IGFBP-7 transforms hepatic stellate cells into an HCC-promoting phenotype in MASLD.
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ABSTRACT:
PROVIDER: PRJNA1168053 | ENA |
REPOSITORIES: ENA
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Project description:Hepatic fibrosis is the strongest contributor to hepatocarcinogenesis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD); however, the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. In 94 human MASLD biopsy samples, artificial intelligence-based morphological phenotyping of hepatic fiber and multi-omics analyses revealed that insulin growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7) secreted from senescent periportal endothelial cells might transform stellate cells into a hepatocarcinogenesis-promoting phenotype. To test the effect of IGFBP-7 on HSC, a hepatic stellate cell line, LX-2, was cultured with recombinant IGFBP-7 (100ng/mL), resulting in their transformation to a more activated form than the control.
2025-08-20 | GSE278593 | GEO
Project description:Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) liver biopsies were analyzed using spatial single-cell transcriptomics (CosMx Spatial Molecular Imager, NanoString) to elucidate molecular alterations associated with hepatic fibrosis morphology, as quantified by the artificial intelligence-based FibroNest algorithm (PharmaNest). This analysis identified distinct morphological fiber phenotypes (FibroPCs), among which FibroPC4, characterized by reticular fiber structures, was associated with a hepatic stellate cell (HSC) phenotype that promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This HCC-promoting HSC phenotype was driven by insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7) secreted from senescent periportal endothelial cells.
2025-08-20 | GSE292268 | GEO
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.
2026-04-16 | GSE313271 | GEO
Project description:Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) is a key component in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) to metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Targeting HSC activation to prevent MASH and HCC pathogenesis showed promise in mouse models, suggesting that development of therapeutic strategies to abrogate HSC activation could be a promising approach to combat liver disease. Metabolic alterations were suggested to play a pivotal role in HSC activation, yet the mechanisms linking these processes have not been fully elucidated. Here we observe a key role of the RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) in linking HSC activation, lipid utilization, and mitochondrial metabolism, suggesting that REST is a mechanistic link between HSC metabolism and activation.
2026-01-30 | GSE289433 | GEO
Project description:The mechanism underlying regulatory role of FABP4 in MASLD-HCC development was examined using bulk RNA sequencing.
2025-10-02 | GSE286130 | GEO
Project description:Animal models are essential to understand the mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of metabolic associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a rapidly growing form of chronic liver disease driven largely by the global rise in metabolic syndrome. However, existing animal models for MASLD often fail to accurately reproduce advanced human liver disease, and have varying degrees of clinical relevance. To address this, we have undertaken efforts to create a dietary translational model of MASLD in rats that closely replicates the full MASLD phenotype observed in humans, including advanced fibrosis, portal hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Three MASLD rat models were developed by sequentially combining a high-fat glucose-fructose diet (HFGFD) with additional factors: lipopolysaccharide, increased cholesterol (Chol), and cholic acid (CA) at different concentrations. Of these, two diets—D4-MASLD (HFGFD + 2% Chol) and D5-MASLD (HFGFD + 2% Chol + 0.1% CA)—effectively replicated MASLD characteristics. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that while both diets significantly altered gene expression compared to controls, D5-MASLD had a greater impact on the activation of inflammation and immune response pathways. The inclusion of CA in D5-MASLD exacerbated pathways related to microbiota changes, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and bacterial translocation. Additionally, comparison of the transcriptomic profiles of these diet-induced rat models with data from MASLD/MASH patients further validated the relevance of these models, establishing a robust platform for studying MASLD pathogenesis and evaluating potential therapeutic interventions.
2026-04-20 | GSE282001 | GEO
Project description:The mechanism underlying regulatory role of FABP4 in MASLD-HCC development was examined using bulk RNA sequencing.
2025-10-02 | GSE292914 | GEO
Project description:Background and Aims: Transforming growth factor (TGF-β) induced activation of quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and their transformation to myofibroblasts is a key event in liver fibrosis and portal hypertension. GIPC (also referred to as synectin) is a downstream signal activation molecule of TGF-β and other receptors. In this study, we sought to identify novel genes targeted by TGF-β and GIPC and elucidate if and how they may contribute to liver fibrosis. Methods and Results: We performed sequential mRNA sequencing analysis on TGF-β stimulated HSC and then on TGF-β-stimulated HSC in presence and absence of GIPC knockdown. IGFBP-3, an insulin growth factor transport protein, emerged as a top activation target of both TGF-β and GIPC, which was confirmed by qPCR, ELISA and Western blot (WB) analysis. Targeted chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) revealed that GIPC increases the histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27) acetylation activating mark and concurrently decreases the H3K27 inhibitory trimethylation (H3K27m3) mark providing an epigenetic correlate to the gene regulation changes. In vivo, global knockout of IGFBP-3 mice resulted in attenuation of HSC activation markers and attenuation of portal pressure in response to chronic liver injury models. Analysis of serum levels from cirrhotic patients also showed IGFBP-3 increase of more than 2-fold compared to healthy controls. Finally, in vitro mechanism studies revealed that IGFBP-3 promotes HSC migration through integrin dependent phosphorylation of AKT. Conclusion: TGF-β upregulates IGFBP-3 through GIPC leading to increased HSC migration in vitro and promotes portal hypertension in vivo. These studies support the role of IGFBP-3 as a potential pathophysiologic target or biomarker in chronic liver disease.
2020-05-28 | GSE151251 | GEO
Project description:Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) embraces different conditions, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The landscape of cellular abnormalities occurring in the different stages of MASLD as well as the processes which drive MASLD evolution are not completely clarified. We used single cell RNAsequencing (scRNAseq) to unravel cellular heterogeneity affecting livers during the switching from simple steatosis towads MASH and and MASH-fibrosis.
2025-02-28 | GSE284186 | GEO
Project description:S100A10-ANXA2 TETRAMER INHIBITION HAMPERS HEPATIC STELLATE CELL ACTIVATION IN MASLD MODELING HUMAN LIVER ORGANOIDS
| PRJNA1378869 | ENA