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Tang B, Shi Y, Zeng Z, He X, Yu J, Chai K, Liu J, Liu L, Zhan Y, Qiu X, Tang R, Xiao Y, Xiao R. Silica's silent threat: Contributing to skin fibrosis in systemic sclerosis by targeting the HDAC4/Smad2/3 pathway. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 355:124194. [PMID: 38782158 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Nowadays, silica products are widely used in daily life, especially in skin applications, which inevitably increases the risk of silica exposure in general population. However, inadequate awareness of silica's potential hazards and lack of self-protection are of concern. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by progressive tissue fibrosis under environmental and genetic interactions. Silica exposure is considered an important causative factor for SSc, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. Within this study, we showed that lower doses of silica significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, and activation of human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) within 24 h. Silica injected subcutaneously into mice induced and exacerbated skin fibrosis. Notably, silica increased histone deacetylase-4 (HDAC4) expression by inducing its DNA hypomethylation in normal HSFs. The elevated HDAC4 expression was also confirmed in SSc HSFs. Furthermore, HDAC4 was positively correlated with Smad2/3 phosphorylation and COL1, α-SMA, and CTGF expression. The HDAC4 inhibitor LMK235 mitigated silica-induced upregulation of these factors and alleviated skin fibrosis in SSc mice. Taken together, silica induces and exacerbates skin fibrosis in SSc patients by targeting the HDAC4/Smad2/3 pathway. Our findings provide new insights for evaluating the health hazards of silica exposure and identify HDAC4 as a potential interventional target for silica-induced SSc skin fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingsi Tang
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Yaqian Shi
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Zhuotong Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Xinglan He
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Jiangfan Yu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Ke Chai
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Jiani Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Licong Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Yi Zhan
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Xiangning Qiu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Rui Tang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Yangfan Xiao
- Clinical Nursing Teaching and Research Section, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China.
| | - Rong Xiao
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China.
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Lin X, Meng X, Lin J. The Role of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Psoriasis. J Cutan Med Surg 2024; 28:276-286. [PMID: 38497283 DOI: 10.1177/12034754241239050] [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] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of psoriasis is complex. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that can be bound and activated by structurally diverse ligands and plays an important role in a range of biological processes and in the pathogenesis of different diseases. Recently, the role of AhR in psoriasis has attracted attention. AhR has toxicological functions and physiological functions. The overexpression and activation of AhR induced by the environmental pollutant and exogenous AhR agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) can drive the development of psoriasis. This TCDD-mediated toxicological response disrupts the physiological functions of AhR resulting in skin barrier disorders and the release of inflammatory cytokines, 2 of the pivotal factors of psoriasis. In addition, highly upregulated kynureninase in psoriasis decreases endogenous AhR agonists, thereby weakening the physiological functions of AhR. Activating AhR physiological signalling should be useful in the treatment of psoriasis. Studies have demonstrated that physiological activation of AhR can dampen the severity of psoriasis. The oldest and effective treatment for psoriasis coal tar works by activating AhR, and both new anti-psoriasis drugs tapinarof and benvitimod are formulations of AhR agonist, supporting that activation of AhR can be used as a new strategy for the treatment of psoriasis. Preclinical and preliminary clinical studies have revealed the anti-psoriasis effects of a number of AhR agonists, providing potential candidates for the development of new drugs for the treatment of psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiran Lin
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xianmin Meng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Axia Women's Health, Oaks, PA, USA
| | - Jingrong Lin
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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Isshiki T, Naiel S, Vierhout M, Otsubo K, Ali P, Tsubouchi K, Yazdanshenas P, Kumaran V, Dvorkin-Gheva A, Kolb MRJ, Ask K. Therapeutic strategies to target connective tissue growth factor in fibrotic lung diseases. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 253:108578. [PMID: 38103794 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108578] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The treatment of interstitial lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), remains challenging as current available antifibrotic agents are not effective in halting disease progression. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), also known as cellular communication factor 2 (CCN2), is a member of the CCN family of proteins that regulates cell signaling through cell surface receptors such as integrins, the activity of cytokines/growth factors, and the turnover of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Accumulating evidence indicates that CTGF plays a crucial role in promoting lung fibrosis through multiple processes, including inducing transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cooperating with other fibrotic mediators such as TGF-β. Increased expression of CTGF has been observed in fibrotic lungs and inhibiting CTGF signaling has been shown to suppress lung fibrosis in several animal models. Thus, the CTGF signaling pathway is emerging as a potential therapeutic target in IPF and other pulmonary fibrotic conditions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current evidence on the pathogenic role of CTGF in pulmonary fibrosis and discusses the current therapeutic agents targeting CTGF using a systematic review approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuma Isshiki
- Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, 5o Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 48L, Canada; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, 6-11-1 Omori Nisi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8541, Japan
| | - Safaa Naiel
- Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, 5o Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 48L, Canada
| | - Megan Vierhout
- Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, 5o Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 48L, Canada
| | - Kohei Otsubo
- Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, 5o Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada; Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Pareesa Ali
- Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, 5o Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 48L, Canada
| | - Kazuya Tsubouchi
- Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, 5o Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada; Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Parichehr Yazdanshenas
- Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, 5o Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 48L, Canada
| | - Vaishnavi Kumaran
- Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, 5o Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 48L, Canada
| | - Anna Dvorkin-Gheva
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 48L, Canada
| | - Martin R J Kolb
- Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, 5o Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Kjetil Ask
- Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, 5o Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 48L, Canada.
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Han Q, Yan X, Wang L, Zhang N, Zhang W, Li H, Chen W, You H, Yang A. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor attenuates cholestatic liver injury by regulating bile acid metabolism. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 682:259-265. [PMID: 37826949 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.10.030] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Cholestatic liver disease is defined as the bile acids (BAs) accumulation in the liver caused by impaired synthesis, and secretion, together with excretion of BAs due to a variety of factors, which, if left untreated, can result in hepatic fibrosis, cholestatic cholangitis, cholestatic cirrhosis, eventually, end-stage liver disease. Currently, modulation of BA metabolism is still a prospective therapeutic strategy for treating the cholestatic diseases. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor with far-reaching effects on the chronic liver disease. However, its role and mechanism in cholestatic liver damage is still unknown. Therefore, in this work, we explored the impact of AHR on the cholestatic liver injury using AHR overexpression mediated by adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors. We found that AHR is differentially expressed in different stages of cholestatic liver disease, showing either down-regulation or an increase in protective effects. Overexpression of AHR increased body weight, decreased serum total bilirubin (TBil) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), reduced porphyrin accumulation in liver tissue, and regulated the bile acid pool in the cholestatic mouse model induced by DDC diet. Overall, our data indicate that AHR attenuated cholestatic liver injury. AHR function indicates that it may have an action in the clinical management of cholestasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Han
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xuzhen Yan
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Experimental and Translational Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Likai Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hong Li
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Experimental and Translational Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hong You
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Aiting Yang
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Experimental and Translational Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China.
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Cao D, Zheng J, Li Z, Yu Y, Chen Z, Wang Q. ACSL4 inhibition prevents macrophage ferroptosis and alleviates fibrosis in bleomycin-induced systemic sclerosis model. Arthritis Res Ther 2023; 25:212. [PMID: 37884942 PMCID: PMC10601156 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03190-9] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc), with unclear pathophysiology, is a paradigmatic rheumatic disease of immunity dysfunction-driven multi-organ inflammation and ultimate fibrosis. Pathogenesis breakthroughs are urgently needed for available treatments halting its unremitting stiffness. This study aims to investigate whether ferroptosis can regulate the progressive SSc fibrosis. METHODS In vivo, bleomycin (BLM)-induced mice model was subjected to ferroptosis detection using western blotting, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) assays. Pharmacological inhibitor of the acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) was utilized to explore its potential therapeutic effects for fibrosis, from histological, biochemical, and molecular analyses. In vitro, bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) were activated into inflammatory phenotype and then the relationship was evaluated between activation level and ferroptosis sensitivity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) incubation with gradient concentrations. The potential calpain/ACSL4 axis was analyzed after calpain knockdown or over-expression in Raw264.7. RESULTS Both skin and lung tissue ferroptosis were present in SSc mice with enhanced ACSL4 expression, while ACSL4 inhibition effectively halted fibrosis progressing and provides protection from inflammatory milieu. Meanwhile, a positive regulation relationship between LPS-induced macrophage activity and ferroptosis sensitivity can be observed. After calpain knockdown, both inflammatory macrophage ferroptosis sensitivity and ACSL4 expression decreased, while its over-expression renders ACSL4-envoking condition. Also, calpain pharmacological inhibition reduced both ferroptosis and fibrosis aptitude in mice. CONCLUSIONS ACSL4 induces inflammatory macrophage ferroptosis to aggravate fibrosis progressing. ACSL4 and its upregulators of calpains may be potential therapeutic targets for BLM model of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianyu Cao
- Department of Dermatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No.180 Fenglin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, P.R. China
| | - Jina Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No.180 Fenglin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Li
- Laboratory Animal Division, Institute of Clinical Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Viral Heart Diseases, Ministry of Public Health, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zengrui Chen
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Yuhuan People's Hospital, No. 18 Changle Road, Yucheng Street, Yuhuan City, Zhejiang, 317600, P.R. China.
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No.180 Fenglin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, P.R. China.
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Pi Z, Liu J, Xiao Y, He X, Zhu R, Tang R, Qiu X, Zhan Y, Zeng Z, Shi Y, Xiao R. ATRA ameliorates fibrosis by suppressing the pro-fibrotic molecule Fra2/AP-1 in systemic sclerosis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 121:110420. [PMID: 37331293 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease that leads to irreversible fibrosis of the skin and the internal organs. The etiology of SSc is complex, its pathophysiology is poorly understood, and clinical therapeutic options are restricted. Thus, research into medications and targets for treating fibrosis is essential and urgent. Fos-related antigen 2 (Fra2) is a transcription factor that is a member of the activator protein-1 family. Fra2 transgenic mice were shown to have spontaneous fibrosis. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a vitamin A intermediate metabolite and ligand for the retinoic acid receptor (RAR), which possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. Recent research has demonstrated that ATRA also has an anti-fibrotic effect. However, the exact mechanism is not fully understood. Interestingly, we identified potential binding sites for the transcription factor RARα to the promoter region of the FRA2 gene through JASPAR and PROMO databases. In this study, the pro-fibrotic effect of Fra2 in SSc is confirmed. SSc dermal fibroblasts and bleomycin-induced fibrotic tissues of SSc animals exhibit increased levels of Fra2. Inhibition of Fra2 expression in SSc dermal fibroblasts with Fra2 siRNA markedly decreased collagen I expression. ATRA reduced the expressions of Fra2, collagen I, and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) in SSc dermal fibroblasts and bleomycin-induced fibrotic tissues of SSc mice. In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that retinoic acid receptor RARα binds to the FRA2 promoter and modulates its transcriptional activity. ATRA decreases collagen I expression both in vivo and in vitro via the reduction of Fra2 expression. This work establishes the rationale for expanding the use of ATRA in the treatment of SSc and indicates that Fra2 can be used as an anti-fibrotic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixin Pi
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.; Department of Medical Genetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Jiani Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yangfan Xiao
- Clinical Nursing Teaching and Research Section, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Xinglan He
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Ruixuan Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Rui Tang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Xiangning Qiu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yi Zhan
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Zhuotong Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China..
| | - Yaqian Shi
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China..
| | - Rong Xiao
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China..
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Paik SJ, Kim DJ, Jung SK. Preventive Effect of Pharmaceutical Phytochemicals Targeting the Src Family of Protein Tyrosine Kinases and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor on Environmental Stress-Induced Skin Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065953. [PMID: 36983027 PMCID: PMC10056297 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The skin protects our body; however, it is directly exposed to the environment and is stimulated by various external factors. Among the various environmental factors that can threaten skin health, the effects of ultraviolet (UV) and particulate matter (PM) are considered the most notable. Repetitive exposure to ultraviolet and particulate matter can cause chronic skin diseases such as skin inflammation, photoaging, and skin cancer. The abnormal activation of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases (SFKs) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in response to UV and/or PM exposure are involved in the development and aggravation of skin diseases. Phytochemicals, chemical compounds of natural plants, exert preventive effects on skin diseases through the regulation of various signaling pathways. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the efficacy of phytochemicals as potential nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical materials for the treatment of skin diseases, primarily by targeting SFK and AhR, and to explore the underlying mechanisms of action. Future studies are essential to validate the clinical potential for the prevention and treatment of skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Jeong Paik
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Joon Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Keun Jung
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Tailored Food Technology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
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Ebrahimpour A, Ahir M, Wang M, Jegga AG, Bonnen MD, Eissa NT, Montesi SB, Raghu G, Ghebre YT. Combination of esomeprazole and pirfenidone enhances antifibrotic efficacy in vitro and in a mouse model of TGFβ-induced lung fibrosis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20668. [PMID: 36450789 PMCID: PMC9712660 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24985-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease of unknown etiology. Currently, pirfenidone and nintedanib are the only FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of IPF and are now the standard of care. This is a significant step in slowing down the progression of the disease. However, the drugs are unable to stop or reverse established fibrosis. Several retrospective clinical studies indicate that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs; FDA-approved to treat gastroesophageal reflux) are associated with favorable outcomes in patients with IPF, and emerging preclinical studies report that PPIs possess antifibrotic activity. In this study, we evaluated the antifibrotic efficacy of the PPI esomeprazole when combined with pirfenidone in vitro and in vivo. In cell culture studies of IPF lung fibroblasts, we assessed the effect of the combination on several fibrosis-related biological processes including TGFβ-induced cell proliferation, cell migration, cell contraction, and collagen production. In an in vivo study, we used mouse model of TGFβ-induced lung fibrosis to evaluate the antifibrotic efficacy of esomeprazole/pirfenidone combination. We also performed computational studies to understand the molecular mechanisms by which esomeprazole and/or pirfenidone regulate lung fibrosis. We found that esomeprazole significantly enhanced the anti-proliferative effect of pirfenidone and favorably modulated TGFβ-induced cell migration and contraction of collagen gels. We also found that the combination significantly suppressed collagen production in response to TGFβ in comparison to pirfenidone monotherapy. In addition, our animal study demonstrated that the combination therapy effectively inhibited the differentiation of lung fibroblasts into alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-expressing myofibroblasts to attenuate the progression of lung fibrosis. Finally, our bioinformatics study of cells treated with esomeprazole or pirfenidone revealed that the drugs target several extracellular matrix (ECM) related pathways with esomeprazole preferentially targeting collagen family members while pirfenidone targets the keratins. In conclusion, our cell biological, computational, and in vivo studies show that the PPI esomeprazole enhances the antifibrotic efficacy of pirfenidone through complementary molecular mechanisms. This data supports the initiation of prospective clinical studies aimed at repurposing PPIs for the treatment of IPF and other fibrotic lung diseases where pirfenidone is prescribed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Ebrahimpour
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Manisha Ahir
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Min Wang
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Anil G. Jegga
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Division of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Mark D. Bonnen
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA
| | - N. Tony Eissa
- grid.266093.80000 0001 0668 7243Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
| | - Sydney B. Montesi
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Ganesh Raghu
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Yohannes T. Ghebre
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030 USA ,grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA ,grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Medicine, Section on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA ,grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
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Selvam P, Cheng CM, Dahms HU, Ponnusamy VK, Sun YY. AhR Mediated Activation of Pro-Inflammatory Response of RAW 264.7 Cells Modulate the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10110642. [PMID: 36355934 PMCID: PMC9696907 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10110642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease caused by progressive deterioration of lung tissue, is generated by several factors including genetic and environmental ones. In response to long-term exposure to environmental stimuli, aberrant tissue repair and epithelial cell-to- mesenchymal cell transition (EMT) trigger the subsequent progression of pulmonary fibrotic diseases. The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that is activated by ligands providing lung dysfunction when activated by environmental toxins, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Our previous study demonstrated that AhR mediates α-SMA expression by directly binding to the α-SMA (fibroblast differentiation marker) promoter, suggesting the role of AhR in mediating fibrogenic progression. Here we follow the hypothesis that macrophage infiltrated microenvironments may trigger inflammation and subsequent fibrosis. We studied the expression of cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells by AhR activation through an ELISA assay. To investigate molecular events, migration, western blotting and zymography assays were carried out. We found that AhR agonists such as TCDD, IP and FICZ, promote the migration and induce inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and G-CSF, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MIP-2. These cytokines arbitrate EMT marker expression such as E-cadherin, fibronectin, and vimentin in pulmonary epithelial cells. Expression of proteins of MMPs in mouse macrophages was determined by zymography, showing the caseinolytic activity of MMP-1 and the gelatinolytic action of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Taken together, the present study showed that AhR activated macrophages create an inflammatory microenvironment which favours the fibrotic progression of pulmonary epithelial cells. Such production of inflammatory factors was accomplished by affecting the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, thereby creating a microenvironment which enhances the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, leading to fibrosis of the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padhmavathi Selvam
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Mei Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Hans-Uwe Dahms
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung City 804, Taiwan
| | - Vinoth Kumar Ponnusamy
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Yo Sun
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung City 804, Taiwan
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