title: Sensitization of human hepatic stellate cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-induced apoptosis by leflunomide.
abstract: During the resolution phase of hepatic fibrosis, a crucial mechanism is the apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). It is necessary to find more anti-fibrosis drugs that would modulate HSCs to be more susceptible to apoptotic stimuli. Here we showed that A771726, the active metabolite of leflunomide, markedly enhanced tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis in the human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2. A771726 could increase caspase activity in LX-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. A771726 did not increase the expression of TRAIL receptors in LX-2 cells but could inhibit activation of the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway through decreasing TRAIL-induced JNK and c-Jun phosphorylation. Moreover, A771726 could accelerate TRAIL-induced apoptosis via inhibiting nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation in LX-2 cells. In conclusion, our results indicated leflunomide could enhance the sensitivity of LX-2 cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis via inhibiting the survival pathways and provided a promising approach to anti-fibrotic therapy with leflunomide.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Juntao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D020169:Caspases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002460:Cell Line; D003437:Crotonates; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D053220:Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014052:Toluidines
chemical_list: D000814:Aniline Compounds; D003437:Crotonates; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D007555:Isoxazoles; D016328:NF-kappa B; D009570:Nitriles; D053220:Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; C105190:TNFRSF10A protein, human; C505653:TNFSF10 protein, human; D014052:Toluidines; C527525:teriflunomide; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020169:Caspases; D000077339:Leflunomide