Reduced mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor expression by mutant androgen receptor contributes to neurodegeneration in a model of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy pathology

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy is a neurodegenerative disease caused by extended CAG trinucleotide repeats in the androgen receptor gene,which encodes a ligand-dependent transcription facto r.The mutant androgen receptor protein,characterized by polyglutamine expansion,is prone to misfolding and forms aggregates in both the nucleus and cytoplasm in the brain in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy patients.These aggregates alter protein-protein interactions and compromise transcriptional activity.In this study,we reported that in both cultured N2a cells and mouse brain,mutant androgen receptor with polyglutamine expansion causes reduced expression of mesencephalic astrocyte-de rived neurotrophic factor.Overexpressio n of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor amelio rated the neurotoxicity of mutant androgen receptor through the inhibition of mutant androgen receptor aggregation.Conversely.knocking down endogenous mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor in the mouse brain exacerbated neuronal damage and mutant androgen receptor aggregation.Our findings suggest that inhibition of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor expression by mutant androgen receptor is a potential mechanism underlying neurodegeneration in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy.

Effects of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor on sepsis-associated acute kidney injury

BACKGROUND:To determine the protective role of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor(MANF) in regulating sepsis-associated acute kidney injury(S-AKI).METHODS:A total of 96 mice were randomly divided into the control group,control+MANF group,S-AKI group,and S-AKI+MANF group.The S-AKI model was established by injecting lipopolysaccharide(LPS) at 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally.MANF(200 μg/kg) was administered to the control+MANF and S-AKI+MANF groups.An equal dose of normal saline was administered daily intraperitoneally in the control and S-AKI groups.Serum and kidney tissue samples were obtained for biochemical analysis.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of MANF in the kidney,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine expression of MANF in the serum,pro-inflammatory cytokines(tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]).Serum creatinine(SCr),and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)were examined using an automatic biochemical analyzer.In addition,the kidney tissue was observed for pathological changes by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The comparison between two groups was performed by unpaired Student’s t-test,and statistics among multiple groups were carried out using Tukey’s post hoc test following one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA).A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS:At the early stage of S-AKI,MANF in the kidney tissue was up-regulated,but with the development of the disease,it was down-regulated.Renal function was worsened in the S-AKI group,and TNF-α and IL-6 were elevated.The administration of MANF significantly alleviated the elevated levels of SCr and BUN and inhibited the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in the kidney.The pathological changes were more extensive in the S-AKI group than in the S-AKI+MANF group.CONCLUSION:MANF treatment may significantly alleviate renal injury,reduce the inflammatory response,and alleviate or reverse kidney tissue damage.MANF may have a protective effect on S-AKI,suggesting a potential treatment for S-AKI.

Transplantation of primary cultured embryonic mesencephalic neural precursor cells for treating Parkinsonian rats

BACKGROUND： Choosing proper donor cells is one of keys in experimental and clinical studies on cell replacement therapy （CRT） for treating Parkinson disease （PD）. Embryonic mesencephalic precursor cells （MPCs） can stably differentiate into dopaminergic neuron after in vitro proliferated culture. As compared with embryonic stem cell and neural stem cell strains, cell composition of embryonic MPCs after primary culture is also the most close to that of embryonic mesencephalic ventral cell suspension without proliferated culture. Successful experience accumulated in the latter suggests that primary cultured embryonic MPCs might be the most potential donor cells in clinical application with CRT for treating PD so far. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the feasibility of primary cultured embryonic precursor cells cultured primarily as donor cells in CRT for treating PD in rats. DESIGN ： A randomized and controlled trial taking SD rats as experimental animals.SETTING： Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University.MATERIALS： This experiment was carried out at the Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institute for Biological Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences from July 2003 to June 2004. Totally 26 female SD rats, with body mass of 200 to 220 g, were provided by Shanghai Experimental Animal Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences. METHODS ： Stereotaxic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the medial forebrain bundle were perfored to develop PD model rat. Among 26 SD rats, 20 rats achieved a more than 5 turns/min in apomorphine induced rotation test, reaching the standard of PD model rats. Immunohistochemical detection was performed on 1 out of 20 model rats after execution, and the other 19 rats were randomly divided into control group （n=5）, sham transplantation group （n=5）and cell grafted group （n=9）. Primary cultured E12 MPC cell suspension （1.2×10^11 L^-1）were used as donor cells. 4μL primary cultured E12 MPC cell suspension prepared freshly was injected into the lesioned corpus striatum of rats in cell grafted group, and 4μL D-Hank＇s solution was injected in sham transplantation group in the same way. There was no injection in control group. Apomorphine-induced rotation rate of PD rats were recorded respectively in cell grafted group and sham transplantation group pre-operation （initial value） and at postoperative 2, 4, 6 and 16 weeks. Apomorphine-induced rotation rate of PD rats was recorded in control group at postoperative 2 months （initial value） and following 2,4,6 and 16 weeks. To determine TH antigen with immunohistological ABC method （DAB developing） at 6 months post-transplantation to investigate the differentiation and survival of donor cells in the host body.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Apomorphine-induced rotation behavior before and after transplantation and the survival and differentiation of implanted cells in the host body at 6 months post-transplantation. RESULTS： Among 19 model rats, one rat died after transplantation respectively in the cell grafted group and sham transplantation group; finally 17 model rats entered the stage of result analysis. Relative apomorphine-induced rotation rate was significantly decreased in the cell grafted group as compared with that before transplantation , with significant difference （P 〈 0.01 .P 〈 0.05）;the mean value of relative apomorphine-induced rotation rate was significantly decreased at postoperative 16 weeks in cell grafted group as compared with that of corresponding relative rotation rate in control group , also with significant difference （P 〈 0.05）.Immunohistological results showed that donor cells could differentiate into large and multi-polar dopaminergic neurons in the host body. CONCLUSION ： Primary cultured embryonic MPCs can be used as the donor cells in CRT for treating PD.

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor ameliorates steatosis in HepG2 cells by regulating hepatic lipid metabolism

BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global metabolism-associated liver disease.Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a newly discovered secreted protein that is involved in metabolic homeostasis.However,much remains to be discovered about its function in hepatic lipid metabolism;thus,we assessed whether MANF could regulate hepatic metabolism.AIM To establish in vivo and in vitro NAFLD models to explore the role of MANF in hepatic lipid metabolism.METHODS HepG2 cells treated with free fatty acids (FFAs) and ob/ob mice were used as NAFLD models.Liver tissues collected from wild type and ob/ob mice were used to detect MANF expression.Cells were treated with FFAs for different durations.Moreover,we used lentiviral constructs to establish overexpression and knockdown cell models in order to interfere with MANF expression levels and observe whether MANF influences hepatic steatosis.Western blot analysis and quantitative real-time PCR were used to detect protein and gene expression,and oil red O staining was used to visualize intracellular lipid droplets.RESULTS Hepatic MANF protein and mRNA expression in wild type mice were 10-fold and 2-fold higher,respectively,than those in ob/ob mice.The MANF protein was temporarily increased by 1.3-fold after stimulation with FFAs for 24 h and gradually decreased to 0.66-fold that of the control at the 72 h time point in HepG2 cells.MANF deficiency upregulated the expression of genes involved infatty acid synthesis,cholesterol synthesis,and fatty acid uptake and aggravated HepG2 cell steatosis,while MANF overexpression inhibited fatty acid synthesis and uptake and cholesterol synthesis,and rescued HepG2 cells from FFAsinduced steatosis.Furthermore,a significant decrease in triglyceride levels was observed in the MANF overexpression group compared with the control group(0.4288±0.0081 mmol/g vs 0.3746±0.0121 mmol/g,P <0.05) upon FF As treatment.There was also a 17%decrease in intracellular total cholesterol levels between the MANF overexpression group and the control group (0.1301±0.0059mmol/g vs 0.1088±0.0009 mmol/g,P <0.05) upon FF As treatment.Moreover,MANF suppressed lipid deposition in HepG2 cells.CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that MANF improves the phenotype of liver cell steatosis and may be a potential therapeutic target in hepatic steatosis processes.

Neurotrophic Effect of Bone Proliferation and Committed Mesencephalic Precursors Marrow Stromal Cells on Differentiation of Ventral

OBJECTIVE To explore the potential neurotrophic effect of bone marrow stromal cells （BMSCs） on cell proliferation and committed neuronal differentiation of ventral mesencephalic precursors （VMPs） in vitro. METHODS Ventral mesencephalic precursors from Ell inbred rat embryos and BMSCs from adult rats were cultured both separately and in co-culture. After a 7-day incubation in vitro, three conditioned culture media were obtained, termed VMP or common medium, BMSC medium, and BMSC±VMP medium. Ventral mesen- cephalic precursors cells were cultured in each of these media and the effects on proliferation and VMP differentiation were assessed. The relative yield of TH± cells was calculated and compared by immunocytochemical staining. RESULTS After a 7-day culture and induction of VMPs, the total cell counts were increased by （44.13±4.75）-fold （common）, （60.63±5.25）-fold （BMSC）, and （64.00±7.63）-fold （BMSC±VMP）. The proportions of TH＋ cells were （18.76±5.20）%, （23.49±4.10）%, and （28.08± 5.42）%, respectively, with statistically significant differences among the treatment groups. CONCLUSION BMSCs release factors that promote the proliferation of VMPs and facilitate the committed differentiation of VMPs into dopaminergic neurons.

Effects of electrostimulation and administration of succinylcholine on the expression of Fos protein in mesencephalic periaqueductal gray matter of rats after simulated weightlessness

BACKGROUND： Expression of Fos in neurons of periaqueductal gray （PAG） is used to reflect the excitability. However, changes of expression of Fos in neurons of PAG are caused by injured electrostimulation after simulated weightlessness, and the relationship between pretreatment and injection of succinylcholine has not been determined yet. OBJECTIVE ： To investigate the changes of expression of Fos in PAG induced by injured electrostimulation pretreatment and injection of succinylcholine at 2 weeks after simulated weightlessness.DESIGN： Observational and controlled animal study.SETTING： Department of Physiology, Medical School, Xi＇an Jiaotong University; Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education. MATERIALS： A total of 24 adult female SD rats, of clean grade and weighing 180-220 g, were selected in this study. METHODS： The experiment was completed in the Experimental Animal Center of Xi＇an Jiaotong University.① All rats were randomly divided into 2 groups according to body mass： simulated weightlessness group and control group with 12 in each group. And then, each group was also divided into 3 subgroups： electrostimulation group, succinylcholine-pretreatment group and succinylcholine-injection group with 4 in each subgroup. ②The model of weightlessness was simulated by tail-suspended female rats, which were described and modified by Cheng Jie. Rats in normal control group were given the same interventions as simulated weightlessness group except for tail-suspended. ③ Experimental method： The rats in electrostimulation group were given nociceptive stimulus by a pair of subcutaneous electrodes inserted into 1 and 5 claw of left hindlimb. The stimulus （current： 10 mA; duration： 1 ms; interval： 1 s） lasted for 30 minutes. The rats in succinylcholine-pretreatment group received stimulus after intravenous administration of succinylcholine, rats in succinylcholine-injection group were not given stimulus, just received succinylcholine. ④ All rats were perfused and fixed after 2 hours from the end of stimulation. The brains were removed, and serial frozen sections of midbrain were stained using immunocytochemical method, observed and taken photos under light-microscope. The number and morphological characters of Fos-immunoreactive （Fos-IR） neurons in ventrolateral part of PAG were investigated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The alterations in number and morphological characters of Fos-IR neurons in ventrolateral PAG of all rats.RESULTS： A total of 24 rats were involved in the final analysis. ① The morphological changes of Fos-IR neurons： The expressions of Fos in ventrolateral part of PAG were observed in both control and simulated weightlessness groups rats after being given nociceptive stimulus. As compared with control group, Fos-IR neurons in simulated weightlessness group were dyed lightly, cellular integrity was impaired, and cellular verge was unclear. ② The numbers of Fos-IR neurons： In control group, the numbers of Fos-IR neurons in ventrolateral part of PAG in simulated weightlessness group were obviously lower than succinylcholine-pretreatment group, but obviously higher than succinylcholine-injection group （46.94±3.38, 71.06±8.96 and 35.04±4.62, respectively, P 〈 0.05）. In 14-day simulated weightlessness group, the numbers of Fos-IR neurons in electrostimulation group were also obviously lower than succinylcholine-pretreatment group, and obviously higher than succinylcholine-injection group （27.77±3.27, 32.91±2.99 and 11.75±1.00, respectively, P 〈 0.05）. The numbers of Fos-IR neurons in all subgroups in control group were obviously higher than those subgroups in simulated weightlessness group. Compared with electrostimulation group, the percentage of expression of Fos in ventrolateral part of PAG responsed to nociceptive stimulus after administration of succinylcholine （SCH） was increased to 51.83% in control group and 18.51% in simulated weightlessness group.CONCLUSION ：① The expression of Fos in neurons in ventrolateral part of PAG were increased by the pretreatment of SCH before nociceptive stimulus.② Nociceptive stimulus could increase the expression of Fos in neurons in ventrolateral part of PAG. ③ The numbers of Fos-IR neurons in ventrolateral part of PAG were decreased obviously after 2-week simulated weightlessness.

Paving the way toward retinal regeneration with mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor

Neurodegenerative diseases are a leading cause of disability worldwide,and despite significant resources put toward the discovery of potential therapeutic targets,there are currently no effective treatments.The rise of methods to derive and propagate stem cells in vitro offered

Mesencephalic Progenitors Can Differentiate into TH-Positive Neurons and Improve Dysfunction in PD Rats

This study investigated the possibility of using mesencephalic progenitors (MPs) in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). MPs were prepared from E 11 13 rats and proliferated in the serum free medium with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for 10 days. Cells were then collected and implanted into the striatum only-single grafts, or simultaneously into the substantia nigra (SN) and the striatum-double grafts. Twelve weeks after transplantation, 1,1' dioctadecyl 3,3,3',3' tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI), a fluorescent dye, was microinjected into the ipsilateral striatum. The results show that double grafted MPs have more potent effects on rotational behavior than single grafted MPs. Injection of the retrograde tracer DiI into the striatum results in fluorescent labeled cells within the intranigral grafts only in double graft subjects. These data suggest that MP transplants not only can improve rotational behavior, but also help to reestablish nigrostriatal connections, so that such transplants may become an efficient way of treating PD.

Neurotrophic factors increase tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive cell density of fetal mesencephalic cells

Objective To hibernate fetal ventral mesencephalic tegmental (VMT) cells from Spraque Dawley rats E 15 for 5 days at 4℃ in either hibernation media (HM) or in conditioned hibernation media (CHM) supplemented with trophic factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF 200 ng/ml), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF 100 ng/ml), recombinant human brain derived neurotrophic factor (rhBDNF 20 μg/ml), recombinant human glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (rhGDNF 20 μg/ml), fetal calf serum (FCS 9%), or human placental cord serum (HPCS 10%). Methods The percent of cell viability and the density of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (THir) cells in fetal striatal VMT co culture were determined. Results The viability of fetal striatal cells (0.8± 0.104) was slightly higher than that of fetal VMT cells (0.7±0.072) at 0 time point (F 17,1 =4.677; P= 0.045). After 5 days of hibernation, the viability of fetal VMT cells reduced by 30% (F 7,1 =88.493; P<0.001) in HM. However, THir cell density reduced by more than 90% as compared to the freshly harvested VMT cells (F 7,1 =179.944; P<0.001). CHM with HPCS, bFGF, EGF, BDNF, and GDNF showed higher THir cell density than that of HM or CHM supplemented with FCS (P<0.001). Conclusion Supplementation of appropriate trophic factors for hibernated fetal VMT cells promotes cell viability and the subsequent expression of THir cell density.

Combined cell-based therapy strategies for the treatment of Parkinson's disease:focus on mesenchymal stromal cells

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by motor impairments caused by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.Levodopa is an effective and well-tolerated dopamine replacement agent.However,levodopa provides only symptomatic improvements,without affecting the underlying pathology,and is associated with side effects after long-term use.Cell-based replacement is a promising strategy that offers the possibility to replace lost neurons in Parkinson’s disease treatment.Clinical studies of transplantation of human fetal ventral mesencephalic tissue have provided evidence that the grafted dopaminergic neurons can reinnervate the striatum,release dopamine,integrate into the host neural circuits,and improve motor functions.One of the limiting factors for cell therapy in Parkinson’s disease is the low survival rate of grafted dopaminergic cells.Different factors could cause cell death of dopaminergic neurons after grafting such as mechanical trauma,growth factor deprivation,hypoxia,and neuroinflammation.Neurotrophic factors play an essential role in the survival of grafted cells.However,direct,timely,and controllable delivery of neurotrophic factors into the brain faces important limitations.Different types of cells secrete neurotrophic factors constitutively and co-transplantation of these cells with dopaminergic neurons represents a feasible strategy to increase neuronal survival.In this review,we provide a general overview of the pioneering studies on cell transplantation developed in patients and animal models of Parkinson’s disease,with a focus on neurotrophic factor-secreting cells,with a particular interest in mesenchymal stromal cells;that co-implanted with dopaminergic neurons would serve as a strategy to increase cell survival and improve graft outcomes.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induce M2 microglia polarization through PDGF-AA/MANF signaling

BACKGROUND Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)are capable of shifting the microglia/macrophages phenotype from M1 to M2,contributing to BMSCsinduced brain repair.However,the regulatory mechanism of BMSCs on microglia/macrophages after ischemic stroke is unclear.Recent evidence suggests that mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor(MANF)and plateletderived growth factor-AA(PDGF-AA)/MANF signaling regulate M1/M2 macrophage polarization.AIM To investigate whether and how MANF or PDGF-AA/MANF signaling influences BMSCs-mediated M2 polarization.METHODS We identified the secretion of MANF by BMSCs and developed transgenic BMSCs using a targeting small interfering RNA for knockdown of MANF expression.Using a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)model transplanted by BMSCs and BMSCs-microglia Transwell coculture system,the effect of BMSCsinduced downregulation of MANF expression on the phenotype of microglia/macrophages was tested by Western blot,quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction,and immunofluorescence.Additionally,microglia were transfected with mimics of miR-30a*,which inuenced expression of X-box binding protein(XBP)1,a key transcription factor that synergized with activating transcription factor 6(ATF6)to govern MANF expression.We examined the levels of miR-30a*,ATF6,XBP1,and MANF after PDGF-AA treatment in the activated microglia.RESULTS Inhibition of MANF attenuated BMSCs-induced functional recovery and decreased M2 marker production,but increased M1 marker expression in vivo or in vitro.Furthermore,PDGF-AA treatment decreased miR-30a*expression,had no influence on the levels of ATF6,but enhanced expression of both XBP1 and MANF.CONCLUSION BMSCs-mediated MANF paracrine signaling,in particular the PDGF-AA/miR-30a*/XBP1/MANF pathway,synergistically mediates BMSCs-induced M2 polarization.

Orofacial inflammatory pain affects the expression of MT1 and NADPH-d in rat caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus and trigeminal ganglion

Very little is known about the role of melatonin in the trigeminal system, including the function of melatonin receptor 1. In the present study, adult rats were injected with formaldehyde into the right vibrissae pad to establish a model of orofacial inflammatory pain. The distribution of melatonin re- ceptor 1 and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase in the caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus and trigeminal ganglion was determined with immunohistochemistry and histo- chemistry. The results show that there are significant differences in melatonin receptor 1 expression and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase expression in the trigeminal ganglia and caudal spinal nucleus during the early stage of orofacial inflammatory pain. Our findings sug- gest that when melatonin receptor 1 expression in the caudal spinal nucleus is significantly reduced, melatonin＇s regulatory effect on pain is attenuated.

Is Marcus Gunn jaw winking a primitive reflex？ Rat neuroanatomy

AIM： To investigate a possible trigeminal proprioceptive- oculomotor neural pathway and explore possible synaptic connections between neurons in this pathway. Attempt to bring a new insight to mechanism of Marcus Gunn syndrome （MGS）. METHODS： Anterograde and retrograde tract tracing was applied and combined with immunofluorescent stain in rats. After electrophysiological identifying mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus （Vine） neurons, intracellular injection of tracer was performed to trace axon trajectory. RESULTS： Following injections of anterograde tracers into the Vine, labeled terminals were observed ipsilateral in oculomotor and trochlear nuclei （Ill/IV）, as well as in their premotor neurons in interstitial nucleus of Cajal and Darkschewitsch nucleus （INC/DN）. Combining with choline acetyltransferase （CHAT） immunofluorescent stain, it showed that Vme projecting terminals contact upon ChAT positive Ill/IV motoneurons under confocal microscope. By retrograde labeling premotor neurons of the III, it showed that Vme neuronal terminals contact with retrogradely labeled pre-oculomotor neurons in the INCIDN. Axons of intraceiiularly labeled Vme neurons that respond to electric stimuli of the masseter nerve traveled into the ipsilateral III. CONCLUSION： There may exist a trigeminal propdoceptive- oculomotor system neural circuit in the rat, which is probably related to vertical-torsional eye movements. Possible association of this pathway with MGS etiology was discussed.

Reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages and inhibiting tumor neovascularization by targeting MANF-HSF1-HSP70-1 pathway:An effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma

In advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)tissues,M2-like tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)are in the majority and promotes HCC progression.Contrary to the pro-tumor effect of M2-like TAMs,M1-like TAMs account for a small proportion and have anti-tumor effects.Since TAMs can switch from one type to another,reprogramming TAMs may be an important treatment for HCC therapy.However,the mechanisms of phenotypic switch and reprogramming TAMs are still obscure.In this study,we analyzed differential genes in normal macrophages and TAMs,and found that loss of MANF in TAMs accompanied by high levels of downstream genes negatively regulated by MANF.MANF reprogrammed TAMs into M1 phenotype.Meanwhile,loss of MANF promoted HCC progression in HCC patients and mice HCC model,especially tumor neovascularization.Additionally,macrophages with MANF supplement suppressed HCC progression in mice,suggesting MANF supplement in macrophage was an effective treatment for HCC.Mechanistically,MANF enhanced the HSF1-HSP70-1 interaction,restricted HSF1 in the cytoplasm of macrophages,and decreased both mRNA and protein levels of HSP70-1,which in turn led to reprogramming TAMs,and suppressing neovascularization of HCC.Our study contributes to the exploration the mechanism of TAMs reprogramming,which may provide insights for future therapeutic exploitation of HCC neovascularization.

MANF brakes TLR4 signaling by competitively binding S100A8 with S100A9 to regulate macrophage phenotypes in hepatic fibrosis

The mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor(MANF)has been recently identified as a neurotrophic factor,but its role in hepatic fibrosis is unknown.Here,we found that MANF was upregulated in the fibrotic liver tissues of the patients with chronic liver diseases and of mice treated with CCl4.MANF deficiency in either hepatocytes or hepatic mono-macrophages,particularly in hepatic mono-macrophages,clearly exacerbated hepatic fibrosis.Myeloid-specific MANF knockout increased the population of hepatic Ly6C^(high)macrophages and promoted HSCs activation.Furthermore,MANF-sufficient macrophages(from WT mice)transfusion ameliorated CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in myeloid cells-specific MANF knockout(MKO)mice.Mechanistically,MANF interacted with S100A8 to competitively block S100A8/A9 heterodimer formation and inhibited S100A8/A9-mediated TLR4-NF-κB signal activation.Pharmacologically,systemic administration of recombinant human MANF significantly alleviated CCl_(4)-induced hepatic fibrosis in both WT and hepatocytes-specific MANF knockout(HKO)mice.This study reveals a mechanism by which MANF targets S100A8/A9-TLR4 as a“brake”on the upstream of NF-κB pathway,which exerts an impact on macrophage differentiation and shed light on hepatic fibrosis treatment.