Association of A Common Haplotype of Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1α With Type 2 Diabetes in Chinese Population

Objective To analyze the association of variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor-1α （HNF-1α） gene with type 2 diabetes in Chinese population. Methods In 152 unrelated type 2 diabetes patients and 93 unrelated controls, eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） were identified and genotyped. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate whether these SNPs were associated with diabetes status in our samples. Results In the individual SNP study, no SNP differed significantly in frequency between type 2 diabetes patients and controls. In the haplotype analysis, two haplotype blocks were identified. In haplotype block 1, no evidence was found between common HNF-1α haplotypes and type 2 diabetes. However, in haplotype block 2, a common haplotype GCGC formed by four tagging SNPs （tSNPs） was found to be associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes （odds ratio [OR] 0.6011, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4138-0.8732, P=0.0073, empirical P=0.0511, permutation test）. A similar trend was also observed in the diplotype analysis, indicating that the increasing copy number of the haplotype GCGC was associated with the decreased frequency of diabetes （P=0.0193）. Conclusion The results of this study provide evidence that the haplotype of HNF-1α decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes in Chinese individuals.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1B mutation in a Chinese family with renal cysts and diabetes syndrome:A case report

BACKGROUND Renal cysts and diabetes(RCAD)syndrome is an autosomal dominant diabetic renal disease.Precise molecular diagnosis of RCAD syndrome has proven valuable for understanding its mechanism and personalized therapy.CASE SUMMARY A RCAD patient and her family were studied to investigate potential responsible genes by the whole exome sequencing(WES).Candidate pathogenic variants were validated by Sanger sequencing.The clinical characteristics of RCAD patient were collected from medical records.Unlike those typical RCAD patients,we observed renal manifestation and prediabetes phenotype,but not reproductive organ phenotype and hypomagnesaemia.A novel 7-bp deletion mutation in exon 4 of the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1B,NM_000458:c.882_888del(p.V294fs),was identified by WES and confirmed by Sanger sequencing.CONCLUSION This novel mutation identified in a Chinese family with RCAD syndrome might be the molecular pathogenic basis of this disorder.

Unexpected discovery of 2 cases of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α-mutated infracentimetic adenomatosis

We present 2 cases of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α)-mutated adenomatosis, discovered for reasons unrelated to this disease, and identified using immunohistochemical methods. These new tools may further our understanding of the link between adenomas/adenomatosis subtypes and their complications, and their association with other abnormalities.

Metformin attenuates angiotensin II induced cardiac fibrosis and transforming growth factor-β1 production through the inhibition of hepatocyte nuclear factor4

Aim In diabetic patients, metformin appears to provide cardiovascular protection that cannot be attribu- ted only to its antihyperglycemic effects. Metformin is also known as the AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK） ac- tivator. Our previous study suggested that metformin inhibits transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1） production in a mouse heart failure model of pressure overload. TGF-β1 is a key factor in cardiac fibrosis and is usually induced by Angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ ） in the pressure overload mouse models. This study investigated the effect of metformin on cardiac fibrosis and TGF-β production induced by AngII and the underlying mechanisms. Methods C57/BL6 wild-type and AMPKα2 knockout mice were used. AngII （3 mg · kg-1 · d-1） was infused subcutaneously into mice for 7 days. Adult mouse cardiac fibroblasts were isolated and treated with AngII （ 1 μmol · L-1） and/or met- formin （1 mmol · L-l）. Results In C57/BL6 mice, metformin inhibits AngII-induced cardiac fibrosis. In cardi-ac fibroblasts, metformin inhibits TGF-β1 expression and production induced by AngII. AMPK inhibitor, com- pound C, reversed the effects of metformin. In vivo, AMPKα2 deficiency further increases AngII-induced TGF-β1 production. In cardiac fibroblasts, metformin inhibited AngII induced hepatocyte nuclear factor4 （HNF4ot protein level increase and HNF4α binding with TGF-β1 promoter using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. In vivo, AMPKα2 deficiency further increased AngII-induced HNF4α protein level. Using HNF4α adenovirus, overexpress- ing HNF4α led to a 1.5-fold increase in TGF-β1 mRNA expression. HNF4a siRNA blocked AngII induced TGF- β1 production. Luciferase reporter with deleted HNF4a binding sites showed decreased TGFbl transcriptional activ- ity induced by AngII. In AMPK or2-/- heart, the inhibition of metformin on HNF4a protein was attenuated. Con- clusion Metformin inhibits AngII induced cardiac fibrosis and TGF-β1 production through AMPK activation. The underlying mechanism is that AMPK activation inhibits AngII induced HNF4α and then decreases TGF-β1 expres- sion.

Single-nuclei RNA sequencing uncovers heterogenous transcriptional signatures in Parkinson's disease associated with nuclear receptor-related factor 1 defect

Previous studies have found that deficiency in nuclear receptor-related factor 1(Nurr1),which participates in the development,differentiation,survival,and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons,is associated with Parkinson s disease,but the mechanism of action is perplexing.Here,we first asce rtained the repercussion of knocking down Nurr1 by pe rforming liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.We found that 231 genes were highly expressed in dopaminergic neurons with Nurr1 deficiency,14 of which were linked to the Parkinson’s disease pathway based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis.To better understand how Nurr1 deficiency autonomously invokes the decline of dopaminergic neurons and elicits Parkinson’s disease symptoms,we performed single-nuclei RNA sequencing in a Nurr1 LV-shRNA mouse model.The results revealed cellular heterogeneity in the substantia nigra and a number of activated genes,the preponderance of which encode components of the major histocompatibility Ⅱ complex.Cd74,H2-Ab1,H2-Aα,H2-Eb1,Lyz2,Mrc1,Slc6α3,Slc47α1,Ms4α4b,and Ptprc2 were the top 10 diffe rentially expressed genes.Immunofluorescence staining showed that,after Nurr1knockdown,the number of CD74-immunoreactive cells in mouse brain tissue was markedly increased.In addition,Cd74 expression was increased in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease induced by treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine.Ta ken togethe r,our res ults suggest that Nurr1 deficiency results in an increase in Cd74 expression,thereby leading to the destruction of dopaminergic neuro ns.These findings provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Assessment of Axial Power Peaking Factors in GHARR-1 LEU Core: A Decadal Simulation Analysis

This study aims to thoroughly investigate the axial power peaking factors (PPF) within the low-enriched uranium (LEU) core of the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1). This study uses advanced simulation tools, like the MCNPX code for analysing neutron behavior and the PARET/ANL code for understanding power variations, to get a clearer picture of the reactor’s performance. The analysis covers the initial six years of GHARR-1’s operation and includes projections for its whole 60-year lifespan. We closely observed the patterns of both the highest and average PPFs at 21 axial nodes, with measurements taken every ten years. The findings of this study reveal important patterns in power distribution within the core, which are essential for improving the safety regulations and fuel management techniques of the reactor. We provide a meticulous approach, extensive data, and an analysis of the findings, highlighting the significance of continuous monitoring and analysis for proactive management of nuclear reactors. The findings of this study not only enhance our comprehension of nuclear reactor safety but also carry significant ramifications for sustainable energy progress in Ghana and the wider global context. Nuclear engineering is essential in tackling global concerns, such as the demand for clean and dependable energy sources. Research on optimising nuclear reactors, particularly in terms of safety and efficiency, is crucial for the ongoing advancement and acceptance of nuclear energy.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha involvement in liver and intestinal inflammatory networks

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha (HNF4-α) is a nuclear receptor regulating metabolism, cell junctions, differentiation and proliferation in liver and intestinal epithelial cells. Mutations within the HNF4A gene are associated with human diseases such as maturity-onset diabetes of the young. Recently, HNF4A has also been described as a susceptibility gene for ulcerative colitis in genome-wide association studies. In addition, specific HNF4A genetic variants have been identified in pediatric cohorts of Crohn’s disease. Results obtained from knockout mice supported that HNF4-α can protect the intestinal mucosae against inflammation. However, the exact molecular links behind HNF4-α and inflammatory bowel diseases remains elusive. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge about the role of HNF4-α and its isoforms in inflammation. Specific nature of HNF4-α P1 and P2 classes of isoforms will be summarized. HNF4-α role as a hepatocyte mediator for cytokines relays during liver inflammation will be integrated based on documented examples of the literature. Conclusions that can be made from these earlier liver studies will serve as a basis to extrapolate correlations and divergences applicable to intestinal inflammation. Finally, potential functional roles for HNF4-α isoforms in protecting the intestinal mucosae from chronic and pathological inflammation will be presented.

Roles of hepatocyte nuclear factors in hepatitis B virus infection

Approximately 350 million people are estimated to be persistently infected with hepatitis B virus(HBV) worldwide. HBV maintains persistent infection by employing covalently closed circular DNA(ccc DNA), a template for all HBV RNAs. Chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients are currently treated with nucleos(t)ide analogs such as lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, and tenofovir. However, these treatments rarely cure CHB because they are unable to inhibit ccc DNA transcription and inhibit only a late stage in the HBV life cycle(the reverse transcription step in the nucleocapsid). Therefore, an understanding of the factors regulating ccc DNA transcription is required to stop this process. Among numerous factors, hepatocyte nuclear factors(HNFs) play the most important roles in ccc DNA transcription, especially in the generation of viral genomic RNA, a template for HBV replication. Therefore, proper control of HNF function could lead to the inhibition of HBV replication. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current understanding of the roles of HNFs in the HBV life cycle and the upstream factors that regulate HNFs. This knowledge will enable the identification of new therapeutic targets to cure CHB.

Role of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha in gastrointestinal and liver diseases

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha(HNF4α)is a highly conserved member of nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors that is expressed in liver and gastrointestinal organs(pancreas,stomach,and intestine).In liver,HNF4αis best known for its role as a master regulator of liver-specific gene expression and essential for adult and fetal liver function.Dysregulation of HNF4αexpression has been associated with many human diseases such as ulcerative colitis,colon cancer,maturity-onset diabetes of the young,liver cirrhosis,and hepatocellular carcinoma.However,the precise role of HNF4αin the etiology of these human pathogenesis is not well understood.Limited information is known about the role of HNF4αisoforms in liver and gastrointestinal disease progression.There is,therefore,a critical need to know how disruption of the expression of these isoforms may impact on disease progression and phenotypes.In this review,we will update our current understanding on the role of HNF4αin human liver and gastrointestinal diseases.We further provide additional information on possible use of HNF4αas a target for potential therapeutic approaches.

Effect of matrine on transforming growth factor β1 and hepatocyte growth factor in rat liver fibrosis model

Objective:To observe the preventive and control effect of matrine on transforming growth factor(TCF- β1) and hepatocyte.growth factor(HCF) of liver fibrosis tissue in rals.Methods:A total of48 SD rats were randomly divided into A,B,C,D groups with 12 in each,group A as the normal control group and groups B.C,D as liver fibrosis models using composite modulus method with carbon tetrachloride(CCL_4).Group B was the model group,group C adopted γ— interferon lavage therapy in the second day of modeling,and group D adopted matrine lavage treatment,at 4 and8 weeks after treatment.Six rats were executed for detection of TGF- β1 and HGF,liver tissue histology and comparison fibrosis degree changes of rat liver tissue between groups.Results:Croups B,C,D showed a more significantly increased TCF- β1 at each time point compared with group A(P<0.05);Group B showed a more significantly increased TGF- β1 than groups C and D at weeks 4 and 8(P<0.05);group D showed a lowest level of TGF-β1,followed by groups C and B.HGF of group B decreased more significantly than A group at weeks 4 and 8(P<0.05);HGF of groups C and D was significantly elevated at 4 and 8 weeks than groups A and B(P<0.05),in which the group D showed the highest level of HGF.According to tissue histologic observation,rat liver tissue structure of group A was clear and normal,tissue structure of group B was destroyed with obvious fibrous tissue hyperplasia and fatty change of hepatic cells;groups C and D showed a slighter liver tissue damage,cell necrosis and connective tissue hyperplasia in collect abbacy than group B with a trend of obvious improvement.Conclusions:Matrine can reduce TGF- β1expression and enhance the activity of HGF,so as to realize the inhibition effect on liver fibrosis in rats.

Expression of serine protease SNC19/matriptase and its inhibitor hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 1 in normal and malignant tissues of gastrointestinal tract

AIM： To provide the expression profile of serine protease SNC19/matriptase and its inhibitor hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 1 （HAI-1） in normal and malignant tissues of gastrointestinal tract at mRNA level for further study on their correlations with tumor progression and metastasis. METHODS： Total RNAs were prepared from 37 samples of colorectal cancer tissues, 40 samples of gastric cancer tissues, and their adjacent normal tissues. The expression of SNC19/matriptase and HAI-1 in these samples was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR using glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as internal standard, and the clinical significance for the correlation with clinicopathological parameters was evaluated. RESULTS： In gastric cancer tissues the expression of HAI-1 and SNC19/matriptase was significantly lower than that in the corresponding adjacent normal tissues （Z = -3.280, P= 0.006; Z= -4.651, P= 0.000）. HAI-1：SNC19/matriptase ratio showed no difference between normal and malignant tissues （P〉0.05）. Analysis of clinicopathological parameters showed decreased expression of HAI-1 and HAI-1：SNC19/ matriptase ratio associated with stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ gastric tumors as compared to stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ ones （Z= -2.140, P= 0.031; Z = -2.155, P = 0.031）, and with lymph node-positive gastric cancer tissues as compared to lymph node-negative ones （Z = -2.081, P = 0.036; Z= -2.686, P = 0.006）. The expression of SNC19/matriptase had no relationship with stages and lymph node metastasis （P〉0.05）. The expression of HAI-1 and HAI-1：SNC19/matriptase ratio increased in well-differentiated gastric cancer tissues, but there was no statistical significance （P〉0.05）. The difference of SNC19/matriptase expression was not significant in gastric cancer tissues of different histological differentiation status （P〉0.05）. In colorectal cancer tissues, the expression of HAI-1 and SNC19/matriptase was also markedly lower than that in their adjacent normal tissues （Z= -3.100, P = 0.002; Z= -2.731, P = 0.006）, whereas HAI-1：SNC19/matriptase ratio showed no difference. Decreased expression of HAI-1 was associated with increased invasive depth and lymph node metastasis, but there was no statistical significance （P〉0.05）. The difference of SNC19/matriptase expression and HAI-1： SNC19/matriptase ratio was not significant in different stages and different lymph node metastasis status （P〉0.05）. The expression of SNC19/matriptase, HAI-1 or HAI-1： SNC19/matriptase ratio showed no difference in colorectal cancer tissues of different histological differentiation status （P〉0.05）. CONCLUSION： The expressions of SNC19/matriptase and its inhibitor HAI-1 are decreased in gastrointestinal cancer tissues compared to their normal counterparts, and the decreased expression of HAI-1 may correlate with invasion and lymph node metastasis. The possible mechanisms involved need to be further investigated.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α induces a tendency of differentiation and activation of rat hepatic stellate cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α(HNF4α) on the differentiation and transformation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs).METHODS: By constructing the recombinant adenovirus vector expressing HNF4α and HNF4αshRNA vector, and manipulating HNF4α expression in HSC-T6 cells, we explored the influence of HNF4α and its induction capacity in the differentiation of rat HSCs into hepatocytes.RESULTS: With increased expression of HNF4αmediated by AdHNF4α, the relative expression of Nanog was downregulated in HSC-T6 cells(98.33 ±12.33 vs 41.33 ± 5.67, P < 0.001). Consequently, the expression of G-P-6 and PEPCK was upregulated(G-P-6:14.34 ± 3.33 vs 42.53 ± 5.87, P < 0.01; PEPCK: 10.10± 4.67 vs 56.56 ± 5.25, P < 0.001), the expression of AFP and ALB was positive, and the expression of Nanog, Type Ⅰ collagen, α-SMA, and TIMP-1 was significantly decreased. HNF4α also downregulated vimentin expression and enhanced E-cadherin expression. The ultrastructure of HNF4α-induced cells had more mitochondria and ribosomes compared with the parental cells. After silencing HNF4α expression,EPCK, E-cadherin, AFP, and ALB were downregulated and α-SMA and vimentin were upregulated.CONCLUSION: HNF4α can induce a tendency of differentiation of HSCs into hepatocyte-like cells. These findings may provide an effective way for the treatmentof liver diseases.

Regulation of hepatic micro RNA expression by hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha

AIMTo uncover the role of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) in regulating hepatic expression of microRNAs. METHODSMicroarray and real-time PCR were used to determine hepatic expression of microRNAs in young-adult mice lacking Hnf4α expression in liver (Hnf4α-LivKO). Integrative genomics viewer software was used to analyze the public chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing datasets for DNA-binding of HNF4α, RNA polymerase-II, and histone modifications to loci of microRNAs in mouse liver and human hepatoma cells. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was conducted to determine effects of HNF4α on the promoters of mouse and human microRNAs as well as effects of microRNAs on the untranslated regions (3’UTR) of two genes in human hepatoma cells. RESULTSMicroarray data indicated that most microRNAs remained unaltered by Hnf4α deficiency in Hnf4α-LivKO mice. However, certain liver-predominant microRNAs were down-regulated similarly in young-adult male and female Hnf4α-LivKO mice. The down-regulation of miR-101, miR-192, miR-193a, miR-194, miR-215, miR-802, and miR-122 as well as induction of miR-34 and miR-29 in male Hnf4α-LivKO mice were confirmed by real-time PCR. Analysis of public chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing data indicates that HNF4α directly binds to the promoters of miR-101, miR-122, miR-194-2/miR-192 and miR-193, which is associated with histone marks of active transcription. Luciferase reporter assay showed that HNF4α markedly activated the promoters of mouse and human miR-101b/miR-101-2 and the miR-194/miR-192 cluster. Additionally, miR-192 and miR-194 significantly decreased activities of luciferase reporters for the 3’UTR of histone H3F3 and chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 1 (CHD1), respectively, suggesting that miR-192 and miR-194 might be important in chromosome remodeling through directly targeting H3F3 and CHD1. CONCLUSIONHNF4α is essential for hepatic basal expression of a group of liver-enriched microRNAs, including miR-101, miR-192, miR-193a, miR-194 and miR-802, through which HNF4α may play a major role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and maintenance of the epigenome in liver.

The involvement of p38 MAPK in transforming growth factor β1-induced apoptosis in murine hepatocytes

We reported in this manuscript that TGF-beta1 induces apoptosis in AML12 murine hepatocytes, which is associated with the activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway. SB202190, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, strongly inhibited the TGF-beta1-induced apoptosis and PAI-1 promoter activity. Treatment of cells with TGF-beta1 activates p38. Furthermore, over-expression of dominant negative mutant p38 also reduced the TGF-beta1-induced apoptosis. The data indicate that the activation of p38 is involved in TGF-beta1-mediated gene expression and apoptosis.

Berberine retarded the growth of gastric cancer xenograft tumors by targeting hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is the third deadliest cancer in the world and ranks second in incidence and mortality of cancers in China.Despite advances in prevention,diagnosis,and therapy,the absolute number of cases is increasing every year due to aging and the growth of high-risk populations,and gastric cancer is still a leading cause of cancer-related death.Gastric cancer is a consequence of the complex interaction of microbial agents,with environmental and host factors,resulting in the dysregulation of multiple oncogenic and tumor-suppressing signaling pathways.Global efforts have been made to investigate in detail the genomic and epigenomic heterogeneity of this disease,resulting in the identification of new specific and sensitive predictive and prognostic biomarkers.Trastuzumab,a monoclonal antibody against the HER2 receptor,is approved in the first-line treatment of patients with HER2+tumors,which accounts for 13%-23%of the gastric cancer population.Ramucirumab,a monoclonal antibody against VEGFR2,is currently recommended in patients progressing after first-line treatment.Several clinical trials have also tested novel agents for advanced gastric cancer but mostly with dis-appointing results,such as anti-EGFR and anti-MET monoclonal antibodies.Therefore,it is still of great significance to screen specific molecular targets for gastric cancer and drugs directed against the molecular targets.AIM To investigate the effect and mechanism of berberine against tumor growth in gastric cancer xenograft models and to explore the role of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α(HNF4α)-WNT5a/β-catenin pathways played in the antitumor effects of berberine.METHODS MGC803 and SGC7901 subcutaneous xenograft models were established.The control group was intragastrically administrated with normal saline,and the berberine group was administrated intragastrically with 100 mg/kg/d berberine.The body weight of nude mice during the experiment was measured to assess whether berberine has any adverse reaction.The volume of subcutaneous tumors during this experiment was recorded to evaluate the inhibitory effect of berberine on the growth of MGC803 and SGC7901 subcutaneous transplantation tumors.Polymerase chain reaction assays were conducted to evaluate the alteration of transcriptional expression of HNF4α,WNT5a andβ-catenin in tumor tissues and liver tissues from the MGC803 and SGC7901 xenograft models.Western blotting and IHC were performed to assess the protein expression of HNF4α,WNT5a andβ-catenin in tumor tissues and liver tissues from the MGC803 and SGC7901 xenograft models.RESULTS In the both MGC803 and SGC7901 xenograft tumor models,berberine significantly reduced tumor volume and weight and thus retarded the growth rate of tumors.In the SGC7901 and MGC803 subcutaneously transplanted tumor models,berberine down-regulated the expression of HNF4α,WNT5a andβ-catenin in tumor tissues from both transcription and protein levels.Besides,berberine also suppressed the protein expression of HNF4α,WNT5a andβ-catenin in liver tissues.CONCLUSION Berberine retarded the growth of MGC803 and SGC7901 xenograft model tumors,and the mechanism behind these anti-growth effects might be the downregulation of the expression of HNF4α-WNT5a/β-catenin signaling pathways both in tumor tissues and liver tissues of the xenograft models.

Contrary Regulation of TIMP-1 and MMP-9 by Hepatocyte Growth Factor Antibody after Lung Injury

Objective To study the influence of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) antibody on the lung expression level of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). Methods Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, model group, and intervention group. Endotoxin was intratracheally infused in the model and intervention groups. HGF antibody was injected in the rats of the intervention group from day 1 to day 14, while the same volume of saline was injected in the control group. The rats were sacrificed on day 28 after endotoxin treatment. The amounts of MMP-9 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and protein expression levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results In the model group, both mRNA and protein expression levels of TIMP-1 were significantly increased, the same as MMP-9. In the intervention group, the increase of TIMP-1 was remarkably reduced compared with the model group, while the mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-9 were still increased. Conclusion HGF activity may accelerate the repair of lung injury through contrary regulating the expression levels of TIMP-1 and MMP-9.

Inhibiting the expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha attenuates lipopolysaccharide/ D-galactosamine-induced fulminant hepatic failure in mice

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) plays an important role in regulating cytokine-induced inflammatory responses. This study aimed to investigate the role of HNF4α in the development of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN). METHODS: The FHF model was induced by simultaneous intraperitoneal injection of LPS/D-GalN in mice. Three days prior to LPS/D-GalN administration, HNF4α short-hairpin interfering RNA expression plasmid or physiological saline was injected via the tail vein with a hydrodynamics-based procedure. The degree of hepatic damage and cumulative survival rate were subsequently assessed. RESULTS: The expression of HNF4α was increased in the early stage after LPS/D-GalN administration. Inhibiting the expression of HNF4α reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, alleviated histological injury, and improved the survival of mice with FHF. In addition, both serum and hepatic tumor necrosis factor alpha expression were suppressed when HNF4α expression was inhibited in mice with FHF. CONCLUSION: Inhibiting HNF4α expression protects mice from FHF induced by LPS/D-GalN, but the exact mechanism behind this needs further investigation.

Expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha,wingless-related integration site,andβ-catenin in clinical gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha(HNF4α)that belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily,is overexpressed in GC tissues,and might be involved in the development of GC by regulating its downstream winglessrelated integration site(WNT)/β-catenin signaling.AIM To clarify the expression of HNF4α/WNT5a/β-catenin signaling proteins in clinical GC tissues.METHODS We immunohistochemically stained pathological blocks of GC and matched paracancerous tissues.The intensity of HNF4α,WNT5a andβ-catenin staining in the tumor cells was determined according to cell rates and staining intensity.The correlations between GC and HNF4α,WNT5a,andβ-catenin expression using chisquare and paired chi-square tests.Relationships between double-positive HNF4αand WNT5a expression and types of gastric tumor tissues were assessed using regression analysis.Correlations between HNF4αand WNT5a expression at the RNA level in GC tissues found in the TCGA database were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients.RESULTS We found more abundant HNF4αand WNT5a proteins in GC,especially in mucinous adenocarcinoma and mixed GC than in adjacent tissues(P<0.001).Low and high levels of cytoplasmicβ-catenin respectively expressed in GC and adjacent tissues(P<0.001)were not significantly associated with pathological parameters.CONCLUSION The expressions of HNF4αand WNT5a could serve as early diagnostic biomarkers for GC.

Corticosteroid-induced bradycardia in multiple sclerosis and maturity-onset diabetes of the young due to hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha mutation:A case report

BACKGROUND Intravenous steroid pulse therapy is the treatment of choice for acute exacerbation of multiple sclerosis(MS).Although steroid administration is generally welltolerated,cases of cardiac arrhythmia have been reported.Herein,we describe a young woman who developed marked sinus bradycardia and T-wave abnormalities after corticosteroid administration.We also present plausible explanations for the abnormalities observed in this patient.CASE SUMMARY An 18-year-old woman experienced vertiginous dizziness and binocular diplopia 1 wk prior to admission.Neurological examination revealed left internuclear ophthalmoplegia with left peripheral-type facial palsy.The initial laboratory results were consistent with those of type 2 diabetes.Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed multifocal,non-enhancing,symptomatic lesions and multiple enhancing lesions.She was diagnosed with MS and maturity-onset diabetes of the young.Intravenous methylprednisolone was administered.On day 5 after methylprednisolone infusion,marked bradycardia with T-wave abnormalities were observed.Genetic evaluation to elucidate the underlying conditions revealed a hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha(HNF4A)gene mutation.Steroid treatment was discontinued under suspicion of corticosteroid-induced bradycardia.Her electrocardiogram changes returned to normal without complications two days after steroid discontinuation.CONCLUSION Corticosteroid-induced bradycardia may have a significant clinical impact,especially in patients with comorbidities,such as HNF4A mutations.

Role of Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α in Regulating Hepatic Differentiation and the Inflammatory Response in HCC

Limited treatment options are available for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),especially in the advanced stage,which is associated with a poor prognosis.Many studies have demonstrated that hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α(HNF 4α)plays an important role in hepatic differentiation and the carcinogenesis of HCC.HNF 4αcritically regulates hepatic differentiation by controlling a large number of genes involved in hepatic functions including metabolism,xenobiotic detoxification,bile acid synthesis,and serum protein production.It has also been confirmed to play an important role in the inflammatory environment in HCC.Thus,HNF 4αis considered to be a promising target for the treatment of HCC.Some studies have demonstrated that regulating HNF 4αexpression in HCC had beneficial effects in in vivo and in vitro experiments.We herein review the role of HNF 4αin regulating hepatic metabolism and the inflammatory response,aiming to provide some ideas on induced hepatic differentiation therapy and regulating the inflammatory microenvironment for the treatment of advanced HCC.