ATF3-mediated transactivation of CXCL14 in HSCs during liver fibrosis

Background and aims

Myofibroblasts, the primary producers of extracellular matrix, primarily originate from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and their activation plays a pivotal role in liver fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the function of CXC motif ligand 14 (CXCL14) in the progression of liver fibrosis.

Approach and results

CXCL14 knockdown significantly reduced the extent of liver fibrosis. Using Ingenuity pathway analysis and qRT-PCR, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) was identified as a key upstream regulator of CXCL14 expression. Mechanistically, ATF3 was shown to bind to the CXCL14 promoter, promoting its transactivation by TGF-β in HSCs. Notably, both global CXCL14 deletion (CXCL14^−/−) and HSC/myofibroblast-specific CXCL14 knockdown significantly attenuated liver fibrosis in mice. RNA-seq comparisons between CXCL14^−/− and WT mice highlighted Jak2 as the most significantly downregulated gene, implicating its role in the antifibrotic effects of CXCL14 suppression on HSC inactivation. Moreover, Jak2 overexpression reversed the inhibition of liver fibrosis caused by CXCL14 knockdown in vivo.

Conclusions

These findings unveil a novel ATF3/CXCL14/Jak2 signalling axis in liver fibrosis, presenting potential therapeutic targets for the disease.