2. Academic Validation
  3. FBP1 as a key regulator of focal adhesion kinase-mediated hepatic stellate cell activation: Multi-omics and experimental validation

FBP1 as a key regulator of focal adhesion kinase-mediated hepatic stellate cell activation: Multi-omics and experimental validation

  • World J Gastroenterol. 2025 Jul 28;31(28):107361. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i28.107361.
Hua-Yue Wu 1,  Lu Han 1,  Tao Ran 1,  Yong Sun 2,  Qing-Xiu Zhang 1,  Tao Huang 1,  Gao-Liang Zou 1,  Ya Zhang 1,  Yu-Mei Zhou 1,  Guo-Yuan Lin 1,  Shao-Jie Chen 2,  Jing-Lin Wang 3,  Chen Pan 4,  Fan Lu 5,  Hong-Fei Pu 6,  Xue-Ke Zhao 7
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Infectious Disease, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China.
  • 2 Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550001, Guizhou Province, China.
  • 3 Department of Gastroenterology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang 550002, Guizhou Province, China.
  • 4 Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China.
  • 5 Department of Obstetrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550001, Guizhou Province, China.
  • 6 Department of Critical Care Medicine, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang 550002, Guizhou Province, China.
  • 7 Department of Infectious Disease, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China. zhaoxueke1@163.com.
PMID: 40741470 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i28.107361
Abstract

Background: Inhibiting hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is a key therapeutic strategy in liver fibrosis (LF). During activation, aerobic glycolysis is upregulated to meet increased energy demands. Although focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has been implicated in regulating HSC glycolysis, its precise role in activation remains unclear.

Aim: To investigate the effects of FAK and fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1) on LF through the modulation of aerobic glycolysis in HSCs.

Methods: Eighteen mice were randomly assigned to three groups: Control, carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced LF, and CCl₄ with FAK Inhibitor treatment. Liver tissues were analyzed using transcriptomic and proteomic Sequencing. Differential gene expression, Mfuzz clustering, and protein interaction network analyses identified key regulatory factors. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot (WB) analysis were used to assess FAK and FBP1 expression, along with glycolysis-related Enzymes. The migratory behavior of HSCs was evaluated using Transwell migration and scratch assays.

Results: Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed significantly reduced FBP1 expression in CCl₄-induced fibrosis, which was restored upon FAK inhibition. Histological staining (hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, Sirius red) confirmed reduced fibrosis following FAK inhibition. WB analysis demonstrated suppression of glycolysis-related Enzymes. In LX-2 cells, FAK inhibition attenuated HSC activation and glycolysis while upregulating FBP1. Exogenous recombinant FBP1 inhibited HSC activation and glycolysis. Transwell and scratch assays showed that FBP1 significantly impaired HSC migration. In addition, WB and IHC analyses confirmed lower FBP1 expression in fibrotic liver tissues from patients compared to healthy controls.

Conclusion: FAK inhibitors and increased FBP1 expression inhibit aerobic glycolysis in HSCs, thereby improving LF. Thus, FAK and FBP1 may be potential targets for LF treatment.

Keywords

Aerobic glycolysis; Focal adhesion kinase; Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase; Hepatic stellate cells; Liver fibrosis.

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