ABSTRACT: Gene expression of paired samples of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and hepatocyte cell culture (HCC) treated with conditioned media of HSC cells
Project description:Hepatocyte caspase-8 is elevated in MASH and promotes fibrosis independently of apoptosis changes. To investigate how hepatocyte caspase-8 might drive liver fibrosis progression in MASH, we focused on activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are the primary source of collagen-producing myofibroblasts and central players in MASH fibrosis. To assess a potential link between hepatocyte caspase-8 and HSC activation, we used an ex vivo model where primary murine HSCs were cultured with conditioned media from siCasp8-treated or control primary hepatocytes. Supporting our hypothesis, HSC activation markers were reduced in HSCs exposed to conditioned media from Casp8-silenced AML12 hepatocytes compared to controls. To pinpoint caspase-8-dependent secretory proteins that could activate HSCs, we conducted LC-MS/MS on conditioned media from these cells, identifying secretory proteins reduced in Casp8-silenced AML12 hepatocytes.
Project description:Hepatocyte caspase-8 is elevated in MASH and promotes fibrosis independently of apoptosis changes. To investigate how hepatocyte caspase-8 might drive liver fibrosis progression in MASH, we focused on activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are the primary source of collagen-producing myofibroblasts and central players in MASH fibrosis. To assess a potential link between hepatocyte caspase-8 and HSC activation, we used an ex vivo model where primary murine HSCs were cultured with conditioned media from siCasp8-treated or control primary hepatocytes. Supporting our hypothesis, HSC activation markers were reduced in HSCs exposed to conditioned media from Casp8-silenced AML12 hepatocytes compared to controls. To pinpoint caspase-8-dependent secretory proteins that could activate HSCs, we conducted RNAseq on these cells, identifying secretory genes reduced in Casp8-silenced AML12 hepatocytes.
Project description:Aim of the study was to characterize at a molecular level (changes in transcriptomes) the crosstalk between tumor hepatocytes and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in liver cancer. This was adressed by using a coculture model system of HepaRG cell line (tumor hepatocytes, human), and LX2 cell line (HSC, human). By using genome-wide expression profiling, we demonstrated that hepatocyte-HSC crosstalk is bidirectional and results in the deregulation of functionally relevant gene networks. HepaRG and LX2 cells were cultured alone in serum- and DMSO-free William's E medium or together using 1 M-BM-5m pore size transwell inserts which allow diffusion of media components but prevent cell migration (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA). Triplicate experiments were performed: HepaRG (culture versus coculture), LX2 (culture versus coculture).
Project description:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops almost exclusively in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and advanced fibrosis. Here we interrogated functions of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), the main source of fibroblasts in the injured liver, during hepatocarcinogenesis. Genetic depletion, activation, or inhibition established HSC as tumour-promoting in different HCC models. HSC were enriched in the non-tumour environment, where they closely interacted with hepatocytes and modulated hepatocarcinogenesis by regulating hepatocyte proliferation and death. Surprisingly, further analysis of mouse and human HSC subpopulations by single cell and single nucleus RNA-sequencing and their associated mediators revealed dual functions of HSC in hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatocyte growth factor, enriched in quiescent and cytokine-producing HSC (cyHSC), protected from hepatocyte death and HCC development. In contrast, type I collagen, enriched in highly activated myofibroblastic HSC (myHSC), increased stiffness, TAZ activation, and subsequent hepatocyte proliferation, thereby promoting HCC development. An increasing HSC imbalance with decreased protective cyHSC and increased myHSC during liver disease progression was associated with elevated HCC risk in patients. In summary, our data suggest that the dynamic shift of HSC subpopulations during CLD and their mediators is associated with a switch from HCC protection to HCC promotion.
Project description:Activation and migration of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) followed by matrix deposition are characteristics of liver fibrosis. Several studies have shown the importance of hepatocyte and endothelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in liver pathobiology. However, less is known about the role of HSC-derived EVs in liver diseases. In this study, we investigated the molecules released through HSC-derived EVs and whether these can promote fibrosis.
Project description:The communacation between the Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatic stellate cells(HSC) is not completely understood. Then a tumor-on-a-chip model was used to evaluate the crosstalk between the HCC cells (HCCLM3) and HSCs (LX2). After 5 days co-culture, we degraded the collagen hydrogel to isolate HCCLM3 cells and LX2 cells for RNA-seq.
Project description:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality, develops almost exclusively in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and advanced fibrosis. Here we interrogated functions of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), the main source of liver fibroblasts, during hepatocarcinogenPesis. Genetic depletion, activation or inhibition established HSC as tumour-promoting in mouse models of HCC. HSC were enriched in the preneoplastic environment, where they closely interacted with hepatocytes and modulated hepatocarcinogenesis by regulating hepatocyte proliferation and death. Analysis of mouse and human HSC subpopulations and their associated mediators by single cell RNA-sequencing in conjunction with genetic ablation revealed dual functions of HSC in hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatocyte growth factor, enriched in quiescent and cytokine-producing HSC (cyHSC), protected from hepatocyte death and HCC development. In contrast, type I collagen, enriched in activated myofibroblastic HSC (myHSC), promoted proliferation and tumour development via increased stiffness and TAZ activation in pretumoural hepatocytes and via activation of discoidin domain receptor 1 in established tumours. An increasing HSC dysbalance between cyHSC and myHSC during liver disease progression was associated with elevated HCC risk in patients. In summary, the dynamic shift of HSC subpopulations and their mediators during CLD is associated with a switch from HCC protection to HCC promotion.
Project description:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality, develops almost exclusively in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and advanced fibrosis. Here we interrogated functions of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), the main source of liver fibroblasts, during hepatocarcinogenPesis. Genetic depletion, activation or inhibition established HSC as tumour-promoting in mouse models of HCC. HSC were enriched in the preneoplastic environment, where they closely interacted with hepatocytes and modulated hepatocarcinogenesis by regulating hepatocyte proliferation and death. Analysis of mouse and human HSC subpopulations and their associated mediators by single cell RNA-sequencing in conjunction with genetic ablation revealed dual functions of HSC in hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatocyte growth factor, enriched in quiescent and cytokine-producing HSC (cyHSC), protected from hepatocyte death and HCC development. In contrast, type I collagen, enriched in activated myofibroblastic HSC (myHSC), promoted proliferation and tumour development via increased stiffness and TAZ activation in pretumoural hepatocytes and via activation of discoidin domain receptor 1 in established tumours. An increasing HSC dysbalance between cyHSC and myHSC during liver disease progression was associated with elevated HCC risk in patients. In summary, the dynamic shift of HSC subpopulations and their mediators during CLD is associated with a switch from HCC protection to HCC promotion.
Project description:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality, develops almost exclusively in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and advanced fibrosis. Here we interrogated functions of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), the main source of liver fibroblasts, during hepatocarcinogenPesis. Genetic depletion, activation or inhibition established HSC as tumour-promoting in mouse models of HCC. HSC were enriched in the preneoplastic environment, where they closely interacted with hepatocytes and modulated hepatocarcinogenesis by regulating hepatocyte proliferation and death. Analysis of mouse and human HSC subpopulations and their associated mediators by single cell RNA-sequencing in conjunction with genetic ablation revealed dual functions of HSC in hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatocyte growth factor, enriched in quiescent and cytokine-producing HSC (cyHSC), protected from hepatocyte death and HCC development. In contrast, type I collagen, enriched in activated myofibroblastic HSC (myHSC), promoted proliferation and tumour development via increased stiffness and TAZ activation in pretumoural hepatocytes and via activation of discoidin domain receptor 1 in established tumours. An increasing HSC dysbalance between cyHSC and myHSC during liver disease progression was associated with elevated HCC risk in patients. In summary, the dynamic shift of HSC subpopulations and their mediators during CLD is associated with a switch from HCC protection to HCC promotion. This SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Project description:Crosstalk between deregulated hepatocyte metabolism and cells within the tumour microenvironment, and consequent effects on liver tumourigenesis, are incompletely understood. We show here that hepatocyte specific loss of the gluconeogenic enzyme fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1) disrupts liver metabolic homeostasis and promotes tumour progression. FBP1 is universally silenced in both human and murine liver tumours, and hepatocyte-specific Fbp1 deletion results in steatosis, concomitant with activation and senescence of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), exhibiting a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Depleting senescent HSCs by senolytic treatment with dasatinib/quercetin or ABT-263 inhibits tumour progression. We further demonstrate that FBP1-deficient hepatocytes promote HSC activation by releasing HMGB1; blocking its release with the small molecule inflachromene limits FBP1-dependent HSC activation, subsequent SASP development, and tumour progression. Collectively, these findings provide genetic evidence for FBP1 as a metabolic tumour suppressor in liver cancer and establish a critical link between hepatocyte metabolism and HSC senescence that promotes tumour growth.