Project description:Expression data from the hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 after treatment with the prolylhydroxylase inhibitor dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) and from the liver sinusoidal endothelial cell line TRP3 after incubation with conditioned medium of DMOG-treated LX-2 Prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitors such as dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) stabilize HIF-1α, thereby chemically inducing hypoxia, which also accelerates liver volume increase when given with portal rerouting. We used microarrays to clarify the cellular crosstalk of the different cell types in accelerated liver regeneration by examining the role of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC).
Project description:Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which begins with the pathological lipid accumulation within hepatocytes, can progress to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. Fibrosis is the strongest predictor of liver-related mortality, yet effective antifibrotic therapies remain limited, underscoring the need for new molecular targets. Our previous work identified S100A10 as a MASLD promoter, suggesting that its association with Annexin A2 (ANXA2) within the S100A10-ANXA2 heterotetramer (A2t) might promote hepatic fibrosis. Here, we inhibited A2t using its specific inhibitor, A2ti-1, in human hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) and in human multilineage liver organoids (HLOs) modeling MASLD. A2ti-1 reduced α-SMA protein levels and decreased expression of profibrotic genes in LX-2 cells by directly suppression of stellate cell activation. In HLOs, A2ti-1 significantly attenuated fibrosis by reducing α-SMA expression, collagen deposition, and profibrotic genes, without altering steatosis. Mechanistically, A2ti-1 inhibited LX-2 activation through reducing STAT3 phosphorylation independently of SMAD signaling. These findings identify A2t as a previously unrecognized regulator of hepatic fibrosis and establish its pharmacological inhibition as a promising antifibrotic therapeutic strategy in MASH.
Project description:The purpose of this study was to identify the changes in gene expression that occur in LX-2 human hepatic stellate cells in response to depletion of mannose phosphate isomerase enzymatic activity.
Project description:To investigate the role of AEBP1 involved in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), we inhibited AEBP1 expression by specific siRNA in human HSC line LX-2 cells. Total RNA was loaded for bulk RNA sequencing.
Project description:Liver fibrosis, characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition, is driven by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Due to the limited availability of anti-fibrotic drugs, research con-tinues to explore potential therapeutic agents. Moringa oleifera Lam. (MO), known for its various bioactive properties, is being investigated for its anti-fibrotic potential. This study focused on 1-phenyl-2-pentanol (1-PHE), a compound derived from MO leaves, and its impact on LX-2 hu-man hepatic stellate cell activation. TGF-β1-stimulated LX-2 cells were treated with MO extract or 1-PHE, and liver fibrosis markers were assessed at both gene and protein levels. Proteomic analysis and molecular docking were employed to identify potential protein targets and signaling pathways affected by 1-PHE. 1-PHE treatment downregulated fibrosis markers, including colla-gen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), collagen type IV alpha 1 chain (COL4A1), mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 and 3 (SMAD2/3), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), and re-duced the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9). Proteomic analysis revealed the pos-sible mechanism of 1-PHE in modulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These findings suggest that 1-PHE may suppress HSCs activation by inhibiting the TGF-β1 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, indicating its potential as an anti-liver fibrosis agent. Further research is warranted to validate these findings.
Project description:We found that the number of tumor-infiltrating myofibroblasts was positively correlated to tumor acidification status in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the predominant precursors of liver myofibroblasts, were activated and transdifferentiated into myofibroblasts under acidic culture condition. To identify the molecular phenotype of LX-2 cells in acidic culture conditions, we further conducted a gene expression profile analysis. LX-2 cells cultured in pH 7.2 or pH 6.2 medium separately for six days was used in gene expression microarray analysis.
Project description:Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major driving factor in liver fibrosis. Upon liver inflammation caused by alcohol abuse and/or a fatty liver, HSCs transform from a quiescent- into a proliferating, fibrotic phenotype. We study this transformation termed “activation”, using state of the art TIMS-TOF mass spectrometry proteomics, as well as phenotype analysis of the immortalized LX-2 HSC cell line. In our work we employ a simple, yet reliable model of HSC activation via an in-crease in growth media serum concentration (serum activation). Protein network analysis of ac-tivated LX 2 cells reveals an increase in the production of ribosomal proteins and proteins related to migration. Interestingly, we could also observe a decrease in the expression of lipogenic pro-teins and a loss of cytosolic lipid droplets during activation. Especially the downregulation of proteins associated with cholesterol biosynthesis might be a promising target for further study. This work provides an update on HSC activation characteristics using contemporary proteomic and bioinformatic analysis and presents an accessible model for HSC activation.
Project description:Hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) are the main effector cells of liver fibrosis. In order to study the effect of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) on microRNAs expression of HSCs, we co-cultured HSCs LX-2 activated by TGFβ1 with human umbilical cord MSCs(hUC-MSCs) for 48 hours, and compared the differentially expressed miRNA with LX-2 cultured alone by high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that two mature microRNAs expressed increased, and nine expressed decreased.