NKG2D-mediated immunosensing of metabolically stressed hepatocytes by innate-like T cells is essential for initiation of NASH and fibrosis
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ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE200482 | GEO | 2022/04/11
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Background and aims: Oxidative stress triggers nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. Previous animal studies demonstrated that the transcription factor NRF2, the master regulator of antioxidant response, protects against NASH and fibrosis. S217879, a new generation NRF2 activator has been recently shown to trigger NASH resolution and to reduce established fibrosis in rodents. Our aim was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of S217879 in human metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and its underlying mechanisms using the relevant experimental 3D model of patient-derived precision cut liver slices (PCLS). Methods: We treated PCLS from 12 patients with MAFLD with S217879 or Elafibranor (PPARα/δ agonist used as a referent molecule) for two days. Safety and efficacy profiles, steatosis, liver injury, inflammation and fibrosis were assessed as well as mechanisms involved in NASH pathophysiology, namely antioxidant response, autophagy and ER-stress. Results: Neither Elafibranor nor S217879 had toxic effects at the tested concentrations on human PCLS with MAFLD. PPARα/δ and NRF2 target genes (PDK4, FGF21 and NQO1, HMOX1, respectively) were strongly upregulated in PCLS in response to Elafibranor and S217879, respectively. Compared to untreated PCLS, Elafibranor and S217879-treated slices displayed lower triglycerides and reduced inflammation (IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2). Additional inflammatory markers (CCL5, STING, ICAM-1, VCAM-1) were downregulated by S217879. S217879 but not Elafibranor lowered DNA damages (p-H2A.X, RAD51, XRCC1) and apoptosis (cleaved Caspase-3), and inhibited fibrogenesis markers expression (α-SMA, COL1A1, COL1A2). Such effects were mediated through an improvement of lipid metabolism, activated antioxidant response and enhanced autophagic flux, without effect on ER-stress. Conclusion: This study highlights the therapeutic potential of a new NRF2 activator for NASH using patient-derived PCLS supporting the evaluation of NRF2 activating strategies in clinical trials.
2024-06-07 | GSE234415 | GEO
Project description:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is continuum of disorders among which non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is particularly associated with a negative prognosis. Hepatocyte lipotoxicity is one of the main pathogenic factors of liver fibrosis and NASH. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating this process are poorly understood. Here, we integrated transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility analyses from human liver and mouse hepatocytes to identify lipotoxicity-sensitive transcription factors. We found that the transcription factors MAFK and TCF4 were activated in liver from NASH patients and by mouse hepatocyte lipotoxicity. Genetic deletion of these transcription factors protected hepatocytes against saturated fatty acid oversupply. Notably, MAFK- and TCF4-regulated gene expression linked to lipotoxicity closely correlated with transcriptional patters in fibrosis progression in NASH patients. Collectively, our findings uncovered novel molecular insights into lipotoxicityinduced NASH, revealing the relevance and therapeutic potential of MAFK and TCF4 in human disease.
2022-07-08 | PXD026717 | Pride
Project description:Current therapeutic strategies for treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have failed to alleviate liver fibrosis, which is a devastating feature leading to hepatic dysfunction. Here, we integrated single-nucleus transcriptomics and epigenomics to characterize all major liver cell types during NASH development in mice and humans. The bifurcation of hepatocyte trajectory with NASH progression was conserved between mouse and human. At the non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) stage, hepatocytes exhibited metabolic adaptation, whereas at the NASH stage, a subset of hepatocytes was enriched for the signatures of cell adhesion and migration, which was mainly demarcated by receptor tyrosine kinase EphB2. EphB2, acting as a downstream effector of Notch signaling in hepatocytes, was sufficient to induce cell-autonomously inflammation. Knockdown of Ephb2 in hepatocytes ameliorated inflammation and fibrosis in NASH. Thus, EphB2 expressing hepatocytes contribute to NASH progression and may serve as a potential therapeutic target.
2023-02-08 | GSE189600 | GEO
Project description:Background and aims: Here we investigate the role of IL-11 signalling in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods: HSCs or hepatocytes were stimulated with IL-11 and effects assessed using cellular and high content imaging, immunoblotting, ELISA and invasion assays. Genetic and pharmacological IL-11 gain- or loss-of-function experiments were performed in vitro and in vivo. IL-11 signaling was studied using ERK inhibitors. The effects of anti-IL-11 or anti-IL11RA therapy were assessed in three preclinical NASH models using methionine/choline deficient diets or a Western diet with liquid fructose. Phenotyping was performed using hydroxyproline assay, qPCR, RNA-seq, Western blotting, histology, CyTOF, lipid and metabolic biomarkers. Results: When stimulated with NASH factors HSCs secrete IL-11, which drives an autocrine, ERK-dependent signaling loop required for the HSC-to-myofibroblast transformation. IL-11 is upregulated in human and murine NASH, Il-11 injection causes liver damage, inflammation and fibrosis in mice and Il11ra1 deleted mice are protected from NASH in two preclinical models. Therapeutic antibodies against IL11RA or IL-11 consistently inhibit and reverse fibrosis and steatosis in three murine NASH models. Unexpectedly, IL-11 causes hepatocyte damage and promotes stromal-mediated inflammation and anti-IL-11 therapies reverse NASH-associated hepatotoxicity and hepatitis. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of IL-11 signaling in NASH is associated with lower serum triglyceride, cholesterol and glucose. Conclusion: We show an unappreciated and central role for IL-11 in liver pathobiology. Targeting IL-11 signalling with neutralizing antibodies reverses fibrosis, steatosis, hepatocyte death and inflammation across the spectrum of NASH. This novel therapeutic approach is associated with a favorable cardiometabolic profile.
2019-06-22 | GSE128940 | GEO
Project description:Background: Senescent hepatocytes accumulate in parallel with fibrosis progression during NASH. The mechanisms that enable progressive expansion of nonreplicating cell populations and the significance of that process in determining NASH outcomes are unclear. Many types of senescing cells upregulate the THBD-PAR-1 signaling axis to remain viable. Vorapaxar, an FDA-approved PAR-1 inhibitor, blocks the activity of that pathway. We used vorapaxar to determine if and how THBD-PAR1 signaling promotes fibrosis progression in NASH. Methods: We evaluated the THBD-PAR1 pathway in liver biopsies from NAFLD patient cohorts with a spectrum of liver fibrosis. Chow fed mice were treated with viral vectors to over-express p16 specifically in hepatocytes and induce replicative senescence. Effects on the THBD-PAR-1 axis and regenerative capacity were assessed; the transcriptome of p16 over-expressing hepatocytes was characterized and we examined how conditioned medium from senescent but viable (dubbed ‘undead’) hepatocytes reprograms hepatic stellate cells. A genetically obese mouse model of NASH with little liver fibrosis, and a diet-induced mouse model of NASH with advanced fibrosis were treated with vorapaxar to determine effects on hepatocyte senescence and liver damage. Results: Inducing senescence up-regulates the THBD-PAR1 signaling axis in hepatocytes and induces their expression of fibrogenic factors, including hedgehog ligands. Hepatocyte THBD-PAR1 signaling increases in NAFLD and supports sustained hepatocyte senescence that limits effective liver regeneration and promotes maladaptive repair. Inhibiting PAR-1 signaling with vorapaxar interrupts this process, reduces the burden of ‘undead’ senescent cells, and safely improves NASH and fibrosis despite ongoing lipotoxic stress Conclusion: The THBD-PAR1 signaling axis is a novel therapeutic target for NASH because blocking this pathway prevents accumulation of senescing but viable hepatocytes that generate factors that promote maladaptive liver repair.
2023-03-01 | GSE204901 | GEO
Project description:NKG2D-mediated immunosensing of metabolically stressed hepatocytes by innate-like T cells is essential for initiation of NASH and fibrosis
| PRJNA824801 | ENA
Project description:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is continuum of disorders among which non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is particularly associated with a negative prognosis. Hepatocyte lipotoxicity is one of the main pathogenic factors of liver fibrosis and NASH. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating this process are poorly understood. Here, we integrated transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility analyses from human liver and mouse hepatocytes to identify lipotoxicity-sensitive transcription factors. We found that several transcription factors that were activated in liver from NASH patients and by mouse hepatocyte lipotoxicity. Notably, the gene expression linked to lipotoxicity closely correlated with transcriptional patters in fibrosis progression in NASH patients. Collectively, our findings uncovered novel molecular insights into lipotoxicity-induced NASH.
2022-07-13 | GSE173734 | GEO
Project description:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is continuum of disorders among which non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is particularly associated with a negative prognosis. Hepatocyte lipotoxicity is one of the main pathogenic factors of liver fibrosis and NASH. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating this process are poorly understood. Here, we integrated transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility analyses from human liver and mouse hepatocytes to identify lipotoxicity-sensitive transcription factors. We found that several transcription factors that were activated in liver from NASH patients and by mouse hepatocyte lipotoxicity. Notably, the gene expression linked to lipotoxicity closely correlated with transcriptional patters in fibrosis progression in NASH patients. Collectively, our findings uncovered novel molecular insights into lipotoxicity-induced NASH.
2022-07-13 | GSE173735 | GEO
Project description:Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease. Persistent NAFLD can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with inflammation and fibrosis, which predisposes patients to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA) is a transcription factor that modulates glycolipid homeostasis, cell differentiation and tumor progression. MTL-CEBPA, a first-in-human small activating RNA therapeutic, has been used to overexpress CEBPA and treat hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting myeloid cells in clinical trials. However, whether and how hepatocyte-specific CEBPA modulates NASH are unknown. Here we found that CEBPA expression was inhibited in the livers of high-fat, high-cholesterol, and high-fructose diet (HFCFD)-fed mice, NASH patients and palmitic/oleic acid-treated primary hepatocytes. Liver-specific Cebpa knockout mice (Cebpa-dLiv) and liver-specific tamoxifen-inducible ERT2-Cre mice (Cebpa-dLiv-ERT2) were then generated. Both Cebpa-dLiv and Cebpa-dLiv-ERT2 mice (treated with tamoxifen) developed enhanced NASH and fibrosis compared to control mice. Global transcriptome analyses demonstrated hepatic secreted phosphoprotein 1 (Spp1) encoding the fibrosis-promoting factor SPP1, was markedly induced by hepatocyte CEBPA knockout in HFCFD-fed mice. Consistently, hepatic SPP1 was upregulated by NASH and negatively correlated with CEBPA expression in humans. Hepatocyte loss of CEBPA enhanced hepatic SPP1 expression and serum SPP1 levels both at the early and late stage of NASH in mice. CEBPA-knockout primary hepatocytes released more SPP1 to the culture medium than wild-type mouse hepatocytes, resulting in enhanced fibrogenesis of hepatic stellate cells, a phenotype that was rescued by the Spp1 shRNA. Hepatocyte-directed AAV8-deliverey of Spp1 shRNA rescued the fibrosis in HFCFD-fed Cebpa-dLiv mice. Mechanistically, CEBPA overexpression reduced, while CEBPA knockout enhanced, SPP1 expression in primary hepatocytes in vitro. The Spp1 promoter had functional CEBPA response elements, while CEBPA modulated histone acetylation to restrict SPP1 expression in a novel feedback loop. Furthermore, overexpression of CEBPA in hepatocytes with AAV8-TBG-CEBPA, inhibited hepatic SPP1 expression and reduced fibrosis in HFCFD-fed wild-type mice. This study demonstrates a novel hepatocyte CEBPA-SPP1 axis involved in modulating NASH fibrosis that supports hepatocyte CEBPA as an anti-NASH target.
2024-03-08 | GSE248340 | GEO
Project description:Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease. Persistent NAFLD can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with inflammation and fibrosis, which predisposes patients to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA) is a transcription factor that modulates glycolipid homeostasis, cell differentiation and tumor progression. MTL-CEBPA, a first-in-human small activating RNA therapeutic, has been used to overexpress CEBPA and treat hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting myeloid cells in clinical trials. However, whether and how hepatocyte-specific CEBPA modulates NASH are unknown. Here we found that CEBPA expression was inhibited in the livers of high-fat, high-cholesterol, and high-fructose diet (HFCFD)-fed mice, NASH patients and palmitic/oleic acid-treated primary hepatocytes. Liver-specific Cebpa knockout mice (Cebpa-dLiv) and liver-specific tamoxifen-inducible ERT2-Cre mice (Cebpa-dLiv-ERT2) were then generated. Both Cebpa-dLiv and Cebpa-dLiv-ERT2 mice (treated with tamoxifen) developed enhanced NASH and fibrosis compared to control mice. Global transcriptome analyses demonstrated hepatic secreted phosphoprotein 1 (Spp1) encoding the fibrosis-promoting factor SPP1, was markedly induced by hepatocyte CEBPA knockout in HFCFD-fed mice. Consistently, hepatic SPP1 was upregulated by NASH and negatively correlated with CEBPA expression in humans. Hepatocyte loss of CEBPA enhanced hepatic SPP1 expression and serum SPP1 levels both at the early and late stage of NASH in mice. CEBPA-knockout primary hepatocytes released more SPP1 to the culture medium than wild-type mouse hepatocytes, resulting in enhanced fibrogenesis of hepatic stellate cells, a phenotype that was rescued by the Spp1 shRNA. Hepatocyte-directed AAV8-deliverey of Spp1 shRNA rescued the fibrosis in HFCFD-fed Cebpa-dLiv mice. Mechanistically, CEBPA overexpression reduced, while CEBPA knockout enhanced, SPP1 expression in primary hepatocytes in vitro. The Spp1 promoter had functional CEBPA response elements, while CEBPA modulated histone acetylation to restrict SPP1 expression in a novel feedback loop. Furthermore, overexpression of CEBPA in hepatocytes with AAV8-TBG-CEBPA, inhibited hepatic SPP1 expression and reduced fibrosis in HFCFD-fed wild-type mice. This study demonstrates a novel hepatocyte CEBPA-SPP1 axis involved in modulating NASH fibrosis that supports hepatocyte CEBPA as an anti-NASH target.
2024-03-08 | GSE214615 | GEO