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Kaiser K, Bendixen SM, Sørensen JA, Brewer JR. From static to dynamic: The influence of mechanotransduction on skin equivalents analyzed by bioimaging and RNAseq. Mater Today Bio 2024; 25:101010. [PMID: 38495916 PMCID: PMC10940786 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101010] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we explore the impact of mechanical stimuli on skin models using an innovative skin-on-a-chip platform, addressing the limitations of conventional transwell-cultured skin equivalents. This platform facilitates cyclic mechanical stimulation through compression and stretching, combined with automated media perfusion. Our findings, using bioimaging and bulk RNA sequencing, reveal increased expression of Keratin 10 and Keratin 14, indicating enhanced skin differentiation and mechanical integrity. The increase in desmosomes and tight junctions, observed through Claudin-1 and Desmoplakin 1 & 2 analysis, suggests improved keratinocyte differentiation due to mechanical stimulation. Gene expression analyses reveal a nuanced regulatory response, suggesting a potential connection to the Hippo pathway, indicative of a significant cellular reaction to mechanical stimuli. The results show the important influence of mechanical stimulation on skin model integrity and differentiation, demonstrating the potential of our microfluidic platform in advancing skin biology research and pharmaceutical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Kaiser
- University of Southern Denmark, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campusvej 55, Odense M, 5230, Denmark
| | - Sofie M. Bendixen
- University of Southern Denmark, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campusvej 55, Odense M, 5230, Denmark
| | - Jens Ahm Sørensen
- Odense University Hospital, Research Unit of Plastic Surgery, Odense C, 5000, Denmark
| | - Jonathan R. Brewer
- University of Southern Denmark, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campusvej 55, Odense M, 5230, Denmark
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Bendixen SM, Jakobsgaard PR, Hansen D, Hejn KH, Terkelsen MK, Bjerre FA, Thulesen AP, Eriksen NG, Hallenborg P, Geng Y, Dam TV, Larsen FT, Wernberg CW, Vijayathurai J, Scott EAH, Marcher AB, Detlefsen S, Grøntved L, Dimke H, Berdeaux R, de Aguiar Vallim TQ, Olinga P, Lauridsen MM, Krag A, Blagoev B, Ravnskjaer K. Single cell-resolved study of advanced murine MASH reveals a homeostatic pericyte signaling module. J Hepatol 2024; 80:467-481. [PMID: 37972658 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.11.001] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes and marked by hepatic inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, and fibrosis, impairing liver function and aggravating metabolic derangements. The liver homeostatic interactions disrupted in MASH are still poorly understood. We aimed to elucidate the plasticity and changing interactions of non-parenchymal cells associated with advanced MASH. METHODS We characterized a diet-induced mouse model of advanced MASH at single-cell resolution and validated findings by assaying chromatin accessibility, bioimaging murine and human livers, and via functional experiments in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS The fibrogenic activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) led to deterioration of a signaling module consisting of the bile acid receptor NR1H4/FXR and HSC-specific GS-protein-coupled receptors (GSPCRs) capable of preserving stellate cell quiescence. Accompanying HSC activation, we further observed the attenuation of HSC Gdf2 expression, and a MASH-associated expansion of a CD207-positive macrophage population likely derived from both incoming monocytes and Kupffer cells. CONCLUSION We conclude that HSC-expressed NR1H4 and GSPCRs of the healthy liver integrate postprandial cues, which sustain HSC quiescence and, through paracrine signals, overall sinusoidal health. Hence HSC activation in MASH not only drives fibrogenesis but may desensitize the hepatic sinusoid to liver homeostatic signals. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Homeostatic interactions between hepatic cell types and their deterioration in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis are poorly characterized. In our current single cell-resolved study of advanced murine metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, we identified a quiescence-associated hepatic stellate cell-signaling module with potential to preserve normal sinusoid function. As expression levels of its constituents are conserved in the human liver, stimulation of the identified signaling module is a promising therapeutic strategy to restore sinusoid function in chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie M Bendixen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Peter R Jakobsgaard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Daniel Hansen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Kamilla H Hejn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Mike K Terkelsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Frederik A Bjerre
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Annemette P Thulesen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Niels G Eriksen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Philip Hallenborg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Yana Geng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Trine V Dam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Frederik T Larsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Charlotte W Wernberg
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of South Denmark Esbjerg, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Janusa Vijayathurai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Emma A H Scott
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Ann-Britt Marcher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Sönke Detlefsen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Lars Grøntved
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Henrik Dimke
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Rebecca Berdeaux
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, UT Health Houston, USA
| | - Thomas Q de Aguiar Vallim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Peter Olinga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mette M Lauridsen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of South Denmark Esbjerg, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Blagoy Blagoev
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Kim Ravnskjaer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
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Larsen FT, Hansen D, Terkelsen MK, Bendixen SM, Avolio F, Wernberg CW, Lauridsen MM, Grønkjaer LL, Jacobsen BG, Klinggaard EG, Mandrup S, Di Caterino T, Siersbæk MS, Indira Chandran V, Graversen JH, Krag A, Grøntved L, Ravnskjaer K. Stellate cell expression of SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2 is associated with human non-alcoholic fatty liver disease severity. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100615. [PMID: 36687468 PMCID: PMC9850195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100615] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Histological assessment of liver biopsies is the gold standard for diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), despite its well-established limitations. Therefore, non-invasive biomarkers that can offer an integrated view of the liver are needed to improve diagnosis and reduce sampling bias. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are central in the development of hepatic fibrosis, a hallmark of NASH. Secreted HSC-specific proteins may, therefore, reflect disease state in the NASH liver and serve as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers. Methods We performed RNA-sequencing on liver biopsies from a histologically characterised cohort of obese patients (n = 30, BMI >35 kg/m2) to identify and evaluate HSC-specific genes encoding secreted proteins. Bioinformatics was used to identify potential biomarkers and their expression at single-cell resolution. We validated our findings using single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridisation (smFISH) and ELISA to detect mRNA in liver tissue and protein levels in plasma, respectively. Results Hepatic expression of SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2 (SMOC2) was increased in NASH compared to no-NAFLD (p.adj <0.001). Single-cell RNA-sequencing data indicated that SMOC2 was primarily expressed by HSCs, which was validated using smFISH. Finally, plasma SMOC2 was elevated in NASH compared to no-NAFLD (p <0.001), with a predictive accuracy of AUROC 0.88. Conclusions Increased SMOC2 in plasma appears to reflect HSC activation, a key cellular event associated with NASH progression, and may serve as a non-invasive biomarker of NASH. Impact and implications Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are the most common forms of chronic liver diseases. Currently, liver biopsies are the gold standard for diagnosing NAFLD. Blood-based biomarkers to complement liver biopsies for diagnosis of NAFLD are required. We found that activated hepatic stellate cells, a cell type central to NAFLD pathogenesis, upregulate expression of the secreted protein SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2 (SMOC2). SMOC2 was elevated in blood samples from patients with NASH and may hold promise as a blood-based biomarker for the diagnosis of NAFLD.
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Key Words
- AUROC, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- HSC, hepatic stellate cells
- LSM, liver stiffness measurement
- MCP, matricellular protein
- NAFL, non-alcoholic fatty liver
- NAFLD
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NAS, NAFLD activity score
- NASH
- PCA, principal component analysis
- SAF, steatosis, activity, and fibrosis
- SE, sensitivity
- SMOC2
- SMOC2, SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2
- SP, specificity
- SPARC, secreted protein acidic and cysteine-rich
- VSMCs, vascular smooth muscle cells
- WGCNA, weighted gene co-expression network analysis
- aHSC, activated HSC
- hepatic stellate cells
- non-invasive biomarker
- qHSC, quiescent HSC
- smFISH, single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridisation
- transcriptomics
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik T. Larsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Daniel Hansen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mike K. Terkelsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sofie M. Bendixen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Fabio Avolio
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Charlotte W. Wernberg
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of
Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
- Center for Liver Research (FLASH), Department of Gastroenterology and
Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mette M. Lauridsen
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of
Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Lea L. Grønkjaer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of
Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Birgitte G. Jacobsen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of
Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Ellen G. Klinggaard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Susanne Mandrup
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Tina Di Caterino
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense,
Denmark
| | - Majken S. Siersbæk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Vineesh Indira Chandran
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense,
Denmark
| | - Jonas H. Graversen
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense,
Denmark
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Liver Research (FLASH), Department of Gastroenterology and
Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lars Grøntved
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Kim Ravnskjaer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern
Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Corresponding author. Address: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark. Tel.: +45 65508906/+45
93979317.
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Terkelsen MK, Bendixen SM, Hansen D, Scott EA, Moeller AF, Nielsen R, Mandrup S, Schlosser A, Andersen TL, Sorensen GL, Krag A, Natarajan KN, Detlefsen S, Dimke H, Ravnskjaer K. Transcriptional Dynamics of Hepatic Sinusoid-Associated Cells After Liver Injury. Hepatology 2020; 72:2119-2133. [PMID: 32145072 PMCID: PMC7820956 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatic sinusoidal cells are known actors in the fibrogenic response to injury. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and Kupffer cells are responsible for sinusoidal capillarization and perisinusoidal matrix deposition, impairing vascular exchange and heightening the risk of advanced fibrosis. While the overall pathogenesis is well understood, functional relations between cellular transitions during fibrogenesis are only beginning to be resolved. At single-cell resolution, we here explored the heterogeneity of individual cell types and dissected their transitions and crosstalk during fibrogenesis. APPROACH AND RESULTS We applied single-cell transcriptomics to map the heterogeneity of sinusoid-associated cells in healthy and injured livers and reconstructed the single-lineage HSC trajectory from pericyte to myofibroblast. Stratifying each sinusoidal cell population by activation state, we projected shifts in sinusoidal communication upon injury. Weighted gene correlation network analysis of the HSC trajectory led to the identification of core genes whose expression proved highly predictive of advanced fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Among the core members of the injury-repressed gene module, we identified plasmalemma vesicle-associated protein (PLVAP) as a protein amply expressed by mouse and human HSCs. PLVAP expression was suppressed in activated HSCs upon injury and may hence define hitherto unknown roles for HSCs in the regulation of microcirculatory exchange and its breakdown in chronic liver disease. CONCLUSIONS Our study offers a single-cell resolved account of drug-induced injury of the mammalian liver and identifies key genes that may serve important roles in sinusoidal integrity and as markers of advanced fibrosis in human NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike K. Terkelsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS)University of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Sofie M. Bendixen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS)University of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Daniel Hansen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Emma A.H. Scott
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Andreas F. Moeller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Ronni Nielsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS)University of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Susanne Mandrup
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS)University of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Anders Schlosser
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense CDenmark
| | - Thomas L. Andersen
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense CDenmark,Department of Clinical ResearchUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense CDenmark,Department of PathologyOdense University HospitalOdense CDenmark
| | - Grith L. Sorensen
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense CDenmark
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS)University of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Department of Clinical ResearchUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense CDenmark,Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOdense University HospitalOdense CDenmark,Department of NephrologyOdense University HospitalOdense CDenmark
| | - Kedar N. Natarajan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Danish Institute for Advanced StudyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
| | - Sönke Detlefsen
- Department of PathologyOdense University HospitalOdense CDenmark
| | - Henrik Dimke
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense CDenmark,Department of NephrologyOdense University HospitalOdense CDenmark
| | - Kim Ravnskjaer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark,Center for Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS)University of Southern DenmarkOdense MDenmark
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Marcher AB, Bendixen SM, Terkelsen MK, Hohmann SS, Hansen MH, Larsen BD, Mandrup S, Dimke H, Detlefsen S, Ravnskjaer K. Transcriptional regulation of Hepatic Stellate Cell activation in NASH. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2324. [PMID: 30787418 PMCID: PMC6382845 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39112-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [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: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) signified by hepatic steatosis, inflammation, hepatocellular injury, and fibrosis is a growing cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatic fibrosis resulting from accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins secreted by hepatic myofibroblasts plays an important role in disease progression. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have been identified as the primary source of myofibroblasts in animal models of hepatotoxic liver injury; however, so far HSC activation and plasticity have not been thoroughly investigated in the context of NASH-related fibrogenesis. Here we have determined the time-resolved changes in the HSC transcriptome during development of Western diet- and fructose-induced NASH in mice, a NASH model recapitulating human disease. Intriguingly, HSC transcriptional dynamics are highly similar across disease models pointing to HSC activation as a point of convergence in the development of fibrotic liver disease. Bioinformatic interrogation of the promoter sequences of activated genes combined with loss-of-function experiments indicates that the transcriptional regulators ETS1 and RUNX1 act as drivers of NASH-associated HSC plasticity. Taken together, our results implicate HSC activation and transcriptional plasticity as key aspects of NASH pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Britt Marcher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Sofie M Bendixen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Mike K Terkelsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Sonja S Hohmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Maria H Hansen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Bjørk D Larsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Susanne Mandrup
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Henrik Dimke
- Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Sönke Detlefsen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, 5000, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Kim Ravnskjaer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark.
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