Targets to lessen the effects of alcoholic liver disease identified

"We believe that senescent cells contribute to age-related tissue degeneration during chronic liver injuries," explained co-author Fanyin Meng, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at Baylor Scott & White Digestive Disease Research Center (BSWDDRC), Texas A&M College of Medicine and Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX. "Cellular senescence refers to a state of irreversible cell-cycle arrest combined with the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and hepatocellular dysfunction. Our study demonstrates that the drivers of aging are critical mediators of ALDs."

Investigators studied liver tissue from patients with steatohepatitis, who were heavy alcohol drinkers, and from ethanol-fed mice to identify biochemical markers of cellular senescence. Their findings indicate that up-regulation of microRNA-34a (miR-34a) during alcohol consumption contributes to the development of liver fibrosis during alcoholic liver injury. The fibrosis-producing effects of miR-34a are related to different aging signaling in two different liver cell types. Particularly, in hepatocytes, the primary liver cells that make up 70% to 85% of the liver's mass and perform the basic functions of the liver, senescence is increased. On the contrary, senescence is decreased in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the supportive cells which, when triggered by alcohol or other liver insults, begin to produce excessive fibrotic material. Their research also shows that inhibition of hepatic miR-34a expression reduces liver injury and liver fibrosis in ALD.

"Understanding the mechanisms underlying HSC activation and regression has become an increased area of interest, and our findings help to advance understanding of the complex nature of this phenomenon," noted Dr. Meng.

On a broader scale, the study identifies a novel pathway by which HSC activation and regression are regulated, which could potentially be applied to other aging-associated fibrotic liver diseases. "Targeting the drivers of aging and senescent cells may be a novel therapeutic strategy to reduce hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis in ALD patients," commented co-author Gianfranco Alpini, PhD, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Medical Physiology at Texas A&M College of Medicine, Senior Research Scientist at Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, and Director of the BSW DDRC.

Further, co-author Heather Francis, PhD, Associate Professor of Medical Physiology at Texas A&M College of Medicine and member of the BSWDDRC, stated, "It is imperative to identify regulatory targets for potential treatment of ALDs, especially for populations that are greatly impacted by this disease. Moreover, Shannon Glaser, PhD, Associate Professor of Medical Physiology at Texas A&M College of Medicine and member of the BSWDDRC added, "Targeting the miR-34a may also be key for managing liver fibrosis in other cholangiopathies such as primary sclerosing cholangitis as well as primary biliary cholangitis. Our study opens the window for the possibility of linking age-related genes as therapeutics for the future."