Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
James K. Carter, Scott L. Friedman
Summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the main cause of liver disease worldwide, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a more severe form characterized by significant hepatocellular injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Recent research has shown that heightened immune cell activity and chronic inflammation play crucial roles in the development of NASH, with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) being the key drivers of fibrosis.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yufei Yan, Jiefei Zeng, Linhao Xing, Changyong Li
Summary: Hepatic fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix in the liver due to persistent injury. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling the fibrotic response is crucial for developing clinical strategies to prevent fibrosis progression. Activation of hepatic stellate cells plays a key role in promoting ECM synthesis, and various external signals contribute to this process.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sam Seok Cho, Ji Hye Yang, Ji Hyun Lee, Jin Sol Baek, Sae Kwang Ku, Il Je Cho, Kyu Min Kim, Sung Hwan Ki
Summary: The study suggests that ferroptosis contributes to the progression of hepatic fibrosis by activating hepatic stellate cells and increasing the expression of fibrosis markers.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Floris Haijer, Shiva Koets-Shajari, Janette Heegsma, Sandra Serna-Salas, Tjasso Blokzijl, Manon Buist-Homan, Han Moshage, Klaas Nico Faber
Summary: Liver fibrosis is caused by excessive proliferation and collagen production by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) due to chronic liver injury. Hydroxyurea, an anti-proliferative drug, showed inhibitory effects on HSC proliferation and fibrosis development in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. This study provides evidence for the therapeutic potential of hydroxyurea in treating liver fibrosis.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hua Wang, Shaoping Zheng, Hongbo Jiang, Xuejia Wang, Fengqin Zhou, Zhihong Weng
Summary: This study used single-cell sequencing data to reconstruct the trajectory of HSC transdifferentiation and identified switching genes involved in the activation process. A novel cell state during HSC activation was discovered, which may be relevant to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Additionally, a four-gene combination was established for predicting advanced liver fibrosis in patients.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ji Hyun Lee, Kyu Min Kim, Eun Hee Jung, Hye Rim Lee, Ji Hye Yang, Sam Seok Cho, Sung Hwan Ki
Summary: This study showed that parkin is upregulated in fibrotic conditions and is involved in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) through the regulation of TGF-beta. This suggests that mitophagy may serve as a potential target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Yiming Zhu, Chihao Zhang, Mingzhe Huang, Jiayun Lin, Xiao Fan, Tao Ni
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that TRIM26 promotes HSCs ferroptosis through mediating the ubiquitination of SLC7A11, thereby suppressing liver fibrosis. The targeted suppression of SLC7A11 by TRIM26 could be a novel therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Choirul Anwar, Mei -Ling Tsai, Bio-Nain Chen, Li-Yun Hsu, Ching-Shu Lai
Summary: In this study, the effects of Agardhiella subulata extract (ASE) on liver fibrosis were investigated. The findings demonstrated that ASE effectively attenuated liver fibrogenesis by reducing levels of fibrogenic molecules and regulating signaling pathways.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Choirul Anwar, Mei-Ling Tsai, Bio-Nain Chen, Li-Yun Hsu, Ching-Shu Lai
Summary: The study demonstrated that Agardhiella subulata extract attenuated liver fibrogenesis through various mechanisms, including reducing hepatocyte apoptosis, Kupffer cell activation, and fibrogenic molecules levels.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Dakota R. Kamm, Kyle S. McCommis
Summary: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play critical roles in the normal liver and in response to injury. They are activated during liver injury and produce extracellular matrix in liver fibrosis. In the absence of injury, HSCs are in a quiescent state and store retinoids or vitamin A-containing metabolites. They also enhance the inflammatory response and express growth factors crucial for liver development and regeneration. Recent studies have identified diverse phenotypic alterations and unique subpopulations of HSCs.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Hongjuan You, Xing Wang, Lihong Ma, Fulong Zhang, Huanyang Zhang, Yuxin Wang, Xiucheng Pan, Kuiyang Zheng, Fanyun Kong, Renxian Tang
Summary: During chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, hepatic fibrosis occurs due to virus-induced liver damage, with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation being a central event. Although the virus stimulating HSC activation is supported by evidence, there is controversy regarding whether HBV infects and replicates in HSCs. Persistent inflammation plays a predominant role in triggering and maintaining liver fibrosis in chronic HBV infection, with HBV-related hepatocytes regulating HSC activation through various inflammatory modulators. Inflammatory cells such as monocytes, macrophages, Th17 cells, NK cells, and NKT cells also participate in HBV-associated liver fibrosis by interacting with HSCs.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maximilian Schinagl, Tamara Tomin, Juergen Gindlhuber, Sophie Honeder, Raphael Pfleger, Matthias Schittmayer, Michael Trauner, Ruth Birner-Gruenberger
Summary: This study investigated the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) through an increase in growth medium serum concentration, revealing cellular processes involved in HSC transformation. Activated HSC showed increased production of ribosomal proteins and proteins related to migration and cell cycle control, along with a decrease in cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis proteins. The findings provide insights into HSC activation characteristics and present a accessible model for studying HSC activation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ling-Feng Jiang, Ming Yang, Hong-Wu Meng, Peng-Cheng Jia, Chang-Lin Du, Jin-Yu Liu, Xiong-Wen Lv, Cheng-Huang, Jun Li
Summary: This study investigated the role of IL-11 in hepatic fibrosis and its potential as a therapeutic target. Increased IL-11 levels were found in patients and a mouse model of hepatic fibrosis, and silencing IL-11 reduced its expression. In vitro experiments showed that IL-11 enhanced cell activation and proliferation in LX-2 cells, and promoted apoptosis in LO-2 cells through JNK/ERK signaling pathways.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ke Chen, Weiran Guo, Rongxin Li, Yueqing Han, Qi Gao, Shuzhen Wang
Summary: This study investigates the antifibrotic properties of T-96 and its underlying molecular mechanisms. The results show that T-96 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and activation of hepatic stellate cells and alleviate liver injury, inflammation, and fibrosis progression in a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model. Mechanistic studies reveal that the antifibrotic effect of T-96 is mediated by suppressing the expression of AGAP2 and inhibiting the phosphorylation of FAK and AKT.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Rui Li, Qunxiang Ong, Chi Chun Wong, Eagle S. H. Chu, Joseph J. Y. Sung, Xiaoyong Yang, Jun Yu
Summary: This study evaluated the role of OGT in HSCs and its consequent role in liver fibrosis. The results suggest that OGT functions as a negative regulator of HSC activation by promoting SRF O-GlcNAcylation to protect against liver fibrosis.
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marijn A. Scheijde-Vermeulen, Lennart A. Kester, Liset Westera, Bastiaan B. J. Tops, Friederike A. G. Meyer-Wentrup
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of integrating state-of-the-art sequencing techniques and flow cytometry into the diagnostic workup of pediatric lymphoma. The results showed that this integration is not only feasible but also provides additional diagnostic information.
LABORATORY INVESTIGATION
(2024)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Enrico Berrino, Sara Erika Bellomo, Anita Chesta, Paolo Detillo, Alberto Bragoni, Amedeo Gagliardi, Alessio Naccarati, Matteo Cereda, Gianluca Witel, Anna Sapino, Benedetta Bussolati, Gianni Bussolati, Caterina Marchi
Summary: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples are crucial for tissue-based analysis in precision medicine, but the quality of these samples can affect the reliability of sequencing data. The use of acid-deprived fixatives guarantees the highest DNA preservation and sequencing performance, enabling more complex molecular profiling of tissue samples.
LABORATORY INVESTIGATION
(2024)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Roope A. Kallionpaa, Sirkku Peltonen, Kim My Le, Eija Martikkala, Mira Jaaskelainen, Elnaz Fazeli, Pilvi Riihila, Pekka Haapaniemi, Anne Rokka, Marko Salmi, Ilmo Leivo, Juha Peltonen
Summary: This study investigated the immune microenvironment of cutaneous neurofibromas (cNFs) in patients with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1). The results showed that cNFs have substantial populations of T cells and macrophages, which may be tumor-specific. T cell populations in cNFs were found to be different from those in the skin, and cNFs exhibited lower expression of proteins related to T cell-mediated immunity compared to the skin.
LABORATORY INVESTIGATION
(2024)