Proinflammatory cytokine production in liver regeneration is Myd88-dependent, but independent of Cd14, Tlr2, and Tlr4

TNF and IL-6 are considered to be important to the initiation or priming phase of liver regeneration. However, the signaling pathways that lead to the production of these cytokines after partial hepatectomy (PH) have not been identified. Enteric-derived LPS appears to be important to liver regeneration, possibly by stimulating proinflammatory cytokine production after surgery. To determine whether LPS signaling pathways are involved in the regulation of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-6 during the priming phase of liver regeneration, we performed PH on mice lacking the TLRs Tlr4 and Tlr2, the LPS coreceptor, Cd14, and Myd88, an adapter protein involved in most TLR and IL-1R pathways. In MyD88 knockout (KO) mice after PH, both liver Tnf mRNA and circulating IL-6 levels were severely depressed compared with heterozygous or wild-type mice. Activation of STAT-3 and three STAT-3 responsive genes, Socs3, Cd14, and serum amyloid A2 were also blocked. In contrast, Tlr4, Tlr2, and Cd14 KO mice showed no deficits in the production of IL-6. Surprisingly, none of these KO mice showed any delay in hepatocyte replication. These data indicate that the LPS receptor TLR4, as well as TLR2 and CD14, do not play roles in regulating cytokine production or DNA replication after PH. In contrast, MyD88-dependent pathways appear to be responsible for TNF, IL-6, and their downstream signaling pathways.     

Increased Adiposity,Dysregulated Glucose Metabolism and Systemic Inflammation in Galectin-3 KO Mice

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with increased production of Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a protein that modulates inflammation and clearance of glucose adducts. We used Lean and Diet-induced Obese (DIO) WT and Gal-3 KO mice to investigate the role of Gal-3 in modulation of adiposity, glucose metabolism and inflammation. Deficiency of Gal-3 lead to age-dependent development of excess adiposity and systemic inflammation, as indicated by elevated production of acute-phase proteins, number of circulating pro-inflammatory Ly6C^high monocytes and development of neutrophilia, microcytic anemia and thrombocytosis in 20-week-old Lean and DIO male Gal-3 KO mice. This was associated with impaired fasting glucose, heightened response to a glucose tolerance test and reduced adipose tissue expression of adiponectin, Gal-12, ATGL and PPARγ, in the presence of maintained insulin sensitivity and hepatic expression of gluconeogenic enzymes in 20-week-old Gal-3 KO mice compared to their diet-matched WT controls. Expression of PGC-1α and FGF-21 in the liver of Lean Gal-3 KO mice was comparable to that observed in DIO animals. Impaired fasting glucose and altered responsiveness to a glucose load preceded development of excess adiposity and systemic inflammation, as demonstrated in 12-week-old Gal-3 KO mice. Finally, a role for the microflora in mediating the fasting hyperglycemia, but not the excessive response to a glucose load, of 12-week-old Gal-3 KO mice was demonstrated by administration of antibiotics. In conclusion, Gal-3 is an important modulator of glucose metabolism, adiposity and inflammation.     

Lack of tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 inhibits liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice

Chronic liver injury causes liver regeneration, resulting in fibrosis. The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is involved in the pathogenesis of many acute and chronic liver diseases. TNF has pleiotropic functions, but its role in liver fibrosis has not been clarified. Chronic repeated injection of CCl4 induces liver fibrosis in mice. We examined whether signaling through TNF receptors was critical for this process, using mice lacking either TNF receptor (TNFR) type 1 or TNFR type 2 to define the pathophysiologic role of TNFR signals in liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis caused by chronic CCl4 exposure was TNF-dependent; histological fibrosis was seen in wild-type (WT) and TNFR-2 knockout (KO) mice, but not in TNFR-1 KO mice. Furthermore, a marked reduction in procollagen and TGF-beta synthesis was observed in TNFR-1 KO mice, which also had little detectable NF-kappa B, STAT3, and AP1 binding, and reduced levels of liver interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA compared to WT and TNFR-2 KO mice. In conclusion, our results indicate the possibility that NF-kappa B, STAT3, and AP1 binding by signals transduced through TNFR-1 plays an important role in liver fibrosis formation.     

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor links hepatocyte priming with cell cycle progression during liver regeneration

The mechanisms that regulate the transition between the initial priming phase and DNA replication in liver regeneration are poorly understood. To study this transition, we compared events occurring after standard two-thirds partial hepatectomy, which elicits full regeneration, with response to a reduced hepatectomy, one-third partial hepatectomy (1/3PH), which leads to little DNA replication. Although the initial response to partial hepatectomy at the priming phase appeared to be similar between the two procedures, cell cycle progression was significantly blunted in 1/3PH mice. Among the main defects observed in 1/3PH mice were an almost complete deficiency in retinoblastoma phosphorylation and the lack of increase in kinase activity associated with cyclin E. We report that, in two-thirds partial hepatectomy mice, the expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) preceded the start of DNA replication and was not detectable in 1/3PH animals. Injection of HB-EGF into 1/3PH mice resulted in a >15-fold increase in DNA replication. Moreover, we show that hepatocyte DNA replication was delayed in HB-EGF knock-out mice. In summary, we show that HB-EGF is a key factor for hepatocyte progression through G(1)/S transition during liver regeneration.     

Uncoupling p53 functions in radiation-induced intestinal damage via PUMA and p21

The role of p53 in tissue protection is not well understood. Loss of p53 blocks apoptosis in the intestinal crypts following irradiation but paradoxically accelerates gastrointestinal (GI) damage and death. PUMA and p21 are the major mediators of p53-dependent apoptosis and cell-cycle checkpoints, respectively. To better understand these two arms of p53 response in radiation-induced GI damage, we compared animal survival, as well as apoptosis, proliferation, cell-cycle progression, DNA damage, and regeneration in the crypts of WT, p53 knockout (KO), PUMA KO, p21 KO, and p21/PUMA double KO (DKO) mice in a whole body irradiation model. Deficiency in p53 or p21 led to shortened survival but accelerated crypt regeneration associated with massive nonapoptotic cell death. Nonapoptotic cell death is characterized by aberrant cell-cycle progression, persistent DNA damage, rampant replication stress, and genome instability. PUMA deficiency alone enhanced survival and crypt regeneration by blocking apoptosis but failed to rescue delayed nonapoptotic crypt death or shortened survival in p21 KO mice. These studies help to better understand p53 functions in tissue injury and regeneration and to potentially improve strategies to protect or mitigate intestinal damage induced by radiation.     

Impaired cell proliferation in regenerating liver of 3 β-hydroxysterol Δ14-reductase (TM7SF2) knock-out mice

The liver is the most important organ in cholesterol metabolism, which is instrumental in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. The gene Tm7sf2 codifies for 3 β-hydroxysterol-Δ¹⁴-reductase (C14-SR), an endoplasmic reticulum resident protein catalyzing the reduction of C14-unsaturated sterols during cholesterol biosynthesis from lanosterol. In this study we analyzed the role of C14-SR in vivo during cell proliferation by evaluating liver regeneration in Tm7sf2 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. Tm7sf2 KO mice showed no alteration in cholesterol content. However, accumulation and delayed catabolism of hepatic triglycerides was observed, resulting in persistent steatosis at all times post hepatectomy. Moreover, delayed cell cycle progression to the G1/S phase was observed in Tm7sf2 KO mice, resulting in reduced cell division at the time points examined. This was associated to abnormal ER stress response, leading to alteration in p53 content and, consequently, induction of p21 expression in Tm7sf2 KO mice. In conclusion, our results indicate that Tm7sf2 deficiency during liver regeneration alters lipid metabolism and generates a stress condition, which, in turn, transiently unbalances hepatocytes cell cycle progression.     

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist modulates the early phase of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice

Background

Cytokine administration is a potential therapy for acute liver failure by reducing inflammatory responses and favour hepatocyte regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) during liver regeneration and to study the effect of a recombinant human IL-1ra on liver regeneration.

Methods

We performed 70%-hepatectomy in wild type (WT) mice, IL-1ra knock-out (KO) mice and in WT mice treated by anakinra. We analyzed liver regeneration at regular intervals by measuring the blood levels of cytokines, the hepatocyte proliferation by bromodeoxyuridin (BrdU) incorporation, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Cyclin D1 expression. The effect of anakinra on hepatocyte proliferation was also tested in vitro using human hepatocytes.

Results

At 24h and at 48h after hepatectomy, IL-1ra KO mice had significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β and MCP-1) and a reduced and delayed hepatocyte proliferation measured by BrdU incorporation, PCNA and Cyclin D1 protein levels, when compared to WT mice. IGFBP-1 and C/EBPβ expression was significantly decreased in IL-1ra KO compared to WT mice. WT mice treated with anakinra showed significantly decreased levels of IL-6 and significantly higher hepatocyte proliferation at 24h compared to untreated WT mice. In vitro, primary human hepatocytes treated with anakinra showed significantly higher proliferation at 24h compared to hepatocytes without treatment.

Conclusion

IL1ra modulates the early phase of liver regeneration by decreasing the inflammatory stress and accelerating the entry of hepatocytes in proliferation. IL1ra might be a therapeutic target to improve hepatocyte proliferation.     

TWEAK/Fn14 Signaling Is Required for Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy in Mice

Background & Aims

Pro-inflammatory cytokines are important for liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH). Expression of Fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14), the receptor for TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), is induced rapidly after PH and remains elevated throughout the period of peak hepatocyte replication. The role of Fn14 in post-PH liver regeneration is uncertain because Fn14 is expressed by liver progenitors and TWEAK-Fn14 interactions stimulate progenitor growth, but replication of mature hepatocytes is thought to drive liver regeneration after PH.

Methods

To clarify the role of TWEAK-Fn14 after PH, we compared post-PH regenerative responses in wild type (WT) mice, Fn14 knockout (KO) mice, TWEAK KO mice, and WT mice treated with anti-TWEAK antibodies.

Results

In WT mice, rare Fn14(+) cells localized with other progenitor markers in peri-portal areas before PH. PH rapidly increased proliferation of Fn14(+) cells; hepatocytic cells that expressed Fn14 and other progenitor markers, such as Lgr5, progressively accumulated from 12–8 h post-PH and then declined to baseline by 96 h. When TWEAK/Fn14 signaling was disrupted, progenitor accumulation, induction of pro-regenerative cytokines, hepatocyte and cholangiocyte proliferation, and over-all survival were inhibited, while post-PH liver damage and bilirubin levels were increased. TWEAK stimulated proliferation and increased Lgr5 expression in cultured liver progenitors, but had no effect on either parameter in cultured primary hepatocytes.

Conclusions

TWEAK-FN14 signaling is necessary for the healthy adult liver to regenerate normally after acute partial hepatectomy.     

Ablation of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) in vascular endothelial cells enhances insulin sensitivity by reducing visceral fat and suppressing angiogenesis

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway in vascular endothelial cells is important for systemic angiogenesis and glucose metabolism. In this study, we addressed the precise role of the 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1)-regulated signaling network in endothelial cells in vivo, using vascular endothelial PDK1 knockout (VEPDK1KO) mice. Surprisingly, VEPDK1KO mice manifested enhanced glucose tolerance and whole-body insulin sensitivity due to suppression of their hepatic glucose production with no change in either peripheral glucose disposal or even impaired vascular endothelial function at 6 months of age. When mice were fed a standard diet at 6 months of age and a high-fat diet at 3 months of age, hypertrophy of epididymal adipose tissues was inhibited, adiponectin mRNA was significantly increased, and mRNA of MCP1, leptin, and TNFα was decreased in the white adipose tissue of VEPDK1KO mice in comparison with controls. Consequently, both the circulating adiponectin levels and the activity of hepatic AMP-activated protein kinase were significantly increased, subsequently enhancing whole-body insulin sensitivity and energy expenditure with increased hepatic fatty acid oxidation in VEPDK1KO mice. These results provide the first in vivo evidence that lowered angiogenesis through the deletion of PDK1 signaling not only interferes with the growth of adipose tissue but also induces increased energy expenditure due to amelioration of the adipocytokine profile. This demonstrates an unexpected role of PDK1 signaling in endothelial cells on the maintenance of proper glucose homeostasis through the regulation of adipocyte development.     

Klf1 affects DNase II-alpha expression in the central macrophage of a fetal liver erythroblastic island: a non-cell-autonomous role in definitive erythropoiesis

A key regulatory gene in definitive erythropoiesis is the erythroid Kruppel-like factor (Eklf or Klf1). Klf1 knockout (KO) mice die in utero due to severe anemia, while residual circulating red blood cells retain their nuclei. Dnase2a is another critical gene in definitive erythropoiesis. Dnase2a KO mice are also affected by severe anemia and die in utero. DNase II-alpha is expressed in the central macrophage of erythroblastic islands (CMEIs) of murine fetal liver. Its main role is to digest the DNA of the extruded nuclei of red blood cells during maturation. Circulating erythrocytes retain their nuclei in Dnase2a KO mice. Here, we show that Klf1 is expressed in CMEIs and that it binds and activates the promoter of Dnase2a. We further show that Dnase2a is severely downregulated in the Klf1 KO fetal liver. We propose that this downregulation of Dnase2a in the CMEI contributes to the Klf1 KO phenotype by a non-cell-autonomous mechanism.     

LKB1 is required for hepatic bile acid transport and canalicular membrane integrity in mice

LKB1 is a 'master' protein kinase implicated in the regulation of metabolism, cell proliferation, cell polarity and tumorigenesis. However, the long-term role of LKB1 in hepatic function is unknown. In the present study, it is shown that hepatic LKB1 plays a key role in liver cellular architecture and metabolism. We report that liver-specific deletion of LKB1 in mice leads to defective canaliculi and bile duct formation, causing impaired bile acid clearance and subsequent accumulation of bile acids in serum and liver. Concomitant with this, it was found that the majority of BSEP (bile salt export pump) was retained in intracellular pools rather than localized to the canalicular membrane in hepatocytes from LLKB1KO (liver-specific Lkb1-knockout) mice. Together, these changes resulted in toxic accumulation of bile salts, reduced liver function and failure to thrive. Additionally, circulating LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol and non-esterified cholesterol levels were increased in LLKB1KO mice with an associated alteration in red blood cell morphology and development of hyperbilirubinaemia. These results indicate that LKB1 plays a critical role in bile acid homoeostasis and that lack of LKB1 in the liver results in cholestasis. These findings indicate a novel key role for LKB1 in the development of hepatic morphology and membrane targeting of canalicular proteins.     

CuZn-SOD deficiency causes ApoB degradation and induces hepatic lipid accumulation by impaired lipoprotein secretion in mice

Elevated hepatic reactive oxygen species play an important role in pathogenesis of liver diseases, such as alcohol-induced liver injury, hepatitis C virus infection, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In the present study, we investigated and compared the hepatic lipid metabolisms of liver-specific Sod2 (superoxide dismutase 2) knock-out (Sod2 KO), Sod1 knock-out (Sod1 KO), and Sod1/liver-specific Sod2 double knock-out mice (double KO). We observed significant increases in lipid peroxidation and triglyceride (TG) in the liver of Sod1 KO and double KO mice but not in the liver of Sod2 KO mice. We also found that high fat diet enhanced fatty changes of the liver in Sod1 KO and double KO mice but not in Sod2 KO mice. These data indicated that CuZn-SOD deficiency caused lipid accumulation in the liver. To investigate the molecular mechanism of hepatic lipid accumulation in CuZn-SOD-deficient mice, we measured TG secretion rate from liver using Triton WR1339. We found significant decrease of TG secretion in CuZn-SOD-deficient mice. Furthermore, we observed marked degradation of apolipoprotein B (apoB) in the liver and plasma of CuZn-SOD-deficient mice, indicating that degradation of apoB impairs secretion of lipoprotein from the liver. Our data suggest that oxidative stress enhances hepatic lipid accumulation by impaired lipoprotein secretion due to the degradation of apoB in liver.     

Energy intake and adiponectin gene expression

Hypoadiponectinemia and decreased adiponectin gene expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) have been well observed in obese subjects and animal models. However, the mechanism for obesity-associated hypoadiponectinemia is still largely unknown. To investigate the regulatory role of energy intake, dietary fat, and adiposity in adiponectin gene expression and blood adiponectin level, a series of feeding regimens was employed to manipulate energy intake and dietary fat in obese-prone C57BL/6, genetically obese ob/ob, obese-resistant A/J and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α gene knockout (PPARα KO) mice. Adiponectin gene expression in WAT and circulating adiponectin levels were studied in these dietary intervention-treated mice. Our study showed that calorie restriction (CR) robustly increased adiponectin gene expression in epididymal fat and blood adiponectin levels in both low-fat (LF) and high-fat (HF) diet-fed C57BL/6 mice. Although HF pair-fed C57BL/6 mice received the same amount of calories as LF ad libitum-fed mice, HF diet clearly increased adiposity but showed no significant effects on adiponectin gene expression and blood adiponectin level. CR also significantly increased blood adiponectin levels in ob/ob and A/J mice. Neither CR nor HF feeding displayed any significant effect on blood adiponectin half-life in C57BL/6 mice. Interestingly, CR increased PPARα expression in epididymal fat of C57BL/6 mice. Low levels of blood adiponectin and adiponectin gene expression in WAT were observed in PPARα KO mice. PPARα agonist treatment increased adiponectin mRNA levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, CR failed to increase adiponectin gene expression and blood adiponectin levels in PPARα KO mice. Therefore, our study demonstrated that energy intake, not dietary fat, plays an important role in regulating adiponectin gene expression and blood adiponectin level. PPARα mediates CR-enhanced adiponectin gene expression in WAT.     

Mice lacking the proton channel Hv1 exhibit sex-specific differences in glucose homeostasis

Sex as a physiologic factor has a strong association with the features of metabolic syndrome. Our previous study showed that loss of the voltage-gated proton channel Hv1 inhibits insulin secretion and leads to hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance in male mice. However, there are significant differences in blood glucose between male and female Hv1-knockout (KO) mice. Here, we investigated the differences in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity between male and female KO mice and how sex steroids contribute to these differences. We found that the fasting blood glucose in female KO mice was visibly lower than that in male KO mice, which was accompanied by hypotestosteronemia. KO mice in both sexes exhibited higher expression of gluconeogenesis-related genes in liver compared with WT mice. Also, the livers from KO males displayed a decrease in glycolysis-related gene expression and an increase in gluconeogenesis-related gene expression compared with KO females. Furthermore, exogenous testosterone supplementation decreased blood glucose levels in male KO mice, as well as enhancing insulin signaling. Taken together, our data demonstrate that knockout of Hv1 results in higher blood glucose levels in male than female mice, despite a decreased insulin secretion in both sexes. This sex-related difference in glucose homeostasis is associated with the glucose metabolism in liver tissue, likely due to the physiological levels of testosterone in KO male mice.