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Xiao MH, Wu S, Liang P, Ma D, Zhang J, Chen H, Zhong Z, Liu J, Jiang H, Feng X, Luo Z. Mucosal-associated invariant T cells promote ductular reaction through amphiregulin in biliary atresia. EBioMedicine 2024; 103:105138. [PMID: 38678809 PMCID: PMC11077624 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biliary atresia (BA) is a neonatal fibro-inflammatory cholangiopathy with ductular reaction as a key pathogenic feature predicting poor survival. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are enriched in human liver and display multiple roles in liver diseases. We aimed to investigate the function of MAIT cells in BA. METHODS First, we analyzed correlations between liver MAIT cell and clinical parameters (survival, alanine transaminase, bilirubin, histological inflammation and fibrosis) in two public cohorts of patients with BA (US and China). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and spearman correlation analysis were employed for survival data and other clinical parameters, respectively. Next, we obtained liver samples or peripheral blood from BA and control patients for bulk RNA sequencing, flow cytometry analysis, immunostaning and functional experiments of MAIT cells. Finally, we established two in vitro co-culture systems, one is the rhesus rotavirus (RRV) infected co-culture system to model immune dysfunction of human BA which was validated by single cell RNA sequencing and the other is a multicellular system composed of biliary organoids, LX-2 and MAIT cells to evaluate the role of MAIT cells on ductular reaction. FINDINGS Liver MAIT cells in BA were positively associated with low survival and ductular reaction. Moreover, liver MAIT cells were activated, exhibited a wound healing signature and highly expressed growth factor Amphiregulin (AREG) in a T cell receptor (TCR)-dependent manner. Antagonism of AREG abrogated the proliferative effect of BA MAIT cells on both cholangiocytes and biliary organoids. A RRV infected co-culture system, recapitulated immune dysfunction of human BA, disclosed that RRV-primed MAIT cells promoted cholangiocyte proliferation via AREG, and further induced inflammation and fibrosis in the multicellular system. INTERPRETATION MAIT cells exhibit a wound healing signature depending on TCR signaling and promote ductular reaction via AREG, which is associated with advanced fibrosis and predictive of low survival in BA. FUNDING This work was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China grant (82001589 and 92168108), National Key R&D Program of China (2023YFA1801600) and by Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong (2020A1515110921).
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Huan Xiao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China; Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Sihan Wu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Peishi Liang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Dong Ma
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Jiang Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Huadong Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Zhihai Zhong
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Juncheng Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China.
| | - Xuyang Feng
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China.
| | - Zhenhua Luo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China; Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China.
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Huang W, Qian Y, Lin J, Wang F, Kong X, Tan W. Baicalein alleviates intrahepatic cholestasis by regulating bile acid metabolism via an FXR-dependent manner. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 705:149670. [PMID: 38442444 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Cholestasis is characterized by impaired bile secretion and flow, leading to the accumulation of toxic bile acids in the liver, further causing inflammatory reaction, fibrosis, and ultimately liver transplantation. Although first-line clinical agents such as Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and Obeticholic acid (OCA) are available, serious side effects still exist. Therefore, pharmacologic treatment of cholestatic liver disease remains challenging. Here, we used a murine model of cholestasis treated with or without intraperitoneal injection of baicalein and found that baicalein could attenuate 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet-induced inflammatory response, ductular reaction, liver fibrosis, and bile acid metabolism disorders. Furthermore, the therapeutic effect of baicalein was hampered in the presence of Guggulsterone (GS), an Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) antagonist. These results indicated that baicalein alleviated DDC diet-induced cholestatic liver injury in an FXR-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifan Huang
- Central Laboratory, ShuGuang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihan Qian
- Central Laboratory, ShuGuang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiacheng Lin
- Central Laboratory, ShuGuang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Central Laboratory, ShuGuang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoni Kong
- Central Laboratory, ShuGuang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Weifeng Tan
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Xie L, Chen H, Zhang L, Ma Y, Zhou Y, Yang YY, Liu C, Wang YL, Yan YJ, Ding J, Teng X, Yang Q, Liu XP, Wu J. JCAD deficiency attenuates activation of hepatic stellate cells and cholestatic fibrosis. Clin Mol Hepatol 2024; 30:206-224. [PMID: 38190829 PMCID: PMC11016487 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2023.0506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Cholestatic liver diseases including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are associated with active hepatic fibrogenesis, which ultimately progresses to cirrhosis. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main fibrogenic effectors in response to cholangiocyte damage. JCAD regulates cell proliferation and malignant transformation in nonalcoholic steatoheaptitis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (NASH-HCC). However, its participation in cholestatic fibrosis has not been explored yet. METHODS Serial sections of liver tissue of PBC patients were stained with immunofluorescence. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in wild-type (WT), global JCAD knockout mice (JCAD-KO) and HSC-specific JCAD knockout mice (HSC-JCAD-KO), and evaluated by histopathology and biochemical tests. In situ-activated HSCs isolated from BDL mice were used to determine effects of JCAD on HSC activation. RESULTS In consistence with staining of liver sections from PBC patients, immunofluorescent staining revealed that JCAD expression was identified in smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA)-positive fibroblast-like cells and was significantly up-regulated in WT mice with BDL. JCAD deficiency remarkably ameliorated BDL-induced hepatic injury and fibrosis, as documented by liver hydroxyproline content, when compared to WT mice with BDL. Histopathologically, collagen deposition was dramatically reduced in both JCAD-KO and HSC-JCAD-KO mice compared to WT mice, as visualized by Trichrome staining and semi-quantitative scores. Moreover, JCAD deprivation significantly attenuated in situ HSC activation and reduced expression of fibrotic genes after BDL. CONCLUSION JCAD deficiency effectively suppressed hepatic fibrosis induced by BDL in mice, and the underlying mechanisms are largely through suppressed Hippo-YAP signaling activity in HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xie
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Ma
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Yu Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Li Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Jun Yan
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jing’an District Central Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Teng
- HistoIndex Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qiang Yang
- Hangzhou Choutu Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiu-Ping Liu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Liver Diseases, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
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4
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Ye L, Ziesch A, Schneider JS, Ofner A, Nieß H, Denk G, Hohenester S, Mayr D, Mahajan UM, Munker S, Khaled NB, Wimmer R, Gerbes AL, Mayerle J, He Y, Geier A, Toni END, Zhang C, Reiter FP. The inhibition of YAP Signaling Prevents Chronic Biliary Fibrosis in the Abcb4 -/- Model by Modulation of Hepatic Stellate Cell and Bile Duct Epithelium Cell Pathophysiology. Aging Dis 2024; 15:338-356. [PMID: 37307826 PMCID: PMC10796084 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) represents a chronic liver disease characterized by poor prognosis and lacking causal treatment options. Yes-associated protein (YAP) functions as a critical mediator of fibrogenesis; however, its therapeutic potential in chronic biliary diseases such as PSC remains unestablished. The objective of this study is to elucidate the possible significance of YAP inhibition in biliary fibrosis by examining the pathophysiology of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and biliary epithelial cells (BEC). Human liver tissue samples from PSC patients were analyzed to assess the expression of YAP/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) relative to non-fibrotic control samples. The pathophysiological relevance of YAP/CTGF in HSC and BEC was investigated in primary human HSC (phHSC), LX-2, H69, and TFK-1 cell lines through siRNA or pharmacological inhibition utilizing verteporfin (VP) and metformin (MF). The Abcb4-/- mouse model was employed to evaluate the protective effects of pharmacological YAP inhibition. Hanging droplet and 3D matrigel culture techniques were utilized to investigate YAP expression and activation status of phHSC under various physical conditions. YAP/CTGF upregulation was observed in PSC patients. Silencing YAP/CTGF led to inhibition of phHSC activation and reduced contractility of LX-2 cells, as well as suppression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in H69 cells and proliferation of TFK-1 cells. Pharmacological inhibition of YAP mitigated chronic liver fibrosis in vivo and diminished ductular reaction and EMT. YAP expression in phHSC was effectively modulated by altering extracellular stiffness, highlighting YAP's role as a mechanotransducer. In conclusion, YAP regulates the activation of HSC and EMT in BEC, thereby functioning as a checkpoint of fibrogenesis in chronic cholestasis. Both VP and MF demonstrate effectiveness as YAP inhibitors, capable of inhibiting biliary fibrosis. These findings suggest that VP and MF warrant further investigation as potential therapeutic options for the treatment of PSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangtao Ye
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | - Andreas Ziesch
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | | | - Andrea Ofner
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | - Hanno Nieß
- Biobank of the Department of General, Visceral and Transplantion Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | - Gerald Denk
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | - Simon Hohenester
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | - Doris Mayr
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | - Ujjwal M. Mahajan
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | - Stefan Munker
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | - Najib Ben Khaled
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | - Ralf Wimmer
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | | | - Julia Mayerle
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | - Yulong He
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Andreas Geier
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Enrico N. De Toni
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | - Changhua Zhang
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Florian P. Reiter
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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5
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Sinha S, Hassan N, Schwartz RE. Organelle stress and alterations in interorganelle crosstalk during liver fibrosis. Hepatology 2024; 79:482-501. [PMID: 36626634 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The synchronous functioning and quality control of organelles ensure cell survival and function and are essential for maintaining homeostasis. Prolonged exposure to stressors (viruses, bacteria, parasitic infections, alcohol, drugs) or genetic mutations often disrupt the functional integrity of organelles which plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of several diseases including chronic liver diseases. One of the most important pathologic consequences of chronic liver diseases is liver fibrosis, characterized by tissue scarring due to the progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix components. Left untreated, fibrosis may advance to life-threatening complications such as cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and HCC, which collectively accounts for ∼1 million deaths per year worldwide. Owing to the lack of treatment options that can regress or reverse cirrhosis, liver transplantation is currently the only available treatment for end-stage liver disease. However, the limited supply of usable donor organs, adverse effects of lifelong immunosuppressive regimes, and financial considerations pose major challenges and limit its application. Hence, effective therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. An improved understanding of the organelle-level regulation of fibrosis can help devise effective antifibrotic therapies focused on reducing organelle stress, limiting organelle damage, improving interorganelle crosstalk, and restoring organelle homeostasis; and could be a potential clinical option to avoid transplantation. This review provides a timely update on the recent findings and mechanisms covering organelle-specific dysfunctions in liver fibrosis, highlights how correction of organelle functions opens new treatment avenues and discusses the potential challenges to clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saloni Sinha
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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6
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Rizvi F, Lee YR, Diaz-Aragon R, Bawa PS, So J, Florentino RM, Wu S, Sarjoo A, Truong E, Smith AR, Wang F, Everton E, Ostrowska A, Jung K, Tam Y, Muramatsu H, Pardi N, Weissman D, Soto-Gutierrez A, Shin D, Gouon-Evans V. VEGFA mRNA-LNP promotes biliary epithelial cell-to-hepatocyte conversion in acute and chronic liver diseases and reverses steatosis and fibrosis. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:1640-1657.e8. [PMID: 38029740 PMCID: PMC10843608 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The liver is known for its remarkable regenerative ability through proliferation of hepatocytes. Yet, during chronic injury or severe hepatocyte death, proliferation of hepatocytes is exhausted. To overcome this hurdle, we propose vascular-endothelial-growth-factor A (VEGFA) as a therapeutic means to accelerate biliary epithelial-cell (BEC)-to-hepatocyte conversion. Investigation in zebrafish establishes that blocking VEGF receptors abrogates BEC-driven liver repair, while VEGFA overexpression promotes it. Delivery of VEGFA via nonintegrative and safe nucleoside-modified mRNA encapsulated into lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNPs) in acutely or chronically injured mouse livers induces robust BEC-to-hepatocyte conversion and elimination of steatosis and fibrosis. In human and murine diseased livers, we further identified VEGFA-receptor KDR-expressing BECs associated with KDR-expressing cell-derived hepatocytes. This work defines KDR-expressing cells, most likely being BECs, as facultative progenitors. This study reveals unexpected therapeutic benefits of VEGFA delivered via nucleoside-modified mRNA-LNP, whose safety is widely validated with COVID-19 vaccines, for harnessing BEC-driven repair to potentially treat liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Rizvi
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Yu-Ri Lee
- Department of Developmental Biology, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Ricardo Diaz-Aragon
- Department of Pathology, Center for Transcriptional Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Pushpinder S Bawa
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Juhoon So
- Department of Developmental Biology, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Rodrigo M Florentino
- Department of Pathology, Center for Transcriptional Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Susan Wu
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Arianna Sarjoo
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Emily Truong
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Anna R Smith
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Feiya Wang
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Elissa Everton
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Alina Ostrowska
- Department of Pathology, Center for Transcriptional Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kyounghwa Jung
- Department of Developmental Biology, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Ying Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Hiromi Muramatsu
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Norbert Pardi
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 10104, USA
| | - Alejandro Soto-Gutierrez
- Department of Pathology, Center for Transcriptional Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Donghun Shin
- Department of Developmental Biology, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Valerie Gouon-Evans
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
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7
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Kirchner VA, Badshah JS, Kyun Hong S, Martinez O, Pruett TL, Niedernhofer LJ. Effect of Cellular Senescence in Disease Progression and Transplantation: Immune Cells and Solid Organs. Transplantation 2023:00007890-990000000-00593. [PMID: 37953486 PMCID: PMC11089077 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Aging of the world population significantly impacts healthcare globally and specifically, the field of transplantation. Together with end-organ dysfunction and prolonged immunosuppression, age increases the frequency of comorbid chronic diseases in transplant candidates and recipients, contributing to inferior outcomes. Although the frequency of death increases with age, limited use of organs from older deceased donors reflects the concerns about organ durability and inadequate function. Cellular senescence (CS) is a hallmark of aging, which occurs in response to a myriad of cellular stressors, leading to activation of signaling cascades that stably arrest cell cycle progression to prevent tumorigenesis. In aging and chronic conditions, senescent cells accumulate as the immune system's ability to clear them wanes, which is causally implicated in the progression of chronic diseases, immune dysfunction, organ damage, decreased regenerative capacity, and aging itself. The intimate interplay between senescent cells, their proinflammatory secretome, and immune cells results in a positive feedback loop, propagating chronic sterile inflammation and the spread of CS. Hence, senescent cells in organs from older donors trigger the recipient's alloimmune response, resulting in the increased risk of graft loss. Eliminating senescent cells or attenuating their inflammatory phenotype is a novel, potential therapeutic target to improve transplant outcomes and expand utilization of organs from older donors. This review focuses on the current knowledge about the impact of CS on circulating immune cells in the context of organ damage and disease progression, discusses the impact of CS on abdominal solid organs that are commonly transplanted, and reviews emerging therapies that target CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varvara A. Kirchner
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Joshua S. Badshah
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Suk Kyun Hong
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Olivia Martinez
- Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Timothy L. Pruett
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Laura J. Niedernhofer
- Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
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8
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Jeong J, Tanaka M, Yang Y, Arefyev N, DiRito J, Tietjen G, Zhang X, McConnell MJ, Utsumi T, Iwakiri Y. An optimized visualization and quantitative protocol for in-depth evaluation of lymphatic vessel architecture in the liver. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2023; 325:G379-G390. [PMID: 37605828 PMCID: PMC10887843 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00139.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
The liver lymphatic system is essential for maintaining tissue fluid balance and immune function. The detailed structure of lymphatic vessels (LVs) in the liver remains to be fully demonstrated. The aim of this study is to reveal LV structures in normal and diseased livers by developing a tissue-clearing and coimmunolabeling protocol optimized for the tissue size and the processing time for three-dimensional (3-D) visualization and quantification of LVs in the liver. We showed that our optimized protocol enables in-depth exploration of lymphatic networks in the liver, consisting of LVs along the portal tract (deep lymphatic system) and within the collagenous Glisson's capsule (superficial lymphatic system) in different species. With this protocol, we have shown 3-D LVs configurations in relation to blood vessels and bile ducts in cholestatic mouse livers, in which LVs were highly dilated and predominantly found around highly proliferating bile ducts and peribiliary vascular plexuses in the portal tract. We also established a quantification method using a 3-D volume-rendering approach. We observed a 1.6-fold (P < 0.05) increase in the average diameter of LVs and a 2.4-fold increase (P < 0.05) in the average branch number of LVs in cholestatic/fibrotic livers compared with control livers. Furthermore, cholestatic/fibrotic livers showed a 4.3-fold increase (P < 0.05) in total volume of LVs compared with control livers. Our optimized protocol and quantification method demonstrate an efficient and simple liver tissue-clearing procedure that allows the comprehensive analysis of liver lymphatic system.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This article showed a comprehensive 3-D-structural analysis of liver lymphatic vessel (LV) in normal and diseased livers in relation to blood vessels and bile ducts. In addition to the LVs highly localized at the portal tract, we revealed capsular LVs in mouse, rat, and human livers. In cholestatic livers, LVs are significantly increased and dilated compared with normal livers. Our optimized protocol provides detailed spatial information for LVs remodeling in normal and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jain Jeong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Masatake Tanaka
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Division of Pathophysiology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation and Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yilin Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Nikolai Arefyev
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Jenna DiRito
- Department of Surgery, Section of Organ Transplantation and Immunology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Gregory Tietjen
- Department of Surgery, Section of Organ Transplantation and Immunology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Xuchen Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Matthew J McConnell
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Teruo Utsumi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Yasuko Iwakiri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
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9
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Sako S, Takeshita Y, Takayama H, Goto H, Nakano Y, Ando H, Tsujiguchi H, Yamashita T, Arai K, Kaneko S, Nakamura H, Harada K, Honda M, Takamura T. Trajectories of Liver Fibrosis and Gene Expression Profiles in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Associated With Diabetes. Diabetes 2023; 72:1297-1306. [PMID: 37343270 DOI: 10.2337/db22-0933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms linking steatosis to fibrosis is needed to establish a promising therapy against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to clarify clinical features and hepatic gene expression signatures that predict and contribute to liver fibrosis development during the long-term real-world histological course of NAFLD in subjects with and without diabetes. A pathologist scored 342 serial liver biopsy samples from 118 subjects clinically diagnosed with NAFLD during a 3.8-year (SD 3.45 years, maximum 15 years) course of clinical treatment. At the initial biopsy, 26 subjects had simple fatty liver, and 92 had nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In the trend analysis, the fibrosis-4 index (P < 0.001) and its components at baseline predicted the future fibrosis progression. In the generalized linear mixed model, an increase in HbA1c, but not BMI, was significantly associated with fibrosis progression (standardized coefficient 0.17 [95% CI 0.009-0.326]; P = 0.038) for subjects with NAFLD and diabetes. In gene set enrichment analyses, the pathways involved in zone 3 hepatocytes, central liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), stellate cells, and plasma cells were coordinately altered in association with fibrosis progression and HbA1c elevation. Therefore, in subjects with NAFLD and diabetes, HbA1c elevation was significantly associated with liver fibrosis progression, independent of weight gain, which may be a valuable therapeutic target to prevent the pathological progression of NASH. Gene expression profiles suggest that diabetes-induced hypoxia and oxidative stress injure LSECs in zone 3 hepatocytes, which may mediate inflammation and stellate cell activation, leading to liver fibrosis. ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS It remains uncertain how diabetes and obesity contribute to histological courses of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Clinical features and gene expression signatures that predict or are associated with future liver fibrosis development were assessed in a serial liver biopsy study of subjects with NAFLD. An increase in HbA1c, but not BMI, was associated with liver fibrosis progression in the generalized linear mixed model. Considering hepatic gene set enrichment analyses, diabetes may enhance liver fibrosis via injuring central liver sinusoidal endothelial cells that mediate inflammation and stellate cell activation during NAFLD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saori Sako
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yumie Takeshita
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Takayama
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hisanori Goto
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yujiro Nakano
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Ando
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Function Analysis, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Tsujiguchi
- Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Kuniaki Arai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Shuichi Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nakamura
- Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Kenichi Harada
- Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Masao Honda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Toshinari Takamura
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
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10
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Ceci L, Han Y, Krutsinger K, Baiocchi L, Wu N, Kundu D, Kyritsi K, Zhou T, Gaudio E, Francis H, Alpini G, Kennedy L. Gallstone and Gallbladder Disease: Biliary Tract and Cholangiopathies. Compr Physiol 2023; 13:4909-4943. [PMID: 37358507 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c220028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Cholestatic liver diseases are named primarily due to the blockage of bile flow and buildup of bile acids in the liver. Cholestasis can occur in cholangiopathies, fatty liver diseases, and during COVID-19 infection. Most literature evaluates damage occurring to the intrahepatic biliary tree during cholestasis; however, there may be associations between liver damage and gallbladder damage. Gallbladder damage can manifest as acute or chronic inflammation, perforation, polyps, cancer, and most commonly gallstones. Considering the gallbladder is an extension of the intrahepatic biliary network, and both tissues are lined by biliary epithelial cells that share common mechanisms and properties, it is worth further evaluation to understand the association between bile duct and gallbladder damage. In this comprehensive article, we discuss background information of the biliary tree and gallbladder, from function, damage, and therapeutic approaches. We then discuss published findings that identify gallbladder disorders in various liver diseases. Lastly, we provide the clinical aspect of gallbladder disorders in liver diseases and ways to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for congruent diagnosis. © 2023 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 13:4909-4943, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Ceci
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Yuyan Han
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, USA
| | - Kelsey Krutsinger
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Nan Wu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Debjyoti Kundu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Konstantina Kyritsi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Tianhao Zhou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Heather Francis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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11
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Huber S, Fitzner T, Feichtinger RG, Hochmann S, Kraus T, Sotlar K, Kofler B, Varga M. Galanin System in the Human Bile Duct and Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma. Cells 2023; 12:1678. [PMID: 37443714 PMCID: PMC10340323 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) is characterised by poor outcomes. Early diagnosis is essential for patient survival. The peptide galanin (GAL) and its receptors GAL1-3 are expressed in various tumours. Detailed characterisation of the GAL system in pCCA is lacking. Our study sought to characterise GAL and GAL1-3 receptor (GAL1-3-R) expression in the healthy human bile duct, in cholestasis and pCCA. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining was performed in healthy controls (n = 5) and in the peritumoural tissues (with and without cholestasis) (n = 20) and tumour tissues of pCCA patients (n = 33) using validated antibodies. The score values of GAL and GAL1-3-R expression were calculated and statistically evaluated. RESULTS GAL and GAL1-R were expressed in various bile duct cell types. GAL2-R was only slightly but still expressed in almost all the examined tissues, and GAL3-R specifically in cholangiocytes and capillaries. In a small pCCA patient cohort (n = 18), high GAL expression correlated with good survival, whereas high GAL3-R correlated with poor survival. CONCLUSIONS Our in-depth characterisation of the GAL system in the healthy human biliary duct and pCCA in a small patient cohort revealed that GAL and GAL3-R expression in tumour cells of pCCA patients could potentially represent suitable biomarkers for survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Huber
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (T.F.)
| | - Theresia Fitzner
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (T.F.)
| | - René G. Feichtinger
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Sarah Hochmann
- Cell Therapy Institute, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Theo Kraus
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Karl Sotlar
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Barbara Kofler
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (T.F.)
| | - Martin Varga
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
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12
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Rizvi F, Lee YR, Diaz-Aragon R, So J, Florentino RM, Smith AR, Everton E, Ostrowska A, Jung K, Tam Y, Muramatsu H, Pardi N, Weissman D, Soto-Gutierrez A, Shin D, Gouon-Evans V. VEGFA mRNA-LNP promotes biliary epithelial cell-to-hepatocyte conversion in acute and chronic liver diseases and reverses steatosis and fibrosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.17.537186. [PMID: 37131823 PMCID: PMC10153196 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.17.537186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The liver is known for its remarkable regenerative ability through proliferation of hepatocytes. Yet, during chronic injury or severe hepatocyte death, proliferation of hepatocytes is exhausted. To overcome this hurdle, we propose vascular-endothelial-growth-factor A (VEGFA) as a therapeutic means to accelerate biliary epithelial cell (BEC)-to-hepatocyte conversion. Investigation in zebrafish establishes that blocking VEGF receptors abrogates BEC-driven liver repair, while VEGFA overexpression promotes it. Delivery of VEGFA via non-integrative and safe nucleoside-modified mRNA encapsulated into lipid-nanoparticles (mRNA-LNP) in acutely or chronically injured mouse livers induces robust BEC-to-hepatocyte conversion and reversion of steatosis and fibrosis. In human and murine diseased livers, we further identified VEGFA-receptor KDR-expressing BECs associated with KDR-expressing cell-derived hepatocytes. This defines KDR-expressing cells, most likely being BECs, as facultative progenitors. This study reveals novel therapeutic benefits of VEGFA delivered via nucleoside-modified mRNA-LNP, whose safety is widely validated with COVID-19 vaccines, for harnessing BEC-driven repair to potentially treat liver diseases. Highlights Complementary mouse and zebrafish models of liver injury demonstrate the therapeutic impact of VEGFA-KDR axis activation to harness BEC-driven liver regeneration.VEGFA mRNA LNPs restore two key features of the chronic liver disease in humans such as steatosis and fibrosis.Identification in human cirrhotic ESLD livers of KDR-expressing BECs adjacent to clusters of KDR+ hepatocytes suggesting their BEC origin.KDR-expressing BECs may represent facultative adult progenitor cells, a unique BEC population that has yet been uncovered.
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13
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Alsaleh M, Sithithaworn P, Khuntikeo N, Loilome W, Yongvanit P, Hughes T, O'Connor T, Andrews RH, Wadsworth CA, Williams R, Koomson L, Cox IJ, Holmes E, Taylor-Robinson SD. Urinary Metabolic Profiling of Liver Fluke-Induced Cholangiocarcinoma-A Follow-Up Study. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2023; 13:203-217. [PMID: 36950498 PMCID: PMC10025591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Global liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) profiling in a Thai population has previously identified a urinary metabolic signature in Opisthorchis viverrini-induced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), primarily characterised by disturbance in acylcarnitine, bile acid, steroid, and purine metabolism. However, the detection of thousands of analytes by LC-MS in a biological sample in a single experiment potentially introduces false discovery errors. To verify these observed metabolic perturbations, a second validation dataset from the same population was profiled in a similar fashion. Methods Reverse-phase ultra-performance liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry was utilised to acquire the global spectral profile of 98 spot urine samples (from 46 healthy volunteers and 52 CCA patients) recruited from Khon Kaen, northeast Thailand (the highest incidence of CCA globally). Results Metabolites were differentially expressed in the urinary profiles from CCA patients. High urinary elimination of bile acids was affected by the presence of obstructive jaundice. The urine metabolome associated with non-jaundiced CCA patients showed a distinctive pattern, similar but not identical to published studies. A panel of 10 metabolites achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 93.4% and area under the curve value of 98.8% (CI = 96.3%-100%) for the presence of CCA. Conclusions Global characterisation of the CCA urinary metabolome identified several metabolites of biological interest in this validation study. Analyses of the diagnostic utility of the discriminant metabolites showed excellent diagnostic potential. Further larger scale studies are required to confirm these findings internationally, particularly in comparison to sporadic CCA, not associated with liver fluke infestation.
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Key Words
- ANOVA, analysis of variance
- BCAA, branched chain amino acids
- CCA, cholangiocarcinoma
- CID, collision-induced dissociation
- CT, computed tomography
- CV-ANOVA, ANOVA of cross-validated residuals
- DDA, data-dependent acquisition
- ESI −, electrospray ionisation negative mode
- ESI, electrospray ionisation
- ESI +, electro spray ionisation positive mode
- LC-MS, liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance
- OPLS-DA, orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis
- QC, quality control
- ROC, receiver operating characteristic
- RP, reverse phase
- TOF, time of flight
- UPLC, ultra-performance liquid chromatography
- biomarkers
- cholangiocarcinoma
- dCCA, distal cholangiocarcinoma
- iCCA, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
- liver fluke
- mass spectroscopy
- pCCA, perihilar cholangiocarcinoma
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Affiliation(s)
- Munirah Alsaleh
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London W2 INY, United Kingdom
| | - Paiboon Sithithaworn
- Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Narong Khuntikeo
- Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Watcharin Loilome
- Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Puangrat Yongvanit
- Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Thomas Hughes
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London W2 INY, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas O'Connor
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London W2 INY, United Kingdom
| | - Ross H. Andrews
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London W2 INY, United Kingdom
- Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Christopher A. Wadsworth
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London W2 INY, United Kingdom
| | - Roger Williams
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, 111 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NT, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Larry Koomson
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London W2 INY, United Kingdom
| | - Isobel Jane Cox
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, 111 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NT, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Elaine Holmes
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London W2 INY, United Kingdom
| | - Simon D. Taylor-Robinson
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, London W2 INY, United Kingdom
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14
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Kim M, Rizvi F, Shin D, Gouon-Evans V. Update on Hepatobiliary Plasticity. Semin Liver Dis 2023; 43:13-23. [PMID: 36764306 PMCID: PMC10005859 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1760306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
The liver field has been debating for decades the contribution of the plasticity of the two epithelial compartments in the liver, hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells (BECs), to derive each other as a repair mechanism. The hepatobiliary plasticity has been first observed in diseased human livers by the presence of biphenotypic cells expressing hepatocyte and BEC markers within bile ducts and regenerative nodules or budding from strings of proliferative BECs in septa. These observations are not surprising as hepatocytes and BECs derive from a common fetal progenitor, the hepatoblast, and, as such, they are expected to compensate for each other's loss in adults. To investigate the cell origin of regenerated cell compartments and associated molecular mechanisms, numerous murine and zebrafish models with ability to trace cell fates have been extensively developed. This short review summarizes the clinical and preclinical studies illustrating the hepatobiliary plasticity and its potential therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minwook Kim
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Fatima Rizvi
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology Section, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Donghun Shin
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Valerie Gouon-Evans
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology Section, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
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15
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Chen Z, Wei C, Yu Z, Yang K, Huang Z, Hu H, Wang ZG. An effective method for preventing cholestatic liver injury of Aucklandiae Radix and Vladimiriae Radix: Inflammation suppression and regulate the expression of bile acid receptors. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 294:115330. [PMID: 35500801 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Aucklandiae Radix (AR) and Vladimiriae Radix (VR) were used to treat gastrointestinal, liver and gallbladder diseases at practice. In most conditions, VR was used to be a substitute of AR or a local habit may attribute to the same main active ingredients Costunolide and Dehydrocostus lactone, which presented many similar pharmacological activities. However, other different lactone compounds in AR and VR also play a role in disease treatment, so the difference in therapeutic effects of AR and VR in related diseases needs to be further studied. AIMS OF THE STUDY Revealing the differences between the chemical compounds of the total lactone extracts of AR and VR (TLE of AR and VR) and the differences in the protective effects of cholestatic liver injury to ensure rational use of AR and VR. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS The macroporous adsorption resin was used to purify and enrich the lactone compounds to obtain the total lactone extracts of AR and VR. HPLC-PDA was used to obtain the data to establish chemical fingerprint and chemometric analysis to compare similarities and differences between TLE of AR and VR. The pharmacodynamic experiment revealed how TLE of AR and VR to show protect effects on cholestatic liver injury. RESULTS Similarity analysis results showed TLE of AR and VR had a high similarity (>0.9). Nevertheless, difference analysis results showed 4 compounds, Costunolide, Dehydrocostus lactone, 3β-acetoxy-11β-guaia-4 (15), 10 (14)-diene-12,6α-olide and vladinol F may contribute to the differences between them. The pharmacodynamics experiments results showed the TLE of AR and VR affected the different liver cholate-associated transporters mRNA expression (TLE of AR up-regulated CYP7A1, TLE of VR down-regulated FXR and BSEP), the TLE of AR and VR had an effect to regulate biochemical indicators (AST, ALT, ALP, TBA) of liver function, and TLE of VR was better than TLE of AR in reducing the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-6 and IL-1β). CONCLUSION The liver protection of AR and VR have been confirmed, but the differences of material basis and mechanism of drug efficacy needed further study to guarantee formulation research and provide theoretical references for clinical rational applications of AR and VR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Chunlei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Ziwei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Ke Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Zecheng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Huiling Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Zhan-Guo Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Laboratory of Metabonomics, Standard Research and Extension Base& Collaborative Innovation Center of Qiang Medicine, School of Medicine, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China.
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16
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Liver secretin receptor predicts portoenterostomy outcomes and liver injury in biliary atresia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7233. [PMID: 35508528 PMCID: PMC9068784 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11140-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Biliary atresia (BA) is a chronic neonatal cholangiopathy characterized by fibroinflammatory bile duct damage. Reliable biomarkers for predicting native liver survival (NLS) following portoenterostomy (PE) surgery are lacking. Herein we explore the utility of 22 preidentified profibrotic molecules closely connected to ductular reaction (DR) and prevailing after successful PE (SPE), in predicting PE outcomes and liver injury. We used qPCR and immunohistochemistry in a BA cohort including liver samples obtained at PE (n = 53) and during postoperative follow-up after SPE (n = 25). Of the 13 genes over-expressed in relation to cholestatic age-matched controls at PE, only secretin receptor (SCTR) expression predicted cumulative 5-year NLS and clearance of jaundice. Patients in the highest SCTR expression tertile showed 34-55% lower NLS than other groups at 1-5 years after PE (P = 0.006-0.04 for each year). SCTR expression was also significantly lower [42 (24-63) vs 75 (39-107) fold, P = 0.015] among those who normalized their serum bilirubin after PE. Liver SCTR expression localized in cholangiocytes and correlated positively with liver fibrosis, DR, and transcriptional markers of fibrosis (ACTA2) and cholangiocytes (KRT7, KRT19) both at PE and after SPE. SCTR is a promising prognostic marker for PE outcomes and associates with liver injury in BA.
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17
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Biological Effects of Transforming Growth Factor Beta in Human Cholangiocytes. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11040566. [PMID: 35453765 PMCID: PMC9033039 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
TGF-β is a cytokine implicated in multiple cellular responses, including cell cycle regulation, fibrogenesis, angiogenesis and immune modulation. In response to pro-inflammatory and chemotactic cytokines and growth factors, cholangiocytes prime biliary damage, characteristic of cholangiopathies and pathologies that affect biliary tree. The effects and signaling related to TGF-β in cholangiocyte remains poorly investigated. In this study, the cellular response of human cholangiocytes to TGF-β was examined. Wound-healing assay, proliferation assay and cell cycle analyses were used to monitor the changes in cholangiocyte behavior following 24 and 48 h of TGF-β stimulation. Moreover, proteomic approach was used to identify proteins modulated by TGF-β treatment. Our study highlighted a reduction in cholangiocyte proliferation and a cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase following TGF-β treatment. Moreover, proteomic analysis allowed the identification of four downregulated proteins (CaM kinase II subunit delta, caveolin-1, NipSnap1 and calumin) involved in Ca2+ homeostasis. Accordingly, Gene Ontology analysis highlighted that the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum are the cellular compartments most affected by TGF-β. These results suggested that the effects of TGF-β in human cholangiocytes could be related to an imbalance of intracellular calcium homeostasis. In addition, for the first time, we correlated calumin and NipSnap1 to TGF-β signaling.
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18
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Lee J, Byun J, Shim G, Oh YK. Fibroblast activation protein activated antifibrotic peptide delivery attenuates fibrosis in mouse models of liver fibrosis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1516. [PMID: 35314685 PMCID: PMC8938482 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29186-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In liver fibrosis, activated hepatic stellate cells are known to overexpress fibroblast activation protein. Here we report a targeted antifibrotic peptide-delivery system in which fibroblast activation protein, which is overexpressed in fibrotic regions of the liver, liberates the antifibrotic peptide melittin by cleaving a fibroblast activation protein-specific site in the peptide. The promelittin peptide is linked to pegylated and maleimide-functionalized liposomes, resulting in promelittin-modified liposomes. The promelittin-modified liposomes were effective in reducing the viability of activated hepatic stellate cells but not that of control cells. In three types of liver fibrosis mouse models, intravenously administered promelittin-modified liposomes significantly reduces fibrotic regions. In addition, in the bile duct ligation mouse model promelittin-modified liposome-treatment increases overall survival. Although this peptide-delivery concept was tested for liver fibrosis, it can potentially be adapted to other fibrotic diseases. Activated hepatic stellate cells contribute towards the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, and overexpress fibroblast activation protein. Here the authors report a targeted peptide-delivery system in which fibroblast activation protein liberates the antifibrotic peptide melittin, and demonstrate the approach attenuates fibrosis in mouse models of liver fibrosis.
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19
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Li B, Li F, Gu T, Guo Y, Shen B, Xu X, Shen Z, Chen L, Zhang Q, Dong H, Cai X, Lu L. Specific knockdown of Y-box binding protein 1 in hepatic progenitor cells inhibits proliferation and alleviates liver fibrosis. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 921:174866. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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20
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Limon-De La Rosa N, Cervantes-Alvarez E, Navarro-Alvarez N. Increased Hepatic Expression of SARS-CoV-2 Entry Points and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 20:239-241.e3. [PMID: 34481957 PMCID: PMC8410674 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.08.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It has been recently reported that patients with cirrhosis have significantly higher mortality following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavrisu 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection compared with those without.1,2 Specifically, it was demonstrated that mortality was greater in those with advanced cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B and C), and that from cirrhotic patients experiencing SARS-CoV-2 infection, close to half suffer acute decompensation including acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).2 Unfortunately, the presence of hepatic decompensation at baseline has been shown to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).1 Patients with decompensated cirrhosis contracting COVID-19 have a poor outcome, with an overall reported mortality of over 30%.1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eduardo Cervantes-Alvarez
- Department of Gastroenterology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico; El Plan de Estudios Combinados en Medecina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nalu Navarro-Alvarez
- Department of Gastroenterology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Universidad Panamericana Campus México, Mexico City, Mexico; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, Colorado.
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21
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Li Y, Wu J, Liu R, Zhang Y, Li X. Extracellular vesicles: catching the light of intercellular communication in fibrotic liver diseases. Theranostics 2022; 12:6955-6971. [PMID: 36276639 PMCID: PMC9576620 DOI: 10.7150/thno.77256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of fibrotic liver diseases resulting from different etiologies has become a major global problem for public health. Fibrotic liver diseases represent a redundant accumulation of extracellular matrix, dysregulation of immune homeostasis and angiogenesis, which eventually contribute to the progression of cirrhosis and liver malignancies. The concerted actions among liver cells including hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, kupffer cells, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and other immune cells are essential for the outcome of liver fibrosis. Recently, a growing body of literature has highlighted that extracellular vesicles (EVs) are critical mediators of intercellular communication among different liver cells either in local or distant microenvironments, coordinating a variety of systemic pathological and physiological processes. Despite the increasing interests in this field, there are still relatively few studies to classify the contents and functions of EVs in intercellular transmission during hepatic fibrogenesis. This review aims to summarize the latest findings with regards to the cargo loading, release, and uptake of EVs in different liver cells and clarify the significant roles of EVs played in fibrotic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jianzhi Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Runping Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yinhao Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
- ✉ Corresponding author: Xiaojiaoyang Li, Ph.D., School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China. E-mail:
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22
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Zhang J, Liu Q, He J, Li Y. Novel Therapeutic Targets in Liver Fibrosis. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:766855. [PMID: 34805276 PMCID: PMC8602792 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.766855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is end-stage liver disease that can be rescued. If irritation continues due to viral infection, schistosomiasis and alcoholism, liver fibrosis can progress to liver cirrhosis and even cancer. The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any drugs that act directly against liver fibrosis. The only treatments currently available are drugs that eliminate pathogenic factors, which show poor efficacy; and liver transplantation, which is expensive. This highlights the importance of clarifying the mechanism of liver fibrosis and searching for new treatments against it. This review summarizes how parenchymal, nonparenchymal cells, inflammatory cells and various processes (liver fibrosis, hepatic stellate cell activation, cell death and proliferation, deposition of extracellular matrix, cell metabolism, inflammation and epigenetics) contribute to liver fibrosis. We highlight discoveries of novel therapeutic targets, which may provide new insights into potential treatments for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhang Zhang
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy and Adverse Drug Reaction, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
| | - Qinhui Liu
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy and Adverse Drug Reaction, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
| | - Jinhan He
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy and Adverse Drug Reaction, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China.,Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanping Li
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy and Adverse Drug Reaction, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
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23
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Ogawa M, Jiang JX, Xia S, Yang D, Ding A, Laselva O, Hernandez M, Cui C, Higuchi Y, Suemizu H, Dorrell C, Grompe M, Bear CE, Ogawa S. Generation of functional ciliated cholangiocytes from human pluripotent stem cells. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6504. [PMID: 34764255 PMCID: PMC8586142 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26764-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The derivation of mature functional cholangiocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provides a model for studying the pathogenesis of cholangiopathies and for developing therapies to treat them. Current differentiation protocols are not efficient and give rise to cholangiocytes that are not fully mature, limiting their therapeutic applications. Here, we generate functional hPSC-derived cholangiocytes that display many characteristics of mature bile duct cells including high levels of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and the presence of primary cilia capable of sensing flow. With this level of maturation, these cholangiocytes are amenable for testing the efficacy of cystic fibrosis drugs and for studying the role of cilia in cholangiocyte development and function. Transplantation studies show that the mature cholangiocytes generate ductal structures in the liver of immunocompromised mice indicating that it may be possible to develop cell-based therapies to restore bile duct function in patients with biliary disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Ogawa
- grid.231844.80000 0004 0474 0428McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Jia-Xin Jiang
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Programme in Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Sunny Xia
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Programme in Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Donghe Yang
- grid.231844.80000 0004 0474 0428McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Avrilynn Ding
- grid.231844.80000 0004 0474 0428McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Onofrio Laselva
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Programme in Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Marcela Hernandez
- grid.231844.80000 0004 0474 0428McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Changyi Cui
- grid.231844.80000 0004 0474 0428McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Yuichiro Higuchi
- grid.452212.20000 0004 0376 978XCentral Institute for Experimental Animals, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Hiroshi Suemizu
- grid.452212.20000 0004 0376 978XCentral Institute for Experimental Animals, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Craig Dorrell
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR USA
| | - Markus Grompe
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR USA
| | - Christine E. Bear
- grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Programme in Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Shinichiro Ogawa
- McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Ajmera Transplant Centre, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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24
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Xie J, Fan Y, Jia R, Yang F, Ma L, Li L. Yes-associated protein regulates the hepatoprotective effect of vitamin D receptor activation through promoting adaptive bile duct remodeling in cholestatic mice. J Pathol 2021; 255:95-106. [PMID: 34156701 DOI: 10.1002/path.5750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Mounting clinical evidence has revealed that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is associated with cholestatic liver injury, although the functions of VDR in this condition remain largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the effects of VDR activation on bile duct ligation (BDL) mice, and the underlying mechanisms were further investigated. A low-calcemic VDR agonist, paricalcitol (PAL, 200 ng/kg), was intraperitoneally injected into BDL mice every other day for 5 days or 28 days. Liver histology, liver function indicators, cholangiocyte proliferation, fibrosis scores, and inflammation were evaluated. Mice treated with PAL were rescued from the decreased survival rate induced by BDL and liver damage was reduced. Mechanistically, PAL promoted cholangiocyte proliferation, which was likely conducive to proliferating bile duct maturation and increased branching of bile ducts. PAL treatment also increased the expression of Yes-associated protein (YAP) and its target protein epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCam) and decreased the level of inactive cytoplasmic phosphorylated YAP. YAP knockdown abrogated PAL-induced primary bile duct epithelial cell proliferation, confirmed with YAP inhibitor administration. In addition, BDL-induced liver fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were reduced by PAL treatment at both day 5 and day 28 post-BDL. In conclusion, VDR activation mitigates cholestatic liver injury by promoting adaptive bile duct remodeling through cholangiocytic YAP upregulation. Because PAL is an approved clinical drug, it may be useful for treatment of cholestatic liver disease. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xie
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, PR China
| | - Yonggang Fan
- Institute of Health Sciences, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of the Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Rongjun Jia
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, PR China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, PR China
| | - Liman Ma
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, PR China
| | - Lihua Li
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, PR China
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25
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Chen L, Zhou T, White T, O’Brien A, Chakraborty S, Liangpunsakul S, Yang Z, Kennedy L, Saxena R, Wu C, Meng F, Huang Q, Francis H, Alpini G, Glaser S. The Apelin-Apelin Receptor Axis Triggers Cholangiocyte Proliferation and Liver Fibrosis During Mouse Models of Cholestasis. Hepatology 2021; 73:2411-2428. [PMID: 32964473 PMCID: PMC9288669 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Apelin (APLN) is the endogenous ligand of its G protein-coupled receptor, apelin receptor (APJ). APLN serum levels are increased in human liver diseases. We evaluated whether the APLN-APJ axis regulates ductular reaction and liver fibrosis during cholestasis. APPROACH AND RESULTS We measured the expression of APLN and APJ and serum APLN levels in human primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) samples. Following bile duct ligation (BDL) or sham surgery, male wild-type (WT) mice were treated with ML221 (APJ antagonist) or saline for 1 week. WT and APLN-/- mice underwent BDL or sham surgery for 1 week. Multidrug resistance gene 2 knockout (Mdr2-/- ) mice were treated with ML221 for 1 week. APLN levels were measured in serum and cholangiocyte supernatants, and cholangiocyte proliferation/senescence and liver inflammation, fibrosis, and angiogenesis were measured in liver tissues. The regulatory mechanisms of APLN-APJ in (1) biliary damage and liver fibrosis were examined in human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (HIBEpiCs) treated with APLN and (2) hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation in APLN-treated human HSC lines (HHSteCs). APLN serum levels and biliary expression of APLN and APJ increased in PSC samples. APLN levels were higher in serum and cholangiocyte supernatants from BDL and Mdr2-/- mice. ML221 treatment or APLN-/- reduced BDL-induced and Mdr2-/- -induced cholangiocyte proliferation/senescence, liver inflammation, fibrosis, and angiogenesis. In vitro, APLN induced HIBEpiC proliferation, increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (Nox4) expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Pretreatment of HIBEpiCs with ML221, diphenyleneiodonium chloride (Nox4 inhibitor), N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC, ROS inhibitor), or PD98059 (ERK inhibitor) reduced APLN-induced cholangiocyte proliferation. Activation of HHSteCs was induced by APLN but reduced by NAC. CONCLUSIONS The APLN-APJ axis induces cholangiocyte proliferation through Nox4/ROS/ERK-dependent signaling and HSC activation through intracellular ROS. Modulation of the APLN-APJ axis may be important for managing cholangiopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixian Chen
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Bryan, TX,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Tianhao Zhou
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Bryan, TX
| | - Tori White
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Bryan, TX
| | - April O’Brien
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Bryan, TX
| | - Sanjukta Chakraborty
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Bryan, TX
| | - Suthat Liangpunsakul
- Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Zhihong Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Romil Saxena
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Chaodong Wu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Fanyin Meng
- Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Qiaobing Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Shock and Microcirculation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China
| | - Heather Francis
- Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Shannon Glaser
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Bryan, TX
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26
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Khanam A, Saleeb PG, Kottilil S. Pathophysiology and Treatment Options for Hepatic Fibrosis: Can It Be Completely Cured? Cells 2021; 10:cells10051097. [PMID: 34064375 PMCID: PMC8147843 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a dynamic process that occurs as a wound healing response against liver injury. During fibrosis, crosstalk between parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells, activation of different immune cells and signaling pathways, as well as a release of several inflammatory mediators take place, resulting in inflammation. Excessive inflammation drives hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, which then encounters various morphological and functional changes before transforming into proliferative and extracellular matrix (ECM)-producing myofibroblasts. Finally, enormous ECM accumulation interferes with hepatic function and leads to liver failure. To overcome this condition, several therapeutic approaches have been developed to inhibit inflammatory responses, HSC proliferation and activation. Preclinical studies also suggest several targets for the development of anti-fibrotic therapies; however, very few advanced to clinical trials. The pathophysiology of hepatic fibrosis is extremely complex and requires comprehensive understanding to identify effective therapeutic targets; therefore, in this review, we focus on the various cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with the pathophysiology of hepatic fibrosis and discuss potential strategies to control or reverse the fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshi Khanam
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Paul G. Saleeb
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Shyam Kottilil
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-410-706-4872
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27
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Kuznietsova H, Byelinska I, Dziubenko N, Lynchak O, Milokhov D, Khilya O, Finiuk N, Klyuchivska O, Stoika R, Rybalchenko V. Suppression of systemic inflammation and signs of acute and chronic cholangitis by multi-kinase inhibitor 1-(4-Cl-benzyl)-3-chloro-4-(CF3-phenylamino)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione. Mol Cell Biochem 2021; 476:3021-3035. [PMID: 33792809 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-021-04144-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
An aberrant activity of growth factor receptors followed by excessive cell proliferation plays a significant role in pathogenesis of cholangitis. Therefore, inhibition of these processes could be a fruitful therapeutic strategy. The effects of multi-kinase inhibitor 1-(4-Cl-benzyl)-3-chloro-4-(CF3-phenylamino)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (MI-1) on the hepatic and systemic manifestations of acute and chronic cholangitis in rats were addressed. MI-1 (2.7 mg/kg per day) was applied to male rats that experienced α-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced acute (3 days) or chronic (28 days) cholangitis. Liver autopsy samples, blood serum markers, and leukograms were studied. MI-1 localization in liver cells and its impact on viability of HepG2 (human hepatoma), HL60 (human leukemia), and NIH3T3 (normal murine fibroblasts) cell lines and lymphocytes of human peripheral blood (MTT, DNA fragmentation, DNA comet assays, Propidium Iodide staining) were assessed. Under both acute and chronic cholangitis, MI-1 substantially reduced liver injury, fibrosis, and inflammatory scores (by 46-86%) and normalized blood serum markers and leukograms. Moreover, these effects were preserved after a 28-day recovery period (without any treatment). MI-1 inhibited the HL60, HepG2 cells, and human lymphocytes viability (IC50 0.6, 9.5 and 8.3 µg/ml, respectively), while NIH3T3 cells were resistant to that. Additionally, HepG2 cells and lymphocytes being incubated with MI-1 demonstrated insignificant pro-apoptotic and pro-necrotic changes and DNA single-strand breaks, suggesting that MI-1 effects in liver might be partly caused by its cytotoxic action towards liver cells and lymphocytes. In conclusion, MI-1 attenuated the systemic inflammation and signs of acute and chronic cholangitis partly through cytotoxicity towards cells of hepatic and leukocytic origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halyna Kuznietsova
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Iryna Byelinska
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Natalia Dziubenko
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Oksana Lynchak
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Demyd Milokhov
- Chemistry Department, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olga Khilya
- Chemistry Department, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Nataliya Finiuk
- Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine
- Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Olga Klyuchivska
- Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Rostyslav Stoika
- Institute of High Technologies, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine
- Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Volodymyr Rybalchenko
- Institute of High Technologies, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
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28
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Li J, Liu C, Zhou Z, Dou B, Huang J, Huang L, Zheng P, Fan S, Huang C. Isotschimgine alleviates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis via FXR agonism in mice. Phytother Res 2021; 35:3351-3364. [PMID: 33784797 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist obeticholic acid (OCA) has emerged as a potential therapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the side effects of OCA may limit its application in clinics. We identified previously that isotschimgine (ITG) is a non-steroidal FXR selective agonist and has potent therapeutic effects on NAFLD in mice. Here, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of ITG on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis in mice. We used methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet-induced NASH mice, bile duct ligation (BDL), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-treated hepatic fibrosis mice to investigate the effects of ITG on NASH, fibrosis, and cholestatic liver injury. Our results showed that ITG improved steatosis and inflammation in the liver of MCD diet-fed mice, as well as alleviated fibrosis and inflammation in the liver of CCl4 -treated mice. Furthermore, ITG attenuated serum bile acid levels, and reduced vacuolization, inflammatory infiltration, hepatic parenchymal necrosis, and collagen accumulation in the liver of BDL mice. Mechanistically, ITG increased the expression of FXR target genes. These data suggest that ITG is an FXR agonist and may be developed as a novel therapy for NASH, hepatic fibrosis, or primary biliary cholangitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxiao Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuhe Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Baokai Dou
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinwen Huang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Leilei Huang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Peiyong Zheng
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengjie Fan
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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29
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Helal M, Yan C, Gong Z. Stimulation of hepatocarcinogenesis by activated cholangiocytes via Il17a/f1 pathway in kras transgenic zebrafish model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1372. [PMID: 33446803 PMCID: PMC7809472 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80621-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been well known that tumor progression is dependent on secreted factors not only from tumor cells but also from other surrounding non-tumor cells. In the current study, we investigated the role of cholangiocytes during hepatocarcinogenesis following induction of oncogenic krasV12 expression in hepatocytes using an inducible transgenic zebrafish model. Upon induction of carcinogenesis in hepatocytes, a progressive cell proliferation in cholangiocytes was observed. The proliferative response in cholangiocytes was induced by enhanced lipogenesis and bile acids secretion from hepatocytes through activation of Sphingosine 1 phosphate receptor 2 (S1pr2), a known cholangiocyte receptor involving in cholangiocyte proliferation. Enhancement and inhibition of S1pr2 could accelerate or inhibit cholangiocyte proliferation and hepatocarcinogenesis respectively. Gene expression analysis of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes showed that cholangiocytes stimulated carcinogenesis in hepatocytes via an inflammatory cytokine, Il17a/f1, which activated its receptor (Il17ra1a) on hepatocytes and enhanced hepatocarcinogenesis via an ERK dependent pathway. Thus, the enhancing effect of cholangiocytes on hepatocarcinogenesis is likely via an inflammatory loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Helal
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.419615.e0000 0004 0404 7762Marine Pollution Lab, Marine Environment Division, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Chuan Yan
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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30
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Kyritsi K, Francis H, Zhou T, Ceci L, Wu N, Yang Z, Meng F, Chen L, Baiocchi L, Kundu D, Kennedy L, Liangpunsakul S, Wu C, Glaser S, Alpini G. Downregulation of p16 Decreases Biliary Damage and Liver Fibrosis in the Mdr2 / Mouse Model of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Gene Expr 2020; 20:89-103. [PMID: 32393417 PMCID: PMC7650011 DOI: 10.3727/105221620x15889714507961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Biliary senescence and hepatic fibrosis are hallmarks of cholangiopathies including primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Senescent cholangiocytes display senescence-associated secretory phenotypes [SASPs, e.g., transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-1)] that further increase biliary senescence (by an autocrine loop) and trigger liver fibrosis by paracrine mechanisms. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of p16 inhibition and role of the TGF-1/microRNA (miR)-34a/sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) axis in biliary damage and liver fibrosis in the Mdr2/ mouse model of PSC. We treated (i) in vivo male wild-type (WT) and Mdr2/ mice with p16 Vivo-Morpholino or controls before measuring biliary mass [intrahepatic bile duct mass (IBDM)] and senescence, biliary SASP levels, and liver fibrosis, and (ii) in vitro intrahepatic murine cholangiocyte lines (IMCLs) with small interfering RNA against p16 before measuring the mRNA expression of proliferation, senescence, and fibrosis markers. p16 and miR-34a increased but SIRT1 decreased in Mdr2/ mice and PSC human liver samples compared to controls. p16 immunoreactivity and biliary senescence and SASP levels increased in Mdr2/ mice but decreased in Mdr2/ mice treated with p16 Vivo-Morpholino. The increase in IBDM and hepatic fibrosis (observed in Mdr2/ mice) returned to normal values in Mdr2/ mice treated with p16 Vivo-Morpholino. TGF-1 immunoreactivity and biliary SASPs levels were higher in Mdr2/ compared to those of WT mice but returned to normal values in Mdr2/ mice treated with p16 Vivo-Morpholino. The expression of fibrosis/senescence markers decreased in cholangiocytes from Mdr2/ mice treated with p16 Vivo-Morpholino (compared to Mdr2/ mice) and in IMCLs (after p16 silencing) compared to controls. Modulation of the TGF-1/miR-34a/SIRT1 axis may be important in the management of PSC phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heather Francis
- *Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- †Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Tianhao Zhou
- ‡Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Ludovica Ceci
- *Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Nan Wu
- *Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Zhihong Yang
- †Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Fanyin Meng
- *Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- †Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Lixian Chen
- *Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Leonardo Baiocchi
- §Liver Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata,”Rome, Italy
| | - Debjyoti Kundu
- †Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- †Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Suthat Liangpunsakul
- *Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- †Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Chaodong Wu
- ¶Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Shannon Glaser
- ‡Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- *Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- †Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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31
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The synthetic toxin biliatresone causes biliary atresia in mice. J Transl Med 2020; 100:1425-1435. [PMID: 32681026 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-020-0467-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to environmental toxins may be responsible for biliary atresia. The focus of this study was to investigate the effect of biliatresone on the development of the hepatobiliary system in mice. We successfully synthesized biliatresone with a purity of 98% and confirmed its biliary toxicity. Exposure to high doses of biliatresone caused abortion or death in pregnant mice. Neonatal mice injected with biliatresone developed clinical signs of biliary obstruction, and dysplasia or the absence of extrahepatic biliary tract lumen, which confirmed the occurrence of biliary atresia. In the portal tract of biliary atresia mice, signs of infiltration of inflammatory cells and liver fibrosis were observed. The signature of extrahepatic biliary gene expression in these mice mainly involved the cell adhesion process, and hepatic RNA-seq was highly linked to transcriptional evidence of oxidative stress. When compared with the control group, hepatic glutathione levels were markedly reduced after biliatresone injection. Taken together, these data confirm that biliatresone causes severe developmental abnormalities of the hepatobiliary system in mice. Furthermore, decreased levels of glutathione may play a mechanistic role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in biliatresone-induced experimental biliary atresia.
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Sheng J, Zhang B, Chen Y, Yu F. Capsaicin attenuates liver fibrosis by targeting Notch signaling to inhibit TNF-α secretion from M1 macrophages. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2020; 42:556-563. [PMID: 32811220 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2020.1811308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Capsaicin is a chili pepper extract with multiple therapeutic properties including anti-liver fibrosis. However, the paucity of its underlying mechanisms limited its widely clinical application. METHODS In the present study, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was used to induce liver fibrosis in mice, and transforming growth factorβ1 (TGFβ1) was used to mimic liver fibrosis in vitro. Flow cytometry was conducted to determine the expression of CD80. The inflammatory factors level was examined by ELISA, and gene expression was detected by real-time PCR and western blot. RESULTS Here, we show that capsaicin attenuates liver fibrosis progression by mediating macrophage inflammatory response. Capsaicin inhibited M1 polarization of macrophage by regulating Notch signaling leading to the reduced secretion of inflammatory cytokine TNF-α that correspondingly attenuates myofibroblasts regeneration and fibrosis formation of hepatocyte stellate cells (HSCs). CONCLUSION Taken together, capsaicin alleviates liver fibrosis by inactivation of Notch signaling and further inhibiting TNF-α secretion from M1 macrophage. Targeting TNF-α or Notch signaling in macrophage represents a promising strategy to combat liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Sheng
- Department of General Surgery, the People's Hospital of Yuhuan, Taizhou, China
| | - Baohang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, the People's Hospital of Yuhuan, Taizhou, China
| | - Yongfeng Chen
- Department of General Surgery, the People's Hospital of Yuhuan, Taizhou, China
| | - Fuxiang Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Xu W, Xu YN, Zhang X, Xu Y, Jian X, Chen JM, Chen GF, Zhang H, Liu P, Mu YP. Hepatic stem cell Numb gene is a potential target of Huang Qi Decoction against cholestatic liver fibrosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17486. [PMID: 33060633 PMCID: PMC7566460 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74324-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Numb is a negative regulator of Notch signal pathway. Previous study has demonstrated that Notch signal pathway activation is required for hepatic progenitor cell (HPC) differentiating into cholangiocytes in cholestatic liver fibrosis (CLF), and Huang Qi Decoction (HQD) could prevent CLF through inhibition of the Notch signal pathway. However, the role of Numb in HQD against CLF is yet unclear. Thus, CLF rats transplanted into rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells with knocked down Numb gene (BMSCNumb-KD) were treated with HQD. Simultaneously, Numb gene knockdown was also performed in WB-F344 cell line and then treated with refined HQD in vitro. In vivo study revealed that liver fibrosis was inhibited by HQD plus BMSCNumb-KD treatment, while Hyp content in liver tissue, the gene and protein expression of α-SMA, gene expression of Col I, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 were increased compared to that in HQD group. Furthermore, Notch signal pathway was inhibited by HQD plus BMSCNumb-KD, while the protein expression of Numb was decreased and RBP-Jκ and Hes1 was increased compared to that in HQD group. In vitro, HQD reduced the differentiation of WB-F344 cells into cholangiocyte phenotype, while this effect was attenuated after Numb-knockdown. This study highlights that the absence of hepatic stem cell Numb gene decreases effect of HQD against CLF, which give rise the conclusion that Numb might be a potential target for HQD against CLF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Xu
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); Institute of Liver Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Shanghai University of TCM, 528, Zhangheng Road, Pudong district, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of TCM, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Nan Xu
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); Institute of Liver Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Shanghai University of TCM, 528, Zhangheng Road, Pudong district, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of TCM, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); Institute of Liver Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Shanghai University of TCM, 528, Zhangheng Road, Pudong district, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of TCM, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Xu
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); Institute of Liver Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Shanghai University of TCM, 528, Zhangheng Road, Pudong district, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of TCM, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xun Jian
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); Institute of Liver Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Shanghai University of TCM, 528, Zhangheng Road, Pudong district, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of TCM, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Mei Chen
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); Institute of Liver Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Shanghai University of TCM, 528, Zhangheng Road, Pudong district, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of TCM, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Gao-Feng Chen
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); Institute of Liver Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Shanghai University of TCM, 528, Zhangheng Road, Pudong district, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of TCM, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); Institute of Liver Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Shanghai University of TCM, 528, Zhangheng Road, Pudong district, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of TCM, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Liu
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); Institute of Liver Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Shanghai University of TCM, 528, Zhangheng Road, Pudong district, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of TCM, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. .,E-Institute of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yong-Ping Mu
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); Institute of Liver Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Shanghai University of TCM, 528, Zhangheng Road, Pudong district, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of TCM, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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34
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Shao T, Chen Z, Belov V, Wang X, Rwema SH, Kumar V, Fu H, Deng X, Rong J, Yu Q, Lang L, Lin W, Josephson L, Samir AE, Chen X, Chung RT, Liang SH. [ 18F]-Alfatide PET imaging of integrin αvβ3 for the non-invasive quantification of liver fibrosis. J Hepatol 2020; 73:161-169. [PMID: 32145257 PMCID: PMC7363052 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The vitronectin receptor integrin αvβ3 drives fibrogenic activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Molecular imaging targeting the integrin αvβ3 could provide a non-invasive method for evaluating the expression and the function of the integrin αvβ3 on activated HSCs (aHSCs) in the injured liver. In this study, we sought to compare differences in the uptake of [18F]-Alfatide between normal and injured liver to evaluate its utility for assessment of hepatic fibrogenesis. METHODS PET with [18F]-Alfatide, non-enhanced CT, histopathology, immunofluorescence staining, immunoblotting and gene analysis were performed to evaluate and quantify hepatic integrin αvβ3 levels and liver fibrosis progression in mouse models of fibrosis (carbon tetrachloride [CCl4] and bile duct ligation [BDL]). The liver AUC divided by the blood AUC over 30 min was used as an integrin αvβ3-PET index to quantify fibrosis progression. Ex vivo analysis of frozen liver tissue from patients with fibrosis and cirrhosis verified the animal findings. RESULTS Fibrotic mouse livers showed enhanced [18F]-Alfatide uptake and retention compared to control livers. The radiotracer was demonstrated to bind specifically with integrin αvβ3, which is mainly expressed on aHSCs. Autoradiography and histopathology confirmed the PET imaging results. Further, the mRNA and protein level of integrin αvβ3 and its signaling complex were higher in CCl4 and BDL models than controls. The results obtained from analyses on human fibrotic liver sections supported the animal findings. CONCLUSIONS Imaging hepatic integrin αvβ3 with PET and [18F]-Alfatide offers a potential non-invasive method for monitoring the progression of liver fibrosis. LAY SUMMARY Integrin αvβ3 expression on activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) is associated with HSC proliferation during hepatic fibrogenesis. Herein, we show that a radioactive tracer, [18F]-Alfatide, binds to integrin αvβ3 with high affinity and specificity. [18F]-Alfatide could thus be used as a non-invasive imaging biomarker to track hepatic fibrosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuo Shao
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA; Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Zhen Chen
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Vasily Belov
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, USA
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Center for Ultrasound Research & Translation, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Steve H Rwema
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Viksit Kumar
- Center for Ultrasound Research & Translation, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Hualong Fu
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Deng
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Jian Rong
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Qingzhen Yu
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Lixin Lang
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Nanomedicine, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Wenyu Lin
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Lee Josephson
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Anthony E Samir
- Center for Ultrasound Research & Translation, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Nanomedicine, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA.
| | - Raymond T Chung
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.
| | - Steven H Liang
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.
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35
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Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein as a diagnostic biomarker in liver cirrhosis: an updated meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10582. [PMID: 32601332 PMCID: PMC7324360 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67471-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein (WFA+-M2BP) had been suggested as a possible glycobiomarker for assessing liver fibrosis. Here, we conducted this updated meta-analysis to systematically investigate the predictive accuracy of WFA+-M2BP for diagnosing liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by comparing with multiple non-invasive indicators. We searched relevant literatures from Pubmed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Cochrane Library and enrolled 36 eligible studies involving 7,362 patients. Summary results were calculated using bivariate random effects model. The pooled sensitivities, specificities and areas under the summary receiver operating characteristic curves (AUSROCs) of WFA+-M2BP for identifying mild fibrosis, significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC were 0.70/0.68/0.75, 0.71/0.75/0.79, 0.75/0.76/0.82, 0.77/0.86/0.88, and 0.77/0.80/0.85, respectively. The accuracy of WFA+-M2BP was strongly affected by etiology and it was not better than other non-invasive indicators for predicting early fibrosis. It showed similar diagnostic performance to hyaluronic acid and FibroScan for cirrhosis, but was equivalent to α-fetoprotein for HCC. In conclusion, WFA+-M2BP was suitable to diagnose late stage of liver fibrosis, especially cirrhosis. Individual cutoff value of WFA+-M2BP could be used to grade liver fibrosis in different etiology. Combined diagnostic model was suggested to improve its predictive accuracy for HCC.
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36
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Hepatocyte-specific TAK1 deficiency drives RIPK1 kinase-dependent inflammation to promote liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:14231-14242. [PMID: 32513687 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2005353117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β-activated kinase1 (TAK1) encoded by the gene MAP3K7 regulates multiple important downstream effectors involved in immune response, cell death, and carcinogenesis. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of TAK1 in Tak1 ΔHEP mice promotes liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) formation. Here, we report that genetic inactivation of RIPK1 kinase using a kinase dead knockin D138N mutation in Tak1 ΔHEP mice inhibits the expression of liver tumor biomarkers, liver fibrosis, and HCC formation. Inhibition of RIPK1, however, has no or minimum effect on hepatocyte loss and compensatory proliferation, which are the recognized factors important for liver fibrosis and HCC development. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we discovered that inhibition of RIPK1 strongly suppresses inflammation induced by hepatocyte-specific loss of TAK1. Activation of RIPK1 promotes the transcription of key proinflammatory cytokines, such as CCL2, and CCR2+ macrophage infiltration. Our study demonstrates the role and mechanism of RIPK1 kinase in promoting inflammation, both cell-autonomously and cell-nonautonomously, in the development of liver fibrosis and HCC, independent of cell death, and compensatory proliferation. We suggest the possibility of inhibiting RIPK1 kinase as a therapeutic strategy for reducing liver fibrosis and HCC development by inhibiting inflammation.
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37
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Dong W, Kong M, Zhu Y, Shao Y, Wu D, Lu J, Guo J, Xu Y. Activation of TWIST Transcription by Chromatin Remodeling Protein BRG1 Contributes to Liver Fibrosis in Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:340. [PMID: 32478075 PMCID: PMC7237740 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a complex pathophysiological process to which many different cell types contribute. Endothelial cells play versatile roles in the regulation of liver fibrosis. The underlying epigenetic mechanism is not fully appreciated. In the present study, we investigated the role of BRG1, a chromatin remodeling protein, in the modulation of endothelial cells in response to pro-fibrogenic stimuli in vitro and liver fibrosis in mice. We report that depletion of BRG1 by siRNA abrogated TGF-β or hypoxia induced down-regulation of endothelial marker genes and up-regulation of mesenchymal marker genes in cultured endothelial cells. Importantly, endothelial-specific BRG1 deletion attenuated CCl4 induced liver fibrosis in mice. BRG1 knockdown in vitro or BRG1 knockout in vivo was accompanied by the down-regulation of TWIST, a key regulator of endothelial phenotype. Mechanistically, BRG1 interacted with and was recruited to the TWIST promoter by HIF-1α to activate TWIST transcription. BRG1 silencing rendered a more repressive chromatin structure surrounding the TWIST promoter likely contributing to TWIST down-regulation. Inhibition of HIF-1α activity dampened liver fibrosis in mice. Similarly, pharmaceutical inhibition of TWIST alleviated liver fibrosis in mice. In conclusion, our data suggest that epigenetic activation of TWIST by BRG1 contributes to the modulation of endothelial phenotype and liver fibrosis. Therefore, targeting the HIF1α-BRG1-TWIST axis may yield novel therapeutic solutions to treat liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Shao
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research of the First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Dongmei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology on Medical Plants of Jiangsu Province and School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jun Lu
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology on Medical Plants of Jiangsu Province and School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Junli Guo
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research of the First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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38
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An P, Wei LL, Zhao S, Sverdlov DY, Vaid KA, Miyamoto M, Kuramitsu K, Lai M, Popov YV. Hepatocyte mitochondria-derived danger signals directly activate hepatic stellate cells and drive progression of liver fibrosis. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2362. [PMID: 32398673 PMCID: PMC7217909 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16092-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their bacterial ancestry, many components of mitochondria share structural similarities with bacteria. Release of molecular danger signals from injured cell mitochondria (mitochondria-derived damage-associated molecular patterns, mito-DAMPs) triggers a potent inflammatory response, but their role in fibrosis is unknown. Using liver fibrosis resistant/susceptible mouse strain system, we demonstrate that mito-DAMPs released from injured hepatocyte mitochondria (with mtDNA as major active component) directly activate hepatic stellate cells, the fibrogenic cell in the liver, and drive liver scarring. The release of mito-DAMPs is controlled by efferocytosis of dying hepatocytes by phagocytic resident liver macrophages and infiltrating Gr-1(+) myeloid cells. Circulating mito-DAMPs are markedly increased in human patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and significant liver fibrosis. Our study identifies specific pathway driving liver fibrosis, with important diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Targeting mito-DAMP release from hepatocytes and/or modulating the phagocytic function of macrophages represents a promising antifibrotic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping An
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Lin-Lin Wei
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.,Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Shuangshuang Zhao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.,The Joint Program in Infection and Immunity, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, 510623, China.,Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Science, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Deanna Y Sverdlov
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Kahini A Vaid
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Makoto Miyamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Kaori Kuramitsu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Michelle Lai
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Yury V Popov
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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Sex Hormone-Dependent Physiology and Diseases of Liver. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17082620. [PMID: 32290381 PMCID: PMC7216036 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism is associated not only with somatic and behavioral differences between men and women, but also with physiological differences reflected in organ metabolism. Genes regulated by sex hormones differ in expression in various tissues, which is especially important in the case of liver metabolism, with the liver being a target organ for sex hormones as its cells express estrogen receptors (ERs: ERα, also known as ESR1 or NR3A; ERβ; GPER (G protein-coupled ER, also known as GPR 30)) and the androgen receptor (AR) in both men and women. Differences in sex hormone levels and sex hormone-specific gene expression are mentioned as some of the main variations in causes of the incidence of hepatic diseases; for example, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is more common in men, while women have an increased risk of autoimmune liver disease and show more acute liver failure symptoms in alcoholic liver disease. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the distinction is less pronounced, but increased incidences are suggested among men and postmenopausal women, probably due to an increased tendency towards visceral fat accumulation.
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Mohanty SK, Lobeck I, Donnelly B, Dupree P, Walther A, Mowery S, Coots A, Bondoc A, Sheridan RM, Poling HM, Temple H, McNeal M, Sestak K, Bansal R, Tiao G. Rotavirus Reassortant-Induced Murine Model of Liver Fibrosis Parallels Human Biliary Atresia. Hepatology 2020; 71:1316-1330. [PMID: 31442322 PMCID: PMC7384231 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Biliary atresia (BA) is a devastating neonatal cholangiopathy that progresses to fibrosis and end-stage liver disease by 2 years of age. Portoenterostomy may reestablish biliary drainage, but, despite drainage, virtually all afflicted patients develop fibrosis and progress to end-stage liver disease requiring liver transplantation for survival. APPROACH AND RESULTS In the murine model of BA, rhesus rotavirus (RRV) infection of newborn pups results in a cholangiopathy paralleling human BA and has been used to study mechanistic aspects of the disease. Unfortunately, nearly all RRV-infected pups succumb by day of life 14. Thus, in this study we generated an RRV-TUCH rotavirus reassortant (designated as TR(VP2,VP4) ) that when injected into newborn mice causes an obstructive jaundice phenotype with lower mortality rates. Of the mice that survived, 63% developed Ishak stage 3-5 fibrosis with histopathological signs of inflammation/fibrosis and bile duct obstruction. CONCLUSIONS This model of rotavirus-induced neonatal fibrosis will provide an opportunity to study disease pathogenesis and has potential to be used in preclinical studies with an objective to identify therapeutic targets that may alter the course of BA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujit K. Mohanty
- Department of Pediatric and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
| | - Inna Lobeck
- Department of Pediatric and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
| | - Bryan Donnelly
- Department of Pediatric and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
| | - Phylicia Dupree
- Department of Pediatric and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
| | - Ashley Walther
- Department of Pediatric and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
| | - Sarah Mowery
- Department of Pediatric and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
| | - Abigail Coots
- Department of Pediatric and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
| | - Alexander Bondoc
- Department of Pediatric and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
| | - Rachel M. Sheridan
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
| | - Holly M. Poling
- Department of Pediatric and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
| | - Haley Temple
- Department of Pediatric and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
| | - Monica McNeal
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOH,Division of Infectious DiseasesCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
| | - Karol Sestak
- Tulane National Primate Research CenterCovingtonLA
| | - Ruchi Bansal
- Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, Technical Medical CentreUniversity of TwenteEnschedethe Netherlands
| | - Greg Tiao
- Department of Pediatric and Thoracic SurgeryCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
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Therapeutic Effects of Apamin as a Bee Venom Component for Non-Neoplastic Disease. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12030195. [PMID: 32204567 PMCID: PMC7150898 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12030195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bee venom is a natural toxin produced by honeybees and plays an important role in defending bee colonies. Bee venom has several kinds of peptides, including melittin, apamin, adolapamine, and mast cell degranulation peptides. Apamin accounts for about 2%-3% dry weight of bee venom and is a peptide neurotoxin that contains 18 amino acid residues that are tightly crosslinked by two disulfide bonds. It is well known for its pharmacological functions, which irreversibly block Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels. Apamin regulates gene expression in various signal transduction pathways involved in cell development. The aim of this study was to review the current understanding of apamin in the treatment of apoptosis, fibrosis, and central nervous system diseases, which are the pathological processes of various diseases. Apamin's potential therapeutic and pharmacological applications are also discussed.
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42
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Chung‐Davidson Y, Ren J, Yeh C, Bussy U, Huerta B, Davidson PJ, Whyard S, Li W. TGF-β Signaling Plays a Pivotal Role During Developmental Biliary Atresia in Sea Lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus). Hepatol Commun 2020; 4:219-234. [PMID: 32025607 PMCID: PMC6996360 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Biliary atresia (BA) is a rare neonatal disease with unknown causes. Approximately 10% of BA cases develop in utero with other congenital defects that span a large spectrum of disease variations, including degeneration of the gall bladder and bile duct as well as malformation of the liver, intestines, and kidneys. Similar developmental alterations are manifested in a unique animal model, the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), in which BA occurs naturally during metamorphosis. With the likelihood of conserved developmental mechanisms underlying organogenesis and degeneration, lamprey developmental BA may be a useful model to infer mechanisms underlying human embryonic BA. We reasoned that hepatobiliary transcriptomes regulate the transition between landmark stages of BA. Therefore, we examined sea lamprey hepatobiliary transcriptomes at four stages (M0, metamorphic stage 0 or larval stage, no BA; M2, metamorphic stage 2, onset of BA; M5, metamorphic stage 5, BA, and heightened hepatocyte proliferation and reorganization; and JV, juvenile, completion of BA) using messenger RNA sequencing and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses. We found gene-expression patterns associated with the transition between these stages. In particular, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), hedgehog, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase-Akt, Wnt, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways were involved during biliary degeneration. Furthermore, disrupting the TGF-β signaling pathway with antagonist or small interfering RNA treatments at the onset of BA delayed gall bladder and bile duct degeneration. Conclusion: Distinctive gene-expression patterns are associated with the degeneration of the biliary system during developmental BA. In addition, disrupting TGF-β signaling pathway at the onset of BA delayed biliary degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jianfeng Ren
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic ResourcesCollege of Fisheries and Life SciencesShanghai Ocean UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chu‐Yin Yeh
- College of Osteopathic MedicineMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMI
| | - Ugo Bussy
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMI
| | - Belinda Huerta
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMI
| | | | - Steven Whyard
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of ManitobaWinnipegMBCanada
| | - Weiming Li
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMI
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Li X, Liu R, Wang Y, Zhu W, Zhao D, Wang X, Yang H, Gurley EC, Chen W, Hylemon PB, Zhou H. Cholangiocyte-Derived Exosomal lncRNA H19 Promotes Macrophage Activation and Hepatic Inflammation under Cholestatic Conditions. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010190. [PMID: 31940841 PMCID: PMC7016679 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of hepatic macrophages represents the critical driving force to promote cholestatic liver injury. Exosomes, as important small extracellular vesicles released by almost all types of cells, contribute to intercellular communication. We previously reported that cholangiocyte-derived exosomal long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) H19 plays a vital role in disrupting bile acid homeostasis in hepatocytes and promoting the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Exosomal H19 derived from cholangiocytes was rapidly taken up by Kupffer cells. However, the mechanistic links between exosomal lncRNA H19 and macrophage-driven inflammation in cholestasis remain unclear. Here, we reported that the hepatic H19 level was closely correlated with macrophage activation and hepatic fibrosis in both Mdr2-/- and bile duct ligation (BDL) cholestatic mouse models, as well as in human primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients. Exosomal H19 significantly induced the expression and secretion of chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 2 (CCL-2) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in Kupffer cells. H19-enriched exosomes enhanced the activation M1 polarization of Kupffer cells and promoted the recruitment and differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages, which were inhibited by a CCL-2 pharmacological inhibitor. In conclusion, Cholangiocyte-derived exosomal H19 played a critical role in macrophage activation, differentiation, and chemotaxis through CCL-2/CCR-2 signaling pathways, which represent a therapeutic target for cholestatic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojiaoyang Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (X.L.); (R.L.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (D.Z.); (X.W.); (H.Y.); (E.C.G.); (P.B.H.)
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Runping Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (X.L.); (R.L.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (D.Z.); (X.W.); (H.Y.); (E.C.G.); (P.B.H.)
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Yanyan Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (X.L.); (R.L.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (D.Z.); (X.W.); (H.Y.); (E.C.G.); (P.B.H.)
| | - Weiwei Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (X.L.); (R.L.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (D.Z.); (X.W.); (H.Y.); (E.C.G.); (P.B.H.)
| | - Derrick Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (X.L.); (R.L.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (D.Z.); (X.W.); (H.Y.); (E.C.G.); (P.B.H.)
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (X.L.); (R.L.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (D.Z.); (X.W.); (H.Y.); (E.C.G.); (P.B.H.)
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Hang Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (X.L.); (R.L.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (D.Z.); (X.W.); (H.Y.); (E.C.G.); (P.B.H.)
| | - Emily C. Gurley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (X.L.); (R.L.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (D.Z.); (X.W.); (H.Y.); (E.C.G.); (P.B.H.)
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Weidong Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230031, China;
| | - Phillip B. Hylemon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (X.L.); (R.L.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (D.Z.); (X.W.); (H.Y.); (E.C.G.); (P.B.H.)
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Huiping Zhou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (X.L.); (R.L.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (D.Z.); (X.W.); (H.Y.); (E.C.G.); (P.B.H.)
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +804-828-6817; Fax: +804-828-0676
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The Many Roles of Cell Adhesion Molecules in Hepatic Fibrosis. Cells 2019; 8:cells8121503. [PMID: 31771248 PMCID: PMC6952767 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrogenesis is a progressive scarring event resulting from disrupted regular wound healing due to repeated tissue injury and can end in organ failure, like in liver cirrhosis. The protagonists in this process, either liver-resident cells or patrolling leukocytes attracted to the site of tissue damage, interact with each other by soluble factors but also by direct cell–cell contact mediated by cell adhesion molecules. Since cell adhesion molecules also support binding to the extracellular matrix, they represent excellent biosensors, which allow cells to modulate their behavior based on changes in the surrounding microenvironment. In this review, we focus on selectins, cadherins, integrins and members of the immunoglobulin superfamily of adhesion molecules as well as some non-classical cell adhesion molecules in the context of hepatic fibrosis. We describe their liver-specific contributions to leukocyte recruitment, cell differentiation and survival, matrix remodeling or angiogenesis and touch on their suitability as targets in antifibrotic therapies.
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Chen C, Nelson LJ, Ávila MA, Cubero FJ. Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) and Cholangiocarcinoma: The Missing Link. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101172. [PMID: 31569444 PMCID: PMC6829385 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the incidence of both liver and biliary tract cancer has increased. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are the two most common types of hepatic malignancies. Whereas HCC is the fifth most common malignant tumor in Western countries, the prevalence of CCA has taken an alarming increase from 0.3 to 2.1 cases per 100,000 people. The lack of specific biomarkers makes diagnosis very difficult in the early stages of this fatal cancer. Thus, the prognosis of CCA is dismal and surgery is the only effective treatment, whilst recurrence after resection is common. Even though chemotherapy and radiotherapy may prolong survival in patients with CCA, the 5-year survival rate is still very low—a significant global problem in clinical diagnosis and therapy. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway plays an important role in signal transduction by converting extracellular stimuli into a wide range of cellular responses including inflammatory response, stress response, differentiation, survival, and tumorigenesis. Dysregulation of the MAPK cascade involves key signaling components and phosphorylation events that play an important role in tumorigenesis. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiological role of MAPK, current therapeutic options, and the current situation of MAPK-targeted therapies in CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaobo Chen
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Department of General Surgery, Wuxi Xishan People's Hospital, Wuxi 214000, China.
| | - Leonard J Nelson
- Institute for Bioengineering (IBioE), School of Engineering, Faraday Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3 JL, Scotland, UK.
| | - Matías A Ávila
- Hepatology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red, Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Francisco Javier Cubero
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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46
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Li WK, Wang GF, Wang TM, Li YY, Li YF, Lu XY, Wang YH, Zhang H, Liu P, Wu JS, Ma YM. Protective effect of herbal medicine Huangqi decoction against chronic cholestatic liver injury by inhibiting bile acid-stimulated inflammation in DDC-induced mice. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 62:152948. [PMID: 31129431 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.152948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huangqi decoction (HQD), a classic traditional herbal medicine, has been used for liver fibrosis, but its effect on intrahepatic chronic cholestatic liver injury remains unknown. PURPOSE In the present study, we investigated the hepatoprotective effect of HQD and the underlying molecular mechanisms in 3, 5-diethoxycarbonyl-1, 4-dihydroxychollidine (DDC)-induced chronic cholestatic mice. METHODS The DDC-induced cholestatic mice were administrated HQD for 4 or 8 weeks. Serum biochemistry and morphology were investigated. The serum and liver bile acid (BA) levels were detected by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The liver expression of BA metabolizing enzymes and transporters, and inflammatory and fibrotic markers was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS HQD treatment for 4 or 8 weeks ameliorated DDC-induced liver injury by improving impaired hepatic function and tissue damage. HQD treatment for 8 weeks further decreased the liver expression of cytokeratin 19, tumor growth factor (TGF)-β, collagen I, and α-smooth muscle actin, and ameliorated ductular reaction and liver fibrosis. HQD markedly decreased the accumulation of serum and liver BA. The expression of BA-metabolizing enzymes, cytochrome P450 2b10 and UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 A1, and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2, Mrp3, and Mrp4 involved in BA homeostasis was increased by 4 weeks of HQD treatment. The expression of BA uptake transporter Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide was decreased and that of Mrp4 was increased after 8 weeks of HQD treatment. Nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) was remarkably induced by HQD treatment. Additionally, HQD treatment for 8 weeks decreased the liver expression of inflammatory factors, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1. HQD suppressed the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. CONCLUSION HQD protected mice against chronic cholestatic liver injury and biliary fibrosis, which may be associated with the induction of the Nrf2 pathway and inhibition of the NF-κB pathway, ameliorating BA-stimulated inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Kai Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Guo-Feng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Tian-Ming Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yi-Fei Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xin-Yi Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ya-Hang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Jia-Sheng Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Yue-Ming Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
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47
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Rothweiler S, Feldbrügge L, Jiang ZG, Csizmadia E, Longhi MS, Vaid K, Enjyoji K, Popov YV, Robson SC. Selective deletion of ENTPD1/CD39 in macrophages exacerbates biliary fibrosis in a mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis. Purinergic Signal 2019; 15:375-385. [PMID: 31243614 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-019-09664-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purinergic signaling is important in the activation and differentiation of macrophages, which play divergent roles in the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis. The ectonucleotidase CD39 is known to modulate the immunoregulatory phenotype of macrophages, but whether this specifically impacts cholestatic liver injury is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of macrophage-expressed CD39 on the development of biliary injury and fibrosis in a mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis. Myeloid-specific CD39-deficient mice (LysMCreCd39fl/fl) were generated. Global CD39 null (Cd39-/-), wild-type (WT), LysMCreCd39fl/fl, and Cd39fl/fl control mice were exposed to 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) to induce biliary fibrosis. Hepatic hydroxyproline levels, liver histology, immunohistochemistry, mRNA expression levels, and serum biochemistry were then assessed. Following 3 weeks of DDC-feeding, Cd39-/- mice exhibited more severe fibrosis, when compared to WT mice as reflected by morphology and increased liver collagen content. Myeloid-specific CD39 deletion in LysMCreCd39fl/fl mice recapitulated the phenotype of global Cd39-/-, after exposure to DDC, and resulted in similar worsening of liver fibrosis when compared to Cd39fl/fl control animals. Further, DDC-treated LysMCreCd39fl/fl mice exhibited elevated serum levels of transaminases and total bilirubin, as well as increased hepatic expression of the profibrogenic genes Tgf-β1, Tnf-α, and α-Sma. However, no clear differences were observed in the expression of macrophage-elaborated specific cytokines between LysMCreCd39fl/fl and Cd39fl/fl animals subjected to biliary injury. Our results in the DDC-induced biliary type liver fibrosis model suggest that loss of CD39 expression on myeloid cells largely accounts for the exacerbated sclerosing cholangitis in global CD39 knockouts. These findings indicate that macrophage expressed CD39 protects from biliary liver injury and fibrosis and support a potential therapeutic target for human hepatobiliary diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Rothweiler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Dana 501, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Linda Feldbrügge
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Dana 501, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Surgery, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zhenghui Gordon Jiang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Dana 501, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Eva Csizmadia
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Dana 501, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Maria Serena Longhi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Dana 501, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kahini Vaid
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Dana 501, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Keiichi Enjyoji
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Dana 501, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Yury V Popov
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Dana 501, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Simon C Robson
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Dana 501, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Sato K, Glaser S, Kennedy L, Liangpunsakul S, Meng F, Francis H, Alpini G. Preclinical insights into cholangiopathies: disease modeling and emerging therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2019; 23:461-472. [PMID: 30990740 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2019.1608950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The common predominant clinical features of cholangiopathies such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and biliary atresia (BA) are biliary damage/senescence and liver fibrosis. Curative therapies are lacking, and liver transplantation is the only option. An understanding of the mechanisms and pathogenesis is needed to develop novel therapies. Previous studies have developed various disease-based research models and have identified candidate therapeutic targets. Areas covered: This review summarizes recent studies performed in preclinical models of cholangiopathies and the current understanding of the pathophysiology representing potential targets for novel therapies. A literature search was conducted in PubMed using the combination of the searched term 'cholangiopathies' with one or two keywords including 'model', 'cholangiocyte', 'animal', or 'fibrosis'. Papers published within five years were obtained. Expert opinion: Access to appropriate research models is a key challenge in cholangiopathy research; establishing more appropriate models for PBC is an important goal. Several preclinical studies have demonstrated promising results and have led to novel therapeutic approaches, especially for PSC. Further studies on the pathophysiology of PBC and BA are necessary to identify candidate targets. Innovative therapeutic approaches such as stem cell transplantation have been introduced, and those therapies could be applied to PSC, PBC, and BA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisaku Sato
- a Indiana Center for Liver Research, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.,b Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Shannon Glaser
- c Department of Medical Physiology , Texas A&M University Collage of Medicine , Temple , TX , USA
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- a Indiana Center for Liver Research, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.,b Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Suthat Liangpunsakul
- a Indiana Center for Liver Research, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.,b Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Fanyin Meng
- a Indiana Center for Liver Research, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.,b Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Heather Francis
- a Indiana Center for Liver Research, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.,b Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- a Indiana Center for Liver Research, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA.,b Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center , Indianapolis , IN , USA
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Sato K, Meng F, Fava G, Glaser S, Alpini G. Functional roles of gut bacteria imbalance in cholangiopathies. LIVER RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Saggi H, Maitra D, Jiang A, Zhang R, Wang P, Cornuet P, Singh S, Locker J, Ma X, Dailey H, Abrams M, Omary MB, Monga SP, Nejak-Bowen K. Loss of hepatocyte β-catenin protects mice from experimental porphyria-associated liver injury. J Hepatol 2019; 70:108-117. [PMID: 30287339 PMCID: PMC6459193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Porphyrias result from anomalies of heme biosynthetic enzymes and can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. In mice, these diseases can be modeled by administration of a diet containing 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC), which causes accumulation of porphyrin intermediates, resulting in hepatobiliary injury. Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been shown to be a modulatable target in models of biliary injury; thus, we investigated its role in DDC-driven injury. METHODS β-Catenin (Ctnnb1) knockout (KO) mice, Wnt co-receptor KO mice, and littermate controls were fed a DDC diet for 2 weeks. β-Catenin was exogenously inhibited in hepatocytes by administering β-catenin dicer-substrate RNA (DsiRNA), conjugated to a lipid nanoparticle, to mice after DDC diet and then weekly for 4 weeks. In all experiments, serum and livers were collected; livers were analyzed by histology, western blotting, and real-time PCR. Porphyrin was measured by fluorescence, quantification of polarized light images, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS DDC-fed mice lacking β-catenin or Wnt signaling had decreased liver injury compared to controls. Exogenous mice that underwent β-catenin suppression by DsiRNA during DDC feeding also showed less injury compared to control mice receiving lipid nanoparticles. Control livers contained extensive porphyrin deposits which were largely absent in mice lacking β-catenin signaling. Notably, we identified a network of key heme biosynthesis enzymes that are suppressed in the absence of β-catenin, preventing accumulation of toxic protoporphyrins. Additionally, mice lacking β-catenin exhibited fewer protein aggregates, improved proteasomal activity, and reduced induction of autophagy, all contributing to protection from injury. CONCLUSIONS β-Catenin inhibition, through its pleiotropic effects on metabolism, cell stress, and autophagy, represents a novel therapeutic approach for patients with porphyria. LAY SUMMARY Porphyrias are disorders resulting from abnormalities in the steps that lead to heme production, which cause build-up of toxic by-products called porphyrins. Liver is commonly either a source or a target of excess porphyrins, and complications can range from minor abnormalities to liver failure. In this report, we inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling in an experimental model of porphyria, which resulted in decreased liver injury. Targeting β-catenin affected multiple components of the heme biosynthesis pathway, thus preventing build-up of porphyrin intermediates. Our study suggests that drugs inhibiting β-catenin activity could reduce the amount of porphyrin accumulation and help alleviate symptoms in patients with porphyria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harvinder Saggi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Dhiman Maitra
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - An Jiang
- 2nd Affilitated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Chin
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Pengcheng Wang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Pamela Cornuet
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sucha Singh
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Joseph Locker
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Xiaochao Ma
- School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Harry Dailey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Marc Abrams
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - M. Bishr Omary
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Satdarshan P. Monga
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kari Nejak-Bowen
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
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