Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Pengkai Wu, Xinping Luo, Meiling Sun, Beicheng Sun, Minjie Sun
Summary: A versatile nanocomplex was developed that improved liver fibrosis therapy by overcoming biological barriers and co-regulating Kupffer cells, extracellular matrix, and hepatic stellate cells.
Article
Cell Biology
Zhen Yu, Xiaoyu Xie, Xiaonan Su, Huanran Lv, Shouyang Song, Chenxi Liu, Yajing You, Miaomiao Tian, Lihui Zhu, Le Wang, Jianni Qi, Qiang Zhu
Summary: This study reveals a novel crosstalk pattern between hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and Kupffer cells (KCs), which is involved in the aggravation of acute liver injury (ALI). The change of lipid droplet in HSCs predicts the development of ALI. All trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a key product of lipid droplet metabolism in HSCs, regulates the activation of KCs through retinoic acid receptor (RAR), leading to the promotion of NLRP3 activation and inhibition of autophagy, ultimately exacerbating ALI.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qi Su, Sun Y. Kim, Funmi Adewale, Ye Zhou, Christina Aldler, Min Ni, Yi Wei, Michael E. Burczynski, Gurinder S. Atwal, Mark W. Sleeman, Andrew J. Murphy, Yurong Xin, Xiping Cheng
Summary: Single-cell transcriptome analysis identified cellular and molecular mechanisms of NAFLD, revealing dual roles of hepatic stellate cells and distinct expression profiles of Kupffer cells and monocyte-derived macrophages. The study also uncovered three chimeric NPCs, advancing the understanding of cellular heterogeneity in NAFLD livers.
Article
Cell Biology
Yana Geng, Junyu Wang, Sandra Alejandra Serna-Salas, Alejandra Hernandez Villanueva, Manon Buist-Homan, Marco Arrese, Peter Olinga, Hans Blokzijl, Han Moshage
Summary: Liver fibrosis is a response of the liver to chronic inflammation. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) can induce the inflammatory phenotype in liver macrophages (KCs) through the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs), thereby promoting fibrosis. This effect is mediated by the activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hye-Young Seo, So-Hee Lee, Eugene Han, Jae Seok Hwang, Sol Han, Mi Kyung Kim, Byoung Kuk Jang
Summary: In this study, we found that evogliptin can inhibit inflammatory and fibrotic signaling in liver cells and induce autophagy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Li Xiang, Xin Wang, Qiangqiang Jiao, Yaru Shao, Rui Luo, Jie Zhang, Xiaotong Zheng, Shaobing Zhou, Yuping Chen
Summary: In this study, vitamin A-decorated PEG-PCL polymeric micelles were developed to encapsulate camptothecin and target hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The micelles effectively inhibited glycolysis in HSCs and suppressed the progression of liver fibrosis.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Devaraj Ezhilarasan
Summary: Research suggests that mitochondria play a crucial role in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) during liver injury, with activated HSCs exhibiting increased metabolic activity, glycolysis, and gene expressions related to extracellular matrix (ECM) production. Targeting mitochondrial function may be a potential strategy to control or prevent HSCs activation and hepatic fibrosis progression.
HEPATOBILIARY & PANCREATIC DISEASES INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Joanna Maria Lotowska, Maria Elzbieta Sobaniec-Lotowska, Anna Bobrus-Chociej, Piotr Sobaniec
Summary: The aim of the study was to evaluate the interaction between hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and adjacent nonparenchymal cells (NPCs) in pediatric autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The study found that T-HSCs, including iHSCs and pHSCs, play a key role in liver fibrogenesis in AIH.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Li Ma, Junping Liu, Erhui Xiao, Huibin Ning, Kuan Li, Jia Shang, Yi Kang
Summary: miR-15b/16 exhibit anti-fibrotic activity through regulation of the Smad2/3 pathway by inhibiting LOXL1 expression.
Review
Immunology
Yuming Peng, Qiang Yin, Miaoxian Yuan, Lijian Chen, Xinyi Shen, Weixin Xie, Jinqiao Liu
Summary: This review summarizes the role of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The functional roles and molecular mechanisms of HSCs in IRI have been extensively studied, and their regulation in liver repair and regeneration after IRI is discussed. Future research needs to address unanswered questions regarding the contributions of HSCs to IRI in the liver.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Wenjun Zhang, Simon J. Conway, Ying Liu, Paige Snider, Hanying Chen, Hongyu Gao, Yunlong Liu, Kadir Isidan, Kevin J. Lopez, Gonzalo Campana, Ping Li, Burcin Ekser, Heather Francis, Weinian Shou, Chandrashekhar Kubal
Summary: This study identified multiple subpopulations of HSCs and characterized their unique roles and characteristics during liver injury, including differentiating into myofibroblasts and potential involvement in liver regeneration, immune reaction, and vascular remodeling. The scRNA-seq data provided insight into the dynamic transition from HSCs to myofibroblasts in response to liver injury, highlighting the heterogeneity and functional diversity of HSCs. The findings also suggest similarities between the heterogeneity of HSCs in injured mouse livers and cirrhotic human livers.
Review
Cell Biology
Ke-jia Wu, Qu-fei Qian, Jin-ren Zhou, Dong-lin Sun, Yun-fei Duan, Xi Zhu, Kurt Sartorius, Yun-jie Lu
Summary: The human liver plays crucial roles in synthesizing extracellular matrix (ECM) and regulating fibrogenesis for maintaining homeostasis. Chronic liver injury induces fibrogenesis due to the imbalance between ECM accumulation and fibrosis resolution. Liver diseases that cause fibrogenesis are associated with various risk factors, including hepatitis infection, schistosomiasis, alcohol, certain drugs, toxicants, diabetes, and obesity. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, which generate and accumulate ECM, is a key event in liver fibrosis. The paper reviews the dual role of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in liver fibrogenesis, including their promotion of immunosuppression and activation of fibrosis. Understanding the contradictory roles of Tregs in different immune microenvironments and molecular pathways is important for managing liver fibrosis.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Xiao Liu, Kevin Lam, Huayi Zhao, Sadatsugu Sakane, Hyun Young Kim, Alvaro Eguileor, Karin Diggle, Shuai Wu, Raquel Carvalho Gontijo Weber, Pejman Soroosh, Mojgan Hosseini, Kristin Mekeel, David A. Brenner, Tatiana Kisseleva
Summary: Here, the authors present a protocol for isolating human hepatocytes and neural progenitor cells from normal and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis livers. They describe steps for perfusion and optimization of chemical digestion for maximal yield and cell viability. They also discuss the potential applications of liver cell cryopreservation in experimental and translational research.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mengzhen Kuang, Hao Wu, Lan Hu, Xinying Guo, Daochuan He, Bo Liu, Mengqian Chen, Jie Gu, Jianxin Gu, Xiaoqing Zeng, Yuanyuan Ruan
Summary: The up-regulation of FUT8 was found to inhibit TGF-beta 1-induced HSC activation in a negative feedback loop, suggesting a potential new therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis by targeting FUT8.
GLYCOCONJUGATE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Manuel Flores Molina, Mohamed N. Abdelnabi, Sabrina Mazouz, Deborah Villafranca-Baughman, Vincent Quoc-Huy Trinh, Shafi Muhammad, Nathalie Bedard, David Osorio Laverde, Ghada S. Hassan, Adriana Di Polo, Naglaa H. Shoukry
Summary: This study characterizes the intrahepatic macrophage populations and their roles during acute liver injury using multiple techniques. The results reveal distinct spatial and temporal distribution of Kupffer cells (KCs) and monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) and provide insights into their complementary roles during necroinflammation and repair phases. These findings contribute to our understanding of macrophage function and wound healing in acute liver injury.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ralf Weiskirchen
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Bodo C. C. Melnik, Swen Malte John, Pedro Carrera-Bastos, Loren Cordain, Claus Leitzmann, Ralf Weiskirchen, Gerd Schmitz
Summary: This review evaluates the impact of cow milk on breast carcinogenesis by linking recent epidemiological evidence and new insights into the molecular signaling of milk and its constituents in breast cancer pathogenesis. Recent prospective cohort studies support the association between cow's milk consumption and the risk of estrogen receptor-alpha-positive breast cancer. Milk contains various components that can increase systemic insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin, and estrogen signaling, promoting breast cancer. Potential oncogenic components of commercial milk include exosomal microRNAs, bovine meat and milk factors, aflatoxin M1, bisphenol A, pesticides, and micro- and nanoplastics. Individuals with certain gene mutations and genetic polymorphisms may be at increased risk for milk-induced breast cancer.
CURRENT NUTRITION REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Lilach Barer, Sarah K. Schroeder, Ralf Weiskirchen, Eran Bacharach, Marcelo Ehrlich
Summary: Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) has pleiotropic functions in different types of cancers. This study found that LCN2 can regulate prostate cancer cells by affecting cytoskeleton organization and expression of inflammation mediators. It also showed that LCN2 can modulate prostate cancer cell susceptibility to oncolytic viruses by attenuating PERK activity and increasing interferon and interferon-stimulated gene expression.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Guoxun Chen, Sabine Weiskirchen, Ralf Weiskirchen
Summary: Vitamin A is a micronutrient that plays crucial roles in vision, cell growth, reproduction, and immunity. Deficiency and excess consumption of vitamin A both have severe health consequences. Despite being the first lipophilic vitamin discovered over a century ago and the definition of its biological roles, there are still unresolved issues related to vitamin A.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Sandro Capellmann, Roland Sonntag, Herdit Schueler, Steffen K. Meurer, Lin Gan, Marlies Kauffmann, Katharina Horn, Hiltrud Koenigs-Werner, Ralf Weiskirchen, Christian Liedtke, Michael Huber
Summary: Mast cells (MCs) are heterogeneous immune cells with different protease repertoires and receptor expressions. A new cell line, PMC-306, derived from primary peritoneal MCs, can be used to study PMC function and tumorigenic processes associated with MC leukemia.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Ralf Weiskirchen
JOURNAL OF CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Erawan Borkham-Kamphorst, Steffen K. Meurer, Ralf Weiskirchen
Summary: The CCN protein family plays important biological functions in cell adhesion, migration, cell cycle progression, and control of extracellular matrix production and degradation. In the liver, CCN proteins are particularly involved in hepatic injury, disease, and remodeling. This study focused on CCN5/WISP2 and found that it is highly expressed in hepatic stellate cells, myofibroblasts, and portal myofibroblasts, while it is absent in hepatocytes. CCN5 upregulation during hepatic fibrosis induces endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein response, and apoptosis in portal myofibroblasts, potentially acting as a control mechanism against excessive fibrotic responses.
JOURNAL OF CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Kiara Gaeberlein, Sarah K. Schroeder, Indrajit Nanda, Claus Steinlein, Thomas Haaf, Eva M. Buhl, Patrick Sauvant, Vincent Sapin, Armand Abergel, Ralf Weiskirchen
Summary: The rat hepatic stellate cell line PAV-1, established two decades ago, is a cellular model for studying hepatic retinoic acid metabolism. Despite being able to store retinyl esters and synthesize retinoic acid, this cell line has been overlooked. Genetically characterized established cell lines, like PAV-1, are valuable for biomedical research as working with in vivo models becomes more complicated.
Review
Cell Biology
Sabine Weiskirchen, Sarah K. K. Schroeder, Eva Miriam Buhl, Ralf Weiskirchen
Summary: The cultivation of cells in a favorable artificial environment has become an essential tool in cellular and molecular biology research. However, cell lines are often affected by misidentification, contamination, and specific biological and chemical hazards. This review offers an introduction to common problems encountered in cell culture laboratories and provides guidelines for preventing and addressing these issues.
Article
Information Science & Library Science
Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi, Niloufar Yazdanpanah, Sajad Kolahchi, Heliya Ziaei, Gary L. Darmstadt, Tommaso Dorigo, Filip Dochy, Lisa Levin, Visith Thongboonkerd, Shuji Ogino, Wei-Hsin Chen, Matjaz Perc, Mark S. Tremblay, Bolajoko O. Olusanya, Idupulapati M. Rao, Nikos Hatziargyriou, Maziar Moradi-Lakeh, Federico Bella, Laszlo Rosivall, Amir H. Gandomi, Armin Sorooshian, Manoj Gupta, Ciprian Gal, Andres M. Lozano, Connie Weaver, Michael Tanzer, Alessandro Poggi, Sadaf G. Sepanlou, Ralf Weiskirchen, Anet Rezek Jambrak, Pedro J. Torres, Esra Capanoglu, Francisco J. Barba, Chua Kian Jon Ernest, Mariano Sigman, Stefano Pluchino, Gevork B. Gharehpetian, Seyed-Mohammad Fereshtehnejad, Muh-Hwa Yang, Sabu Thomas, Wenju Cai, Elisabetta Comini, Neil J. Scolding, Paul S. Myles, Juan J. Nieto, George Perry, Constantine Sedikides, Nima Rezaeia
Summary: Scientometrics and bibliometrics are subfields of library and information science that study the quantity and quality of research outputs. The h-index is the most well-known scientometric index, but it relies on the count of highly cited publications. To address this limitation, we developed a new index called the Universal Research Index (UR-Index) that considers the impact of every single publication. We incorporated additional variables such as publication type, leading role, co-author count, and source metrics into the UR-Index. However, we recognize that unconscious biases in these variables may disadvantage research from specific groups, and encourage efforts to improve equitable scholarly impact in science and academia.
JOURNAL OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIANSHIP
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jan C. Kessel, Ralf Weiskirchen, Sarah K. Schroeder
Summary: Estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) is expressed in reproductive and non-reproductive tissues, and its impact on lipocalin 2 (LCN2) expression varies among tissues. This study found an inverse correlation between ERa and LCN2 expression in reproductive tissues, particularly in Esr1-deficient ovaries. However, no significant differences in LCN2 expression were observed in non-reproductive tissues. These findings provide insight into LCN2 regulation in relation to hormones and health.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Sarah K. Schroeder, Natalie Gasterich, Sabine Weiskirchen, Ralf Weiskirchen
Summary: Human 25-kDa Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) was initially thought to be a circulating protein that transports small lipophilic molecules. However, further studies have shown its bacteriostatic properties, involvement in innate immunity, and regulation of various biological processes. The understanding of LCN2 receptors and their mechanisms is still lacking.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ralf Weiskirchen, Sarah K. Schroeder, Sabine Weiskirchen, Eva Miriam Buhl, Bodo Melnik
Summary: Extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes, are small bilayered biovesicles released by cells, enriched with biologically active components. Milk exosomes play a key role in infant growth and development, while exosomes derived from different cell types have regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. Isolation protocols for milk exosomes allow the purification of highly enriched fractions, expressing typical exosomal protein markers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marinela Krizanac, Paola Berenice Mass Sanchez, Sarah K. Schroeder, Ralf Weiskirchen, Anastasia Asimakopoulos
Summary: Perilipin 5 (PLIN5) is a lipid droplet coat protein highly expressed in oxidative tissues. It is regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and cellular lipid status. Previous research focused on its role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and lipid metabolism regulation. Limited studies connected PLIN5 to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), where its expression is upregulated. This study explores the regulation of PLIN5 by cytokines involved in HCC and NAFLD progression, revealing IL-6-induced upregulation mediated by the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ralf Weiskirchen