Interaction and Regulation of HSC with Osteopontin Is Mediated through α4β1 and α9β1Integrins, Which Are Differentially Expressed in the HSC Pool.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1330-1330
Author(s):  
David N. Haylock ◽  
Genevieve A. Whitty ◽  
Brenda Williams ◽  
Melonie J. Storan ◽  
Susie K. Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Hemopoietic Stem Cell ◽  
Null Mouse ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Hsc Niche

Abstract Osteoblasts are a key cellular component of the hemopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche and directly regulate the HSC pool. Molecules synthesised by osteoblasts both promote or inhibit HSC proliferation. Osteopontin (Opn) is an osteoblast produced, RGD containing protein with roles in cell adhesion and migration. Until recently, the role of Opn in hemopoiesis was seen as restricted to the regulation of bone turnover. However, from analysis of hemopoiesis in the Opn null mouse, we have demonstrated that Opn plays a critical role in regulating the HSC pool. Furthermore Opn is critical in trans-marrow migration and lodgement of HSC within the BM after transplantation. When added to in vitro HSC cultures, exogenous thrombin-cleaved Opn also inhibits cell proliferation and potently suppresses HSC differentiation. We have now demonstrated that this interaction occurs in an RGD-independent manner via the cryptic SVVYGLR epitope revealed on the N-terminal fragment of Opn following thrombin cleavage. This epitope has previously been shown to bind to α4β1 and α9β1. HSC are known to express α4β1, but we have now shown that within the HSC pool this occurs in a differential manner, mimicking that of CD38, with more committed CD34+CD38+ cord blood progenitors having the highest levels of expression. In addition, we have shown the previously unrecognised characteristic of human marrow and cord blood HSC, the expression of α9β1, which also occurs in a differential manner, but mimicking CD34. Expression of α9β1 is highest on cord blood CD34+CD38− cells, a population highly enriched for HSC. Using the synthetic SVVYGLR peptide in culture, we re-capitulated the thrombin-cleaved Opn induced suppression of HSC differentiation in a dose dependent manner. Antibody blocking experiments demonstrated that binding to this peptide was occurring through both α4β1 and α9β1. In contrast, suppression of HSC proliferation and differentiation did not occur through the upstream alternate α4β1 binding site. Furthermore, we have now demonstrated endogenous binding of Opn to α4β1 and α9β1 to cord blood HSC in vivo. Together, these data provide strong evidence that Opn is an important component of the HSC niche which acts as a physiological negative regulator. Furthermore, our studies identify the previously unrecognised characteristic of HSC, the expression of α9β1, which together with α4β1 provides two receptors on HSC with differing expression signatures and potentially a mechanism for fine tunning the physiological effects of Opn.

scholarly journals A Possible Role of Allatostatin C in Inhibiting Ecdysone Biosynthesis Revealed in the Mud Crab Scylla paramamosain

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
An Liu ◽  
Wenyuan Shi ◽  
Dongdong Lin ◽  
Haihui Ye
Keyword(s):  
Scylla Paramamosain ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mud Crab ◽  
Methyl Farnesoate ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Negative Effect

C-type allatostatins (C-type ASTs) are a family of structurally related neuropeptides found in a wide range of insects and crustaceans. To date, the C-type allatostatin receptor in crustaceans has not been deorphaned, and little is known about its physiological functions. In this study, we aimed to functionally define a C-type ASTs receptor in the mud crab, Scylla paramamosian. We showed that C-type ASTs receptor can be activated by ScypaAST-C peptide in a dose-independent manner and by ScypaAST-CCC peptide in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 6.683 nM. Subsequently, in vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to investigate the potential roles of ScypaAST-C and ScypaAST-CCC peptides in the regulation of ecdysone (20E) and methyl farnesoate (MF) biosynthesis. The results indicated that ScypaAST-C inhibited biosynthesis of 20E in the Y-organ, whereas ScypaAST-CCC had no effect on the production of 20E. In addition, qRT-PCR showed that both ScypaAST-C and ScypaAST-CCC significantly decreased the level of expression of the MF biosynthetic enzyme gene in the mandibular organ, suggesting that the two neuropeptides have a negative effect on the MF biosynthesis in mandibular organs. In conclusion, this study provided new insight into the physiological roles of AST-C in inhibiting ecdysone biosynthesis. Furthermore, it was revealed that AST-C family peptides might inhibit MF biosynthesis in crustaceans.

scholarly journals Bactericidal/Permeability-Increasing Protein Preeminently Mediates Clearance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa In Vivo via CD18-Dependent Phagocytosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jomkuan Theprungsirikul ◽  
Sladjana Skopelja-Gardner ◽  
Ashley S. Burns ◽  
Rachel M. Wierzbicki ◽  
William F. C. Rigby
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Opsonic Activity ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Neutrophil Dysfunction ◽  
Chronic Lung Infection

Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection mysteriously occurs in the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), bronchiectasis (BE), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the absence of neutrophil dysfunction or neutropenia and is strongly associated with autoimmunity to bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI). Here, we define a critical role for BPI in in vivo immunity against P. aeruginosa. Wild type and BPI-deficient (Bpi-/-) mice were infected with P. aeruginosa, and bacterial clearance, cell infiltrates, cytokine production, and in vivo phagocytosis were quantified. Bpi-/- mice exhibited a decreased ability to clear P. aeruginosa in vivo in concert with increased neutrophil counts and cytokine release. Bpi-/- neutrophils displayed decreased phagocytosis that was corrected by exogenous BPI in vitro. Exogenous BPI also enhanced clearance of P. aeruginosa in Bpi-/- mice in vivo by increasing P. aeruginosa uptake by neutrophils in a CD18-dependent manner. These data indicate that BPI plays an essential role in innate immunity against P. aeruginosa through its opsonic activity and suggest that perturbations in BPI levels or function may contribute to chronic lung infection with P. aeruginosa.

Quantitative Phosphoproteomics Identified a New Syk-Lyn-Axl Signalling Pathway Involved In Resistance to Nilotinib In Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells.

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3376-3376
Author(s):  
Romain Gioia ◽  
Cedric Leroy ◽  
Claire Drullion ◽  
Valérie Lagarde ◽  
Serge Roche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Stable Isotope Labelling ◽  
Resistant Cells

Abstract Abstract 3376 Nilotinib has been developed to overcome resistance to imatinib, the first line treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). To anticipate resistance to nilotinib, we generate nilotinib resistant CML cell lines in vitro to characterize mechanisms and signaling pathways that may contribute to resistance. Among the different mechanisms of resistance identified, the overexpression of the Src-kinase Lyn was involved in resistance both in vitro, in a K562 cell line (K562-rn), and in vivo, in nilotinib-resistant CML patients. To characterize how Lyn mediates resistance, we performed a phosphoproteomic study using SILAC (Stable Isotope Labelling with Amino acid in Cell culture). Quantification and identification of phosphotyrosine proteins in the nilotinib resistant cells point out two tyrosine kinases, the spleen tyrosine kinase Syk and the UFO receptor Axl. The two tyrosine kinase Syk and Axl interact with Lyn as seen by coimmunopreciptation. Syk is phosphorylated on tyrosine 323 and 525/526 in Lyn dependent manner in nilotinib resistant cells. The inhibition of Syk tyrosine kinase by R406 or BAY31-6606 restores sensitivity to nilotinib in K562-rn cells. In parallel, the inhibition of Syk expression by ShRNA in K562-rn cells abolishes Lyn and Axl phosphorylation and then interaction between Lyn and Axl leading to a full restoration of nilotinib efficacy. In the opposite, the coexpression of Lyn and Syk in nilotinib sensitive K562 cells induced resistance to nilotinib whereas a Syk kinase dead mutant did not. These results highlight for the first time the critical role of Syk in resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in CML disease emphasizing the therapeutic targeting of this tyrosine kinase. Moreover, Axl, which is already a target in solid tumor, will be also an interesting pathway to target in CML. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Critical role for Epac1 in inflammatory pain controlled by GRK2-mediated phosphorylation of Epac1

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (11) ◽  
pp. 3036-3041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pooja Singhmar ◽  
XiaoJiao Huo ◽  
Niels Eijkelkamp ◽  
Susana Rojo Berciano ◽  
Faiza Baameur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Inflammatory Pain ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Mechanical Hyperalgesia ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Phosphorylation Event

cAMP signaling plays a key role in regulating pain sensitivity. Here, we uncover a previously unidentified molecular mechanism in which direct phosphorylation of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1 (EPAC1) by G protein kinase 2 (GRK2) suppresses Epac1-to-Rap1 signaling, thereby inhibiting persistent inflammatory pain. Epac1−/− mice are protected against inflammatory hyperalgesia in the complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) model. Moreover, the Epac-specific inhibitor ESI-09 inhibits established CFA-induced mechanical hyperalgesia without affecting normal mechanical sensitivity. At the mechanistic level, CFA increased activity of the Epac target Rap1 in dorsal root ganglia of WT, but not of Epac1−/−, mice. Using sensory neuron-specific overexpression of GRK2 or its kinase-dead mutant in vivo, we demonstrate that GRK2 inhibits CFA-induced hyperalgesia in a kinase activity-dependent manner. In vitro, GRK2 inhibits Epac1-to-Rap1 signaling by phosphorylation of Epac1 at Ser-108 in the Disheveled/Egl-10/pleckstrin domain. This phosphorylation event inhibits agonist-induced translocation of Epac1 to the plasma membrane, thereby reducing Rap1 activation. Finally, we show that GRK2 inhibits Epac1-mediated sensitization of the mechanosensor Piezo2 and that Piezo2 contributes to inflammatory mechanical hyperalgesia. Collectively, these findings identify a key role of Epac1 in chronic inflammatory pain and a molecular mechanism for controlling Epac1 activity and chronic pain through phosphorylation of Epac1 at Ser-108. Importantly, using the Epac inhibitor ESI-09, we validate Epac1 as a potential therapeutic target for chronic pain.

scholarly journals YBX1 is required for maintaining myeloid leukemia cell survival by regulating BCL2 stability in an m6A-dependent manner

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengdie Feng ◽  
Xueqin Xie ◽  
Guoqiang Han ◽  
Tiantian Zhang ◽  
Yashu Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Survival ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Leukemia Cell ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia Cell

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are critical regulators of transcription and translation that are often dysregulated in cancer. Although RBPs are increasingly appreciated as being important for normal hematopoiesis and for hematological malignancies as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, essential RBPs for leukemia maintenance and survival remain elusive. Here we show that YBX1 is specifically required for maintaining myeloid leukemia cell survival in an m6A-dependent manner. We found that expression of YBX1 is significantly upregulated in myeloid leukemia cells, and deletion of YBX1 dramatically induces apoptosis, promotes differentiation, coupled with reduced proliferation and impaired leukemic capacity of primary human and mouse acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells in vitro and in vivo. Loss of YBX1 does not obviously affect normal hematopoiesis. Mechanistically, YBX1 interacts with IGF2BPs and stabilizes m6A-tagged RNA. Moreover, YBX1 deficiency dysregulates the expression of apoptosis-related genes, and promotes mRNA decay of MYC and BCL2 in an m6A-dependent manner, which contributes to the defective survival due to YBX1 deletion. Thus, our findings uncover a selective and critical role of YBX1 in maintaining myeloid leukemia survival that might provide a rationale for the therapeutic targeting of YBX1 in myeloid leukemia.

scholarly journals PPARβ/δ Agonist GW501516 Inhibits Tumorigenesis and Promotes Apoptosis of the Undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma C666-1 Cells by Regulating miR-206

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 923-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linglan Gu ◽  
Yi Shi ◽  
Weimin Xu ◽  
Yangyang Ji
Keyword(s):  
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Promoting Effect ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor

In previous investigations, we reported that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ) activation by GW501516 inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in the undifferentiated C666-1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells by modulating caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway. In the present study, the mechanism by which GW501516 induces apoptosis was explored from the perspective of microRNA (miRNA) expression. Among the assayed miRNAs that were involved in regulating the expression of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, miR-206 was increased significantly and specifically by GW501516 in C666-1 cells at both the in vitro level and at the in vivo xenograft samples. The induction on miR-206 expression caused by GW501516 was capable of being antagonized by the PPARβ/δ antagonist GSK3787 and AMPK antagonist dorsomorphin in C666-1 cells. GW501516’s suppression on the growth and apoptosis of C666-1 cells was found to be dependent on the presence of miR-206. miR-206 overexpression resulted in suppressed proliferation and colony formation ability, and further triggered increased apoptosis in C666-1 cells in a caspase-dependent manner. The expression of cleaved caspase 3 and caspase 9, and the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 were elevated remarkably by miR-206. Consistent with the in vitro result, miR-206 was corroborated to suppress the ectopic NPC xenograft tumorigenesis that derived from the C666-1 cells in BALB/c nu/nu mice. Taken together, the current data demonstrated that miR-206 plays a critical role in the direct apoptosis-promoting effect induced by GW501516 in C666-1 cells. Furthermore, the emphasized tumor-suppressive role of miR-206 in the C666-1 cells indicates that it has the potential to provide a new therapeutic approach for the undifferentiated NPC.

scholarly journals Blimp-1-Dependent Repression of Pax-5 Is Required for Differentiation of B Cells to Immunoglobulin M-Secreting Plasma Cells

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 4771-4780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuo-I Lin ◽  
Cristina Angelin-Duclos ◽  
Tracy C. Kuo ◽  
Kathryn Calame
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
B Lymphocyte ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cell Lineage ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Plasmacytic Differentiation

ABSTRACT B-cell lineage-specific activator protein (BSAP), encoded by the Pax-5 gene, is critical for B-cell lineage commitment and B-cell development but is not expressed in terminally differentiated B cells. We demonstrate a direct connection between BSAP and B-lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp-1), a transcriptional repressor that is sufficient to drive plasmacytic differentiation. Blimp-1 binds a site on the Pax-5 promoter in vitro and in vivo and represses the Pax-5 promoter in a binding-site-dependent manner. By ectopically expressing Blimp-1 or a competitive inhibitor of Blimp-1, we show that Blimp-1 is both necessary and sufficient to repress Pax-5 during plasmacytic differentiation of primary splenic B cells. Blimp-1-dependent repression of Pax-5 is sufficient to regulate BSAP targets CD19 and J chain and is necessary but not sufficient to induce XBP-1. We further show that repression of Pax-5 is required for Blimp-1 to drive differentiation of splenocytes to immunoglobulin M-secreting cells. Thus, repression of Pax-5 plays a critical role in the Blimp-1-dependent program of plasmacytic differentiation.

Abstract 330: Metallothionein Preservation Of Cardiac Akt2 Signaling By Down-regulating Trb3 Prevents Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
YI TAN ◽  
Xiaoqing Yan ◽  
Shanshan Zhou ◽  
Yong Li ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Insulin Signaling ◽  
Glycogen Synthase ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
H9c2 Cells ◽  
Akt Phosphorylation ◽  
Gsk 3Β

Cardiac insulin resistance is a key pathogenic factor for diabetic cardiomyopathy, but its mechanism remains largely unclear. Here we demonstrated that diabetes significantly inhibited cardiac Akt phosphorylation from 2 weeks to 2 months in wide-type (WT) mice, but not in cardiac-specific metallothionein-transgenic (MT-TG) mice. Cardiac Akt2 expression and phosphorylation was decreased and insulin-induced cardiac Akt2 and GSK-3β phosphorylation and glycogen synthase dephosphorylation were also decreased in WT, but not MT-TG, diabetic mice. Deletion of the Akt2 gene either in vitro H9c2 cells or in vivo significantly impaired cardiac glucose metabolic signaling. In addition, diabetes significantly increased cardiac Akt negative regulator tribbles (TRB)3 expression only in WT mice, suggesting the possible contribution of MT inhibition of diabetic up-regulation of TRB3 to Akt2 function preservation. Cardiac H9c2 cells with and without forced MT-overexpression (MT-H9c2) were treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP), which significantly reduced Akt2 phosphorylation in both basal and insulin-stimulating conditions only in H9c2 cells. Silencing TRB3 expression with SiRNA completely prevented tBHP’s inhibition of insulin-stimulated Akt2 phosphorylation in H9c2 cells, while overexpression of TRB3 in MT-H9c2 cells completely abolished MT preservation of insulin-stimulated Akt2 phosphorylation. Forced-overexpression of TRB3 by adenovirus-mediated gene delivery in MT-TG hearts also abolished MT’s preservation of cardiac insulin signaling and prevention of diabetic cardiomyopathy. These results suggest that diabetes-attenuated cardiac Akt2 function via up-regulating TRB3 plays a critical role in diabetic inhibition of insulin signaling in the heart. MT preserved cardiac Akt2-mediated insulin signaling by inhibiting TRB3, leading to the prevention of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Circulating CD62E Occurs in Soluble Form as Well as Bound to Endothelial Microparticles (EMP): Functional Differences in Platelet Aggregation in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP).

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 2624-2624
Author(s):  
Joaquin J. Jimenez ◽  
Wenche Jy ◽  
Lucia M. Mauro ◽  
Michael N. Markou ◽  
George W. Burke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Soluble Form ◽  
Dependent Manner

Abstract Injured endothelial cells (EC) are believed to play a critical role in the pathophysiology of TTP. Soluble markers of endothelial disturbance measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) have been found elevated in TTP. We have recently demonstrated an increase in the release of CD31/42b- EMP, and CD62E+ EMP. Moreover, we have observed that CD62E+ EMP also express vWF. The aim of this study was to quantitate soluble (s) vs. EMP-bound CD62E (bCD62E) in vitro and in vivo, in relation to the functional activity of vWF+ EMP. METHODS: Brain and renal microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) were cultured and treated with 10ng/mL TNF-α to induce activation, or deprived of serum and growth factors (GFD) to induce apoptosis. Culture supernatants were collected and evaluated in a time-dependent manner. For in vivo studies, platelet-poor plasma was obtained from 4 TTP patients during the acute phase and upon remission. Filtration through 0.1μm, which retains most EMP, was employed to discriminate between (s) and bCD62E. sCD62E was measured by ELISA post-filtration and bCD62E by ELISA pre-filtration. Additionally, CD62E+ and CD62E+/vWF+ EMP were measured by flow cytometry. To assess pro-aggregatory function, EMP were added to washed platelets in the presence of 1 mg/mL ristocetin and aggregates were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: In vitro: Activation did not induce release of sCD62E at 3 hours, although bCD62E was present (1.5±0.5X106 EMP/mL). At 6 hours, some sCD62E was detected in the filtrate (0.09±0.02 ng/mL), but most was present in the unfiltered medium (3.5±0.85 ng/mL), signifying that the majority was bCD62E, confirmed by a doubling of CD62E+ EMP (3.0±0.6X106/mL). Subsequently, sCD62E levels were 1.0±0.2 ng/mL at 12 hr, 3.5±0.7 ng/mL at 18 hr, and 5±0.9 ng/mL at 24 hr. In contrast, EMP counts at 12, 18 and 24 hours were 4.6±1, 7±1.3 and 9±1.8 X106/mL (p=0.01, p=0.01, p=0.02, respectively). For all time periods, 40-60% of CD62E were positive for vWF. In control or GFD cultures, there was not a significant increase in sCD62E or CD62E+ EMP at any time period. MVEC from renal gave similar results. In acute TTP plasma samples, CD62E measured by ELISA was significantly increased (65±22 ng/mL) vs. remission (30±6 ng/mL). bCD62E accounted for 50% in acute and 15% in remission. CD62E+/vWF+ EMP were significantly elevated in plasma from acute TTP patients vs. remission (15±4.5 vs. 3±0.5, p=0.01). Sample filtration resulted in a decrease of >95% EMP in both acute and remission TTP plasma. MVEC-derived CD62E+/vWF+ EMP resulted in a dose-dependent increase in platelet aggregation. Additionally, plasma from 4 TTP patients with elevated CD62E+/vWF+ EMP obtained during the acute phase enhanced the formation of platelet aggregates by 48±12% (p=0.02) above remission plasma with low EMP counts. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that CD62E heretofore regarded as a soluble marker of endothelial dysfunction, in reality exists in both a soluble and EMP-bound form. Indeed, this distinction is highly relevant because CD62E+ EMP also express vWF and are pro-aggregatory to platelets. These EMP have been shown to be elevated during the acute phase of TTP and decrease upon remission. Thus, CD62E+/vWF+ EMP may be active participants in the formation of platelet-rich thrombi in TTP.

scholarly journals The antioxidant (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits activated hepatic stellate cell growth and suppresses acetaldehyde-induced gene expression

2002 ◽  
Vol 368 (3) ◽  
pp. 695-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anping CHEN ◽  
Li ZHANG ◽  
Jianye XU ◽  
Jun TANG
Keyword(s):  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Stellate Cell ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Liver Fibrogenesis ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are the primary source of excessive production of extracellular matrix during liver fibrogenesis. Although the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood, it is widely accepted that oxidative stress plays a critical role in liver fibrogenesis. Suppression of HSC growth and activation, as well as induction of apoptosis, have been proposed as therapeutic strategies for treatment and prevention of this disease. In the present report, we elucidated, for the first time, effects of the antioxidant (—)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major (and the most active) component of green tea extracts, on cultured HSC growth and activation. Our results revealed that EGCG significantly inhibited cultured HSC growth by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, EGCG markedly suppressed the activation of cultured HSC as demonstrated by blocking transforming growth factor-β signal transduction and by inhibiting the expression of α1(I) collagen, fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin genes induced by acetaldehyde, the most active metabolite of ethanol. Furthermore, EGCG reacted differently in the inhibition of nuclear factor-κB activity between cultured HSC with or without acetaldehyde stimulation. Taken together, our results indicated that EGCG was a novel and effective inhibitor for activated HSC growth and activation in vitro. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the effect of this polyphenol in prevention of quiescent HSC activation in vivo, and to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document