Project description:Cholestatic liver disease (CLD) represents a severe pathological condition that can advance to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is integral to the pathogenesis of CLD. Previous research has indicated that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) may offer therapeutic benefits for liver diseases. Nonetheless, the specific therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of BMSCs in the context of CLD remain inadequately understood. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy and potential therapeutic genes of BMSCs transplantation in a murine model of cholangioligation-induced cholestatic liver fibrosis (CLF).
Project description:Liver fibrosis is a common pathological complication of end-stage liver disease, which is usually associated with chronic liver inflammation and injury. Liver fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. The differentially expressed genes in liver tissue of BDL rats were identified by microarray technique.
Project description:Aims Biliary diseases represent around 10% of all chronic liver diseases and affect both adults and children. Currently available biochemical tests detect cholestasis but not early liver fibrosis. Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) provide a real-time molecular snapshot of the injured organ in a non-invasive way. We thus aimed at searching for a panel of EV-based biomarkers for cholestasis-induced early liver fibrosis using mice models. Results: Progressive and detectable histological evidence of collagen deposition and liver fibrosis was observed as from Day 8 after bile duct ligation (BDL) in mice. Whole transcriptome and small RNA-seq analyses of circulating EVs revealed differentially enriched RNA species after BDL versus sham controls. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering identified a signature that allowed for discrimination between BDL and controls. In particular, 151 microRNAs enriched in BDL-derived EVs were identified, of which 66 were conserved in humans. The liver was an important source of circulating EVs in BDL animals as evidenced by the enrichment of several hepatic mRNAs, such as Albumin, Haptoglobin, Transferrin receptor 1 and Alas2. Interestingly, among experimentally validated miRNAs, miR194-5p and miR29-3p showed similar enrichment patterns also in EVs derived from DDC-treated (drug-induced cholestasis) and MDR2-/- (genetic cholestasis) mice. Innovation A panel of mRNAs and miRNAs contained in circulating EVs, when combined, provides sensitive biomarkers for the early detection of hepatic damage and fibrosis. Conclusion Analysis of EVs for enrichment in miR29-3p and miR194-5p, in combination with hepatic injury RNA markers, could represent a sensitive biomarker panel for the early detection of cholestasis-induced liver fibrosis.
Project description:The aim is to characterize rat liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). To induce hepatic fibrosis, Male Sprague Dawley rats (9-12 weeks of age and 380-420 g of weight upon arrival, supplied by Beijing Vital River laboratory animal Co., Ltd.) underwent surgery of bile duct ligation (BDL). The bile ducts of Sprague-Dawley rats were ligated after 12 hours of fasting and water deprivation. Rat liver samples were collected from three groups of rats at week 1, 2 and 5 after BDL surgery. Three control groups of rats underwent sham operation, including bile duct mobilization, but without BDL. Three biological replicates were used for each group.
Project description:Aims Biliary diseases represent around 10% of all chronic liver diseases and affect both adults and children. Currently available biochemical tests detect cholestasis but not early liver fibrosis. Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) provide a real-time molecular snapshot of the injured organ in a non-invasive way. We thus aimed at searching for a panel of EV-based biomarkers for cholestasis-induced early liver fibrosis using mice models. Results: Progressive and detectable histological evidence of collagen deposition and liver fibrosis was observed as from Day 8 after bile duct ligation (BDL) in mice. Whole transcriptome and small RNA-seq analyses of circulating EVs revealed differentially enriched RNA species after BDL versus sham controls. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering identified a signature that allowed for discrimination between BDL and controls. In particular, 151 microRNAs enriched in BDL-derived EVs were identified, of which 66 were conserved in humans. The liver was an important source of circulating EVs in BDL animals as evidenced by the enrichment of several hepatic mRNAs, such as Albumin, Haptoglobin, Transferrin receptor 1 and Alas2. Interestingly, among experimentally validated miRNAs, miR194-5p and miR29-3p showed similar enrichment patterns also in EVs derived from DDC-treated (drug-induced cholestasis) and MDR2-/- (genetic cholestasis) mice. Innovation A panel of mRNAs and miRNAs contained in circulating EVs, when combined, provides sensitive biomarkers for the early detection of hepatic damage and fibrosis. Conclusion Analysis of EVs for enrichment in miR29-3p and miR194-5p, in combination with hepatic injury RNA markers, could represent a sensitive biomarker panel for the early detection of cholestasis-induced liver fibrosis.
Project description:GPCRs are the most productive drug targets and targeted by one third of the drugs in clinical use, however, few GPCRs are reported to participate in liver fibrosis. In this study, we have identified that KCs-enriched GPR65 is upregulated in both human and mouse fibrotic livers and KCs from fibrotic livers. To identify the roles of GPR65 in liver fibrosis, we performed RNA-seq to analyze the effect of Gpr65 deficiency on BDL-induced liver fibrosis. The mice were divided into four groups: sham operation- treated WT mice (n=3), bile duct ligation (BDL)- treated WT mice (n=3), sham operation- treated GPR65-KO mice (n=3) and BDL- treated GPR65-KO mice (n=3).
Project description:To gain insight into the differential signaling pathways triggered in N-RAS-/- versus N-RAS+/+ mice during liver injury and fibrosis, we performed microarray analyses of livers 28 days after CCl4 treatment and BDL surgery, respectively. Our findings suggested that increased cell proliferation and matrix deposition as well as loss of cell homeostasis were characteristic of N-RAS-/- after experimental fibrosis. We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying CCl4 and BDL challenge,
Project description:The mRNA-based therapeutics such as COVID-19 vaccines are rapidly progressing into the clinic with a tremendous potential of benefiting millions of people worldwide. Therapeutic targeting of injuries that require transient restoration of proteins by mRNA delivery is an attractive aspect, however until recently, it has remained poorly explored. In this study, we examined for the first time therapeutic utility of mRNA delivery in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, which contributes to millions of deaths, annually. Here, demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of the human transcription factor hepatic nuclear factor alpha (HNF4A) encoding mRNA in murine chronically injured liver leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis. We investigated restoration of hepatocyte functions by HNF4A mRNA transfection in vitro, and analyzed the attenuation of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in multiple mouse models, by delivering hepatocyte-targeted biodegradable lipid nanoparticles (LNP) encapsulating HNF4A mRNA. To identify potential mechanism, we performed microarray-based gene expression profiling, single cell RNA sequencing, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. We used primary liver cells and human liver buds for further functional validation. Expression of HNF4A encoding mRNA led to restoration of metabolic activity of fibrotic primary murine and human hepatocytes in vitro. Repeated in vivo delivery of HNF4A mRNA encapsulated-LNP induced a robust inhibition of fibrogenesis in four independent mouse models of hepatotoxin- and cholestasis-induced liver fibrosis. Mechanistically, we discovered that paraoxonase 1 is a direct target of HNF4A and it contributes to HNF4A-mediated attenuation of liver fibrosis via modulation of liver macrophages and hepatic stellate cells. Collectively, our findings provide the first direct preclinical evidence of the applicability of HNF4A mRNA therapeutics for the treatment of fibrosis in the liver.
Project description:Background and Rationale: Factor VII activating protease (FSAP) is a circulating serine protease produced in the liver. A single nucleotide polymorphism (G534E, Marburg I, MI-SNP) in the gene encoding FSAP (HABP2) leads to lower enzymatic activity and is associated with enhanced liver fibrosis. FSAP is activated by damaged cells and its substrates include growth factors and haemostasis proteins. We have investigated the progression of liver fibrosis in FSAP deficient mice. Results: Wild type (WT) or FSAP-/- mice were subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) and assessment of liver fibrosis. FSAP-/- mice showed enhanced liver fibrosis and accumulation of extracellular matrix as determined by Sirius Red staining and hydroxyproline content. FSAP deficient mice exhibited stronger injury as determined by higher necrosis in the liver and circulating liver enzymes. This correlated with expression of markers like M-NM-1-smooth muscle actin, collagen and fibronectin that are markers of stellate cell activation. FSAP-deficient mice exhibited higher expression of PDGF-BB as well as PDGFRM-NM-2 that are strong activators of liver fibrosis. In order to gain more insight into this difference microarray analysis was performed and the pattern of gene expression in WT vs. FSAP-/- mice would indicate that FSAP modulates the inflammatory /immune system. Conclusions: The results with FSAP-/- mice correlates with the human situation where lower FSAP activity, due to the MI SNP, is associated with enhanced liver fibrosis. This strengthens the concept that FSAP is a M-bM-^@M-^\protective factorM-bM-^@M-^] in liver fibrosis. A probable mechanism for this effect is likely to be related to the role of FSAP in the regulation of fibrosis/ inflammation-related processes n the liver. The dataset comprises 12 samples divided into four sample groups each representing a certain treatment group.