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The uPA/uPAR System Orchestrates the Inflammatory Response, Vascular Homeostasis, and Immune System in Fibrosis Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021796. [PMID: 36675310 PMCID: PMC9866279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases, such as systemic sclerosis (SSc), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, renal fibrosis and liver cirrhosis are characterized by tissue overgrowth due to excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Fibrosis progression is caused by ECM overproduction and the inhibition of ECM degradation due to several events, including inflammation, vascular endothelial dysfunction, and immune abnormalities. Recently, it has been reported that urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR), known to be fibrinolytic factors, orchestrate the inflammatory response, vascular homeostasis, and immune homeostasis system. The uPA/uPAR system may show promise as a potential therapeutic target for fibrotic diseases. This review considers the role of the uPA/uPAR system in the progression of fibrotic diseases.
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Recent Advancements in Antifibrotic Therapies for Regression of Liver Fibrosis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091500. [PMID: 35563807 PMCID: PMC9104939 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cirrhosis is a severe form of liver fibrosis that results in the irreversible replacement of liver tissue with scar tissue in the liver. Environmental toxicity, infections, metabolic causes, or other genetic factors including autoimmune hepatitis can lead to chronic liver injury and can result in inflammation and fibrosis. This activates myofibroblasts to secrete ECM proteins, resulting in the formation of fibrous scars on the liver. Fibrosis regression is possible through the removal of pathophysiological causes as well as the elimination of activated myofibroblasts, resulting in the reabsorption of the scar tissue. To date, a wide range of antifibrotic therapies has been tried and tested, with varying degrees of success. These therapies include the use of growth factors, cytokines, miRNAs, monoclonal antibodies, stem-cell-based approaches, and other approaches that target the ECM. The positive results of preclinical and clinical studies raise the prospect of a viable alternative to liver transplantation in the near future. The present review provides a synopsis of recent antifibrotic treatment modalities for the treatment of liver cirrhosis, as well as a brief summary of clinical trials that have been conducted to date.
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Tajbakhsh A, Gheibihayat SM, Taheri RA, Fasihi-Ramandi M, Bajestani AN, Taheri A. Potential diagnostic and prognostic of efferocytosis-related unwanted soluble receptors/ligands as new non-invasive biomarkers in disorders: a review. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:5133-5152. [PMID: 35419645 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07224-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Efferocytosis is the process by which apoptotic cells are removed without inflammation to maintain tissue homeostasis, prevent unwanted inflammatory responses, and inhibit autoimmune responses. Coordination of efferocytosis occurs via many surfaces and chemotactic molecules and adaptors. Recently, soluble positive or negative mediators of efferocytosis, have been more noticeable as non-invasive valuable biomarkers in prognosis and targeted therapy. These soluble factors can be detected in different bodily fluids, such as serum, plasma, and urine as a non-invasive method. There are lots of studies that have tried to show the importance of receptors and ligands in disorders; while a few studies tried to indicate the importance of soluble forms of receptors/ligands and their clinical aspects as a systemic compound and shedding of targets related to efferocytosis. Some of these soluble forms also can be as sensitive as specific biomarkers for certain diseases compared with routine biomarkers, such as soluble circulatory Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 vs. troponin T in the acute coronary syndrome. Thus, this review tried to gain more understanding about efferocytosis-related unwanted soluble receptors/ligands, their roles, the clinical significance, and potential for diagnosis, and prognosis related to different diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Tajbakhsh
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisoning Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Gheibihayat
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ramezan Ali Taheri
- Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Fasihi-Ramandi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisoning Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Nesaei Bajestani
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ayatollah Madani Hospital, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Taheri
- School of Medicine, New Hearing Technologies Research Center, Baghiyyatollah Al-Azam Hospital, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of ENT, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Hanif H, Khan MM, Ali MJ, Shah PA, Satiya J, Lau DT, Aslam A. A New Endemic of Concomitant Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Chronic Hepatitis B. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8101526. [PMID: 33020450 PMCID: PMC7601829 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global public problem despite the availability of an effective vaccine. In the past decades, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has surpassed HBV as the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. The prevalence of concomitant chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and NAFLD thus reaches endemic proportions in geographic regions where both conditions are common. Patients with CHB and NAFLD are at increased risk of liver disease progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Due to the complexity of the pathogenesis, accurate diagnosis of NAFLD in CHB patients can be challenging. Liver biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing and determining disease severity, but it is an invasive procedure with potential complications. There is a growing body of literature on the application of novel noninvasive serum biomarkers and advanced radiological modalities to diagnose and evaluate NAFLD, but most have not been adequately validated, especially for patients with CHB. Currently, there is no approved therapy for NAFLD, although many new agents are in different phases of development. This review provides a summary of the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of the NAFLD and highlights the unmet needs in the areas of CHB and NAFLD coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hira Hanif
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.H.); (M.M.K.); (M.J.A.); (P.A.S.); (J.S.)
| | - Muzammil M. Khan
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.H.); (M.M.K.); (M.J.A.); (P.A.S.); (J.S.)
| | - Mukarram J. Ali
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.H.); (M.M.K.); (M.J.A.); (P.A.S.); (J.S.)
| | - Pir A. Shah
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.H.); (M.M.K.); (M.J.A.); (P.A.S.); (J.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Jinendra Satiya
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.H.); (M.M.K.); (M.J.A.); (P.A.S.); (J.S.)
| | - Daryl T.Y. Lau
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.H.); (M.M.K.); (M.J.A.); (P.A.S.); (J.S.)
- Correspondence: (D.T.Y.L.); (A.A.)
| | - Aysha Aslam
- Department of Medicine, Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
- Correspondence: (D.T.Y.L.); (A.A.)
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Li G, Lin J, Peng Y, Qin K, Wen L, Zhao T, Feng Q. Curcumol may reverse early and advanced liver fibrogenesis through downregulating the uPA/uPAR pathway. Phytother Res 2020; 34:1421-1435. [PMID: 31989700 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested strong antifibrotic activity of curcumol in the liver; the underlying mechanisms of which, however, remain largely unknown. Aiming to investigate the role of curcumol in regulating early and advanced liver fibrosis, we designed a rat model with advanced liver fibrosis and cell model with an initial fibrotic stage. Model rats induced by CCl4 and alcohol presented advanced liver fibrosis with complete fibrous septa. The administration of curcumol (25 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg) resulted in reversal of liver fibrosis. Leptin-administrated liver sinusoidal endothelial cells presented defenestration and basement membrane components deposition, including laminin (LN) and type IV collagen (Col IV), the characteristics of capillarization by scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence assays. After treatment with curcumol (12.5, 25, or 50 mg/L), defenestration was restored and the levels of LN and Col IV were decreased, consistent with the rat model. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot results revealed that increased levels of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA)/ uPA receptor (uPAR) were observed both in vivo and in vitro, curcumol significantly reduced uPA/uPAR at both the mRNA and protein levels. Reduction of uPA/uPAR may be synergistic with matrix metallopeptidase 13 to reverse liver fibrogenesis. In conclusion, curcumol protects liver from phenotypic changes in the early and advanced fibrogenesis, possibly through uPA/uPAR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiyu Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jiyong Lin
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yue Peng
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Kefeng Qin
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Li Wen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Tiejian Zhao
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Quansheng Feng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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