watanabe
- Department of Medical Innovation Center , Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Etsuro Hatano
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation , Department of Surgery , Graduate school of Medicine, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
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11
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Schröder SK, Tag CG, Weiskirchen S, Weiskirchen R. Phalloidin Staining for F-Actin in Hepatic Stellate Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2669:55-66. [PMID: 37247054 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3207-9_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
During the development of liver fibrosis, hepatic stellate cells undergo a transition from a quiescent phenotype into a proliferative, fibrogenic, and contractile, α-smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblast. These cells acquire properties that are strongly associated with the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Actin possesses a unique ability to polymerize into filamentous actin (F-actin) form its monomeric globular state (G-actin). F-actin can form robust actin bundles and cytoskeletal networks by interacting with a number of actin-binding proteins that provide important mechanical and structural support for a multitude of cellular processes including intracellular transport, cell motility, polarity, cell shape, gene regulation, and signal transduction. Therefore, stains with actin-specific antibodies and phalloidin conjugates for actin staining are widely used to visualize actin structures in myofibroblasts. Here we present an optimized protocol for F-actin staining for hepatic stellate cells using a fluorescent phalloidin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Schröder
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Carmen G Tag
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sabine Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institut für Molekulare Pathobiochemie, Experimentelle Gentherapie und Klinische Chemie (IFMPEGKC), Universitätsklinikum Aachen AöR, Aachen, Germany.
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12
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Hartanto MM, Prajoko YW, Putra A, Amalina ND. The Combination of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Bovine Colostrum in Reducing α-SMA Expression and NLR Levels in Wistar Rats After 50% Fibrotic Liver Resection. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2022.10557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Liver fibrogenesis will produce α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and a continuous inflammatory process, seen through the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR). The combination of mesenchymal stem cells and bovine colostrum is a novel strategy for repairing hepatic fibrosis tissue. To assess the combination of mesenchymal stem cells and bovine colostrum to reduce α-SMA expression and NLR levels in Wistar rats after 50% fibrotic liver resection.
Methods: Thirty-six Wistar male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (sham, control, colostrum, MSCs, and colostrum and MSCs combination). Rats were injected with CCl4 for 8 weeks to induce liver fibrosis then underwent liver resection. NLR levels was determined using Hematology Analyzer, α-SMA expression of myofibroblast was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining.
Results: A significant reduction in NLR levels on day 3 in the treatment group I (1.10), treatment II (0.83), treatment III (0.93) compared to the control group. A significant reduction in NLR levels on day 10 in the treatment group I (0.76), treatment II (0.64), treatment III (0.54) compared to the control group. A significant decrease in α-SMA in treatment group I (0.134), treatment II (0.68), treatment III (0.42) compared to the control group.
Conclusion: In this study, it was found that α-SMA expression, NLR levels on the 3rd and 10th day of administration were reduced in group receiving combination of mesenchymal stem cells and bovine colostrum in the liver of post-resection Wistar rats by 50%.
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13
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Basu A, Paul MK, Weiss S. The actin cytoskeleton: Morphological changes in pre- and fully developed lung cancer. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:041304. [PMID: 38505516 PMCID: PMC10903407 DOI: 10.1063/5.0096188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Actin, a primary component of the cell cytoskeleton can have multiple isoforms, each of which can have specific properties uniquely suited for their purpose. These monomers are then bound together to form polymeric filaments utilizing adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis as a source of energy. Proteins, such as Arp2/3, VASP, formin, profilin, and cofilin, serve important roles in the polymerization process. These filaments can further be linked to form stress fibers by proteins called actin-binding proteins, such as α-actinin, myosin, fascin, filamin, zyxin, and epsin. These stress fibers are responsible for mechanotransduction, maintaining cell shape, cell motility, and intracellular cargo transport. Cancer metastasis, specifically epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is one of the key steps of the process, is accompanied by the formation of thick stress fibers through the Rho-associated protein kinase, MAPK/ERK, and Wnt pathways. Recently, with the advent of "field cancerization," pre-malignant cells have also been demonstrated to possess stress fibers and related cytoskeletal features. Analytical methods ranging from western blot and RNA-sequencing to cryo-EM and fluorescent imaging have been employed to understand the structure and dynamics of actin and related proteins including polymerization/depolymerization. More recent methods involve quantifying properties of the actin cytoskeleton from fluorescent images and utilizing them to study biological processes, such as EMT. These image analysis approaches exploit the fact that filaments have a unique structure (curvilinear) compared to the noise or other artifacts to separate them. Line segments are extracted from these filament images that have assigned lengths and orientations. Coupling such methods with statistical analysis has resulted in development of a new reporter for EMT in lung cancer cells as well as their drug responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shimon Weiss
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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14
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Li Y, Li C, Liu Q, Wang L, Bao AX, Jung JP, Dodlapati S, Sun J, Gao P, Zhang X, Francis J, Molkentin JD, Fu X. Loss of Acta2 in cardiac fibroblasts does not prevent the myofibroblast differentiation or affect the cardiac repair after myocardial infarction. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2022; 171:117-132. [PMID: 36007455 PMCID: PMC10478266 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In response to myocardial infarction (MI), quiescent cardiac fibroblasts differentiate into myofibroblasts mediating tissue repair. One of the most widely accepted markers of myofibroblast differentiation is the expression of Acta2 which encodes smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMαA) that is assembled into stress fibers. However, the requirement of Acta2/SMαA in the myofibroblast differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts and its role in post-MI cardiac repair remained unknown. To answer these questions, we generated a tamoxifen-inducible cardiac fibroblast-specific Acta2 knockout mouse line. Surprisingly, mice that lacked Acta2 in cardiac fibroblasts had a normal post-MI survival rate. Moreover, Acta2 deletion did not affect the function or histology of infarcted hearts. No difference was detected in the proliferation, migration, or contractility between WT and Acta2-null cardiac myofibroblasts. Acta2-null cardiac myofibroblasts had a normal total filamentous actin level and total actin level. Acta2 deletion caused a significant compensatory increase in the transcription level of non-Acta2 actin isoforms, especially Actg2 and Acta1. Moreover, in myofibroblasts, the transcription levels of cytoplasmic actin isoforms were significantly higher than those of muscle actin isoforms. In addition, we found that myocardin-related transcription factor-A is critical for myofibroblast differentiation but is not required for the compensatory effects of non-Acta2 isoforms. In conclusion, the Acta2 deletion does not prevent the myofibroblast differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts or affect the post-MI cardiac repair, and the increased expression and stress fiber formation of non-SMαA actin isoforms and the functional redundancy between actin isoforms are able to compensate for the loss of Acta2 in cardiac myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxia Li
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Chaoyang Li
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Qianglin Liu
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Leshan Wang
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Adam X Bao
- Department of Biological Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Jangwook P Jung
- Department of Biological Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Sanjeev Dodlapati
- Department of Computer Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Jiangwen Sun
- Department of Computer Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Peidong Gao
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Xujia Zhang
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Joseph Francis
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Jeffery D Molkentin
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Xing Fu
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
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15
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Yuan Q, Zhao B, Cao YH, Yan JC, Sun LJ, Liu X, Xu Y, Wang XY, Wang B. BCR-Associated Protein 31 Regulates Macrophages Polarization and Wound Healing Function via Early Growth Response 2/C/EBPβ and IL-4Rα/C/EBPβ Pathways. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 209:1059-1070. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The BCR-associated protein 31 (BAP31), a transmembrane protein in the endoplasmic reticulum, participates in the regulation of immune cells, such as microglia and T cells, and has potential functions in macrophages that remain to be unexplored. In this study, we designed and bred macrophage-specific BAP31 knockdown mice to detect the polarization and functions of macrophages. The results revealed that M2 macrophage-associated genes were suppressed in mouse bone marrow–derived macrophages of Lyz2 Cre-BAP31flox/flox mice. Multiple macrophage-associated transcription factors were demonstrated to be able to be regulated by BAP31. Among these factors, C/EBPβ was the most significantly decreased and was regulated by early growth response 2. BAP31 could also affect C/EBPβ via modulating IL-4Rα ubiquitination and proteasome degradation in IL-4–stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, we found that BAP31 affects macrophages functions, including angiogenesis and skin fibrosis, during the wound healing process through IL-4Rα, as confirmed by infection with adeno-associated virus–short hairpin (sh)-IL-4Rα in Lyz2 Cre-BAP31flox/flox mice. Our findings indicate a novel mechanism of BAP31 in regulating macrophages and provide potential solutions for the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Yuan
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Bo Zhao
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yu-hua Cao
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jia-cheng Yan
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Li-jun Sun
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xia Liu
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yang Xu
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiao-yu Wang
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Bing Wang
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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16
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Ariyachet C, Chuaypen N, Kaewsapsak P, Chantaravisoot N, Jindatip D, Potikanond S, Tangkijvanich P. MicroRNA-223 Suppresses Human Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation Partly via Regulating the Actin Cytoskeleton and Alleviates Fibrosis in Organoid Models of Liver Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169380. [PMID: 36012644 PMCID: PMC9409493 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate target mRNA expression, and altered expression of miRNAs is associated with liver pathological conditions. Recent studies in animal models have shown neutrophil/myeloid-specific microRNA-223 (miR-223) as a key regulator in the development of various liver diseases including fibrosis, where hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the key player in pathogenesis. However, the precise roles of miR-223 in human HSCs and its therapeutic potential to control fibrosis remain largely unexplored. Using primary human HSCs, we demonstrated that miR-223 suppressed the fibrogenic program and cellular proliferation while promoting features of quiescent HSCs including lipid re-accumulation and retinol storage. Furthermore, induction of miR-223 in HSCs decreased cellular motility and contraction. Mechanistically, miR-223 negatively regulated expression of smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA) and thus reduced cytoskeletal activity, which is known to promote amplification of fibrogenic signals. Restoration of α-SMA in miR-223-overexpressing HSCs alleviated the antifibrotic effects of miR-223. Finally, to explore the therapeutic potential of miR-233 in liver fibrosis, we generated co-cultured organoids of HSCs with Huh7 hepatoma cells and challenged them with acetaminophen (APAP) or palmitic acid (PA) to induce hepatotoxicity. We showed that ectopic expression of miR-223 in HSCs attenuated fibrogenesis in the two human organoid models of liver injury, suggesting its potential application in antifibrotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaiyaboot Ariyachet
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Correspondence: or (C.A.); (P.T.)
| | - Nattaya Chuaypen
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Pornchai Kaewsapsak
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Naphat Chantaravisoot
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Depicha Jindatip
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Saranyapin Potikanond
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Research Center of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Pisit Tangkijvanich
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Correspondence: or (C.A.); (P.T.)
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17
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Lv XT, Wang RH, Liu XT, Ye YJ, Liu XY, Qiao JD, Wang GE. Theacrine ameliorates experimental liver fibrosis in rats by lowering cholesterol storage via activation of the Sirtuin 3-farnesoid X receptor signaling pathway. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 364:110051. [PMID: 35872049 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Formulations against liver fibrosis (LF) mitigate the progression of hepatitis to cirrhosis. However, notable toxicity of the currently available anti-LF drugs limits their long-term use. In the study, we aimed to investigate the anti-LF effects of theacrine, a purine alkaloid without obvious toxicity, on high-fat diet-, alcohol-, and carbon tetrachloride-induced LF in rats. The results indicated that 10 and 20 mg/kg of theacrine ameliorated hepatic fibrosis, steatosis, and inflammation in LF rats. Mechanistically, theacrine reduced hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-related α-smooth muscle actin expression, and decreased cholesterol accumulation, followed by decreased expression of transforming growth factor-β1, interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. In addition, theacrine upregulated the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, accompanied by decreased expression of β-catenin and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1, and increased the expression of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3). Further investigation revealed that the theacrine-mediated decrease in cholesterol was independent of cholesterol synthesis or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake in hyperlipidemia mice. However, theacrine activated farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a β-catenin conjugated protein, accompanied with decreased expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and sterol 12α-hydroxylase. In conclusion, theacrine alleviated experimental LF in rats by lowering cholesterol storage and decreasing cholesterol-related HSC activation. A plausible mechanism of theacrine on cholesterol metabolism may involve activation of SIRT3-FXR signaling pathway followed by decreased intestinal cholesterol absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Ting Lv
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ruo-Hong Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Ting Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yu-Jing Ye
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xin-Yu Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jing-Da Qiao
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Guo-En Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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18
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Dai X, Zeng Y, Zhang H, Gu Z, Gong Q, Luo K. Advances on Nanomedicines for Diagnosis and Theranostics of Hepatic Fibrosis. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202000091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xinghang Dai
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
- West China School of Medicine Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Yujun Zeng
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Hu Zhang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
- Amgen Bioprocessing Centre Keck Graduate Institute CA 91711 USA
| | - Zhongwei Gu
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Kui Luo
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Chengdu 610041 China
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19
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Arif E, Wang C, Swiderska-Syn MK, Solanki AK, Rahman B, Manka PP, Coombes JD, Canbay A, Papa S, Nihalani D, Aspichueta P, Lipschutz JH, Syn WK. Targeting myosin 1c inhibits murine hepatic fibrogenesis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G1044-G1053. [PMID: 33908271 PMCID: PMC8285590 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00105.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Myosin 1c (Myo1c) is an unconventional myosin that modulates signaling pathways involved in tissue injury and repair. In this study, we observed that Myo1c expression is significantly upregulated in human chronic liver disease such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and in animal models of liver fibrosis. High throughput data from the GEO-database identified similar Myo1c upregulation in mice and human liver fibrosis. Notably, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) stimulation to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the liver pericyte and key cell type responsible for the deposition of extracellular matrix, upregulates Myo1c expression, whereas genetic depletion or pharmacological inhibition of Myo1c blunted TGF-β-induced fibrogenic responses, resulting in repression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I α 1 chain (Col1α1) mRNA. Myo1c deletion also decreased fibrogenic processes such as cell proliferation, wound healing response, and contractility when compared with vehicle-treated HSCs. Importantly, phosphorylation of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 (SMAD2) and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (SMAD3) were significantly blunted upon Myo1c inhibition in GRX cells as well as Myo1c knockout (Myo1c-KO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) upon TGF-β stimulation. Using the genetic Myo1c-KO mice, we confirmed that Myo1c is critical for fibrogenesis, as Myo1c-KO mice were resistant to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. Histological and immunostaining analysis of liver sections showed that deposition of collagen fibers and α-SMA expression were significantly reduced in Myo1c-KO mice upon liver injury. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Myo1c mediates hepatic fibrogenesis by modulating TGF-β signaling and suggest that inhibiting this process may have clinical application in treating liver fibrosis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The incidences of liver fibrosis are growing at a rapid pace and have become one of the leading causes of end-stage liver disease. Although TGF-β1 is known to play a prominent role in transforming cells to produce excessive extracellular matrix that lead to hepatic fibrosis, the therapies targeting TGF-β1 have achieved very limited clinical impact. This study highlights motor protein myosin-1c-mediated mechanisms that serve as novel regulators of TGF-β1 signaling and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehtesham Arif
- 1Department of Medicine, Nephrology Division, Medical University of South Carolinagrid.259828.c, Charleston, South Carolina,2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Cindy Wang
- 2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Marzena K. Swiderska-Syn
- 3Department of Pediatrics, Darby Children’s Research Institute,
Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Ashish K. Solanki
- 1Department of Medicine, Nephrology Division, Medical University of South Carolinagrid.259828.c, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Bushra Rahman
- 1Department of Medicine, Nephrology Division, Medical University of South Carolinagrid.259828.c, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Paul P. Manka
- 2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina,4Department of Medicine, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jason D. Coombes
- 5Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom,6School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ali Canbay
- 4Department of Medicine, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Salvatore Papa
- 7Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James’s, Faculty of
Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Deepak Nihalani
- 1Department of Medicine, Nephrology Division, Medical University of South Carolinagrid.259828.c, Charleston, South Carolina,8Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Patricia Aspichueta
- 9Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Joshua H. Lipschutz
- 1Department of Medicine, Nephrology Division, Medical University of South Carolinagrid.259828.c, Charleston, South Carolina,10Section of Nephrology, Ralph H Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Wing-Kin Syn
- 2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina,9Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain,11Section of Gastroenterology, Ralph H Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina
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20
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Abstract
TGR5 (G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1, GPBAR-1) is a G protein-coupled receptor with seven transmembrane domains and is widely distributed in various organs and tissues. As an important bile acid receptor, TGR5 can be activated by primary and secondary bile acids. Increased expression of TGR5 is a risk factor for polycystic liver disease and hepatobiliary cancer. However, there is evidence that the anti-inflammatory effect of the TGR5 receptor and its regulatory effect on hydrophobic bile acid confer protective effects against most liver diseases. Recent studies have shown that TGR5 receptor activation can alleviate the development of diabetic liver fibrosis, regulate the differentiation of natural killer T cells into NKT10 cells, increase the secretion of anti-inflammatory factors, inhibit the invasion of hepatitis B virus, promote white adipose tissue browning, improve arterial vascular dynamics, maintain tight junctions between bile duct cells, and protect against apoptosis. In portal hypertension, TGR5 receptor activation can inhibit the contraction of hepatic stellate cells and improve intrahepatic microcirculation. In addition, the discovery of the regulatory relationship between the TGR5 receptor and miRNA-26a provides a new direction for further studies of the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of TGR5. In this review, we describe recent findings linking TGR5 to various liver diseases, with a focus on the mechanisms underlying its effects and potential therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Dan Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Chang Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Lijin Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
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21
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Geddes VEV, Brustolini OJB, Cavalcante LTDF, Moreira FRR, de Castro FL, Guimarães APDC, Gerber AL, Figueiredo CM, Diniz LP, Neto EDA, Tanuri A, Souza RP, Assunção-Miranda I, Alves-Leon SV, Romão LF, de Souza JPBM, de Vasconcelos ATR, de Aguiar RS. Common Dysregulation of Innate Immunity Pathways in Human Primary Astrocytes Infected With Chikungunya, Mayaro, Oropouche, and Zika Viruses. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:641261. [PMID: 33791243 PMCID: PMC8006316 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.641261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Arboviruses pose a major threat throughout the world and represent a great burden in tropical countries of South America. Although generally associated with moderate febrile illness, in more severe cases they can lead to neurological outcomes, such as encephalitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and Congenital Syndromes. In this context astrocytes play a central role in production of inflammatory cytokines, regulation of extracellular matrix, and control of glutamate driven neurotoxicity in the central nervous system. Here, we presented a comprehensive genome-wide transcriptome analysis of human primary astrocytes infected with Chikungunya, Mayaro, Oropouche, or Zika viruses. Analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), pathway enrichment, and interactomes have shown that Alphaviruses up-regulated genes related to elastic fiber formation and N-glycosylation of glycoproteins, with down-regulation of cell cycle and DNA stability and chromosome maintenance genes. In contrast, Oropouche virus up-regulated cell cycle and DNA maintenance and condensation pathways while down-regulated extracellular matrix, collagen metabolism, glutamate and ion transporters pathways. Zika virus infection only up-regulated eukaryotic translation machinery while down-regulated interferon pathways. Reactome and integration analysis revealed a common signature in down-regulation of innate immune response, antiviral response, and inflammatory cytokines associated to interferon pathway for all arboviruses tested. Validation of interferon stimulated genes by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) corroborated our transcriptome findings. Altogether, our results showed a co-evolution in the mechanisms involved in the escape of arboviruses to antiviral immune response mediated by the interferon (IFN) pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Emmanuel Viana Geddes
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Biologia Integrativa, Departamento de Genética Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Otávio José Bernardes Brustolini
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Ministério de Ciência Tecnologia e Comunicações, Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Liliane Tavares de Faria Cavalcante
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Filipe Romero Rebello Moreira
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando Luz de Castro
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula de Campos Guimarães
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Ministério de Ciência Tecnologia e Comunicações, Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Alexandra Lehmkuhl Gerber
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Ministério de Ciência Tecnologia e Comunicações, Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Camila Menezes Figueiredo
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luan Pereira Diniz
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eurico de Arruda Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Amilcar Tanuri
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renan Pedra Souza
- Laboratório de Biologia Integrativa, Departamento de Genética Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Iranaia Assunção-Miranda
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Soniza Vieira Alves-Leon
- Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana Ferreira Romão
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Tereza Ribeiro de Vasconcelos
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Ministério de Ciência Tecnologia e Comunicações, Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Renato Santana de Aguiar
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Biologia Integrativa, Departamento de Genética Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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22
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Suresh RR, Jain S, Chen Z, Tosh DK, Ma Y, Podszun MC, Rotman Y, Salvemini D, Jacobson KA. Design and in vivo activity of A 3 adenosine receptor agonist prodrugs. Purinergic Signal 2020; 16:367-377. [PMID: 32720036 PMCID: PMC7524976 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-020-09715-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prodrugs (MRS7422, MRS7476) of highly selective A3 adenosine receptor (AR) agonists Cl-IB-MECA and MRS5698, respectively, were synthesized by succinylation of the 2' and 3' hydroxyl groups, and the parent, active drug was shown to be readily liberated upon incubation with liver esterases. The prodrug MRS7476 had greatly increased aqueous solubility compared with parent MRS5698 and was fully efficacious and with a longer duration than MRS7422 in reversing mouse neuropathic pain (chronic constriction injury model, 3 μmol/kg, p.o.), a known A3AR effect. MRS7476 (5 mg/kg, p.o., twice daily) was found to protect against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in the STAM mouse model, indicated by the NAFLD activity score. Hepatocyte ballooning, IL-10 production, and liver histology were significantly normalized in the MRS7476-treated mice, but not liver fibrosis (no change in ACTA2 levels) or inflammation. Hepatic expression of ADORA3 in human NAFLD patients was 1.9-fold lower compared to normal controls. Adora3 expression determined by qPCR in primary mouse liver was associated with the stellate cells, and its mouse full body A3AR knockout worsened liver markers of inflammation and steatosis. Thus, we have introduced a reversible prodrug strategy that enables water solubility and in vivo activity of masked A3AR agonists in models of two disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Rama Suresh
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 8A, Rm. B1A-19, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892-0810 USA
| | - Shanu Jain
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 8A, Rm. B1A-19, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892-0810 USA
| | - Zhoumou Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO USA
- Henry and Amelia Nasrallah Center for Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Dilip K. Tosh
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 8A, Rm. B1A-19, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892-0810 USA
| | - Yanling Ma
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Maren C. Podszun
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Yaron Rotman
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Daniela Salvemini
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO USA
- Henry and Amelia Nasrallah Center for Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Kenneth A. Jacobson
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 8A, Rm. B1A-19, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892-0810 USA
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23
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Tuominen I, Fuqua BK, Pan C, Renaud N, Wroblewski K, Civelek M, Clerkin K, Asaryan A, Haroutunian SG, Loureiro J, Borawski J, Roma G, Knehr J, Carbone W, French S, Parks BW, Hui ST, Mehrabian M, Magyar C, Cantor RM, Ukomadu C, Lusis AJ, Beaven SW. The Genetic Architecture of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Mice. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 11:199-220. [PMID: 32866618 PMCID: PMC7674618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2020.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Liver fibrosis is a multifactorial trait that develops in response to chronic liver injury. Our aim was to characterize the genetic architecture of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis using the Hybrid Mouse Diversity Panel, a panel of more than 100 genetically distinct mouse strains optimized for genome-wide association studies and systems genetics. METHODS Chronic liver injury was induced by CCl4 injections twice weekly for 6 weeks. Four hundred thirty-seven mice received CCl4 and 256 received vehicle, after which animals were euthanized for liver histology and gene expression. Using automated digital image analysis, we quantified fibrosis as the collagen proportionate area of the whole section, excluding normal collagen. RESULTS We discovered broad variation in fibrosis among the Hybrid Mouse Diversity Panel strains, demonstrating a significant genetic influence. Genome-wide association analyses revealed significant and suggestive loci underlying susceptibility to fibrosis, some of which overlapped with loci identified in mouse crosses and human population studies. Liver global gene expression was assessed by RNA sequencing across the strains, and candidate genes were identified using differential expression and expression quantitative trait locus analyses. Gene set enrichment analyses identified the underlying pathways, of which stellate cell involvement was prominent, and coexpression network modeling identified modules associated with fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide a rich resource for the design of experiments to understand mechanisms underlying fibrosis and for rational strain selection when testing antifibrotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iina Tuominen
- Department of Medicine, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at UCLA and Pfleger Liver Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Brie K Fuqua
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Calvin Pan
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nicole Renaud
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kevin Wroblewski
- Department of Medicine, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at UCLA and Pfleger Liver Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Mete Civelek
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kara Clerkin
- Department of Medicine, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at UCLA and Pfleger Liver Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ashot Asaryan
- Department of Medicine, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at UCLA and Pfleger Liver Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sara G Haroutunian
- Department of Medicine, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at UCLA and Pfleger Liver Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Joseph Loureiro
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Jason Borawski
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | - Samuel French
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Brian W Parks
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Simon T Hui
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Margarete Mehrabian
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Clara Magyar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Rita M Cantor
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Chinweike Ukomadu
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Aldons J Lusis
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Simon W Beaven
- Department of Medicine, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at UCLA and Pfleger Liver Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California.
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24
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Abstract
Significance: Fibrosis is a stereotypic, multicellular tissue response to diverse types of injuries that fundamentally result from a failure of cell/tissue regeneration. This complex tissue remodeling response disrupts cellular/matrix composition and homeostatic cell-cell interactions, leading to loss of normal tissue architecture and progressive loss of organ structure/function. Fibrosis is a common feature of chronic diseases that may affect the lung, kidney, liver, and heart. Recent Advances: There is emerging evidence to support a combination of genetic, environmental, and age-related risk factors contributing to susceptibility and/or progression of fibrosis in different organ systems. A core pathway in fibrogenesis involving these organs is the induction and activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) family enzymes. Critical Issues: We explore current pharmaceutical approaches to targeting NOX enzymes, including repurposing of currently U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs. Specific inhibitors of various NOX homologs will aid establishing roles of NOXs in the various organ fibroses and potential efficacy to impede/halt disease progression. Future Directions: The discovery of novel and highly specific NOX inhibitors will provide opportunities to develop NOX inhibitors for treatment of fibrotic pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Bernard
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Victor J Thannickal
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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25
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Recent Advances in Astaxanthin Micro/Nanoencapsulation to Improve Its Stability and Functionality as a Food Ingredient. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18080406. [PMID: 32752203 PMCID: PMC7459837 DOI: 10.3390/md18080406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid produced by different organisms and microorganisms such as microalgae, bacteria, yeasts, protists, and plants, and it is also accumulated in aquatic animals such as fish and crustaceans. Astaxanthin and astaxanthin-containing lipid extracts obtained from these sources present an intense red color and a remarkable antioxidant activity, providing great potential to be employed as food ingredients with both technological and bioactive functions. However, their use is hindered by: their instability in the presence of high temperatures, acidic pH, oxygen or light; their low water solubility, bioaccessibility and bioavailability; their intense odor/flavor. The present paper reviews recent advances in the micro/nanoencapsulation of astaxanthin and astaxanthin-containing lipid extracts, developed to improve their stability, bioactivity and technological functionality for use as food ingredients. The use of diverse micro/nanoencapsulation techniques using wall materials of a different nature to improve water solubility and dispersibility in foods, masking undesirable odor and flavor, is firstly discussed, followed by a discussion of the importance of the encapsulation to retard astaxanthin release, protecting it from degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. The nanoencapsulation of astaxanthin to improve its bioaccessibility, bioavailability and bioactivity is further reviewed. Finally, the main limitations and future trends on the topic are discussed.
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26
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Padberg F, Hering H, Luch A, Zellmer S. Indirect co-cultivation of HepG2 with differentiated THP-1 cells induces AHR signalling and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Toxicol In Vitro 2020; 68:104957. [PMID: 32739440 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2020.104957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
HepG2 and THP-1 cells, the latter differentiated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), were co-cultured and characterized for typical liver-specific functions, such as xenobiotic detoxification, lipid and cholesterol metabolism. Furthermore, liver injury-associated pathways, such as inflammation, were studied. In general, the co-cultivation of these cells produced a pro-inflammatory system, as indicated by increased levels of cytokines (IL-8, TGF-α, IL-6, GM-CSF, G-CSF, TGF-β, and hFGF) in the respective supernatant. Increased expression levels of target genes of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), e.g., CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1, were detected, accompanied by the increased enzyme activity of CYP1A1. Moreover, transcriptome analyses indicated a significant upregulation of cholesterol biosynthesis, which could be reduced to baseline levels by lovastatin. In contrast, total de novo lipid synthesis was reduced in co-cultured HepG2 cells. Key events of the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) for fibrosis were activated by the co-cultivation, however, no increase in the concentration of extracellular collagen was detected. This indicates, that AOP should be used with care. In summary, the indirect co-culture of HepG2/THP-1 cells results in an increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, an activation of the AHR pathway and an increased enzymatic CYP1A activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Padberg
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Max-Dohrn Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany; Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Henrik Hering
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Max-Dohrn Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Luch
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Max-Dohrn Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany; Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Zellmer
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Max-Dohrn Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
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27
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Hietanen KE, Järvinen TAH, Huhtala H, Tolonen TT, Kaartinen IS. Histopathology and immunohistochemical analysis of 5-fluorouracil and triamcinolone treated keloids in double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Wound Repair Regen 2020; 28:385-399. [PMID: 32112591 DOI: 10.1111/wrr.12803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Keloids are a major complication related to surgical wound healing and very challenging condition to treat. Many treatment options are available, but the efficacy of the treatment is poor in most of cases and some keloids do not respond to the treatment at all. We compared the efficacy of intralesional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and triamcinolone (TAC) injections in a double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT). Forty-three patients with 50 keloid scars were treated with either intralesional TAC or 5-FU-injections over 6 months. We wanted to find out whether biological features (cell density, cell proliferation rate, vascular density, myofibroblast numbers, steroid hormone receptor expression) in keloids could be used to predict the response to therapy and define the biological changes that take place in patients receiving a response. As there was no statistically significant difference in the remission rate between TAC and 5-FU treatments, all patients were combined and analyzed as responders and nonresponders. Although responders have slightly more myofibroblasts than the nonresponders in their keloids in the pretreatment biopsy samples, we could not identify a single predictive factor that could identify those patients that respond to drug injections. The good clinical response to therapy is associated with the simultaneous reduction of myofibroblasts in the keloid. This study demonstrates that myofibroblasts are reduced in number in those keloids that were responsive to therapy, and that both 5-FU and TAC injections are useful for keloid treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kriistiina E Hietanen
- Department of Musculoskeletal Surgery and Diseases, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Central Finland Health Care District, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Tero A H Järvinen
- Department of Musculoskeletal Surgery and Diseases, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Heini Huhtala
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Teemu T Tolonen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Pathology, Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ilkka S Kaartinen
- Department of Musculoskeletal Surgery and Diseases, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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28
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Shi Z, Ren M, Rockey DC. Myocardin and myocardin-related transcription factor-A synergistically mediate actin cytoskeletal-dependent inhibition of liver fibrogenesis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2020; 318:G504-G517. [PMID: 31928221 PMCID: PMC7099496 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00302.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), characterized by development of a robust actin cytoskeleton and expression of abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as type 1 collagen (COL.1), is a central cellular and molecular event in liver fibrosis. It has been demonstrated that HSCs express both myocardin and myocardin-related transcription factor-A (MRTF-A). However, the biological effects of myocardin and MRTF-A on HSC activation and liver fibrosis, as well as the molecular mechanism under the process, remain unclear. Here, we report that myocardin and MRTF-A's expression and nuclear accumulation are prominently increased during the HSC activation process, accompanied by robust activation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Targeting myocardin and MRTF-A binding and function with a novel small molecule, CCG-203971, led to dose-dependent inhibition of HSC actin cytoskeleton dynamics and abrogated multiple functional features of HSC activation (i.e., HSC contraction, migration and proliferation) and decreased COL.1 expression in vitro and liver fibrosis in vivo. Mechanistically, blocking the myocardin and MRTF-A nuclear translocation pathway with CCG-203971 directly inhibited myocardin/MRTF-A-mediated serum response factor (SRF), and Smad2/3 activation in the COL.1α2 promoter and indirectly abrogated actin cytoskeleton-dependent regulation of Smad2/3 and Erk1/2 phosphorylation and their nuclear accumulation. Finally, there was no effect of CCG-203971 on markers of inflammation, suggesting a direct effect of the compound on HSCs and liver fibrosis. These data reveal that myocardin and MRTF-A are two important cotranscriptional factors in HSCs and represent entirely novel therapeutic pathways that might be targeted to treat liver fibrosis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Myocardin and myocardin-related transcription factor-A (MRTF-A) are upregulated in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro and in vivo, closely associated with robustly increased actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Targeting myocardin and MRTF-A by CCG-203971 leads to actin cytoskeleton-dependent inhibition of HSC activation, reduced cell contractility, impeded cell migration and proliferation, and decreased COL.1 expression in vitro and in vivo. Dual expression of myocardin and MRTF-A in HSCs may represent novel therapeutic targets in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengdun Shi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Mudan Ren
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Don C. Rockey
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
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