糖基化终末产物对活化肝星状细胞合成前胶原及致纤维化细胞因子的影响

目的探讨不同浓度的糖基化终末产物（AGEs）对肝星状细胞（HSC）活性的影响。方法体外合成糖基化牛血清白蛋白（AGE-BSA）,以不同浓度的AGE-BSA刺激HSC,观察AGE受体（RAGE）、转化生长因子（TGFβ1）,结缔组织生长因子（CTGF）、Ⅰ、Ⅲ型前胶原mRNA;ELISA法检测细胞上清液TGFβ1及Ⅰ、Ⅲ型前胶原蛋白的水平。结果高浓度的AGE-BSA（100μg/ml）培养24 h便能促进RAGE、TGFβ1、CTGF和Ⅰ、Ⅲ型前胶原mRNA的表达,并随着时间延长而升高,细胞上清液蛋白水平有同样改变。结论一定浓度的AGEs能促进HSC前胶原及致纤维化细胞因子的表达,并呈时效性改变。AGEs对肝纤维化可能起到促进作用。     

晚期糖基化终末产物及其受体与非酒精性脂肪性肝病的关系

晚期糖基化终末产物(AGE)是高血糖的标志物,能通过AGE受体(RAGE)发挥致病作用.研究发现,AGE/RAGE与非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)的发展关系密切.AGE能增加肝脏的甘油三酯水平,促进单纯性脂肪肝(SFL)的发生,AGE/RAGE可诱导肝脏炎性反应,促进SFL向非酒精性脂肪性肝炎(NASH)发展,并能通过诱导活性氧簇的合成,活化肝脏星状细胞来引起肝纤维化.     

Smad7 prevents activation of hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis in rats

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Numerous studies implicate transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signaling in liver fibrogenesis. To perturb the TGF-beta pathway during this process, we overexpressed Smad7, an intracellular antagonist of TGF-beta signaling, in vivo and in primary-cultured hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS: Ligation of the common bile duct (BDL) was used to induce liver fibrosis in rats. Animals received injections of an adenovirus carrying Smad7 cDNA into the portal vein during surgery and via the tail vein at later stages. The effect of Smad7 on TGF-beta signaling and activation of HSC was further analyzed in primary-cultured cells. RESULTS: Smad7-overexpressing BDL rats displayed reduced collagen and alpha-SMA expression and reduced hydroxyproline content in the liver, when compared with animals administered AdLacZ. Such a beneficial effect was also observed when Smad7 was expressed in animals with established fibrosis. Accordingly, Smad7 arrested transdifferentiation of primary-cultured HSCs. AdSmad7 infected cells remained in a quiescent stage and retained storage of vitamin A droplets. Smad7 expression totally blocked TGF-beta signal transduction, shown by inhibiting Smad2/3 phosphorylation, nuclear translocation of activated Smad complexes, and activation of (CAGA)(9)-MLP-Luc, resulting in decreased collagen I expression. Smad7 also abrogated TGF-beta-dependent proliferation inhibition of HSC. Smad7 did not decrease expression of alpha-SMA, but immunofluorescent staining with anti alpha-SMA antibodies displayed destruction of the fibrillar organization of the actin cytoskeleton. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, gene transfer of Smad7 inhibits experimental fibrogenesis in vivo. Studies with isolated HSC suggest that the underlying mechanisms involve inhibition of TGF-beta signaling and HSC transdifferentiation.     

Advanced Glycation End Products Stimulate Angiotensinogen Production in Renal Proximal Tubular Cells

Background

Elevated advanced glycation end products (AGE) in diabetes mellitus (DM) are implicated in the progression of DM-associated tissue injury, including diabetic nephropathy. The intrarenal renin-angiotensin system, in particular augmentation of angiotensinogen (AGT) in proximal tubular cells (PTC), plays a crucial role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. This study investigated hypothesis that AGE stimulates AGT production in PTC.

Advanced glycation end products enhance the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells

Background Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), final reaction products of protein with sugars, are known to contribute to diabetes-related complications. We have recently demonstrated high levels of serum AGEs in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, direct evidence for the participation of AGEs in hepatic infl ammation and fibrosis has not been shown. To explore the pathogenesis of NASH, we examined the biological infl uence of AGEs on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro. Methods An established human HSC line, LI90, was exposed to a glyceraldehyde-derived-AGE (glycer-AGE), and the phenotypical changes of the LI90 cells were investigated. Intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using a fl uorescent probe. Cell proliferation was examined by MTS assay. Fibrogenic marker gene expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The production of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The expression of AGE receptor was confirmed in LI90 cells at the mRNA and protein levels. In addition to increasing intracellular ROS generation, glycer-AGE upregulated fibrogenic genes such as those encoding for α-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor-β1, and collagen type Iα2. The expression of MCP-1 mRNA in LI90 cells as well as its secretion into the culture medium was significantly increased in response to AGEs. These changes were attenuated by treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. Conclusions These data indicate that AGEs induce ROS generation and intensify the proliferation and activation of HSCs, supporting the possibility that antioxidants may represent a promising treatment for prevention of the development of hepatic fibrosis in NASH.     

Controlling the receptor for advanced glycation end‐products to conquer diabetic vascular complications

Diabetic vascular complications, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and microangiopathy, lead to high rates of morbidity and mortality in patients with long‐term diabetes. Extensive intracellular and extracellular formation of advanced glycation end‐products (AGE) is considered a causative factor in vascular injuries in diabetes. Receptor‐dependent mechanisms are involved in AGE‐induced cellular dysfunction and tissue damage. The receptor for AGE (RAGE), originally an AGE‐binding receptor, is now recognized as a member of pattern‐recognition receptors and a pro‐inflammatory molecular device that mediates danger signals to the body. Previous animal studies have shown RAGE dependent of diabetic vascular injuries. Prophylactic and therapeutic strategies focusing on RAGE and its ligand axis will be of great importance in conquering diabetic vascular complications. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2011.00191.x, 2012)     

Hepatic fibrogenesis requires sympathetic neurotransmitters

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are activated by liver injury to become proliferative fibrogenic myofibroblasts. This process may be regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) but the mechanisms involved are unclear. METHODS: We studied cultured HSC and intact mice with liver injury to test the hypothesis that HSC respond to and produce SNS neurotransmitters to promote fibrogenesis. RESULTS: HSC expressed adrenoceptors, catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes, released norepinephrine (NE), and were growth inhibited by alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. HSC from dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficient (Dbh(-/-)) mice, which cannot make NE, grew poorly in culture and were rescued by NE. Inhibitor studies demonstrated that this effect was mediated via G protein coupled adrenoceptors, mitogen activated kinases, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Injury related fibrogenic responses were inhibited in Dbh(-/-) mice, as evidenced by reduced hepatic accumulation of alpha-smooth muscle actin(+ve) HSC and decreased induction of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and collagen. Treatment with isoprenaline rescued HSC activation. HSC were also reduced in leptin deficient ob/ob mice which have reduced NE levels and are resistant to hepatic fibrosis. Treating ob/ob mice with NE induced HSC proliferation, upregulated hepatic TGF-beta1 and collagen, and increased liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: HSC are hepatic neuroglia that produce and respond to SNS neurotransmitters to promote hepatic fibrosis.     

Advanced Glycation End Products and Receptor–Oxidative Stress System in Diabetic Vascular Complications

Reducing sugars can react non‐enzymatically with amino groups of protein to form Amadori products. These early glycation products undergo further complex reactions, such as rearrangement, dehydration, and condensation, to become irreversibly cross‐linked, heterogeneous fluorescent derivatives, termed advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The formation and accumulation of AGEs have been known to progress at an accelerated rate in patients with diabetes mellitus, thus being involved in the development and progression of diabetic micro‐ and macroangiopathy. Indeed, there is accumulating evidence that an interaction between an AGE and its receptor (RAGE) generates oxidative stress and subsequently evokes vascular inflammation and thrombosis, thereby playing a central role in diabetic vascular complications. In this paper, we review the pathophysiological role of AGE‐RAGE–oxidative stress system and its therapeutic interventions in diabetic micro‐ and macroangiopathy.     

Attenuated liver fibrosis after bile duct ligation and defective hepatic stellate cell activation in neural cell adhesion molecule knockout mice

Aim: Neural cell adhesion molecule (N‐CAM) is expressed by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC), portal fibroblasts, cholangiocytes and hepatic progenitor cells during liver injury. Its functional role in liver disease and fibrogenesis is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of N‐CAM in liver fibrogenesis. Methods: To induce fibrosis, N‐CAM knockout mice and wild‐type controls were subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) or repeated carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) injections. Fibrosis was quantified by hydroxyproline, immunhistochemistry staining and image analysis. Protein levels were determined with immunoblotting. HSCs were isolated by ultracentrifugation in a Larcoll gradient and thereafter in vitro stimulated with recombinant transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1. Results: Two weeks after BDL, wild‐type mice had developed pronounced liver fibrosis while N‐CAM?/? mice had less such alterations. N‐CAM?/? mice had less deposition of collagen and fibronectin seen in immunhistochemistry. The protein levels of fibronectin were higher in the liver from the wild type, while laminin were unaltered. CCl₄‐treated N‐CAM?/? and wild‐type mice showed no significant difference in the extent of liver fibrosis or the expression levels of the above‐mentioned genes. HSC isolated from N‐CAM?/? mice showed declined levels of smooth muscle actin and desmin after stimulation in vitro with TGF‐β1. Conclusions: Loss of N‐CAM results in decreased hepatic collagen and fibronectin deposition in mice subjected to BDL, but not in animals exposed to repeated CCl₄ injections. HSC isolated from N‐CAM null mice show impaired activation in vitro. This indicates a role of N‐CAM in cholestatic liver disease and HSC activation.     

大鼠纤维化肝组织中PTEN的动态表达及其与肝星状细胞增殖和活化的关系

目的 探讨第10号染色体缺失的磷酸酶张力蛋白同源物基因(PTEN)在大鼠纤维化肝组织中的动态表达及其对在体肝星状细胞(HSC)活化、增殖的影响. 方法 采用胆总管结扎法建立大鼠肝纤维化模型;应用免疫组织化学染色、Western blot和实时荧光定量PCR技术测定大鼠肝组织中PTEN的表达;应用免疫荧光双标记共聚焦激光扫描显微术测定大鼠肝组织中活化HSC的PTEN表达;采用免疫组织化学染色检测大鼠肝组织中α-平滑肌肌动蛋白的表达.结果 免疫组织化学染色显示正常大鼠肝组织中PTEN有广泛表达,主要表达于细胞质,随着肝纤维化的发展,PTEN表达逐渐减少(P<0.01),而α-平滑肌肌动蛋白阳性细胞明显增多(P<0.01);造模1、2、3周及4周不同时间大鼠纤维化肝组织中PTEN的mRNA(分别为假手术组的0.66、0.53、0.44和0.37)及蛋白质表达(吸光度比值分别为1.20±0.13,1.07±0.16,0.88±0.08,0.73±0.07)均低于假手术组(P<0.01),并随着肝纤维化的进展逐渐降低(P<0.01);免疫荧光双标记共聚焦激光扫描显微术显示PTEN在活化HSC广泛表达,主要表达于细胞质,随着肝纤维化的进展,表达PTEN的活化HSC占总的活化HSC的比例逐渐减少(P<0.01). 结论 大鼠纤维化肝组织中PTEN的mRNA及蛋白质表达均下调;在体HSC的PTEN表达亦降低;肝组织中PTEN的动态表达与HSC的活化、增殖呈显著负相关.     

Role of age and uncoupling protein-2 in oxidative stress, RAGE/AGE interaction and inflammatory liver injury

The objective of this study is to clarify whether age-related oxidative stress enhances hepatic vulnerability via increased interaction of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) with their receptor RAGE. To further address the role of uncoupling of mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial uncoupling protein-2 wild-type (UCP2+/+) and knock out (UCP2−/−) mice were used and studied at an age of 8 (young), 38 (adult) and 76 weeks (senescent). First, we could show that UCP2 protein expression increased with age in UCP2+/+ mice. Second, in both mouse strains oxidative stress, as measured by malondialdehyde concentrations and the ratio of glutathione to glutathione disulfide, as well as hepatic RAGE expression and highly modified AGE accumulation significantly increased with age. This, however, was far more pronounced in UCP2−/− mice, in particular at the young age of 8 wk. In addition, the hepatic activity of the AGE precursor detoxifying enzyme glyoxalase-I was significantly decreased in 8 wk old UCP2−/− animals and concomitantly caused 2-fold higher levels of methylglyoxal-modified AGE in these animals. We further showed that the numbers of hepatic cells expressing sRAGE which acts as a decoy for RAGE ligands decreased with age and were markedly lower in the UCP2−/− than the UCP2+/+ mice. As a consequence, young 8 wk old UCP2−/− mice benefited from treatment with recombinant mouse RAGE to block the RAGE/AGE interaction, when challenged with galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide for the induction of acute liver injury. They showed less pronounced tissue damage and slightly lower mortality rate, while older UCP2+/+ and UCP2−/− mice revealed comparably high mortality rates and extent of liver injury, irrespective of their treatment with rRAGE. Taken together, the present study underlines the role of UCP2 in the age-related increase of oxidative stress and the oxidative stress-related RAGE/AGE interaction. In young animals, blockade of the RAGE/AGE interaction is of benefit, while in older animals, this protective effect is lost, supposedly due to the fact that with age other factors than enhanced hepatic glycation products predominantly determine liver injury and injury-related mortality rate.     

Wnt/β-catenin信号通路介导糖基化终未产物对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞成骨分化的影响

目的探讨糖基化终末产物(advanced glycation end products,AGEs)对体外培养SD大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,BMSCs)增生及成骨分化的影响及可能机制.方法采用全骨髓法分离培养4周龄SD大鼠的BMSCs.将BMSCs随机分为成骨诱导液、BSA组、AGEs3组,Western blot法检测AGEs对BMSCs成骨分化过程中β-catenin、OSX、RUNX2、RAGE(AGE受体)蛋白表达量的影响,茜素红染色观察AGEs对BMSCs成骨分化过程中矿化的影响.抑制RAGE后实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(real-time fluo-rescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT-PCR)及Western blot法再次测定上述指标水平.结果0.2 g/L AGEs作用于体外培养SD大鼠BMSCs,上调RAGE蛋白表达(0.88±0.04),β-catenin、OSX、RUNX2蛋白表达降低(分别为0.21±0.02,0.25±0.03和0.21±0.01,P<0.05).RAGE中和抗体阻断RAGE作用后,AGE+RAGE中和抗体组RAGE蛋白表达下调(0.30±0.03),β-catenin、OSX、RUNX2蛋白表达增高(0.90±0.02,0.84±0.03和0.88±0.02,P<0.05).结论AGEs通过Wnt/β-catenin信号通路抑制BMSCs成骨分化.     

Pentoxifylline downregulates profibrogenic cytokines and procollagen I expression in rat secondary biliary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: The trisubstituted methylxanthine derivative pentoxifylline inhibits hepatic stellate cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in vitro. The antifibrotic effect of pentoxifylline in a suitable in vivo model of chronic liver fibrogenesis remains to be tested. METHODS: Groups of adult rats (n=20-23) received oral pentoxifylline at a dose of 8 mg/kg/day from week 1 to week 6, and 16 mg/kg/day from week 1 to week 6 or week 4 to week 6 after complete bile duct occlusion. Animals who underwent sham operation that received 16 mg/kg/day pentoxifylline and untreated rats with bile duct occlusion alone served as controls. After six weeks, animals were sacrificed and parameters of fibrogenesis determined. RESULTS: Bile duct occlusion caused portal cirrhosis with a 10-fold increased hepatic collagen content in the absence of inflammation or necrosis. This was accompanied by an 11-fold elevated serum aminoterminal procollagen III peptide (PIIINP). The drug induced a dramatic eightfold downregulation of procollagen I mRNA, and suppression of the fibrogenic factors transforming growth factor beta1 and connective tissue growth factor by 60-70%. However, profibrogenic tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) mRNA was increased twofold, resulting in only a moderate decrease in liver collagen, fibrosis score, and PIIINP. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that targeting pentoxifylline to the fibrogenic cells, thereby avoiding upregulation of TIMP-1, could become a potent antifibrogenic tool in chronic liver disease.     

The different roles for the advanced glycation end products axis in heart failure and acute coronary syndrome settings

AimsThis work aimed to compare the behavior of the advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their soluble receptor (sRAGE) in two cohorts of patients: those with heart failure (HF) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Methods and resultsA unicentric observational clinical study was performed in 102 patients with ACS and 102 patients with chronic HF matched by age and gender. At inclusion, fluorescent AGEs were measured by quantitative fluorescence spectroscopy of plasma, and total sRAGE and endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. A 5-year follow-up period was established for recording cardiac death (primary endpoint) and the incidence of non-fatal myocardial infarction or HF readmission (secondary endpoints). Higher glycation parameters were observed in HF patients, whereas no differences in sRAGE forms were found between HF and ACS cohorts, except for cRAGE, which was higher in HF. Associations between glycation parameters and sRAGE forms were observed in HF, but not in ACS. Differences were also evidenced in the long-term prognosis of each cohort: esRAGE showed an independent prognostic value for cardiac death or non-fatal cardiovascular events in HF, but none of the AGE–RAGE variables were predictors in ACS.ConclusionsA different role for the AGE–RAGE axis was observed in HF and ACS. All the sRAGE forms were directly related with glycation parameters in HF, but not in ACS. The independent value of the sRAGE forms on each cardiovascular disease was supported by esRAGE being an independent predictor of bad long-term prognosis only for HF.     

Differential expression genes analyzed by cDNA array in the regulation of rat hepatic fibrogenesis.

PURPOSE: To analyze the gene expression pattern in rat hepatic fibrogenesis and further assess the role of some key genes during the pathological process. METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine or carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) injection subcutaneously in rats, and identification of the hepatic fibrosis related genes with cDNA microarray was performed. After some key genes up-regulated during the development of hepatic fibrosis were screened and confirmed, their effects on the function of the activated rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC) were assessed using the small interfering RNA (siRNA) technique. RESULTS: Using an Atlas rat cDNA array, a number of differentially expressed genes in fibrotic liver tissues were identified compared with non-diseased control. A total of 15 genes predominantly associated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway were upregulated in the fibrotic liver. Immunohistochemical study revealed that the expressions of both extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (RSK), two of the key genes in the MAPK pathway, were remarkably induced, which was closely correlated to that of collagen types I and III during the development of hepatic fibrosis. Transfection of siRNA targeting ERK1 mRNA (siERK1) into HSC led to a 66% and 72% reduction of ERK1 mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Furthermore, siERK1 exerted the inhibition of the proliferation of HSC, accompanied by the induction of HSC apoptosis and reduction of collagen types I and III. In addition, siERK1 abolished the effect of platelet-derived growth factor-BB on the proliferation of HSC. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provided strong evidence for the participation of the MAPK pathway in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. Selective targeting of ERK1 inhibitors to HSC might present as a novel strategy for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.     

Receptor for advanced glycation endproducts signaling cascades are activated in pancreatic fibroblasts,but not in the INS1E insulinoma cell line: Are mesenchymal cells major players in chronic inflammation?

The receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) is a pattern recognition receptor that plays an important role in natural immunity. It is suggested that mesenchymal cells are the major players during inflammation. Previously, we reported that advanced glycation end products (AGE), known to be one of the ligands of RAGE, inhibited glucose-induced insulin secretion from ex vivo pancreatic islets, although the mechanism responsible remains largely unknown. In the present study, we examined the cascades operating downstream from RAGE using the insulinoma cell line INS1E and primary-cultured pancreatic fibroblasts as in vitro models for parenchymal (β) cells and mesenchymal cells, respectively. Phosphorylation of c-jun N-terminal kinase, inhibitor of nuclear factor κB kinase, and nuclear factor κB was stimulated by AGE or high mobility group binding 1 (HMGB1) in pancreatic fibroblasts, whereas no such effect was observed in INS1E cells. Expression of the Ccl5, Il-6, and Il-1b genes was increased by AGE/HMGB1 in fibroblasts, but not in INS1E cells. On the other hand, AGE inhibited the secretion of insulin from ex vivo pancreatic islets, and this effect was ameliorated by MK615, a Japanese apricot extract used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Glucose-induced insulin secretion from INS1E cells was not affected by direct administration of AGE/HMGB1, but was inhibited by fibroblast-conditioned medium. These results suggest that AGE suppresses glucose-induced insulin secretion from pancreatic islets through indirect mesenchymal RAGE signaling.     

Effects of advanced glycation end products on the expression of COX-2, PGE2 and NO in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes

OBJECTIVE: Advanced glycation end products (AGE) accumulate in articular cartilage with age. We investigated the effects of AGE in primary-cultured human OA chondrocytes. METHODS: Chondrocytes were cultured with/or without AGE-bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA) and the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) were evaluated using RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) was analysed by ELISA and nitric oxide (NO) was analysed by Griess reaction assay. Pharmacological studies to elucidate the involved pathway were executed using specific inhibitors of MAPK and receptor for AGE (RAGE). RESULTS: We found that treatment of OA chondrocytes with AGE-BSA increased COX-2, mPGES-1 and iNOS mRNA and protein, as well as elevating production of PGE(2) and NO. Pre-treatment with the MAPK inhibitors SP600125 (JNK inhibitor), SB202190 (p38 inhibitor) or PD98059 (ERK inhibitor) significantly inhibited AGE-BSA induction of COX-2 expression and production of PGE(2). In contrast, SN50, a nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) inhibitor, had no effect on levels of COX-2 and PGE(2). SB202190 and SN50, but not SP600125 and PD98059, decreased AGE-BSA-induced production of NO. Pre-treatment with soluble receptor for AGE (sRAGE) also reduced AGE-stimulated COX-2, iNOS and PGE(2), implicating the involvement of RAGE. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that AGE may augment inflammatory responses in OA chondrocytes by increasing PGE(2) and NO levels, possibly via the MAPK pathway for PGE(2) and the NF-kappaB pathway for NO.