Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Inhibition of Inhibitor of κB Kinases Stimulates Hepatic Stellate Cell Apoptosis and Accelerated Recovery From Rat Liver Fibrosis

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Fiona OakleyORCiD, Dr Carlyn Marek, Professor Matthew Wright, Professor Derek Mann

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Resolution of liver fibrosis is associated with clearance of hepatic myofibroblasts by apoptosis; development of strategies that promote this process in a selective way is therefore important. The aim of this study was to determine whether the inhibitor of kappaB kinase suppressor sulfasalazine stimulates hepatic myofibroblast apoptosis and recovery from fibrosis. METHODS: Hepatic myofibroblasts were generated by culture activation of rat and human hepatic stellate cells. Fibrosis was established in rat livers by chronic injury with carbon tetrachloride followed by recovery with or without sulfasalazine (150 mg/kg) treatment. RESULTS: Treatment of hepatic stellate cells with sulfasalazine (0.5-2.0 mmol/L) induced apoptosis of activated rat and human hepatic stellate cells. A single in vivo administration of sulfasalazine promoted accelerated recovery from fibrosis as assessed by improved fibrosis score, selective clearance of smooth muscle alpha-actin-positive myofibroblasts, reduced hepatic procollagen I and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 messenger RNA expression, and increased matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity. Mechanistic studies showed that sulfasalazine selectively blocks nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent gene transcription, inhibits hepatic stellate cell expression of Gadd45beta, stimulates phosphorylation of Jun N-terminal kinase 2, and promotes apoptosis by a mechanism that is prevented by the Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor SP600125. As further evidence for a survival role for the inhibitor of kappaB kinase/nuclear factor-kappaB pathway in activated hepatic stellate cells, a highly selective cell-permeable peptide inhibitor of kappaB kinase activation also stimulated hepatic stellate cell apoptosis via a Jun N-terminal kinase-dependent mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of the inhibitor of kappaB kinase/nuclear factor-kappaB pathway is sufficient to increase the rate at which activated hepatic stellate cells undergo apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo, and drugs that selectively target inhibitor of kappaB kinase have potential as antifibrotics.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Oakley F, Meso M, Iredale JP, Green K, Marek CJ, Zhou X, May MJ, Millward-Sadler H, Wright MC, Mann DA

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Gastroenterology

Year: 2005

Volume: 128

Issue: 1

Pages: 108-120

ISSN (print): 0016-5085

ISSN (electronic): 1528-0012

Publisher: WB Saunders Co.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2004.10.003

DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2004.10.003


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Share