Hongyun She

Steatohepatitis induced by intragastric overfeeding in mice

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is prevalent among obese individuals with excessive caloric intake, insulin resistance, and type II diabetes. However, no animal models exist that recapitulate this important association. This study produced and characterized steatohepatitis (SH) caused by intragastric overfeeding in mice. C57BL/6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) type I receptor–deficient, and genetically matched wild type mice were fed via an implanted gastrostomy tube a high‐fat diet for 9 weeks in the increasing amount up to 85% in excess of the standard intake. Animals were examined for weight gain, insulin sensitivity, and histology and biochemistry of liver and white adipose tissue (WAT). Overfed C57BL/6 mice progressively became obese, with 71% larger final body weights. They had increased visceral WAT, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance. Of these mice, 46% developed SH with increased plasma alanine aminotransferase (121 ± 27 vs. 13 ± 1 U/L), neutrophilic infiltration, and sinusoidal and pericellular fibrosis. Obese WAT showed increased TNFα and leptin expression and reciprocally reduced adiponectin expression. The expression of lipogenic transcription factors (SREBP‐1c, PPARγ, LXRα) was increased, whereas that of a lipolytic nuclear factor PPARα was reduced in SH. SH was associated with reduced cytochrome P450 (Cyp)2e1 but increased Cyp4a. TNF type I receptor deficiency did not prevent obesity and SH. In conclusion, forced overfeeding with a high‐fat diet in mice induces obesity, insulin resistance, and SH in the absence of TNF signaling or Cyp2e1 induction. Supplementary material for this article can be found on the HEPATOLOGY website (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/0270‐9139/suppmat/index.html). (HEPATOLOGY 2005;42:905–914.)

Signaling Role of Intracellular Iron in NF-κB Activation

Iron chelators inhibit endotoxin-induced NF-κB activation in hepatic macrophages (HMs), suggesting a role for the intracellular chelatable pool of iron in NF-κB activation. The present study tested this hypothesis. Analysis of Fe59-loaded HMs stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), revealed a previously unreported, transient rise in intracellular low molecular weight (LMW)·Fe59complex ([LMW·Fe] i ) at ≤2 min returning to the basal level within 15 min. The [LMW·Fe] i response preceded IκB kinase (IKK) (≥15 min) and NF-κB (≥30 min) activation. Iron chelators (1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyridin-4-one andN,N′-bis-2-hydroxybenzylethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid) abrogated the [LMW·Fe] i response and IKK and NF-κB activation. The [LMW·Fe] i response was also observed in tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-stimulated HMs and RAW264.7 cells treated with LPS and interferon-γ but not in primary rat hepatocytes or myofibroblastic cells exposed to LPS or TNFα. Both [LMW·Fe] i response and IKK activation in LPS-stimulated HMs were inhibited by diphenylene iodonium (nonspecific inhibitor for flavin-containing oxidases),l-N 6-(1-iminoethyl)lysine (selective iNOS inhibitor), and adenoviral-mediated expression of a dominant negative mutant of Rac1 or Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase, suggesting the role of ⋅NO and O 2 ⨪ in mediating the iron signaling. In fact, this inhibition was recapitulated by a cell-permeable scavenger of ONOO−, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinato iron (III) chloride. Conversely, ONOO− alone induced both [LMW·Fe] i response and IKK activation. Finally, direct addition of ferrous iron to cultured HMs activated IKK and NF-κB. These results support a novel signaling role for [LMW·Fe] i in IKK activation, which appears to be induced by ONOO−and selectively operative in macrophages.

Anti-adipogenic regulation underlies hepatic stellate cell transdifferentiation

Cirrhosis is the most important consequence of alcoholic liver disease for which liver transplantation is the only treatment option available. Transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) to myofibroblastic cells (MF) is a central event in liver fibrogenesis, and understanding molecular mechanisms that underlie this cellular event provides pivotal insights into development of new therapeutic modalities for cirrhosis. To this end, the authors proposed several years ago that transdifferentiation of quiescent HSC to MF may be causally associated with transcriptional regulation known for adipocyte–preadipocytic fibroblast dedifferentiation. In support of this notion, the authors showed that adipogenic transcription factors and their downstream adipocyte specific genes are expressed abundantly in quiescent HSC and that this expression profile is lost in HM. Further, gain‐of‐function manipulations for adipogenic transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ) and sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1c have been shown to reverse culture‐induced MF to quiescent HSC. The authors also demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor‐α and Wnt, known mediators of anti‐adipogenesis, also suppress the activity of PPAR‐γ and contribute to HSC‐MF transdifferentiation. These results reinforce the concept of adipogenic regulation essential to the quiescent phenotype and the loss of such regulation underlying HSC‐HM transdifferentiation. They also provide insights into the molecular basis for the use of PPAR‐γ agonists, which has been advocated for treatment of liver fibrosis.

Iron-dependent activation of NF-κB in Kupffer cells: a priming mechanism for alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver disease is associated with hepatic iron accumulation, and iron supplementation exacerbates alcoholic liver disease, suggesting the pathogenic role of iron in alcoholic liver disease. We have tested a hypothesis that iron plays a signaling role in activation of redox-sensitive nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and that increased iron content results in heightened expression of proinflammatory cytokines in Kupffer cells because of this signaling. In cultured Kupffer cells isolated from normal rats, treatment with a lipophilic iron chelator, 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one (L1), markedly reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NF-kappaB activation and expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6. Kupffer cells, isolated from rats with experimentally induced alcoholic liver disease, had significant increases in nonheme iron content, NF-kappaB binding, and mRNA expression for TNF-alpha and macrophage inflammatory protein-1. Ex vivo L1 treatment normalized all these parameters. Addition of ferrous iron to cultured normal rat Kupffer cells increased I-kappa B kinase (IKK) activity at 15 min and NF-kappaB binding at 30 min. L1 pretreatment completely abrogated both effects. Moreover, the iron treatment increased TNF-alpha release and TNF-alpha promoter activity in a NF-kappaB-dependent manner. Ferrous iron also transiently decreased cytoplasmic I-kappa B-alpha (IkappaB-alpha), with concomitant increases in nuclear p65 protein and DNA binding of p65/p50. Taken together, these results support the existence of iron-dependent signaling for activation of IKK/NF-kappaB in Kupffer cells, and this iron signaling serves as a target for a potential priming effect for the pathogenesis of experimental alcoholic liver disease.

Iron Causes Interactions of TAK1, p21ras, and Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase in Caveolae to Activate IκB Kinase in Hepatic Macrophages

We recently discovered a novel signaling phenomenon involving a rapid and transient rise in intracellular low molecular weight iron complex(es) in activation of IκB kinase (IKK) in hepatic macrophages. We also showed direct treatment with ferrous iron substitutes for this event to activate IKK. The present study used this model to identify upstream kinases responsible for IKK activation. IKK activation induced by iron is abrogated by overexpression of a dominant negative mutant (DN) for transforming growth factor β-activated kinase-1 (TAK1), NF-κB-inducing kinase, or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and by treatment with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase-1 (MEK1) inhibitor. Iron increases AKT phosphorylation that is prevented by DNTAK1 or DNp21ras. Iron causes ERK1/2 phosphorylation that is attenuated by DN-PI3K, prevented by DNp21ras, but unaffected by DNTAK1. Iron-induced TAK1 activity is not affected by the PI3K or MEK1 inhibitor, suggesting TAK1 is upstream of PI3K and MEK1. Iron increases interactions of TAK1 and PI3K with p21ras as demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation and co-localization of these proteins with caveolin-1 as shown by immunofluorescent microscopy. Finally, filipin III, a caveolae inhibitor, abrogates iron-induced TAK1 and IKK activation. In conclusion, MEK1, TAK1, NF-κ-inducing kinase, and PI3K are required for iron-induced IKK activation in hepatic macrophages and TAK1, PI3K, and p21ras physically interact in caveolae to initiate signal transduction.

Hepatic macrophage iron aggravates experimental alcoholic steatohepatitis

One prime feature of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is iron accumulation in hepatic macrophages/Kupffer cells (KC) associated with enhanced NF-kappaB activation. Our recent work demonstrates a peroxynitrite-mediated transient rise in intracellular labile iron (ILI) as novel signaling for endotoxin-induced IKK and NF-kappaB activation in rodent KC. The present study investigated the mechanism of KC iron accumulation and its effects on ILI response in experimental ALD. We also tested ILI response in human blood monocytes. Chronic alcohol feeding in rats results in increased expression of transferrin (Tf) receptor-1 and hemochromatosis gene (HFE), enhanced iron uptake, an increase in nonheme iron content, and accentuated ILI response for NF-kappaB activation in KC. Ex vivo treatment of these KC with an iron chelator abrogates the increment of iron content, ILI response, and NF-kappaB activation. The ILI response is evident in macrophages derived from human blood monocytes by PMA treatment but not in vehicle-treated monocytes, and this differentiation-associated phenomenon is essential for maximal TNF-alpha release. PMA-induced macrophages load iron dextran and enhance ILI response and TNF-alpha release. These effects are reproduced in KC selectively loaded in vivo with iron dextran in mice and more importantly aggravate experimental ALD. Our results suggest enhanced iron uptake as a mechanism of KC iron loading in ALD and demonstrate the ILI response as a function acquired by differentiated macrophages in humans and as a priming mechanism for ALD.

Fat paradox of steatohepatitis.

Alcoholic and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH and NASH) constitute two major types of chronic liver disease with worldwide prevalence and are histologically indistinguishable with shared pathogenetic mechanisms. More importantly, they have synergistic interactions for liver pathology. Comparative studies on ASH and NASH have been hampered by the use of different animal models with confounding variables, particularly those with extreme genetic, toxic, and malnutrition etiologies. The mouse intragastric model circumvents these problems and reproduces the natural course and etiological background of ASH and NASH. Further, our recent work reproduces a profound synergism between the two in the model. Intracellular accumulation of neural lipids is a hallmark biochemical feature of ASH and NASH. Although impaired lipid oxidation and export may contribute to this pathological change, enhanced lipogenic regulation is frequently encountered, as characterized by induction of lipogenic or adipogenic transcription factors (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor [PPARγ], liver X receptor α[LXRα], sterol‐regulatory element‐binding protein‐1c [SREBP‐1c]). In contrast, we have recently defined transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), a pivotal event in liver fibrogenesis, as an ‘antilipogenic’ or ‘anti‐adipogenic’ phenomenon. Thus, there is an apparent paradox between hepatocytes and HSC in steatohepatitis in terms of the outcome of lipogenic regulation. Our recent work suggests that defective insulin signaling in activated HSC may be responsible for this paradox. Further, activated Wnt signaling is implicated in ‘anti‐adipogenic’ stellate cell transdifferentiation in liver fibrogenesis.

Signaling role of iron in NF-kappa B activation in hepatic macrophages

Iron is both essential and toxic for cells and impaired iron homeostasis has been shown to cause or potentiate various forms of liver injury. Research in our laboratory suggests that iron also plays a pivotal role in intracellular signaling for NF-kappa B activation in hepatic macrophages (HM). Our results showed: 1) HM from alcohol-fed rats had a increase in the nonheme iron content accompanied by NF-kappa B activation; 2) iron chelation normalized nonheme iron concentration and blocked enhanced NF-kappa B activation and TNF-alpha expression in these cells; 3) LPS-induced NF-kappa B activation was also blocked by iron chelator; 4) iron directly induced TNF-alpha expression via IKK and NF-kappa B activation in normal HM. We propose that iron acts as an independent proinflammatory molecule via induction of the intracellular signaling for NF-kappa B activation in HM and primes the liver for chronic inflammation and injury.

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ and Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation

Publisher Summary One salient feature of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is the loss of intracellular vitamin A. This occurs both in vitro and in vivo. A mechanistic link among vitamin A depletion, HSC activation, and liver fibrosis is supported by in vivo findings that treatment of rats with retinol ameliorates liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CC14), whereas this experimental liver fibrosis is exacerbated by vitamin A deficiency. In contrast, vitamin A supplementation aggravates liver injury and fibrosis caused by CC14 or alcohol. However, these latter effects likely reflect enhanced oxidative injury of hepatocytes via metabolism of retinoids by induced microsomal cytochromes. Treatment of cultured HSC with all-trans retinoic acid (RA) causes suppression of cell proliferation, collagen, and transforming growth factor -β production. Spontaneous activation of cultured HSC is associated with the release of retinol into the medium, a process that is enhanced by Kupffer cell-conditioned medium.