Sestrin Proteins Protect Against Lipotoxicity-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Liver via Suppression of C-Jun N-Terminal Kinases

The Patatin-Like Phospholipase Domain-Containing 3 148M Variant Exacerbates Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury and Tumorigenesis in Mice

Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) protein 148M variant is strongly associated with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the role of the PNPLA3148M variant in alcohol-related HCC development. Control and humanized PNPLA3148M transgenic mice were fed with an ethanol-containing diet for 12 weeks. The animals were examined for liver tumors. After the alcohol feeding, the PNPLA3148M mice had twofold higher liver cancer incidence rates and larger tumor sizes than those in the control mice. Cancer stem cell markers in the PNPLA3148M mouse livers were elevated relative to those in the control mouse livers. Alcohol detoxification was impaired in the PNPLA3148M mouse livers. Hepatic oxidative stress and DNA damage were elevated in the PNPLA3148M mice. Wnt/β-catenin and Yes-associated protein (YAP) and WW domain-containing transcription regulator 1 (TAZ) were activated in the PNPLA3148M mouse livers. The data suggest that the PNPLA3148M variant has a strong interaction with alcohol in HCC development through attenuation of alcohol detoxification and promotion of oncogenic pathways. Targeting the PNPLA3148M variant might be useful for the prevention or treatment of alcohol-associated HCC in patients carrying this variant.

Remote limb ischemic conditioning alleviates steatohepatitis via extracellular vesicle-mediated muscle-liver crosstalk

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is an advanced form of liver disease with adverse outcomes. Manipulating interorgan communication is considered a promising strategy for managing metabolic disease, including steatohepatitis. Here, we report that remote limb ischemic conditioning (RIC), a clinically validated therapy for distant organ protection by transient muscle ischemia, significantly alleviated steatohepatitis in different mouse models. The beneficial effect of limb ischemic conditioning was mediated by muscle-to-liver transfer of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and their cargo microRNAs, leading to elevation of miR-181d-5p in the liver. Hepatic miR-181d-5p overexpression faithfully mirrored the molecular and histological benefits of limb ischemic conditioning by suppressing nuclear receptor 4A3 (NR4A3). Furthermore, circulating EVs from human volunteers undergoing limb ischemic conditioning improved steatohepatitis and transcriptomic perturbations in primary human hepatocytes and animal models. Our data underscore the translational potential of limb ischemic conditioning for steatohepatitis management and extend our understanding of muscle-liver crosstalk.

Developing an RNA Signature for Radiation Injury Using a Human Liver-on-a-Chip Model

Radiation exposure in a therapeutic setting or during a mass casualty event requires improved medical triaging, where the time to delivery and quantity of medical countermeasures are critical to survival. Radiation-induced liver injury (RILI) and fibrosis can lead to death, but clinical symptoms manifest late in disease pathogenesis and there is no simple diagnostic test to determine RILI. Because animal models do not completely recapitulate clinical symptoms, we used a human liver-on-a-chip model to identify biomarkers of RILI. The goals of this study were: 1. to establish a microfluidic liver-on-a-chip device as a physiologically relevant model for studying radiation-induced tissue damage; and 2. to determine acute changes in RNA expression and biological pathway regulation that identify potential biomarkers and mechanisms of RILI. To model functional human liver tissue, we used the Emulate organ-on-a-chip system to establish a co-culture of human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and hepatocytes. The chips were subject to 0 Gy (sham), 1 Gy, 4 Gy, or 10 Gy irradiation and cells were collected at 6 h, 24 h, or 7 days postirradiation for RNA isolation. To identify significant expression changes in messenger RNA (mRNA) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), we performed RNA sequencing (RNASeq) to conduct whole transcriptome analysis. We found distinct differences in expression patterns by time, dose, and cell type, with higher doses of radiation resulting in the most pronounced expression changes, as anticipated. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis indicated significant inhibition of the cell viability pathway 24 h after 10 Gy exposure in LSECs but activation of this pathway in hepatocytes, highlighting differences between cell types despite receiving the same radiation dose. Overall, hepatocytes showed fewer gene expression changes in response to radiation, with only 3 statistically significant differentially expressed genes at 7 days: APOBEC3H, PTCHD4, and GDNF. We further highlight lncRNA of interest including DINO and PURPL in hepatocytes and TMPO-AS1 and PRC-AS1 in LSECs, identifying potential biomarkers of RILI. We demonstrated the potential utility of a human liver-on-a-chip model with primary cells to model organ-specific radiation injury, establishing a model for radiation medical countermeasure development and further biomarker validation. Furthermore, we identified biomarkers that differentiate radiation dose and defined cell-specific targets for potential radiation mitigation therapies.

Sestrin2 and Sestrin3 protect spermatogenesis against heat-induced meiotic defects†

Heat stress induces testicular oxidative stress, impairs spermatogenesis, and increases the risk of male infertility. Recent studies have highlighted the antioxidative properties of the Sestrins family in reducing cellular oxidative damage. However, the role of Sestrins (Sestrin1, 2, and 3) in the testicular response to heat stress remains unclear. Here, we found that Sestrin2 and 3 were highly expressed in the testis relative to Sestrin1. Then, the Sestrin2-/- and Sestrin3-/- mice were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 to investigate the role of them on spermatogenesis after heat stress. Our data showed that Sestrin2-/- and Sestrin3-/- mice testes exhibited more severe damage manifested by exacerbated loss of germ cells and higher levels of oxidative stress as compared to wild-type counterparts after heat stress. Notably, Sestrin2-/- and Sestrin3-/- mice underwent a remarkable increase in heat-induced spermatocyte apoptosis than that of controls. Furthermore, the transcriptome landscape of spermatocytes and chromosome spreading showed that loss of Sestrin2 and Sestrin3 exacerbated meiotic failure by compromising DNA double-strand breaks repair after heat stress. Taken together, our work demonstrated a critical protective function of Sestrin2 and Sestrin3 in mitigating the impairments of spermatogenesis against heat stress.

Protective Effects of Changbudodam-tang on Cell Death Signals on the Bone Marrow-Derived Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Regulation of MKK7/JNK/c-Jun Signaling Pathway

Objectives

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common disorders and it shows up to 20% prevalence in reproductive-aged women populations, but no cures are available to date. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of Changbudodam-tang (CBD) on cell death signaling pathways, inflammation, and oxidative stress observed in Bone-Marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cell (BM-hMSC) by means of PCOS therapeutics in the future.

Methods

BM-hMSCs were applied with cell deaths and injuries. Apoptosis and pyroptosis signals were quenched with their related signaling pathways using quantitative PCR, Western blot, and fluorescence image analysis.

Results

Our data clearly displayed hydrogen peroxide- and nigericin-treated cell death signaling pathways via regulations of mitochondrial integrity and interleukin (IL)-1β at the cellular levels (p < 0.01 or 0.001). We further observed that pre-treatment with CBD showed protective effects against oxidative stress by enhancement of antioxidant components at the cellular level, with respect to both protein and mRNA expression levels (p < 0.05, 0.01 or 0.001). The mechanisms of CBD were examined by Western blot analysis, and it showed anti-cell death, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects via normalizations of the Jun N-terminal kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7/c-Jun signaling pathways.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the pharmacological properties of CBD by regulation of cellular oxidation and the inflammation-provoked cell death condition of BM-hMSCs, which is mediated by the MKK7/JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway.

Overexpression of SESN1 improves mitochondrial damage and mitophagy, a potential therapeutic strategy for cognitive dysfunction after anaesthesia

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a prevalent central nervous system complication predominantly observed in elderly patients. Sevoflurane, a general anaesthetic agent, has been implicated in the development of POCD, yet the underlying regulatory mechanisms potentially involving Sestrin1 (SESN1), a stress-responsive protein that plays a critical role in cellular homeostasis and protection against stress-induced damage, including oxidative stress and DNA damage, remain elusive. This study endeavoured to elucidate the impact of SESN1 on sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment in rats. Employing a model in which SESN1 was transfected into SD male rats and cognitive dysfunction was induced by sevoflurane. The Morris Water Maze test was used for behavioural evaluation, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Western blotting and immunofluorescence were applied to assess the influence of SESN1 on the inflammatory response and mitophagy in the rat hippocampus. The study further aimed to uncover the putative mechanism by which SESN1, through SIRT1, might modulate cognitive function. Concurrently, levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and mitochondrially produced ATP within the rat hippocampus were quantified. Experimental outcomes suggested that SESN1 overexpression significantly mitigated the deleterious effects of sevoflurane anaesthesia, ameliorated neuroinflammation and inflammasome activation, modified mitochondrial function and facilitated mitophagy. Additionally, SESN1, via the activation of SIRT1, may suppress inflammasome activation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Collectively, these findings underscore SESN1's integral role in counteracting sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment, impeding inflammasome activation, enhancing mitochondrial function and fostering mitophagy, which appear to be intricately linked to SESN1-mediated SIRT1 activation. SESN1 is a novel therapeutic target for POCD, potentially advancing neuroprotective strategies in clinical settings.

Pharmacological effects of mTORC1/C2 inhibitor in a preclinical model of NASH progression

Knowledge of the benefits of mTOR inhibition concerning adipogenesis and inflammation has recently encouraged the investigation of a new generation of mTOR inhibitors for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We investigated whether treatment with a specific mTORC1/C2 inhibitor (Ku-0063794; KU) exerted any beneficial impacts on experimentally-induced NASH in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that KU decreases palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity in cultivated primary hepatocytes, thus emerging as a successful candidate for testing in an in vivo NASH dietary model, which adopted the intraperitoneal KU dosing route rather than oral application due to its significantly greater bioavailability in mice. The pharmacodynamics experiments commenced with the feeding of male C57BL/6 mice with a high-fat atherogenic western-type diet (WD) for differing intervals over several weeks aimed at inducing various phases of NASH. In addition to the WD, the mice were treated with KU for 3 weeks or 4 months. Acute and chronic KU treatments were observed to be safe at the given concentrations with no toxicity indications in the mice. KU was found to alleviate NASH-related hepatotoxicity, mitochondrial and oxidative stress, and decrease the liver triglyceride content and TNF-α mRNA in at least one set of in vivo experiments. The KU modulated liver expression of selected metabolic and oxidative stress-related genes depended upon the length and severity of the disease. Although KU failed to completely reverse the histological progression of NASH in the mice, we demonstrated the complexity of mTORC1/C2 signaling regulation and suggest a stratified therapeutic management approach throughout the disease course.

A cross-talk between sestrins, chronic inflammation and cellular senescence governs the development of age-associated sarcopenia and obesity

The rapid increase in both the lifespan and proportion of older adults is accompanied by the unprecedented rise in age-associated chronic diseases, including sarcopenia and obesity. Aging is also manifested by increased susceptibility to multiple endogenous and exogenous stresses enabling such chronic conditions to develop. Among the main physiological regulators of cellular adaption to various stress stimuli, such as DNA damage, hypoxia, and oxidative stress, are sestrins (Sesns), a family of three evolutionarily conserved proteins, Sesn1, 2, and 3. Age-associated sarcopenia and obesity are characterized by two key processes: (i) accumulation of senescent cells in the skeletal muscle and adipose tissue and (ii) creation of a systemic, chronic, low-grade inflammation (SCLGI). Presumably, failed SCLGI resolution governs the development of these chronic conditions. Noteworthy, Sesns activate senolytics, which are agents that selectively eliminate senescent cells, as well as specialized pro-resolving mediators, which are factors that physiologically provide inflammation resolution. Sesns reveal clear beneficial effects in pre-clinical models of sarcopenia and obesity. Based on these observations, we propose a novel treatment strategy for age-associated sarcopenia and obesity, complementary to the conventional therapeutic modalities: Sesn activation, SCLGI resolution, and senescent cell elimination.

Sestrin2: multifaceted functions, molecular basis, and its implications in liver diseases

Sestrin2 (SESN2), a highly conserved stress-responsive protein, can be triggered by various noxious stimuli, such as hypoxia, DNA damage, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and inflammation. Multiple transcription factors regulate SESN2 expression, including hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), p53, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), ATF6, etc. Upon induction, SESN2 generally leads to activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). To maintain cellular homeostasis, SESN2 and its downstream molecules directly scavenge reactive oxygen species or indirectly influence the expression patterns of key genes associated with redox, macroautophagy, mitophagy, ER stress, apoptosis, protein synthesis, and inflammation. In liver diseases including acute liver injury, fatty liver diseases, hepatic fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), SESN2 is abnormally expressed and correlated with disease progression. In NAFLD, SESN2 helps with postponing disease progression through balancing glycolipid metabolism and macroautophagy (lipophagy), and rectifying oxidative damage and ER stress. During hepatic fibrosis, SESN2 represses HSCs activation and intrahepatic inflammation, hindering the occurrence and progress of fibrogenesis. However, the role of SESN2 in HCC is controversial due to its paradoxical pro-autophagic and anti-apoptotic effects. In conclusion, this review summarizes the biological functions of SESN2 in hypoxia, genotoxic stress, oxidative stress, ER stress, and inflammation, and specifically emphasizes the pathophysiological significance of SESN2 in liver diseases, aiming to providing a comprehensive understanding for SESN2 as a potential therapeutic target in liver diseases.

Aerobic exercise ameliorates insulin resistance in C57BL/6 J mice via activating Sestrin3

Skeletal muscle insulin resistance (IR) is closely linked to hyperglycemia and metabolic disorders. Regular exercise enhances insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle, but its underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Sestrin3 (SESN3) is a stress-inducible protein that protects against obesity-induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. Regular exercise training is known to increase SESN3 expression in skeletal muscle. The purpose of this study was to explore whether SESN3 mediates the metabolic effects of exercise in the mouse model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced IR. SESN3^-/- mice exhibited severer body weight gain, ectopic lipid accumulation, and dysregulation of glucose metabolism after long-term HFD feeding compared with the wild-type (WT) mice. Moreover, we found that SESN3 deficiency weakened the effects of exercise on reducing serum insulin levels and improving glucose tolerance in mice. Exercise training increased pAKT-S473 and GLUT4 expression, accompanied by enhanced pmTOR-S2481 (an indicator of mTORC2 activity) in WT quadriceps that were less pronounced in SESN3^-/- mice. SESN3 overexpression in C2C12 myotubes further confirmed that SESN3 played an important role in skeletal muscle glucose metabolism. SESN3 overexpression increased the binding of Rictor to mTOR and pmTOR-S2481 in C2C12 myotubes. Moreover, SESN3 overexpression resulted in an elevation of glucose uptake and a concomitant increase of pAKT-S473 in C2C12 myotubes, whereas these effects were diminished by downregulation of mTORC2 activity. Taken together, SESN3 is a crucial protein in amplifying the beneficial effects of exercise on insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle and systemic glucose levels. SESN3/mTORC2/AKT pathway mediated the effects of exercise on skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity.

Zonated leucine sensing by Sestrin-mTORC1 in the liver controls the response to dietary leucine

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) kinase controls growth in response to nutrients, including the amino acid leucine. In cultured cells, mTORC1 senses leucine through the leucine-binding Sestrin proteins, but the physiological functions and distribution of Sestrin-mediated leucine sensing in mammals are unknown. We find that mice lacking Sestrin1 and Sestrin2 cannot inhibit mTORC1 upon dietary leucine deprivation and suffer a rapid loss of white adipose tissue (WAT) and muscle. The WAT loss is driven by aberrant mTORC1 activity and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) production in the liver. Sestrin expression in the liver lobule is zonated, accounting for zone-specific regulation of mTORC1 activity and FGF21 induction by leucine. These results establish the mammalian Sestrins as physiological leucine sensors and reveal a spatial organization to nutrient sensing by the mTORC1 pathway.

MiR-200c-3p targets SESN1 and represses the IL-6/AKT loop to prevent cholangiocyte activation and cholestatic liver fibrosis

Cholestasis causes ductular reaction in the liver where the reactive cholangiocytes not only proliferate but also gain a neuroendocrine-like phenotype, leading to inflammatory cell infiltration and extracellular matrix deposition and contributing to the development and progression of cholestatic liver fibrosis. This study aims to elucidate the role of miR-200c in cholestasis-induced biliary liver fibrosis and cholangiocyte activation. We found that miR-200c was extremely abundant in cholangiocytes but was reduced by cholestasis in a bile duct ligation (BDL) mouse model; miR-200c was also decreased by bile acids in vitro. Phenotypically, loss of miR-200c exacerbated cholestatic liver injury, including periductular fibrosis, intrahepatic inflammation, and biliary hyperplasia in both the BDL model and the 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) model. We identified sestrin 1 (SESN1) as a target of miR-200c. Sesn1^-/--BDL mice showed mitigation of cholestatic liver injury. On a molecular level, the pro-proliferative IL-6/AKT feedback loop was activated in Mir200c^-/- livers but was inhibited in Sesn1^-/- livers upon cholestasis in mice. Furthermore, rescuing expression of miR-200c by the adeno-associated virus serotype 8 ameliorated BDL-induced liver injury in Mir200c^-/- mice. Taken together, this study demonstrates that miR-200c restrains the proliferative and neuroendocrine-like activation of cholangiocytes by targeting SESN1 and inhibiting the IL-6/AKT feedback loop to protect against cholestatic liver fibrosis. Our findings provide mechanistic insights regarding biliary liver fibrosis, which may help to reveal novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of cholestatic liver injury and liver fibrosis.

SIRT6 controls hepatic lipogenesis by suppressing LXR, ChREBP, and SREBP1

Fatty liver disease is the most prevalent chronic liver disorder, which is manifested by hepatic triglyceride elevation, inflammation, and fibrosis. Sirtuin 6 (Sirt6), an NAD+-dependent deacetylase, has been implicated in hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism; however, the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize novel players and mechanisms that are responsible for the Sirt6-mediated metabolic regulation in the liver. We generated and characterized Sirt6 liver-specific knockout mice regarding its role in the development of fatty liver disease. We used cell models to validate the molecular alterations observed in the animal models. Biochemical and molecular biological approaches were used to illustrate protein-protein interactions and gene regulation. Our data show that Sirt6 liver-specific knockout mice develop more severe fatty liver disease than wild-type mice do on a Western diet. Hepatic Sirt6 deficiency leads to elevated levels and transcriptional activities of carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1). Mechanistically, our data reveal protein-protein interactions between Sirt6 and liver X receptor α (LXRα), ChREBP, or SREBP1c in hepatocytes. Moreover, Sirt6 suppresses transcriptional activities of LXRα, ChREBP, and SREBP1c through direct deacetylation. In conclusion, this work has identified a key mechanism that is responsible for the salutary function of Sirt6 in the inhibition of hepatic lipogenesis by suppressing LXR, ChREBP, and SREBP1.

OncomiR miR-182-5p Enhances Radiosensitivity by Inhibiting the Radiation-Induced Antioxidant Effect through SESN2 in Head and Neck Cancer

Radiotherapy is routinely used for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the therapeutic efficacy is usually reduced by acquired radioresistance and locoregional recurrence. In this study, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) analysis showed that radiotherapy upregulated the miR-182/96/183 cluster and that miR-182 was the most significantly upregulated. Overexpression of miR-182-5p enhanced the radiosensitivity of HNSCC cells by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, suggesting that expression of the miR-182 family is beneficial for radiotherapy. By intersecting the gene targeting results from three microRNA target prediction databases, we noticed that sestrin2 (SESN2), a molecule resistant to oxidative stress, was involved in 91 genes predicted in all three databases to be directly recognized by miR-182-5p. Knockdown of SESN2 enhanced radiation-induced ROS and cytotoxicity in HNSCC cells. In addition, the radiation-induced expression of SESN2 was repressed by overexpression of miR-182-5p. Reciprocal expression of the miR-182-5p and SESN2 genes was also analyzed in the TCGA database, and a high expression of miR-182-5p combined with a low expression of SESN2 was associated with a better survival rate in patients receiving radiotherapy. Taken together, the current data suggest that miR-182-5p may regulate radiation-induced antioxidant effects and mediate the efficacy of radiotherapy.

Sestrin2 as a Potential Target for Regulating Metabolic-Related Diseases

Sestrin2 is a highly conserved protein that can be induced under a variety of stress conditions, including DNA damage, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and metabolic stress. Numerous studies have shown that the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway has a crucial role in the regulation of metabolism. Sestrin2 regulates metabolism via a number of pathways, including activation of AMPK, inhibition of the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1), activation of mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2), inhibition of ER stress, and promotion of autophagy. Therefore, modulation of Sestrin2 activity may provide a potential therapeutic target for the prevention of metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this review, we examined the regulatory relationship between Sestrin2 and the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and the effects of Sestrin2 on energy metabolism.