Background:Activated hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)are closely involved in the initiation,perpetuation,and resolution of liver fibrosis.Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels are positively correlated with the transition from...Background:Activated hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)are closely involved in the initiation,perpetuation,and resolution of liver fibrosis.Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels are positively correlated with the transition from liver injury to fibrogenesis and contribute to HSC pathophysiology in liver fibrosis.Methods:In this study,we investigated the effect of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin(IL)-1βon the proliferation and signaling pathways involved in fibrogenesis in LX-2 cells,an HSC cell line,using western blotting and cell proliferation assays.Results:IL-1βincreased the proliferation rate andα-smooth muscle actin(SMA)expression of LX-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.Within 1 h after IL-1βtreatment,c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK),p38,and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling was activated in LX-2 cells.Subsequently,protein kinase B(AKT)phosphorylation and an increase inα-SMA expression were observed in LX-2 cells.Each inhibitor of JNK,p38,or NF-κB decreased cell proliferation,AKT phosphorylation,andα-SMA expression in IL-1β-treated LX-2 cells.Conclusion:These results indicate that JNK,p38,and NF-κB signals converge at AKT phosphorylation,leading to LX-2 activation by IL-1β.Therefore,the AKT signaling pathway can be used as a target for alleviating liver fibrosis by the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β.展开更多
With advances in the management and treatment of advanced liver disease,including the use of antiviral therapy,a simple,one stage description for advanced fibrotic liver disease has become inadequate.Although refining...With advances in the management and treatment of advanced liver disease,including the use of antiviral therapy,a simple,one stage description for advanced fibrotic liver disease has become inadequate.Although refining the diagnosis of cirrhosis to reflect disease heterogeneity is essential,current diagnostic tests have not kept pace with the progression of this new paradigm.Liver biopsy and hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement are the gold standards for the estimation of hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension(PHT),respectively,and they have diagnostic and prognostic value.However,they are invasive and,as such,cannot be used repeatedly in clinical practice.The ideal noninvasive test should be safe,easy to perform,inexpensive,reproducible as well as to give numerical and accurate results in real time.It should be predictive of long term outcomes related with fibrosis and PHT to allow prognostic stratification.Recently,many types of noninvasive alternative tests have been developed and are under investigation.In particular,imaging and ultrasound based tests,such as transient elastography,have shown promising results.Although most of these noninvasive tests effectively identify severe fibrosis and PHT,the methods available for diagnosing moderate disease status are still insufficient,and further investigation is essential to predict outcomes and individualize therapy in this field.展开更多
The excess consumption of alcohol is associated with alcoholic liver diseases(ALD). ALD is a major healthcare problem, personal and social burden, and significant reason for economic loss worldwide. The ALD spectrum i...The excess consumption of alcohol is associated with alcoholic liver diseases(ALD). ALD is a major healthcare problem, personal and social burden, and significant reason for economic loss worldwide. The ALD spectrum includes alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The diagnosis of ALD is based on a combination of clinical features, including a history of significant alcohol intake, evidence of liver disease, and laboratory findings. Abstinence is the most important treatment for ALD and the treatment plan varies according to the stage of the disease. Various treatments including abstinence, nutritional therapy, pharmacological therapy, psychotherapy, and surgery are currently available. For severe alcoholic hepatitis, corticosteroid or pentoxifylline are recommended based on the guidelines. In addition, new therapeutic targets are being under investigation.展开更多
基金supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)funded by the Ministry of Education(2021R1I1A1A01056265).
文摘Background:Activated hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)are closely involved in the initiation,perpetuation,and resolution of liver fibrosis.Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels are positively correlated with the transition from liver injury to fibrogenesis and contribute to HSC pathophysiology in liver fibrosis.Methods:In this study,we investigated the effect of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin(IL)-1βon the proliferation and signaling pathways involved in fibrogenesis in LX-2 cells,an HSC cell line,using western blotting and cell proliferation assays.Results:IL-1βincreased the proliferation rate andα-smooth muscle actin(SMA)expression of LX-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.Within 1 h after IL-1βtreatment,c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK),p38,and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling was activated in LX-2 cells.Subsequently,protein kinase B(AKT)phosphorylation and an increase inα-SMA expression were observed in LX-2 cells.Each inhibitor of JNK,p38,or NF-κB decreased cell proliferation,AKT phosphorylation,andα-SMA expression in IL-1β-treated LX-2 cells.Conclusion:These results indicate that JNK,p38,and NF-κB signals converge at AKT phosphorylation,leading to LX-2 activation by IL-1β.Therefore,the AKT signaling pathway can be used as a target for alleviating liver fibrosis by the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β.
文摘With advances in the management and treatment of advanced liver disease,including the use of antiviral therapy,a simple,one stage description for advanced fibrotic liver disease has become inadequate.Although refining the diagnosis of cirrhosis to reflect disease heterogeneity is essential,current diagnostic tests have not kept pace with the progression of this new paradigm.Liver biopsy and hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement are the gold standards for the estimation of hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension(PHT),respectively,and they have diagnostic and prognostic value.However,they are invasive and,as such,cannot be used repeatedly in clinical practice.The ideal noninvasive test should be safe,easy to perform,inexpensive,reproducible as well as to give numerical and accurate results in real time.It should be predictive of long term outcomes related with fibrosis and PHT to allow prognostic stratification.Recently,many types of noninvasive alternative tests have been developed and are under investigation.In particular,imaging and ultrasound based tests,such as transient elastography,have shown promising results.Although most of these noninvasive tests effectively identify severe fibrosis and PHT,the methods available for diagnosing moderate disease status are still insufficient,and further investigation is essential to predict outcomes and individualize therapy in this field.
基金Supported by grant from the Korea Healthcare Technology R and D Project,Ministry of Health and Welfare,South Korea,No.A100054
文摘The excess consumption of alcohol is associated with alcoholic liver diseases(ALD). ALD is a major healthcare problem, personal and social burden, and significant reason for economic loss worldwide. The ALD spectrum includes alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The diagnosis of ALD is based on a combination of clinical features, including a history of significant alcohol intake, evidence of liver disease, and laboratory findings. Abstinence is the most important treatment for ALD and the treatment plan varies according to the stage of the disease. Various treatments including abstinence, nutritional therapy, pharmacological therapy, psychotherapy, and surgery are currently available. For severe alcoholic hepatitis, corticosteroid or pentoxifylline are recommended based on the guidelines. In addition, new therapeutic targets are being under investigation.