Sander Lefere, Frederique Van de Velde, Anne Hoorens, Sarah Raevens, Sanne Van Campenhout, Astrid Vandierendonck, Sara Neyt, Bert Vandeghinste, Christian Vanhove, Charlotte Debbaut, Xavier Verhelst, Jo Van Dorpe, Christophe Van Steenkiste, Christophe Casteleyn, Bruno Lapauw, Hans Van Vlierberghe, Anja Geerts, Lindsey Devisscher
Angiogenesis contributes to the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and promotes inflammation, fibrosis, and progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is a key regulator of angiogenesis. We aimed to investigate the role of Ang-2 and its potential as a therapeutic target in NASH using human samples, in vivo mouse models, and in vitro assays. Serum Ang-2 levels were determined in 104 obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery and concomitant liver biopsy. The effect of the Ang-2/Tie2 receptor inhibiting peptibody L1-10 was evaluated in the methionine-choline deficient (MCD) and streptozotocin-western diet nonalcoholic fatty liver disease mouse models, and in vitro on endothelial cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages...
March 2019: Hepatology: Official Journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases