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Guan R, Yuan L, Li J, Wang J, Li Z, Cai Z, Guo H, Fang Y, Lin R, Liu W, Wang L, Zheng Q, Xu J, Zhou Y, Qian J, Ding M, Luo J, Li Y, Yang K, Sun D, Yao H, He J, Lu W. Bone morphogenetic protein 4 inhibits pulmonary fibrosis by modulating cellular senescence and mitophagy in lung fibroblasts. Eur Respir J 2022; 60:13993003.02307-2021. [PMID: 35777761 PMCID: PMC9808813 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02307-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulation of myofibroblasts is critical to fibrogenesis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Senescence and insufficient mitophagy in fibroblasts contribute to their differentiation into myofibroblasts, thereby promoting the development of lung fibrosis. Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), a multifunctional growth factor, is essential for the early stage of lung development; however, the role of BMP4 in modulating lung fibrosis remains unknown. METHODS The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of BMP4 in lung fibrosis using BMP4-haplodeleted mice, BMP4-overexpressed mice, primary lung fibroblasts and lung samples from patients with IPF. RESULTS BMP4 expression was downregulated in IPF lungs and fibroblasts compared to control individuals, negatively correlated with fibrotic genes, and BMP4 decreased with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 stimulation in lung fibroblasts in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In mice challenged with bleomycin, BMP4 haploinsufficiency perpetuated activation of lung myofibroblasts and caused accelerated lung function decline, severe fibrosis and mortality. BMP4 overexpression using adeno-associated virus 9 vectors showed preventative and therapeutic efficacy against lung fibrosis. In vitro, BMP4 attenuated TGF-β1-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) production by reducing impaired mitophagy and cellular senescence in lung fibroblasts. Pink1 silencing by short-hairpin RNA transfection abolished the ability of BMP4 to reverse the TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation and ECM production, indicating dependence on Pink1-mediated mitophagy. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of BMP4 on fibroblast activation and differentiation was accompanied with an activation of Smad1/5/9 signalling and suppression of TGF-β1-mediated Smad2/3 signalling in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSION Strategies for enhancing BMP4 signalling may represent an effective treatment for pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijuan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Liang Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Jingpei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Ziying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhou Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hua Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaowei Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ran Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiuyu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - You Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Qian
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission for the Diagnosis and Treatment of COPD, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot, China
| | - Mingjing Ding
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission for the Diagnosis and Treatment of COPD, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot, China
| | - Jieping Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dejun Sun
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission for the Diagnosis and Treatment of COPD, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot, China
| | - Hongwei Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianxing He
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Wenju Lu and Jianxing He contributed equally to this article as lead authors and supervised the work
| | - Wenju Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China .,Wenju Lu and Jianxing He contributed equally to this article as lead authors and supervised the work
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Davies LA, Nunez-Alonso GA, McLachlan G, Hyde SC, Gill DR. Aerosol delivery of DNA/liposomes to the lung for cystic fibrosis gene therapy. HUM GENE THER CL DEV 2014; 25:97-107. [PMID: 24865497 DOI: 10.1089/humc.2014.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Lung gene therapy is being evaluated for a range of acute and chronic diseases, including cystic fibrosis (CF). As these therapies approach clinical realization, it is becoming increasingly clear that the ability to efficiently deliver gene transfer agents (GTAs) to target cell populations within the lung may prove just as critical as the gene therapy formulation itself in terms of generating positive clinical outcomes. Key to the success of any aerosol gene therapy is the interaction between the GTA and nebulization device. We evaluated the effects of aerosolization on our preferred formulation, plasmid DNA (pDNA) complexed with the cationic liposome GL67A (pDNA/GL67A) using commercially available nebulizer devices. The relatively high viscosity (6.3±0.1 cP) and particulate nature of pDNA/GL67A formulations hindered stable aerosol generation in ultrasonic and vibrating mesh nebulizers but was not problematic in the jet nebulizers tested. Aerosol size characteristics varied significantly between devices, but the AeroEclipse II nebulizer operating at 50 psi generated stable pDNA/GL67A aerosols suitable for delivery to the CF lung (mass median aerodynamic diameter 3.4±0.1 μm). Importantly, biological function of pDNA/GL67A formulations was retained after nebulization, and although aerosol delivery rate was lower than that of other devices (0.17±0.01 ml/min), the breath-actuated AeroEclipse II nebulizer generated aerosol only during the inspiratory phase and as such was more efficient than other devices with 83±3% of generated aerosol available for patient inhalation. On the basis of these results, we have selected the AeroEclipse II nebulizer for the delivery of pDNA/GL67A formulations to the lungs of CF patients as part of phase IIa/b clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee A Davies
- 1 Gene Medicine Research Group, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Oxford , John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
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Cong M, Liu T, Wang P, Fan X, Yang A, Bai Y, Peng Z, Wu P, Tong X, Chen J, Li H, Cong R, Tang S, Wang B, Jia J, You H. Antifibrotic effects of a recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying small interfering RNA targeting TIMP-1 in rat liver fibrosis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 182:1607-16. [PMID: 23474083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.01.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Revised: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Elevated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) expression contributes to excess production of extracellular matrix in liver fibrosis. Herein, we constructed a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) carrying siRNA of the TIMP-1 gene (rAAV/siRNA-TIMP-1) and investigated its effects on liver fibrosis in rats. Two models of rat liver fibrosis, the carbon tetrachloride and bile duct ligation models, were treated with rAAV/siRNA-TIMP-1. In the carbon tetrachloride model, rAAV/siRNA-TIMP-1 administration attenuated fibrosis severity, as determined by histologic analysis of hepatic collagen accumulation, hydroxyproline content, and concentrations of types I and III collagen in livers and sera. Levels of mRNA and active matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 13 were elevated, whereas levels of mRNA and active MMP-2 were decreased. Moreover, a marked decrease was noted in the expression of α-smooth muscle actin, a biomarker of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and transforming growth factor-β1, critical for the development of liver fibrosis. Similarly, rAAV/siRNA-TIMP-1 treatment significantly alleviated bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis. Furthermore, this treatment dramatically suppressed TIMP-1 expression in HSCs from both model rats. These data indicate that the administration of rAAV/siRNA-TIMP-1 attenuated liver fibrosis by directly elevating the function of MMP-13 and diminishing activated HSCs. It also resulted in indirect decreased expression of type I collagen, MMP-2, and transforming growth factor-β1. In conclusion, rAAV/siRNA-TIMP-1 may be an effective antifibrotic gene therapy agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Cong
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Devaney J, Contreras M, Laffey JG. Clinical review: gene-based therapies for ALI/ARDS: where are we now? CRITICAL CARE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CRITICAL CARE FORUM 2011; 15:224. [PMID: 21699743 PMCID: PMC3218971 DOI: 10.1186/cc10216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) confer substantial morbidity and mortality, and have no specific therapy. The accessibility of the distal lung epithelium via the airway route, and the relatively transient nature of ALI/ARDS, suggest that the disease may be amenable to gene-based therapies. Ongoing advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of ALI/ARDS have revealed multiple therapeutic targets for gene-based approaches. Strategies to enhance or restore lung epithelial and/or endothelial cell function, to strengthen lung defense mechanisms against injury, to speed clearance of infection and to enhance the repair process following ALI/ARDS have all demonstrated promise in preclinical models. Despite three decades of gene therapy research, however, the clinical potential for gene-based approaches to lung diseases including ALI/ARDS remains to be realized. Multiple barriers to effective pulmonary gene therapy exist, including the pulmonary architecture, pulmonary defense mechanisms against inhaled particles, the immunogenicity of viral vectors and the poor transfection efficiency of nonviral delivery methods. Deficits remain in our knowledge regarding the optimal molecular targets for gene-based approaches. Encouragingly, recent progress in overcoming these barriers offers hope for the successful translation of gene-based approaches for ALI/ARDS to the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Devaney
- Lung Biology Group, Regenerative Medicine Institute, National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, Orbsen Building, National University of Ireland, Newcastle Road, Galway, Ireland
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Yang CJ, Liu YK, Liu CL, Shen CN, Kuo ML, Su CC, Tseng CP, Yen TC, Shen CR. Inhibition of acidic mammalian chitinase by RNA interference suppresses ovalbumin-sensitized allergic asthma. Hum Gene Ther 2010; 20:1597-606. [PMID: 19548841 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2008.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma, a chronic helper T cell type 2-mediated inflammatory disease, is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. Growing evidence suggests that increased expression of acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) may play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma. In the present study, we sought to develop an RNA interference approach to suppress allergic asthma in mice through silencing of AMCase expression. Mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) were intratracheally administered a recombinant adeno-associated virus expressing short hairpin RNA (rAAV-shRNA) against AMCase. In OVA-sensitized mice, the development of allergic symptoms was significantly associated with elevated AMCase expression. After administration of rAAV-shRNA, there was a significant reduction of AMCase expression in the lung and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells of sensitized mice. Sensitized mice receiving rAAV-shRNA showed a significant improvement in allergic symptoms, including airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), eosinophil infiltration, eotaxin, interleukin-13 secretion in BALF, and serum OVA-specific IgE level. Our data suggest the hyperexpression of AMCase in asthma can be suppressed by rAAV-mediated shRNA. Silencing AMCase expression by shRNA may be a promising therapeutic strategy in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Jen Yang
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
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Moss RB, Milla C, Colombo J, Accurso F, Zeitlin PL, Clancy JP, Spencer LT, Pilewski J, Waltz DA, Dorkin HL, Ferkol T, Pian M, Ramsey B, Carter BJ, Martin DB, Heald AE. Repeated Aerosolized AAV-CFTR for Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Phase 2B Trial. Hum Gene Ther 2007; 18:726-32. [PMID: 17685853 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2007.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that delivery of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector encoding the complete human cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) cDNA (tgAAVCF) to the nose, sinus, and lungs of subjects with cystic fibrosis (CF) was safe and well tolerated. In a small randomized, double-blind study of three doses of aerosolized tgAAVCF or placebo at 30-day intervals, encouraging but non-significant trends in pulmonary function and induced sputum interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels were seen at early time points. This larger study was conducted to verify these trends. One hundred and two subjects aged 12 years and older with mild-to-moderate cystic fibrosis (forced expiratory flow in 1 sec [FEV1]:60% predicted) were randomized to two aerosolized doses of 1x10(13)DNase-resistant particles of tgAAVCF (n=51) or matching placebo (n=51) administered 30 days apart. Although tgAAVCF was well tolerated, the study did not meet its primary efficacy end point of statistically significant improvement in FEV1 30 days after initial administration of tgAAVCF compared with placebo. There were no significant differences in spirometric lung function over time, induced sputum biologic markers, or days of antibiotic use in either treatment group. Thus repeated doses of aerosolized tgAAVCF were safe and well tolerated, but did not result in significant improvement in lung function over time. Because gene transfer is the simplest, most basic way to correct the underlying genetic defect that leads to disease in CF, further research is warranted to develop an effective gene transfer agent for the treatment of CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Moss
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, and Division of Respiratory Diseases, Children's Hospital Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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