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Kong F, Pan Y, Wu D. Activation and Regulation of Pancreatic Stellate Cells in Chronic Pancreatic Fibrosis: A Potential Therapeutic Approach for Chronic Pancreatitis. Biomedicines 2024; 12:108. [PMID: 38255213 PMCID: PMC10813475 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In the complex progression of fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) emerge as central figures. These cells, initially in a dormant state characterized by the storage of vitamin A lipid droplets within the chronic pancreatitis microenvironment, undergo a profound transformation into an activated state, typified by the secretion of an abundant extracellular matrix, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). This review delves into the myriad factors that trigger PSC activation within the context of chronic pancreatitis. These factors encompass alcohol, cigarette smoke, hyperglycemia, mechanical stress, acinar cell injury, and inflammatory cells, with a focus on elucidating their underlying mechanisms. Additionally, we explore the regulatory factors that play significant roles during PSC activation, such as TGF-β, CTGF, IL-10, PDGF, among others. The investigation into these regulatory factors and pathways involved in PSC activation holds promise in identifying potential therapeutic targets for ameliorating fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis. We provide a summary of recent research findings pertaining to the modulation of PSC activation, covering essential genes and innovative regulatory mediators designed to counteract PSC activation. We anticipate that this research will stimulate further insights into PSC activation and the mechanisms of pancreatic fibrosis, ultimately leading to the discovery of groundbreaking therapies targeting cellular and molecular responses within these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanyi Kong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (F.K.); (Y.P.)
| | - Yingyu Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (F.K.); (Y.P.)
| | - Dong Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (F.K.); (Y.P.)
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
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2
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Hrabák P, Kalousová M, Krechler T, Zima T. Pancreatic stellate cells - rising stars in pancreatic pathologies. Physiol Res 2021. [DOI: 10.33549//physiolres.934783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) receive growing interest in past decades. Two types of PSCs are recognized –vitamin A accumulating quiescent PSCs and activated PSCs- the main producents of extracellular matrix in pancreatic tissue. PSCs plays important role in pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis in pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis. PSCs are intensively studied as potential therapeutical target because of their important role in developing desmoplastic stroma in pancreatic cancer. There also exists evidence that PSC are involved in other pathologies like type-2 diabetes mellitus. This article brings brief characteristics of PSCs and recent advances in research of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Kalousová
- 2Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic.
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3
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Cannon A, Thompson CM, Bhatia R, Armstrong KA, Solheim JC, Kumar S, Batra SK. Molecular mechanisms of pancreatic myofibroblast activation in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. J Gastroenterol 2021; 56:689-703. [PMID: 34279724 PMCID: PMC9052363 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-021-01800-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic fibrosis (PF) is an essential component of the pathobiology of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Activated pancreatic myofibroblasts (PMFs) are crucial for the deposition of the extracellular matrix, and fibrotic reaction in response to sustained signaling. Consequently, understanding of the molecular mechanisms of PMF activation is not only critical for understanding CP and PDAC biology but is also a fertile area of research for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for pancreatic pathologies. This review analyzes the key signaling events that drive PMF activation including, initiating signals from transforming growth factor-β1, platelet derived growth factor, as well as other microenvironmental cues, like hypoxia and extracellular matrix rigidity. Further, we discussed the intracellular signal events contributing to PMF activation, and crosstalk with different components of tumor microenvironment. Additionally, association of epidemiologically established risk factors for CP and PDAC, like alcohol intake, tobacco exposure, and metabolic factors with PMF activation, is discussed to comprehend the role of lifestyle factors on pancreatic pathologies. Overall, this analysis provides insight into the biology of PMF activation and highlights salient features of this process, which offer promising therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Cannon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - Christopher Michael Thompson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - Rakesh Bhatia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | | | - Joyce Christopher Solheim
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA,Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - Surinder Kumar Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA,Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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4
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Cui L, Li C, Shang Y, Li D, Zhuo Y, Yang L, Cui N, Li Y, Zhang S. Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction Ameliorates Pancreatic Fibrosis via JNK/mTOR Signaling Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:679557. [PMID: 34177589 PMCID: PMC8223066 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.679557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic fibrosis is a pathological characteristic of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic cancer. Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction (CGGD) is a traditional Chinese medicine, which is widely used in the clinical treatment of digestive diseases. However, the potential anti-fibrosis mechanism of CGGD in treating CP remains unclear. Here, we conducted a series of experiments to examine the effect of CGGD on the CP rat model and primary isolated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). The results revealed that CGGD attenuated pancreatic damage, decreased collagen deposition, and inhibited PSC activation in the pancreas of CP rats. However, compared with the CP group, CGGD had no effect on body weight and serum amylase and lipase. In addition, CGGD suppressed autophagy by downregulating Atg5, Beclin-1, and LC3B and facilitated phosphorylation of mTOR and JNK in pancreatic tissues and PSCs. Moreover, the CGGD-containing serum also decreased LC3B or collagen I expression after rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor) or SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) treatment in PSCs. In conclusion, CGGD attenuated pancreatic fibrosis and PSC activation, possibly by suppressing autophagy of PSCs through the JNK/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Cui
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Institute of Acute Abdominal Diseases of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Nankai Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Caixia Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Institute of Acute Abdominal Diseases of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Nankai Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ye Shang
- Institute of TCM, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Dihua Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Institute of Acute Abdominal Diseases of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Nankai Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuzhen Zhuo
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Institute of Acute Abdominal Diseases of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Nankai Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Institute of Acute Abdominal Diseases of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Nankai Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Naiqiang Cui
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuhong Li
- Institute of TCM, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shukun Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Institute of Acute Abdominal Diseases of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Nankai Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Srinivasan MP, Bhopale KK, Caracheo AA, Kaphalia L, Loganathan G, Balamurugan AN, Rastellini C, Kaphalia BS. Differential cytotoxicity, ER/oxidative stress, dysregulated AMPKα signaling, and mitochondrial stress by ethanol and its metabolites in human pancreatic acinar cells. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:961-978. [PMID: 33690904 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (ACP) is a serious inflammatory disorder of the exocrine pancreatic gland. A previous study from this laboratory showed that ethanol (EtOH) causes cytotoxicity, dysregulates AMPKα and ER/oxidative stress signaling, and induces inflammatory responses in primary human pancreatic acinar cells (hPACs). Here we examined the differential cytotoxicity of EtOH and its oxidative (acetaldehyde) and nonoxidative (fatty acid ethyl esters; FAEEs) metabolites in hPACs was examined to understand the metabolic basis and mechanism of ACP. METHODS We evaluated concentration-dependent cytotoxicity, AMPKα inactivation, ER/oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses in hPACs by incubating them for 6 h with EtOH, acetaldehyde, or FAEEs at clinically relevant concentrations reported in alcoholic subjects using conventional methods. Cellular bioenergetics (mitochondrial stress and a real-time ATP production rate) were determined using Seahorse XFp Extracellular Flux Analyzer in AR42J cells treated with acetaldehyde or FAEEs. RESULTS We observed concentration-dependent increases in LDH release, inactivation of AMPKα along with upregulation of ACC1 and FAS (key lipogenic proteins), downregulation of p-LKB1 (an oxidative stress-sensitive upstream kinase regulating AMPKα) and CPT1A (involved in β-oxidation of fatty acids) in hPACs treated with EtOH, acetaldehyde, or FAEEs. Concentration-dependent increases in oxidative stress and ER stress as measured by GRP78, unspliced XBP1, p-eIF2α, and CHOP along with activation of p-JNK1/2, p-ERK1/2, and p-P38MAPK were present in cells treated with EtOH, acetaldehyde, or FAEEs, respectively. Furthermore, a significant decrease was observed in the total ATP production rate with subsequent mitochondrial stress in AR42J cells treated with acetaldehyde and FAEEs. CONCLUSIONS EtOH and its metabolites, acetaldehyde and FAEEs, caused cytotoxicity, ER/oxidative and mitochondrial stress, and dysregulated AMPKα signaling, suggesting a key role of EtOH metabolism in the etiopathogenesis of ACP. Because oxidative EtOH metabolism is negligible in the exocrine pancreas, the pathogenesis of ACP could be attributable to the formation of FAEEs and related pancreatic acinar cell injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukund P Srinivasan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kamlesh K Bhopale
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Anna A Caracheo
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Lata Kaphalia
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | | | - Appakalai N Balamurugan
- Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Islet Biology Laboratory, Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Cristiana Rastellini
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Neuroscience & Cell Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Bhupendra S Kaphalia
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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Bläuer M, Sand J, Laukkarinen J. Regulation of p38 MAPK and glucocorticoid receptor activation by hydrocortisone in mono-and co-cultured pancreatic acinar and stellate cells. Pancreatology 2021; 21:384-389. [PMID: 33454208 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2020.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Acute pancreatitis develops as an inflammatory response to pancreatic tissue injury. Postoperative pancreatitis has recently been associated with increased occurrence of complications. Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 (p38 MAPK) pathway occurs early in acute pancreatitis and its inhibition has been suggested to alleviate pancreatic inflammation. Glucocorticoids are potent anti-inflammatory steroids whose use in the management of acute pancreatitis remains controversial. Our aim was to examine the effect of crosstalk between pancreatic acinar cells (PACs) and stellate cells (PSCs) on p38 MAPK and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activation and to assess the impact of hydrocortisone on these events. METHODS The long-term co-culture setting for mouse PACs and PSCs developed in our laboratory was used. Parallel 4d mono- and co-cultures with or without 10 nM hydrocortisone were performed followed by immunocytochemical analysis of nuclear GR and phospho-p38 MAPK (pp38 MAPK). RESULTS Hydrocortisone inhibited pp38 MAPK up-regulation evoked by co-culture in PACs and PSCs and increased nuclear translocation of GR in PAC monocultures and in co-cultured PACs and PSCs. In PSC monocultures and co-cultured PACs, ligand-independent expression of nuclear GR was observed. In the former no change in nuclear GR but a significant decrease in total GR as analyzed by Western blot was caused by hydrocortisone. CONCLUSIONS Cellular microenvironment plays a significant role on p38 MAPK and GR activation in PACs and PSCs. Hydrocortisone is an effective means to inhibit p38 MAPK activation in PACs and PSCs. Both ligand-dependent and -independent regulatory roles for GR are suggested in the exocrine pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merja Bläuer
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Juhani Sand
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Johanna Laukkarinen
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
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7
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Takahashi T, Miao Y, Kang F, Dolai S, Gaisano HY. Susceptibility Factors and Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Alcoholic Pancreatitis. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:777-789. [PMID: 32056245 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol is a major cause of acute and chronic pancreatitis. There have been some recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms underlying alcoholic pancreatitis, which include perturbation in mitochondrial function and autophagy and ectopic exocytosis, with some of these cellular events involving membrane fusion soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor receptor protein receptor proteins. Although new insights have been unraveled recently, the precise mechanisms remain complex, and their finer details have yet to be established. The overall pathophysiology of pancreatitis involves not only the pancreatic acinar cells but also the stellate cells and duct cells. Why only some are more susceptible to pancreatitis and with increased severity, while others are not, would suggest that there may be undefined protective factors or mechanisms that enhance recovery and regeneration after injury. Furthermore, there are confounding influences of lifestyle factors such as smoking and diet, and genetic background. Whereas alcohol and smoking cessation and a generally healthy lifestyle are intuitively the advice given to these patients afflicted with alcoholic pancreatitis in order to reduce disease recurrence and progression, there is as yet no specific treatment. A more complete understanding of the pathogenesis of pancreatitis from which novel therapeutic targets could be identified will have a great impact, particularly with the stubbornly high fatality (>30%) of severe pancreatitis. This review focuses on the susceptibility factors and underlying cellular mechanisms of alcohol injury on the exocrine pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshimasa Takahashi
- From the, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yifan Miao
- From the, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Fei Kang
- From the, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Subhankar Dolai
- From the, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Herbert Y Gaisano
- From the, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Thomas D, Radhakrishnan P. Pancreatic Stellate Cells: The Key Orchestrator of The Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1234:57-70. [PMID: 32040855 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-37184-5_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging adenocarcinomas due to its hostile molecular behavior and complex tumor microenvironment. It has been recently postulated that pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), the resident lipid-storing cells of the pancreas, are important components of the tumor microenvironment as they can transdifferentiate into highly proliferative myofibroblasts in the context of tissue injury. Targeting tumor-stromal crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy against pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis. This chapter brings a broad view on the biological and pathological role of PSCs in the pancreas, activated stellate cells in the onset of tissue fibrosis, and tumor progression with particular emphasis on the bidirectional interactions between tumor cells and PSCs. Further, potential therapeutic regimens targeting activated PSCs in the pre-clinical and clinical trials are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Thomas
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Prakash Radhakrishnan
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. .,Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. .,Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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9
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Kusiak AA, Szopa MD, Jakubowska MA, Ferdek PE. Signaling in the Physiology and Pathophysiology of Pancreatic Stellate Cells - a Brief Review of Recent Advances. Front Physiol 2020; 11:78. [PMID: 32116785 PMCID: PMC7033654 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interest in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) has been steadily growing over the past two decades due mainly to the central role these cells have in the desmoplastic reaction associated with diseases of the pancreas, such as pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. In recent years, the scientific community has devoted substantial efforts to understanding the signaling pathways that govern PSC activation and interactions with neoplastic cells. This mini review aims to summarize some very recent findings on signaling in PSCs and highlight their impact to the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka A Kusiak
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Mateusz D Szopa
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Pawel E Ferdek
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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Jin G, Hong W, Guo Y, Bai Y, Chen B. Molecular Mechanism of Pancreatic Stellate Cells Activation in Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer. J Cancer 2020; 11:1505-1515. [PMID: 32047557 PMCID: PMC6995390 DOI: 10.7150/jca.38616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are the main effector cells in the process of fibrosis, a major pathological feature in pancreatic diseases that including chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. During tumorigenesis, quiescent PSCs change into an active myofibroblast-like phenotype which could create a favorable tumor microenvironment and facilitate cancer progression by increasing proliferation, invasiveness and inducing treatment resistance of pancreatic cancer cells. Many cellular signals are revealed contributing to the activation of PSCs, such as transforming growth factor-β, platelet derived growth factor, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Smads, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways and so on. Therefore, investigating the role of these factors and signaling pathways in PSCs activation will promote the development of PSCs-specific therapeutic strategies that may provide novel options for pancreatic cancer therapy. In this review, we systematically summarize the current knowledge about PSCs activation-associated stimulating factors and signaling pathways and hope to provide new strategies for the treatment of pancreatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guihua Jin
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Weilong Hong
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Yangyang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Yongheng Bai
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Bicheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
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11
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Xu XF, Liu F, Xin JQ, Fan JW, Wu N, Zhu LJ, Duan LF, Li YY, Zhang H. Respective roles of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members in pancreatic stellate cell activation induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 501:365-373. [PMID: 29705706 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.04.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a crucial role in the progression of pancreatic fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is one of the strongest stimulator inducing fibrosis. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins (including ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK) are known to contribute to PSC activation and pancreatic fibrosis. Previous studies have identified PSC activation induced by TGF-β1 is related to MAPK pathway, but the respective role of MAPK family members in PSC activation still unclear, and which family member may be the key mediator in mice PSC activation still controversial. In this study, we investigated the influence of different MAPK family member (JNK, ERK, and p38 MAPK) on mice PSC activation using an in vivo and in vitro model. The results showed p-JNK, p-ERK and p-p38 MAPK were all over-expressed in CP group, and p-JNK, p-ERK, and p-p38 MAPK were co-expressed with activated PSC. In vitro, TGF-β1 induced JNK and ERK over-expression in PSCs. In contrast, p38 MAPK expression in PSC showed only a very weak increase. JNK- and ERK-specific inhibitors inhibited FN and α-SMA mRNA expression in PSCs, and a p38 MAPK inhibitor had no effect on PSC activation. These findings indicate that JNK and ERK were directly involved in the PSCs activation induced by TGF-β1 and the development of pancreatic fibrosis. p38 MAPK participate in the progression of CP, but it does not respond to TGF-β1 directly and may not be regarded as the target of TGF-β1 induced PSC activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Fan Xu
- Medical Experiment Center, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Basic Medical Academy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, China
| | - Jia-Qi Xin
- Basic Medical Academy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, China
| | - Jian-Wei Fan
- Basic Medical Academy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, China
| | - Nan Wu
- Basic Medical Academy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, China
| | - Lin-Jia Zhu
- Basic Medical Academy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, China
| | - Li-Fang Duan
- Basic Medical Academy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, China
| | - Yong-Yu Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Digestive Disease, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Hong Zhang
- Medical Experiment Center, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, China; Basic Medical Academy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712046, China.
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12
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Yang R, Liu Y, Hou X, Fan Y, Li J, Chen M, Wang Y, Zhang X, Zhang M. MAPKs-mediated modulation of the myocyte voltage-gated K+ channels is involved in ethanol-induced rat coronary arterial contraction. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 834:274-280. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Bynigeri RR, Jakkampudi A, Jangala R, Subramanyam C, Sasikala M, Rao GV, Reddy DN, Talukdar R. Pancreatic stellate cell: Pandora's box for pancreatic disease biology. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:382-405. [PMID: 28210075 PMCID: PMC5291844 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i3.382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) were identified in the early 1980s, but received much attention after 1998 when the methods to isolate and culture them from murine and human sources were developed. PSCs contribute to a small proportion of all pancreatic cells under physiological condition, but are essential for maintaining the normal pancreatic architecture. Quiescent PSCs are characterized by the presence of vitamin A laden lipid droplets. Upon PSC activation, these perinuclear lipid droplets disappear from the cytosol, attain a myofibroblast like phenotype and expresses the activation marker, alpha smooth muscle actin. PSCs maintain their activated phenotype via an autocrine loop involving different cytokines and contribute to progressive fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Several pathways (e.g., JAK-STAT, Smad, Wnt signaling, Hedgehog etc.), transcription factors and miRNAs have been implicated in the inflammatory and profibrogenic function of PSCs. The role of PSCs goes much beyond fibrosis/desmoplasia in PDAC. It is now shown that PSCs are involved in significant crosstalk between the pancreatic cancer cells and the cancer stroma. These interactions result in tumour progression, metastasis, tumour hypoxia, immune evasion and drug resistance. This is the rationale for therapeutic preclinical and clinical trials that have targeted PSCs and the cancer stroma.
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Pothula SP, Xu Z, Goldstein D, Pirola RC, Wilson JS, Apte MV. Key role of pancreatic stellate cells in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Lett 2015; 381:194-200. [PMID: 26571462 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are responsible for producing the collagenous stroma in pancreatic cancer. Findings from the majority of in vitro and in vivo studies to date indicate that PSCs interact with cancer cells as well as with other cellular elements in the stroma including immune cells, endothelial cells and neuronal cells to set up a growth permissive microenvironment for pancreatic tumours. However, two recent studies reporting a protective effect of myofibroblasts in pancreatic cancer have served to remind researchers of the possibility that the role of PSCs in this disease may be context and time-dependent, such that any possible early protective role of PSCs is subverted in later stages by the ability of cancer cells to turn PSCs into cancer-promoting aides. This concept is supported by the development in recent years of several novel therapeutic approaches targeting the stroma that have been successfully applied in pre-clinical settings to inhibit disease progression. A multi-pronged approach aimed at tumour cells as well as stromal elements may be the key to achieving better clinical outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasa P Pothula
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Zhihong Xu
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - David Goldstein
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Romano C Pirola
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeremy S Wilson
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Minoti V Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia.
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15
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Chen SW, Ma YY, Zhu J, Zuo S, Zhang JL, Chen ZY, Chen GW, Wang X, Pan YS, Liu YC, Wang PY. Protective effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on ethanol-induced intestinal barrier injury both in vitro and in vivo. Toxicol Lett 2015; 237:79-88. [PMID: 26068064 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Studies have suggested the role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) in protecting intestinal barrier function from injuries induced by multiple reagents. Vitamin D deficiency was reported to be associated with poor prognosis in patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD). This study is designed to investigate the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on ethanol-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and the underlying mechanisms utilizing Caco-2 cell monolayers and a mouse model with acute ethanol injury. In Caco-2 monolayers, ethanol significantly increased monolayer permeability, disrupted TJ distribution, increased phosphorylation level of MLC, and induced generation of ROS compared with controls. However, pre-treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 greatly ameliorated the ethanol-induced barrier dysfunction, TJ disruption, phosphorylation level of MLC, and generation of ROS compared with ethanol-exposed monolayers. Mice fed with vitamin d-sufficient diet had a higher plasma level of 25(OH)D3 and were more resistant to ethanol-induced acute intestinal barrier injury compared with the vitamin d-deficient group. These results suggest that the suppression of generation of ROS and increased phosphorylation level of MLC might be one of the mechanisms underlying the protective effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on ethanol-induced intestinal barrier injury and provide evidence for the application of vitamin D as therapeutic factors against ethanol-induced gut leakiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Wen Chen
- Division of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, 8 Xi ShiKu Street, Beijing 100034, PR China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Ma
- Animal Experiment Center, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, 8 Xi ShiKu Street, Beijing 100034, PR China
| | - Jing Zhu
- Division of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, 8 Xi ShiKu Street, Beijing 100034, PR China
| | - Shuai Zuo
- Division of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, 8 Xi ShiKu Street, Beijing 100034, PR China
| | - Jun-Ling Zhang
- Division of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, 8 Xi ShiKu Street, Beijing 100034, PR China
| | - Zi-Yi Chen
- Division of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, 8 Xi ShiKu Street, Beijing 100034, PR China
| | - Guo-Wei Chen
- Division of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, 8 Xi ShiKu Street, Beijing 100034, PR China
| | - Xin Wang
- Division of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, 8 Xi ShiKu Street, Beijing 100034, PR China
| | - Yi-Sheng Pan
- Division of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, 8 Xi ShiKu Street, Beijing 100034, PR China
| | - Yu-Cun Liu
- Division of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, 8 Xi ShiKu Street, Beijing 100034, PR China
| | - Peng-Yuan Wang
- Division of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, 8 Xi ShiKu Street, Beijing 100034, PR China.
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16
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McIlwrath SL, Westlund KN. Pharmacological attenuation of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis induced hypersensitivity in rats. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:836-53. [PMID: 25624717 PMCID: PMC4299336 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i3.836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Revised: 08/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To characterize an alcohol and high fat diet induced chronic pancreatitis rat model that mimics poor human dietary choices. METHODS Experimental rats were fed a modified Lieber-DeCarli alcohol (6%) and high-fat (65%) diet (AHF) for 10 wk while control animals received a regular rodent chow diet. Weekly behavioral tests determined mechanical and heat sensitivity. In week 10 a fasting glucose tolerance test was performed, measuring blood glucose levels before and after a 2 g/kg bodyweight intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of glucose. Post mortem histological analysis was performed by staining pancreas and liver tissue sections with hematoxylin and eosin. Pancreas sections were also stained with Sirius red and fast green to quantify collagen content. Insulin-expressing cells were identified immunohistochemically in separate sections. Tissue staining density was quantified using Image J software. After mechanical and heat sensitivity became stable (weeks 6-10) in the AHF-fed animals, three different drugs were tested for their efficacy in attenuating pancreatitis associated hypersensitivity: a Group II metabotropic glutamate receptor specific agonist (2R,4R)-4-Aminopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate (APDC, 3 mg/kg, ip; Tocris, Bristol, United Kingdom), nociceptin (20, 60, 200 nmol/kg, ip; Tocris), and morphine sulfate (3 mg/kg, μ-opioid receptor agonist; Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, IL, United States). RESULTS Histological analysis of pancreas and liver determined that unlike control rats, AHF fed animals had pancreatic fibrosis, acinar and beta cell atrophy, with steatosis in both organs. Fat vacuolization was significantly increased in AHF fed rats (6.4% ± 1.1% in controls vs 23.8% ± 4.2%, P < 0.05). Rats fed the AHF diet had reduced fasting glucose tolerance in week 10 when peak blood glucose levels reached significantly higher concentrations than controls (127.4 ± 9.2 mg/dL in controls vs 161.0 ± 8.6 mg/dL, P < 0.05). This concurred with a 3.5 fold higher incidence of single and small 2-10 cell insulin-positive cell clusters (P < 0.05). Insulin expressing islet of Langerhans cells appeared hypertrophied while islet number and area measurements were not different from controls. Weekly behavioral tests determined that mechanical and heat sensitivities were significantly increased by 4 wk on AHF diet compared to controls. Hypersensitivity was attenuated with efficacy similar to morphine with single dose treatment of either metabotropic glutamate receptor 2/3 agonist APDC, or nociceptin, the endogenous ligand for opioid-receptor-like 1 receptor. CONCLUSION The AHF diet induces a chronic alcoholic pancreatitis in rats with measurable features resembling clinical patients with chronic pancreatitis and type 3c diabetes mellitus.
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MESH Headings
- Analgesics/pharmacology
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Blood Glucose/drug effects
- Blood Glucose/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus/etiology
- Diet, High-Fat
- Disease Models, Animal
- Ethanol
- Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists/pharmacology
- Humans
- Hyperalgesia/etiology
- Hyperalgesia/metabolism
- Hyperalgesia/physiopathology
- Hyperalgesia/prevention & control
- Liver/drug effects
- Liver/metabolism
- Liver/pathology
- Male
- Morphine/pharmacology
- Nociception/drug effects
- Opioid Peptides/metabolism
- Pain Threshold/drug effects
- Pancreas/drug effects
- Pancreas/metabolism
- Pancreas/pathology
- Pancreatitis, Alcoholic/drug therapy
- Pancreatitis, Alcoholic/etiology
- Pancreatitis, Alcoholic/metabolism
- Pancreatitis, Alcoholic/physiopathology
- Proline/analogs & derivatives
- Proline/pharmacology
- Rats, Inbred F344
- Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate/agonists
- Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate/metabolism
- Time Factors
- Visceral Pain/etiology
- Visceral Pain/metabolism
- Visceral Pain/physiopathology
- Visceral Pain/prevention & control
- Nociceptin
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Smoking accelerates pancreatic cancer progression by promoting differentiation of MDSCs and inducing HB-EGF expression in macrophages. Oncogene 2014; 34:2052-60. [PMID: 24909166 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2013] [Revised: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Smoking is an established risk factor for pancreatic cancer (PC), but late diagnosis limits the evaluation of its mechanistic role in the progression of PC. We used a well-established genetically engineered mouse model (LSL-K-ras(G12D)) of PC to elucidate the role of smoking during initiation and development of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN). The 10-week-old floxed mice (K-ras(G12D); Pdx-1cre) and their control unfloxed (LSL-K-ras(G12D)) littermates were exposed to cigarette smoke (total suspended particles: 150 mg/m(3)) for 20 weeks. Smoke exposure significantly accelerated the development of PanIN lesions in the floxed mice, which correlated with tenfold increase in the expression of cytokeratin19. The systemic accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) decreased significantly in floxed mice compared with unfloxed controls (P<0.01) after the smoke exposure with the concurrent increase in the macrophage (P<0.05) and dendritic cell (DCs) (P<0.01) population. Further, smoking-induced inflammation (IFN-γ, CXCL2; P<0.05) was accompanied by enhanced activation of pancreatic stellate cells and elevated levels of serum retinoic acid-binding protein 4, indicating increased bioavailability of retinoic acid which contributes to differentiation of MDSCs to tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and DCs. TAMs predominantly contribute to the increased expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (EGFR ligand) in pre-neoplastic lesions in smoke-exposed floxed mice that facilitate acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM). Further, smoke exposure also resulted in partial suppression of the immune system early during PC progression. Overall, the present study provides a novel mechanism of smoking-induced increase in ADM in the presence of constitutively active K-ras mutation.
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18
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Elamin E, Masclee A, Dekker J, Jonkers D. Ethanol disrupts intestinal epithelial tight junction integrity through intracellular calcium-mediated Rho/ROCK activation. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2014; 306:G677-85. [PMID: 24557761 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00236.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Evidence indicates that ethanol-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and subsequent endotoxemia plays a key role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease. Recently, it has been demonstrated that ethanol induces RhoA kinase activation in intestinal epithelium, thereby disrupting barrier integrity. In this study, the role of a rise in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) in ethanol-induced Rho-associated coiled coil-forming kinase (Rho/ROCK) activation and barrier disruption was investigated in Caco-2 cell monolayers. Treatment of Caco-2 monolayers with 40 mmol/l ethanol induced [Ca(2+)]i release as indicated by increased relative fluorescent units of Fluo-3 from 0.06 ± 0.02 to 2.27 ± 1.96 (P < 0.0001). Pretreatment with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA-AM) completely inhibited the release, whereas the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R)-antagonist, Xestospongin C, partially inhibited the ethanol-induced [Ca(2+)]i release (from 2.27 ± 1.96 to 0.03 ± 0.01; P < 0.0001 and from 2.27 ± 1.96 to 1.19 ± 1.80; P < 0.001, respectively). The rise in [Ca(2+)]i was paralleled with increased intestinal permeability, which could be attenuated by either BAPTA-AM or Xestospongin C. Furthermore, ethanol induced Rho/ROCK activation, as indicated by increased phosphorylation of myosin-binding subunit, which could be prevented either by BAPTA, Xestospongin C, or the specific Rho/ROCK inhibitor Y27632. Finally, inhibition of Rho/ROCK kinase by Y27632 ameliorated the ethanol-induced redistribution of zonula occluden-1, adherens junction proteins including E-cadherin and β-catenin, and also disorganization of F-actin. These findings suggest that ethanol-induced [Ca(2+)]i release, mediated by stimulating IP3R-gated Ca(2+) channel, activates Rho/ROCK in Caco-2 cells, thereby contributing to ethanol-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction.
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19
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The Protective Effect of a Metallic Selenopeptide with Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase Activities Against Alcohol Induced Injury in Hepatic L02 Cells. Int J Pept Res Ther 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-014-9396-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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20
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Elamin EE, Masclee AA, Dekker J, Pieters HJ, Jonkers DM. Short-chain fatty acids activate AMP-activated protein kinase and ameliorate ethanol-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction in Caco-2 cell monolayers. J Nutr 2013; 143:1872-81. [PMID: 24132573 DOI: 10.3945/jn.113.179549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been shown to promote intestinal barrier function, but their protective effects against ethanol-induced intestinal injury and underlying mechanisms remain essentially unknown. The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of SCFAs on ethanol-induced barrier dysfunction and to examine the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as a possible mechanism using Caco-2 monolayers. The monolayers were treated apically with butyrate (2, 10, or 20 mmol/L), propionate (4, 20, or 40 mmol/L), or acetate (8, 40, or 80 mmol/L) for 1 h before ethanol (40 mmol/L) for 3 h. Barrier function was analyzed by measurement of transepithelial resistance and permeation of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran. Distribution of the tight junction (TJ) proteins zona occludens-1, occludin, and filamentous-actin (F-actin) was examined by immunofluorescence. Metabolic stress was determined by measuring oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and ATP using dichlorofluorescein diacetate, dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, and bioluminescence assay, respectively. AMPK was knocked down by small interfering RNA (siRNA), and its activity was assessed by a cell-based ELISA. Exposure to ethanol significantly impaired barrier function compared with controls (P < 0.0001), disrupted TJ and F-actin cytoskeleton integrity, and induced metabolic stress. However, pretreatment with 2 mmol/L butyrate, 4 mmol/L propionate, and 8 mmol/L acetate significantly alleviated the ethanol-induced barrier dysfunction, TJ and F-actin disruption, and metabolic stress compared with ethanol-exposed monolayers (P < 0.0001). The promoting effects on barrier function were abolished by inhibiting AMPK using either compound C or siRNA. These observations indicate that SCFAs exhibit protective effects against ethanol-induced barrier disruption via AMPK activation, suggesting a potential for SCFAs as prophylactic and/or therapeutic factors against ethanol-induced gut leakiness.
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21
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The ERK1/2 signaling pathway is involved in sulfur dioxide preconditioning-induced protection against cardiac dysfunction in isolated perfused rat heart subjected to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:22190-201. [PMID: 24217229 PMCID: PMC3856059 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141122190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Revised: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) occurs frequently during reperfusion of ischemic myocardium, and preconditioning has been regarded as one of the best strategies to prevent myocardial injury during the ischemia/reperfusion process. Our previous studies indicated that a small dose of sulfur dioxide (SO2) used as preconditioning exerts cardioprotection. However, the mechanisms underlying the cardioprotection remain unclear. The present study was designed to examine if the extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway mediated protection against cardiac dysfunction after SO2 preconditioning in isolated rat hearts subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Langendorff heart perfusion was performed in vitro, where 56 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups: control group, 5 μmol/L SO2 group (S5), 2-(2-Amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (PD98059) + 5 μmol/L SO2 (PD98059 + S5) group, PD98059 group, I/R group, 5 μmol/L SO2 + I/R (S5 + I/R) group and PD98059 + 5 μmol/L SO2 + I/R (PD98059 + S5 + I/R) group. Cardiac function and myocardial phosphorylated ERK1/2 protein were measured. We found that I/R in isolated rat heart resulted in cardiac dysfunction with a significant increase in phosphorylated ERK1/2 protein. SO2 preconditioning markedly suppressed phosphorylated ERK1/2 protein and improved cardiac function in isolated rat heart with I/R (p < 0.05). However, pre-treatment with PD98059 could prevent the above effects of SO2 preconditioning. In conclusion, SO2 preconditioning protected against cardiac dysfunction in isolated rat heart subjected to I/R via suppression of the over-activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
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22
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Judák L, Hegyi P, Rakonczay Z, Maléth J, Gray MA, Venglovecz V. Ethanol and its non-oxidative metabolites profoundly inhibit CFTR function in pancreatic epithelial cells which is prevented by ATP supplementation. Pflugers Arch 2013; 466:549-62. [PMID: 23948742 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-013-1333-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Revised: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Excessive alcohol consumption is a major cause of acute pancreatitis, but the mechanism involved is not well understood. Recent investigations suggest that pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (PDECs) help defend the pancreas from noxious agents such as alcohol. Because the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl(-) channel plays a major role in PDEC physiology and mutated CFTR is often associated with pancreatitis, we tested the hypothesis that ethanol affects CFTR to impair ductal function. Electrophysiological studies on native PDECs showed that ethanol (10 and 100 mM) increased basal, but reversibly blocked, forskolin-stimulated CFTR currents. The inhibitory effect of ethanol was mimicked by its non-oxidative metabolites, palmitoleic acid ethyl ester (POAEE) and palmitoleic acid (POA), but not by the oxidative metabolite, acetaldehyde. Ethanol, POAEE and POA markedly reduced intracellular ATP (ATPi) which was linked to CFTR inhibition since the inhibitory effects were almost completely abolished if ATPi depletion was prevented. We propose that ethanol causes functional damage of CFTR through an ATPi-dependent mechanism, which compromises ductal fluid secretion and likely contributes to the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. We suggest that the maintenance of ATPi may represent a therapeutic option in the treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Judák
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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23
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Lee MJ, Song HJ, Jeong JY, Park SY, Sohn UD. Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of QGC in Cultured Feline Esophageal Epithelial Cells. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2013; 17:81-7. [PMID: 23440684 PMCID: PMC3579109 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2013.17.1.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 12/12/2012] [Accepted: 01/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (QGC) is a flavonoid glucoside extracted from Rumex Aquaticus Herba. In the present study, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of QGC were tested in vitro. Epithelial cells obtained from cat esophagus were cultured. When the cells were exposed to acid for 2 h, cell viability was decreased to 36%. Pretreatment with 50 µM QGC for 2 h prevented the reduction in cell viability. QGC also inhibited the productions of intracellular ROS by inflammatory inducers such as acid, lipopolysaccharide, indomethacin and ethanol. QGC significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, and also induced the expression of SOD2, while it restored the decrease of catalase expression in cells exposed to acid. QGC inhibited NF-κB translocation, cyclooxygenase-2 expression and PGE2 secretion in cells exposed to acid, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of esophagitis. The data suggest that QGC may well be one of the promising substances to attenuate oxidative epithelial cell injury and inflammatory signaling in esophagus inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myeong Jae Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea
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24
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Szuster-Ciesielska A, Mizerska-Dudka M, Daniluk J, Kandefer-Szerszeń M. Butein inhibits ethanol-induced activation of liver stellate cells through TGF-β, NFκB, p38, and JNK signaling pathways and inhibition of oxidative stress. J Gastroenterol 2013; 48:222-37. [PMID: 22722906 PMCID: PMC3575555 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-012-0619-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Butein has been reported to prevent and partly reverse liver fibrosis in vivo; however, the mechanisms of its action are poorly understood. We, therefore, aimed to determine the antifibrotic potential of butein. METHODS We assessed the influence of the incubation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and hepatoma cells (HepG2) with butein on sensitivity to ethanol- or acetaldehyde-induced toxicity; the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS); the expression of markers of HSC activation, including smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA) and procollagen I; and the production of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), metalloproteinases-2 and -13 (MMP-2and MMP-13), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). The influence of butein on intracellular signals in HSCs; i.e., nuclear factor-κB (NFκB), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) induced by ethanol was estimated. RESULTS Butein protected HSCs and HepG2 cells against ethanol toxicity by the inhibition of ethanol- or acetaldehyde-induced production of ROS when cells were incubated separately or in co-cultures; butein also inhibited HSC activation measured as the production of α-SMA and procollagen I. As well, butein downregulated ethanol- or acetaldehyde-induced HSC migration and the production of TGF-β, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2; decreased the activity of MMP-2; and increased the activity of MMP-13. In ethanol-induced HSCs, butein inhibited the activation of the p38 MAPK and JNK transduction pathways as well as significantly inhibiting the phosphorylation of NF κB inhibitor (IκB) and Smad3. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that butein inhibited ethanol- and acetaldehyde-induced activation of HSCs at different levels, acting as an antioxidant and inhibitor of ethanol-induced MAPK, TGF-β, and NFκB/IκB transduction signaling; this result makes butein a promising agent for antifibrotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magdalena Mizerska-Dudka
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jadwiga Daniluk
- Department and Clinic of Gastroenterology, Medical University, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Martyna Kandefer-Szerszeń
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
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Uchida M, Ito T, Nakamura T, Igarashi H, Oono T, Fujimori N, Kawabe K, Suzuki K, Jensen RT, Takayanagi R. ERK pathway and sheddases play an essential role in ethanol-induced CX3CL1 release in pancreatic stellate cells. J Transl Med 2013; 93:41-53. [PMID: 23147224 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2012.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical course of chronic pancreatitis (CP) worsens with drinking, and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have an important role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic CP. Chemokines recruit inflammatory cells, resulting in chronic pancreatic inflammation. Although serum levels of fractalkine (CX3CL1) are significantly elevated in patients with alcoholic CP, the mechanism of this elevation remains unclear. This study aims to determine the effects of cytokines, pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and ethanol and its metabolites on CX3CL1 secretion by PSCs. Male Wistar/Bonn Kobori (WBN/Kob) rats aged 15 to 20 weeks were used as rodent models of CP in vivo. PSCs were isolated from 6-week-old male Wistar rats. The effects of cytokines, PAMPs, and ethanol and its metabolites on chemokine production and activation of signaling pathways in PSCs in vitro were examined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of CX3CL1 and matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-2 was increased in the pancreas of WBN/Kob rats. The rat PSCs expressed CX3CL1, MMP-2, and a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain (ADAM) 17. Cytokines and PAMPs induced CX3CL1 release and activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), MMP-9, and ADAM17. CX3CL1 release was suppressed by specific inhibitors of ERK, MMP, and ADAM, and ERK was associated with CX3CL1 transcription. Ethanol and phorbol myristate acetate synergistically increased CX3CL1 release. Real-time PCR and western blotting confirmed the synergistic activation of ERK and ADAM17. Ethanol synergistically increased CX3CL1 release via ERK and ADAM17 activation in PSCs. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time that ethanol synergistically increased CX3CL1 release from PSCs at least in part through activation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase and ADAM17. This might be one of the mechanisms of serum CX3CL1 elevation and disease progression in patients with alcoholic CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiko Uchida
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Apte MV, Pirola RC, Wilson JS. Pancreatic stellate cells: a starring role in normal and diseased pancreas. Front Physiol 2012; 3:344. [PMID: 22973234 PMCID: PMC3428781 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2012.00344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
While the morphology and function of cells of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas have been studied over several centuries, one important cell type in the gland, the pancreatic stellate cell (PSC), had remained undiscovered until as recently as 20 years ago. Even after its first description in 1982, it was to be another 16 years before its biology could begin to be studied, because it was only in 1998 that methods were developed to isolate and culture PSCs from rodent and human pancreas. PSCs are now known to play a critical role in pancreatic fibrosis, a consistent histological feature of two major diseases of the pancreas—chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. In health, PSCs maintain normal tissue architecture via regulation of the synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Recent studies have also implied other functions for PSCs as progenitor cells, immune cells or intermediaries in exocrine pancreatic secretion in humans. During pancreatic injury, PSCs transform from their quiescent phase into an activated, myofibroblast-like phenotype that secretes excessive amounts of ECM proteins leading to the fibrosis of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. An ever increasing number of factors that stimulate and/or inhibit PSC activation via paracrine and autocrine pathways are being identified and characterized. It is also now established that PSCs interact closely with pancreatic cancer cells to facilitate cancer progression. Based on these findings, several therapeutic strategies have been examined in experimental models of chronic pancreatitis as well as pancreatic cancer, in a bid to inhibit/retard PSC activation and thereby alleviate chronic pancreatitis or reduce tumor growth in pancreatic cancer. The challenge that remains is to translate these pre-clinical developments into clinically applicable treatments for patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoti V Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Apte M, Pirola R, Wilson J. The fibrosis of chronic pancreatitis: new insights into the role of pancreatic stellate cells. Antioxid Redox Signal 2011; 15:2711-22. [PMID: 21728885 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2011.4079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Prominent fibrosis is a major histological feature of chronic pancreatitis, a progressive necroinflammatory condition of the pancreas, most commonly associated with alcohol abuse. Patients with this disease often develop exocrine and endocrine insufficiency characterized by maldigestion and diabetes. Up until just over a decade ago, there was little understanding of the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis. RECENT ADVANCES In recent times, significant progress has been made in this area, mostly due to the identification, isolation, and characterization of the cells, namely pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) that are now established as key players in pancreatic fibrogenesis. In health, PSCs maintain normal tissue architecture via regulation of the synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. During pancreatic injury, PSCs transform into an activated phenotype that secretes excessive amounts of the ECM proteins that comprise fibrous tissue. CRITICAL ISSUES This Review summarizes current knowledge and critical aspects of PSC biology which have been increasingly well characterized over the past few years, particularly with respect to the response of PSCs to factors that stimulate or inhibit their activation and the intracellular signaling pathways governing these processes. Based on this knowledge, several therapeutic strategies have been examined in experimental models of pancreatic fibrosis, demonstrating that pancreatic fibrosis is a potentially reversible condition, at least in early stages. FUTURE DIRECTIONS These will involve translation of the laboratory findings into effective clinical approaches to prevent/inhibit PSC activation so as to prevent, retard, or reverse the fibrotic process in pancreatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoti Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES We previously reported a high incidence of alcohol-related acute pancreatitis (AP) in Goa, India, where country-made alcoholic products are consumed in addition to the commercially available alcoholic products. We aimed to analyze the composition of these country-made alcoholic products consumed by a population with a high incidence of alcohol-related AP. METHODS Three locally distilled alcoholic products (ethanol content, >20%) regularly consumed by patients developing AP, as determined by responses in a patient questionnaire, were selected. Three commercially available products with comparable ethanol content (rum, whiskey, and brandy) were used for comparison. Representative samples were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Compound assignments used mass spectral searches of the NIST library (2008). RESULTS Commercially available rum, whiskey, and brandy used for comparison contained the 2 major constituents, ethanol and water. In addition, the country-made alcoholic products contained a higher level of by-products including long-chain alcohols (eg, butanol, propanol), aldehydes (eg, acetaldehyde), acids (eg, acetic acid), and even traces of methanol. CONCLUSIONS Country-made alcoholic products contain many compounds in addition to ethanol. Given the high incidence of alcohol-related AP in the population where these products are consumed, further evaluation of their constituents in relation to the induction of pancreatic damage is warranted.
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Pancreatic stellate cells produce acetylcholine and may play a role in pancreatic exocrine secretion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 107:17397-402. [PMID: 20852067 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1000359107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The pancreatic secretagogue cholecystokinin (CCK) is widely thought to stimulate enzyme secretion by acinar cells indirectly via activation of the vagus nerve. We postulate an alternative pathway for CCK-induced pancreatic secretion. We hypothesize that neurally related pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs; located in close proximity to the basolateral aspect of acinar cells) play a regulatory role in pancreatic secretion by serving as an intermediate target for CCK and secreting the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), which, in turn, stimulates acinar enzyme secretion. To determine whether PSCs (i) exhibit CCK-dependent ACh secretion and (ii) influence acinar enzyme secretion, primary cultures of human and rat PSCs were used. Immunoblotting and/or immunofluorescence was used to detect choline acetyltransferase (ACh synthesizing enzyme), vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT), synaptophysin, and CCK receptors 1 and 2. Synaptic-like vesicles in PSCs were identified by EM. ACh secretion by PSCs exposed to 20 pM CCK was measured by LC-MS/MS. Amylase secretion by acini [pretreated with and without the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (10 μM) and cocultured with PSCs] was measured by colorimetry. PSCs express ACh synthesizing enzyme, VAChT, synaptophysin, and CCK receptors; exhibit CCK-dependent ACh secretion; and stimulate amylase secretion by acini, which is blocked by atropine. In conclusion, PSCs express the essential elements for ACh synthesis and secretion. CCK stimulates ACh secretion by PSCs, which, in turn, induces amylase secretion by acini. Therefore, PSCs may represent a previously unrecognized intrapancreatic pathway regulating CCK-induced pancreatic exocrine secretion.
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Berna MJ, Seiz O, Nast JF, Benten D, Bläker M, Koch J, Lohse AW, Pace A. CCK1 and CCK2 receptors are expressed on pancreatic stellate cells and induce collagen production. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:38905-14. [PMID: 20843811 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.125534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) can induce acute pancreatitis in rodents through its action on acinar cells. Treatment with CCK, in combination with other agents, represents the most commonly used model to induce experimental chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) are responsible for pancreatic fibrosis and therefore play a predominant role in the genesis of chronic pancreatitis. However, it is not known whether PSC express CCK receptors. Using real time PCR techniques, we demonstrate that CCK1 and CCK2 receptors are expressed on rat PSC. Interestingly both CCK and gastrin significantly induced type I collagen synthesis. Moreover, both inhibit proliferation. These effects are comparable with TGF-β-stimulated PSC. Furthermore, the natural agonists CCK and gastrin induce activation of pro-fibrogenic pathways Akt, ERK, and Src. Using specific CCK1 and CCK2 receptor (CCK2R) inhibitors, we found that Akt activation is mainly mediated by CCK2R. Akt activation by CCK and gastrin could be inhibited by the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin. Activation of ERK and the downstream target Elk-1 could be inhibited by the MEK inhibitor U0126. These data suggest that CCK and gastrin have direct activating effects on PSC, are able to induce collagen synthesis in these cells, and therefore appear to be important regulators of pancreatic fibrogenesis. Furthermore, similar to TGF-β, both CCK and gastrin inhibit proliferation in PSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc J Berna
- Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Medizinische Klinik I, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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Barreto SG, Saccone GTP. Alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis: the 'critical mass' concept. Med Hypotheses 2010; 75:73-6. [PMID: 20181433 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2010.01.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2010] [Revised: 01/27/2010] [Accepted: 01/28/2010] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The association of alcohol consumption and acute pancreatitis (AP) has been well documented. Extensive research in the field of alcohol-induced AP has allowed scientists to understand the different aspects by which ethanol may alter pancreatic cellular function. However, despite the recognition and understanding of these proposed mechanisms, the basic question that remains unanswered is that although alcohol is consumed the world over, why is it that only some people develop AP? Epidemiologic data indicates a higher frequency of alcohol-induced AP in geographical locations where surrogate/home-brewed alcoholic beverages are freely available. These surrogate/home-brewed alcoholic beverages contain in addition to ethanol, higher alcohols (e.g. propanol and butanol) and other by-products/contaminants (e.g. acids, aldehydes and esters), the potential of which to induce pancreatic damage has been incompletely studied. Mutations in genes that metabolise alcohol as well as those that protect the acinar cells and the extra-acinar milieu from prematurely activated digestive enzymes (e.g. genetic mutations in SPINK1 or PRSS1 genes) have also been noted in these geographical locations. Based on the available epidemiologic, clinical and basic research data available at the present time, we propose a unifying hypothesis presenting for the first time the 'critical mass' concept. We hypothesise that it is the achievement of a 'critical mass' of damaged acinar cells that is required to trigger off the inflammatory cascade leading to a clinically recognised attack of AP. The consequence of a critical mass of damaged acinar cells is the generation of sufficient mediators to result in clinical AP. While the consumption of alcohol does damage acinar cells, the number of damaged acinar cells does not necessarily reach the 'critical mass' with every binge. Co-factors such a high fat or protein meals are required to sensitize the acinar cells by raising the metabolic state to a high level which compromises the viability of the cells. In addition, the existence of genetic mutations and / or the consumption of surrogate alcoholic beverages, by facilitating acinar cell damage, directly or indirectly, potentially hasten the achievement of the 'critical mass', leading to an attack of AP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savio G Barreto
- Department of General and Digestive Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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Tapia JA, Salido GM, González A. Ethanol consumption as inductor of pancreatitis. World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther 2010; 1:3-8. [PMID: 21577288 PMCID: PMC3091140 DOI: 10.4292/wjgpt.v1.i1.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2009] [Revised: 01/11/2010] [Accepted: 01/18/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol abuse is a major cause of pancreatitis, a condition that can manifest as both acute necroinflammation and chronic damage (acinar atrophy and fibrosis). Pancreatic acinar cells can metabolize ethanol via the oxidative pathway, which generates acetaldehyde and involves the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase and possibly cytochrome P4502E1. Additionally, ethanol can be metabolized via a nonoxidative pathway involving fatty acid ethyl ester synthases. Metabolism of ethanol by acinar and other pancreatic cells and the consequent generation of toxic metabolites, are postulated to play an important role in the development of alcohol-related acute and chronic pancreatic injury. This current work will review some recent advances in the knowledge about ethanol actions on the exocrine pancreas and its relationship to inflammatory disease and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Tapia
- José A Tapia, Ginés M Salido, Antonio González, PhD, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Extremadura, Avenida Universidad s/n, Cáceres E-10071, Spain
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Alcoholic pancreatitis: pathogenesis, incidence and treatment with special reference to the associated pain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2009; 6:2763-82. [PMID: 20049222 PMCID: PMC2800061 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph6112763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2009] [Accepted: 11/02/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alcoholic pancreatitis continues to stir up controversy. One of the most debated points is whether from onset it is a chronic disease or whether it progresses to a chronic form after repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis. Histological studies on patients with alcoholic pancreatitis have shown that the disease is chronic from onset and that alcoholic acute pancreatitis occurs in a pancreas already damaged by chronic lesions. Genetic factors may also play a role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic disease. The incidence of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis seems to have decreased in the last twenty years. Finally, recent therapeutic studies which have shown medical or surgical approaches capable of reducing the pain episodes in chronic pancreatitis patients will be described.
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Masamune A, Shimosegawa T. Signal transduction in pancreatic stellate cells. J Gastroenterol 2009; 44:249-60. [PMID: 19271115 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-009-0013-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2008] [Accepted: 11/18/2008] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic fibrosis is a characteristic feature of chronic pancreatitis and of desmoplastic reaction associated with pancreatic cancer. For over a decade, there has been accumulating evidence that activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a pivotal role in the development of pancreatic fibrosis in these pathological settings. In response to pancreatic injury or inflammation, quiescent PSCs undergo morphological and functional changes to become myofibroblast-like cells, which express alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA). Activated PSCs actively proliferate, migrate, produce extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as type I collagen, and express cytokines and chemokines. In addition, PSCs might play roles in local immune functions and angiogenesis in the pancreas. Following the initiation of activation, if the inflammation and injury are sustained or repeated, PSCs activation is perpetuated, leading to the development of pancreatic fibrosis. From this point of view, pancreatic fibrosis can be defined as pathological changes of ECM composition in the pancreas both in quantity and quality, resulting from perpetuated activation of PSCs. Because the activation and cell functions in PSCs are regulated by the dynamic but coordinated activation of intracellular signaling pathways, identification of signaling molecules that play a crucial role in PSCs activation is important for the development of anti-fibrosis therapy. Recent studies have identified key mediators of stimulatory and inhibitory signals. Signaling molecules, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma), Rho/Rho kinase, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), Sma- and Mad-related proteins, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) might be candidates for the development of anti-fibrosis therapy targeting PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan.
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Inhibition of transforming growth factor beta signaling by halofuginone as a modality for pancreas fibrosis prevention. Pancreas 2009; 38:427-35. [PMID: 19188864 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0b013e3181967670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. We evaluated the efficacy of halofuginone, an inhibitor of collagen synthesis and myofibroblast activation, in preventing cerulein-induced pancreas fibrosis. METHODS Collagen synthesis was evaluated by in situ hybridization and staining. Levels of prolyl 4-hydroxylase beta (P4Hbeta), cytoglobin/stellate cell activation-associated protein (Cygb/STAP), transgelin, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, serum response factor, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), Smad3, and pancreatitis-associated protein 1 (PAP-1) were determined by immunohistochemistry. Metalloproteinase activity was evaluated by zymography. RESULTS Halofuginone prevented cerulein-dependent increase in collagen synthesis, collagen cross-linking enzyme P4Hbeta, Cygb/STAP, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 2. Halofuginone did not affect TGFbeta levels in cerulein-treated mice but inhibited serum response factor synthesis and Smad3 phosphorylation. In culture, halofuginone inhibited pancreatic stellate cell (PSC) proliferation and TGFbeta-dependent increase in Cygb/STAP and transgelin synthesis and metalloproteinase 2 activity. Halofuginone increased c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation in PSCs derived from cerulein-treated mice. Halofuginone prevented the increase in acinar cell proliferation and further increased the cerulein-dependent PAP-1 synthesis. CONCLUSIONS Halofuginone inhibits Smad3 phosphorylation and increases c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation, leading to the inhibition of PSC activation and consequent prevention of fibrosis. Halofuginone increased the synthesis of PAP-1, which further reduces pancreas fibrosis. Thus, halofuginone might serve as a novel therapy for pancreas fibrosis.
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Szuster-Ciesielska A, Plewka K, Daniluk J, Kandefer-Szerszeń M. Zinc supplementation attenuates ethanol- and acetaldehyde-induced liver stellate cell activation by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and by influencing intracellular signaling. Biochem Pharmacol 2009; 78:301-14. [PMID: 19376089 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2009.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2009] [Revised: 04/09/2009] [Accepted: 04/09/2009] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Zinc has been reported to prevent and reverse liver fibrosis in vivo; however, the mechanisms of its action are poorly understood. We therefore aimed to determine the antifibrotic potential of zinc. METHODS Assessed was the influence of preincubation of rat HSCs with 30 microM ZnCl2 on ethanol- (in the presence of 4-methyl pyrazole (4-MP)) or acetaldehyde-induced toxicity, apoptosis, migration, expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin (alpha-SMA) and procollagen I, release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), tumor growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) production. Intracellular signals such as nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB), C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) induced by ethanol and its metabolite were also assessed. RESULTS 30 microM zinc protected HSCs against ethanol and acetaldehyde toxicity and inhibited their apoptosis. Zinc inhibited the production of ROS by HSCs treated with ethanol and acetaldehyde and inhibited their migration. Zinc also inhibited ethanol- and acetaldehyde-induced TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha production. Zinc down-regulated ethanol- and acetaldehyde-induced production of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 and decreased the activity of MMP-2. In ethanol- and acetaldehyde-induced HSCs, zinc inhibited the activation of the p38 MAPK as well as the JNK transduction pathways and phosphorylation of IkappaB and Smad 3. CONCLUSION The results indicated that zinc supplementation inhibited ethanol- and acetaldehyde-induced activation of HSCs on different levels, acting as an antioxidant and inhibitor of MAPK, TGF-beta and NFkappaB/IkappaB transduction signaling. The remarkable inhibition of several markers of HCS activation makes zinc a promising agent for antifibrotic combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland.
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Lawrencia C, Charrier A, Huang G, Brigstock DR. Ethanol-mediated expression of connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) in mouse pancreatic stellate cells. Growth Factors 2009; 27:91-9. [PMID: 19280452 DOI: 10.1080/08977190902786319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) play a central role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis, a common feature of chronic pancreatitis which is often caused by excessive alcohol consumption. In view of the central role of connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) in fibrosis, we investigated the mechanisms by which CCN2 is regulated in PSC following their exposure to ethanol or acetaldehyde. Primary cultures of PSC from Balb/c mice were treated with 0-50 mM ethanol or 0-200 microM acetaldehyde in the presence or absence of 4-methylpyrazole (4MP; an inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase), diallyl sulfide (DAS; an inhibitor of cytochrome P4502E1) or anti-oxidant catalase or vitamin D. CCN2 production, assessed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to measure CCN2 mRNA levels or by fluorescence activated cell sorting to assess CCN2 protein, was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner by ethanol or acetaldehyde. In the presence of 4MP, DAS, or the anti-oxidants vitamin D or catalase, there was a substantial decrease in the ability of ethanol to stimulate CCN2 mRNA expression and a concomitant decrease in CCN2-positive PSC. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species in PSC after exposure to ethanol was verified by loading the cells with dichlorofluorescin diacetate and showing that there was a stimulation of its oxidized fluorescent product, the latter of which was diminished in the presence of catalase or vitamin D. These results show the production of acetaldehyde and oxidant stress in mouse PSC are the cause of increased CCN2 mRNA and protein production after exposure of the cells to ethanol. The potential therapeutic effects of inhibitors of ethanol metabolism or anti-oxidants in alcoholic pancreatitis may arise in part through their ability to attenuate CCN2 production by PSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmel Lawrencia
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Cell and Developmental Biology, Columbus, OH, USA
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Shimizu K. Mechanisms of pancreatic fibrosis and applications to the treatment of chronic pancreatitis. J Gastroenterol 2009; 43:823-32. [PMID: 19012035 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-008-2249-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2008] [Accepted: 07/01/2008] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a crucial role in pancreatic fibrogenesis in chronic pancreatitis and in the desmoplastic reaction of pancreatic cancer. When PSCs are stimulated by oxidative stress, ethanol and its metabolite acetaldehyde, and cytokines, the phenotype of quiescent fat-storing cells converts to myofibroblastlike activated PSCs, which then produce extracellular matrix, adhesion molecules, and various chemokines in response to cytokines and growth factors. Recent data suggest that PSCs have a phagocytic function. Plateletderived growth factor is a potent stimulator of PSC proliferation. Transforming growth factor beta, activin A, and connective tissue growth factor also play a role in PSC-mediated pancreatic fibrogenesis through autocrine and paracrine loops. Following pancreatic damage, pathophysiological processes that occur in the pancreas, including pancreas tissue pressure, hyperglycemia, intracellular reactive oxygen species production, activation of protease-activated receptor 2, induction of cyclooxygenase 2, and bacterial infection play a role in sustaining pancreatic fibrosis through increased PSC proliferation and collagen production by PSCs. Targeting PSCs might be an effective therapeutic approach in chronic pancreatitis. Various substances including vitamin A, vitamin E, polyphenols, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ligands, and inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system show great promise of being useful in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, School of Medicine, 8-1 Kawada, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan
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Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer are characterised by a progressive fibrosis. Accumulation of extracellular matrix not only accompanies both diseases but is directly involved in their progression, suggesting inhibition of fibrogenesis as a potential therapeutic strategy. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) are the main extracellular matrix-producing cell type in the diseased pancreas. In response to pro-fibrogenic mediators including cytokines and ethanol metabolites, PSC undergo phenotypic changes termed activation, resulting in the exhibition of a myofibroblast-like phenotype. In the perpetuation of PSC activation, autocrine loops of mediators such as transforming growth factor beta play an important role. Most recently signal transduction pathways in PSC that are associated with the process of activation were characterised, facilitating identification of potential intracellular targets for an anti-fibrotic therapy. While some putative inhibitors of fibrogenesis have been tested in animal models of pancreatic fibrosis for their in vivo efficiency, clinical studies still remain to be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Jaster
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Medical Faculty, University of Rostock, E.-Heydemann-Strasse 6, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
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Asaumi H, Watanabe S, Taguchi M, Tashiro M, Otsuki M. Externally applied pressure activates pancreatic stellate cells through the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2007; 293:G972-8. [PMID: 17761838 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00018.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Local tissue pressure is higher in chronic pancreatitis than in the normal pancreas. We reported recently that pressure application induces synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) and cytokines in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a potent antioxidant, inhibits the transformation of PSCs from quiescent to activated phenotype and ethanol-induced synthesis of ECM and cytokines in PSCs. These results suggest that oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important in PSC activation. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of ROS on activation and functions of pressure-stimulated PSCs. We used freshly isolated rat PSCs and culture-activated PSCs. Pressure was applied on rat cultured PSCs by adding compressed helium gas into a pressure-loading apparatus. PSCs were cultured with or without antioxidants (EGCG and N-acetyl cysteine) under normal or elevated pressure. Externally applied high pressure (80 mmHg) resulted in a gradual decrease of superoxide dismutase activity in PSCs and increased intracellular ROS generation as early as 30 s, reaching a peak level at 1 h. Antioxidants significantly inhibited ROS generation. Pressure increased the expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin, alpha(1)(I)-procollagen, and TGF-beta1 in PSCs. EGCG suppressed these alterations, abolished pressure-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and suppressed pressure-induced PSC transformation to activated phenotype. Our results indicated that ROS is a key player in pressure-induced PSC activation and ECM synthesis. Antioxidants could be potentially effective against the development of pancreatic fibrosis in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Asaumi
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, School of Medicine, Kitakyushu, Japan
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41
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Hu R, Wang YL, Edderkaoui M, Lugea A, Apte MV, Pandol SJ. Ethanol augments PDGF-induced NADPH oxidase activity and proliferation in rat pancreatic stellate cells. Pancreatology 2007; 7:332-40. [PMID: 17627098 PMCID: PMC2826430 DOI: 10.1159/000105499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2006] [Accepted: 01/30/2007] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Activated stellate cells are considered the principal mediators of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis/fibrosis. However the mechanisms of alcohol action on pancreatic stellate cells (PaSCs) are poorly understood. The aims of this study were to determine the presence and role of the NADPH oxidase system in mediating alcohol effects on PaSCs with specific emphasis on proliferation. METHODS PaSC NADPH oxidase components mRNA and protein were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. The NADPH oxidase activity was measured by detecting the production of reactive oxygen species using lucigenin-derived chemiluminescence assay. PaSC DNA synthesis, a measure of proliferation, was performed by determining the [3H] thymidine incorporation into DNA. RESULTS mRNA for NADPH oxidase components Nox1, gp91(phox), Nox4, p22(phox), p47(phox) and p67(phox) and protein for NADPH oxidase subunits gp91(phox), p22(phox), p47(phox) and p67(phox) are present in PaSCs. Treatment with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) significantly increased the NADPH oxidase activity and DNA synthesis in cultured PaSCs. Alcohol treatment markedly augmented both the NADPH oxidase activity and the DNA synthesis caused by PDGF, which was prevented by antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine, ROS scavenger tiron, and the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodium. The effects of PDGF on NADPH oxidase activity and DNA synthesis were prevented in PaSCs isolated from the pancreas of mice with a genetic deficiency of p47(phox). CONCLUSIONS Ethanol causes proliferation of stellate cells by augmenting the activation of the cell's NADPH oxidase system stimulated by PDGF. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms of alcohol-induced fibrosing disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Hu
- Department of Veterans Affairs/University of California, Los Angeles/Research Center for Alcoholic Liver and Pancreatic Diseases, Los Angeles, Calif. 90073, USA.
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42
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Park SH, Choi MS, Park T. Changes in the hepatic gene expression profile in a rat model of chronic ethanol treatment. Food Chem Toxicol 2007; 46:1378-88. [PMID: 17920746 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2007.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2007] [Revised: 07/31/2007] [Accepted: 08/22/2007] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of hepatic gene expression in a standard model of an alcohol-induced fatty liver using the cDNA microarray analysis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups and were given either an ethanol diet (ED), or a control diet (CD) for eight weeks. The ED rats showed significantly elevated levels of plasma total and HDL cholesterol as well as hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride compared to the pair-fed control rats. Among the 5185 genes on the rat cDNA microarray used in the current study, 74 genes were up-regulated and 108 genes were down-regulated greater than 2.0-fold in the liver of ED rats compared with those in the CD rats. The microarray results were verified by conducting real-time RT-PCR on the fourteen selected genes with varied expression ratios. After clustering the regulated genes based on their biological function, it was found that chronic ethanol consumption regulated mainly the genes implicated in the processes of signal transduction, transcription, immune response, and protein/amino acid metabolism. The microarray results obtained in this study revealed, for the first time, that several genes, including beta-glucuronidase, UDP-glycosyltransferase 1, UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, apoC-III, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, were regulated by chronic ethanol exposure in the rat liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Hee Park
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Sudaemun-ku, Seoul 120-749, South Korea
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43
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Nomiyama Y, Tashiro M, Yamaguchi T, Watanabe S, Taguchi M, Asaumi H, Nakamura H, Otsuki M. High glucose activates rat pancreatic stellate cells through protein kinase C and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Pancreas 2007; 34:364-72. [PMID: 17414061 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0b013e31802f0531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hyperglycemia is implicated in fibrosis in many organs. Exocrine and endocrine pancreas are closely linked both anatomically and physiologically, and pathological conditions in the exocrine gland can cause impairment of endocrine function and vice versa. Chronic pancreatitis causes pancreatic fibrosis and sometimes results in diabetes mellitus. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a pivotal role in pancreatic fibrogenesis. However, the effects of high glucose concentrations on PSC activation have not been fully elucidated. METHODS Cultured PSCs were incubated in the presence of various concentrations of glucose. Pancreatic stellate cell proliferation, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression, and collagen production were determined by colorimetric conversion assay, Western blot analysis, and Sirius red dye binding assay, respectively. RESULTS High glucose concentrations significantly increased PSC proliferation, alpha-SMA expression, and collagen type I production in PSCs. High glucose concentrations activated protein kinase C (PKC) in PSCs, and PKC inhibitor GF109203X inhibited glucose-stimulated PSC proliferation, alpha-SMA expression, and collagen secretion. High glucose also activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in PSCs, and p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 inhibited glucose-stimulated collagen secretion. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that high glucose concentrations stimulate PSC activation via PKC-p38 MAP kinase pathway and suggest that high glucose may aggravate pancreatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Nomiyama
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, School of Medicine, Kitakyushu, Japan
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44
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Abstract
Evidence has accumulated to suggest an important role of ethanol and/or its metabolites in the pathogenesis of alcohol-related liver disease. In this review, the fibrogenic effects of ethanol and its metabolites on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are discussed. In brief, ethanol interferes with retinoid metabolism and its signaling, induces the release of fibrogenic cytokines such as transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFβ-1) from HSCs, up-regulates the gene expression of collagen I and enhances type I collagen protein production by HSCs. Ethanol further perpetuates an activated HSC phenotype through extracellular matrix remodeling. The underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms by which ethanol exerts these pro-fibrogenic effects on HSCs are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Hua Wang
- Storr Liver Unit, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
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45
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Fitzner B, Brock P, Nechutova H, Glass A, Karopka T, Koczan D, Thiesen HJ, Sparmann G, Emmrich J, Liebe S, Jaster R. Inhibitory effects of interferon-gamma on activation of rat pancreatic stellate cells are mediated by STAT1 and involve down-regulation of CTGF expression. Cell Signal 2006; 19:782-90. [PMID: 17116388 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2006.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2006] [Accepted: 10/09/2006] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are the main source of extracellular matrix proteins in pancreatic fibrosis, a pathological feature of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is an antifibrotic cytokine, but how precisely it exerts its effects on PSCs is largely unknown. Here, we have focussed on the role of STAT1 as well as target genes of IFN-gamma signalling. Our data indicate that IFN-gamma regulates the expression of two autocrine mediators of PSC activation, connective tissue growth factor and endothelin-1, in a transforming growth factor-beta1-antagonistic manner. STAT1 overexpression under the control of a tetracycline-dependent promoter revealed a close correlation between STAT1 expression and activation, the biological effects of IFN-gamma (growth inhibition, induction of apoptosis), and target gene expression. Our data further support the hypothesis that IFN-gamma interferes with stellate cell activation in the pancreas and suggest activated STAT1 as an inductor of a quiescent PSC phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brit Fitzner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Rostock, E-Heydemann-Str 6, 18057, 18057 Rostock, Germany
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46
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Apte MV, Pirola RC, Wilson JS. Battle-scarred pancreas: role of alcohol and pancreatic stellate cells in pancreatic fibrosis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006; 21 Suppl 3:S97-S101. [PMID: 16958684 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2006.04587.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) are now recognized as the key mediators of pancreatic fibrosis, a characteristic feature of chronic pancreatitis. The role of PSC in alcoholic pancreatic fibrosis has been examined in vivo (using pancreatic tissue from patients with alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis and from animal models of experimental pancreatitis) and in vitro (using PSC in culture). These studies indicate that PSC are activated early in the course of pancreatic injury and are the predominant source of collagen in the fibrotic pancreas. The factors responsible for mediating PSC activation during chronic alcohol exposure include ethanol, its metabolite acetaldehyde, oxidant stress and cytokines (released during episodes of alcohol-induced pancreatic necroinflammation). Most recently, the intracellular signaling mechanisms regulating ethanol-induced PSC activation have been identified and include the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase C (PKC), and the transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoti V Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South-western Sydney Clinical School, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
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48
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Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is characterized by progressive fibrosis, pain and/or loss of exocrine and endocrine functions. With the identification and characterization of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), the pathogenesis of CP and pancreatic fibrosis is now better understood. Molecular mediators shown to regulate the pathogenesis include transforming growth factor-beta, platelet-derived growth factor, and proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Besides these, the roles of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and apoptosis-related proteins have also been implicated in the pathogenesis. Furthermore, molecular pathways involving mitogen-activated protein kinases, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Ras superfamily G proteins, serine threonine protein kinase Raf-1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) have been elucidated. Newer pathobiologic concepts concerning pain generation have also been put forward. Understanding the pathogenesis has led to the identification of novel molecular targets and the development of newer potential therapeutic agents. Those found to retard the progression of experimental CP and fibrosis in animal models include antioxidants, a Japanese herbal medicine called Saiko-keisi-to (TJ 10), the PPAR-gamma ligand troglitazone, the protease inhibitor Camostat mesilate, and Lovastatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupjyoti Talukdar
- Department of Gastroenterology, Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute, New Delhi, India
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Baumert JT, Sparmann G, Emmrich J, Liebe S, Jaster R. Inhibitory effects of interferons on pancreatic stellate cell activation. World J Gastroenterol 2006; 12:896-901. [PMID: 16521217 PMCID: PMC4066154 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i6.896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To analyze and to compare the effects of interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-β, and IFN-γ on pancreatic stellate cell (PSC) activation in vitro and to elucidate the molecular basis of IFN action.
METHODS: PSCs were isolated from rat’s pancreatic tissue, cultured and stimulated with recombinant rat IFNs. Cell proliferation and collagen synthesis were assessed by measuring the incorporation of 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) into DNA and [3H]-proline into acetic acid-soluble proteins, respectively. Apoptotic cells were determined by FACS analysis (sub-G1 peak method). Exhibition of the myofibroblastic PSC phenotype was monitored by immunoblot analysis of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. To assess the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), Western blots using phospho-STAT-specific antibodies were performed. In studies on STAT1 function, expression of the protein was inhibited by siRNA.
RESULTS: IFN-β and IFN-γ, but not IFN-α significantly diminished PSC proliferation and collagen synthesis. IFN-γ was the only IFN that clearly inhibited α-SMA expression. Under the experimental conditions used, no enhanced rate of apoptotic cell death was observed in response to any IFN treatment. IFN-β and IFN-γ induced a strong increase of STAT1 and STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation, while the effect of IFN-α was much weaker. Inhibition of STAT1 expression with siRNA was associated with a significantly reduced growth-inhibitory effect of IFN-γ.
CONCLUSION: IFN-β and particularly IFN-γ display inhibitory effects on PSC activation in vitro and should be tested regarding their in vitro efficiency. Growth inhibition by IFN-γ action requires STAT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Tido Baumert
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Medical Faculty, University of Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
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50
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Asaumi H, Watanabe S, Taguchi M, Tashiro M, Nagashio Y, Nomiyama Y, Nakamura H, Otsuki M. Green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits ethanol-induced activation of pancreatic stellate cells. Eur J Clin Invest 2006; 36:113-22. [PMID: 16436093 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2006.01599.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a central role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrogenesis and inflammation. Ethanol, a major cause of chronic pancreatitis, directly induces PSC activation and oxidative stress. Inhibition of PSC activation or stimulation to PSC might be an effective therapeutic strategy for the prevention of pancreatic fibrosis, and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea extracts, is a potent antioxidant of polyphenols. Therefore, we examined the mechanisms through which ethanol induces oxidative stress on PSCs and evaluated the effect of EGCG on activation and cell functions of ethanol-stimulated PSCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS The PSCs were isolated from the pancreas of male Wister rats with Nycodenz gradient methods and cells between passages one and four were used. Isolated PSCs were cultured with ethanol (50 mM) in the absence or presence of EGCG (5 microM or 25 microM). RESULTS The EGCG pre-treatment abolished ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane, loss of total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and suppressed ethanol-induced gene expressions of Mn- and Cu/Zn-SOD. EGCG also suppressed ethanol-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation, alpha-smooth muscle actin production in PSCs and activated transforming growth factor-beta1 secretion into the medium. Furthermore, EGCG inhibited ethanol-induced type-I procollagen production and collagen secretion. In addition, EGCG inhibited transformation of freshly isolated cells to activated myofibroblast-like phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that green tea and polyphenols could prevent pancreatic fibrosis by inhibiting PSC activation through the antioxidative effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Asaumi
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Kitakyushu, Japan
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