Tian Lan

Dr. Tian Lan


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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29 March 2023 in Redox Biology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
YXYang Xiao
Yang Xiao
CZChong Zhao
Chong Zhao
YTYang Tai
Yang Tai
BLBei Li
Bei Li
TLTian Lan
Tian Lan
JGJinhang Gao
Jinhang Gao
The activation of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis signaling pathways represent two distinct central mechanisms in liver disease. However, the interconnections between these two pathways and the epigenetic regulation of the STING-NLRP3 axis in hepatocyte pyroptosis during liver fibrosis remain unknown. STING and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathways are activated in fibrotic livers but are suppressed by Sting knockout. Sting knockout ameliorated hepatic pyroptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. In vitro, STING induces pyroptosis in primary murine hepatocytes by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome. H3K4-specific histone methyltransferase WD repeat-containing protein 5 (WDR5) and DOT1-like histone H3K79 methyltransferase (DOT1L) are identified to regulate NLRP3 expression in STING-overexpressing AML12 hepatocytes. WDR5/DOT1L-mediated histone methylation enhances interferon regulatory transcription factor 3 (IRF3) binding to the Nlrp3 promoter and promotes STING-induced Nlrp3 transcription in hepatocytes. Moreover, hepatocyte-specific Nlrp3 deletion and downstream Gasdermin D (Gsdmd) knockout attenuate hepatic pyroptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. RNA-sequencing and metabolomics analysis in murine livers and primary hepatocytes show that oxidative stress and metabolic reprogramming might participate in NLRP3-mediated hepatocyte pyroptosis and liver fibrosis. The STING-NLRP3-GSDMD axis inhibition suppresses hepatic ROS generation. In conclusion, this study describes a novel epigenetic mechanism by which the STING-WDR5/DOT1L/IRF3-NLRP3 signaling pathway enhances hepatocyte pyroptosis and hepatic inflammation in liver fibrosis.