Inhibition of ALK3-mediated signalling pathway protects against acetaminophen-induced liver injury

Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury is one of the most prevalent causes of acute liver failure (ALF). We assessed the role of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptors ALK2 and ALK3 in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The molecular mechanisms that regulate the balance between cell death and survival and the response to oxidative stress induced by APAP was assessed in cultured human hepatocyte-derived (Huh7) cells treated with pharmacological inhibitors of ALK receptors and with modulated expression of ALK2 or ALK3 by lentiviral infection, and in a mouse model of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Inhibition of ALK3 signalling with the pharmacological inhibitor DMH2, or by silencing of ALK3, showed a decreased cell death both by necrosis and apoptosis after APAP treatment. Also, upon APAP challenge, ROS generation was ameliorated and, thus, ROS-mediated JNK and P38 MAPK phosphorylation was reduced in ALK3-inhibited cells compared to control cells. These results were also observed in an experimental model of APAP-induced ALF in which post-treatment with DMH2 after APAP administration significantly reduced liver tissue damage, apoptosis and oxidative stress. This study shows the protective effect of ALK3 receptor inhibition against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, findings obtained from the animal model suggest that BMP signalling might be a new pharmacological target for the treatment of ALF.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Marañón, Patricia, Rey, Esther, Isaza, Stephania C., Wu, Hanghang, Rada, Patricia, Choya-Foces, Carmen, Martínez-Ruiz, Antonio, Martín, M. Ángeles, Ramos, Sonia, García-Monzón, Carmelo, Cubero, Francisco Javier, Valverde, Ángela M., González-Rodríguez, Águeda
Other Authors: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España)
Format: artículo biblioteca
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024
Subjects:Acute liver failure, Drug induced liver injury, Acetaminophen, Bone morphogenetic proteins, ALK3, DMH2,
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/358692
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