scholarly journals Extra- and Intra-Cellular Mechanisms of Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1014
Author(s):  
Yufei Yan ◽  
Jiefei Zeng ◽  
Linhao Xing ◽  
Changyong Li
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Hepatic Fibrosis ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Stellate Cell ◽  
Hippo Signaling ◽  
Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells ◽  
Chronic Injury ◽  
Lipid Metabolism Disorder

Hepatic fibrosis is characterized by the pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the liver resulting from the persistent liver injury and wound-healing reaction induced by various insults. Although hepatic fibrosis is considered reversible after eliminating the cause of injury, chronic injury left unchecked can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer. A better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling the fibrotic response is needed to develop novel clinical strategies. It is well documented that activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the most principal cellular players promoting synthesis and deposition of ECM components. In the current review, we discuss pathways of HSC activation, emphasizing emerging extra- and intra-cellular signals that drive this important cellular response to hepatic fibrosis. A number of cell types and external stimuli converge upon HSCs to promote their activation, including hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, macrophages, cytokines, altered ECM, hepatitis viral infection, enteric dysbiosis, lipid metabolism disorder, exosomes, microRNAs, alcohol, drugs and parasites. We also discuss the emerging signaling pathways and intracellular events that individually or synergistically drive HSC activation, including TGFβ/Smad, Notch, Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog and Hippo signaling pathways. These findings will provide novel potential therapeutic targets to arrest or reverse fibrosis and cirrhosis.

scholarly journals Perilipin 5 Ameliorates Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation via SMAD2/3 and SNAIL Signaling Pathways and Suppresses STAT3 Activation

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2184
Author(s):  
Rafael Cierpka ◽  
Ralf Weiskirchen ◽  
Anastasia Asimakopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Stellate Cell ◽  
Type I ◽  
Hepatic Fibrogenesis ◽  
Perilipin 5 ◽  
Tgf Β1

Comprehending the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatic fibrogenesis is essential to the development of treatment. The hallmark of hepatic fibrosis is the development and deposition of excess fibrous connective tissue forcing tissue remodeling. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) play a major role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Their activation via the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) as a key mediator is considered the crucial event in the pathophysiology of hepatic fibrogenesis. It has been shown that Perilipin 5 (PLIN5), known as a lipid droplet structural protein that is highly expressed in oxidative tissue, can inhibit such activation through various mechanisms associated with lipid metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the possible influence of PLIN5 on TGF-β1 signaling. Our findings confirm the importance of PLIN5 in maintaining HSC quiescence in vivo and in vitro. PLIN5 overexpression suppresses the TGF-β1-SMAD2/3 and SNAIL signaling pathways as well as the activation of the signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3). These findings derived from experiments in hepatic cell lines LX-2 and Col-GFP, in which overexpression of PLIN5 was able to downregulate the signaling pathways SMAD2/3 and SNAIL activated previously by TGF-β1 treatment. Furthermore, TGF-β1-mediatedinduction of extracellular matrix proteins, such as collagen type I (COL1), Fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), was suppressed by PLIN5. Moreover, STAT3, which is interrelated with TGF-β1 was already basally activated in the cell lines and inhibited by PLIN5 overexpression, leading to a further reduction in HSC activity shown by lowered α-SMA expression. This extension of the intervening mechanisms presents PLIN5 as a potent and pleiotropic target in HSC activation.

Healing gone wrong: convergence of hemostatic pathways and liver fibrosis?

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (16) ◽  
pp. 2189-2201
Author(s):  
Jessica P.E. Davis ◽  
Stephen H. Caldwell
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Hepatic Fibrosis ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Stellate Cell ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Clinical Trial Data ◽  
Chronic Liver ◽  
Healing Response ◽  
Wound Healing Response

Abstract Fibrosis results from a disordered wound healing response within the liver with activated hepatic stellate cells laying down dense, collagen-rich extracellular matrix that eventually restricts liver hepatic synthetic function and causes increased sinusoidal resistance. The end result of progressive fibrosis, cirrhosis, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality as well as tremendous economic burden. Fibrosis can be conceptualized as an aberrant wound healing response analogous to a chronic ankle sprain that is driven by chronic liver injury commonly over decades. Two unique aspects of hepatic fibrosis – the chronic nature of insult required and the liver’s unique ability to regenerate – give an opportunity for pharmacologic intervention to stop or slow the pace of fibrosis in patients early in the course of their liver disease. Two potential biologic mechanisms link together hemostasis and fibrosis: focal parenchymal extinction and direct stellate cell activation by thrombin and Factor Xa. Available translational research further supports the role of thrombosis in fibrosis. In this review, we will summarize what is known about the convergence of hemostatic changes and hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease and present current preclinical and clinical data exploring the relationship between the two. We will also present clinical trial data that underscores the potential use of anticoagulant therapy as an antifibrotic factor in liver disease.

scholarly journals MicroRNA-21 Plays Multiple Oncometabolic Roles in the Process of NAFLD-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma via PI3K/AKT, TGF-β, and STAT3 Signaling

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 940
Author(s):  
Chi-Yu Lai ◽  
Kun-Yun Yeh ◽  
Chiu-Ya Lin ◽  
Yang-Wen Hsieh ◽  
Hsin-Hung Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Stellate Cell ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Transgenic Zebrafish ◽  
Zebrafish Model ◽  
Lipid Metabolism Disorder ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Stat3 Signaling

MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is one of the most frequently upregulated miRNAs in liver diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, mechanistic pathways that connect NAFLD and HCC remain elusive. We developed a doxycycline (Dox)-inducible transgenic zebrafish model (LmiR21) which exhibited an upregulation of miR-21 in the liver, which in turn induced the full spectrum of NAFLD, including steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and HCC, in the LmiR21 fish. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) treatment led to accelerated liver tumor formation and exacerbated their aggressiveness. Moreover, prolonged miR-21 expression for up to ten months induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related HCC (NAHCC). Immunoblotting and immunostaining confirmed the presence of miR-21 regulatory proteins (i.e., PTEN, SMAD7, p-AKT, p-SMAD3, and p-STAT3) in human nonviral HCC tissues and LmiR21 models. Thus, we demonstrated that miR-21 can induce NAHCC via at least three mechanisms: First, the occurrence of hepatic steatosis increases with the decrease of ptenb, pparaa, and activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway; second, miR-21 induces hepatic inflammation (or NASH) through an increase in inflammatory gene expression via STAT3 signaling pathways, and induces liver fibrosis through hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and collagen deposition via TGF-β/Smad3/Smad7 signaling pathways; finally, oncogenic activation of Smad3/Stat3 signaling pathways induces HCC. Our LmiR21 models showed similar molecular pathology to the human cancer samples in terms of initiation of lipid metabolism disorder, inflammation, fibrosis and activation of the PI3K/AKT, TGF-β/SMADs and STAT3 (PTS) oncogenic signaling pathways. Our findings indicate that miR-21 plays critical roles in the mechanistic perspectives of NAHCC development via the PTS signaling networks.

scholarly journals Tim-3 enhances FcεRI-proximal signaling to modulate mast cell activation

2015 ◽  
Vol 212 (13) ◽  
pp. 2289-2304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Binh L. Phong ◽  
Lyndsay Avery ◽  
Tina L. Sumpter ◽  
Jacob V. Gorman ◽  
Simon C. Watkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Mast Cell ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Late Phase ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Mast Cell Activation ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Ample Evidence

T cell (or transmembrane) immunoglobulin and mucin domain protein 3 (Tim-3) has attracted significant attention as a novel immune checkpoint receptor (ICR) on chronically stimulated, often dysfunctional, T cells. Antibodies to Tim-3 can enhance antiviral and antitumor immune responses. Tim-3 is also constitutively expressed by mast cells, NK cells and specific subsets of macrophages and dendritic cells. There is ample evidence for a positive role for Tim-3 in these latter cell types, which is at odds with the model of Tim-3 as an inhibitory molecule on T cells. At this point, little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which Tim-3 regulates the function of T cells or other cell types. We have focused on defining the effects of Tim-3 ligation on mast cell activation, as these cells constitutively express Tim-3 and are activated through an ITAM-containing receptor for IgE (FcεRI), using signaling pathways analogous to those in T cells. Using a variety of gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we find that Tim-3 acts at a receptor-proximal point to enhance Lyn kinase-dependent signaling pathways that modulate both immediate-phase degranulation and late-phase cytokine production downstream of FcεRI ligation.

scholarly journals Expression of leptin in hepatic fibrosis and its relation with hepatic stellate cell activation

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 2127
Author(s):  
Jing Xu ◽  
Jing Zhu ◽  
Liang Pan ◽  
Jing-Xian Lu ◽  
Ming-Bing Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatic Fibrosis ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cell ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Stellate Cell ◽  
Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation

scholarly journals Mesenchymal stem cells attenuate liver fibrosis by targeting Ly6Chi/lo macrophages through activating the cytokine-paracrine and apoptotic pathways

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan-hui Li ◽  
Shuang Shen ◽  
Tong Shao ◽  
Meng-ting Jin ◽  
Dong-dong Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Stellate Cell ◽  
Apoptotic Bodies ◽  
Chronic Injury ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Fibrotic Liver ◽  
Apoptotic Pathways ◽  
Regulatory Functions ◽  
Cell Inhibition

AbstractMesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has become a promising treatment for liver fibrosis due to its predominant immunomodulatory performance in hepatic stellate cell inhibition and fibrosis resolution. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these processes remain limited. In the present study, we provide insights into the functional role of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) in alleviating liver fibrosis by targeting intrahepatic Ly6Chi and Ly6Clo macrophage subsets in a mouse model. Upon chronic injury, the Ly6Chi subset was significantly increased in the inflamed liver. Transplantation of BM-MSCs markedly promoted a phenotypic switch from pro-fibrotic Ly6Chi subset to restorative Ly6Clo subpopulation by secreting paracrine cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 from the BM-MSCs. The Ly6Chi/Ly6Clo subset switch significantly blocked the source of fibrogenic TGF-β, PDGF, TNF-α, and IL-1β cytokines from Ly6Chi macrophages. Unexpectedly, BM-MSCs experienced severe apoptosis and produced substantial apoptotic bodies in the fibrotic liver during the 72 h period of transplantation. Most apoptotic bodies were engulfed by Ly6Clo macrophages, and this engulfment robustly triggered MMP12 expression for fibrosis resolution through the PtdSer-MerTK-ERK signaling pathway. This paper is the first to show previously unrecognized dual regulatory functions of BM-MSCs in attenuating hepatic fibrosis by promoting Ly6Chi/Ly6Clo subset conversion and Ly6Clo macrophage restoration through secreting antifibrogenic-cytokines and activating the apoptotic pathway.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document