Proteomics became a more and more important technique for the large-scale analysis of proteins during the last years. Two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis as a major tool of proteomics is a powerful method to compare two different biological stages (e. g. healthy and diseased tissue) and to find differences in their protein pattern. One major problem in proteomics is the gel to gel variation of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, which could cause artefacts in the detection of expression differences. The "difference in gel electrophoresis" (DIGE) technique allows the separation of two proteomes in the same gel. The protein pools were labelled with different fluorescent dyes and equal amounts of protein were separated in the same gel. Another advantage of DIGE is the possibility to separate an internal standard labelled with a third dye in the same gel to allow quantitative expression analysis. We compared proteomes of three different fibrosis models with the appropriate control (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) overexpressing HepG2 cells in comparison to a HepG2 control, freshly isolated HSC in comparison to activated HSC and healthy mouse liver in comparison to fibrotic mouse liver). Among the differentially expressed proteins several were already found to be relevant for fibrosis but we also detected some proteins like the selenium binding protein 2 which might be relevant for hepatic fibrosis.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), also called Ito cells or lipocytes, are vitamin A-storing cells located in the Dissé space between hepatocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells. Upon liver injury, these cells transdifferentiate into extracellular matrix-producing, highly proliferative myofibroblasts that promote hepatic fibrogenesis. Other possible collagen-producing cells in liver fibrosis include portal fibroblasts, bone marrow-derived cells (mesenchymal stem cells, fibrocytes and hematopoietic cells) and parenchymal cells undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Important factors and signaling pathways for HSC activation, as well as different functions of HSC during homeostasis and fibrosis, such as collagen production, secretion of cytokines and chemokines, immune modulation and changes in contractile features, as well as vitamin A storage capacity, have been identified in vitro and in vivo. Novel isolation techniques, specifically HSC sorting by FACS via autofluorescence and antibodies, will provide us with further opportunities to advance our understanding of HSC biology in health and disease.

Recent studies demonstrated that the E-type cyclins E1 (CcnE1) and E2 (CcnE2) are not essential for cell proliferation per se, but for transition of quiescent cells into the cell cycle. We recently showed that CcnE1 is a key player for hepatocyte proliferation during liver regeneration, while CcnE2 is a negative regulator of CcnE1.

Cirrhosis is the end result of chronic liver disease. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are believed to be the major source of collagen-producing myofibroblasts in cirrhotic livers. Portal fibroblasts, bone marrow-derived cells, and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) might also contribute to the myofibroblast population in damaged livers. Fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP1, also called S100A4) is considered a marker of fibroblasts in different organs undergoing tissue remodeling and is used to identify fibroblasts derived from EMT in several organs, including the liver. The aim of this study was to characterize FSP1-positive cells in human and experimental liver disease. FSP1-positive cells were increased in human and mouse experimental liver injury including liver cancer. However, FSP1 was not expressed by HSC or type I collagen-producing fibroblasts. Likewise, FSP1-positive cells did not express classical myofibroblast markers, including alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and desmin, and were not myofibroblast precursors in injured livers as evaluated by genetic lineage tracing experiments. Surprisingly, FSP1-positive cells expressed F4/80 and other markers of the myeloid-monocytic lineage as evaluated by double immunofluorescence staining, cell fate tracking, flow cytometry, and transcriptional profiling. Similar results were obtained for bone marrow-derived and peritoneal macrophages. FSP1-positive cells were characterized by increased expression of COX2, osteopontin, inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines but reduced expression of MMP3 and TIMP3 compared with Kupffer cells/macrophages. These findings suggest that FSP1 is a marker of a specific subset of inflammatory macrophages in liver injury, fibrosis, and cancer.

BACKGROUND: Monocyte-derived macrophages critically perpetuate inflammatory responses after liver injury as a prerequisite for organ fibrosis. Experimental murine models identified an essential role for the CCR2-dependent infiltration of classical Gr1/Ly6C(+) monocytes in hepatic fibrosis. Moreover, the monocyte-related chemokine receptors CCR1 and CCR5 were recently recognized as important fibrosis modulators in mice. In humans, monocytes consist of classical CD14(+)CD16(-) and non-classical CD14(+)CD16(+) cells. We aimed at investigating the relevance of monocyte subpopulations for human liver fibrosis, and hypothesized that 'non-classical' monocytes critically exert inflammatory as well as profibrogenic functions in patients during liver disease progression. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We analyzed circulating monocyte subsets from freshly drawn blood samples of 226 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and 184 healthy controls by FACS analysis. Circulating monocytes were significantly expanded in CLD-patients compared to controls with a marked increase of the non-classical CD14(+)CD16(+) subset that showed an activated phenotype in patients and correlated with proinflammatory cytokines and clinical progression. Correspondingly, CD14(+)CD16(+) macrophages massively accumulated in fibrotic/cirrhotic livers, as evidenced by immunofluorescence and FACS. Ligands of monocyte-related chemokine receptors CCR2, CCR1 and CCR5 were expressed at higher levels in fibrotic and cirrhotic livers, while CCL3 and CCL4 were also systemically elevated in CLD-patients. Isolated monocyte/macrophage subpopulations were functionally characterized regarding cytokine/chemokine expression and interactions with primary human hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in vitro. CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes released abundant proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, CD14(+)CD16(+), but not CD14(+)CD16(-) monocytes could directly activate collagen-producing HSC. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our data demonstrate the expansion of CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes in the circulation and liver of CLD-patients upon disease progression and suggest their functional contribution to the perpetuation of intrahepatic inflammation and profibrogenic HSC activation in liver cirrhosis. The modulation of monocyte-subset recruitment into the liver via chemokines/chemokine receptors and their subsequent differentiation may represent promising approaches for therapeutic interventions in human liver fibrosis.

Aims: The main cellular source of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the fibrotic liver are myofibroblast-like cells (MFB) originating from mesenchymal hepatic stellate cells (HSC). In the fibrotic processes of kidney (mesangial cells), heart (cardiac fibroblasts) and dermis (dermal fibroblasts) it has been shown that the accessory receptor endoglin is upregulated in the respective profibrogenic cells and modulates fibrosis relevant responses mediated by TGF-β1 [1–3]. In activated HSC, endoglin is also highly expressed but its functional relevance in TGF-β1-signaling has not been determined [4].

BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-27 is a cytokine belonging to the IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family that is secreted by activated macrophages and dendritic cells and which strongly acts on T-cells and cells of the innate immune system. Not much is known about possible effects of IL-27 on other cell types. It signals via the common IL-6-type-cytokine receptor chain gp130 and the IL-27-specific chain WSX-1. We previously described that IL-27 also stimulates hepatoma cells and primary hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether IL-27 would also act on hepatic stellate cells (HSC), the second most abundant hepatic cell type, which would demonstrate a more general role of this cytokine in the liver. RESULTS: Using a human HSC line and primary rat HSC we investigated the signalling characteristics of IL-27 in these cells. We show that IL-27 activates signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 and to a minor extent STAT3 in a human HSC cell line and that it leads to the induction of STAT1 target genes such as interferon response factor-1, myxovirus resistance A and STAT1 itself. Similarly we find that IL-27 also elicits STAT1-dependent responses in primary rat HSC. CONCLUSIONS: We provide the first evidence for a function of IL-27 in HSC and show that its responses resemble Interferon-gamma-like functions in these cells. Our data suggests that IL-27 may play an important role in the context of liver inflammation by acting on the different liver cell types.

In this doctoral thesis BB68 was identified as a potent monomeric EPO-mimetic peptide. One of the main tasks was to characterize the in vitro effects of the monomeric peptide (BB68), of the homodimeric peptide (AGEM400) and of the multimeric form AGEM400-HES. The centre of the analysis was focused on AGEM400-HES where on the average of five peptide dimers are coupled multivalent to hydroxyethylstarch (HES). AGEM400-HES showed strong EPO-mimetic effects for all investigated parameters. The effects of AGEM400-HES on proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of hematopoietic cells were analysed and compared to the EPO-induced effects. Dependent on the cell line AGEM400-HES induced proliferation, survival and differentiation in a dose-dependent manner and with an efficacy which is comparable to that of EPO. Experiments with primary cells of bone marrow from human and monkey confirmed the results. Further on investigations of the receptor binding showed that AGEM400-HES bound specifically to the EPO-receptor and induced same signaling pathways as EPO. AGEM400-HES caused the phosphorylation of STAT5 (JAK/STAT-signaling pathway) and of ERK1/2 (Ras/Raf-signaling pathway) in hematopoietic cell lines. After the generation of antibodies against EPO, BB68 and AGEM400 it was analysed if there were any crossreactions between the different antibodies and antigens. But no crossreactions could be detected. Both mimetic peptide forms were immunological completely different from EPO. A very sensitive ELISA for detecting AGEM400 and AGEM400-HES in human serum and rat serum respectively was developed. The detectable concentration range supposable may be in a clinical relevant range and it could be used as a verification procedure for further pharmacokinetic and clinical studies. AGEM400 is a potent and a promising candidate for a novel “EPO-therapy”. The main advantages are the possibility of a chemical synthesis, the biodegradable carrier molecule (HES) and the immunological diversity to EPO. The latter is a very interesting point regarding patients who had developed antibodies against the endogenous and the recombinant protein EPO during application of EPO. A mimetic peptide could be an alternative to correct anemia in these patients.

BACKGROUND: Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) belongs to the lipocalin superfamily, sharing a barrel-shaped tertiary structure with a hydrophobic pocket and an ability to bind lipophilic molecules. LCN2 has recently emerged as an important modulator of cellular homeostasis in several organs, i.e. heart, lung and kidney, but little is known about the expression of LCN2 in acute and chronic liver injury. AIMS: In this study, we wanted to analyse the expression and regulation of LCN2 in models of acute and chronic experimental liver injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed LCN2 expression in livers of rats subjected to bile duct ligation or repeated doses of carbon tetrachloride and tested the impact of various pro-inflammatory cytokines in cultured primary liver cells. RESULTS: By using primary cultures of hepatic stellate cells and hepatocytes isolated from normal and injured rat livers, we found a significant LCN2 expression in early hepatic stellate cell cultures, a lower expression in fully transdifferentiated myofibroblasts and no expression in freshly isolated hepatocytes. However, LCN2 expression and secretion in hepatocytes increased dramatically during culturing. In addition, chronic in vivo liver injury resulting from both bile duct ligation and repeated application of carbon tetrachloride resulted in rapid and well-sustained induction of LCN2 expression. Immunohistochemistry and primary liver cell isolation identified injured hepatocytes as the main source of LCN2 production. LCN2 is strongly induced in both primary hepatocytes and immortalized hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 by the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β via nuclear factor-κB activation, but not by the profibrotic cytokines platelet-derived growth factor and transforming growth factor-β. CONCLUSION: LCN2 expression shows clear correlation to liver damage and resulting inflammatory responses, rather than to the degree of liver fibrosis, which in fact may imply a distinct diagnostic value as an early biomarker of liver inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Computer-based morphometry can minimize subjectivity in the assessment of liver fibrosis. An image processing program was developed with Delphi for the quantification of fibrosis in liver tissue samples stained with Sirius Red. Bile duct ligated and sham operated wild type C57BL/6 mice served as a model of time-dependent induction of liver fibrosis. Formation of fibrosis was determined with the developed software at day 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 20, 30 and 60. The results were compared to a semi-quantitative scoring system. RESULTS: Quantitative accumulation of collagen fibres was observed from day 3 to day 14, with a slight further increase thereafter. During ongoing fibrogenesis, there was a significant elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and bilirubin. The results from our computer-based morphometric analysis were highly correlated with the results that were obtained in a standardized pathology semi-quantitative scoring system (R 2 = 0.89, n = 38). CONCLUSIONS: Using our Delphi-based image analysing software, the morphometric assessment of fibrosis is as precise as semi-quantitative scoring by an experienced pathologist. This program can be a valuable tool in any kind of experimental or clinical setting for standardized quantitative assessment of fibrosis.