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Trussoni CE, LaRusso NF. Macrophages make a difference in cholestatic liver diseases - but how? J Hepatol 2023; 79:1349-1351. [PMID: 37821021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christy E Trussoni
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Nicholas F LaRusso
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Hong R, Tian X, Ma H, Ni H, Yang J, Bu W, Li T, Yang S, Li D, Liu M, Tan Y. Primary cilium-mediated signaling cascade suppresses age-related biliary fibrosis. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:2600-2611. [PMID: 37683035 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31113] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
The primary cilium is increasingly recognized as a crucial player in the physiology of biliary epithelial cells (BECs). However, the precise role of primary cilia in the development of age-related biliary fibrosis remains unclear. Herein, using cilium-deficient mice, we demonstrate that disruption of ciliary homeostasis in BECs in aged mice leads to significant bile duct proliferation, augmented biliary fibrosis, and heightened indicators of liver injury. Our RNA-sequencing data revealed a dysregulation in genes associated with various biological processes such as bile secretion, fatty acid metabolism, and inflammation. Loss of primary cilia also significantly enhanced signaling pathways driving the development of biliary fibrosis. Our findings collectively suggest that loss of primary cilia in the BECs of aged mice initiates a cascade of signaling events that contribute to biliary fibrosis, highlighting the primary cilium as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of fibrosing cholangiopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjie Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoyu Tian
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongbo Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hua Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jia Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Weiwen Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Te Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Song Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dengwen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Min Liu
- Laboratory of Tissue Homeostasis, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanjie Tan
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
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Katsuda T, Sussman J, Li J, Merrell AJ, Vostrejs W, Secreto A, Matsuzaki J, Ochiya T, Stanger BZ. Evidence for in vitro extensive proliferation of adult hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:1436-1450. [PMID: 37352852 PMCID: PMC10362498 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.05.016] [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: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last several years, a method has emerged that endows adult hepatocytes with in vitro proliferative capacity, producing chemically induced liver progenitors (CLiPs). However, there is a growing controversy regarding the origin of these cells. Here, we provide lineage tracing-based evidence that adult hepatocytes acquire proliferative capacity in vitro using rat and mouse models. Unexpectedly, we also found that the CLiP method allows biliary epithelial cells to acquire extensive proliferative capacity. Interestingly, after long-term culture, hepatocyte-derived cells (hepCLiPs) and biliary epithelial cell-derived cells (bilCLiPs) become similar in their gene expression patterns, and they both exhibit differentiation capacity to form hepatocyte-like cells. Finally, we provide evidence that hepCLiPs can repopulate injured mouse livers, reinforcing our earlier argument that CLiPs can be a cell source for liver regenerative medicine. This study advances our understanding of the origin of CLiPs and motivates the application of this technique in liver regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Katsuda
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Jonathan Sussman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jinyang Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Allyson J Merrell
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - William Vostrejs
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anthony Secreto
- Department of Medicine, Stem Cell and Xenograft Core, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Juntaro Matsuzaki
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Pharmacotherapeutics, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ochiya
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ben Z Stanger
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Lee SH, So J, Shin D. Hepatocyte-to-cholangiocyte conversion occurs through transdifferentiation independently of proliferation in zebrafish. Hepatology 2023; 77:1198-1210. [PMID: 36626626 PMCID: PMC10023500 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000016] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Injury to biliary epithelial cells (BECs) lining the hepatic bile ducts leads to cholestatic liver diseases. Upon severe biliary damage, hepatocytes can convert to BECs, thereby contributing to liver recovery. Given a potential of augmenting this hepatocyte-to-BEC conversion as a therapeutic option for cholestatic liver diseases, it will be important to thoroughly understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the conversion process. APPROACH AND RESULTS Towards this aim, we have established a zebrafish model for hepatocyte-to-BEC conversion by employing Tg(fabp10a:CFP-NTR) zebrafish with a temporal inhibition of Notch signaling during regeneration. Cre/loxP-mediated permanent and H2B-mCherry-mediated short-term lineage tracing revealed that in the model, all BECs originate from hepatocytes. During the conversion, BEC markers are sequentially induced in the order of Sox9b, Yap/Taz, Notch activity/ epcam , and Alcama/ krt18 ; the expression of the hepatocyte marker Bhmt disappears between the Sox9b and Yap/Taz induction. Importantly, live time-lapse imaging unambiguously revealed transdifferentiation of hepatocytes into BECs: hepatocytes convert to BECs without transitioning through a proliferative intermediate state. In addition, using compounds and transgenic and mutant lines that modulate Notch and Yap signaling, we found that both Notch and Yap signaling are required for the conversion even in Notch- and Yap-overactivating settings. CONCLUSIONS Hepatocyte-to-BEC conversion occurs through transdifferentiation independently of proliferation, and Notch and Yap signaling control the process in parallel with a mutually positive interaction. The new zebrafish model will further contribute to a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of the conversion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hoon Lee
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Juhoon So
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Donghun Shin
- Department of Developmental Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
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Katsuda T, Li J, Merrell AJ, Sussman J, Matsuzaki J, Ochiya T, Stanger BZ. Evidence for in vitro extensive proliferation of adult hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells. bioRxiv 2023:2023. [PMID: 36712014 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.03.522656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Over the last several years, a method has emerged which endows adult hepatocytes with in vitro proliferative capacity, producing chemically-induced liver progenitors (CLiPs). However, a recent study questioned the origin of these cells, suggesting that resident liver progenitor cells, but not hepatocytes, proliferate. Here, we provide lineage tracing-based evidence that adult hepatocytes acquire proliferative capacity in vitro . Unexpectedly, we also found that the CLiP method allows biliary epithelial cells to acquire extensive proliferative capacity. Interestingly, after long-term culture, hepatocyte-derived cells (hepCLiPs) and biliary-derived cells (bilCLiPs) become similar in their gene expression patterns, and they both exhibit differentiation capacity to form hepatocyte-like cells. Finally, we provide evidence that hepCLiPs can repopulate chronically injured mouse livers, reinforcing our earlier argument that CLiPs can be a cell source for liver regenerative medicine. Moreover, this study offers bilCLiPs as a potential cell source for liver regenerative medicine.
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Zhang R, Su L, Fu M, Wang Z, Tan L, Chen H, Lin Z, Tong Y, Ma S, Ye R, Zhao Z, Wang Z, Chen W, Yu J, Zhong W, Zeng J, Liu F, Chai C, Guan X, Liu T, Liang J, Zhu Y, Gu X, Zhang Y, Lui VCH, Tam PKH, Lamb JR, Wen Z, Chen Y, Xia H. CD177 + cells produce neutrophil extracellular traps that promote biliary atresia. J Hepatol 2022; 77:1299-1310. [PMID: 35803543 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS We have previously reported on the potential pathogenic role of neutrophils in biliary atresia (BA). Herein, we aimed to delineate the role of CD177+ neutrophils in the pathogenesis of BA. METHODS Immune cells from the livers of mice with rhesus rotavirus-induced BA were analysed. Single-cell RNA-sequencing was performed to specifically analyse Gr-1+ (Ly6C/Ly6G+) cells in the liver. Gene expression profiles of CD177+ cells were analysed using the Smart-Seq RNA-sequencing method, and the pathogenesis of BA was examined in Cd177-/- mice. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) inhibitors were used to determine the role of CD177+ cell-derived NETs in BA-associated bile duct damage, and a pilot clinical study evaluated the potential effects of N-acetylcysteine on NET release in BA. RESULTS Increased levels of Gr-1+ cells were observed in the livers of mice with rhesus rotavirus-induced BA. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that CD177+ cells were the main population of Gr-1+ cells and expressed elevated levels of both interferon-stimulated and neutrophil degranulation genes. Cd177-/- BALB/c mice exhibited delayed disease onset and reduced morbidity and mortality. High numbers of mitochondria were detected in CD177+ cells derived from mice with BA; these cells were associated with increased levels of reactive oxygen species and increased NET formation, which induced the apoptosis of biliary epithelial cells in cocultures. In a pilot clinical study, the administration of N-acetylcysteine to patients with BA reduced CD177+ cell numbers and reactive oxygen species levels, indicating a potential beneficial effect. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that CD177+ cells play an important role in the initiation of BA pathogenesis via NET formation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION The pilot study of N-acetylcysteine treatment in patients with BA was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000040505). LAY SUMMARY Neutrophils (a type of innate immune cell, i.e. an immune cell that doesn't target a specific antigen) are thought to play a role in the development of biliary atresia (a rare but potentially lethal condition of the bile ducts that occurs in infants). Herein, we found that neutrophils expressing a particular protein (CD177) played an important role in bile duct damage by releasing a special structure (NET) that can trap and kill pathogens but that can also cause severe tissue damage. A pilot study in patients with biliary atresia showed that inhibiting NETs could have a beneficial effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhong Zhang
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Liang Su
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Ming Fu
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Ledong Tan
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongjiao Chen
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Zefeng Lin
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanlu Tong
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Sige Ma
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Rongchen Ye
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Ziyang Zhao
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Ziqing Wang
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Weiyi Chen
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiakang Yu
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Zhong
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Jixiao Zeng
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Chenwei Chai
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Xisi Guan
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiankun Liang
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Yun Zhu
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Gu
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Vincent C H Lui
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Paul K H Tam
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Jonathan R Lamb
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Zhe Wen
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yan Chen
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China; Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, China.
| | - Huimin Xia
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China.
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Zhang J, Zhou Y, Li S, Mo D, Ma J, Ni R, Yang Q, He J, Luo L. Tel2 regulates redifferentiation of bipotential progenitor cells via Hhex during zebrafish liver regeneration. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110596. [PMID: 35385752 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Upon extensive hepatocyte loss or impaired hepatocyte proliferation, liver regeneration occurs via biliary epithelial cell (BEC) transdifferentiation, which includes dedifferentiation of BECs into bipotential progenitor cells (BP-PCs) and then redifferentiation of BP-PCs to nascent hepatocytes and BECs. This BEC-driven liver regeneration involves reactivation of hepatoblast markers, but the underpinning mechanisms and their effects on liver regeneration remain largely unknown. Using a zebrafish extensive hepatocyte ablation model, we perform an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) forward genetic screen and identify a liver regeneration mutant, liver logan (lvl), in which the telomere maintenance 2 (tel2) gene is mutated. During liver regeneration, the tel2 mutation specifically inhibits transcriptional activation of a hepatoblast marker, hematopoietically expressed homeobox (hhex), in BEC-derived cells, which blocks BP-PC redifferentiation. Mechanistic studies show that Tel2 associates with the hhex promoter region and promotes hhex transcription. Our results reveal roles of Tel2 in the BP-PC redifferentiation process of liver regeneration by activating hhex.
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Al Suraih MS, Trussoni CE, Splinter PL, LaRusso NF, O’Hara SP. Senescent cholangiocytes release extracellular vesicles that alter target cell phenotype via the epidermal growth factor receptor. Liver Int 2020; 40:2455-2468. [PMID: 32558183 PMCID: PMC7669612 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic liver disease characterized by peribiliary inflammation and fibrosis. Cholangiocyte senescence is a prominent feature of PSC. Here, we hypothesize that extracellular vesicles (EVs) from senescent cholangiocytes influence the phenotype of target cells. METHODS EVs were isolated from normal human cholangiocytes (NHCs), cholangiocytes from PSC patients and NHCs experimentally induced to senescence. NHCs, malignant human cholangiocytes (MHCs) and monocytes were exposed to 108 EVs from each donor cell population and assessed for proliferation, MAPK activation and migration. Additionally, we isolated EVs from plasma of wild-type and Mdr2-/- mice (a murine model of PSC), and assessed mouse monocyte activation. RESULTS EVs exhibited the size and protein markers of exosomes. The number of EVs released from senescent human cholangiocytes was increased; similarly, the EVs in plasma from Mdr2-/- mice were increased. Additionally, EVs from senescent cholangiocytes were enriched in multiple growth factors, including EGF. NHCs exposed to EVs from senescent cholangiocytes showed increased NRAS and ERK1/2 activation. Moreover, EVs from senescent cholangiocytes promoted proliferation of NHCs and MHCs, findings that were blocked by erlotinib, an EGF receptor inhibitor. Furthermore, EVs from senescent cholangiocytes induced EGF-dependent Interleukin 1-beta and Tumour necrosis factor expression and migration of human monocytes; similarly, Mdr2-/- mouse plasma EVs induced activation of mouse monocytes. CONCLUSIONS The data continue to support the importance of cholangiocyte senescence in PSC pathogenesis, directly implicate EVs in cholangiocyte proliferation, malignant progression and immune cell activation and migration, and identify novel therapeutic approaches for PSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed S. Al Suraih
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. 55905.,Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. 55905
| | - Christy E. Trussoni
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. 55905
| | - Patrick L. Splinter
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. 55905
| | - Nicholas F. LaRusso
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. 55905
| | - Steven P. O’Hara
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. 55905
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Abstract
Following injury, the liver's epithelial cells regenerate efficiently with rapid proliferation of hepatocytes and biliary cells. However, when proliferation of resident epithelial cells is impaired, alternative regeneration mechanisms can occur. Intricate lineage-tracing strategies and experimental models of regenerative stress have revealed a degree of plasticity between hepatocytes and biliary cells. New technologies such as single-cell omics, in combination with functional studies, will be instrumental to uncover the remaining unknowns in the field. In this review, we evaluate the experimental and clinical evidence for epithelial plasticity in the liver and how this influences the development of therapeutic strategies for chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L Gadd
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Niya Aleksieva
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Stuart J Forbes
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.
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10
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Tabibian JH, O’Hara SP, Trussoni CE, Tietz PS, Splinter PL, Mounajjed T, Hagey LR, LaRusso NF. Absence of the intestinal microbiota exacerbates hepatobiliary disease in a murine model of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Hepatology 2016; 63:185-96. [PMID: 26044703 PMCID: PMC4670294 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic, idiopathic, fibroinflammatory cholangiopathy. The role of the microbiota in PSC etiopathogenesis may be fundamentally important, yet remains obscure. We tested the hypothesis that germ-free (GF) mutltidrug resistance 2 knockout (mdr2(-/-) ) mice develop a distinct PSC phenotype, compared to conventionally housed (CV) mdr2(-/-) mice. Mdr2(-/-) mice (n = 12) were rederived as GF by embryo transfer, maintained in isolators, and sacrificed at 60 days in parallel with age-matched CV mdr2(-/-) mice. Serum biochemistries, gallbladder bile acids, and liver sections were examined. Histological findings were validated morphometrically, biochemically, and by immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM). Cholangiocyte senescence was assessed by p16(INK4a) in situ hybridization in liver tissue and by senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining in a culture-based model of insult-induced senescence. Serum biochemistries, including alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and bilirubin, were significantly higher in GF mdr2(-/-) (P < 0.01). Primary bile acids were similar, whereas secondary bile acids were absent, in GF mdr2(-/-) mice. Fibrosis, ductular reaction, and ductopenia were significantly more severe histopathologically in GF mdr2(-/-) mice (P < 0.01) and were confirmed by hepatic morphometry, hydroxyproline assay, and IFM. Cholangiocyte senescence was significantly increased in GF mdr2(-/-) mice and abrogated in vitro by ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment. CONCLUSIONS GF mdr2(-/-) mice exhibit exacerbated biochemical and histological features of PSC and increased cholangiocyte senescence, a characteristic and potential mediator of progressive biliary disease. UDCA, a commensal microbial metabolite, abrogates senescence in vitro. These findings demonstrate the importance of the commensal microbiota and its metabolites in protecting against biliary injury and suggest avenues for future studies of biomarkers and therapeutic interventions in PSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H. Tabibian
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
- Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
| | - Steven P. O’Hara
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
- Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
| | - Christy E. Trussoni
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
- Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
| | - Pamela S. Tietz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
- Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
| | - Patrick L. Splinter
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
- Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
| | | | - Lee R. Hagey
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Nicholas F. LaRusso
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
- Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
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11
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Matsushita H, Miyake Y, Takaki A, Yasunaka T, Koike K, Ikeda F, Shiraha H, Nouso K, Yamamoto K. TLR4, TLR9, and NLRP3 in biliary epithelial cells of primary sclerosing cholangitis: relationship with clinical characteristics. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015; 30:600-8. [PMID: 25160604 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Inappropriate innate immune responses have been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). We evaluated the associations of expressions of toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, TLR9, and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein (NOD)-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) in the biliary epithelial cells (BECs) with clinical features of PSC patients. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated the expressions of TLR4, TLR9, and NLRP3 in the intrahepatic BECs by immunohistochemical staining in 21 PSC patients and 10 normal controls. In PSC, 17 patients underwent liver biopsy, and, in the other four patients, liver specimens were obtained at the time of liver transplantation. RESULTS TLR9 expressions in BECs were higher in PSC patients than in normal controls. TLR9 expressions were correlated with Ludwig fibrosis scores in PSC patients. TLR4 and NLRP3 expressions were similar between PSC patients and normal controls. Seventeen PSC patients undergoing liver biopsy were followed up during a median period of 55.7 months. Four reached to liver transplantation and four developed cholangiocarcinoma. Patients developing cholangiocarcinoma showed lower NLRP3 expressions than the others. Patients reaching to liver transplantation showed higher TLR9 expressions. Expression levels of TLR9 and NLRP3 were not correlated with liver biochemical tests and Mayo risk scores. CONCLUSIONS In PSC, excessive immune responses through TLR9 signaling may be associated with the disease progression. Insufficient immune response through NLRP3 signaling may be associated with the development of cholangiocarcinoma. Evaluation of TLR9 and NLRP3 expressions in BECs may be useful for predicting the prognosis as an auxiliary marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Matsushita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
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12
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Sung R, Lee SH, Ji M, Han JH, Kang MH, Kim JH, Choi JW, Kim YC, Park SM. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related protein expression in biliary epithelial cells associated with hepatolithiasis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2014; 29:395-402. [PMID: 23927024 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of biliary epithelial cells (BECs) plays major roles in many cholangiopathies. This study evaluated whether EMT of BECs has a role in hepatolithiasis-induced biliary fibrosis and types of BECs that are involved. METHODS The expression of EMT-related proteins and epidermal growth factor receptor was evaluated by immunohistochemistry of liver tissues from 102 patients with hepatolithiasis, 32 patients with post-hepatitis cirrhosis, and 48 normal livers. Antibodies against E-cadherin, β-catenin, and cytokeratin were used to identify epithelial cells and antibodies against vimentin, S100A4, podoplanin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were used to identify mesenchymal cells. The relationship between clinical and histological parameters and immunohistochemistry findings in BECs, and the surrounding stroma were evaluated. RESULTS Loss of E-cadherin and acquisition of S100A4 and vimentin were observed in BECs. In all BECs, cytokeratin and β-catenin expression were unchanged, while podoplanin and α-SMA were not expressed. Although hepatic fibrosis was more severe in post-hepatitis cirrhosis, EMT of BECs was more widespread in hepatolithiasis. In hepatolithiasis, EMT-related proteins were more highly expressed in small bile ducts than in medium or large bile ducts. Their expression was associated with the severity of biliary fibrosis and the expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor. Expression of α-SMA in fibroblasts from the portal space was closely linked to pathological changes in small bile ducts and EMT-related protein expressions in BECs. CONCLUSIONS Proliferating cholangiocytes that form small bile ducts may contribute to cholangiopathies in hepatolithiasis through an EMT-like phenomenon or through interactions with stromal myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohyun Sung
- Department of Pathology, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Cheongju, Korea
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13
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Lleo A, Bowlus CL, Yang GX, Invernizzi P, Podda M, Van de Water J, Ansari AA, Coppel RL, Worman HJ, Gores GJ, Gershwin ME. Biliary apotopes and anti-mitochondrial antibodies activate innate immune responses in primary biliary cirrhosis. Hepatology 2010; 52:987-98. [PMID: 20568301 PMCID: PMC2932809 DOI: 10.1002/hep.23783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Our understanding of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) has been significantly enhanced by the rigorous dissection of the multilineage T and B cell response against the immunodominant mitochondrial autoantigen, the E2 component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2). PDC-E2 is a ubiquitous protein present in mitochondria of nucleated cells. However, the damage of PBC is confined to small biliary epithelial cells (BECs). We have previously demonstrated that BECs translocate immunologically intact PDC-E2 to apoptotic bodies and create an apotope. To define the significance of this observation, we have studied the ability of biliary or control epithelial apotopes to induce cytokine secretion from mature monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMphis) from either patients with PBC or controls in the presence or absence of anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs). We demonstrate that there is intense inflammatory cytokine production in the presence of the unique triad of BEC apotopes, macrophages from patients with PBC, and AMAs. The cytokine secretion is inhibited by anti-CD16 and is not due to differences in apotope uptake. Moreover, MDMphis from PBC patients cultured with BEC apoptotic bodies in the presence of AMAs markedly increase tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand expression. CONCLUSION These results provide a mechanism for the biliary specificity of PBC, the recurrence of disease after liver transplantation, and the success of ursodiol in treatment. They further emphasize the critical role of the innate immune system in the perpetuation of this autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lleo
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Christopher L. Bowlus
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Guo-Xiang Yang
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Mauro Podda
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, Universita degli Studi di Milano, IRCCS-Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Judy Van de Water
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Aftab A. Ansari
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ross L. Coppel
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Howard J. Worman
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department Pathology and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gregory J. Gores
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - M. Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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14
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Patsenker E, Popov Y, Stickel F, Jonczyk A, Goodman SL, Schuppan D. Inhibition of integrin alphavbeta6 on cholangiocytes blocks transforming growth factor-beta activation and retards biliary fibrosis progression. Gastroenterology 2008; 135:660-70. [PMID: 18538673 PMCID: PMC3505071 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2007] [Revised: 03/26/2008] [Accepted: 04/10/2008] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Integrin alphavbeta6 is highly expressed on certain activated epithelia, where it mediates attachment to fibronectin and serves as coreceptor for the activation of latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1. Because its role in liver fibrosis is unknown, we studied alphavbeta6 function in vitro and explored the antifibrotic potential of the specific alphavbeta6 antagonist EMD527040. METHODS Experimental liver fibrosis was studied in rats after bile duct ligation (BDL) and in Mdr2(abcb4)(-/-) mice. Different doses of EMD527040 were given to rats from week 2 to 6 after BDL and to Mdr2(-/-) mice from week 4 to 8. Liver collagen was quantified, and expression of alphavbeta6 and fibrosis-related transcripts was determined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. alphavbeta6-expressing cells, bile duct proliferation, and apoptosis were assessed histologically. The effect of EMD527040 on cholangiocyte adhesion, proliferation, apoptosis, and TGF-beta1 activation was studied in vitro. RESULTS alphavbeta6 was highly expressed on proliferating bile duct epithelia in fibrosis, with 100-fold increased transcript levels in advanced fibrosis. EMD527040 attenuated bile ductular proliferation and peribiliary collagen deposition by 40%-50%, induced down-regulation of fibrogenic and up-regulation of fibrolytic genes, and improved liver architecture and function. In vitro alphavbeta6 inhibition reduced activated cholangiocyte proliferation, their adhesion to fibronectin, and endogenous activation of TGF-beta1 by 50% but did not affect bile duct apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Integrin alphavbeta6 is strongly up-regulated in proliferating bile duct epithelia and drives fibrogenesis via adhesion to fibronectin and auto/paracrine TGF-beta1 activation. Pharmacologic inhibition of alphavbeta6 potently inhibits the progression of primary and secondary biliary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Patsenker
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Hsu HY, Chang MH, Ni YH, Huang SF. Cytomegalovirus infection and proinflammatory cytokine activation modulate the surface immune determinant expression and immunogenicity of cultured murine extrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells. Clin Exp Immunol 2001; 126:84-91. [PMID: 11678903 PMCID: PMC1906176 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2249.2001.01558.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Murine extrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells (MEBEC) were isolated from extrahepatic bile ducts of BALB/c mice and established in primary culture. The epithelial origin was confirmed by positive cytokeratin 19 staining for these cells and the presence of microvilli and tight junctions under electron microscopy. By immunofluorescent staining with monoclonal antibodies and flow-cytometric analysis, MEBEC in culture constitutively express low levels of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, class I and class II major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens. The expression of ICAM-1 was significantly increased by interferon gamma (INF-gamma) or tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) stimulation. Class I and class II antigen expression were significantly enhanced by INF-gamma and in vitro murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. MEBEC infected with MCMV revealed a progressive cytopathic effect. MEBEC activated by INF-gamma or infected by MCMV induced a low but significant proliferation of allogeneic T cells and displayed a significant decrease in the absorbance at O.D. 550 nm in a microtitre tetrazolium assay after these treated cells were co-cultured with allogeneic T cells. These results suggest that following the up-regulation of surface MHC antigen and adhesion molecule expression with cytokines or MCMV, the MEBEC can function as antigen-presenting cells and initiate T-cell proliferation, which in turn trigger the recognition of MEBEC by effector T-cell-mediated cytotoxic responses. These findings may be implicated in the pathogenesis of virally induced, immune-mediated extrahepatic bile duct damage disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Y Hsu
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Abstract
A sarcomatoid cholangiocarcinoma cell line, ETK-1, was established from a patient. Phenotypically, the cells corresponded to immature biliary epithelial cells. Because a small number of ETK-1 cells appeared to differentiate spontaneously along a biliary epithelial lineage in continuous culture, we examined the factors that initiate and/or promote the differentiation of the cells. Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFalpha) induced significant changes in ETK-1 cells. After stimulation with the factor, ETK-1 cells displayed morphologic transformation at a much higher frequency, with the appearance of many large cells with intracytoplasmic vacuoles, and the production of mucinous substances. These morphologically transformed cells were phenotypically similar to well-differentiated adenocarcinoma cells. The expression pattern of integrins after TGFalpha treatment also supported the maturation of the ETK-1 cells. The antibody against the receptor of TGFalpha inhibited these changes by TGFalpha. Moreover, the proliferation rate of ETK-1 cells was suppressed by TGFalpha. Our data suggest that TGFalpha can act as a differentiation factor along a biliary epithelial lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Enjoji
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka.
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