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Zhang LF, Deng WQ, Huang QW, Zhang JJ, Wang Y, Zhou TJ, Xing L, Jiang HL. Vicious Cycle-Breaking Lipid Nanoparticles Remodeling Multicellular Crosstalk to Reverse Liver Fibrosis. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2311474. [PMID: 38194906 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
During liver fibrogenesis, the reciprocal crosstalk among capillarized liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and dysfunctional hepatocytes constructs a self-amplifying vicious cycle, greatly exacerbating the disease condition and weakening therapeutic effect. Limited by the malignant cellular interactions, the previous single-cell centric treatment approaches show unsatisfactory efficacy and fail to meet clinical demand. Herein, a vicious cycle-breaking strategy is proposed to target and repair pathological cells separately to terminate the malignant progression of liver fibrosis. Chondroitin sulfate-modified and vismodegib-loaded nanoparticles (CS-NPs/VDG) are designed to efficiently normalize the fenestrae phenotype of LSECs and restore HSCs to quiescent state by inhibiting Hedgehog signaling pathway. In addition, glycyrrhetinic acid-modified and silybin-loaded nanoparticles (GA-NPs/SIB) are prepared to restore hepatocytes function by relieving oxidative stress. The results show successful interruption of vicious cycle as well as distinct fibrosis resolution in two animal models through multiregulation of the pathological cells. This work not only highlights the significance of modulating cellular crosstalk but also provides a promising avenue for developing antifibrotic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Wen-Qi Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qing-Wen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Tian-Jiao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Lei Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Hu-Lin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
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Qu J, Xue X, Wang Z, Ma Z, Jia K, Li F, Zhang Y, Wu R, Zhou F, Zhao P, Li X. Si-Wu-Tang attenuates liver fibrosis via regulating lncRNA H19-dependent pathways involving cytoskeleton remodeling and ECM deposition. Chin J Nat Med 2024; 22:31-46. [PMID: 38278557 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(24)60560-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a dynamic wound-healing response characterized by the agglutination of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is known for treating gynecological diseases and liver fibrosis. Our previous studies demonstrated that long non-coding RNA H19 (H19) was markedly upregulated in fibrotic livers while its deficiency markedly reversed fibrogenesis. However, the mechanisms by which SWT influences H19 remain unclear. Thus, we established a bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis model to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of SWT on various cells in the liver. Our results showed that SWT markedly improved ECM deposition and bile duct reactions in the liver. Notably, SWT relieved liver fibrosis by regulating the transcription of genes involved in the cytoskeleton remodeling, primarily in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and influencing cytoskeleton-related angiogenesis and hepatocellular injury. This modulation collectively led to reduced ECM deposition. Through extensive bioinformatics analyses, we determined that H19 acted as a miRNA sponge and mainly inhibited miR-200, miR-211, and let7b, thereby regulating the above cellular regulatory pathways. Meanwhile, SWT reversed H19-related miRNAs and signaling pathways, diminishing ECM deposition and liver fibrosis. However, these protective effects of SWT were diminished with the overexpression of H19 in vivo. In conclusion, our study elucidates the underlying mechanisms of SWT from the perspective of H19-related signal networks and proposes a potential SWT-based therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaorong Qu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaoyong Xue
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zhixing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Zhi Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Kexin Jia
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Fanghong Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yinhao Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ruiyu Wu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Fei Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Piwen Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
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Li XJY, Zhou F, Li YJ, Xue XY, Qu JR, Fan GF, Liu J, Sun R, Wu JZ, Zheng Q, Liu RP. LncRNA H19-EZH2 interaction promotes liver fibrosis via reprogramming H3K27me3 profiles. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:2479-2491. [PMID: 37580495 PMCID: PMC10692088 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01145-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing process characterized by excess formation of extracellular matrix (ECM) from activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Previous studies show that both EZH2, an epigenetic regulator that catalyzes lysine 27 trimethylation on histone 3 (H3K27me3), and long non-coding RNA H19 are highly correlated with fibrogenesis. In the current study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms. Various models of liver fibrosis including Mdr2-/-, bile duct ligation (BDL) and CCl4 mice were adapted. We found that EZH2 was markedly upregulated and correlated with H19 and fibrotic markers expression in these models. Administration of EZH2 inhibitor 3-DZNeP caused significant protective effects in these models. Furthermore, treatment with 3-DZNeP or GSK126 significantly inhibited primary HSC activation and proliferation in TGF-β-treated HSCs and H19-overexpreesing LX2 cells in vivo. Using RNA-pull down assay combined with RNA immunoprecipitation, we demonstrated that H19 could directly bind to EZH2. Integrated analysis of RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) further revealed that H19 regulated the reprogramming of EZH2-mediated H3K27me3 profiles, which epigenetically promoted several pathways favoring HSCs activation and proliferation, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In conclusion, highly expressed H19 in chronic liver diseases promotes fibrogenesis by reprogramming EZH2-mediated epigenetic regulation of HSCs activation. Targeting the H19-EZH2 interaction may serve as a novel therapeutic approach for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jiao-Yang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Fei Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Ya-Jing Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xiao-Yong Xue
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jiao-Rong Qu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Gui-Fang Fan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Rong Sun
- The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Ji-nan, 250033, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Qi Zheng
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Run-Ping Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
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Liu M, Cho WC, Flynn RJ, Jin X, Song H, Zheng Y. microRNAs in parasite-induced liver fibrosis: from mechanisms to diagnostics and therapeutics. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:859-872. [PMID: 37516634 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Chronic parasite infections in the liver pose a global threat to human and animal health, often occurring with liver fibrosis that leads to cirrhosis, liver failure, and even cancer. Hepatic fibrogenesis is a complex yet reversible process of tissue repair and is associated with various factors, including immune cells, microenvironment, gut microbiome, and interactions of the different liver cells. As a profibrogenic or antifibrogenic driver, microRNAs (miRNAs) are closely involved in parasite-induced hepatic fibrosis. This article updates the current understanding of the roles of miRNAs in hepatic fibrogenesis by parasite infections and discusses the strategies using miRNAs as candidates for diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - William C Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Robin J Flynn
- Dept. Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; Graduate Studies Office, Department of Research, Innovation and Graduate Studies, Waterford Institute of Technology, X91 K0EK, Ireland
| | - Xiaoliang Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Houhui Song
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China.
| | - Yadong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China.
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Li Y, Ma Z, Ding M, Jia K, Xu B, Zhou F, Luo R, Xue X, Wu R, Gao F, Li X. Chuanxiong Rhizoma extracts prevent cholestatic liver injury by targeting H3K9ac-mediated and cholangiocyte-derived secretory protein PAI-1 and FN. Chin J Nat Med 2023; 21:694-709. [PMID: 37777319 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(23)60416-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Chuanxiong Rhizoma (CX, the dried rhizome of Ligusticum wallichii Franch.), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is clinically used for treating cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and hepatobiliary diseases. Cholestatic liver damage is one of the chronic liver diseases with limited effective therapeutic strategies. Currently, little is known about the mechanism links between CX-induced anti-cholestatic action and intercellular communication between cholangiocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of different CX extracts including the aqueous, alkaloid, phenolic acid and phthalide extracts of CX (CXAE, CXAL, CXPA and CXPHL) and investigate the intercellular communication-related mechanisms by which the most effective extracts work on cholestatic liver injury. The active compounds of different CX extracts were identified by UPLC-MS/MS. A cholestatic liver injury mouse model induced by bile duct ligation (BDL), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-treated human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cholangiocytes (HIBECs) and HSC cell line (LX-2 cells) were used for in vivo and in vitro studies. Histological and other biological techniques were also applied. The results indicated that CXAE, CXAL and CXPHL significantly reduced ductular reaction (DR) and improved liver fibrosis in the BDL mice. Meanwhile, both CXAE and CXPHL suppressed DR in injured HIBECs and reduced collagen contraction force and the expression of fibrosis biomarkers in LX-2 cells treated with TGF-β. CXPHL suppressed the transcription and transfer of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and fibronectin (FN) from the 'DR-like' cholangiocytes to activated HSCs. Mechanistically, the inhibition of PAI-1 and FN by CXPHL was attributed to the untight combination of the acetyltransferase KAT2A and SMAD3, followdd by the suppression of histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac)-mediated transcription in cholangiocytes. In conclusion, CXPHL exerts stronger anti-cholestatic activity in vivo and in vitro than other CX extracts, and its protective effect on the intracellular communication between cholangiocytes and HSCs is achieved by reducing KAT2A/H3K9ac-mediated transcription and release of PAI-1 and FN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zhi Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Mingning Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Kexin Jia
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Bing Xu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Fei Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ranyi Luo
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaoyong Xue
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ruiyu Wu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Feng Gao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
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6
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You B, Zhou C, Yang Y. MSC-EVs alleviate osteoarthritis by regulating microenvironmental cells in the articular cavity and maintaining cartilage matrix homeostasis. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 85:101864. [PMID: 36707035 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA), a common cause of chronic articular cartilage degeneration, is the main cause of disability in older adults and severely affects quality of life. Multiple factors are involved in the pathogenesis of OA, resulting in imbalance in the homeostasis of the joint cavity microenvironment, which exacerbates the disease. Because of the deficiency of blood vessels and nerves in cartilage, existing therapies to promote cartilage healing are relatively ineffective. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-related therapies have achieved positive outcomes for the treatment of OA, and these beneficial effects have been confirmed to be largely mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs). MSC-derived EVs (MSC-EVs) have been demonstrated to participate in the regulation of chondrocyte function, to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, and to alleviate metabolic disorders of the extracellular matrix, thereby slowing the progression of OA. In addition, engineered MSC-EVs can enrich therapeutic molecules and optimize administration to enhance their therapeutic effects on OA. A thorough understanding of the endogenous properties of EVs and related engineering strategies could help researchers develop more precise control therapy for OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benshuai You
- Clinical Laboratory Center, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chenglin Zhou
- Clinical Laboratory Center, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yang Yang
- Clinical Laboratory Center, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China.
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