1
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Sun Z, Chen G. Impact of heterogeneity in liver matrix and intrahepatic cells on the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Tissue Cell 2024; 91:102559. [PMID: 39293139 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2024.102559] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a disease with a high prevalence worldwide. The development of hepatic fibrosis results from a combination of factors within the liver, such as extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, collagen cross-linking, and inflammatory response. Heterogeneity in fibrotic liver is the result of a combination of heterogeneity in the intrahepatic microenvironment as well as heterogeneous expression of fibrosis-associated enzymes and cells, complicating the study of the mechanisms underlying the progression of liver fibrosis. The role of this heterogeneity on the crosstalk between cells and matrix and on the fibrotic process is worth exploring. In this paper, we will describe the phenomenon and mechanism of heterogeneity of liver matrix and intrahepatic cells in the process of hepatic fibrosis and discuss the crosstalk between heterogeneous factors on the development of fibrosis. The elucidation of heterogeneity is important for a deeper understanding of the pathological mechanisms of liver fibrosis as well as for clinical diagnosis and targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongtao Sun
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
| | - Guobao Chen
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China.
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2
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Augustin HG, Koh GY. A systems view of the vascular endothelium in health and disease. Cell 2024; 187:4833-4858. [PMID: 39241746 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
The dysfunction of blood-vessel-lining endothelial cells is a major cause of mortality. Although endothelial cells, being present in all organs as a single-cell layer, are often conceived as a rather inert cell population, the vascular endothelium as a whole should be considered a highly dynamic and interactive systemically disseminated organ. We present here a holistic view of the field of vascular research and review the diverse functions of blood-vessel-lining endothelial cells during the life cycle of the vasculature, namely responsive and relaying functions of the vascular endothelium and the responsive roles as instructive gatekeepers of organ function. Emerging translational perspectives in regenerative medicine, preventive medicine, and aging research are developed. Collectively, this review is aimed at promoting disciplinary coherence in the field of angioscience for a broader appreciation of the importance of the vasculature for organ function, systemic health, and healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hellmut G Augustin
- European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Gou Young Koh
- Center for Vascular Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Gao J, Lan T, Kostallari E, Guo Y, Lai E, Guillot A, Ding B, Tacke F, Tang C, Shah VH. Angiocrine signaling in sinusoidal homeostasis and liver diseases. J Hepatol 2024; 81:543-561. [PMID: 38763358 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The hepatic sinusoids are composed of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), which are surrounded by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and contain liver-resident macrophages called Kupffer cells, and other patrolling immune cells. All these cells communicate with each other and with hepatocytes to maintain sinusoidal homeostasis and a spectrum of hepatic functions under healthy conditions. Sinusoidal homeostasis is disrupted by metabolites, toxins, viruses, and other pathological factors, leading to liver injury, chronic liver diseases, and cirrhosis. Alterations in hepatic sinusoids are linked to fibrosis progression and portal hypertension. LSECs are crucial regulators of cellular crosstalk within their microenvironment via angiocrine signaling. This review discusses the mechanisms by which angiocrine signaling orchestrates sinusoidal homeostasis, as well as the development of liver diseases. Here, we summarise the crosstalk between LSECs, HSCs, hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and immune cells in health and disease and comment on potential novel therapeutic methods for treating liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhang Gao
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tian Lan
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Enis Kostallari
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Yangkun Guo
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Enjiang Lai
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Adrien Guillot
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bisen Ding
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Chengwei Tang
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Vijay H Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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4
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Wang H, Liu J, Zhu P, Shi L, Liu Y, Yang X, Yang X. Single-nucleus transcriptome reveals cell dynamic response of liver during the late chick embryonic development. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103979. [PMID: 38941785 PMCID: PMC11261130 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103979] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The late embryonic development of the liver, a major metabolic organ, remains poorly characterized at single cell resolution. Here, we used single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) to characterize the chicken liver cells at 2 embryonic development time points (E14 and D1). We uncovered 8 cell types including hepatocytes, endothelial cells, hepatic stellate cells, erythrocytes, cholangiocytes, kupffer cells, mesothelial cells, and lymphocytes. And we discovered significant differences in the abundance of different cell types between E14 and D1. Moreover, we characterized the heterogeneity of hepatocytes, endothelial cells, and mesenchymal cells based on the gene regulatory networks of each clusters. Trajectory analyses revealed 128 genes associated with hepatocyte development and function, including apolipoprotein genes involved hepatic lipid metabolism and NADH dehydrogenase subunits involved hepatic oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, we identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between E14 and D1 at the cellular levels, which contribute to changes in liver development and function. These DEGs were significantly enriched in PPAR signaling pathways and lipid metabolism related pathways. Our results presented the single-cell mapping of chick embryonic liver at late stages of development and demonstrated the metabolic changes across the 2 age stages at the cellular level, which can help to further study the molecular development mechanism of embryonic liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR China
| | - Jiongyan Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR China
| | - Pinhui Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR China
| | - Lin Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR China
| | - Yanli Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR China
| | - Xiaojun Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR China
| | - Xin Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR China.
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5
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Li H, Xiao H, Mai X, Huang S, Chen J, Xiao X. A great diversity of ROBO4 expression and regulations identified by data mining and transgene mice. Gene Expr Patterns 2024; 53:119375. [PMID: 39181524 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2024.119375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
ROBO4 involves in the stabilization of blood vessel and mediates the migration of hematopoietic stem cell and newborn neuron. However, the patterns of expression and regulation are not quite clear. To resolve this, we analyzed the single cell sequence data, and confirmed that Robo4 mainly expresses in various endothelial cells, but also in epithelial cells, pericytes, and stem or progenitor cells of bone marrow, fibroblast cells/mesenchymal stem cell of adipose tissues, muscle cells and neuron. Robo4 expressions in endothelial cells derived from capillary vessel, tip/stalk/activated endothelial cells were higher than that in artery and large vein (matured endothelial cells). On the other hand, via mining the gene expression data deposited in the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus database as well as National Genomics Data Center (NGDC), we uncovered that the expression of Robo4 were regulated by different stimulus and variable in diseases' condition.Moreover, we constructed enhanced GFP (eGFP) transgene mouse controlled by Robo4 promoter using CRISPR/CAS9 system. We found GFP signals in many cell types from the embryonic section, confirming a widely expression of Robo4. Together, Robo4 widely and dynamically express in multiple cell types, and can be regulated by diverse factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiping Li
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, China
| | - Huiyan Xiao
- Shantou Jinshan Middle School, Shantou, China
| | - Xiaoting Mai
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, China
| | - Shaofeng Huang
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, China
| | - Jiongyu Chen
- Central Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Xiao
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, China.
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6
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Janardhan HP, Wachter BT, Trivedi CM. Lymphatic System Development and Function. Curr Cardiol Rep 2024:10.1007/s11886-024-02120-8. [PMID: 39172295 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-024-02120-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review delves into recent advancements in understanding generalized and organ-specific lymphatic development. It emphasizes the distinct characteristics and critical anomalies that can impair lymphatic function. By exploring developmental mechanisms, the review seeks to illuminate the profound impact of lymphatic malformations on overall health and disease progression. RECENT FINDINGS The introduction of genome sequencing, single-cell transcriptomic analysis, and advanced imaging technologies has significantly enhanced our ability to identify and characterize developmental defects within the lymphatic system. As a result, a wide range of lymphatic anomalies have been uncovered, spanning from congenital abnormalities present at birth to conditions that can become life-threatening in adulthood. Additionally, recent research highlights the heterogeneity of lymphatics, revealing organ-specific developmental pathways, unique molecular markers, and specialized physiological functions specific to each organ. A deeper understanding of the unique characteristics of lymphatic cell populations in an organ-specific context is essential for guiding future research into lymphatic disease processes. An integrated approach to translational research could revolutionize personalized medicine, where treatments are precisely tailored to individual lymphatic profiles, enhancing effectiveness and minimizing side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harish P Janardhan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Brianna T Wachter
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- MD-PhD Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Chinmay M Trivedi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- MD-PhD Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
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7
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Zou J, Li J, Wang X, Tang D, Chen R. Neuroimmune modulation in liver pathophysiology. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:188. [PMID: 39090741 PMCID: PMC11295927 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03181-w] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The liver, the largest organ in the human body, plays a multifaceted role in digestion, coagulation, synthesis, metabolism, detoxification, and immune defense. Changes in liver function often coincide with disruptions in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The intricate interplay between the nervous and immune systems is vital for maintaining tissue balance and combating diseases. Signaling molecules and pathways, including cytokines, inflammatory mediators, neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, chemoreceptors, and neural pathways, facilitate this complex communication. They establish feedback loops among diverse immune cell populations and the central, peripheral, sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric nervous systems within the liver. In this concise review, we provide an overview of the structural and compositional aspects of the hepatic neural and immune systems. We further explore the molecular mechanisms and pathways that govern neuroimmune communication, highlighting their significance in liver pathology. Finally, we summarize the current clinical implications of therapeutic approaches targeting neuroimmune interactions and present prospects for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Zou
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoxu Wang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Daolin Tang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ruochan Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
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8
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Brazovskaja A, Gomes T, Holtackers R, Wahle P, Körner C, He Z, Schaffer T, Eckel JC, Hänsel R, Santel M, Seimiya M, Denecke T, Dannemann M, Brosch M, Hampe J, Seehofer D, Damm G, Camp JG, Treutlein B. Cell atlas of the regenerating human liver after portal vein embolization. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5827. [PMID: 38992008 PMCID: PMC11239663 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49236-7] [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] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The liver has the remarkable capacity to regenerate. In the clinic, regeneration is induced by portal vein embolization, which redirects portal blood flow, resulting in liver hypertrophy in locations with increased blood supply, and atrophy of embolized segments. Here, we apply single-cell and single-nucleus transcriptomics on healthy, hypertrophied, and atrophied patient-derived liver samples to explore cell states in the regenerating liver. Our data unveils pervasive upregulation of genes associated with developmental processes, cellular adhesion, and inflammation in post-portal vein embolization liver, disrupted portal-central hepatocyte zonation, and altered cell subtype composition of endothelial and immune cells. Interlineage crosstalk analysis reveals mesenchymal cells as an interaction hub between immune and endothelial cells, and highlights the importance of extracellular matrix proteins in liver regeneration. Moreover, we establish tissue-scale iterative indirect immunofluorescence imaging for high-dimensional spatial analysis of perivascular microenvironments, uncovering changes to tissue architecture in regenerating liver lobules. Altogether, our data is a rich resource revealing cellular and histological changes in human liver regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tomás Gomes
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Rene Holtackers
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Wahle
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Körner
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Zhisong He
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Theresa Schaffer
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Julian Connor Eckel
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - René Hänsel
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology (IMISE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Santel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Makiko Seimiya
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Timm Denecke
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Dannemann
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mario Brosch
- Medical Department 1, University Hospital Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jochen Hampe
- Medical Department 1, University Hospital Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Daniel Seehofer
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Georg Damm
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - J Gray Camp
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
- Institute of Human Biology (IHB), Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Barbara Treutlein
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland.
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9
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Saiki N, Nio Y, Yoneyama Y, Kawamura S, Iwasawa K, Kawakami E, Araki K, Fukumura J, Sakairi T, Kono T, Ohmura R, Koido M, Funata M, Thompson WL, Cruz-Encarnacion P, Chen YW, Takebe T. Self-Organization of Sinusoidal Vessels in Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Human Liver Bud Organoids. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.02.601804. [PMID: 39005378 PMCID: PMC11245015 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.02.601804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The induction of tissue-specific vessels in in vitro living tissue systems remains challenging. Here, we directly differentiated human pluripotent stem cells into CD32b+ putative liver sinusoidal progenitors (iLSEP) by dictating developmental pathways. By devising an inverted multilayered air-liquid interface (IMALI) culture, hepatic endoderm, septum mesenchyme, arterial and sinusoidal quadruple progenitors self-organized to generate and sustain hepatocyte-like cells neighbored by divergent endothelial subsets composed of CD32blowCD31high, LYVE1+STAB1+CD32bhighCD31lowTHBD-vWF-, and LYVE1-THBD+vWF+ cells. Wnt2 mediated sinusoidal-to-hepatic intercellular crosstalk potentiates hepatocyte differentiation and branched endothelial network formation. Intravital imaging revealed iLSEP developed fully patent human vessels with functional sinusoid-like features. Organoid-derived hepatocyte- and sinusoid-derived coagulation factors enabled correction of in vitro clotting time with Factor V, VIII, IX, and XI deficient patients' plasma and rescued the severe bleeding phenotype in hemophilia A mice upon transplantation. Advanced organoid vascularization technology allows for interrogating key insights governing organ-specific vessel development, paving the way for coagulation disorder therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norikazu Saiki
- Institute of Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
- Organoid Medicine project, T-CiRA joint program, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Yasunori Nio
- T-CiRA Discovery, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
- Organoid Medicine project, T-CiRA joint program, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Yosuke Yoneyama
- Institute of Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Shuntaro Kawamura
- Institute of Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Kentaro Iwasawa
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition & Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
| | - Eri Kawakami
- T-CiRA Discovery, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
- Organoid Medicine project, T-CiRA joint program, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Kohei Araki
- T-CiRA Discovery, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
- Organoid Medicine project, T-CiRA joint program, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Junko Fukumura
- T-CiRA Discovery, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
- Organoid Medicine project, T-CiRA joint program, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Sakairi
- T-CiRA Discovery, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
- Organoid Medicine project, T-CiRA joint program, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Tamaki Kono
- T-CiRA Discovery, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
- Organoid Medicine project, T-CiRA joint program, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Rio Ohmura
- Institute of Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
- Organoid Medicine project, T-CiRA joint program, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Masaru Koido
- Organoid Medicine project, T-CiRA joint program, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Masaaki Funata
- T-CiRA Discovery, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
- Organoid Medicine project, T-CiRA joint program, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Wendy L. Thompson
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition & Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
| | | | - Ya-Wen Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Institute for Airway Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Center for Epithelial and Airway Biology and Regeneration, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Takanori Takebe
- Institute of Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
- Organoid Medicine project, T-CiRA joint program, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition & Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
- The Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
- Communication Design Center, Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, and Premium Research Institute for Human Metaverse Medicine (WPI-PRIMe), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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10
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Shi J, Li Q, Li J, Zhou J, Zhang X, Wang S, Guo L. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals the Spatial Heterogeneity and Functional Alteration of Endothelial Cells in Chronic Hepatitis B Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7016. [PMID: 39000126 PMCID: PMC11241719 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic Hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection is a global health challenge, causing damage ranging from hepatitis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In our study, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis was performed in livers from mice models with chronic inflammation induced by CHB infection and we found that endothelial cells (ECs) exhibited the largest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among all ten cell types. NF-κB signaling was activated in ECs to induce cell dysfunction and subsequent hepatic inflammation, which might be mediated by the interaction of macrophage-derived and cholangiocyte-derived VISFATIN/Nampt signaling. Moreover, we divided ECs into three subclusters, including periportal ECs (EC_Z1), midzonal ECs (EC_Z2), and pericentral ECs (EC_Z3) according to hepatic zonation. Functional analysis suggested that pericentral ECs and midzonal ECs, instead of periportal ECs, were more vulnerable to HBV infection, as the VISFATIN/Nampt- NF-κB axis was mainly altered in these two subpopulations. Interestingly, pericentral ECs showed increasing communication with macrophages and cholangiocytes via the Nampt-Insr and Nampt-Itga5/Itgb1 axis upon CHB infection, which contribute to angiogenesis and vascular capillarization. Additionally, ECs, especially pericentral ECs, showed a close connection with nature killer (NK) cells and T cells via the Cxcl6-Cxcr6 axis, which is involved in shaping the microenvironment in CHB mice livers. Thus, our study described the heterogeneity and functional alterations of three subclusters in ECs. We revealed the potential role of VISFATIN/Nampt signaling in modulating ECs characteristics and related hepatic inflammation, and EC-derived chemokine Cxcl16 in shaping NK and T cell recruitment, providing key insights into the multifunctionality of ECs in CHB-associated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingqi Shi
- Bioinformatics Center of AMMS, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Qingyu Li
- Bioinformatics Center of AMMS, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Jian Li
- Bioinformatics Center of AMMS, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Jianglin Zhou
- Bioinformatics Center of AMMS, Beijing 100039, China
| | | | - Shengqi Wang
- Bioinformatics Center of AMMS, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Liang Guo
- Bioinformatics Center of AMMS, Beijing 100039, China
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11
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Kim H, Kim KE, Madan E, Martin P, Gogna R, Rhee HW, Won KJ. Unveiling contact-mediated cellular crosstalk. Trends Genet 2024:S0168-9525(24)00132-X. [PMID: 38906738 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2024.05.010] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Cell-cell interactions orchestrate complex functions in multicellular organisms, forming a regulatory network for diverse biological processes. Their disruption leads to disease states. Recent advancements - including single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, coupled with powerful bioengineering and molecular tools - have revolutionized our understanding of how cells respond to each other. Notably, spatial transcriptomics allows us to analyze gene expression changes based on cell proximity, offering a unique window into the impact of cell-cell contact. Additionally, computational approaches are being developed to decipher how cell contact governs the symphony of cellular responses. This review explores these cutting-edge approaches, providing valuable insights into deciphering the intricate cellular changes influenced by cell-cell communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyobin Kim
- Department of Computational Biomedicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, West, Hollywood, CA, USA
| | - Kwang-Eun Kim
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, South Korea; Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Esha Madan
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; School of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Patrick Martin
- Department of Computational Biomedicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, West, Hollywood, CA, USA
| | - Rajan Gogna
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; School of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Hyun-Woo Rhee
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Kyoung-Jae Won
- Department of Computational Biomedicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, West, Hollywood, CA, USA.
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12
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Grøndal SM, Tutusaus A, Boix L, Reig M, Blø M, Hodneland L, Gausdal G, Jackson A, Garcia de Frutos P, Lorens JB, Morales A, Marí M. Dynamic changes in immune cell populations by AXL kinase targeting diminish liver inflammation and fibrosis in experimental MASH. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1400553. [PMID: 38817615 PMCID: PMC11137289 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1400553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a significant health concern with limited treatment options. AXL, a receptor tyrosine kinase activated by the GAS6 ligand, promotes MASH through activation of hepatic stellate cells and inflammatory macrophages. This study identified cell subsets affected by MASH progression and the effect of AXL inhibition. Methods Mice were fed chow or different fat-enriched diets to induce MASH, and small molecule AXL kinase inhibition with bemcentinib was evaluated. Gene expression was measured by qPCR. Time-of-flight mass cytometry (CyTOF) used single cells from dissociated livers, acquired on the Fluidigm Helios, and cell populations were studied using machine learning. Results In mice fed different fat-enriched diets, liver steatosis alone was insufficient to elevate plasma soluble AXL (sAXL) levels. However, in conjunction with inflammation, sAXL increases, serving as an early indicator of steatohepatitis progression. Bemcentinib, an AXL inhibitor, effectively reduced proinflammatory responses in MASH models, even before fibrosis appearance. Utilizing CyTOF analysis, we detected a decreased population of Kupffer cells during MASH while promoting infiltration of monocytes/macrophages and CD8+ T cells. Bemcentinib partially restored Kupffer cells, reduced pDCs and GzmB- NK cells, and increased GzmB+CD8+ T cells and LSECs. Additionally, AXL inhibition enhanced a subtype of GzmB+CD8+ tissue-resident memory T cells characterized by CX3CR1 expression. Furthermore, bemcentinib altered the transcriptomic landscape associated with MASH progression, particularly in TLR signaling and inflammatory response, exhibiting differential cytokine expression in the plasma, consistent with liver repair and decreased inflammation. Conclusion Our findings highlight sAXL as a biomarker for monitoring MASH progression and demonstrate that AXL targeting shifted liver macrophages and CD8+ T-cell subsets away from an inflammatory phenotype toward fibrotic resolution and organ healing, presenting a promising strategy for MASH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sturla Magnus Grøndal
- Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anna Tutusaus
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Center (BCLC), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Loreto Boix
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Center (BCLC), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Reig
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Center (BCLC), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Pablo Garcia de Frutos
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Unidad Asociada (IMIM), Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - James Bradley Lorens
- Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- BerGenBio ASA, Bergen, Norway
| | - Albert Morales
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Center (BCLC), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Marí
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Center (BCLC), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Fujiwara N, Kimura G, Nakagawa H. Emerging Roles of Spatial Transcriptomics in Liver Research. Semin Liver Dis 2024; 44:115-132. [PMID: 38574750 DOI: 10.1055/a-2299-7880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Spatial transcriptomics, leveraging sequencing- and imaging-based techniques, has emerged as a groundbreaking technology for mapping gene expression within the complex architectures of tissues. This approach provides an in-depth understanding of cellular and molecular dynamics across various states of healthy and diseased livers. Through the integration of sophisticated bioinformatics strategies, it enables detailed exploration of cellular heterogeneity, transitions in cell states, and intricate cell-cell interactions with remarkable precision. In liver research, spatial transcriptomics has been particularly revelatory, identifying distinct zonated functions of hepatocytes that are crucial for understanding the metabolic and detoxification processes of the liver. Moreover, this technology has unveiled new insights into the pathogenesis of liver diseases, such as the role of lipid-associated macrophages in steatosis and endothelial cell signals in liver regeneration and repair. In the domain of liver cancer, spatial transcriptomics has proven instrumental in delineating intratumor heterogeneity, identifying supportive microenvironmental niches and revealing the complex interplay between tumor cells and the immune system as well as susceptibility to immune checkpoint inhibitors. In conclusion, spatial transcriptomics represents a significant advance in hepatology, promising to enhance our understanding and treatment of liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Mie University, Mie, Japan
| | - Genki Kimura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Mie University, Mie, Japan
| | - Hayato Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Mie University, Mie, Japan
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14
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Zhou Y, Zhao Y, Carbonaro M, Chen H, Germino M, Adler C, Ni M, Zhu YO, Kim SY, Altarejos J, Li Z, Burczynski ME, Glass DJ, Sleeman MW, Lee AH, Halasz G, Cheng X. Perturbed liver gene zonation in a mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Metabolism 2024; 154:155830. [PMID: 38428673 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2024.155830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Liver zonation characterizes the separation of metabolic pathways along the lobules and is required for optimal hepatic function. Wnt signaling is a master regulator of spatial liver zonation. A perivenous-periportal Wnt activity gradient orchestrates metabolic zonation by activating gene expression in perivenous hepatocytes, while suppressing gene expression in their periportal counterparts. However, the understanding as to the liver gene zonation and zonation regulators in diseases is limited. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic liver disease characterized by fat accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis. Here, we investigated the perturbation of liver gene zonation in a mouse NASH model by combining spatial transcriptomics, bulk RNAseq and in situ hybridization. Wnt-target genes represented a major subset of genes showing altered spatial expression in the NASH liver. The altered Wnt-target gene expression levels and zonation spatial patterns were in line with the up regulation of Wnt regulators and the augmentation of Wnt signaling. Particularly, we found that the Wnt activator Rspo3 expression was restricted to the perivenous zone in control liver but expanded to the periportal zone in NASH liver. AAV8-mediated RSPO3 overexpression in controls resulted in zonation changes, and further amplified the disturbed zonation of Wnt-target genes in NASH, similarly Rspo3 knockdown in Rspo3+/- mice resulted in zonation changes of Wnt-target genes in both chow and HFD mouse. Interestingly, there were no impacts on steatosis, inflammation, or fibrosis NASH pathology from RSPO3 overexpression nor Rspo3 knockdown. In summary, our study demonstrated the alteration of Wnt signaling in a mouse NASH model, leading to perturbed liver zonation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zhou
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Yuanqi Zhao
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Marisa Carbonaro
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Helen Chen
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Mary Germino
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Christina Adler
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Min Ni
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Yuan O Zhu
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Sun Y Kim
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Judith Altarejos
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Zhe Li
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | | | - David J Glass
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Mark W Sleeman
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Ann-Hwee Lee
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Gabor Halasz
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Xiping Cheng
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America.
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15
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Xu J, Guo P, Hao S, Shangguan S, Shi Q, Volpe G, Huang K, Zuo J, An J, Yuan Y, Cheng M, Deng Q, Zhang X, Lai G, Nan H, Wu B, Shentu X, Wu L, Wei X, Jiang Y, Huang X, Pan F, Song Y, Li R, Wang Z, Liu C, Liu S, Li Y, Yang T, Xu Z, Du W, Li L, Ahmed T, You K, Dai Z, Li L, Qin B, Li Y, Lai L, Qin D, Chen J, Fan R, Li Y, Hou J, Ott M, Sharma AD, Cantz T, Schambach A, Kristiansen K, Hutchins AP, Göttgens B, Maxwell PH, Hui L, Xu X, Liu L, Chen A, Lai Y, Esteban MA. A spatiotemporal atlas of mouse liver homeostasis and regeneration. Nat Genet 2024; 56:953-969. [PMID: 38627598 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01709-7] [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] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
The mechanism by which mammalian liver cell responses are coordinated during tissue homeostasis and perturbation is poorly understood, representing a major obstacle in our understanding of many diseases. This knowledge gap is caused by the difficulty involved with studying multiple cell types in different states and locations, particularly when these are transient. We have combined Stereo-seq (spatiotemporal enhanced resolution omics-sequencing) with single-cell transcriptomic profiling of 473,290 cells to generate a high-definition spatiotemporal atlas of mouse liver homeostasis and regeneration at the whole-lobe scale. Our integrative study dissects in detail the molecular gradients controlling liver cell function, systematically defining how gene networks are dynamically modulated through intercellular communication to promote regeneration. Among other important regulators, we identified the transcriptional cofactor TBL1XR1 as a rheostat linking inflammation to Wnt/β-catenin signaling for facilitating hepatocyte proliferation. Our data and analytical pipelines lay the foundation for future high-definition tissue-scale atlases of organ physiology and malfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangshan Xu
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pengcheng Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
- 3DC STAR, Spatiotemporal Campus at BGI Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Shijie Hao
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuncheng Shangguan
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health and Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Quan Shi
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Giacomo Volpe
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Keke Huang
- Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jing Zuo
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Juan An
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Yuan
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mengnan Cheng
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiuting Deng
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guangyao Lai
- Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health and Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haitao Nan
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Baihua Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyi Shentu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wei
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yujia Jiang
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin Huang
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fengyu Pan
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yumo Song
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ronghai Li
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhifeng Wang
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chuanyu Liu
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- BGI Collaborative Center for Future Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Shiping Liu
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Tao Yang
- China National GeneBank, BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Genomics Data Center, BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhicheng Xu
- China National GeneBank, BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Genomics Data Center, BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wensi Du
- China National GeneBank, BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Genomics Data Center, BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ling Li
- China National GeneBank, BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Genomics Data Center, BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tanveer Ahmed
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai You
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Dai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Li
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baoming Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yinxiong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liangxue Lai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dajiang Qin
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University-BGI Research Center for Integrative Biology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junling Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongyin Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinlin Hou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Michael Ott
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Amar Deep Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tobias Cantz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Andrew P Hutchins
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Berthold Göttgens
- Department of Haematology and Wellcome MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Patrick H Maxwell
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lijian Hui
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xun Xu
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China.
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China.
- BGI Collaborative Center for Future Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Longqi Liu
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- BGI Collaborative Center for Future Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
| | - Ao Chen
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- BGI Research, Chongqing, China.
- JFL-BGI STOmics Center, BGI-Shenzhen, Chongqing, China.
| | - Yiwei Lai
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China.
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China.
- 3DC STAR, Spatiotemporal Campus at BGI Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.
- BGI Collaborative Center for Future Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
| | - Miguel A Esteban
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
- 3DC STAR, Spatiotemporal Campus at BGI Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.
- Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University-BGI Research Center for Integrative Biology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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16
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Yap KK, Schröder J, Gerrand YW, Dobric A, Kong AM, Fox AM, Knowles B, Banting SW, Elefanty AG, Stanley EG, Yeoh GC, Lockwood GP, Cogger VC, Morrison WA, Polo JM, Mitchell GM. Liver specification of human iPSC-derived endothelial cells transplanted into mouse liver. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:101023. [PMID: 38681862 PMCID: PMC11046210 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are important in liver development, regeneration, and pathophysiology, but the differentiation process underlying their tissue-specific phenotype is poorly understood and difficult to study because primary human cells are scarce. The aim of this study was to use human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived LSEC-like cells to investigate the differentiation process of LSECs. Methods hiPSC-derived endothelial cells (iECs) were transplanted into the livers of Fah-/-/Rag2-/-/Il2rg-/- mice and assessed over a 12-week period. Lineage tracing, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, plasma human factor VIII measurement, and bulk and single cell transcriptomic analysis were used to assess the molecular and functional changes that occurred following transplantation. Results Progressive and long-term repopulation of the liver vasculature occurred as iECs expanded along the sinusoids between hepatocytes and increasingly produced human factor VIII, indicating differentiation into LSEC-like cells. To chart the developmental profile associated with LSEC specification, the bulk transcriptomes of transplanted cells between 1 and 12 weeks after transplantation were compared against primary human adult LSECs. This demonstrated a chronological increase in LSEC markers, LSEC differentiation pathways, and zonation. Bulk transcriptome analysis suggested that the transcription factors NOTCH1, GATA4, and FOS have a central role in LSEC specification, interacting with a network of 27 transcription factors. Novel markers associated with this process included EMCN and CLEC14A. Additionally, single cell transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that transplanted iECs at 4 weeks contained zonal subpopulations with a region-specific phenotype. Conclusions Collectively, this study confirms that hiPSCs can adopt LSEC-like features and provides insight into LSEC specification. This humanised xenograft system can be applied to further interrogate LSEC developmental biology and pathophysiology, bypassing current logistical obstacles associated with primary human LSECs. Impact and implications Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are important cells for liver biology, but better model systems are required to study them. We present a pluripotent stem cell xenografting model that produces human LSEC-like cells. A detailed and longitudinal transcriptomic analysis of the development of LSEC-like cells is included, which will guide future studies to interrogate LSEC biology and produce LSEC-like cells that could be used for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiryu K. Yap
- O’Brien Department of St Vincent’s Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Jan Schröder
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Doherty Institute & University of Melbourne Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Yi-Wen Gerrand
- O’Brien Department of St Vincent’s Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Aleksandar Dobric
- O’Brien Department of St Vincent’s Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Anne M. Kong
- O’Brien Department of St Vincent’s Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Adrian M. Fox
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Unit, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Brett Knowles
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Unit, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Simon W. Banting
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Unit, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew G. Elefanty
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Eduoard G. Stanley
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - George C. Yeoh
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Glen P. Lockwood
- ANZAC Research Institute and University of Sydney, Concord, NSW, Australia
| | - Victoria C. Cogger
- ANZAC Research Institute and University of Sydney, Concord, NSW, Australia
| | - Wayne A. Morrison
- O’Brien Department of St Vincent’s Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Jose M. Polo
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Geraldine M. Mitchell
- O’Brien Department of St Vincent’s Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
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17
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Santos AA, Delgado TC, Marques V, Ramirez-Moncayo C, Alonso C, Vidal-Puig A, Hall Z, Martínez-Chantar ML, Rodrigues CM. Spatial metabolomics and its application in the liver. Hepatology 2024; 79:1158-1179. [PMID: 36811413 PMCID: PMC11020039 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocytes work in highly structured, repetitive hepatic lobules. Blood flow across the radial axis of the lobule generates oxygen, nutrient, and hormone gradients, which result in zoned spatial variability and functional diversity. This large heterogeneity suggests that hepatocytes in different lobule zones may have distinct gene expression profiles, metabolic features, regenerative capacity, and susceptibility to damage. Here, we describe the principles of liver zonation, introduce metabolomic approaches to study the spatial heterogeneity of the liver, and highlight the possibility of exploring the spatial metabolic profile, leading to a deeper understanding of the tissue metabolic organization. Spatial metabolomics can also reveal intercellular heterogeneity and its contribution to liver disease. These approaches facilitate the global characterization of liver metabolic function with high spatial resolution along physiological and pathological time scales. This review summarizes the state of the art for spatially resolved metabolomic analysis and the challenges that hinder the achievement of metabolome coverage at the single-cell level. We also discuss several major contributions to the understanding of liver spatial metabolism and conclude with our opinion on the future developments and applications of these exciting new technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- André A. Santos
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Teresa C. Delgado
- Liver Disease Lab, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Congenital Metabolic Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Vanda Marques
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carmen Ramirez-Moncayo
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, UK
| | | | - Antonio Vidal-Puig
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centro Investigation Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Zoe Hall
- Division of Systems Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - María Luz Martínez-Chantar
- Liver Disease Lab, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cecilia M.P. Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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18
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Raya Tonetti F, Eguileor A, Mrdjen M, Pathak V, Travers J, Nagy LE, Llorente C. Gut-liver axis: Recent concepts in pathophysiology in alcohol-associated liver disease. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00873. [PMID: 38691396 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The growing recognition of the role of the gut microbiome's impact on alcohol-associated diseases, especially in alcohol-associated liver disease, emphasizes the need to understand molecular mechanisms involved in governing organ-organ communication to identify novel avenues to combat alcohol-associated diseases. The gut-liver axis refers to the bidirectional communication and interaction between the gut and the liver. Intestinal microbiota plays a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis within the gut-liver axis, and this axis plays a significant role in alcohol-associated liver disease. The intricate communication between intestine and liver involves communication between multiple cellular components in each organ that enable them to carry out their physiological functions. In this review, we focus on novel approaches to understanding how chronic alcohol exposure impacts the microbiome and individual cells within the liver and intestine, as well as the impact of ethanol on the molecular machinery required for intraorgan and interorgan communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Raya Tonetti
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Alvaro Eguileor
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Marko Mrdjen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Vai Pathak
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jared Travers
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Laura E Nagy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Cristina Llorente
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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19
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Scheidecker B, Poulain S, Sugimoto M, Arakawa H, Kim SH, Kawanishi T, Kato Y, Danoy M, Nishikawa M, Sakai Y. Mechanobiological stimulation in organ-on-a-chip systems reduces hepatic drug metabolic capacity in favor of regenerative specialization. Biotechnol Bioeng 2024; 121:1435-1452. [PMID: 38184801 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28653] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic physiology depends on the liver's complex structural composition which among others, provides high oxygen supply rates, locally differential oxygen tension, endothelial paracrine signaling, as well as residual hemodynamic shear stress to resident hepatocytes. While functional improvements were shown by implementing these factors into hepatic culture systems, direct cause-effect relationships are often not well characterized-obfuscating their individual contribution in more complex microphysiological systems. By comparing increasingly complex hepatic in vitro culture systems that gradually implement these parameters, we investigate the influence of the cellular microenvironment to overall hepatic functionality in pharmacological applications. Here, hepatocytes were modulated in terms of oxygen tension and supplementation, endothelial coculture, and exposure to fluid shear stress delineated from oxygen influx. Results from transcriptomic and metabolomic evaluation indicate that particularly oxygen supply rates are critical to enhance cellular functionality-with cellular drug metabolism remaining comparable to physiological conditions after prolonged static culture. Endothelial signaling was found to be a major contributor to differential phenotype formation known as metabolic zonation, indicated by WNT pathway activity. Lastly, oxygen-delineated shear stress was identified to direct cellular fate towards increased hepatic plasticity and regenerative phenotypes at the cost of drug metabolic functionality - in line with regenerative effects observed in vivo. With these results, we provide a systematic evaluation of critical parameters and their impact in hepatic systems. Given their adherence to physiological effects in vivo, this highlights the importance of their implementation in biomimetic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip systems. Considering recent advances in basic liver biology, direct translation of physiological structures into in vitro models is a promising strategy to expand the capabilities of pharmacological models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stéphane Poulain
- Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Sugimoto
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Yamagata, Japan
- Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Arakawa
- Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Soo H Kim
- Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takumi Kawanishi
- Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yukio Kato
- Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mathieu Danoy
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Nishikawa
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Sakai
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Scheidecker B, Poulain S, Sugimoto M, Kido T, Kawanishi T, Miyajima A, Kim SH, Arakawa H, Kato Y, Nishikawa M, Danoy M, Sakai Y, Leclerc E. Dynamic, IPSC-derived hepatic tissue tri-culture system for the evaluation of liver physiology in vitro. Biofabrication 2024; 16:025037. [PMID: 38447229 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad30c5] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Availability of hepatic tissue for the investigation of metabolic processes is severely limited. While primary hepatocytes or animal models are widely used in pharmacological applications, a change in methodology towards more sustainable and ethical assays is highly desirable. Stem cell derived hepatic cells are generally regarded as a viable alternative for the above model systems, if current limitations in functionality and maturation can be overcome. By combining microfluidic organ-on-a-chip technology with individually differentiated, multicellular hepatic tissue fractions, we aim to improve overall functionality of hepatocyte-like cells, as well as evaluate cellular composition and interactions with non-parenchymal cell populations towards the formation of mature liver tissue. Utilizing a multi-omic approach, we show the improved maturation profiles of hepatocyte-like cells maintained in a dynamic microenvironment compared to standard tissue culture setups without continuous perfusion. In order to evaluate the resulting tissue, we employ single cell sequencing to distinguish formed subpopulations and spatial localization. While cellular input was strictly defined based on established differentiation protocols of parenchyma, endothelial and stellate cell fractions, resulting hepatic tissue was shown to comprise a complex mixture of epithelial and non-parenchymal fractions with specific local enrichment of phenotypes along the microchannel. Following this approach, we show the importance of passive, paracrine developmental processes in tissue formation. Using such complex tissue models is a crucial first step to develop stem cell-derivedin vitrosystems that can compare functionally with currently used pharmacological and toxicological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Scheidecker
- CNRS UMI 2820, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 153-8505 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Stéphane Poulain
- Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 153-8505 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Sugimoto
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, 997-0035 Yamagata, Japan
- Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, 160-8402 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taketomo Kido
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of Tokyo, 113-0032 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takumi Kawanishi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kanazawa University, 920-1102 Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Atsushi Miyajima
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of Tokyo, 113-0032 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Soo Hyeon Kim
- Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 153-8505 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Arakawa
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kanazawa University, 920-1102 Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yukio Kato
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kanazawa University, 920-1102 Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Masaki Nishikawa
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, 113-8654 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mathieu Danoy
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, 113-8654 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Sakai
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, 113-8654 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eric Leclerc
- CNRS UMI 2820, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 153-8505 Tokyo, Japan
- CNRS UMR 7338, Laboratoire de Biomécanique et Bioingénierie, Université de Technologies de Compiègne, 60203 Compiègne, France
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21
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Meroueh C, Warasnhe K, Tizhoosh HR, Shah VH, Ibrahim SH. Digital pathology and spatial omics in steatohepatitis: Clinical applications and discovery potentials. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00815. [PMID: 38517078 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Steatohepatitis with diverse etiologies is the most common histological manifestation in patients with liver disease. However, there are currently no specific histopathological features pathognomonic for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, alcohol-associated liver disease, or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease with increased alcohol intake. Digitizing traditional pathology slides has created an emerging field of digital pathology, allowing for easier access, storage, sharing, and analysis of whole-slide images. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have been developed for whole-slide images to enhance the accuracy and speed of the histological interpretation of steatohepatitis and are currently employed in biomarker development. Spatial biology is a novel field that enables investigators to map gene and protein expression within a specific region of interest on liver histological sections, examine disease heterogeneity within tissues, and understand the relationship between molecular changes and distinct tissue morphology. Here, we review the utility of digital pathology (using linear and nonlinear microscopy) augmented with AI analysis to improve the accuracy of histological interpretation. We will also discuss the spatial omics landscape with special emphasis on the strengths and limitations of established spatial transcriptomics and proteomics technologies and their application in steatohepatitis. We then highlight the power of multimodal integration of digital pathology augmented by machine learning (ML)algorithms with spatial biology. The review concludes with a discussion of the current gaps in knowledge, the limitations and premises of these tools and technologies, and the areas of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chady Meroueh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Khaled Warasnhe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Hamid R Tizhoosh
- Department of Artificial Intelligence and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Vijay H Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Samar H Ibrahim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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22
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Shirafkan F, Hensel L, Rattay K. Immune tolerance and the prevention of autoimmune diseases essentially depend on thymic tissue homeostasis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1339714. [PMID: 38571951 PMCID: PMC10987875 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1339714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The intricate balance of immune reactions towards invading pathogens and immune tolerance towards self is pivotal in preventing autoimmune diseases, with the thymus playing a central role in establishing and maintaining this equilibrium. The induction of central immune tolerance in the thymus involves the elimination of self-reactive T cells, a mechanism essential for averting autoimmunity. Disruption of the thymic T cell selection mechanisms can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. In the dynamic microenvironment of the thymus, T cell migration and interactions with thymic stromal cells are critical for the selection processes that ensure self-tolerance. Thymic epithelial cells are particularly significant in this context, presenting self-antigens and inducing the negative selection of autoreactive T cells. Further, the synergistic roles of thymic fibroblasts, B cells, and dendritic cells in antigen presentation, selection and the development of regulatory T cells are pivotal in maintaining immune responses tightly regulated. This review article collates these insights, offering a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted role of thymic tissue homeostasis in the establishment of immune tolerance and its implications in the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the developmental pathways of the thymus are explored, highlighting how genetic aberrations can disrupt thymic architecture and function, leading to autoimmune conditions. The impact of infections on immune tolerance is another critical area, with pathogens potentially triggering autoimmunity by altering thymic homeostasis. Overall, this review underscores the integral role of thymic tissue homeostasis in the prevention of autoimmune diseases, discussing insights into potential therapeutic strategies and examining putative avenues for future research on developing thymic-based therapies in treating and preventing autoimmune conditions.
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23
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Shin YJ, Lee JH. Exploring the Molecular and Developmental Dynamics of Endothelial Cell Differentiation. Int J Stem Cells 2024; 17:15-29. [PMID: 37879853 PMCID: PMC10899884 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc23086] [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: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The development and differentiation of endothelial cells (ECs) are fundamental processes with significant implications for both health and disease. ECs, which are found in all organs and blood vessels, play a crucial role in facilitating nutrient and waste exchange and maintaining proper vessel function. Understanding the intricate signaling pathways involved in EC development holds great promise for enhancing vascularization, tissue engineering, and vascular regeneration. Hematopoietic stem cells originating from hemogenic ECs, give rise to diverse immune cell populations, and the interaction between ECs and immune cells is vital for maintaining vascular integrity and regulating immune responses. Dysregulation of vascular development pathways can lead to various diseases, including cancer, where tumor-specific ECs promote tumor growth through angiogenesis. Recent advancements in single-cell genomics and in vivo genetic labeling have shed light on EC development, plasticity, and heterogeneity, uncovering tissue-specific gene expression and crucial signaling pathways. This review explores the potential of ECs in various applications, presenting novel opportunities for advancing vascular medicine and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jung Shin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jung Hyun Lee
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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24
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Konishi H, Rahmawati FN, Okamoto N, Akuta K, Inukai K, Jia W, Muramatsu F, Takakura N. Discovery of Transcription Factors Involved in the Maintenance of Resident Vascular Endothelial Stem Cell Properties. Mol Cell Biol 2024; 44:17-26. [PMID: 38247234 PMCID: PMC10829836 DOI: 10.1080/10985549.2023.2297997] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
A resident vascular endothelial stem cell (VESC) population expressing CD157 has been identified recently in mice. Herein, we identified transcription factors (TFs) regulating CD157 expression in endothelial cells (ECs) that were associated with drug resistance, angiogenesis, and EC proliferation. In the first screening, we detected 20 candidate TFs through the CD157 promoter and gene expression analyses. We found that 10 of the 20 TFs induced CD157 expression in ECs. We previously reported that 70% of CD157 VESCs were side population (SP) ECs that abundantly expressed ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Here, we found that the 10 TFs increased the expression of several ABC transporters in ECs and increased the proportion of SP ECs. Of these 10 TFs, we found that six (Atf3, Bhlhe40, Egr1, Egr2, Elf3, and Klf4) were involved in the manifestation of the SP phenotype. Furthermore, the six TFs enhanced tube formation and proliferation in ECs. Single-cell RNA sequence data in liver ECs suggested that Atf3 and Klf4 contributed to the production of CD157+ VESCs in the postnatal period. We concluded that Klf4 might be important for the development and maintenance of liver VESCs. Our work suggests that a TF network is involved in the differentiation hierarchy of VESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Konishi
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Fitriana N. Rahmawati
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Naoki Okamoto
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Keigo Akuta
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Koichi Inukai
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Weizhen Jia
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Muramatsu
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Takakura
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, World Premier International Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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25
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Hu Y, Wang R, An N, Li C, Wang Q, Cao Y, Li C, Liu J, Wang Y. Unveiling the power of microenvironment in liver regeneration: an in-depth overview. Front Genet 2023; 14:1332190. [PMID: 38152656 PMCID: PMC10751322 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1332190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver serves as a vital regulatory hub for various physiological processes, including sugar, protein, and fat metabolism, coagulation regulation, immune system maintenance, hormone inactivation, urea metabolism, and water-electrolyte acid-base balance control. These functions rely on coordinated communication among different liver cell types, particularly within the liver's fundamental hepatic lobular structure. In the early stages of liver development, diverse liver cells differentiate from stem cells in a carefully orchestrated manner. Despite its susceptibility to damage, the liver possesses a remarkable regenerative capacity, with the hepatic lobule serving as a secure environment for cell division and proliferation during liver regeneration. This regenerative process depends on a complex microenvironment, involving liver resident cells, circulating cells, secreted cytokines, extracellular matrix, and biological forces. While hepatocytes proliferate under varying injury conditions, their sources may vary. It is well-established that hepatocytes with regenerative potential are distributed throughout the hepatic lobules. However, a comprehensive spatiotemporal model of liver regeneration remains elusive, despite recent advancements in genomics, lineage tracing, and microscopic imaging. This review summarizes the spatial distribution of cell gene expression within the regenerative microenvironment and its impact on liver regeneration patterns. It offers valuable insights into understanding the complex process of liver regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuelei Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruilin Wang
- Department of Cadre’s Wards Ultrasound Diagnostics, Ultrasound Diagnostic Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ni An
- Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Li
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yannan Cao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Li
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Liu
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunfang Wang
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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26
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Zhu JH, Guan XC, Yi LL, Xu H, Li QY, Cheng WJ, Xie YX, Li WZ, Zhao HY, Wei HJ, Zhao SM. Single-nucleus transcriptome sequencing reveals hepatic cell atlas in pigs. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:770. [PMID: 38087243 PMCID: PMC10717992 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09765-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the largest substantive organ of animals, the liver plays an essential role in the physiological processes of digestive metabolism and immune defense. However, the cellular composition of the pig liver remains poorly understood. This investigation used single-nucleus RNA sequencing technology to identify cell types from liver tissues of pigs, providing a theoretical basis for further investigating liver cell types in pigs. RESULTS The analysis revealed 13 cells clusters which were further identified 7 cell types including endothelial cells, T cells, hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, stellate cells, B cells, and cholangiocytes. The dominant cell types were endothelial cells, T cells and hepatocytes in the liver tissue of Dahe pigs and Dahe black pigs, which accounts for about 85.76% and 82.74%, respectively. The number of endothelial cells was higher in the liver tissue of Dahe pigs compared to Dahe black pigs, while the opposite tendency was observed for T cells. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that the differentially expressed genes in pig hepatic endothelial cells were significantly enriched in the protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, MAPK signaling pathway, and FoxO signaling pathway. Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that the differentially expressed genes in pig hepatic T cells were significantly enriched in the thyroid hormone signaling pathway, B cell receptor signaling pathway, and focal adhesion. Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that the differentially expressed genes in pig hepatic hepatocytes were significantly enriched in the metabolic pathways. CONCLUSIONS In summary, this study provides a comprehensive cell atlas of porcine hepatic tissue. The number, gene expression level and functional characteristics of each cell type in pig liver tissue varied between breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Hong Zhu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Xuan-Cheng Guan
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Lan-Lan Yi
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Hong Xu
- School of Public Finance and Economics, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Kunming, 650221, China
| | - Qiu-Yan Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Wen-Jie Cheng
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Yu-Xiao Xie
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
- College of Biology and Agriculture, Zunyi Normal University, Zunyi, 563006, China
| | - Wei-Zhen Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Hong-Ye Zhao
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Hong-Jiang Wei
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China.
| | - Su-Mei Zhao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China.
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China.
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27
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Cross AR, Gartner L, Hester J, Issa F. Opportunities for High-plex Spatial Transcriptomics in Solid Organ Transplantation. Transplantation 2023; 107:2464-2472. [PMID: 36944604 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004587] [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: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The last 5 y have seen the development and widespread adoption of high-plex spatial transcriptomic technology. This technique detects and quantifies mRNA transcripts in situ, meaning that transcriptomic signatures can be sampled from specific cells, structures, lesions, or anatomical regions while conserving the physical relationships that exist within complex tissues. These methods now frequently implement next-generation sequencing, enabling the simultaneous measurement of many targets, up to and including the whole mRNA transcriptome. To date, spatial transcriptomics has been foremost used in the fields of neuroscience and oncology, but there is potential for its use in transplantation sciences. Transplantation has a clear dependence on biopsies for diagnosis, monitoring, and research. Transplant patients represent a unique cohort with multiple organs of interest, clinical courses, demographics, and immunosuppressive regimens. Obtaining high complexity data on the disease processes underlying rejection, tolerance, infection, malignancy, and injury could identify new opportunities for therapeutic intervention and biomarker identification. In this review, we discuss currently available spatial transcriptomic technologies and how they can be applied to transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy R Cross
- Translational Research and Immunology Group, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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28
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Handler K, Bach K, Borrelli C, Piscuoglio S, Ficht X, Acar IE, Moor AE. Fragment-sequencing unveils local tissue microenvironments at single-cell resolution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7775. [PMID: 38012149 PMCID: PMC10681997 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43005-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells collectively determine biological functions by communicating with each other-both through direct physical contact and secreted factors. Consequently, the local microenvironment of a cell influences its behavior, gene expression, and cellular crosstalk. Disruption of this microenvironment causes reciprocal changes in those features, which can lead to the development and progression of diseases. Hence, assessing the cellular transcriptome while simultaneously capturing the spatial relationships of cells within a tissue provides highly valuable insights into how cells communicate in health and disease. Yet, methods to probe the transcriptome often fail to preserve native spatial relationships, lack single-cell resolution, or are highly limited in throughput, i.e. lack the capacity to assess multiple environments simultaneously. Here, we introduce fragment-sequencing (fragment-seq), a method that enables the characterization of single-cell transcriptomes within multiple spatially distinct tissue microenvironments. We apply fragment-seq to a murine model of the metastatic liver to study liver zonation and the metastatic niche. This analysis reveals zonated genes and ligand-receptor interactions enriched in specific hepatic microenvironments. Finally, we apply fragment-seq to other tissues and species, demonstrating the adaptability of our method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Handler
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karsten Bach
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Costanza Borrelli
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Salvatore Piscuoglio
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Visceral Surgery and Precision Medicine Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Xenia Ficht
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ilhan E Acar
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas E Moor
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Schanzenstrasse 44, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
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29
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Rao L, Cai L, Huang L. Single-cell dynamics of liver development in postnatal pigs. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2023; 68:2583-2597. [PMID: 37783617 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.09.021] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The postnatal development of the liver, an essential organ for metabolism and immunity, remains poorly characterized at the single-cell resolution. Here, we generated single-nucleus and single-cell transcriptomes of 84,824 pig liver cells at four postnatal time points: day 30, 42, 150, and 730. We uncovered 23 cell types, including three rare cell types: plasmacytoid dendritic cells, CAVIN3+IGF2+ endothelial cells, and EBF1+ fibroblasts. The latter two were verified by multiplex immunohistochemistry. Trajectory and gene regulatory analyses revealed 33 genes that encode transcription factors associated with hepatocyte development and function, including NFIL3 involved in regulating hepatic metabolism. We characterized the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of liver endothelial cells, identified and validated leucine zipper protein 2 (LUZP2) as a novel adult liver sinusoidal endothelial cell-specific transcription factor. Lymphoid cells (NK and T cells) governed the immune system of the pig liver since day 30. Furthermore, we identified a cluster of tissue-resident NK cells, which displayed virus defense functions, maintained proliferative features at day 730, and manifested a higher conservative transcription factor expression pattern in humans than in mouse liver. Our study presents the most comprehensive postnatal liver development single-cell atlas and demonstrates the metabolic and immune changes across the four age stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Rao
- National Key Laboratory for Swine Genetic Improvement and Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China.
| | - Liping Cai
- National Key Laboratory for Swine Genetic Improvement and Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Lusheng Huang
- National Key Laboratory for Swine Genetic Improvement and Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China.
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30
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Tsuyuzaki K, Ishii M, Nikaido I. Sctensor detects many-to-many cell-cell interactions from single cell RNA-sequencing data. BMC Bioinformatics 2023; 24:420. [PMID: 37936079 PMCID: PMC10631077 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-023-05490-y] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Complex biological systems are described as a multitude of cell-cell interactions (CCIs). Recent single-cell RNA-sequencing studies focus on CCIs based on ligand-receptor (L-R) gene co-expression but the analytical methods are not appropriate to detect many-to-many CCIs. RESULTS In this work, we propose scTensor, a novel method for extracting representative triadic relationships (or hypergraphs), which include ligand-expression, receptor-expression, and related L-R pairs. CONCLUSIONS Through extensive studies with simulated and empirical datasets, we have shown that scTensor can detect some hypergraphs that cannot be detected using conventional CCI detection methods, especially when they include many-to-many relationships. scTensor is implemented as a freely available R/Bioconductor package.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koki Tsuyuzaki
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
- Japan Science and Technology Agency, PRESTO, 7 Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0076, Japan.
| | - Manabu Ishii
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Itoshi Nikaido
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
- Department of Functional Genome Informatics, Division of Biological Data Science, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
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31
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Liu T, Wang Q, Zhou L, Zhang P, Mi L, Qiu X, Chen Z, Kuang H, Li S, Lin JD. Intrahepatic paracrine signaling by cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1 ameliorates diet-induced NASH in mice. Hepatology 2023; 78:1478-1491. [PMID: 35950514 PMCID: PMC9918604 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The mammalian liver harbors heterogeneous cell types that communicate via local paracrine signaling. Recent studies have delineated the transcriptomic landscape of the liver in NASH that provides insights into liver cell heterogeneity, intercellular crosstalk, and disease-associated reprogramming. However, the nature of intrahepatic signaling and its role in NASH progression remain obscure. APPROACH AND RESULTS Here, we performed transcriptomic analyses and identified cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1 (CLCF1), a member of the IL-6 family cytokines, as a cholangiocyte-derived paracrine factor that was elevated in the liver from diet-induced NASH mice and patients with NASH. Adenovirus-associated virus-mediated overexpression of CLCF1 in the liver ameliorated NASH pathologies in two diet-induced NASH models in mice, illustrating that CLCF1 induction may serve an adaptive and protective role during NASH pathogenesis. Unexpectedly, messenger RNA and protein levels of leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR), a subunit of the receptor complex for CLCF1, were markedly downregulated in NASH liver. Hepatocyte-specific inactivation of LIFR accelerated NASH progression in mice, supporting an important role of intrahepatic cytokine signaling in maintaining tissue homeostasis under metabolic stress conditions. CONCLUSIONS Together, this study sheds light on the molecular nature of intrahepatic paracrine signaling during NASH pathogenesis and uncovers potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongyu Liu
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Qiuyu Wang
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Linkang Zhou
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Peng Zhang
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Lin Mi
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Xiaoxue Qiu
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Zhimin Chen
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Henry Kuang
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Siming Li
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Jiandie D. Lin
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
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32
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Vahid MR, Brown EL, Steen CB, Zhang W, Jeon HS, Kang M, Gentles AJ, Newman AM. High-resolution alignment of single-cell and spatial transcriptomes with CytoSPACE. Nat Biotechnol 2023; 41:1543-1548. [PMID: 36879008 PMCID: PMC10635828 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01697-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have emphasized the importance of single-cell spatial biology, yet available assays for spatial transcriptomics have limited gene recovery or low spatial resolution. Here we introduce CytoSPACE, an optimization method for mapping individual cells from a single-cell RNA sequencing atlas to spatial expression profiles. Across diverse platforms and tissue types, we show that CytoSPACE outperforms previous methods with respect to noise tolerance and accuracy, enabling tissue cartography at single-cell resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad R Vahid
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Erin L Brown
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Chloé B Steen
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Wubing Zhang
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hyun Soo Jeon
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Minji Kang
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Andrew J Gentles
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Center for Biomedical Informatics Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Aaron M Newman
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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33
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Li ZW, Ruan B, Yang PJ, Liu JJ, Song P, Duan JL, Wang L. Oit3, a promising hallmark gene for targeting liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:344. [PMID: 37696816 PMCID: PMC10495338 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01621-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) play a pivotal role in maintaining liver homeostasis and influencing the pathological processes of various liver diseases. However, neither LSEC-specific hallmark genes nor a LSEC promoter-driven Cre mouse line has been introduced before, which largely restricts the study of liver diseases with vascular disorders. To explore LSEC-specific hallmark genes, we compared the top 50 marker genes between liver endothelial cells (ECs) and liver capillary ECs and identified 18 overlapping genes. After excluding globally expressed genes and those with low expression percentages, we narrowed our focus to two final candidates: Oit3 and Dnase1l3. Through single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and analysis of the NCBI database, we confirmed the extrahepatic expression of Dnase1l3. The paired-cell sequencing data further demonstrated that Oit3 was predominantly expressed in the midlobular liver ECs. Subsequently, we constructed inducible Oit3-CreERT2 transgenic mice, which were further crossed with ROSA26-tdTomato mice. Microscopy validated that the established Oit3-CreERT2-tdTomato mice exhibited significant fluorescence in the liver rather than in other organs. The staining analysis confirmed the colocalization of tdTomato and EC markers. Ex-vivo experiments further confirmed that isolated tdTomato+ cells exhibited well-differentiated fenestrae and highly expressed EC markers, confirming their identity as LSECs. Overall, Oit3 is a promising hallmark gene for tracing LSECs. The establishment of Oit3-CreERT2-tdTomato mice provides a valuable model for studying the complexities of LSECs in liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Wen Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, China
| | - Bai Ruan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, China
- Center of Clinical Aerospace Medicine & Department of Aviation Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, China
| | - Pei-Jun Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing-Jing Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, China
| | - Ping Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, China
| | - Juan-Li Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, China.
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34
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Schiebout C, Lust H, Huang Y, Frost HR. Cell type-specific interaction analysis using doublets in scRNA-seq. BIOINFORMATICS ADVANCES 2023; 3:vbad120. [PMID: 37745004 PMCID: PMC10516525 DOI: 10.1093/bioadv/vbad120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Summary Doublets are usually considered an unwanted artifact of single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and are only identified in datasets for the sake of removal. However, if cells have a juxtacrine interaction with one another in situ and maintain this association through an scRNA-seq processing pipeline that only partially dissociates the tissue, these doublets can provide meaningful biological information regarding the intercellular signals and processes occurring in the analyzed tissue. This is especially true for cases such as the immune compartment of the tumor microenvironment, where the frequency and the type of immune cell juxtacrine interactions can be a prognostic indicator. We developed Cell type-specific Interaction Analysis using Doublets in scRNA-seq (CIcADA) as a pipeline for identifying and analyzing biologically meaningful doublets in scRNA-seq data. CIcADA identifies putative doublets using multi-label cell type scores and characterizes interaction dynamics through a comparison against synthetic doublets of the same cell type composition. In performing CIcADA on several scRNA-seq tumor datasets, we found that the identified doublets were consistently upregulating expression of immune response genes. Availability and implementation An R package implementing the CIcADA method is in development and will be released on CRAN, but for now it is available at https://github.com/schiebout/CAMML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Schiebout
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, United States
| | - Hannah Lust
- MDI Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, United States
| | - Yina Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, United States
| | - H Robert Frost
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, United States
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35
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Zheng L, Wu J, Hu H, Cao H, Xu N, Chen K, Wen B, Wang H, Yuan H, Xie L, Jiang Y, Li Z, Liang C, Yuan J, Li Z, Yuan X, Xiao W, Wang J. Single-cell RNA transcriptome landscape of murine liver following systemic administration of mesoporous silica nanoparticles. J Control Release 2023; 361:427-442. [PMID: 37487929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.07.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Due to the unique physicochemical properties, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MONs) have been widely utilized in biomedical fields for drug delivery, gene therapy, disease diagnosis and imaging. With the extensive applications and large-scale production of MONs, the potential effects of MONs on human health are gaining increased attention. To better understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of MONs on the mouse liver, we profiled the transcriptome of 63,783 single cells from mouse livers following weekly intravenous administration of MONs for 2 weeks. The results showed that the proportion of endothelial cells and CD4+ T cells was increased, whereas that of Kupffer cells was decreased, in a dose-dependent manner after MONs treatment in the mouse liver. We also observed that the proportion of inflammation-related Kupffer cell subtype and wound healing-related hepatocyte subtype were elevated, but the number of hepatocytes with detoxification characteristics was reduced after MONs treatment. The cell-cell communication network revealed that there was more crosstalk between cholangiocytes and Kupffer cells, liver capsular macrophages, hepatic stellate cells, and endothelial cells following MONs treatment. Furthermore, we identified key ligand-receptor pairs between crucial subtypes after MONs treatment that are known to promote liver fibrosis. Collectively, our study explored the effects of MONs on mouse liver at a single-cell level and provides comprehensive information on the potential hepatotoxicity of MONs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuhai Zheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China; Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Jiangpeng Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Hu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Hua Cao
- Department of Oncology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Nan Xu
- Division of Thyroid surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Kun Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Bowen Wen
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Huifang Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China; Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Haitao Yuan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China; Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Lulin Xie
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuke Jiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhifen Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi Datong University, Xing Yun Street, Pingcheng District, Datong, Shanxi Province 037009, PR China
| | - Cailing Liang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Jimin Yuan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhijie Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xiaopeng Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Wei Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Disorder, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jigang Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China; State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Disorder, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China.
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36
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Lotto J, Stephan TL, Hoodless PA. Fetal liver development and implications for liver disease pathogenesis. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 20:561-581. [PMID: 37208503 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00775-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The metabolic, digestive and homeostatic roles of the liver are dependent on proper crosstalk and organization of hepatic cell lineages. These hepatic cell lineages are derived from their respective progenitors early in organogenesis in a spatiotemporally controlled manner, contributing to the liver's specialized and diverse microarchitecture. Advances in genomics, lineage tracing and microscopy have led to seminal discoveries in the past decade that have elucidated liver cell lineage hierarchies. In particular, single-cell genomics has enabled researchers to explore diversity within the liver, especially early in development when the application of bulk genomics was previously constrained due to the organ's small scale, resulting in low cell numbers. These discoveries have substantially advanced our understanding of cell differentiation trajectories, cell fate decisions, cell lineage plasticity and the signalling microenvironment underlying the formation of the liver. In addition, they have provided insights into the pathogenesis of liver disease and cancer, in which developmental processes participate in disease emergence and regeneration. Future work will focus on the translation of this knowledge to optimize in vitro models of liver development and fine-tune regenerative medicine strategies to treat liver disease. In this Review, we discuss the emergence of hepatic parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells, advances that have been made in in vitro modelling of liver development and draw parallels between developmental and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Lotto
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Cell and Developmental Biology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tabea L Stephan
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Cell and Developmental Biology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Pamela A Hoodless
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Cell and Developmental Biology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Rahmawati FN, Iba T, Naito H, Shimizu S, Konishi H, Jia W, Takakura N. Single-cell sequencing reveals the existence of fetal vascular endothelial stem cell-like cells in mouse liver. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:227. [PMID: 37649114 PMCID: PMC10468894 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03460-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A resident vascular endothelial stem cell (VESC) population expressing CD157 and CD200 has been identified recently in the adult mouse. However, the origin of this population and how it develops has not been characterized, nor has it been determined whether VESC-like cells are present during the perinatal period. Here, we investigated the presence of perinatal VESC-like cells and their relationship with the adult VESC-like cell population. METHODS We applied single-cell RNA sequencing of endothelial cells (ECs) from embryonic day (E) 14, E18, postnatal day (P) 7, P14, and week (W) 8 liver and investigated transcriptomic changes during liver EC development. We performed flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, colony formation assays, and transplantation assays to validate the presence of and to assess the function of CD157+ and CD200+ ECs in the perinatal period. RESULTS We identified CD200- expressing VESC-like cells in the perinatal period. These cells formed colonies in vitro and had high proliferative ability. The RNA velocity tool and transplantation assay results indicated that the projected fate of this population was toward adult VESC-like cells expressing CD157 and CD200 1 week after birth. CONCLUSION Our study provides a comprehensive atlas of liver EC development and documents VESC-like cell lineage commitment at single-cell resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fitriana N Rahmawati
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Iba
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hisamichi Naito
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Shota Shimizu
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Konishi
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Weizhen Jia
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Takakura
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
- Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
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38
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Jose A, Elwing JM, Kawut SM, Pauciulo MW, Sherman KE, Nichols WC, Fallon MB, McCormack FX. Human liver single nuclear RNA sequencing implicates BMPR2, GDF15, arginine, and estrogen in portopulmonary hypertension. Commun Biol 2023; 6:826. [PMID: 37558836 PMCID: PMC10412637 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05193-3] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) is a type of pulmonary vascular disease due to portal hypertension that exhibits high morbidity and mortality. The mechanisms driving disease are unknown, and transcriptional characteristics unique to the PoPH liver remain unexplored. Here, we apply single nuclear RNA sequencing to compare cirrhotic livers from patients with and without PoPH. We identify characteristics unique to PoPH in cells surrounding the central hepatic vein, including increased growth differentiation factor signaling, enrichment of the arginine biosynthesis pathway, and differential expression of the bone morphogenic protein type II receptor and estrogen receptor type I genes. These results provide insight into the transcriptomic characteristics of the PoPH liver and mechanisms by which PoPH cellular dysfunction might contribute to pulmonary vascular remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Jose
- Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Jean M Elwing
- Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Steven M Kawut
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael W Pauciulo
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kenneth E Sherman
- Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - William C Nichols
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Francis X McCormack
- Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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39
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McConnell MJ, Kostallari E, Ibrahim SH, Iwakiri Y. The evolving role of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in liver health and disease. Hepatology 2023; 78:649-669. [PMID: 36626620 PMCID: PMC10315420 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
LSECs are a unique population of endothelial cells within the liver and are recognized as key regulators of liver homeostasis. LSECs also play a key role in liver disease, as dysregulation of their quiescent phenotype promotes pathological processes within the liver including inflammation, microvascular thrombosis, fibrosis, and portal hypertension. Recent technical advances in single-cell analysis have characterized distinct subpopulations of the LSECs themselves with a high resolution and defined their gene expression profile and phenotype, broadening our understanding of their mechanistic role in liver biology. This article will review 4 broad advances in our understanding of LSEC biology in general: (1) LSEC heterogeneity, (2) LSEC aging and senescence, (3) LSEC role in liver regeneration, and (4) LSEC role in liver inflammation and will then review the role of LSECs in various liver pathologies including fibrosis, DILI, alcohol-associated liver disease, NASH, viral hepatitis, liver transplant rejection, and ischemia reperfusion injury. The review will conclude with a discussion of gaps in knowledge and areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. McConnell
- Section of Digestive Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | - Samar H. Ibrahim
- Division of Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Yasuko Iwakiri
- Section of Digestive Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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40
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Cooper SA, Kostallari E, Shah VH. Angiocrine Signaling in Sinusoidal Health and Disease. Semin Liver Dis 2023; 43:245-257. [PMID: 37442155 PMCID: PMC10798369 DOI: 10.1055/a-2128-5907] [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: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are key players in maintaining hepatic homeostasis. They also play crucial roles during liver injury by communicating with liver cell types as well as immune cells and promoting portal hypertension, fibrosis, and inflammation. Cutting-edge technology, such as single cell and spatial transcriptomics, have revealed the existence of distinct LSEC subpopulations with a clear zonation in the liver. The signals released by LSECs are commonly called "angiocrine signaling." In this review, we summarize the role of angiocrine signaling in health and disease, including zonation in healthy liver, regeneration, fibrosis, portal hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol-associated liver disease, aging, drug-induced liver injury, and ischemia/reperfusion, as well as potential therapeutic advances. In conclusion, sinusoidal endotheliopathy is recognized in liver disease and promising preclinical studies are paving the path toward LSEC-specific pharmacotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawna A. Cooper
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Enis Kostallari
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Vijay H. Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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41
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Zou J, Li J, Zhong X, Tang D, Fan X, Chen R. Liver in infections: a single-cell and spatial transcriptomics perspective. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:53. [PMID: 37430371 PMCID: PMC10332047 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-023-00945-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is an immune organ that plays a vital role in the detection, capture, and clearance of pathogens and foreign antigens that invade the human body. During acute and chronic infections, the liver transforms from a tolerant to an active immune state. The defence mechanism of the liver mainly depends on a complicated network of intrahepatic and translocated immune cells and non-immune cells. Therefore, a comprehensive liver cell atlas in both healthy and diseased states is needed for new therapeutic target development and disease intervention improvement. With the development of high-throughput single-cell technology, we can now decipher heterogeneity, differentiation, and intercellular communication at the single-cell level in sophisticated organs and complicated diseases. In this concise review, we aimed to summarise the advancement of emerging high-throughput single-cell technologies and re-define our understanding of liver function towards infections, including hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, Plasmodium, schistosomiasis, endotoxemia, and corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We also unravel previously unknown pathogenic pathways and disease mechanisms for the development of new therapeutic targets. As high-throughput single-cell technologies mature, their integration into spatial transcriptomics, multiomics, and clinical data analysis will aid in patient stratification and in developing effective treatment plans for patients with or without liver injury due to infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Zou
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Xiao Zhong
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Daolin Tang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Xuegong Fan
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Ruochan Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
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Karri K, Waxman DJ. Dysregulation of murine long noncoding single-cell transcriptome in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:977-1006. [PMID: 37015806 PMCID: PMC10275269 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079580.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
LncRNAs comprise a heterogeneous class of RNA-encoding genes typified by low expression, nuclear enrichment, high tissue-specificity, and functional diversity, but the vast majority remain uncharacterized. Here, we assembled the mouse liver noncoding transcriptome from >2000 bulk RNA-seq samples and discovered 48,261 liver-expressed lncRNAs, a majority novel. Using these lncRNAs as a single-cell transcriptomic reference set, we elucidated lncRNA dysregulation in mouse models of high fat diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis. Trajectory inference analysis revealed lncRNA zonation patterns across the liver lobule in each major liver cell population. Perturbations in lncRNA expression and zonation were common in several disease-associated liver cell types, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-associated macrophages, a hallmark of fatty liver disease progression, and collagen-producing myofibroblasts, a central feature of liver fibrosis. Single-cell-based gene regulatory network analysis using bigSCale2 linked individual lncRNAs to specific biological pathways, and network-essential regulatory lncRNAs with disease-associated functions were identified by their high network centrality metrics. For a subset of these lncRNAs, promoter sequences of the network-defined lncRNA target genes were significantly enriched for lncRNA triplex formation, providing independent mechanistic support for the lncRNA-target gene linkages predicted by the gene regulatory networks. These findings elucidate liver lncRNA cell-type specificities, spatial zonation patterns, associated regulatory networks, and temporal patterns of dysregulation during hepatic disease progression. A subset of the liver disease-associated regulatory lncRNAs identified have human orthologs and are promising candidates for biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Karri
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - David J Waxman
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
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43
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Zhao R, Cheng W, Shen J, Liang W, Zhang Z, Sheng Y, Chai T, Chen X, Zhang Y, Huang X, Yang H, Song C, Pang L, Nan C, Zhang Y, Chen R, Mei J, Wei H, Fang X. Single-cell and spatiotemporal transcriptomic analyses reveal the effects of microorganisms on immunity and metabolism in the mouse liver. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:3466-3477. [PMID: 38152123 PMCID: PMC10751235 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut-liver axis is a complex bidirectional communication pathway between the intestine and the liver in which microorganisms and their metabolites flow from the intestine through the portal vein to the liver and influence liver function. In a sterile environment, the phenotype or function of the liver is altered, but few studies have investigated the specific cellular and molecular effects of microorganisms on the liver. To this end, we constructed single-cell and spatial transcriptomic (ST) profiles of germ-free (GF) and specific-pathogen-free (SPF) mouse livers. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) revealed that the ratio of most immune cells was altered in the liver of GF mice; in particular, natural killer T (NKT) cells, IgA plasma cells (IgAs) and Kupffer cells (KCs) were significantly reduced in GF mice. Spatial enhanced resolution omics sequencing (Stereo-seq) confirmed that microorganisms mediated the accumulation of Kupffer cells in the periportal zone. Unexpectedly, IgA plasma cells were more numerous and concentrated in the periportal vein in liver sections from SPF mice but less numerous and scattered in GF mice. ST technology also enables the precise zonation of liver lobules into eight layers and three patterns based on the gene expression level in each layer, allowing us to further investigate the effects of microbes on gene zonation patterns and functions. Furthermore, untargeted metabolism experiments of the liver revealed that the propionic acid levels were significantly lower in GF mice, and this reduction may be related to the control of genes involved in bile acid and fatty acid metabolism. In conclusion, the combination of sc/snRNA-seq, Stereo-seq, and untargeted metabolomics revealed immune system defects as well as altered bile acid and lipid metabolic processes at the single-cell and spatial levels in the livers of GF mice. This study will be of great value for understanding host-microbiota interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhen Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Juan Shen
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | | | - Zhao Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Yifei Sheng
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Tailiang Chai
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Xueting Chen
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Yin Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Xiang Huang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | | | - Chunqing Song
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Li Pang
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao 266555, China
| | - Cuoji Nan
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | | | - Rouxi Chen
- BGI-Sanya, BGI-Shenzhen, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Junpu Mei
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- BGI-Sanya, BGI-Shenzhen, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Hong Wei
- Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xiaodong Fang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- BGI-Sanya, BGI-Shenzhen, Sanya 572025, China
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44
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Kang HM, Lee JH. Spatial Single-Cell Technologies for Exploring Gastrointestinal Tissue Transcriptome. Compr Physiol 2023; 13:4709-4718. [PMID: 37358516 PMCID: PMC10386894 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210053] [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
In the gastrointestinal (GI) system, like in other organ systems, the histological structure is a key determinant of physiological function. Tissues form multiple layers in the GI tract to perform their specialized functions in secretion, absorption, and motility. Even at the single layer, the heterogeneous cell population performs a diverse range of digestive or regulatory functions. Although many details of such functions at the histological and cell biological levels were revealed by traditional methods such as cell sorting, isolation, and culture, as well as histological methods such as immunostaining and RNA in situ hybridization, recent advances in spatial single-cell technologies could further contribute to our understanding of the molecular makeup of GI histological structures by providing a genome-wide overview of how different genes are expressed across individual cells and tissue layers. The current minireview summarizes recent advances in the spatial transcriptomics field and discusses how such technologies can promote our understanding of GI physiology. © 2023 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 13:4709-4718, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Min Kang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jun Hee Lee
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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45
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Li Z, Zhang H, Li Q, Feng W, Jia X, Zhou R, Huang Y, Li Y, Hu Z, Hu X, Zhu X, Huang S. GepLiver: an integrative liver expression atlas spanning developmental stages and liver disease phases. Sci Data 2023; 10:376. [PMID: 37301898 PMCID: PMC10257690 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02257-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases usually developed through stepwise pathological transitions under the persistent risk factors. The molecular changes during liver transitions are pivotal to improve liver diagnostics and therapeutics yet still remain elusive. Cumulative large-scale liver transcriptomic studies have been revealing molecular landscape of various liver conditions at bulk and single-cell resolution, however, neither single experiment nor databases enabled thorough investigations of transcriptomic dynamics along the progression of liver diseases. Here we establish GepLiver, a longitudinal and multidimensional liver expression atlas integrating expression profiles of 2469 human bulk tissues, 492 mouse samples, 409,775 single cells from 347 human samples and 27 liver cell lines spanning 16 liver phenotypes with uniformed processing and annotating methods. Using GepLiver, we have demonstrated dynamic changes of gene expression, cell abundance and crosstalk harboring meaningful biological associations. GepLiver can be applied to explore the evolving expression patterns and transcriptomic features for genes and cell types respectively among liver phenotypes, assisting the investigation of liver transcriptomic dynamics and informing biomarkers and targets for liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziteng Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hena Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wanjing Feng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiya Jia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Runye Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhixiang Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xichun Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaodong Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shenglin Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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46
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Fernández-Chacón M, Mühleder S, Regano A, Garcia-Ortega L, Rocha SF, Torroja C, Sanchez-Muñoz MS, Lytvyn M, Casquero-Garcia V, De Andrés-Laguillo M, Muhl L, Orlich MM, Gaengel K, Camafeita E, Vázquez J, Benguría A, Iruela-Arispe ML, Dopazo A, Sánchez-Cabo F, Carter H, Benedito R. Incongruence between transcriptional and vascular pathophysiological cell states. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2023; 2:2023530-549. [PMID: 37745941 PMCID: PMC7615119 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-023-00272-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The Notch pathway is a major regulator of endothelial transcriptional specification. Targeting the Notch receptors or Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4) dysregulates angiogenesis. Here, by analyzing single and compound genetic mutants for all Notch signaling members, we find significant differences in the way ligands and receptors regulate liver vascular homeostasis. Loss of Notch receptors caused endothelial hypermitogenic cell-cycle arrest and senescence. Conversely, Dll4 loss triggered a strong Myc-driven transcriptional switch inducing endothelial proliferation and the tip-cell state. Myc loss suppressed the induction of angiogenesis in the absence of Dll4, without preventing the vascular enlargement and organ pathology. Similarly, inhibition of other pro-angiogenic pathways, including MAPK/ERK and mTOR, had no effect on the vascular expansion induced by Dll4 loss; however, anti-VEGFA treatment prevented it without fully suppressing the transcriptional and metabolic programs. This study shows incongruence between single-cell transcriptional states, vascular phenotypes and related pathophysiology. Our findings also suggest that the vascular structure abnormalization, rather than neoplasms, causes the reported anti-Dll4 antibody toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Fernández-Chacón
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Seville, Spain
| | - Severin Mühleder
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Regano
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lourdes Garcia-Ortega
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana F. Rocha
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Torroja
- Bioinformatics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria S. Sanchez-Muñoz
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariya Lytvyn
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Verónica Casquero-Garcia
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Macarena De Andrés-Laguillo
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lars Muhl
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Michael M. Orlich
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Konstantin Gaengel
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emilio Camafeita
- Cardiovascular Proteomics Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Vázquez
- Cardiovascular Proteomics Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Benguría
- Genomics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Luisa Iruela-Arispe
- Department of Cell and Development Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ana Dopazo
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Genomics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fátima Sánchez-Cabo
- Bioinformatics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Hannah Carter
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rui Benedito
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
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47
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Carlessi R, Denisenko E, Boslem E, Köhn-Gaone J, Main N, Abu Bakar NDB, Shirolkar GD, Jones M, Beasley AB, Poppe D, Dwyer BJ, Jackaman C, Tjiam MC, Lister R, Karin M, Fallowfield JA, Kendall TJ, Forbes SJ, Gray ES, Olynyk JK, Yeoh G, Forrest AR, Ramm GA, Febbraio MA, Tirnitz-Parker JE. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing of pre-malignant liver reveals disease-associated hepatocyte state with HCC prognostic potential. CELL GENOMICS 2023; 3:100301. [PMID: 37228755 PMCID: PMC10203275 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Current approaches to staging chronic liver diseases have limited utility for predicting liver cancer risk. Here, we employed single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to characterize the cellular microenvironment of healthy and pre-malignant livers using two distinct mouse models. Downstream analyses unraveled a previously uncharacterized disease-associated hepatocyte (daHep) transcriptional state. These cells were absent in healthy livers but increasingly prevalent as chronic liver disease progressed. Copy number variation (CNV) analysis of microdissected tissue demonstrated that daHep-enriched regions are riddled with structural variants, suggesting these cells represent a pre-malignant intermediary. Integrated analysis of three recent human snRNA-seq datasets confirmed the presence of a similar phenotype in human chronic liver disease and further supported its enhanced mutational burden. Importantly, we show that high daHep levels precede carcinogenesis and predict a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development. These findings may change the way chronic liver disease patients are staged, surveilled, and risk stratified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Carlessi
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Elena Denisenko
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Ebru Boslem
- Cellular & Molecular Metabolism Laboratory, Monash Institute of Pharmacological Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Julia Köhn-Gaone
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Nathan Main
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - N. Dianah B. Abu Bakar
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Gayatri D. Shirolkar
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Matthew Jones
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Aaron B. Beasley
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
| | - Daniel Poppe
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Benjamin J. Dwyer
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Connie Jackaman
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - M. Christian Tjiam
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Ryan Lister
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Michael Karin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan A. Fallowfield
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Timothy J. Kendall
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Stuart J. Forbes
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Elin S. Gray
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
| | - John K. Olynyk
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
| | - George Yeoh
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Alistair R.R. Forrest
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Grant A. Ramm
- Hepatic Fibrosis Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Mark A. Febbraio
- Cellular & Molecular Metabolism Laboratory, Monash Institute of Pharmacological Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Janina E.E. Tirnitz-Parker
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
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48
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McCarthy WC, Sherlock LG, Grayck MR, Zheng L, Lacayo OA, Solar M, Orlicky DJ, Dobrinskikh E, Wright CJ. Innate Immune Zonation in the Liver: NF-κB (p50) Activation and C-Reactive Protein Expression in Response to Endotoxemia Are Zone Specific. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:1372-1385. [PMID: 36946778 PMCID: PMC10121917 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic innate immune function plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Importantly, a growing body of literature has firmly established the spatial heterogeneity of hepatocyte metabolic function; however, whether innate immune function is zonated remains unknown. To test this question, we exposed adult C57BL/6 mice to endotoxemia, and hepatic tissue was assessed for the acute phase response (APR). The zone-specific APR was evaluated in periportal and pericentral/centrilobular hepatocytes isolated using digitonin perfusion and on hepatic tissue using RNAscope and immunohistochemistry. Western blot, EMSA, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the role of the transcription factor NF-κB in mediating hepatic C-reactive protein (CRP) expression. Finally, the ability of mice lacking the NF-κB subunit p50 (p50-/-) to raise a hepatic APR was evaluated. We found that endotoxemia induces a hepatocyte transcriptional APR in both male and female mice, with Crp, Apcs, Fga, Hp, and Lbp expression being enriched in pericentral/centrilobular hepatocytes. Focusing our work on CRP expression, we determined that NF-κB transcription factor subunit p50 binds to consensus sequence elements present in the murine CRP promoter. Furthermore, pericentral/centrilobular hepatocyte p50 nuclear translocation is temporally associated with zone-specific APR during endotoxemia. Lastly, the APR and CRP expression is blunted in endotoxemic p50-/- mice. These results demonstrate that the murine hepatocyte innate immune response to endotoxemia includes zone-specific activation of transcription factors and target gene expression. These results support further study of zone-specific hepatocyte innate immunity and its role in the development of various disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C. McCarthy
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Laura G. Sherlock
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Maya R. Grayck
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Lijun Zheng
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Oscar A. Lacayo
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Mack Solar
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - David J. Orlicky
- Dept of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Evgenia Dobrinskikh
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Clyde J. Wright
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
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49
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Parab S, Setten E, Astanina E, Bussolino F, Doronzo G. The tissue-specific transcriptional landscape underlines the involvement of endothelial cells in health and disease. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 246:108418. [PMID: 37088448 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108418] [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: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) that line vascular and lymphatic vessels are being increasingly recognized as important to organ function in health and disease. ECs participate not only in the trafficking of gases, metabolites, and cells between the bloodstream and tissues but also in the angiocrine-based induction of heterogeneous parenchymal cells, which are unique to their specific tissue functions. The molecular mechanisms regulating EC heterogeneity between and within different tissues are modeled during embryogenesis and become fully established in adults. Any changes in adult tissue homeostasis induced by aging, stress conditions, and various noxae may reshape EC heterogeneity and induce specific transcriptional features that condition a functional phenotype. Heterogeneity is sustained via specific genetic programs organized through the combinatory effects of a discrete number of transcription factors (TFs) that, at the single tissue-level, constitute dynamic networks that are post-transcriptionally and epigenetically regulated. This review is focused on outlining the TF-based networks involved in EC specialization and physiological and pathological stressors thought to modify their architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushant Parab
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
| | - Elisa Setten
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
| | - Elena Astanina
- Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
| | - Federico Bussolino
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Doronzo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
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50
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Gopalan V, Hannenhalli S. Towards a Synthesis of the Non-Genetic and Genetic Views of Cancer in Understanding Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Initiation and Prevention. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072159. [PMID: 37046820 PMCID: PMC10093726 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
While much of the research in oncogenesis and cancer therapy has focused on mutations in key cancer driver genes, more recent work suggests a complementary non-genetic paradigm. This paradigm focuses on how transcriptional and phenotypic heterogeneity, even in clonally derived cells, can create sub-populations associated with oncogenesis, metastasis, and therapy resistance. We discuss this complementary paradigm in the context of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. A better understanding of cellular transcriptional heterogeneity and its association with oncogenesis can lead to more effective therapies that prevent tumor initiation and slow progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishaka Gopalan
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Sridhar Hannenhalli
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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