Inhibition of ATG3 ameliorates liver steatosis by increasing mitochondrial function.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Autophagy-related gene 3 (ATG3) is an enzyme mainly known for its actions in the LC3 lipidation process, which is essential for autophagy. Whether ATG3 plays a role in lipid metabolism or contributes to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unknown. METHODS: By performing proteomic analysis on livers from mice with genetic manipulation of hepatic p63, a regulator of fatty acid metabolism, we identified ATG3 as a new target downstream of p63. ATG3 was evaluated in liver samples from patients with NAFLD. Further, genetic manipulation of ATG3 was performed in human hepatocyte cell lines, primary hepatocytes and in the livers of mice. RESULTS: ATG3 expression is induced in the liver of animal models and patients with NAFLD (both steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) compared with those without liver disease. Moreover, genetic knockdown of ATG3 in mice and human hepatocytes ameliorates p63- and diet-induced steatosis, while its overexpression increases the lipid load in hepatocytes. The inhibition of hepatic ATG3 improves fatty acid metabolism by reducing c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase 1 (JNK1), which increases sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1a), and mitochondrial function. Hepatic knockdown of SIRT1 and CPT1a blunts the effects of ATG3 on mitochondrial activity. Unexpectedly, these effects are independent of an autophagic action. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings indicate that ATG3 is a novel protein implicated in the development of steatosis. LAY SUMMARY: We show that autophagy-related gene 3 (ATG3) contributes to the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in humans and mice. Hepatic knockdown of ATG3 ameliorates the development of NAFLD by stimulating mitochondrial function. Thus, ATG3 is an important factor implicated in steatosis.

The role of RIPK3 in liver mitochondria bioenergetics and function.

BACKGROUND: Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) is a key player of regulated necrosis or necroptosis, an inflammatory form of cell death possibly governing outcomes in chronic liver diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. METHODS: This narrative review is based on literature search using PubMed. RESULTS: RIPK3 activation depends on post-transcriptional modifications, including phosphorylation, hence coordinating the assembly of macromolecular death complex named 'necrosome', which may also involve diverse mitochondrial components. Curiously, recent studies suggested a potential link between RIPK3 and mitochondrial bioenergetics. RIPK3 can modulate mitochondrial function and quality through the regulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, sequestration of metabolic enzymes and resident mitochondrial proteins, activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. CONCLUSIONS: Since mitochondrial dysfunction and RIPK3-mediated necroptosis are intimately involved in chronic liver disease pathogenesis, understanding the role of RIPK3 in mitochondrial bioenergetics and its potential translational application are of great interest.

Effect of Dapagliflozin on the Functioning of Rat Liver Mitochondria In Vitro.

We studied the effect of a new hypoglycemic compound dapagliflozin on the functioning of rat liver mitochondria. Dapagliflozin in concentrations of 10-20 µM had no effect on the parameters of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation of rat liver mitochondria. Increasing dapagliflozin concentration to 50 µM led to a significant inhibition of mitochondrial respiration in states 3 and 3UDNP. Dapagliflozin in this concentration significantly reduced calcium retention capacity of rat liver mitochondria. These findings indicate a decline in the resistance of rat liver mitochondria to induction of Ca2+-dependent mitochondrial permeability transition pore. In a concentration of 10 µM, dapagliflozin significantly decreases the rate of H2O2 formation in rat liver mitochondria, which attested to an antioxidant effect of this compound. Possible mitochondrion-related mechanisms of the protective action of dapagliflozin on liver cells are discussed.

The effect of mitochondrial transplantation therapy from different gender on inhibiting cell proliferation of malignant melanoma.

Today mitochondria are considered much more than a energy plant in cells. Mitochondrial transplantation therapy has been an active research area for treating mitochondria-associated diseases from animal studies to clinical trials. However, the specific mechanism involved in the anti-tumor activity of healthy mitochondria remain to be characterized. Here we investigate the signal mechanism and gender difference of mitochondrial transplantation therapy against malignant melanoma. In the study, we administrated intact mitochondria extracted from mouse livers respectively to the mice bearing malignantly subcutaneous and metastatic melanoma, and identified the signal mechanism responsible for the mitochondrial treatment through transcriptomic analysis. Meanwhile, the efficiency of female mitochondria and male mitochondria was compared in the cultured melanoma cells and transplanted melanoma in mice. The results suggested that the mitochondria significantly inhibited the tumor cell proliferation in vitro through cell cycle arrest and induction of cell apoptosis. In the melanoma-bearing mice, the mitochondria retard the tumor growth and lung migration, and the transcriptomic analysis indicated that general chromosome silencing was strongly associated with the mitochondria against melanoma after the mitochondrial transplantation on the metastasis melanoma. Moreover, the anti-tumor activity of mitochondria from female animals was more efficient in comparison to the males, and the female mitochondria could probably induce more persuasive mitochondria-nuclear communication than the mitochondria from male mice. The study identifies the anti-tumor mechanism of the mitochondrial transplantation therapy, and provides a novel insight into the effect of mitochondria from different gender.

Protective effects of fucoidan against ethanol-induced liver injury through maintaining mitochondrial function and mitophagy balance in rats.

For alcoholic liver disease (ALD), mitophagy has been reported as a promising therapeutic strategy to alleviate the hepatic lesion elicited by ethanol. This study was conducted to investigate the regulatory effects of fucoidan on mitophagy induced by chronic ethanol administration in rats. Here, 20 male rats in each group were treated with fucoidan (150 and 300 mg per kg body weight) by gavage once daily. Up to 56% liquor (7 to 9 mL per kg body weight) was orally administered 1 h after the fucoidan treatment for 20 weeks. The results showed that chronic ethanol consumption elevated the levels of hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, and GGT) and triglyceride (TG) contents, with liver antioxidant enzymes being decreased and lipid peroxidation products increased and thus initiating the mitochondria-induced endogenous apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, ethanol-induced excessive oxidative stress inhibited the function of mitochondria and promoted damaged mitochondria accumulation which stimulated the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and Parkin associated mitophagic pathway in the liver. In contrast, the fucoidan pretreatment alleviated ethanol-induced histopathological changes, disorders of lipid metabolism, and oxidative damage with mitophagy related proteins and mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins namely mitochondrial E3 ubiquitin ligase 1 (Mul1), mitofusin2 (Mfn2) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) being restored to a normal level. In summary, our findings suggest that fucoidan pretreatment protects against ethanol-induced damaged mitochondria accumulation and over-activated mitophagy, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and ensuring mitochondrial quality.

Passive Influx and Ion Trapping Are More Relevant to the Cellular Accumulation of Highly Permeable Low-Molecular-Weight Acidic Drugs than Is Organic Anion Transporter 2.

Recently published work suggests that highly permeable low-molecular-weight (LMW) acidic drugs are transported by organic anion transporter 2 (OAT2). However, an asymmetric distribution of ionizable drugs in subcellular organelles where pH gradients are significant may occur in the presence of an inhibitor relative to its absence (e.g., lysosomal trapping). In the present study, OAT2-mediated transport of highly permeable LMW anions could not be demonstrated using OAT2 transfected cells, despite robust transport of the OAT2 substrate penciclovir. Moreover, a rifamycin SV (RifSV)-dependent reduction in the accumulation of highly permeable LMW anions previously observed in hepatocytes could be qualitatively reproduced using HepG2 cells and also in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, which lack expression of OAT2. Neither HepG2 nor MDCK cells demonstrated meaningful penciclovir transport, nor was the cellular accumulation of the highly permeable LMW anions sensitive to competitive inhibition by the neutral OAT2 substrate penciclovir. Both cell lines, however, demonstrated sensitivity to the mitochondrial uncoupler p-trifluoromethoxy carbonyl cyanide phenyl hydrazone (FCCP) in a manner similar to RifSV. Furthermore, the transepithelial MDCK permeability of the highly permeable LMW anions was measured in the absence and presence of RifSV and FCCP at concentrations that reduced the cellular accumulation of anions. Neither inhibitor, nor the OAT2 inhibitor ketoprofen, reduced the transepithelial flux of the anions as would be anticipated for transported substrate inhibition. The findings presented here are aligned with cellular accumulation of highly permeable LMW anions being significantly determined by ion trapping sensitive to mitochondrial uncoupling, rather than the result of OAT2-mediated transport. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The manuscript illustrates that passive influx and ion trapping are more relevant to the cellular accumulation of highly permeable low-molecular-weight acidic drugs than is the previously proposed mechanism of OAT2-mediated transport. The outcome illustrated here highlights a rare, and perhaps previously not reported, observation of anionic drug trapping in a compartment sensitive to mitochondrial uncoupling (e.g., the mitochondrial matrix) that may be confused for transporter-mediated uptake.

Estradiol treatment or modest exercise improves hepatic health and mitochondrial outcomes in female mice following ovariectomy.

We recently reported that compared with males, female mice have increased hepatic mitochondrial respiratory capacity and are protected against high-fat diet-induced steatosis. Here, we sought to determine the role of estrogen in hepatic mitochondrial function, steatosis, and bile acid metabolism in female mice and investigate potential benefits of exercise in the absence or presence of estrogen via ovariectomy (OVX). Female C57BL mice (n = 6 per group) were randomly assigned to sham surgery (sham), ovariectomy (OVX), or OVX plus estradiol replacement therapy (OVX + Est). Half of the mice in each treatment group were sedentary (SED) or had access to voluntary wheel running (VWR). All mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and were housed at thermoneutral temperatures. We assessed isolated hepatic mitochondrial respiratory capacity using the Oroboros O2k with both pyruvate and palmitoylcarnitine as substrates. As expected, OVX mice presented with greater hepatic steatosis, weight gain, and fat mass gain compared with sham and OVX + Est animals. Hepatic mitochondrial coupling (basal/state 3 respiration) with pyruvate was impaired following OVX, but both VWR and estradiol treatment rescued coupling to levels greater than or equal to sham animals. Estradiol and exercise also had different effects on liver electron transport chain protein expression depending on OVX status. Markers of bile acid metabolism and excretion were also impaired by ovariectomy but rescued with estradiol add-back. Together our data suggest that estrogen depletion impairs hepatic mitochondrial function and liver health, and that estradiol replacement and modest exercise can aid in rescuing this phenotype.NEW & NOTEWORTHY OVX induces hepatic steatosis in sedentary mice which can be prevented by modest physical activity (VWR) and/or estradiol treatment. Estrogen impacts hepatic mitochondrial coupling in a substrate-specific manner. OVX mice have impaired fecal bile acid excretion, which was rescued with estradiol treatment.

SIRT3 is required for liver regeneration but not for the beneficial effect of nicotinamide riboside.

Liver regeneration is critical to survival after traumatic injuries, exposure to hepatotoxins, or surgical interventions, yet the underlying signaling and metabolic pathways remain unclear. In this study, we show that hepatocyte-specific loss of the mitochondrial deacetylase SIRT3 drastically impairs regeneration and worsens mitochondrial function after partial hepatectomy. Sirtuins, including SIRT3, require NAD as a cosubstrate. We previously showed that the NAD precursor nicotinamide riboside (NR) promotes liver regeneration, but whether this involves sirtuins has not been tested. Here, we show that despite their NAD dependence and critical roles in regeneration, neither SIRT3 nor its nuclear counterpart SIRT1 is required for NR to enhance liver regeneration. NR improves mitochondrial respiration in regenerating WT or mutant livers and rapidly increases oxygen consumption and glucose output in cultured hepatocytes. Our data support a direct enhancement of mitochondrial redox metabolism as the mechanism mediating improved liver regeneration after NAD supplementation and exclude signaling via SIRT1 and SIRT3. Therefore, we provide the first evidence to our knowledge for an essential role for a mitochondrial sirtuin during liver regeneration and insight into the beneficial effects of NR.

Plant sterol ester of α-linolenic acid ameliorates high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice: association with regulating mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress via activating AMPK signaling.

The present study was designed to explore the beneficial mitochondrial effects and anti-oxidative activities of plant sterol ester of α-linolenic acid (PS-ALA) through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) using in vivo and in vitro models. The mitochondrial function was evaluated and the oxidative stress index was measured. The protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence, and western blotting methods. The results showed that PS-ALA significantly suppressed NAFLD and alleviated steatosis in HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid (OA). In addition, PS-ALA promoted mitochondrial biogenesis, enhanced mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation capacity, improved mitochondrial dynamics, and restored mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, PS-ALA reduced reactive oxygen species production both in the liver tissue of HFD-fed mice and OA-loaded HepG2 cells. At the molecular level, PS-ALA accelerated the phosphorylation of AMPK and increased the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α) and nuclear NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Furthermore, the stimulating effects of PS-ALA on the PGC-1α/Nrf1/Tfam pathway and Nrf2/HO-1 pathway as well as its mitochondrial biogenesis promotion effects and anti-oxidative activities were abrogated by the AMPK inhibitor in OA-treated HepG2 cells. In conclusion, the protective effects of PS-ALA on NAFLD appear to be associated with improving mitochondrial function and oxidative stress via activating AMPK signaling.

Effect of mitoquinone on liver metabolism and steatosis in obese and diabetic rats.

Previous work by ourselves and others showed that mitoquinone (mitoQ) reduced oxidative damage and prevented hepatic fat accumulation in mice made obese with high-fat (HF) feeding. Here we extended these studies to examine the effect of mitoQ on parameters affecting liver function in rats treated with HF to induce obesity and in rats treated with HF plus streptozotocin (STZ) to model a severe form of type 2 diabetes. In prior reported work, we found that mitoQ significantly improved glycemia based on glucose tolerance data in HF rats but not in the diabetic rats. Here we found only non-significant reductions in insulin and glucose measured in the fed state at sacrifice in the HF mice treated with mitoQ. Metabolomic data showed that mitoQ altered several hepatic metabolic pathways in HF-fed obese rats toward those observed in control normal chow-fed non-obese rats. However, mitoQ had little effect on pathways observed in the diabetic rats, wherein diabetes itself induced marked pathway aberrations. MitoQ did not alter respiration or membrane potential in isolated liver mitochondria. MitoQ reduced liver fat and liver hydroperoxide levels but did not improve liver function as marked by circulating levels of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). In summary, our results for HF-fed rats are consistent with past findings in HF-fed mice indicating decreased liver lipid hydroperoxides (LPO) and improved glycemia. However, in contrast to the HF obese mice, mitoQ did not improve glycemia or reset perturbed metabolic pathways in the diabetic rats.

Early changes in hepatic energy metabolism and lipid content in recent-onset type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with abnormal mitochondrial capacity. While oxidative capacity can be increased in steatosis, hepatic ATP decreases in long-standing diabetes. However, longitudinal studies on diabetes-related NAFLD and its relationship to hepatic energy metabolism are lacking. METHODS: This prospective study comprised volunteers with type 1 (T1DM, n = 30) and type 2 (T2DM, n = 37) diabetes. At diagnosis and 5 years later, we used 1H/31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure hepatocellular lipid (HCL), γATP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentrations, and to assess adipose tissue volumes. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps. RESULTS: At diagnosis, individuals with T2DM had higher HCL and adipose tissue volumes, but lower whole-body insulin sensitivity than those with T1DM, despite comparable glycemic control. NAFLD was present in 38% of individuals with T2DM and 7% with T1DM. After 5 years, visceral adipose tissue only increased in individuals with T2DM, while HCL almost doubled in this group (p <0.001), resulting in a 70% prevalence of NAFLD (independent of diabetes treatment). Changes in HCL correlated with adipose tissue volume and insulin resistance (r = 0.50 and r = 0.44, both p <0.05). Pi decreased by 17% and 10% in individuals with T2DM and T1DM (p <0.05), respectively. In T1DM, HCL did not change, whereas γATP decreased by 10% and correlated negatively with glycated hemoglobin (r = -0.56, p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The rapid increase in HCL during the early course of T2DM likely results from enlarging adipose tissue volume and insulin resistance in response to impaired hepatic mitochondrial adaptation. The decrease of phosphorus metabolites in T1DM may be due to pharmacological insulin supply. LAY SUMMARY: Previous studies suggested that the impaired function of mitochondria, the power plants of cells, can promote fatty liver and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study now shows that during the first 5 years of type 2 diabetes the increase in body fat content rapidly leads to a doubling of liver fat content, whereas the energy metabolism of the patients' livers progressively declines. These data suggest that fat tissue mass and liver mitochondria have an important role in the development of fatty liver disease in humans with diabetes. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT01055093.

Functional reconstitution of HBV-specific CD8 T cells by in vitro polyphenol treatment in chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In chronic HBV infection, mitochondrial functions and proteostasis are dysregulated in exhausted HBV-specific CD8 T cells. To better characterise the potential involvement of deregulated protein degradation mechanisms in T cell exhaustion, we analysed lysosome-mediated autophagy in HBV-specific CD8 T cells. Bioactive compounds able to simultaneously target both mitochondrial functions and proteostasis were tested to identify optimal combination strategies to reconstitute efficient antiviral CD8 T cell responses in patients with chronic HBV infection. METHODS: Lysosome-mediated degradation pathways were analysed by flow cytometry in virus-specific CD8 T cells from patients with chronic HBV infection. Mitochondrial function, intracellular proteostasis, and cytokine production were evaluated in HBV-peptide-stimulated T cell cultures, in the presence or absence of the polyphenols resveratrol (RSV) and oleuropein (OLE) and their metabolites, either alone or in combination with other bioactive compounds. RESULTS: HBV-specific CD8 T cells from patients with CHB showed impaired autophagic flux. RSV and OLE elicited a significant improvement in mitochondrial, proteostasis and antiviral functions in CD8 T cells. Cytokine production was also enhanced by synthetic metabolites, which correspond to those generated by RSV and OLE metabolism in vivo, suggesting that these polyphenols may also display an effect after transformation in vivo. Moreover, polyphenolic compounds improved the T cell revitalising effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants and of programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 blockade. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneously targeting multiple altered intracellular pathways with the combination of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants and natural polyphenols may represent a promising immune reconstitution strategy for the treatment of chronic HBV infection. LAY SUMMARY: In chronic hepatitis B, antiviral T lymphocytes are deeply impaired, with many altered intracellular functions. In vitro exposure to polyphenols, such as resveratrol and oleuropein, can correct some of the deregulated intracellular pathways and improve antiviral T cell function. This effect can be further strengthened by the association of polyphenols with antioxidant compounds in a significant proportion of patients. Thus, the combination of antioxidants and natural polyphenols represents a promising strategy for chronic hepatitis B therapy.

9-PAHSA Prevents Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Increases the Viability of Steatotic Hepatocytes.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is quickly becoming the most common liver disease worldwide. Within the NAFLD spectrum, patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are at the highest risk of developing cirrhosis and disease progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. To date, therapeutic options for NASH patients have been ineffective, and therefore, new options are urgently needed. Hence, a model system to develop new therapeutic interventions is needed. Here, we introduce two new in vitro models of steatosis induction in HepG2 cells and primary murine hepatocytes. We used a recently discovered novel class of bioactive anti-inflammatory lipids called branched fatty acid esters of hydroxyl fatty acids. Among these bioactive lipids, palmitic-acid-9-hydroxy-stearic-acid (9-PAHSA) is the most promising as a representative nondrug therapy based on dietary supplements or nutritional modifications. In this study, we show a therapeutic effect of 9-PAHSA on lipotoxicity in steatotic primary hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. This could be shown be increased viability and decreased steatosis. Furthermore, we could demonstrate a preventive effect in HepG2 cells. The outcome of 9-PAHSA administration is both preventative and therapeutically effective for hepatocytes with limited damage. In conclusion, bioactive lipids like 9-PAHSA offer new hope for prevention or treatment in patients with fatty liver and steatosis.

An investigation into the impact of deleting one copy of the glutaredoxin-2 gene on diet-induced weight gain and the bioenergetics of muscle mitochondria in female mice fed a high fat diet.

Our group recently documented that male mice containing a deletion for one copy of the glutaredoxin-2 (Grx2) gene were completely protected from developing diet-induced obesity (DIO). Objectives: Here, we conducted a similar investigation but with female littermates. Results: In comparison to our recent publication using male mice, exposure of WT and GRX2+/- female mice to a HFD from 3-to-10 weeks of age did not induce any changes in body mass, circulating blood glucose, food intake, hepatic glycogen levels, or abdominal fat pad mass. Examination of the bioenergetics of muscle mitochondria revealed no changes in the rate of superoxide ( O 2 ∙ - )/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or O2 consumption under different states of respiration or alterations in lipid peroxidation adduct levels regardless of mouse strain or diet. Additionally, we measured the bioenergetics of mitochondria isolated from liver tissue and found that partial loss of GRX2 augmented respiration but did not alter ROS production. Discussion: Overall, our findings demonstrate there are sex differences in the protection of female GRX2+/- mice from DIO, fat accretion, intrahepatic lipid accumulation, and the bioenergetics of mitochondria from muscle and liver tissue.

Induction of apoptosis by Xiakemycin A in human hepatoma HepG2 cells.

Xiakemycin A (XKA), a new antibiotic in the pyranonaphthoquinone family, shows antitumor activity. However, the type of cell death induced by XKA remains elusive. In this study, we aim to investigate the type of death induced by XKA in hepatic cancer.The apoptotic features, such as chromatic agglutination, reactive oxygen species generation and membrane potential of mitochondria, in HepG2 cells treated by XKA were measured by Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry. Apoptosis of HepG2 cells treated with XKA was determined by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide double staining and Western blot analysis, respectively.XKA had a significant dose-dependent elevation of chromatic agglutination, reactive oxygen species generation, Annexin V and propidium iodide staining, decrease of membrane potential. Meanwhile, in apoptotic HepG2 cells induced by XKA, robust increment was noticed in p53 expression, cleavage of PARP, caspase-3, and caspase-9.XKA showed potent inhibitory effects on the proliferation of HepG2 cells. Such phenomenon may be related to activation of the apoptotic pathway.

Mitochondrial impairment and cytotoxicity effects induced by the marine epibenthic dinoflagellate Coolia malayensis.

Mitochondria was used to clarify the effects of Coolia malayensis strain UNR-02 crude extract by studying mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) generation and the fluctuations of ΔΨm associated with the induction of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). The cytoxicity of C. malayensis was also determined using both HepG2 and H9c2(2-1) cells. C. malayensis extract significantly depressed the oxidative phosphorylation efficiency, as was inferred from the perturbations in ΔΨm and in the phosphorylative cycle induced by ADP. Increased susceptibility to Ca2+-induced MPT was also observed. At the cellular level, the extract significantly decreased cell mass of both cell lines.

CLUH granules coordinate translation of mitochondrial proteins with mTORC1 signaling and mitophagy.

Mitochondria house anabolic and catabolic processes that must be balanced and adjusted to meet cellular demands. The RNA-binding protein CLUH (clustered mitochondria homolog) binds mRNAs of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins and is highly expressed in the liver, where it regulates metabolic plasticity. Here, we show that in primary hepatocytes, CLUH coalesces in specific ribonucleoprotein particles that define the translational fate of target mRNAs, such as Pcx, Hadha, and Hmgcs2, to match nutrient availability. Moreover, CLUH granules play signaling roles, by recruiting mTOR kinase and the RNA-binding proteins G3BP1 and G3BP2. Upon starvation, CLUH regulates translation of Hmgcs2, involved in ketogenesis, inhibits mTORC1 activation and mitochondrial anabolic pathways, and promotes mitochondrial turnover, thus allowing efficient reprograming of metabolic function. In the absence of CLUH, a mitophagy block causes mitochondrial clustering that is rescued by rapamycin treatment or depletion of G3BP1 and G3BP2. Our data demonstrate that metabolic adaptation of liver mitochondria to nutrient availability depends on a compartmentalized CLUH-dependent post-transcriptional mechanism that controls both mTORC1 and G3BP signaling and ensures survival.

Disturbance of mitochondrial functions associated with permeability transition pore opening induced by cis-5-tetradecenoic and myristic acids in liver of adolescent rats.

Patients affected by very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiency commonly present liver dysfunction whose pathogenesis is poorly known. We demonstrate here that major metabolites accumulating in this disorder, namely cis-5-tetradecenoic acid (Cis-5) and myristic acid (Myr), markedly impair mitochondrial respiration, decreasing ATP production in liver mitochondrial preparations from adolescent rats. Other parameters of mitochondrial homeostasis such as membrane potential (ΔΨm) and Ca2+retention capacity were strongly compromised by these fatty acids, involving induction of mitochondrial permeability transition. The present data indicate that disruption of mitochondrial bioenergetics and Ca2+homeostasis may contribute to the liver dysfunction of VLCAD deficient patients.

Hepatic alterations during the development and progression of cancer cachexia.

Cancer-associated bodyweight loss (cachexia) is a hallmark of many cancers and is associated with decreased quality of life and increased mortality. Hepatic function can dramatically influence whole-body energy expenditure and may therefore significantly influence whole-body health during cancer progression. The purpose of this study was to examine alterations in markers of hepatic metabolism and physiology during cachexia progression. Male C57BL/6J mice were injected with 1 × 106 Lewis Lung Carcinoma cells dissolved in 100 µL PBS and cancer was allowed to develop for 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks. Control animals were injected with an equal volume of phosphate-buffered saline. Livers were analyzed for measures of metabolism, collagen deposition, protein turnover, and mitochondrial quality. Animals at 4 weeks had ∼30% larger livers compared with all other groups. Cancer progression was associated with altered regulators of fat metabolism. Additionally, longer duration of cancer development was associated with ∼3-fold increased regulators of collagen deposition as well as phenotypic collagen content, suggesting increased liver fibrosis. Mitochondrial quality control regulators appeared to be altered before any phenotypic alterations to collagen deposition. While induction of Akt was noted, downstream markers of protein synthesis were not altered. In conclusions, cancer cachexia progression is associated with hepatic pathologies, specifically liver fibrosis. Alterations to mitochondrial quality control mechanisms appear to precede this fibrotic phenotype, potentially suggesting mitochondrial mechanisms for the development of hepatic pathologies during the development and progression of cancer cachexia. Novelty Cachexia progression results in liver collagen deposition and fibrosis. Alterations in mitochondrial quality control may precede liver pathologies during cachexia.

Fat and Sugar-A Dangerous Duet. A Comparative Review on Metabolic Remodeling in Rodent Models of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disease in Western society and ranges from steatosis to steatohepatitis to end-stage liver disease such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The molecular mechanisms that are involved in the progression of steatosis to more severe liver damage in patients are not fully understood. A deeper investigation of NAFLD pathogenesis is possible due to the many different animal models developed recently. In this review, we present a comparative overview of the most common dietary NAFLD rodent models with respect to their metabolic phenotype and morphological manifestation. Moreover, we describe similarities and controversies concerning the effect of NAFLD-inducing diets on mitochondria as well as mitochondria-derived oxidative stress in the progression of NAFLD.