Glycolysis in hepatic stellate cells coordinates fibrogenic extracellular vesicle release spatially to amplify liver fibrosis

Shalil Khanal, Yuanhang Liu, Adebowale O. Bamidele, Alexander Q. Wixom, Alexander M. Washington, Nidhi Jalan-Sakrikar, Shawna A. Cooper, Ivan Vuckovic, Song Zhang, Jun Zhong, Kenneth L. Johnson, M. Cristine Charlesworth, Iljung Kim, Yubin Yeon, Sangwoong Yoon, Yung Kyun Noh, Chady Meroueh, Abdul Aziz Timbilla, Usman Yaqoob, Jinhang GaoYohan Kim, Fabrice Lucien, Robert C. Huebert, Nissim Hay, Michael Simons, Vijay H. Shah, Enis Kostallari

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Liver fibrosis is characterized by the activation of perivascular hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the release of fibrogenic nanosized extracellular vesicles (EVs), and increased HSC glycolysis. Nevertheless, how glycolysis in HSCs coordinates fibrosis amplification through tissue zone-specific pathways remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that HSC-specific genetic inhibition of glycolysis reduced liver fibrosis. Moreover, spatial transcriptomics revealed a fibrosis-mediated up-regulation of EV-related pathways in the liver pericentral zone, which was abrogated by glycolysis genetic inhibition. Mechanistically, glycolysis in HSCs up-regulated the expression of EV-related genes such as Ras-related protein Rab-31 (RAB31) by enhancing histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation on the promoter region, which increased EV release. Functionally, these glycolysis-dependent EVs increased fibrotic gene expression in recipient HSC. Furthermore, EVs derived from glycolysis-deficient mice abrogated liver fibrosis amplification in contrast to glycolysis-competent mouse EVs. In summary, glycolysis in HSCs amplifies liver fibrosis by promoting fibrogenic EV release in the hepatic pericentral zone, which represents a potential therapeutic target.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbereadn5228
JournalScience Advances
Volume10
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 28 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Glycolysis in hepatic stellate cells coordinates fibrogenic extracellular vesicle release spatially to amplify liver fibrosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this