Inhibitory effects of microRNA 19b in hepatic stellate cell-mediated fibrogenesis

Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is a pivotal event in initiation and progression of hepatic fibrosis and a major contributor to collagen deposition driven by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). MicroRNAs (miRs), small noncoding RNAs modulating messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression, have emerged as key regulatory molecules in chronic liver disease. We investigated differentially expressed miRs in quiescent and activated HSCs to identify novel regulators of profibrotic TGF-β signaling. miR microarray analysis was performed on quiescent and activated rat HSCs. Members of the miR-17-92 cluster (19a, 19b, 92a) were significantly down-regulated in activated HSCs. Because miR 19b showed the highest fold-change of the cluster members, activated HSCs were transfected with miR 19b mimic or negative control and TGF-β signaling and HSC activation assessed. miR 19b expression was determined in fibrotic rat and human liver specimens. miR 19b mimic negatively regulated TGF-β signaling components demonstrated by decreased TGF-β receptor II (TGF-βRII) and SMAD3 expression. Computational prediction of miR 19b binding to the 3' untranslated region of TGF-βRII was validated by luciferase reporter assay. Inhibition of TGF-β signaling by miR 19b was confirmed by decreased expression of type I collagen and by blocking TGF-β-induced expression of α1(I) and α2(I) procollagen mRNAs. miR 19b blunted the activated HSC phenotype by morphological assessment and decreased smooth muscle α-actin expression. Additionally, miR 19b expression was markedly diminished in fibrotic rat liver compared with normal liver; similarly, miR 19b expression was markedly down-regulated in fibrotic compared with normal human livers. CONCLUSION: miR 19b is a novel regulator of TGF-β signaling in HSCs, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for hepatic fibrosis.     

Gene expression profile of quiescent and activated rat hepatic stellate cells implicates Wnt signaling pathway in activation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver fibrosis is characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins synthesized by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). To understand molecular mechanisms of HSCs activation a comprehensive comparison of gene expression between quiescent and activated HSCs is needed. METHODS: Using DNA microarrays we compared expression of 31,100 genes between quiescent rat HSCs and culture activated rat HSCs. Expression of the components of Wnt signaling was analyzed in HSCs and fibrotic livers by RT-PCR. Activation of beta-catenin was analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: Nine hundred genes were upregulated more than 4.6-fold and 500 genes were downregulated more than 5.7-fold in activated HSCs. The upregulated genes included Wnt receptor frizzled 2, ligands Wnt4 and Wnt5, which was confirmed in fibrotic livers. Expression of the target genes of Wnt signaling was increased from 5- to 70-fold. Phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of beta-catenin were unchanged, indicating activation of the noncanonical Wnt pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Highly upregulated expression of Wnt5a and its receptor frizzled 2 implicates this pathway in differentiation of quiescent HSCs into myofibroblasts. Activation of Wnt signaling pathway in HSCs and in animal models of liver fibrosis has not been described previously, suggesting an important role of Wnt signaling in development of liver fibrosis.     

Long-term administering low anticoagulant activity heparin can lessen rat hepatic fibrosis induced by either CCl(4) or porcine serum injection.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Heparin or heparin-derived molecules have been demonstrated to have a renoprotective activity in a number of experimental nephropathies and anti-fibrotic effect on pulmonary fibrosis induced by Bleomycin. However, the effectiveness of low anticoagulant activity heparin (LAAH) in the treatment of liver fibrosis has not been well defined. We are here demonstrating by both biochemical and morphological methods that long term LAAH administering can considerably decrease the hepatic fibrosis in rats elicited by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) or injection of porcine serum. And its inhibition of fibrosis may be associated with the intervention of ERK signal transduction pathway and down-regulation of AP-1 activity in hepatic stellate cells. METHODS: LAAH were given to rats that subjected to CCl(4) or porcine serum injection induced liver fibrosis regimens up to 10 weeks. Immunohistochemical stainings for collagen types I and III plus image analysis as well as measurement of hydroxyproline content in the livers were carried out to evaluate the fibrosis of livers in rats. The activated HSCs (strong positive immunohistochemical staining for alpha-smooth actin) in the livers were counted under microscopy. The activities of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in HSCs in vitro were estimated by the Western blot. Activator protein-1 (AP-1) activity in nuclear proteins of HSCs was measured by the electrophoresis motility shift assay (EMSA). RESULTS: The immunohistochemical staining plus image analysis showed that LAAH administration could reduce the contents of collagen types I and III to 16.48% and 27.94% of those in saline administration control in livers of rats treated with CCl(4) or 30.98% and 35.43% of those in saline administration control in livers of rats subjected to injection of porcine serum. Meanwhile, LAAH could decrease the content of hydroxyproline in the livers of rats treated with CCl(4) or injection of porcine serum by 32.83% or 32.41%, respectively. Long-term administration of LAAH can remarkably reduce the alpha-SMA positive cells only in the fibrotic livers induced by CCl(4). In vitro studies of HSCs showed that LAAH could inhibit the PDGF-BB augmented both expression and phosphorylation of ERK proteins and AP-1 activity in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term administering LAAH can suppress the hepatic fibrosis either induced by CCl(4) or injection of porcine serum. The mechanism of its anti-fibrotic effect may partly be related to the inference of ERK signal transduction pathway and AP-1 activity in activated hepatic stellate cells.     

Cyclin E1 controls proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and is essential for liver fibrogenesis in mice

Liver fibrogenesis is associated with the transition of quiescent hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into the cell cycle. Exit from quiescence is controlled by E-type cyclins (cyclin E1 [CcnE1] and cyclin E2 [CcnE2]). Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate the contribution of E-type cyclins for liver fibrosis in man and mice. Expression of CcnE1, but not of its homolog, CcnE2, was induced in fibrotic and cirrhotic livers from human patients with different etiologies and in murine wild-type (WT) livers after periodical administration of the profibrotic toxin, CCl(4) . To further evaluate the potential function of E-type cyclins for liver fibrogenesis, we repetitively treated constitutive CcnE1(-/-) and CcnE2(-/-) knock-out mice with CCl(4) to induce liver fibrosis. Interestingly, CcnE1(-/-) mice were protected against CCl(4) -mediated liver fibrogenesis, as evidenced by reduced collagen type I α1 expression and the lack of septum formation. In contrast, CcnE2(-/-) mice showed accelerated fibrogenesis after CCl(4) treatment. We isolated primary HSCs from WT, CcnE1(-/-) , and CcnE2(-/-) mice and analyzed their activation, proliferation, and survival in vitro. CcnE1 expression in WT HSCs was maximal when they started to proliferate, but decreased after the cells transdifferentiated into myofibroblasts. CcnE1(-/-) HSCs showed dramatically impaired survival, cell-cycle arrest, and strongly reduced expression of alpha smooth muscle actin, indicating deficient HSC activation. In contrast, CcnE2-deficient HSCs expressed an elevated level of CcnE1 and showed enhanced cell-cycle activity and proliferation, compared to WT cells. Conclusions: CcnE1 and CcnE2 have antagonistic roles in liver fibrosis. CcnE1 is indispensable for the activation, proliferation, and survival of HSCs and thus promotes the synthesis of extracellular matrix and liver fibrogenesis. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:1140-1149).     

DNA methylation of angiotensin Ⅱ receptor gene in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related liver fibrosis

AIM To clarify whether Agtr1 a methylation is involved in the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)-related liver fibrosis in adult rats.METHODS A choline-deficient amino acid(CDAA) diet model was employed for methylation analysis of NASH-related liver fibrosis.Agtr1 a methylation levels were measured in the livers of CDAA- and control choline-sufficient amino acid(CSAA)-fed rats for 8 and 12 wk using quantitative methylation-specific PCR.Hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) were isolated by collagenase digestion of the liver,followed by centrifugation of the crude cell suspension through a density gradient.Agtr1 a methylation and its gene expression were also analyzed during the activation of HSCs.RESULTS The mean levels of Agtr1 a methylation in the livers of CDAA-fed rats(11.5% and 18.6% at 8 and 12 wk,respectively) tended to be higher(P = 0.06 and 0.09,respectively) than those in the livers of CSAA-fed rats(2.1% and 5.3% at 8 and 12 wk,respectively).Agtr1 a was not methylated at all in quiescent HSCs,but was clearly methylated in activated HSCs(13.8%,P 0.01).Interestingly,although Agtr1 a was hypermethylated,the Agtr1 a m RNA level increased up to 2.2-fold(P 0.05) in activated HSCs compared with that in quiescent HSCs,suggesting that Agtr1 a methylation did not silence its expression but instead had the potential to upregulate its expression.These findings indicate that Agtr1 a methylation and its upregulation of gene expression are associated with the development of NASH-related liver fibrosis.CONCLUSION This is the first study to show that DNA methylation is potential y involved in the regulation of a renin-angiotensin system-related gene expression during liver fibrosis.     

The hepatitis B virus X protein induces paracrine activation of human hepatic stellate cells

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of liver fibrosis, eventually leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the involvement of the X protein of HBV (HBx) in viral replication and tumor development has been extensively studied, little is known about its possible role in the development of fibrosis. In this work we show that expression of HBx in hepatocytes results in paracrine activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the main producers of extracellular matrix proteins in the fibrotic liver. Both human primary HSCs and rat HSCs exposed to conditioned medium from HBx-expressing hepatocytes showed increased expression of collagen I, connective tissue growth factor, alpha smooth muscle actin, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), together with an enhanced proliferation rate. We found that HBx induced TGF-beta secretion in hepatocytes and that the activation of HSCs by conditioned medium from HBx-expressing hepatocytes was prevented by a neutralizing anti-TGF-beta antibody, indicating the involvement of this profibrotic factor in the process. CONCLUSION: Our results propose a direct role for HBx in the development of liver fibrosis by the paracrine activation of stellate cells and reinforce the indication of antiviral treatment in patients with advanced HBV-related chronic liver disease and persistent liver replication.     

白细胞介素17促进肝纤维化发生发展的机制

目的研究白细胞介素（IL）17在肝纤维化中的作用及机制。方法腹腔注射CCl4建立小鼠肝纤维化模型,PCR检测肝组织IL-17 mRNA表达变化。大鼠肝星状细胞系（HSC-T6细胞）予以IL-17处理后,PCR检测肌动蛋白α（α-SMA）、胶原蛋白Ⅰ、胶原蛋白Ⅲ、纤维连接蛋白mRNA的表达变化,采用t检验进行比较。免疫组织化学检测肝纤维化患者肝组织中IL-17表达量变化及与α-SMA的关系。结果 CCl4诱导肝纤维化模型小鼠肝组织中IL-17表达明显增加。IL-17促进HSC-T6细胞α-SMA、胶原蛋白Ⅰ、胶原蛋白Ⅲ、纤维连接蛋白mRNA的合成。免疫组织化学结果显示,在肝纤维化患者肝组织中IL-17表达明显增加,并随着纤维化程度加重而逐渐增加,与肝组织表达α-SMA水平呈正相关（r=0.78,P〈0.05）。结论 IL-17可促进HSCα-SMA、胶原蛋白Ⅰ、胶原蛋白Ⅲ、纤维连接蛋白mRNA的合成,从而促进肝纤维化的发生发展。     

内毒素受体在肝星状细胞的表达及其作用

目的了解内毒素受体在肝星状细胞活化中的变化和作用。方法分离正常大鼠的肝星状细胞，以逆转录聚合酶链反应法检测其在体外培养过程中内毒素受体（CD14和TLR4）mRNA的表达变化。以细胞免疫染色法检测肝星状细胞内毒素受体CD14的表达。制作肝纤维化和肝硬化的大鼠模型，免疫组织化学法动态检测肝组织内CD14和α平滑肌肌动蛋白的表达变化和定位。结果初分离的肝星状细胞表达低水平的CD14 mRNA，不表达TLR4 mRNA，培养活化的肝星状细胞内毒素受体的表达增强，内毒素可上调这种表达。体外培养10d的肝星状细胞表达CD14蛋白，内毒素作用后CD14表达更明显。在肝纤维化的发展过程中，肝组织内CD14阳性细胞增多，阳性细胞多分布于肝窦周围，晚期CD14阳性细胞聚集在纤维隔内，与α平滑肌肌动蛋白阳性细胞的分布一致。结论肝星状细胞在体内外的活化过程中内毒素受体的表达增强，因此，内毒素受体可能参与肝星状细胞在肝脏炎症和纤维化中的作用。     

Halofuginone to prevent and treat thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats

Hepatic fibrosis is associated with activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), the major source of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The predominant ECM protein synthesized by the HSC is collagen type I. We evaluated the effect of halofuginone-an inhibitor of collagen synthesis-on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. In the control rats the HSC did not express smooth muscle actin, collagen type I gene, or tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2), suggesting that they were in their quiescent state. When treated with TAA, the livers displayed large fibrous septa, which were populated by smooth muscle actin-positive cells expressing high levels of the collagen alpha1(I) gene and containing high levels of TIMP-2, all of which are characteristic of advanced fibrosis. Halofuginone given orally before fibrosis induction prevented the activation of most of the stellate cells and the remaining cells expressed low levels of collagen alpha1(I) gene, resulting in low levels of collagen. The level of TIMP-2 was almost the same as in the control livers. When given to rats with established fibrosis, halofuginone caused almost complete resolution of the fibrotic condition. The levels of collagen, collagen alpha1(I) gene expression, TIMP-2 content, and smooth muscle actin-positive cells were as in the control rats. Halofuginone inhibited the proliferation of other cell types of the fibrotic liver in vivo and inhibited collagen production and collagen alpha1(I) gene expression in the SV40-immortalized rat HSC-T6 cells in vitro. These results suggest that halofuginone may become an effective and novel mode of therapy in the treatment of liver fibrosis.     

Molecular imaging of hepatic stellate cell activity by visualization of hepatic integrin αvβ3 expression with SPECT in rat

The key factors in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis are the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which express integrin αvβ3 after activation. This study aimed to explore the potential of (99m)Tc-labeled cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid pentapeptide (cRGD) as a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radiotracer to image hepatic integrin αvβ3 expression to reflect HSC activity in fibrotic livers. Rat models of liver fibrosis caused by thioacetamide or carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) treatment were employed to examine the expression and distribution of integrin αvβ3 during fibrotic progression or regression. The binding activity of radiolabeled cRGD to integrin αvβ3 was assessed in liver sections. SPECT was performed to determine hepatic integrin αvβ3 expression in rats with different stages of liver fibrosis. Protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of integrin αv and β3 subunits were increased with the progression of liver fibrosis and reduced with its regression. The cell type that expressed the majority of integrin αvβ3 in fibrotic livers was found to be activated HSCs. The cRGD binding to activated HSCs displayed a high receptor-coupling affinity and an abundant receptor capacity. Iodine-125 ((125)I)-labeled cRGD bound to fibrotic liver sections and the binding activity was the highest in advanced fibrosis. Intravenously administered carboxyfluorescein-labeled cRGD was accumulated in fibrotic liver, and the accumulation amount was increased with the progression and reduced with the regression of fibrosis. A SPECT imaging study with (99m)Tc-labeled cRGD as a tracer demonstrated that the radioactivity ratio of liver to heart increased progressively along with severity of hepatic fibrosis. Conclusion: Hepatic integrin αvβ3 expression in fibrotic liver reflects HSC activity and its imaging using (99m)Tc-labeled cRGD as a SPECT radiotracer may distinguish different stages of liver fibrosis in rats.     

Gliotoxin stimulates the apoptosis of human and rat hepatic stellate cells and enhances the resolution of liver fibrosis in rats

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a pivotal role in liver fibrosis and stimulating their apoptosis could be an effective treatment for liver fibrosis. METHODS: Activated HSCs, hepatocytes, and rats with liver fibrosis were treated with gliotoxin. RESULTS: Addition of gliotoxin to activated (alpha-smooth muscle actin positive) rat and human HSCs resulted in morphologic alterations typical of apoptosis. Within 2-3 hours of incubation, caspase 3 activity was markedly induced and caspase inhibitor 1 (Z-VAD-FMK)-sensitive oligonucleosome-length DNA fragments were detectable by gel electrophoresis of low molecular weight DNA. Apoptosis was widespread as judged by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling staining in both rat and human HSCs at concentrations that had no effect on the viability of rat hepatocytes. Gliotoxin treatment significantly reduced the number of activated stellate cells and mean thickness of bridging fibrotic septae in livers from rats treated with carbon tetrachloride. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate proof-of-concept that by up-regulating HSC apoptosis, the extent of fibrosis can be decreased in inflammatory liver injury.     

Protease-activated receptor 2 promotes experimental liver fibrosis in mice and activates human hepatic stellate cells

Protease-activated receptor (PAR) 2 is a G-protein-coupled receptor that is activated after proteolytic cleavage by serine proteases, including mast cell tryptase and activated coagulation factors. PAR-2 activation augments inflammatory and profibrotic pathways through the induction of genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix proteins. Thus, PAR-2 represents an important interface linking coagulation and inflammation. PAR-2 is widely expressed in cells of the gastrointestinal tract, including hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), endothelial cells, and hepatic macrophages; however, its role in liver fibrosis has not been previously examined. We studied the development of CCl(4) -induced liver fibrosis in PAR-2 knockout mice, and showed that PAR-2 deficiency reduced the progression of liver fibrosis, hepatic collagen gene expression, and hydroxyproline content. Reduced fibrosis was associated with decreased transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) gene and protein expression and decreased matrix metalloproteinase 2 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 gene expression. In addition, PAR-2 stimulated activation, proliferation, collagen production, and TGFβ protein production by human stellate cells, indicating that hepatic PAR-2 activation increases profibrogenic cytokines and collagen production both in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate the capacity of PAR-2 activation to augment TGFβ production and promote hepatic fibrosis in mice and to induce a profibrogenic phenotype in human HSCs. PAR-2 antagonists have recently been developed and may represent a novel therapeutic approach in preventing fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease.     

一次性大剂量二甲基亚硝胺致大鼠肝纤维化模型中肝星状细胞的病理变化

目的观察一次性大剂量二甲基亚硝胺（DMN）致大鼠肝纤维化模型中肝星状细胞的病理学变化。方法将大鼠分为对照组和模型组。造模组以DMN50mg·kg^-1大鼠体重的剂量一次性腹腔注射。分别于注射后6、12、24和36小时,2、3、5、7、10和14天,1、3、6和12个月取肝组织进行病理形态学观察及α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α—SMA）、单核／巨噬细胞表面特异性标志抗原（Ectodermal dysplasia-1,ED-1）和转化生长因子151（TGF-β1）免疫组织化学染色,并采用逆转录一聚合酶链式反应（RT—PCR）法检测肝组织内Ⅰ型胶原和TGF-β1 mRNA的表达。结果模型组大鼠在损伤后出现6小时～5天、5—14天和14天～12月三个不同的反应阶段。6小时后中央静脉周围肝实质细胞开始出现点状坏死,于36小时达到急性亚大片出血性坏死的高峰,坏死区内无残存的肝星状细胞;3天时残存肝实质内出现α-SMA阳性的活化肝星状细胞。坏死区内大量ED-1阳性的巨噬细胞聚集,并表达TGF—β1蛋白;第5天时,坏死区内组织碎片和红细胞被巨噬细胞清除。肝星状细胞不断活化、增生、并向坏死区周围及坏死区内移动。部分肝星状细胞开始表达TGF—β1蛋白;第7天时,大量活化的肝星状细胞沿肝窦和中央静脉间纤细的纤维间隔内分布,并与巨噬细胞一起表达TGF-β1蛋白;第14天时,坏死灶完全被再生的肝细胞及纤维组织取代,中央静脉之间桥接纤维化完全形成。纤维间隔内存在大量活化的肝星状细胞和巨噬细胞;此后至12个月,肝纤维化形态始终保持,无其他进展性或可逆性变化发生。结论采用一次性大剂量DMN注射,可获得大鼠肝脏亚大片坏死后性纤维化的稳定模型。研究形成过程中的肝星状细胞、巨噬细胞和肝细胞等实质细胞的形态和功能变化以及它们之间的相互作用对进一步阐明肝纤维化及其相关肝脏疾病的发生机制有重要的意义。     

Recent advancement of molecular mechanisms of liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis occurs in response to any etiology of chronic liver injury including hepatitis B and C, alcohol consumption, fatty liver disease, cholestasis, and autoimmune hepatitis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary source of activated myofibroblasts that produce extracellular matrix (ECM) in the liver. Various inflammatory and fibrogenic pathways contribute to the activation of HSCs. Recent studies also discovered that liver fibrosis is reversible and activated HSCs can revert to quiescent HSCs when causative agents are removed. Although the basic research for liver fibrosis has progressed remarkably, sensitive and specific biomarkers as non‐invasive diagnostic tools, and effective anti‐fibrotic agents have not been developed yet. This review highlights the recent advances in cellular and molecular mechanisms of liver fibrosis, especially focusing on origin of myofibroblasts, inflammatory signaling, autophagy, cellular senescence, HSC inactivation, angiogenesis, and reversibility of liver fibrosis.     

肝星状细胞激活与ICAM-1的表达

目的探讨肝星状细胞（ＨＳＣ）的活化与细胞间粘附分子１（ＩＣＡＭ１）表达的关系．方法用链酶蛋白酶和胶原酶原位灌流，Ｎｙｃｏｄｅｎｚ密度梯度离心分离大鼠ＨＳＣ，并进行体外培养，应用免疫组织化学方法观察静息或活化状态下的ＨＳＣ中ＩＣＡＭ１表达．结果静息的ＨＳＣ不表达ＩＣＡＭ１，而活化的ＨＳＣ表达ＩＣＡＭ１，且随着培养时间的延长ＩＣＡＭ１表达量逐渐增加．结论ＩＣＡＭ１表达与ＨＳＣ活化及肝纤维化的发生有关．