Citations 46

Hepatology Highlights

Hepatology | November 7, 2020 | Volume: 72 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 1505-1508

10.1002/hep.31591

Hepatology Highlights

Hepatology | September 28, 2020 | Volume: 72 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 791-793

10.1002/hep.31544

Hepatology Highlights

Hepatology | April 29, 2020 | Volume: 71 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 1527-1529

10.1002/hep.31275

Hepatology Highlights

Hepatology | April 10, 2020 | Volume: 71 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 1143-1145

10.1002/hep.31243

Hepatology Highlights

Hepatology | March 22, 2020 | Volume: 71 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 771-773

10.1002/hep.31203

Targeted Apoptosis of Ductular Reactive Cells Reduces Hepatic Fibrosis in a Mouse Model of Cholestasis

Hepatology | March 4, 2020 | Volume: 72 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 1013-1028

10.1002/hep.31211 | PMID 32128842

Background and Aims In cholestatic liver diseases, ductular reactive (DR) cells extend into the hepatic parenchyma and promote inflammation and fibrosis. We have previously observed that multidrug‐resistant 2 (Mdr2−/− ) double knockout (DKO) mice lacking tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis‐inducing ligand receptor (Tr−/− ) display a more extensive ductular reaction and hepatic fibrosis compared to Mdr2−/− mice. This observation suggests that the magnitude of the DR‐cell population may be regulated by apoptosis. Approach and Results To examine this concept, we cultured epithelial cell adhesion molecule–positive reactive cholangioids (ERCs) obtained from wild‐type (WT), Tr−/− , Mdr2−/− and DKO mice. Single‐cell transcriptomics and immunostaining of both WT and DKO ERCs confirmed their DR‐cell phenotype. Moreover, DKO ERCs displayed a unique translational cluster with expression of chemokines, indicating a reactive state. Incubation with the myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1) inhibitor S63845, a proapoptotic BH3‐mimetic therapy, significantly decreased DKO and Mdr2−/− ERC viability compared to WT. Intravenous administration of S63845 significantly reduced the DR‐cell population and markers of inflammation and liver fibrosis in Mdr2−/− and DKO mice. Furthermore, DKO mice treated with S63845 displayed a significant decrease in hepatic B lymphocytes compared to untreated mice as assessed by high‐definition mass cytometry by time‐of‐flight. Coculture of bone marrow–derived macrophages with ERCs from DKO mouse livers up‐regulated expression of the B cell–directed chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 5. Finally, DR cells were noted to be primed for apoptosis with Bcl‐2 homologous antagonist/killer activation in vitro and in vivo in primary sclerosing cholangitis liver specimens. Conclusions DR cells appear to play a key role in recruiting immune cells to the liver to actively create an inflammatory and profibrogenic microenvironment. Pharmacologic targeting of MCL1 in a mouse model of chronic cholestasis reduces DR‐cell and B‐cell populations and hepatic fibrosis.
Hepatology Highlights

Hepatology | February 10, 2020 | Volume: 71 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 405-407

10.1002/hep.31119

Hepatology Highlights

Hepatology | January 21, 2020 | Volume: 71 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 1-3

10.1002/hep.31072

Hepatology Highlights

Hepatology | December 2, 2019 | Volume: 70 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 1881-1884

10.1002/hep.31038

Selective YAP/TAZ inhibition in fibroblasts via dopamine receptor D1 agonism reverses fibrosis

Science Translational Medicine | October 30, 2019 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 516 | Pages: No page available

10.1126/scitranslmed.aau6296 | PMID 31666402

Pharmacologic stimulation of a G protein–coupled receptor preferentially expressed on fibroblasts reverses experimental lung and liver fibrosis.