Notch3对促进胰腺星形细胞活化的基因表达及信号通路的影响

目的: 分离培养小鼠胰腺星形细胞(PSCs),检测Notch3 对促进PSCs活化的基因表达及信号通路的影响。方法: 对小鼠PSCs进行分离培养及传代。采用免疫荧光染色检测活化的小鼠PSCs中α-SMA, fibronectin及collagen I的表达;细胞分组为空白对照组(MOCK组),阴性对照组(转染Notch3 siRNA negative control,NC组),Notch3 siRNA组(转染Notch3 siRNA,N3 siRNA组)及Notch3 siRNA-1组(转染Notch3 siRNA-1,N3 siRNA-1组),提取各组总RNA,测定RNA浓度及纯度后,送至安诺优达基因科技(北京)有限公司进行转录组测序。结果: 免疫荧光结果显示,在活化的PSCs中α-SMA,fibronectin及collagen I都有明显的表达。测序结果分析表明,与NC组相比较,在N3 siRNA组与N3 siRNA-1组,α-SMA基因,collagen I基因,fibronectin基因及CTGF基因均表达下调,与胶原蛋白代谢过程相关的基因表达上调,正向调节胶原生物合成的基因表达下调,而负向调节胶原生物合成的基因表达上调,PCNA基因表达下调;在N3siRNA组与N3siRNA-1组,调节细胞聚集的基因表达下调;在细胞组分部分,细胞外基质的基因表达下调;抑制PSCs中Notch3的表达可对细胞粘附分子信号通路,MAPK信号通路及TGF-β信号通路的组成成员的基因表达产生影响。结论: 抑制Notch3的表达可抑制PSCs的活化,降低细胞增殖能力,降低迁移聚集能力及ECM合成的能力;抑制Notch3的表达可对其他的信号如细胞粘附分子信号通路,MAPK信号通路及TGF-β信号通路产生影响。     

胰腺星状细胞活化相关的信号转导通路

胰腺纤维化是慢性胰腺炎（chronic pancreatitis,CP）和胰腺癌主要的病理学特征,活化的胰腺星状细胞（pancreatic stellate cells,PSCs）是公认的致胰腺纤维化的主要效应细胞。PSCs的活化涉及到几个重要的信号转导通路：有丝分裂原活化蛋白激酶（mitogen-activated protein kinases,MAPK）、磷酯酰肌醇3激酶（phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase,PI3K）=、Smad信号转导蛋白、过氧化物酶体增生物激活受体-γ（PPAR-γ）、Rho-ROCK等细胞内信号途径。探讨这些信号通路在胰腺纤维化中所起的作用对慢性胰腺炎、胰腺癌及糖尿病的治疗有重要意义。现就与PSCs激活有关的信号通路的研究结合最新进展作一综述。     

胰腺星状细胞的调控及转归

活化的胰腺星状细胞(pancreatic stellate cells,PSCs)是胰腺炎致胰腺纤维化的主要效应细胞。近年来,学者普遍认为,胰腺纤维化早期阶段是动态可逆的,因此,若在胰腺损伤的早期阶段,抑制PSCs的增殖、迁移,减少损伤部位PSCs的数目,降低细胞外基质(extracellular matrix,ECM)的生成,将可能逆转胰腺纤维化。该文以PSCs为靶点阐述了抗胰腺纤维化的新策略。     

TGF-β1诱导的Postn、α-SMA和CollagenⅠ在宫腔粘连内膜组织中高表达与粘连严重程度相关

骨膜蛋白（periostin, Postn）与转化生长因子-β1（transforming growth factor-beta1,TGF-β1）信号通路活动密切相关,并参与多种纤维化疾病的病理形成,但在宫腔粘连（intrauterine adhesions,IUAs）形成过程中的作用机制尚不清楚。为了解Postn与纤维标志物（α-平滑肌肌动蛋白：alpha smooth muscle actin,α-SMA,Ⅰ型胶原：CollagenⅠ）在宫腔粘连发病中的作用,本研究收集宫腔粘连（实验组）轻、中、重度各20名患者的内膜组织,非宫腔粘连者20名（对照组）,利用实时荧光定量PCR技术、Western印迹技术和免疫组化染色证明：Postn与α-SMA、CollagenⅠ在mRNA和蛋白质表达水平的趋势一致,且与宫腔粘连严重程度呈正相关;实验组Postn、α-SMA 和 CollagenⅠ较对照组明显升高,其中以中、重度宫腔粘连患者内膜组织Postn、α-SMA和CollagenⅠ表达有非常显著的统计学差异（P＜0.01）。同时,为探究TGF-β1与Postn等纤维标志物的关系,利用重组人转化生长因子TGF-β1刺激原代子宫内膜基质细胞后,Western印迹结果显示,TGF-β1与Postn、α-SMA和CollagenⅠ蛋白质表达变化呈现剂量和时间依赖关系。上述结果证实,内膜纤维化是宫腔粘连的主要特征,由Postn等纤维产物参与形成,且与粘连程度相关。推测该病理过程可能与内膜损伤后,TGF-β1促使子宫内膜基质细胞成纤维分化、诱导Postn持续高表达有关。     

HSC的活化、增殖与TGF-β1及其Ⅰ型受体在中晚期纤维化肝组织中的改变及护杆片对其的影响

目的 探讨护肝片对中、晚期纤维化大鼠肝组织肝星状细胞(HSC)的活化与增殖及转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)及其Ⅰ型受体(TβRⅠ)表达的影响.方法 采用12.5% CCl4诱导的大鼠肝纤维化模型,自造模之日起,大鼠分组灌胃给药(护肝片921mg·kg-1)或溶媒,每日一次,直至8或13周末,分别处死动物,取左叶肝组织石蜡包埋,制作组织芯片,免疫组化S-P法检测大鼠肝组织α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、TGF-β1及TβRⅠ蛋白的表达,并用MetaMorph图像分析系统计数α-SMA阳性细胞数、对TGF-β1及TβRⅠ蛋白表达量进行定量分析.结果 1.模型复制8周和13周,模型组的肝损伤及其纤维化分级均明显高于正常组(P＜0.01),护肝片组的肝损伤及其纤维化分级均轻于模型组.2.模型复制8周和13周,模型组活化的HSC(即α-SMA阳性细胞)数量较正常组明显增多、TGF-β1及TβRⅠ蛋白的表达较正常组明显增强(P＜0.01);3.护肝片显著抑制8、13周纤维化肝组织HSC的活化与增殖和TGF-β1及TβRⅠ蛋白的表达(P＜0.01).结论 抑制HSC的活化与增殖和TGF-β1及TβRⅠ的表达可能是护肝片抗肝纤维化作用的靶点之一.     

高糖高胰岛素促进小鼠胰腺星状细胞活化和半乳凝素-3表达

该研究观察了高糖高胰岛素对小鼠胰腺星状细胞(pancreatic stellate cells,PSCs)活化、增殖、细胞外基质(extracellular matrix,ECM)合成和半乳凝素-3(galectin-3,Gal-3)表达的影响。分离PSCs并培养至3~5代后进行实验。PSCs干预分为低糖对照组(5 mmol/L葡萄糖)、高糖组(25 mmol/L葡萄糖)、高胰岛素组(5 mmol/L葡萄糖+100 nmol/L胰岛素)、高糖高胰岛素组(25 mmol/L葡萄糖+100 nmol/L胰岛素)。细胞免疫荧光检测胰岛素受体(insulin receptor,IR)和胰岛素样生长因子-1型受体(insulin like growth factor-1 receptor,IGF-1R)在PSCs的表达;MTT法检测PSCs增殖;RT-PCR和Western blot测定平α-滑肌肌动蛋白(α-smooth muscle actin,α-SMA)、I型胶原(type I collagen,Col I)、纤连蛋白(fi bronectin,Fn)和Gal-3的m RNA和蛋白质水平。结果发现,PSCs细胞表达IR和IGF-1R;与低糖对照组相比,高糖组、高胰岛素组、高糖高胰岛素组均诱导PSCs活化、增殖并促进Col I、Fn生成和Gal-3表达,其中以高糖高胰岛素组最为显著。以上结果说明,2型糖尿病高糖、高胰岛素微环境可能促进PSCs活化、增殖、ECM生成和Gal-3表达,在一定程度上可导致胰腺纤维化。     

大鼠纤维化肝组织中SHP1表达与肝星状细胞活化及增殖的关系*

目的: 探讨大鼠肝纤维化病理过程中肝组织及在体肝星状细胞 (HSC)的含SH2结构域的蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶1 (SHP1)表达变化与在体HSC活化及增殖的关系。方法: 随机将50只健康雄性SD大鼠分为对照组(10只)、模型组(40只),采用腹腔注射四氯化碳法建立大鼠肝纤维化模型,Masson三色染色及HE染色检测大鼠肝脏组织的病理组织学变化,SHP1与α-平滑肌肌动蛋白 (α-SMA)免疫荧光双标记检测大鼠肝组织中活化HSC的SHP1表达,免疫组织化学染色检测大鼠肝组织的α-SMA及SHP1表达,并分别对大鼠肝组织的SHP1表达及大鼠肝组织中活化HSC的SHP1表达与大鼠肝组织的α-SMA表达进行Pearson’s相关性分析。结果: 大鼠肝纤维化模型成功构建,随着造模时间延长,大鼠肝纤维化逐渐加重。与对照组大鼠肝组织的SHP1阳性表达平均光密度值 (MOD) (0.08±0.01)比较,造模不同时间(2周、4周、6周、8周)大鼠纤维化肝组织的SHP1阳性表达MOD (0.11±0.01、0.14±0.01、0.16±0.01、0.19±0.01)显著增加(P＜0.05),并逐渐升高(P＜0.05)。与对照组大鼠肝组织的α-SMA阳性表达MOD (0.04±0.01)比较,造模不同时间(2周、4周、6周、8周)大鼠纤维化肝组织的α-SMA阳性表达MOD (0.06±0.01、 0.09±0.01、0.12±0.01、0.16±0.02)明显增加(P＜0.05),并逐渐升高(P＜0.05),即在体HSC的活化及增殖逐渐加快(α-SMA是HSC的活化标志)。SHP1与α-SMA免疫荧光双标记检测显示,造模2周、4周、6周、8周大鼠纤维化肝组织中表达SHP1的活化HSC占总的活化HSC的百分比(26.49%±3.44%、37.14%±4.57%、44.90%±2.94%、58.09%±5.33%)逐渐升高(P＜0.05)。上述大鼠纤维化肝组织的SHP1表达及大鼠纤维化肝组织中表达SHP1的活化HSC占总的活化HSC的百分比均与大鼠纤维化肝组织的α-SMA表达呈显著正相关(r值为0.926, 0.984,P＜0.05)。结论: 在大鼠肝纤维病理过程中,肝组织及在体HSC 的SHP1表达与在体HSC的活化及增殖呈显著正相关。     

Sirt1活化剂对肾间质纤维化的保护作用及机制研究

研究Sirt1活化剂对单侧输尿管结扎导致的小鼠肾间质纤维化及TGF-β1/CTGF信号通路的影响。CD-1小鼠随机分为假手术组(Sham)、单侧输尿管结扎组(unilateral ureteral obstruction,UUO)和UUO+SRT1720(Sirt1活化剂)组(SRT1720)。Masson染色后光镜下观察肾小管间质病变面积;分别用Western blot和Real-time PCR检测Sirt1及纤维化相关因子Col1、α-SMA、TIMP-1、PAI-1蛋白质和m RNA表达水平;TUNEL检测细胞凋亡程度,同时检测凋亡相关因子Bcl-2/Bax的变化;检测SOD、MDA、GPx、GSH水平以示氧化应激变化。与Sham组相比,UUO组显示肾间质纤维化病变面积显著升高(P0.01);Sirt1水平及活性显著下降;TGF-β1/CTGF水平、纤维化相关因子表达及凋亡水平显著上升;氧化应激水平显著升高(P0.01)。SRT1720干预能够显著降低UUO引起的肾间质纤维化病变面积(P0.05),同时改善TGF-β1/CTGF水平、纤维化相关因子及凋亡水平(P0.01),显著降低肾脏氧化应激水平(P0.01)。以上说明,Sirt1活化剂SRT1720能显著改善肾间质纤维化水平,该作用可能是通过TGF-β1/CTGF信号通路的抑制和氧化应激实现的。     

FGF-21抑制HSC-T6细胞活化的抗肝纤维化作用及其机制的研究

目的:探索成纤维细胞生长因子21(FGF-21)对肝星形细胞T6(HSC-T6)活化的作用及其作用机制。方法:1640+10%胎牛血清的培养基培养HSC-T6细胞,实验分为5组:正常对照组(Control)、模型组(Model 20 m M乙醇处理细胞12 h)、低剂量FGF-21组(LFGF-21,0.5μmol/L)、中剂量FGF-21组(MFGF-21,1.0μmol/L)和高剂量FGF-21组(HFGF-21,2.0μmol/L)。Real-time PCR检测α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、胶原蛋白Ⅰ(CollagenⅠ)、基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP2)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP9)和Notch2的m RNA水平,Western blot检测CollagenⅠ、α-SMA、MMP2、MMP9和Notch2的蛋白水平,ELISA检测IL-1β、TNF-α的蛋白水平。结果:模型组α-SMA、CollagenⅠ、MMP2、MMP9、IL-1β、TNF-α、Notch2的水平高于对照组(P0.05),HFGF-21组α-SMA、CollagenⅠ、MMP2、MMP9、IL-1β、TNF-α、Notch2的水平均低于模型组(P0.05)。结论:FGF-21可抑制Notch2的表达,抑制炎症反应,从而抑制HSC的活化,发挥抗肝纤维化作用。     

MiR-706通过TAOK1信号通路抑制小鼠肝纤维化

目的探讨mi R-706介导的TAOK1信号通路在小鼠肝纤维化进程中的作用及分子生物学机制。方法将C57BL/6小鼠随机分为胆总管结扎(bile duct ligation,BDL)肝纤维化模型组(BDL组)和假手术组两组,小鼠造模4周后取材,HE、Masson染色及Western blot分析检测小鼠肝纤维化造模是否成功;Real-time PCR检测肝组织内mi R-706的表达含量;免疫组织化学染色检测肝组织内TAOK1和TAOK1下游促使肝纤维化发生的MAPK通路相关基因的蛋白表达含量的变化。结果 HE及Masson染色显示胆总管结扎肝纤维化模型组中纤维间隔增多,同时,Western blot显示BDL组中α-SMA及collagen I含量增加,说明肝纤维化造模成功;Real-time PCR显示BDL组中mi R-706含量显著下降,同时,免疫组织化学染色显示,BDL组中TAOK1和其下游MAPK通路中P38与MEK3免疫反应性明显增强。结论肝纤维化组中可能由于mi R-706表达的下调,mi R-706对其下游TAOK1信号通路加重小鼠BDL所导致的肝纤维化进程。     

High glucose increases extracellular matrix production in pancreatic stellate cells by activating the renin-angiotensin system

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are involved in pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis. Recent studies have shown that blocking the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) attenuates pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, there are few data about the direct effects of high glucose on extracellular matrix (ECM) protein synthesis and angiotensin II (Ang II) induction in PSCs. PSCs were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured in medium containing 5.5 mM (LG group) or 27 mM D-glucose (HG group). Levels of Ang II and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in culture media were measured and Ang II-positive cells were counted. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Ang II receptor expression and Western blot analysis for the expression of ECM proteins such as connective-tissue growth factor (CTGF) and collagen type IV. Cells were also treated with an Ang II-receptor antagonist (candesartan, 10 microM) or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (ramiprilat, 100 nM). Thymidine uptake by PSCs increased fourfold with high glucose treatment. Ang II levels and the proportion of Ang II-positive PSCs were significantly increased after 6 h under high-glucose conditions. TGF-beta concentrations also increased significantly with high glucose. After 72 h, the expression of CTGF and collagen type IV proteins in high-glucose cultures increased significantly and this increase was effectively attenuated by the candesartan or the ramiprilat. All together, high glucose induced PSCs proliferation and ECM protein synthesis, and these effects were attenuated by an Ang II-receptor antagonist. The data suggest that pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis aggravated by hyperglycemia, and Ang II play an important role in this pathogenesis.     

Pressure activates rat pancreatic stellate cells

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a central role in development of pancreatic fibrosis. In chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic tissue pressure is higher than that of the normal pancreas. We here evaluate the effects of pressure on the activation of rat PSCs. PSCs were isolated from the pancreas of Wistar rat using collagenase digestion and centrifugation with Nycodenz gradient. Pressure was applied to cultured rat PSCs by adding compressed helium gas into the pressure-loading apparatus to raise the internal pressure. Cell proliferation rate was assessed by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. MAPK protein levels and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Concentration of activated transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) secreted from PSCs into culture medium was determined by ELISA. Collagen type I mRNA expression and collagen secretion were assessed by quantitative PCR and Sirius red dye binding assay, respectively. Application of pressure significantly increased BrdU incorporation and alpha-SMA expression. In addition, pressure rapidly increased the phosphorylation of p44/42 and p38 MAPK. Treatment of PSCs with an MEK inhibitor and p38 MAPK inhibitor suppressed pressure-induced cell proliferation and alpha-SMA expression, respectively. Moreover, pressure significantly promoted activated TGF-beta1 secretion, collagen type I mRNA expression, and collagen secretion. Our results demonstrate that pressure itself activates rat PSCs and suggest that increased pancreatic tissue pressure may accelerate the development of pancreatic fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis.     

Angiotensin II stimulates DNA synthesis of rat pancreatic stellate cells by activating ERK through EGF receptor transactivation

Although angiotensin II (Ang II) is known to participate in pancreatic fibrosis, little is known as to the mechanism by which Ang II promotes pancreatic fibrosis. To elucidate the mechanism, we examined the action of Ang II on the proliferation of rat pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) that play central roles in pancreatic fibrosis. Immunocytochemistry and Western blotting demonstrated that both Ang II type 1 and type 2 receptors were expressed in PSCs. [3H]Thymidine incorporation assay revealed that Ang II enhanced DNA synthesis in PSCs, which was blocked by Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan. Western blotting using anti-phospho-epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and anti-phospho-extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) antibodies showed that Ang II-activated EGF receptor and ERK. Both EGF receptor kinase inhibitor AG1478 and MEK1 inhibitor PD98059 attenuated ERK activation and DNA synthesis enhanced by Ang II. These results indicate that Ang II stimulates PSC proliferation through EGF receptor transactivation-ERK activation pathway.     

Rhein,a Natural Anthraquinone Derivative,Attenuates the Activation of Pancreatic Stellate Cells and Ameliorates Pancreatic Fibrosis in Mice with Experimental Chronic Pancreatitis

Pancreatic fibrosis, a prominent histopathological feature of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, is essentially a dynamic process that leads to irreversible scarring of parenchymal tissues of the pancreas. Though the exact mechanisms of its initiation and development are poorly understood, recent studies suggested that the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) plays a critical role in eliciting such active course of fibrogenesis. Anthraquinone compounds possess anti-inflammatory bioactivities whereas its natural derivative rhein has been shown to effectively reduce tissue edema and free-radical production in rat models of inflammatory conditions. Apart from its anti-inflammatory properties, rhein actually exerts strong anti-fibrotic effects in our current in-vivo and in-vitro experiments. In the mouse model of cerulein-induced CP, prolonged administration of rhein at 50 mg/kg/day significantly decreased immunoreactivities of the principal fibrotic activators alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) on pancreatic sections implicating the activation of PSCs, which is the central tread to fibrogenesis, was attenuated. Consequently, the overwhelmed deposition of extracellular matrix proteins fibronectin 1 (FN1) and type I collagen (COL I-α1) in exocrine parenchyma was found accordingly reduced. In addition, the expression levels of sonic hedgehog (SHH), which plays important roles in molecular modulation of various fibrotic processes, and its immediate effector GLI1 in pancreatic tissues were positively correlated to the degree of cerulein-induced fibrosis. Such up-regulation of SHH signaling was restrained in rhein-treated CP mice. In cultured PSCs, we demonstrated that the expression levels of TGF-β-stimulated fibrogenic markers including α-SMA, FN1 and COL I-α1 as well as SHH were all notably suppressed by the application of rhein at 10 μM. The present study firstly reported that rhein attenuates PSC activation and suppresses SHH/GLI1 signaling in pancreatic fibrosis. With strong anti-fibrotic effects provided, rhein can be a potential remedy for fibrotic and/or PSC-related pathologies in the pancreas.     

L-cysteine administration attenuates pancreatic fibrosis induced by TNBS in rats by inhibiting the activation of pancreatic stellate cell

Background and Aims

Recent studies have shown that activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a major role in pancreatic fibrogenesis. We aimed to study the effect of L-cysteine administration on fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis (CP) induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in rats and on the function of cultured PSCs.

Methods

CP was induced by TNBS infusion into rat pancreatic ducts. L-cysteine was administrated for the duration of the experiment. Histological analysis and the contents of hydroxyproline were used to evaluate pancreatic damage and fibrosis. Immunohistochemical analysis of α-SMA in the pancreas was performed to detect the activation of PSCs in vivo. The collagen deposition related proteins and cytokines were determined by western blot analysis. DNA synthesis of cultured PSCs was evaluated by BrdU incorporation. We also evaluated the effect of L-cysteine on the cell cycle and cell activation by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. The expression of PDGFRβ, TGFβRII, collagen 1α1 and α-SMA of PSCs treated with different concentrations of L-cysteine was determined by western blot. Parameters of oxidant stress were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, IL-1β expression were evaluated in pancreas tissues by qRT-PCR.

Results

The inhibition of pancreatic fibrosis by L-cysteine was confirmed by histological observation and hydroxyproline assay. α-SMA, TIMP1, IL-1β and TGF-β1 production decreased compared with the untreated group along with an increase in MMP2 production. L-cysteine suppressed the proliferation and extracellular matrix production of PSCs through down-regulating of PDGFRβ and TGFβRII. Concentrations of MDA+4-HNE were decreased by L-cysteine administration along with an increase in GSH levels both in tissues and cells. In addition, L-cysteine increased the mRNA expression of Nrf2, NQO1 and HO-1 and reduced the expression of IL-1β in L-cysteine treated group when compared with control group.

Conclusion

L-cysteine treatment attenuated pancreatic fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis in rats.     

Imbalance of Wnt/Dkk Negative Feedback Promotes Persistent Activation of Pancreatic Stellate Cells in Chronic Pancreatitis

The role of persistent activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) in the fibrosis associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP) is increasingly being recognized. Recent studies have shown that Wnt signaling is involved in the development of fibrosis in multiple organs, however, the role of specific Wnts in pancreatic fibrosis remains unknown. We investigated the role of Wnt signaling during PSC activation in CP and the effect of β-catenin inhibition and Dickkopf-related protein 1 (Dkk1) restoration on the phenotype of PSCs. CP was induced in mice by repetitive caerulein injection and mouse PSCs were isolated and activated in vitro. The expression of Wnts, β-catenin, secreted frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs) and Dkks was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway was examined by immunofluorescence and western blot detection of nuclear β-catenin expression. The effect of recombinant mouse Dkk-1 (rmDkk-1) on cell proliferation and apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) analysis. The expression of β-catenin, collagen1α1, TGFβRII, PDGFRβ and α-SMA in PSCs treated with different concentrations of rmDkk-1 or siRNA against β-catenin was determined by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. Wnt2 was the only Wnt whose expression was significantly upregulated in response to PSC activation, and Wnt2 and β-catenin protein levels were significantly increased in the pancreas of CP mice, whereas Dkk-1 expression was evidently decreased. Nuclear β-catenin levels were markedly increased in activated PSCs, and rmDkk-1 suppressed the nuclear translocation of β-catenin and the proliferation and extracellular matrix production of PSCs through the downregulation of PDGFRβ and TGFβRII. Upregulation of Dkk-1 expression increased apoptosis in cultured PSCs. These results indicate that Wnt signaling may mediate the profibrotic effect of PSC activation, and Wnt2/Dkk-1 could be potential therapeutic targets for CP.     

Lnc-PFAR facilitates autophagy and exacerbates pancreatic fibrosis by reducing pre-miR-141 maturation in chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is described as progressive inflammatory fibrosis of pancreas, accompanied with irreversible impaired endocrine and exocrine insufficiency. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are widely distributed in the stroma of the pancreas and PSCs activation has been shown as one of the leading causes for pancreatic fibrosis. Our previous study has revealed that autophagy is dramatically activated in CP tissues, which facilitates PSCs activation and pancreatic fibrosis. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been recognized as crucial regulators for fibrosis-related diseases. LncRNAs interact with RNA binding protein or construct competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) hypothesis which elicited the fibrotic processes. Until now, the effects of lncRNAs on PSCs activation and pancreatic fibrosis have not been clearly explored. In this study, a novel lncRNA named Lnc-PFAR was found highly expressed in mouse and human CP tissues. Our data revealed that Lnc-PFAR facilitates PSCs activation and pancreatic fibrosis via RB1CC1-induced autophagy. Lnc-PFAR reduces miR-141 expression by suppressing pre-miR-141 maturation, which eventually upregulates the RB1CC1 and fibrosis-related indicators expression. Meanwhile, Lnc-PFAR enhanced PSCs activation and pancreatic fibrosis through trigging autophagy. Our study interrogates a novel lncRNA-induced mechanism in promoting the development of pancreatic fibrosis, and Lnc-PFAR is suggested to be a prospective therapeutic target in clinical scenarios.Subject terms: RNAi, Diagnostic markers, Chronic pancreatitis