Combined activities of JNK1 and JNK2 in hepatocytes protect against toxic liver injury

Cubero, Francisco Javier, Zoubek, Miguel Eugenio, Peng, Jin, Hu, Wei, Zhao, Gang, Nevzorova, Yulia A., Al Masaoudi, Malika, Bechmann, Lars P., Boekschoten, Mark V., Muller, Michael ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5930-9905, Preisinger, Christian, Gassler, Nikolaus, Canbay, Ali E., Luedde, Tom, Davis, Roger J., Liedtke, Christian and Trautwein, Christian (2016) Combined activities of JNK1 and JNK2 in hepatocytes protect against toxic liver injury. Gastroenterology, 150 (4). pp. 968-981. ISSN 0016-5085

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Abstract

Background & Aims: c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)1 and JNK2 are expressed in hepatocytes and have overlapping and distinct functions. JNK proteins are activated, via phosphorylation, in response to acetaminophen- or CCl4-induced liver damage; the level of activation correlates with the degree of injury. SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, has been reported to block acetaminophen-induced liver injury. We investigated the role of JNK in drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in liver tissues from patients and in mice with genetic deletion of JNK in hepatocytes. Methods: We studied liver sections from patients with DILI (due to acetaminophen, phenprocoumon, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or autoimmune hepatitis), or patients without acute liver failure (controls), collected from a DILI Biobank in Germany. Levels of total and activated (phosphorylated) JNK were measured by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion ofJnk1 (Jnk1Δhepa) or combination of Jnk1 and Jnk2 (JnkΔhepa), as well as Jnk1-floxed C57BL/6 (control) mice, were given injections of CCl4 (to induce fibrosis) or acetaminophen (to induce toxic liver injury). We performed gene expression microarray, and phosphoproteomic analyses to determine mechanisms of JNK activity in hepatocytes.  Results: Liver samples from DILI patients contained more activated JNK, predominantly in nuclei of hepatocytes and in immune cells, than healthy tissue. Administration of acetaminophen to JnkΔhepa mice produced a greater level of liver injury than that observed in Jnk1Δhepa or control mice, based on levels of serum markers and microscopic and histologic analysis of liver tissues. Administration of CCl4 also induced stronger hepatic injury in JnkΔhepa mice, based on increased inflammation, cell proliferation, and fibrosis progression, compared to Jnk1Δhepa or control mice. Hepatocytes from JnkΔhepamice given acetaminophen had an increased oxidative stress response, leading to decreased activation of AMPK, total protein AMPK levels, and pJunD and subsequent necrosis. Administration of SP600125 before or with acetaminophen protected JnkΔhepaand control mice from liver injury. Conclusions: In hepatocytes, JNK1 and JNK2 appear to have combined effects in protecting mice from CCl4- and acetaminophen-induced liver injury. It is important to study the tissue-specific functions of both proteins, rather than just JNK1, in the onset of toxic liver injury. JNK inhibition with SP600125 shows off-target effects.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	apap,mouse model,gene regulation,pharmacological treatment,sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Nutrition and Preventive Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Gastroenterology and Gut Biology
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	22 Mar 2016 09:17
Last Modified:	21 Oct 2022 02:37
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/57696
DOI:	10.1053/j.gastro.2015.12.019

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