scholarly journals Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells Induce Infiltration and Formation of CD163+ Macrophages via CCL2/CCR2 Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujuan Xi ◽  
Xiaoyan Zheng ◽  
Xiangyong Li ◽  
Yuming Jiang ◽  
Yuankai Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
M2 Macrophage ◽  
Macrophage Phenotype ◽  
Macrophage Marker ◽  
Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
And Function ◽  
M2 Phenotype

Background: Activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) regulate the function of immune cells during liver fibrosis. As major innate cells in the liver, macrophages have inducible plasticity. Nevertheless, the mechanisms through which aHSCs regulate macrophages' phenotype and function during liver fibrosis and cirrhosis remain unclear. In this study, we examined the immunoregulatory function of aHSCs during liver fibrosis and explored their role in regulating macrophage phenotype and function.Methods: A total of 96 patients with different stages of chronic hepatitis B-related liver fibrosis were recruited in the study. Metavir score system was used to evaluate the degree of fibrosis. The expression of hepatic CCL2 and M2 phenotype macrophage marker CD163 were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the relationship among hepatic CD163, CCL2, and fibrosis scores were also explored. In the in vitro model, the aHSCs isolated from human liver tissues and THP-1-derived M0-type macrophages (M0MΦ) were co-cultured to observe whether and how aHSCs regulate the phenotype and function of macrophages. To explore whether CCL2/CCR2 axis has a crucial role in macrophage phenotypic changes during liver fibrosis, we treated the M0MΦ with recombinant human CCL2 or its specific receptor antagonist INCB-3284. Furthermore, we used LX2 and TGF-β-activated LX2 to mimic the different activation statuses of aHSCs to further confirm our results.Results: In patients, the infiltration of M2 macrophages increased during the progression of liver fibrosis. Intriguingly, as a key molecule for aHSC chemotactic macrophage aggregation, CCL2 markedly up-regulated the expression of CD163 and CD206 on the macrophages, which was further confirmed by adding the CCR2 antagonist (INCB 3284) into the cell culture system. In addition, the TGF-β stimulated LX2 further confirmed that aHSCs up-regulate the expression of CD163 and CD206 on macrophages. LX2 stimulated with TGF-β could produce more CCL2 and up-regulate other M2 phenotype macrophage-specific markers, including IL-10, ARG-1, and CCR2 besides CD163 and CD206 at the gene level, indicating that the different activation status of aHSCs might affect the final phenotype and function of macrophages.Conclusions: The expression of the M2 macrophage marker increases during liver fibrosis progression and is associated with fibrosis severity. AHSCs can recruit macrophages through the CCL2/CCR2 pathway and induce M2 phenotypic transformation.

scholarly journals Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells Induce Infiltration and Formation of CD163+ Macrophages via CCL2/CCR2 Pathway

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujuan Xi ◽  
Xiaoyan Zheng ◽  
Yuming Jiang ◽  
Yuankai Wu ◽  
Jiao Gong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
M2 Macrophage ◽  
Staining Score ◽  
Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
High Level ◽  
And Function

Abstract Background: Growing evidence indicates that activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) play unexpected roles in regulating immune cells’ function during liver fibrosis. Macrophages feature with inducible plasticity according to the circumstances while patrol for potential pathogens. However, studies seldom investigate whether and how the aHSCs regulate the phenotype and function of macrophages during liver fibrosis. Methods: 96 patients with different stages of liver fibrosis were involved in our study. Metavir score system was used to evaluate the degree of fibrosis. The expression of hepatic CCL2 and CD163 were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the relationship among CD163, CCL2, and fibrosis scores were explored. We co-cultured the aHSCs and THP-1-derived M0-type macrophages (M0MФ) to observe whether aHSCs modulate the expression of CD163 on macrophages in vitro. Furthermore, we treated the M0MФ with aHSCs’ supernatant and investigated the production of CCL2 in aHSCs by ELISA and immunofluorescence assay. To explore whether CCL2/CCR2 axis plays a crucial role in macrophage phenotypic changes during liver fibrosis, we used recombinant CCL2 and its specific receptor antagonist. Moreover, we employed LX2 system to confirm our results. Results: We found that hepatic M2 macrophages (CD163+) infiltration increased in different stages of liver fibrosis (F0-1: 34.95±18.12; F2-3: 77.57±32.48; F4: 99.62±40.84, F0-1 vs. F2-3, P<0.001; F2-3 vs. F4, P=0.074). After in vitro co-cultured with aHSCs, the macrophages expressed higher levels of CD163 (29.5±6.1% vs. 2.7±1.1%) as well as CD206 (28.0±4.2% vs. 2.4±1.2%) compared with the control. Then we found aHSC supernatant up-regulated the expression of CD163 (26.1±2.8%) and CD206 (25.8±3.8%) on macrophages independently. We noted aHSCs’ supernatant contained a high level of CCL2, which increased dramatically while TGF-β stimulation. Meanwhile, CCL2 staining score increased with the progress of fibrosis ( N: 23.26±13.85; F1: 4 8.56±19.18; F2: 58.25±16.24; F3: 81.32±18.48; F4: 110.93±24.75). Intriguingly, CCL2 significantly up-regulated the expression of CD163 (27.6±7.0%) and CD206 (26.5±5.1%) on macrophages besides inducing their aggregation. Results were confirmed with LX2 co-culture system. Conclusions: (1) The expression of M2 macrophage marker CD163 increased significantly during the progress of liver fibrosis and associated with fibrosis severity. (2) AHSCs can recruit macrophages and induce their M2 phenotypic transformation through CCL2/CCR2 pathway.

Interleukin-6 secreted by bipotential murine oval liver stem cells induces apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells by activating NF-κB-inducible nitric oxide synthase signaling

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Palanivel Gajalakshmi ◽  
Syamantak Majumder ◽  
Cornelia S. Viebahn ◽  
Akila Swaminathan ◽  
George C. Yeoh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Causative Factor ◽  
Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Liver fibrosis is now well recognized as the causative factor for increased mortality from complications associated with liver pathologies. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a critical role in the progression of liver fibrosis. Therefore, targeting these activated HSCs to prevent and (or) treat liver disease is a worthwhile approach to explore. In the present in vitro study, we investigated the use of bipotential murine oval liver cells (BMOL) in regulating the functions of activated HSCs to prevent progression of liver fibrosis. We used a conditioned medium-based approach to study the effect of BMOL cells on activated HSC survival and function. Our data showed that BMOL cells block the contraction of activated HSCs by inducing apoptosis of these cells. We demonstrated that BMOL cells secrete soluble factors, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), which induced apoptosis of activated HSCs. Using both pharmacological and molecular inhibitor approaches, we further identified that IL-6-mediated activation of NF-κB–iNOS–NO–ROS signaling in activated HSCs plays a critical role in BMOL-cell-mediated apoptosis of activated HSCs. Thus, the present study provides an alternative cell-based therapeutic approach to treat liver fibrosis.

scholarly journals MicroRNA29a Reverts the Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells in the Regression of Hepatic Fibrosis through Regulation of ATPase H+ Transporting V1 Subunit C1

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Jing ◽  
Yan Geng ◽  
Xin-Yi Xu ◽  
Hong-Yu Xu ◽  
Jin-Song Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Pparγ Agonist ◽  
Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferators Activated Receptors ◽  
Related Proteins

Activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) play a key role in liver fibrosis. During the regression of fibrosis, aHSCs are transformed into inactivated cells (iHSCs), which are quiescent lipid-containing cells and express higher levels of lipid-related genes, such as peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors gamma (PPARγ). Here, we investigated the role of MicroRNA29a (Mir29a) in the resolution of liver fibrosis. Mir29a and lipid-related genes were up-regulated after the recovery of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice. PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (RSG) promoted de-differentiation of aHSCs to iHSCs and up-regulated MIR29a expression in a human HSC cell line LX-2. MIR29a mimics in vitro promoted the expression of lipid-related genes, while decreased the expression of fibrosis-related genes. MIR29a inhibitor showed the reverse effects. ATPase H+ transporting V1 subunit C1 (Atp6v1c1) was increased in liver fibrosis, while down-regulated after the recovery in mice, and negatively regulated by MIR29a in LX-2 cells. Knockdown of ATP6V1C1 by siRNA decreased alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and increased lipid-related genes expression. Simultaneous addition of MIR29a mimics and ATP6V1C1 siRNA further increased RSG promoted expression of lipid-related proteins in vitro. Collectively, MIR29a plays an important role during the trans-differentiation of aHSCs in the resolution of liver fibrosis, in part, through regulation of ATP6V1C1.

Identification and localization of xylose-binding proteins as potential biomarkers for liver fibrosis/cirrhosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 598-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaogang Zhong ◽  
Xiu-Xuan Sun ◽  
Peixin Zhang ◽  
Xinmin Qin ◽  
Wentian Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
And Function ◽  
Potential Biomarkers

In our recent study, we found that the expression levels of total xylose-binding proteins (XBPs) were up-regulated significantly in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs); however, the denomination, distribution, and function of the XBPs were uncharted.

Gli2-regulated activation of hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis by TGF-β signaling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junyan Yan ◽  
Baowei Hu ◽  
Wenjie Shi ◽  
Xiaoyi Wang ◽  
Jiayuan Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Conditional Knockout ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Liver Fibrogenesis ◽  
Hh Signaling ◽  
Signaling Activity

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is correlated with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation and liver fibrosis. Gli2 is a key transcription effector of Hh signaling. However, the role of Gli2 in HSC-mediated liver fibrosis progression is largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Gli2 on liver fibrogenesis and its possible mechanism using conditional knockout (cKO) Gli2 mice and HSC models. Wild-type (WT) and GFAP-CreERT;Gli2flox/flox male mice were exposed to CCl4 for one month to induce liver fibrosis. Primary HSCs were isolated from mice and the transition of HSCs into a myofibroblastic phenotype was evaluated. Livers from mice underwent histological, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescence analyses. The expression levels of proteins and genes were evaluated by Western blot (WB) analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. RNA-seq was used to screen differentially expressed genes. Results showed that CCl4 treatment induced liver fibrosis, promoted HSCs activation and proliferation, and up-regulated Hh signaling activity. The cKO of Gli2 in GFAP-CreERT;Gli2flox/flox mice decreased liver fibrosis as well as HSC activation and proliferation. In vitro studies showed that KO of Gli2 in HSCs blocked cell proliferation and activation by decrease of cyclin D1/D2 expression. The RNA-seq results revealed that the expression levels TGF-β1 ligands were down-regulated in Gli2 KO HSCs. Furthermore, overexpression of Gli2 rescued proliferation and activation of HSCs by up-regulation of TGF-β signaling activity. Our data demonstrated that Gli2 regulated HSC activation and liver fibrosis by TGF-β signaling, thus providing support for future Gli2-based investigations of liver fibrosis therapy.

scholarly journals Network Pharmacological Analysis and Experimental Validation of the Mechanisms of Action of Si-Ni-San Against Liver Fibrosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siliang Wang ◽  
Cheng Tang ◽  
Heng Zhao ◽  
Peiliang Shen ◽  
Chao Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Network Pharmacology ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Ppar Γ ◽  
Liver Tissues

Background: Si-Ni-San (SNS), a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has potency against liver diseases, such as hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the therapeutic efficacy and pharmacological mechanisms of action of SNS against liver fibrosis remain largely unclear.Methods: A carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis mouse model was adopted for the first time to investigate the beneficial effects of SNS on liver fibrosis. The potential mechanisms of action of SNS were explored using the network pharmacology-based strategy and validated with the aid of diverse assays.Results: SNS treatment reduced collagen and ECM deposition, downregulated fibrosis-related factor (hyaluronic acid and laminin) contents in serum, maintained the morphological structure of liver tissue, and improved liver function in the liver fibrosis model. Based on network pharmacology results, apoptosis, inflammation and angiogenesis, together with the associated pathways (including VEGF, TNF, caspase, PPAR-γ and NF-κB), were identified as the mechanisms underlying the effects of SNS on liver fibrosis. Further in vivo experiments validated the significant mitigatory effects of SNS on inflammatory infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine contents (IFNγ, IL-1β and TGF-β1) in liver tissues of mice with liver fibrosis. SNS suppressed pathologic neovascularization as well as levels of VEGFR1, VEGF and VEGFR2 in liver tissues. SNS treatment additionally inhibited hepatic parenchyma cell apoptosis in liver tissues of mice with liver fibrosis and regulated apoptin expression while protecting L02 cells against apoptosis induced by TNF-α and Act D in vitro. Activation of hepatic stellate cells was suppressed and the balance between MMP13 and TIMP1 maintained in vitro by SNS. These activities may be associated with SNS-induced NF-κB suppression and PPAR-γ activation.Conclusion: SNS effectively impedes liver fibrosis progression through alleviating inflammation, ECM accumulation, aberrant angiogenesis and apoptosis of hepatic parenchymal cells along with inhibiting activation of hepatic stellate cells through effects on multiple targets and may thus serve as a novel therapeutic regimen for this condition.

scholarly journals Human placental mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate liver fibrosis in mice by upregulation of Caveolin1 in hepatic stellate cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunqi Yao ◽  
Zhemin Xia ◽  
Fuyi Cheng ◽  
Qingyuan Jang ◽  
Jiao He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Therapeutic Effect ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Placental Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract Background Liver fibrosis (LF) is a common pathological process characterized by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and accumulation of extracellular matrix. Severe LF causes cirrhosis and even liver failure, a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Transplantation of human placental mesenchymal stem cells (hPMSCs) has been considered as an alternative therapy. However, the underlying mechanisms and the appropriate time window for hPMSC transplantation are not well understood. Methods We established mouse models of CCl4-injured LF and administered hPMSCs at different stages of LF once a week for 2 weeks. The therapeutic effect of hPMSCs on LF was investigated, according to histopathological and blood biochemical analyses. In vitro, the effect of hPMSCs and the secretomes of hPMSCs on the inhibition of activated HSCs was assessed. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, real-time PCR array, and western blot were performed to explore possible signaling pathways involved in treatment of LF with hPMSCs. Results hPMSC treatment notably alleviates experimental hepatic fibrosis, restores liver function, and inhibits inflammation. Furthermore, the therapeutic effect of hPMSCs against mild-to-moderate LF was significantly greater than against severe LF. In vitro, we observed that the hPMSCs as well as the secretomes of hPMSCs were able to decrease the activation of HSCs. Mechanistic dissection studies showed that hPMSC treatment downregulated the expression of fibrosis-related genes, and this was accompanied by the upregulation of Caveolin-1 (Cav1) (p < 0.001). This suggested that the amelioration of LF occurred partly due to the restoration of Cav1 expression in activated HSCs. Upregulation of Cav1 can inhibit the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, mainly by reducing Smad2 phosphorylation, resulting in the inhibition of activated HSCs, whereas this effect could be abated if Cav1 was silenced in advance by siRNAs. Conclusions Our findings suggest that hPMSCs could provide multifaceted therapeutic benefits for the treatment of LF, and the TGF-β/Cav1 pathway might act as a therapeutic target for hPMSCs in the treatment of LF.

scholarly journals EFFECT OF COLLAGEN I GEL ON APOPTOSIS OF RAT HEPATIC STELLATE CELLS

2013 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-79
Author(s):  
Lenka Bittnerová ◽  
Alena Jiroutová ◽  
Emil Rudolf ◽  
Martina Řezáčová ◽  
Jiří Kanta
Keyword(s):  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Type I Collagen ◽  
Collagen Gel ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Type I ◽  
Function Type ◽  
Fibrotic Liver ◽  
Normal Rat ◽  
And Function

Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are a major source of fibrous proteins in cirrhotic liver. Inducing or accelerating their apoptosis is a potential way of liver fibrosis treatment. Extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding cells in tissue affects their differentiation, migration, proliferation and function. Type I collagen is the main ECM component in fibrotic liver. We have examined how this protein modifies apoptosis of normal rat HSC induced by gliotoxin, cycloheximide and cytochalasin D in vitro and spontaneous apoptosis of HSC isolated from CCl4-damaged liver. We have found that type I collagen gel enhances HSC apoptosis regardless of the agent triggering this process.

PDGFRβ-targeted TRAIL specifically induces apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells and ameliorates liver fibrosis

APOPTOSIS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 105-119
Author(s):  
Rui Li ◽  
Zhao Li ◽  
Yanru Feng ◽  
Hao Yang ◽  
Qiuxiao Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells

scholarly journals Transcriptional factor ATF3 promotes liver fibrosis via activating hepatic stellate cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhemin Shi ◽  
Kun Zhang ◽  
Ting Chen ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Xiaoxiao Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cells ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Stellate Cells ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Activating Transcription Factor 3 ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Liver Fibrogenesis

AbstractThe excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key feature of liver fibrosis and the activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major producer of ECM proteins. However, the precise mechanisms and target molecules that are involved in liver fibrosis remain unclear. In this study, we reported that activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) was over-expressed in mice and human fibrotic livers, in activated HSCs and injured hepatocytes (HCs). Both in vivo and in vitro study have revealed that silencing ATF3 reduced the expression of pro-fibrotic genes and inhibited the activation of HSCs, thus alleviating the extent of liver fibrosis, indicating a potential protective role of ATF3 knockdown. However, ATF3 was not involved in either the apoptosis or proliferation of HCs. In addition, our data illustrated that increased nuclear localization of ATF3 promoted the transcription of fibrogenic genes and lnc-SCARNA10, which functioned as a novel positive regulator of TGF-β signaling in liver fibrogenesis by recruiting SMAD3 to the promoter of these genes. Interestingly, further study also demonstrated that lnc-SCARNA10 promoted the expression of ATF3 in a TGF-β/SMAD3-dependent manner, revealing a TGF-β/ATF3/lnc-SCARNA10 axis that contributed to liver fibrosis by activating HSCs. Taken together, our data provide a molecular mechanism implicating induced ATF3 in liver fibrosis, suggesting that ATF3 may represent a useful target in the development of therapeutic strategies for liver fibrosis.

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