Featured Publications
Enhanced 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
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
Integrated analysis of microRNA and mRNA expression profiles in splenomegaly induced by non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in rats
Saruwatari J, Dong C, Utsumi T, Tanaka M, McConnell M, Iwakiri Y. Integrated analysis of microRNA and mRNA expression profiles in splenomegaly induced by non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in rats. Scientific Reports 2018, 8: 17983. PMID: 30573742, PMCID: PMC6301948, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36297-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCell proliferationWhole-genome microarray analysisInterferon-mediated antiviral activitySuppression of genesMicroRNA-mRNA networkSignificant differential expressionPotential biological functionsMRNA expression profilesTarget mRNAsBiological functionsExpression profilesMicroarray analysisDifferential expressionInnate immune responseMicroRNAsCellular mechanismsHematopoietic systemIntegrated analysisGenesNew insightsComprehensive profileMRNAProliferationTissue fibrosisImportant roleDevelopment of Kupffer cell targeting type-I interferon for the treatment of hepatitis via inducing anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions
Minayoshi Y, Maeda H, Yanagisawa H, Hamasaki K, Mizuta Y, Nishida K, Kinoshita R, Enoki Y, Imafuku T, Chuang VTG, Koga T, Fujiwara Y, Takeya M, Sonoda K, Wakayama T, Taguchi K, Ishima Y, Ishida T, Iwakiri Y, Tanaka M, Sasaki Y, Watanabe H, Otagiri M, Maruyama T. Development of Kupffer cell targeting type-I interferon for the treatment of hepatitis via inducing anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions. Drug Delivery 2018, 25: 1055-1065. PMID: 29688069, PMCID: PMC6058604, DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2018.1464083.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAnti-Inflammatory AgentsB7-H1 AntigenCell LineHepatitisHumansImmunologic FactorsInterferon alpha-2Interferon Type IInterferon-alphaInterleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist ProteinInterleukin-10Kupffer CellsLiverMaleMannoseMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, Inbred ICRRAW 264.7 CellsRecombinant ProteinsSerum AlbuminConceptsKupffer cellsImmunomodulatory actionsTypes of hepatitisHepato-protective effectsTreatment of hepatitisAlbumin fusion technologyIL-10Liver injuryPD-L1IL-1raImmunomodulatory effectsModel miceTherapeutic effectivenessSurvival rateIFNα2bRAW264.7 cellsHepatitisInterferon receptorMRNA levelsSignificant inductionConcanavalin AMenMiceConcept studyCells
2017
An endoplasmic reticulum protein, Nogo‐B, facilitates alcoholic liver disease through regulation of kupffer cell polarization
Park J, Shao M, Kim MY, Baik SK, Cho MY, Utsumi T, Satoh A, Ouyang X, Chung C, Iwakiri Y. An endoplasmic reticulum protein, Nogo‐B, facilitates alcoholic liver disease through regulation of kupffer cell polarization. Hepatology 2017, 65: 1720-1734. PMID: 28090670, PMCID: PMC5397326, DOI: 10.1002/hep.29051.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcoholic liver diseasePositive Kupffer cellsKupffer cellsLiver injuryALD patientsLiver diseaseM1 polarizationKO miceM2 polarizationLieber-DeCarli ethanol liquid dietDisease severityM1/M2 polarizationKupffer cell polarizationEthanol liquid dietHepatic triglyceride levelsM2 macrophage polarizationHigher hepatic triglyceride levelsChronic ethanol feedingNew therapeutic targetsER stressAbsence of NogoM2 statusWT miceM1 activationTriglyceride levels
2015
Hepatic congestion leads to fibrosis: Findings in a newly developed murine model
Hidaka H, Iwakiri Y. Hepatic congestion leads to fibrosis: Findings in a newly developed murine model. Hepatology 2015, 61: 428-430. PMID: 25283276, PMCID: PMC4303496, DOI: 10.1002/hep.27550.Commentaries, Editorials and LettersCan hypersplenism secondary to portal hypertension be treated by non-selective beta blockers?
Kim MY, Iwakiri Y. Can hypersplenism secondary to portal hypertension be treated by non-selective beta blockers? Hepatology International 2015, 9: 337-338. PMID: 25788189, PMCID: PMC5046185, DOI: 10.1007/s12072-014-9601-1.Commentaries, Editorials and Letters
2014
Hepatic dimethylarginine-dimethylaminohydrolase1 is reduced in cirrhosis and is a target for therapy in portal hypertension
Mookerjee RP, Mehta G, Balasubramaniyan V, Mohamed Fel Z, Davies N, Sharma V, Iwakiri Y, Jalan R. Hepatic dimethylarginine-dimethylaminohydrolase1 is reduced in cirrhosis and is a target for therapy in portal hypertension. Journal Of Hepatology 2014, 62: 325-331. PMID: 25152204, PMCID: PMC4530584, DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.08.024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDDAH-1 expressionMean arterial pressurePortal hypertensionENOS activityDDAH-1Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonismFXR agonist obeticholic acidPortal pressure reductionAgonist obeticholic acidPortal pressure measurementsHealthy liver tissueArterial pressureENOS inhibitorHuman cirrhosisBDL ratsObeticholic acidSpecific molecular targetsPlasma ALTReceptor agonismSaline controlsCirrhosisCirrhosis ratsHypertensionOA treatmentTranslational studiesPigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) Suppresses IL-1β-Mediated c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) Activation to Improve Hepatocyte Insulin Signaling
Gattu AK, Birkenfeld AL, Iwakiri Y, Jay S, Saltzman M, Doll J, Protiva P, Samuel VT, Crawford SE, Chung C. Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) Suppresses IL-1β-Mediated c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) Activation to Improve Hepatocyte Insulin Signaling. Endocrinology 2014, 155: 1373-1385. PMID: 24456163, PMCID: PMC5393334, DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-1785.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdipocytesAnimalsEye ProteinsGene Expression RegulationGlucose Tolerance TestHepatocytesHumansInflammationInsulinInsulin ResistanceInterleukin-1betaJNK Mitogen-Activated Protein KinasesLiverMaleMetabolic SyndromeMetabolomicsMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, KnockoutMicrospheresNerve Growth FactorsObesityPalmitic AcidPhenotypeRNA InterferenceSerpinsSignal TransductionSuccinic AcidConceptsPigment epithelium-derived factorKO miceMetabolic syndromeIL-1βC-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activationElevated pigment epithelium-derived factorIL-1β challengeHuman hepatocytesIL-1β expressionHuman metabolic syndromeEpithelium-derived factorPEDF-knockout miceInflammatory markersGlucose intoleranceSerum levelsC-Jun N-terminal kinaseKinase activationAntiinflammatory proteinHepatic insulinKnockout micePigment epitheliumN-terminal kinaseMiceSyndromeMetabolic homeostasis
2013
Reticulon 4B (Nogo‐B) facilitates hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration in mice
Gao L, Utsumi T, Tashiro K, Liu B, Zhang D, Swenson ES, Iwakiri Y. Reticulon 4B (Nogo‐B) facilitates hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration in mice. Hepatology 2013, 57: 1992-2003. PMID: 23299899, PMCID: PMC3628958, DOI: 10.1002/hep.26235.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsCell ProliferationEpidermal Growth FactorHepatectomyHepatocyte Growth FactorHepatocytesInterleukin-6LiverLiver RegenerationMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, KnockoutModels, AnimalMyelin ProteinsNogo ProteinsSignal TransductionSTAT3 Transcription FactorTime FactorsTransforming Growth Factor betaConceptsHepatocyte growth factorRole of NogoInterleukin-6Hepatocyte proliferationLiver regenerationEpidermal growth factorReticulon 4BTGF-β1Growth factorKi67 labeling indexB knockout miceHepatic stellate cellsReal-time polymerase chain reactionQuantitative real-time polymerase chain reactionIL-6/signal transducerGrowth factor βTime-dependent mannerRemnant liverKO miceLiver fibrosisPolymerase chain reactionInhibitor of DNAStellate cellsKnockout miceLabeling indexAbsence of Nogo-B (Reticulon 4B) Facilitates Hepatic Stellate Cell Apoptosis and Diminishes Hepatic Fibrosis in Mice
Tashiro K, Satoh A, Utsumi T, Chung C, Iwakiri Y. Absence of Nogo-B (Reticulon 4B) Facilitates Hepatic Stellate Cell Apoptosis and Diminishes Hepatic Fibrosis in Mice. American Journal Of Pathology 2013, 182: 786-795. PMID: 23313137, PMCID: PMC3586693, DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.11.032.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatic stellate cell apoptosisMF-HSCsStellate cell apoptosisHepatic fibrosisKO miceCell apoptosisHuman hepatic stellate cellsRole of NogoCarbon tetrachloride inhalationCaspase-3B knockout miceHepatic stellate cellsPotential therapeutic strategyApoptosis of HSCsWT miceFibrotic areasLiver fibrosisSelective blockadeExperimental cirrhosisLX2 cellsCirrhotic liverStellate cellsTherapeutic strategiesKnockout miceFibrosiseNOS-derived nitric oxide regulates endothelial barrier function through VE-cadherin and Rho GTPases
Di Lorenzo A, Lin MI, Murata T, Landskroner-Eiger S, Schleicher M, Kothiya M, Iwakiri Y, Yu J, Huang PL, Sessa WC. eNOS-derived nitric oxide regulates endothelial barrier function through VE-cadherin and Rho GTPases. Journal Of Cell Science 2013, 126: 5541-5552. PMID: 24046447, PMCID: PMC3860306, DOI: 10.1242/jcs.115972.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdherens JunctionsAnimalsAntigens, CDCadherinsCapillary PermeabilityCells, CulturedCSK Tyrosine-Protein KinaseEndothelial CellsEndothelium, VascularGuanine Nucleotide Exchange FactorsHumansMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, KnockoutNitric OxideNitric Oxide Synthase Type IIIPhosphorylationProtein Processing, Post-TranslationalProtein TransportSrc-Family KinasesStress FibersT-Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis-inducing Protein 1Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor AConceptsAdherens junctionsVE-cadherinExchange factor Tiam1Vascular endothelial growth factorStress fiber formationEndothelial NO synthaseEndothelial adherens junctionsVE-cadherin phosphorylationCytoskeletal architectureRho GTPasesCortical actinCytoskeletal remodelingRac GTPaseC-SrcRac guanineRho activationMolecular mechanismsPhysiological roleEndothelial barrier functionFiber formationENOS activationGrowth factorEnhanced activationActivationNitric oxide
2012
Intestinal and plasma VEGF levels in cirrhosis: the role of portal pressure
Huang H, Haq O, Utsumi T, Sethasine S, Abraldes JG, Groszmann RJ, Iwakiri Y. Intestinal and plasma VEGF levels in cirrhosis: the role of portal pressure. Journal Of Cellular And Molecular Medicine 2012, 16: 1125-1133. PMID: 21801303, PMCID: PMC3213314, DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2011.01399.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPlasma VEGF levelsPortal pressureVEGF levelsPortal hypertensionIntestinal VEGFDevelopment of cirrhosisFibrosis/cirrhosisAge-matched controlsGroups of ratsEnd of exposureCirrhosisRatsSignificant positive correlationWeeksHypertensionVEGFInhalationPositive correlationDifferent stagesCarbon tetrachlorideLevelsPathologyControlProteomic Identification of S-Nitrosylated Golgi Proteins: New Insights into Endothelial Cell Regulation by eNOS-Derived NO
Sangwung P, Greco TM, Wang Y, Ischiropoulos H, Sessa WC, Iwakiri Y. Proteomic Identification of S-Nitrosylated Golgi Proteins: New Insights into Endothelial Cell Regulation by eNOS-Derived NO. PLOS ONE 2012, 7: e31564. PMID: 22363674, PMCID: PMC3283662, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031564.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGolgi proteinsGolgi phosphoprotein 3S-nitrosylationGolgi apparatusCysteine residuesSelective S-nitrosylationPlasma membrane caveolaeGolgi/endoplasmic reticulumProtein S-nitrosylationTarget cysteine residuesEndothelial cellsEndothelial nitric oxide synthaseMembrane caveolaeEndothelial cell lysatesProteomic identificationEndothelial cell regulationGolgi membranesBiotin switchCell regulationEndoplasmic reticulumENOS stimulationCell lysatesProteinImmunoprecipitationWestern blot
2011
Reticulon 4B (Nogo‐B) is a novel regulator of hepatic fibrosis
Zhang D, Utsumi T, Huang H, Gao L, Sangwung P, Chung C, Shibao K, Okamoto K, Yamaguchi K, Groszmann RJ, Jozsef L, Hao Z, Sessa WC, Iwakiri Y. Reticulon 4B (Nogo‐B) is a novel regulator of hepatic fibrosis. Hepatology 2011, 53: 1306-1315. PMID: 21480333, PMCID: PMC3667398, DOI: 10.1002/hep.24200.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBile duct ligationLiver fibrosisPortal pressureKO micePortal hypertensionReticulon 4BWT mice 4 weeksMice 4 weeksFibrosis/cirrhosisSham-operated controlsB knockout miceHepatic stellate cellsPotential therapeutic targetHuman liver sectionsAbsence of NogoGrowth factor β stimulationMechanism of NogoTGFβ/SMAD2WT miceVascular injuryHepatic fibrosisSham operationCirrhotic liverDuct ligationStellate cells
2010
The type III inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor is associated with aggressiveness of colorectal carcinoma
Shibao K, Fiedler MJ, Nagata J, Minagawa N, Hirata K, Nakayama Y, Iwakiri Y, Nathanson MH, Yamaguchi K. The type III inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor is associated with aggressiveness of colorectal carcinoma. Cell Calcium 2010, 48: 315-323. PMID: 21075448, PMCID: PMC3572849, DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2010.09.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTrisphosphate receptorCaco-2 colon cancer cellsGain of expressionColorectal cancerColorectal carcinomaColon cancer cellsColon cancerType IIICellular functionsInhibition of apoptosisType III inositolLymph node metastasisDepth of invasionNormal colorectal mucosaShRNA knockdownMargin of tumorDevelopment of diseaseExpression levelsLiver metastasesCell proliferationNode metastasisTNM stageApoptosisColorectal mucosaIsoforms
2007
Loss of Akt1 Leads to Severe Atherosclerosis and Occlusive Coronary Artery Disease
Fernández-Hernando C, Ackah E, Yu J, Suárez Y, Murata T, Iwakiri Y, Prendergast J, Miao RQ, Birnbaum MJ, Sessa WC. Loss of Akt1 Leads to Severe Atherosclerosis and Occlusive Coronary Artery Disease. Cell Metabolism 2007, 6: 446-457. PMID: 18054314, PMCID: PMC3621848, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2007.10.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcute Coronary SyndromeAnimalsApolipoproteins EApoptosisAtherosclerosisBone Marrow TransplantationCoronary OcclusionDisease Models, AnimalEndothelial CellsFemaleHumansInflammation MediatorsMacrophagesMaleMiceMice, KnockoutNitric Oxide Synthase Type IINitric Oxide Synthase Type IIIProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktConceptsLoss of Akt1Apolipoprotein E knockout backgroundOcclusive coronary artery diseaseBone marrow transfer experimentsAcute coronary syndromeCoronary artery diseaseLesion expansionCoronary syndromeCoronary atherosclerosisSevere atherosclerosisArtery diseaseInflammatory mediatorsCoronary lesionsVascular protectionVascular originProinflammatory genesENOS phosphorylationCardiovascular systemLesion formationGenetic ablationEndothelial cellsAtherogenesisEnhanced expressionKnockout backgroundVessel wall