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Xue Y, Ruan Y, Wang Y, Xiao P, Xu J. Signaling pathways in liver cancer: pathogenesis and targeted therapy. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2024; 5:20. [PMID: 38816668 PMCID: PMC11139849 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-024-00184-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide with high incidence and mortality rates. Due to its subtle onset, liver cancer is commonly diagnosed at a late stage when surgical interventions are no longer feasible. This situation highlights the critical role of systemic treatments, including targeted therapies, in bettering patient outcomes. Despite numerous studies on the mechanisms underlying liver cancer, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the only widely used clinical inhibitors, represented by sorafenib, whose clinical application is greatly limited by the phenomenon of drug resistance. Here we show an in-depth discussion of the signaling pathways frequently implicated in liver cancer pathogenesis and the inhibitors targeting these pathways under investigation or already in use in the management of advanced liver cancer. We elucidate the oncogenic roles of these pathways in liver cancer especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as the current state of research on inhibitors respectively. Given that TKIs represent the sole class of targeted therapeutics for liver cancer employed in clinical practice, we have particularly focused on TKIs and the mechanisms of the commonly encountered phenomena of its resistance during HCC treatment. This necessitates the imperative development of innovative targeted strategies and the urgency of overcoming the existing limitations. This review endeavors to shed light on the utilization of targeted therapy in advanced liver cancer, with a vision to improve the unsatisfactory prognostic outlook for those patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangtao Xue
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yeling Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yali Wang
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Peng Xiao
- Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
| | - Junjie Xu
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
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Asoka AS, Kolikkandy A, Nair B, Kamath AJ, Sethi G, Nath LR. Role of Culinary Indian Spices in the Regulation of TGF-β Signaling Pathway in Inflammation-Induced Liver Cancer. Mol Nutr Food Res 2024:e2300793. [PMID: 38766929 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202300793] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
SCOPE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) results from various etiologies, such as Hepatitis B and C, Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disorders, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. About 80 to 90% of HCC cases possess cirrhosis, which is brought on by persistent liver inflammation. TGF-β is a multifunctional polypeptide molecule that acts as a pro-fibrogenic marker, inflammatory cytokine, immunosuppressive agent, and pro-carcinogenic growth factor during the progression of HCC. The preclinical and clinical evidence illustrates that TGF-β can induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, promoting progression and hepatocyte immune evasion. Therefore, targeting the TGF-β pathway can be a promising therapeutic option against HCC. METHODS AND RESULTS We carry out a systemic analysis of eight potentially selected culinary Indian spices: Turmeric, Black pepper, Ginger, Garlic, Fenugreek, Red pepper, Clove, Cinnamon, and their bioactives in regulation of the TGF-β pathway against liver cancer. CONCLUSION Turmeric and its active constituent, curcumin, possess the highest therapeutic potential in treating inflammation-induced HCC and they also have the maximum number of ongoing in-vivo and in-vitro studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Sarija Asoka
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Anusha Kolikkandy
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Bhagyalakshmi Nair
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Adithya J Kamath
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, AIMS Health Science Campus, Singapore, 117600, Singapore
| | - Lekshmi R Nath
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
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Ding J, Yang YY, Li PT, Ma Y, Zhang L, Zhou Y, Jin C, Li HY, Zhu YF, Liu XP, Liu ZJ, Jia HL, Liu PG, Wu J. TGF-β1/SMAD3-driven GLI2 isoform expression contributes to aggressive phenotypes of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216768. [PMID: 38453045 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Hedgehog signaling is activated in response to liver injury, and modulates organogenesis. However, the role of non-canonical hedgehog activation via TGF-β1/SMAD3 in hepatic carcinogenesis is poorly understood. TGF-β1/SMAD3-mediated non-canonical activation was found in approximately half of GLI2-positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and two new GLI2 isoforms with transactivating activity were identified. Phospho-SMAD3 interacted with active GLI2 isoforms to transactivate downstream genes in modulation of stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, chemo-resistance and metastasis in poorly-differentiated hepatoma cells. Non-canonical activation of hedgehog signaling was confirmed in a transgenic HBV-associated HCC mouse model. Inhibition of TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling reduced lung metastasis in a mouse in situ hepatic xenograft model. In another cohort of 55 HCC patients, subjects with high GLI2 expression had a shorter disease-free survival than those with low expression. Moreover, co-positivity of GLI2 with SMAD3 was observed in 87.5% of relapsed HCC patients with high GLI2 expression, indicating an increased risk of post-resection recurrence of HCC. The findings underscore that suppressing the non-canonical hedgehog signaling pathway may confer a potential strategy in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Jing'an District Central Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Yong-Yu Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Peng-Tao Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, The National Key Clinical Specialty, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361004, China
| | - Yue Ma
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Cheng Jin
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hui-Yan Li
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuan-Fei Zhu
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiu-Ping Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zheng-Jin Liu
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361004, China
| | - Hu-Liang Jia
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200041, China
| | - Ping-Guo Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, The National Key Clinical Specialty, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361004, China.
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Institute of Liver Diseases, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Mikulski D, Kościelny K, Dróżdż I, Mirocha G, Nowicki M, Misiewicz M, Perdas E, Strzałka P, Wierzbowska A, Fendler W. Serum Levels of miR-122-5p and miR-125a-5p Predict Hepatotoxicity Occurrence in Patients Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4355. [PMID: 38673940 PMCID: PMC11050045 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic complications are an acknowledged cause of mortality and morbidity among patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential role in the prediction of liver injury of five selected microRNAs (miRNAs)-miR-122-5p, miR-122-3p, miR-15b-5p, miR-99b-5p, and miR-125a-5p-in the setting of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). A total of 66 patients were included in the study: 50 patients (75.8%) with multiple myeloma (MM) and 16 (24.2%) with lymphoma. Blood samples were collected after the administration of the conditioning regimen, on the day of transplant (day 0). The expression levels of selected miRNAs were quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) using the miRCURY LNA miRNA Custom PCR Panels (QIAGEN). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and the administered conditioning regimen, two miRNAs, hsa-miR-122-5p (odds ratio, OR 2.10, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.29-3.42, p = 0.0029) and hsa-miR-125a-5p (OR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.11-0.71, p = 0.0079), were independent for hepatic toxicity occurrence during the 14 days after transplant. Our model in 10-fold cross-validation preserved its diagnostic potential with a receiver operating characteristics area under the curve (ROC AUC) of 0.75, 95% CI: 0.63-0.88 and at optimal cut-off reached 72.0% sensitivity and 74.4% specificity. An elevated serum level of miR-122-5p and decreased level of miR-125a-5p on day 0 are independent risk factors for hepatotoxicity in ASCT recipients, showing promise in accurately predicting post-ASCT complications. Identifying patients susceptible to complications has the potential to reduce procedure costs and optimize the selection of inpatient or outpatient procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Mikulski
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (D.M.); (K.K.); (G.M.); (E.P.)
- Department of Hematooncology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital in Lodz, 93-513 Lodz, Poland
| | - Kacper Kościelny
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (D.M.); (K.K.); (G.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Izabela Dróżdż
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Grzegorz Mirocha
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (D.M.); (K.K.); (G.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Mateusz Nowicki
- Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (M.N.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (A.W.)
- Department of Hematology and Transplantology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital in Lodz, 93-513 Lodz, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Misiewicz
- Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (M.N.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (A.W.)
| | - Ewelina Perdas
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (D.M.); (K.K.); (G.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Piotr Strzałka
- Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (M.N.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (A.W.)
- Department of Hematology and Transplantology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital in Lodz, 93-513 Lodz, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Wierzbowska
- Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (M.N.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (A.W.)
- Department of Hematology and Transplantology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital in Lodz, 93-513 Lodz, Poland
| | - Wojciech Fendler
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (D.M.); (K.K.); (G.M.); (E.P.)
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Elkoshi Z. TGF-β, IL-1β, IL-6 levels and TGF-β/Smad pathway reactivity regulate the link between allergic diseases, cancer risk, and metabolic dysregulations. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1371753. [PMID: 38629073 PMCID: PMC11019030 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1371753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The risk of cancer is higher in patients with asthma compared to those with allergic rhinitis for many types of cancer, except for certain cancers where a contrasting pattern is observed. This study offers a potential explanation for these observations, proposing that the premalignant levels of circulating transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), IL-1β, and IL-6 as well as the reactivity of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway at the specific cancer site, are crucial factors contributing to the observed disparities. Circulating TGF-β, IL- β and IL-6 levels also help clarify why asthma is positively associated with obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and insulin resistance, whereas allergic rhinitis is negatively linked to these conditions. Furthermore, TGF-β/Smad pathway reactivity explains the dual impact of obesity, increasing the risk of certain types of cancer while offering protection against other types of cancer. It is suggested that the association of asthma with cancer and metabolic dysregulations is primarily linked to the subtype of neutrophilic asthma. A binary classification of TGF-β activity as either high (in the presence of IL-1β and IL-6) or low (in the presence or absence of IL-1β and IL-6) is proposed to differentiate between allergy patients prone to cancer and metabolic dysregulations and those less prone. Glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, the two major metabolic pathways utilized by cells for energy exploitation, potentially underlie this dichotomous classification by reprogramming metabolic pathways in immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeev Elkoshi
- Research and Development Department, Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Haifa, Israel
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Li Y, Kong L. A case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with decompensated alcohol-related liver cirrhosis treated successfully by chemoimmunotherapy. Clin Case Rep 2024; 12:e8820. [PMID: 38659497 PMCID: PMC11039811 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Key Clinical Message This report describes a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with MYD88 L265P and KM2DT mutation and decompensated alcohol-related liver cirrhosis. And the treatment is successful in this patient, who had multiple complications and poor prognostic factors. Abstract This report describes a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with MYD88 L265P and KM2DT mutation and decompensated alcohol-related liver cirrhosis. The lymphoma showed a complete response with no MYD88 L265P mutation after four courses of combination chemotherapy. Lymphoma is one of the most common malignant tumors, but cases of DLBCL with cirrhosis are much rarer especially with alcohol-related cirrhosis. And we reviewed the relevant mechanisms. Although we did not find a definite association between the pathogenesis of the patient's alcohol-related cirrhosis and that of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the treatment is successful in this patient, who had multiple complications and poor prognostic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of HaematologyHebei General HospitalShijiazhuangHebeiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Ling‐zhijie Kong
- Department of HaematologyHebei General HospitalShijiazhuangHebeiPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Graduate SchoolHebei North UniversityZhangjiakouHebeiPeople's Republic of China
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Liu W, Zhang L, Wei X, Xu Y, Fang Q, Qi S, Chen J, Wang C, Wang S, Qin L, Liu P, Wu J. Structural characterization of an inulin neoseries-type fructan from Ophiopogonis Radix and the therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis in vivo. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 327:121659. [PMID: 38171656 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Ophiopogonis Radix is a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine and functional food that is rich in polysaccharides and has fructan as a characteristic component. In this study, an inulin neoseries-type fructan designated as OJP-W2 was obtained and characterized from Ophiopogonis Radix, and its potential therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis in vivo were investigated. Structural studies revealed that OJP-W2 had a molecular weight of 5.76 kDa and was composed of glucose and fructose with a molar ratio of 1.00:30.87. Further analysis revealed OJP-W2 has a predominantly lineal (1-2)-linked β-D-fructosyl units linked to the glucose moiety of the sucrose molecule with (2-6)-linked β-D-fructosyl side chains. Pharmacological studies revealed that OJP-W2 exerted a marked hepatoprotective effect against liver fibrosis, the mechanism of action was involved in regulating collagen deposition (α-SMA, COL1A1 and liver Hyp contents) and TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway, alleviating liver inflammation (IL-1β, IL-6, CCL5 and F4/80) and MAPK signaling pathway, and inhibiting hepatic apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-2, ATF4 and Caspase 3). These data provide evidence for expanding Ophiopogonis Radix-acquired fructan types and advancing our understanding of the specific role of inulin neoseries-type fructan in liver fibrosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China; College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Linzhang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China; Basic Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription and Syndrome, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xia Wei
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China; Basic Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription and Syndrome, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yongbin Xu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Rood, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qinqin Fang
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China; Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Rood, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shenglan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China; Basic Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription and Syndrome, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiamei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Changhong Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Rood, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shunchun Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Rood, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Luping Qin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China; Basic Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription and Syndrome, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Jianjun Wu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China.
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Liang J, Chen T, Xu H, Wang T, Gong Q, Li T, Liu X, Wang J, Wang Y, Xiong L. Echinacoside Exerts Antihepatic Fibrosis Effects in High-Fat Mice Model by Modulating the ACVR2A-Smad Pathway. Mol Nutr Food Res 2024; 68:e2300553. [PMID: 38366962 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202300553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
SCOPE Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an increasingly common chronic liver disease in which hepatic fibrosis is the major pathological change. The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/mall mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad) signaling is the main effector of fibrosis. Although the antifibrotic effect of echinacoside (Ech) on the liver has been indicated previously, the cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate both in vivo and in vitro antifibrotic properties of Ech. METHODS AND RESULTS Cell viability and scratch/wound assays show that Ech significantly inhibits the proliferation, migration, and activation of human hepatic stellate LX-2 cells. In mice with high-fat diet-induced hepatic fibrosis, Ech treatment attenuates the progression of liver injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis and subsequent functional validation demonstrate that Ech achieves antifibrotic effects by the activin receptor type-2A (ACVR2A)-mediated TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway; ultimately, ACVR2A is demonstrated to be an important target for hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting and inducing the expression of ACVR2A in LX-2 cells. CONCLUSION Ech exerts potent antifibrotic effects by inhibiting the ACVR2A-mediated TGF-β1/Smad signaling axis and may serve as an alternative treatment for hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liang
- Department of Medicine, Linfen Vocational and Technical College, Linfen, Shanxi, 041000, China
| | - Ting Chen
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Honglei Xu
- Medical Security Center, The No. 983th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Forces of Chinese PLA, Tianjin, 300142, China
| | - Tingfang Wang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Qi Gong
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Tingting Li
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, 201700, China
| | - Yun Wang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Liyan Xiong
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
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9
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Li M, Larsen FT, van den Heuvel MC, Gier K, Gorter AR, Oosterhuis D, Bijzet J, de Meijer VE, Ravnskjaer K, Nagelkerke A, Olinga P. Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in a Dish: Human Precision-Cut Liver Slices as a Platform for Drug Screening and Interventions. Nutrients 2024; 16:626. [PMID: 38474754 DOI: 10.3390/nu16050626] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing healthcare problem with limited therapeutic options. Progress in this field depends on the availability of reliable preclinical models. Human precision-cut liver slices (PCLSs) have been employed to replicate the initiation of MASLD, but a comprehensive investigation into MASLD progression is still missing. This study aimed to extend the current incubation time of human PCLSs to examine different stages in MASLD. Healthy human PCLSs were cultured for up to 96 h in a medium enriched with high sugar, high insulin, and high fatty acids to induce MASLD. PCLSs displayed hepatic steatosis, characterized by accumulated intracellular fat. The development of hepatic steatosis appeared to involve a time-dependent impact on lipid metabolism, with an initial increase in fatty acid uptake and storage, and a subsequent down-regulation of lipid oxidation and secretion. PCLSs also demonstrated liver inflammation, including increased pro-inflammatory gene expression and cytokine production. Additionally, liver fibrosis was also observed through the elevated production of pro-collagen 1a1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1). RNA sequencing showed that the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) signaling pathway and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling pathway were consistently activated, potentially contributing to the development of inflammation and fibrosis. In conclusion, the prolonged incubation of human PCLSs can establish a robust ex vivo model for MASLD, facilitating the identification and evaluation of potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Frederik T Larsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Marius C van den Heuvel
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Pathology Section, University Medical Center Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Konstanze Gier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alan R Gorter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dorenda Oosterhuis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Bijzet
- Amyloidosis Center of Expertise, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Medical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent E de Meijer
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kim Ravnskjaer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Anika Nagelkerke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Olinga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
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10
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Dai X, Du Z, Jin C, Tang B, Chen X, Jing X, Shen Y, He F, Wang S, Li J, Ding K, Zang Y. Inulin-like polysaccharide ABWW may impede CCl 4 induced hepatic stellate cell activation through mediating the FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in vitro & in vivo. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 326:121637. [PMID: 38142102 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Studies have shown that terrestrial acidic polysaccharides containing carboxyl groups and seaweed sulfated polysaccharides have strong potential in anti-liver fibrosis. However, there is no investigation on the anti-liver fibrosis of fructan, a ubiquitous natural polysaccharide. The present study aimed to understand the effect of fructan in ameliorating carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. Here, an inulin-like fructan ABWW from Achyranthes bidentata Bl. was characterized by fructose enzymatic hydrolysis, methylation analysis, ESI-MS, and NMR. It was composed of →2)-β-d-Fruf-(1→ and →2)-β-d-Fruf-(1, 6→, terminated with →1)-α-d-Glcp and →2)-β-d-Fruf residues. The biological studies showed that ABWW could improve liver damage and liver fibrosis induced by CCl4in vivo and inhibit hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and migration in vitro. We further demonstrated that ABWW inhibited LX2 activation via suppressing the FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Hence, ABWW might be a potential novel active compound for anti-fibrosis new drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhenyun Du
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Can Jin
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 563003, China
| | - Bixi Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xia Chen
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaoqi Jing
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yumei Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fei He
- Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shunchun Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Jia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China; ZhongShan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan Tsuihang New District, Guangdong 528400, China.
| | - Kan Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Glycochemistry and Glycobiology Lab, Carbohydrate Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; ZhongShan Institute for Drug Discovery, Zhongshan Tsuihang New District, Guangdong 528400, China.
| | - Yi Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China.
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11
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Tamim YM, Nagy AA, Abdellah AM, Osman AH, Ismail AFM. Anticancer effect of propranolol on diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma rat model. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38325396 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most widespread type of primary liver cancer. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a hepatotoxic hepatocarcinogenic compound, is used to induce HCC in animal models. The non-selective β-blocker propranolol demonstrated antiproliferative activity in many cancer types. OBJECTIVE This investigation aimed to evaluate the anticancer effect of propranolol against DEN-induced HCC in rats. METHODS Thirty adult male rats were divided into the following groups: Group I (C, control), Group II (HCC); received DEN, 70 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) once a week for 10 weeks, to induce HCC, and Group III (HCC/Prop); received DEN for 10 weeks for HCC induction, then received 20 mg/kg b.wt. propranolol, intraperitoneally for four successive weeks. RESULTS HCC was developed in rats' livers and confirmed via significant liver architecture changes, significantly elevated activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), α-fetoprotein (AFP), total- and direct-bilirubin (Bil), and a decline in albumin (ALB) level in serum. HCC group demonstrated elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), HIF-1α, IL-8, NF-κB, PGE2, TGF-β1, VEGF, and CD8, but significant decline of GSH, and IL-10 level, with suppression of the antioxidant enzymes' activities. In addition, the gene expression of the hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and LAG-3 were up-regulated. Moreover, the protein expression of p-PKC was up-regulated, while that of PD-1 and PD-L1 were down-regulated in the liver tissues of the HCC group. However, propranolol ameliorated the investigated parameters in the HCC/Prop group. CONCLUSION Propranolol exhibited an anticancer effect and thus can be considered as a promising treatment for HCC. Blocking of PD-1/PD-L1 and LAG-3 signals participated in the anti-tumor effect of propranolol on HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yomna M Tamim
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Nagy
- Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Abdellah
- Pathophysiology Department, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Ahmed H Osman
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amel F M Ismail
- Drug Radiation Research Department, Biotechnology Division, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Cairo, Egypt
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12
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Kimura T, Iwadare T, Wakabayashi SI, Kuldeep S, Nakajima T, Yamazaki T, Aomura D, Zafar H, Iwaya M, Joshita S, Uehara T, Pydi SP, Tanaka N, Umemura T. Thrombospondin 2 is a key determinant of fibrogenesis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Liver Int 2024; 44:483-496. [PMID: 38010940 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatic overexpression of the thrombospondin 2 gene (THBS2) and elevated levels of circulating thrombospondin 2 (TSP2) have been observed in patients with chronic liver disease. This study aimed to identify the specific cells expressing THBS2/TSP2 in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and investigate the underlying mechanism behind THBS2/TSP2 upregulation. DESIGN Comprehensive NAFLD liver gene datasets, including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), in-house NAFLD liver tissue, and LX-2 cells derived from human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), were analysed using a combination of computational biology, genetic, immunological, and pharmacological approaches. RESULTS Analysis of the genetic dataset revealed the presence of 1433 variable genes in patients with advanced fibrosis NAFLD, with THBS2 ranked among the top 2 genes. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) examination of NAFLD livers showed a significant correlation between THBS2 expression and fibrosis stage (r = .349, p < .001). In support of this, scRNA-seq data and in situ hybridization demonstrated that the THBS2 gene was highly expressed in HSCs of NAFLD patients with advanced fibrosis. Pathway analysis of the gene dataset revealed THBS2 expression to be associated with the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) pathway and collagen gene activation. Moreover, the activation of LX-2 cells with TGFβ increased THBS2/TSP2 and collagen expression independently of the TGFβ-SMAD2/3 pathway. THBS2 gene knockdown significantly decreased collagen expression in LX-2 cells. CONCLUSIONS THBS2/TSP2 is highly expressed in HSCs and plays a role in regulating fibrogenesis in NAFLD patients. THBS2/TSP2 may therefore represent a potential target for anti-fibrotic therapy in NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takefumi Kimura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Consultation Center for Liver Diseases, Shinshu University Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takanobu Iwadare
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Wakabayashi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Seema Kuldeep
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India
| | - Tomoyuki Nakajima
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Tomoo Yamazaki
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Daiki Aomura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Hamim Zafar
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering and Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India
| | - Mai Iwaya
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Satoru Joshita
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Uehara
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Sai P Pydi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India
| | - Naoki Tanaka
- Department of Global Medical Research Promotion, Shinshu University Graduate School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- International Relations Office, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Research Center for Social Systems, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takeji Umemura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Consultation Center for Liver Diseases, Shinshu University Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan
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13
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Xie Y, Chen X, Wang X, Liu S, Chen S, Yu Z, Wang W. Transforming growth factor-β1 protects against white matter injury and reactive astrogliosis via the p38 MAPK pathway in rodent demyelinating model. J Neurochem 2024; 168:83-99. [PMID: 38183677 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
In central nervous system (CNS), demyelination is a pathological process featured with a loss of myelin sheaths around axons, which is responsible for the diseases of multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, and so on. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) is a multifunctional cytokine participating in abundant physiological and pathological processes in CNS. However, the effects of TGF-β1 on CNS demyelinating disease and its underlying mechanisms are controversial and not well understood. Herein, we evaluated the protective potential of TGF-β1 in a rodent demyelinating model established by lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) injection. It was identified that supplement of TGF-β1 evidently rescued the cognitive deficit and motor dysfunction in LPC modeling mice assessed by novel object recognition and balance beam behavioral tests. Besides, quantified by luxol fast blue staining, immunofluorescence, and western blot, administration of TGF-β1 was found to significantly ameliorate the demyelinating lesion and reactive astrogliosis by suppressing p38 MAPK pathway. Mechanistically, the results of in vitro experiments indicated that treatment of TGF-β1 could directly promote the differentiation and migration of cultured oligodendrocytes. Our study revealed that modulating TGF-β1 activity might serve as a promising and innovative therapeutic strategy in CNS demyelinating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xie
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuejiao Chen
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinyue Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Simiao Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiyuan Yu
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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14
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Gaba S, Jain U. Advanced biosensors for nanomaterial-based detection of transforming growth factor alpha and beta, a class of major polypeptide regulators. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 257:128622. [PMID: 38065462 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factors (TGFs) regulate several cellular processes including, differentiation, growth, migration, extracellular matrix production, and apoptosis. TGF alpha (TGF-α) is a heterogeneous molecule containing 160 amino acid residues. It is a potent angiogenesis promoter that is activated by JAK-STAT signaling. Whereas TGF beta (TGF-β) consists of 390-412 amino acids. Smad and non-Smad signaling both occur in TGF beta. It is linked to immune cell activation, differentiation, and proliferation. It also triggers pre-apoptotic responses and inhibits cell proliferation. Both growth factors have a promising role in the development and homeostasis of tissues. Defects such as autoimmune diseases and cancer develop mechanisms to modulate checkpoints of the immune system resulting in altered growth factors profile. An accurate amount of these growth factors is essential for normal functioning, but an exceed or fall behind the normal level is alarming as it is linked to several disorders. This demands techniques for TGF-α and TGF-β profiling to effectively diagnose diseases, monitor their progression, and assess the efficacy of immunotherapeutic drugs. Quantitative detection techniques including the emergence of biosensing technology seem to accomplish the purpose. Until the present time, few biosensors have been designed in the context of TGF-α and TGF-β for disease detection, analyzing receptor binding, and interaction with carriers. In this paper, we have reviewed the physiology of transforming growth factor alpha and beta, including the types, structure, function, latent/active forms, signaling, and defects caused. It involves the description of biosensors on TGF-α and TGF-β, advances in technology, and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smriti Gaba
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Utkarsh Jain
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India.
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15
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Yang S, Liu C, Jiang M, Liu X, Geng L, Zhang Y, Sun S, Wang K, Yin J, Ma S, Wang S, Belmonte JCI, Zhang W, Qu J, Liu GH. A single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of primate liver aging uncovers the pro-senescence role of SREBP2 in hepatocytes. Protein Cell 2024; 15:98-120. [PMID: 37378670 PMCID: PMC10833472 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwad039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging increases the risk of liver diseases and systemic susceptibility to aging-related diseases. However, cell type-specific changes and the underlying mechanism of liver aging in higher vertebrates remain incompletely characterized. Here, we constructed the first single-nucleus transcriptomic landscape of primate liver aging, in which we resolved cell type-specific gene expression fluctuation in hepatocytes across three liver zonations and detected aberrant cell-cell interactions between hepatocytes and niche cells. Upon in-depth dissection of this rich dataset, we identified impaired lipid metabolism and upregulation of chronic inflammation-related genes prominently associated with declined liver functions during aging. In particular, hyperactivated sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) signaling was a hallmark of the aged liver, and consequently, forced activation of SREBP2 in human primary hepatocytes recapitulated in vivo aging phenotypes, manifesting as impaired detoxification and accelerated cellular senescence. This study expands our knowledge of primate liver aging and informs the development of diagnostics and therapeutic interventions for liver aging and associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Yang
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
- Aging Translational Medicine Center, International Center for Aging and Cancer, Beijing Municipal Geriatric Medical Research Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
- Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Chengyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mengmeng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaoqian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lingling Geng
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
- Aging Translational Medicine Center, International Center for Aging and Cancer, Beijing Municipal Geriatric Medical Research Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Yiyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shuhui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jian Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuai Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Si Wang
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
- Aging Translational Medicine Center, International Center for Aging and Cancer, Beijing Municipal Geriatric Medical Research Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | | | - Weiqi Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Aging Biomarker Consortium, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jing Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
- Aging Biomarker Consortium, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Guang-Hui Liu
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Aging Translational Medicine Center, International Center for Aging and Cancer, Beijing Municipal Geriatric Medical Research Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
- Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
- Aging Biomarker Consortium, Beijing 100101, China
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16
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Choi HJ, Kim YA, Ryu J, Park KK, Lee SJ, Kim BS, Song JE, Kim JD. STAT3 Decoy Oligodeoxynucleotides Suppress Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis in Liver Cancer Cells and a DDC-Induced Liver Injury Mouse Model. Molecules 2024; 29:593. [PMID: 38338338 PMCID: PMC10856653 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29030593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver damage caused by various factors results in fibrosis and inflammation, leading to cirrhosis and cancer. Fibrosis results in the accumulation of extracellular matrix components. The role of STAT proteins in mediating liver inflammation and fibrosis has been well documented; however, approved therapies targeting STAT3 inhibition against liver disease are lacking. This study investigated the anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects of STAT3 decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) in hepatocytes and liver fibrosis mouse models. STAT3 decoy ODN were delivered into cells using liposomes and hydrodynamic tail vein injection into 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC)-fed mice in which liver injury was induced. STAT3 target gene expression changes were verified using qPCR and Western blotting. Liver tissue fibrosis and bile duct proliferation were assessed in animal experiments using staining techniques, and macrophage and inflammatory cytokine distribution was verified using immunohistochemistry. STAT3 decoy ODN reduced fibrosis and inflammatory factors in liver cancer cell lines and DDC-induced liver injury mouse model. These results suggest that STAT3 decoy ODN may effectively treat liver fibrosis and must be clinically investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Jin Choi
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea;
| | - Young-Ah Kim
- Seoul Clinical Laboratories of Daegu, Daegu 41238, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghwa Ryu
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea;
| | - Kwan-Kyu Park
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea; (K.-K.P.)
| | - Sun-Jae Lee
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea; (K.-K.P.)
| | - Byung Seok Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea; (B.S.K.)
| | - Jeong-En Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea; (B.S.K.)
| | - Joo Dong Kim
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea;
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17
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Zhang C, Sun C, Zhao Y, Ye B, Yu G. Signaling pathways of liver regeneration: Biological mechanisms and implications. iScience 2024; 27:108683. [PMID: 38155779 PMCID: PMC10753089 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver possesses a unique regenerative ability to restore its original mass, in this regard, partial hepatectomy (PHx) and partial liver transplantation (PLTx) can be executed smoothly and safely, which has important implications for the treatment of liver disease. Liver regeneration (LR) can be the very complicated procedure that involves multiple cytokines and transcription factors that interact with each other to activate different signaling pathways. Activation of these pathways can drive the LR process, which can be divided into three stages, namely, the initiation, progression, and termination stages. Therefore, it is important to investigate the pathways involved in LR to elucidate the mechanism of LR. This study reviews the latest research on the key signaling pathways in the different stages of LR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Caifang Sun
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Yabin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Bingyu Ye
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - GuoYing Yu
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
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18
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Chaudhary R, Goodman LS, Wang S, Asimakopoulos A, Weiskirchen R, Dooley S, Ehrlich M, Henis YI. Cholesterol modulates type I/II TGF-β receptor complexes and alters the balance between Smad and Akt signaling in hepatocytes. Commun Biol 2024; 7:8. [PMID: 38168942 PMCID: PMC10761706 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05654-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol mediates membrane compartmentalization, affecting signaling via differential distribution of receptors and signaling mediators. While excessive cholesterol and aberrant transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling characterize multiple liver diseases, their linkage to canonical vs. non-canonical TGF-β signaling remained unclear. Here, we subjected murine hepatocytes to cholesterol depletion (CD) or enrichment (CE), followed by biophysical studies on TGF-β receptor heterocomplex formation, and output to Smad2/3 vs. Akt pathways. Prior to ligand addition, raft-dependent preformed heteromeric receptor complexes were observed. Smad2/3 phosphorylation persisted following CD or CE. CD enhanced phospho-Akt (pAkt) formation by TGF-β or epidermal growth factor (EGF) at 5 min, while reducing it at later time points. Conversely, pAkt formation by TGF-β or EGF was inhibited by CE, suggesting a direct effect on the Akt pathway. The modulation of the balance between TGF-β signaling to Smad2/3 vs. pAkt (by TGF-β or EGF) has potential implications for hepatic diseases and malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roohi Chaudhary
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Laureen S Goodman
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sai Wang
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, D-68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anastasia Asimakopoulos
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, D-52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, D-52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Steven Dooley
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, D-68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marcelo Ehrlich
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Yoav I Henis
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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19
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Yüregir Y, Kaçaroğlu D, Yaylacı S. Regulation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Mechanism and Targeted Therapeutic Approaches. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1450:93-102. [PMID: 37452258 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2023_781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver malignancy that accounts for the majority of liver cancer cases, with multiple risk factors including chronic hepatitis B and C infections, alcohol abuse, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, the survival rate of patients with advanced HCC remains low, creating an urgent need for new therapeutic targets and strategies.One biological process crucial to HCC progression is the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is a process that enables epithelial cells to acquire mesenchymal properties, including motility and invasiveness, by losing their cell-cell adhesion. Various signaling pathways, including TGF-β, Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch, have been implicated in regulating EMT in HCC.To inhibit EMT, targeted therapeutic approaches have been developed, and preclinical studies suggest that the inhibition of the TGF-β, Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch signaling pathways is promising. TGF-β receptor inhibitors, Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitors, and gamma-secretase inhibitors have shown efficacy in preclinical studies by inhibiting EMT and reducing tumor growth in HCC models. However, further clinical studies are necessary to determine their effectiveness in human patients.In addition to these approaches, further research is needed to identify other novel therapeutic targets and develop new treatment strategies for HCC. This review emphasizes the critical role of EMT in HCC progression and highlights the potential of targeting the TGF-β, Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch signaling pathways to inhibit EMT and reduce tumor growth in HCC. Future studies and clinical trials are necessary to validate these therapeutic strategies and develop effective treatments for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yelda Yüregir
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, İhsan Doğramacı Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Demet Kaçaroğlu
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical Biology Department, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Seher Yaylacı
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical Biology Department, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, Turkey.
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20
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Li M, Huang F, Zhu W, Peng Y, Xu F, Li W, Zhao Q, Liu L. Dynamic regulation of EXO1 promotes the progression from liver fibrosis to HCC through TGF-β1/Smad signaling feedback loop. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0342. [PMID: 38126949 PMCID: PMC10749710 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HSCs are the main stromal cells in the process of liver fibrosis and accelerate HCC progression. Previous studies determined that highly expressed exonuclease 1 (EXO1) increases the malignant behavior of HCC cells and is closely related to liver cirrhosis. This study aimed to explore the roles and mechanisms of EXO1 in the development of liver cirrhosis and HCC. METHODS We fully demonstrated that EXO1 expression was positively correlated with liver fibrosis and cirrhotic HCC by combining bioinformatics, hepatic fibrosis mouse models, and human HCC tissues. The role of EXO1 in a murine HCC model induced by activated forms of AKT and Ras oncogenes (AKT/Ras) was investigated by employing an adeno-associated virus-mediated EXO1 knockdown technique. RESULTS The knockdown of EXO1 promoted a regression of HCC in AKT/Ras mice and reduced the degree of liver fibrosis. Downregulated EXO1 inhibited LX-2 cell activation and inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. Moreover, conditioned medium of LX-2 cells with EXO1 overexpression increased the proliferation and migration of HCC cells, which was attenuated after EXO1 knockout in LX-2 cells. EXO1 knockdown attenuated the role of LX-2 in promoting HepG2 xenograft growth in vivo. Mechanistically, EXO1 promotes the activation of the downstream TGF-β-smad2/3 signaling in LX-2 and HCC cells. Interestingly, increased TGF-β-smad2/3 signaling had a feedback effect on EXO1, which sustains EXO1 expression and continuously stimulates the activation of HSCs. CONCLUSIONS EXO1 forms a positive feedback circuit with TGF-β-Smad2/3 signaling and promotes the activation of HSCs, which accelerates HCC progression. Those findings indicate EXO1 may be a promising target for the diagnosis and treatment of cirrhotic HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Lab of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China
| | - Fengxing Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Lab of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China
| | - Weining Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Lab of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanan Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Lab of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Lab of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjie Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Lab of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiu Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Lab of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China
| | - Lan Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Lab of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China
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21
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Yadav P, Singh SK, Rajput S, Allawadhi P, Khurana A, Weiskirchen R, Navik U. Therapeutic potential of stem cells in regeneration of liver in chronic liver diseases: Current perspectives and future challenges. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 253:108563. [PMID: 38013053 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The deposition of extracellular matrix and hyperplasia of connective tissue characterizes chronic liver disease called hepatic fibrosis. Progression of hepatic fibrosis may lead to hepatocellular carcinoma. At this stage, only liver transplantation is a viable option. However, the number of possible liver donors is less than the number of patients needing transplantation. Consequently, alternative cell therapies based on non-stem cells (e.g., fibroblasts, chondrocytes, keratinocytes, and hepatocytes) therapy may be able to postpone hepatic disease, but they are often ineffective. Thus, novel stem cell-based therapeutics might be potentially important cutting-edge approaches for treating liver diseases and reducing patient' suffering. Several signaling pathways provide targets for stem cell interventions. These include pathways such as TGF-β, STAT3/BCL-2, NADPH oxidase, Raf/MEK/ERK, Notch, and Wnt/β-catenin. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) stimulate interleukin (IL)-10, which inhibits T-cells and converts M1 macrophages into M2 macrophages, producing an anti-inflammatory environment. Furthermore, it inhibits the action of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and reduces the activity of TNF-α and interferon cytokines by enhancing IL-4 synthesis. Consequently, the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capabilities of MSCs make them an attractive therapeutic approach. Importantly, MSCs can inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells, causing their apoptosis and subsequent promotion of hepatocyte proliferation, thereby replacing dead hepatocytes and reducing liver fibrosis. This review discusses the multidimensional therapeutic role of stem cells as cell-based therapeutics in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Yadav
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India
| | - Sumeet Kumar Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India
| | - Sonu Rajput
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India
| | - Prince Allawadhi
- Department of Pharmacy, Vaish Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (VIPER), Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences (Pt. B. D. S. UHS), Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
| | - Amit Khurana
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India; Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Umashanker Navik
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India; Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
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22
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Bellanti F, Mangieri D, Vendemiale G. Redox Biology and Liver Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:410. [PMID: 38203581 PMCID: PMC10778611 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a complex process that develops in chronic liver diseases. Even though the initiation and progression of fibrosis rely on the underlying etiology, mutual mechanisms can be recognized and targeted for therapeutic purposes. Irrespective of the primary cause of liver disease, persistent damage to parenchymal cells triggers the overproduction of reactive species, with the consequent disruption of redox balance. Reactive species are important mediators for the homeostasis of both hepatocytes and non-parenchymal liver cells. Indeed, other than acting as cytotoxic agents, reactive species are able to modulate specific signaling pathways that may be relevant to hepatic fibrogenesis. After a brief introduction to redox biology and the mechanisms of fibrogenesis, this review aims to summarize the current evidence of the involvement of redox-dependent pathways in liver fibrosis and focuses on possible therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Bellanti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Domenica Mangieri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Gianluigi Vendemiale
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
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23
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Deng H, Wang Y, Yin Y, Shu J, Zhang J, Shu X, Wu F, He J. Effects of matrix viscoelasticity on cell-matrix interaction, actin cytoskeleton organization, and apoptosis of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. J Mater Chem B 2023; 12:222-232. [PMID: 38079114 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02001k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Many recent reports have shown the effects of viscoelasticity of the extracellular matrix on the spreading, migration, proliferation, survival and cell-matrix interaction of mesenchymal stem cells and normal cells. However, the effect of matrix viscoelasticity on the behavior of tumor cells is still in the state of preliminary exploration. To this aim, we prepared a viscoelastic hydrogel matrix with a storage modulus of about 2 kPa and a loss modulus adjustable from 0 to 600 Pa, through adding linear alginate and regulating the compactness of a polyacrylamide covalent network. Overall, the addition of viscous components inhibited the apoptosis of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells, while it promoted their spreading and proliferation and in particular led to a well-developed cytoskeleton organization. However, with the increase of the viscous fraction, this trend was reversed, and the apoptosis of MG-63 cells gradually increased with gradually decreased spreading and proliferation, accompanied by a surprising manner change of the cytoskeleton from fusiform cells dominated by focal adhesion to dendritic cells dominated by pseudopodia. Besides the upregulation of MAPK, Ras, Rap1 and PI3K-Akt pathways commonly involved in mechanotransduction, the upregulation of the Wnt pathway and inhibited endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis were observed for the viscous matrix with a low loss modulus. The high viscosity matrix showed additional involvement of Hippo and NF-kappa B signaling pathways related to the cell-matrix interaction, with downregulation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway and upregulation related to mitochondrial organization. Our study would provide insight into the effect of viscosity on fundamental behaviors of tumor cells and might have important implications in designing antitumor materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Deng
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Yao Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Yue Yin
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Jun Shu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Junwei Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Xuedong Shu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Fang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Jing He
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
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24
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Xin W, Pan Y, Wei W, Gerner ST, Huber S, Juenemann M, Butz M, Bähr M, Huttner HB, Doeppner TR. TGF-β1 Decreases Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation and Lipid Droplet Accumulation in an In Vitro Stroke Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17329. [PMID: 38139158 PMCID: PMC10743979 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia triggers reactive microglial inflammation and lipid droplet (LD) accumulation under stroke conditions, although the mutual interactions between these two processes are insufficiently understood. Hence, the involvement of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in inflammation and LD accumulation in cultured microglia exposed to hypoxia were analyzed herein. Primary microglia were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) injury and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. For analyzing the role of TGF-β1 patterns under such conditions, a TGF-β1 siRNA and an exogenous recombinant TGF-β1 protein were employed. Further studies applied Triacsin C, an inhibitor of LD formation, in order to directly assess the impact of LD formation on the modulation of inflammation. To assess mutual microglia-to-neuron interactions, a co-culture model of these cells was established. Upon OGD exposure, microglial TGF-β1 levels were significantly increased, whereas LPS stimulation yielded decreased levels. Elevating TGF-β1 expression proved highly effective in suppressing inflammation and reducing LD accumulation in microglia exposed to LPS. Conversely, inhibition of TGF-β1 led to the promotion of microglial cell inflammation and an increase in LD accumulation in microglia exposed to OGD. Employing the LD formation inhibitor Triacsin C, in turn, polarized microglia towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Such modulation of both microglial TGF-β1 and LD levels significantly affected the resistance of co-cultured neurons. This study provides novel insights by demonstrating that TGF-β1 plays a protective role against microglia-mediated neuroinflammation through the suppression of LD accumulation. These findings offer a fresh perspective on stroke treatment, suggesting the potential of targeting this pathway for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiang Xin
- Department of Neurology, University of Göttingen Medical School, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (W.X.); (Y.P.); (W.W.); (M.B.)
| | - Yongli Pan
- Department of Neurology, University of Göttingen Medical School, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (W.X.); (Y.P.); (W.W.); (M.B.)
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Neurology, University of Göttingen Medical School, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (W.X.); (Y.P.); (W.W.); (M.B.)
| | - Stefan T. Gerner
- Department of Neurology, University of Giessen Medical School, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (S.T.G.); (M.J.); (M.B.); (H.B.H.)
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University, 35032 Giessen, Germany
| | - Sabine Huber
- Department of Neurology, University of Giessen Medical School, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (S.T.G.); (M.J.); (M.B.); (H.B.H.)
| | - Martin Juenemann
- Department of Neurology, University of Giessen Medical School, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (S.T.G.); (M.J.); (M.B.); (H.B.H.)
| | - Marius Butz
- Department of Neurology, University of Giessen Medical School, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (S.T.G.); (M.J.); (M.B.); (H.B.H.)
- Heart and Brain Research Group, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Center, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Mathias Bähr
- Department of Neurology, University of Göttingen Medical School, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (W.X.); (Y.P.); (W.W.); (M.B.)
| | - Hagen B. Huttner
- Department of Neurology, University of Giessen Medical School, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (S.T.G.); (M.J.); (M.B.); (H.B.H.)
| | - Thorsten R. Doeppner
- Department of Neurology, University of Göttingen Medical School, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (W.X.); (Y.P.); (W.W.); (M.B.)
- Department of Neurology, University of Giessen Medical School, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (S.T.G.); (M.J.); (M.B.); (H.B.H.)
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University, 35032 Giessen, Germany
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Varna, 9238 Varna, Bulgaria
- Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technologies (SABITA), Medipol University, 100098 Istanbul, Turkey
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25
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Cuesta ÁM, Palao N, Bragado P, Gutierrez-Uzquiza A, Herrera B, Sánchez A, Porras A. New and Old Key Players in Liver Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17152. [PMID: 38138981 PMCID: PMC10742790 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer represents a major health problem worldwide with growing incidence and high mortality, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most frequent. Hepatocytes are likely the cellular origin of most HCCs through the accumulation of genetic alterations, although hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) might also be candidates in specific cases, as discussed here. HCC usually develops in a context of chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, although the role of fibrosis is controversial. The interplay between hepatocytes, immune cells and hepatic stellate cells is a key issue. This review summarizes critical aspects of the liver tumor microenvironment paying special attention to platelets as new key players, which exert both pro- and anti-tumor effects, determined by specific contexts and a tight regulation of platelet signaling. Additionally, the relevance of specific signaling pathways, mainly HGF/MET, EGFR and TGF-β is discussed. HGF and TGF-β are produced by different liver cells and platelets and regulate not only tumor cell fate but also HPCs, inflammation and fibrosis, these being key players in these processes. The role of C3G/RAPGEF1, required for the proper function of HGF/MET signaling in HCC and HPCs, is highlighted, due to its ability to promote HCC growth and, regulate HPC fate and platelet-mediated actions on liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel M. Cuesta
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Palao
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Bragado
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Gutierrez-Uzquiza
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Blanca Herrera
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD-ISCIII), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Sánchez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD-ISCIII), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Porras
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (Á.M.C.); (N.P.); (P.B.); (A.G.-U.); (B.H.); (A.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Li JZ, Chen N, Ma N, Li MR. Mechanism and Progress of Natural Products in the Treatment of NAFLD-Related Fibrosis. Molecules 2023; 28:7936. [PMID: 38067665 PMCID: PMC10707854 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the most prevalent chronic liver disorder worldwide, with liver fibrosis (LF) serving as a pivotal juncture in NAFLD progression. Natural products have demonstrated substantial antifibrotic properties, ushering in novel avenues for NAFLD treatment. This study provides a comprehensive review of the potential of natural products as antifibrotic agents, including flavonoids, polyphenol compounds, and terpenoids, with specific emphasis on the role of Baicalin in NAFLD-associated fibrosis. Mechanistically, these natural products have exhibited the capacity to target a multitude of signaling pathways, including Hedgehog, Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β1, and NF-κB. Moreover, they can augment the activities of antioxidant enzymes, inhibit pro-fibrotic factors, and diminish fibrosis markers. In conclusion, this review underscores the considerable potential of natural products in addressing NAFLD-related liver fibrosis through multifaceted mechanisms. Nonetheless, it underscores the imperative need for further clinical investigation to authenticate their effectiveness, offering invaluable insights for future therapeutic advancements in this domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Zhong Li
- Division of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ning Chen
- General Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Nan Ma
- Center for Bioactive Natural Molecules and Innovative Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- JNU-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Neuroscience and Innovative Drug Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Min-Ran Li
- Division of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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Mohmad Saberi SE, Chua LS. Potential of rosmarinic acid from Orthosiphon aristatus extract for inflammatory induced diseases and its mechanisms of action. Life Sci 2023; 333:122170. [PMID: 37827234 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Orthosiphon aristatus has been traditionally used as a medicinal herb for various illnesses in Southeast Asia and Europe. The most dominant bioactive compound of the herb is rosmarinic acid (RosA) which has been demonstrated for its remarkable anti-inflammatory properties. This review describes the recent progress of studies on multi-target molecular pathways of RosA in relation to targeted inflammatory-associated diseases. An inclusive literature search was conducted using electronic databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Springer Link, PubMed, Medline, Wiley and Science Direct for studies reporting on the anti-inflammatory actions of RosA from 2008 until 2023. The keywords of the search were RosA and anti-inflammatory in relation to hepatoprotective, chondroprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective and toxicity. Only publications that are written in English are included in this review. The inhibition and deactivation of pro-inflammatory biomolecules by RosA were explained based on the initial inflammation stimuli and their location in the body. The activation of Nrf2/HO-1 expression to inhibit NF-κB pathway is the key mechanism for hepatoprotection. Besides NF-κB inhibition, RosA activates PPARγ to alleviate ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced myocardial injury for cardioprotection. The regulation of MAPK and T-cell activation is important for chondroprotection, whereas the anti-oxidant property of RosA is the main contributor of neuroprotection. Even though less studies on the anti-inflammation of RosA extracts from O. aristatus, but the effective pharmacological properties of RosA has promoted it as a natural potent lead for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salfarina Ezrina Mohmad Saberi
- Herbal and Phytochemical Unit, Institute of Bioproduct Development, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Skudai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Lee Suan Chua
- Herbal and Phytochemical Unit, Institute of Bioproduct Development, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Skudai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia; Department of Bioprocess and Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Skudai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
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Yoo SH, Nahm JH, Lee WK, Lee HW, Chang HY, Lee JI. Loss of Krüppel-like factor-10 facilitates the development of chemical-induced liver cancer in mice. Mol Med 2023; 29:156. [PMID: 37946098 PMCID: PMC10636809 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00751-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Krüppel-like factor 10 (KLF10) is involved in a positive feedback loop that regulates transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling, and TGFβ plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver disease. Here, we investigated whether KLF10 deletion affects the development of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS We induced KLF10 deletion in C57BL/6 mice. Liver fibrosis was induced by feeding a diet high in fat and sucrose (high-fat diet [HFD]), whereas HCC was produced by intraperitoneal administration of N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN). An in vitro experiment was performed to evaluate the role of KLF10 in the cancer microenvironment using Hep3B and LX2 cells. An immunohistochemical study of KLF10 expression was performed using human HCC samples from 60 patients who had undergone liver resection. RESULTS KLF10 deletion resulted in an increased DEN-induced HCC burden with significant upregulation of SMAD2, although loss of KLF10 did not alter HFD-induced liver fibrosis. DEN-treated mice with KLF10 deletion exhibited increased levels of mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin and SNAI2) and tumor metastasis markers (matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9). KLF10 depletion in Hep3B and LX2 cells using siRNA was associated with increased invasiveness. Compared with co-culture of KLF10-preserved Hep3B cells and KLF10-intact LX2 cells, co-culture of KLF10-preserved Hep3B cells and KLF10-depleted LX2 cells resulted in significantly enhanced invasion. Low KLF10 expression in resected human HCC specimens was associated with poor survival. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that loss of KLF10 facilitates liver cancer development with alteration in TGFβ signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hwan Yoo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hae Nahm
- Department of Pathology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea
| | - Woon Kyu Lee
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Woong Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Young Chang
- Medical Research Center, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, 06230, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Il Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea.
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Xu X, Guo Y, Luo X, Shen Z, Sun Z, Shen B, Zhou C, Wang J, Lu J, Zhang Q, Ye Y, Luo Y, Qu Y, Cai X, Dong H, Lu L. Hydronidone ameliorates liver fibrosis by inhibiting activation of hepatic stellate cells via Smad7-mediated degradation of TGFβRI. Liver Int 2023; 43:2523-2537. [PMID: 37641479 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing reaction that eventually leads to cirrhosis. Hydronidone is a new pyridine derivative with the potential to treat liver fibrosis. In this study, we explored the antifibrotic effects of hydronidone and its potential mode of action. METHODS The anti-hepatic fibrosis effects of hydronidone were studied in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )- and 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC)- induced animal liver fibrosis. The antifibrotic mechanisms of hydronidone were investigated in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The antifibrotic effect of hydronidone was further tested after Smad7 knockdown in HSCs in mouse models of fibrosis. RESULTS In animal models, hydronidone attenuated liver damage and collagen accumulation, and reduced the expression of fibrosis-related genes. Hydronidone decreased the expression of fibrotic genes in HSCs. Impressively, hydronidone significantly upregulated Smad7 expression and promoted the degradation of transforming growth factor β receptor I (TGFβRI) in HSCs and thus inhibited the TGFβ-Smad signalling pathway. Specific knockdown of Smad7 in HSCs in vivo blocked the antifibrotic effect of hydronidone. CONCLUSION Hydronidone ameliorates liver fibrosis by inhibiting HSCs activation via Smad7-mediated TGFβRI degradation. Hydronidone is a potential drug candidate for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjun Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuecheng Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyang Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongshang Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huaian First People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, China
| | - Bo Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cui Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Junjun Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingyi Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingqing Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanping Ye
- Continent Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Ying Luo
- Continent Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Ying Qu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobo Cai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lungen Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Kong D, Mourtzinos A, Heegsma J, Blokzijl H, de Meijer VE, Faber KN. Growth differentiation factor 7 autocrine signaling promotes hepatic progenitor cell expansion in liver fibrosis. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:288. [PMID: 37798809 PMCID: PMC10557292 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03493-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Liver fibrosis is prevalent among chronic diseases of the liver and represents a major health burden worldwide. Growth differentiation factor 7 (GDF7), a member of the TGFβ protein superfamily, has been recently investigated for its role in repair of injured organs, but its role in chronic liver diseases remains unclear. Here, we examined hepatic GDF7 expression and its association with development and progression of human liver fibrosis. Moreover, we determined the source and target cells of GDF7 in the human liver. METHODS GDF7 expression was analyzed in fibrotic and healthy human liver tissues by immunohistochemistry and qPCR. Cell-specific accumulation of GDF7 was examined by immunofluorescence through co-staining of cell type-specific markers on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human liver tissues. Public single cell RNA sequence databases were analyzed for cell type-specific expression of GDF7. In vitro, human liver organoids and LX-2 hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) were treated with recombinant human GDF7. Human liver organoids were co-cultured with activated LX-2 cells to induce an autocrine signaling circuit of GDF7 in liver organoids. RESULTS GDF7 protein levels were elevated in fibrotic liver tissue, mainly detected in hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. In line, GDF7 mRNA was mainly detected in liver parenchymal cells. Expressions of BMPR1A and BMPR2, encoding GDF7 receptors, were readily detected in hepatocytes, cholangiocytes and stellate cells in vivo and in vitro. In vitro, recombinant GDF7 promoted liver organoid growth and enhanced expression of the progenitor cell markers (LGR5, AXIN2), but failed to activate LX-2 cells. Still, activated LX-2 cells induced GDF7 and LGR5 expression in co-cultured human liver organoids. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, this study reveals a role of GDF7 in liver fibrosis and suggests a potential pro-regenerative function that can be utilized for amelioration of hepatic fibrosis caused by chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Defu Kong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Apostolos Mourtzinos
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Janette Heegsma
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Blokzijl
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent E de Meijer
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Klaas Nico Faber
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Zhang Y, Liu Y, Sun J, Zhang W, Guo Z, Ma Q. Arachidonic acid metabolism in health and disease. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e363. [PMID: 37746665 PMCID: PMC10511835 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Arachidonic acid (AA), an n-6 essential fatty acid, is a major component of mammalian cells and can be released by phospholipase A2. Accumulating evidence indicates that AA plays essential biochemical roles, as it is the direct precursor of bioactive lipid metabolites of eicosanoids such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and epoxyeicosatrienoic acid obtained from three distinct enzymatic metabolic pathways: the cyclooxygenase pathway, lipoxygenase pathway, and cytochrome P450 pathway. AA metabolism is involved not only in cell differentiation, tissue development, and organ function but also in the progression of diseases, such as hepatic fibrosis, neurodegeneration, obesity, diabetes, and cancers. These eicosanoids are generally considered proinflammatory molecules, as they can trigger oxidative stress and stimulate the immune response. Therefore, interventions in AA metabolic pathways are effective ways to manage inflammatory-related diseases in the clinic. Currently, inhibitors targeting enzymes related to AA metabolic pathways are an important area of drug discovery. Moreover, many advances have also been made in clinical studies of AA metabolic inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Herein, we review the discovery of AA and focus on AA metabolism in relation to health and diseases. Furthermore, inhibitors targeting AA metabolism are summarized, and potential clinical applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryOrthopedic Oncology InstituteThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Yingxiang Liu
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryOrthopedic Oncology InstituteThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Jin Sun
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryOrthopedic Oncology InstituteThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of PathologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Zheng Guo
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryOrthopedic Oncology InstituteThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Qiong Ma
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryOrthopedic Oncology InstituteThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical UniversityXi'anChina
- Department of PathologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical UniversityXi'anChina
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Ren LL, Miao H, Wang YN, Liu F, Li P, Zhao YY. TGF-β as A Master Regulator of Aging-Associated Tissue Fibrosis. Aging Dis 2023; 14:1633-1650. [PMID: 37196129 PMCID: PMC10529747 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is the abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen and fibronectin. Aging, injury, infections, and inflammation can cause different types of tissue fibrosis. Numerous clinical investigations have shown a correlation between the degree of liver and pulmonary fibrosis in patients and telomere length and mitochondrial DNA content, both of which are signs of aging. Aging involves the gradual loss of tissue function over time, which results in the loss of homeostasis and, ultimately, an organism's fitness. A major feature of aging is the accumulation of senescent cells. Senescent cells abnormally and continuously accumulate in the late stages of life, contributing to age-related fibrosis and tissue deterioration, among other aging characteristics. Furthermore, aging generates chronic inflammation, which results in fibrosis and decreases organ function. This finding suggests that fibrosis and aging are closely related. The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily plays a crucial role in the physiological and pathological processes of aging, immune regulation, atherosclerosis, and tissue fibrosis. In this review, the functions of TGF-β in normal organs, aging, and fibrotic tissues is discussed: TGF-β signalling is altered with age and is an indicator of pathology associated with tissue fibrosis. In addition, this review discusses the potential targeting of noncoding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Li Ren
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Hua Miao
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yan-Ni Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Urology, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Ping Li
- Beijing Key Lab for Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medical Science, Department of Nephrology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Ying-Yong Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Liu R, Zhu M, Chen J, Gai J, Huang J, Zhou Y, Wan Y, Tu C. Identification and Characterization of a Novel Nanobody Against Human CTGF to Reveal Its Antifibrotic Effect in an in vitro Model of Liver Fibrosis. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:5407-5422. [PMID: 37753068 PMCID: PMC10519214 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s428430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background No agents are currently available for the treatment or reversal of liver fibrosis. Novel antifibrotic therapies for chronic liver diseases are thus urgently needed. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been shown to contributes profoundly to liver fibrogenesis, which makes CTGF as a promising target for developing antifibrotic agents. Methods In this study, we identified a novel nanobody (Nb) against human CTGF (anti-CTGF Nb) by phage display using an immunized camel, which showed high affinity and specificity in vitro. LX-2 cells, the immortalized human hepatic stellate cells, were induced by transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFβ1) as an in vitro model of liver fibrosis to verify the antifibrotic activity of the anti-CTGF Nb. Results Our data demonstrated that anti-CTGF Nb effectively alleviated TGFβ1-induced LX-2 cell proliferation, activation, and migration, and promoted the apoptosis of activated LX-2 cells in response to TGFβ1. Moreover, the anti-CTGF Nb remarkably reduced the levels of TGFβ1, Smad2, and Smad3 expression in LX-2 stellate cells stimulated by TGFβ1. Conclusion Taken together, we successfully identified a novel Nb against human CTGF, which exhibited antifibrotic effects in vitro by regulating the biological functions of human stellate cells LX-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Zhu
- Shanghai Novamab Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 201318, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaojiao Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200434, People's Republic of China
| | - Junwei Gai
- Shanghai Novamab Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 201318, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Huang
- Shanghai Novamab Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 201318, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingqun Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yakun Wan
- Shanghai Novamab Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 201318, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuantao Tu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, People's Republic of China
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Tang Z, Li X, Tian L, Sun Y, Zhu X, Liu F. Mesoporous polydopamine based biominetic nanodrug ameliorates liver fibrosis via antioxidation and TGF-β/SMADS pathway. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 248:125906. [PMID: 37482153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Early intervention of liver fibrosis can prevent its further irreversible progression. Both excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and transforming growth factor beta(TGF-β)/drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein (SMADS) pathway balance disorder promote the progression of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, but existing therapeutic strategies failed to focus on those two problems. A new biomimetic mesoporous polydopamine nandrug (MPO) was constructed for liver fibrosis therapy with multiple targets and reliable biosafety. The MPO was formed by mesoporous polydopamine (mPDA) which has the effect of ROS elimination and encapsulated with anti-fibrotic drug -oxymatrine (OMT) which can intervene liver fibrosis targeting TGF-β/SMADSpathway. Particularly, the nanodrug was completed by macrophage-derived exosome covering. The MPO was confirmed to possess a desired size distribution with negative zeta potential and exhibite strong ROS scavenger ability. Besides, in vitro studies, MPO showed efficient endocytosis and superior intracellular ROS scavenging without cytotoxicity; in vivo studies, MPO effectively cleared the excessive ROS in liver tissue and balanced the TGF-β/SMADS pathways, which in turn inhibited HSC activation and showed superior anti-liver fibrosis therapeutic efficiency with good biological safety. Taken together, this work showed highlights the great potential of the MPO for ameliorating liver fibrosis via ROS elimination and TGF-β/SMADS balancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihui Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200090, China
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Minhang hospital of Fudan University, China
| | - Le Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuhao Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xinyan Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Yang S, Zhang R, Deng W, Chang S, Li Y, Li S. Pirfenidone ameliorates liver steatosis by targeting the STAT3-SCD1 axis. Inflamm Res 2023; 72:1773-1787. [PMID: 37659014 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-023-01776-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies reported that pirfenidone (PFD) is associated with liver disease. However, the effects of pirfenidone on energy metabolism and hepatic lipid accumulation are still poorly understood. METHODS In this study, C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups, and fed a normal chow diet (NCD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks. At the end of the eighth week, half of the mice fed on both diets were treated with PFD. Biochemical and lipid metabolism-related indices were analyzed. Furthermore, Hepa 1-6 cells and mouse primary hepatocytes (MPHs) were incubated with PFD with or without free fatty acid (FFA) treatment. Then, stattic (a p-STAT3 inhibitor) or Ad-shSTAT3 was used to further elucidate the effects of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling on PFD regulation of hepatic steatosis. RESULTS PFD ameliorated obesity and hepatic lipid deposition in HFD mice by decreasing stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) expression and upregulating p-STAT3 in the liver. In Hepa 1-6 cells and MPHs, PFD also down-regulated the expression of SCD1. STAT3 inhibition treatment eliminated the benefits of PFD on both SCD1 and hepatic steatosis. CONCLUSION In summary, our data reveal that PFD may play an important role in mitigating hepatic steatosis in a STAT3-SCD1-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Renzi Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenzhen Deng
- Department of Endocrinology, Qianjiang Central Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, 409000, China
| | - Shichuan Chang
- Oncology Department, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing, 404000, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Li P, Chen X, Hou D, Chen B, Peng K, Huang W, Cao J, Zhao H. Positive effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity and viability against hypoxic stress in largemouth bass. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1190592. [PMID: 37711631 PMCID: PMC10498469 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1190592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of dietary supplementation of Clostridium butyricum (CB) on growth performance, serum biochemistry, antioxidant activity, mRNA levels of immune-related genes and resistance to hypoxia stress were studied in largemouth bass. Feed with CB0 (control, 0 CFU/kg), CB1 (4.3×108 CFU/kg), CB2 (7.5×108 CFU/kg), CB3 (1.5×109 CFU/kg) and CB4 (3.2×109 CFU/kg) CB for 56 days, and then a 3 h hypoxic stress experiment was performed. The results showed that dietary CB significantly increased the WGR (weight gain rate), SGR (specific growth rate), PDR (protein deposition rate) and ISI (Intestosomatic index) of largemouth bass (P<0.05). Hepatic GH (growth hormone)/IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) gene expression was significantly upregulated in the CB3 and CB4 groups compared with the CB0 group (P<0.05), while the FC (feed conversion) was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Serum TP (total protein) and GLU (glucose) levels were significantly higher in the CB4 group than in the CB0 group (P<0.05), while the contents of serum AST (aspartate transaminase), ALT (alanine transaminase), AKP (alkline phosphatase) and UN (urea nitrogen) in CB4 were significantly lower than those in CB0 (P<0.05). T-AOC (total antioxidant capacity), SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), POD (peroxidase) and GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase) activities were significantly higher in CB3 and CB4 groups than in CB0 group (P<0. 05). The liver MDA (malondialdehyde) content of CB1, CB2, CB3 and CB4 groups was significantly higher than that of CB0 group (P<0. 05). The relative expressions of IL-1β (interleukin 1β), TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor α) and TLR22 (toll-like receptor-22) genes in CB2, CB3 and CB4 groups were significantly lower than those in CB0 group (P<0.05). The relative expression of IL-8 (malondialdehyde) and MyD88 (Myeloid differentiation factor 88) genes in the CB4 group was significantly lower than that in the CB0 group (P<0.05). The liver LZM (lysozyme) content of CB2, CB3 and CB4 groups was significantly higher than that of CB0 group (P<0. 05). The relative expression of IL-10 (interleukin 10) and TGF-β (transforming growth factor β) genes in the CB4 group was significantly higher than that in the CB0 group (P<0.05). Under hypoxic stress for 3 h, the CMR of CB0 group was significantly higher than that of CB1, CB2, CB3 and CB4 groups (P<0.05). Dietary CB can improve the growth performance and resistance to hypoxic stress of largemouth bass by regulating the expression of GH/IGF-1 gene and inflammatory factors and inhibiting TLR22/MyD88 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peijia Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Collaborative Innovation Center of Aquatic Sciences, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Xiaoying Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Collaborative Innovation Center of Aquatic Sciences, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongqiang Hou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Collaborative Innovation Center of Aquatic Sciences, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Bing Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Collaborative Innovation Center of Aquatic Sciences, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Peng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Collaborative Innovation Center of Aquatic Sciences, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Collaborative Innovation Center of Aquatic Sciences, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junming Cao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Collaborative Innovation Center of Aquatic Sciences, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongxia Zhao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Collaborative Innovation Center of Aquatic Sciences, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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Hong YJ, Kim GH, Park Y, Jo HJ, Nam MW, Kim DG, Cho H, Shim HJ, Jin JS, Rho H, Han CY. Suaeda glauca Attenuates Liver Fibrosis in Mice by Inhibiting TGFβ1-Smad2/3 Signaling in Hepatic Stellate Cells. Nutrients 2023; 15:3740. [PMID: 37686772 PMCID: PMC10490352 DOI: 10.3390/nu15173740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver injury due to various hepatotoxic stimuli commonly leads to fibrosis, which is a crucial factor contributing to liver disease-related mortality. Despite the potential benefits of Suaeda glauca (S. glauca) as a natural product, its biological and therapeutic effects are barely known. This study investigated the effects of S. glauca extract (SGE), obtained from a smart farming system utilizing LED lamps, on the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the development of liver fibrosis. C57BL/6 mice received oral administration of either vehicle or SGE (30 or 100 mg/kg) during CCl4 treatment for 6 weeks. The supplementation of SGE significantly reduced liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 in mice as evidenced by histological changes and a decrease in collagen accumulation. SGE treatment also led to a reduction in markers of HSC activation and inflammation as well as an improvement in blood biochemical parameters. Furthermore, SGE administration diminished fibrotic responses following acute liver injury. Mechanistically, SGE treatment prevented HSC activation and inhibited the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2/3, which are induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in HSCs. Our findings indicate that SGE exhibits anti-fibrotic effects by inhibiting TGFβ1-Smad2/3 signaling in HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Jung Hong
- Institute of New Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Gil-Hwan Kim
- Institute of New Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongdo Park
- Institute of New Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Jin Jo
- Institute of New Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Woo Nam
- LED Agri-Bio Fusion Technology Research Center, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Gu Kim
- Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwangeui Cho
- Institute of New Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Joo Shim
- Institute of New Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Sik Jin
- LED Agri-Bio Fusion Technology Research Center, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
- Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunsoo Rho
- Institute of New Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Yeob Han
- Institute of New Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
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Allameh A, Niayesh-Mehr R, Aliarab A, Sebastiani G, Pantopoulos K. Oxidative Stress in Liver Pathophysiology and Disease. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1653. [PMID: 37759956 PMCID: PMC10525124 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12091653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is an organ that is particularly exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which not only arise during metabolic functions but also during the biotransformation of xenobiotics. The disruption of redox balance causes oxidative stress, which affects liver function, modulates inflammatory pathways and contributes to disease. Thus, oxidative stress is implicated in acute liver injury and in the pathogenesis of prevalent infectious or metabolic chronic liver diseases such as viral hepatitis B or C, alcoholic fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Moreover, oxidative stress plays a crucial role in liver disease progression to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we provide an overview on the effects of oxidative stress on liver pathophysiology and the mechanisms by which oxidative stress promotes liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolamir Allameh
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 1411713116, Iran; (A.A.); (R.N.-M.); (A.A.)
| | - Reyhaneh Niayesh-Mehr
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 1411713116, Iran; (A.A.); (R.N.-M.); (A.A.)
| | - Azadeh Aliarab
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 1411713116, Iran; (A.A.); (R.N.-M.); (A.A.)
| | - Giada Sebastiani
- Chronic Viral Illness Services, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada;
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Kostas Pantopoulos
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
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Filip M, Baldea I, David L, Moldovan B, Flontas GC, Macavei S, Muntean DM, Decea N, Tigu AB, Clichici SV. Hybrid Material Based on Vaccinium myrtillus L. Extract and Gold Nanoparticles Reduces Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Hepatic Stellate Cells Exposed to TGF-β. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1271. [PMID: 37627336 PMCID: PMC10452749 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The study aimed to investigate the impact of gold nanoparticles capped with Cornus sanguinea (NPCS) and mixed with a fruit extract (Vaccinum myrtillus L.-VL) on human hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) exposed to TGF-β. (2) Methods: NPCS were characterized by UV-Vis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). The cytotoxic effects of VL, NPCS and of the hybrid compounds obtained by mixing the two components in variable proportions (NPCS-VL) were assessed. LDH activity, MDA levels, secretion of inflammation markers, the expression of fibrogenesis markers and collagen I synthesis were estimated after treating the cells with a mixture of 25:25 μg/mL NPCS and VL. (3) Results: TEM analysis showed that NPCS had spherical morphology and homogenous distribution, while their formation and elemental composition were confirmed by XRD and EDX analysis. TGF-β increased cell membrane damage as well as secretion of IL-1β, IL-1α and TLR4. It also amplified the expression of α-SMA and type III collagen and induced collagen I deposition. NPCS administration reduced the inflammation caused by TGF-β and downregulated α-SMA expression. VL diminished LDH activity and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. The NPCS-VL mixture maintained IL-1β, IL-1α, TLR4 and LDH at low levels after TGF-β exposure, but it enhanced collagen III expression. (4) Conclusions: The mixture of NPCS and VL improved cell membrane damage and inflammation triggered by TGF-β and mitigated collagen I deposition, but it increased the expression of collagen III, suggestive of a fibrogenetic effect of the hybrid material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Filip
- Department of Physiology, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 1–3 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (G.C.F.); (N.D.); (S.V.C.)
| | - Ioana Baldea
- Department of Physiology, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 1–3 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (G.C.F.); (N.D.); (S.V.C.)
| | - Luminita David
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering “Babes-Bolyai” University, 11 Arany Janos Street, 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.D.); (B.M.)
| | - Bianca Moldovan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering “Babes-Bolyai” University, 11 Arany Janos Street, 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.D.); (B.M.)
| | - Gabriel Cristian Flontas
- Department of Physiology, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 1–3 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (G.C.F.); (N.D.); (S.V.C.)
| | - Sergiu Macavei
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Donath Street, No. 67-103, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Dana Maria Muntean
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Nicoleta Decea
- Department of Physiology, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 1–3 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (G.C.F.); (N.D.); (S.V.C.)
| | - Adrian Bogdan Tigu
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 4 Louis Pasteur Street, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Simona Valeria Clichici
- Department of Physiology, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 1–3 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (G.C.F.); (N.D.); (S.V.C.)
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Chowdhary S, Deka R, Panda K, Kumar R, Solomon AD, Das J, Kanoujiya S, Gupta AK, Sinha S, Ruokolainen J, Kesari KK, Gupta PK. Recent Updates on Viral Oncogenesis: Available Preventive and Therapeutic Entities. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:3698-3740. [PMID: 37486263 PMCID: PMC10410670 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c01080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Human viral oncogenesis is a complex phenomenon and a major contributor to the global cancer burden. Several recent findings revealed cellular and molecular pathways that promote the development and initiation of malignancy when viruses cause an infection. Even, antiviral treatment has become an approach to eliminate the viral infections and prevent the activation of oncogenesis. Therefore, for a better understanding, the molecular pathogenesis of various oncogenic viruses like, hepatitis virus, human immunodeficiency viral (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), could be explored, especially, to expand many potent antivirals that may escalate the apoptosis of infected malignant cells while sparing normal and healthy ones. Moreover, contemporary therapies, such as engineered antibodies antiviral agents targeting signaling pathways and cell biomarkers, could inhibit viral oncogenesis. This review elaborates the recent advancements in both natural and synthetic antivirals to control viral oncogenesis. The study also highlights the challenges and future perspectives of using antivirals in viral oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivam Chowdhary
- Department
of Industrial Microbiology, Sam Higginbottom
University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj 211007, Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Rahul Deka
- Department
of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Birla
Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215, Jharkhand, India
| | - Kingshuk Panda
- Department
of Applied Microbiology, Vellore Institute
of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rohit Kumar
- Department
of Life Sciences, Sharda School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Abhishikt David Solomon
- Department
of Molecular & Cellular Engineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj 211007, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Jimli Das
- Centre
for
Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Dibrugarh
University, Assam 786004, India
| | - Supriya Kanoujiya
- School
of
Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Ashish Kumar Gupta
- Department
of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Somya Sinha
- Department
of Biotechnology, Graphic Era Deemed to
Be University, Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Janne Ruokolainen
- Department
of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto
University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Kavindra Kumar Kesari
- Department
of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto
University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
- Division
of Research and Development, Lovely Professional
University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
| | - Piyush Kumar Gupta
- Department
of Life Sciences, Sharda School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Department
of Biotechnology, Graphic Era Deemed to
Be University, Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, India
- Faculty
of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International
University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia
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Jiang B, Zhou Y, Liu Y, He S, Liao B, Peng T, Yao L, Qi L. Research Progress on the Role and Mechanism of IL-37 in Liver Diseases. Semin Liver Dis 2023; 43:336-350. [PMID: 37582401 PMCID: PMC10620037 DOI: 10.1055/a-2153-8836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are important components of the immune system that can predict or influence the development of liver diseases. IL-37, a new member of the IL-1 cytokine family, exerts potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects inside and outside cells. IL-37 expression differs before and after liver lesions, suggesting that it is associated with liver disease; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. This article mainly reviews the biological characteristics of IL-37, which inhibits hepatitis, liver injury, and liver fibrosis by inhibiting inflammation, and inhibits the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by regulating the immune microenvironment. Based on additional evidence, combining IL-37 with liver disease markers for diagnosis and treatment can achieve more significant effects, suggesting that IL-37 can be developed into a powerful tool for the clinical adjuvant treatment of liver diseases, especially HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyi Jiang
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Yulin Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shunde New Rongqi Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Yanting Liu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Siqi He
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Baojian Liao
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Tieli Peng
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Leyi Yao
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Ling Qi
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
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Das K, Basak M, Mahata T, Biswas S, Mukherjee S, Kumar P, Moniruzzaman M, Stewart A, Maity B. Cardiac RGS7 and RGS11 drive TGFβ1-dependent liver damage following chemotherapy exposure. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23064. [PMID: 37440271 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300094r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Off target damage to vital organ systems is an unfortunate side effect of cancer chemotherapy and remains a major limitation to the use of these essential drugs in the clinic. Despite decades of research, the mechanisms conferring susceptibility to chemotherapy driven cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity remain unclear. In the livers of patients with a history of chemotherapy, we observed a twofold increase in expression of G protein regulator RGS7 and a corresponding decrease in fellow R7 family member RGS11. Knockdown of RGS7 via introduction of RGS7 shRNA via tail vein injection decreased doxorubicin-induced hepatic collagen and lipid deposition, glycogen accumulation, and elevations in ALT, AST, and triglycerides by approximately 50%. Surprisingly, a similar result could be achieved via introduction of RGS7 shRNA directly to the myocardium without impacting RGS7 levels in the liver directly. Indeed, doxorubicin-treated cardiomyocytes secrete the endocrine factors transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and TGFβ superfamily binding protein follistatin-related protein 1 (FSTL1). Importantly, RGS7 overexpression in the heart was sufficient to recapitulate the impacts of doxorubicin on the liver and inhibition of TGFβ1 signaling with the receptor blocker GW788388 ameliorated the effect of cardiac RGS7 overexpression on hepatic fibrosis, steatosis, oxidative stress, and cell death as well as the resultant elevation in liver enzymes. Together these data demonstrate that RGS7 controls both the release of TGFβ1 from the heart and the profibrotic and pro-oxidant actions of TGFβ1 in the liver and emphasize the functional significance of endocrine cardiokine signaling in the pathogenesis of chemotherapy drive multiorgan damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Das
- Centre of Biomedical Research (CBMR), Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Madhuri Basak
- Centre of Biomedical Research (CBMR), Lucknow, India
| | - Tarun Mahata
- Centre of Biomedical Research (CBMR), Lucknow, India
| | - Sayan Biswas
- Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Pranesh Kumar
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India
| | | | - Adele Stewart
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Biswanath Maity
- Centre of Biomedical Research (CBMR), Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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43
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Wilhelmsen I, Amirola Martinez M, Stokowiec J, Wang C, Aizenshtadt A, Krauss S. Characterization of human stem cell-derived hepatic stellate cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells during extended in vitro culture. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1223737. [PMID: 37560536 PMCID: PMC10408301 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1223737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: There is a significant need for predictive and stable in vitro human liver representations for disease modeling and drug testing. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are important non-parenchymal cell components of the liver and are hence of relevance in a variety of disease models, including hepatic fibrosis. Pluripotent stem cell- (PSC-) derived HSCs (scHSCs) and LSECs (scLSECs) offer an attractive alternative to primary human material; yet, the suitability of scHSCs and scLSECs for extended in vitro modeling has not been characterized. Methods: In this study, we describe the phenotypic and functional development of scHSCs and scLSECs during 14 days of 2D in vitro culture. Cell-specific phenotypes were evaluated by cell morphology, immunofluorescence, and gene- and protein expression. Functionality was assessed in scHSCs by their capacity for intracellular storage of vitamin A and response to pro-fibrotic stimuli induced by TGF-β. scLSECs were evaluated by nitric oxide- and factor VIII secretion as well as endocytic uptake of bioparticles and acetylated low-density lipoprotein. Notch pathway inhibition and co-culturing scHSCs and scLSECs were separately tested as options for enhancing long-term stability and maturation of the cells. Results and Conclusion: Both scHSCs and scLSECs exhibited a post-differentiation cell type-specific phenotype and functionality but deteriorated during extended culture with PSC line-dependent variability. Therefore, the choice of PSC line and experimental timeframe is crucial when designing in vitro platforms involving scHSCs and scLSECs. Notch inhibition modestly improved long-term monoculture in a cell line-dependent manner, while co-culturing scHSCs and scLSECs provides a strategy to enhance phenotypic and functional stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Wilhelmsen
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Hybrid Technology Hub—Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mikel Amirola Martinez
- Hybrid Technology Hub—Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Justyna Stokowiec
- Hybrid Technology Hub—Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Chencheng Wang
- Hybrid Technology Hub—Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Aleksandra Aizenshtadt
- Hybrid Technology Hub—Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stefan Krauss
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Hybrid Technology Hub—Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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44
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Moreno-Lanceta A, Medrano-Bosch M, Fundora Y, Perramón M, Aspas J, Parra-Robert M, Baena S, Fondevila C, Edelman ER, Jiménez W, Melgar-Lesmes P. RNF41 orchestrates macrophage-driven fibrosis resolution and hepatic regeneration. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabq6225. [PMID: 37437019 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abq6225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic inflammation is a common trigger of chronic liver disease. Macrophage activation is a predictive parameter for survival in patients with cirrhosis. Ring finger protein 41 (RNF41) negatively regulates proinflammatory cytokines and receptors; however, the precise involvement of macrophage RNF41 in liver cirrhosis remains unknown. Here, we sought to understand how RNF41 dictates macrophage fate in hepatic fibrosis and repair within the inflammatory milieu. We found that RNF41 expression is down-regulated in CD11b+ macrophages recruited to mouse fibrotic liver and to patient cirrhotic liver regardless of cirrhosis etiology. Prolonged inflammation with TNF-α progressively reduced macrophage RNF41 expression. We designed a macrophage-selective gene therapy with dendrimer-graphite nanoparticles (DGNPs) to explore the influence of macrophage RNF41 restoration and depletion in liver fibrosis and regeneration. RNF41 expression induced in CD11b+ macrophages by DGNP-conjugated plasmids ameliorated liver fibrosis, reduced liver injury, and stimulated hepatic regeneration in fibrotic mice with or without hepatectomy. This therapeutic effect was mainly mediated by the induction of insulin-like growth factor 1. Conversely, depletion of macrophage RNF41 worsened inflammation, fibrosis, hepatic damage, and survival. Our data reveal implications of macrophage RNF41 in the control of hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and regeneration and provide a rationale for therapeutic strategies in chronic liver disease and potentially other diseases characterized by inflammation and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alazne Moreno-Lanceta
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi-Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Mireia Medrano-Bosch
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Yilliam Fundora
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi-Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Liver Transplant Unit, Institut Clínic de Malalties Digestives I Metabòliques, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Meritxell Perramón
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi-Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic Universitari, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Jessica Aspas
- Liver Transplant Unit, Institut Clínic de Malalties Digestives I Metabòliques, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Marina Parra-Robert
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic Universitari, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Sheila Baena
- Liver Transplant Unit, Institut Clínic de Malalties Digestives I Metabòliques, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Constantino Fondevila
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi-Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Liver Transplant Unit, Institut Clínic de Malalties Digestives I Metabòliques, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Elazer R Edelman
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wladimiro Jiménez
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi-Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic Universitari, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Pedro Melgar-Lesmes
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi-Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona 08036, Spain
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Culver A, Hamang M, Wang Y, Jiang H, Yanum J, White E, Gawrieh S, Vuppalanchi RK, Chalasani NP, Dai G, Yaden BC. GDF8 Contributes to Liver Fibrogenesis and Concomitant Skeletal Muscle Wasting. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1909. [PMID: 37509548 PMCID: PMC10377408 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071909] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with end-stage liver disease exhibit progressive skeletal muscle atrophy, highlighting a negative crosstalk between the injured liver and muscle. Our study was to determine whether TGFβ ligands function as the mediators. Acute or chronic liver injury was induced by a single or repeated administration of carbon tetrachloride. Skeletal muscle injury and repair was induced by intramuscular injection of cardiotoxin. Activin type IIB receptor (ActRIIB) ligands and growth differentiation factor 8 (Gdf8) were neutralized with ActRIIB-Fc fusion protein and a Gdf8-specific antibody, respectively. We found that acute hepatic injury induced rapid and adverse responses in muscle, which was blunted by neutralizing ActRIIB ligands. Chronic liver injury caused muscle atrophy and repair defects, which were prevented or reversed by inactivating ActRIIB ligands. Furthermore, we found that pericentral hepatocytes produce excessive Gdf8 in injured mouse liver and cirrhotic human liver. Specific inactivation of Gdf8 prevented liver injury-induced muscle atrophy, similar to neutralization of ActRIIB ligands. Inhibition of Gdf8 also reversed muscle atrophy in a treatment paradigm following chronic liver injury. Direct injection of exogenous Gdf8 protein into muscle along with acute focal muscle injury recapitulated similar dysregulated muscle regeneration as that observed with liver injury. The results indicate that injured liver negatively communicate with the muscle largely via Gdf8. Unexpectedly, inactivation of Gdf8 simultaneously ameliorated liver fibrosis in mice following chronic liver injury. In vitro, Gdf8 induced human hepatic stellate (LX-2) cells to form a septa-like structure and stimulated expression of profibrotic factors. Our findings identified Gdf8 as a novel hepatomyokine contributing to injured liver-muscle negative crosstalk along with liver injury progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Culver
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Matthew Hamang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Huaizhou Jiang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jennifer Yanum
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Emily White
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 46202, USA
| | - Samer Gawrieh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Raj K Vuppalanchi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Naga P Chalasani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Guoli Dai
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Benjamin C Yaden
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Shen Y, Cheng L, Xu M, Wang W, Wan Z, Xiong H, Guo W, Cai M, Xu F. SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin downregulates miRNA-34a-5p and targets GREM2 to inactivate hepatic stellate cells and ameliorate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-associated fibrosis. Metabolism 2023:155657. [PMID: 37422021 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2023.155657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the central event of fibrosis, indicates the severe stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in this process. Treatment with a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) alleviates liver fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD; however, the role of SGLT2i in ameliorating liver fibrosis in NAFLD by regulating miRNAs remains unclear. APPROACH AND RESULTS We monitored the expression of NAFLD-associated miRNAs in the livers of two NAFLD models and observed high expression of miR-34a-5p. miR-34a-5p was highly expressed in mouse primary liver non-parenchymal cells and LX-2 HSCs, and this miRNA was positively correlated with alanine transaminase levels in NAFLD models. Overexpression of miR-34a-5p enhanced LX-2 activation, whereas its inhibition prevented HSCs activation by regulating the TGFβ signaling pathway. The SGLT2i empagliflozin significantly downregulated miR-34a-5p, inhibited the TGFβ signaling pathway, and ameliorated hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD models. Subsequently, GREM2 was identified as a direct target of miR-34a-5p through database prediction and a dual-luciferase reporter assay. In LX-2 HSCs, the miR-34a-5p mimic and inhibitor directly downregulated and upregulated GREM2, respectively. Overexpressing GREM2 inactivated the TGFβ pathway whereas GREM2 knockdown activated it. Additionally, empagliflozin upregulated Grem2 expression in NAFLD models. In methionine- and choline-deficient diet-fed ob/ob mice, a fibrosis model, empagliflozin downregulated miR-34a-5p and upregulated Grem2 to improve liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Empagliflozin ameliorates NAFLD-associated fibrosis by downregulating miR-34a-5p and targeting GREM2 to inhibit the TGFβ pathway in HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Shen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Nanchang 330006, China; Institute for the Study of Endocrinology and Metabolism in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Lidan Cheng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diabetology, Guangzhou 510630, China; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Jiujiang University Affiliated Hospital, Jiujiang 330300, China
| | - Minxuan Xu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diabetology, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diabetology, Guangzhou 510630, China; Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434000, China
| | - Zhiping Wan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diabetology, Guangzhou 510630, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Haixia Xiong
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Nanchang 330006, China; Institute for the Study of Endocrinology and Metabolism in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Wanrong Guo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diabetology, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Mengyin Cai
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diabetology, Guangzhou 510630, China.
| | - Fen Xu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diabetology, Guangzhou 510630, China.
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47
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Ceccherini E, Signore G, Tedeschi L, Vozzi F, Di Giorgi N, Michelucci E, Cecchettini A, Rocchiccioli S. Proteomic Modulation in TGF-β-Treated Cholangiocytes Induced by Curcumin Nanoparticles. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10481. [PMID: 37445659 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Curcumin is a natural polyphenol that exhibits a variety of beneficial effects on health, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepato-protective properties. Due to its poor water solubility and membrane permeability, in the present study, we prepared and characterized a water-stable, freely dispersible nanoformulation of curcumin. Although the potential of curcumin nanoformulations in the hepatic field has been studied, there are no investigations on their effect in fibrotic pathological conditions involving cholangiocytes. Exploiting an in vitro model of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-stimulated cholangiocytes, we applied the Sequential Window Acquisition of All Theoretical Mass Spectra (SWATH-MS)-based quantitative proteomic approaches to study the proteome modulation induced by curcumin nanoformulation. Our results confirmed the well-documented anti-inflammatory properties of this nutraceutic, highlighting the induction of programmed cell death as a mechanism to counteract the cellular damages induced by TGF-β. Moreover, curcumin nanoformulation positively influenced the expression of several proteins involved in TGF-β-mediated fibrosis. Given the crucial importance of deregulated cholangiocyte functions during cholangiopathies, our results provide the basis for a better understanding of the mechanisms associated with this pathology and could represent a rationale for the development of more targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ceccherini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Signore
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56123 Pisa, Italy
| | - Lorena Tedeschi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Federico Vozzi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Di Giorgi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Michelucci
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Chemistry of Organometallic Compounds, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Cecchettini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Rocchiccioli
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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48
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Susak F, Vrsaljko N, Vince A, Papic N. TGF Beta as a Prognostic Biomarker of COVID-19 Severity in Patients with NAFLD-A Prospective Case-Control Study. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1571. [PMID: 37375073 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the leading cause of chronic liver disease in Western countries, has been identified as a possible risk factor for COVID-19 severity. However, the immunological mechanisms by which NAFLD exacerbates COVID-19 remain unknown. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) has an important immunomodulatory and pro-fibrotic role, which has already been described in NAFLD. However, the role of TGF-β1 in COVID-19 remains unclear, and could also be the pathophysiology link between these two conditions. The aim of this case-control study was to analyze the expression of TGF-β1 in COVID-19 patients depending on the presence of NAFLD and COVID-19 severity. Serum TGF-β1 concentrations were measured in 60 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (30 with NAFLD). NAFLD was associated with higher serum TGF-β1 concentrations that increased with disease severity. Admission TGF-β1 concentrations showed good discriminative accuracy in predicting the development of critical disease and COVID-19 complications (need for advanced respiratory support, ICU admission, time to recovery, development of nosocomial infections and mortality). In conclusion, TGF-β1 could be an efficient biomarker for predicting COVID-19 severity and adverse outcomes in patients with NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frano Susak
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nina Vrsaljko
- Department for Viral Hepatitis, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Adriana Vince
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department for Viral Hepatitis, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Neven Papic
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department for Viral Hepatitis, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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49
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Luo W, Li Y, Zeng Y, Li Y, Cheng M, Zhang C, Li F, Wu Y, Huang C, Yang X, Kremerskothen J, Zhang J, Zhang C, Tu S, Li Z, Luo Z, Lin Z, Yan X. Tea domain transcription factor TEAD4 mitigates TGF-β signaling and hepatocellular carcinoma progression independently of YAP. J Mol Cell Biol 2023; 15:mjad010. [PMID: 36806855 PMCID: PMC10446140 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Tea domain transcription factor 4 (TEAD4) plays a pivotal role in tissue development and homeostasis by interacting with Yes-associated protein (YAP) in response to Hippo signaling inactivation. TEAD4 and YAP can also cooperate with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-activated Smad proteins to regulate gene transcription. Yet, it remains unclear whether TEAD4 plays a YAP-independent role in TGF-β signaling. Here, we unveil a novel tumor suppressive function of TEAD4 in liver cancer via mitigating TGF-β signaling. Ectopic TEAD4 inhibited TGF-β-induced signal transduction, Smad transcriptional activity, and target gene transcription, consequently suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and migration in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in mice. Consistently, depletion of endogenous TEAD4 by siRNAs enhanced TGF-β signaling in cancer cells. Mechanistically, TEAD4 associates with receptor-regulated Smads (Smad2/3) and Smad4 in the nucleus, thereby impairing the binding of Smad2/3 to the histone acetyltransferase p300. Intriguingly, these negative effects of TEAD4 on TGF-β/Smad signaling are independent of YAP, as impairing the TEAD4-YAP interaction through point mutagenesis or depletion of YAP and/or its paralog TAZ has little effect. Together, these results unravel a novel function of TEAD4 in fine tuning TGF-β signaling and liver cancer progression in a YAP-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weicheng Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Yi Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yining Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Minzhang Cheng
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yiqing Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Chunhong Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Xiaolong Yang
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Joachim Kremerskothen
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Rheumatology, University Hospital Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Chunbo Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanchang
University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330008, China
| | - Shuo Tu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Zhihua Li
- Key Laboratory of Breast Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang People’s Hospital, Nanchang 330025, China
| | - Zhijun Luo
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Zhenghong Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 405200, China
| | - Xiaohua Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang People’s Hospital, Nanchang 330025, China
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50
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Awadalla A, Hamam ET, Mostafa SA, Mahmoud SA, Elazab KM, El Nakib AM, Eldesoqui M, El-Sherbiny M, Ammar OA, Al-Serwi RH, Saleh MA, Sarhan A, Ali M. Hepatoprotective Effects of Hyaluronic Acid-Preconditioned Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells against Liver Toxicity via the Inhibition of Apoptosis and the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway. Cells 2023; 12:1526. [PMID: 37296647 PMCID: PMC10252276 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used to treat a variety of malignancies in both adults and children, including those of the bladder, breast, stomach, and ovaries. Despite this, it has been reported to cause hepatotoxicity. The recent discovery of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells' (BMSCs) therapeutic effects in the context of liver diseases suggests that their administration plays a part in the mitigation and rehabilitation of drug-induced toxicities. OBJECTIVES This study investigated whether bone BMSCs could reduce DOX-induced liver damage by blocking the Wnt/β-catenin pathway that causes fibrotic liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS BMSCs were isolated and treated with hyaluronic acid (HA) for 14 days before injection. Thirty-five mature male SD rats were categorized into four groups; group one (control) rats were supplemented with saline 0.9% for 28 days, group two (DOX) rats were injected with DOX (20 mg/kg), group three (DOX + BMSCs) rats were injected with 2 × 106 BMSCs after 4 days of DOX injection, group four (DOX + BMSCs + HA) rats were injected with 0.1 mL BMSCs pretreated with HA after 4 days of DOX. After 28 days the rats were sacrificed, and blood and liver tissue samples were subjected to biochemical and molecular analysis. Morphological and immunohistochemical observations were also carried out. RESULTS In terms of liver function and antioxidant findings, cells treated with HA showed considerable improvement compared to the DOX group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the expression of inflammatory markers (TGFβ1, iNos), apoptotic markers (Bax, Bcl2), cell tracking markers (SDF1α), fibrotic markers (β-catenin, Wnt7b, FN1, VEGF, and Col-1), and ROS markers (Nrf2, HO-1) was improved in BMSCs conditioned with HA in contrast to BMSCs alone (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our findings proved that BMSCs treated with HA exert their paracrine therapeutic effects via their secretome, suggesting that cell-based regenerative therapies conditioned with HA may be a viable alternative to reduce hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Awadalla
- Center of Excellence for Genome and Cancer Research, Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Eman T. Hamam
- Center of Excellence for Genome and Cancer Research, Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Sally Abdallah Mostafa
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Seham Ahmed Mahmoud
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Khalid Mohamed Elazab
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Jazan University, Jazan 82511, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Mohamed El Nakib
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mamdouh Eldesoqui
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, AlMaarefa University, P.O. Box 71666, Riyadh 11597, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed El-Sherbiny
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, AlMaarefa University, P.O. Box 71666, Riyadh 11597, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar A. Ammar
- Basic Science Department, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa 35712, Egypt
| | - Rasha Hamed Al-Serwi
- Department of Basic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Princess Nourahbint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed A. Saleh
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates;
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Amira Sarhan
- Center of Excellence for Genome and Cancer Research, Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
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