1
|
Luangmonkong T, Parichatikanond W, Olinga P. Targeting collagen homeostasis for the treatment of liver fibrosis: Opportunities and challenges. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115740. [PMID: 37567319 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is an excessive production, aberrant deposition, and deficit degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Patients with unresolved fibrosis ultimately undergo end-stage liver diseases. To date, the effective and safe strategy to cease fibrosis progression remains an unmet clinical need. Since collagens are the most abundant ECM protein which play an essential role in fibrogenesis, the suitable regulation of collagen homeostasis could be an effective strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Therefore, this review provides a brief overview on the dysregulation of ECM homeostasis, focusing on collagens, in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Most importantly, promising therapeutic mechanisms related to biosynthesis, deposition and extracellular interactions, and degradation of collagens, together with preclinical and clinical antifibrotic evidence of drugs affecting each target are orderly criticized. In addition, challenges for targeting collagen homeostasis in the treatment of liver fibrosis are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theerut Luangmonkong
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Thailand; Centre of Biopharmaceutical Science for Healthy Ageing (BSHA), Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Warisara Parichatikanond
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Thailand; Centre of Biopharmaceutical Science for Healthy Ageing (BSHA), Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Peter Olinga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ocker M, Neureiter D. Gene expression inhibitors for the treatment of liver fibrosis: drugs under preclinical and early clinical investigation. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:1133-1141. [PMID: 37997755 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2288075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Liver fibrosis represents an unmet medical condition with growing incidence and only limited therapeutic options. Interfering with dysregulated gene expression was considered a specific treatment approach, and we are here reviewing the current options to modulate transcription and translation with small molecule inhibitors of involved enzymes, transcription factors or by using non-coding RNA molecules (RNA interference) or DNA antisense oligonucleotides. Despite promising results in preclinical models, only limited data are available from studies in humans. AREAS COVERED This expert opinion provides a general overview of how to interfere with gene expression (transcription and translation) and highlighting recent achievements in liver fibrosis. EXPERT OPINION Many compounds that were explored to modulate gene expression in liver fibrosis (models) were developed as anti-cancer agents. Their use in humans with impaired liver function is often impaired by the lack of specificity to inhibit only fibrosis-related genes in the liver and by associated general toxicity and narrow therapeutic windows. RNAi approaches show a higher degree of specificity and potentially less systemic toxicity. Clinical development in liver fibrosis requires close interaction between pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities to address topics like relevant (surrogate) endpoints to achieve meaningful readouts faster.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Ocker
- Medical Department, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- EO Translational Insights Consulting GmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Tacalyx GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Neureiter
- Institute of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University/University Hospital Salzburg (SALK), Salzburg, Austria
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shan L, Wang F, Zhai D, Meng X, Liu J, Lv X. Matrix metalloproteinases induce extracellular matrix degradation through various pathways to alleviate hepatic fibrosis. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 161:114472. [PMID: 37002573 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the common consequence of various chronic liver injuries and is mainly characterized by the imbalance between the production and degradation of extracellular matrix, which leads to the accumulation of interstitial collagen and other matrix components. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors, that is, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), play a crucial role in collagen synthesis and lysis. Previous in vivo and in vitro studies of our laboratory found repressing extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation by restoring the balance between MMPs and TIMPs can alleviate liver fibrosis. We conducted a review of articles published in PubMed and Science Direct in the last decade until February 1, 2023, which were searched for using these words "MMPs/TIMPs" and "Hepatic Fibrosis." Through a literature review, this article reviews the experimental studies of liver fibrosis based on MMPs/TIMPs, summarizes the components that may exert an anti-liver fibrosis effect by affecting the expression or activity of MMPs/TIMPs, and attempts to clarify the mechanism of MMPs/TIMPs in regulating collagen homeostasis, so as to provide support for the development of anti-liver fibrosis drugs. We found the MMP-TIMP-ECM interaction can result in better understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of hepatic fibrosis from a different angle, and targeting this interaction may be a promising therapeutic strategy for hepatic fibrosis. Additionally, we summarized and analyzed the drugs that have been found to reduce liver fibrosis by changing the ratio of MMPs/TIMPs, including medicine natural products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Shan
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230011, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Fengling Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230011, China
| | - Dandan Zhai
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230011, China
| | - Xiangyun Meng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230011, China
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230011, China.
| | - Xiongwen Lv
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lu K, Fan Q, Zou X. Antisense oligonucleotide is a promising intervention for liver diseases. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1061842. [PMID: 36569303 PMCID: PMC9780395 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1061842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As the body's critical metabolic organ, the liver plays an essential role in maintaining proper body homeostasis. However, as people's living standards have improved and the number of unhealthy lifestyles has increased, the liver has become overburdened. These have made liver disease one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Under the influence of adverse factors, liver disease progresses from simple steatosis to hepatitis, to liver fibrosis, and finally to cirrhosis and cancer, followed by increased mortality. Until now, there has been a lack of accepted effective treatments for liver disease. Based on current research, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), as an alternative intervention for liver diseases, is expected to be an effective treatment due to its high efficiency, low toxicity, low dosage, strong specificity, and additional positive characteristics. In this review, we will first introduce the design, modification, delivery, and the mechanisms of ASO, and then summarize the application of ASO in liver disease treatment, including in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and liver cancer. Finally, we discuss challenges and perspectives on the transfer of ASO drugs into clinical use. This review provides a current and comprehensive understanding of the integrative and systematic functions of ASO for its use in liver disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kailing Lu
- College of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Qijing Fan
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaoju Zou
- College of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China,*Correspondence: Xiaoju Zou,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu JY, Lv WJ, Jian JB, Xin XH, Zhao XY, Hu CH. High-resolution three-dimensional visualization of hepatic sinusoids in cirrhotic rats via serial histological sections. Histol Histopathol 2021; 36:577-586. [PMID: 33851410 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM As a specialized intraparenchymal vascular conduit, hepatic sinusoids play a key role in liver microcirculation. This study aimed to explore the three-dimensional (3D) morphological changes of cirrhotic sinusoids by serial histological sections. METHODS Cirrhosis was induced by tail vein injection of albumin in Wistar rats with a positive antibody. A total of 356 serial histological sections were prepared from liver tissue blocks of normal and cirrhotic rats. The optical microscope images were registered and reconstructed, and 3D reconstructions of the fine structures of fibrous tissues and sinusoids were subsequently visualized. RESULTS The fibrosis area of the cirrhotic sample was 6-16 times that of the normal sample (P<0.001). Cirrhosis led to obvious changes in the distribution and morphology of sinusoids, which were mainly manifested as dilation, increased quantity and disordered distribution. Compared with normal liver, cirrhotic liver has a significantly increased volume ratio, number and volume of sinusoids (1.63-, 0.53-, and 1.75-fold, respectively, P<0.001). Furthermore, the samples were further divided into three zones according to the oxygen supply, and there were significant differences in the morphology of the sinusoids in the normal and cirrhotic samples (P<0.05). In particular, morphological parameters of the cirrhotic sinusoids near the portal area were obviously greater than those in the normal liver (P<0.05). CONCLUSION 3D morphological structures of hepatic sinusoids were reconstructed, and the adaptive microstructure changes of cirrhotic sinusoids were accurately measured, which has an important implications for the study of hepatic microcirculation and pathological changes of cirrhosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Yi Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wen-Juan Lv
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jian-Bo Jian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Xin
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin-Yan Zhao
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. .,Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis and National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Disease, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Hong Hu
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dropmann A, Dooley S, Dewidar B, Hammad S, Dediulia T, Werle J, Hartwig V, Ghafoory S, Woelfl S, Korhonen H, Janicot M, Wosikowski K, Itzel T, Teufel A, Schuppan D, Stojanovic A, Cerwenka A, Nittka S, Piiper A, Gaiser T, Beraza N, Milkiewicz M, Milkiewicz P, Brain JG, Jones DEJ, Weiss TS, Zanger UM, Ebert M, Meindl-Beinker NM. TGF-β2 silencing to target biliary-derived liver diseases. Gut 2020; 69:1677-1690. [PMID: 31992593 PMCID: PMC7456737 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-319091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE TGF-β2 (TGF-β, transforming growth factor beta), the less-investigated sibling of TGF-β1, is deregulated in rodent and human liver diseases. Former data from bile duct ligated and MDR2 knockout (KO) mouse models for human cholestatic liver disease suggested an involvement of TGF-β2 in biliary-derived liver diseases. DESIGN As we also found upregulated TGFB2 in liver tissue of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), we now fathomed the positive prospects of targeting TGF-β2 in early stage biliary liver disease using the MDR2-KO mice. Specifically, the influence of TgfB2 silencing on the fibrotic and inflammatory niche was analysed on molecular, cellular and tissue levels. RESULTS TgfB2-induced expression of fibrotic genes in cholangiocytes and hepatic stellate cellswas detected. TgfB2 expression in MDR2-KO mice was blunted using TgfB2-directed antisense oligonucleotides (AON). Upon AON treatment, reduced collagen deposition, hydroxyproline content and αSMA expression as well as induced PparG expression reflected a significant reduction of fibrogenesis without adverse effects on healthy livers. Expression analyses of fibrotic and inflammatory genes revealed AON-specific regulatory effects on Ccl3, Ccl4, Ccl5, Mki67 and Notch3 expression. Further, AON treatment of MDR2-KO mice increased tissue infiltration by F4/80-positive cells including eosinophils, whereas the number of CD45-positive inflammatory cells decreased. In line, TGFB2 and CD45 expression correlated positively in PSC/PBC patients and localised in similar areas of the diseased liver tissue. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our data suggest a new mechanistic explanation for amelioration of fibrogenesis by TGF-β2 silencing and provide a direct rationale for TGF-β2-directed drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Dropmann
- Molecular Hepatology-Alcohol Associated Diseases, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Steven Dooley
- Molecular Hepatology-Alcohol Associated Diseases, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Bedair Dewidar
- Molecular Hepatology-Alcohol Associated Diseases, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Seddik Hammad
- Molecular Hepatology-Alcohol Associated Diseases, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Tatjana Dediulia
- Molecular Hepatology-Alcohol Associated Diseases, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Julia Werle
- Molecular Hepatology-Alcohol Associated Diseases, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Vanessa Hartwig
- Molecular Hepatology-Alcohol Associated Diseases, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Shahrouz Ghafoory
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Woelfl
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Timo Itzel
- Hepatology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Teufel
- Hepatology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Detlef Schuppan
- Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ana Stojanovic
- Department of Immunobiochemistry, Centre for Biomedicine and Medical Technology (CBTM) and European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Adelheid Cerwenka
- Department of Immunobiochemistry, Centre for Biomedicine and Medical Technology (CBTM) and European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stefanie Nittka
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim of the University of Heidelberg, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Albrecht Piiper
- Medizinische Klinik 1, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Timo Gaiser
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Naiara Beraza
- Gut Microbes and Health Institute Strategic Programme, Quadram Institute, Norwich, UK
- CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Spain
| | | | - Piotr Milkiewicz
- Liver and Internal Medicine Unit, Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - John G Brain
- NIHR Applied Immunobiology and Transplant Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - David E J Jones
- NIHR Applied Immunobiology and Transplant Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Thomas S Weiss
- Department of Pediatrics and Juvenile Medicine, Center for Liver Cell Research, University of Regensburg Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich M Zanger
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Dr Margarete Fischer-Bosch-Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany
- Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Ebert
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nadja M Meindl-Beinker
- Molecular Hepatology-Alcohol Associated Diseases, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mahdinloo S, Kiaie SH, Amiri A, Hemmati S, Valizadeh H, Zakeri-Milani P. Efficient drug and gene delivery to liver fibrosis: rationale, recent advances, and perspectives. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:1279-1293. [PMID: 32874828 PMCID: PMC7451940 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis results from chronic damages together with an accumulation of extracellular matrix, and no specific medical therapy is approved for that until now. Due to liver metabolic capacity for drugs, the fragility of drugs, and the presence of insurmountable physiological obstacles in the way of targeting, the development of efficient drug delivery systems for anti-fibrotics seems vital. We have explored articles with a different perspective on liver fibrosis over the two decades, then collected and summarized the information by providing corresponding in vitro and in vivo cases. We have discussed the mechanism of hepatic fibrogenesis with different ways of fibrosis induction in animals. Furthermore, the critical chemical and herbal anti-fibrotics, biological molecules such as micro-RNAs, siRNAs, and growth factors, which can affect cell division and differentiation, are mentioned. Likewise, drug and gene delivery and therapeutic systems on in vitro and in vivo models are summarized in the data tables. This review article enlightens recent advances in emerging drugs and nanocarriers and represents perspectives on targeting strategies employed in liver fibrosis treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Mahdinloo
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
| | - Seyed Hossein Kiaie
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6715847141, Iran
| | - Ala Amiri
- Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran 1477893855, Iran
| | - Salar Hemmati
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
| | - Hadi Valizadeh
- Drug Applied Research Center and Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
| | - Parvin Zakeri-Milani
- Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Center and Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
March JT, Golshirazi G, Cernisova V, Carr H, Leong Y, Lu-Nguyen N, Popplewell LJ. Targeting TGFβ Signaling to Address Fibrosis Using Antisense Oligonucleotides. Biomedicines 2018; 6:biomedicines6030074. [PMID: 29941814 PMCID: PMC6164894 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines6030074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis results from the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in chronically injured tissue. The fibrotic process is governed by crosstalk between many signaling pathways. The search for an effective treatment is further complicated by the fact that there is a degree of tissue-specificity in the pathways involved, although the process is not completely understood for all tissues. A plethora of drugs have shown promise in pre-clinical models, which is not always borne out translationally in clinical trial. With the recent approvals of two antisense oligonucleotides for the treatment of the genetic diseases Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy, we explore here the potential of antisense oligonucleotides to knockdown the expression of pro-fibrotic proteins. We give an overview of the generalized fibrotic process, concentrating on key players and highlight where antisense oligonucleotides have been used effectively in cellular and animal models of different fibrotic conditions. Consideration is given to the advantages antisense oligonucleotides would have as an anti-fibrotic therapy alongside factors that would need to be addressed to improve efficacy. A prospective outlook for the development of antisense oligonucleotides to target fibrosis is outlined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James T March
- Centre for Gene and Cell Therapy, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK.
| | - Golnoush Golshirazi
- Centre for Gene and Cell Therapy, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK.
| | - Viktorija Cernisova
- Centre for Gene and Cell Therapy, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK.
| | - Heidi Carr
- Centre for Gene and Cell Therapy, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK.
| | - Yee Leong
- Centre for Gene and Cell Therapy, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK.
| | - Ngoc Lu-Nguyen
- Centre for Gene and Cell Therapy, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK.
| | - Linda J Popplewell
- Centre for Gene and Cell Therapy, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Xie N, Liao HW, Ou WS, Zhou X, Hu Y, Fu N, Yang XF, Liao DF. Construction of COX-2 short hairpin RNA expression vector and its inhibitory effect on hepatic fibrosis. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2018.1431569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ni Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
| | - Hong Wu Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
| | - Wen Sheng Ou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, Chenzhou, Hunan, PR China
| | - Xu Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
| | - Yang Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
| | - Nian Fu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
| | - Xue Feng Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
| | - Duan-Fang Liao
- Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Bulk Herbs of Hunan Province, School of pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kim KH, Park KK. Small RNA- and DNA-based gene therapy for the treatment of liver cirrhosis, where we are? World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:14696-14705. [PMID: 25356032 PMCID: PMC4209535 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i40.14696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Revised: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases with different aetiologies rely on the chronic activation of liver injuries which result in a fibrogenesis progression to the end stage of cirrhosis and liver failure. Based on the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of a liver fibrosis, there has been proposed several kinds of approaches for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Recently, liver gene therapy has been developed as an alternative way to liver transplantation, which is the only effective therapy for chronic liver diseases. The activation of hepatic stellate cells, a subsequent release of inflammatory cytokines and an accumulation of extracellular matrix during the liver fibrogenesis are the major obstacles to the treatment of liver fibrosis. Several targeted strategies have been developed, such as antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, RNA interference and decoy oligodeoxynucleotides to overcome this barriers. With this report an overview will be provided of targeted strategies for the treatment of liver cirrhosis, and particularly, of the targeted gene therapy using short RNA and DNA segments.
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis is the final pathological result of various chronic liver diseases, and fibrosis is the precursor of cirrhosis. Many types of cells, cytokines and miRNAs are involved in the initiation and progression of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a pivotal event in fibrosis. Defenestration and capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells are major contributing factors to hepatic dysfunction in liver cirrhosis. Activated Kupffer cells destroy hepatocytes and stimulate the activation of HSCs. Repeated cycles of apoptosis and regeneration of hepatocytes contribute to pathogenesis of cirrhosis. At the molecular level, many cytokines are involved in mediation of signaling pathways that regulate activation of HSCs and fibrogenesis. Recently, miRNAs as a post-transcriptional regulator have been found to play a key role in fibrosis and cirrhosis. Robust animal models of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, as well as the recently identified critical cellular and molecular factors involved in the development of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis will facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic approaches for these conditions.
Collapse
|
12
|
Ikebuchi Y, Ishida C, Okamoto K, Murawaki Y. Association of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 gene polymorphisms with progression of liver fibrosis in patients with type C chronic liver disease. Biochem Genet 2013; 51:564-74. [PMID: 23563628 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-013-9587-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We examined the association of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 gene polymorphisms with the progression of chronic liver disease related to the hepatitis C virus (HCV). We used PCR to analyze 188 patients with HCV-related liver disease (95 with chronic hepatitis and 93 with cirrhosis) for TIMP-1 372 T/C and TIMP-2 -418 G/C polymorphisms. Comparing chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, there were no significant differences in TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 gene polymorphisms. Among chronic hepatitis patients, TIMP-2 -418 G homozygotes showed significantly faster fibrosis progression than C carriers. Among cirrhotic patients, males with the TIMP-1 372 T allele developed cirrhosis at a younger age, and patients who were homozygous for the higher-transcription TIMP-2 -418 G allele had significantly lower serum albumin concentrations. These results suggest that faster progression of liver fibrosis could be associated with TIMP-2 -418 G homozygotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Ikebuchi
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, Tottori University School of Medicine, Nishi-cho 36-1, Yonago 683-8504, Japan.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kisarova YA, Korolenko TA. Tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 2 and matrix metalloproteinase activity in the serum and lungs of mice with lewis lung carcinoma. Bull Exp Biol Med 2012; 153:874-7. [PMID: 23113307 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-012-1848-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We studied the content of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) and activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in the serum and lungs of mice with Lewis lung carcinoma metastasizing into the lung. Metastasizing was associated with increased serum content of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 (only on day 20 at the terminal stage of the tumor process). These data confirm the hypothesis on pro-tumorigenic role of TIMP-1 in the serum. Locally, the development of metastases was associated with a decrease in TIPM-1 concentration (day 7), an increase in TIMP-2 concentration (days 7 and 20), and elevated activity of MMP at all terms of the study (days 7, 15, and 20). Increased concentration of TIMP-2 in the lungs (but not in the serum) can be regarded as an indicator of Lewis lung carcinoma metastasizing.
Collapse
|
14
|
Cheung F, Feng Y, Wang N, Yuen MF, Tong Y, Wong VT. Effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine in treating liver fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Chin Med 2012; 7:5. [PMID: 22376935 PMCID: PMC3310806 DOI: 10.1186/1749-8546-7-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The studies on the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) in treating liver fibrosis (LF) were not consistent. This study aims to systematically review the effectiveness of CHM on treating LF patients. Methods Databases including MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, TCMOnline, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Chinese Medical Current Contents were searched up to March 2011. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving LF patients receiving CHM, Western medicine, combined CHM and Western medicine compared with placebo, Western medicine or no intervention were included. LF markers including serum hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen type III (PC-III), type IV collagen (IV-C), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP) were measured as primary outcomes. Liver biochemistry, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartarte aminotransferase (AST), and improvement of related clinical symptoms were measured as secondary outcomes. Risk of bias of allocation sequence, allocation concealment, blinding, incomplete outcome data, selective outcome reporting, and other biases were assessed. Results Twenty-three RCTs with 2123 participants were analyzed in subgroups of types of comparison and study quality. Fifteen studies were graded as good quality. CHM alone and combined with Western medicine showed significant improvements in HA, LN, PC-III and IV-C compared with Western medicine alone. However, there were no significant differences observed between CHM and placebo treatments. Conclusion The current inconclusive results in determining the effectiveness of CHM treatment on LF, due to the poor methodological quality and high heterogeneity of the studies, suggests that large RCTs using standardized Chinese medicine syndrome diagnosis and CHM formulae with longer follow-up are required for further evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fan Cheung
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li W, Zhu C, Chen X, Li Y, Gao R, Wu Q. Pokeweed antiviral protein down-regulates Wnt/β-catenin signalling to attenuate liver fibrogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Dig Liver Dis 2011; 43:559-66. [PMID: 21444256 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2011.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2010] [Revised: 01/30/2011] [Accepted: 02/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) has been regarded as a strong negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, which promotes tissue fibrogenesis. Whether PAP inhibits hepatic fibrosis remains unknown. Here, the inhibitory effects of PAP on hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4 in rats were monitored. METHODS Plasmid pXF3H-PAP was transduced into liver in vivo and hepatic stellate cell (HSC-T6) in vitro. Changes in liver pathology were examined by haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome staining. Hepatic function and the levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) and laminin (LN) in serum and hydroxyproline (Hyp) in liver were measured. We also observed the expressions and distribution of α-SMA, TIMP-1, smad3 and β-catenin in HSCs and liver, together with the viability of HSC-T6 cells. RESULTS PAP obviously attenuated the histological changes, decreased the content of Hyp in liver and improved liver function in rats (P<0.05). PAP significantly reduced the expressions and distribution of α-SMA and β-catenin in vivo (0.0125 ± 0.002 vs. 0.0374 ± 0.003, 0.0135 ± 0.003 vs. 0.0382 ± 0.004; P<0.05, respectively) and in vitro as well as the cell viability (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results revealed that PAP attenuated liver fibrogenesis through down-regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. It provides us an alternative new strategy for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
Collapse
|