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Hadpech S, Thongboonkerd V. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in kidney fibrosis. Genesis 2024; 62:e23529. [PMID: 37345818 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23529] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important biological process contributing to kidney fibrosis and chronic kidney disease. This process is characterized by decreased epithelial phenotypes/markers and increased mesenchymal phenotypes/markers. Tubular epithelial cells (TECs) are commonly susceptible to EMT by various stimuli, for example, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), cellular communication network factor 2, angiotensin-II, fibroblast growth factor-2, oncostatin M, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasmin, interleukin-1β, and reactive oxygen species. Similarly, glomerular podocytes can undergo EMT via these stimuli and by high glucose condition in diabetic kidney disease. EMT of TECs and podocytes leads to tubulointerstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis, respectively. Signaling pathways involved in EMT-mediated kidney fibrosis are diverse and complex. TGF-β1/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin pathways are the major venues triggering EMT in TECs and podocytes. These two pathways thus serve as the major therapeutic targets against EMT-mediated kidney fibrosis. To date, a number of EMT inhibitors have been identified and characterized. As expected, the majority of these EMT inhibitors affect TGF-β1/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. In addition to kidney fibrosis, these EMT-targeted antifibrotic inhibitors are expected to be effective for treatment against fibrosis in other organs/tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudarat Hadpech
- Medical Proteomics Unit, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Visith Thongboonkerd
- Medical Proteomics Unit, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Chen Y, Zhu Z, Wu X, Li H, Guan W, Ren H. CHEK2 knockout is a therapeutic target for TP53-mutated hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:37. [PMID: 38242891 PMCID: PMC10799024 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01777-4] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, there is still a lack of novel and effective drug targets to improve the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Additionally, the role of CHEK2 in HCC has not been reported yet. The eQTLgen database and two HCC Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) datasets (ieu-b-4953, ICD10 C22.0) were used to find the drug target: CHEK2. Next, Colony, Edu, β-gal, and cell cycle analysis were facilitated to evaluate the role of CHEK2 knockout in HCC. In addition, Nultin-3 was added to evaluate the apoptosis of TP53-mutated HCC cells with CHEK2 knockout. Furthermore, MitoSox, electron microscopy, mitochondrial ATP, and NADH+/NADH levels were assessed in the CHEK2 knockout HCC cells with or without Metformin. Finally, cell-derived tumor xenograft was used to evaluate the role of CHEK2 knockout in vivo. We initially identified a potential drug target, CHEK2, through GWAS data analysis. Furthermore, we observed a significant upregulation of CHEK2 expression in HCC, which was found to be correlated with a poor prognosis. Subsequently, the results indicated that knocking out CHEK2 selectively affects the proliferation, cell cycle, senescence, and apoptosis of TP53-mutant HCC cells. Additionally, the introduction of Nultin-3 further intensified the functional impact on TP53-mutant cells. Then ClusterProfiler results showed high CHEK2 and TP53 mutation group was positively enriched in the mitochondrial ATP pathway. Then we used MitoSox, electron microscopy, mitochondrial ATP, and NADH + /NADH assay and found knockout of CHECK could induce the ATP pathway to inhibit the growth of HCC. Our research introduces a novel drug target for TP53-mutant HCC cells via mitochondrial ATP, addressing the limitation of Nultin-3 as a standalone treatment that does not induce tumor cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyan Chen
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Transplantation Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, 210008, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengyi Zhu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Transplantation Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, 210008, Nanjing, China
| | - Xingyu Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Transplantation Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, 210008, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Radiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, 210008, Nanjing, China.
| | - Wenxian Guan
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, 210008, Nanjing, China.
| | - Haozhen Ren
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Transplantation Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, 210008, Nanjing, China.
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Nian F, Zhu C, Jin N, Xia Q, Wu L, Lu X. Gut microbiota metabolite TMAO promoted lipid deposition and fibrosis process via KRT17 in fatty liver cells in vitro. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 669:134-142. [PMID: 37271025 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease worldwide but still lacks specific treatment modalities. The gut microbiota and its metabolites have been shown to be intimately involved in NAFLD development, participating in and regulating disease progression. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite highly dependent on the gut microbiota, has been shown to play deleterious regulatory roles in cardiovascular disease, but the relationship between it and NAFLD lacks validation from basic experiments. This research applied TMAO intervention by constructing fatty liver cell models in vitro to observe its effect on fatty liver cells and potential key genes and performed siRNA interference on the gene to verify the action. The results showed that TMAO intervention promoted the appearance of more red-stained lipid droplets in Oil-red O staining results, increased triglyceride (TG) levels and increased mRNA levels of liver fibrosis-related genes, and also identified one of the key genes, keratin17 (KRT17) via transcriptomics. Following the reduction in its expression level, under the same treatment, there were decreased red-stained lipid droplets, decreased TG levels, decreased indicators of impaired liver function as well as decreased mRNA levels of liver fibrosis-related genes. In conclusion, the gut microbiota metabolite TMAO could promote lipid deposition and fibrosis process via the KRT17 gene in fatty liver cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulin Nian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, 2800 Gongwei Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Chen Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, 2800 Gongwei Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Nuyun Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, 2800 Gongwei Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Qiaoyun Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, 2800 Gongwei Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Longyun Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, 2800 Gongwei Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Xiaolan Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, 2800 Gongwei Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201399, China.
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Zheng Y, Xie L, Yang D, Luo K, Li X. Small-molecule natural plants for reversing liver fibrosis based on modulation of hepatic stellate cells activation: An update. Phytomedicine 2023; 113:154721. [PMID: 36870824 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154721] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis (LF) is a trauma repair process carried out by the liver in response to various acute and chronic liver injuries. Its primary pathological characteristics are excessive proliferation and improper dismissal of the extracellular matrix, and if left untreated, it will progress into cirrhosis, liver cancer, and other diseases. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation is intimately associated to the onset of LF, and it is anticipated that addressing HSCs proliferation can reverse LF. Plant-based small-molecule medications have anti-LF properties, and their mechanisms of action involve suppression of extracellular matrix abnormally accumulating as well as anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress. New targeting HSC agents will therefore be needed to provide a potential curative response. PURPOSE The most recent HSC routes and small molecule natural plants that target HSC described domestically and internationally in recent years were examined in this review. METHODS The data was looked up using resources including ScienceDirect, CNKI, Web of Science, and PubMed. Keyword searches for information on hepatic stellate cells included "liver fibrosis", "natural plant", "hepatic stellate cells", "adverse reaction", "toxicity", etc. RESULTS: We discovered that plant monomers can target and control various pathways to prevent the activation and proliferation of HSC and promote the apoptosis of HSC in order to achieve the anti-LF effect in this work by compiling the plant monomers that influence many common pathways of HSC in recent years. It demonstrates the wide-ranging potential of plant monomers targeting different routes to combat LF, with a view to supplying new concepts and new strategies for natural plant therapy of LF as well as research and development of novel pharmaceuticals. The investigation of kaempferol, physalin B, and other plant monomers additionally motivated researchers to focus on the structure-activity link between the main chemicals and LF. CONCLUSION The creation of novel pharmaceuticals can benefit greatly from the use of natural components. They are often harmless for people, non-target creatures, and the environment because they are found in nature, and they can be employed as the starting chemicals for the creation of novel medications. Natural plants are valuable resources for creating new medications with fresh action targets because they feature original and distinctive action mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Long Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Dejun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Kaipei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
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Yang L, Zhen L, Li Z, Zhu S, Xu W, Luo Q, Peng L, Xie C. Human liver tissue transcriptomics revealed immunometabolic disturbances and related biomarkers in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1080484. [PMID: 36532504 PMCID: PMC9752073 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1080484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a major cause of liver-related death worldwide, but its key pathological features remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to reveal the molecular basis of hepatitis B virus-related ACLF (HBV-ACLF) by transcriptome sequencing of human liver tissue. A total of 18 human liver tissues from patients with different stages of HBV-related disease were collected for RNA sequencing, and liver tissues from patients and mouse models with ACLF were used for subsequent validation. Specifically, 6,853 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 5,038 differentially expressed transcripts were identified in patients with ACLF compared to patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and normal controls (NCs). Investigation of functional by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed prominent immune and metabolic dysregulation at the ACLF stage. We found that the key genes FGF19, ADCY8 and KRT17, which are related to immunometabolic disturbances, were significantly upregulated in the progression of ACLF. The three key genes were validated in human and mouse samples, indicating their prognostic and therapeutic potential in ACLF. In summary, our work reveals that immunometabolic disorder is involved in HBV-ACLF pathogenesis and indicates that FGF19, ADCY8 and KRT17 may be sensitive biomarkers for HBV-related ACLF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luo Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Limin Zhen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhihui Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenxiong Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiumin Luo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chan Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
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