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Chen Y, Jiang W, Wang J, Ma X, Wu D, Liu L, Ji M, Qu X, Liu C, Liu H, Qin X, Xiang Y. Conditional knockout of ITGB4 in bronchial epithelial cells directs bronchopulmonary dysplasia. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:3760-3772. [PMID: 37698050 PMCID: PMC10718146 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal respiratory system disease is closely associated with embryonic lung development. Our group found that integrin β4 (ITGB4) is downregulated in the airway epithelium of asthma patients. Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory illness in childhood. Therefore, we suspect whether the deletion of ITGB4 would affect fetal lung development. In this study, we characterized the role of ITGB4 deficiency in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). ITGB4 was conditionally knocked out in CCSP-rtTA, Tet-O-Cre and ITGB4f/f triple transgenic mice. Lung tissues at different developmental stages were collected for experimental detection and transcriptome sequencing. The effects of ITGB4 deficiency on lung branching morphogenesis were observed by fetal mouse lung explant culture. Deleting ITGB4 from the airway epithelial cells results in enlargement of alveolar airspaces, inhibition of branching, the abnormal structure of epithelium cells and the impairment of cilia growth during lung development. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the airway epithelial cilia of the β4ccsp.cre group appear to be sparse, shortened and lodging. Lung-development-relevant factors such as SftpC and SOX2 significantly decreased both mRNA and protein levels. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that multiple ontogenesis-regulating-relevant pathways converge to FAK. Accordingly, ITGB4 deletion decreased phospho-FAK, phospho-GSK3β and SOX2 levels, and the correspondingly contrary consequence was detected after treatment with GSK3β agonist (wortmannin). Airway branching defect of β4ccsp.cre mice lung explants was also partly recovered after wortmannin treatment. Airway epithelial-specific deletion of ITGB4 contributes to lung developmental defect, which could be achieved through the FAK/GSK3β/SOX2 signal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Department of Medical Laboratory, School of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Wang Jiang
- School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Jin‐Mei Wang
- School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xiao‐Di Ma
- School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Di Wu
- School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- School of MedicineFoshan UniversityFoshanChina
| | - Le‐Xin Liu
- School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Ming Ji
- School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xiang‐Ping Qu
- School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Chi Liu
- School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Hui‐Jun Liu
- School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xiao‐Qun Qin
- School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yang Xiang
- School of Basic MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
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2
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Trotsyuk AA, Chen K, Hyung S, Ma KC, Henn D, Mermin-Bunnell AM, Mittal S, Padmanabhan J, Larson MR, Steele SR, Sivaraj D, Bonham CA, Noishiki C, Rodrigues M, Jiang Y, Jing S, Niu S, Chattopadhyay A, Perrault DP, Leeolou MC, Fischer KS, Gurusankar G, Choi Kussie H, Wan DC, Januszyk M, Longaker MT, Gurtner GC. Inhibiting Fibroblast Mechanotransduction Modulates Severity of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 2022; 11:511-523. [PMID: 34544267 DOI: 10.1089/wound.2021.0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease that affects 63 in every 100,000 Americans. Its etiology remains unknown, although inflammatory pathways appear to be important. Given the dynamic environment of the lung, we examined the significance of mechanotransduction on both inflammatory and fibrotic signaling during IPF. Innovation: Mechanotransduction pathways have not been thoroughly examined in the context of lung disease, and pharmacologic approaches for IPF do not currently target these pathways. The interplay between mechanical strain and inflammation in pulmonary fibrosis remains incompletely understood. Approach: In this study, we used conditional KO mice to block mechanotransduction by knocking out Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) expression in fibroblasts, followed by induction of pulmonary fibrosis using bleomycin. We examined both normal human and human IPF fibroblasts and used immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western Blot to evaluate the effects of FAK inhibitor (FAK-I) on modulating fibrotic and inflammatory genes. Results: Our data indicate that the deletion of FAK in mice reduces expression of fibrotic and inflammatory genes in lungs. Similarly, mechanical straining in normal human lung fibroblasts activates inflammatory and fibrotic pathways. The FAK inhibition decreases these signals but has a less effect on IPF fibroblasts as compared with normal human fibroblasts. Conclusion: Administering FAK-I at early stages of fibrosis may attenuate the FAK-mediated fibrotic response pathway in IPF, potentially mediating disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem A Trotsyuk
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kellen Chen
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sun Hyung
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kun Cathy Ma
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Dominic Henn
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Alana M Mermin-Bunnell
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Smiti Mittal
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jagannath Padmanabhan
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Madelyn R Larson
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sydney R Steele
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Dharshan Sivaraj
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Clark A Bonham
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Chikage Noishiki
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Melanie Rodrigues
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Yuanwen Jiang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Serena Jing
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Simiao Niu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Arhana Chattopadhyay
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - David P Perrault
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Melissa C Leeolou
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Katharina S Fischer
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | - Hudson Choi Kussie
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Derrick C Wan
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Michael Januszyk
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Michael T Longaker
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Geoffrey C Gurtner
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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3
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Huan C, Xu W, Liu Y, Ruan K, Shi Y, Cheng H, Zhang X, Ke Y, Zhou J. Gremlin2 Activates Fibroblasts to Promote Pulmonary Fibrosis Through the Bone Morphogenic Protein Pathway. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:683267. [PMID: 34422900 PMCID: PMC8377751 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.683267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease causing unremitting extracellular matrix deposition. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily involves bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and TGF-β, and the balance between the activation of TGF-β-dependent SMADs (Smad2/3) and BMP-dependent SMADs (Smad1/5/8) is essential for fibrosis process. GREM2, initially identified as a TGF-β-inducible gene, encodes a small secreted glycoprotein belonging to a group of matricellular proteins, its role in lung fibrosis is not clear. Here, we identified Gremlin2 as a key regulator of fibroblast activation. Gremlin2 was highly expressed in the serum and lung tissues in IPF patients. Bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model exhibited high expression of Gremlin2 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue. Isolation of primary cells from bleomycin-induced fibrosis lung showed a good correlation of Gremlin2 and Acta2 (α-SMA) expressions. Overexpression of Gremlin2 in human fetal lung fibroblast 1 (HFL-1) cells increased its invasion and migration. Furthermore, Gremlin2 regulates fibrosis functions through mediating TGF-β/BMP signaling, in which Gremlin2 may activate TGF-β signaling and inhibit BMP signaling. Therefore, we provided in vivo and in vitro evidence to demonstrate that Gremlin2 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caijuan Huan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wangting Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yaru Liu
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kexin Ruan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yueli Shi
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China
| | - Hongqiang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuehai Ke
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianying Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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4
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Che P, Yu L, Friedman GK, Wang M, Ke X, Wang H, Zhang W, Nabors B, Ding Q, Han X. Integrin αvβ3 Engagement Regulates Glucose Metabolism and Migration through Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) and Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) in Glioblastoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051111. [PMID: 33807786 PMCID: PMC7961489 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming promotes glioblastoma cell migration and invasion. Integrin αvβ3 is one of the major integrin family members in glioblastoma multiforme cell surface mediating interactions with extracellular matrix proteins that are important for glioblastoma progression. The role of αvβ3 integrin in regulating metabolic reprogramming and its mechanism of action have not been determined in glioblastoma cells. Integrin αvβ3 engagement with osteopontin promotes glucose uptake and aerobic glycolysis, while inhibiting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Blocking or downregulation of integrin αvβ3 inhibits glucose uptake and aerobic glycolysis and promotes mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, resulting in decreased migration and growth in glioblastoma cells. Pharmacological inhibition of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) or downregulation of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) blocks metabolic shift toward glycolysis and inhibits glioblastoma cell migration and invasion. These results support that integrin αvβ3 and osteopontin engagement plays an important role in promoting the metabolic shift toward glycolysis and inhibiting mitochondria oxidative phosphorylation in glioblastoma cells. The metabolic shift in cell energy metabolism is coupled to changes in migration, invasion, and growth, which are mediated by downstream FAK and PRMT5 in glioblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pulin Che
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (P.C.); (M.W.)
| | - Lei Yu
- Guiyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Guiyang 550001, China;
| | - Gregory K. Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Meimei Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (P.C.); (M.W.)
| | - Xiaoxue Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China;
| | - Huafeng Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (H.W.); (W.Z.); (B.N.)
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Normal University, Linfen City 041004, China
| | - Wenbin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (H.W.); (W.Z.); (B.N.)
| | - Burt Nabors
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (H.W.); (W.Z.); (B.N.)
| | - Qiang Ding
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (P.C.); (M.W.)
- Correspondence: (Q.D.); (X.H.)
| | - Xiaosi Han
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (H.W.); (W.Z.); (B.N.)
- Correspondence: (Q.D.); (X.H.)
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5
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Che P, Wang M, Larson-Casey JL, Hu RH, Cheng Y, El Hamdaoui M, Zhao XK, Grytz R, Brent Carter A, Ding Q. A novel tree shrew model of pulmonary fibrosis. J Transl Med 2021; 101:116-124. [PMID: 32773774 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-020-00476-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease without effective therapy. Animal models effectively reproducing IPF disease features are needed to study the underlying molecular mechanisms. Tree shrews are genetically, anatomically, and metabolically closer to humans than rodents or dogs; therefore, the tree shrew model presents a unique opportunity for translational research in lung fibrosis. Here we demonstrate that tree shrews have in vivo and in vitro fibrotic responses induced by bleomycin and pro-fibrotic mediators. Bleomycin exposure induced lung fibrosis evidenced by histological and biochemical fibrotic changes. In primary tree shrew lung fibroblasts, transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) induced myofibroblast differentiation, increased extracellular matrix (ECM) protein production, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation. Tree shrew lung fibroblasts showed enhanced migration and increased matrix invasion in response to platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB). Inhibition of FAK significantly attenuated pro-fibrotic responses in lung fibroblasts. The data demonstrate that tree shrews have in vivo and in vitro fibrotic responses similar to that observed in IPF. The data, for the first time, support that the tree shrew model of lung fibrosis is a new and promising experimental animal model for studying the pathophysiology and therapeutics of lung fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pulin Che
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Meimei Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jennifer L Larson-Casey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rui-Han Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Yiju Cheng
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Mustapha El Hamdaoui
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Xue-Ke Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Rafael Grytz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - A Brent Carter
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Birmingham VAMC, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Qiang Ding
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 901 19th Street South, BMR II, Rm#336, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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6
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Che P, Wagener BM, Zhao X, Brandon AP, Evans CA, Cai GQ, Zhao R, Xu ZX, Han X, Pittet JF, Ding Q. Neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein regulates Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced lung vascular permeability through the modulation of actin cytoskeletal dynamics. FASEB J 2020; 34:3305-3317. [PMID: 31916311 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902915r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary edema associated with increased vascular permeability is a severe complication of Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa-induced acute lung injury. The mechanisms underlying P aeruginosa-induced vascular permeability are not well understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of neuronal Wiskott Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) in modulating P aeruginosa-induced vascular permeability. Using lung microvascular endothelial and alveolar epithelial cells, we demonstrated that N-WASP downregulation attenuated P aeruginosa-induced actin stress fiber formation and prevented paracellular permeability. P aeruginosa-induced dissociation between VE-cadherin and β-catenin, but increased association between N-WASP and VE-cadherin, suggesting a role for N-WASP in promoting P aeruginosa-induced adherens junction rupture. P aeruginosa increased N-WASP-Y256 phosphorylation, which required the activation of Rho GTPase and focal adhesion kinase. Increased N-WASP-Y256 phosphorylation promotes N-WASP and integrin αVβ6 association as well as TGF-β-mediated permeability across alveolar epithelial cells. Inhibition of N-WASP-Y256 phosphorylation by N-WASP-Y256F overexpression blocked N-WASP effects in P aeruginosa-induced actin stress fiber formation and increased paracellular permeability. In vivo, N-WASP knockdown attenuated the development of pulmonary edema and improved survival in a mouse model of P aeruginosa pneumonia. Together, our data demonstrate that N-WASP plays an essential role in P aeruginosa-induced vascular permeability and pulmonary edema through the modulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pulin Che
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Brant M Wagener
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Divisions of Critical Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Center for Free Radical Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Xueke Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Angela P Brandon
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Cilina A Evans
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Guo-Qiang Cai
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rui Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Zhi-Xiang Xu
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Xiaosi Han
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jean-Francois Pittet
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Divisions of Critical Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Qiang Ding
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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7
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Zou GL, Zuo S, Lu S, Hu RH, Lu YY, Yang J, Deng KS, Wu YT, Mu M, Zhu JJ, Zeng JZ, Zhang BF, Wu X, Zhao XK, Li HY. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 represses hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis via regulation of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:4222-4234. [PMID: 31435175 PMCID: PMC6700693 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i30.4222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis is a refractory disease whose persistence can eventually induce cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Early liver fibrosis is reversible by intervention. As a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily, bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) has anti-liver fibrosis functions. However, little is known about BMP7 expression changes and its potential regulatory mechanism as well as the relationship between BMP7 and TGF-β during liver fibrosis. In addition, the mechanism underlying the anti-liver fibrosis function of BMP7 needs to be further explored.
AIM To investigate changes in the dynamic expression of BMP7 during liver fibrosis, interactions between BMP7 and TGF-β1, and possible mechanisms underlying the anti-liver fibrosis function of BMP7.
METHODS Changes in BMP7 expression during liver fibrosis and the interaction between BMP7 and TGF-β1 in mice were observed. Exogenous BMP7 was used to treat mouse primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to observe its effect on activation, migration, and proliferation of HSCs and explore the possible mechanism underlying the anti-liver fibrosis function of BMP7. Mice with liver fibrosis received exogenous BMP7 intervention to observe improvement of liver fibrosis by using Masson’s trichrome staining and detecting the expression of the HSC activation indicator alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and the collagen formation associated protein type I collagen (Col I). Changes in the dynamic expression of BMP7 during liver fibrosis in the human body were further observed.
RESULTS In the process of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice, BMP7 protein expression first increased, followed by a decrease; there was a similar trend in the human body. This process was accompanied by a sustained increase in TGF-β1 protein expression. In vitro experiment results showed that TGF-β1 inhibited BMP7 expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In contrast, high doses of exogenous BMP7 inhibited TGF-β1-induced activation, migration, and proliferation of HSCs; this inhibitory effect was associated with upregulation of pSmad1/5/8 and downregulation of phosphorylation of Smad3 and p38 by BMP7. In vivo experiment results showed that exogenous BMP7 improved liver fibrosis in mice.
CONCLUSION During liver fibrosis, BMP7 protein expression first increases and then decreases. This changing trend is associated with inhibition of BMP7 expression by sustained upregulation of TGF-β1 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Exogenous BMP7 could selectively regulate TGF-β/Smad pathway-associated factors to inhibit activation, migration, and proliferation of HSCs and exert anti-liver fibrosis functions. Exogenous BMP7 has the potential to be used as an anti-liver fibrosis drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gao-Liang Zou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Shi Zuo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Shuang Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Rui-Han Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Yin-Ying Lu
- Comprehensive Liver Cancer Center, 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Kai-Sheng Deng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Ye-Ting Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Mao Mu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Juan-Juan Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Jing-Zhang Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Bao-Fang Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Xian Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Xue-Ke Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Hai-Yang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China
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8
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Geng Y, Liu X, Liang J, Habiel DM, Kulur V, Coelho AL, Deng N, Xie T, Wang Y, Liu N, Huang G, Kurkciyan A, Liu Z, Tang J, Hogaboam CM, Jiang D, Noble PW. PD-L1 on invasive fibroblasts drives fibrosis in a humanized model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. JCI Insight 2019; 4:125326. [PMID: 30763282 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.125326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease with unremitting extracellular matrix deposition, leading to a distortion of pulmonary architecture and impaired gas exchange. Fibroblasts from IPF patients acquire an invasive phenotype that is essential for progressive fibrosis. Here, we performed RNA sequencing analysis on invasive and noninvasive fibroblasts and found that the immune checkpoint ligand CD274 (also known as PD-L1) was upregulated on invasive lung fibroblasts and was required for the invasive phenotype of lung fibroblasts, is regulated by p53 and FAK, and drives lung fibrosis in a humanized IPF model in mice. Activating CD274 in IPF fibroblasts promoted invasion in vitro and pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. CD274 knockout in IPF fibroblasts and targeting CD274 by FAK inhibition or CD274-neutralizing antibodies blunted invasion and attenuated fibrosis, suggesting that CD274 may be a novel therapeutic target in IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Geng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.,School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xue Liu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jiurong Liang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - David M Habiel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Vrishika Kulur
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ana Lucia Coelho
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nan Deng
- Biostatistics & Bioinformatics Core
| | - Ting Xie
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Ningshan Liu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Guanling Huang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Adrianne Kurkciyan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | | | - Cory M Hogaboam
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Dianhua Jiang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Paul W Noble
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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9
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Liu J, Xu D, Li J, Gao N, Liao C, Jing R, Wu B, Ma B, Shao Y, Pei C. The role of focal adhesion kinase in transforming growth factor-β2 induced migration of human lens epithelial cells. Int J Mol Med 2018; 42:3591-3601. [PMID: 30280182 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The migration of lens epithelial cells towards the posterior capsule is a key event in the development of posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Accumulating evidence has described crosstalk between growth factors and adhesive signaling pathways in wound healing and cell migration. The aim of the present study was to elucidate an aberrant transforming growth factor (TGF)‑β2 signaling pathway that regulated the migration of lens epithelial cells in the pathological context of PCO. The expression of fibronectin, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and phosphorylated (p)‑FAK in HLE‑B3 cells following TGF‑β2 treatment was determined by western blot analysis and the expression of integrin α5β1 was detected by flow cytometry. Cell migration capacity was measured by wound healing and Transwell assays in the presence of 1,2,4,5‑tetraaminobenzene tetrahydrochloride, a selective FAK inhibitor, fibronectin small interfering RNA interference, arginylglycylaspartic acid peptides or α5β1‑integrin neutralizing antibodies. The 1,2,4,5‑tetraaminobenzene tetrahydrochloride was administered daily to 16 rabbits following cataract surgery. Fibronectin and TGF‑β expression were increased in the PCO group, demonstrated by immunofluorescence assays. PCO grading was conducted by slit‑lamp biomicroscopy and evaluation of posterior capsule opacification software. It was observed that TGF‑β2 promoted HLE‑B3 cell migration and upregulated fibronectin expression, which was followed by an increased phosphorylation of FAK. In addition, TGF‑β2 treatment and fibronectin surface coating significantly increased cell migration and FAK activation, which was inhibited by disrupting fibronectin‑integrin α5β1 interaction with the arginylglycylaspartic acid peptide, α5β1‑integrin neutralizing antibody or fibronectin depletion. Finally, suppression of FAK signaling by its inhibitor significantly decreased cell migration in vitro and attenuated PCO development in vivo. In summary, TGF‑β2 was indicated to promote the migration of lens epithelial cells through the TGF‑β2/fibronectin/integrin/FAK axis. Inhibition of FAK activity decreased TGF‑β2‑mediated cell migration in vitro and improved the symptoms of PCO in a rabbit model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Dan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biological Science and Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, P.R. China
| | - Jingming Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Ning Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Chongbing Liao
- Center for Translational Medicine, Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, P.R. China
| | - Ruihua Jing
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Bogang Wu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Bo Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Yongping Shao
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biological Science and Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Pei
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
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10
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You Y, Huang Y, Wang D, Li Y, Wang G, Jin S, Zhu X, Wu B, Du X, Li X. Angiotensin (1-7) inhibits arecoline-induced migration and collagen synthesis in human oral myofibroblasts via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:4668-4680. [PMID: 30246378 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Arecoline induces oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) via promoting the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Angiotensin (1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) protects against fibrosis by counteracting angiotensin II (Ang-II) via the Mas receptor. However, the effects of Ang-(1-7) on OSF remain unknown. NOD-like receptors (NLRs) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is identified as the novel mechanism of fibrosis. Whereas the effects of arecoline on NLRP3 inflammasome remain unclear. We aimed to explore the effect of Ang-(1-7) on NLRP3 inflammasome in human oral myofibroblasts. In vivo, activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes with an increase of Ang-II type 1 receptor (AT1R) protein level and ROS production in human oral fibrosis tissues. Ang-(1-7) improved arecoline-induced rats OSF, reduced protein levels of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and the NLRP3 inflammasome. In vitro, arecoline increased ROS along with upregulation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)/Ang-II/AT1R axis and NLRP3 inflammasome/interleukin-1β axis in human oral myofibroblasts, which were reduced by NOX4 inhibitor VAS2870, ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine, and NOX4 small interfering RNA (siRNA). Furthermore, arecoline induced collagen synthesis or migration via the Smad or RhoA-ROCK pathway respectively, which could be inhibited by NLRP3 siRNA or caspase-1 blocker VX-765. Ang-(1-7) shifted the balance of RAS toward the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis, inhibited arecoline-induced ROS and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, leading to attenuation of migration or collagen synthesis. In summary, Ang-(1-7) attenuates arecoline-induced migration and collagen synthesis via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome in human oral myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehua You
- Department of Emergency, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Stomatology, The People's Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yun Huang
- Department of Emergency, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Cadre's Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Emergency, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Emergency, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guozhen Wang
- Department of Emergency, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siyi Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xintao Zhu
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Guangdong General Hospital & Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Stomatology, The People's Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinya Du
- Department of Stomatology, The People's Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Emergency, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Gabasa M, Duch P, Jorba I, Giménez A, Lugo R, Pavelescu I, Rodríguez-Pascual F, Molina-Molina M, Xaubet A, Pereda J, Alcaraz J. Epithelial contribution to the profibrotic stiff microenvironment and myofibroblast population in lung fibrosis. Mol Biol Cell 2017; 28:3741-3755. [PMID: 29046395 PMCID: PMC5739292 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e17-01-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to the profibrotic stiff microenvironment and myofibroblast accumulation in pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. We examined EMT-competent lung epithelial cells and lung fibroblasts from control (fibrosis-free) donors or patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which is a very aggressive fibrotic disorder. Cells were cultured on profibrotic conditions including stiff substrata and TGF-β1, and analyzed in terms of morphology, stiffness, and expression of EMT/myofibroblast markers and fibrillar collagens. All fibroblasts acquired a robust myofibroblast phenotype on TGF-β1 stimulation. Yet IPF myofibroblasts exhibited higher stiffness and expression of fibrillar collagens than control fibroblasts, concomitantly with enhanced FAKY397 activity. FAK inhibition was sufficient to decrease fibroblast stiffness and collagen expression, supporting that FAKY397 hyperactivation may underlie the aberrant mechanobiology of IPF fibroblasts. In contrast, cells undergoing EMT failed to reach the values exhibited by IPF myofibroblasts in all parameters examined. Likewise, EMT could be distinguished from nonactivated control fibroblasts, suggesting that EMT does not elicit myofibroblast precursors either. Our data suggest that EMT does not contribute directly to the myofibroblast population, and may contribute to the stiff fibrotic microenvironment through their own stiffness but not their collagen expression. Our results also support that targeting FAKY397 may rescue normal mechanobiology in IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gabasa
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Duch
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignasi Jorba
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alícia Giménez
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roberto Lugo
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irina Pavelescu
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Maria Molina-Molina
- ILD Unit, Pulmonology Department, University Hospital of Bellvitge. Pneumology Research Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antoni Xaubet
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Pneumology Service, Hospital Clínic, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Pereda
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de València, 46100 València, Spain
| | - Jordi Alcaraz
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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12
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Giménez A, Duch P, Puig M, Gabasa M, Xaubet A, Alcaraz J. Dysregulated Collagen Homeostasis by Matrix Stiffening and TGF-β1 in Fibroblasts from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients: Role of FAK/Akt. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18112431. [PMID: 29144435 PMCID: PMC5713399 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18112431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an aggressive disease in which normal lung parenchyma is replaced by a stiff dysfunctional scar rich in activated fibroblasts and collagen-I. We examined how the mechanochemical pro-fibrotic microenvironment provided by matrix stiffening and TGF-β1 cooperates in the transcriptional control of collagen homeostasis in normal and fibrotic conditions. For this purpose we cultured fibroblasts from IPF patients or control donors on hydrogels with tunable elasticity, including 3D collagen-I gels and 2D polyacrylamide (PAA) gels. We found that TGF-β1 consistently increased COL1A1 while decreasing MMP1 mRNA levels in hydrogels exhibiting pre-fibrotic or fibrotic-like rigidities concomitantly with an enhanced activation of the FAK/Akt pathway, whereas FAK depletion was sufficient to abrogate these effects. We also demonstrate a synergy between matrix stiffening and TGF-β1 that was positive for COL1A1 and negative for MMP1. Remarkably, the COL1A1 expression upregulation elicited by TGF-β1 alone or synergistically with matrix stiffening were higher in IPF-fibroblasts compared to control fibroblasts in association with larger FAK and Akt activities in the former cells. These findings provide new insights on how matrix stiffening and TGF-β1 cooperate to elicit excessive collagen-I deposition in IPF, and support a major role of the FAK/Akt pathway in this cooperation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alícia Giménez
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Paula Duch
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marta Puig
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marta Gabasa
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Antoni Xaubet
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
- Pneumology Service, Hospital Clínic, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jordi Alcaraz
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Abstract
Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of liver fibrosis is important to develop effective therapy. Herein, we show that focal-adhesion-kinse (FAK) plays a key role in promoting hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation in vitro and liver fibrosis progression in vivo. FAK activation is associated with increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen in fibrotic live tissues. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) induces FAK activation in a time and dose dependent manner. FAK activation precedes the α-SMA expression in HSCs. Inhibition of FAK activation blocks the α-SMA and collagen expression, and inhibits the formation of stress fibers in TGF-β1 treated HSCs. Furthermore, inhibition of FAK activation significantly reduces HSC migration and small GTPase activation, and induces apoptotic signaling in TGF-β1 treated HSCs. Importantly, FAK inhibitor attenuates liver fibrosis in vivo and significantly reduces collagen and α-SMA expression in an animal model of liver fibrosis. These data demonstrate that FAK plays an essential role in HSC activation and liver fibrosis progression, and FAK signaling pathway could be a potential target for liver fibrosis.
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14
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Habiel DM, Hogaboam CM. Heterogeneity of Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts in Pulmonary Fibrosis. CURRENT PATHOBIOLOGY REPORTS 2017; 5:101-110. [PMID: 29082111 PMCID: PMC5654579 DOI: 10.1007/s40139-017-0134-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is the most common form of interstitial lung diseases of unknown eathiopathogenesis, mean survival of 3-5 years and limited therapeutics. Characterized by a loss of alveolar type II epithelial cells and aberrant activation of stromal cells, considerable effort was undertaken to characterize the origin and activation mechanisms of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in IPF lungs. In this review, the origin and contribution of fibroblast and myofibroblasts in lung fibrosis will be summarized. RECENT FINDINGS Lineage tracing experiments suggested that interstitial lung fibroblasts and lipofibroblasts, pericytes and mesothelial cells differentiate into myofibroblasts. However, epithelial and bone marrow derived cells may give rise to collagen expressing fibroblasts but do not differentiate into myofibroblasts. SUMMARY There is great heterogeneity in fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in fibrotic lungs. Further, there is evidence for the expansion of pericyte derived myofibroblasts and loss of lipofibroblasts and lipofibroblast derived myofibroblasts in IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Habiel
- Department of Medicine and Women’s Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Cory M. Hogaboam
- Department of Medicine and Women’s Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048
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15
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Interaction of Src and Alpha-V Integrin Regulates Fibroblast Migration and Modulates Lung Fibrosis in A Preclinical Model of Lung Fibrosis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:46357. [PMID: 28397850 PMCID: PMC5387740 DOI: 10.1038/srep46357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Src kinase is known to regulate fibroblast migration. However, the contribution of integrin and Src kinase interaction to lung fibrosis has not been mechanistically investigated. Our data demonstrate that integrin alpha v (αV) recruited Src kinase and that leads to subsequent Src activation in fibroblasts plated on fibrotic matrix, osteopontin. Src interaction with integrin αV is required for integrin αV-mediated Src activation, and the subsequent fibroblast migration. The study identified that β5 and β3 are the major integrins for this effect on osteopontin. In contrast, integrins β1, β6, and β8 did not have a critical role in this phenomenon. Importantly, Src inhibitor significantly reduces fibroblast migration stimulated by PDGF-BB and reduced in vivo lung fibrosis in mice. Src inhibitor reduced Src activation and blocked the signaling transduction by integrin αV, inhibited migration signaling pathways and reduced extracellular matrix protein production, and blocked myofibroblast differentiation in vivo in mouse lung tissues. The present study supports that the interaction of Src Kinase and integrins plays a critical role in the development of lung fibrosis and the signaling involved may present a novel opportunity to target deadly fibrotic diseases.
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16
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Ding Q, Subramanian I, Luckhardt TR, Che P, Waghray M, Zhao XK, Bone N, Kurundkar AR, Hecker L, Hu M, Zhou Y, Horowitz JC, Vittal R, Thannickal VJ. Focal adhesion kinase signaling determines the fate of lung epithelial cells in response to TGF-β. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2017; 312:L926-L935. [PMID: 28360109 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00121.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) injury and apoptosis are prominent pathological features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). There is evidence of AEC plasticity in lung injury repair response and in IPF. In this report, we explore the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling in determining the fate of lung epithelial cells in response to transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Rat type II alveolar epithelial cells (RLE-6TN) were treated with or without TGF-β1, and the expressions of mesenchymal markers, phenotype, and function were analyzed. Pharmacological protein kinase inhibitors were utilized to screen for SMAD-dependent and -independent pathways. SMAD and FAK signaling was analyzed using siRNA knockdown, inhibitors, and expression of a mutant construct of FAK. Apoptosis was measured using cleaved caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. TGF-β1 induced the acquisition of mesenchymal markers, including α-smooth muscle actin, in RLE-6TN cells and enhanced the contraction of three-dimensional collagen gels. This phenotypical transition or plasticity, epithelial-myofibroblast plasticity (EMP), is dependent on SMAD3 and FAK signaling. FAK activation was found to be dependent on ALK5/SMAD3 signaling. We observed that TGF-β1 induces both EMP and apoptosis in the same cell culture system but not in the same cell. While blockade of SMAD signaling inhibited EMP, it had a minimal effect on apoptosis; in contrast, inhibition of FAK signaling markedly shifted to an apoptotic fate. The data support that FAK activation determines whether AECs undergo EMP vs. apoptosis in response to TGF-β1 stimulation. TGF-β1-induced EMP is FAK- dependent, whereas TGF-β1-induced apoptosis is favored when FAK signaling is inhibited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Ding
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama;
| | - Indhu Subramanian
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Alameda Health System, Oakland, California
| | - Tracy R Luckhardt
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Pulin Che
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Meghna Waghray
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Xue-Ke Zhao
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China; and
| | - Nathaniel Bone
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Ashish R Kurundkar
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Louise Hecker
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Meng Hu
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Yong Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jeffrey C Horowitz
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ragini Vittal
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Victor J Thannickal
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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17
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Zhao XK, Che P, Cheng ML, Zhang Q, Mu M, Li H, Luo Y, Liang YD, Luo XH, Gao CQ, Jackson PL, Wells JM, Zhou Y, Hu M, Cai G, Thannickal VJ, Steele C, Blalock JE, Han X, Chen CY, Ding Q. Tristetraprolin Down-Regulation Contributes to Persistent TNF-Alpha Expression Induced by Cigarette Smoke Extract through a Post-Transcriptional Mechanism. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167451. [PMID: 27911957 PMCID: PMC5135108 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a potent pro-inflammatory mediator and its expression is up-regulated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tristetraprolin (TTP) is implicated in regulation of TNF-α expression; however, whether TTP is involved in cigarette smoke-induced TNF-α expression has not been determined. Methods TTP expression was examined by western blot analysis in murine alveolar macrophages and alveolar epithelial cells challenged without or with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). TNF-α mRNA stability, and the decay of TNF-α mRNA, were determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. TNF-α protein levels were examined at the same time in these cells. To identify the molecular mechanism involved, a construct expressing the human beta-globin reporter mRNA containing the TNF-α 3’-untranslated region was generated to characterize the TTP targeted site within TNF-α mRNA. Results CSE induced TTP down-regulation in alveolar macrophages and alveolar epithelial cells. Reduced TTP expression resulted in significantly increased TNF-α mRNA stability. Importantly, increased TNF-α mRNA stability due to impaired TTP function resulted in significantly increased TNF-α levels in these cells. Forced TTP expression abrogated the increased TNF-α mRNA stability and expression induced by CSE. By using the globin reporter construct containing TNF-α mRNA 3’-untranslated region, the data indicate that TTP directly targets the adenine- and uridine-rich region (ARE) of TNF-α mRNA and negatively regulates TNF-α expression at the post-transcriptional level. Conclusion The data demonstrate that cigarette smoke exposure reduces TTP expression and impairs TTP function, resulting in significantly increased TNF-α mRNA stability and excessive TNF-α expression in alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells. The data suggest that TTP is a novel post-transcriptional regulator and limits excessive TNF-α expression and inflammatory response induced by cigarette smoke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ke Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Pulin Che
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Ming-Liang Cheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- * E-mail: (MLC); (QD)
| | - Quan Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Mao Mu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yuan Luo
- Department of Oral Surgery, Shanghai Stomatology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue-Dong Liang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Center of Guiyang, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Xin-Hua Luo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, People's Hospital of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Chang-Qing Gao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Patricia L. Jackson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - J. Michael Wells
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Meng Hu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Guoqiang Cai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Victor J. Thannickal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Chad Steele
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - J. Edwin Blalock
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Xiaosi Han
- Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Ching-Yi Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Qiang Ding
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MLC); (QD)
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Wagener BM, Hu M, Zheng A, Zhao X, Che P, Brandon A, Anjum N, Snapper S, Creighton J, Guan JL, Han Q, Cai GQ, Han X, Pittet JF, Ding Q. Neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein regulates TGF-β1-mediated lung vascular permeability. FASEB J 2016; 30:2557-69. [PMID: 27025963 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600102r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
TGF-β1 induces an increase in paracellular permeability and actin stress fiber formation in lung microvascular endothelial and alveolar epithelial cells via small Rho GTPase. The molecular mechanism involved is not fully understood. Neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) has an essential role in actin structure dynamics. We hypothesized that N-WASP plays a critical role in these TGF-β1-induced responses. In these cell monolayers, we demonstrated that N-WASP down-regulation by short hairpin RNA prevented TGF-β1-mediated disruption of the cortical actin structure, actin stress filament formation, and increased permeability. Furthermore, N-WASP down-regulation blocked TGF-β1 activation mediated by IL-1β in alveolar epithelial cells, which requires actin stress fiber formation. Control short hairpin RNA had no effect on these TGF-β1-induced responses. TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of Y256 of N-WASP via activation of small Rho GTPase and focal adhesion kinase mediates TGF-β1-induced paracellular permeability and actin cytoskeleton dynamics. In vivo, compared with controls, N-WASP down-regulation increases survival and prevents lung edema in mice induced by bleomycin exposure-a lung injury model in which TGF-β1 plays a critical role. Our data indicate that N-WASP plays a crucial role in the development of TGF-β1-mediated acute lung injury by promoting pulmonary edema via regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics.-Wagener, B. M., Hu, M., Zheng, A., Zhao, X., Che, P., Brandon, A., Anjum, N., Snapper, S., Creighton, J., Guan, J.-L., Han, Q., Cai, G.-Q., Han, X., Pittet, J.-F., Ding, Q. Neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein regulates TGF-β1-mediated lung vascular permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brant M Wagener
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Meng Hu
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Anni Zheng
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Xueke Zhao
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Pulin Che
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Angela Brandon
- Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Naseem Anjum
- Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Scott Snapper
- Department of Pathology, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Judy Creighton
- Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jun-Lin Guan
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Qimei Han
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Guo-Qiang Cai
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Xiaosi Han
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jean-Francois Pittet
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Qiang Ding
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Southern BD, Grove LM, Rahaman SO, Abraham S, Scheraga RG, Niese KA, Sun H, Herzog EL, Liu F, Tschumperlin DJ, Egelhoff TT, Rosenfeld SS, Olman MA. Matrix-driven Myosin II Mediates the Pro-fibrotic Fibroblast Phenotype. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:6083-95. [PMID: 26763235 PMCID: PMC4813589 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.712380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pro-fibrotic mesenchymal cells are known to be the key effector cells of fibroproliferative disease, but the specific matrix signals and the induced cellular responses that drive the fibrogenic phenotype remain to be elucidated. The key mediators of the fibroblast fibrogenic phenotype were characterized using a novel assay system that measures fibroblast behavior in response to actual normal and fibrotic lung tissue. Using this system, we demonstrate that normal lung promotes fibroblast motility and polarization, while fibrotic lung immobilizes the fibroblast and promotes myofibroblast differentiation. These context-specific phenotypes are surprisingly both mediated by myosin II. The role of myosin II is supported by the observation of an increase in myosin phosphorylation and a change in intracellular distribution in fibroblasts on fibrotic lung, as compared with normal lung. Moreover, loss of myosin II activity has opposing effects on protrusive activity in fibroblasts on normal and fibrotic lung. Loss of myosin II also selectively inhibits myofibroblast differentiation in fibroblasts on fibrotic lung. Importantly, these findings are recapitulated by varying the matrix stiffness of polyacrylamide gels in the range of normal and fibrotic lung tissue. Comparison of the effects of myosin inhibition on lung tissue with that of polyacrylamide gels suggests that matrix fiber organization drives the fibroblast phenotype under conditions of normal/soft lung, while matrix stiffness drives the phenotype under conditions of fibrotic/stiff lung. This work defines novel roles for myosin II as a key regulatory effector molecule of the pro-fibrotic phenotype, in response to biophysical properties of the matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Huanxing Sun
- Yale ILD Center of Excellence, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Erica L Herzog
- Yale ILD Center of Excellence, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, and
| | - Daniel J Tschumperlin
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | | | - Steven S Rosenfeld
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio 44195
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20
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Zhao XK, Cheng Y, Liang Cheng M, Yu L, Mu M, Li H, Liu Y, Zhang B, Yao Y, Guo H, Wang R, Zhang Q. Focal Adhesion Kinase Regulates Fibroblast Migration via Integrin beta-1 and Plays a Central Role in Fibrosis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19276. [PMID: 26763945 PMCID: PMC4725867 DOI: 10.1038/srep19276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung fibrosis is a major medical problem for the aging population worldwide. Fibroblast migration plays an important role in fibrosis. Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) senses the extracellular stimuli and initiates signaling cascades that promote cell migration. This study first examined the dose and time responses of FAK activation in human lung fibroblasts treated with platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB). The data indicate that FAK is directly recruited by integrin β1 and the subsequent FAK activation is required for fibroblast migration on fibronectin. In addition, the study has identified that α5β1 and α4β1 are the major integrins for FAK-mediated fibroblast migration on fibronect. In contrast, integrins αvβ3, αvβ6, and αvβ8 play a minor but distinct role in fibroblast migration on fibronectin. FAK inhibitor significantly reduces PDGF-BB stimulated fibroblast migration. Importantly, FAK inhibitor protects bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice. FAK inhibitor blocks FAK activation and significantly reduces signaling cascade of fibroblast migration in bleomycin-challenged mice. Furthermore, FAK inhibitor decreases lung fibrotic score, collagen accumulation, fibronectin production, and myofibroblast differentiation in in bleomycin-challenged mice. These data demonstrate that FAK mediates fibroblast migration mainly via integrin β1. Furthermore, the findings suggest that targeting FAK signaling is an effective therapeutic strategy against fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ke Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yiju Cheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ming Liang Cheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Lei Yu
- Prenatal Diagnostic Center, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Mao Mu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Baofang Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yumei Yao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Hui Guo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Quan Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
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21
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Geng J, Huang X, Li Y, Xu X, Li S, Jiang D, Liang J, Jiang D, Wang C, Dai H. Down-regulation of USP13 mediates phenotype transformation of fibroblasts in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Respir Res 2015; 16:124. [PMID: 26453058 PMCID: PMC4600336 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-015-0286-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal disease characterized by fibroblastic foci and progressive scarring of the pulmonary parenchyma. IPF fibroblasts display increased proliferation and enhanced migration and invasion, analogous to cancer cells. This transformation-like phenotype of fibroblasts plays an important role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis, but the mechanism for this is not well understood. Methods In this study, we compared gene expression profiles in fibrotic lung tissues from IPF patients and normal lung tissues from patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax using a cDNA microarray to examine the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of IPF. In a cDNA microarray, we found that USP13 was decreased in lung tissues from patients with IPF, which was further confirmed by results from immunohistochemistry and western blot assays. Then, we used RNA interference in MRC-5 cells to inhibit USP13 and evaluated its effects by western blot, real-time RT-PCR, bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, and transwell assays. We also used co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence staining to identify the correlation between USP13 and PTEN in IPF. Results USP13 expression levels were markedly reduced in fibroblastic foci and primary IPF fibroblast lines. The depletion of USP13 resulted in the transformation of fibroblasts into an aggressive phenotype with enhanced proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities. Additionally, USP13 interacted with PTEN and mediated PTEN ubiquitination and degradation in lung fibroblasts. Conclusions Down-regulation of USP13 mediates PTEN protein loss and fibroblast phenotypic change, and thereby plays a crucial role in IPF pathogenesis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12931-015-0286-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Geng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China.
| | - Xiaoxi Huang
- Department of Medical Research, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China.
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Medical Research, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China.
| | - Xuefeng Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China. .,National Clinical Research Centre for Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, 100730, P.R. China.
| | - Shuhong Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China.
| | - Dingyuan Jiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China.
| | - Jiurong Liang
- Department of Medicine Pulmonary Division and Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
| | - Dianhua Jiang
- Department of Medicine Pulmonary Division and Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China. .,National Clinical Research Centre for Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, 100730, P.R. China. .,China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, P.R. China.
| | - Huaping Dai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China. .,China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, P.R. China.
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22
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Huan C, Yang T, Liang J, Xie T, Cheng L, Liu N, Kurkciyan A, Monterrosa Mena J, Wang C, Dai H, Noble PW, Jiang D. Methylation-mediated BMPER expression in fibroblast activation in vitro and lung fibrosis in mice in vivo. Sci Rep 2015; 5:14910. [PMID: 26442443 PMCID: PMC4595647 DOI: 10.1038/srep14910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease. Although the pathogenesis is poorly understood, evidence suggests that genetic and epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation, may play a key role. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily and are important regulators in IPF. Here we identified BMP endothelial cell precursor-derived regulator (BMPER) as a key regulator of fibroblast activation. BMPER is a secreted glycoprotein that binds directly to BMPs and may regulate TGF-β/BMP signaling, but its role in lung fibrosis is not clear. BMPER is highly expressed in human IPF lung fibroblasts compared to normal lung fibroblasts. Demethylation agent 5′-azacytidine decreased BMPER expression in fibroblasts, and attenuated the invasion and migration of IPF lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated reduction of BMPER in the human lung fibroblasts impaired cell migration and invasion. 5′-azacytidine treatment additionally regulated BMPER expression and reduced lung fibrosis in mice in vivo. These findings demonstrate that methylation of specific genes in fibroblasts may offer a new therapeutic strategy for IPF by modulating fibroblast activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caijuan Huan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.,Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ting Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Jiurong Liang
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ting Xie
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Luis Cheng
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ningshan Liu
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Adrianne Kurkciyan
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | | | - Chen Wang
- China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Huaping Dai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Paul W Noble
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Dianhua Jiang
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
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Role of α1 and α2 chains of type IV collagen in early fibrotic lesions of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias and migration of lung fibroblasts. J Transl Med 2015; 95:872-85. [PMID: 26006016 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2015.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Early fibrotic lesions are thought to be the initial findings of fibrogenesis in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, but little is known about their properties. Type IV collagen comprises six gene products, α1-α6, and although it is known as a major basement membrane component, its abnormal deposition is seen in fibrotic lesions of certain organs. We studied the expression of type I and III collagen and all α chains of type IV collagen in lung specimens from patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) or organizing pneumonia (OP) via immunohistochemistry. With cultured lung fibroblasts, we analyzed the expression and function of all α chains of type IV collagen via immunohistochemistry, western blotting, real-time quantitative PCR, and a Boyden chamber migration assay after the knockdown of α1 and α2 chains. Although we observed type I and III collagens in early fibrotic lesions of both UIP and OP, we found type IV collagen, especially α1 and α2 chains, in early fibrotic lesions of UIP but not OP. Fibroblasts enhanced the expression of α1 and α2 chains of type IV collagen after transforming growth factor-β1 stimulation. Small interfering RNA against α1 and α2 chains increased fibroblast migration, with upregulated phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and adding medium containing fibroblast-produced α1 and α2 chains reduced the increased levels of fibroblast migration and phosphorylation of FAK. Fibroblasts in OP were positive for phosphorylated FAK but fibroblasts in UIP were not. These results suggest that fibroblasts in UIP with type IV collagen deposition, especially α1 and α2 chains, have less ability to migrate from early fibrotic lesions than fibroblasts in OP without type IV collagen deposition. Thus, type IV collagen deposition in early fibrotic lesions of UIP may be implicated in refractory pathophysiology including migration of lesion fibroblasts via a FAK pathway.
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24
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Che P, Yang Y, Han X, Hu M, Sellers JC, Londono-Joshi AI, Cai GQ, Buchsbaum DJ, Christein JD, Tang Q, Chen D, Li Q, Grizzle WE, Lu YY, Ding Q. S100A4 promotes pancreatic cancer progression through a dual signaling pathway mediated by Src and focal adhesion kinase. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8453. [PMID: 25677816 PMCID: PMC4326725 DOI: 10.1038/srep08453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
S100A4 expression is associated with poor clinical outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer. The effects of loss or gain of S100A4 were examined in pancreatic cancer cell lines. S100A4 downregulation remarkably reduces cell migration and invasion, inhibits proliferation, and induces apoptosis in pancreatic tumor cells. S100A4 downregulation results in significant cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in response to TGF-β1, supporting a non-canonical role of S100A4 in pancreatic cancer. The role of S100A4 in tumor progression was studied by using an orthotopic human pancreatic cancer xenograft mouse model. Tumor mass is remarkably decreased in animals injected with S100A4-deficient pancreatic tumor cells. P27Kip1 expression and cleaved caspase-3 are increased, while cyclin E expression is decreased, in S100A4-deficient pancreatic tumors in vivo. S100A4-deficient tumors have lower expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, suggesting reduced angiogenesis. Biochemical assays revealed that S100A4 activates Src and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling events, and inhibition of both kinases is required to maximally block the tumorigenic potential of pancreatic cancer cells. These findings support that S100A4 plays an important role in pancreatic cancer progression in vivo and S100A4 promotes tumorigenic phenotypes of pancreatic cancer cells through the Src-FAK mediated dual signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pulin Che
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Youfeng Yang
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Xiaosi Han
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Meng Hu
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jeffery C Sellers
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Guo-Qiang Cai
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Donald J Buchsbaum
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - John D Christein
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Dongquan Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Qianjun Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - William E Grizzle
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Yin Ying Lu
- Center of Therapeutic Research for Hepatocellular Carcinoma, 302 hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Ding
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Meng Y, Li T, Zhou GS, Chen Y, Yu CH, Pang MX, Li W, Li Y, Zhang WY, Li X. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/angiotensin (1-7)/Mas axis protects against lung fibroblast migration and lung fibrosis by inhibiting the NOX4-derived ROS-mediated RhoA/Rho kinase pathway. Antioxid Redox Signal 2015; 22:241-58. [PMID: 25089563 PMCID: PMC4283064 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2013.5818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by NADPH oxidase-4 (NOX4) have been shown to initiate lung fibrosis. The migration of lung fibroblasts to the injured area is a crucial early step in lung fibrosis. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)/angiotensin (1-7) [Ang(1-7)]/Mas axis, which counteracts the ACE/angiotensin II (AngII)/angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) axis, has been shown to attenuate pulmonary fibrosis. Nevertheless, the exact molecular mechanism remains unclear. AIMS To investigate the different effects of the two axes of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on lung fibroblast migration and extracellular matrix accumulation by regulating the NOX4-derived ROS-mediated RhoA/Rho kinase (Rock) pathway. RESULTS In vitro, AngII significantly increased the NOX4 level and ROS production in lung fibroblasts, which stimulated cell migration and α-collagen I synthesis through the RhoA/Rock pathway. These effects were attenuated by N-acetylcysteine (NAC), diphenylene iodonium, and NOX4 RNA interference. Moreover, Ang(1-7) and lentivirus-mediated ACE2 (lentiACE2) suppressed AngII-induced migration and α-collagen I synthesis by inhibiting the NOX4-derived ROS-mediated RhoA/Rock pathway. However, Ang(1-7) alone exerted analogous effects on AngII. In vivo, constant infusion with Ang(1-7) or intratracheal instillation with lenti-ACE2 shifted the RAS balance toward the ACE2/Ang(1-7)/Mas axis, alleviated bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis, and inhibited the RhoA/Rock pathway by reducing NOX4-derived ROS. INNOVATION This study suggests that the ACE2/Ang(1-7)/Mas axis may be targeted by novel pharmacological antioxidant strategies to treat lung fibrosis induced by AngII-mediated ROS. CONCLUSION The ACE2/Ang(1-7)/Mas axis protects against lung fibroblast migration and lung fibrosis by inhibiting the NOX4-derived ROS-mediated RhoA/Rock pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Meng
- 1 Department of Respiratory Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, the Southern Medical University , Guangzhou, China
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Hu M, Che P, Han X, Cai GQ, Liu G, Antony V, Luckhardt T, Siegal GP, Zhou Y, Liu RM, Desai LP, O'Reilly PJ, Thannickal VJ, Ding Q. Therapeutic targeting of SRC kinase in myofibroblast differentiation and pulmonary fibrosis. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2014; 351:87-95. [PMID: 25047515 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.216044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts are effector cells in fibrotic disorders that synthesize and remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM). This study investigated the role of the Src kinase pathway in myofibroblast activation in vitro and fibrogenesis in vivo. The profibrotic cytokine, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), induced rapid activation of Src kinase, which led to myofibroblast differentiation of human lung fibroblasts. The Src kinase inhibitor AZD0530 (saracatinib) blocked TGF-β1-induced Src kinase activation in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of Src kinase significantly reduced α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, a marker of myofibroblast differentiation, in TGF-β1-treated lung fibroblasts. In addition, the induced expression of collagen and fibronectin and three-dimensional collagen gel contraction were also significantly inhibited in AZD0530-treated fibroblasts. The therapeutic efficiency of Src kinase inhibition in vivo was tested in the bleomycin murine lung fibrosis model. Src kinase activation and collagen accumulation were significantly reduced in the lungs of AZD0530-treated mice when compared with controls. Furthermore, the total fibrotic area and expression of α-SMA and ECM proteins were significantly decreased in lungs of AZD0530-treated mice. These results indicate that Src kinase promotes myofibroblast differentiation and activation of lung fibroblasts. Additionally, these studies provide proof-of-concept for targeting the noncanonical TGF-β signaling pathway involving Src kinase as an effective therapeutic strategy for lung fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Hu
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Pulin Che
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Xiaosi Han
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Guo-Qiang Cai
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Gang Liu
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Veena Antony
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Tracy Luckhardt
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Gene P Siegal
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Yong Zhou
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Rui-ming Liu
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Leena P Desai
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Philip J O'Reilly
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Victor J Thannickal
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Qiang Ding
- Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (M.H., G.Q.-C., G.L., V.A., T.L., Y.Z., R.L., L.P.D., P.J.O., V.J.T., Q.D.), Cell, Development, and Integrative Biology (P.C.), Neurology (X.H.), and Pathology (G.P.S.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Keshari RS, Silasi-Mansat R, Zhu H, Popescu NI, Peer G, Chaaban H, Lambris JD, Polf H, Lupu C, Kinasewitz G, Lupu F. Acute lung injury and fibrosis in a baboon model of Escherichia coli sepsis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2014; 50:439-50. [PMID: 24066737 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2013-0219oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis-induced inflammation of the lung leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which may trigger persistent fibrosis. The pathology of ARDS is complex and poorly understood, and the therapeutic approaches are limited. We used a baboon model of Escherichia coli sepsis that mimics the complexity of human disease to study the pathophysiology of ARDS. We performed extensive biochemical, histological, and functional analyses to characterize the disease progression and the long-term effects of sepsis on the lung structure and function. Similar to humans, sepsis-induced ARDS in baboons displays an early inflammatory exudative phase, with extensive necrosis. This is followed by a regenerative phase dominated by proliferation of type 2 epithelial cells, expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers, myofibroblast migration and proliferation, and collagen synthesis. Baboons that survived sepsis showed persistent inflammation and collagen deposition 6-27 months after the acute episodes. Long-term survivors had almost double the amount of collagen in the lung as compared with age-matched control animals. Immunostaining for procollagens showed persistent active collagen synthesis within the fibroblastic foci and interalveolar septa. Fibroblasts expressed markers of transforming growth factor-β and platelet-derived growth factor signaling, suggesting their potential role as mediators of myofibroblast migration and proliferation, and collagen deposition. In parallel, up-regulation of the inhibitors of extracellular proteases supports a deregulated matrix remodeling that may contribute to fibrosis. The primate model of sepsis-induced ARDS mimics the disease progression in humans, including chronic inflammation and long-lasting fibrosis. This model helps our understanding of the pathophysiology of fibrosis and the testing of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi S Keshari
- 1 Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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Yang J, Wang Z, Leng D, Dai H, Wang J, Liang J, Jiang D, Wang C. G protein-coupled receptor 56 regulates matrix production and motility of lung fibroblasts. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2014; 239:686-96. [PMID: 24742924 DOI: 10.1177/1535370214529395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic, progressive, and fatal fibrotic lung disease with a poor prognosis, but no effective treatment is available. G protein-coupled receptor 56 (GPR56) plays a role in cell adhesion and tumor progression, but its function in fibrogenesis has not been explored. In this in vitro study, we found that GPR56 in IPF fibroblasts was lower than in normal fibroblasts. GPR56 regulated the production of fibronectin and type I collagen, and also changed the migratory and invasive capacity of lung fibroblasts. However, it was not sufficient to activate some classic markers of fibroblast and myofibroblast, such as α-smooth muscle actin and fibroblast specific protein 1. These findings demonstrate that reduced expression of GPR56 in lung fibroblasts may be an important link with pulmonary fibrosis, playing a role in regulating some important fibroblast functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Zhanyong Wang
- Clinical Laboratory, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
- Laboratory Research Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Dong Leng
- Clinical Laboratory, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
- Laboratory Research Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Huaping Dai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing 100020, China
- Faculty of Respirology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing 100020, China
- Department of Physiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jiurong Liang
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Dianhua Jiang
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Chen Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing 100020, China
- Faculty of Respirology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
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Grove LM, Southern BD, Jin TH, White KE, Paruchuri S, Harel E, Wei Y, Rahaman SO, Gladson CL, Ding Q, Craik CS, Chapman HA, Olman MA. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) ligation induces a raft-localized integrin signaling switch that mediates the hypermotile phenotype of fibrotic fibroblasts. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:12791-804. [PMID: 24644284 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.498576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked membrane protein with no cytosolic domain that localizes to lipid raft microdomains. Our laboratory and others have documented that lung fibroblasts from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) exhibit a hypermotile phenotype. This study was undertaken to elucidate the molecular mechanism whereby uPAR ligation with its cognate ligand, urokinase, induces a motile phenotype in human lung fibroblasts. We found that uPAR ligation with the urokinase receptor binding domain (amino-terminal fragment) leads to enhanced migration of fibroblasts on fibronectin in a protease-independent, lipid raft-dependent manner. Ligation of uPAR with the amino-terminal fragment recruited α5β1 integrin and the acylated form of the Src family kinase, Fyn, to lipid rafts. The biological consequences of this translocation were an increase in fibroblast motility and a switch of the integrin-initiated signal pathway for migration away from the lipid raft-independent focal adhesion kinase pathway and toward a lipid raft-dependent caveolin-Fyn-Shc pathway. Furthermore, an integrin homologous peptide as well as an antibody that competes with β1 for uPAR binding have the ability to block this effect. In addition, its relative insensitivity to cholesterol depletion suggests that the interactions of α5β1 integrin and uPAR drive the translocation of α5β1 integrin-acylated Fyn signaling complexes into lipid rafts upon uPAR ligation through protein-protein interactions. This signal switch is a novel pathway leading to the hypermotile phenotype of IPF patient-derived fibroblasts, seen with uPAR ligation. This uPAR dependent, fibrotic matrix-selective, and profibrotic fibroblast phenotype may be amenable to targeted therapeutics designed to ameliorate IPF.
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FAK-related nonkinase is a multifunctional negative regulator of pulmonary fibrosis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 182:1572-84. [PMID: 23499373 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2012] [Revised: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 01/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease whose underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Herein, we show that focal adhesion kinase-related nonkinase (FRNK) plays a key role in limiting the development of lung fibrosis. Loss of FRNK function in vivo leads to increased lung fibrosis in an experimental mouse model. The increase in lung fibrosis is confirmed at the histological, biochemical, and physiological levels. Concordantly, loss of FRNK function results in increased fibroblast migration and myofibroblast differentiation and activation of signaling proteins that drive these phenotypes. FRNK-deficient murine lung fibroblasts also have an increased capacity to produce and contract matrix proteins. Restoration of FRNK expression in vivo and in vitro reverses these profibrotic phenotypes. These data demonstrate the multiple antifibrotic actions of FRNK. More important, FRNK expression is down-regulated in human IPF, and down-regulation of FRNK in normal human lung fibroblasts recapitulates the profibrotic phenotype seen in FRNK-deficient cells. The effect of loss and gain of FRNK in the experimental model, when taken together with its down-regulation in human IPF, suggests that FRNK acts as an endogenous negative regulator of lung fibrosis by repressing multiple profibrotic responses.
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Cai GQ, Chou CF, Hu M, Zheng A, Reichardt LF, Guan JL, Fang H, Luckhardt TR, Zhou Y, Thannickal VJ, Ding Q. Neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) is critical for formation of α-smooth muscle actin filaments during myofibroblast differentiation. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2012; 303:L692-702. [PMID: 22886502 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00390.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts are implicated in pathological stromal responses associated with lung fibrosis. One prominent phenotypic marker of fully differentiated myofibroblasts is the polymerized, thick cytoplasmic filaments containing newly synthesized α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). These α-SMA-containing cytoplasmic filaments are important for myofibroblast contractility during tissue remodeling. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating the formation and maturation of α-SMA-containing filaments have not been defined. This study demonstrates a critical role for neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) in regulating the formation of α-SMA-containing cytoplasmic filaments during myofibroblast differentiation and in myofibroblast contractility. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is activated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and is required for phosphorylation of tyrosine residue 256 (Y256) of N-WASP. Phosphorylation of Y256 of N-WASP is essential for TGF-β1-induced formation of α-SMA-containing cytoplasmic filaments in primary human lung fibroblasts. In addition, we demonstrate that actin-related protein (Arp) 2/3 complex is downstream of N-WASP and mediates the maturation of α-SMA-containing cytoplasmic filaments. Together, this study supports a critical role of N-WASP in integrating FAK and Arp2/3 signaling to mediate formation of α-SMA-containing cytoplasmic filaments during myofibroblast differentiation and maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Qiang Cai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Lagares D, Busnadiego O, García-Fernández RA, Kapoor M, Liu S, Carter DE, Abraham D, Shi-Wen X, Carreira P, Fontaine BA, Shea BS, Tager AM, Leask A, Lamas S, Rodríguez-Pascual F. Inhibition of focal adhesion kinase prevents experimental lung fibrosis and myofibroblast formation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 64:1653-64. [PMID: 22492165 DOI: 10.1002/art.33482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Enhanced adhesive signaling, including activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), is a hallmark of fibroblasts from lung fibrosis patients, and FAK has therefore been hypothesized to be a key mediator of this disease. This study was undertaken to characterize the contribution of FAK to the development of pulmonary fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro. METHODS FAK expression and activity were analyzed in lung tissue samples from lung fibrosis patients by immunohistochemistry. Mice orally treated with the FAK inhibitor PF-562,271, or with small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of FAK were exposed to intratracheally instilled bleomycin to induce lung fibrosis, and lungs were harvested for histologic and biochemical analysis. Using endothelin 1 (ET-1) as a stimulus, cell adhesion and contraction, as well as profibrotic gene expression, were studied in fibroblasts isolated from wild-type and FAK-deficient mouse embryos. ET-1-mediated FAK activation and gene expression were studied in primary mouse lung fibroblasts, as well as in wild-type and β1 integrin-deficient mouse fibroblasts. RESULTS FAK expression and activity were up-regulated in fibroblast foci and remodeled vessels from lung fibrosis patients. Pharmacologic or siRNA-mediated targeting of FAK resulted in marked abrogation of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice. Loss of FAK impaired the acquisition of a profibrotic phenotype in response to ET-1. Profibrotic gene expression leading to myofibroblast differentiation required cell adhesion, and was driven by JNK activation through β1 integrin/FAK signaling. CONCLUSION These results implicate FAK as a central mediator of fibrogenesis, and highlight this kinase as a potential therapeutic target in fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lagares
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC and Fundación Renal Iñigo Alvarez de Toledo, Madrid, Spain
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Yang S, Xie N, Cui H, Banerjee S, Abraham E, Thannickal VJ, Liu G. miR-31 is a negative regulator of fibrogenesis and pulmonary fibrosis. FASEB J 2012; 26:3790-9. [PMID: 22661007 DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-202366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of miRNAs is closely associated with initiation and progression of pathological processes, including diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. However, the role of miRNAs in lung fibrosis is not well characterized. We sought to determine the role of miR-31 in regulating the fibrogenic, contractile, and migratory activities of lung fibroblasts and modulating of pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. In vivo lung fibrosis models and ex vivo cell culture systems were employed. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were used to determine gene expression levels. miR-31 mimics or inhibitors were transfected into pulmonary fibroblasts. Fibrogenic, contractile, and migratory activities of lung fibroblasts were determined. We found that miR-31 expression is reduced in the lungs of mice with experimental pulmonary fibrosis and in IPF fibroblasts. miR-31 inhibits the profibrotic activity of TGF-β1 in normal lung fibroblasts and diminishes the fibrogenic, contractile, and migratory activities of IPF fibroblasts. In these experiments, miR-31 was shown to directly target integrin α(5) and RhoA, two proteins that have been shown to regulate activation of fibroblasts. We found that levels of integrin α(5) and RhoA are up-regulated in fibrotic mouse lungs. Knockdown of integrin α(5) and RhoA attenuated fibrogenic, contractile, and migratory activities of IPF fibroblasts, in a manner similar to that observed with miR-31. We also found that introduction of miR-31 ameliorated experimental lung fibrosis in mice. Our data suggest that miR-31 is an important regulator of the pathological activities of lung fibroblasts and may be a potential target in the development of novel therapies to treat pathological fibrotic disorders, including pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanzhong Yang
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Ding Q, Luckhardt T, Hecker L, Zhou Y, Liu G, Antony VB, deAndrade J, Thannickal VJ. New insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Drugs 2012; 71:981-1001. [PMID: 21668038 DOI: 10.2165/11591490-000000000-00000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common and lethal of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. There are currently no effective pharmacological therapies approved for the treatment of IPF. Despite the focus on targeting fibrogenic pathways, recent clinical trials have been largely disappointing. Progress is being made in elucidating key cellular processes and molecular pathways critical to IPF pathogenesis, and this should facilitate the development of more effective therapeutics for this recalcitrant disease. Emerging pathobiological concepts include the role of aging and cellular senescence, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, cellular plasticity, microRNAs and mechanotransduction. Therapeutic approaches that target molecular pathways to modulate aberrant cellular phenotypes and promote tissue homeostasis in the lung must be developed. Heterogeneity in biological and clinical phenotypes of IPF warrants a personalized medicine approach to diagnosis and treatment of this lung disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Ding
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
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Schneider DJ, Wu M, Le TT, Cho SH, Brenner MB, Blackburn MR, Agarwal SK. Cadherin-11 contributes to pulmonary fibrosis: potential role in TGF-β production and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. FASEB J 2011; 26:503-12. [PMID: 21990376 DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-186098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis, characterized by excess deposition of extracellular matrix by myofibroblasts, is a serious component of chronic lung diseases. Cadherin-11 (CDH11) is increased in wound healing and fibrotic skin. We hypothesized that CDH11 is increased in pulmonary fibrosis and contributes its development. CDH11 expression was assessed in lung tissue from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients. The role of CDH11 in lung fibrosis was determined using the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis, and in vitro analyses were performed on A549 cells during the process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated CDH11 expression on fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and alveolar macrophages of patients with pulmonary fibrosis and mice given bleomycin. Interestingly, CDH11-deficient mice had decreased fibrotic endpoints in the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis compared to wild-type mice. Furthermore, anti-CDH11-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies successfully treated established pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin. TGF-β levels were reduced in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, BAL cells, and primary alveolar macrophages from CDH11-deficient mice. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that TGF-β up-regulated CDH11 expression on A549 cells, and inhibition of CDH11 expression using siRNA reduced TGF-β-induced EMT. Together, these results identify CDH11 as a novel therapeutic target for pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pediatric Research Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Fonar Y, Gutkovich YE, Root H, Malyarova A, Aamar E, Golubovskaya VM, Elias S, Elkouby YM, Frank D. Focal adhesion kinase protein regulates Wnt3a gene expression to control cell fate specification in the developing neural plate. Mol Biol Cell 2011; 22:2409-21. [PMID: 21551070 PMCID: PMC3128541 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e10-12-0932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
FAK is linked to aggressive tumors, but its normal function is not clear. FAK knockdown early in Xenopus development anteriorizes the embryo via a loss of Wnt signaling. Wnt3a expression is FAK dependent in both embryos and human breast cancer cells, suggesting that a FAK–Wnt linkage is highly conserved. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase protein localized to regions called focal adhesions, which are contact points between cells and the extracellular matrix. FAK protein acts as a scaffold to transfer adhesion-dependent and growth factor signals into the cell. Increased FAK expression is linked to aggressive metastatic and invasive tumors. However, little is known about its normal embryonic function. FAK protein knockdown during early Xenopus laevis development anteriorizes the embryo. Morphant embryos express increased levels of anterior neural markers, with reciprocally reduced posterior neural marker expression. Posterior neural plate folding and convergence-extension is also inhibited. This anteriorized phenotype resembles that of embryos knocked down zygotically for canonical Wnt signaling. FAK and Wnt3a genes are both expressed in the neural plate, and Wnt3a expression is FAK dependent. Ectopic Wnt expression rescues this FAK morphant anteriorized phenotype. Wnt3a thus acts downstream of FAK to balance anterior–posterior cell fate specification in the developing neural plate. Wnt3a gene expression is also FAK dependent in human breast cancer cells, suggesting that this FAK–Wnt linkage is highly conserved. This unique observation connects the FAK- and Wnt-signaling pathways, both of which act to promote cancer when aberrantly activated in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Fonar
- Department of Biochemistry, Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
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Zhan S, Cai GQ, Zheng A, Wang Y, Jia J, Fang H, Yang Y, Hu M, Ding Q. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha regulates the Hypocretin system via mRNA degradation and ubiquitination. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2010; 1812:565-71. [PMID: 21094253 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2010.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2010] [Revised: 11/10/2010] [Accepted: 11/12/2010] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies recognize that Hypocretin system (also known as Orexin) plays a critical role in sleep/wake disorders and feeding behaviors. However, little is known about the regulation of the Hypocretin system. It is also known that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is involved in the regulation of sleep/wake cycle. Here, we test our hypothesis that the Hypocretin system is regulated by TNF-α. Prepro-Hypocretin and Hypocretin receptor 2 (HcrtR2) can be detected at a very low level in rat B35 neuroblastoma cells. In response to TNF-α, Prepro-Hypocretin mRNA and protein levels are down-regulated, and also HcrtR2 protein level is down-regulated in B35 cells. To investigate the mechanism, exogenous rat Prepro-Hypocretin and rat HcrtR2 were overexpressed in B35 cells. In response to TNF-α, protein and mRNA of Prepro-Hypocretin are significantly decreased (by 93% and 94%, respectively), and the half-life of Prepro-Hypocretin mRNA is decreased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The level of HcrtR2 mRNA level is not affected by TNF-α treatment; however, HcrtR2 protein level is significantly decreased (by 86%) through ubiquitination in B35 cells treated with TNF-α. Downregulation of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 and -2 (cIAP-1 and -2) abrogates the HcrtR2 ubiquitination induced by TNF-α. The control green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression is not affected by TNF-α treatment. These studies demonstrate that TNF-α can impair the function of the Hypocretin system by reducing the levels of both Prepro-Hypocretin and HcrtR2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqin Zhan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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