ASK1 Enhances Angiotensin II-Induced Liver Fibrosis In Vitro by Mediating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Dependent Exosomes

Background. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) has been reported to induce fibrotic signaling in the setting of oxidative stress. However, the role of ASK1 and its mechanism of action in angiotensin II- (Ang II-) induced liver fibrosis remain largely unknown. Methods. Human hepatic LX-2 ste...

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Main Authors: Pei-pei Fang, Chen-wei Pan, Wei Lin, Jie Li, Shan-shan Huang, Guang-yao Zhou, Wen-jun Du, Qiang Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-01-01
Series:Mediators of Inflammation
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8183713
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author Pei-pei Fang
Chen-wei Pan
Wei Lin
Jie Li
Shan-shan Huang
Guang-yao Zhou
Wen-jun Du
Qiang Li
author_facet Pei-pei Fang
Chen-wei Pan
Wei Lin
Jie Li
Shan-shan Huang
Guang-yao Zhou
Wen-jun Du
Qiang Li
author_sort Pei-pei Fang
collection DOAJ
description Background. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) has been reported to induce fibrotic signaling in the setting of oxidative stress. However, the role of ASK1 and its mechanism of action in angiotensin II- (Ang II-) induced liver fibrosis remain largely unknown. Methods. Human hepatic LX-2 stellate cells were treated with Ang II alone or cotreated with Ang II plus an ASK1 inhibitor (GS-4997) or siRNA-targeting ASK1. Immunofluorescent staining, real-time PCR, and western blotting were used to determine the expressionof α-SMA, Col I, and Col III expression. Cell viability was assessed by the CCK-8 assay. The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α in conditioned medium were determined by ELISA. The levels of intracellular ROS in LX-2 cells were analyzed using a ROS assay kit. Exosome size was determined by electron microscopy. Results. Ang II markedly increased the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (α-SMA, Col I, and Col III) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α). Ang II also increased the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) markers (GRP78, p-PERK, and CHOP) and p-ASK1. Results also showed that pretreatment with GS-4997 or siRNA could abolish all the abovementioned effects on LX-2 cells. Furthermore, we found that exosome release caused by ASK1-mediated ERS was involved in the activation of LX-2 cells by Ang II. The activation of LX-2 cells could be blocked by treating the exosomes with annexin. Conclusions. In summary, we found that ASK1 mediates Ang II-activated ERS in HSCs and the subsequent activation of HSCs, suggesting a promising strategy for treating liver fibrosis.
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spelling doaj-art-e1cee5c3cde040deac034ed2e34242942025-08-20T03:20:59ZengWileyMediators of Inflammation0962-93511466-18612020-01-01202010.1155/2020/81837138183713ASK1 Enhances Angiotensin II-Induced Liver Fibrosis In Vitro by Mediating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Dependent ExosomesPei-pei Fang0Chen-wei Pan1Wei Lin2Jie Li3Shan-shan Huang4Guang-yao Zhou5Wen-jun Du6Qiang Li7Division of Liver Diseases, Jinan Infectious Disease Hospital, Shandong University, ChinaDepartment of Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325000, ChinaDepartment of Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325000, ChinaDepartment of Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325000, ChinaDepartment of Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325000, ChinaDepartment of Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325000, ChinaDivision of Liver Diseases, Jinan Infectious Disease Hospital, Shandong University, ChinaDivision of Liver Diseases, Jinan Infectious Disease Hospital, Shandong University, ChinaBackground. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) has been reported to induce fibrotic signaling in the setting of oxidative stress. However, the role of ASK1 and its mechanism of action in angiotensin II- (Ang II-) induced liver fibrosis remain largely unknown. Methods. Human hepatic LX-2 stellate cells were treated with Ang II alone or cotreated with Ang II plus an ASK1 inhibitor (GS-4997) or siRNA-targeting ASK1. Immunofluorescent staining, real-time PCR, and western blotting were used to determine the expressionof α-SMA, Col I, and Col III expression. Cell viability was assessed by the CCK-8 assay. The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α in conditioned medium were determined by ELISA. The levels of intracellular ROS in LX-2 cells were analyzed using a ROS assay kit. Exosome size was determined by electron microscopy. Results. Ang II markedly increased the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (α-SMA, Col I, and Col III) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α). Ang II also increased the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) markers (GRP78, p-PERK, and CHOP) and p-ASK1. Results also showed that pretreatment with GS-4997 or siRNA could abolish all the abovementioned effects on LX-2 cells. Furthermore, we found that exosome release caused by ASK1-mediated ERS was involved in the activation of LX-2 cells by Ang II. The activation of LX-2 cells could be blocked by treating the exosomes with annexin. Conclusions. In summary, we found that ASK1 mediates Ang II-activated ERS in HSCs and the subsequent activation of HSCs, suggesting a promising strategy for treating liver fibrosis.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8183713
spellingShingle Pei-pei Fang
Chen-wei Pan
Wei Lin
Jie Li
Shan-shan Huang
Guang-yao Zhou
Wen-jun Du
Qiang Li
ASK1 Enhances Angiotensin II-Induced Liver Fibrosis In Vitro by Mediating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Dependent Exosomes
Mediators of Inflammation
title ASK1 Enhances Angiotensin II-Induced Liver Fibrosis In Vitro by Mediating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Dependent Exosomes
title_full ASK1 Enhances Angiotensin II-Induced Liver Fibrosis In Vitro by Mediating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Dependent Exosomes
title_fullStr ASK1 Enhances Angiotensin II-Induced Liver Fibrosis In Vitro by Mediating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Dependent Exosomes
title_full_unstemmed ASK1 Enhances Angiotensin II-Induced Liver Fibrosis In Vitro by Mediating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Dependent Exosomes
title_short ASK1 Enhances Angiotensin II-Induced Liver Fibrosis In Vitro by Mediating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Dependent Exosomes
title_sort ask1 enhances angiotensin ii induced liver fibrosis in vitro by mediating endoplasmic reticulum stress dependent exosomes
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8183713
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