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Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are crucial to the maintenance of hepatic homeostasis under physiologic conditions, while under the conditions of pathological liver damage, LSEC can respond to the damage by changing their structure through the process called capillarization, thereby aggravating liver damage. In addition, the interaction between LSEC and other cells in the liver plays a certain role in the development and progression of liver fibrosis, especially the interaction between LSEC and hepatic stellate cells, which are the primary effector cells of liver fibrosis. This article mainly elaborates on the role of LSEC in the development and progression of liver fibrosis during chronic liver injury.
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Chronic liver injury caused by any etiology will lead to liver fibrosis, and it was believed in the past that liver fibrosis is a static and irreversible pathophysiological process. In recent years, with the rapid development of molecular biology and the in-depth research on the microscopic aspect of the liver, more and more evidence has shown that liver fibrosis is a dynamic and reversible process. This article reviews the reports of different methods for evaluating the reversal of liver fibrosis caused by various etiologies, summarizes the pathogenesis and reversal mechanism of liver fibrosis, reviews the therapeutic drugs for reversal, and summarizes the current evaluation methods for liver fibrosis, and finally, it is believed that timely clearance or control of potential etiology may help to achieve the reversal of liver fibrosis to a certain degree.
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The present study clarified the molecular mechanism of curcumol against liver fibrosis based on its effects on the autopha-gy and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells. The hepatic stellate cells were divided into a blank control group, a transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)(10 ng·mL~(-1)) group, and low-(12.5 mg·L~(-1)), medium-(25 mg·L~(-1)), and high-dose(50 mg·L~(-1)) curcumol groups. The effect of curcumol on the viability of hepatic stellate cells induced by TGF-β1 was detected by the MTT assay kit. The apo-ptosis in each group was determined by flow cytometry. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR(RT-PCR) was employed for the detection of mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), type Ⅰ collagen(collagen Ⅰ), and type Ⅲ collagen(collagen Ⅲ). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of p62, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3), beclin1, B cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax). Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) was used to observe cell morphology and autophagosome formation in each group. The autophagic flux was observed after cell infection with adenovirus under double fluorescence labeling. The cell viability assay revealed that compared with the TGF-β1 group, the curcumol groups showed significantly decreased cell viability. The apoptosis assay showed that the apoptosis rates of the curcumol groups were significantly higher than that of the TGF-β1 group. RT-PCR indicated that the mRNA expression of α-SMA, collagenⅠ, and collagen Ⅲ in the curcumol groups was significantly lower than that of the TGF-β1 group. Western blot showed that the expression of p62, LC3, beclin1, Bcl-2, and Bax in the curcumol groups was significantly different from that in the TGF-β1 group. As demonstrated by TEM, compared with the TGF-β1 group, the curcumol groups showed significantly increased autophagosomes. The detection of autophagic flow by the adenovirus under double fluorescence labeling showed that autolysosomes in the curcumol groups were significantly increased compared with those in the TGF-β1 group. Curcumol can induce the autophagy and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells, which may be one of its anti-liver fibrosis mechanisms.
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Actins/metabolism , Apoptosis , Autophagy , Hepatic Stellate Cells , Humans , Liver/metabolism , Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism , Sesquiterpenes , Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolismABSTRACT
Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a self-healing pathological process after all kinds of chronic liver injuries and can cause diseases such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. The Wnt signaling pathway is highly conserved in species evolution and widely exists in invertebrates and vertebrates, and many studies have confirmed that the Wnt signaling pathway is closely associated with the development and progression of HF. This article reviews the mechanisms of the classical and non-classical Wnt signaling pathways in regulating hepatic stellate cells, hepatic macrophages, and hepatic progenitor cells, so as to provide new ideas for subsequent studies on the mechanism of the Wnt signaling pathway in regulating HF and further exploration of therapeutic targets that can reverse HF.
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Objective To investigate the effect of liver CD8 + T lymphocytes on co-cultured hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) after the application of Fuzheng Huayu prescription in a moues model of acute liver injury, as well as the mechanism of action of Fuzheng Huayu prescription in preventing liver fibrosis. Methods A total of 18 specific pathogen-free male C57BL/6NCrl Vr mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, and Fuzheng Huayu prescription group, with 6 mice in each group. The mice in the Fuzheng Huayu prescription group were given Fuzheng Huayu prescription for 5 days in advance. At 12 hours before the experiment, 10% CCl 4 was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 2 mL/kg body weight. Blood was collected from the main abdominal vein, and the serum was separated to measure the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Part of the liver was used for pathological observation. After the mice were pretreated with medication in vivo, flow cytometry was used for the sorting of mouse liver CD8 + T lymphocytes, which were then co-cultured with the mouse HSC cell line (JS 1) in a 96-well plate at a ratio of 2∶ 1, and after co-culture for 24 and 48 hours, qPCR was used to measure the changes in the mRNA expression of Col.I and α-SMA. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the SNK- q test or the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results The model group had significantly higher activities of ALT and AST than the normal group (both P < 0.000 1), and compared with the model group, the Fuzheng Huayu prescription group had a significantly lower degree of increase in ALT activity ( P < 0.001). HE staining showed that the Fuzheng Huayu prescription group had a significantly lower degree of hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis compared with the model group. Compared with the normal group, the total lymphocytes, CD45, CD4 - CD8 + T and CD8 + CD28 - T in the model group increased significantly, while the proportion of the above lymphocytes in the Fuzheng Huayu formula group decreased significantly compared with the model group ( P < 0.001). CD8 + T lymphocytes isolated from the liver of mice in each group were co-cultured with JS 1 for 48 hours, and compared with the control group (JS 1 cultured alone) and the normal group, the model group had a significant increase in the mRNA expression of α-SMA (both P < 0.01) and significantly higher mRNA expression of Col.I than the control group and the normal group (normal mouse liver CD8 + T lymphocytes co-cultured with JS 1) (both P < 0.001). The Fuzheng Huayu prescription group had significantly lower mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and Col.I than the model group (both P < 0.01). Conclusion Fuzheng Huayu prescription can indirectly inhibit activated HSCs by altering the functional phenotype of CD8 + T lymphocytes in mouse liver.
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Objective:To study the relationship and the role of leptin in children with biliary atresia and hepatic fibrosis to provide a treatment basis for these patients.Methods:The clinical data of children with biliary atresia or congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) who underwent surgical treatment at the Department of General Surgery of Tianjin Children's Hospital from August 2019 to August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Of 31 children included in this study, there were 14 males and 17 females, with age of 60 (30, 63) d. Children with biliary atresia served as the study group ( n=26) and children with CBD served as the control group ( n=5). Leptin protein, α-smooth muscleactin (α-SMA) and phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in liver tissues were detectd by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The expression level of leptin mRNA in liver tissues were detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results:The average optical density values of leptin protein, α-SMA protein and p-ERK1/2 protein in the liver tissues of children in the study group were significantly higher than the control group ( P<0.05). The expression levels of leptin, α-SMA and p-ERK1/2 in liver tissues of children with biliary atresia significantly increased with increase in fibrosis degree ( P<0.05). The expression level of leptin in liver tissues of children with biliary atresia was positively correlated with the liver fibrosis grade ( rs=0.876), α-SMA ( r=0.723) and p-ERK1/2 ( r=0.725) ( P<0.01). The results of qRT-PCR showed that the content of leptin mRNA in liver tissues of children with biliary atresia was significantly higher than that of children with CBD ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Expressions of leptin increased with aggravation of degrees of hepatic fibrosis in biliary atresia. Leptin may be involved in activation of HSCs through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in the process of hepatic fibrosis due to biliary atresia.
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-hepatic fibrosis activity of ethyl acetate fraction Dicliptera chinensis (L.) Juss. (EDC) in human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro and in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis mouse model in vivo.@*METHODS@#For in vitro study, HSCs were pre-treated with platelet-derived growth factor (10 ng/mL) for 2 h to ensure activation and treated with EDC for 24 h and 48 h, respectively. The effect of EDC on HSCs was assessed using cell counting kit-8 assay, EdU staining, transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence staining, and Western blot, respectively. For in vivo experiments, mice were intraperitoneally injected with CCl4 (2 ° L/g, adjusted to a 25% concentration in olive oil), 3 times per week for 6 weeks, to develop a hepatic fibrosis model. Forty 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 4 groups using a random number table (n=10), including control, model, positive control and EDC treatment groups. Mice in the EDC and colchicine groups were intragastrically administered EDC (0.5 g/kg) or colchicine (0.2 mg/kg) once per day for 6 weeks. Mice in the control and model groups received an equal volume of saline. Biochemical assays and histological examinations were used to assess liver damage. Protein expression levels of α -smooth muscle actin (α -SMA) and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B) were measured by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#EDC reduced pathological damage associated with liver fibrosis, downregulated the expression of α -SMA and upregulated the expression of LC3B (P<0.05), both in HSCs and the CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model. The intervention of bafilomycin A1 and rapamycin in HSCs strongly supported the notion that inhibition of autophagy enhanced α -SMA protein expression levels (P<0.01). The results also found that the levels of phosphoinositide (PI3K), p-PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p-mTOR, and p-p70S6K all decreased after EDC treatment (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#EDC has anti-hepatic fibrosis activity by inducing autophagy and might be a potential drug to be further developed for human liver fibrosis therapy.
Subject(s)
Acetates , Animals , Autophagy , Carbon Tetrachloride , Hepatic Stellate Cells , Liver/pathology , Liver Cirrhosis/pathology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa , Signal Transduction , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolismABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To screen the active components from Fuzheng Huayu Recipe (FZHY) and redesign a new recipe composed of the active components, and validate the effect of active components formulation from FZHY against liver fibrosis.@*METHODS@#Thirty-two components from FZHY were evaluated for their activities against liver fibrosis respectively, with 6 kinds of cell models in vitro, including oxidative stressed hepatocyte in L-02, hypoxia injured/proliferative hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells in SK-HEP-1 and human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HHSEC), and activated hepatic stellate cell in LX-2. The comprehensive activity of each component against liver fibrosis was scored according to the role of original herbs in FZHY and cell functions in fibrogenesis. Totally 7 active components were selected and combined with equal proportion to form a novel active components formulation (ACF). The efficacy of ACF on liver fibrosis were evaluated on activation of LX-2 and proliferation of HHSEC in vitro and in liver fibrosis model mice induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). Totally 72 mice were divided into 6 groups using a random number table, including normal, high-dose ACF control (20 µ mol/L × 7 components/kg body weight), model, low-, medium-, high-dose ACF groups (5, 10, 20 µ mol/L × 7 components/kg body weight, respectively). Hematoxylin eosin and Sirius red stainings were used to observe inflammation and fibrosis change of liver tissue; scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were utilized to observe the effect of ACF on ultrastructure of hepatic sinusoids.@*RESULTS@#Fifteen components from FZHY showed higher scores for their activity on against liver fibrosis. Among them, 7 components including tanshinone II A, salvianolic acid B, cordycepin, amygdalin, quercetin, protopanaxatriol, and schizandrin B were recombined with equal proportions to form ACF. ACF at 1,2, 4 µ mol/L showed strong inhibitory effects on activation of LX-2 and proliferation of HHSEC in vitro (all P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ACF attenuated liver collagen deposition, improved sinusoidal capillarization in a dose-dependent manner (all P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#ACF exerts a satisfactory effect against experimental liver fibrosis and attenuates sinusoidal capillarization, which warrant a further research and development for herbal components formulation on liver fibrosis.
Subject(s)
Animals , Body Weight , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects , Endothelial Cells , Liver , Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy , MiceABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE The pathological characteristics of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) include liver steato?sis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Fibrosis is the most severe and significant pathological feature in NASH. Effective drug treatment could reverse early liver fibrosis and is of significance to prevent NASH from progressing into cirrhosis and liver cancer. Identification of drug targets for NASH treatment has been an active research area and is essential for the development of anti-NASH medications. Naringenin (NGN) is a flavonoid compound rich in citrus fruits. Our preliminary data demonstrated that NGN reduced diet-induced lipid accumulation and inflammation in the mouse liver, but whether NGN can attenuate liver fibrosis of NASH is not known. METHODS To study the effect of NGN on NASH fibrosis. WT mice were fed with high fat diet (HFD) and injected intraperitoneally 20％ carbon tetrachloride at the same time for 8 weeks to induce NASH, and NGN was administrated by gavage in the meantime. In vitro, LO2 cells and LX2 cells were stimulated by oleic acid (OA) combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), respectively. RESULTS Treating the WT mice with NGN 100 mg · kg-1 · d-1 significantly attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation, hepatic fibrosis, plasma ALT and AST levels, inhibited protein expression of p-ERK, p-FoxO3a in the mouse livers. In vitro, on OA and LPS stimulated LO2 or LX2 cells, NGN significantly promoted apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells while inhibited apoptosis of hepatocytes. Mechanism study indicated that NGN inhibited MAPK pathway and promoted activation of FoxO3a, conse?quently promoted apoptosis of the activated LX2 cells and inhibited liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION NGN preventes NASH fibrosis via regulating MAPK/FoxO3a pathway, thus promoting apoptosis of the activated hepatic stellate cells.
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Objective To investigate the effect of polarized bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) transplantation on the progression of CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis in rats. Methods Rat BMDMs were isolated and induced to differentiate into M1 phenotype (M1-BMDM) by lipopolysaccharide (5 ng/mL) or M2 phenotype (M2-BMDM) by the supernatant of L929 cells. A rat model of liver fibrosis was established by subcutaneous injection of 30% CCl 4 for 6 weeks, and at week 7, the model rats were randomly divided into model control group (M group), M1-BMDM group, and M2-BMDM group and were given a single injection of normal saline, M1-BMDM, and M2-BMDM, respectively, via the caudal vein, and subcutaneous injection of 30% CCl 4 was given until the end of week 9. Related indices were observed, including liver function, liver histopathology, hydroxyproline (Hyp) content in liver tissue, hepatic stellate cell activation, liver fibrosis, and expression of inflammatory cytokines. The continuous data were expressed as mean±standard deviation; an analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the SNK- q test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results Compared with the M group, both M1-BMDM and M2-BMDM significantly inhibited liver inflammation and liver fibrosis progression and significantly reduced serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities ( P < 0.01) and Hyp content in liver tissue ( P < 0.05). M1-BMDM and M2-BMDM significantly inhibited the activation of hepatic stellate cells and significantly reduced the mRNA expression levels of TGF-β, Col1A1, and Col4 (all P < 0.05). Both M1-BMDM and M2-BMDM significantly increased the expression level of CD163 protein in liver tissue ( P < 0.01), and the M2-BMDM group had a significantly higher level than the M1-BMDM group ( P < 0.05); both M1-BMDM and M2-BMDM significantly reduced the mRNA expression levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in liver tissue ( P < 0.05) and significantly increased the mRNA expression level of MMP-13 ( P < 0.01); in addition, M2-BMDM significantly reduced the expression level of CD68 protein in liver tissue ( P < 0.01). Both M1-BMDM and M2-BMDM significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and IL-10 and the protein expression level of albumin in liver tissue (all P < 0.05), and the above indices in the M2-BMDM group were significantly higher than those in the M1-BMDM group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Both M1-BMDM and M2-BMDM can effectively inhibit the progression of CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis in rats, possibly by inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells and promoting the activation of anti-inflammatory macrophages. Moreover, M2-BMDM can also inhibit the activation of pro-inflammatory macrophages and thus has a better comprehensive intervention effect than M1-BMDM.
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Objective:To investigate the role of microRNA (miRNA)-101a in the liver fibrosis induced by activated hepatic stellate cell (HSC), through upregulating IRE1α signaling pathway.Methods:Carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) induced liver fibrosis model of mice was established. RT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA level of miRNA-101a in liver tissue of mice. Protein level of α smooth muscle actin(αSMA), collagen I and IRE1α were investigated by Western blot. It was divide into Vehicle, TGFβ1, TGFβ1+ miRNA-NC and TGFβ1+ miRNA-M groups. TGFβ1+ miRNA-NC and TGFβ1+ miRNA-M group were transfected with miRNA-101a mimic negative control and miRNA-101a mimic, respectively. After the corresponding treatments, mRNA level of miRNA-101a was detected by RT-PCR, the protein level of αSMA、collagen I and IRE1α were measured by Western blot. Results:Compared to normal mice, the fibrotic deposition in liver tissue of CCl 4 group was increased significantly [(0.17±0.06) vs. (2.09±0.39), P<0.001)]. Protein level of αSMA, collagen I and IRE1α was increased significantly in the model group [(1.00±0.23) vs. (4.09±0.80), (1.00±0.21) vs. (4.98±1.19), (1.00±0.24) vs. (3.27±0.65), all P<0.001)]. While the mRNA level of miRNA-101a was decreased (1.00±0.05) vs. (0.43±0.05), P<0.001). In vitro study, we found that TGFβ1 could inhibit the mRNA expression of miRNA-101a, induced HSC-T6 activation and then up-regulated protein expression of αSMA, collagen I and IRE1α. Compared to TGFβ1+ miRNA-NC group, the expression of miRNA-101a in TGFβ1+ miRNA-M group increased significantly [(0.59±0.19) vs. (1.89±0.20), P<0.001)]. The protein levels of αSMA, collagen I were reduced by over expression of miRNA-101a [(2.65±0.69) vs. (0.84±0.13), (3.15±0.59) vs. (1.31±0.25), all P<0.05)], and the protein content of IRE1α was down-regulated [ (2.63±0.47) vs. (1.03±0.15), P<0.001)]. Conclusion:miRNA-101a may play a critical role in the inhibition of HSC activation and liver fibrogenesis by blocking IRE1α signaling pathway.
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In order to investigate the effect of salidroside on inhibiting liver fibrosis and its relationship with CXC chemokine ligand 16(CXCL16) in vivo and in vitro, totally 45 C57 BL/6 J male mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group and salidroside group, with 15 mice in each group. The mice in model group and salidroside group were injected intraperitoneally with 15% carbontetrachloride(CCl_4) olive oil solution to establish liver fibrosis model, and the mice in normal group were injected intraperitoneally with the same dose of olive oil. Salidroside group was given with 100 mg·kg~(-1 )salidroside by gavage, while the normal group and model group received the same amount of double distilled water by gavage. All mice were sacrificed after 5 weeks of intragastric administration. The pathological changes of mouse liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the degree of liver fibrosis was observed by sirius red staining. The protein expressions of collagen Ⅰ(ColⅠ), α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), fibronectin(FN), CXCL16, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt), Akt in liver tissues were detected by Western blot. Hepatic stellate cell line JS 1 was cultured in vitro and divided into control group, model group(100 μg·L~(-1) CXCL16) and salidroside group(100 μg·L~(-1) CXCL16+1×10~(-5) mol·L~(-1) salidroside). Cell migration was detected by cell scratch, the mRNA expressions of ColⅠ and α-SMA were detected by RT-PCR, and the protein expressions of p-Akt and Akt were detected by Western blot. As compared with the normal group, the protein expressions of ColⅠ, α-SMA, FN, CXCL16, and p-Akt in the model group were significantly increased, and salidroside could reduce the expression of these indicators(P<0.05 or P<0.01). In vitro, CXCL16 could promote the migration of JS 1, increase the mRNA expressions of ColⅠ and α-SMA in JS 1, and enhance Akt phosphorylation in JS 1(P<0.05 or P<0.01). As compared with the model group, salidroside could inhibit the migration of JS 1 induced by CXCL16(P<0.05), and reduce the high expression of ColⅠ and α-SMA mRNA and the phosphorylation of Akt in JS 1 induced by CXCL16(P<0.05). In conclusion, salidroside might attenuate CCl_4-induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the migration, activation and Akt phosphorylation of hepatic stellate cells induced by CXCL16.
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Animals , Carbon Tetrachloride , Chemokine CXCL16 , Glucosides , Hepatic Stellate Cells , Liver/pathology , Liver Cirrhosis/genetics , Male , Mice , PhenolsABSTRACT
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a group of immature bone marrow cells with an immunosuppressive effect, and they are abundant in tumor patients and can induce tumor cells to escape the killing of immune cells and thus promote the development, progression, and metastasis of tumor. In recent years, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironment has attracted more and more attention, but the mechanisms of its recruitment and differentiation in hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironment have not been clearly elucidated. This article mainly summarizes the mechanism of action of tumor cells and tumor stromal cells in hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironment (such as hepatic stellate cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts, and tumor-associated endothelial cells) in the recruitment and differentiation of MDSCs, and it is proposed to target MDSCs as an adjuvant therapy to enhance the potential value of immunotherapy for liver cancer.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the role of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) inflammation in the pathogenesis of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). MethodsA total of 45 male Kunming mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) group. The mice in the model group and the NAC group were given injection of human serum albumin to establish a model of chronic liver disease, followed by intraperitoneal injection of the endotoxins lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (D-GlaN) to induce ACLF, and those in the control group were given injection of an equal volume of normal saline; the mice in the NAC group were given NAC since 1 week before the induction of NAC. The mice in the model group and the NAC group were sacrificed at 48 hours after the injection of LPS and D-GlaN. ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue; HE staining was used to determine liver pathological score; ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of LPS and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). LX2 cells were stimulated by LPS and H2O2 with the presence or absence of NAC, and ELISA was used to measure the levels of IL-1β and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in medium. LX2 cells were stimulated by LPS and H2O2, and then HL7702 cells were cultured with LX2 medium; Western blot was used to measure the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-8 in HL7702 cells, and flow cytometry was used to measure the apoptosis of HL7702 cells. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups; the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison of data with homogeneity of variance between two groups, and the Tamhane’s T2 test was used for comparison of data with heterogeneity of variance. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate survival time, and the log-rank test was used for comparison. ResultsAt 48 hours, all mice in control group survived, while 3 mice in the model group and 8 mice in the NAC group survived, suggesting that the NAC group had a better survival rate of mice than the model group (P＜0.001). Compared with the control group and the NAC group, the model group had significant increases in the serum levels of AST and ALT and the level of MDA in liver tissue, as well as a significant reduction in the level of SOD in liver tissue (all P＜0.01). The model group had a significantly higher liver pathological score than the control group and the NAC group (both P＜0.05). Both LPS and H2O2 promoted the secretion of IL-1β and IL-6 in LX2 cells, and NAC effectively inhibited the pro-inflammatory effect of H2O2 and LPS (all P＜0.05). H2O2 and LPS acted on LX2 cells and promoted the apoptosis of HL7702 cells (all P＜0.05). ConclusionLPS can promote HSC inflammation via reactive oxygen species and participates in the progression of liver failure by inducing hepatocyte apoptosis.
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress of Kupffer cells (KCs) and KCs-derived tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) in medicating apoptosis of hepatic stellate cell (HSC).@*METHODS@#Sixty male SD rats were randomized into control group, model group, ER- stress group, depletion group and KCs block group (=15). The 4 groups of rats were given intraperitoneal injections (twice a week for 8 weeks) of normal saline (2 mg/kg); 40% CCl4 solution (in peanut oil, 2 mg/kg); 40% CCl4 solution (2 mg/kg) and tunicamycin (1 mg/kg); and 40% CCl4 solution (2 mg/kg) and tunicamycin (1 mg/kg) followed by clodronate liposomes (50 mg/kg), respectively. After the treatments, samples of the liver tissue and serum were collected from the rats from the 4 groups to isolate KC cells, which were co-cultured with LX2 cells. In the depletion group, the rats were injected with anti-rat TNFR mAb (0.35 mg/kg) via the portal vein before isolating the KCs. Liver function examination, Eirius red staining, ELISA, immuno- histochemical staining, and RT-PCR were performed to assess the liver function, liver fibrosis, KC phenotypes, expression of the in fl ammatory factors, and the number of active HSC was detected. The isolated KCs were treated with tunicamycin before co-culture with LX2 cells, and ELISA, RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to examine KC phenotypes, in fl ammatory factors, LX2 cell apoptosis and TNFR/caspase8 pathway activity.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the rats in the control group, the rats in the model group had significantly increased ALT and AST levels, Sirius red staining-positive area, and Desmin-positive cells (activated HSCs) ( < 0.05) with significantly lowered number of CD16-positive KCs (M1), and TNF- protein and mRNA expression ( < 0.05). Compared with those in the model group, the rats in ER-stress group showed significantly decreased ALT and AST levels, Sirius red staining positivity and Desmin-positive cells ( < 0.05) and increased number of CD16-positive KCs and TNF- expressions ( < 0.05). In the depletion group, compared with the ER-stress group, the rats had significantly increased ALT and AST levels of, Sirius red staining positivity and Desmin-positive cells ( < 0.05) and reduced CD16- positive KCs and TNF-expressions ( < 0.05). In the cell co-culture experiment, the model group showed significantly reduced TUNEL-positive LX2 cells, CD16-positive cells, and expressions of TNFR1, cleaved caspase- 8 and cleaved caspase- 3 in the KCs ( < 0.05) with increased Desmin-positive LX2 cells ( < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the ER- stress group exhibited significantly increased TUNEL-positive LX2 cells, CD16-positive cells and expressions of TNFR, cleaved caspase-8 and cleaved caspase-3 in the KCs ( < 0.05) and decreased Desmin-positive LX2 cells ( < 0.05). In the depletion group, blocking TNFR resulted in significantly decreased expressions of cleaved caspase-8 and cleaved caspase-3 compared with those in ER- stress group ( < 0.05) although there was no significant changed in TNFR expression.@*CONCLUSIONS@#ER stress of KCs promotes the transformation of KCs towards M1 phenotype and increases the expression of TNF-, which triggers the apoptosis of HSCs through the TNFR/caspase-8 pathway.
Subject(s)
Animals , Apoptosis , Caspase 8 , Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress , Hepatic Stellate Cells , Kupffer Cells , Male , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alphaABSTRACT
Objective To study the association between ratio of peritumoral hepatic stellate cells to γδ T cells ratio (SGR) and prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection.Methods From January 2011 to December 2013,the clinical data of 320 patients with HCC who underwent curative resection at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Immunohistochemistry was used to calculate the SGR in adjacent cancer tissues.Survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method.Prognosis of HCC patients was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.Results Multivariate analysis revealed multiple tumors (HR =1.895,95％ CI:1.155-3.108),microvascular invasion (HR =1.665,95％ CI:1.104-2.512),tumor size ＞ 5 cm (HR =2.400,95％ CI:1.603-3.594) and peritumoral SGR ＞ 18 (HR =1.880,95％ CI:1.257-2.810) were independent risk factors of the overall survival rate in HCC patients.Preoperative AFP ＞ 20 μg/L (HR =1.631,95％ CI:1.151-2.311),microvascular invasion (HR =2.145,95％ CI:1.536-2.994),tumor size ＞ 5 cm (HR =1.866,95％ CI:1.342-2.592) and peritumoral SGR ＞ 18 (HR =1.517,95％ CI:1.084-2.122) were independent risk factors of the tumor-free survival rate in HCC patients.Patients were then divided into the low SGR (ratio≤ 18,n =222) and high SGR groups (ratio ＞ 18,n =98) using SGR in adjacent cancer tissues.The overall survival and tumor-free survival rates of the low SGR group were significantly better than the high SGR group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Peritumoral SGR was an independent prognostic factor of patients with HCC following radical resection.The prognosis of patients with low SGR was better.
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A large number of studies in recent years have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important regulatory role in the progression of liver fibrosis. This article briefly describes the definition, classification, and biological functions of lncRNAs and summarizes recent reports on the regulatory role of lncRNAs in liver fibrosis by acting as competitive endogenous RNA, including downregulated maternally expressed gene 3, growth arrest-specific transcript 5, and long intergenic non-coding RNA-p21 and upregulated lung adenocarcinoma-associated transcript 1, lncRNA-activated by transforming growth factor beta, plasmacytoma variant translocation 1, homeobox transcript antisense RNA, lncRNA-H19, and small nuclear RNA host gene 7, so as to provide insights into the diagnosis of liver fibrosis, the screening of therapeutic targets, and the development of clinical treatment regimens for the reversal of liver fibrosis.
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BACKGROUND: In recent years, molecular imaging combined with medical imaging technology and targeted molecular probes have gradually become a research focus. The targeted tissues at the molecular level can be observed using molecular imaging, medical imaging technology, and targeted molecular probes in combination to realize non-invasive imaging of the occurrence and development of the diseases. OBJECTIVE: To develop the magnetic targeted nanoparticle probes, observe the ultrasound/CT/MRI imaging properties in vitro, and investigate their targeting ability to rat hepatic stellate cells in vitro. METHODS: Taking poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymer as the shell, cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (cRGD) octapeptide as the ligand, targeted magnetic nanoparticles with superparamagnetic Fe3O4 embedded in the shell and perfluorooctyl bromide(PFOB) loaded in the core were prepared by double emulsion evaporation method. The physical and chemical properties of the nanoparticles were detected. The ultrasound/CT/MRI multi-modal imaging properties of the nanoparticles at different concentrations diluted with double-distilled water were tested in vitro. Cyclic RGD peptide immobilization on PLGA-Fe3O4-PFOB NPs was completed through the amide condensation reaction. The conjugation efficiency of the cRGD on PLGA-Fe3O4-PFOB NPs and targeting ability of targeted magnetic nanoparticles in vitro were verified. Cytotoxicity experiments were used to measure the toxic effects of nanoparticles at different concentrations on BRL-3A cells in each group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The targeted magnetic nanoparticles with the average size of (221. 5±60. 3) nm were uniform in dispersion and size. The prepared individual nanoparticle was spherical with the superparamagnetic Fe3O4 scattered on the shell. The encapsulation rate of Fe3O4 was 38%. In vitro ultrasound imaging and CT imaging signal decreased gradually as the concentrations of the nanoparticle suspension decreased. The T2-weighted signal of MRI decreased gradually with the increase of the concentrations of magnetic particle Fe3O4. Flow cytometry results showed that 94. 13% of the cRGD was bound to the nanoparticles. In vitro cell targeting experiments showed that compared to PLGA-Fe3O4-PFOB NPs, cRGD-PLGA-Fe3O4-PFOB NPs exhibited greater cell targeting and affinity efficiency to hepatic stellate cells. Cytotoxicity experiments results showed the nanoparticles had no significant influence on cell viability of the BRL-3A cells. These results suggest that targeted magnetic nanoprobe cannot only be used as a multi-modal imaging contrast agent for ultrasound/CT/MRI, but also exhibits a strong specific affinity to rat hepatic stellate cells in vitro. It has great potential for the early diagnosis of liver fibrosis.
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BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis has higher morbidity and mortality. Activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells is a key link in the progression of liver fibrosis. At present, there are still no effective anti-fibrosis agents targeting single links or targets. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of human adipose stem cells derived exosomes on rats with liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride. METHODS: Human adipose stem cells were obtained from healthy people by enzyme dissolution method. After in vitro culture, human adipose stem cells derived exosomes were obtained by multiple ultrafiltration. Different concentrations of exosomes were used to treat the hepatic stellate cells activated by transforming growth factor β1. The human adipose stem cells activated by transforming growth factor β1 were treated with different concentrations of exosomes. The expression of α-smooth actin in the cells was detected by quantitative PCR, and the growth and apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells were detected by CCK-8 and flow cytometry respectively. Rat models of liver fibrosis were established by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride and treated by tail vein injection of exosomes. Rat liver function, serum levels of type III procollagen and type IV collagen, and Ishak score were determined. Semi-quantitative analysis of liver fibrosis was performed. The expression levels of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1, matrix metalloproteinase 9 and α-smooth actin in liver tissue were measured by immunofluorescence method. The study protocol was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee and Medical Ethics Committee, Tongji University, China in January, 2017. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Human adipose stem cells derived exosomes inhibited the proliferation of activated hepatic stellate cells. The possible mechanism is to inhibit the proliferation of activated macrophages, reduce the production of collagen fibers, α-smooth actin actin, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1, and to increase the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9. These findings suggest that exosomes can be used to treat carbon tetrachloride induced liver fibrosis.
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To observe the effects of propofol on the activation of hepatic stellate cell line HSC2-T6 induced by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and explore its possible mechanism. The cells were divided into control group, TGF-β1 group, propofol group, TGF-β1 + propofol group, rapamycin group, TGF-β1 + propofol + rapamycin group. Cells were treated with rapamycin (5 μmol/L) for 1 hour, propofol (100 μmol/L) for 1 hour, then TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml) was added to co-culture for 24 hours. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. The concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA), collagen IV (IV-C) and laminin (LN) in the supernatant of cell culture medium were measured by ELISA. The ultrastructure of cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expressions of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), mammalian rapamycin target protein (mTOR), phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) and the autophagy related gene Beclin 1, LC3 and p62 were measured by Western blot. Compared with control group, cell proliferation, the expression of α-SMA, the concentrations of HA, IV-C and LN in culture supernatant, the number of autophages, the expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3-II, the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I in HSC2-T6 cells were increased significantly, while the expression of p-mTOR, the ratio of p-mTOR/mTOR and the expression of p62 protein were decreased significantly in TGF-β1 group (All P＜0.05). Compared with TGF-β1 group, cell proliferation, the expression of α-SMA, the concentrations of HA, IV-C and LN in culture supernatant, the number of autophages, the expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3-II, the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I in HSC2-T6 cells in TGF-β1 group were decreased significantly, and the expression of p-mTOR, the ratio of p-mTOR/mTOR and expression of p62 protein were increased significantly in TGF-β1 + propofol group (All P＜0.05). Propofol inhibits the activation of hepatic stellate cells induced by TGF-beta 1, and its mechanism involves the mTOR-autophagy pathway.