Submit to IJMS Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Exploring Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2024) | Viewed by 19398

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Tilman Sauerbruch

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
Interests: portal hypertension; bile acids; beta-blockers; NASH; NAFLD; cirrhosis; therapy

Prof. Dr. Ralf Weiskirchen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Head of the Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
Interests: liver fibrosis; liver cell subpopulations; organoids; animal models; TGF-β; PDGF; metals; mass spectrometry; biomarkers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fibrosis is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can be the final state of a healed inflammation as scar tissue; on the other hand, it is frequently associated with a reduction or loss of organ function. Moreover, especially in liver disease, it is a surrogate parameter that indicates a progression of the disease to liver cirrhosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma. This is especially true for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a pandemic disorder associated with Western lifestyles and diets. To influence organ fibrosis, it is important to better understand its induction, perpetuation and termination at the molecular level. The induction of liver fibrosis may be metabolic (e.g. alcohol, diet, drugs), infectious (e.g. viruses), autoimmune (e.g. primary biliary cholangitis) or due to monogenetic defects (e.g. increased iron storage). The molecular mechanisms on the way to the final stage fibrosis are very different – dependent on its pathogenesis. It is the aim of this special issue to provide more insight into these processes.

Prof. Dr. Tilman Sauerbruch
Prof. Dr. Ralf Weiskirchen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

fibrosis
hepatic stellate cells
portal hypertension
extracellular matrix
cytokines
chemokines
biomarkers
NASH
NAFLD
cirrhosis
hepatocellular carcinoma
therapy
animal models

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (8 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 1768 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hepatic Amyloid Beta-42-Metabolizing Proteins in Liver Steatosis and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis

by Simon Gross, Lusine Danielyan, Christa Buechler, Marion Kubitza, Kathrin Klein, Matthias Schwab, Michael Melter and Thomas S. Weiss

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(16), 8768; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25168768 - 12 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1048

Abstract

Amyloid beta (Aβ) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and, more recently, has been shown to protect against liver fibrosis. Therefore, we studied Aβ-42 levels and the expression of genes involved in the generation, degradation, and transport of Aβ proteins in liver samples from patients at different stages of metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease (MASLD) and under steatotic conditions in vitro/in vivo. Amyloid precursor protein (APP), key Aβ-metabolizing proteins, and Aβ-42 were analyzed using RT-PCR, Western blotting, Luminex analysis in steatotic in vitro and fatty liver mouse models, and TaqMan qRT-PCR analysis in hepatic samples from patients with MASLD. Hepatocytes loaded with palmitic acid induced APP, presenilin, and neprilysin (NEP) expression, which was reversed by oleic acid. Increased APP and NEP, decreased BACE1, and unchanged Aβ-42 protein levels were found in the steatotic mouse liver compared to the normal liver. Aβ-42 concentrations were low in MASLD samples of patients with moderate to severe fibrosis compared to the livers of patients with mild or no MASLD. Consistent with the reduced Aβ-42 levels, the mRNA expression of proteins involved in APP degradation (ADAM9/10/17, BACE2) and Aβ-42 cleavage (MMP2/7/9, ACE) was increased. In the steatotic liver, the expression of APP- and Aβ-metabolizing proteins is increased, most likely related to oxidative stress, but does not affect hepatic Aβ-42 levels. Consistent with our previous findings, low Aβ-42 levels in patients with liver fibrosis appear to be caused by the reduced production and enhanced non-amyloidogenic processing of APP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 871 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gut Microbiota and Biomarkers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Cirrhosis

by Irina Efremova, Roman Maslennikov, Elena Poluektova, Oleg Medvedev, Anna Kudryavtseva, George Krasnov, Maria Fedorova, Filipp Romanikhin, Vyacheslav Bakhitov, Salekh Aliev, Natalia Sedova, Tatiana Kuropatkina, Anastasia Ivanova, Maria Zharkova, Ekaterina Pervushova and Vladimir Ivashkin

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(4), 1988; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25041988 - 6 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1696

Abstract

Our aim was to study the association of endothelial dysfunction biomarkers with cirrhosis manifestations, bacterial translocation, and gut microbiota taxa. The fecal microbiome was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Plasma levels of nitrite, big endothelin-1, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), presepsin, and claudin were measured as biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, bacterial translocation, and intestinal barrier dysfunction. An echocardiography with simultaneous determination of blood pressure and heart rate was performed to evaluate hemodynamic parameters. Presepsin, claudin 3, nitrite, and ADMA levels were higher in cirrhosis patients than in controls. Elevated nitrite levels were associated with high levels of presepsin and claudin 3, the development of hemodynamic circulation, hypoalbuminemia, grade 2–3 ascites, overt hepatic encephalopathy, high mean pulmonary artery pressure, increased abundance of Proteobacteria and Erysipelatoclostridium, and decreased abundance of Oscillospiraceae, Subdoligranulum, Rikenellaceae, Acidaminococcaceae, Christensenellaceae, and Anaerovoracaceae. Elevated ADMA levels were associated with higher Child–Pugh scores, lower serum sodium levels, hypoalbuminemia, grade 2–3 ascites, milder esophageal varices, overt hepatic encephalopathy, lower mean pulmonary artery pressure, and low abundance of Erysipelotrichia and Erysipelatoclostridiaceae. High big endothelin-1 levels were associated with high levels of presepsin and sodium, low levels of fibrinogen and cholesterol, hypocoagulation, increased Bilophila and Coprobacillus abundances, and decreased Alloprevotella abundance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Saturated Fat-Mediated Upregulation of IL-32 and CCL20 in Hepatocytes Contributes to Higher Expression of These Fibrosis-Driving Molecules in MASLD

by Katharina Schilcher, Rania Dayoub, Marion Kubitza, Jakob Riepl, Kathrin Klein, Christa Buechler, Michael Melter and Thomas S. Weiss

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13222; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713222 - 25 Aug 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1996

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) comprises a spectrum of liver diseases, ranging from liver steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), increasing the risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Fibrosis within MASLD is critical for disease development; therefore, the identification of fibrosis-driving factors is indispensable. We analyzed the expression of interleukin 32 (IL-32) and chemokine CC ligand 20 (CCL20), which are known to be linked with inflammation and fibrosis, and for their expression in MASLD and hepatoma cells. RT-PCR, ELISA and Western blotting analyses were performed in both human liver samples and an in vitro steatosis model. IL-32 and CCL20 mRNA expression was increased in tissues of patients with NASH compared to normal liver tissue. Stratification for patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) status revealed significance for IL-32 only in patients with I148M (rs738409, CG/GG) carrier status. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between IL-32 expression and steatosis grade, and between IL-32 as well as CCL20 expression and fibrosis grade. Treatment with the saturated fatty acid palmitic acid (PA) induced mRNA and protein expression of IL-32 and CCL20 in hepatoma cells. This induction was mitigated by the substitution of PA with monounsaturated oleic acid (OA), suggesting the involvement of oxidative stress. Consequently, analysis of stress-induced signaling pathways showed the activation of Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK, which led to an enhanced expression of IL-32 and CCL20. In conclusion, cellular stress in liver epithelial cells induced by PA enhances the expression of IL-32 and CCL20, both known to trigger inflammation and fibrosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

KLF10 Inhibits TGF-β-Mediated Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells via Suppression of ATF3 Expression

by Soonjae Hwang, Sangbin Park, Uzma Yaseen, Ho-Jae Lee and Ji-Young Cha

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(16), 12602; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241612602 - 9 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2173

Abstract

Liver fibrosis is a progressive and debilitating condition characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. Stellate cell activation, a major contributor to fibrogenesis, is influenced by Transforming growth factor (TGF-β)/SMAD signaling. Although Krüppel-like-factor (KLF) 10 is an early TGF-β-inducible gene, its specific role in hepatic stellate cell activation remains unclear. Our previous study demonstrated that KLF10 knockout mice develop severe liver fibrosis when fed a high-sucrose diet. Based on these findings, we aimed to identify potential target molecules involved in liver fibrosis and investigate the mechanisms underlying the KLF10 modulation of hepatic stellate cell activation. By RNA sequencing analysis of liver tissues from KLF10 knockout mice with severe liver fibrosis induced by a high-sucrose diet, we identified ATF3 as a potential target gene regulated by KLF10. In LX-2 cells, an immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line, KLF10 expression was induced early after TGF-β treatment, whereas ATF3 expression showed delayed induction. KLF10 knockdown in LX-2 cells enhanced TGF-β-mediated activation, as evidenced by elevated fibrogenic protein levels. Further mechanistic studies revealed that KLF10 knockdown promoted TGF-β signaling and upregulated ATF3 expression. Conversely, KLF10 overexpression suppressed TGF-β-mediated activation and downregulated ATF3 expression. Furthermore, treatment with the chemical chaperone 4-PBA attenuated siKLF10-mediated upregulation of ATF3 and fibrogenic responses in TGF-β-treated LX-2 cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that KLF10 acts as a negative regulator of the TGF-β signaling pathway, exerting suppressive effects on hepatic stellate cell activation and fibrogenesis through modulation of ATF3 expression. These results highlight the potential therapeutic implications of targeting the KLF10-ATF3 axis in liver fibrosis treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 676 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exploring Fibrosis Pathophysiology in Lean and Obese Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease: An In-Depth Comparison

by Milena Vesković, Milka Pejović, Nikola Šutulović, Dragan Hrnčić, Aleksandra Rašić-Marković, Olivera Stanojlović and Dušan Mladenović

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7405; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137405 - 5 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1870

Abstract

While obesity-related nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is linked with metabolic dysfunctions such as insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammation, lean NAFLD more often progresses to liver fibrosis even in the absence of metabolic syndrome. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding the mechanisms of liver fibrosis in lean NAFLD. The most commonly used lean NAFLD models include a methionine/choline-deficient (MCD) diet, a high-fat diet with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), and a high-fructose and high-cholesterol diet. The major pro-fibrogenic mechanisms in lean NAFLD models include increased activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, elevated expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I, and TGF-β, and modulation of fibrogenic markers such as tenascin-X and metalloproteinase inhibitors. Additionally, activation of macrophage signaling pathways promoting hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation further contributes to fibrosis development. Animal models cannot cover all clinical features that are evident in patients with lean or obese NAFLD, implicating the need for novel models, as well as for deeper comparisons of clinical and experimental studies. Having in mind the prevalence of fibrosis in lean NAFLD patients, by addressing specific pathways, clinical studies can reveal new targeted therapies along with novel biomarkers for early detection and enhancement of clinical management for lean NAFLD patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 6630 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of SCAP/SREBP as Central Regulators of Lipid Metabolism in Hepatic Steatosis

by Preethi Chandrasekaran and Ralf Weiskirchen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(2), 1109; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021109 - 16 Jan 2024

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4122

Abstract

The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is rapidly increasing worldwide at an alarming pace, due to an increase in obesity, sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles, and unbalanced dietary habits. MASLD is a unique, multi-factorial condition with several phases of progression including steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Sterol element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) is the main transcription factor involved in regulating hepatic de novo lipogenesis. This transcription factor is synthesized as an inactive precursor, and its proteolytic maturation is initiated in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum upon stimulation by insulin. SREBP cleavage activating protein (SCAP) is required as a chaperon protein to escort SREBP from the endoplasmic reticulum and to facilitate the proteolytic release of the N-terminal domain of SREBP into the Golgi. SCAP inhibition prevents activation of SREBP and inhibits the expression of genes involved in triglyceride and fatty acid synthesis, resulting in the inhibition of de novo lipogenesis. In line, previous studies have shown that SCAP inhibition can resolve hepatic steatosis in animal models and intensive research is going on to understand the effects of SCAP in the pathogenesis of human disease. This review focuses on the versatile roles of SCAP/SREBP regulation in de novo lipogenesis and the structure and molecular features of SCAP/SREBP in the progression of hepatic steatosis. In addition, recent studies that attempt to target the SCAP/SREBP axis as a therapeutic option to interfere with MASLD are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 685 KiB

Open AccessReview

Gut Microbiota and Bacterial Translocation in the Pathogenesis of Liver Fibrosis

by Roman Maslennikov, Elena Poluektova, Oxana Zolnikova, Alla Sedova, Anastasia Kurbatova, Yulia Shulpekova, Natyia Dzhakhaya, Svetlana Kardasheva, Maria Nadinskaia, Elena Bueverova, Vladimir Nechaev, Anna Karchevskaya and Vladimir Ivashkin

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(22), 16502; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216502 - 19 Nov 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2303

Abstract

Cirrhosis is the end result of liver fibrosis in chronic liver diseases. Studying the mechanisms of its development and developing measures to slow down and regress it based on this knowledge seem to be important tasks for medicine. Currently, disorders of the gut–liver axis have great importance in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis. However, gut dysbiosis, which manifests as increased proportions in the gut microbiota of Bacilli and Proteobacteria that are capable of bacterial translocation and a decreased proportion of Clostridia that strengthen the intestinal barrier, occurs even at the pre-cirrhotic stage of chronic liver disease. This leads to the development of bacterial translocation, a process by which those microbes enter the blood of the portal vein and then the liver tissue, where they activate Kupffer cells through Toll-like receptor 4. In response, the Kupffer cells produce profibrogenic cytokines, which activate hepatic stellate cells, stimulating their transformation into myofibroblasts that produce collagen and other elements of the extracellular matrix. Blocking bacterial translocation with antibiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and other methods could slow down the progression of liver fibrosis. This was shown in a number of animal models but requires further verification in long-term randomized controlled trials with humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1882 KiB

Open AccessReview

Interleukin-13 (IL-13)—A Pleiotropic Cytokine Involved in Wound Healing and Fibrosis

by Elke Roeb

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(16), 12884; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241612884 - 17 Aug 2023

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2607

Abstract

The liver, as a central metabolic organ, is systemically linked to metabolic–inflammatory diseases. In the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome, inflammatory and metabolic interactions between the intestine, liver, and adipose tissue lead to the progression of hepatic steatosis to metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and consecutive MASH-induced fibrosis. Clinical and animal studies revealed that IL-13 might be protective in the development of MASH through both the preservation of metabolic functions and Th2-polarized inflammation in the liver and the adipose tissue. In contrast, IL-13-associated loss of mucosal gut barrier function and IL-13-associated enhanced hepatic fibrosis may contribute to the progression of MASH. However, there are only a few publications on the effect of IL-13 on metabolic diseases and possible therapies to influence them. In this review article, different aspects of IL-13-associated effects on the liver and metabolic liver diseases, which are partly contradictory, are summarized and discussed on the basis of the recent literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Exploring Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (8 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI