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Seleem AA, Hussein BH. Effects of silver nanoparticles prepared by aqueous extract of Ferula communis on the developing mouse embryo after maternal exposure. Toxicol Ind Health 2023; 39:712-734. [PMID: 37871157 DOI: 10.1177/07482337231209094] [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] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from aqueous silver nitrate has been achieved using an extract of Ferula communis leaf as a capping, reducing, and stabilizing agent. The formation and stability of the green synthesized silver nanoparticles in the colloidal solution were monitored by absorption measurements. Silver nanoparticles were characterized by different analyses such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and FT-IR spectroscopy. The average particle size of silver nanoparticles was determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. In this experiment, pregnant female mice were divided into four groups (G); G1 was the control and received phosphate-buffered saline, G2 received orally aqueous extract of F. communis leaf, G3 received orally AgNPs chemically prepared by NaBH4, and G4 received orally AgNPs prepared by aqueous extract of F. communis leaf. The diameter of AgNPs was 20 nm. AgNPs exhibited good catalytic reduction ability toward methyl orange in the presence of sodium borohydride with a rate constant of 2.95 x 10-4 s-1. The results revealed the occurrence of resorbed embryos in G2, G3, and G4 with different percentages. The livers of mothers and embryos at E14.5 in G2, G3, and G4 showed different levels of histopathological alteration and increase in GFAP and CTGF expressions compared with the control group. The study concluded that the oral administration of small-sized AgNPs (20 nm) prepared by Ferula extract had less toxicity than those prepared by the chemical method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin A Seleem
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science and Arts, Al Ula, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Belal Hm Hussein
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Arts, Al Ula, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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Ramani K, Mavila N, Abeynayake A, Tomasi ML, Wang J, Matsuda M, Seki E. Targeting A-kinase anchoring protein 12 phosphorylation in hepatic stellate cells regulates liver injury and fibrosis in mouse models. eLife 2022; 11:e78430. [PMID: 36193675 PMCID: PMC9531947 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Trans-differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to activated state potentiates liver fibrosis through release of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, distorting the liver architecture. Since limited antifibrotics are available, pharmacological intervention targeting activated HSCs may be considered for therapy. A-kinase anchoring protein 12 (AKAP12) is a scaffolding protein that directs protein kinases A/C (PKA/PKC) and cyclins to specific locations spatiotemporally controlling their biological effects. It has been shown that AKAP12's scaffolding functions are altered by phosphorylation. In previously published work, observed an association between AKAP12 phosphorylation and HSC activation. In this work, we demonstrate that AKAP12's scaffolding activity toward the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident collagen chaperone, heat-shock protein 47 (HSP47) is strongly inhibited by AKAP12's site-specific phosphorylation in activated HSCs. CRISPR-directed gene editing of AKAP12's phospho-sites restores its scaffolding toward HSP47, inhibiting HSP47's collagen maturation functions, and HSC activation. AKAP12 phospho-editing dramatically inhibits fibrosis, ER stress response, HSC inflammatory signaling, and liver injury in mice. Our overall findings suggest a pro-fibrogenic role of AKAP12 phosphorylation that may be targeted for therapeutic intervention in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komal Ramani
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesUnited States
- Applied Cell Biology Division, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Nirmala Mavila
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesUnited States
- Applied Cell Biology Division, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Aushinie Abeynayake
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Maria Lauda Tomasi
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesUnited States
- Applied Cell Biology Division, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Jiaohong Wang
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Michitaka Matsuda
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Eki Seki
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesUnited States
- Applied Cell Biology Division, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesUnited States
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Touahri Y, Dixit R, Kofoed RH, Mikloska K, Park E, Raeisossadati R, Markham-Coultes K, David LA, Rijal H, Zhao J, Lynch M, Hynynen K, Aubert I, Schuurmans C. Focused ultrasound as a novel strategy for noninvasive gene delivery to retinal Müller glia. Theranostics 2020; 10:2982-2999. [PMID: 32194850 PMCID: PMC7053200 DOI: 10.7150/thno.42611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Müller glia are specialized retinal cells with stem cell properties in fish and frogs but not in mammals. Current efforts to develop gene therapies to activate mammalian Müller glia for retinal repair will require safe and effective delivery strategies for recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), vectors of choice for clinical translation. Intravitreal and subretinal injections are currently used for AAV gene delivery in the eye, but less invasive methods efficiently targeting Müller glia have yet to be developed. Methods: As gene delivery strategies have been more extensively studied in the brain, to validate our vectors, we initially compared the glial tropism of AAV-PHP.eB, an AAV9 that crosses the blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers, for its ability to drive fluorescent protein expression in glial cells in both the brain and retina. We then tested the glial transduction of AAV2/8-GFAP-mCherry, a virus that does not cross blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers, for its effectiveness in transducing Müller glia in murine retinal explants ex vivo. For in vivo assays we used larger rat eyes, performing invasive intravitreal injections, and non-invasive intravenous delivery using focused ultrasound (FUS) (pressure amplitude: 0.360 - 0.84 MPa) and microbubbles (Definity, 0.2 ml/kg). Results: We showed that AAV-PHP.eB carrying a ubiquitous promoter (CAG) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter, readily crossed the blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers after intravenous delivery in mice. However, murine Müller glia did not express GFP, suggesting that they were not transduced by AAV-PHP.eB. We thus tested an AAV2/8 variant, which was selected based on its safety record in multiple clinical trials, adding a glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter and mCherry (red fluorescent protein) reporter. We confirmed the glial specificity of AAV2/8-GFAP-mCherry, showing effective expression of mCherry in astrocytes after intracranial injection in the mouse brain, and of Müller glia in murine retinal explants. For in vivo experiments we switched to rats because of their larger size, injecting AAV2/8-GFAP-mCherry intravitreally, an invasive procedure, demonstrating passage across the inner limiting membrane, leading to Müller glia transduction. We then tested an alternative non-invasive delivery approach targeting a different barrier - the inner blood-retinal-barrier, applying focused ultrasound (FUS) to the retina after intravenous injection of AAV2/8 and microbubbles in rats, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for FUS targeting. FUS permeabilized the rat blood-retinal-barrier and allowed the passage of macromolecules to the retina (Evans blue, IgG, IgM), with minimal extravasation of platelets and red blood cells. Intravenous injection of microbubbles and AAV2/8-GFAP-mCherry followed by FUS resulted in mCherry expression in rat Müller glia. However, systemic delivery of AAV2/8 also had off-target effects, transducing several murine peripheral organs, particularly the liver. Conclusions: Retinal permeabilisation via FUS in the presence of microbubbles is effective for delivering AAV2/8 across the inner blood-retinal-barrier, targeting Müller glia, which is less invasive than intravitreal injections that bypass the inner limiting membrane. However, implementing FUS in the clinic will require a comprehensive consideration of any off-target tropism of the AAV in peripheral organs, combined ideally, with the development of Müller glia-specific promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yacine Touahri
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rajiv Dixit
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rikke Hahn Kofoed
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristina Mikloska
- Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - EunJee Park
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Reza Raeisossadati
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kelly Markham-Coultes
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Luke Ajay David
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hibo Rijal
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jiayi Zhao
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Madelaine Lynch
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kullervo Hynynen
- Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Isabelle Aubert
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carol Schuurmans
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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c-Met Signaling Protects from Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis- (NASH-) Induced Fibrosis in Different Liver Cell Types. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:6957497. [PMID: 30538805 PMCID: PMC6260421 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6957497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most common chronic, progressive liver disease in Western countries. The significance of cellular interactions of the HGF/c-Met axis in different liver cell subtypes and its relation to the oxidative stress response remains unclear so far. Hence, the present study is aimed at investigating the role of c-Met and the interaction with the oxidative stress response during NASH development in mice and humans. Conditional c-Met knockout (KO) lines (LysCre for Kupffer cells/macrophages, GFAPCre for α-SMA+ and CK19+ cells and MxCre for bone marrow-derived immune cells) were fed chow and either methionine-choline-deficient diet (MCD) for 4 weeks or high-fat diet (HFD) for 24 weeks. Mice lacking c-Met either in Kupffer cells, α-SMA+ and CK19+ cells, or bone marrow-derived immune cells displayed earlier and faster progressing steatohepatitis during dietary treatments. Severe fatty liver degeneration and histomorphological changes were accompanied by an increased infiltration of immune cells and a significant upregulation of inflammatory cytokine expression reflecting an earlier initiation of steatohepatitis development. In addition, animals with a cell-type-specific deletion of c-Met exhibited a strong generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by dihydroethidium (hydroethidine) (DHE) staining showing a significant increase in the oxidative stress response especially in LysCre/c-Metmut and MxCre/c-Metmut animals. All these changes finally lead to earlier and stronger fibrosis progression with strong accumulation of collagen within liver tissue of mice deficient for c-Met in different liver cell types. The HGF/c-Met signaling pathway prevents from steatosis development and has a protective function in the progression to steatohepatitis and fibrosis. It conveys an antifibrotic role independent on which cell type c-Met is missing (Kupffer cells/macrophages, α-SMA+ and CK19+ cells, or bone marrow-derived immune cells). These results highlight a global protective capacity of c-Met in NASH development and progression.
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Shi WP, Ju D, Li H, Yuan L, Cui J, Luo D, Chen ZN, Bian H. CD147 Promotes CXCL1 Expression and Modulates Liver Fibrogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041145. [PMID: 29642635 PMCID: PMC5979418 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) release pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic factors. CXC chemokine-ligand-1 (CXCL1) is expressed on HSCs. We previously found that the CD147 is overexpressed in activated HSCs. In this study, we showed an important role of CD147 in promoting liver fibrosis by activating HSCs and upregulating expression of chemokines. Specifically, we found that CD147 specific deletion in HSCs mice alleviated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis and inhibited HSCs activation. Overexpression of CD147 upregulated the secretion of CXCL1. Meanwhile, CXCL1 promoted HSCs activation through autocrine. Treating with PI3K/AKT inhibitor could effectively suppress CD147-induced CXCL1 expression. Taken together, these findings suggest that CD147 regulates CXCL1 release in HSCs by PI3K/AKT signaling. Inhibition of CD147 attenuates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis and inflammation. Therefore, administration of targeting CD147 could be a promising therapeutic strategy in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Pu Shi
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Di Ju
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China.
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Lin Yuan
- Clinical Laboratory, No. 457 Hospital of PLA, Wuhan 430000, China.
| | - Jian Cui
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Zhi-Nan Chen
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Huijie Bian
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
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STAT1 Signaling in Astrocytes Is Essential for Control of Infection in the Central Nervous System. mBio 2016; 7:mBio.01881-16. [PMID: 27834206 PMCID: PMC5101356 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01881-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The local production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) is important to control Toxoplasma gondii in the brain, but the basis for these protective effects is not fully understood. The studies presented here reveal that the ability of IFN-γ to inhibit parasite replication in astrocytes in vitro is dependent on signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and that mice that specifically lack STAT1 in astrocytes are unable to limit parasite replication in the central nervous system (CNS). This susceptibility is associated with a loss of antimicrobial pathways and increased cyst formation in astrocytes. These results identify a critical role for astrocytes in limiting the replication of an important opportunistic pathogen. Astrocytes are the most numerous cell type in the brain, and they are activated in response to many types of neuroinflammation, but their function in the control of CNS-specific infection is unclear. The parasite Toxoplasma gondii is one of the few clinically relevant microorganisms that naturally infects astrocytes, and the studies presented here establish that the ability of astrocytes to inhibit parasite replication is essential for the local control of this opportunistic pathogen. Together, these studies establish a key role for astrocytes as effector cells and in the coordination of many aspects of the protective immune response that operates in the brain.
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Schon HT, Bartneck M, Borkham-Kamphorst E, Nattermann J, Lammers T, Tacke F, Weiskirchen R. Pharmacological Intervention in Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Hepatic Fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:33. [PMID: 26941644 PMCID: PMC4764688 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation and transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into contractile, matrix-producing myofibroblasts (MFBs) are central events in hepatic fibrogenesis. These processes are driven by autocrine- and paracrine-acting soluble factors (i.e., cytokines and chemokines). Proof-of-concept studies of the last decades have shown that both the deactivation and removal of hepatic MFBs as well as antagonizing profibrogenic factors are in principle suitable to attenuate ongoing hepatic fibrosis. Although several drugs show potent antifibrotic activities in experimental models of hepatic fibrosis, there is presently no effective pharmaceutical intervention specifically approved for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Pharmaceutical interventions are generally hampered by insufficient supply of drugs to the diseased liver tissue and/or by adverse effects as a result of affecting non-target cells. Therefore, targeted delivery systems that bind specifically to receptors solely expressed on activated HSCs or transdifferentiated MFBs and delivery systems that can improve drug distribution to the liver in general are urgently needed. In this review, we summarize current strategies for targeted delivery of drugs to the liver and in particular to pro-fibrogenic liver cells. The applicability and efficacy of sequestering molecules, selective protein carriers, lipid-based drug vehicles, viral vectors, transcriptional targeting approaches, therapeutic liver- and HSC-specific nanoparticles, and miRNA-based strategies are discussed. Some of these delivery systems that had already been successfully tested in experimental animal models of ongoing hepatic fibrogenesis are expected to translate into clinically useful therapeutics specifically targeting HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Theo Schon
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Bartneck
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen Aachen, Germany
| | - Erawan Borkham-Kamphorst
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen Aachen, Germany
| | - Jacob Nattermann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn Bonn, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Aachen, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen Aachen, Germany
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Chen SL, Zheng MH, Shi KQ, Yang T, Chen YP. A new strategy for treatment of liver fibrosis: letting MicroRNAs do the job. BioDrugs 2013; 27:25-34. [PMID: 23329398 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-012-0005-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, endogenous, noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at a post-translational level. MiRNAs have been recognized in the regulation of physiological conditions. Moreover, awareness of the association between dysregulated miRNAs and human diseases is increasing, which consequently brings miRNAs to the frontline in the development of novel therapeutic strategies. We review the latest advances in our knowledge of the involvement of miRNAs in fibrosis with particular emphasis on hepatic fibrosis and the possibilities in the near future for miRNA-based therapy for targeted treatment of liver fibrosis. With recent advances in our understanding of the important role of senescence in the resolution of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), we suggested the therapeutic potential of inducing activated HSCs into senescence by an miRNA-based strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Long Chen
- Department of Infection and Liver Diseases, Liver Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China
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Tennakoon AH, Izawa T, Wijesundera KK, Golbar HM, Tanaka M, Ichikawa C, Kuwamura M, Yamate J. Characterization of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-expressing hepatic stellate cells and myofibroblasts in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced rat liver injury. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 65:1159-71. [PMID: 23806769 DOI: 10.1016/j.etp.2013.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which can express glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in normal rat livers, play important roles in hepatic fibrogenesis through the conversion into myofibroblasts (MFs). Cellular properties and possible derivation of GFAP-expressing MFs were investigated in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced rat liver injury and subsequent fibrosis. Seven-week-old male F344 rats were injected with TAA (300mg/kg BW, once, intraperitoneally), and were examined on post single injection (PSI) days 1-10 by the single and double immunolabeling with MF and stem cell marker antibodies. After hepatocyte injury in the perivenular areas on PSI days 1 and 2, the fibrotic lesion consisting of MF developed at a peak on PSI day 3, and then recovered gradually by PSI day 10. MFs expressed GFAP, and also showed co-expressions such cytoskeletons (MF markers) as vimentin, desmin and α-SMA in varying degrees. Besides MFs co-expressing vimentin/desmin, desmin/α-SMA or α-SMA/vimentin, some GFAP positive MFs co-expressed with nestin or A3 (both, stem cell markers), and there were also MFs co-expressing nestin/A3. However, there were no GFAP positive MFs co-expressing RECA-1 (endothelial marker) or Thy-1 (immature mesenchymal cell marker). GFAP positive MFs showed the proliferating activity, but they did not undergo apoptosis. However, α-SMA positive MFs underwent apoptosis. These findings indicate that HSCs can proliferate and then convert into MFs with co-expressing various cytoskeletons for MF markers, and that the converted MFs may be derived partly from the stem cell lineage. Additionally, well-differentiated MFs expressing α-SMA may disappear by apoptosis for healing. These findings shed some light on the pathogenesis of chemically induced hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Hemamali Tennakoon
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-58, Rinku-ourai-kita, Izumisano City, Osaka 598-8531, Japan
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Hepatic stellate cells increase in Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:135. [PMID: 23642259 PMCID: PMC3659022 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous protozoan parasite that can infect humans and animals. The severity of toxoplasmosis varies according to the immune status of the individual, parasite strain, and host species. In mammalian species, it has been observed that severe lesions of acute toxoplasmosis form in visceral organs such as the liver, lung, and spleen. Some epidemiological studies have reported an association of T. gondii infection with liver cirrhosis. METHODS Acute infection was induced in fifteen 30-day-old normal Swiss albino mice. The mice were infected by intraperitoneal inoculation of 5000 T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites. The mice were sacrificed in groups of 5 at 2, 4, and 6 days after inoculation. Another group of 5 mice were used as the controls. Anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and anti-T. gondii antibodies were used to compare GFAP-immunoreactive cells and anti-T. gondii-immunopositive areas in the liver between the T. gondii-infected groups and the healthy controls, respectively. RESULTS There was a significant correlation between the numbers of GFAP-positive hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) when they were compared with T. gondii antigen immunostaining (p < 0.05). The amount of T. gondii immunostaining increased significantly with the increase in the number of HSCs. CONCLUSIONS There is a significant relationship between the number of HSCs and T. gondii antigens, which may represent an active role of HSCs in liver pathology and the pathobiology of T. gondii-related hepatitis.
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Therapeutic effects of vitamin A on experimental cholestatic rats with hepatic fibrosis. Pediatr Surg Int 2011; 27:863-70. [PMID: 21290135 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-011-2853-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study is to investigate the role of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the effect of vitamin A administration on liver damage induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) and administration of CCl(4). METHODS Two types of animal model were used; one was BDL as a model of biliary atresia, the other was CCl(4)-induced hepatic fibrosis. Pathological changes of the liver with or without administration of vitamin A were compared by light and electron microscopy with focusing on HSCs in each experimental group. Immunohistochemical examination was performed with anti-keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibodies, as markers of fibrosis. RESULTS On light microscopic findings, periportal inflammation with bile ductular proliferation was obvious in BDL group and pericentral necrosis with fatty degeneration was observed in CCl(4) group, both of which were ameliorated by subcutaneous injection of vitamin A. Electron microscopy showed lipid droplets were almost depleted in the HSCs treated with BDL or CCl(4), which improved with vitamin A administration. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that enhanced expression of all three fibrotic markers in the BDL group was diminished by vitamin A administration. CONCLUSIONS Although most of our data are qualitative observation, vitamin A may ameliorate hepatic fibrosis in the BDL model by restoring vitamin A in the HSCs.
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Yang N, Mahato RI. GFAP promoter-driven RNA interference on TGF-β1 to treat liver fibrosis. Pharm Res 2011; 28:752-61. [PMID: 21347569 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-011-0384-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2010] [Accepted: 01/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective was to determine the role of promoters and miRNA backbone in shRNA-based hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-specific transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 gene silencing. This is expected to avoid the side effect of non-specific TGF-β1 gene silencing. METHODS Two most potent shRNAs targeting 769 and 1033 start sites of rat TGF-β1 mRNA were cloned into pSilencer 1.0 vector for enhanced TGF-β1 gene silencing. We then constructed HSC-specific pri-miRNA mimic and pri-miRNA cluster mimic expression plasmids in which shRNA expression was driven by a glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter to achieve HSC-specific TGF-β1 gene silencing to avoid nonspecific inhibition of TGF-β1 expression in other cells and organs. RESULTS These TGF-β1 pri-miRNA-producing plasmids showed the inhibition of proliferation and induced apoptosis of activated HSC-T6 cells. TGF-β1 pri-miRNA cluster mimic plasmids decreased TGF-β1 and collagen gene expression at both mRNA and protein levels. CONCLUSIONS GFAP promoter driven TGF-β1 pri-miRNA producing plasmids have the potential to be used for site-specific gene therapeutics to treat liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 South Manassas, Memphis, Tennessee 38103-3308, USA
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Ding Z, Maubach G, Masamune A, Zhuo L. Glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter targets pancreatic stellate cells. Dig Liver Dis 2009; 41:229-36. [PMID: 18602878 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2008.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2008] [Revised: 04/25/2008] [Accepted: 05/05/2008] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic fibrosis is one of the clinical manifestations of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have been recognised as principal effector cells in the development of pancreatic fibrosis. The ability to specifically address PSCs might offer a potential for developing a targeted therapy for pancreatic fibrosis. AIM Characterisation of the 2.2kb hGFAP (human glial fibrillary acidic protein) promoter for its usefulness to express reporter genes specifically in PSCs in vitro and in vivo. METHODS 2.2kb hGFAP-LacZ reporter expressions were examined in four immortalised PSC lines and two non-PSCs, meanwhile, GFAP-LacZ transgenic mice were used to detect LacZ reporter in pancreas tissue. Several kinase inhibitors, vitamin A and its metabolites were applied to study the regulation of 2.2kb hGFAP promoter in PSCs. RESULTS Our results showed that the 2.2kb hGFAP promoter is capable of regulating the expression of reporter genes exclusively in immortalised and primary PSCs, as well as in PSCs of transgenic GFAP-LacZ mice. When a PSC cell line transfected with the LacZ reporter (SAM-K/LacZ/C1) was treated with different anti-fibrotic agents and kinase inhibitors, the transgenic beta-galactosidase activity was found to be regulated by multiple signalling pathways known to be involved in the PSC activation. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the proof of concept for using the 2.2kb hGFAP promoter to specifically manipulate PSCs for the development of targeted gene and/or drug therapy in pancreatic fibrosis, and for the screening of anti-fibrotic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Ding
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Singapore
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Targeted inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta subunit in hepatic stellate cells ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in rats. Gene Ther 2008; 15:1424-35. [PMID: 18509379 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2008.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key event of the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is the most potent mitogen for HSCs, and PDGF receptor-beta subunit (PDGFR-beta) is required for the proliferation of HSCs induced by PDGF. In this study, a high gene-silencing-efficacy PDGFR-beta small interference RNA (siRNA) was synthesized that could suppress the PDGFR-beta expression and inhibit the activation and proliferation but could not induce the apoptosis of HSCs in vitro. To avoid the side effect of nonspecific interference of PDGFR-beta, we constructed an HSCs-specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression plasmid in which PDGFR-beta shRNA was driven by a glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter. The double-staining immunofluorescence examination indicated that GFAP promoter could target the transgene expression into HSCs in carbon tetrachloride induced acute injured rat's liver and bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced chronic injured rat's liver. Furthermore, HSCs-specific PDGFR-beta shRNA could relieve liver injury and hepatic fibrosis in the rat's model induced by BDL. This study demonstrates that PDGFR-beta siRNA may be presented as an antifibrogenic agent. The application of HSCs-specific RNA interference induced by the GFAP promoter might supply a new powerful tool for cell-specific gene therapy of hepatic fibrogenesis.
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Abstract
The hepatic stellate cell has surprised and engaged physiologists, pathologists, and hepatologists for over 130 years, yet clear evidence of its role in hepatic injury and fibrosis only emerged following the refinement of methods for its isolation and characterization. The paradigm in liver injury of activation of quiescent vitamin A-rich stellate cells into proliferative, contractile, and fibrogenic myofibroblasts has launched an era of astonishing progress in understanding the mechanistic basis of hepatic fibrosis progression and regression. But this simple paradigm has now yielded to a remarkably broad appreciation of the cell's functions not only in liver injury, but also in hepatic development, regeneration, xenobiotic responses, intermediary metabolism, and immunoregulation. Among the most exciting prospects is that stellate cells are essential for hepatic progenitor cell amplification and differentiation. Equally intriguing is the remarkable plasticity of stellate cells, not only in their variable intermediate filament phenotype, but also in their functions. Stellate cells can be viewed as the nexus in a complex sinusoidal milieu that requires tightly regulated autocrine and paracrine cross-talk, rapid responses to evolving extracellular matrix content, and exquisite responsiveness to the metabolic needs imposed by liver growth and repair. Moreover, roles vital to systemic homeostasis include their storage and mobilization of retinoids, their emerging capacity for antigen presentation and induction of tolerance, as well as their emerging relationship to bone marrow-derived cells. As interest in this cell type intensifies, more surprises and mysteries are sure to unfold that will ultimately benefit our understanding of liver physiology and the diagnosis and treatment of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029-6574, USA.
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