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Ma P, Wang X, Wen X, Pu L, Ou Y. Protective effects of dopamine against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis via inhibiting p65 pathways in vivo and in vitro. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2024; 13:tfae068. [PMID: 38737340 PMCID: PMC11082461 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Currently, the role and mechanism of dopamine in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remains unclear. Methods In vitro experiments utilized FFA and LPS to establish NASH cell models, while a fibrotic cell model was created using TGFβ1 to investigate the impact of dopamine on cellular lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. In vivo experiments involved the use of MCD and HFD diets to induce NASH in mouse models for observing the effects of dopamine on NASH disease progression. Results Our study showed that dopamine significantly downregulated the expression levels of Caspase 1, IL-1β and IL18 in the HepG2 NASH cell model. In addition, dopamine could inhibit the TGF-β1-induced accumulation of collagen I and α-SMA in LX2 cells. In vivo experiments have shown that dopamine attenuation in mice is associated with MCD diet-induced and HFD-induced steatohepatitis. Mechanically, dopamine inhibits the p65 signaling pathway in NASH. Conclusion In conclusion, the present study demonstrates the role of dopamine in ameliorating the symptoms of NASH and provides a direction for future research on the application of the dopaminergic system to liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Ma
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China
| | - Xu Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China
| | - Xiuqi Wen
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China
| | - Lingyun Pu
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China
| | - Yu Ou
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China
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2
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Gao J, Lan T, Kostallari E, Guo Y, Lai E, Guillot A, Ding B, Tacke F, Tang C, Shah VH. Angiocrine signaling in sinusoidal homeostasis and liver diseases. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)00349-0. [PMID: 38763358 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The hepatic sinusoids are composed of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC), which are surrounded by hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and contain liver-resident macrophages called Kupffer cells, and other patrolling immune cells. All these cells communicate with each other and with hepatocytes to maintain sinusoidal homeostasis and a spectrum of hepatic functions under healthy conditions. Sinusoidal homeostasis is disrupted by metabolites, toxins, viruses, and other pathological factors, leading to liver injury, chronic liver diseases, and liver cirrhosis. Alterations in hepatic sinusoids are linked to fibrosis progression and portal hypertension. LSECs are crucial regulators of cellular crosstalk within their microenvironment via angiocrine signaling. This review discusses the mechanisms by which angiocrine signaling orchestrates sinusoidal homeostasis, as well as the development of liver diseases. Here, we summarize the crosstalk between LSECs, HSCs, hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and immune cells in health and disease and comment on potential novel therapeutic methods for treating liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhang Gao
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tian Lan
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Enis Kostallari
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Yangkun Guo
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Enjiang Lai
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Adrien Guillot
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bisen Ding
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Chengwei Tang
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Vijay H Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Chen X, Wang H, Wu C, Li X, Huang X, Ren Y, Pu Q, Cao Z, Tang X, Ding BS. Endothelial H 2S-AMPK dysfunction upregulates the angiocrine factor PAI-1 and contributes to lung fibrosis. Redox Biol 2024; 70:103038. [PMID: 38266576 PMCID: PMC10811458 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of the vascular angiocrine system is critically involved in regenerative defects and fibrosis of injured organs. Previous studies have identified various angiocrine factors and found that risk factors such as aging and metabolic disorders can disturb the vascular angiocrine system in fibrotic organs. One existing key gap is what sense the fibrotic risk to modulate the vascular angiocrine system in organ fibrosis. Here, using human and mouse data, we discovered that the metabolic pathway hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a sensor of fibrotic stress and serves as a key mechanism upregulating the angiocrine factor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in endothelial cells to participate in lung fibrosis. Activation of the metabolic sensor AMPK was inhibited in endothelial cells of fibrotic lungs, and AMPK inactivation was correlated with enriched fibrotic signature and reduced lung functions in humans. The inactivation of endothelial AMPK accelerated lung fibrosis in mice, while the activation of endothelial AMPK with metformin alleviated lung fibrosis. In fibrotic lungs, endothelial AMPK inactivation led to YAP activation and overexpression of the angiocrine factor PAI-1, which was positively correlated with the fibrotic signature in human fibrotic lungs and inhibition of PAI-1 with Tiplaxtinin mitigated lung fibrosis. Further study identified that the deficiency of the antioxidative gas metabolite H2S accounted for the inactivation of AMPK and activation of YAP-PAI-1 signaling in endothelial cells of fibrotic lungs. H2S deficiency was involved in human lung fibrosis and H2S supplement reversed mouse lung fibrosis in an endothelial AMPK-dependent manner. These findings provide new insight into the mechanism underlying the deregulation of the vascular angiocrine system in fibrotic organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangqi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Han Wang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chuan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaojuan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yafeng Ren
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qiang Pu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Frontier Center of Disease Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhongwei Cao
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Tang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Bi-Sen Ding
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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4
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Lu X, Liu Q, Deng Y, Wu J, Mu X, Yang X, Zhang T, Luo C, Li Z, Tang S, Hu Y, Du Q, Xu J, Xie R. Research progress on the roles of dopamine and dopamine receptors in digestive system diseases. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18154. [PMID: 38494840 PMCID: PMC10945074 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter synthesized in the human body that acts on multiple organs throughout the body, reaching them through the blood circulation. Neurotransmitters are special molecules that act as messengers by binding to receptors at chemical synapses between neurons. As ligands, they mainly bind to corresponding receptors on central or peripheral tissue cells. Signalling through chemical synapses is involved in regulating the activities of various body systems. Lack of DA or a decrease in DA levels in the brain can lead to serious diseases such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, addiction and attention deficit disorder. It is widely recognized that DA is closely related to neurological diseases. As research on the roles of brain-gut peptides in human physiology and pathology has deepened in recent years, the regulatory role of neurotransmitters in digestive system diseases has gradually attracted researchers' attention, and research on DA has expanded to the field of digestive system diseases. This review mainly elaborates on the research progress on the roles of DA and DRs related to digestive system diseases. Starting from the biochemical and pharmacological properties of DA and DRs, it discusses the therapeutic value of DA- and DR-related drugs for digestive system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianmin Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Ya Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Jiangbo Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Xingyi Mu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Xiaoxu Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Chen Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Zhuo Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Siqi Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Yanxia Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Qian Du
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Jingyu Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
| | - Rui Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
- The Collaborative InnovAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical Universityation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiChina
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Gao Y, Gong Y, Lu J, Hao H, Shi X. Targeting YAP1 to improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in liver cancer: mechanism and strategy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1377722. [PMID: 38550587 PMCID: PMC10972981 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1377722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the third leading of tumor death, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are yielding much for sufferers to hope for patients, but only some patients with advanced liver tumor respond. Recent research showed that tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical for the effectiveness of ICIs in advanced liver tumor. Meanwhile, metabolic reprogramming of liver tumor leads to immunosuppression in TME. These suggest that regulating the abnormal metabolism of liver tumor cells and firing up TME to turn "cold tumor" into "hot tumor" are potential strategies to improve the therapeutic effect of ICIs in liver tumor. Previous studies have found that YAP1 is a potential target to improve the efficacy of anti-PD-1 in HCC. Here, we review that YAP1 promotes immunosuppression of TME, mainly due to the overstimulation of cytokines in TME by YAP1. Subsequently, we studied the effects of YAP1 on metabolic reprogramming in liver tumor cells, including glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, lipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Lastly, we summarized the existing drugs targeting YAP1 in the treatment of liver tumor, including some medicines from natural sources, which have the potential to improve the efficacy of ICIs in the treatment of liver tumor. This review contributed to the application of targeted YAP1 for combined therapy with ICIs in liver tumor patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Gao
- Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yi Gong
- Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Junlan Lu
- Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Huiqin Hao
- Chinese Medicine Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
- Basic Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xinli Shi
- Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
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Wu X, Xiao X, Fang H, He C, Wang H, Wang M, Lan P, Wang F, Du Q, Yang H. Elucidating shared biomarkers in gastroesophageal reflux disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: insights into novel therapeutic targets and the role of angelicae sinensis radix. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1348708. [PMID: 38414734 PMCID: PMC10897002 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1348708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The etiological underpinnings of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remain elusive, coupled with a scarcity of effective therapeutic interventions for IPF. Angelicae sinensis radix (ASR, also named Danggui) is a Chinese herb with potential anti-fibrotic properties, that holds promise as a therapeutic agent for IPF. Objective: This study seeks to elucidate the causal interplay and potential mechanisms underlying the coexistence of GERD and IPF. Furthermore, it aims to investigate the regulatory effect of ASR on this complex relationship. Methods: A two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) approach was employed to delineate the causal connection between gastroesophageal reflux disease and IPF, with Phennoscanner V2 employed to mitigate confounding factors. Utilizing single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and publicly available microarray data, we analyzed potential targets and mechanisms related to IPF in GERD. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to explore the targets and efficacy of ASR in treating GERD-related IPF. External datasets were subsequently utilized to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers for GERD-related IPF. Results: The IVW analysis demonstrated a positive causal relationship between GERD and IPF (IVW: OR = 1.002, 95%CI: 1.001, 1.003; p < 0.001). Twenty-five shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. GO functional analysis revealed enrichment in neural, cellular, and brain development processes, concentrated in chromosomes and plasma membranes, with protein binding and activation involvement. KEGG analysis unveiled enrichment in proteoglycan, ERBB, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways in cancer. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis identified seven hub genes. Network pharmacology analysis demonstrated that 104 components of ASR targeted five hub genes (PDE4B, DRD2, ERBB4, ESR1, GRM8), with molecular docking confirming their excellent binding efficiency. GRM8 and ESR1 emerged as potential diagnostic biomarkers for GERD-related IPF (ESR1: AUCGERD = 0.762, AUCIPF = 0.725; GRM8: AUCGERD = 0.717, AUCIPF = 0.908). GRM8 and ESR1 emerged as potential diagnostic biomarkers for GERD-related IPF, validated in external datasets. Conclusion: This study establishes a causal link between GERD and IPF, identifying five key targets and two potential diagnostic biomarkers for GERD-related IPF. ASR exhibits intervention efficacy and favorable binding characteristics, positioning it as a promising candidate for treating GERD-related IPF. The potential regulatory mechanisms may involve cell responses to fibroblast growth factor stimulation and steroidal hormone-mediated signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanyu Wu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Xiao
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hanyu Fang
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Pulmonary Diseases, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Cuifang He
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hanyue Wang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Miao Wang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Peishu Lan
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Quanyu Du
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Han Yang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Madir A, Grgurevic I, Tsochatzis EA, Pinzani M. Portal hypertension in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Current knowledge and challenges. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30:290-307. [PMID: 38313235 PMCID: PMC10835535 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i4.290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Portal hypertension (PH) has traditionally been observed as a consequence of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, recent studies have provided evidence that PH may develop in earlier stages of NAFLD, suggesting that there are additional pathogenetic mechanisms at work in addition to liver fibrosis. The early development of PH in NAFLD is associated with hepatocellular lipid accumulation and ballooning, leading to the compression of liver sinusoids. External compression and intra-luminal obstacles cause mechanical forces such as strain, shear stress and elevated hydrostatic pressure that in turn activate mechanotransduction pathways, resulting in endothelial dysfunction and the development of fibrosis. The spatial distribution of histological and functional changes in the periportal and perisinusoidal areas of the liver lobule are considered responsible for the pre-sinusoidal component of PH in patients with NAFLD. Thus, current diagnostic methods such as hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement tend to underestimate portal pressure (PP) in NAFLD patients, who might decompensate below the HVPG threshold of 10 mmHg, which is traditionally considered the most relevant indicator of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). This creates further challenges in finding a reliable diagnostic method to stratify the prognostic risk in this population of patients. In theory, the measurement of the portal pressure gradient guided by endoscopic ultrasound might overcome the limitations of HVPG measurement by avoiding the influence of the pre-sinusoidal component, but more investigations are needed to test its clinical utility for this indication. Liver and spleen stiffness measurement in combination with platelet count is currently the best-validated non-invasive approach for diagnosing CSPH and varices needing treatment. Lifestyle change remains the cornerstone of the treatment of PH in NAFLD, together with correcting the components of metabolic syndrome, using nonselective beta blockers, whereas emerging candidate drugs require more robust confirmation from clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Madir
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
| | - Ivica Grgurevic
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
| | - Emmanuel A Tsochatzis
- UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital and University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Pinzani
- UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital and University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
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Huang X, Zhang L, Luo W, Zeng Y, Li X, Yang N, Huang W, Ding BS. Endothelial anthrax toxin receptor 2 plays a protective role in liver fibrosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1278968. [PMID: 38322497 PMCID: PMC10844529 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1278968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the leading cancers worldwide and is a potential consequence of fibrosis. Therefore, the identification of key cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in liver fibrosis is an important goal for the development of new strategies to control liver-related diseases. Here, single-cell RNA sequencing data (GSE136103 and GES181483) of clinical liver non-parenchymal cells were analyzed to identify cellular and molecular mechanisms of liver fibrosis. The proportion of endothelial subpopulations in cirrhotic livers was significantly higher than that in healthy livers. Gene ontology and gene set enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes in the endothelial subgroups revealed that extracellular matrix (ECM)-related pathways were significantly enriched. Since anthrax toxin receptor 2 (ANTXR2) interacts with the ECM, the expression of ANTXR2 in the liver endothelium was analyzed. ANTXR2 expression in the liver endothelium of wild-type (WT) mice significantly decreased after a 4-time sequential injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) to induce liver fibrosis. Next, conditional knockout mice selectively lacking Antxr2 in endothelial cells were generated. After endothelial-specific Antxr2 knockout mice were subjected to the CCl4 model, the degree of liver fibrosis in the knockout group was significantly more severe than that in the control group. In addition, ANTXR2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells promoted matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) activation to degrade the ECM in vitro. Finally, endothelial-specific overexpression of Antxr2 alleviated the development of liver fibrosis following adeno-associated virus treatment. Collectively, these results suggested that endothelial ANTXR2 plays a protective role in liver fibrosis. This function of ANTXR2 may be achieved by promoting MMP2 activation to degrade the ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bi-Sen Ding
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Wan S, Liu X, Sun R, Liu H, Jiang J, Wu B. Activated hepatic stellate cell-derived Bmp-1 induces liver fibrosis via mediating hepatocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:41. [PMID: 38216590 PMCID: PMC10786946 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06437-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a reparative response to injury that arises from various etiologies, characterized by activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Periostin, a secreted matricellular protein, has been reported to participate in tissue development and regeneration. However, its involvement in liver fibrosis remains unknown. This study investigated the roles and mechanisms of Periostin in phenotypic transition of HSCs and relevant abnormal cellular crosstalk during liver fibrosis. The fate of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) during liver fibrogenesis was investigated using single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing profiles, which revealed a significant proliferation of activated HSCs (aHSCs) in fibrotic livers of both humans and mice. αSMA-TK mice were used to demonstrate that depletion of proliferative aHSCs attenuates liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride and 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine. Through integrating data from single-cell and bulk sequencing, Periostin was identified as a distinctive hallmark of proliferative aHSC subpopulation. Elevated levels of Periostin were detected in fibrotic livers of both humans and mice, primarily within aHSCs. However, hepatic Periostin levels were decreased along with depletion of proliferative aHSCs. Deficiency of Periostin led to reduced liver fibrosis and suppressed hepatocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Periostin-overexpressing HSCs, exhibiting a proliferative aHSC phenotype, release bone morphogenetic protein-1 (Bmp-1), which activates EGFR signaling, inducing hepatocyte EMT and contributing to liver fibrosis. In conclusion, Periostin in aHSCs drives their acquisition of a proliferative phenotype and the release of Bmp-1. Proliferative aHSC subpopulation-derived Bmp-1 induces hepatocyte EMT via EGFR signaling, promoting liver fibrogenesis. Bmp-1 and Periostin should be potential therapeutic targets for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sizhe Wan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianzhi Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruonan Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiling Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China.
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Dong X, Lu S, Tian Y, Ma H, Wang Y, Zhang X, Sun G, Luo Y, Sun X. Bavachinin protects the liver in NAFLD by promoting regeneration via targeting PCNA. J Adv Res 2024; 55:131-144. [PMID: 36801384 PMCID: PMC10770097 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease all over the world, and no drug is approved for the treatment of NAFLD. Bavachinin (BVC) is proven to possess liver-protecting effect against NAFLD, but its mechanism is still blurry. OBJECTIVES With the use of Click Chemistry-Activity-Based Protein Profiling (CC-ABPP) technology, this study aims to identify the target of BVC, and investigate the mechanism by which BVC exerts its liver-protecting effect. METHODS The high fat diet induced hamster NAFLD model is introduced to investigate BVC's lipid-lowering and liver-protecting effects. Then, a small molecular probe ofBVC is designed and synthesized based on theCC-ABPP technology, and BVC's target is fished out. A series of experiments are performed to identify the target, including competitive inhibition assay, surface-plasmon resonance (SPR), cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) assay, and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Afterward, the pro-regeneration effects of BVC are validated in vitro and in vivo through flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). RESULT In the hamster NAFLD model, BVC shows lipid-lowing effect and improvement on the histology. PCNA is identified as the target of BVC with the method mentioned above, and BVC facilitates the interaction between PCNA and DNA polymerase delta. BVC promotes HepG2 cells proliferation which is inhibited by T2AA, an inhibitor suppresses the interaction between PCNA and DNA polymerase delta. In NAFLD hamsters, BVC enhances PCNA expression and liver regeneration, reduces hepatocyte apoptosis. CONCLUSION This study suggests that, besides the anti-lipemic effect, BVC binds to the pocket of PCNA facilitating its interaction with DNA polymerase delta and pro-regeneration effect, thereby exerts the protective effect against HFD induced liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Dong
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resource Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glyeolipid Metabolism Disorder Disease, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shan Lu
- Beijing Increasepharm Safety and Efficacy Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resource Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glyeolipid Metabolism Disorder Disease, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Han Ma
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resource Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glyeolipid Metabolism Disorder Disease, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xuelian Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resource Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glyeolipid Metabolism Disorder Disease, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Guibo Sun
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resource Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glyeolipid Metabolism Disorder Disease, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yun Luo
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resource Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glyeolipid Metabolism Disorder Disease, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Xiaobo Sun
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resource Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glyeolipid Metabolism Disorder Disease, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100193, China.
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Bi T, Zhou Y, Mao L, Liang P, Liu J, Yang L, Ren G, Mazhar M, Shen H, Liu P, Spáčil R, Guo Q, Luo G, Yang S, Ren W. Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsule alleviates myocardial fibrosis by improving endothelial cell dysfunction. J Tradit Complement Med 2024; 14:40-54. [PMID: 38223805 PMCID: PMC10785151 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and aim Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu (ZL) capsule is a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with satisfactory curative effects. Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction plays an important role during myocardial fibrosis (MF). But the therapeutic effect of ZL capsule on EC dysfunction remains unknown in the development of MF. This study aims to investigate the effect of ZL capsule on EC dysfunction during MF in vivo. Experimental procedure The model of MF is established in vivo by injecting isoproterenol for 14 days, simultaneously, we examined the therapeutic effect of ZL capsule on MF in vivo. An integrative approach combining biomarker examination, echocardiography and myocardial fibrosis condition using Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, and Sirius red staining were performed to assess the efficacy of ZL capsule against MF. Subsequently, comprehensive immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of ZL capsule on EC dysfunction. Results and conclusion Prior to experiments, analysis of the published single-cell sequencing data was performed and it was discovered that EC dysfunction plays an important role. Further pharmacological results showed that ZL capsule could alleviate fibrosis injury and collagen fiber deposition. The mechanism investigation results showed that the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and MHC class-II (MHC-II) expression in EC were improved. In addition, ZL capsule can attenuate the inflammatory response during MF by intervening the activation of CD4+T cell mediated by EC. For the first time, we provided evidence that ZL capsule could improve MF by alleviating EC dysfunction via the regulation of EndMT and expression of MHC-II. Taxonomy classification by evise Myocardial fibrosis, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Traditional Medicine, Endothelium, dysfunction, Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Bi
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Yanan Zhou
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Linshen Mao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Pan Liang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- State Key Laboratories for Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, 853, China
| | - Jiali Liu
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Luyin Yang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Guilin Ren
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Maryam Mazhar
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- The National T.C.M Service Export Base of the Affiliated T.C.M Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Hongping Shen
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Roman Spáčil
- The Czech Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jeremenkova 1211/40, Olomouc, 77900, Czech Republic
| | - Qing Guo
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Gang Luo
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Sijin Yang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- The National T.C.M Service Export Base of the Affiliated T.C.M Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- State Key Laboratories for Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, 853, China
| | - Wei Ren
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- The National T.C.M Service Export Base of the Affiliated T.C.M Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
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Liu Y, An Y, Li G, Wang S. Regulatory mechanism of macrophage polarization based on Hippo pathway. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1279591. [PMID: 38090595 PMCID: PMC10715437 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1279591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are found to infiltrate and migrate in a large number of Tumor-associated macrophages (TMEs) and other macrophages in the microenvironment of tumors and related diseases, and undergo phenotypic changes in response to a variety of cytokines, mainly including the primary phenotype M2 and the anti-tumor phenotype M1. The Hippo signaling pathway affects the development of cancer and other diseases through various biological processes, such as inhibition of cell growth. In this review, we focus on immune cells within the microenvironment of tumors and other diseases, and the role of the Hippo pathway in tumors on macrophage polarization in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanqing Liu
- The Clinical Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yina An
- The Clinical Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Gebin Li
- The Clinical Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuaiyu Wang
- The Clinical Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Center of Research and Innovation of Chinese Traditional Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Sun G, Wei Y, Zhu J, Zheng S, Zhang Z, Zhang D. The transcription factor T-bet promotes the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by upregulating intrahepatic inflammation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 682:266-273. [PMID: 37832383 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of the transcription factor T-bet on the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the regulation of the intrahepatic immune microenvironment. METHODS Wild-type and T-bet knockout NASH mouse models were constructed. The effect of T-bet knockout on the pathogenesis of NAFLD was observed by histochemical staining. The expression of T-bet in immune cells in the liver and the effect of T-bet knockout on the proportion and function of immune cell subsets in the liver were determined by flow analysis. RESULTS Flow cytometry results indicated that T-bet expression was increased in immune cells, especially NKT cells, in the livers of NAFLD mice. Knocking out the transcription factor T-bet reduced intrahepatic inflammation, reduced lipid accumulation, and ameliorated the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Based on the analysis of immune cell subsets, knocking out the transcription factor T-bet decreased the proportion, survival, and degree of activation of NK, NKT, and CD8 T cells in NAFLD liver; additionally, it decreased the secretion of IFN-γ by T cells and NKT cells but had no effect on the proportion of Th17 cells and Treg cells. Knocking out the transcription factor T-bet also reduced the proportion of proinflammatory myeloid-derived macrophages (MoMFs) in NAFLD liver, mainly the proportion of proinflammatory Ly6Chigh MoMFs. Furthermore, knocking out the transcription factor T-bet had no significant effect on the secretion of TNF-α from MoMFs but significantly reduced the expression of MHC class II molecules. Further analysis showed that the transcription factor T-bet may directly affect the expression of MHC class II molecules H2-AB1 and H2-Dmb1 through transcriptional regulation. CONCLUSIONS Knocking out the transcription factor T-bet reduced the proinflammatory effect of innate immune cells (MoMFs, NK cells, and NKT cells) and T lymphocytes in NAFLD liver, thereby reducing intrahepatic inflammation and delaying the pathogenesis of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyong Sun
- Immunology Research Center for Oral and Systemic Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, Capital Medical University School of Basic Medicine, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yunxiong Wei
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Jingjing Zhu
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Shimeng Zheng
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Zihan Zhang
- Immunology Research Center for Oral and Systemic Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, Capital Medical University School of Basic Medicine, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Immunology Research Center for Oral and Systemic Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, Capital Medical University School of Basic Medicine, Beijing, 100069, China; Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China.
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14
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Mitten EK, Portincasa P, Baffy G. Portal Hypertension in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Challenges and Paradigms. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:1201-1211. [PMID: 37577237 PMCID: PMC10412712 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2023.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Portal hypertension in cirrhosis is defined as an increase in the portal pressure gradient (PPG) between the portal and hepatic veins and is traditionally estimated by the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), which is the difference in pressure between the free-floating and wedged positions of a balloon catheter in the hepatic vein. By convention, HVPG≥10 mmHg indicates clinically significant portal hypertension, which is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disorder with a heterogeneous clinical course, which includes the development of portal hypertension. There is increasing evidence that portal hypertension in NAFLD deserves special considerations. First, elevated PPG often precedes fibrosis in NAFLD, suggesting a bidirectional relationship between these pathological processes. Second, HVPG underestimates PPG in NAFLD, suggesting that portal hypertension is more prevalent in this condition than currently believed. Third, cellular mechanoresponses generated early in the pathogenesis of NAFLD provide a mechanistic explanation for the pressure-fibrosis paradigm. Finally, a better understanding of liver mechanobiology in NAFLD may aid in the development of novel pharmaceutical targets for prevention and management of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie K. Mitten
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Division of Internal Medicine and Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University ‘Aldo Moro’ Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - György Baffy
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
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15
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Huang WJ, Qiu BJ, Qi XS, Chen CY, Liu WM, Zhou SA, Ding M, Lu FF, Zhao J, Tang D, Zhou X, Fu GB, Wang ZY, Ma HQ, Wu YL, Wu HP, Chen XS, Yu WF, Yan HX. CD24 +LCN2 + liver progenitor cells in ductular reaction contributed to macrophage inflammatory responses in chronic liver injury. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:184. [PMID: 37784089 PMCID: PMC10546777 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01123-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD24+CK19+/CD24+SOX9+ resident liver cells are activated and expanded after chronic liver injury in a ductular reaction. However, the sources and functions of these cells in liver damage remain disputed. RESULTS The current study combined genetic lineage tracing with in vitro small-molecule-based reprogramming to define liver progenitor cells (LPCs) derived from hepatic parenchymal and non-parenchymal tissues. tdTom+ hepatocytes were isolated from ROSA26tdTomato mice following AAV8-Tbg-Cre-mediated recombination, EpCAM+ biliary epithelial cells (BECs) from wild-type intrahepatic bile ducts and ALB/GFP-EpCAM- cells were isolated from AlbCreERT/R26GFP mice. A cocktail of small molecules was used to convert the isolated cells into LPCs. These in vitro cultured LPCs with CD24 and SOX9 expression regained the ability to proliferate. Transcriptional profiling showed that the in-vitro cultured LPCs derived from the resident LPCs in non-parenchymal tissues expressed Lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) at high levels. Accordingly, endogenous Cd24a+Lcn2+ LPCs were identified by integration of sc-RNA-sequencing and pathological datasets of liver dysfunction which indicates that LPCs produced by ductular reactions might also originate from the resident LPCs. Transplantation of in-vitro cultured Cd24a+Lcn2+ LPCs into CCl4-induced fibrotic livers exacerbated liver damage and dysfunction, possibly due to LCN2-dependent macrophage inflammatory response. CONCLUSIONS CD24+LCN2+ LPCs constituted the expanding ductular reaction and contributed to macrophage-mediated inflammation in chronic liver damage. The current findings highlight the roles of LPCs from distinct origins and expose the possibility of targeting LPCs in the treatment of chronic hepatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Jian Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Celliver Biotechnology Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Bi-Jun Qiu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University., Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Shu Qi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Cai-Yang Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Wen-Ming Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Min Ding
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng-Feng Lu
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University., Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Gong-Bo Fu
- Department of Medical Oncology, First School of Clinical Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhen-Yu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Qian Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Ling Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Ping Wu
- International Cooperation Laboratory On Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Song Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China.
| | - Wei-Feng Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200120, China.
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.
| | - He-Xin Yan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200120, China.
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.
- Celliver Biotechnology Inc., Shanghai, China.
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
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Yao L, Hu X, Yuan M, Liu P, Zhang Q, Wang Z, Chen P, Xiong Z, Wu L, Dai K, Jiang Y. Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells alleviate liver cirrhosis through the Hippo/YAP/Id1 pathway and macrophage-dependent mechanism. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 123:110456. [PMID: 37494836 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few effective anti-fibrotic therapies are currently available for liver cirrhosis. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) ameliorate liver fibrosis and contribute to liver regeneration after cirrhosis, attracting much attention as a potential therapeutic strategy for the disease. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of their therapeutic effect is still unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hUC-MSCs) in treating liver cirrhosis and their underlying mechanisms. METHODS We used carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced mice as liver cirrhosis models and treated them with hUC-MSCs via tail vein injection. We assessed the changes in liver function, inflammation, and fibrosis by histopathology and serum biochemistry and explored the mechanism of hUC-MSCs by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) using liver tissues. In addition, we investigated the effects of hUC-MSCs on hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and macrophages by in vitro co-culture experiments. RESULTS We found that hUC-MSCs considerably improved liver function and attenuated liver inflammation and fibrosis in CCl4-injured mice. We also showed that these cells exerted therapeutic effects by regulating the Hippo/YAP/Id1 axis in vivo. Our in vitro experiments demonstrated that hUC-MSCs inhibit HSC activation by regulating the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway and targeting Id1. Moreover, hUC-MSCs also alleviated liver inflammation by promoting the transformation of macrophages to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals that hUC-MSCs relieve liver cirrhosis in mice through the Hippo/YAP/Id1 pathway and macrophage-dependent mechanisms, providing a theoretical basis for the future use of these cells as a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichao Yao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengqin Yuan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Pingji Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuling Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyu Xiong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Lun Wu
- Experiment Center of Medicine, Sinopharm Dongfeng General Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442008, People's Republic of China.
| | - Kai Dai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yingan Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, People's Republic of China.
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Jiang MC, Ding HY, Huang YH, Cheng CK, Lau CW, Xia Y, Yao XQ, Wang L, Huang Y. Thioridazine protects against disturbed flow-induced atherosclerosis by inhibiting RhoA/YAP-mediated endothelial inflammation. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:1977-1988. [PMID: 37217602 PMCID: PMC10545737 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01102-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic diseases remain the leading cause of adult mortality and impose heavy burdens on health systems globally. Our previous study found that disturbed flow enhanced YAP activity to provoke endothelial activation and atherosclerosis, and targeting YAP alleviated endothelial inflammation and atherogenesis. Therefore, we established a luciferase reporter assay-based drug screening platform to seek out new YAP inhibitors for anti-atherosclerotic treatment. By screening the FDA-approved drug library, we identified that an anti-psychotic drug thioridazine markedly suppressed YAP activity in human endothelial cells. Thioridazine inhibited disturbed flow-induced endothelial inflammatory response in vivo and in vitro. We verified that the anti-inflammatory effects of thioridazine were mediated by inhibition of YAP. Thioridazine regulated YAP activity via restraining RhoA. Moreover, administration of thioridazine attenuated partial carotid ligation- and western diet-induced atherosclerosis in two mouse models. Overall, this work opens up the possibility of repurposing thioridazine for intervention of atherosclerotic diseases. This study also shed light on the underlying mechanisms that thioridazine inhibited endothelial activation and atherogenesis via repression of RhoA-YAP axis. As a new YAP inhibitor, thioridazine might need further investigation and development for the treatment of atherosclerotic diseases in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Chun Jiang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Huan-Yu Ding
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu-Hong Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chak Kwong Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi Wai Lau
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yin Xia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Yao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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18
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Dwivedi NV, Datta S, El-Kersh K, Sadikot RT, Ganti AK, Batra SK, Jain M. GPCRs and fibroblast heterogeneity in fibroblast-associated diseases. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23101. [PMID: 37486603 PMCID: PMC10916681 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest and most diverse class of signaling receptors. GPCRs regulate many functions in the human body and have earned the title of "most targeted receptors". About one-third of the commercially available drugs for various diseases target the GPCRs. Fibroblasts lay the architectural skeleton of the body, and play a key role in supporting the growth, maintenance, and repair of almost all tissues by responding to the cellular cues via diverse and intricate GPCR signaling pathways. This review discusses the dynamic architecture of the GPCRs and their intertwined signaling in pathological conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cardiac fibrosis, pancreatic fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis, and cancer as opposed to the GPCR signaling of fibroblasts in physiological conditions. Understanding the dynamics of GPCR signaling in fibroblasts with disease progression can help in the recognition of the complex interplay of different GPCR subtypes in fibroblast-mediated diseases. This review highlights the importance of designing and adaptation of next-generation strategies such as GPCR-omics, focused target identification, polypharmacology, and effective personalized medicine approaches to achieve better therapeutic outcomes for fibrosis and fibrosis associated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi V Dwivedi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Souvik Datta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Karim El-Kersh
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Ruxana T Sadikot
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System
| | - Apar K. Ganti
- VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System
- Division of Oncology and Hematology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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19
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Ishikane S, Arioka M, Takahashi-Yanaga F. Promising small molecule anti-fibrotic agents: Newly developed or repositioned drugs targeting myofibroblast transdifferentiation. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 214:115663. [PMID: 37336252 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis occurs in all organs and tissues except the brain, and its progression leads to dysfunction of affected organs. Fibrosis-induced organ dysfunction results from the loss of elasticity, strength, and functionality of tissues due to the extracellular matrix secreted by myofibroblasts that express smooth muscle-type actin as a marker. Myofibroblasts, which play a major role in fibrosis, were once thought to originate exclusively from activated fibroblasts; however, it is now clear that myofibroblasts are diverse in origin, from epithelial cells, endothelial cells, adipocytes, macrophages, and other cells. Fibrosis of vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver, is a serious chronic disease that ultimately leads to death. Currently, anti-cancer drugs have made remarkable progress, as evidenced by the development of many molecular-targeted drugs, and are making a significant contribution to improving the prognosis of cancer treatment. However, the development of anti-fibrotic agents, which also play an important role in prognosis, has lagged. In this review, the current knowledge regarding myofibroblasts is summarized, with particular attention given to their origin and transdifferentiation signaling pathways (e.g., TGF-β, Wnt/β-catenin, YAP/TAZ and AMPK signaling pathways). The development of new small molecule anti-fibrotic agents and the repositioning of existing drugs targeting myofibroblast transdifferentiation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Ishikane
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Masaki Arioka
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Fumi Takahashi-Yanaga
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan.
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20
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Yan M, Li H, Xu S, Wu J, Li J, Xiao C, Mo C, Ding BS. Targeting Endothelial Necroptosis Disrupts Profibrotic Endothelial-Hepatic Stellate Cells Crosstalk to Alleviate Liver Fibrosis in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11313. [PMID: 37511074 PMCID: PMC10379228 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases affect over a billion people worldwide and often lead to fibrosis. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a disease paralleling a worldwide surge in metabolic syndromes, is characterized by liver fibrosis, and its pathogenesis remains largely unknown, with no effective treatment available. Necroptosis has been implicated in liver fibrosis pathogenesis. However, there is a lack of research on necroptosis specific to certain cell types, particularly the vascular system, in the context of liver fibrosis and NASH. Here, we employed a mouse model of NASH in combination with inducible gene knockout mice to investigate the role of endothelial necroptosis in NASH progression. We found that endothelial cell (EC)-specific knockout of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), a critical executioner involved in the disruption of cell membranes during necroptosis, alleviated liver fibrosis in the mouse NASH model. Mechanistically, EC-specific deletion of Mlkl mitigated the activation of TGFβ/Smad 2/3 pathway, disrupting the pro-fibrotic crosstalk between endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Our findings highlight endothelial MLKL as a promising molecular target for developing therapeutic interventions for NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengli Yan
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Hui Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Shiyu Xu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Jinyan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Jiachen Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Chengju Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Chunheng Mo
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Bi-Sen Ding
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
- Fibrosis Research Program, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
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21
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Xie B, Gao D, Zhou B, Chen S, Wang L. New discoveries in the field of metabolism by applying single-cell and spatial omics. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:711-725. [PMID: 37577385 PMCID: PMC10422156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell multi-Omics (SCM-Omics) and spatial multi-Omics (SM-Omics) technologies provide state-of-the-art methods for exploring the composition and function of cell types in tissues/organs. Since its emergence in 2009, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has yielded many groundbreaking new discoveries. The combination of this method with the emergence and development of SM-Omics techniques has been a pioneering strategy in neuroscience, developmental biology, and cancer research, especially for assessing tumor heterogeneity and T-cell infiltration. In recent years, the application of these methods in the study of metabolic diseases has also increased. The emerging SCM-Omics and SM-Omics approaches allow the molecular and spatial analysis of cells to explore regulatory states and determine cell fate, and thus provide promising tools for unraveling heterogeneous metabolic processes and making them amenable to intervention. Here, we review the evolution of SCM-Omics and SM-Omics technologies, and describe the progress in the application of SCM-Omics and SM-Omics in metabolism-related diseases, including obesity, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We also conclude that the application of SCM-Omics and SM-Omics approaches can help resolve the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases in the body and facilitate therapeutic measures for metabolism-related diseases. This review concludes with an overview of the current status of this emerging field and the outlook for its future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baocai Xie
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450014, China
| | - Dengfeng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Biqiang Zhou
- Department of Geriatric & Spinal Pain Multi-Department Treatment, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Health Science Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, China
| | - Shi Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Lianrong Wang
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450014, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
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22
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Yang X, Ou Y, Yang Y, Wang L, Zhang Y, Zhao F, Shui P, Qing J. Targeting endothelial coagulation signaling ameliorates liver obstructive cholestasis and dysfunctional angiogenesis. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:1242-1253. [PMID: 37644866 PMCID: PMC10621472 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231191190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholestatic fibrogenesis is a pathobiological process in which cumulative injury to the bile ducts coincides with progressive liver fibrosis. The pathobiologic mechanisms underlying fibrogenesis and disease progression remain poorly understood. Currently, there is no effective treatment for liver fibrosis. In this study, we discovered that components of the coagulation cascade were associated with the advanced progression of obstructive cholestasis, and anticoagulant therapy could improve liver cholestasis-induced fibrosis. In a mouse model of common bile duct ligation (BDL), which mimics cholestatic liver injury, RNA sequencing analysis revealed an increased expression of coagulation factors in endothelial cells. Pharmacological targeting of the coagulation signaling by hirudin, an anticoagulatory antagonist of thrombin, ameliorated obstructive cholestasis, and attenuated liver fibrosis symptoms. Hirudin attenuated fibrosis-associated angiogenesis, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), and tissue hypoxia and reduced liver inflammation after BDL. Furthermore, hirudin suppressed YAP (Yes-associated protein) signaling and its downstream effectors in vascular endothelial cells, which are considered with profibrotic characteristics. In conclusion, we demonstrated that pharmacological targeting of coagulation signaling by hirudin has the potential to alleviate liver obstructive cholestasis and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Yangying Ou
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Ying Yang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Lu Wang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Fulan Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Pixian Shui
- Department of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Jie Qing
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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23
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Gilgenkrantz H, Paradis V, Lotersztajn S. Cell metabolism-based therapy for liver fibrosis, repair, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2023:01515467-990000000-00454. [PMID: 37212145 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Progression of chronic liver injury to fibrosis, abnormal liver regeneration, and HCC is driven by a dysregulated dialog between epithelial cells and their microenvironment, in particular immune, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. There is currently no antifibrogenic therapy, and drug treatment of HCC is limited to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy targeting the tumor microenvironment. Metabolic reprogramming of epithelial and nonparenchymal cells is critical at each stage of disease progression, suggesting that targeting specific metabolic pathways could constitute an interesting therapeutic approach. In this review, we discuss how modulating intrinsic metabolism of key effector liver cells might disrupt the pathogenic sequence from chronic liver injury to fibrosis/cirrhosis, regeneration, and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Gilgenkrantz
- Paris-Cité University, INSERM, Center for Research on Inflammation, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Paradis
- Paris-Cité University, INSERM, Center for Research on Inflammation, Paris, France
- Pathology Department, Beaujon Hospital APHP, Paris-Cité University, Clichy, France
| | - Sophie Lotersztajn
- Paris-Cité University, INSERM, Center for Research on Inflammation, Paris, France
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24
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Gong Y, Peng Q, Gao Y, Yang J, Lu J, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Liang H, Yue Y, Shi X. Dihydroartemisinin inhibited interleukin-18 expression by decreasing YAP1 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Acta Histochem 2023; 125:152040. [PMID: 37119608 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2023.152040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is highly expressed in liver cancer and has been used as an independent prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while inhibition of YAP1 slows down the progression of HCC. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) also tends to be highly expressed in liver cancer. Previous research has proved that dihydroartemisinin (DHA) plays an important role in HCC treatment by reducing YAP1 expression. However, the relationship between YAP1 and IL-18 has not been reported in HCC, especially during DHA therapy. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between YAP1 and IL-18 in HCC cells, and to explicit the role of IL-18 in the treatment of HCC by DHA. METHODS AND RESULTS We found that YAP1 and IL-18 were highly expressed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma by bioinformatics analysis. Moreover, YAP1 was positively correlated with IL18 in liver cancer. YAP1 and IL18 correlated with immune cell infiltration, notably T cell exhaustion. YAP1 knockdown decreased IL-18 expression, while YAP1 overexpression increased the IL-18 expression in HCC cells. DHA reduced IL-18 expression through YAP1 in HCC cells. Further, DHA reduced the growth of Hepa1-6 cells subcutaneous xenograft tumors by inhibiting the expression of YAP1 and IL-18. However, DHA improved IL-18 in serum and adjacent tissues from DEN/TCPOBOP-induced liver tumor model in C57BL/6 mice. CONCLUSION YAP1 was positively correlated with IL-18 in HCC. DHA reduced the expression of IL-18 by inhibiting YAP1 and plays a role in the treatment of HCC. Our study suggested that IL-18 is a potential target for the treatment of HCC, and DHA is a promising drug for HCC therapy. DATA AVAILABILITY The dataset that supports the findings of this study is available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Gong
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Qing Peng
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yuting Gao
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong 030619, China
| | - Jiali Yang
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Junlan Lu
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yuman Zhang
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yanguang Yang
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Hua Liang
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yuan Yue
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Xinli Shi
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China.
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25
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Duan JL, Liu JJ, Ruan B, Ding J, Fang ZQ, Xu H, Song P, Xu C, Li ZW, Du W, Xu M, Ling YW, He F, Wang L. Age-related liver endothelial zonation triggers steatohepatitis by inactivating pericentral endothelium-derived C-kit. Nat Aging 2023; 3:258-274. [PMID: 37118422 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-022-00348-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Aging leads to systemic metabolic disorders, including steatosis. Here we show that liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) senescence accelerates liver sinusoid capillarization and promotes steatosis by reprogramming liver endothelial zonation and inactivating pericentral endothelium-derived C-kit, which is a type III receptor tyrosine kinase. Specifically, inhibition of endothelial C-kit triggers cellular senescence, perturbing LSEC homeostasis in male mice. During diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) development, Kit deletion worsens hepatic steatosis and exacerbates NASH-associated fibrosis and inflammation. Mechanistically, C-kit transcriptionally inhibits chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor (CXCR)4 via CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α (CEBPA). Blocking CXCR4 signaling abolishes LSEC-macrophage-neutrophil cross-talk and leads to the recovery of C-kit-deficient mice with NASH. Of therapeutic relevance, infusing C-kit-expressing LSECs into aged mice or mice with diet-induced NASH counteracts age-associated senescence and steatosis and improves the symptoms of diet-induced NASH by restoring metabolic homeostasis of the pericentral liver endothelium. Our work provides an alternative approach that could be useful for treating aging- and diet-induced NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Li Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing-Jing Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bai Ruan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
- Center of Clinical Aerospace Medicine and Department of Aviation Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jian Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Fang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ping Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhi-Wen Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Du
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ming Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yu-Wei Ling
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fei He
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
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26
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Kohlhepp MS, Liu H, Tacke F, Guillot A. The contradictory roles of macrophages in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and primary liver cancer-Challenges and opportunities. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1129831. [PMID: 36845555 PMCID: PMC9950415 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1129831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases from varying etiologies generally lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Among them, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects roughly one-quarter of the world population, thus representing a major and increasing public health burden. Chronic hepatocyte injury, inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, NASH) and liver fibrosis are recognized soils for primary liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), being the third most common cause for cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite recent advances in liver disease understanding, therapeutic options on pre-malignant and malignant stages remain limited. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify targetable liver disease-driving mechanisms for the development of novel therapeutics. Monocytes and macrophages comprise a central, yet versatile component of the inflammatory response, fueling chronic liver disease initiation and progression. Recent proteomic and transcriptomic studies performed at singular cell levels revealed a previously overlooked diversity of macrophage subpopulations and functions. Indeed, liver macrophages that encompass liver resident macrophages (also named Kupffer cells) and monocyte-derived macrophages, can acquire a variety of phenotypes depending on microenvironmental cues, and thus exert manifold and sometimes contradictory functions. Those functions range from modulating and exacerbating tissue inflammation to promoting and exaggerating tissue repair mechanisms (i.e., parenchymal regeneration, cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, fibrosis). Due to these central functions, liver macrophages represent an attractive target for the treatment of liver diseases. In this review, we discuss the multifaceted and contrary roles of macrophages in chronic liver diseases, with a particular focus on NAFLD/NASH and HCC. Moreover, we discuss potential therapeutic approaches targeting liver macrophages.
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Zhang N, Yao H, Zhang Z, Li Z, Chen X, Zhao Y, Ju R, He J, Pan H, Liu X, Lv Y. Ongoing involvers and promising therapeutic targets of hepatic fibrosis: The hepatic immune microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1131588. [PMID: 36875101 PMCID: PMC9978172 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1131588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is often secondary to chronic inflammatory liver injury. During the development of hepatic fibrosis, the damaged hepatocytes and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) caused by the pathogenic injury could secrete a variety of cytokines and chemokines, which will chemotactic innate and adaptive immune cells of liver tissue and peripheral circulation infiltrating into the injury site, mediating the immune response against injury and promoting tissue reparation. However, the continuous release of persistent injurious stimulus-induced inflammatory cytokines will promote HSCs-mediated fibrous tissue hyperproliferation and excessive repair, which will cause hepatic fibrosis development and progression to cirrhosis even liver cancer. And the activated HSCs can secrete various cytokines and chemokines, which directly interact with immune cells and actively participate in liver disease progression. Therefore, analyzing the changes in local immune homeostasis caused by immune response under different pathological states will greatly enrich our understanding of liver diseases' reversal, chronicity, progression, and even deterioration of liver cancer. In this review, we summarized the critical components of the hepatic immune microenvironment (HIME), different sub-type immune cells, and their released cytokines, according to their effect on the development of progression of hepatic fibrosis. And we also reviewed and analyzed the specific changes and the related mechanisms of the immune microenvironment in different chronic liver diseases.Moreover, we retrospectively analyzed whether the progression of hepatic fibrosis could be alleviated by modulating the HIME.We aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis and provide the possibility for exploring the therapeutic targets for hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Zhang
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Huimin Yao
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhixuan Zhang
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhuoqun Li
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xue Chen
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ran Ju
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiayi He
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Heli Pan
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yi Lv
- Institute of Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine, Med-X Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Center for Regenerative Medicine and Surgical Engineering, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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28
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Fu M, Hu Y, Lan T, Guan KL, Luo T, Luo M. The Hippo signalling pathway and its implications in human health and diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:376. [PMID: 36347846 PMCID: PMC9643504 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01191-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
As an evolutionarily conserved signalling network, the Hippo pathway plays a crucial role in the regulation of numerous biological processes. Thus, substantial efforts have been made to understand the upstream signals that influence the activity of the Hippo pathway, as well as its physiological functions, such as cell proliferation and differentiation, organ growth, embryogenesis, and tissue regeneration/wound healing. However, dysregulation of the Hippo pathway can cause a variety of diseases, including cancer, eye diseases, cardiac diseases, pulmonary diseases, renal diseases, hepatic diseases, and immune dysfunction. Therefore, therapeutic strategies that target dysregulated Hippo components might be promising approaches for the treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases. Here, we review the key components and upstream signals of the Hippo pathway, as well as the critical physiological functions controlled by the Hippo pathway. Additionally, diseases associated with alterations in the Hippo pathway and potential therapies targeting Hippo components will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyang Fu
- Breast Disease Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, South of Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Hu
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology Nursing, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianxia Lan
- Breast Disease Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, South of Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Kun-Liang Guan
- Department of Pharmacology and Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ting Luo
- Breast Disease Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, South of Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, China.
| | - Min Luo
- Breast Disease Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, South of Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, China.
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29
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Chen Y, Ding BS. Comprehensive Review of the Vascular Niche in Regulating Organ Regeneration and Fibrosis. Stem Cells Transl Med 2022; 11:1135-1142. [PMID: 36169406 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szac070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The vasculature occupies a large area of the body, and none of the physiological activities can be carried out without blood vessels. Blood vessels are not just passive conduits and barriers for delivering blood and nutrients. Meanwhile, endothelial cells covering the vascular lumen establish vascular niches by deploying some growth factors, known as angiocrine factors, and actively participate in the regulation of a variety of physiological processes, such as organ regeneration and fibrosis and the occurrence and development of cancer. After organ injury, vascular endothelial cells regulate the repair process by secreting various angiocrine factors, triggering the proliferation and differentiation process of stem cells. Therefore, analyzing the vascular niche and exploring the factors that maintain vascular homeostasis can provide strong theoretical support for clinical treatment targeting blood vessels. Here we mainly discuss the regulatory mechanisms of the vascular niche in organ regeneration and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Chen
- The Department of Endovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Bi-Sen Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
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30
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Wang L, Zhang Y, Ren Y, Yang X, Ben H, Zhao F, Yang S, Wang L, Qing J. Pharmacological targeting of cGAS/STING-YAP axis suppresses pathological angiogenesis and ameliorates organ fibrosis. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 932:175241. [PMID: 36058291 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Organ fibrosis is accompanied by pathological angiogenesis. Discovering new ways to ameliorate pathological angiogenesis may bypass organ fibrosis. The cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-adenosine monophosphate (AMP) synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway has been implicated in organ injuries and its activation inhibits endothelial proliferation. Currently, a controversy exists as to whether cGAS/STING activation exacerbates inflammation and tissue injury or mitigates damage, and whether one of these effects predominates under specific context. This study unveiled a new antifibrotic cGAS/STING signaling pathway that suppresses pathological angiogenesis in liver and kidney fibrosis. We showed that cGAS expression was induced in fibrotic liver and kidney, but suppressed in endothelial cells. cGAS genetic deletion promoted liver and kidney fibrosis and pathological angiogenesis, including occurrence of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Meanwhile, cGAS deletion upregulated profibrotic Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling in endothelial cells, which was evidenced by the attenuation of organ fibrosis in mice specifically lacking endothelial YAP. Pharmacological targeting of cGAS/STING-YAP signaling by both a small-molecule STING agonist, SR-717, and a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-based antagonist that blocks the profibrotic activity of endothelial YAP, attenuated liver and kidney fibrosis. Together, our data support that activation of cGAS/STING signaling mitigates organ fibrosis and suppresses pathological angiogenesis. Further, pharmacological targeting of cGAS/STING-YAP axis exhibits the potential to alleviate liver and kidney fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Yafeng Ren
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Haijing Ben
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Fulan Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Sijin Yang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China; Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Li Wang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China.
| | - Jie Qing
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China; Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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31
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Luo N, Zhong W, Li J, Lu J, Dong R. CRISPR/dCas9 for hepatic fibrosis therapy: implications and challenges. Mol Biol Rep 2022. [PMID: 35960410 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07713-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a pathological reaction of tissue damage and repair caused by various pathogenic factors acting on liver. At present, there is no effective anti-fibrotic specific therapy. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (dCas9) system is a new generation of gene editing technology. The CRISPR/dCas9 system provides a platform for studying site-specific transcriptional regulation, which has high efficiency in gene transcriptional activation for achieving robust. This system holds promise for hepatic fibrosis therapy via acting on liver fibrosis effector cells. However, there are some challenges associated with this novel technology, such as large structural variants at on-target, off-target sites, and targeted delivery efficiency. In this review, we present the potential implications and describe the challenges of CRISPR/dCas9 system that might be encountered in hepatic fibrosis therapy.
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Chen D, Zhang H, Zhang X, Sun X, Qin Q, Hou Y, Jia M, Chen Y. Roles of Yes-associated protein and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif in non-neoplastic liver diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113166. [PMID: 35609372 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of liver disease has been increasing worldwide. Moreover, the burden of end-stage liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer, is high because of high mortality and suboptimal treatment. The pathological process of liver disease includes steatosis, hepatocyte death, and fibrosis, which ultimately lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Clinical and preclinical evidence indicates that non-neoplastic liver diseases, particularly cirrhosis, are major risk factors for liver cancer, although the mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are transcriptional activators that regulate organ size and cancer development. YAP and TAZ play important roles in liver development, regeneration, and homeostasis. Abnormal YAP and TAZ levels have also been implicated in non-neoplastic liver diseases (e.g., non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, liver injury, and liver fibrosis). Here, we review recent findings on the roles of YAP and TAZ in non-neoplastic liver diseases and discuss directions for future research. This review provides a basis for the study of non-neoplastic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Chen
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China; School of Basic and Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Xia Sun
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China; School of Basic and Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Qiaohong Qin
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Ying Hou
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Min Jia
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China
| | - Yulong Chen
- Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China.
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33
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Mia MM, Singh MK. New Insights into Hippo/YAP Signaling in Fibrotic Diseases. Cells 2022; 11:2065. [PMID: 35805148 PMCID: PMC9265296 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis results from defective wound healing processes often seen after chronic injury and/or inflammation in a range of organs. Progressive fibrotic events may lead to permanent organ damage/failure. The hallmark of fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), mostly produced by pathological myofibroblasts and myofibroblast-like cells. The Hippo signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved kinase cascade, which has been described well for its crucial role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell fate decisions, and stem cell self-renewal during development, homeostasis, and tissue regeneration. Recent investigations in clinical and pre-clinical models has shown that the Hippo signaling pathway is linked to the pathophysiology of fibrotic diseases in many organs including the lung, heart, liver, kidney, and skin. In this review, we have summarized recent evidences related to the contribution of the Hippo signaling pathway in the development of organ fibrosis. A better understanding of this pathway will guide us to dissect the pathophysiology of fibrotic disorders and develop effective tissue repair therapies.
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Gao AY, Link PA, Bakri SJ, Haak AJ. Dopamine Receptor Signaling Regulates Fibrotic Activation of Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 323:C116-C124. [PMID: 35544697 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00468.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells play an important role in retinal fibrotic diseases such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). The purpose of this study was to elucidate the involvement of dopamine receptor signaling in regulating the fibrotic activation of RPE cells. Dopamine receptor expression, the effect of dopamine on fibrotic activity, and dopamine production were measured in the human RPE cell line ARPE-19. The fibrotic activation of RPE cells was evaluated in response to treatments with selective dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists by measuring gene expression, migration, proliferation, and fibronectin deposition. DRD2 and DRD5 are the dominant dopaminergic receptors expressed in ARPE-19 cells and TGFβ stimulates enhances autocrine release of dopamine which we show further exasperates fibrotic activation. Finally, treatment with D2 dopamine receptor antagonists or D5 dopamine receptor agonists inhibits profibrotic gene expression, migration, proliferation, and fibronectin deposition and thus may serve as effective mechanisms for treating retinal fibrosis including PVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Y Gao
- Mayo Clinic, Department of Ophthalmology, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Patrick A Link
- Mayo Clinic, Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Sophie J Bakri
- Mayo Clinic, Department of Ophthalmology, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Andrew J Haak
- Mayo Clinic, Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Rochester, MN, United States
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35
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Abstract
The Hippo signalling pathway has emerged as a major player in many aspects of liver biology, such as development, cell fate determination, homeostatic function and regeneration from injury. The regulation of Hippo signalling is complex, with activation of the pathway by diverse upstream inputs including signals from cellular adhesion, mechanotransduction and crosstalk with other signalling pathways. Pathological activation of the downstream transcriptional co-activators yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ, encoded by WWTR1), which are negatively regulated by Hippo signalling, has been implicated in multiple aspects of chronic liver disease, such as the development of liver fibrosis and tumorigenesis. Thus, development of pharmacological inhibitors of YAP-TAZ signalling has been an area of great interest. In this Review, we summarize the diverse roles of Hippo signalling in liver biology and highlight areas where outstanding questions remain to be investigated. Greater understanding of the mechanisms of Hippo signalling in liver function should help facilitate the development of novel therapies for the treatment of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn O Russell
- Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Fernando D Camargo
- Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Zhang Y, Yang X, Bi T, Wu X, Wang L, Ren Y, Ou Y, Xie C, Li K, Ran H, Wang J, Zhao F, Shui P, Qing J. Targeted inhibition of the immunoproteasome blocks endothelial MHC class II antigen presentation to CD4 + T cells in chronic liver injury. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 107:108639. [PMID: 35219165 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic or overwhelming liver injury is frequently associated with fibrosis, which is the main histological characteristic of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Currently, there is no effective treatment for liver fibrosis. Adaptive immunity is one of the perpetrators of liver inflammation and involves the antigen-specific activation of lymphocytes. Targeting adaptive immunity has been proposed as a novel therapeutic approach for NASH. In this study, we demonstrated that liver endothelial cells contribute to MHC class II (MHC-II) antigen presentation to CD4+ T cells after chronic liver injury. In human cirrhotic liver samples, we observed an increased expression of endothelial MHC-II and of the antigen presentation-associated protein LMP7, which is one of the proteolytically active subunits of the immunoproteasome. In a CCl4-induced chronic injury model or a diet- and chemical-induced NASH model, endothelial MHC-II and LMP7 expression was induced to increase. PR-957, a selective inhibitor of the immunoproteasome, inhibited MHC-II expression in endothelial cells and CD4+ T cell response after chronic liver injury. In vitro experiment demonstrated PR-957 also reversed IFN-γ-induced upregulation of MHC-II in endothelial cells. Furthermore, PR-957 treatment or CD4+ T cell depletion in chronic liver injury alleviated liver fibrosis and reduced inflammation, as indicated by the downregulation of inflammatory response markers (F4/80, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-18). In conclusion, targeted inhibition of the immunoproteasome blocks endothelial MHC-II antigen presentation to CD4+ T cells in chronic liver injury. In this regard, the PR-957 inhibitor is a promising candidate for the development of future therapies against NASH.
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Cai Q, Gan C, Tang C, Wu H, Gao J. Mechanism and Therapeutic Opportunities of Histone Modifications in Chronic Liver Disease. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:784591. [PMID: 34887768 PMCID: PMC8650224 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.784591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver disease (CLD) represents a global health problem, accounting for the heavy burden of disability and increased health care utilization. Epigenome alterations play an important role in the occurrence and progression of CLD. Histone modifications, which include acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation, represent an essential part of epigenetic modifications that affect the transcriptional activity of genes. Different from genetic mutations, histone modifications are plastic and reversible. They can be modulated pharmacologically without changing the DNA sequence. Thus, there might be chances to establish interventional solutions by targeting histone modifications to reverse CLD. Here we summarized the roles of histone modifications in the context of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), viral hepatitis, autoimmune liver disease, drug-induced liver injury (DILI), and liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. The potential targets of histone modifications for translation into therapeutics were also investigated. In prospect, high efficacy and low toxicity drugs that are selectively targeting histone modifications are required to completely reverse CLD and prevent the development of liver cirrhosis and malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyu Cai
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Can Gan
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengwei Tang
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinhang Gao
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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