MeCP2 controls an epigenetic pathway that promotes myofibroblast transdifferentiation and fibrosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Myofibroblast transdifferentiation generates hepatic myofibroblasts, which promote liver fibrogenesis. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a negative regulator of this process. We investigated epigenetic regulation of PPARgamma and myofibroblast transdifferentiation.

METHODS: Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays assessed the binding of methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) to PPARgamma and chromatin modifications that silence this gene. MeCP2(-/y) mice and an inhibitor (DZNep) of the epigenetic regulatory protein EZH2 were used in the carbon tetrachloride model of liver fibrosis. Liver tissues from mice were assessed by histologic analysis; markers of fibrosis were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Reverse transcription PCR detected changes in expression of the microRNA miR132 and its target, elongated transcripts of MeCP2. Myofibroblasts were transfected with miR132; PPARgamma and MeCP2 expressions were analyzed by qPCR or immunoblotting.

RESULTS: Myofibroblast transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells is controlled by a combination of MeCP2, EZH2, and miR132 in a relay pathway. The pathway is activated by down-regulation of miR132, releasing the translational block on MeCP2. MeCP2 is recruited to the 5' end of PPARgamma, where it promotes methylation by H3K9 and recruits the transcription repressor HP1alpha. MeCP2 also stimulates expression of EZH2 and methylation of H3K27 to form a repressive chromatin structure in the 3' exons of PPARgamma. Genetic and pharmacologic disruptions of MeCP2 or EZH2 reduced the fibrogenic characteristics of myofibroblasts and attenuated fibrogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS: Liver fibrosis is regulated by an epigenetic relay pathway that includes MeCP2, EZH2, and miR132. Reagents that interfere with this pathway might be developed to reduce fibrogenesis in chronic liver disease.