Cellular and molecular functions of hepatic stellate cells in inflammatory responses and liver immunology

The liver is a central immunological organ. Liver resident macrophages, Kupffer cells (KC), but also sinusoidal endothelial cells, dendritic cells (DC) and other immune cells are involved in balancing immunity and tolerance against pathogens, commensals or food antigens. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have been primarily characterized as the main effector cells in liver fibrosis, due to their capacity to transdifferentiate into collagen-producing myofibroblasts (MFB). More recent studies elucidated the fundamental role of HSC in liver immunology. HSC are not only the major storage site for dietary vitamin A (Vit A) (retinol, retinoic acid), which is essential for proper function of the immune system. This pericyte further represents a versatile source of many soluble immunological active factors including cytokines [e.g., interleukin 17 (IL-17)] and chemokines [C-C motif chemokine (ligand) 2 (CCL2)], may act as an antigen presenting cell (APC), and has autophagy activity. Additionally, it responds to many immunological triggers via toll-like receptors (TLR) (e.g., TLR4, TLR9) and transduces signals through pathways and mediators traditionally found in immune cells, including the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway or inflammasome activation. Overall, HSC promote rather immune-suppressive responses in homeostasis, like induction of regulatory T cells (Treg), T cell apoptosis (via B7-H1, PDL-1) or inhibition of cytotoxic CD8 T cells. In conditions of liver injury, HSC are important sensors of altered tissue integrity and initiators of innate immune cell activation. Vice versa, several immune cell subtypes interact directly or via soluble mediators with HSC. Such interactions include the mutual activation of HSC (towards MFB) and macrophages or pro-apoptotic signals from natural killer (NK), natural killer T (NKT) and gamma-delta T cells (γδ T-cells) on activated HSC. Current directions of research investigate the immune-modulating functions of HSC in the environment of liver tumors, cellular heterogeneity or interactions promoting HSC deactivation during resolution of liver fibrosis. Understanding the role of HSC as central regulators of liver immunology may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for chronic liver diseases.     

Expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in hepatocytes from rat fibrotic liver

The pathological changes of parasympathetic nerve are considered as an independent prognostic factor of the survival rate of patients with chronic liver disease. The non-selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAchR) agonists and antagonists can affect the proliferation of hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells, but the subtypes of mAchR expressions in HCs are still uncertain. Here, we investigate the expression of mAchR in hepatic fibrosis on rats. 3 ml/kg 40% carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) was given to induce hepatic fibrosis on rats and the hepatocytes were isolated. Compared to the normal state, the expression levels of m1, 3, 5 in fibrotic liver tissues or hepatocytes were obviously increased, while m2, 4 decreased. 10 μM pilocarpine or 10 μM acetylcholine could increase the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hydroxyproline (Hyp), collagen I, III in the hepatocytes, and decreased albumin (ALB). They also changed the expressions of mAchR similarly as the fibrotic hepatocytes and livers. However, atropine could ameliorate the state of fibrotic hepatocytes. These data indicate that mAchR played an important role in the regulation of hepatic fibrosis process. Targeting mAchR would have therapeutic potential for hepatic fibrosis.     

mTOR/P70S6K信号通路活化在肝硬化门静脉高压症中意义的实验研究

目的 探讨mTOR/P70S6K信号通路在早期肝硬化门静脉高压症中的活化状态,证实mTOR信号通路的激活参与肝硬化门静脉高压症的发病,并探讨其可能机制.方法 本实验采用胆道结扎离断制备大鼠肝硬化门静脉高压症模型.雄性SD大鼠20只随机分为假手术组和模型组.通过组织病理学、形态学和血流动力学评估肝纤维化、炎症、和门静脉压力.采用RT-PCR和Western blot法分别测定肝纤维化标志物PC-αⅠ、α-SMA、TGFβ1及PDGF基因的转录和mTOR信号通路标志物P70S6K和磷酸化的P70S6K(P-P70S6K)的表达.结果 模型组大鼠胆道结扎离断3周后,P-P70S6K表达量明显增高而总蛋白P70S6K无显著差异,同时HSCs和胆管细胞活化增殖显著,肝脏促纤维化基因明显上调,间质胶原合成增加.结论 mTOR/P70S6K信号通路主要以磷酸化功能状态参与肝硬化门静脉高压症的形成,阻断该通路可能成为肝硬化门静脉高压症治疗的新靶向.     

Oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation and ameliorates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by suppressing NF-κB signaling and Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 is a Carapax trionycis extract component that has an effect on hepatic fibrosis, however, its mechanism of action is still unclear. This study investigated whether oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 could inhibit liver fibrosis by suppressing NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which are important in liver fibrosis. HSC-T6 cells were treated with oligo-peptide I-C-F-6, and rats were divided randomly into five groups: control (saline), CCl₄, CCl₄ plus oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 (0.12 and 0.24 mg/kg), and CCl₄ plus colchicine (0.11 mg/kg). Here, we demonstrated that oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 ameliorated liver injury, inflammation, and hepatic fibrogenesis induced by CCl₄. Oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 also inhibited the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vivo and in vitro, as evaluated by the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), which is a specific marker of HSC activation. Moreover, oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 significantly reduced the expression and distribution of β-catenin, P-AKT, phospho (P)-GSK-3β, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) P65, phospho-P65, and IκB kinase α/β (IKK-α/β) levels; additionally, IκB-α level was elevated both in vivo and in vitro. Together, these results indicate that oligo-peptide I-C-F-6 has hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic effects in animal models of liver fibrosis, the mechanism of which may be related to modulating NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling.     

Nanofiber technology in the ex vivo expansion of cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells

Umbilical cord blood (CB) can be used as an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for transplantation in hematological and non-hematological disorders. Despite several recognized advantages the limited cell number in CB one unit still restricts its clinical use. The success of transplantation greatly depends on the levels of total nucleated cell and CD34+ cell counts. Thus, many ex vivo strategies have been developed within the last decade in order to solve this obstacle, with more or less success, mainly determined by the degree of difficulty related with maintaining HSCs self-renewal and stemness properties after long-term expansion. Different research groups have developed very promising and diverse CB-derived HSC expansion strategies using nanofiber scaffolds. Here we review the state-of-the-art of nanofiber technology-based CB-derived HSC expansion.     

益肝康药物血清对大鼠肝星状细胞胞浆游离钙效应的抑制作用

目的研究益肝康药物血清是否具有抑制肝星状细胞(HSCs)胞浆游离钙([Ca2 ]i)增高的作用。方法将32只健康雄性SD大鼠按随机数字表分为4组:肝纤维化模型益肝康组(8只)皮下注射用精制橄榄油配制的40?L4溶液9周,然后灌服益肝康6d;肝纤维化模型对照组(8只)皮下注射用精制橄榄油配制的40?L4溶液9周,然后灌服0·9%氯化钠溶液6d;正常大鼠益肝康组(8只)皮下注射等量精制橄榄油9周,然后灌服益肝康6d;正常对照组(8只)皮下注射等量精制橄榄油9周,然后灌服0·9%氯化钠溶液6d。结束后经下腔静脉取血并分离血清。用盲法,采用上述10%血清培养HSCs24h并负载好Fluo-3/AM后,使用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜(LSCM)检测HSCs[Ca2 ]i。结果(1)经正常大鼠益肝康组及肝纤维化模型益肝康组大鼠血清预处理的HSCs,其[Ca2 ]i荧光强度相对值均明显低于肝纤维化模型对照组(P<0·05);且两者与正常对照组间差别均有显著性意义(P<0·05)。结论益肝康能抑制肝星状细胞[Ca2 ]i的升高,这可能是其发挥抗肝纤维化作用的重要途径之一。