Morphological characterisation of portal myofibroblasts and hepatic stellate cells in the normal dog liver

Background  

Hepatic fibrosis is a common outcome of hepatic injury in both man and dog. Activated fibroblasts which develop myofibroblastic characteristics play an essential role in hepatic fibrogenesis, and are comprised of three subpopulations: 1) portal or septal myofibroblasts, 2) interface myofibroblasts and 3) the perisinusoidally located hepatic stellate cells (HSC). The present study was performed to investigate the immunohistochemical characteristics of canine portal myofibroblasts (MF) and HSC in the normal unaffected liver as a basis for further studies on fibrogenesis in canine liver disease.     

Connective tissue growth factor in human liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) belongs to a family of factors that regulate fibrogenesis and wound healing. While the significance of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in liver fibrosis is well established, the role of CTGF in fibrosing hepatopathy is still unknown. METHODS: CTGF was analyzed in 10 normal and in 16 cirrhotic liver tissue samples. Northern blot analysis was used to examine the concomitant expression of CTGF and TGF-beta1 mRNAs, and the cellular localization of CTGF mRNA was studied by in situ hybridization. For identification of myofibroblasts and activated hepatic stellate cells, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) immunohistochemistry was used. RESULTS: Northern blot analysis showed 6.5-fold enhanced expression of CTGF mRNA and 7.8-fold enhanced expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA in liver cirrhosis in comparison with normal controls (p<0.01). By in situ hybridization, CTGF mRNA was detectable in only a few spindle cells in the portal tracts in normal liver samples. In contrast, there was strong expression of CTGF mRNA in fibroblasts and myofibroblast-like cells present in fibrous septa surrounding the cirrhotic nodules, in stellate cells, in endothelial cells and in mesenchymal cells around ductular proliferations, and in ductular epithelial cells. There was a strong correlation between CTGF mRNA and TGF-beta1 mRNA as well as the degree of fibrosis (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of CTGF in liver cirrhosis, especially in fibroblasts/myofibroblasts and stellate cells, suggests that this novel factor may play an important role in hepatic fibrosis.     

Smad7 prevents activation of hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis in rats

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Numerous studies implicate transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signaling in liver fibrogenesis. To perturb the TGF-beta pathway during this process, we overexpressed Smad7, an intracellular antagonist of TGF-beta signaling, in vivo and in primary-cultured hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS: Ligation of the common bile duct (BDL) was used to induce liver fibrosis in rats. Animals received injections of an adenovirus carrying Smad7 cDNA into the portal vein during surgery and via the tail vein at later stages. The effect of Smad7 on TGF-beta signaling and activation of HSC was further analyzed in primary-cultured cells. RESULTS: Smad7-overexpressing BDL rats displayed reduced collagen and alpha-SMA expression and reduced hydroxyproline content in the liver, when compared with animals administered AdLacZ. Such a beneficial effect was also observed when Smad7 was expressed in animals with established fibrosis. Accordingly, Smad7 arrested transdifferentiation of primary-cultured HSCs. AdSmad7 infected cells remained in a quiescent stage and retained storage of vitamin A droplets. Smad7 expression totally blocked TGF-beta signal transduction, shown by inhibiting Smad2/3 phosphorylation, nuclear translocation of activated Smad complexes, and activation of (CAGA)(9)-MLP-Luc, resulting in decreased collagen I expression. Smad7 also abrogated TGF-beta-dependent proliferation inhibition of HSC. Smad7 did not decrease expression of alpha-SMA, but immunofluorescent staining with anti alpha-SMA antibodies displayed destruction of the fibrillar organization of the actin cytoskeleton. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, gene transfer of Smad7 inhibits experimental fibrogenesis in vivo. Studies with isolated HSC suggest that the underlying mechanisms involve inhibition of TGF-beta signaling and HSC transdifferentiation.     

Expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in rats with hepatic fibrosis

AIM: To investigate the location and expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the liver of normal and experimental hepatic fibrosis in rats. METHODS: The rat models of experimental immunity hepatic fibrosis (n=20) were prepared by the means of immunologic attacking with human serum albumin (HSA),and normal rats (n=10) served as control group. Both immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods were respectively used to detect the TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA and related antigens in liver. The liver tissue was detected to find out the gene expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 with RT-PCR. RESULTS: The TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 related antigens in livers of experimental group were expressed in myofibroblasts and fibroblasts (TIMP-1: 482&#177;65 vs 60&#177;20; TIMP-2:336&#177;48 vs 50&#177;19, P&lt;0.001). This was the most obvious in portal area and fibrous septum. The positive signals were located in cytoplasm, not in nucleus. Such distribution and location were confirmed bysitu hybridization (TIMP-1/β-actin: 1.86&#177;0.47 vs 0.36&#177;0.08; TIMP-2/β-actin: 1.06&#177;0.22 vs 0.36&#177;0.08,P&lt;0.001). The expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 was seen in the liver of normal rats, but the expression level was very low. However, the expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the liver of experimental group was obviously high. CONCLUSION: In the process of hepatic fibrosis, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are the major cells that express TIMPs.The more serious the hepatic fibrosis is in the injured liver,the higher the level of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 gene expression.     

Osteopontin expression in normal and fibrotic liver. altered liver healing in osteopontin-deficient mice

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Osteopontin has been implicated in numerous physiopathological events. Osteopontin expression in normal and fibrotic liver and liver fibrogenesis in osteopontin-deficient mice were studied. METHODS: Fibrosis was induced in mice and rats by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treatment or bile duct ligation. The liver was used for conventional histology, osteopontin immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, or protein and RNA extraction. In mice, necrotic areas and fibrosis were evaluated by quantitative image analysis. RESULTS: In normal liver, osteopontin mRNA expression was very low. After CCl4 treatment or bile duct ligation, osteopontin mRNA expression was increased. Osteopontin was expressed by biliary epithelial cells in normal and fibrotic liver. Soon after the beginning of the CCl4 treatment, osteopontin was also present in inflammatory cells of the necrotic areas. In osteopontin-deficient mice, necrotic areas after a single dose of CCl4, and fibrosis after chronic CCl4 treatment were significantly increased as compared with wild-type treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that osteopontin expression increases during liver fibrogenesis. Furthermore, osteopontin-deficient mice were more susceptible to CCl4 treatment, displaying more necrosis during the initial steps (probably due to a deficiency in nitric oxide production) and more fibrosis thereafter. The increase in osteopontin expression observed during liver fibrogenesis may play a protective role.     

IFN-γ对日本血吸虫病肝纤维化小鼠Smads表达的影响

目的 从转录水平探讨参与TGF-β1信号转导的Smads在日本血吸虫感染的BALB/c小鼠形成肝纤维化过程中,以及IFN-γ治疗后的表达情况. 方法 BALB/c小鼠感染日本血吸虫尾蚴后第16周,将其随机分成3组:安慰剂组、吡喹酮治疗组和吡喹酮联合IFN-γ治疗组,治疗8周.分别在感染后第8周、12周、16周和24周,处死小鼠取肝脏组织,一部分进行天狼猩红染色,观察胶原沉积情况;另一部分提取总mRNA,通过RT-PCR检测Smad2.Smad3,Smad4和Smad7 mRNA的表达水平. 结果 肝纤维化模型在感染16周后形成.胶原表达随着感染时间的延长而增加.胶原表达在吡喹酮联合IFN-γ治疗组表达下降,而在安慰剂组和吡喹酮治疗组之间的差别无统计学意义.在肝纤维化形成过程中,Smad3 mRNA在感染16周时增加到正常水平的2倍;Smad2 mRNA的表达水平在感染12周时下降,在16周时,又恢复到正常水平;Smad4和Smad7 mRNA水平变化不明显.在联合治疗后,Smad7 mRNA水平明显增高,Smad2 mRNA保持在低水平上,Smad3 mRNA高于正常对照组,Smad4 mRNA水平仍无明显变化. 结论 Smad3 mRNA表达上调,Smad2 mRNA表达下调以及Smad7 mRNA的低水平表达可能导致小鼠肝纤维化的形成,IFN-γ可能通过诱导Smad7 mRNA表达上调,从而达到抗纤维化的作用.     

腱蛋白在四氯化碳大鼠肝纤维化形成过程中的动态表达

目的：探讨腱蛋白（Tenascin,Tn)在肝纤维化形成中的作用。方法：以CCl4诱发大鼠肝损伤期（4周），肝纤维化早期（8周）和肝纤维化晚期（12周）模型；采用免疫组织化学及核酸原位分子杂交技术对大鼠肝组织中Tn mRNA及其蛋白质表达进行观察，并进行计算机图像分析。结果：正常肝组织有少量Tn分布；肝损伤期及肝纤维化早期，Tn的mRNA及蛋白质表达均显著增高。肝纤维化晚期，Tn的mRNA及蛋白质表达相对减少，核酸原位杂交提示肝间质细胞是Tn的主要合成细胞。结论：Tn是肝内重要的细胞外基质成分，参与了肝纤维化的早期形成。     

Morphology of liver repair following cholestatic liver injury: resolution of ductal hyperplasia, matrix deposition and regression of myofibroblasts

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Myofibroblasts are the primary cells responsible for increased matrix deposition in hepatic fibrosis. Activation of hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts during cholestatic liver injury is accompanied by increased expression of the activation marker, alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA), and collagen genes. In contrast to our understanding of injury, the cellular mechanisms of liver repair are not well defined. This study was designed to examine the morphological relationship between bile duct hyperplasia, matrix deposition and myofibroblast phenotype in a model of chronic cholestatic liver injury and repair. METHODS: Reversible extrahepatic obstruction was accomplished in rats using a soft vessel loop suspended from the anterior abdominal wall: duct manipulation alone was performed in sham-operated controls. After 7 days, rats were either sacrificed or decompressed by release of the loop and subsequently sacrificed 2-10 days after reversal. Liver sections were obtained for in situ hybridization for procollagen alpha1(I) mRNA, immunohistochemical staining for SMA and cytokeratin 19, and histochemical staining for reticulin. RESULTS: Cholestatic livers demonstrated bile duct hyperplasia, which reversed to normal within 10 days after decompression. Fibrosis was also substantially reduced during this period. SMA-positive myofibroblasts were abundant and localized to regions adjacent to proliferating ducts and excess matrix in the obstructed animals. Decompressed livers showed a dramatic time-dependent reduction in the number of SMA-positive cells and in the expression of procollagen I mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the disappearance of bile duct hyperplasia after biliary decompression is accompanied by a similarly rapid loss of SMA-positive myofibroblasts. Both cellular events may abrogate enhanced matrix synthesis and allow repair to occur.     

肌细胞增强因子2A与肝星状细胞活化关系的体内实验研究

背景：转录调控在肝星状细胞（HSC）活化过程中起重要作用,研究显示转录因子肌细胞增强因子2（MEF2）参与了HSC的活化过程。目的：探讨肝纤维化形成过程中MEF2家族成员MEF2A与HSC活化的关系。方法：实验开始时处死6只大鼠作为0周对照组,64只大鼠随机分为正常对照组和肝纤维化模型组。模型组大鼠皮下注射60％CCL（0．3ml／100g,每周2次）复制肝纤维化模型;正常对照组大鼠与模型组于相同条件下饲养,不予任何处理。造模开始后3、6、9、12周分批处死大鼠,取肝组织,实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应（PCR）检测MEF2AmRNA表达．蛋白质印迹法检测MEF2A蛋白和HSC活化标记物α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）表达,VanGieson染色定量分析肝内胶原含量。结果：正常肝组织中仅有少量MEF2AmRNA和蛋白表达;随着肝纤维化的形成,肝组织MEF2AmRNA和蛋白表达量逐渐增加（P〈0．05）,MEF2A与Q—SMA蛋白表达呈正相关（r=0．88,P〈0．05）。肝内胶原含量随肝纤维化的形成呈递增趋势（P〈0．01）。结论：MEF2A参与了CCl4。诱导的大鼠肝纤维化形成过程中HSC的活化和增殖。     

脂质对肝呈状细胞表达前胶原Ⅰ,ⅢmRNA的影响

目的 探讨脂质（三酯酰甘油和极低密度脂蛋白）对ＨＳＣ前胶原Ⅰ、ⅢｍＲＮＡ表达的影响。方法 链霉蛋白酶和胶原酶的位灌注,Ｎｙｃｏｄｅｎｚ雷度梯度离心分离大鼠ＨＳＣ,分别用三酯酰甘油（２５ｍｇ／Ｌ）和极低密度胆蛋白（２５ｍｇ／Ｌ）共孵育１０ｄ后,提取ＨＳＣ的ＲＮＡ,用Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ杂交观察一酯酰甘油和极低密度脂蛋白对ＨＳＣ前胶原Ⅰ、Ⅲ ｍＲＮＡ表达。 三酯酰甘油和极低密度脂蛋白刺激后其胶胶     

肝纤维化中肌成纤维细胞补充来源的研究进展

肝星状细胞（HSC）激活为肌成纤维细胞（MFB）并合成大量细胞外基质被认为是肝纤维化的核心机制。但新近研究表明肝纤维化中的MFB有相当多的补充来源,包括骨髓源性纤维细胞进入受损肝组织,循环中的单核细胞亚群向纤维细胞分化,以及肝细胞和胆管细胞的上皮一间质转化等。这些发现扩充了肝纤维化的发生机制,并可能提供新的诊断和治疗选择。     

Taurine inhibits oxidative damage and prevents fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the study was to examine the effects of taurine on hepatic fibrogenesis and in isolated hepatic stellate cells (HSC). METHODS: The rats of the hepatic damage (HD) group were administered carbon tetracholoride (CCl4) for 5 weeks and a subgroup received, in addition, a 2% taurine containing diet for 6 weeks (HDT). The HSC were isolated from normal rats and cultured for 4 days. RESULTS: The hepatic taurine concentration was decreased in the HD group. This loss and the hepatic histological damage and fibrosis (particularly in the pericentral region), were reduced following taurine treatment. Furthermore, the hepatic alpha-SMA, lipid hydroperoxide and 8-OHdG levels in serum and liver, as well as hepatic TGF-beta1 mRNA and hydroxyproline levels were significantly increased in the HD group, and most of these parameters were significantly reduced following taurine treatment. In contrast to the MAP-kinase and Akt expressions, which remained unchanged, the lipid hydroperoxide and hydroxyproline concentrations, as well as TGF-beta1 mRNA levels were significantly reduced by taurine in activated HSC. CONCLUSIONS: Oral taurine administration enhances hepatic taurine accumulation, reduces oxidative stress and prevents progression of hepatic fibrosis in CCl4-induced HD rats, as well as inhibits transformation of the HSC.     

Expression of large tenascin-C splice variants by hepatic stellate cells/myofibroblasts in chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Earlier studies have suggested involvement of tenascin-C (TN-C) in liver fibrosis. Here, we examined expression of TN-C variants and types of alternatively spliced fibronectin-type III (FNIII) repeats in chronic hepatitis. METHODS: Using three monoclonal antibodies against TN-C variants, immunohistochemical staining was performed and the correlation with histological parameters of chronic hepatitis C was examined. The cellular source was also determined and variant expression and their types were tested using isolated rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), liver myofibroblasts, and/or LI90 cells. RESULTS: Large variants were not expressed in normal liver, but were up-regulated in chronic hepatitis, especially at sites of interface hepatitis and confluent necrosis, showing stronger correlations between staining intensity and these than with other parameters or fibrosis. TN-C deposition was closely correlated with increase in the number of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells, i.e. activated HSCs/myofibroblasts, and in situ hybridization showed TN-C mRNA signals in the cells. Activated HSCs and myofibroblasts in culture highly expressed large variants of TN-C. In LI90 cells, sequencing of large variants revealed that the FNIII repeats D and A1/A4, followed by B, were preferentially included. CONCLUSIONS: TN-C and its variants are produced by HSCs/myofibroblasts, suggesting important roles in liver fibrogenesis.     

Changing the pathogenetic roadmap of liver fibrosis? Where did it start; where will it go?

The pathophysiology of liver injury has attracted the interest of experimentalists and clinicians over many centuries. With the discovery of liver-specific pericytes – formerly called fat-storing cells, Ito-cells, lipocytes, and currently designated as hepatic stellate cells (HSC) – the insight into the cellular and molecular pathobiology of liver fibrosis has evolved and the pivotal role of HSC as a precursor cell-type for extracellular matrix–producing myofibroblasts has been established. Although activation and transdifferentiation of HSC to myofibroblasts is still regarded as the pathogenetic key mechanism of fibrogenesis, recent studies point to a prominent heterogeneity of the origin of myofibroblasts. Currently, the generation of matrix-synthesizing fibroblasts by epithelial–mesenchymal transition, by influx of bone marrow–derived fibrocytes into damaged liver tissue, and by differentiation of circulating monocytes to fibroblasts after homing in the injured liver are discussed as important complementary mechanisms to enlarge the pool of (myo-)fibroblasts in the fibrosing liver. Among the molecular mediators, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) plays a central role, which is controlled by the bone-morphogenetic protein (BMP)-7, an important antagonist of TGF-β action. The newly discovered pathways supplement the linear concept of HSC activation to myofibroblasts, point to fibrosis as a systemic response involving extrahepatic organs and reactions, add further evidence to a more or less uniform concept of organ fibrosis in general (e.g. liver, lung, kidney), and offer innovative approaches for the development of non-invasive biomarkers and antifibrotic trials.