Antagonizing Activin A/p15

activin antagonist cell cycle arrest liver fibrosis liver regeneration senescence

Journal

Cells
ISSN: 2073-4409
Titre abrégé: Cells
Pays: Switzerland
ID NLM: 101600052

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
08 Apr 2024
Historique:
received: 07 11 2023
revised: 09 01 2024
accepted: 01 02 2024
medline: 12 4 2024
pubmed: 12 4 2024
entrez: 12 4 2024
Statut: epublish

Résumé

Activin A is involved in the pathogenesis of human liver diseases, but its therapeutic targeting is not fully explored. Here, we tested the effect of novel, highly specific small-molecule-based activin A antagonists (NUCC-474/555) in improving liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy and halting fibrosis progression in models of chronic liver diseases (CLDs). Cell toxicity of antagonists was determined in rat hepatocytes and Huh-7 cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were treated with activin A and NUCC-555 and analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Partial hepatectomized Fisher (F)344 rats were treated with NUCC-555, and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation was determined at 18/24/36/120/240 h. NUCC-555 was administered into thioacetamide- or carbon tetrachloride-treated F344 rats or C57BL/6 mice, and the fibrosis progression was studied. NUCC-474 showed higher cytotoxicity in cultured hepatic cells; therefore, NUCC-555 was used in subsequent studies. Activin A-stimulated overexpression of cell cycle-/senescence-related genes (e.g., Our studies demonstrate that activin A antagonist NUCC-555 promotes liver regeneration and halts fibrosis progression in CLD models, suggesting that blocking activin A signaling may represent a new approach to treating people with CLD.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND/AIM OBJECTIVE
Activin A is involved in the pathogenesis of human liver diseases, but its therapeutic targeting is not fully explored. Here, we tested the effect of novel, highly specific small-molecule-based activin A antagonists (NUCC-474/555) in improving liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy and halting fibrosis progression in models of chronic liver diseases (CLDs).
METHODS METHODS
Cell toxicity of antagonists was determined in rat hepatocytes and Huh-7 cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were treated with activin A and NUCC-555 and analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Partial hepatectomized Fisher (F)344 rats were treated with NUCC-555, and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation was determined at 18/24/36/120/240 h. NUCC-555 was administered into thioacetamide- or carbon tetrachloride-treated F344 rats or C57BL/6 mice, and the fibrosis progression was studied.
RESULTS RESULTS
NUCC-474 showed higher cytotoxicity in cultured hepatic cells; therefore, NUCC-555 was used in subsequent studies. Activin A-stimulated overexpression of cell cycle-/senescence-related genes (e.g.,
CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS
Our studies demonstrate that activin A antagonist NUCC-555 promotes liver regeneration and halts fibrosis progression in CLD models, suggesting that blocking activin A signaling may represent a new approach to treating people with CLD.

Identifiants

pubmed: 38607090
pii: cells13070649
doi: 10.3390/cells13070649
pii:
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Subventions

Organisme : NIH HHS
ID : R01 DK130949
Pays : United States
Organisme : NIH HHS
ID : P30 DK120531
Pays : United States

Auteurs

Sowmya Mekala (S)

Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street-BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.

Ravi Rai (R)

Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street-BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.

Samantha Loretta Reed (SL)

Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street-BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.

Bill Bowen (B)

Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street-BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.

George K Michalopoulos (GK)

Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street-BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
Pittsburgh Liver Research Center (PLRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.

Joseph Locker (J)

Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street-BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
Pittsburgh Liver Research Center (PLRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.

Reben Raeman (R)

Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street-BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
Pittsburgh Liver Research Center (PLRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.

Michael Oertel (M)

Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street-BST S-404, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
Pittsburgh Liver Research Center (PLRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.

Classifications MeSH