Featured Publications
An optimized visualization and quantitative protocol for in-depth evaluation of lymphatic vessel architecture in the liver
Jeong J, Tanaka M, Yang Y, Arefyev N, DiRito J, Tietjen G, Zhang X, McConnell M, Utsumi T, Iwakiri Y. An optimized visualization and quantitative protocol for in-depth evaluation of lymphatic vessel architecture in the liver. AJP Gastrointestinal And Liver Physiology 2023, 325: g379-g390. PMID: 37605828, PMCID: PMC10887843, DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00139.2023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe Sympathetic Nervous System Promotes Hepatic Lymphangiogenesis, which Is Protective Against Liver Fibrosis
Tanaka M, Jeong J, Thomas C, Zhang X, Zhang P, Saruwatari J, Kondo R, McConnell M, Utsumi T, Iwakiri Y. The Sympathetic Nervous System Promotes Hepatic Lymphangiogenesis, which Is Protective Against Liver Fibrosis. American Journal Of Pathology 2023, 193: 2182-2202. PMID: 37673329, PMCID: PMC10699132, DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.08.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPartial portal vein ligationNoncirrhotic portal hypertensionCirrhotic patientsVascular endothelial growth factorLiver fibrosisEndothelial growth factorPortal hypertensionSympathetic denervationSympathetic nervesBDL ratsVascular diseaseIdiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertensionGrowth factorPortal hypertensive patientsPortal vein ligationSympathetic nervous systemMechanisms of lymphangiogenesisCeliac ganglionectomyHypertensive patientsLymphatic vessel numberLiver biopsyLiver cirrhosisVein ligationPPVL ratsHepatic lymphatic vesselsThe evolving role of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in liver health and disease
McConnell M, Kostallari E, Ibrahim S, Iwakiri Y. The evolving role of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in liver health and disease. Hepatology 2023, 78: 649-669. PMID: 36626620, PMCID: PMC10315420, DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000207.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsLiver diseaseAlcohol-associated liver diseaseEndothelial cellsLiver transplant rejectionIschemia-reperfusion injuryLiver sinusoidal endothelial cellsSinusoidal endothelial cellsPortal hypertensionLiver inflammationMicrovascular thrombosisViral hepatitisReperfusion injuryTransplant rejectionLiver healthLiver pathologyLiver homeostasisLiver regenerationQuiescent phenotypePathological processesUnique populationDiseaseLSECLiver biologyGene expression profilesInflammationHepatic lymphatic vascular system in health and disease
Jeong J, Tanaka M, Iwakiri Y. Hepatic lymphatic vascular system in health and disease. Journal Of Hepatology 2022, 77: 206-218. PMID: 35157960, PMCID: PMC9870070, DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.01.025.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLiver diseaseNon-alcoholic fatty liver diseaseLymphatic systemFatty liver diseaseCongenital liver diseasesPotential therapeutic strategyHepatic lymphatic systemLiver transplantationPortal hypertensionMalignant tumorsTherapeutic strategiesDisease pathogenesisHepatic physiologyDiseasePathological conditionsSpecific markersLymphatic vesselsVascular systemLymphatic vascular systemOrgansTissue homeostasisHypertensionTransplantationPathophysiologyPathogenesisCovid‐19 and Liver Injury: Role of Inflammatory Endotheliopathy, Platelet Dysfunction, and Thrombosis
McConnell MJ, Kondo R, Kawaguchi N, Iwakiri Y. Covid‐19 and Liver Injury: Role of Inflammatory Endotheliopathy, Platelet Dysfunction, and Thrombosis. Hepatology Communications 2022, 6: 255-269. PMID: 34658172, PMCID: PMC8652692, DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1843.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLiver injurySARS-CoV-2Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptomsAcute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Alcohol-related liver diseaseSARS-CoV-2 infectionRespiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Chronic liver failureLiver-related complicationsDirect viral infectionElevated aspartate aminotransferaseSyndrome coronavirus 2COVID-19Pathophysiologic explanationLiver failureLiver diseasePlatelet dysfunctionVascular inflammationInflammatory environmentHepatic effectsAlanine aminotransferaseViral infectionAspartate aminotransferaseHepatic fociLiver injury in COVID-19 and IL-6 trans-signaling-induced endotheliopathy
McConnell MJ, Kawaguchi N, Kondo R, Sonzogni A, Licini L, Valle C, Bonaffini PA, Sironi S, Alessio MG, Previtali G, Seghezzi M, Zhang X, Lee A, Pine AB, Chun HJ, Zhang X, Fernandez-Hernando C, Qing H, Wang A, Price C, Sun Z, Utsumi T, Hwa J, Strazzabosco M, Iwakiri Y. Liver injury in COVID-19 and IL-6 trans-signaling-induced endotheliopathy. Journal Of Hepatology 2021, 75: 647-658. PMID: 33991637, PMCID: PMC8285256, DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.04.050.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLiver sinusoidal endothelial cellsLiver injuryInterleukin-6Sinusoidal endothelial cellsAlanine aminotransferaseLiver histologyD-dimerCOVID-19Primary human liver sinusoidal endothelial cellsSARS-CoV-2 infectionHuman liver sinusoidal endothelial cellsEndothelial cellsSoluble glycoprotein 130IL-6 levelsSmall-interfering RNA knockdownJAK inhibitor ruxolitinibFactor VIII activityProinflammatory factorsInflammatory signalsLarge cohortInhibitor ruxolitinibVWF antigenEndotheliopathyPatientsInjuryAlcohol-induced Hsp90 acetylation is a novel driver of liver sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction and alcohol-related liver disease
Yang Y, Sangwung P, Kondo R, Jung Y, McConnell MJ, Jeong J, Utsumi T, Sessa WC, Iwakiri Y. Alcohol-induced Hsp90 acetylation is a novel driver of liver sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction and alcohol-related liver disease. Journal Of Hepatology 2021, 75: 377-386. PMID: 33675874, PMCID: PMC8292196, DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.02.028.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEndothelial nitric oxide synthaseAlcohol-induced liver injuryLiver sinusoidal endothelial cellsAlcohol-related liver diseaseLiver injuryLSEC dysfunctionHsp90 acetylationNO productionHistone deacetylase 6Liver diseaseTherapeutic strategiesHeat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) acetylationLiver sinusoidal endothelial dysfunctionSinusoidal endothelial cell dysfunctionMouse liver sinusoidal endothelial cellsEndothelial cell dysfunctionNitric oxide synthaseEthanol-fed miceSinusoidal endothelial dysfunctionPotential therapeutic approachPotential therapeutic strategyNitric oxide productionNew therapeutic strategiesSinusoidal endothelial cellsAcetylation of Hsp90Enhanced Meningeal Lymphatic Drainage Ameliorates Neuroinflammation and Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhotic Rats
Hsu SJ, Zhang C, Jeong J, Lee SI, McConnell M, Utsumi T, Iwakiri Y. Enhanced Meningeal Lymphatic Drainage Ameliorates Neuroinflammation and Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhotic Rats. Gastroenterology 2020, 160: 1315-1329.e13. PMID: 33227282, PMCID: PMC7956141, DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.11.036.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMeningeal lymphatic drainageLymphatic drainageMicroglia activationMotor functionBile duct ligation modelTumor necrosis factor αSerious neurologic complicationsMeningeal lymphatic systemNecrosis factor αDuct ligation modelNew therapeutic strategiesBrain inflammationNeurologic complicationsHepatic encephalopathyLiver cirrhosisLymph nodesRotarod testMotor dysfunctionCirrhotic ratsInterleukin-1βLigation modelInterferon γProinflammatory genesCisterna magnaTherapeutic strategies
2024
Intestinal Nogo-B reduces GLP1 levels by binding to proglucagon on the endoplasmic reticulum to inhibit PCSK1 cleavage
Gong K, Xue C, Feng Z, Pan R, Wang M, Chen S, Chen Y, Guan Y, Dai L, Zhang S, Jiang L, Li L, Wang B, Yin Z, Ma L, Iwakiri Y, Tang J, Liao C, Chen H, Duan Y. Intestinal Nogo-B reduces GLP1 levels by binding to proglucagon on the endoplasmic reticulum to inhibit PCSK1 cleavage. Nature Communications 2024, 15: 6845. PMID: 39122737, PMCID: PMC11315690, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51352-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEnteroendocrine cellsEndoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident proteinGlucagon-like peptide 1Nogo-BEndoplasmic reticulumStimulate insulin secretionPotential therapeutic targetProglucagonGlucagon-like peptide 1 receptorInhibit glucagon secretionRegulatory processesIntestinal tractProglucagon fragmentInsulin secretionCleavageNogo-B knockoutTherapeutic targetPancreatic cellsPeptide 1Glucagon secretionCellsReticulonGolgiReticulon 4BInsulin resistance
2023
Berberine protects mice against type 2 diabetes by promoting PPARγ-FGF21-GLUT2-regulated insulin sensitivity and glucose/lipid homeostasis
Chen Y, Li Q, Zhao S, Sun L, Yin Z, Wang X, Li X, Iwakiri Y, Han J, Duan Y. Berberine protects mice against type 2 diabetes by promoting PPARγ-FGF21-GLUT2-regulated insulin sensitivity and glucose/lipid homeostasis. Biochemical Pharmacology 2023, 218: 115928. PMID: 37979703, DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115928.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsType 2 diabetesInsulin sensitivityGlucose/lipid homeostasisInsulin resistanceLipid metabolismFibroblast growth factor 21Glucose/lipid metabolismFGF21-dependent mannerGlucose transporter 2 expressionLipid homeostasisGrowth factor 21Liver lipid accumulationMechanism of berberineEffects of berberineRole of berberineTransporter 2 expressionExpression of PPARγGlobal knockout miceFunction of berberineMultiple therapeutic actionsRegulation of glucoseT2D treatmentT2D miceDiabetic miceCarcinoma cell linesLymphatic drainage dysfunction is related to clinically significant portal hypertension
Ma R, Iwakiri Y. Lymphatic drainage dysfunction is related to clinically significant portal hypertension. Hepatology International 2023, 17: 1327-1330. PMID: 37743398, DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10592-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEndotheliopathy of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in liver disease
Kondo R, Iwakiri Y, Kage M, Yano H. Endotheliopathy of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in liver disease. Pathology International 2023, 73: 381-393. PMID: 37589433, DOI: 10.1111/pin.13361.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLiver diseaseSinusoidal endothelial cellsEndothelial cellsLiver injuryLiver tissueIntercellular adhesion molecule-1Improvement of thrombocytopeniaNeutrophil chemotactic mediatorsChronic hepatitis CLiver sinusoidal endothelial cellsSetting of inflammationSevere hepatic inflammationAdhesion molecule-1Largest solid organPotential therapeutic strategyVascular endothelial cellsVon Willebrand factorHepatitis CNeutrophil accumulationHepatic inflammationChemotactic mediatorsIL-6Antithrombotic factorsChemokine ligandSolid organs
2021
Nitric oxide facilitates the targeting Kupffer cells of a nano-antioxidant for the treatment of NASH
Maeda H, Ishima Y, Saruwatari J, Mizuta Y, Minayoshi Y, Ichimizu S, Yanagisawa H, Nagasaki T, Yasuda K, Oshiro S, Taura M, McConnell MJ, Oniki K, Sonoda K, Wakayama T, Kinoshita M, Shuto T, Kai H, Tanaka M, Sasaki Y, Iwakiri Y, Otagiri M, Watanabe H, Maruyama T. Nitric oxide facilitates the targeting Kupffer cells of a nano-antioxidant for the treatment of NASH. Journal Of Controlled Release 2021, 341: 457-474. PMID: 34856227, DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.11.039.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMannose receptor C type 1Treatment of NASHNonalcoholic steatohepatitisKupffer cellsBlood flowNO donorReactive oxygen speciesHepatic blood flowDevelopment of steatohepatitisNASH model miceC type 1Nitric oxide donorOxidative stress-associated pathologiesStress-associated pathologiesCombination therapyHepatoprotective effectModel miceLiver lobeOxide donorType 2Therapeutic potentialType 1Nitric oxidePathological phenotypesSpecific uptake
2020
Lymphatic Dysfunction as a Novel Therapeutic Target in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Jeong J, Iwakiri Y. Lymphatic Dysfunction as a Novel Therapeutic Target in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Cellular And Molecular Gastroenterology And Hepatology 2020, 11: 663-664. PMID: 33220266, PMCID: PMC7846486, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2020.10.013.Commentaries, Editorials and LettersThe lymphatic system in alcohol-associated liver disease
Kondo R, Iwakiri Y. The lymphatic system in alcohol-associated liver disease. Clinical And Molecular Hepatology 2020, 26: 633-638. PMID: 32951411, PMCID: PMC7641555, DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2020.0179.BooksConceptsAlcoholic liver diseaseLymphatic systemLiver diseaseTreatment of ALDAlcohol-associated liver diseaseAlcohol-related diseasesEffects of alcoholHepatic lymphaticsFluid balanceCell surveillanceTherapeutic potentialImmune cell surveillanceDiseaseInterstitial fluid balanceReview articlePathogenesisLymphaticsEndothelial Leukocyte Cell–Derived Chemotaxin 2/Tyrosine Kinase With Immunoglobulin‐Like and Epidermal Growth Factor–Like Domains 1 Signaling in Liver Fibrosis
Su T, Iwakiri Y. Endothelial Leukocyte Cell–Derived Chemotaxin 2/Tyrosine Kinase With Immunoglobulin‐Like and Epidermal Growth Factor–Like Domains 1 Signaling in Liver Fibrosis. Hepatology 2020, 72: 347-349. PMID: 32060947, DOI: 10.1002/hep.31183.Commentaries, Editorials and Letters
2019
O-GlcNAc transferase suppresses necroptosis and liver fibrosis
Zhang B, Li MD, Yin R, Liu Y, Yang Y, Mitchell-Richards KA, Nam JH, Li R, Wang L, Iwakiri Y, Chung D, Robert ME, Ehrlich BE, Bennett AM, Yu J, Nathanson MH, Yang X. O-GlcNAc transferase suppresses necroptosis and liver fibrosis. JCI Insight 2019, 4: e127709. PMID: 31672932, PMCID: PMC6948774, DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.127709.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsReceptor-interacting protein kinase 3Liver fibrosisLiver diseaseHepatocyte necroptosisEthanol-induced liver injuryAlcoholic liver cirrhosisChronic liver diseaseMultiple liver diseasesWeeks of ageProtein expression levelsPortal inflammationLiver cirrhosisLiver injuryBallooning degenerationElevated protein expression levelsSpontaneous genetic modelFibrosisKey suppressorKey mediatorMiceProtein kinase 3CirrhosisExpression levelsGlcNAc levelsMixed lineage kinaseDigoxin improves steatohepatitis with differential involvement of liver cell subsets in mice through inhibition of PKM2 transactivation
Zhao P, Han SN, Arumugam S, Yousaf MN, Qin Y, Jiang JX, Torok NJ, Chen Y, Mankash MS, Liu J, Li J, Iwakiri Y, Ouyang X. Digoxin improves steatohepatitis with differential involvement of liver cell subsets in mice through inhibition of PKM2 transactivation. AJP Gastrointestinal And Liver Physiology 2019, 317: g387-g397. PMID: 31411894, PMCID: PMC6842989, DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00054.2019.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh-fat dietSignificant clinical applicabilityHuman nonalcoholic steatohepatitisNonalcoholic steatohepatitisOral digoxinLiver injuryCell subsetsPathway activationMouse modelHigh-fat diet mouse modelLiver injury mouse modelHepatocyte mitochondrial dysfunctionClinical applicabilityDiet mouse modelInjury mouse modelDifferential involvementLarge clinical experienceNLRP3 inflammasome activationSignificant protective effectHIF-1α transactivationHepatic oxidative stress responseHypoxia-inducible factorLiver inflammationHFD miceWide dosage rangePoly(amine-co-ester) nanoparticles for effective Nogo-B knockdown in the liver
Cui J, Piotrowski-Daspit AS, Zhang J, Shao M, Bracaglia LG, Utsumi T, Seo YE, DiRito J, Song E, Wu C, Inada A, Tietjen GT, Pober JS, Iwakiri Y, Saltzman WM. Poly(amine-co-ester) nanoparticles for effective Nogo-B knockdown in the liver. Journal Of Controlled Release 2019, 304: 259-267. PMID: 31054286, PMCID: PMC6613984, DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.04.044.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2018
Is miR‐21 a potent target for liver fibrosis?
Lai S, Iwakiri Y. Is miR‐21 a potent target for liver fibrosis? Hepatology 2018, 67: 2082-2084. PMID: 29315674, PMCID: PMC5992001, DOI: 10.1002/hep.29774.Commentaries, Editorials and Letters