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G?12 overexpression induced by miR-16 dysregulation contributes to liver fibrosis by promoting autophagy in hepatic stellate cells.

ABSTRACT: 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.

SUBMITTER: Kim KM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5818314 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Gα<sub>12</sub> overexpression induced by miR-16 dysregulation contributes to liver fibrosis by promoting autophagy in hepatic stellate cells.

Kim Kyu Min KM Han Chang Yeob CY Kim Ji Young JY Cho Sam Seok SS Kim Yun Seok YS Koo Ja Hyun JH Lee Jung Min JM Lim Sung Chul SC Kang Keon Wook KW Kim Jae-Sung JS Hwang Se Jin SJ Ki Sung Hwan SH Kim Sang Geon SG

Journal of hepatology 20180102 3

<h4>Background & aims</h4>Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have a role in liver fibrosis. Guanine nucleotide-binding α-subunit 12 (Gα<sub>12</sub>) 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 Gα<sub>12</sub> on HSC trans-differentiation. This study investigated the expression of Gα<sub>12</sub> in HSCs and the molecular basis of the effects of its expression on liver fi ...[more]

PMID: 29080810

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Project description:Background & aimsAutophagy plays a crucial role in hepatic homeostasis and its deregulation has been associated with chronic liver disease. However, the effect of autophagy on the release of fibrogenic extracellular vesicles (EVs) by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) remains unknown. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the role of autophagy, specifically relating to fibrogenic EV release, in fibrosis.MethodsIn vitro experiments were conducted in primary human and murine HSCs as well as LX2 cells. Small EVs were purified by differential ultracentrifugation. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or bile duct ligation (BDL) were used to induce fibrosis in our mouse model. Liver lysates from patients with cirrhosis or healthy controls were compared by RNA sequencing.ResultsIn vitro, PDGF and its downstream molecule SHP2 (Src homology 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2) inhibited autophagy and increased HSC-derived EV release. We used this PDGF/SHP2 model to further investigate how autophagy affects fibrogenic EV release. RNA sequencing identified an mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling molecule that was regulated by SHP2 and PDGF. Disruption of mTOR signaling abolished PDGF-dependent EV release. Activation of mTOR signaling induced the release of multivesicular body-derived exosomes (by inhibiting autophagy) and microvesicles (by activating ROCK1 signaling). These mTOR-dependent EVs promoted in vitro HSC migration. To assess the importance of this mechanism in vivo, SHP2 was selectively deleted in HSCs, which attenuated CCl4- or BDL-induced liver fibrosis. Furthermore, in the CCl4 model, mice receiving circulating EVs derived from mice with HSC-specific Shp2 deletion had less fibrosis than mice receiving EVs from control mice. Correspondingly, SHP2 was upregulated in patients with liver cirrhosis.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that autophagy in HSCs attenuates liver fibrosis by inhibiting the release of fibrogenic EVs.Lay summaryDuring liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the key cell type responsible for fibrotic tissue deposition. Recently, we demonstrated that activated HSCs release nano-sized vesicles enriched with fibrogenic proteins. In the current study, we unveil the mechanism by which these fibrogenic vesicles are released, moving a step closer to the long-term goal of therapeutically targeting this process.

Dataset Information

G?12 overexpression induced by miR-16 dysregulation contributes to liver fibrosis by promoting autophagy in hepatic stellate cells.

Publications

Gα<sub>12</sub> overexpression induced by miR-16 dysregulation contributes to liver fibrosis by promoting autophagy in hepatic stellate cells.

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