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Angiotensin II type I receptor blocker, Losartan, inhibits fibrosis in liver by suppressing TGF-beta1 production

Hisanobu Ogata

Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

Division of Molecular and Clinical Genetics, Department of Molecular Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

Department of Advanced Cell and Molecular Therapy, Kyushu University Hospital, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan

E-mail : h-ogata@sentan.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Hideko Noguchi

Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

Toshio Ohtsubo

Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

Jiyuan Liao

Division of Molecular and Clinical Genetics, Department of Molecular Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

Hiroshi Kohara

Project Division of ALA Advanced Medical Research, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo108-8639, Japan

Kazunari Yamada

Division of Molecular and Clinical Genetics, Department of Molecular Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

Department of Advanced Cell and Molecular Therapy, Kyushu University Hospital, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan

Mutsunori Murahashi

Division of Molecular and Clinical Genetics, Department of Molecular Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

Department of Advanced Cell and Molecular Therapy, Kyushu University Hospital, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan

Yasuki Hijikata

Division of Molecular and Clinical Genetics, Department of Molecular Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

Department of Advanced Cell and Molecular Therapy, Kyushu University Hospital, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan

Atsushi Suetsugu

Department of Gasroenterology/Internal Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan

Robert M Hoffman

Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093, USA

AntiCancer, Inc., 7917 Ostrow Street, San Diego, CA 92111, USA

Kenzaburo Tani

Division of Molecular and Clinical Genetics, Department of Molecular Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

Department of Advanced Cell and Molecular Therapy, Kyushu University Hospital, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan

Project Division of ALA Advanced Medical Research, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo108-8639, Japan

DOI: 10.15761/IMM.1000199.

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Abstract

Rennin-angiotensin system is involved in liver fibrogenesis through activating hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Losartan, which is an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, could function as a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor c activator. Here we studied the effect of losartan on liver fibrosis in vivo. In vivo study, we used the Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced mouse liver fibrosis model through T cell activation and upregulation of TGF-b1. The mice were administrated ConA for 4 weeks to induce liver fibrosis, and then co-administrated with losartan. Losartan prevented liver fibrogenesis and downregulated TGF-b1 expression. Also, Losartan inhibited HSCs activation and proliferation. These results suggested that Losartan prevent liver fibrosis through suppressing TGF-b1 expression. Losartan might be a promising drug for T cell-mediated liver fibrosis.

Key words

 losartan, angiotensin II type 1 receptor brocker, liver fibrosis

Abbreviations

 AT1-R, angiotensin II type 1 receptor; ARB: angiotensin II receptor blocker; RAS: renin-angiotensin system; TGF-b1: transforming growth factor b1; NASH: non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Introduction

Liver fibrosis is the common histological feature of most chronic liver diseases, and leads to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [1]. Liver cirrhosis is the end stage of chronic liver diseases. Liver fibrosis  is  the  common  pathological  basis  of  numerous  chronic  liver  diseases  including  viral  liver  disease,  alcoholic,  non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and metabolic disease. Liver cirrhosis is characterized by the increase and excessive deposition of the liver extracellular matrix (ECM) [2-4].

Excessive  activation  of  transforming  growth  factor-β (TGF-β)  increases  the  synthesis  and  decreases  the  degradation of  ECM  proteins  with  a  gradual  destruction  of  organ  tissue and structure [5]. The major source of ECM deposition in the liver is hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). After liver injury, TGF-β1 promotes the activation and proliferation of hepatic HSCs [6]. High  levels  of  TGF-β1 are often found in liver fibrosis  and  there  may  be  a  positive  correlation  between  the  elevation  of  TGF-β1  mRNA  level  and  fibrogenic  activity [7]. Thus, synthesis of ECM proteins increases in the liver due to excessive activation of the TGF-β1 signal transduction pathway. Therefore, this pathway has become a potential target for the treatment of the liver fibrosis.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in controlling liver fibrosis [8]. It is well known that the RAS influences cell differentiation, nutrition, and fibrosis, and it has been reported to play a role in heart and kidney disease [9]. Moreover, recent studies have revealed the RAS plays an important role in the progression of many chronic liver diseases [10]. Furthermore, angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) modulation of the RAS to treat liver fibrosis has been reported in animal study [11].

ARBs, such as Losartan are largely regarded as a means to block vasoconstriction and inhibit the cell proliferation and fibrosis that are mediated by the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-R) [10]. Yang et al. [12] suggested that AT1-R play an important role in the development of fibrosis.

An increase in hepatic transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels was attenuated in AT1-R knockout mice compared to WT mice [13]. Furthermore, Bataller et al.[14] demonstrated that increased systemic Angiotensin II augments hepatic fibrosis and promotes inflammation, oxidative stress, and thrombogenic events. Losartan was reported to inhibit CCl4-induced liver fibrosis [15] and to attenuate NASH rat model [16].

In the present study, we administered losartan for repeated Concanavalin A (Con A)-treated mice with liver fibrosis. We demonstrate that losartan inhibited liver fibrosis and TGF-b1expression. These findings suggest that losartan downregulate TGF-b1 expression through inhibiting RAS and then suppress the progression of liver fibrosis.

Materials and methods

Animal models

Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used for the mouse liver fibrosis models. For the liver fibrosis model, these mice were administrated ConA. For the fibrosis model, mice were i.v. injected with ConA (10 mg/kg body weight) weekly for 4 weeks. At 1 day after last injection, mice were killed and their liver specimens were prepared. Mice were divided to 2 groups, losartan or control group. In losartan group, mice were i.v. injected with losartan (10 mg/kg body weight) weekly for 4 weeks. 1 hour before ConA injection, losartan was injected. Losartan was supplied by Banyu Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd (Tokyo, Japan). All experiments on these mice were approved by and performed in accordance with the Guidelines of the Animal Ethics Committee of Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.

Immunohistochemistry and Sirius red staining

Liver tissues were fixed with 10% formalin, paraffin-embedded, and sectioned. Slides were incubated with either a 1:100 dilution of anti-TGF-b1 (Promega) or anti-a-smooth muscle actin (SMA) (Dako) and stained LSAB kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Dako). The samples were then lightly stained with hematoxylin and examined. Liver fibrosis was quantified with Sirius red (Polyscience Inc.) staining as decribed [17]. The section were incubated for 10 min in aqueous solution of saturated picric acid containing 0.1% Sirius red. Red-stained collagen fibers were quantitated by digital image analysis [17].

Results

Losartan improved ConA-induced liver fibrosis

First, we investigated the effect of losartan on mouse liver fibrosis. Single-injection of ConA induces acute hepatitis [18] and repeated administration of ConA is a well-established chronic hepatitis model in mice [19]. ConA-induced hepatitis also develops fibrosis after repeated liver injury, the mechanism of which is mainly based on the upregulation of TGF-b1 expression in the liver [17]. Since ConA activates NK and NKT cells in the liver, ConA-induced fibrosis in mice has been used as a suitable model of viral hepatitis and fibrosis like human HCV infection [20].

Six-week-old male C57/BL6 mice were i.v. injected with ConA (10 mg/kg body weight) weekly for 4 weeks. Mice were divided to 2 groups, losartan or control group. In losartan group, mice were i.v. injected with losartan (10 mg/kg body weight) weekly for 4 weeks. In control group, mice were i.v. injected with same amount of PBS (phosphate buffered saline). At 4 weeks after ConA treatment, all mice in both groups survived. However, fibrosis levels assessed by Sirius red staining were stronger in control group than losartan group (Figure 1a). We then quantified the red-stained collagen in an image of a mouse liver tissue section stained with Sirius red by using digital image analysis [17]. Sirius red staining area were much weaker in losartan-administrated mice than in control mice (Figure1b). These data indicated that an administration of losartan improved Con A-induced liver fibrosis.

Figure 1. Losartan inhibits ConA-induced liver fibrosis.

  1. Sirius red staining in liver specimens from the ConA-injected mice (x100).
  2. The Sirius red positive area was evaluated by a digital image analyzer. Losartan significantly suppressed the ConA-induced liver fibrosis. The data are shown as the mean ± s.e.m. *P<0.05.

Losartan suppressed CoA-induced fibrogenesis through downregulated TGF-b1expression

Next, we examined the effect of the administration of losartan in a-Smooth muscle actin (SMA) and TGF-b1 expressions. a-Smooth muscle actin (SMA) localized mainly around the centrilobular area and the portal tract in the liver [17]. At 4 weeks after ConA treatment, SMA staining was much stronger in control mice than in losartan-treated mice mice (Figure 2a,b). To clarify the mechanism involved in ConA-induced liver fibrosis, the TGF-b1 expression was investigated by immunostaining. 4-week ConA treated mice showed the increased TGF-b1exprsssion in liver [17]. HSCs are known as the cells that produce TGF-b1 [21]. Also, the primary hepatocytes have the ability to produce a significant amount of TGF-b1 [22]. Losartan-treatment suppressed TGF-b1 exprsssion in both hepatocytes and non-hepatocytes including with HSCs (Figure 3a,b). Taken together, we propose that losartan negatively regulates TGF-b1 production and then inhibits ConA-mediated liver fibrosis.

Figure 2. Losartan inhibits the activated hepatic HSCs.

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  1. Immunostaining for SMA in liver specimens from the ConA-injected mice (x100). SMA-positive cell indicated the activated hepatic HSCs.
  2. SMA expression was quantitated by a digital image analyzer. Losartan significantly suppressed the activated hepatic HSCs. The data are shown as the mean ± s.e.m. *P<0.05.

Figure 3. Losartan inhibits the TGF-b1 expression.

  1. Immunostaining for TGF-b1 in liver specimens from the ConA-injected mice (x100).
  2. TGF-b1 expression was quantitated by a digital image analyzer. Losartan significantly suppressed the TGF-b1 expression in ConA-induced mouse liver fibrosis. The data are shown as the mean ± s.e.m. *P<0.05.

Discussion

Liver fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins including collagen that occurs in most types of chronic liver diseases. Advanced liver fibrosis results in cirrhosis, liver failure, and portal hypertension and often requires liver transplantation. Activated hepatic HSCs, portal fibroblasts, and myofibroblasts of bone marrow origin have been identified as major collagen-producing cells in the injured liver. These cells are activated by fibrogenic cytokines such as TGF-β1, angiotensin II, and leptin. Reversibility of advanced liver fibrosis in patients has been recently documented, which has stimulated researchers to develop antifibrotic drugs. Emerging antifibrotic therapies are aimed at inhibiting the accumulation of fibrogenic cells and/or preventing the deposition of extracellular matrix proteins [23].

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist inhibits experimental liver fibrosis [13,24]. ARB inhibits rat NASH model induced by the choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA)-diet [24]. This mechanism of inhibition is considered to depend on suppressing RAS. In this study, we have shown that losartan improve liver fibrosis and negatively regulate TGF-b1 expression induced by Con A. Con A upregulate TGF-b1 expression and then induce liver fibrosis [17]. RAS is an important mediator of hepatic fibrosis through activation of profibrotic mediators, such as TGF-b1 [25].

Inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system attenuate glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. Although the mechanisms underlying their antifibrotic effects are complex, angiotensin II emerges as a major profibrogenic cytokine. Angiotensin II modulates renal cell growth, extracellular matrix synthesis, and degradation by multiple fibrotic pathways. It was reported that one of the main targets of angiotensin II in renal fibrosis is TGF-b1 [26]. TGF-b1 also plays an important role in liver fibrosis. ARB was reported to inhibit the progression of NASH [27]. NASH is considered as a progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The

RAS in the liver is a potential pathway that may offer an effective therapy for liver fibrosis. Angiotensin II, the effector of the RAS, appears to play a major role in liver fibrogenesis [28]. Angiotensin II regulates cell growth, inflammation and fibrosis through activation of AT1-R. The AT1-R is locally expressed by activated HSCs, and activated HSCs generate angiotensin II [29,30].

This study was undertaken to determine whether the ARB, losartan affects the progression of ConA-induced hepatic fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic hepatitis that is different from steatohepatitis such as NASH. Losartan inhibits ConA-induced hepatic fibrosis and suppress TGF-b expression. Our finding of a suppression of TGF-b1 by losartan in ConA-mediated liver fibrosis might suggest the important mechanism. In conclusion, this study provides the therapeutic potential of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis.

References

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Editorial Information

Editor-in-Chief

Masayoshi Yamaguchi
Emory University School of Medicine

Article Type

Research Article

Publication history

Received date: February 1, 2016
Accepted date: February 11, 2016
Published date: February 15, 2016

Copyright

©2016 Haque Z.This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation

Ogata H, Noguchi H, Ohtsubo T, Liao J, Kohara H, et al.(2016) Angiotensin II type I receptor blocker, Losartan, inhibits fibrosis in liver by suppressing TGF-beta1 production. Integr Mol Med 3: DOI: 10.15761/IMM.1000199.

Corresponding author

Hisanobu Ogata

Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashiku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan, Tel: +81-92-642-5256; Fax: +81-92-642-5271

E-mail : h-ogata@sentan.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank Prof. Takanari Kitazono for his comments and Ms. Keiko Ohkawa for her support. This study was supported by Banyu Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd (Tokyo, Japan), JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 「19590776」 and Kyushu University Short-term International Research Exchange Program which is based on Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s grant The Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities.

Figure 1. Losartan inhibits ConA-induced liver fibrosis.

  1. Sirius red staining in liver specimens from the ConA-injected mice (x100).
  2. The Sirius red positive area was evaluated by a digital image analyzer. Losartan significantly suppressed the ConA-induced liver fibrosis. The data are shown as the mean ± s.e.m. *P<0.05.

Figure 2. Losartan inhibits the activated hepatic HSCs.

  1. Immunostaining for SMA in liver specimens from the ConA-injected mice (x100). SMA-positive cell indicated the activated hepatic HSCs.
  2. SMA expression was quantitated by a digital image analyzer. Losartan significantly suppressed the activated hepatic HSCs. The data are shown as the mean ± s.e.m. *P<0.05.

Figure 3. Losartan inhibits the TGF-b1 expression.

  1. Immunostaining for TGF-b1 in liver specimens from the ConA-injected mice (x100).
  2. TGF-b1 expression was quantitated by a digital image analyzer. Losartan significantly suppressed the TGF-b1 expression in ConA-induced mouse liver fibrosis. The data are shown as the mean ± s.e.m. *P<0.05.