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

Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 23;7(1):325. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-00282-w.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / administration & dosage*
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications*
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology*
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Pyrimidinones / administration & dosage*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*
  • beta Catenin / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Creb1 protein, mouse
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • ICG 001
  • Pyrimidinones
  • beta Catenin