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Placental Growth Factor Contributes to Liver Inflammation, Angiogenesis, Fibrosis in Mice by Promoting Hepatic Macrophage Recruitment and Activation.

ABSTRACT: Placental growth factor (PlGF), a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, mediates wound healing and inflammatory responses, exerting an effect on liver fibrosis and angiogenesis; however, the precise mechanism remains unclear. The aims of this study are to identify the role of PlGF in liver inflammation and fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in mice and to reveal the underlying molecular mechanism. PlGF small interfering RNA (siRNA) or non-targeting control siRNA was injected by tail vein starting 2 days after BDL. Liver inflammation, fibrosis, angiogenesis, macrophage infiltration, and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation were examined. Our results showed that PlGF was highly expressed in fibrotic livers and mainly distributed in activated HSCs and macrophages. Furthermore, PlGF silencing strongly reduced the severity of liver inflammation and fibrosis, and inhibited the activation of HSCs. Remarkably, PlGF silencing also attenuated BDL-induced hepatic angiogenesis, as evidenced by attenuated liver endothelial cell markers CD31 and von Willebrand factor immunostaining and genes or protein expression. Interestingly, these pathological ameliorations by PlGF silencing were due to a marked reduction in the numbers of intrahepatic F4/80⁺, CD68⁺, and Ly6C⁺ cell populations, which were reflected by a lower expression of these macrophage marker molecules in fibrotic livers. In addition, knockdown of PlGF by siRNA inhibited macrophages activation and substantially suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in fibrotic livers. Mechanistically, evaluation of cultured RAW 264.7 cells revealed that VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1) mainly involved in mediating the role of PlGF in macrophages recruitment and activation, since using VEGFR1 neutralizing antibody blocking PlGF/VEGFR1 signaling axis significantly inhibited macrophages migration and inflammatory responses. Together, these findings indicate that PlGF plays an important role in liver inflammation, angiogenesis, and fibrosis by promoting hepatic macrophage recruitment and activation, and suggest that blockage of PlGF could be a promising novel therapy for chronic fibrotic liver diseases.

SUBMITTER: Li X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5504098 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundHepatic platelet accumulation contributes to acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury (AILI). However, little is known about the molecular pathways involved in platelet recruitment to the liver and whether targeting such pathways could attenuate AILI.MethodsMice were fasted overnight before intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with APAP at a dose of 210 mg/kg for male mice and 325 mg/kg for female mice. Platelets adherent to Kupffer cells were determined in both mice and patients overdosed with APAP. The impact of α-chitinase 3-like-1 (α-Chi3l1) on alleviation of AILI was determined in a therapeutic setting, and liver injury was analyzed.ResultsThe present study unveiled a critical role of Chi3l1 in hepatic platelet recruitment during AILI. Increased Chi3l1 and platelets in the liver were observed in patients and mice overdosed with APAP. Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, Chil1-/- mice developed attenuated AILI with markedly reduced hepatic platelet accumulation. Mechanistic studies revealed that Chi3l1 signaled through CD44 on macrophages to induce podoplanin expression, which mediated platelet recruitment through C-type lectin-like receptor 2. Moreover, APAP treatment of Cd44-/- mice resulted in much lower numbers of hepatic platelets and liver injury than WT mice, a phenotype similar to that in Chil1-/- mice. Recombinant Chi3l1 could restore hepatic platelet accumulation and AILI in Chil1-/- mice, but not in Cd44-/- mice. Importantly, we generated anti-Chi3l1 monoclonal antibodies and demonstrated that they could effectively inhibit hepatic platelet accumulation and AILI.ConclusionsWe uncovered the Chi3l1/CD44 axis as a critical pathway mediating APAP-induced hepatic platelet recruitment and tissue injury. We demonstrated the feasibility and potential of targeting Chi3l1 to treat AILI.FundingZS received funding from NSFC (32071129). FWL received funding from NIH (GM123261). ALFSG received funding from NIDDK (DK 058369). ZA received funding from CPRIT (RP150551 and RP190561) and the Welch Foundation (AU-0042-20030616). CJ received funding from NIH (DK122708, DK109574, DK121330, and DK122796) and support from a University of Texas System Translational STARs award. Portions of this work were supported with resources and the use of facilities of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and funding from Department of Veterans Affairs I01 BX002551 (Equipment, Personnel, Supplies). The contents do not represent the views of the US Department of Veterans Affairs or the US Government.

Project description:BACKGROUND & AIMS:Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have a role in liver fibrosis. Guanine nucleotide-binding ?-subunit 12 (G?12) converges signals from G-protein-coupled receptors whose ligand levels are elevated in the environment during liver fibrosis; however, information is lacking on the effect of G?12 on HSC trans-differentiation. This study investigated the expression of G?12 in HSCs and the molecular basis of the effects of its expression on liver fibrosis. METHODS:G?12 expression was assessed by immunostaining, and immunoblot analyses of mouse fibrotic liver tissues and primary HSCs. The role of G?12 in liver fibrosis was estimated using a toxicant injury mouse model with G?12 gene knockout and/or HSC-specific G?12 delivery using lentiviral vectors, in addition to primary HSCs and LX-2 cells using microRNA (miR) inhibitors, overexpression vectors, or adenoviruses. miR-16, G?12, and LC3 were also examined in samples from patients with fibrosis. RESULTS:G?12 was overexpressed in activated HSCs and fibrotic liver, and was colocalised with desmin. In a carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrosis mouse model, G?12 ablation prevented increases in fibrosis and liver injury. This effect was attenuated by HSC-specific lentiviral delivery of G?12. Moreover, G?12 activation promoted autophagy accompanying c-Jun N-terminal kinase-dependent ATG12-5 conjugation. In addition, miR-16 was found to be a direct inhibitor of the de novo synthesis of G?12. Modulations of miR-16 altered autophagy in HSCs. In a fibrosis animal model or patients with severe fibrosis, miR-16 levels were lower than in their corresponding controls. Consistently, cirrhotic patient liver tissues showed G?12 and LC3 upregulation in desmin-positive areas. CONCLUSIONS:miR-16 dysregulation in HSCs results in G?12 overexpression, which activates HSCs by facilitating autophagy through ATG12-5 formation. This suggests that G?12 and its regulatory molecules could serve as targets for the amelioration of liver fibrosis. LAY SUMMARY:Guanine nucleotide-binding ?-subunit 12 (G?12) is upregulated in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) as a consequence of the dysregulation of a specific microRNA that is abundant in HSCs, facilitating the progression of liver fibrosis. This event is mediated by c-Jun N-terminal kinase-dependent ATG12-5 formation and the promotion of autophagy. We suggest that G?12 and its associated regulators could serve as new targets in HSCs for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

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Placental Growth Factor Contributes to Liver Inflammation, Angiogenesis, Fibrosis in Mice by Promoting Hepatic Macrophage Recruitment and Activation.

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