N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Protect against Alcoholic Liver Steatosis by Activating FFA4 in Kupffer Cells.

Supplementation with fish oil rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) effectively reduces acute and chronic alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis. We aimed to find molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of n-3 PUFAs in alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis. Because free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFA4, also known as GPR120) has been found as a receptor for n-3 PUFAs in an ethanol-induced liver steatosis model, we investigated whether n-3 PUFAs protect against liver steatosis via FFA4 using AH7614, an FFA4 antagonist, and Ffa4 knockout (KO) mice. N-3 PUFAs and compound A (CpdA), a selective FFA4 agonist, reduced the ethanol-induced increase in lipid accumulation in hepatocytes, triglyceride content, and serum ALT levels, which were not observed in Ffa4 KO mice. N-3 PUFAs and CpdA also reduced the ethanol-induced increase in lipogenic sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c expression in an FFA4-dependent manner. In Kupffer cells, treatment with n-3 PUFA and CpdA reversed the ethanol-induced increase in tumor necrosis factor-α, cyclooxygenase-2, and NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 expression levels in an FFA4-dependent manner. In summary, n-3 PUFAs protect against ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis via the anti-inflammatory actions of FFA4 on Kupffer cells. Our findings suggest FFA4 as a therapeutic target for alcoholic hepatic steatosis.

Mechanism of bufalin inhibition of colon cancer liver metastasis by regulating M2-type polarization of Kupffer cells induced by highly metastatic colon cancer cells.

Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer often have poor outcomes, primarily due to hepatic metastasis. Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells have the ability to secrete cytokines and other molecules that can remodel the tumor microenvironment, facilitating the spread of cancer to the liver. Kupffer cells (KCs), which are macrophages in the liver, can be polarized to M2 type, thereby promoting the expression of adhesion molecules that aid in tumor metastasis. Our research has shown that huachanshu (with bufalin as the main active monomer) can effectively inhibit CRC metastasis. However, the underlying mechanism still needs to be thoroughly investigated. We have observed that highly metastatic CRC cells have a greater ability to induce M2-type polarization of Kupffer cells, leading to enhanced metastasis. Interestingly, we have found that inhibiting the expression of IL-6, which is highly expressed in the serum, can reverse this phenomenon. Notably, bufalin has been shown to attenuate the M2-type polarization of Kupffer cells induced by highly metastatic Colorectal cancer (mCRC) cells and down-regulate IL-6 expression, ultimately inhibiting tumor metastasis. In this project, our aim is to study how high mCRC cells induce M2-type polarization and how bufalin, via the SRC-3/IL-6 pathway, can inhibit CRC metastasis. This research will provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the anti-CRC effect of bufalin.

6-Formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole, a potent ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, attenuates concanavalin-induced hepatitis by limiting T-cell activation and infiltration of proinflammatory CD11b+ Kupffer cells.

FICZ (6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole) is a potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist that has a poorly understood function in the regulation of inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effect of aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation by FICZ in a murine model of autoimmune hepatitis induced by concanavalin A. High-throughput sequencing techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing and assay for transposase accessible chromatin sequencing were used to explore the mechanisms through which FICZ induces its effects. FICZ treatment attenuated concanavalin A-induced hepatitis, evidenced by decreased T-cell infiltration, decreased circulating alanine transaminase levels, and suppression of proinflammatory cytokines. Concanavalin A revealed an increase in natural killer T cells, T cells, and mature B cells upon concanavalin A injection while FICZ treatment reversed the presence of these subsets. Surprisingly, concanavalin A depleted a subset of CD55+ B cells, while FICZ partially protected this subset. The immune cells showed significant dysregulation in the gene expression profiles, including diverse expression of migratory markers such as CCL4, CCL5, and CXCL2 and critical regulatory markers such as Junb. Assay for transposase accessible chromatin sequencing showed more accessible chromatin in the CD3e promoter in the concanavalin A-only group as compared to the naive and concanavalin A-exposed, FICZ-treated group. While there was overall more accessible chromatin of the Adgre1 (F4/80) promoter in the FICZ-treated group, we observed less open chromatin in the Itgam (CD11b) promoter in Kupffer cells, supporting the ability of FICZ to reduce the infiltration of proinflammatory cytokine producing CD11b+ Kupffer cells. Taken together, these data demonstrate that aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation by FICZ suppresses liver injury through the limitation of CD3+ T-cell activation and CD11b+ Kupffer cell infiltration.

Lobeglitazone inhibits LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and inflammation in the liver.

Liver inflammation is a common feature of chronic liver disease and is often associated with increased exposure of the liver to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Kupffer cells (KCs) are macrophages in the liver and produce various cytokines. Activation of KCs through the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway leads to release of proinflammatory cytokines and induces hepatocyte injury and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Lobeglitazone is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ligand and a type of thiazolidinedione that elicits anti-inflammatory effects. However, there is no clear evidence that it has direct anti-inflammatory effects in the liver. This study showed that lobeglitazone reduces LPS-induced NLPR3 inflammasome activation and production of proinflammatory cytokines in primary KCs and hepatocytes. Cytokines secreted by activated KCs increased hepatocyte inflammation and HSC activation, and lobeglitazone inhibited these responses. In addition, lobeglitazone suppressed liver fibrosis by inhibiting LPS-induced transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß secretion and TGF-ß-induced CTGF expression. The inhibitory effect of lobeglitazone on inflammasome activation was associated with suppression of liver fibrosis. These results suggest that lobeglitazone may be a treatment option for inflammation and fibrosis in the liver.

Adenosine receptor A2B mediates alcoholic hepatitis by regulating cAMP levels and the NF-KB pathway.

Alcoholic hepatitis is a serious form of liver damage. Inflammation is a key factor in alcoholic hepatitis and plays a key role in the progression of alcoholic liver disease. Adenosine receptor A2B (A2BAR) is a member of the adenosine receptor family and generally considered to be a negative regulator of the inflammatory response. We found that A2BAR was the most highly expressed adenosine receptor in ETOH-fed mouse liver tissue and was also highly expressed in primary Kupffer cells and ETOH-induced RAW264.7 cells. In addition, injection of BAY 60-6583 stimulated A2BAR, induced upregulation of the expression levels of cAMP, and reduced ETOH-induced steatosis and inflammation in mice. At the same time, knockdown of A2BAR in vitro increased the inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells triggered by ETOH. After knockdown of A2BAR in vitro, the release of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1ß and TNF-α was increased. After overexpression of A2BAR in vitro, the cAMP level was significantly increased, PKA expression was increased, the expression of phosphorylated proteins in the NF-kB signal transduction pathway was significantly affected, and the expression of the key phosphorylated protein p-P65 was decreased. However, after the simultaneous overexpression of A2BAR and inhibition of PKA, the expression of the key phosphorylated protein p-P65 was still significantly decreased. In addition, after the expression of A2BAR increased or decreased in RAW264.7 cells, AML-12 cells were cultured in the supernatant of RAW264.7 cells stimulated by ETOH, and the apoptosis rate was significantly changed by flow cytometry. These results suggest that A2BAR can reduce alcoholic steatohepatitis by upregulating cAMP levels and negatively regulating the NF-kB pathway. Overall, these findings suggest the significance of A2BAR-mediated inflammation in alcoholic liver disease.

Elaidic acid induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation via ERS-MAPK signaling pathways in Kupffer cells.

Trans fatty acids (TFA) in food can cause liver inflammation. Activation of NOD-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a key factor in the regulation of inflammation. Accumulating evidence suggests that ERS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation underlies the pathological basis of various inflammatory diseases, but the precise mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this paper focused on TFA, represented by elaidic acid (EA), to investigate the mechanism of liver inflammation. Levels of mRNA and protein were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, the release of proinflammatory cytokines was measured by ELISA, and intracellular Ca2+ levels were determined by flow cytometer using Fluo 4-AM fluorescent probes. Our research indicated that EA induced the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) response in Kupffer cells (KCs), accompanied by the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, which resulted in NLRP3 inflammasome formation, and eventually increased the release of inflammatory factors. NLRP3 inflammasome activation was inhibited when KCs were pretreated with ERS inhibitors (4-PBA) and MAPK selective inhibitors. Furthermore, when ERS was blocked, the MAPK pathway was inhibited.

Diallyl disulfide suppresses the lipopolysaccharide-driven inflammatory response of macrophages by activating the Nrf2 pathway.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-driven activation of Kupffer cells plays critical roles in the development of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Accumulating evidence has revealed that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) can modulate the polarization of macrophages. The current study aimed to investigate the roles of diallyl disulfide (DADS) in LPS-driven inflammation in vitro and in vivo. We found that DADS significantly increased the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and the transcription of Nrf2 targets, including HO1, NQO1, and γ-GCSc, and suppressed degradation of Nrf2 protein. Besides, DADS significantly inhibited LPS-induced activation of NF-κB and MAPK, secretion of NO and TNF-α, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in LPS-exposed RAW264.7 cells. In vivo study demonstrated that DADS significantly ameliorated liver damage in mice challenged with LPS, as shown by the inhibition of increases in serum aminotransferase activities, neutrophil infiltration, and NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Finally, knockout of Nrf2 abrogated the suppression of DADS on macrophage polarization and on liver injury induced by LPS. These findings reveal that DADS suppresses LPS-driven inflammatory response in the liver by activating Nrf2, which suggests that the protective effects of DADS against ALD may be attributed to the modulation of Kupffer cell polarization in the liver.

A 3D primary human cell-based in vitro model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis for efficacy testing of clinical drug candidates.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive and severe liver disease, characterized by lipid accumulation, inflammation, and downstream fibrosis. Despite its increasing prevalence, there is no approved treatment yet available for patients. This has been at least partially due to the lack of predictive preclinical models for studying this complex disease. Here, we present a 3D in vitro microtissue model that uses spheroidal, scaffold free co-culture of primary human hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, liver endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells. Upon exposure to defined and clinically relevant lipotoxic and inflammatory stimuli, these microtissues develop key pathophysiological features of NASH within 10 days, including an increase of intracellular triglyceride content and lipids, and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, fibrosis was evident through release of procollagen type I, and increased deposition of extracellular collagen fibers. Whole transcriptome analysis revealed changes in the regulation of pathways associated with NASH, such as lipid metabolism, inflammation and collagen processing. Importantly, treatment with anti-NASH drug candidates (Selonsertib and Firsocostat) decreased the measured specific disease parameter, in accordance with clinical observations. These drug treatments also significantly changed the gene expression patterns of the microtissues, thus providing mechanisms of action and revealing therapeutic potential. In summary, this human NASH model represents a promising drug discovery tool for understanding the underlying complex mechanisms in NASH, evaluating efficacy of anti-NASH drug candidates and identifying new approaches for therapeutic interventions.

The protective effect of cannabinoid type II receptor agonist AM1241 on ConA-induced liver injury in mice via mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathway.

INTRODUCTION: The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in regulating the immune responses in inflammation. At present, there are no good clinical drugs for many immune liver diseases. METHODS: We explored the protective effect of the cannabinoid type II (CB2) receptor agonist AM1241 on the liver of mice with acute liver injury caused by concanavalin from the perspective of inflammation and immunity. Pathological evaluation in hepatic tissue was examined by haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and the levels of biochemical parameters in the serum were measured by automatic biochemical analysis. The content of inflammatory factors was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). The liver apoptosis-related proteins were observed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of liver injury-related proteins was analysed by Western blot. Immune cells were isolated from the liver of mice and studied in vitro. RESULTS: Reduced levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase were observed in ConA-induced liver injury mice treated with AM1241, together with attenuated liver damage evidenced by H&E staining. Moreover, AM1241 inhibited the protein and gene expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ in the livers of mice. The phosphorylation levels of p38, JNK, ERK1/2, P65 and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the mouse were significantly reduced in AM1241 pretreatment, while the level of p-JNK increased. In addition, the P/T-P65 and P/T-CREB of the AM1241 pretreatment group were significantly reduced. The results of immunohistochemistry measurement are consistent with those of Western blotting. The CB2-mediated effect is through macrophage-like Kupffer cells. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the ConA-induced liver injury model in mice is protected by CB2 agonist AM1241 by modulation of CB2 receptor-rich immune cells, for example, Kupffer cells. Reduced inflammatory responses regulate apoptosis/cell death in the liver particularly hepatocytes and other parenchymal cells.

Auranofin prevents liver fibrosis by system Xc-mediated inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Demand for a cure of liver fibrosis is rising with its increasing morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is an urgent issue to investigate its therapeutic candidates. Liver fibrosis progresses following 'multi-hit' processes involving hepatic stellate cells, macrophages, and hepatocytes. The NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is emerging as a therapeutic target in liver fibrosis. Previous studies showed that the anti-rheumatic agent auranofin inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome; thus, this study evaluates the antifibrotic effect of auranofin in vivo and explores the underlying molecular mechanism. The antifibrotic effect of auranofin is assessed in thioacetamide- and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis models. Moreover, hepatic stellate cell (HSC), bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM), kupffer cell, and hepatocyte are used to examine the underlying mechanism of auranofin. Auranofin potently inhibits activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in BMDM and kupffer cell. It also reduces the migration of HSC. The underlying molecular mechanism was inhibition of cystine-glutamate antiporter, system Xc. Auranofin inhibits system Xc activity and instantly induced oxidative burst, which mediated inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages and HSCs. Therefore, to the best of our knowledge, we propose the use of auranofin as an anti-liver fibrotic agent.

Acidic Microenvironment Aggravates the Severity of Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Modulating M1-Polarization Through Regulating PPAR-γ Signal.

Hepatic injury induced by ischemia and reperfusion (HIRI) is a major clinical problem after liver resection or transplantation. The polarization of macrophages plays an important role in regulating the severity of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. Recent evidence had indicated that the ischemia induces an acidic microenvironment by causing increased anaerobic glycolysis and accumulation of lactic acid. We hypothesize that the acidic microenvironment might cause the imbalance of intrahepatic immunity which aggravated HIRI. The hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury model was established to investigate the effect of the acidic microenvironment to liver injury. Liposomes were used to deplete macrophages in vivo. Macrophages were cultured under low pH conditions to analyze the polarization of macrophages in vitro. Activation of the PPAR-γ signal was determined by Western blot. PPAR-γ agonist GW1929 was administrated to functionally test the role of PPAR-γ in regulating macrophage-mediated effects in the acidic microenvironment during HIRI. We demonstrate that acidic microenvironment aggravated HIRI while NaHCO3 reduced liver injury through neutralizing the acid, besides, liposome abolished the protective ability of NaHCO3 through depleting the macrophages. In vivo and vitro experiment showed that acidic microenvironment markedly promoted M1 polarization but inhibited M2 polarization of macrophage. Furthermore, the mechanistic study proved that the PPAR-γ signal was suppressed during the polarization of macrophages under pH = 6.5 culture media. The addition of PPAR-γ agonist GW1929 inhibited M1 polarization under acidic environment and reduced HIRI. Our results indicate that acidic microenvironment is a key regulator in HIRI which promoted M1 polarization of macrophages through regulating PPAR-γ. Conversely, PPAR-γ activation reduced liver injury, which provides a novel therapeutic concept to prevent HIRI.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) alleviated sepsis-induced acute liver injury, inflammation, oxidative stress and cell apoptosis by downregulating CUL3 expression.

PQQ has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. PQQ can relieve high glucose-induced renal cell damage by suppressing Keap1 expression. Keap1 can interact with CUL3. Upregulation of CUL3 facilitates the apoptosis of LPS-induced podocytes. Based on knowledge above, this current work was designed to explore the role of PQQ in sepsis and determine the molecular function of CUL3 in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Rats received CLP surgery to establish sepsis models in vivo. Kupffer cells were pretreated with PQQ (10, 50 and 100 nmol/L) for 2 h and then treated with 100 ng/mL LPS for 24 h, simulating sepsis-induced acute liver injury in vitro. H&E staining was performed to evaluate liver injury of SD rats. Levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress markers were detected to assess inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Moreover, TUNEL staining, flow cytometric analysis and western blot were applied to determine cell apoptosis. It was confirmed that PQQ treatment relieved acute liver injury, inflammatory and oxidative stress damage and apoptosis of liver tissue cells in sepsis rats. In addition, PQQ therapy could alleviate inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis in LPS-induced Kupffer cells. Notably, LPS stimulation enhanced CUL3 expression and PQQ repressed CUL3 expression in Kupffer cells suffered from LPS. Overall, CUL3 overexpression weakened the remission effects of PQQ on LPS-induced inflammatory and oxidative damage and apoptosis of Kupffer cells. Mechanistically, PQQ treatment may mitigate sepsis-induced acute liver injury through downregulating CUL3 expression.

Resident Kupffer cells and neutrophils drive liver toxicity in cancer immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy is revolutionizing cancer treatment but is often restricted by toxicities. What distinguishes adverse events from concomitant antitumor reactions is poorly understood. Here, using anti-CD40 treatment in mice as a model of TH1-promoting immunotherapy, we showed that liver macrophages promoted local immune-related adverse events. Mechanistically, tissue-resident Kupffer cells mediated liver toxicity by sensing lymphocyte-derived IFN-γ and subsequently producing IL-12. Conversely, dendritic cells were dispensable for toxicity but drove tumor control. IL-12 and IFN-γ were not toxic themselves but prompted a neutrophil response that determined the severity of tissue damage. We observed activation of similar inflammatory pathways after anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapies in mice and humans. These findings implicated macrophages and neutrophils as mediators and effectors of aberrant inflammation in TH1-promoting immunotherapy, suggesting distinct mechanisms of toxicity and antitumor immunity.

Silybin Restored CYP3A Expression through the Sirtuin 2/Nuclear Factor κ-B Pathway in Mouse Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Silybin is widely used as a hepatoprotective agent in various liver disease therapies and has been previously identified as a CYP3A inhibitor. However, little is known about the effect of silybin on CYP3A and the regulatory mechanism during high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced liver inflammation. In our study, we found that silybin restored CYP3A expression and activity that were decreased by HFD and conditioned medium (CM) from palmitate-treated Kupffer cells. Moreover, silybin suppressed liver inflammation in HFD-fed mice and inhibited nuclear factor κ-B translocation into the nucleus through elevation of SIRT2 expression and promotion of p65 deacetylation. This effect was confirmed by overexpression of SIRT2, which suppressed p65 nuclear translocation and restored CYP3A transcription affected by CM. The hepatic NAD+ concentration markedly decreased in HFD-fed mice and CM-treated hepatocytes/HepG2 cells but increased after silybin treatment. Supplementing nicotinamide mononucleotide as an NAD+ donor inhibited p65 acetylation, decreased p65 nuclear translocation, and restored cyp3a transcription in both HepG2 cells and mouse hepatocytes. These results suggest that silybin regulates metabolic enzymes during liver inflammation by a mechanism related to the increase in NAD+ and SIRT2 levels. In addition, silybin enhanced the intracellular NAD+ concentration by decreasing poly-ADP ribosyl polymerase-1 expression. In summary, silybin increased NAD+ concentration, promoted SIRT2 expression, and lowered p65 acetylation both in vivo and in vitro, which supported the recovery of CYP3A expression. These findings indicate that the NAD+/SIRT2 pathway plays an important role in CYP3A regulation during nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This research revealed the differential regulation of CYP3A by silybin under physiological and fatty liver pathological conditions. In the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, silybin restored, not inhibited, CYP3A expression and activity through the NAD+/ sirtuin 2 pathway in accordance with its anti-inflammatory effect.

The PKM2 activator TEPP-46 attenuates MCD feeding-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by inhibiting the activation of Kupffer cells.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of the PKM2 small molecule agonist TEPP-46 on the development of methionine choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, C57BL/6 mice were fed an MCD diet for 15 days to establish a NASH model. The protein expression levels of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), PKM1, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and NLRP3 in liver Kupffer cells (KCs) were measured by Western blotting. Immunofluorescence analysis was used to analyze the nuclear translocation of PKM2 in KCs, and the levels of IL-1ß and TNF-α in mouse serum and the cell polarization indexes were determined. The MCD diet-fed mice were injected with 30 mg/kg of TEPP-46 intraperitoneally every 5 days. After 15 days, the liver tissue and peripheral blood were collected for analysis. RESULTS: We found the NASH model was successfully established after the mice were fed an MCD diet for 15 days. MCD feeding promoted the expression of the PKM2 monomer/dimer and inhibited the expression of the PKM2 tetramer in KCs. Immunofluorescence analysis further confirmed that MCD feeding inhibited the nuclear translocation of PKM2. Besides, MCD feeding promoted the expression of HIF-1α and NLRP3 in KCs, promoted M1 KCs polarization and inhibited M2 KCs polarization. Intraperitoneal injection 30 mg/kg of TEPP-46 significantly inhibited the development of MCD diet-induced NASH, alleviated the pathological changes in the liver, improved liver function, promoted the expression of the PKM2 tetramer in KCs, and inhibited the expression of HIF-1α and NLRP3. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that TEPP-46, a small molecule agonist of PKM2, may inhibit the nuclear translocation of PKM2 and the activation of KCs by promoting the expression of PKM2 tetramers in KCs, thus inhibiting the development of MCD diet-induced NASH in mice.

A Combination of Geniposide and Chlorogenic Acid Combination Ameliorates Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice by Inhibiting Kupffer Cell Activation.

The incidence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is increasing worldwide. Activation of Kupffer cells (KCs) is central to the development of diet-induced NASH. We investigated whether a combination of two active chemical components, geniposide and chlorogenic acid (GC), at a specific ratio (67 : 1), ameliorates diet-induced NASH and the underlying mechanisms involved. C57BL/6J mice exposed to a high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet containing cholesterol, choline, and high-sugar drinking water, as well as RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were studied. The combination exerted a therapeutic effect on HFHC-induced NASH in mice. Simultaneously, GC was found to reduce the expression of cytokines secreted by hepatic macrophages, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1ß, IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Moreover, GC reduced the number of KCs expressing F4/80. Furthermore, TNF-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS), IL-1ß, and IL-6 mRNA and TNF-α protein expression levels were suppressed upon GC treatment in RAW264.7 cells. Our findings suggest that GC has a strong anti-inflammatory effect in NASH, and this effect can be attributed to the suppression of KC activity in the liver.

An active marine halophenol derivative attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute liver injury in mice by improving M2 macrophage-mediated therapy.

2,4',5'-Trihydroxyl-5,2'-dibromo diphenylmethanone (LM49), an active halophenol derivative synthesized by our group, which exhibits a broad spectrum of therapeutic properties, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we found LM49 could obviously attenuate acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice by polarizing macrophages. The protective effect was described by reducing the hepatic inflammation and improving hepatic function using aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) assay. Further study revealed that LM49 pretreatment induced the Kupffer cells (KCs) to M2 polarization and decreased the production of inflammatory cytokines. The action mechanism in RAW 264.7 macrophages showed that LM49 could induce the activation of JAK1/STAT6 signaling pathway and the inhibition of TLR-4/NF-kB axis. Morever, LM49 also upregulated the expression of SOCS1 and FLK-4, which can promote M2 polarization by cooperating with STAT6 and inhibit M1 formation by reducing JAK1/STAT1. Our results suggested that LM49 could protect against LPS-induced acute liver injury in mice via anti-inflammatory signaling pathways and subsequent induction of M2 Kupffer cells. The results provided the first experimental evidence of active halophenols for the anti-inflammatory therapy by targeting M2 macrophages.

A new mechanism of obeticholic acid on NASH treatment by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophage.

OBJECTIVE: Obeticholic acid (OCA) has been proved to play potential therapeutic effect on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Up to now, the study of OCA on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophage is still blank and merits great attention. Here, we aimed to better characterize the role and mechanism of OCA on NASH treatment focusing on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages. METHODS: The effects of OCA on inflammasome activation were investigated in BMDM, Kupffer cell, BMDC and LX2 cell. Preconditioned media from BMDM culture was used to treat primary hepatocytes to explore the effects of macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome activation on the function of hepatocytes. In vivo, high fat diet plus CCl4 (DIO + CCl4) induced murine NASH model and choline-deficient and amino acid-defined (CDA) diet-induced NASH mice were used to verify the inhibitory effect of OCA on inflammasome activation in liver macrophages and recapitulate its protective role on NASH progressing. To clear up the effect of OCA on macrophage is FXR dependent or not, FXR siRNA was introduced into BMDMs. RESULTS: OCA blockaded NLRP3 inflammasome in BMDMs by impacting on the activation stage and disrupting ASC oligomerization. Preconditioned supernatant from LPS + ATP treated BMDMs increased mRNA expression of lipogenic enzymes and lipid content, whereas preconditioned supernatant from OCA treated BMDM blocked these effects in both normal and the FXR knockdown hepatocytes. In DIO + CCl4 mice, the population of inflammatory myeloid lineage cells in livers was decreased upon OCA treatment. Accordingly, the level of IL-1ß and IL-18 in liver, the hepatic expression of ASC, pro-caspase-1 and active caspase-1, the expression of caspase 1 p20 in liver macrophages were also reduced. Similar results were obtained in CDA diet-fed mice. Furthermore, OCA maintained the inhibition on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in FXR knockdown BMDMs, suggesting FXR could be dispensable in this effect. CONCLUSIONS: This finding brings up a new mechanism of OCA on NASH treatment, suggested by direct inhibition on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophage, further suppression on inflammasome activation-elicited hepatic lipid accumulation, and contributing to the amelioration of NASH.

Single Cell Gene Expression Analysis in a 3D Microtissue Liver Model Reveals Cell Type-Specific Responses to Pro-Fibrotic TGF-ß1 Stimulation.

3D cell culture systems are widely used to study disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. Multicellular liver microtissues (MTs) comprising HepaRG, hTERT-HSC and THP-1 maintain multicellular interactions and physiological properties required to mimic liver fibrosis. However, the inherent complexity of multicellular 3D-systems often hinders the discrimination of cell type specific responses. Here, we aimed at applying single cell sequencing (scRNA-seq) to discern the molecular responses of cells involved in the development of fibrosis elicited by TGF-ß1. To obtain single cell suspensions from the MTs, an enzymatic dissociation method was optimized. Isolated cells showed good viability, could be re-plated and cultured in 2D, and expressed specific markers determined by scRNA-seq, qRT-PCR, ELISA and immunostaining. The three cell populations were successfully clustered using supervised and unsupervised methods based on scRNA-seq data. TGF-ß1 led to a fibrotic phenotype in the MTs, detected as decreased albumin and increased αSMA expression. Cell-type specific responses to the treatment were identified for each of the three cell types. They included HepaRG damage characterized by a decrease in cellular metabolism, prototypical inflammatory responses in THP-1s and extracellular matrix remodeling in hTERT-HSCs. Furthermore, we identified novel cell-specific putative fibrosis markers in hTERT-HSC (COL15A1), and THP-1 (ALOX5AP and LAPTM5).

Carbon Monoxide-Releasing Molecule-3 Alleviates Kupffer Cell Pyroptosis Induced by Hemorrhagic Shock and Resuscitation via sGC-cGMP Signal Pathway.

Following hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury, Kupffer cells could be activated by inflammatory factors released from damaged hepatocytes. Carbon monoxide (CO)-releasing molecule (CORM)-3, a water-soluble transition metal carbonyl, exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-pyroptosis properties. We investigated whether CORM-3 attenuated hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR)-induced pyroptosis of Kupffer cells through the soluble guanylate-cyclase (sGC)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signal pathway. NS2028 (10 mg/kg), a blocker of sGC, was administrated at the onset of hemorrhage, but CORM-3 (4 mg/kg) was infused after resuscitation via femoral vein. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, tumor necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) were measured at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after HSR, respectively. Six hours post-HSR, liver injury, pyroptosis of Kupffer cells, and expressions in total caspase-1, cleaved caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD) N-terminal fragment, IL-1ß, and IL-18 were measured by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), immunofluorescence and western blot assays, respectively (Fig. 1). The rats exposed to HSR exhibited significant upregulated levels of serum ALT, AST, TNF-α, and IL-1ß, elevated liver injury score, increased pyroptosis of Kupffer cells, and accumulated expressions of pyroptosis-associated protein including cleaved caspase-1, GSDMD N-terminal fragment, IL-1ß, and IL-18 than sham-treated rats. However, CORM-3 administration markedly reduced liver injury and pyroptosis of Kupffer cells, whereas these protective effects could be partially blocked by NS2028. CORM-3 can mitigate pyroptosis of Kupffer cells in a blood loss and re-infusion model of rats via sGC-cGMP signal pathway.