Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 mediates transforming growth factor-beta-induced hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis

Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 3;10(1):21018. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-78056-0.

Abstract

Hepatic fibrogenesis is characterized by activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). The impact of ECM on TGF-β-mediated fibrogenic signaling pathway in HSCs has remained obscure. We studied the role of non-receptor tyrosine kinase focal adhesion kinase (FAK) family members in TGF-β-signaling in HSCs. We used a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mice model to evaluate the effect of FAK family kinase inhibitors on liver fibrosis. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure the expression of its target genes; α-SMA, collagen, Nox4, TGF-β1, Smad7, and CTGF. Pharmacological inhibitors, siRNA-mediated knock-down, and plasmid-based overexpression were adopted to modulate the function and the expression level of proteins. Association of PYK2 activation with liver fibrosis was confirmed in liver samples from CCl4-treated mice and patients with significant fibrosis or cirrhosis. TGF-β treatment up-regulated expression of α-SMA, type I collagen, NOX4, CTGF, TGF-β1, and Smad7 in LX-2 cells. Inhibition of FAK family members suppressed TGF-β-mediated fibrogenic signaling. SiRNA experiments demonstrated that TGF-β1 and Smad7 were upregulated via Smad-dependent pathway through FAK activation. In addition, CTGF induction was Smad-independent and PYK2-dependent. Furthermore, RhoA activation was essential for TGF-β-mediated CTGF induction, evidenced by using ROCK inhibitor and dominant negative RhoA expression. We identified that TGF-β1-induced activation of PYK2-Src-RhoA triad leads to YAP/TAZ activation for CTGF induction in liver fibrosis. These findings provide new insights into the role of focal adhesion molecules in liver fibrogenesis, and targeting PYK2 may be an attractive target for developing novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / genetics
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen / genetics
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor / genetics
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 2 / genetics
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 2 / metabolism*
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NADPH Oxidase 4 / genetics
  • NADPH Oxidase 4 / metabolism
  • Smad7 Protein / genetics
  • Smad7 Protein / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Acta1 protein, mouse
  • Actins
  • CCN2 protein, mouse
  • Smad7 Protein
  • Smad7 protein, mouse
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor
  • Collagen
  • NADPH Oxidase 4
  • Nox4 protein, mouse
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 2
  • Ptk2b protein, mouse