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Knockout of the Tachykinin Receptor 1 in the Mdr2^-/- (Abcb4^-/-) Mouse Model of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Reduces Biliary Damage and Liver Fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Activation of the substance P (SP)/neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) axis triggers biliary damage/senescence and liver fibrosis in bile duct ligated and Mdr2^-/- (alias Abcb4^-/-) mice through enhanced transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) biliary secretion. Recent evidence indicates a role for miR-31 (MIR31) in TGF-β1-induced liver fibrosis. We aimed to define the role of the SP/NK1R/TGF-β1/miR-31 axis in regulating biliary proliferation and liver fibrosis during cholestasis. Thus, we generated a novel model with double knockout of Mdr2^-/- and NK1R^-/ (alias Tacr1^-/-) to further address the role of the SP/NK1R axis during chronic cholestasis. In vivo studies were performed in the following 12-week-old male mice: (i) NK1R^-/-; (ii) Mdr2^-/-; and (iii) NK1R^-/-/Mdr2^-/- (Tacr1^-/-/Abcb4^-/-) and their corresponding wild-type controls. Liver tissues and cholangiocytes were collected, and liver damage, changes in biliary mass/senescence, and inflammation as well as liver fibrosis were evaluated by both immunohistochemistry in liver sections and real-time PCR. miR-31 expression was measured by real-time PCR in isolated cholangiocytes. Decreased ductular reaction, liver fibrosis, biliary senescence, and biliary inflammation were observed in NK1R^-/-/Mdr2^-/- mice compared with Mdr2^-/- mice. Elevated expression of miR-31 was observed in Mdr2^-/- mice, which was reduced in NK1R^-/-/Mdr2^-/- mice. Targeting the SP/NK1R and/or miR-31 may be a potential approach in treating human cholangiopathies, including primary sclerosing cholangitis.

SUBMITTER: Ceci L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7592721 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Secretin receptor (SR), only expressed by cholangiocytes, plays a key role in the regulation of biliary damage and liver fibrosis. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of genetic depletion of SR in Mdr2-/- mice on intrahepatic biliary mass, liver fibrosis, senescence, and angiogenesis. 12 wk SR-/-, Mdr2-/-, and SR-/-/Mdr2-/- mice with corresponding wild-type mice were used for the in vivo studies. Immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence was performed in liver sections for (i) biliary expression of SR; (ii) hematoxylin and eosin; (iii) intrahepatic biliary mass by CK-19; (iv) fibrosis by Col1a1 and α-SMA; (v) senescence by SA-β-gal and p16; and (vi) angiogenesis by VEGF-A and CD31. Secretin (Sct) and TGF-β1 levels were measured in serum and cholangiocyte supernatant by ELISA. In total liver, isolated cholangiocytes or HSCs, we evaluated the expression of fibrosis markers (FN-1 and Col1a1); senescence markers (p16 and CCL2); microRNA 125b and angiogenesis markers (VEGF-A, VEGFR-2, CD31, and vWF) by immunoblots and/or qPCR. In vitro, we measured the paracrine effect of cholangiocyte supernatant on the expression of senescent and fibrosis markers in human hepatic stellate cells (HHSteCs). The increased level of ductular reaction, fibrosis, and angiogenesis in Mdr2-/- mice was reduced in SR-/-/Mdr2-/- mice. Enhanced senescence levels in cholangiocytes from Mdr2-/- mice were reversed to normal in SR-/-/Mdr2-/- mice. However, senescence was decreased in HSCs from Mdr2-/- mice but returned to normal values in SR-/-/Mdr2-/- mice. In vitro treatment of HHSteCs with supernatant from cholangiocyte lacking SR (containing lower biliary levels of Sct-dependent TGF-β1) have decreased fibrotic reaction and increased cellular senescence. Sct-induced TGF-β1 secretion was mediated by microRNA 125b. Our data suggest that differential modulation of angiogenesis-dependent senescence of cholangiocytes and HSCs may be important for the treatment of liver fibrosis in cholangiopathies.

Project description:Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is used to treat biliary disorders; and, bile acids alter mast cell (MC) histamine release. MCs infiltrate Mdr2-/- mice liver (model of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)). MC-derived histamine increases inflammation, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and fibrosis. The objective was to determine the effects of UDCA treatment on MC infiltration, biliary damage, inflammation and fibrosis in Mdr2-/- mice and human PSC. Wild-type and Mdr2-/- mice were fed bile acid control diet or UDCA (0.5% wt/wt). Human samples were collected from control and PSC patients treated with placebo or UDCA (15 mg/kg/BW). MC infiltration was measured by immunhistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for c-Kit, chymase, and tryptase. The HDC/histamine/histamine receptor (HR)-axis was evaluated by EIA and qPCR. Intrahepatic bile duct mass (IBDM) and biliary proliferation was evaluated by CK-19 and Ki-67 staining. Fibrosis was detected by immunostaining and qPCR for fibrotic markers. Inflammatory components were measured by qPCR. HSC activation was measured by SYP-9 staining. Inflammation was detected by qPCR for CD68. In vitro, MCs were treated with UDCA (40 μM) prior to HA secretion evaluation and coculturing with cholangiocytes or HSCs. BrDU incorporation and fibrosis by qPCR was performed. UDCA reduced MC number, the HDC/histamine/HR-axis, IBDM, HSC activation, inflammation, and fibrosis in Mdr2-/- mice and PSC patients. In vitro, UDCA decreases MC-histamine release, which was restored by blocking ASBT and FXRβ. Proliferation and fibrosis decreased after treatment with UDCA-treated MCs. We conclude that UDCA acts on MCs reducing histamine levels and decreases the inflammatory/hyperplastic/fibrotic reaction seen in PSC. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is used to treat biliary disorders; and, bile acids alter mast cell (MC) histamine release. Following liver injury like primary sclerosing cholangitis in mice and humans, MCs infiltrate. MC-derived histamine increases biliary damage, fibrosis, and inflammation. UDCA treatment decreases these parameters via reduced MC activation.

Project description:UnlabelledHepatic fibrosis is marked by activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Cholestatic injury precedes liver fibrosis, and cholangiocytes interact with HSCs promoting fibrosis. Mast cells (MCs) infiltrate following liver injury and release histamine, increasing biliary proliferation. We evaluated if inhibition of MC-derived histamine decreases biliary proliferation and fibrosis. Wild-type and multidrug resistance 2 knockout mice (9-11 weeks) were treated with cromolyn sodium for 1 week to block MC-derived histamine. Biliary mass and proliferation were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin 19 and Ki-67. Bile flow, bicarbonate excretion, and total bile acids were measured in all mice. Fibrosis was evaluated by sirius red/fast green staining and by quantitative polymerase chain reaction for alpha-smooth muscle actin, fibronectin, collagen type 1a, and transforming growth factor-beta 1. HSC activation was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in total liver and immunofluorescent staining in tissues for synaptophysin 9. Histamine serum secretion was measured by enzymatic immunoassay. Mouse liver and human liver samples from control or primary sclerosing cholangitis patients were evaluated for MC markers by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. In vitro, cultured MCs were transfected with histidine decarboxylase short hairpin RNA to decrease histamine secretion and subsequently cocultured with cholangiocytes or HSCs prior to measuring fibrosis markers, proliferation, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 secretion. Treatment with cromolyn sodium decreased biliary proliferation, fibrosis, histamine secretion, and bile flow in multidrug resistance 2 knockout mice. Primary sclerosing cholangitis mice and patients have increased MCs. Knockdown of MC histidine decarboxylase decreased cholangiocyte and HSC proliferation/activation.ConclusionMCs are recruited to proliferating cholangiocytes and promote fibrosis. Inhibition of MC-derived histamine decreases fibrosis, and regulation of MC mediators may be therapeutic for primary sclerosing cholangitis. (Hepatology 2016;64:1202-1216).

Project description:Background & aimsThe nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a key regulator of hepatic bile acid (BA) and lipid metabolism, inflammation and fibrosis. Here, we aimed to explore the potential of cilofexor (GS-9674), a non-steroidal FXR agonist, as a therapeutic approach for counteracting features of cholestatic liver injury by evaluating its efficacy and mechanisms in the Mdr2/Abcb4 knockout (-/-) mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis.MethodsFVB/N wild-type and Mdr2-/- or BALB/c wild-type and Mdr2-/- mice were treated with 0, 10, 30 or 90 mg/kg cilofexor by gavage every 24 h for 10 weeks. Serum biochemistry, gene expression profile, hydroxyproline content, and picrosirius red and F4/80 immunostaining, were investigated. Bile flow, biliary bicarbonate and BA output, and hepatic BA profile, were assessed.ResultsCilofexor treatment improved serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase as well as BAs in Mdr2-/- animals. Hepatic fibrosis was improved, as reflected by the reduced picrosirius red-positive area and hydroxyproline content in liver sections of cilofexor-treated Mdr2-/- mice. Intrahepatic BA concentrations were lowered in cilofexor-treated Mdr2-/- mice, while hepatobiliary bile flow and bicarbonate output were increased.ConclusionCollectively the current data show that cilofexor treatment improves cholestatic liver injury and decreases hepatic fibrosis in the Mdr2-/- mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis.Impact and implicationsTreatment with cilofexor, a non-steroidal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, improved histological features of sclerosing cholangitis, cholestasis and hepatic fibrosis in the Mdr2-/- mouse model. These findings indicate, that pharmacological stimulation of intestinal FXR-mediated gut-liver signaling, via fibroblast growth factor 15 (thereby reducing bile acid synthesis), may be sufficient to attenuate cholestatic liver injury in the Mdr2-/- mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis, thus arguing for potential therapeutic properties of cilofexor in cholestatic liver diseases.

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Knockout of the Tachykinin Receptor 1 in the Mdr2^-/- (Abcb4^-/-) Mouse Model of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Reduces Biliary Damage and Liver Fibrosis.

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Knockout of the Tachykinin Receptor 1 in the Mdr2-/- (Abcb4-/-) Mouse Model of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Reduces Biliary Damage and Liver Fibrosis.

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OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

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Knockout of the Tachykinin Receptor 1 in the Mdr2^-/- (Abcb4^-/-) Mouse Model of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Reduces Biliary Damage and Liver Fibrosis.