Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jia Liu, Hengjiang Gong, Jinxing Quan, Limin Tian, Qi Zhang, Juxiang Liu, Dongquan Zhang, Jing Liu
Summary: The incidence of NAFLD in diabetic patients is increasing globally, but the specific mechanisms are not clear. This study investigated the relationship between IGTAV/FAK pathway and sinusoidal capillarization in NAFLD. The expression of IGTAV, LN, FAK, and phosphor-FAK protein in HLSECs was studied under high glucose conditions. The results showed that high glucose increased the expression of IGTAV, LN, and phosphor-FAK, and silencing the IGTAV gene inhibited phosphor-FAK and LN expression. Inhibition of phosphor-FAK decreased LN expression in HLSECs. Inhibition of IGTAV improved hepatic sinus capillarization. High glucose led to hepatic sinus capillarization via the IGTAV/FAK pathway.
APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Willeke de Haan, Wouter Dheedene, Katerina Apelt, Sofiane Decombas-Deschamps, Stefan Vinckier, Stefaan Verhulst, Andrea Conidi, Thomas Deffieux, Michael W. Staring, Petra Vandervoort, Ellen Caluwe, Marleen Lox, Inge Mannaerts, Tsuyoshi Takagi, Joris Jaekers, Geert Berx, Jody Haigh, Baki Topal, An Zwijsen, Yujiro Higashi, Leo A. van Grunsven, Wilfred F. J. van IJcken, Eskeatnaf Mulugeta, Mickael Tanter, Franck P. G. Lebrin, Danny Huylebroeck, Aernout Luttun
Summary: This study demonstrated the specific role of Zeb2 in liver endothelial cells, showing that Zeb2 deficiency leads to significant changes in gene expression related to angiogenesis and potential promotion of endothelial dedifferentiation. Furthermore, Zeb2 regulates LSEC-HSC communication and HSC activation to maintain vascular structure and inhibit liver fibrosis.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Yuesi Zhong, Mingxing Xu, Jingxiong Hu, Xi Huang, Nan Lin, Meihai Deng
Summary: This study demonstrates that Th1/2 cells play distinct roles in steering the capillarization process in liver fibrosis, with opposing effects when interactions are inhibited. Additionally, the study reveals that the Rho-Rho kinase-myosin signaling pathway may mediate this process.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jonathan F. Brozat, Elisa F. Brandt, Myriam Stark, Petra Fischer, Theresa H. Wirtz, Alexander Flasshove, Aaron N. Rodenhausen, Tanja Vajen, Alexandra C. A. Heinzmann, Sophia M-T Schmitz, Samira Abu Jhaisha, Anjali A. Roeth, Rory R. Koenen, Hacer Sahin, Christian Trautwein, Marie-Luise Berres
Summary: This study reveals the important role of cell-specific adhesion molecule JAM-A during hepatic fibrogenesis. JAM-A on bone marrow-derived cells regulates recruitment of non-sinusoidal vascular immune cells, while endothelial JAM-A controls liver sinusoid capillarization and hepatic stellate cell quiescence.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ji Hye Jun, Soo Young Park, Sohae Park, Hee Jung Park, Jae Yeon Kim, Gyu Tae Park, Si Hyun Bae, Jae Ho Kim, Gi Jin Kim
Summary: The hexapeptide WKYMVm demonstrates antifibrotic and angiogenic effects in a rat model of bile duct ligation (BDL), showing a reduction in collagen type I and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression and an increase in angiogenetic factors. Furthermore, WKYMVm alleviates hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation and promotes hepatic regeneration via vascular remodeling, making it a potential therapeutic agent for liver fibrosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Eri Kawashita, Takeyoshi Ozaki, Keiichi Ishihara, Chihiro Kashiwada, Satoshi Akiba
Summary: The cell-type specific deficiency of IVA-PLA(2) in endothelial cells/liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (EC/LSEC) appears to play a critical role in the onset and progression of NASH, making it a potential therapeutic target.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jing Fang, Qiang Ji, Siqi Gao, Zhun Xiao, Wei Liu, Yonghong Hu, Ying Lv, Gaofeng Chen, Yongping Mu, Hong Cai, Jiamei Chen, Ping Liu
Summary: This study found that the HIF-1 alpha/CXCR4/PDGF-BB/CXCR7 axis promotes the dedifferentiation of LSECs, thereby triggering the activation of HSCs and liver fibrosis.
Article
Cell Biology
Ji Hye Jun, Sohae Park, Jae Yeon Kim, Ja-Yun Lim, Gyu Tae Park, Jae Ho Kim, Gi Jin Kim
Summary: The combination therapy of PD-MSCs with WKYMVm showed promising results in promoting liver regeneration and function by reducing fibrosis and enhancing angiogenesis. This finding provides a novel therapeutic strategy for liver diseases.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Andrew Fagan, Edith A. Gavis, Mary Leslie Gallagher, Travis Mousel, Brian Davis, Puneet Puri, Richard K. Sterling, Velimir A. Luketic, Hannah Lee, Scott C. Matherly, Arun J. Sanyal, R. Todd Stravitz, Vaishali Patel, Mohammad S. Siddiqui, Amon Asgharpour, Michael Fuchs, Leroy Thacker, Jasmohan S. Bajaj
Summary: This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to improve cognitive function and psychosocial well-being in patients with chronic liver cirrhosis and minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) by administering albumin infusions. The results showed that the albumin group demonstrated improved cognitive function and psychosocial well-being.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yan Wang, Jiahui Ni, Aiyu Wang, Run Zhang, Linjie Wang
Summary: This study found that VEGFA regulates glycolipid metabolism in Schizothorax prenanti through AMPK alpha, contributing to a better understanding of the functions of VEGFA in fish glycolipid metabolism.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Megan Watts, Gopi K. Kolluru, Parinita Dherange, Sibile Pardue, Man Si, Xinggui Shen, Krystle Trosclair, John Glawe, Zaki Al-Yafeai, Mazen Iqbal, Brenna H. Pearson, Kathryn A. Hamilton, A. Wayne Orr, Edward Glasscock, Christopher G. Kevil, Paari Dominic
Summary: Oxidative stress is a driving factor in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF), with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) playing an important role in regulating electrical remodeling and susceptibility to AF. Patients with AF had significantly lower plasma sulfide levels, and those with persistent AF had even lower levels compared to paroxysmal AF patients. Additionally, CSE knockout mice showed decreased atrial sulfide levels, increased atrial superoxide levels, and enhanced propensity for induced persistent AF compared to wild type mice.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takehiko Kujiraoka, Kazuki Kagami, Toyokazu Kimura, Yuki Ishinoda, Yasunaga Shiraishi, Yasuo Ido, Shogo Endo, Yasushi Satoh, Takeshi Adachi
Summary: This study aims to characterize metabolic remodeling and changes in insulin-sensitive organs in hepatocyte-specific ERK2 knockout mice on a high-fat/high-sucrose diet. The results showed that these mice exhibited increased fatty acid synthesis genes expression in the liver, decreased phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC, and up-regulation of SREBP-1. Additionally, there were alterations in fatty acids and amino acids levels, impaired insulin-induced phosphorylation of AKT in skeletal muscle, and elevated levels of arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid ratio, L-ornithine/arginine ratio, asymmetric dimethylarginine, and homocysteine in these mice. Moreover, enhanced oxidative stress in the aorta and endothelial dysfunction was observed in these mice, which could be improved by treatment with tempol.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Xiaocen Zhang, Katelin Marie Durham, Alexander Austin Garza, Arvind R. Murali
Summary: PSVD is a newly named condition that represents non-cirrhotic portal hypertension with characteristic histology and the absence of portal vein thrombosis. It is a more inclusive definition than previously recognized idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. However, there is limited data available on PSVD patients.
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chuankui Fu, Yiheng Zhang, Wen Jie Xi, Kejia Xu, Fansheng Meng, Tianle Ma, Weidong Li, Li Wu, Zhipeng Chen
Summary: Dahuang Zhechong pill (DHZCP), a traditional Chinese medicine, has shown satisfactory therapeutic effects in the adjuvant therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying mechanisms of DHZCP are still not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of DHZCP against hepatic sinusoidal capillarization in rats with liver cirrhosis (LC) and HCC by inhibiting the MK/integrin signaling pathway in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs).
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Molly R. Kulikauskas, Morgan Oatley, Tianji Yu, Ziqing Liu, Lauren Matsumura, Elise Kidder, Dana Ruter, Victoria L. Bautch
Summary: SMAD6 functions as a negative regulator of ALK1-mediated responses in endothelial cells, and its loss increases signaling through ALK1, disrupting endothelial cell junctions. Loss of ALK1 function also disrupts vascular development and function.