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Lewinska M, Zhuravleva E, Satriano L, Martinez MB, Bhatt DK, Oliveira DVNP, Antoku Y, Keggenhoff FL, Castven D, Marquardt JU, Matter MS, Erler JT, Oliveira RC, Aldana BI, Al-Abdulla R, Perugorria MJ, Calvisi DF, Perez LA, Rodrigues PM, Labiano I, Banales JM, Andersen JB. Fibroblast-Derived Lysyl Oxidase Increases Oxidative Phosphorylation and Stemness in Cholangiocarcinoma. Gastroenterology 2024; 166:886-901.e7. [PMID: 38096955 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.11.302] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Metabolic and transcriptional programs respond to extracellular matrix-derived cues in complex environments, such as the tumor microenvironment. Here, we demonstrate how lysyl oxidase (LOX), a known factor in collagen crosslinking, contributes to the development and progression of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). METHODS Transcriptomes of 209 human CCA tumors, 143 surrounding tissues, and single-cell data from 30 patients were analyzed. The recombinant protein and a small molecule inhibitor of the LOX activity were used on primary patient-derived CCA cultures to establish the role of LOX in migration, proliferation, colony formation, metabolic fitness, and the LOX interactome. The oncogenic role of LOX was further investigated by RNAscope and in vivo using the AKT/NICD genetically engineered murine CCA model. RESULTS We traced LOX expression to hepatic stellate cells and specifically hepatic stellate cell-derived inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts and found that cancer-associated fibroblast-driven LOX increases oxidative phosphorylation and metabolic fitness of CCA, and regulates mitochondrial function through transcription factor A, mitochondrial. Inhibiting LOX activity in vivo impedes CCA development and progression. Our work highlights that LOX alters tumor microenvironment-directed transcriptional reprogramming of CCA cells by facilitating the expression of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway and by increasing stemness and mobility. CONCLUSIONS Increased LOX is driven by stromal inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts and correlates with diminished survival of patients with CCA. Modulating the LOX activity can serve as a novel tumor microenvironment-directed therapeutic strategy in bile duct pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Lewinska
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research and Innovation Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ekaterina Zhuravleva
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research and Innovation Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Letizia Satriano
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research and Innovation Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marta B Martinez
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research and Innovation Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Deepak K Bhatt
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research and Innovation Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Douglas V N P Oliveira
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research and Innovation Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yasuko Antoku
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research and Innovation Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Friederike L Keggenhoff
- Universitatsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Medizinische Klinik I, Campus Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany
| | - Darko Castven
- Universitatsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Medizinische Klinik I, Campus Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany
| | - Jens U Marquardt
- Universitatsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Medizinische Klinik I, Campus Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany
| | - Matthias S Matter
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Janine T Erler
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research and Innovation Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rui C Oliveira
- Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Blanca I Aldana
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ruba Al-Abdulla
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Maria J Perugorria
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain; National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea), Leioa, Spain
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- University of Regensburg, Institute of Pathology, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Luis Arnes Perez
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research and Innovation Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pedro M Rodrigues
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain; National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ibone Labiano
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jesus M Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain; National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Sciences, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jesper B Andersen
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research and Innovation Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Hu P, Rychik J, Zhao J, Bai H, Bauer A, Yu W, Rand EB, Dodds KM, Goldberg DJ, Tan K, Wilkins BJ, Pei L. Single-cell multiomics guided mechanistic understanding of Fontan-associated liver disease. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadk6213. [PMID: 38657025 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adk6213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The Fontan operation is the current standard of care for single-ventricle congenital heart disease. Individuals with a Fontan circulation (FC) exhibit central venous hypertension and face life-threatening complications of hepatic fibrosis, known as Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD). The fundamental biology and mechanisms of FALD are little understood. Here, we generated a transcriptomic and epigenomic atlas of human FALD at single-cell resolution using multiomic snRNA-ATAC-seq. We found profound cell type-specific transcriptomic and epigenomic changes in FC livers. Central hepatocytes (cHep) exhibited the most substantial changes, featuring profound metabolic reprogramming. These cHep changes preceded substantial activation of hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis, suggesting cHep as a potential first "responder" in the pathogenesis of FALD. We also identified a network of ligand-receptor pairs that transmit signals from cHep to hepatic stellate cells, which may promote their activation and liver fibrosis. We further experimentally demonstrated that activins A and B promote fibrotic activation in vitro and identified mechanisms of activin A's transcriptional activation in FALD. Together, our single-cell transcriptomic and epigenomic atlas revealed mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of FALD and may aid identification of potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po Hu
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Cardiovascular Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jack Rychik
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Juanjuan Zhao
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Cardiovascular Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Huajun Bai
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Cardiovascular Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Aidan Bauer
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Cardiovascular Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Wenbao Yu
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Elizabeth B Rand
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kathryn M Dodds
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David J Goldberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kai Tan
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Benjamin J Wilkins
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Liming Pei
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Cardiovascular Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Zhu D, Sun Z, Wei J, Zhang Y, An W, Lin Y, Li X. BMP7-Loaded Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Ameliorate Liver Fibrosis by Targeting Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:3475-3495. [PMID: 38623080 PMCID: PMC11018131 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s450284] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hucMSC)-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are natural nanocarriers with promising potential in treating liver fibrosis and have widespread applications in the fields of nanomedicine and regenerative medicine. However, the therapeutic efficacy of natural hucMSC-sEVs is currently limited owing to their non-specific distribution in vivo and partial removal by mononuclear macrophages following systemic delivery. Thus, the therapeutic efficacy can be improved through the development of engineered hucMSC-sEVs capable to overcome these limitations. Patients and Methods To improve the anti-liver fibrosis efficacy of hucMSC-sEVs, we genetically engineered hucMSC-sEVs to overexpress the anti-fibrotic gene bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP7) in parental cells. This was achieved using lentiviral transfection, following which BMP7-loaded hucMSC-sEVs were isolated through ultracentrifugation. First, the liver fibrosis was induced in C57BL/6J mice by intraperitoneal injection of 50% carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) twice a week for 8 weeks. These mice were subsequently treated with BMP7+sEVs via tail vein injection, and the anti-liver fibrosis effect of BMP7+sEVs was validated using small animal in vivo imaging, immunohistochemistry (IHC), tissue immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Finally, cell function studies were performed to confirm the in vivo results. Results Liver imaging and liver histopathology confirmed that the engineered hucMSC-sEVs could reach the liver of mice and aggregate around activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) with a significantly stronger anti-liver fibrosis effect of BMP7-loaded hucMSC-sEVs compared to those of blank or negative control-transfected hucMSC-sEVs. In vitro, BMP7-loaded hucMSC-sEVs promoted the phenotypic reversal of aHSCs and inhibited their proliferation to enhance the anti-fibrotic effects. Conclusion These engineered BMP7-loaded hucMSC-sEVs offer a novel and promising strategy for the clinical treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhu
- First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zongbin Sun
- First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiayun Wei
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenjing An
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Lin
- First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xun Li
- First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People’s Republic of China
- General Surgery Department, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People’s Republic of China
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4
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Zhong H, Dong B, Zhu D, Fu Z, Liu J, Jin Y. Sja-let-7 suppresses the development of liver fibrosis via Schistosoma japonicum extracellular vesicles. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012153. [PMID: 38598555 PMCID: PMC11034668 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a fatal zoonotic parasitic disease that also threatens human health. The main pathological features of schistosomiasis are granulomatous inflammation and subsequent liver fibrosis, which is a complex, chronic, and progressive disease. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from schistosome eggs are broadly involved in host-parasite communication and act as important contributors to schistosome-induced liver fibrosis. However, it remains unclear whether substances secreted by the EVs of Schistosoma japonicum, a long-term parasitic "partner" in the hepatic portal vein of the host, also participate in liver fibrosis. Here, we report that EVs derived from S. japonicum worms attenuated liver fibrosis by delivering sja-let-7 into hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Mechanistically, activation of HSCs was reduced by targeting collagen type I alpha 2 chain (Col1α2) and downregulation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. Overall, these results contribute to further understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying host-parasite interactions and identified the sja-let-7/Col1α2/TGF-β/Smad axis as a potential target for treatment of schistosomiasis-related liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Zhong
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Bowen Dong
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Danlin Zhu
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Fu
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jinming Liu
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yamei Jin
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, P.R. China
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5
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Fu X, Luo X, Xiao P, Guo N. Yin Yang 1 facilitates the activation, inflammation, and extracellular matrix deposition of hepatic stellate cells in hepatic fibrosis. Pathol Int 2024; 74:197-209. [PMID: 38353379 DOI: 10.1111/pin.13410] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Chronic hepatic diseases often involve fibrosis as a pivotal factor in their progression. This study investigates the regulatory mechanisms of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) in hepatic fibrosis. Our data reveal that YY1 binds to the prolyl hydroxylase domain 1 (PHD1) promoter. Rats treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) display heightened fibrosis in liver tissues, accompanied by increased levels of YY1, PHD1, and the fibrosis marker alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Elevated levels of YY1, PHD1, and α-SMA are observed in the liver tissues of CCl4-treated rats, primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) isolated from fibrotic liver tissues, and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1)-induced HSCs. The human HSC cell line LX-2, upon YY1 overexpression, exhibits enhanced TGF-β1-induced activation, leading to increased expression of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related proteins and inflammatory cytokines. YY1 silencing produces the opposite effect. YY1 exerts a positive regulatory effect on the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway and PHD1 expression. PHD1 silencing rescues the promotion of YY1 in cell activation, ECM-related protein expression, and inflammatory cytokine production in TGF-β1-treated LX-2 cells. Overall, our findings propose a model wherein YY1 facilitates TGF-β1-induced HSC activation, ECM-related protein expression, and inflammatory cytokine production by promoting PHD1 expression and activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This study positions YY1 as a promising therapeutic target for hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Fu
- General Medicine Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Luo
- General Medicine Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Xiao
- General Medicine Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ninghong Guo
- Clinical Trial Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China
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6
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Osna NA, Tikhanovich I, Ortega-Ribera M, Mueller S, Zheng C, Mueller J, Li S, Sakane S, Weber RCG, Kim HY, Lee W, Ganguly S, Kimura Y, Liu X, Dhar D, Diggle K, Brenner DA, Kisseleva T, Attal N, McKillop IH, Chokshi S, Mahato R, Rasineni K, Szabo G, Kharbanda KK. Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease Outcomes: Critical Mechanisms of Liver Injury Progression. Biomolecules 2024; 14:404. [PMID: 38672422 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and represents a spectrum of liver injury beginning with hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) progressing to inflammation and culminating in cirrhosis. Multiple factors contribute to ALD progression and disease severity. Here, we overview several crucial mechanisms related to ALD end-stage outcome development, such as epigenetic changes, cell death, hemolysis, hepatic stellate cells activation, and hepatic fatty acid binding protein 4. Additionally, in this review, we also present two clinically relevant models using human precision-cut liver slices and hepatic organoids to examine ALD pathogenesis and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A Osna
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
| | - Irina Tikhanovich
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Martí Ortega-Ribera
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sebastian Mueller
- Center for Alcohol Research, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Viscera AG Bauchmedizin, 83011 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Chaowen Zheng
- Center for Alcohol Research, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Mueller
- Center for Alcohol Research, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Siyuan Li
- Center for Alcohol Research, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sadatsugu Sakane
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Raquel Carvalho Gontijo Weber
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hyun Young Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Wonseok Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Souradipta Ganguly
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yusuke Kimura
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Debanjan Dhar
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Karin Diggle
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - David A Brenner
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Neha Attal
- Department of Surgery, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
| | - Iain H McKillop
- Department of Surgery, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
| | - Shilpa Chokshi
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London SE59NT, UK
- School of Microbial Sciences, King's College, London SE59NT, UK
| | - Ram Mahato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
| | - Karuna Rasineni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
| | - Gyongyi Szabo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kusum K Kharbanda
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68106, USA
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
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7
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Liu B, Xie X, Yang X, Dou C, Tang H, Liu J. The miR-3074/BMP7 axis regulates TGF-β-caused activation of hepatic stellate cells in vitro and CCl 4-caused murine liver fibrosis in vivo. Hum Cell 2024; 37:435-450. [PMID: 38218754 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-023-01017-y] [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: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Continuously progressive hepatic fibrosis might cause chronic liver diseases, resulting in hepatic failure. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) residing in the liver might induce and influence hepatic fibrosis. In the present study, microRNA 3074 (miR-3074) was found increased within transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-activated HSCs and enriched within the TGF-β signaling. In activated HSCs by TGF-β, miR-3074 overexpression aggravated TGF-β-induced fibrotic changes, whereas miR-3074 inhibition exerted opposite effects. miR-3074 directly targeted bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) and inhibited BMP7 expression. Under TGF-β induction, overexpressed BMP7 notably attenuated the promotive roles of miR-3074 overexpression in TGF-β-activated HSCs. Within carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-caused liver fibrosis murine model, miR-3074 agomir administration promoted, while LV-BMP7 administration alleviated CCl4-induced fibrotic changes; LV-BMP7 significantly attenuated the effects of miR-3074 agomir. Lastly, mmu-miR-3074 also targeted mouse BMP7 and inhibited mouse BMP7 expression. In conclusion, the miR-3074/BMP7 axis regulates TGF-β-caused activation of HSCs in vitro and CCl4-caused murine liver fibrosis in vivo. BMP7-mediated Smad1/5/8 activation might be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjie Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Xia Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Chengyun Dou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Haibo Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
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Kang X, Chen H, Zhou Z, Tu S, Cui B, Li Y, Dong S, Zhang Q, Xu Y. Targeting Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1 Induces Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest of Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2300403. [PMID: 38103005 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300403] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the integral process of chronic liver diseases caused by multiple etiologies and characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). During liver fibrosis, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) transform into a highly proliferative, activated state, producing various cytokines, chemokines, and ECM. However, the precise mechanisms that license HSCs into the highly proliferative state remain unclear. Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) is a requisite event for the transition of the G1/S and G2/M phases in eukaryotic cells. In this study, it is demonstrated that CDK1 and its activating partners, Cyclin A2 and Cyclin B1, are upregulated in both liver fibrosis/cirrhosis patient specimens and the murine hepatic fibrosis models, especially in activated HSCs. In vitro, CDK1 is upregulated in spontaneously activated HSCs, and inhibiting CDK1 with specific small-molecule inhibitors (CGP74514A, RO-3306, or Purvalanol A) orshort hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) resulted in HSC apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by regulating Survivin expression. Above all, it is illustrated that increased CDK1 expression licenses the HSCs into a highly proliferative state and can serve as a potential therapeutic target in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmei Kang
- Biotherapy Centre, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Huaxin Chen
- Biotherapy Centre, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Zhuowei Zhou
- Biotherapy Centre, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Silin Tu
- Biotherapy Centre, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Bo Cui
- Biotherapy Centre, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yanli Li
- Biotherapy Centre, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Shuai Dong
- Biotherapy Centre, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Biotherapy Centre, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
- Cell-gene Therapy Translational Medicine Research Centre, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Biotherapy Centre, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, China
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9
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Liang J, Chen T, Xu H, Wang T, Gong Q, Li T, Liu X, Wang J, Wang Y, Xiong L. Echinacoside Exerts Antihepatic Fibrosis Effects in High-Fat Mice Model by Modulating the ACVR2A-Smad Pathway. Mol Nutr Food Res 2024; 68:e2300553. [PMID: 38366962 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202300553] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
SCOPE Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an increasingly common chronic liver disease in which hepatic fibrosis is the major pathological change. The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/mall mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad) signaling is the main effector of fibrosis. Although the antifibrotic effect of echinacoside (Ech) on the liver has been indicated previously, the cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate both in vivo and in vitro antifibrotic properties of Ech. METHODS AND RESULTS Cell viability and scratch/wound assays show that Ech significantly inhibits the proliferation, migration, and activation of human hepatic stellate LX-2 cells. In mice with high-fat diet-induced hepatic fibrosis, Ech treatment attenuates the progression of liver injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis and subsequent functional validation demonstrate that Ech achieves antifibrotic effects by the activin receptor type-2A (ACVR2A)-mediated TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway; ultimately, ACVR2A is demonstrated to be an important target for hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting and inducing the expression of ACVR2A in LX-2 cells. CONCLUSION Ech exerts potent antifibrotic effects by inhibiting the ACVR2A-mediated TGF-β1/Smad signaling axis and may serve as an alternative treatment for hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liang
- Department of Medicine, Linfen Vocational and Technical College, Linfen, Shanxi, 041000, China
| | - Ting Chen
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Honglei Xu
- Medical Security Center, The No. 983th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Forces of Chinese PLA, Tianjin, 300142, China
| | - Tingfang Wang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Qi Gong
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Tingting Li
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, 201700, China
| | - Yun Wang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Liyan Xiong
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
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10
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Hong R, Tan Y, Tian X, Huang Z, Wang J, Ni H, Yang J, Bu W, Yang S, Li T, Yu F, Zhong W, Sun T, Wang X, Li D, Liu M, Yang Y, Zhou J. XIAP-mediated degradation of IFT88 disrupts HSC cilia to stimulate HSC activation and liver fibrosis. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:1055-1074. [PMID: 38351372 PMCID: PMC10933415 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00092-y] [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: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a critical role in liver fibrosis. However, the molecular basis for HSC activation remains poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrate that primary cilia are present on quiescent HSCs but exhibit a significant loss upon HSC activation which correlates with decreased levels of the ciliary protein intraflagellar transport 88 (IFT88). Ift88-knockout mice are more susceptible to chronic carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis. Mechanistic studies show that the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for IFT88. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a profibrotic factor, enhances XIAP-mediated ubiquitination of IFT88, promoting its proteasomal degradation. Blocking XIAP-mediated IFT88 degradation ablates TGF-β-induced HSC activation and liver fibrosis. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized role for ciliary homeostasis in regulating HSC activation and identify the XIAP-IFT88 axis as a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjie Hong
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, 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, 250014, Jinan, 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, 250014, Jinan, China
| | - Zhenzhou Huang
- 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, 250014, Jinan, China
| | - Jiaying Wang
- 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, 250014, Jinan, China
| | - Hua Ni
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Jia Yang
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Weiwen Bu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Song Yang
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Te Li
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Fan Yu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Weilong Zhong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, China
| | - Dengwen Li
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Yunfan Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China.
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China.
- 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, 250014, Jinan, China.
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Li M, Zhou Y, Zhu H, Xu LM, Ping J. Danhongqing formula alleviates cholestatic liver fibrosis by downregulating long non-coding RNA H19 derived from cholangiocytes and inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation. J Integr Med 2024; 22:188-198. [PMID: 38472011 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2024.03.006] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study explores the mechanism of action of Danhongqing formula (DHQ), a compound-based Chinese medicine formula, in the treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis. METHODS In vivo experiments were conducted using 8-week-old multidrug resistance protein 2 knockout (Mdr2-/-) mice as an animal model of cholestatic liver fibrosis. DHQ was administered orally for 8 weeks, and its impact on cholestatic liver fibrosis was evaluated by assessing liver function, liver histopathology, and the expression of liver fibrosis-related proteins. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and other methods were used to observe the effects of DHQ on long non-coding RNA H19 (H19) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation in the liver tissue of Mdr2-/- mice. In addition, cholangiocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were cultured in vitro to measure the effects of bile acids on cholangiocyte injury and H19 expression. Cholangiocytes overexpressing H19 were constructed, and a conditioned medium containing H19 was collected to measure its effects on STAT3 protein expression and cell activation. The intervention effect of DHQ on these processes was also investigated. HSCs overexpressing H19 were constructed to measure the impact of H19 on cell activation and assess the intervention effect of DHQ. RESULTS DHQ alleviated liver injury, ductular reaction, and fibrosis in Mdr2-/- mice, and inhibited H19 expression, STAT3 expression and STAT3 phosphorylation. This formula also reduced hydrophobic bile acid-induced cholangiocyte injury and the upregulation of H19, inhibited the activation of HSCs induced by cholangiocyte-derived conditioned medium, and decreased the expression of activation markers in HSCs. The overexpression of H19 in a human HSC line confirmed that H19 promoted STAT3 phosphorylation and HSC activation, and DHQ was able to successfully inhibit these effects. CONCLUSION DHQ effectively alleviated spontaneous cholestatic liver fibrosis in Mdr2-/- mice by inhibiting H19 upregulation in cholangiocytes and preventing the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation in HSC, thereby suppressing cell activation. Please cite this article as: Li M, Zhou Y, Zhu H, Xu LM, Ping J. Danhongqing formula alleviates cholestatic liver fibrosis by downregulating long non-coding RNA H19 derived from cholangiocytes and inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(2): 188-198.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Li
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Preventive Treatment Center, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Suzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lie-Ming Xu
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Jian Ping
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Shanghai 201203, China.
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12
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Sun YD, Zhang H, Li YM, Han JJ. Abnormal metabolism in hepatic stellate cells: Pandora's box of MAFLD related hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189086. [PMID: 38342420 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a significant risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), as key mediators in liver injury response, are believed to play a crucial role in the repair process of liver injury. However, in MAFLD patients, the normal metabolic and immunoregulatory mechanisms of HSCs become disrupted, leading to disturbances in the local microenvironment. Abnormally activated HSCs are heavily involved in the initiation and progression of HCC. The metabolic disorders and abnormal activation of HSCs not only initiate liver fibrosis but also contribute to carcinogenesis. In this review, we provide an overview of recent research progress on the relationship between the abnormal metabolism of HSCs and the local immune system in the liver, elucidating the mechanisms of immune imbalance caused by abnormally activated HSCs in MAFLD patients. Based on this understanding, we discuss the potential and challenges of metabolic-based and immunology-based mechanisms in the treatment of MAFLD-related HCC, with a specific focus on the role of HSCs in HCC progression and their potential as targets for anti-cancer therapy. This review aims to enhance researchers' understanding of the importance of HSCs in maintaining normal liver function and highlights the significance of HSCs in the progression of MAFLD-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Dong Sun
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Yuan-Min Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China
| | - Jian-Jun Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China.
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13
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Fondevila MF, Novoa E, Gonzalez-Rellan MJ, Fernandez U, Heras V, Porteiro B, Parracho T, Dorta V, Riobello C, da Silva Lima N, Seoane S, Garcia-Vence M, Chantada-Vazquez MP, Bravo SB, Senra A, Leiva M, Marcos M, Sabio G, Perez-Fernandez R, Dieguez C, Prevot V, Schwaninger M, Woodhoo A, Martinez-Chantar ML, Schwabe R, Cubero FJ, Varela-Rey M, Crespo J, Iruzubieta P, Nogueiras R. p63 controls metabolic activation of hepatic stellate cells and fibrosis via an HER2-ACC1 pathway. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101401. [PMID: 38340725 PMCID: PMC10897550 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The p63 protein has pleiotropic functions and, in the liver, participates in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, its functions in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have not yet been explored. TAp63 is induced in HSCs from animal models and patients with liver fibrosis and its levels positively correlate with NAFLD activity score and fibrosis stage. In mice, genetic depletion of TAp63 in HSCs reduces the diet-induced liver fibrosis. In vitro silencing of p63 blunts TGF-β1-induced HSCs activation by reducing mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis, as well as decreasing acetyl CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1). Ectopic expression of TAp63 induces the activation of HSCs and increases the expression and activity of ACC1 by promoting the transcriptional activity of HER2. Genetic inhibition of both HER2 and ACC1 blunt TAp63-induced activation of HSCs. Thus, TAp63 induces HSC activation by stimulating the HER2-ACC1 axis and participates in the development of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos F Fondevila
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Eva Novoa
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Maria J Gonzalez-Rellan
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Uxia Fernandez
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Violeta Heras
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Begoña Porteiro
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Tamara Parracho
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Valentina Dorta
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Cristina Riobello
- Gene Regulatory Control in Disease Laboratory, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Natalia da Silva Lima
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Samuel Seoane
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Maria Garcia-Vence
- Proteomic Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Maria P Chantada-Vazquez
- Proteomic Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Susana B Bravo
- Proteomic Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ana Senra
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Magdalena Leiva
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology, & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Health Research Institute Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), 28007 Madrid, Spain; CIBER Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Marcos
- University of Salamanca, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Salamanca-IBSAL, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Sabio
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Roman Perez-Fernandez
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carlos Dieguez
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Vincent Prevot
- University Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), 59000 Lille, France
| | - Markus Schwaninger
- University of Lübeck, Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ashwin Woodhoo
- Gene Regulatory Control in Disease Laboratory, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Maria L Martinez-Chantar
- Liver Disease Lab, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Robert Schwabe
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Francisco J Cubero
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology, & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Health Research Institute Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), 28007 Madrid, Spain; CIBER Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Varela-Rey
- Gene Regulatory Control in Disease Laboratory, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Javier Crespo
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Clinical and Translational Digestive Research Group, IDIVAL, 39008 Santander, Spain
| | - Paula Iruzubieta
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Clinical and Translational Digestive Research Group, IDIVAL, 39008 Santander, Spain
| | - Ruben Nogueiras
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Galicia Agency of Innovation (GAIN), Xunta de Galicia, 15702 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Martínez-Torres D, Maldonado V, Pérez-Gallardo C, Yañez R, Candia V, Kalaidzidis Y, Zerial M, Morales-Navarrete H, Segovia-Miranda F. Phenotypic characterization of liver tissue heterogeneity through a next-generation 3D single-cell atlas. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2823. [PMID: 38307948 PMCID: PMC10837128 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53309-4] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) geometrical models are potent tools for quantifying complex tissue features and exploring structure-function relationships. However, these models are generally incomplete due to experimental limitations in acquiring multiple (> 4) fluorescent channels in thick tissue sections simultaneously. Indeed, predictive geometrical and functional models of the liver have been restricted to few tissue and cellular components, excluding important cellular populations such as hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and Kupffer cells (KCs). Here, we combined deep-tissue immunostaining, multiphoton microscopy, deep-learning techniques, and 3D image processing to computationally expand the number of simultaneously reconstructed tissue structures. We then generated a spatial single-cell atlas of hepatic architecture (Hep3D), including all main tissue and cellular components at different stages of post-natal development in mice. We used Hep3D to quantitatively study 1) hepatic morphodynamics from early post-natal development to adulthood, and 2) the effect on the liver's overall structure when changing the hepatic environment after removing KCs. In addition to a complete description of bile canaliculi and sinusoidal network remodeling, our analysis uncovered unexpected spatiotemporal patterns of non-parenchymal cells and hepatocytes differing in size, number of nuclei, and DNA content. Surprisingly, we found that the specific depletion of KCs results in morphological changes in hepatocytes and HSCs. These findings reveal novel characteristics of liver heterogeneity and have important implications for both the structural organization of liver tissue and its function. Our next-gen 3D single-cell atlas is a powerful tool to understand liver tissue architecture, opening up avenues for in-depth investigations into tissue structure across both normal and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilan Martínez-Torres
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Valentina Maldonado
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Cristian Pérez-Gallardo
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Yañez
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Valeria Candia
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Yannis Kalaidzidis
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marino Zerial
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Hernán Morales-Navarrete
- Department of Systems Biology of Development, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
- Facultad de Ciencias Técnicas, Universidad Internacional Del Ecuador UIDE, Quito, Ecuador.
| | - Fabián Segovia-Miranda
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
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15
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Zhang H, Shi Z, Guo Y, Wu D, Yu G, Xu J. Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Induced Protein-3 Inhibits the Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells by Regulating the p65 Molecule in the NF-κB Signaling Pathway. Altern Ther Health Med 2024; 30:171-177. [PMID: 37856812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein-3, also called A20, is a zinc-finger protein that participates in various inflammatory responses; however, the putative relationship between A20 and hepatic fibrosis remains unelucidated. Therefore, we investigated the role and mechanism of action of A20 in activating hepatic stellate cells (HSC) during the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), colony growth, transwell assays, cell cycle analysis, and apoptosis assays were performed to explore the effect of A20 on cell function in vitro. An interspecies intravenous injection of the adeno-associated virus was used to assess the in vivo role of A20. The regulation of A20 on p65 was detected using mass spectrometry and immunoprecipitation. Our findings revealed that A20 was highly expressed in the liver tissues of patients with hepatic fibrosis and that the expression level of A20 in the liver tissue was closely correlated with the stage of liver fibrosis. In the LX-2 cell line, the downregulation of A20 upregulated the expression of fibrosis-related proteins and increased the expression of inflammatory factors, indicating the activation of HSC and vice versa. In addition, overexpression of A20 in mice reduced the degree of liver fibrosis in thioacetamide model mice. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that A20 could interact with p65. Hence, A20 inhibits HSC activation by binding to p65.
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16
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Chen T, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Ning Z, Xu Q, Lin Y, Gong J, Li J, Chen Z, Meng Y, Li Y, Li X. Autophagic degradation of MVBs in LSECs promotes Aldosterone induced-HSCs activation. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:273-288. [PMID: 37330971 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10559-0] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The important role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in liver fibrosis has been confirmed. However, EVs derived from liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and liver fibrosis is still unclear. Our previous work demonstrated that Aldosterone (Aldo) may have the potential to regulate EVs from LSECs via autophagy pathway. Thus, we aim to investigate the role of Aldo in the regulation of EVs derived from LSECs. APPROACH AND RESULTS Using an Aldo-continuous pumping rat model, we observed that Aldo-induced liver fibrosis and capillarization of LSECs. In vitro, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that stimulation of Aldo led to the upregulation of autophagy and degradation of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) in LSECs. Mechanistically, Aldo upregulated ATP6V0A2, which promoted lysosomal acidification and subsequent autophagy in LSECs. Inhibiting autophagy with si-ATG5 adeno-associated virus (AAV) in LSECs effectively mitigated Aldo-induced liver fibrosis in rats. RNA sequencing and nanoparticle tracking (NTA) analyses of EVs derived from LSECs indicated that Aldo result in a decrease in both the quantity and quality of EVs. We also observed a reduction in the protective miRNA-342-5P in EVs derived from Aldo-treated LSECs, which may play a critical role in HSCs activation. Target knockdown of EV secretion with si-RAB27a AAV in LSECs led to the development of liver fibrosis and HSC activation in rats. CONCLUSION Aldo-induced Autophagic degradation of MVBs in LSECs promotes a decrease in the quantity and quality of EVs derived from LSECs, resulting in the activation of HSCs and liver fibrosis under hyperaldosteronism. Modulating the autophagy level of LSECs and their EV secretion may represent a promising therapeutic approach for treating liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1838, North of Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1838, North of Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yijie Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1838, North of Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zuowei Ning
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qihan Xu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1838, North of Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ying Lin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1838, North of Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jiacheng Gong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1838, North of Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jierui Li
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1838, North of Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zhuoer Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1838, North of Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ying Meng
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1838, North of Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1838, North of Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
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17
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Gu L, Zhao C, Wang Y, Wang C, Yin X, Ye Q, Liu Y, Zou X, Wang L, Zhuge Y, Wu J, Zhang F. Senescence of Hepatic Stellate Cells by Specific Delivery of Manganese for Limiting Liver Fibrosis. Nano Lett 2024; 24:1062-1073. [PMID: 38164915 PMCID: PMC10836362 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03689] [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] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Senescence of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is crucial for the regression of liver fibrosis. However, impaired immune clearance can result in the accumulation of senescent HSCs, exacerbating liver fibrosis. The activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway is essential for both senescence and the innate immune response. Additionally, the specific delivery to activated HSCs is hindered by their inaccessible anatomical location, capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), and loss of substance exchange. Herein, we propose an antifibrotic strategy that combines prosenescence with enhanced immune clearance through targeted delivery of manganese (a cGAS-STING stimulator) via albumin-mediated transcytosis, specifically aimed at inducing senescence and eliminating activated HSCs in liver fibrosis. Our findings demonstrate that only albumin efficiently transfers manganese to activated HSCs from LSECs via transcytosis compared to liposomes, resulting in significant antifibrotic effects in vivo while exhibiting negligible toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Gu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People's Republic of China
- Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214002, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenxuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People's Republic of China
| | - Yixuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaochun Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingsong Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoping Zou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuzheng Zhuge
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, People's Republic of China
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18
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Bogomolova A, Balakrishnan A, Ott M, Sharma AD. "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" - About Diverse Phenotypes of Hepatic Stellate Cells in the Liver. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 17:607-622. [PMID: 38216053 PMCID: PMC10900761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.01.002] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and their activated derivatives, often referred to as myofibroblasts (MFs), play a key role in progression of chronic liver injuries leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Until recently, MFs were considered a homogenous cell type majorly due to lack of techniques that allow complex molecular studies at a single-cell resolution. Recent technical advancements in genetic lineage-tracing models as well as the exponential growth of studies with single-cell transcriptome and proteome analyses have uncovered hidden heterogeneities among the HSC and MF populations in healthy states as well as chronic liver injuries at the various stages of tissue deformation. The identification of different phenotypes along the HSC/MF axis, which either maintain essential liver functions ("good" HSCs), emerge during fibrosis ("bad" HSCs), or even promote hepatocellular carcinoma ("ugly" HSCs), may lay the foundation for targeting a particular MF phenotype as potential treatment for chronic liver injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Bogomolova
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Research Group RNA Therapeutics & Liver Regeneration, REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Asha Balakrishnan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Ott
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Amar Deep Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Research Group RNA Therapeutics & Liver Regeneration, REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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19
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Qu J, Xue X, Wang Z, Ma Z, Jia K, Li F, Zhang Y, Wu R, Zhou F, Zhao P, Li X. Si-Wu-Tang attenuates liver fibrosis via regulating lncRNA H19-dependent pathways involving cytoskeleton remodeling and ECM deposition. Chin J Nat Med 2024; 22:31-46. [PMID: 38278557 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(24)60560-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a dynamic wound-healing response characterized by the agglutination of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is known for treating gynecological diseases and liver fibrosis. Our previous studies demonstrated that long non-coding RNA H19 (H19) was markedly upregulated in fibrotic livers while its deficiency markedly reversed fibrogenesis. However, the mechanisms by which SWT influences H19 remain unclear. Thus, we established a bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis model to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of SWT on various cells in the liver. Our results showed that SWT markedly improved ECM deposition and bile duct reactions in the liver. Notably, SWT relieved liver fibrosis by regulating the transcription of genes involved in the cytoskeleton remodeling, primarily in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and influencing cytoskeleton-related angiogenesis and hepatocellular injury. This modulation collectively led to reduced ECM deposition. Through extensive bioinformatics analyses, we determined that H19 acted as a miRNA sponge and mainly inhibited miR-200, miR-211, and let7b, thereby regulating the above cellular regulatory pathways. Meanwhile, SWT reversed H19-related miRNAs and signaling pathways, diminishing ECM deposition and liver fibrosis. However, these protective effects of SWT were diminished with the overexpression of H19 in vivo. In conclusion, our study elucidates the underlying mechanisms of SWT from the perspective of H19-related signal networks and proposes a potential SWT-based therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaorong Qu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaoyong Xue
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zhixing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Zhi Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Kexin Jia
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Fanghong Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yinhao Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ruiyu Wu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Fei Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Piwen Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
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20
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Wang S, Link F, Han M, Chaudhary R, Asimakopoulos A, Liebe R, Yao Y, Hammad S, Dropmann A, Krizanac M, Rubie C, Feiner LK, Glanemann M, Ebert MPA, Weiskirchen R, Henis YI, Ehrlich M, Dooley S. The Interplay of TGF-β1 and Cholesterol Orchestrating Hepatocyte Cell Fate, EMT, and Signals for HSC Activation. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:567-587. [PMID: 38154598 PMCID: PMC10883985 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.12.012] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays important roles in chronic liver diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MASLD involves various biological processes including dysfunctional cholesterol metabolism and contributes to progression to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the reciprocal regulation of TGF-β1 signaling and cholesterol metabolism in MASLD is yet unknown. METHODS Changes in transcription of genes associated with cholesterol metabolism were assessed by RNA sequencing of murine hepatocyte cell line (alpha mouse liver 12/AML12) and mouse primary hepatocytes treated with TGF-β1. Functional assays were performed on AML12 cells (untreated, TGF-β1 treated, or subjected to cholesterol enrichment [CE] or cholesterol depletion [CD]), and on mice injected with adenovirus-associated virus 8-control/TGF-β1. RESULTS TGF-β1 inhibited messenger RNA expression of several cholesterol metabolism regulatory genes, including rate-limiting enzymes of cholesterol biosynthesis in AML12 cells, mouse primary hepatocytes, and adenovirus-associated virus-TGF-β1-treated mice. Total cholesterol levels and lipid droplet accumulation in AML12 cells and liver tissue also were reduced upon TGF-β1 treatment. Smad2/3 phosphorylation after 2 hours of TGF-β1 treatment persisted after CE or CD and was mildly increased after CD, whereas TGF-β1-mediated AKT phosphorylation (30 min) was inhibited by CE. Furthermore, CE protected AML12 cells from several effects mediated by 72 hours of incubation with TGF-β1, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, actin polymerization, and apoptosis. CD mimicked the outcome of long-term TGF-β1 administration, an effect that was blocked by an inhibitor of the type I TGF-β receptor. In addition, the supernatant of CE- or CD-treated AML12 cells inhibited or promoted, respectively, the activation of LX-2 hepatic stellate cells. CONCLUSIONS TGF-β1 inhibits cholesterol metabolism whereas cholesterol attenuates TGF-β1 downstream effects in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Wang
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frederik Link
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mei Han
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Roohi Chaudhary
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anastasia Asimakopoulos
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Roman Liebe
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ye Yao
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Seddik Hammad
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anne Dropmann
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marinela Krizanac
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Claudia Rubie
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Laura Kim Feiner
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Matthias Glanemann
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Matthias P A Ebert
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Healthy Metabolism, Center of Preventive Medicine and Digital Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Yoav I Henis
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Marcelo Ehrlich
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Steven Dooley
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
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21
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Chen N, Liu S, Qin D, Guan D, Chen Y, Hou C, Zheng S, Wang L, Chen X, Chen W, Zhang L. Fate tracking reveals differences between Reelin + hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and Desmin + HSCs in activation, migration and proliferation. Cell Prolif 2023; 56:e13500. [PMID: 37246473 PMCID: PMC10693182 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the main cause of liver fibrogenesis in response to different etiologies of chronic liver injuries. HSCs are heterogeneous, but the lack of specific markers to distinguish different HSC subset hinders the development of targeted therapy for liver fibrosis. In this study, we aim to reveal new HSC subsets by cell fate tracking. We constructed a novel ReelinCreERT2 transgenic mouse model to track the fate of cells expressing Reelin and their progeny (Reelin+ cells). And we investigated the property of Reelin+ cells, such as differentiation and proliferation, in hepatotoxic (carbon tetrachloride; CCl4 ) or cholestatic (bile duct ligation; BDL) liver injury models by immunohistochemistry. Our study revealed that Reelin+ cells were a new HSC subset. In terms of activation, migration, and proliferation, Reelin+ HSCs displayed different properties from Desmin+ HSCs (total HSCs) in cholestatic liver injury model but shared similar properties to total HSCs in hepatotoxic liver injury model. Besides, we did not find evidence that Reelin+ HSCs transdifferentiated into hepatocytes or cholangiocytes through mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). In this study, our genetic cell fate tracking data reveal that ReelinCreERT2-labelled cells are a new HSC subset, which provides new insights into targeted therapy for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Shenghui Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Dan Qin
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Dian Guan
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Yaqing Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Chenjiao Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Songyun Zheng
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Liqiang Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Kidney DiseasesBeijingChina
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Kidney DiseasesBeijingChina
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Lisheng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine/Bio‐medical Center/Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
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22
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Chebotarev AS, Ledyaeva VS, Patsap OI, Ivanov AA, Fedotov AB, Belousov VV, Shokhina AG, Lanin AA. Multimodal label-free imaging of murine hepatocellular carcinoma with a subcellular resolution. J Biophotonics 2023; 16:e202300228. [PMID: 37679905 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202300228] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate label-free imaging of genetically induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a murine model provided by two- and three-photon fluorescence microscopy of endogenous fluorophores excited at the central wavelengths of 790, 980 and 1250 nm and reinforced by second and third harmonic generation microscopy. We show, that autofluorescence imaging presents abundant information about cell arrangement and lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), harmonics generation microscopy provides a versatile tool for fibrogenesis and steatosis study. Multimodal images may be performed by a single ultrafast laser source at 1250 nm falling in tissue transparency window. Various grades of HCC are examined revealing fibrosis, steatosis, liver cell dysplasia, activation of HSCs and hepatocyte necrosis, that shows a great ability of multimodal label-free microscopy to intravital visualization of liver pathology development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem S Chebotarev
- Physics Department, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Russian Quantum Center, Skolkovo, Russia
| | | | - Olga I Patsap
- Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies, Federal Medical-Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anatoli A Ivanov
- Physics Department, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Russian Quantum Center, Skolkovo, Russia
| | - Andrei B Fedotov
- Physics Department, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Russian Quantum Center, Skolkovo, Russia
| | - Vsevolod V Belousov
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies, Federal Medical-Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
| | - Arina G Shokhina
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies, Federal Medical-Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksandr A Lanin
- Physics Department, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Russian Quantum Center, Skolkovo, Russia
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Deng K, Dai Z, Yang P, Yang D, Zhou Y. LPS-induced macrophage exosomes promote the activation of hepatic stellate cells and the intervention study of total astragalus saponins combined with glycyrrhizic acid. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023; 306:3097-3105. [PMID: 35730909 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Huangqi decoction, also known as Huangqi Liuyi decoction, was first recorded in the prescriptions of the Bureau of Taiping People's Welfare Pharmacy. It comprises astragalus and licorice, which is a commonly used prescription in traditional Chinese medicine for the clinical treatment of chronic liver disease, especially liver cirrhosis. Total astragalus saponins (AST) is the main component of astragalus, and glycyrrhizic acid (GA) is the main component of licorice. In this study, normal macrophage exosomes were extracted, and the exosomes incubated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and those incubated with LPS + AST + GA were co-cultured with JS1 cells (hepatic stellate cell line). The survival rate and the activation of key signaling pathways of JS1 cells in each group were detected and compared. We found that the co-culture of LPS-induced macrophage exosomes with JS1 cells could significantly increase the expression levels of Collagen-1 (Col-1) and Alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)in JS1 cells. However, a significant reversal effect was observed after pretreatment with AST combined with GA. Further evaluation found that the expression levels of phospho (p)-Smad2 and p-Smad3 in the JS1 cells were significantly increased after macrophages were induced with LPS, whereas pretreatment with AST + GA could significantly decrease the expression levels of p-Smad2 and p-Smad3. Preliminary results of this study indicated that LPS-induced macrophage exosomes can promote the activation of hepatic stellate cells, and the pretreatment of AST combined with GA can exert a significant intervention effect. In this study, the new mechanism of anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of traditional Chinese medicine components of Huangqi Decoction was analyzed from the perspective of exosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaili Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ze Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Dongxue Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Digestive Disease of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yuping Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Institute of Digestive Disease of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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24
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Huang L, Han Y, Wang Z, Qiu Q, Yue S, Zhou Q, Su W, Yan J. Saffron reduces the liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the JAK/STAT3 pathway. Acta Cir Bras 2023; 38:e385823. [PMID: 38055395 PMCID: PMC10691186 DOI: 10.1590/acb385823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Chronic inflammation in the liver is a key trigger for liver injury and fibrosis in various liver diseases. Given the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Saffron, this study aimed to investigate the pharmacological effects of Saffron on hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. METHODS The mice model of hepatic fibrosis was constructed using CCl4, and Saffron was administered at low (10 mg/kg) and high (20 mg/kg) doses by gavage. Then, the changes in liver function, liver inflammation and fibrosis markers were evaluated. The effects and mechanisms of Saffron on hepatic stellate cells were further investigated in in-vitro experiments. RESULTS Saffron improved liver function, reduced liver inflammation and attenuated liver fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner in hepatic fibrosis mice. Furthermore, Western blotting showed that Saffron significantly inhibited JAK/STAT3 phosphorylation in fibrotic livers. CONCLUSIONS Saffron can attenuate liver fibrosis by inhibiting the JAK/STAT3 pathway and the activation of hepatic stellate cell, providing a theoretical basis for the development of new anti-fibrotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Huang
- Xiangnan University – College of Nursing – Chenzhou, Hunan Province – People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Han
- Xiangnan University -Affiliated Hospital – Chenzhou, Hunan Province – People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhi Wang
- Xiangnan University -Affiliated Hospital – Chenzhou, Hunan Province – People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiao Qiu
- Xiangnan University -Affiliated Hospital – Chenzhou, Hunan Province – People’s Republic of China
| | - Sichen Yue
- Xiangnan University -Affiliated Hospital – Chenzhou, Hunan Province – People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingmin Zhou
- Xiangnan University -Affiliated Hospital – Chenzhou, Hunan Province – People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Su
- Xiangnan University -Affiliated Hospital – Chenzhou, Hunan Province – People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianhui Yan
- Xiangnan University -Affiliated Hospital – Chenzhou, Hunan Province – People’s Republic of China
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25
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Xie Z, Zhou Y, Lin M, Huang C. Binding of berberine to PEBP1 synergizes with sorafenib to induce the ferroptosis of hepatic stellate cells. Amino Acids 2023; 55:1867-1878. [PMID: 37814030 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03345-7] [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: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is the key process in hepatic fibrosis (HF) development. Targeted death of HSCs could be effective in the prevention and treatment of HF. Phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP)1 can trigger ferroptosis by mediating peroxide production, but how it modulates HSC ferroptosis is not known. We screened natural small molecules that could bind with PEBP1, and investigated the mechanism by which it promotes HSC ferroptosis. The maximum binding energy of berberine with PEBP1 was - 8.51 kcal/mol, indicating that berberine could bind strongly with PEBP1. Berberine binding to PEBP1 could promote HSC ferroptosis via synergy of its actions with those of sorafenib, but it could not induce ferroptosis alone. Combined administration of berberine enhanced the ferroptotic effects of low-dose sorafenib upon HSCs. Herein, we revealed that PEBP1 might be a target that could enhance the effects of sorafenib, which could provide a new therapeutic approach for HF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongping Xie
- Physical Education Department, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Research Center of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Min Lin
- Research Center of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Caihua Huang
- Physical Education Department, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen, China.
- Research and Communication Center of Exercise and Health, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen, China.
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26
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Liao X, Luo Y, Gu F, Song W, Nie X, Yang Q. Therapeutic role of FNDC5/irisin in attenuating liver fibrosis via inhibiting release of hepatic stellate cell-derived exosomes. Hepatol Int 2023; 17:1659-1671. [PMID: 37046114 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10523-y] [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: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cleavage of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5), a membrane-bound precursor protein, would cleave into a myokine, irisin, which is also expressed in the liver. FNDC5/Irisin has been reported to play a critical role in maintaining glucose and lipid homeostasis in the liver and in combating liver fibrosis. Recently, several studies have shown that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) could modulate liver fibrosis; however, there is a large gap in understanding whether inhibition of fibrogenic EVs derived from HSCs could alleviate the progression of liver fibrosis. Here, we investigated the role of FNDC5/irisin in liver fibrosis and the mechanism of its inhibitory role in the release of HSC-derived fibrogenic EVs. METHODS Experiments were performed in wild-type and FNDC5-/- mice, primary mouse HSCs, and human hepatic stellate cell line (LX2). Mice were treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or bile duct ligation (BDL) to induce liver fibrosis. EVs derived from HSCs were purified and injected intraperitoneally into mice. RESULTS Our results showed that FNDC5 deficiency exacerbated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis and activation of HSCs in mice. Moreover, fibrogenic EVs derived from PDGF-BB-treated HSCs promoted HSC migration in vitro and liver fibrosis in vivo. However, administration of irisin, a cleavage of FNDC5, inhibited the release of fibrogenic EVs and activation of HSCs by promoting ubiquitylation degradation of Rab27b. In vivo, the promoting role of HSC-derived fibrogenic EVs in liver fibrosis was also reversed by irisin. CONCLUSION All these results demonstrate that FNDC5/irisin is a novel therapeutic agent for chronic liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liao
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Yilin Luo
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Fang Gu
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Wen Song
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Xin Nie
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Qin Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, Guizhou, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550000, Guizhou, China.
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27
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Ganguin AA, Skorup I, Streb S, Othman A, Luciani P. Formation and Investigation of Cell-Derived Nanovesicles as Potential Therapeutics against Chronic Liver Disease. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2300811. [PMID: 37669775 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
A new therapeutic approach using cell-derived nanovesicles (cdNVs) is offered here to overcome the lack of effective treatments for liver fibrosis, a reversible chronic liver disease. To achieve this goal the formation and purification of cdNVs from untreated, quiescent-like, or activated LX-2 cells, an immortalized human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line with key features of transdifferentiated HSCs are established. Analysis of the genotype and phenotype of naïve and transdifferentiated LX-2 cells activated through transforming growth factor beta 1, following treatment with cdNVs, reveals a concentration-dependent fibrosis regression. The beneficial fibrosis-resolving effects of cdNVs are linked to their biomolecular corona. Liposomes generated using lipids extracted from cdNVs exhibit a reduced antifibrotic response in perpetuated LX-2 cells and show a reduced cellular uptake. However, incubation with soluble factors collected during purification results in a new corona, thereby restoring fibrosis regression activity. Overall, cdNVs display encouraging therapeutic properties, making them a promising candidate for the development of liver fibrosis resolving therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymar Abel Ganguin
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, 3012, Switzerland
| | - Ivo Skorup
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, 3012, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Streb
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich (FGCZ), University of Zurich/ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Alaa Othman
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich (FGCZ), University of Zurich/ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Paola Luciani
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, 3012, Switzerland
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28
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Tan J, Chen M, Liu M, Chen A, Huang M, Chen X, Tian X, Chen W. Exosomal miR-192-5p secreted by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation and targets PPP2R3A. J Histotechnol 2023; 46:158-169. [PMID: 37226801 DOI: 10.1080/01478885.2023.2215151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BSMC)-derived extracellular vehicles (EVs) have a pivotal therapeutic potential in hepatic fibrosis (HF). Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key mechanism in HF progression. Downregulation of miR-192-5p was previously observed in activated HSCs. Nonetheless, the functions of BSMC-derived exosomal miR-192-5p in activated HSCs remain unclear. In this study, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 was used to activate HSC-T6 cells to mimic HF in vitro. Characterization of BMSCs and BMSC-derived EVs was performed. Cell-counting kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, and western blotting revealed that TGF-β1 increased cell viability, promoted cell cycle progression, and induced upregulation of fibrosis markers in HSC-T6 cells. Overexpression of miR-192-5p or BMSC-derived exosomal miR-192-5p suppressed TGF-β1-triggered HSC-T6 cell activation. RT-qPCR revealed that protein phosphatase 2 regulatory subunit B'' alpha (PPP2R3A) was downregulated in miR-192-5p-overexpressed HSC-T6 cells. Luciferase reporter assay was used for verifying the relation between miR-192-5p and PPP2R3A, which showed that miR-192-5p targeted PPP2R3A in activated HSC-T6 cells. Collectively, BMSC-derived exosomal miR-192-5p targets PPP2R3A and inhibits activation of HSC-T6 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Tan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Third Hospital, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingtao Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Third Hospital, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Third Hospital, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Aifang Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Third Hospital, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Third Hospital, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoli Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Third Hospital, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xia Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Third Hospital, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Third Hospital, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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29
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Sayaf K, Zanotto I, Gabbia D, Alberti D, Pasqual G, Zaramella A, Fantin A, De Martin S, Russo FP. Sex Drives Functional Changes in the Progression and Regression of Liver Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16452. [PMID: 38003640 PMCID: PMC10671597 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216452] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a common and reversible feature of liver damage associated with many chronic liver diseases, and its onset is influenced by sex. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of liver fibrosis and regeneration, focusing on understanding the mechanistic gaps between females and males. We injected increasing doses of carbon tetrachloride into female and male mice and maintained them for a washout period of eight weeks to allow for liver regeneration. We found that male mice were more prone to developing severe liver fibrosis as a consequence of early chronic liver damage, supported by the recruitment of a large number of Ly6Chigh MoMφs and neutrophils. Although prolonged liver damage exacerbated the fibrosis in mice of both sexes, activated HSCs and Ly6Chigh MoMφs were more numerous and active in the livers of female mice than those of male mice. After eight weeks of washout, only fibrotic females reported no activated HSCs, and a phenotype switching of Ly6Chigh MoMφs to anti-fibrogenic Ly6Clow MoMφs. The early stages of liver fibrosis mostly affected males rather than females, while long-term chronic liver damage was not influenced by sex, at least for liver fibrosis. Liver repair and regeneration were more efficient in females than in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Sayaf
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Ilaria Zanotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy (D.G.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy (D.G.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Dafne Alberti
- Laboratory of Synthetic Immunology, Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy (G.P.)
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Pasqual
- Laboratory of Synthetic Immunology, Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy (G.P.)
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Zaramella
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Gastroenterology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Alberto Fantin
- Gastroenterology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy (D.G.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
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30
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Wang K, Chen H, Qin S, Chen S, Zhang Q, Chen J, Di D, Su G, Yuan Y. Co-delivery of pirfenidone and siRNA in ZIF-based nanoparticles for dual inhibition of hepatic stellate cell activation in liver fibrotic therapy. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2023; 231:113567. [PMID: 37797465 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2023.113567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis, as a destructive liver disease, occurs due to activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) producing excessive extracellular matrix deposition. If left untreated, it could further deteriorate into cirrhosis and hepatoma with high morbidity and mortality. Currently, to break the dilemma of poor targeting efficiency on HSCs and limited effect of monotherapy, it is urgent to explore a precise and efficient treatment against liver fibrosis. In the present work, a novel multifunctional nanoplatform based on vitamin A (VA) modified zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles was designed for co-delivery of chemical drug (Pirfenidone) and genetic drug (TGF-β1 siRNA) to achieve HSCs targeting mediated synergistic chemo-gene therapy against liver fibrosis. With the large specific surface area and acid-responsive degradation characteristics, ZIF-8 nanoparticles have great advantages to achieve high loading efficiency of Pirfenidone and enable acid-reactive drug release. After complexing siRNA, the prepared chemo-gene drug co-delivered nanocomplex (GP@ZIF-VL) proved excellent serum stability and effectively protected siRNA from degradation. Importantly, in vitro cell uptake and in vivo biodistribution demonstrated that VA functionalization markedly enhanced the delivery efficiency of GP@ZIF-VL nanocomplex into HSCs. As expected, GP@ZIF-VL significantly reduced extracellular matrix deposition and ameliorated hepatic fibrosis, as evidenced by decreased levels of liver enzymes in serum and a reduction in the hydroxyproline content in liver tissue. Therefore, GP@ZIF-VL nanocomplex displayed a bright future on the treatment of liver fibrosis with HSCs-targeting mediated chemo-gene synergetic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaili Wang
- Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Hao Chen
- Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Si Qin
- Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Shuhui Chen
- Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Jiali Chen
- Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Donghua Di
- Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Guangyue Su
- Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China.
| | - Yue Yuan
- Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China.
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王 磊, 金 香, 董 慧, 欧 国, 赖 鑫, 庄 辉, 李 彤, 向 宽. [Establishment of a reporter system for estimating activation of human hepatic stellate cells based on COL1A1 promoter and enhanced green fluorescent protein]. Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2023; 55:876-885. [PMID: 37807743 PMCID: PMC10560908] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To establish a visual reporting system for evaluating the activity of collagen Ⅰ α 1 chain (COL1A1) gene promoter in immortalized human hepatic stellate cells, so as to estimate the activation status of the cells and provide a new cell model for the screening and study of anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs. METHODS The promoter sequence of human COL1A1 was amplified from the genomic DNA of human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2. Based on the pLVX-AcGFP1-N1 plasmid, the recombinant plasmid pLVX-COL1A1-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was constructed, in which the enhanced green fluorescent protein gene expression was regulated by the COL1A1 promoter. The monoclonal cell line was acquired by stably transfecting pLVX-COL1A1-EGFP into the immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 by the lentivirus packaging system and screening. The cell line was treated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) or co-treated with TGF-β1 and drugs with potential anti-hepatic fibrosis effects. The EGFP fluorescence intensity in cells was analyzed by the fluorescence microscope and ImageJ 1.49 software using a semi-quantitative method. The COL1A1 and EGFP mRNA were detected by reverse transcription real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and corresponding proteins were detected by Western blot. RESULTS The recombinant plasmid pLVX-COL1A1-EGFP with the expression of EGFP regulated by COL1A1 promoter was successfully constructed. Kozak sequence was added to enhance the expression of EGFP, which was identified by double digestion and sequencing. The LX-2 monoclonal cell line LX-2-CE stably transfected with pLVX-COL1A1-EGFP was obtained. After co-treatment with TGF-β1 and 5 μmol/L dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ with potential anti-hepatic fibrosis effect for 24 h, the total fluorescence intensity and the average fluorescence intensity of LX-2-CE were lower than those in TGF-β1 single treatment group (P < 0.05), the intracellular mRNA and protein levels of COL1A1 and EGFP were also lower than those in the TGF-β1 single treatment group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION A reporter system for estimating activation of hepatic stellate cells based on COL1A1 promoter regulated EGFP expression is successfully constructed, which could visually report the changes in COL1A1 expression, one of the activation-related markers of hepatic stellate cells, in vitro. It provides a new cell model for the screening and study of anti-hepatic fibrosis drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- 磊 王
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 香淑 金
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 慧君 董
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 国敏 欧
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 鑫源 赖
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 辉 庄
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 彤 李
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 宽辉 向
- />北京大学基础医学院病原生物学系和感染病研究中心, 北京 100191Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
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Shinohara M, Lau QY, Torizal FG, Choi H, Sakai Y. Inflammatory liver tissue formation using oxygen permeable membrane based culture platform. J Biosci Bioeng 2023; 136:327-333. [PMID: 37573250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2023.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
During chronic liver injury, inflammation leads to liver fibrosis, particularly due to the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The involvement of inflammatory cytokines in HSC activation and the interplay among different liver cells are elaborated. To examine their interactions in vitro, many cultured liver tissue models are performed in organoid or spheroid culture with random 3D structure. Herein, we demonstrated the hierarchical coculture of primary rat hepatocytes with non-parenchymal cells such as the human-derived HSC line (LX-2) and liver sinusoidal endothelial cell line (TMNK-1). The cocultured tissue had high usability with simple operation of separating solid and liquid phases with improved liver functions such as albumin production and hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4 activity. We also studied the effects of stimulation by both oxygen tension and the key pro-fibrogenic cytokine, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), on HSC activation. Gene expression of collagen type I and alpha-smooth muscle actin were enhanced in the hierarchical coculture under lower oxygen tension and TGF-β1 stimulation. Therefore, this hierarchical in vitro cocultured liver tissue could provide a useful platform as a disease model for elucidating the interactions of various liver cell types and biochemical signals in future liver fibrogenesis studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Shinohara
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
| | - Qiao You Lau
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan; Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Fuad Gandhi Torizal
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan; Department of Chemical System Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Hyunjin Choi
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan; Department of Chemical System Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Sakai
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan; Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan; Department of Chemical System Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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Zhao H, Zhu H, Zhang Y, Ding Y, Feng R, Li J, Ma T, Huang C. Lymphocyte-Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase Contributes to Spontaneous Regression of Liver Fibrosis may by Interacting with Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1. Inflammation 2023; 46:1653-1669. [PMID: 37233920 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-023-01831-4] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Quiescent hepatic stellate cells (qHSCs), converted to myofibroblasts, produce fibrous scars, which is an essential event during liver fibrogenesis. Clinical and experimental fibrosis undergo remarkable regression when the underlying etiological agent is removed. Some myofibroblasts revert to an inactive phenotype (iHSCs) during the regression of fibrosis. However, the mechanisms underlying HSC activation and reversal remain unclear. The present study demonstrated that the expression of lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) was increased in fibrotic livers but decreased after spontaneous recovery in vivo and in vitro, which was correlated with the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen (COL-1). Further investigation indicated that specific knockdown of LCK by a recombination adeno-associated virus 9 (rAAV9) in C57BL/6 mice ameliorated liver fibrosis. Co-incubation of TGF-β1-induced HSC-T6 cells with LCK-siRNA inhibited cell proliferation and activation. Overexpression of LCK inhibited activated HSCs going to inactivated phenotype. Interestingly, we found that LCK may interact with suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) and may influence the expression of p-JAK1 and p-STAT1/3. These data suggest that LCK may play a regulatory role in liver fibrosis by inhibiting SOCS1, indicating that LCK is a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizi Zhao
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yuhao Ding
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Rui Feng
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jun Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Taotao Ma
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Cheng Huang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
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Hijazi N, Shi Z, Rockey DC. Paxillin regulates liver fibrosis via actin polymerization and ERK activation in hepatic stellate cells. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs261122. [PMID: 37667902 PMCID: PMC10560551 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261122] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver injury leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis. The primary mechanism underlying the fibrogenic response is the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are 'quiescent' in normal liver but become 'activated' after injury by transdifferentiating into extracellular matrix (ECM)-secreting myofibroblasts. Given that integrins are important in HSC activation and fibrogenesis, we hypothesized that paxillin, a key downstream effector in integrin signaling, might be critical in the fibrosis pathway. Using a cell-culture-based model of HSC activation and in vivo models of liver injury, we found that paxillin is upregulated in activated HSCs and fibrotic livers. Overexpression of paxillin (both in vitro and in vivo) led to increased ECM protein expression, and depletion of paxillin in a novel conditional mouse injury model reduced fibrosis. The mechanism by which paxillin mediated this effect appeared to be through the actin cytoskeleton, which signals to the ERK pathway and induces ECM protein production. These data highlight a novel role for paxillin in HSC biology and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Hijazi
- Digestive Disease Research Center Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Zengdun Shi
- Digestive Disease Research Center Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Don C. Rockey
- Digestive Disease Research Center Core, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Pan Q, Gao M, Kim D, Ai W, Yang W, Jiang W, Brashear W, Dai Y, Li S, Sun Y, Qi Y, Guo S. Hepatocyte FoxO1 Deficiency Protects From Liver Fibrosis via Reducing Inflammation and TGF-β1-mediated HSC Activation. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:41-58. [PMID: 37678798 PMCID: PMC10665954 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.08.013] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The O-class of the forkhead transcription factor FoxO1 is a crucial factor mediating insulin→PI3K→Akt signaling and governs diverse cellular processes. However, the role of hepatocyte FoxO1 in liver fibrosis has not been well-established. In his study, we investigated the role of hepatocyte FoxO1 in liver fibrosis and uncovered the underlying mechanisms. METHODS Liver fibrosis was established by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) administration and compared between liver-specific deletion of FoxO1 deletion (F1KO) and control (CNTR) mice. Using genetic and bioinformatic strategies in vitro and in vivo, the role of hepatic FoxO1 in liver fibrosis and associated mechanisms was established. RESULTS Increased FoxO1 expression and FoxO1 signaling activation were observed in CCL4-induced fibrosis. Hepatic FoxO1 deletion largely attenuated CCL4-induced liver injury and fibrosis compared with CNTR mice. F1KO mice showed ameliorated CCL4-induced hepatic inflammation and decreased TGF-β1 mRNA and protein levels compared with those of CNTR mice. In primary hepatocytes, FoxO1 deficiency reduced TGF-β1 expression and secretion. Conditioned medium (CM) collected from wild-type hepatocytes treated with CCL4 activated human HSC cell line (LX-2); such effect was attenuated by FoxO1 deletion in primary hepatocytes or neutralization of TGF-β1 in the CM using TGF-β1 antibody. Hepatic FoxO1 overexpression in CNTR mice promoted CCL4-induced HSC activation; such effect was blocked in L-TGF-β1KO mice. CONCLUSIONS Hepatic FoxO1 mediates CCL4-inducled liver fibrosis via upregulating hepatocyte TGF-β1 expression, stimulating hepatic inflammation and TGF-β1-mediated HSC activation. Hepatic FoxO1 may be a therapeutic target for prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Pan
- Department of Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Mingming Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, North China University of Science and Technology. Tangshan, China
| | - DaMi Kim
- Department of Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Weiqi Ai
- Department of Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Wanbao Yang
- Department of Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Wesley Brashear
- High Performance Research Computing, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Yujiao Dai
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, North China University of Science and Technology. Tangshan, China
| | - Sha Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, North China University of Science and Technology. Tangshan, China
| | - Yuxiang Sun
- Department of Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Yajuan Qi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, North China University of Science and Technology. Tangshan, China.
| | - Shaodong Guo
- Department of Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
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Liu H, Zhang S, Li Z, Zheng Z, Shi W, Hu M, Liu F. Promotion of hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis by microRNA-33a-5p through targeting the Dickkopf-1-mediated wingless-related integration site/beta-catenin pathway. J Physiol Pharmacol 2023; 74. [PMID: 37865960 DOI: 10.26402/jpp.2023.4.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis occurs in response to chronic liver injury and is characterized by the production of excess extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, largely by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Numerous studies have implicated micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) in liver fibrosis, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, HSC activation by miR-33a-5p during hepatic fibrosis was investigated. The miR-33a-5p was increased in the fibrotic mice and activated HSCs. AntagomiR-33a-5p inhibited HSC activation, proliferation, and migration in vitro, while simultaneously inducing apoptosis. The luciferase reporter assays indicated that the miR-33a-5p bound to the three prime untranslated region (3'UTR) of Dickkopf-1 (DKK1). Further investigation revealed that the miR-33a-5p targeted DKK1-modulated wingless-related integration site (Wnt)/β-catenin signaling directly to control hepatic fibrosis. Notably, the mice treated with antgomiR-33a-5p exhibited increased expression of DKK1 and reduced expression of fibrosis markers, along with reduced fibrosis. The RNA was isolated from activated and quiescent LX-2 cells and subsequently sequenced. Transcriptomic and bioinformatic analyses indicated strong downregulation of DKK1 during LX-2 cell activation. This paper presents the first demonstration of the miR-33a-5p-mediated modulation of liver fibrosis, with miR-33a-5p found to interact with DKK1, leading to regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. The transcriptomic changes occurring during HSC activation were also defined. Overall, the findings suggest that both miR-33a-5p and DKK1 may be useful targets for treating liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Liu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - S Zhang
- Department of Hepatology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Z Li
- Department of Anorectal, Wuhan Third Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Z Zheng
- Daytime Operating Room, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - W Shi
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - M Hu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
| | - F Liu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
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Li X, Wang Q, Ai L, Cheng K. Unraveling the activation process and core driver genes of HSCs during cirrhosis by single-cell transcriptome. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:1414-1424. [PMID: 37674431 PMCID: PMC10657590 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231191109] [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: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, cirrhosis is a common cause of death, manifesting itself as fibrosis of the liver tissue. When the liver is damaged, the liver produces fibrotic, proliferative myofibroblasts, which are formed by the differentiation of activated hepatic stellate cells. There are no effective antifibrotic treatment options. To deeply explore the activation process of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and to discover better therapeutic target genes, single-cell RNA sequencing data on 13 non-cirrhotic liver tissue samples and 10 cirrhotic liver tissue samples were analyzed. We identified activated HSCs from the mesenchymal cell population with high expression of ACTA2. By pseudo-time analysis, we found that the key genes for the differentiation of HSCs into myofibroblasts were C3, CCDC80, COL1A1, COL3A1, DCN, FBLN1, IGFBP3, MXRA5, SERPINE1, and MYH11. Then, we found that the main regulators of HSCs from inactive to activated state were NTF3, NTRK3, NTRK2, JAG1, NOTCH3, ESAM, and CD46 by cell-cell communication analysis. In addition, we found that the top2 hub genes of activated HSCs were CRIP1 and ACTA2. The experimental results show that the top2 hub genes were significantly overexpressed in cirrhotic samples. Our work dissected key intercellular regulators and core driver genes during hepatic stellate cell activation during cirrhosis through single-cell transcriptome data analysis, providing a research strategy to discover rational therapeutic targets for cirrhosis and some important information for gene targeting therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Li
- Transplantation Center, Engineering & Technology Research Center for Transplantation Medicine of Hunan Province, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Transplantation Center, Engineering & Technology Research Center for Transplantation Medicine of Hunan Province, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Liang Ai
- Transplantation Center, Engineering & Technology Research Center for Transplantation Medicine of Hunan Province, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Ke Cheng
- Transplantation Center, Engineering & Technology Research Center for Transplantation Medicine of Hunan Province, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
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Hu T, Zhang W, Xu C. Expression of miR-223-3p in patients with hepatitis B virus liver fibrosis and its effect on hepatic stellate cells: An observational study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e34454. [PMID: 37505133 PMCID: PMC10378957 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000034454] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
To analyze miR-223-3p expression in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) live fibrosis and its effects on proliferation, activation, and apoptosis of human hepatic stellate cell line. One hundred patients with HBV-associated liver fibrosis were divided into S0 to 1, S2 to 3, and S4 groups according to Scheuer histological staging; healthy individuals during the same period were enrolled as healthy group. Relative expressions of miR-223-3p in healthy, S0 to 1, S2 to 3, and S4 groups were 0.56 ± 0.11, 1.08 ± 0.27, 2.16 ± 0.42, and 3.59 ± 1.06, respectively. Absorbance values of human hepatic stellate cell line cells at 24, 48, and 72 hours were higher in miR-223-3p-mimic group than in control group (CG) and NC-mimic group and were lower in miR-223-3p-inhibitor group than in CG and NC-inhibitor group (P < .05). mRNA miR-223-3p, α-smooth muscle actin, collagen 1A1, collagen 1A2, collagen 3A1, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 levels were higher in miR-223-3p-mimic group than in CG and NC-mimic group and lower in miR-223-3p-inhibitor group than in CG and NC-inhibitor group (P < .05). Protein expressions of α-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor-β1, collagen I, collagen III, p-Smad3, p-Smad2, and B-cell lymphoma 2 were higher in miR-223-3p-mimic group than in CG and NC-mimic groups and lower in miR-223-3p-inhibitor group than in CG and NC-inhibitor group, whereas those of B-cell lymphoma 2-associated death promoter, B-cell lymphoma 2 associated X protein, cleaved caspase3, cleaved caspase9, poly ADP-ribose polymerase were lower in miR-223-3p-mimic group than in CG and NC-mimic group and higher in miR-223-3p-inhibitor group than in CG and NC-inhibitor group (P < .05). HBV liver fibrosis patients had elevated expression of miR-223-3p in plasma. Upregulation of miR-223-3p expression may be related to transforming growth factor-β1/Smad signaling pathway activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian, Shandong, China
| | - Wujing Zhang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Jinan City People’s Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chuanqin Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian, Shandong, China
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Pan W, Wang Y, Zhao C. miR-140-5p attenuates hepatic fibrosis by directly targeting TGFβR1. Scand J Gastroenterol 2023; 58:1335-1343. [PMID: 37313731 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2023.2223735] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the protective effect and related mechanism of miR-140-5p on liver fibrosis by interfering with TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. METHODS Liver fibrosis mice models were established by intraperitoneal injection of CCL4. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to detect the structural and morphological changes of the liver. Masson staining was used to detect collagen deposition. Human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs, LX-2) were transfected with miR-140-5p mimic or inhibitor then treated with TGF-β1. The qRT-PCR and Western blotting was used to detect the expression of related molecules. The luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the target of miR-140-5p. RESULTS Our results indicated that miR-140-5p expression was downregulated in fibrotic liver tissues of model mice and LX-2 cells treated with TGF-β1. The overexpression of miR-140-5p decreased the expression of collagen1(COL1) and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), inhibited the phosphorylation of Smad-2/3 (pSmad-2/3) in LX-2 cells. Conversely, the knockdown of miR-140-5p upregulated COL1 and α-SMA expression, increased Smad-2/3 phosphorylation. A dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that TGFβR1 was a target gene of miR-140-5p. The overexpression of miR-140-5p suppressed TGFβR1 expression in LX-2 cells. Additionally, knockdown of TGFβR1 decreased the expression of COL1 and α-SMA. Conversely, the overexpression of TGFβR1 reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-140-5p upregulation on expression of COL1 and α-SMA. CONCLUSION miR-140-5p bound to TGFβR1 mRNA 3'-untranslated region(3'UTR) and inhibited the expression of TGFβR1, pSmad-2/3, COL1 and α-SMA, thereby exerting a potential therapeutic effect on hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Pan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yadong Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Caiyan Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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金 杯, 张 晔, 潘 景. [The Role and Significance of Hepatic Environmental Cells in Tumor Metastatic Colonization to Liver]. Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2023; 54:469-474. [PMID: 37248570 PMCID: PMC10475444 DOI: 10.12182/20230560301] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis, a main cause of death in tumor patients, is a complicated process that involves multiple steps, presenting a major clinical challenge. Tumor cells break the physical boundaries of a primary tumor, intravasate into the lumina of blood vessels, travel around through blood circulation, extravasate into distant organs, colonize the host organs, and eventually develop into the foci of metastatic cancer. The metastasis of tumor cells exhibits organ-tropism, i.e., tumor cells preferentially spread to specific organs. Liver is a common site for metastasis. The pattern of metastasis in uveal melanoma, colorectal carcinoma, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma shows organ-tropism for liver. The anatomical structure of liver determines its hemodynamic characteristics, e.g., low pressure and slow blood flow, which tend to facilitate the stasis and colonization of tumor cells in the liver. Besides the hemodynamic features, the metastatic colonization of liver depends largely on the interaction between tumor cells and the hepatic microenvironment (especially liver-resident cellular components). Resident cells of the hepatic microenvironment include hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), Kupffer cells (KCs), etc. Herein, we discussed the role and significance of liver-resident cells in the metastatic colonization of tumor in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- 杯 金
- 中山大学中山眼科中心,眼科学国家重点实验室,广东省眼科视觉科学重点实验室 (广州 510060)State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - 晔昱 张
- 中山大学中山眼科中心,眼科学国家重点实验室,广东省眼科视觉科学重点实验室 (广州 510060)State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - 景轩 潘
- 中山大学中山眼科中心,眼科学国家重点实验室,广东省眼科视觉科学重点实验室 (广州 510060)State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
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Ezhilarasan D. Molecular mechanisms in thioacetamide-induced acute and chronic liver injury models. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 99:104093. [PMID: 36870405 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104093] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Thioacetamide (TAA) undergoes bioactivation in the liver by the CYP450 2E1 enzyme, resulting in the formation of TAA-S-oxide and TAA-S-dioxide. TAA-S-dioxide induces oxidative stress via lipid peroxidation of the hepatocellular membrane. A single TAA dose (50-300 mg/kg) administration initiates hepatocellular necrosis around the pericentral region after its covalent binding to macromolecules in the liver. Intermittent TAA administration (150-300 mg/kg, weekly thrice, for 11-16 weeks) activates transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/smad3 downstream signaling in injured hepatocytes, causing hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to acquire myofibroblast like phenotype. The activated HSCs synthesize a variety of extracellular matrix, leading to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and portal hypertension. The TAA induced liver injury varies depending on the animal model, dosage, frequency, and routes of administration. However, TAA induces hepatotoxicity in a reproducible manner, and it is an ideal model to evaluate the antioxidant, cytoprotective, and antifibrotic compounds in experimental animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, Molecular Medicine and Toxicology Lab, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 077, India.
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Qiu J, Wu S, Wang P, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Sun Y, Jiang C. miR-488-5p mitigates hepatic stellate cell activation and hepatic fibrosis via suppressing TET3 expression. Hepatol Int 2023; 17:463-475. [PMID: 36001230 PMCID: PMC10119239 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-022-10404-w] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Numerous studies have demonstrated that hepatic fibrosis, a progressive condition as an endpoint of multiple chronic hepatic diseases, is largely characterized with the extensive activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The precise effect of miR-488-5p in HSCs during hepatic fibrosis has not been elucidated. METHODS In our study, qRT-PCR was applied to assess the level of miR-488-5p in activated HSCs stimulated by TGF-β1. We built murine liver fibrosis models with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), high-fat diet (HFD) and bile duct ligation (BDL). In vitro, the effects of miR-488-5p in HSCs were examined through cell proliferation assay and apoptosis. Luciferase reporter assay was applied to identify the underlying target of miR-488-5p. In vivo, the effects of miR-488-5p were explored through mouse liver fibrosis models. RESULTS The reduction of miR-488-5p in the activated HSCs induced by TGF-β1 and three mouse hepatic fibrosis models were identified. The in vitro functional experimentations verified that miR-488-5p restrained expression of fibrosis-related markers and proliferative capacity in HSCs. Mechanically, we identified that miR-488-5p inhibited tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 3 (TET3) expression via straightly binding onto the 3' UTR of its mRNA, which sequentially restrained the TGF-β/Smad2/3 pathway. TET3 inhibition induced by the overexpression of miR-488-5p reduced extracellular matrix deposition, which contributed to mitigating mouse liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION We highlight that miR-488-5p restrains the activation of HSCs and hepatic fibrosis via targeting TET3 which is involved in the TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. Collectively, miR-488-5p is identified as a potential therapeutic target for hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiannan Qiu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Shasha Wu
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huai'an, 223005, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Drum Tower Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongxia Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yong Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, 223001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chunping Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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Ali Mondal S, Sathiaseelan R, Mann SN, Kamal M, Luo W, Saccon TD, Isola JVV, Peelor FF, Li T, Freeman WM, Miller BF, Stout MB. 17α-estradiol, a lifespan-extending compound, attenuates liver fibrosis by modulating collagen turnover rates in male mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2023; 324:E120-E134. [PMID: 36516471 PMCID: PMC9902223 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00256.2022] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen signaling is protective against chronic liver diseases, although men and a subset of women are contraindicated for chronic treatment with 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) or combination hormone replacement therapies. We sought to determine if 17α-estradiol (17α-E2), a naturally occurring diastereomer of 17β-E2, could attenuate liver fibrosis. We evaluated the effects of 17α-E2 treatment on collagen synthesis and degradation rates using tracer-based labeling approaches in male mice subjected to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. We also assessed the effects of 17α-E2 on markers of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, collagen cross-linking, collagen degradation, and liver macrophage content and polarity. We found that 17α-E2 significantly reduced collagen synthesis rates and increased collagen degradation rates, which was mirrored by declines in transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) protein content in liver. These improvements were associated with increased matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) activity and suppressed stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) protein levels, the latter of which has been linked to the resolution of liver fibrosis. We also found that 17α-E2 increased liver fetuin-A protein, a strong inhibitor of TGF-β1 signaling, and reduced proinflammatory macrophage activation and cytokines expression in the liver. We conclude that 17α-E2 reduces fibrotic burden by suppressing HSC activation and enhancing collagen degradation mechanisms. Future studies will be needed to determine if 17α-E2 acts directly in hepatocytes, HSCs, and/or immune cells to elicit these benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samim Ali Mondal
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Roshini Sathiaseelan
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Shivani N Mann
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Maria Kamal
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Wenyi Luo
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Tatiana D Saccon
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - José V V Isola
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Frederick F Peelor
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Tiangang Li
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Willard M Freeman
- Genes & Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Benjamin F Miller
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Michael B Stout
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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Qi M, Fan S, Huang M, Pan J, Li Y, Miao Q, Lyu W, Li X, Deng L, Qiu S, Liu T, Deng W, Chu X, Jiang C, He W, Xia L, Yang Y, Hong J, Qi Q, Yin W, Liu X, Shi C, Chen M, Ye W, Zhang D. Targeting FAPα-expressing hepatic stellate cells overcomes resistance to antiangiogenics in colorectal cancer liver metastasis models. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:168771. [PMID: 36719375 PMCID: PMC9888369 DOI: 10.1172/jci168771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
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Moirangthem A, Gondaliya P, Yan IK, Sayyed AA, Driscoll J, Patel T. Extracellular vesicle‑mediated miR‑126‑3p transfer contributes to inter‑cellular communication in the liver tumor microenvironment. Int J Oncol 2023; 62:31. [PMID: 36660950 PMCID: PMC9851126 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2023.5479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their contents are gaining recognition as important mediators of intercellular communication through the transfer of bioactive molecules, such as non‑coding RNA. The present study comprehensively assessed the microRNA (miRNA/miR) content within EVs released from HepG2 liver cancer (LC) cells and LX2 hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and determined the contribution of EV miRNA to intercellular communication. Using both transwell and spheroid co‑cultures of LC cells and HSCs, miR‑126‑3p within EV was established as a mediator of HSC to LC cell communication that influenced tumor cell migration and invasion, as well as the growth of multicellular LC/HSC spheroids. Manipulation of miR‑126‑3p either by enforced expression using pre‑miR‑126‑3p or by inhibition using antimiR‑126‑3p did not alter tumor cell viability, proliferation or sensitivity to either sorafenib or regorafenib. By contrast, enforced expression of miR‑126‑3p decreased tumor‑cell migration. Knockdown of miR‑126‑3p in tumor cells increased disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain‑containing protein 9 (ADAM9) expression and in HSCs increased collagen‑1A1 accumulation with an increase in compactness of multicellular spheroids. Within LC/HSC spheroids, ADAM9 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression was increased by silencing of miR‑126‑3p but diminished with the restoration of miR‑126‑3p. These studies implicate miR‑126‑3p in functional effects on migration, invasion and spheroid growth of tumor cells in the presence of HSCs, and thereby demonstrate functional EV‑RNA‑based intercellular signaling between HSCs and LC cells that is directly relevant to tumor‑cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Irene K. Yan
- Departments of Transplantation and Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Adil Ali Sayyed
- Departments of Transplantation and Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Julia Driscoll
- Departments of Transplantation and Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Tushar Patel
- Departments of Transplantation and Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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Wang S, Li K, Pickholz E, Dobie R, Matchett KP, Henderson NC, Carrico C, Driver I, Jensen MB, Chen L, Petitjean M, Bhattacharya D, Fiel MI, Liu X, Kisseleva T, Alon U, Adler M, Medzhitov R, Friedman SL. An autocrine signaling circuit in hepatic stellate cells underlies advanced fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadd3949. [PMID: 36599008 PMCID: PMC10686705 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.add3949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Advanced hepatic fibrosis, driven by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), affects millions worldwide and is the strongest predictor of mortality in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); however, there are no approved antifibrotic therapies. To identify antifibrotic drug targets, we integrated progressive transcriptomic and morphological responses that accompany HSC activation in advanced disease using single-nucleus RNA sequencing and tissue clearing in a robust murine NASH model. In advanced fibrosis, we found that an autocrine HSC signaling circuit emerged that was composed of 68 receptor-ligand interactions conserved between murine and human NASH. These predicted interactions were supported by the parallel appearance of markedly increased direct stellate cell-cell contacts in murine NASH. As proof of principle, pharmacological inhibition of one such autocrine interaction, neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 3-neurotrophin 3, inhibited human HSC activation in culture and reversed advanced murine NASH fibrosis. In summary, we uncovered a repertoire of antifibrotic drug targets underlying advanced fibrosis in vivo. The findings suggest a therapeutic paradigm in which stage-specific therapies could yield enhanced antifibrotic efficacy in patients with advanced hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wang
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York NY, 10029, USA
| | - Kenneth Li
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York NY, 10029, USA
| | - Eliana Pickholz
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ross Dobie
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Kylie P. Matchett
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Neil C. Henderson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | | | - Ian Driver
- Gordian Biotechnology, San Francisco CA, 94107, USA
| | | | - Li Chen
- PharmaNest, Inc, Princeton NJ, 08540, USA
| | | | - Dipankar Bhattacharya
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York NY, 10029, USA
| | - Maria I. Fiel
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York NY, 10029, USA
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla CA, 92093, USA
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla CA, 92093, USA
| | - Uri Alon
- Department Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Miri Adler
- Tananbaum Center for Theoretical and Analytical Human Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Ruslan Medzhitov
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven CT, 06510, USA
| | - Scott L. Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York NY, 10029, USA
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Quiroz Reyes AG, Lozano Sepulveda SA, Martinez-Acuña N, Islas JF, Gonzalez PD, Heredia Torres TG, Perez JR, Garza Treviño EN. Cancer Stem Cell and Hepatic Stellate Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2023; 22:15330338231163677. [PMID: 36938618 PMCID: PMC10028642 DOI: 10.1177/15330338231163677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer. It is highly lethal and has high recurrence. Death among HCC patients occur mainly due to tumor progression, recurrence, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are cell subpopulations within the tumor that promote invasion, recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are important components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) responsible for primary secretory ECM proteins during liver injury and inflammation. These cells promote fibrogenesis, infiltrate the tumor stroma, and contribute to HCC development. Interactions between HSC and CSC and their microenvironment help promote carcinogenesis through different mechanisms. This review summarizes the roles of CSCs and HSCs in establishing the TME in primary liver tumors and describes their involvement in HCC chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana G Quiroz Reyes
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Sonia A Lozano Sepulveda
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Natalia Martinez-Acuña
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Jose F Islas
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Paulina Delgado Gonzalez
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Tania Guadalupe Heredia Torres
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Jorge Roacho Perez
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Elsa N Garza Treviño
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
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Zhang R, Wang M, Lu H, Wang J, Han X, Liu Z, Li L, Li M, Tian X, Chen S, Zhang G, Xiong Y, Li J. A miR-340/SPP1 axis inhibits the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smads pathway. ADV CLIN EXP MED 2022; 32:469-479. [PMID: 36413180 DOI: 10.17219/acem/154996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a common pathological complication of liver cirrhosis which affects human health. It is well established that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the proliferation, activation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). OBJECTIVES To determine the function and molecular mechanism of miR-340-5p/secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) axis in HF and identify potential therapeutic targets. MATERIAL AND METHODS The HF model in cholestatic rats was induced by ligating the common bile duct. The histological sections of the liver tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome or Sirius Red. The differential expression of mRNAs in the liver tissues was examined using the microarray analysis. The expression levels of miR-340-5p, SPP1, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Collagen I, phosphorylated Smad2 (p-Smad2), and p-Smad3 were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot. Cell proliferation was quantified using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays. The regulatory effect of miR-340-5p on SPP1 was determined with fluorescent reporter assay. RESULTS The bile duct ligation (BDL) rat model was successfully induced, and SPP1 was upregulated in liver tissue from the BDL group compared to that of the sham group. The expression level of miR-340-5p was decreased in activated human primary normal fibroblasts (NFs) and activated LX-2 cells, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of SPP1 were increased in activated LX-2 cells. The SPP1 was the target of miR-340-5p, and the overexpression of SPP1 increased the proliferation of LX-2 cells, the expression of HF markers α-SMA and Collagen I, and key factors p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 (all p < 0.05). However, reverse results were obtained with the overexpression of miR-340-5p in LX-2 cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide evidence that SPP1 targeted by miR-340-5p promotes LX-2 cell proliferation and activation through the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. Therefore, miR-340-5p and SPP1 may be possible therapeutic targets for HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronghua Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Meimei Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Hongjian Lu
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Jingyao Wang
- School of Clinical Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Xiangyang Han
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- Health Science Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Lin Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Mingming Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Xiaoli Tian
- Gastroenterology Department, Tangshan Paraplegia Sanatorium, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Early Druggability Evaluation of Innovative Drugs, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, China
| | - Guangling Zhang
- School of Clinical Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Yanan Xiong
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Jingwu Li
- The Cancer Institute, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Tangshan People's Hospital, China
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Zou X, Li T, Mao Y, Zhu M, Chen X, Niu J, Dong T, Jiang J, Yang X. Multifunctional Drug-Loaded Phase-Change Nanoparticles Inhibit the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Affecting the Activity of Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells. Biomed Res Int 2022; 2022:6441179. [PMID: 36411770 PMCID: PMC9675611 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6441179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Objectives. Preparation of a multifunctional drug-loaded phase-change nanoparticle (NP), pirfenidone perfluoropentane liposome NPs (PPL NPs), and combined with low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) to influence epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by inhibiting the activity of activated Hepatic Stellate Cells (a-HSCs). Methods. PPL NPs were prepared by the thin film dispersion method. The appearance, particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading rate, drug release in vitro, and stability of PPL NPs were tested. The role of a-HSCs in HCC metastasis was studied by CCK-8, colony formation assay, apoptosis, cellular uptake assay, wound healing assay, and Transwell assay. Western blot was used to detect the related protein expression levels. In vitro and vivo, the acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) of PPL NPs was tested at different times and LIFU intensities. Biosafety of the PPL NPs was assessed by measuring nude mouse body weight and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results. The results showed that the PPL NPs had good biosafety, with an average particle size of 346.6 ± 62.21 nm and an average zeta potential of -15.23 mV. When the LIFU power is 2.4 W/cm2, it can improve the permeability of cells, further promote the uptake of drugs by cells, and improve the toxicity of drugs. In vitro experiments showed that PPL NPs could inhibit the proliferation of a-HSCs cells, thereby affecting the metastasis of HCC, and were related to the TGFβ-Smad2/3-Snail signaling pathway. Both in vivo and in vitro PPL NPs enhanced ultrasound imaging by LIFU-triggered ADV. Conclusion. The PPL NPs designed and prepared in this study combined with LIFU irradiation could significantly alter the EMT of HCC by inhibiting LX2. Clinically, PPL NPs will also be considered a promising contrast agent due to their ultrasound imaging capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Zou
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Tiantian Li
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yingxuan Mao
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Mingwei Zhu
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Jiamei Niu
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Tianxiu Dong
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Jian Jiang
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Xiuhua Yang
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
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Zhang H, Zhou P, Xing W, Chen L, Zhou Y, Yang H, Fu K, Liu Z. GLIS2 Prevents Hepatic Fibrosis by Competitively Binding HDAC3 to Inhibit Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 15:355-372. [PMID: 36397300 PMCID: PMC9792572 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.10.015] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of GLIS2 in fibrotic diseases is controversial. GLIS2 deficiency has been reported to contribute to renal fibrosis in mice and has also been reported to prevent high lipid-induced mice hepatic fibrosis. METHODS Hepatic fibrosis in mice was induced by CCl4. Hematoxylin and eosin, Masson, Sirius red, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect and evaluate the stage of hepatic fibrosis in humans or mice. A study model of tetracycline-responsive GLIS2 knockout hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) was constructed and named GLIS2-SG-Dox. By adding transforming growth factor β1 to stimulate the transdifferentiation of HSCs, the activation status of HSCs was comprehensively evaluated from the aspects of cell proliferation, migration, and the amount of lipid droplets. In mechanistic studies, dual-luciferase, coimmunoprecipitation, yeast two-hybrid system, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and DNA pulldown were performed to investigate or to prove the molecular mechanism that GLIS2 was involved in regulating liver fibrosis. Throughout the study, real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction) was used to detect the relative abundance of messenger RNA expression of each target gene, Western blot was used to detect the relative abundance of protein, and immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence was used to observe the subcellular localization of the target protein. RESULTS The expression of GLIS2 was significantly decreased in human liver fibrosis tissues and CCL4-induced mouse liver fibrosis tissues, especially in HSCs. In the GLIS2-SG-Dox cells, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) pathway was inactive and cells underwent myofibroblastic transdifferentiation transformation. Overexpression of GLIS2 can increase the acetylation level of PPAR-γ and alleviate CCL4-induced liver fibrosis in mice. Mechanically, relatively abundant GLIS2 and histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) form chelates to avoid the deacetylation of PPAR-γ, so as to maintain the activation level of PPAR-γ signaling pathway in HSCs cells. In this process, HDAC3 acts as a medium for GLIS2 to influence PPAR-γ signaling. Nonetheless, when GLIS2 is absent, HDAC3 deacetylates PPAR-γ, activates HSCs, and leads to liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS GLIS2 deficiency promotes myofibroblastic transdifferentiation and activation of HSCs. Mechanically, GLIS2 regulates the acetylation of PPAR-γ by competitively binding to HDAC3 in HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoye Zhang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengcheng Zhou
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Wu Xing
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Limin Chen
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangmei Zhou
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Kangkang Fu
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
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