scholarly journals Structural changes and expression of hepatic fibrosis-related proteins in coculture of Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces and human hepatic stellate cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deping Cao ◽  
Emad Shamsan ◽  
Bofan Jiang ◽  
Haining Fan ◽  
Yaogang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatic Fibrosis ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Related Proteins

Abstract Background Echinococcus multilocularis is the causative agent of human hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE). AE can cause damage to several organs, primarily the liver, and have severe outcomes, such as hepatic failure and encephalopathy. The main purpose of this study was to explore the interactions between hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and E. multilocularis protoscoleces (PSCs). The results of this study provide an experimental basis for further examination of the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis due to AE infection. Methods We investigated the role of Echinococcus multilocularis (Echinococcus genus) PSCs in hepatic fibrosis by examining structural changes and measuring hepatic fibrosis-related protein levels in cocultures of PSCs and human HSCs. Structural changes were detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and levels of the hepatic fibrosis-related proteins collagen I (Col-I), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and osteopontin (OPN) were measured by western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Under coculture (1) both PSCs and HSCs exhibited morphological changes, as observed by TEM; (2) Col-I, α-SMA, and OPN expression levels, which were determined by western blotting and ELISA, significantly increased after 3 days of incubation. Conclusions The results of this study provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of AE-induced hepatic fibrosis. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Structural Changes and Detection of Liver Fibrosis–Related Protein Levels in Coculture of Alveolar Echinococcosis-Protoscoleces and Human Hepatic Stellate Cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
DEping cao ◽  
Emad Shamsan ◽  
Bofan Jiang ◽  
Zhang Yaogang ◽  
Mustafa Abdo Saif Dehwah
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Alveolar Echinococcosis ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Muscle Actin ◽  
Related Protein

Abstract BackgroundEchinococcus multilocularis is a causative agent of human alveolar echinococcosis (AE). AE leads to cirrhosis in several organs, such as the liver, triggering severe conditions, including hepatic failure and encephalopathy. The main purpose of this study is to explore the interaction between treated hepatic stellate cells and AE-protoscoleces (AE-PSCs). The results of this study will be provided experimental basis for revealing the mechanisms of hepatic fibrosis after AE infection.MethodsWe investigated the role of alveolar echinococcosis-protoscoleces (AE-PSCs) in liver fibrosis and structural changes and liver fibrosis-related protein expression in a coculture of PSCs and human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Structural changes were detected by transmission electron microscopy, whereas liver fibrosis-related proteins, collagen I, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and osteopontin levels were measured by western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsPSCs exhibited morphological changes, specifically changes in shape, and showed slight changes in the cytoplasmic membrane, whereas structural modifications were observed in HSCs. Additionally, western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that PSCs treated in vitro with HSC-LX2 showed significantly increased collagen-Ⅰ, α-smooth muscle actin, and osteopontin expression levels after 3–4 days of incubation in a coculture system. AE-PSCs induced liver fibrosis by inducing extracellular matrix expression and HSC activation.ConclusionsThese results provide insight into the pathogenesis of echinococcosis- induced hepatic fibrosis and introduce therapeutic targets and diagnostic criteria for managing echinococcosis-dependent liver fibrosis.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Rho-Kinase Downregulates Th17 Cells and Ameliorates Hepatic Fibrosis by Schistosoma japonicum Infection

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhou ◽  
Yingying Yang ◽  
Congjin Mei ◽  
Panpan Dong ◽  
Shasha Mu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Schistosoma Japonicum ◽  
Hepatic Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Worm Burden ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Granuloma Formation ◽  
Type I ◽  
Hepatic Granuloma

Background: Schistosomiasis is an immunopathogenic disease in which Th17 cells play vital roles. Hepatic granuloma formation and subsequent fibrosis are its main pathologic manifestations and the leading causes of hepatic cirrhosis, and effective therapeutic interventions are lacking. In this study, we explored the effects of fasudil, a selective RhoA–Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, on Th17 cells and the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis. Methods: Mice were infected with Schistosoma japonicum and treated with fasudil. The worm burden, hepatic granuloma formation, and fibrosis were evaluated. The roles of fasudil on Th17, Treg, and hepatic stellate cells were analyzed. Results: Fasudil therapy markedly reduced the granuloma size and collagen deposit in livers from mice infected with S. japonicum. However, fasudil therapy did not affect the worm burden in infected mice. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms were investigated. Fasudil suppressed the activation and induced the apoptosis of CD4+ T cells. Fasudil inhibited the differentiation and effector cytokine secretion of Th17 cells, whereas it upregulated Treg cells in vitro. It also restrained the in vivo interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17 levels in infected mice. Fasudil directly induced the apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells and downregulated the expressions of hepatic fibrogenic genes, such as collagen type I (Col-I), Col-III, and transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-β1). These effects may contribute to its anti-pathogenic roles in schistosomiasis. Conclusions: Fasudil inhibits hepatic granuloma formation and fibrosis with downregulation of Th17 cells. Fasudil might serve as a novel therapeutic agent for hepatic fibrosis due to schistosome infections and perhaps other disorders.

scholarly journals Silencing p53 inhibits interleukin 10-induced activated hepatic stellate cell senescence and fibrotic degradation in vivo

2020 ◽  
pp. 153537022096039
Author(s):  
Qilan Guo ◽  
Minghua Chen ◽  
Qingduo Chen ◽  
Guitao Xiao ◽  
Zhixin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatic Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Interleukin 10 ◽  
P53 Signaling ◽  
Gene Treatment ◽  
Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
P53 Signaling Pathway

Activated hepatic stellate cells are reported to play a significant role in liver fibrogenesis. Beside the phenotype reversion and apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells, the senescence of activated hepatic stellate cells limits liver fibrosis. Our previous researches have demonstrated that interleukin-10 could promote hepatic stellate cells senescence via p53 signaling pathway in vitro. However, the relationship between expression of p53 and senescence of activated hepatic stellate cells induced by interleukin-10 in fibrotic liver is unclear. The purpose of present study was to explore whether p53 plays a crucial role in the senescence of activated hepatic stellate cells and degradation of collagen mediated by interleukin-10. Hepatic fibrosis animal model was induced by carbon tetrachloride through intraperitoneal injection and transfection of interleukin-10 gene to liver was performed by hydrodynamic-based transfer system. Depletions of p53 in vivo and in vitro were carried out by adenovirus-based short hairpin RNA against p53. Regression of fibrosis was assessed by liver biopsy and collagen staining. Cellular senescence in the liver was observed by senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence double staining, and Western blot analysis were used to evaluate the senescent cell and senescence-related protein expression. Our data showed that interleukin-10 gene treatment could lighten hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride and induce the aging of activated hepatic stellate cells accompanied by up-regulating the expression of aging-related proteins. We further demonstrated that depletion of p53 could abrogate up-regulation of interleukin-10 on the expression of senescence-related protein in vivo and vitro. Moreover, p53 knockout in fibrotic mice could block not only the senescence of activated hepatic stellate cells, but also the degradation of fibrosis induced by interleukin-10 gene intervention. Taken together, our results suggested that interleukin-10 gene treatment could attenuate carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis by inducing senescence of activated hepatic stellate cells in vivo, and this induction was closely related to p53 signaling pathway. Impact statement This work further expanded the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying IL-10 anti-fibrogenic effect by exploring the function of p53 in IL-10-induced activated HSCs senescence and fibrotic degradation in vivo. Our data showed that IL-10 gene intervention could lighten hepatic fibrosis induced by CCL4 and induce the senescence of activated HSCs accompanied by up-regulating the expression of senescence-related proteins. In addition, depletion of p53 could abrogate up-regulation of IL-10 on the expression of aging-related proteins in vivo and vitro. Moreover, p53 knockout in fibrotic mice could block the senescence of activated HSCs and the degradation of fibrosis induced by IL-10 gene treatment. In summary, our results suggested that IL-10 gene intervention could attenuate CCL4-induced hepatic fibrosis by inducing senescence of activated HSCs in vivo, and this induction was closely related to p53 signaling pathway. Our study sheds important light into the anti-fibrogenic therapy of IL-10.

scholarly journals Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Hepatic Fibrosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Minling Cao ◽  
Xiaoling Chi ◽  
Junmin Jiang ◽  
Guangjun Tian
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Hepatic Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Liver Cells ◽  
Tissue Factors

<p>The occurrence of hepatic fibrosis is a multi-factor involved process. The key is the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Synthesis of extracellular matrix in the liver cells increases while degradation decreases. This paper reviews the tissue factors and the mechanism closely related to the forming of hepatic fibrosis.</p>

Norepinephrine induces calcium spikes and proinflammatory actions in human hepatic stellate cells

2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (5) ◽  
pp. G877-G884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pau Sancho-Bru ◽  
Ramón Bataller ◽  
Jordi Colmenero ◽  
Xavier Gasull ◽  
Montserrat Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Portal Hypertension ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cell Contraction

Catecholamines participate in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension and liver fibrosis through α1-adrenoceptors. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of norepinephrine (NE) on human hepatic stellate cells (HSC), which exert vasoactive, inflammatory, and fibrogenic actions in the injured liver. Adrenoceptor expression was assessed in human HSC by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was studied in fura-2-loaded cells. Cell contraction was studied by assessing wrinkle formation and myosin light chain II (MLC II) phosphorylation. Cell proliferation and collagen-α1(I) expression were assessed by [3H]thymidine incorporation and quantitative PCR, respectively. NF-κB activation was assessed by luciferase reporter gene and p65 nuclear translocation. Chemokine secretion was assessed by ELISA. Normal human livers expressed α1A-adrenoceptors, which were markedly upregulated in livers with advanced fibrosis. Activated human HSC expressed α1A-adrenoceptors. NE induced multiple rapid [Ca2+]i oscillations (Ca2+ spikes). Prazosin (α1-blocker) completely prevented NE-induced Ca2+ spikes, whereas propranolol (nonspecific β-blocker) partially attenuated this effect. NE caused phosphorylation of MLC II and cell contraction. In contrast, NE did not affect cell proliferation or collagen-α1(I) expression. Importantly, NE stimulated the secretion of inflammatory chemokines (RANTES and interleukin-8) in a dose-dependent manner. Prazosin blocked NE-induced chemokine secretion. NE stimulated NF-κB activation. BAY 11-7082, a specific NF-κB inhibitor, blocked NE-induced chemokine secretion. We conclude that NE stimulates NF-κB and induces cell contraction and proinflammatory effects in human HSC. Catecholamines may participate in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension and liver fibrosis by targeting HSC.

scholarly journals Albendazole reduces hepatic inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum-stress in a mouse model of chronic Echinococcus multilocularis infection

2022 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0009192
Author(s):  
Michael Weingartner ◽  
Simon Stücheli ◽  
Fadi Jebbawi ◽  
Bruno Gottstein ◽  
Guido Beldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ◽  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Disease Recurrence ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
Programmed Death ◽  
Protein Response ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Related Proteins

Background Echinococcus multilocularis causes alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a rising zoonotic disease in the northern hemisphere. Treatment of this fatal disease is limited to chemotherapy using benzimidazoles and surgical intervention, with frequent disease recurrence in cases without radical surgery. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying E. multilocularis infections and host-parasite interactions ultimately aids developing novel therapeutic options. This study explored an involvement of unfolded protein response (UPR) and endoplasmic reticulum-stress (ERS) during E. multilocularis infection in mice. Methods E. multilocularis- and mock-infected C57BL/6 mice were subdivided into vehicle, albendazole (ABZ) and anti-programmed death ligand 1 (αPD-L1) treated groups. To mimic a chronic infection, treatments of mice started six weeks post i.p. infection and continued for another eight weeks. Liver tissue was then collected to examine inflammatory cytokines and the expression of UPR- and ERS-related genes. Results E. multilocularis infection led to an upregulation of UPR- and ERS-related proteins in the liver, including ATF6, CHOP, GRP78, ERp72, H6PD and calreticulin, whilst PERK and its target eIF2α were not affected, and IRE1α and ATF4 were downregulated. ABZ treatment in E. multilocularis infected mice reversed, or at least tended to reverse, these protein expression changes to levels seen in mock-infected mice. Furthermore, ABZ treatment reversed the elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ in the liver of infected mice. Similar to ABZ, αPD-L1 immune-treatment tended to reverse the increased CHOP and decreased ATF4 and IRE1α expression levels. Conclusions and significance AE caused chronic inflammation, UPR activation and ERS in mice. The E. multilocularis-induced inflammation and consecutive ERS was ameliorated by ABZ and αPD-L1 treatment, indicating their effectiveness to inhibit parasite proliferation and downregulate its activity status. Neither ABZ nor αPD-L1 themselves affected UPR in control mice. Further research is needed to elucidate the link between inflammation, UPR and ERS, and if these pathways offer potential for improved therapies of patients with AE.

scholarly journals Levistilide A reverses rat hepatic fibrosis by suppressing angiotensin II‑induced hepatic stellate cells activation

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 2191-2198
Author(s):  
Shu Li ◽  
Wei Zhao ◽  
Zhimin Zhao ◽  
Binbin Cheng ◽  
Shuang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Hepatic Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Stellate Cells
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