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Nazeer SS, Saraswathy A, Nimi N, Santhakumar H, Radhakrishnapillai Suma P, Shenoy SJ, Jayasree RS. Near infrared-emitting multimodal nanosystem for in vitro magnetic hyperthermia of hepatocellular carcinoma and dual imaging of in vivo liver fibrosis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12947. [PMID: 37558889 PMCID: PMC10412632 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40143-3] [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: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolonged usage of traditional nanomaterials in the biological field has posed several short- and long-term toxicity issues. Over the past few years, smart nanomaterials (SNs) with controlled physical, chemical, and biological features have been synthesized in an effort to allay these challenges. The current study seeks to develop theranostic SNs based on iron oxide to enable simultaneous magnetic hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for chronic liver damage like liver fibrosis which is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. To accomplish this, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were prepared, coated with a biocompatible and naturally occurring polysaccharide, alginate. The resultant material, ASPIONs were evaluated in terms of physicochemical, magnetic and biological properties. A hydrodynamic diameter of 40 nm and a transverse proton relaxation rate of 117.84 mM-1 s-1 pronounces the use of ASPIONs as an efficient MRI contrast agent. In the presence of alternating current of 300 A, ASPIONs could elevate the temperature to 45 °C or more, with the possibility of hyperthermia based therapeutic approach. Magnetic therapeutic and imaging potential of ASPIONs were further evaluated respectively in vitro and in vivo in HepG2 carcinoma cells and animal models of liver fibrosis, respectively. Finally, to introduce dual imaging capability along with magnetic properties, ASPIONs were conjugated with near infrared (NIR) dye Atto 700 and evaluated its optical imaging efficiency in animal model of liver fibrosis. Histological analysis further confirmed the liver targeting efficacy of the developed SNs for Magnetic theranostics and optical imaging as well as proved its short-term safety, in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaiju S Nazeer
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Space Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695547, Kerala, India
- Division of Biophotonics and Imaging, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 012, Kerala, India
| | - Ariya Saraswathy
- Division of Biophotonics and Imaging, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 012, Kerala, India
- Department of Physics, HHMSPBNSS College, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 040, Kerala, India
| | - Nirmala Nimi
- Division of Biophotonics and Imaging, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 012, Kerala, India
| | - Hema Santhakumar
- Division of Biophotonics and Imaging, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 012, Kerala, India
| | - Parvathy Radhakrishnapillai Suma
- Division of Biophotonics and Imaging, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 012, Kerala, India
| | - Sachin J Shenoy
- Division of In Vivo Models and Testing, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 012, Kerala, India
| | - Ramapurath S Jayasree
- Division of Biophotonics and Imaging, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 012, Kerala, India.
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Bybee G, Moeun Y, Wang W, Kharbanda KK, Poluektova LY, Kidambi S, Osna NA, Ganesan M. Increased liver stiffness promotes hepatitis B progression by impairing innate immunity in CCl4-induced fibrotic HBV + transgenic mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1166171. [PMID: 37600826 PMCID: PMC10435739 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1166171] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection develops as an acute or chronic liver disease, which progresses from steatosis, hepatitis, and fibrosis to end-stage liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). An increased stromal stiffness accompanies fibrosis in chronic liver diseases and is considered a strong predictor for disease progression. The goal of this study was to establish the mechanisms by which enhanced liver stiffness regulates HBV infectivity in the fibrotic liver tissue. Methods For in vitro studies, HBV-transfected HepG2.2.15 cells were cultured on polydimethylsiloxane gels coated by polyelectrolyte multilayer films of 2 kPa (soft) or 24 kPa (stiff) rigidity mimicking the stiffness of the healthy or fibrotic liver. For in vivo studies, hepatic fibrosis was induced in C57Bl/6 parental and HBV+ transgenic (HBVTg) mice by injecting CCl4 twice a week for 6 weeks. Results We found higher levels of HBV markers in stiff gel-attached hepatocytes accompanied by up-regulated OPN content in cell supernatants as well as suppression of anti-viral interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). This indicates that pre-requisite "fibrotic" stiffness increases osteopontin (OPN) content and releases and suppresses anti-viral innate immunity, causing a subsequent rise in HBV markers expression in hepatocytes. In vitro results were corroborated by data from HBVTg mice administered CCl4 (HBVTg CCl4). These mice showed higher HBV RNA, DNA, HBV core antigen (HBcAg), and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) levels after liver fibrosis induction as judged by a rise in Col1a1, SMA, MMPs, and TIMPs mRNAs and by increased liver stiffness. Importantly, CCl4-induced the pro-fibrotic activation of liver cells, and liver stiffness was higher in HBVTg mice compared with control mice. Elevation of HBV markers and OPN levels corresponded to decreased ISG activation in HBVTg CCl4 mice vs HBVTg control mice. Conclusion Based on our data, we conclude that liver stiffness enhances OPN levels to limit anti-viral ISG activation in hepatocytes and promote an increase in HBV infectivity, thereby contributing to end-stage liver disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Bybee
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Youra Moeun
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Weimin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Kusum K. Kharbanda
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Larisa Y. Poluektova
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Srivatsan Kidambi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Natalia A. Osna
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Murali Ganesan
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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Krylov D, Rodimova S, Karabut M, Kuznetsova D. Experimental Models for Studying Structural and Functional State of the Pathological Liver (Review). Sovrem Tekhnologii Med 2023; 15:65-82. [PMID: 38434194 PMCID: PMC10902899 DOI: 10.17691/stm2023.15.4.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver pathologies remain one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Despite a high prevalence of liver diseases, the possibilities of diagnosing, prognosing, and treating non-alcoholic and alcoholic liver diseases still have a number of limitations and require the development of new methods and approaches. In laboratory studies, various models are used to reconstitute the pathological conditions of the liver, including cell cultures, spheroids, organoids, microfluidic systems, tissue slices. We reviewed the most commonly used in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo models for studying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease, toxic liver injury, and fibrosis, described their advantages, limitations, and prospects for use. Great emphasis was placed on the mechanisms of development of pathological conditions in each model, as well as the assessment of the possibility of reconstructing various key aspects of pathogenesis for all these pathologies. There is currently no consensus on the choice of the most adequate model for studying liver pathology. The choice of a certain effective research model is determined by the specific purpose and objectives of the experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- D.P. Krylov
- Laboratory Assistant, Scientific Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnologies, Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies; Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod, 603005, Russia; Student, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine; National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Prospekt Gagarina, Nizhny Novgorod, 603022, Russia
| | - S.A. Rodimova
- Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Scientific Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnologies, Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies; Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod, 603005, Russia
| | - M.M. Karabut
- Researcher, Laboratory of Genomics of Adaptive Antitumor Immunity, Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies; Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod, 603005, Russia
| | - D.S. Kuznetsova
- Head of Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnologies, Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies; Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1 Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod, 603005, Russia; Head of the Research Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Researches, Institute of Clinical Medicine; National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Prospekt Gagarina, Nizhny Novgorod, 603022, Russia
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Qin L, Liu N, Bao CLM, Yang DZ, Ma GX, Yi WH, Xiao GZ, Cao HL. Mesenchymal stem cells in fibrotic diseases-the two sides of the same coin. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:268-287. [PMID: 35896695 PMCID: PMC9326421 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-00952-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is caused by extensive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, which play a crucial role in injury repair. Fibrosis attributes to ~45% of all deaths worldwide. The molecular pathology of different fibrotic diseases varies, and a number of bioactive factors are involved in the pathogenic process. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a type of multipotent stem cells that have promising therapeutic effects in the treatment of different diseases. Current updates of fibrotic pathogenesis reveal that residential MSCs may differentiate into myofibroblasts which lead to the fibrosis development. However, preclinical and clinical trials with autologous or allogeneic MSCs infusion demonstrate that MSCs can relieve the fibrotic diseases by modulating inflammation, regenerating damaged tissues, remodeling the ECMs, and modulating the death of stressed cells after implantation. A variety of animal models were developed to study the mechanisms behind different fibrotic tissues and test the preclinical efficacy of MSC therapy in these diseases. Furthermore, MSCs have been used for treating liver cirrhosis and pulmonary fibrosis patients in several clinical trials, leading to satisfactory clinical efficacy without severe adverse events. This review discusses the two opposite roles of residential MSCs and external MSCs in fibrotic diseases, and summarizes the current perspective of therapeutic mechanism of MSCs in fibrosis, through both laboratory study and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Qin
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Orthopedics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000 China
| | - Nian Liu
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Orthopedics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000 China
| | - Chao-le-meng Bao
- CASTD Regengeek (Shenzhen) Medical Technology Co. Ltd, Shenzhen, 518000 China
| | - Da-zhi Yang
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Orthopedics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000 China
| | - Gui-xing Ma
- grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Wei-hong Yi
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Orthopedics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000 China
| | - Guo-zhi Xiao
- grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Hui-ling Cao
- grid.263817.90000 0004 1773 1790Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Shenzhen, 518055 China
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Lee J, Byun J, Shim G, Oh YK. Fibroblast activation protein activated antifibrotic peptide delivery attenuates fibrosis in mouse models of liver fibrosis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1516. [PMID: 35314685 PMCID: PMC8938482 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29186-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In liver fibrosis, activated hepatic stellate cells are known to overexpress fibroblast activation protein. Here we report a targeted antifibrotic peptide-delivery system in which fibroblast activation protein, which is overexpressed in fibrotic regions of the liver, liberates the antifibrotic peptide melittin by cleaving a fibroblast activation protein-specific site in the peptide. The promelittin peptide is linked to pegylated and maleimide-functionalized liposomes, resulting in promelittin-modified liposomes. The promelittin-modified liposomes were effective in reducing the viability of activated hepatic stellate cells but not that of control cells. In three types of liver fibrosis mouse models, intravenously administered promelittin-modified liposomes significantly reduces fibrotic regions. In addition, in the bile duct ligation mouse model promelittin-modified liposome-treatment increases overall survival. Although this peptide-delivery concept was tested for liver fibrosis, it can potentially be adapted to other fibrotic diseases. Activated hepatic stellate cells contribute towards the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, and overexpress fibroblast activation protein. Here the authors report a targeted peptide-delivery system in which fibroblast activation protein liberates the antifibrotic peptide melittin, and demonstrate the approach attenuates fibrosis in mouse models of liver fibrosis.
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Asialoglycoprotein receptor targeted optical and magnetic resonance imaging and therapy of liver fibrosis using pullulan stabilized multi-functional iron oxide nanoprobe. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18324. [PMID: 34526590 PMCID: PMC8443657 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97808-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Early diagnosis and therapy of liver fibrosis is of utmost importance, especially considering the increased incidence of alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver syndromes. In this work, a systematic study is reported to develop a dual function and biocompatible nanoprobe for liver specific diagnostic and therapeutic applications. A polysaccharide polymer, pullulan stabilized iron oxide nanoparticle (P-SPIONs) enabled high liver specificity via asialogycoprotein receptor mediation. Longitudinal and transverse magnetic relaxation rates of 2.15 and 146.91 mM−1 s−1 respectively and a size of 12 nm, confirmed the T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) efficacy of P-SPIONs. A current of 400A on 5 mg/ml of P-SPIONs raised the temperature above 50 °C, to facilitate effective hyperthermia. Finally, a NIR dye conjugation facilitated targeted dual imaging in liver fibrosis models, in vivo, with favourable histopathological results and recommends its use in early stage diagnosis using MRI and optical imaging, and subsequent therapy using hyperthermia.
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7
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Brovold M, Keller D, Devarasetty M, Dominijanni A, Shirwaiker R, Soker S. Biofabricated 3D in vitro model of fibrosis-induced abnormal hepatoblast/biliary progenitors' expansion of the developing liver. Bioeng Transl Med 2021; 6:e10207. [PMID: 34589593 PMCID: PMC8459590 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital disorders of the biliary tract are the primary reason for pediatric liver failure and ultimately for pediatric liver transplant needs. Not all causes of these disorders are well understood, but it is known that liver fibrosis occurs in many of those afflicted. The goal of this study is to develop a simple yet robust model that recapitulates physico-mechanical and cellular aspects of fibrosis mediated via hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and their effects on biliary progenitor cells. Liver organoids were fabricated by embedding various HSCs, with distinctive abilities to generate mild to severe fibrotic environments, together with undifferentiated liver progenitor cell line, HepaRG, within a collagen I hydrogel. The fibrotic state of each organoid was characterized by examination of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling through quantitative image analysis, rheometry, and qPCR. In tandem, the phenotype of the liver progenitor cell and cluster formation was assessed through histology. Activated HSCs (aHSCs) created a more severe fibrotic state, exemplified by a more highly contracted and rigid ECM, as well higher relative expression of TGF-β, TIMP-1, LOXL2, and COL1A2 as compared to immortalized HSCs (LX-2). Within the more severe fibrotic environment, generated by the aHSCs, higher Notch signaling was associated with an expansion of CK19+ cells as well as the formation of larger, more densely populated cell biliary like-clusters as compared to mild and non-fibrotic controls. The expansion of CK19+ cells, coupled with a severely fibrotic environment, are phenomena found within patients suffering from a variety of congenital liver disorders of the biliary tract. Thus, the model presented here can be utilized as a novel in vitro testing platform to test drugs and identify new targets that could benefit pediatric patients that suffer from the biliary dysgenesis associated with a multitude of congenital liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Brovold
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative MedicineWake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center BoulevardWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Dale Keller
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative MedicineWake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center BoulevardWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Mahesh Devarasetty
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative MedicineWake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center BoulevardWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Anthony Dominijanni
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative MedicineWake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center BoulevardWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Rohan Shirwaiker
- Department of Industrial and Systems EngineeringNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Shay Soker
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative MedicineWake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center BoulevardWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
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8
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Campana L, Esser H, Huch M, Forbes S. Liver regeneration and inflammation: from fundamental science to clinical applications. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:608-624. [PMID: 34079104 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00373-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Liver regeneration is a complex process involving the crosstalk of multiple cell types, including hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, endothelial cells and inflammatory cells. The healthy liver is mitotically quiescent, but following toxic damage or resection the cells can rapidly enter the cell cycle to restore liver mass and function. During this process of regeneration, epithelial and non-parenchymal cells respond in a tightly coordinated fashion. Recent studies have described the interaction between inflammatory cells and a number of other cell types in the liver. In particular, macrophages can support biliary regeneration, contribute to fibrosis remodelling by repressing hepatic stellate cell activation and improve liver regeneration by scavenging dead or dying cells in situ. In this Review, we describe the mechanisms of tissue repair following damage, highlighting the close relationship between inflammation and liver regeneration, and discuss how recent findings can help design novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Campana
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Hannah Esser
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Meritxell Huch
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stuart Forbes
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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Fan N, Wu C, Zhou Y, Wang X, Li P, Liu Z, Tang B. Rapid Two-Photon Fluorescence Imaging of Monoamine Oxidase B for Diagnosis of Early-Stage Liver Fibrosis in Mice. Anal Chem 2021; 93:7110-7117. [PMID: 33909401 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c00815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis could induce cirrhosis and liver cancer, causing serious damages to liver function and even death. Early diagnosis of fibrosis is extremely requisite for optimizing treatment schedule to improve cure rate. In early-stage fibrosis, overexpressed monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) can serve as a biomarker, which greatly contributes to the diagnosis of early liver fibrosis. However, there is still a lack of desired strategy to precisely monitor MAO-B in situ. In this work, we established a two-photon fluorescence imaging method for in vivo detection of MAO-B activity counting on a simply prepared probe, BiPhAA. The BiPhAA could be activated by MAO-B within 10 min and fluoresced brightly. To our knowledge, this BiPhAA-based imaging platform for MAO-B is more rapid than other current detection methods. Furthermore, BiPhAA allowed the dynamic observation of endogenous MAO-B level changes in hepatic stellate cells (LX-2). Through two-photon fluorescence imaging, we observed six times higher fluorescence brightness in the liver tissue of fibrosis mice than that of normal mice, thus successfully distinguishing mice with liver fibrosis from normal mice. Our work offers a simple, fast, and highly sensitive approach for imaging MAO-B in situ and paves a way to the diagnosis of early liver fibrosis with accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Fan
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Institute of Biomedical Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P.R. China
| | - Chuanchen Wu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Institute of Biomedical Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P.R. China
| | - Yongqing Zhou
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Institute of Biomedical Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P.R. China
| | - Xin Wang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Institute of Biomedical Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P.R. China
| | - Ping Li
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Institute of Biomedical Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P.R. China
| | - Zhenzhen Liu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Institute of Biomedical Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P.R. China
| | - Bo Tang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Institute of Biomedical Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P.R. China
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10
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Hu M, Wang Y, Liu Z, Yu Z, Guan K, Liu M, Wang M, Tan J, Huang L. Hepatic macrophages act as a central hub for relaxin-mediated alleviation of liver fibrosis. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 16:466-477. [PMID: 33495618 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-020-00836-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Relaxin is an antifibrotic peptide hormone previously assumed to directly reverse the activation of hepatic stellate cells for liver fibrosis resolution. Using nanoparticle-mediated delivery, here we show that, although relaxin gene therapy reduces liver fibrosis in vivo, in vitro treatment fails to induce quiescence of the activated hepatic stellate cells. We show that hepatic macrophages express the primary relaxin receptor, and that, on relaxin binding, they switch from the profibrogenic to the pro-resolution phenotype. The latter releases exosomes that promote the relaxin-mediated quiescence of activated hepatic stellate cells through miR-30a-5p. Building on these results, we developed lipid nanoparticles that preferentially target activated hepatic stellate cells in the fibrotic liver and encapsulate the relaxin gene and miR-30a-5p mimic. The combinatorial gene therapy achieves synergistic antifibrosis effects in models of mouse liver fibrosis. Collectively, our findings highlight the key role that macrophages play in the relaxin-primed alleviation of liver fibrosis and demonstrate a proof-of-concept approach to devise antifibrotic strategies through the complementary application of nanotechnology and basic science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengying Hu
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ying Wang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Zhengsheng Liu
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Zhuo Yu
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kaiyun Guan
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mengrui Liu
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Menglin Wang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jun Tan
- Department of Hepatology, HwaMei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, P.R. China
| | - Leaf Huang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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11
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Abstract
Liver fibrosis is defined as excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix, and results from maladaptive wound healing processes that occur in response to chronic liver injury and inflammation. The main etiologies of liver fibrosis include nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), chronic viral hepatitis, as well as alcoholic and cholestatic liver disease. In patients, liver fibrosis typically develops over several decades and can progress to cirrhosis, and liver failure due to replacement of functional liver tissue with scar tissue. Additionally, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis are associated with an increased risk for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. On a cellular level, hepatic fibrosis is mediated by activated hepatic stellate cells, the primary fibrogenic cell type of the liver. Murine models are employed to recapitulate, understand, and therapeutically target mechanisms of fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell activation. Here, we summarize different mouse models of liver fibrosis focusing on the most commonly used models of toxic, biliary, and metabolically induced liver fibrosis, triggered by treatment with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), thioacetamide (TAA), bile duct ligation (BDL), 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC), and high-fat diets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert F Schwabe
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. .,Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, 1130 St. Nicholas Avenue, ICRC 926, New York, NY, USA.
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12
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So J, Kim A, Lee SH, Shin D. Liver progenitor cell-driven liver regeneration. Exp Mol Med 2020; 52:1230-1238. [PMID: 32796957 PMCID: PMC8080804 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-020-0483-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is a highly regenerative organ, but its regenerative capacity is compromised in severe liver diseases. Hepatocyte-driven liver regeneration that involves the proliferation of preexisting hepatocytes is a primary regeneration mode. On the other hand, liver progenitor cell (LPC)-driven liver regeneration that involves dedifferentiation of biliary epithelial cells or hepatocytes into LPCs, LPC proliferation, and subsequent differentiation of LPCs into hepatocytes is a secondary mode. This secondary mode plays a significant role in liver regeneration when the primary mode does not effectively work, as observed in severe liver injury settings. Thus, promoting LPC-driven liver regeneration may be clinically beneficial to patients with severe liver diseases. In this review, we describe the current understanding of LPC-driven liver regeneration by exploring current knowledge on the activation, origin, and roles of LPCs during regeneration. We also describe animal models used to study LPC-driven liver regeneration, given their potential to further deepen our understanding of the regeneration process. This understanding will eventually contribute to developing strategies to promote LPC-driven liver regeneration in patients with severe liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhoon So
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA.
| | - Angie Kim
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Seung-Hoon Lee
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Donghun Shin
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA.
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13
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Xing P, Niu Y, Mu R, Wang Z, Xie D, Li H, Dong L, Wang C. A pocket-escaping design to prevent the common interference with near-infrared fluorescent probes in vivo. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1573. [PMID: 32218438 PMCID: PMC7099068 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15323-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes are among the most attractive chemical tools for biomedical imaging. However, their in vivo applications are hindered by albumin binding, generating unspecific fluorescence that masks the specific signal from the analyte. Here, combining experimental and docking methods, we elucidate that the reason for this problem is an acceptor (A) group-mediated capture of the dyes into hydrophobic pockets of albumin. This pocket-capturing phenomenon commonly applies to dyes designed under the twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) principle and, therefore, represents a generic but previously unidentified backdoor problem. Accordingly, we create a new A group that avoids being trapped into the albumin pockets (pocket-escaping) and thereby construct a NIR probe, BNLBN, which effectively prevents this backdoor problem with increased imaging accuracy for liver fibrosis in vivo. Overall, our study explains and overcomes a fundamental problem for the in vivo application of a broad class of bioimaging tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panfei Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, China
| | - Yiming Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, China
| | - Ruoyu Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, China
| | - Zhenzhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
| | - Daping Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, China
| | - Huanling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, China.
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14
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Yang L, Han B, Zhang M, Wang YH, Tao K, Zhu MX, He K, Zhang ZG, Hou S. Activation of BK Channels Prevents Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Liver Fibrosis Through the Suppression of TGFβ1/SMAD3 and JAK/STAT3 Profibrotic Signaling Pathways. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:165. [PMID: 32210801 PMCID: PMC7068464 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Large-conductance and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels are expressed in human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), where they have roles in normal hepatic microcirculation, as well as in portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis through the regulation of contractility in activated HSCs. Nevertheless, whether BK channel activity exerts protective effects against aberrant HSC activation and hepatic fibrosis is unknown. Here, we report that BK channels are expressed in activated primary rat HSCs as well as in a human HSC line. Moreover, whole-cell K+ currents recorded from activated HSCs were markedly increased by exposure to rottlerin, a BK channel-specific activator, but were inhibited by treatment with the BK channel-specific inhibitor, paxilline, suggesting that BK channels are functional in activated HSCs. Overexpression but not downregulation of the BK channel pore-forming alpha subunit, KCNMA1, led to reduced migration and collagen expression in activated HSCs. Consistently, rottlerin treatment suppressed the fibrogenic cell function both in vitro and in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in vivo. Microarray and pathway analysis, combined with a luciferase reporter assay and western blotting, further showed that rottlerin treatment led to a significant downregulation of the profibrotic TGFβ1/SMAD3 and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways, both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings not only link BK channel function to profibrotic signaling pathways, but also provide evidence that BK channel activation represents a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linli Yang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Han
- Department of General Surgery, Key Laboratory for Translational Research and Innovative Therapeutics of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Man Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Tao
- Department of Pathology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Michael X Zhu
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kunyan He
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shangwei Hou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Key Laboratory for Translational Research and Innovative Therapeutics of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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15
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Li X, Chen R, Kemper S, Brigstock DR. Extracellular Vesicles From Hepatocytes Are Therapeutic for Toxin-Mediated Fibrosis and Gene Expression in the Liver. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 7:368. [PMID: 31998720 PMCID: PMC6966099 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized membrane-limited organelles that are liberated from their producer cells, traverse the intercellular space, and may interact with other cells resulting in the uptake of the EV molecular payload by the recipient cells which may become functionally reprogramed as a result. Previous in vitro studies showed that EVs purified from normal mouse AML12 hepatocytes ("EVNorm") attenuate the pro-fibrogenic activities of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), a principal fibrosis-producing cell type in the liver. In a 10-day CCl4 injury model, liver fibrogenesis, expression of hepatic cellular communication network factor 2 [CCN2, also known as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)] or alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) was dose-dependently blocked during concurrent administration of EVNorm. Hepatic inflammation and expression of inflammatory cytokines were also reduced by EVNorm. In a 5-week CCl4 fibrosis model in mice, interstitial collagen deposition and mRNA and/or protein for collagen 1a1, αSMA or CCN2 were suppressed following administration of EVNorm over the last 2 weeks. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed that EVNorm therapy of mice receiving CCl4 for 5 weeks resulted in significant differences [false discovery rate (FDR) <0.05] in expression of 233 CCl4-regulated hepatic genes and these were principally associated with fibrosis, cell cycle, cell division, signal transduction, extracellular matrix (ECM), heat shock, cytochromes, drug detoxification, adaptive immunity, and membrane trafficking. Selected gene candidates from these groups were verified by qRT-PCR as targets of EVNorm in CCl4-injured livers. Additionally, EVNorm administration resulted in reduced activation of p53, a predicted upstream regulator of 40% of the genes for which expression was altered by EVNorm following CCl4 liver injury. In vitro, EVs from human HepG2 hepatocytes suppressed fibrogenic gene expression in activated mouse HSC and reversed the reduced viability or proliferation of HepG2 cells or AML12 cells exposed to CCl4. Similarly, EVs produced by primary human hepatocytes (PHH) protected PHH or human LX2 HSC from CCl4-mediated changes in cell number or gene expression in vitro. These findings show that EVs from human or mouse hepatocytes regulate toxin-associated gene expression leading to therapeutic outcomes including suppression of fibrogenesis, hepatocyte damage, and/or inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Li
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Ruju Chen
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Sherri Kemper
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - David R. Brigstock
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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16
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Animal Models of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Role of Immune System and Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101487. [PMID: 31581753 PMCID: PMC6826986 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer in adults and has one of the highest mortality rates of solid cancers. Ninety percent of HCCs are associated with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis developed from chronic liver injuries. The immune system of the liver contributes to the severity of the necrotic-inflammatory tissue damage, the establishment of fibrosis and cirrhosis, and the disease progression towards HCC. Immunotherapies have emerged as an exciting strategy for HCC treatment, but their effect is limited, and an extensive translation research is urgently needed to enhance anti-tumor efficacy and clinical success. Establishing HCC animal models that are analogous to human disease settings, i.e., mimicking the tumor microenvironment of HCC, is extremely challenging. Hence, this review discusses different animal models of HCC by summarizing their advantages and their limits with a specific focus on the role of the immune system and tumor microenvironment.
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17
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Hu M, Wang Y, Xu L, An S, Tang Y, Zhou X, Li J, Liu R, Huang L. Relaxin gene delivery mitigates liver metastasis and synergizes with check point therapy. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2993. [PMID: 31278269 PMCID: PMC6611764 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10893-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Activated hepatic stellate cell (aHSC)-mediated liver fibrosis is essential to the development of liver metastasis. Here, we discover intra-hepatic scale-up of relaxin (RLN, an anti-fibrotic peptide) in response to fibrosis along with the upregulation of its primary receptor (RXFP1) on aHSCs. The elevated expression of RLN serves as a natural regulator to deactivate aHSCs and resolve liver fibrosis. Therefore, we hypothesize this endogenous liver fibrosis repair mechanism can be leveraged for liver metastasis treatment via enforced RLN expression. To validate the therapeutic potential, we utilize aminoethyl anisamide-conjugated lipid-calcium-phosphate nanoparticles to deliver plasmid DNA encoding RLN. The nanoparticles preferentially target metastatic tumor cells and aHSCs within the metastatic lesion and convert them as an in situ RLN depot. Expressed RLN reverses the stromal microenvironment, which makes it unfavorable for established liver metastasis to grow. In colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancer liver metastasis models, we confirm the RLN gene therapy results in significant inhibition of metastatic progression and prolongs survival. In addition, enforced RLN expression reactivates intra-metastasis immune milieu. The combination of the RLN gene therapy with PD-L1 blockade immunotherapy further produces a synergistic anti-metastatic efficacy. Collectively, the targeted RLN gene therapy represents a highly efficient, safe, and versatile anti-metastatic modality, and is promising for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengying Hu
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ying Wang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ligeng Xu
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, 215123, Suzhou, China
| | - Sai An
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yu Tang
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Xuefei Zhou
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jingjing Li
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Rihe Liu
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Leaf Huang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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18
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The Use of Antifibrotic Recombinant nAG Protein in a Rat Liver Fibrosis Model. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:9846919. [PMID: 31275996 PMCID: PMC6582902 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9846919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objectives The “nAG” protein is the key protein mediating the regeneration of amputated limbs in salamanders. The senior author (MMA) developed the original hypothesis that since “nAG” is a “regenerative” protein, it must be also an “antifibrotic' protein. The antifibrotic properties were later confirmed in a rabbit skin hypertrophic scar model as well as in a rat spinal cord injury model. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential therapeutic properties of the nAG protein in a rat liver fibrosis model. Methodology Liver fibrosis was induced using intraperitoneal injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCL4). A total of 45 rats were divided equally into 3 groups: Group I (the control group) received normal saline injections for 8 weeks, Group II received CCL4 for 8 weeks, and Group III received CCL4 and nAG for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the serum levels of 6 proteins (hyaluronic acid, PDGF-AB, TIMP-1, laminin, procollagen III N-terminal peptide, and collagen IV-alpha 1 chain) were measured. Liver biopsies were also taken and the stages of live fibrosis were assessed histologically. Results The CCL4 treatment resulted in a significant increase in the serum levels of all 6 measured proteins. The nAG treatment significantly reduced these high levels. The degree of liver fibrosis was also significantly reduced in the CCL4/nAG group compared to the CCL4 group. Conclusions nAG treatment was able to significantly reduce the serum levels of several protein markers of liver fibrosis and also significantly reduced the histological degree of liver fibrosis.
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19
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Barghi M, Ashrafi M, Aminlari M, Namazi F, Nazifi S. The protective effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil on CCl 4 induced liver fibrosis in rats. Drug Chem Toxicol 2019; 44:229-237. [PMID: 30746963 DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2019.1571502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells by free radicals is an initial step in the development of liver fibrosis. Zataria multiflora Boiss (ZM) essential oil as a natural product has antioxidant activity and maybe a suitable candidate for treatment or prevention of the disease. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the protective effect of ZM oil in CCl4 induced liver fibrosis. Male rats were divided into 5 groups, group C: control rats; CO: vehicle control group; CE: rats that received essential oil (500 µl/kg); F: fibrosis group, rat were intraperitoneally injected with CCl4 (1 mL/kg); FE: fibrosis rats that received both CCl4 and ZM essential oil as mentioned above. At the end of the 11th week, serum samples and liver tissues were collected for the evaluation of fibrosis markers, liver enzymes, oxidative stress parameters and histopathological studies. The results showed a significant increase in the activity of serum AST, ALT, total bilirubin, TGF-β1, hyaluronan, and hydroxyproline levels in serum and liver tissues in F group. Also, an abnormality in lipid profile and the existence of oxidative stress was found in serum and liver tissues in F group compared to the control groups. Our study showed that ZM essential oil could ameliorate mentioned parameters. Histopathological examinations confirmed the results of biochemical evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Barghi
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Ashrafi
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Aminlari
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fateme Namazi
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Saeed Nazifi
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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20
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Luo XY, Meng XJ, Cao DC, Wang W, Zhou K, Li L, Guo M, Wang P. Transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells attenuates liver fibrosis in mice by regulating macrophage subtypes. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:16. [PMID: 30635047 PMCID: PMC6329168 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-1122-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Liver fibrosis is a key phase that will progress to further injuries such as liver cirrhosis or carcinoma. This study aimed to investigate whether transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) can attenuate liver fibrosis in mice and the underlying mechanisms based on the regulation of macrophage subtypes. Methods A liver fibrosis model was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of CCl4 twice per week for 70 days, and BM-MSCs were intravenously transplanted twice on the 60th and 70th days. Immunohistology and gene expression of liver fibrosis and macrophage subtypes were analyzed. Mouse RAW264.7 cells and JS1 cells (hepatic stellate cell strain) were also used to explore the underlying mechanisms of the effects of BM-MSCs on liver fibrosis. Results After transplantation of BM-MSCs, F4/80+CD206+-activated M2 macrophages and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP 13) expression were significantly increased while F4/80+iNOS+-activated M1 macrophages were inhibited in liver tissue. Gene expression of IL-10 was elevated while IL12b, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6 gene expression were decreased. ΤGF-β1 and collagen-1 secretions were reduced while caspase-3 was increased in JS1 cells treated with BM-MSC-conditioned media. BM-MSCs effectively suppressed the expression of α-SMA, Sirius red, and collagen-1 in the liver, which are positively correlated with fibrosis and induced by CCl4 injection. Conclusions Taken together, we have provided the first demonstration that BM-MSC transplantation can promote the activation of M2 macrophages expressing MMP13 and inhibition of M1 macrophages to further inhibit hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which play synergistic roles in attenuating liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yu Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai Jiao Tong University China Hospital Development Institute, No 639, Zhizaoju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Xiang-Jun Meng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai Jiao Tong University China Hospital Development Institute, No 639, Zhizaoju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Da-Chun Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai Jiao Tong University China Hospital Development Institute, No 639, Zhizaoju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai Jiao Tong University China Hospital Development Institute, No 639, Zhizaoju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Department of Pathology, Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China
| | - Kun Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai Jiao Tong University China Hospital Development Institute, No 639, Zhizaoju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai Jiao Tong University China Hospital Development Institute, No 639, Zhizaoju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Mei Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai Jiao Tong University China Hospital Development Institute, No 639, Zhizaoju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Pathology, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Kunshan, Kunshan, Jiangsu province, China
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21
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Protective Effect of Phaleria macrocarpa Water Extract (Proliverenol) against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats: Role of TNF- α and TGF- β1. J Toxicol 2018; 2018:2642714. [PMID: 30631351 PMCID: PMC6304574 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2642714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Phaleria macrocarpa is one of the Indonesian herbal plants which has been shown to have a hepatoprotective effect. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of water extract of mahkota dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa) in liver fibrosis and to elucidate its mechanism of action. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 8 weeks to induce liver fibrosis. Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=5), i.e., control group, CCl4 group, CCl4 + NAC group, CCl4 + various doses of water extract of Phaleria macrocarpa (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg body weight). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), liver histopathology, malondialdehyde (MDA), ratio GSH/GSSG, Tumor Necrosis Factor- (TNF-) α, and Transforming Growth Factor- (TGF-) β 1 were analyzed. This study demonstrated that water extract of Phaleria macrocarpa and NAC significantly protected CCl4-induced liver injury as demonstrated by reduced AST, ALT, ALP, and fibrosis percentage compared with the CCl4-only group. In addition, water extract of Phaleria macrocarpa and NAC significantly reduced the levels of MDA, TNF-α, and TGF-β 1 as well as increasing the ratio of GSH/GSSG. Water extract of Phaleria macrocarpa prevents CCl4-induced fibrosis in rats. The prevention of liver fibrosis was at least in part through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and through its capacity to inhibit hepatic stellate cells (HSC) activation by reducing fibrogenic cytokine TGF-β 1.
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22
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Nazeer SS, Saraswathy A, Shenoy SJ, Jayasree RS. Fluorescence spectroscopy as an efficient tool for staging the degree of liver fibrosis: an in vivo comparison with MRI. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10967. [PMID: 30030510 PMCID: PMC6054616 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29370-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The study utilizes autofluorescence spectroscopy (AFS) along with multivariate spectral analysis for differentiating various stages of hepatic fibrosis. AFS has recently emerged as an efficient tool for evaluating the variations in different endogenous flurophores. In this study, the potential of AFS for differentiating the stages of liver fibrosis is assessed and compared with the results of enzyme evaluation, histopathology and the most advanced diagnostic tool, MRI. Using a fiber optic probe, the emission profile of the flurophores such as flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), lipofuscin-like lipopigments (lipopigments), porphyrins and the variation in the total hemoglobin concentration are evaluated in vivo on liver fibrosis induced animal models adopting a minimally invasive technique. Significant difference (p < 0.05) in the level of these biomarkers was observed between different stages of liver fibrosis. Normal hepatic tissue could be distinguished from mild and moderate hepatic fibrosis with a sensitivity of 95 to 100% and specificity of 90 to 100% using multivariate spectral analysis. The results are favourable to consider this technique as a potential tool for diagnosing liver fibrosis at an early stage, which is monumental as it otherwise can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaiju S Nazeer
- Division of Biophotonics and Imaging, Biomedical Technology Wing Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 012, Kerala, India.,Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ariya Saraswathy
- Division of Biophotonics and Imaging, Biomedical Technology Wing Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 012, Kerala, India.,Department of Physics, NSS College, Pandalam, Kerala, India
| | - Sachin J Shenoy
- Division of In Vivo Models and Testing, Biomedical Technology Wing Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 012, Kerala, India
| | - Ramapurath S Jayasree
- Division of Biophotonics and Imaging, Biomedical Technology Wing Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 012, Kerala, India.
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23
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Fortea JI, Fernández-Mena C, Puerto M, Ripoll C, Almagro J, Bañares J, Bellón JM, Bañares R, Vaquero J. Comparison of Two Protocols of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Cirrhosis in Rats - Improving Yield and Reproducibility. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9163. [PMID: 29907790 PMCID: PMC6003930 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27427-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being a cardinal experimental model, the induction of cirrhosis in rats by repeated exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) has low reproducibility. Here, we compared two models of cirrhosis induced by orogastric administration of CCl4 once (CCl4-1xWk) or twice a week (CCl4-2xWk) for 12 weeks in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Control rats received water instead of CCl4. Both CCl4 protocols similarly attenuated body weight gain (p < 0.01 vs. Control). Although both CCl4 protocols increased hepatic fibrosis, portal hypertension and splenomegaly, the magnitude of these alterations was higher and more consistent in CCl4-2xWk rats. Importantly, two CCl4-1xWk rats did not develop cirrhosis versus a 100% yield of cirrhosis in CCl4-2xWk rats. The CCl4-2xWk protocol consistently induced liver atrophy together with hematological, biochemical and coagulation abnormalities characteristic of advanced cirrhosis that were absent in CCl4-1xWk rats. Ascites occurred in 20% and 80% of rats in theCCl4-1xWk and CCl4-2xWk groups (p < 0.01). All rats showed normal renal function, arterial blood gases and stable systemic hemodynamics. The total dose of CCl4 and mortality rate were similar in both protocols. The CCl4-2xWk protocol, therefore, was highly reproducible and effective for the induction of experimental cirrhosis within a confined time, representing a valuable advance for liver research.
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Affiliation(s)
- José I Fortea
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Fernández-Mena
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Puerto
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Ripoll
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain.,Innere Medizin I, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Jorge Almagro
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Bañares
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Bellón
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Statistics, IiSGM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Bañares
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain.,Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Vaquero
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain.
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Harris TR, Kodani S, Rand AA, Yang J, Imai DM, Hwang SH, Hammock BD. Celecoxib Does Not Protect against Fibrosis and Inflammation in a Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Model of Liver Injury. Mol Pharmacol 2018; 94:834-841. [PMID: 29844231 DOI: 10.1124/mol.118.111831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitor celecoxib is widely used in the treatment of pain and inflammation. Celecoxib has been explored as a possible treatment of liver fibrosis with contradictory results, depending on the model. The present study reports the effect of celecoxib in a 5-week carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis mouse model. Celecoxib alone and in combination with inhibitors of the enzyme-soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), as well as a dual inhibitor that targets both COX-2 and sEH, were administered via osmotic minipump to mice receiving intraperitoneal injections of CCl4 Collagen deposition was elevated in the mice treated with both celecoxib and CCl4 compared with the control or CCl4-only groups, as assessed by trichrome staining. Histopathology revealed more extensive fibrosis and cell death in the animals treated with both celecoxib and CCl4 compared with all other experimental groups. Although some markers of fibrosis, such as matrix metalloprotease, were unchanged or lowered in the animals treated with both celecoxib and CCl4, overall, hepatic fibrosis was more severe in this group. Cotreatment with celecoxib and an inhibitor of sEH or treatment with a dual inhibitor of COX-2 and sEH decreased the elevated levels of fibrotic markers observed in the group that received both celecoxib and CCl4 Oxylipid analysis revealed that celecoxib reduced the level of prostaglandin E2 relative to the CCl4 only group. Overall, celecoxib treatment did not decrease liver fibrosis in CCl4-treated mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd R Harris
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (T.R.H., S.K., A.A.R., J.Y., S.H.H., B.D.H.), and Comparative Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine (D.M.I.), University of California, Davis, California
| | - Sean Kodani
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (T.R.H., S.K., A.A.R., J.Y., S.H.H., B.D.H.), and Comparative Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine (D.M.I.), University of California, Davis, California
| | - Amy A Rand
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (T.R.H., S.K., A.A.R., J.Y., S.H.H., B.D.H.), and Comparative Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine (D.M.I.), University of California, Davis, California
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (T.R.H., S.K., A.A.R., J.Y., S.H.H., B.D.H.), and Comparative Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine (D.M.I.), University of California, Davis, California
| | - Denise M Imai
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (T.R.H., S.K., A.A.R., J.Y., S.H.H., B.D.H.), and Comparative Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine (D.M.I.), University of California, Davis, California
| | - Sung Hee Hwang
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (T.R.H., S.K., A.A.R., J.Y., S.H.H., B.D.H.), and Comparative Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine (D.M.I.), University of California, Davis, California
| | - Bruce D Hammock
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (T.R.H., S.K., A.A.R., J.Y., S.H.H., B.D.H.), and Comparative Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine (D.M.I.), University of California, Davis, California
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Saber S, Mahmoud AAA, Helal NS, El-Ahwany E, Abdelghany RH. Renin-angiotensin system inhibition ameliorates CCl 4-induced liver fibrosis in mice through the inactivation of nuclear transcription factor kappa B. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2018; 96:569-576. [PMID: 29425464 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2017-0728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic interventions for liver fibrosis are still limited due to the complicated molecular pathogenesis. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) seems to contribute to the development of hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, we aimed to examine the effect of RAS inhibition on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Mice were treated with silymarin (30 mg·kg-1), perindopril (1 mg·kg-1), fosinopril (2 mg·kg-1), or losartan (10 mg·kg-1). The administration of RAS inhibitors improved liver histology and decreased protein expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and hepatic content of hydroxyproline. These effects found to be mediated via inactivation of nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NFκB) pathway by the inhibition of NFκB p65 phosphorylation at the Ser536 residue and phosphorylation-induced degradation of nuclear factor kappa-B inhibitor alpha (NFκBia) subsequently inhibited NFκB-induced TNF-α and TGF-β1, leading to lower levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We concluded that the tissue affinity of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) has no impact on its antifibrotic activity and that interfering the RAS either through the inhibition of ACE or the blockade of AT1R has the same therapeutic benefit. These results suggest RAS inhibitors as promising candidates for further clinical trials in the management of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameh Saber
- a Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt
| | - Amr A A Mahmoud
- b Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.,c Department of Pharmacology, Oman Pharmacy Institute, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Noha S Helal
- d Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Eman El-Ahwany
- e Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Rasha H Abdelghany
- b Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
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26
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Analysis of Pathological Activities of CCN Proteins in Fibrotic Diseases: Liver Fibrosis. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1489:445-463. [PMID: 27734396 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6430-7_37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a complex pathology arising from chronic injury. Pathological features are dominated by the excessive production of extracellular matrix proteins, particularly collagens which are deposited as insoluble scar material that can compromise tissue function. Fibrosis in the liver can often be assessed by staining for collagen in tissue sections and this is an approach that is widely used for grading of fibrosis in human biopsies. However, the recognition of the molecular components that drive fibrosis, including CCN proteins, and the involvement of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) as the principal collagen-producing cells in fibrosing liver, has resulted in a wide variety of molecular and cellular approaches to study the pathogenesis of fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro.
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27
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Bellassoued K, Ben Hsouna A, Athmouni K, van Pelt J, Makni Ayadi F, Rebai T, Elfeki A. Protective effects of Mentha piperita L. leaf essential oil against CCl 4 induced hepatic oxidative damage and renal failure in rats. Lipids Health Dis 2018; 17:9. [PMID: 29316974 PMCID: PMC5761127 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-017-0645-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mentha piperita L. is a flowering plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Mentha plants constitute one of the main valuable sources of essential oil used in foods and for medicinal purposes. Methods The present study aimed to investigate the composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of Mentha piperita leaf essential oil (MpEO). A single dose of CCl4 was used to induce oxidative stress in rats, which was demonstrated by a significant rise of serum enzyme markers. MpEO was administrated for 7 consecutive days (5, 15, 40 mg/kg body weight) to Wistar rats prior to CCl4 treatment and the effects on serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and γ -glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) levels, as well as the liver and kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels were evaluated. In addition, histopathological examinations of livers and kidneys was performed. Results The in vitro antioxidant activity of MpEO was lower than that of silymarin. Pretreatment of animals with MpEO at a dose of 5 mg/kg did not have a significant effect on ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, γGT, urea or creatinine levels in CCl4-induced stress. Whereas pretreatment with MpEO at doses of 15 and 40 mg/kg prior to CCl4, significantly reduced stress parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, γGT, urea and creatinine) compared to the CCl4-only group. Moreover, a significant reduction in hepatic and kidney lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and an increase in antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GPx was also observed after treatment with MpEO (40 mg/kg) compared to CCl4-treated rats. Furthermore, pretreatment with MpEO at 40 mg/kg can also markedly ameliorate the histopathological hepatic and kidney lesions induced by administration of CCl4. Conclusions We could demonstrate with this study that MpEO protects liver and kidney from CCl4-induced oxidative stress and thus substantiate the beneficial effects attributed traditionally to this plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Bellassoued
- Department of Life Sciences, Animal Ecophysiology Laboratory, Faculty of sciences, University of Sfax Tunisia, Road of Soukra Km 3.5, BP 1171, PC 3000, Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - Anis Ben Hsouna
- Biotechnology and Plant Improvement Laboratory, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, PO Box 1177, Road Sidi Mansour km 6, 3018, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Khaled Athmouni
- Department of life sciences, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Aquatic Ecosystems, Faculty of sciences, University of Sfax Tunisia, Road of Soukra Km 3.5, BP 1171, PC 3000, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Jos van Pelt
- Laboratory of Clinical Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fatma Makni Ayadi
- Biochemistry Laboratory, CHU Habib Bourguiba of Sfax, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax Tunisia, Road Menzel Chaker km 0.5, CP 3029 Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Tarek Rebai
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax Tunisia, Road Menzel Chaker km 0.5, CP 3029, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Abdelfattah Elfeki
- Department of Life Sciences, Animal Ecophysiology Laboratory, Faculty of sciences, University of Sfax Tunisia, Road of Soukra Km 3.5, BP 1171, PC 3000, Sfax, Tunisia
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28
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Cordero-Espinoza L, Huch M. The balancing act of the liver: tissue regeneration versus fibrosis. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:85-96. [PMID: 29293095 DOI: 10.1172/jci93562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cell loss alters a tissue's optimal function and awakens evolutionarily adapted healing mechanisms to reestablish homeostasis. Although adult mammalian organs have a limited regeneration potential, the liver stands out as one remarkable exception. Following injury, the liver mounts a dynamic multicellular response wherein stromal cells are activated in situ and/or recruited from the bloodstream, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is remodeled, and epithelial cells expand to replenish their lost numbers. Chronic damage makes this response persistent instead of transient, tipping the system into an abnormal steady state known as fibrosis, in which ECM accumulates excessively and tissue function degenerates. Here we explore the cellular and molecular switches that balance hepatic regeneration and fibrosis, with a focus on uncovering avenues of disease modeling and therapeutic intervention.
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Marco-Rius I, Gordon JW, Mattis AN, Bok R, Santos RD, Sukumar S, Larson PE, Vigneron DB, Ohliger MA. Diffusion-weighted imaging of hyperpolarized [ 13 C]urea in mouse liver. J Magn Reson Imaging 2018; 47:141-151. [PMID: 28419644 PMCID: PMC5645231 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of hyperpolarized (HP) [13 C,15 N]urea to the ADC of endogenous water in healthy and fibrotic mouse liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS ADC measurements for water and [13 C]urea were made in agarose phantoms at 14.1T. Next, the ADC of water and injected HP [13 C,15 N]urea were measured in eight CD1 mouse livers before and after induction of liver fibrosis using CCl4 . Liver fibrosis was quantified pathologically using the modified Brunt fibrosis score and compared to the measured ADC of water and urea. RESULTS In cell-free phantoms with 12.5% agarose, water ADC was nearly twice the ADC of urea (1.93 × 10-3 mm2 /s vs. 1.00 × 10-3 mm2 /s). The mean ADC values of water and [13 C,15 N]urea in healthy mouse liver (±SD) were nearly identical [(0.75 ± 0.11) × 10-3 mm2 /s and (0.75 ± 0.22) × 10-3 mm2 /s, respectively]. Mean water and [13 C,15 N]urea ADC values in fibrotic liver (±SD) were (0.84 ± 0.22) × 10-3 mm2 /s and (0.75 ± 0.15) × 10-3 mm2 /s, respectively. Neither water nor urea ADCs were statistically different in the fibrotic livers compared to baseline (P = 0.14 and P = 0.99, respectively). Water and urea ADCs were positively correlated at baseline (R2 = 0.52 and P = 0.045) but not in fibrotic livers (R2 = 0.23 and P = 0.23). CONCLUSION ADC of injected hyperpolarized urea in healthy liver reflects a smaller change as compared to free solution than ADC of water. This may reflect differences in cellular compartmentalization of the two compounds. No significant change in ADC of either water or urea were observed in relatively mild stages of liver fibrosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:141-151.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Marco-Rius
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jeremy W. Gordon
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Aras N. Mattis
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- UCSF Liver Center University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Robert Bok
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Romelyn Delos Santos
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Subramanian Sukumar
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Peder E.Z. Larson
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Daniel B. Vigneron
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- UCSF Liver Center University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michael A. Ohliger
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- UCSF Liver Center University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Feng J, Chen K, Xia Y, Wu L, Li J, Li S, Wang W, Lu X, Liu T, Guo C. Salidroside ameliorates autophagy and activation of hepatic stellate cells in mice via NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad3 pathways. Drug Des Devel Ther 2018; 12:1837-1853. [PMID: 29970958 PMCID: PMC6021006 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s162950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Liver fibrosis is commonly seen and a necessary stage in chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of salidroside on liver fibrosis in mice and its potential mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two mouse liver fibrosis models were established by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 8 weeks and bile duct ligation for 14 days. Salidroside was injected intraperitoneally at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg once a day. Gene and protein expression levels were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS Salidroside inhibited the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) and regulated the balance between MMP2 and TIMP1 and, therefore, alleviated liver fibrosis in the two fibrosis models. Salidroside reduced the production of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) via the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway and, therefore, inhibited the activation of HSCs and autophagy by downregulation of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION Salidroside can effectively attenuate liver fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of HSCs in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Feng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yujing Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liwei Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Sainan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiya Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuanyong Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Correspondence: Chuanyong Guo, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Number 301, Middle Yanchang Road, Jing’an, Shanghai 200072, China, Tel +86 21 6630 2535, Fax +86 21 6630 3983, Email
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Bosch J, Iwakiri Y. The portal hypertension syndrome: etiology, classification, relevance, and animal models. Hepatol Int 2017; 12:1-10. [PMID: 29064029 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-017-9827-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Portal hypertension is a key complication of portal hypertension, which is responsible for the development of varices, ascites, bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy, which, in turn, cause a high mortality and requirement for liver transplantation. AIM This review deals with the present day state-of-the-art preventative treatments of portal hypertension in cirrhosis according to disease stage. Two main disease stages are considered, compensated and decompensated cirrhosis, the first having good prognosis and being mostly asymptomatic, and the second being heralded by the appearance of bleeding or non-bleeding complications of portal hypertension. RESULTS The aim of treatment in compensated cirrhosis is preventing clinical decompensation, the more frequent event being ascites, followed by variceal bleeding and hepatic encephalopathy. Complications are mainly driven by an increase of hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG) to values ≥10 mmHg (defining the presence of Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension, CSPH). Before CSPH, the treatment is limited to etiologic treatment of cirrhosis and healthy life style (abstain from alcohol, avoid/correct obesity…). When CSPH is present, association of a non-selective beta-blocker (NSBB), including carvedilol should be considered. NSBBs are mandatory if moderate/large varices are present. Patients should also enter a screening program for hepatocellular carcinoma. In decompensated patients, the goal is to prevent further bleeding if the only manifestation of decompensation was a bleeding episode, but to prevent liver transplantation and death in the common scenario where patients have manifested first non-bleeding complications. Treatment is based on the same principles (healthy life style..) associated with administration of NSBBs in combination if possible with endoscopic band ligation if there has been variceal bleeding, and complemented with simvastatin administration (20-40 mg per day in Child-Pugh A/B, 10-20 mg in Child C). Recurrence shall be treated with TIPS. TIPS might be indicated earlier in patients with: 1) Difficult/refractory ascites, who are not the best candidates for NSBBs, 2) patients having bleed under NSBBs or showing no HVPG response (decrease in HVPG of at least 20% of baseline or to values equal or below 12 mmHg). Decompensated patients shall all be considered as potential candidates for liver transplantation. CONCLUSION Treatment of portal hypertension has markedly improved in recent years. The present day therapy is based on accurate risk stratification according to disease stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Bosch
- Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, C.Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain. .,Swiss Liver Center, Hepatology, UVCM, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Yasuko Iwakiri
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
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Proteomic Analysis Reveals Dab2 Mediated Receptor Endocytosis Promotes Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cell Dedifferentiation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13456. [PMID: 29044176 PMCID: PMC5647404 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13917-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Sinusoidal dedifferentiation is a complicated process induced by several factors, and exists in early stage of diverse liver diseases. The mechanism of sinusoidal dedifferentiation is poorly unknown. In this study, we established a NaAsO2-induced sinusoidal dedifferentiation mice model. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells were isolated and isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) based proteomic approach was adopted to globally examine the effects of arsenic on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) during the progression of sinusoidal dedifferentiation. In all, 4205 proteins were identified and quantified by iTRAQ combined with LC-MS/MS analysis, of which 310 proteins were significantly changed in NaAsO2 group, compared with the normal control. Validation by western blot showed increased level of clathrin-associated sorting protein Disabled 2 (Dab2) in NaAsO2 group, indicating that it may regulate receptor endocytosis, which served as a mechanism to augment intracellular VEGF signaling. Moreover, we found that knockdown of Dab2 reduced the uptake of VEGF in LSECs, furthermore blocking VEGF-mediated LSEC dedifferentiation and angiogenesis.
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Briley SM, Jasti S, McCracken JM, Hornick JE, Fegley B, Pritchard MT, Duncan FE. Reproductive age-associated fibrosis in the stroma of the mammalian ovary. Reproduction 2017; 152:245-260. [PMID: 27491879 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Under normal physiological conditions, tissue remodeling in response to injury leads to tissue regeneration without permanent damage. However, if homeostasis between synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components is altered, fibrosis - or the excess accumulation of ECM - can disrupt tissue architecture and function. Several organs, including the heart, lung and kidney, exhibit age-associated fibrosis. Here we investigated whether fibrosis underlies aging in the ovary - an organ that ages chronologically before other organs. We used Picrosirius Red (PSR), a connective tissue stain specific for collagen I and III fibers, to evaluate ovarian fibrosis. Using bright-field, epifluorescence, confocal and polarized light microscopy, we validated the specific staining of highly ordered PSR-stained fibers in the ovary. We next examined ovarian PSR staining in two mouse strains (CD1 and CB6F1) across an aging continuum and found that PSR staining was minimal in ovaries from reproductively young adult animals, increased in distinct foci in animals of mid-to-advanced reproductive age, and was prominent throughout the stroma of the oldest animals. Consistent with fibrosis, there was a reproductive age-associated increase in ovarian hydroxyproline content. We also observed a unique population of multinucleated macrophage giant cells, which are associated with chronic inflammation, within the ovarian stroma exclusively in reproductively old mice. In fact, several genes central to inflammation had significantly higher levels of expression in ovaries from reproductively old mice relative to young mice. These results establish fibrosis as an early hallmark of the aging ovarian stroma, and this altered microenvironment may contribute to the age-associated decline in gamete quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn M Briley
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Susmita Jasti
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Jennifer M McCracken
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
| | - Jessica E Hornick
- Biological Imaging Facility, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Barbara Fegley
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160.,Electron Microscopy Research Laboratory, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Michele T Pritchard
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
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Baig MT, Ali G, Awan SJ, Shehzad U, Mehmood A, Mohsin S, Khan SN, Riazuddin S. Serum from CCl 4-induced acute rat injury model induces differentiation of ADSCs towards hepatic cells and reduces liver fibrosis. Growth Factors 2017; 35:144-160. [PMID: 29110545 DOI: 10.1080/08977194.2017.1392945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cellular therapies hold promise to alleviate liver diseases. This study explored the potential of allogenic serum isolated from rat with acute CCl4 injury to differentiate adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) towards hepatic lineage. Acute liver injury was induced by CCl4 which caused significant increase in serum levels of VEGF, SDF1α and EGF. ADSCs were preconditioned with 3% serum isolated from normal and acute liver injury models. ADSCs showed enhanced expression of hepatic markers (AFP, albumin, CK8 and CK19). These differentiated ADSCs were transplanted intra-hepatically in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model. After one month of transplantation, fibrosis and liver functions (alkaline phosphatase, ALAT and bilirubin) showed marked improvement in acute injury group. Elevated expression of hepatic (AFP, albumin, CK 18 and HNF4a) and pro survival markers (PCNA and VEGF) and improvement in liver architecture as deduced from results of alpha smooth muscle actin, Sirius red and Masson's trichome staining was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tayyab Baig
- a Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology , University of Punjab , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Gibran Ali
- a Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology , University of Punjab , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Sana Javaid Awan
- a Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology , University of Punjab , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Umara Shehzad
- a Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology , University of Punjab , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Azra Mehmood
- a Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology , University of Punjab , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Sadia Mohsin
- b Cardiovascular Research Centre, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Shaheen N Khan
- a Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology , University of Punjab , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Sheikh Riazuddin
- a Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology , University of Punjab , Lahore , Pakistan
- c Allama Iqbal Medical College , Lahore , Pakistan
- d Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) , Islamabad , Pakistan
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Kan F, Ye L, Yan T, Cao J, Zheng J, Li W. Proteomic and transcriptomic studies of HBV-associated liver fibrosis of an AAV-HBV-infected mouse model. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:641. [PMID: 28830339 PMCID: PMC5568174 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3984-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important public health issue in the Asia-Pacific region and is associated with chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and even liver cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms of HBV-associated liver fibrosis remain incompletely understood. Results In the present study, proteomic and transcriptomic approaches as well as biological network analyses were performed to investigate the differentially expressed molecular signature and key regulatory networks that were associated with HBV-mediated liver fibrosis. RNA sequencing and 2DE-MALDI-TOF/TOF were performed on liver tissue samples obtained from HBV-infected C57BL/6 mouse generated via AAV8-HBV virus. The results showed that 322 genes and 173 proteins were differentially expressed, and 28 HBV-specific proteins were identified by comprehensive proteomic and transcriptomic analysis. GO analysis indicated that the differentially expressed proteins were predominantly involved in oxidative stress, which plays a key role in HBV-related liver fibrosis. Importantly, CAT, PRDX1, GSTP1, NXN and BLVRB were shown to be associated with oxidative stress among the differentially expressed proteins. The most striking results were validated by Western blot and RT-qPCR. The RIG-I like receptor signaling pathway was found to be the major signal pathway that changed during HBV-related fibrosis. Conclusions This study provides novel insights into HBV-associated liver fibrosis and reveals the significant role of oxidative stress in liver fibrosis. Furthermore, CAT, BLVRB, NXN, PRDX1, and IDH1 may be candidates for detection of liver fibrosis or therapeutic targets for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-017-3984-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangming Kan
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Ye
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Yan
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaqi Cao
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhua Zheng
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Wuping Li
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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Rengasamy M, Singh G, Fakharuzi NA, Siddikuzzaman, Balasubramanian S, Swamynathan P, Thej C, Sasidharan G, Gupta PK, Das AK, Rahman AZA, Fakiruddin KS, Nian LM, Zakaria Z, Majumdar AS. Transplantation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells reduces liver fibrosis more effectively than Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stromal cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:143. [PMID: 28610623 PMCID: PMC5470281 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0595-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from various tissues have shown moderate therapeutic efficacy in reversing liver fibrosis in preclinical models. Here, we compared the relative therapeutic potential of pooled, adult human bone marrow (BM)- and neonatal Wharton’s jelly (WJ)-derived MSCs to treat CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with CCl4 for 8 weeks to induce irreversible liver fibrosis. Ex-vivo expanded, pooled human MSCs obtained from BM and WJ were intravenously administered into rats with liver fibrosis at a dose of 10 × 106 cells/animal. Sham control and vehicle-treated animals served as negative and disease controls, respectively. The animals were sacrificed at 30 and 70 days after cell transplantation and hepatic-hydroxyproline content, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. Results BM-MSCs treatment showed a marked reduction in liver fibrosis as determined by Masson’s trichrome and Sirius red staining as compared to those treated with the vehicle. Furthermore, hepatic-hydroxyproline content and percentage collagen proportionate area were found to be significantly lower in the BM-MSCs-treated group. In contrast, WJ-MSCs treatment showed less reduction of fibrosis at both time points. Immunohistochemical analysis of BM-MSCs-treated liver samples showed a reduction in α-SMA+ myofibroblasts and increased number of EpCAM+ hepatic progenitor cells, along with Ki-67+ and human matrix metalloprotease-1+ (MMP-1+) cells as compared to WJ-MSCs-treated rat livers. Conclusions Our findings suggest that BM-MSCs are more effective than WJ-MSCs in treating liver fibrosis in a CCl4-induced model in rats. The superior therapeutic activity of BM-MSCs may be attributed to their expression of certain MMPs and angiogenic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathiyazhagan Rengasamy
- Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd, Akshay Tech Park, EPIP Zone, Phase-1, Whitefield, Bangalore, 560066, Karnataka, India
| | - Gurbind Singh
- Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd, Akshay Tech Park, EPIP Zone, Phase-1, Whitefield, Bangalore, 560066, Karnataka, India.,Department of Life Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Noor Atiqah Fakharuzi
- Hematology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siddikuzzaman
- Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd, Akshay Tech Park, EPIP Zone, Phase-1, Whitefield, Bangalore, 560066, Karnataka, India
| | - Sudha Balasubramanian
- Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd, Akshay Tech Park, EPIP Zone, Phase-1, Whitefield, Bangalore, 560066, Karnataka, India
| | - Priyanka Swamynathan
- Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd, Akshay Tech Park, EPIP Zone, Phase-1, Whitefield, Bangalore, 560066, Karnataka, India
| | - Charan Thej
- Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd, Akshay Tech Park, EPIP Zone, Phase-1, Whitefield, Bangalore, 560066, Karnataka, India.,Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Gopinath Sasidharan
- Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd, Akshay Tech Park, EPIP Zone, Phase-1, Whitefield, Bangalore, 560066, Karnataka, India
| | - Pawan Kumar Gupta
- Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd, Akshay Tech Park, EPIP Zone, Phase-1, Whitefield, Bangalore, 560066, Karnataka, India
| | - Anjan Kumar Das
- Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd, Akshay Tech Park, EPIP Zone, Phase-1, Whitefield, Bangalore, 560066, Karnataka, India.,Department of Surgery, Taylor's University School of Medicine, Selangor, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Zuhairi Abd Rahman
- Hematology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kamal Shaik Fakiruddin
- Hematology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lim Moon Nian
- Hematology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zubaidah Zakaria
- Hematology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Anish S Majumdar
- Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd, Akshay Tech Park, EPIP Zone, Phase-1, Whitefield, Bangalore, 560066, Karnataka, India.
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Quantitative Proteomic analysis on Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells reversion Reveal STAT1 as a key regulator between Liver Fibrosis and recovery. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44910. [PMID: 28322315 PMCID: PMC5359621 DOI: 10.1038/srep44910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the changes of activated HSCs reversion is an essential step toward clarifying the potential roles of HSCs in the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this study, we chose adipocyte differentiation mixture to induce LX-2 cells for 2 days in vitro as reversion phase, comparing with normal cultured LX-2 cells as activation phase. Mass spectrometric-based SILAC technology was adopted to study differentially expressed proteome of LX-2 cells between reversion and activation. Compared with activated HSCs, 273 proteins showed significant differences in reverted HSCs. The main pathway of up-regulated proteins associated with reversion of HSCs mainly related to oxidation-reduction and lipid metabolism, while the top pathway of down-regulated proteins was found in regulated cytoskeleton formation. Changes in the expression levels of selected proteins were verified by Western blotting analysis, especially STAT1, FLNA, LASP1, and NAMPT proteins. The distinct roles of STAT1 were further analyzed between activated and reverted of HSCs, it was found that STAT1 could affect cell proliferation of HSCs and could be viewed as a key regulator in the reversion of HSCs. Thus, the proteomic analysis could accelerate our understanding of the mechanisms of HSC reversion on cessation of fibrogenic stimuli and provide new targets for antifibrotic liver therapy.
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38
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An ω-3-enriched diet alone does not attenuate CCl 4-induced hepatic fibrosis. J Nutr Biochem 2016; 38:93-101. [PMID: 27732914 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2016.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to the halogenated hydrocarbon carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) leads to hepatic lipid peroxidation, inflammation and fibrosis. Dietary supplementation of ω-3 fatty acids has been increasingly advocated as being generally anti-inflammatory, though its effect in models of liver fibrosis is mixed. This raises the question of whether diets high in ω-3 fatty acids will result in a greater sensitivity or resistance to liver fibrosis as a result of environmental toxicants like CCl4. In this study, we fed CCl4-treated mice a high ω-3 diet (using a mix of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl esters). We also co-administered an inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase, 1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl) urea (TPPU), which has been shown to boost anti-inflammatory epoxy fatty acids that are produced from both ω-3 and ω-6 dietary lipids. We showed that soluble epoxide inhibitors reduced CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Three major results were obtained. First, the ω-3-enriched diet did not attenuate CCl4-induced liver fibrosis as judged by collagen deposition and collagen mRNA expression. Second, the ω-3-enriched diet raised hepatic tissue levels of several inflammatory lipoxygenase metabolites and prostaglandins, including PGE2. Third, treatment with TPPU in drinking water in conjunction with the ω-3-enriched diet resulted in a reduction in liver fibrosis compared to all other groups. Taken together, these results indicate that dietary ω-3 supplementation alone did not attenuate CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Additionally, oxylipin signaling molecules may play role in the CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in the high ω-3 diet groups.
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Horvat T, Landesmann B, Lostia A, Vinken M, Munn S, Whelan M. Adverse outcome pathway development from protein alkylation to liver fibrosis. Arch Toxicol 2016; 91:1523-1543. [PMID: 27542122 PMCID: PMC5364266 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1814-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In modern toxicology, substantial efforts are undertaken to develop alternative solutions for in vivo toxicity testing. The adverse outcome pathway (AOP) concept could facilitate knowledge-based safety assessment of chemicals that does not rely exclusively on in vivo toxicity testing. The construction of an AOP is based on understanding toxicological processes at different levels of biological organisation. Here, we present the developed AOP for liver fibrosis and demonstrate a linkage between hepatic injury caused by chemical protein alkylation and the formation of liver fibrosis, supported by coherent and consistent scientific data. This long-term process, in which inflammation, tissue destruction, and repair occur simultaneously, results from the complex interplay between various hepatic cell types, receptors, and signalling pathways. Due to the complexity of the process, an adequate liver fibrosis cell model for in vitro evaluation of a chemical's fibrogenic potential is not yet available. Liver fibrosis poses an important human health issue that is also relevant for regulatory purposes. An AOP described with enough mechanistic detail might support chemical risk assessment by indicating early markers for downstream events and thus facilitating the development of an in vitro testing strategy. With this work, we demonstrate how the AOP framework can support the assembly and coherent display of distributed mechanistic information from the literature to support the use of alternative approaches for prediction of toxicity. This AOP was developed according to the guidance document on developing and assessing AOPs and its supplement, the users' handbook, issued by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Horvat
- Chemicals Safety and Alternative Methods Unit (F.3), Directorate F - Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, Directorate General Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Ispra, Italy
| | - Brigitte Landesmann
- Chemicals Safety and Alternative Methods Unit (F.3), Directorate F - Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, Directorate General Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Ispra, Italy.
| | - Alfonso Lostia
- Chemicals Safety and Alternative Methods Unit (F.3), Directorate F - Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, Directorate General Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Ispra, Italy
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sharon Munn
- Chemicals Safety and Alternative Methods Unit (F.3), Directorate F - Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, Directorate General Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Ispra, Italy
| | - Maurice Whelan
- Chemicals Safety and Alternative Methods Unit (F.3), Directorate F - Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, Directorate General Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Ispra, Italy
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Pritchard MT, McCracken JM. Identifying Novel Targets for Treatment of Liver Fibrosis: What Can We Learn from Injured Tissues which Heal Without a Scar? Curr Drug Targets 2016; 16:1332-46. [PMID: 26302807 DOI: 10.2174/1389450116666150825111439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The liver is unique in that it is able to regenerate. This regeneration occurs without formation of a scar in the case of non-iterative hepatic injury. However, when the liver is exposed to chronic liver injury, the purely regenerative process fails and excessive extracellular matrix proteins are deposited in place of normal liver parenchyma. While much has been discovered in the past three decades, insights into fibrotic mechanisms have not yet lead to effective therapies; liver transplant remains the only cure for advanced liver disease. In an effort to broaden the collection of possible therapeutic targets, this review will compare and contrast the liver wound healing response to that found in two types of wound healing: scarless wound healing of fetal skin and oral mucosa and scar-forming wound healing found in adult skin. This review will examine wound healing in the liver and the skin in relation to the role of humoral and cellular factors, as well as the extracellular matrix, in this process. While several therapeutic targets are similar between fibrotic liver and adult skin wound healing, others are unique and represent novel areas for hepatic anti-fibrotic research. In particular, investigations into the role of hyaluronan in liver fibrosis and fibrosis resolution are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele T Pritchard
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66161, USA.
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Wahid A, Hamed AN, Eltahir HM, Abouzied MM. Hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Salix subserrata against CCl4-induced chronic hepatotoxicity in rats. Altern Ther Health Med 2016; 16:263. [PMID: 27473536 PMCID: PMC4966707 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1238-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background The liver performs diverse functions that are essential for life. In the absence of reliable liver protective drugs, a large number of natural medicinal preparations are used for the treatment of liver diseases. Therefore the present study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Salix subserrata Willd flower ethanolic extract (SFEE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage. Methods Rats were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals each. Group I served as the normal healthy control, groups II rats were intoxicated with CCl4 i.p. (0.8 ml/kg body weight CCl4/olive oil, twice weekly for 9 weeks), group III rats received CCl4 i.p. and SFEE orally (150 mg/kg daily) and group IV rats received CCl4 i.p. and Silymarin orally (100 mg/kg, daily). The hepatoprotective potential of SFEE in rats was evaluated by measuring the protein levels of two inflammatory biomarkers; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) in addition to other liver biomarkers. Histopathological changes in the liver were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE). Results The administration of SFEE showed hepatic protection at an oral dose of 150 mg/kg. SFEE significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of intracellular liver enzymes as well as liver biomarkers in comparison to CCl4− intoxicated group. Notably, SFEE significantly reduced the expression levels of TNF-α and NFkB proteins compared to their levels in CCl4 intoxicated group. These findings were confirmed with the histopathological observations, where SFEE was capable of reversing the toxic effects of CCl4 on liver cells compared to that observed in CCl4-intoxicated animals. Conclusion Our results show that SFEE has potential hepatoprotective effects at 150 mg/kg. These effects can be regarded to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the extract.
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Sevelsted Møller L, Fialla AD, Schierwagen R, Biagini M, Liedtke C, Laleman W, Klein S, Reul W, Koch Hansen L, Rabjerg M, Singh V, Surra J, Osada J, Reinehr R, de Muckadell OBS, Köhler R, Trebicka J. The calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1 is an important modulator of hepatic injury. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28770. [PMID: 27354175 PMCID: PMC4926059 DOI: 10.1038/srep28770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1 controls different cellular processes such as proliferation and volume homeostasis. We investigated the role of KCa3.1 in experimental and human liver fibrosis. KCa3.1 gene expression was investigated in healthy and injured human and rodent liver. Effect of genetic depletion and pharmacological inhibition of KCa3.1 was evaluated in mice during carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic fibrogenesis. Transcription, protein expression and localisation of KCa3.1 was analysed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Hemodynamic effects of KCa3.1 inhibition were investigated in bile duct-ligated and carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats. In vitro experiments were performed in rat hepatic stellate cells and hepatocytes. KCa3.1 expression was increased in rodent and human liver fibrosis and was predominantly observed in the hepatocytes. Inhibition of KCa3.1 aggravated liver fibrosis during carbon tetrachloride challenge but did not change hemodynamic parameters in portal hypertensive rats. In vitro, KCa3.1 inhibition leads to increased hepatocyte apoptosis and DNA damage, whereas proliferation of hepatic stellate cells was stimulated by KCa3.1 inhibition. Our data identifies KCa3.1 channels as important modulators in hepatocellular homeostasis. In contrast to previous studies in vitro and other tissues this channel appears to be anti-fibrotic and protective during liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Sevelsted Møller
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Annette Dam Fialla
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Matteo Biagini
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christian Liedtke
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Wim Laleman
- Department of Liver and Biliopancreatic disorders, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sabine Klein
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Winfried Reul
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lars Koch Hansen
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vejle Hospital, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Maj Rabjerg
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Vikrant Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Joaquin Surra
- Departament de Producción Animal, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Huesca, Spain
| | - Jesus Osada
- Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS), Universidad de Zaragoza-CIBEROBN, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Roland Reinehr
- Elbe-Elster Klinikum, Krankenhaus Herzberg, Herzberg, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Köhler
- Aragon Institute of Health Science I CS, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Huang M, Xu J, Shin CH. Development of an Ethanol-induced Fibrotic Liver Model in Zebrafish to Study Progenitor Cell-mediated Hepatocyte Regeneration. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27214059 DOI: 10.3791/54002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustained liver fibrosis with continuation of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein build-up results in the loss of cellular competency of the liver, leading to cirrhosis with hepatocellular dysfunction. Among multiple hepatic insults, alcohol abuse can lead to significant health problems including liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Nonetheless, the identity of endogenous cellular sources that regenerate hepatocytes in response to alcohol has not been properly investigated. Moreover, few studies have effectively modeled hepatocyte regeneration upon alcohol-induced injury. We recently reported on establishing an ethanol (EtOH)-induced fibrotic liver model in zebrafish in which hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) gave rise to hepatocytes upon near-complete hepatocyte loss in the presence of fibrogenic stimulus. Furthermore, through chemical screens using this model, we identified multiple small molecules that enhance hepatocyte regeneration. Here we describe in detail the procedures to develop an EtOH-induced fibrotic liver model and to perform chemical screens using this model in zebrafish. This protocol will be a critical tool to delineate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of how hepatocyte regenerates in the fibrotic liver. Furthermore, these methods will facilitate potential discovery of novel therapeutic strategies for chronic liver disease in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mianbo Huang
- School of Biology, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology
| | - Jin Xu
- School of Biology, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology
| | - Chong Hyun Shin
- School of Biology, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology;
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McCracken JM, Jiang L, Deshpande KT, O'Neil MF, Pritchard MT. Differential effects of hyaluronan synthase 3 deficiency after acute vs chronic liver injury in mice. FIBROGENESIS & TISSUE REPAIR 2016; 9:4. [PMID: 27042213 PMCID: PMC4818527 DOI: 10.1186/s13069-016-0041-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Background Hyaluronan (HA) is a ubiquitous extracellular matrix (ECM) glycosaminoglycan synthesized by three different enzymes, hyaluronan synthase (HAS)1, 2, and 3. HA synthesis mediated by HAS3 promotes inflammation and is pathogenic in animal models of human lung and intestinal disease. Liver fibrosis is a common endpoint to chronic liver injury and inflammation for which there is no cure. Although plasma HA is a commonly used biomarker for liver disease, if and how HA contributes to disease pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that HA synthesized by HAS3 enhances inflammation and fibrosis. To test this hypothesis, we exposed wild-type or Has3−/− mice to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) once (acute) or ten (chronic) times. Results HAS3-deficient mice exhibited increased hepatic injury and inflammatory chemokine production 48 h after acute CCl4; this was associated with a threefold reduction in plasma HA levels and alterations in the proportions of specific molecular weight HA polymer pools. Hepatic accumulation of fibrosis-associated transcripts was also greater in livers from HAS3-deficient mice compared to controls after acute CCl4 exposure. Surprisingly, fibrosis was not different between genotypes. Hepatic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)13 mRNA and MMP13 activity was greater in livers from Has3-null mice after chronic CCl4; this was prevented by a MMP13-specific inhibitor. Collectively, these data suggest that Has3, or more likely HA produced by HAS3, limits hepatic inflammation after acute injury and attenuates MMP13-mediated matrix metabolism after chronic injury. Conclusions These data suggest that HA should be investigated further as a novel therapeutic target for acute and chronic liver disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13069-016-0041-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M McCracken
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160 USA
| | - Lu Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160 USA
| | - Krutika T Deshpande
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160 USA
| | - Maura F O'Neil
- Department of Pathology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160 USA
| | - Michele T Pritchard
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160 USA
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Iwasaki A, Sakai K, Moriya K, Sasaki T, Keene DR, Akhtar R, Miyazono T, Yasumura S, Watanabe M, Morishita S, Sakai T. Molecular Mechanism Responsible for Fibronectin-controlled Alterations in Matrix Stiffness in Advanced Chronic Liver Fibrogenesis. J Biol Chem 2015; 291:72-88. [PMID: 26553870 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.691519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is characterized by extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and stiffening. However, the functional contribution of tissue stiffening to noncancer pathogenesis remains largely unknown. Fibronectin (Fn) is an ECM glycoprotein substantially expressed during tissue repair. Here we show in advanced chronic liver fibrogenesis using a mouse model lacking Fn that, unexpectedly, Fn-null livers lead to more extensive liver cirrhosis, which is accompanied by increased liver matrix stiffness and deteriorated hepatic functions. Furthermore, Fn-null livers exhibit more myofibroblast phenotypes and accumulate highly disorganized/diffuse collagenous ECM networks composed of thinner and significantly increased number of collagen fibrils during advanced chronic liver damage. Mechanistically, mutant livers show elevated local TGF-β activity and lysyl oxidase expressions. A significant amount of active lysyl oxidase is released in Fn-null hepatic stellate cells in response to TGF-β1 through canonical and noncanonical Smad such as PI3 kinase-mediated pathways. TGF-β1-induced collagen fibril stiffness in Fn-null hepatic stellate cells is significantly higher compared with wild-type cells. Inhibition of lysyl oxidase significantly reduces collagen fibril stiffness, and treatment of Fn recovers collagen fibril stiffness to wild-type levels. Thus, our findings indicate an indispensable role for Fn in chronic liver fibrosis/cirrhosis in negatively regulating TGF-β bioavailability, which in turn modulates ECM remodeling and stiffening and consequently preserves adult organ functions. Furthermore, this regulatory mechanism by Fn could be translated for a potential therapeutic target in a broader variety of chronic fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Iwasaki
- From the MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, United Kingdom, the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering and
| | - Keiko Sakai
- From the MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, United Kingdom, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195
| | - Kei Moriya
- the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195
| | - Takako Sasaki
- the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Douglas R Keene
- the Micro-Imaging Center, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, Oregon 97231
| | - Riaz Akhtar
- Centre for Materials and Structures, School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GH, United Kingdom
| | - Takayoshi Miyazono
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, Toyama University, Toyama 930-0194, Japan, and
| | - Satoshi Yasumura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, Toyama University, Toyama 930-0194, Japan, and
| | | | - Shin Morishita
- Environmental and Information Science, Yokohama National University, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
| | - Takao Sakai
- From the MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GE, United Kingdom, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195,
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46
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Mogler C, Wieland M, König C, Hu J, Runge A, Korn C, Besemfelder E, Breitkopf-Heinlein K, Komljenovic D, Dooley S, Schirmacher P, Longerich T, Augustin HG. Hepatic stellate cell-expressed endosialin balances fibrogenesis and hepatocyte proliferation during liver damage. EMBO Mol Med 2015; 7:332-8. [PMID: 25680861 PMCID: PMC4364949 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201404246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a reversible wound-healing response to injury reflecting the critical balance between liver repair and scar formation. Chronic damage leads to progressive substitution of liver parenchyma by scar tissue and ultimately results in liver cirrhosis. Stromal cells (hepatic stellate cells [HSC] and endothelial cells) have been proposed to control the balance between liver fibrosis and regeneration. Here, we show that endosialin, a C-type lectin, expressed in the liver exclusively by HSC and portal fibroblasts, is upregulated in liver fibrosis in mouse and man. Chronic chemically induced liver damage resulted in reduced fibrosis and enhanced hepatocyte proliferation in endosialin-deficient (ENKO) mice. Correspondingly, acute-liver-damage-induced hepatocyte proliferation (partial hepatectomy) was increased in ENKO mice. A candidate-based screen of known regulators of hepatocyte proliferation identified insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) as selectively endosialin-dependent hepatocyte mitogen. Collectively, the study establishes a critical role of HSC in the reciprocal regulation of fibrogenesis vs. hepatocyte proliferation and identifies endosialin as a therapeutic target in non-neoplastic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Mogler
- Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany Institute of Pathology Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Wieland
- Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis (CBTM), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Courtney König
- Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis (CBTM), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Junhao Hu
- Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anja Runge
- Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis (CBTM), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Korn
- Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eva Besemfelder
- Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Breitkopf-Heinlein
- Department of Medicine II, Section Molecular Hepatology - Alcohol Associated Diseases, Medical Faculty Mannheim Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dorde Komljenovic
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Steven Dooley
- Department of Medicine II, Section Molecular Hepatology - Alcohol Associated Diseases, Medical Faculty Mannheim Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Schirmacher
- Institute of Pathology Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Longerich
- Institute of Pathology Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hellmut G Augustin
- Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis (CBTM), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg, Germany
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47
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Dissecting fibrosis: therapeutic insights from the small-molecule toolbox. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2015; 14:693-720. [PMID: 26338155 DOI: 10.1038/nrd4592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis, which leads to progressive loss of tissue function and eventual organ failure, has been estimated to contribute to ~45% of deaths in the developed world, and so new therapeutics to modulate fibrosis are urgently needed. Major advances in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying pathological fibrosis are supporting the search for such therapeutics, and the recent approval of two anti-fibrotic drugs for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has demonstrated the tractability of this area for drug discovery. This Review examines the pharmacology and structural information for small molecules being evaluated for lung, liver, kidney and skin fibrosis. In particular, we discuss the insights gained from the use of these pharmacological tools, and how these entities can inform, and probe, emerging insights into disease mechanisms, including the potential for future drug combinations.
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48
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Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MR technique for in-vivo liver imaging at 3.0 tesla. Eur Radiol 2015; 26:1792-800. [PMID: 26334509 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-015-3972-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MRI for liver imaging at 3.0-T. MATERIALS AND METHODS Images were acquired at offsets (n = 41, increment = 0.25 ppm) from -5 to 5 ppm using a TSE sequence with a continuous rectangular saturation pulse. Amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) and GlycoCEST signals were quantified as the asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio (MTRasym) at 3.5 ppm and the total MTRasym integrated from 0.5 to 1.5 ppm, respectively, from the corrected Z-spectrum. Reproducibility was assessed for rats and humans. Eight rats were devoid of chow for 24 hours and scanned before and after fasting. Eleven rats were scanned before and after one-time CCl4 intoxication. RESULTS For reproducibility, rat liver APTw and GlycoCEST measurements had 95 % limits of agreement of -1.49 % to 1.28 % and -0.317 % to 0.345 %. Human liver APTw and GlycoCEST measurements had 95 % limits of agreement of -0.842 % to 0.899 % and -0.344 % to 0.164 %. After 24 hours, fasting rat liver APTw and GlycoCEST signals decreased from 2.38 ± 0.86 % to 0.67 ± 1.12 % and from 0.34 ± 0.26 % to -0.18 ± 0.37 % respectively (p < 0.05). After CCl4 intoxication rat liver APTw and GlycoCEST signals decreased from 2.46 ± 0.48 % to 1.10 ± 0.77 %, and from 0.34 ± 0.23 % to -0.16 ± 0.51 % respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION CEST liver imaging at 3.0-T showed high sensitivity for fasting as well as CCl4 intoxication. KEY POINTS • CEST MRI of in-vivo liver was demonstrated at clinical 3 T field strength. • After 24-hour fasting, rat liver APTw and GlycoCEST signals decreased significantly. • After CCl4 intoxication both rat liver APTw and GlycoCEST signals decreased significantly. • Good scan-rescan reproducibility of liver CEST MRI was shown in healthy volunteers.
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49
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Ye L, Yu H, Li C, Hirsch ML, Zhang L, Samulski RJ, Li W, Liu Z. Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Mediated Delivery of the HBV Genome Induces Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Liver Fibrosis in Mice. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130052. [PMID: 26075890 PMCID: PMC4468063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinomas are major health problems of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. To date, rare model has reproduced liver fibrosis associated with long-term HBV infection which in turn has hindered both the understanding of HBV biology and the development of new treatment options. Here, using adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8) mediated delivery of a 1.2-kb HBV genome, we successfully generated a chronic HBV infectious mouse model that presents the associated liver fibrosis observed following human infection. After AAV8/HBV1.2 vector administration, mice demonstrated effective HBV replication and transcription which resulted in HBV antigen expression and viremia over 6 months. Although no obvious acute inflammatory response was noted, these mice still developed chronic liver disease and hepatic fibrogenesis as demonstrated by increased ground glass-like hepatocytes, an increasing trend of collagen deposition and upregulated fibrosis markers, including type I collagen, type III collagen, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP), and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1). Taken together, AAV-mediated HBV gene delivery to the mouse liver, induced HBV persistent infection accompanied by liver fibrosis which can serve as a model for investigating the precise mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis following chronic HBV infection as well as for the potential development of novel therapeutics.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Blotting, Northern
- Blotting, Southern
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology
- Cells, Cultured
- Dependovirus/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Genetic Vectors/administration & dosage
- Genome, Viral
- HEK293 Cells
- Hepatitis B virus/genetics
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/genetics
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/virology
- Humans
- Liver Cirrhosis/genetics
- Liver Cirrhosis/virology
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/virology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Viremia/genetics
- Viremia/virology
- Virus Replication
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Ye
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Haisheng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Immunity and Infection, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chengwen Li
- Gene Therapy Center, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Matthew L. Hirsch
- Gene Therapy Center, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Liguo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Immunity and Infection, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - R. Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Wuping Li
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, China
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Zhong Liu
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, China
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50
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Yanguas SC, Cogliati B, Willebrords J, Maes M, Colle I, van den Bossche B, de Oliveira CPMS, Andraus W, Alves VAF, Leclercq I, Vinken M. Experimental models of liver fibrosis. Arch Toxicol 2015; 90:1025-1048. [PMID: 26047667 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-015-1543-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 219] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a wound healing response to insults and as such affects the entire world population. In industrialized countries, the main causes of liver fibrosis include alcohol abuse, chronic hepatitis virus infection and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. A central event in liver fibrosis is the activation of hepatic stellate cells, which is triggered by a plethora of signaling pathways. Liver fibrosis can progress into more severe stages, known as cirrhosis, when liver acini are substituted by nodules, and further to hepatocellular carcinoma. Considerable efforts are currently devoted to liver fibrosis research, not only with the goal of further elucidating the molecular mechanisms that drive this disease, but equally in view of establishing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The present paper provides a state-of-the-art overview of in vivo and in vitro models used in the field of experimental liver fibrosis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Crespo Yanguas
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bruno Cogliati
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joost Willebrords
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michaël Maes
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Colle
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Algemeen Stedelijk Ziekenhuis, Aalst, Belgium
| | - Bert van den Bossche
- Department of Abdominal Surgery and Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Surgery, Algemeen Stedelijk Ziekenhuis, Aalst, Belgium
| | | | - Wellington Andraus
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Isabelle Leclercq
- Laboratoire d'Hépato-Gastro-Entérologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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