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Gabris-Weber B, Forghani R, Bernd Dschietzig T, Romero G, Salama G. Periodic injections of Relaxin 2, its pharmacokinetics and remodeling of rat hearts. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116136. [PMID: 38494063 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Relaxin-2 (RLX), a critical hormone in pregnancy, has been investigated as a therapy for heart failure. In most studies, the peptide was delivered continuously, subcutaneously for 2 weeks in animals or intravenously for 2-days in human subjects, for stable circulating [RLX]. However, pulsatile hormone levels may better uncover the normal physiology. This premise was tested by subcutaneously injecting Sprague Dawley rats (250 g, N = 2 males, 2 females/group) with human RLX (0, 30, 100, or 500 µg/kg), every 12 h for 1 day, then measuring changes in Nav1.5, connexin43, and β-catenin, 24 h later. Pulsatile RLX was measured by taking serial blood draws, post-injection. After an injection, RLX reached a peak in ∼ 60 min, fell to 50 % in 5-6 h; injections of 0, 30, 100 or 500 µg/kg yielded peak levels of 0, 11.26 ± 3.52, 58.33 ± 16.10, and 209.42 ± 29.04 ng/ml and residual levels after 24-hrs of 0, 4.9, 45.1 and 156 pg/ml, respectively. The 30 µg/kg injections had no effect and 100 µg/kg injections increased Nav1.5 (25 %), Cx43 (30 %) and β-catenin (90 %). The 500 µg/kg injections also increased Nav1.5 and Cx43 but were less effective at upregulating β-catenin (up by 25 % vs. 90 %). Periodic injections of 100 µg/kg were highly effective at increasing the expression of Nav1.5 and Cx43 which are key determinants of conduction velocity in the heart and the suppression of arrhythmias. Periodic RLX is effective at eliciting changes in cardiac protein expression and may be a better strategy for its longer-term delivery in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Gabris-Weber
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
| | - Rameen Forghani
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
| | - Thomas Bernd Dschietzig
- Relaxera Pharmazeutische Gesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Stubenwald-Allee 8a, 64625 Bensheim, Germany
| | - Guillermo Romero
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States; University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
| | - Guy Salama
- University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States.
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Maghsoudi S, Shuaib R, Van Bastelaere B, Dakshinamurti S. Adenylyl cyclase isoforms 5 and 6 in the cardiovascular system: complex regulation and divergent roles. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1370506. [PMID: 38633617 PMCID: PMC11021717 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1370506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Adenylyl cyclases (ACs) are crucial effector enzymes that transduce divergent signals from upstream receptor pathways and are responsible for catalyzing the conversion of ATP to cAMP. The ten AC isoforms are categorized into four main groups; the class III or calcium-inhibited family of ACs comprises AC5 and AC6. These enzymes are very closely related in structure and have a paucity of selective activators or inhibitors, making it difficult to distinguish them experimentally. AC5 and AC6 are highly expressed in the heart and vasculature, as well as the spinal cord and brain; AC6 is also abundant in the lungs, kidney, and liver. However, while AC5 and AC6 have similar expression patterns with some redundant functions, they have distinct physiological roles due to differing regulation and cAMP signaling compartmentation. AC5 is critical in cardiac and vascular function; AC6 is a key effector of vasodilatory pathways in vascular myocytes and is enriched in fetal/neonatal tissues. Expression of both AC5 and AC6 decreases in heart failure; however, AC5 disruption is cardio-protective, while overexpression of AC6 rescues cardiac function in cardiac injury. This is a comprehensive review of the complex regulation of AC5 and AC6 in the cardiovascular system, highlighting overexpression and knockout studies as well as transgenic models illuminating each enzyme and focusing on post-translational modifications that regulate their cellular localization and biological functions. We also describe pharmacological challenges in the design of isoform-selective activators or inhibitors for AC5 and AC6, which may be relevant to developing new therapeutic approaches for several cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Maghsoudi
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Biology of Breathing Group, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Rabia Shuaib
- Biology of Breathing Group, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Ben Van Bastelaere
- Biology of Breathing Group, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Shyamala Dakshinamurti
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Biology of Breathing Group, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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3
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Fenelon KD, Krause J, Koromila T. Opticool: Cutting-edge transgenic optical tools. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011208. [PMID: 38517915 PMCID: PMC10959397 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Only a few short decades have passed since the sequencing of GFP, yet the modern repertoire of transgenically encoded optical tools implies an exponential proliferation of ever improving constructions to interrogate the subcellular environment. A myriad of tags for labeling proteins, RNA, or DNA have arisen in the last few decades, facilitating unprecedented visualization of subcellular components and processes. Development of a broad array of modern genetically encoded sensors allows real-time, in vivo detection of molecule levels, pH, forces, enzyme activity, and other subcellular and extracellular phenomena in ever expanding contexts. Optogenetic, genetically encoded optically controlled manipulation systems have gained traction in the biological research community and facilitate single-cell, real-time modulation of protein function in vivo in ever broadening, novel applications. While this field continues to explosively expand, references are needed to assist scientists seeking to use and improve these transgenic devices in new and exciting ways to interrogate development and disease. In this review, we endeavor to highlight the state and trajectory of the field of in vivo transgenic optical tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli D. Fenelon
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States of America
| | - Julia Krause
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States of America
| | - Theodora Koromila
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States of America
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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4
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A Real-Time, Plate-Based BRET Assay for Detection of cGMP in Primary Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031908. [PMID: 35163827 PMCID: PMC8837005 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is a second messenger involved in the regulation of numerous physiological processes. The modulation of cGMP is important in many diseases, but reliably assaying cGMP in live cells in a plate-based format with temporal resolution is challenging. The Förster/fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensor cGES-DE5 has a high temporal resolution and high selectivity for cGMP over cAMP, so we converted it to use bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), which is more compatible with plate-based assays. This BRET variant, called CYGYEL (cyclic GMP sensor using YFP-PDE5-Rluc8), was cloned into a lentiviral vector for use across different mammalian cell types. CYGYEL was characterised in HEK293T cells using the nitric oxide donor diethylamine NONOate (DEA), where it was shown to be dynamic, reversible, and able to detect cGMP with or without the use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors. In human primary vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, CYGYEL successfully detected cGMP mediated through either soluble or particulate guanylate cyclase using DEA or C-type natriuretic peptide, respectively. Notably, CYGYEL detected differences in kinetics and strength of signal both between ligands and between cell types. CYGYEL remained selective for cGMP over cAMP, but this selectivity was reduced compared to cGES-DE5. CYGYEL streamlines the process of cGMP detection in plate-based assays and can be used to detect cGMP activity across a range of cell types.
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Wang FI, Ding G, Ng GS, Dixon SJ, Chidiac P. Luciferase-based GloSensor™ cAMP assay: Temperature optimization and application to cell-based kinetic studies. Methods 2021; 203:249-258. [PMID: 34737032 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are an important receptor superfamily and common therapeutic targets. The second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a key mediator in many GPCR signaling pathways. Monitoring intracellular cAMP levels can help identify orthosteric agonists and antagonists, as well as allosteric modulators. In this regard, luminescence-based biosensors have revolutionized our ability to monitor GPCR signaling kinetics. The GloSensor™ cAMP assay enables real-time monitoring of signaling downstream of many GPCRs. However, it is crucial to optimize assay conditions such as temperature. As well, it has not been reported whether the effects of temperature on biosensor activity are reversible. Here, we describe the temperature sensitivity and reversibility of the GloSensor™ cAMP assay, and which GloSensor™ version is optimal for measuring cytosolic cAMP. We also present a detailed protocol for monitoring cAMP levels in live cells expressing endogenous or exogenous GPCRs. Temperature optimization studies were carried out using HEK293H cells transiently transfected with the adenosine receptor A2a and the GloSensor™ plasmid (pGloSensor-20F or -22F). We found that preincubation and luminescence reading at room temperature were optimal as compared to higher temperatures. As well, the GloSensor-22F biosensor had a superior signal-to-background ratio and the effect of temperature on biosensor activity was reversible. However, thermal instability of the biosensor may pose a problem for in vivo studies. Nevertheless, the GloSensor™ cAMP assay can be applied to analyze signaling by a wide range of GPCRs for drug discovery purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang I Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Gucci Ding
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Garmen S Ng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - S Jeffrey Dixon
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Peter Chidiac
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
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Li T, Chen X, Qian Y, Shao J, Li X, Liu S, Zhu L, Zhao Y, Ye H, Yang Y. A synthetic BRET-based optogenetic device for pulsatile transgene expression enabling glucose homeostasis in mice. Nat Commun 2021; 12:615. [PMID: 33504786 PMCID: PMC7840992 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-20913-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulsing cellular dynamics in genetic circuits have been shown to provide critical capabilities to cells in stress response, signaling and development. Despite the fascinating discoveries made in the past few years, the mechanisms and functional capabilities of most pulsing systems remain unclear, and one of the critical challenges is the lack of a technology that allows pulsatile regulation of transgene expression both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we describe the development of a synthetic BRET-based transgene expression (LuminON) system based on a luminescent transcription factor, termed luminGAVPO, by fusing NanoLuc luciferase to the light-switchable transcription factor GAVPO. luminGAVPO allows pulsatile and quantitative activation of transgene expression via both chemogenetic and optogenetic approaches in mammalian cells and mice. Both the pulse amplitude and duration of transgene expression are highly tunable via adjustment of the amount of furimazine. We further demonstrated LuminON-mediated blood-glucose homeostasis in type 1 diabetic mice. We believe that the BRET-based LuminON system with the pulsatile dynamics of transgene expression provides a highly sensitive tool for precise manipulation in biological systems that has strong potential for application in diverse basic biological studies and gene- and cell-based precision therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Li
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
- School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Xianjun Chen
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
- School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yajie Qian
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
- School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Jiawei Shao
- Synthetic Biology and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Xie Li
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
- School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Shuning Liu
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
- School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Linyong Zhu
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yuzheng Zhao
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
- School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Haifeng Ye
- Synthetic Biology and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai, 200241, China.
| | - Yi Yang
- Optogenetics & Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China.
- School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Mei Long Road, Shanghai, 200237, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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7
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RedquorinXS Mutants with Enhanced Calcium Sensitivity and Bioluminescence Output Efficiently Report Cellular and Neuronal Network Activities. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21217846. [PMID: 33105848 PMCID: PMC7660078 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21217846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Considerable efforts have been focused on shifting the wavelength of aequorin Ca2+-dependent blue bioluminescence through fusion with fluorescent proteins. This approach has notably yielded the widely used GFP-aequorin (GA) Ca2+ sensor emitting green light, and tdTomato-aequorin (Redquorin), whose bioluminescence is completely shifted to red, but whose Ca2+ sensitivity is low. In the present study, the screening of aequorin mutants generated at twenty-four amino acid positions in and around EF-hand Ca2+-binding domains resulted in the isolation of six aequorin single or double mutants (AequorinXS) in EF2, EF3, and C-terminal tail, which exhibited markedly higher Ca2+ sensitivity than wild-type aequorin in vitro. The corresponding Redquorin mutants all showed higher Ca2+ sensitivity than wild-type Redquorin, and four of them (RedquorinXS) matched the Ca2+ sensitivity of GA in vitro. RedquorinXS mutants exhibited unaltered thermostability and peak emission wavelengths. Upon stable expression in mammalian cell line, all RedquorinXS mutants reported the activation of the P2Y2 receptor by ATP with higher sensitivity and assay robustness than wt-Redquorin, and one, RedquorinXS-Q159T, outperformed GA. Finally, wide-field bioluminescence imaging in mouse neocortical slices showed that RedquorinXS-Q159T and GA similarly reported neuronal network activities elicited by the removal of extracellular Mg2+. Our results indicate that RedquorinXS-Q159T is a red light-emitting Ca2+ sensor suitable for the monitoring of intracellular signaling in a variety of applications in cells and tissues, and is a promising candidate for the transcranial monitoring of brain activities in living mice.
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Praveen P, Kocan M, Valkovic A, Bathgate R, Hossain MA. Single chain peptide agonists of relaxin receptors. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 487:34-39. [PMID: 30641102 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
There are seven human relaxin family peptides that have two chains (A and B) and three disulfide bonds. The target receptors for four of these peptides are known as relaxin family peptide receptors, RXFP1-RXFP4. Detailed structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of relaxin family peptides have been reported over the years and have led to the design of new analogs with agonistic and antagonistic properties. This review briefly summarizes the SAR of human relaxin 2 (H2 relaxin) and human relaxin 3 (H3 relaxin) leading to the design and development of single-B-chain only agonists, B7-33 and peptide 5. The physiological functions of these new peptides agonists in cellular and animal models are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Praveen
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience & Mental Health, VIC, Australia
| | - Martina Kocan
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience & Mental Health, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam Valkovic
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience & Mental Health, VIC, Australia
| | - Ross Bathgate
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience & Mental Health, VIC, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience & Mental Health, VIC, Australia; School of Chemistry and Bio21, University of Melbourne, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Valkovic AL, Bathgate RA, Samuel CS, Kocan M. Understanding relaxin signalling at the cellular level. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 487:24-33. [PMID: 30592984 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The peptide hormone relaxin mediates many biological actions including anti-fibrotic, vasodilatory, angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and organ protective effects across a range of tissues. At the cellular level, relaxin binds to the G protein-coupled receptor relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) to activate a variety of downstream signal transduction pathways. This signalling cascade is complex and also varies in diverse cellular backgrounds. Moreover, RXFP1 signalling shows crosstalk with other receptors to mediate some of its physiological functions. This review summarises known signalling pathways induced by acute versus chronic treatment with relaxin across a range of cell types, it describes RXFP1 crosstalk with other receptors, signalling pathways activated by other ligands targeting RXFP1, and it also outlines physiological relevance of RXFP1 signalling outputs. Comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of relaxin actions in fibrosis, vasodilation, as well as organ protection, will further support relaxin's clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Valkovic
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Ross Ad Bathgate
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Martina Kocan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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10
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Ng HH, Shen M, Samuel CS, Schlossmann J, Bennett RG. Relaxin and extracellular matrix remodeling: Mechanisms and signaling pathways. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 487:59-65. [PMID: 30660699 PMCID: PMC7384500 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis is associated with accumulation of excess fibrillar collagen, leading to tissue dysfunction. Numerous processes, including inflammation, myofibroblast activation, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, play a role in the establishment and progression of fibrosis. Relaxin is a peptide hormone with well-known antifibrotic properties that result from its action on numerous cellular targets to reduce fibrosis. Relaxin activates multiple signal transduction pathways as a mechanism to suppress inflammation and myofibroblast activation in fibrosis. In this review, the general mechanisms underlying fibrotic diseases are described, along with the current state of knowledge regarding cellular targets of relaxin. Finally, an overview is presented summarizing the signaling pathways activated by relaxin and other relaxin family peptide receptor agonists to suppress fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hooi Hooi Ng
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Matthew Shen
- Cardiovascular Disease Theme, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Theme, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Jens Schlossmann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Robert G Bennett
- Research Service, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Departments of Internal Medicine and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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