Downregulation of p16 Decreases Biliary Damage and Liver Fibrosis in the Mdr2/ Mouse Model of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Gene Expr. 2020 Nov 11;20(2):89-103. doi: 10.3727/105221620X15889714507961. Epub 2020 May 11.

Abstract

Biliary senescence and hepatic fibrosis are hallmarks of cholangiopathies including primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Senescent cholangiocytes display senescence-associated secretory phenotypes [SASPs, e.g., transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-1)] that further increase biliary senescence (by an autocrine loop) and trigger liver fibrosis by paracrine mechanisms. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of p16 inhibition and role of the TGF-1/microRNA (miR)-34a/sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) axis in biliary damage and liver fibrosis in the Mdr2/ mouse model of PSC. We treated (i) in vivo male wild-type (WT) and Mdr2/ mice with p16 Vivo-Morpholino or controls before measuring biliary mass [intrahepatic bile duct mass (IBDM)] and senescence, biliary SASP levels, and liver fibrosis, and (ii) in vitro intrahepatic murine cholangiocyte lines (IMCLs) with small interfering RNA against p16 before measuring the mRNA expression of proliferation, senescence, and fibrosis markers. p16 and miR-34a increased but SIRT1 decreased in Mdr2/ mice and PSC human liver samples compared to controls. p16 immunoreactivity and biliary senescence and SASP levels increased in Mdr2/ mice but decreased in Mdr2/ mice treated with p16 Vivo-Morpholino. The increase in IBDM and hepatic fibrosis (observed in Mdr2/ mice) returned to normal values in Mdr2/ mice treated with p16 Vivo-Morpholino. TGF-1 immunoreactivity and biliary SASPs levels were higher in Mdr2/ compared to those of WT mice but returned to normal values in Mdr2/ mice treated with p16 Vivo-Morpholino. The expression of fibrosis/senescence markers decreased in cholangiocytes from Mdr2/ mice treated with p16 Vivo-Morpholino (compared to Mdr2/ mice) and in IMCLs (after p16 silencing) compared to controls. Modulation of the TGF-1/miR-34a/SIRT1 axis may be important in the management of PSC phenotypes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / genetics*
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Sub-Family B Member 4
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Biliary Tract / metabolism
  • Biliary Tract / pathology
  • Cell Line
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / complications
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / genetics
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / metabolism*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / genetics*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / etiology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / genetics
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Sirtuin 1 / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • MIRN34a microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Sirt1 protein, mouse
  • Sirtuin 1