[HTML][HTML] Selective inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin/CBP signaling ameliorates hepatitis C virus-induced liver fibrosis in mouse model

Y Tokunaga, Y Osawa, T Ohtsuki, Y Hayashi… - Scientific reports, 2017 - nature.com
Y Tokunaga, Y Osawa, T Ohtsuki, Y Hayashi, K Yamaji, D Yamane, M Hara, K Munekata…
Scientific reports, 2017nature.com
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major causes of serious liver
diseases, including liver cirrhosis. There are no anti-fibrotic drugs with efficacy against liver
cirrhosis. Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of
tissue fibrosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a β-catenin/CBP (cyclic
AMP response element binding protein) inhibitor on liver fibrosis. The anti-fibrotic activity of
PRI-724, a selective inhibitor of β-catenin/CBP, was assessed in HCV GT1b transgenic mice …
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major causes of serious liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis. There are no anti-fibrotic drugs with efficacy against liver cirrhosis. Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of tissue fibrosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a β-catenin/CBP (cyclic AMP response element binding protein) inhibitor on liver fibrosis. The anti-fibrotic activity of PRI-724, a selective inhibitor of β-catenin/CBP, was assessed in HCV GT1b transgenic mice at 18 months after HCV genome expression. PRI-724 was injected intraperitoneally or subcutaneously in these mice for 6 weeks. PRI-724 reduced liver fibrosis, which was indicated by silver stain, Sirius Red staining, and hepatic hydroxyproline levels, in HCV mice while attenuating αSMA induction. PRI-724 led to increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 mRNA in the liver, along with elevated levels of intrahepatic neutrophils and macrophages/monocytes. The induced intrahepatic neutrophils and macrophages/monocytes were identified as the source of MMP-8. In conclusion, PRI-724 ameliorated HCV-induced liver fibrosis in mice. We hypothesize that inhibition of hepatic stellate cells activation and induction of fibrolytic cells expressing MMP-8 contribute to the anti-fibrotic effects of PRI-724. PRI-724 is a drug candidate which possesses anti-fibrotic effect.
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