Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Novel Therapies to Ameliorate Liver Sinusoidal Dysfunction in Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension

Increased intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR), mainly due to elevated vascular tone together with the maturation of hepatic fibrosis and the drop of the hepatic endothelial function, is the main factor in the development of portal hypertension (PH) in cirrhosis. This PhD thesis investigates the...

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Autor: Marrone, Giusi
Tipo de documento: tese
Estado:Versão publicada
Data de publicação:2014
País:España
Recursos:CBUC, CESCA
Repositório:TDR. Tesis Doctorales en Red
OAI Identifier:oai:www.tdx.cat:10803/285588
Acesso em linha:http://hdl.handle.net/10803/285588
Access Level:Acceso aberto
Palavra-chave:Hipertensió portal
Hipertensión portal
Portal hypertension
Cirrosi hepàtica
Cirrosis hepática
Hepatic cirrhosis
Leptina
Leptin
Estatina
Statin
Ciències de la Salut
616.4
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oai_identifier_str oai:www.tdx.cat:10803/285588
network_acronym_str ES
network_name_str España
repository_id_str
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Novel Therapies to Ameliorate Liver Sinusoidal Dysfunction in Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension
title Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Novel Therapies to Ameliorate Liver Sinusoidal Dysfunction in Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension
spellingShingle Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Novel Therapies to Ameliorate Liver Sinusoidal Dysfunction in Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension
Marrone, Giusi
Hipertensió portal
Hipertensión portal
Portal hypertension
Cirrosi hepàtica
Cirrosis hepática
Hepatic cirrhosis
Leptina
Leptin
Estatina
Statin
Ciències de la Salut
616.4
title_short Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Novel Therapies to Ameliorate Liver Sinusoidal Dysfunction in Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension
title_full Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Novel Therapies to Ameliorate Liver Sinusoidal Dysfunction in Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension
title_fullStr Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Novel Therapies to Ameliorate Liver Sinusoidal Dysfunction in Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension
title_full_unstemmed Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Novel Therapies to Ameliorate Liver Sinusoidal Dysfunction in Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension
title_sort Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Novel Therapies to Ameliorate Liver Sinusoidal Dysfunction in Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Marrone, Giusi
author Marrone, Giusi
author_facet Marrone, Giusi
author_role author
dc.contributor.none.fl_str_mv Gracia-Sancho, Jorge
Bosch i Genover, Jaume
Bosch i Genover, Jaume
Universitat de Barcelona. Departament de Medicina
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Hipertensió portal
Hipertensión portal
Portal hypertension
Cirrosi hepàtica
Cirrosis hepática
Hepatic cirrhosis
Leptina
Leptin
Estatina
Statin
Ciències de la Salut
616.4
topic Hipertensió portal
Hipertensión portal
Portal hypertension
Cirrosi hepàtica
Cirrosis hepática
Hepatic cirrhosis
Leptina
Leptin
Estatina
Statin
Ciències de la Salut
616.4
description Increased intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR), mainly due to elevated vascular tone together with the maturation of hepatic fibrosis and the drop of the hepatic endothelial function, is the main factor in the development of portal hypertension (PH) in cirrhosis. This PhD thesis investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms necessary for the identification of new therapeutic targets and evaluates the possible cross- talk between the hepatic cells in static and physiological conditions (shear stress). Study 1: Leptin is a pro-oxidant and pro-fibrotic hormone increased in patients with cirrhosis. Therefore, we evaluated whether leptin could influence the increased IHVR in PH. Cirrhotic animals with portal hypertension received the leptin receptor blocking antibody (OBR-Ab), or its vehicle, every other day for 1 week. In cirrhotic rats, leptin-receptor blockade significantly reduces portal pressure without modifying portal blood flow, suggesting a reduction in the intrahepatic resistance. Portal pressure reduction is associated with increased nitric oxide bioavailability and with decreased O2 levels and nitro-tyrosinated proteins. Thus, the blockade of the leptin signaling pathway in cirrhosis significantly reduces portal pressure, probably due to a nitric oxide-mediated reduction in the hepatic vascular tone. Study 2&3: Statins improve hepatic endothelial function and liver fibrosis in experimental models of cirrhosis, thus they have been proposed as therapeutic options to ameliorate portal hypertension syndrome. In cirrhosis, the transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is early over-expressed during the progression of the disease, nevertheless it is not enough to slow down the development of vascular dysfunction. For this reason, we aimed to explore the effects, and the underlying mechanisms, of hepatic KLF2 over-expression in in vitro and in vivo models of liver cirrhosis. These studies demonstrate that KLF2 is induced by statins (simvastatin in primis) in both normal and cirrhotic liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC), orchestrating an efficient vasoprotective response, and in cirrhotic hepatic stellate cells (HSC), inducing their apoptosis and de-activating their phenotype partly via the activation of the nuclear factor Nrf2. Simvastatin vasoprotection and its anti-fibrotic properties are attenuated or even inhibited in the presence of isoprenoids or specific siRNA for KLF2, and are magnified in cells cultured (using bi and tri- dimensional systems) under physiological shear stress conditions. Indeed, LSEC over-expressing KLF2 induce quiescence of HSC through a KLF2–nitric oxide–guanylate cyclase-mediated paracrine mechanism as well as activated HSC over-expressing KLF2 reverse their phenotype and induce an amelioration of LSEC probably through a VEGF-mediated mechanism, but no paracrine interactions between hepatocytes and HSC are observed. All these effects are amplified in cells co-cultured in a sinusoidal-like environment. Pharmacological or adenoviral up-regulation of hepatic KLF2 expression provokes a profound amelioration in portal hypertension and cirrhosis, mainly due to hepatic stellate cells inactivation and apoptosis, together with reduction in hepatic oxidative stress and improvement in endothelial function. Specific induction of hepatic KLF2 within the liver represents an easy and highly effective strategy to promote liver cirrhosis regression and portal hypertension amelioration. Overall, the studies included in this PhD thesis propose new treatments for cirrhotic portal hypertension and try to explain some of the molecular mechanisms underlying the benefits of statins, suggesting the up- regulation of KLF2 as a new and highly effective therapy to improve hepatic microcirculation and promote regression of liver cirrhosis. Therefore, acting on leptin signaling pathway or using statins could be a good therapeutic option for patients with portal hypertension and cirrhosis.
publishDate 2014
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2014
2015
2015
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
format doctoralThesis
status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv http://hdl.handle.net/10803/285588
url http://hdl.handle.net/10803/285588
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv Inglés
language_invalid_str_mv Inglés
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv 155 p.
application/pdf
application/pdf
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv Universitat de Barcelona
publisher.none.fl_str_mv Universitat de Barcelona
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv TDX (Tesis Doctorals en Xarxa)
reponame:TDR. Tesis Doctorales en Red
instname:CBUC, CESCA
instname_str CBUC, CESCA
reponame_str TDR. Tesis Doctorales en Red
collection TDR. Tesis Doctorales en Red
repository.name.fl_str_mv
repository.mail.fl_str_mv
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spelling Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Novel Therapies to Ameliorate Liver Sinusoidal Dysfunction in Cirrhotic Portal HypertensionMarrone, GiusiHipertensió portalHipertensión portalPortal hypertensionCirrosi hepàticaCirrosis hepáticaHepatic cirrhosisLeptinaLeptinEstatinaStatinCiències de la Salut616.4Increased intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR), mainly due to elevated vascular tone together with the maturation of hepatic fibrosis and the drop of the hepatic endothelial function, is the main factor in the development of portal hypertension (PH) in cirrhosis. This PhD thesis investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms necessary for the identification of new therapeutic targets and evaluates the possible cross- talk between the hepatic cells in static and physiological conditions (shear stress). Study 1: Leptin is a pro-oxidant and pro-fibrotic hormone increased in patients with cirrhosis. Therefore, we evaluated whether leptin could influence the increased IHVR in PH. Cirrhotic animals with portal hypertension received the leptin receptor blocking antibody (OBR-Ab), or its vehicle, every other day for 1 week. In cirrhotic rats, leptin-receptor blockade significantly reduces portal pressure without modifying portal blood flow, suggesting a reduction in the intrahepatic resistance. Portal pressure reduction is associated with increased nitric oxide bioavailability and with decreased O2 levels and nitro-tyrosinated proteins. Thus, the blockade of the leptin signaling pathway in cirrhosis significantly reduces portal pressure, probably due to a nitric oxide-mediated reduction in the hepatic vascular tone. Study 2&3: Statins improve hepatic endothelial function and liver fibrosis in experimental models of cirrhosis, thus they have been proposed as therapeutic options to ameliorate portal hypertension syndrome. In cirrhosis, the transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is early over-expressed during the progression of the disease, nevertheless it is not enough to slow down the development of vascular dysfunction. For this reason, we aimed to explore the effects, and the underlying mechanisms, of hepatic KLF2 over-expression in in vitro and in vivo models of liver cirrhosis. These studies demonstrate that KLF2 is induced by statins (simvastatin in primis) in both normal and cirrhotic liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC), orchestrating an efficient vasoprotective response, and in cirrhotic hepatic stellate cells (HSC), inducing their apoptosis and de-activating their phenotype partly via the activation of the nuclear factor Nrf2. Simvastatin vasoprotection and its anti-fibrotic properties are attenuated or even inhibited in the presence of isoprenoids or specific siRNA for KLF2, and are magnified in cells cultured (using bi and tri- dimensional systems) under physiological shear stress conditions. Indeed, LSEC over-expressing KLF2 induce quiescence of HSC through a KLF2–nitric oxide–guanylate cyclase-mediated paracrine mechanism as well as activated HSC over-expressing KLF2 reverse their phenotype and induce an amelioration of LSEC probably through a VEGF-mediated mechanism, but no paracrine interactions between hepatocytes and HSC are observed. All these effects are amplified in cells co-cultured in a sinusoidal-like environment. Pharmacological or adenoviral up-regulation of hepatic KLF2 expression provokes a profound amelioration in portal hypertension and cirrhosis, mainly due to hepatic stellate cells inactivation and apoptosis, together with reduction in hepatic oxidative stress and improvement in endothelial function. Specific induction of hepatic KLF2 within the liver represents an easy and highly effective strategy to promote liver cirrhosis regression and portal hypertension amelioration. Overall, the studies included in this PhD thesis propose new treatments for cirrhotic portal hypertension and try to explain some of the molecular mechanisms underlying the benefits of statins, suggesting the up- regulation of KLF2 as a new and highly effective therapy to improve hepatic microcirculation and promote regression of liver cirrhosis. Therefore, acting on leptin signaling pathway or using statins could be a good therapeutic option for patients with portal hypertension and cirrhosis.El aumento de la resistencia vascular intrahepática, debido principalmente a un aumento en el tono vascular junto a un cambio en la función endotelial hepática y a la fibrosis, es el factor principal en el desarrollo de la hipertensión portal en la cirrosis. La presente tesis doctoral se dirigió a revelar los mecanismos celulares y moleculares necesarios para la identificación de nuevas dianas terapéuticas así como investigar sobre el cross-talk entre las células hepáticas en condiciones estáticas y fisiológicas (shear stress). En el estudio 1 describimos como el bloqueo de la vía de señalización de la leptina en la cirrosis reduce significativamente la presión portal, probablemente por una mejora del tono vascular hepático debido a una mayor disponibilidad de óxido nítrico. Con el estudios 2 y 3 demostramos que las estatinas (simvastatina in primis) mejoran la función endotelial hepática, inhiben el desarrollo de fibrosis hepática e inducen también su regresión en modelos experimentales de cirrosis, a través del factor de transcripción Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2). KLF2 media los efectos de la simvastatina pero es también capaz de orquestar una respuesta vasoprotectora y anti-fibrótica eficiente por sí mismo, mejorando la cirrosis y disminuyendo la hipertensión portal. De hecho, la sobre-expresión de KLF2 (mediante el tratamiento con adenovirus o simvastatina) mejora la cirrosis en modelos experimentales in vitro e in vivo. Además vimos que la sobre- expresión de KLF2 mejora no solo el fenotipo de las células tratadas sino también el de las células cercanas, que no sobre-expresan KLF2, gracias a mecanismos paracrinos, bajo condiciones estáticas o mejor en condiciones fisiológicas. Globalmente, los estudios incluidos en la presente tesis doctoral proponen nuevos tratamientos para la hipertensión portal cirrótica e intentan explicar algunos de los mecanismos moleculares subyacentes los beneficios de las estatinas, proponiendo la regulación al alza de KLF2 como una nueva y altamente efectiva terapia para mejorar la microcirculación y promover la regresión de la cirrosis hepática. Por lo tanto, una acción sobre la vía de señalización de la leptina o el utilizo de las estatinas podrían ser una buena opción terapéutica para los pacientes con hipertensión portal y cirrosis.Universitat de BarcelonaGracia-Sancho, JorgeBosch i Genover, JaumeBosch i Genover, JaumeUniversitat de Barcelona. Departament de Medicina201520152014info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesisinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion155 p.application/pdfapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/10803/285588TDX (Tesis Doctorals en Xarxa)reponame:TDR. Tesis Doctorales en Redinstname:CBUC, CESCAInglésADVERTIMENT. L'accés als continguts d'aquesta tesi doctoral i la seva utilització ha de respectar els drets de la persona autora. Pot ser utilitzada per a consulta o estudi personal, així com en activitats o materials d'investigació i docència en els termes establerts a l'art. 32 del Text Refós de la Llei de Propietat Intel·lectual (RDL 1/1996). Per altres utilitzacions es requereix l'autorització prèvia i expressa de la persona autora. En qualsevol cas, en la utilització dels seus continguts caldrà indicar de forma clara el nom i cognoms de la persona autora i el títol de la tesi doctoral. No s'autoritza la seva reproducció o altres formes d'explotació efectuades amb finalitats de lucre ni la seva comunicació pública des d'un lloc aliè al servei TDX. Tampoc s'autoritza la presentació del seu contingut en una finestra o marc aliè a TDX (framing). Aquesta reserva de drets afecta tant als continguts de la tesi com als seus resums i índexs.info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessoai:www.tdx.cat:10803/2855882026-06-14T12:46:07Z
score 15,301603